Chapter 273: 272 Destroying Hidden Heavy Artillery Position, International Brigades Strategic Transfer, Valencia Air Combat
Above Madrid University City, Fang Wen soared high in the sky piloting the Shrike Hao.
At this moment, as the brain of the aviation team, he bore many responsibilities.
He was not only a commander but also served the role of a future early warning aircraft, anticipating potential enemy air force units.
However, this time, the Vulture Legion seemed inactive.
Fang Wen deduced that the Vulture Legion was likely coordinating with Franco’s army to attack Valencia.
After all, compared to Madrid, Valencia, as an important agricultural production area and port in Spain, was a crucial gateway to the Mediterranean Sea and a vital channel for the Second Spanish Republic to receive international aid.
If Valencia Port were captured, Franco, with German support, would have a much greater chance of winning.
Therefore, Franco’s side would deploy its foreign air support to the most critical area.
As he pondered, Fang Wen, in his mechanical perception state, received feedback from a special radio wave.
Kuang Anming had discovered an important enemy military target!
Fang Wen immediately cleared his mind and followed the direction of the radio wave to observe below.
It was an independent building complex.
Overlaying it with the map in his mind, Fang Wen knew what the target was.
It was Alcalá University.
It was an ancient university with a long architectural history, full of traditional Spanish architectural style.
The location indicated by the radio wave feedback was inside a church-style building within the campus.
There, on the square surrounded by tall buildings, five new heavy cannons were adjusting their barrels under the operation of soldiers.
These cannons were definitely not Spanish-made.
Fang Wen recalled the intelligence he had purchased mentioning the s.FH18 howitzer.
This was a new artillery piece developed by Rheinmetall Company last year for the German Army.
Clearly, they intended to test the power of this artillery on the Spanish battlefield.
Fang Wen recalled the information about this weapon from the intelligence reports.
It had a 150 mm caliber, fired 43.5 kg high-explosive howitzer shells, with an effective range of 13,250 meters. It could even use rocket-assisted projectiles to increase its range, making it a powerful heavy artillery piece for the German Army with significant deterrent power on the local battlefield.
If these five cannons were to fire continuously, the threat to the International Brigades would be too great.
With this thought, Fang Wen immediately began preparing to attack the target below.
In the safety of the surrounding buildings, a dive-bombing attack with autocannons was impossible; the only means of destruction was a Soviet aerial bomb carried by the Shrike Hao.
This was a 100 kg heavy Soviet aerial bomb capable of causing destruction within a radius of tens of meters. If it hit the center of the five cannons, the subsequent explosion of the howitzer shells could potentially destroy all the heavy cannons.
With this in mind, Fang Wen lowered his flight altitude, concentrating fully on predicting the drop.
At this moment, the five s.FH18 howitzers hidden within the university buildings began their first volley.
This was a test shot; if the forward observer reported good impact results, they would proceed with the established firing elements for continuous bombardment. Otherwise, they would adjust the firing elements for corrected fire.
Five shells flew across the sky, tracing parabolic arcs over the university city, landing in the area where the two sides were engaged in combat.
Four of them landed in open ground, sending fragments flying and causing minor casualties to soldiers on both sides, temporarily halting the attacks.
The most severe was the fifth shell, a 150 mm howitzer shell that landed on the International Brigades’ fortifications. The powerful explosion instantly destroyed one-fifth of that structure.
With such powerful artillery fire, a few more volleys like that, and the International Brigades wouldn’t be able to counterattack today; they might even lose this position.
The hidden howitzer position at Alcalá University immediately contacted the forward observer after the first volley. Upon confirming the impact results, the artillerymen began adjusting their aim based on the firing elements of the fifth howitzer shell.
Once they finished adjusting, the next volley would inflict heavy damage on the International Brigades’ front lines.
Witnessing all this, Kuang Anming clenched his fists, sweat trickling from his palms.
His French comrade was equally anxious: “Why hasn’t your brother-in-law acted yet?”
“Shut up, my brother-in-law will definitely succeed. He needs time.”
After scolding his comrade, Kuang Anming looked up at the sky.
He saw it.
A black shadow emerged from the clouds, like a ferocious shrike swooping down on the concealed artillery position.
It dived at high speed, dropping a bomb at extremely low altitude, then performed a rapid U-shaped ascent.
Seconds later, a mushroom cloud of an explosion rose from the ground, followed by the tremendous sound of the blast.
Kuang Anming excitedly declared to his comrade: “See? That’s my brother-in-law.”
In early November, the Asian Aviation Team cooperated with the International Brigades at the university city to launch a joint air-ground attack on Franco’s forward positions.
A secret artillery position was destroyed, and at the same time, the International Brigades regained some of the lost territory in their counterattack.
This was a good start and also brought fame to the Asian Aviation Team within the International Brigades.
After proving their strength, the Asian Aviation Team received priority for various supplies, and their subsequent flying missions increased.
Routine aerial harassment became an important mission for the Asian Aviation Team.
Under the airdrops and dive-bombing attacks of the Asian Aviation Team, the International Brigades launched repeated offensives, leveraging their air superiority. Taking this opportunity, they pushed their front lines forward until Franco’s army retreated into the mountainous areas north of Madrid.
There, the mountainous terrain was more suitable for Franco’s army, whose soldier source came from the mountainous environment of northern Spain. Furthermore, Franco’s army was dispersed across the complex mountainous terrain, preventing the Asian Aviation Team from maintaining air superiority and fire suppression.
The battle situation thus devolved into a stalemate.
While Madrid saw local victories, Valencia, on the other hand, was enduring an extremely fierce offensive.
The focus of the war shifted from Madrid to Valencia for a time.
The International Brigades convened a military meeting for this purpose.
November 15th.
At Albacete Base, the International Brigades’ meeting convened.
Fang Wen, as the captain of the Asian Aviation Team, participated in this meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, the adjutant of the International Brigades’ overall commander, Emilio Kleber, explained the latest war situation.
The adjutant stated:
“Comrades, currently, the Popular Front is preparing to completely abandon Madrid and concentrate its forces to defend Valencia. Franco’s side has received over 90 new German fighter jets, and under the cover of naval and air forces, they have launched a very fierce offensive towards Valencia.”
Listening to the adjutant’s words, officers from various units of the International Brigades began to discuss.
“It seems Franco has temporarily abandoned the attack on Madrid and is preparing to concentrate superior forces to capture Valencia.”
“Once Valencia falls, the Republic will lose foreign support. We must dispatch troops to assist in Valencia’s defense.”
“But our troop strength is already insufficient. If we reinforce Valencia, what about Madrid?”
Fang Wen listened to the officers of the International Brigades discussing the situation, and he himself was analyzing the current circumstances.
As a person from the future, he analyzed the situation with a results-oriented approach.
The spark of revolution in Europe represented by the Second Spanish Republic was something other European powers did not wish to see.
Therefore, apart from the volunteers from the International Brigades around the world, only Soviet support remained.
Britain and France would likely not participate and would not help the Popular Front.
Germany and Italy, however, leaned towards Franco’s faction.
Therefore, this situation was an unsolvable deadlock, and ultimately, this European revolution would be jointly strangled by various parties.
With this thought, Fang Wen couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
All he could do was to participate in this war as much as possible, accumulating combat experience while contributing his part.
At this point, the discussion reached its conclusion, and Emilio Kleber spoke to make a summary.
“Comrades, we must make choices. For the victory of this revolution, we can only concentrate our forces on one front. Therefore, I have decided to leave a portion of defensive forces with the Madrid local troops to tie them down, and the remaining members of the International Brigades will march towards Valencia. Do you have any objections?”
No one had any objections, as the purpose of the International Brigades was to sustain the Spanish revolution, not to be confined to the victory or defeat in a particular location.
Thus, the meeting concluded.
The meeting ended, and everyone rose to leave. Fang Wen was about to depart but was asked to stay.
Emilio Kleber spoke with Fang Wen specifically: “Currently, Germany has deployed more new fighter jets, some of which perform no worse than the I-16. I hope your Asian Aviation Team can cooperate with the Soviet Aviation team to regain air control over Valencia.”
Fang Wen calmly replied: “We will do our best. Regarding the new fighter jets supported by the German army, do you have any related information?”
Emilio Kleber looked at his adjutant, who produced a stack of documents and handed them to Fang Wen: “We only have these. Take them back and review them.”
Fang Wen took the stack of German fighter jet data and left the meeting room, returning directly to his quarters.
As soon as he returned to the barracks, he began to examine the documents.
Even if this information was not complete, it was extremely important. Knowing oneself and the enemy was crucial in air combat.
The initial part of the documents contained information Fang Wen already knew.
Germany had initially provided Ju.52 transport aircraft and He.51 fighter jets.
Although the He.51 fighter jets were no match for Fang Wen, they had held a significant advantage against the Spanish Republican Air Force’s NID-52 fighter jets in earlier air battles, achieving a high kill ratio.
Even the He.51 fighter jets of the Vulture Legion had attacked airfields and sunk Republican warships.
And now, Franco’s foreign air support had expanded.
Germany’s newest Messerschmitt Bf.109 fighter jets.
Italy’s CR.32 fighter jets.
Fang Wen finished reading all the documents and closed his eyes in thought.
In terms of performance, Germany’s Messerschmitt Bf.109 fighter jet was comparable to his modified I-16 in all aspects. Fighting against these new fighter jets would be very challenging.
However, air combat was not solely about performance; it also involved flying technique and teamwork.
He was training in Spain, but weren’t the German pilots doing the same?
He recalled the German pilot who escaped in the He.51 fighter jet with exquisite flying technique during that air battle. Such skilled pilots would inevitably be numerous in future engagements, posing a significant challenge to him and the pilots of the Taishan Elite Aviation Team.
With this thought, Fang Wen took a deep breath. The practical training in Spain was becoming increasingly stimulating.
November 16th.
The International Brigades began redeploying troops to the west.
The Asian Aviation Team also began to move.
Modified Boeing 247 aircraft, temporarily serving as transport planes, carried International Brigades soldiers and military supplies to Valencia.
Fang Wen, piloting the Shrike Hao, led three modified I-16s, providing protection for the transport planes and conducting aerial patrols.
The formation took off from Albacete Base and flew west.
As the leader, Fang Wen activated his mechanical perception and took the lead.
After three hours of formation flying, as they approached Valencia, Fang Wen, in his mechanical perception state, detected numerous aerial warning signals on the radar.
The entire sky above Valencia was filled with hundreds of aircraft engaged in fierce aerial combat.
This was Fang Wen’s first encounter with such a large-scale air battle. Even he couldn’t help but feel his heart race with excitement.
He immediately issued an encrypted telegram order.
He instructed the Boeing 247s to land immediately while he and his three wingmen provided cover.
Upon receiving the order, the Boeing 247s reduced altitude and headed towards the military airport north of Valencia.
The distance was only 100 kilometers, and they soon arrived.
However, just as the transport planes were landing, a new formation of enemy fighter jets appeared from the south.
A total of six He.51 fighter jets and two bombers converted from Ju.52 transport aircraft.
Their heading indicated they were preparing to bomb the military airport.
This would not do. Fang Wen immediately issued a new encrypted telegram order.
Subsequently, the three wingmen and the Shrike Hao formed a triangular formation and flew head-on towards the enemy.
Four against eight, a battle of performance and numbers ensued.
Faced with the provocation from Fang Wen’s Asian Aviation Team, the enemy immediately reacted.
The He.51 fighter escort formation split into four, attempting to engage Fang Wen and his team in one-on-one duels.
Such an action was overly audacious and would result in fatal punishment.
Fang Wen, of course, would not miss this excellent opportunity. He issued a joint operation order, directing the fighter formation to conduct a pincer movement by splitting into teams.
Instantly, the four high-speed fighter jets dispersed into two groups, separating to the left and right, maneuvering at high speed towards the enemy’s flanks.
This tactic was learned from experience fighting the He.51 fighter jets; biplanes were far less agile in turning maneuvers compared to monoplanes.
This single tactical change gave the Asian Aviation Team a significant advantage, enveloping the enemy’s flanks from both sides.
They then launched coordinated attacks in pairs.
The 20mm autocannon belts fired, creating a deadly crossfire that immediately tore through one He.51 fighter jet.
The fighter jet, unable to even attempt evasive maneuvers, was ripped to shreds and burst into flames in the air.
Faced with such sudden and dire news, the remaining three He.51 fighter jets immediately executed tactical evasion maneuvers. The three aircraft split into different altitudes and directions, attempting to disengage from this dangerous area and then find opportunities to attack.
Such maneuvers were highly effective in one-on-one aerial combat, but this time they faced the coordinated attack of the Asian Aviation Team and the exceptionally skilled Fang Wen.
The three wingmen, having received the order, closely pursued one He.51 fighter jet, entering a kill mode. With their speed and concentrated crossfire, that aircraft was likely doomed.
Simultaneously, Fang Wen’s Shrike Hao performed a sudden aileron roll, completing a rapid roll and turn in the air before turning towards another He.51 fighter jet.
