sovbooks Chapter 230: The 88mm Anti-Aircraft Gun Makes its Debut, and a Japanese Warplane Crashes.
Chapter 230: The 88mm Anti-Aircraft Gun Makes its Debut, and a Japanese Warplane Crashes.
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Wang Chengzhu suddenly stood at attention, his gaze firm, and answered loudly:
"Reporting to the platoon leader! Mission accomplished! We will not allow a single Japanese plane to hit one of our soldiers!"
In fact, the air defense forces were already fully deployed before the general offensive began last night.
Currently, the air defense forces under Li Jianghe's command are composed of air defense battalions from various motorized infantry detachments and air defense brigades from artillery detachments.
The main anti-aircraft weaponry is the large-caliber 88mm anti-aircraft gun, as well as self-propelled anti-aircraft guns mounted on armored tracked vehicles.
In addition, there are a large number of fixed twin-mounted and quadruple-mounted Solothurn 20mm autocannons, forming a tight short-range air defense network.
Large numbers of reconnaissance squads were also scattered around the perimeter of the battlefield.
They all carried telephones or small radios, keeping a 24-hour watch on the surrounding airspace.
Once a group of Japanese aircraft is spotted, the surrounding air defense forces will be notified immediately.
The speed and course of the Japanese aircraft formations, as well as the types and numbers of their aircraft, were reported with absolute precision.
Li Jianghe knew very well that the Japanese army's planned counterattack would be as fierce as thunder.
Whether the air defense forces could shoot down enough Japanese warplanes and maintain air superiority was crucial for the ground troops.
If Japanese aircraft were allowed to enter the battlefield unimpeded, they would inflict heavy losses on ground armored forces.
The Japanese 6th and 10th Divisions' counterattack on the front lines is likely to achieve a breakthrough.
On the outskirts of the battlefield, the roar of aircraft engines grew louder as they approached, echoing through the air, noisy and jarring.
Reconnaissance squads scattered throughout the area were rapidly relaying information about enemy aircraft movements to surrounding air defense units via telephone and small radios.
Meanwhile, the 88mm anti-aircraft guns hidden in the woods and wheat fields have removed the camouflage netting covering their bodies.
The dark muzzles of the cannons were raised in unison, aimed at the direction from which the enemy planes were flying. The gunners had already loaded the shells and were just waiting for the order.
At this moment, a large number of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns hidden in bunkers also started their engines.
More fixed anti-aircraft guns were also ready to fire, their muzzles pointing straight to the sky, quietly waiting for the Japanese aircraft to walk into their trap.
In the air, Ishida Meiichiro, the commander of the Japanese Third Air Group, was sitting in the cockpit of a Kawasaki fighter plane.
He gripped the control stick, constantly maintaining communication with the various aircraft groups via radio, his expression extremely solemn.
"Reconnaissance team reports: No enemy air defense positions detected in the airspace ahead."
"The bombing team requests permission to enter the battlefield and carry out a bombing mission."
On the communications channel, groups of aircraft carrying out different combat missions kept sending him requests.
Ishida Meiichiro knew very well that the enemy's air defense positions must exist, but they were well camouflaged, which is why the reconnaissance planes failed to detect them.
"Execute the first wave of bombing missions; fighter groups, prepare for combat."
"Once enemy air defense positions are detected firing, immediately dive and attack, and destroy them at all costs!"
Ishida Meiichiro dared not underestimate his opponent in the slightest.
Before arriving at the Chinese battlefield, he was repeatedly warned by his superiors.
When facing other Chinese troops, there is no need to worry too much about air defense firepower.
However, when facing Li Jianghe's third column, we must be on high alert and never underestimate them.
"Colonel, I had long heard that the Third Column's anti-aircraft firepower was fierce, but now it seems that it is not so impressive after all."
A flippant voice suddenly rang out over the radio, carrying a hint of nonchalant ease and comfort.
"Maybe their anti-aircraft guns all fell into the river while they were crossing, becoming gifts for the kappa!"
As soon as he said that, a burst of laughter immediately filled the communication channel.
Compared to the cautious Ishida Meiichiro, these arrogant Japanese pilots, who considered themselves the pride of the nation, did not take the Third Column seriously at all.
Especially since they were almost over the battlefield and the enemy's air defenses remained completely still, they felt the rumors were exaggerated.
"Shut up! You bunch of idiots!"
Ishida Meiichiro immediately launched into a stern rebuke, his tone filled with anger.
"Underestimating your enemy and being careless will cost you dearly, and that cost could very well be your lives!"
"Everyone, stay alert! Did you hear me?!"
The communication channel fell silent for a moment, but many Japanese pilots were still grumbling to themselves.
They completely disregarded Ishida Akiichiro's warning and still felt that the Third Column's air defense forces were nothing to fear.
But just then, blinding fireballs suddenly exploded in the sky ahead.
Those were high-explosive shells fired from 88mm anti-aircraft guns, shooting into the sky with a sharp whistle and exploding with a loud bang in the designated airspace!
This type of grenade can be pre-set with a timed fuse, allowing it to detonate precisely at the altitude of the target aircraft group.
The Japanese fighter formation flying ahead entered the firing range of the 88mm gun and was instantly devastated.
Fifteen 88mm guns fired simultaneously, and high-explosive shells exploded one after another in the air.
The kill zone instantly covered the entire airspace where the Japanese fighter formation was located.
Countless high-speed flying fragments, accelerated by the shockwave, instantly tore apart the aluminum alloy fuselage of the Japanese warplane.
Many Japanese pilots were directly hit by shrapnel, their blood instantly filling the cockpit, and they screamed in agony over the radio.
"Enemy anti-aircraft guns!!! Enemy anti-aircraft guns!!!"
"I've been hit! The fighter jet is going out of control! I have to eject!!"
"Help me! My femoral artery has been punctured! I'm bleeding so much!!"
Screams and desperate roars echoed across the radio communication channels, creating utter chaos.
The Japanese fighter squadron at the forefront lost more than half its number in just one round of artillery fire.
The remaining fighter jets panicked, their formation instantly scattering as they scrambled to avoid each other.
Ishida Akiichiro stared at the scene before him, his eyes wide with rage, his hands trembling as he gripped the control stick.
He roared into the radio, "Dive! Take out their anti-aircraft positions!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he pushed the control stick, leading the subsequent fighter squadron in a dive towards the exposed anti-aircraft gun positions.
But just as the fighter jets were diving, a dense net of fire suddenly rose from the ground and fiercely covered the Japanese fighter jets in the air.
Those Japanese warplanes that attempted to dive-bomb and bomb were instantly and accurately hit by shells from the quadruple Solothurn machine gun.
"Bang bang bang!!"
The rapid-fire of machine guns created a continuous barrage, weaving an impenetrable web of death across the sky.
Below, in the fields, ditches, and woods, the concealed twin and quadruple Solothurn machine guns simultaneously opened fire on the air.
Compared to the powerful but slow-firing 88mm gun, these rapid-fire machine guns perfectly filled the firing gap of the 88mm gun, forming an absolute defense line for close-range air defense.