Chapter 34: 34, Spy Captured, Long-term Battlefield Support Mission
This shout in Japanese immediately revealed their identities. A large group of soldiers surged in, but were forced back by a burst of gunfire.
“Brothers, don’t let a single little Japanese escape. If you catch them, the higher-ups will reward you. I’ll pin a big red flower on you and parade you through the streets, plus ten silver dollars.” The garrison battalion commander’s words gave the soldiers combat power.
They exchanged fire with the Japanese spies behind the door and in the courtyard. Those on the other side of the courtyard wall who had set up a ladder secretly jumped down the wall, circled around to the outside of the house, while a few bold ones directly climbed onto the rooftop.
Then, they transported firewood outside the house and onto the roof, and set it all ablaze.
The not-yet-dried firewood produced a large amount of white smoke when burning, most of which poured into the house.
Immediately, the gunfire inside weakened, and bursts of coughing came out.
The battalion commander held a loudspeaker and shouted from beside the wall: “Little Japanese, surrender and you won’t be killed. Throw out your weapons and surrender obediently, or we’ll smoke you to death.”
Inside, they were still struggling. A gunshot startled the battalion commander, who ducked his head back.
Furious, he loudly ordered: “Keep adding fire. I don’t believe these guys can hold out to the death.”
The fire grew stronger, and soldiers kept fanning to force the thick smoke into the house.
Finally, one pitch-black figure rushed out, shouting from his mouth: “I surrender.”
Soldiers immediately tackled him and dragged him out of the courtyard.
One led to two; soon the remaining Japanese spies couldn’t hold out and came out one after another with hands raised.
A total of four Japanese spies, all captured.
This was a great merit for both Yue Jinping and the garrison battalion commander.
Immediately after, Yue Jinping borrowed twenty soldiers and a military vehicle from the garrison battalion commander, and left with a vehicle full of spoils.
Fang Wen, who had watched the whole process, felt a bit regretful. Throughout, he had been held back by Yue Jinping and couldn’t get close to watch, not even firing a single bullet.
Because of the Japanese spy incident, plus the aviation team had already lost 2 airplanes, with four crew members killed in action and another 2 wounded, and the airplanes also damaged to varying degrees, they could not continue air combat for the short term.
But the overall battle situation would not stop because of this.
Stuck at the airport, Fang Wen could only learn about the situation in Shanghai through the radio.
Just like that, three days passed, reaching February 23.
That day, an officer came outside the airport.
This officer came directly to find the aviation captain and talked with him for a long time.
Then, the two walked over to Fang Wen, who was inspecting an airplane.
The captain squatted down and said: “Fang Wen, stop what you’re doing first. There’s something very important we need to talk about.”
Fang Wen, covered in grease, crawled out from under the airplane and washed his hands with soap.
“Captain, go ahead. I’m listening.”
“This is from the 19th Route Army Logistics Department. He has some things to discuss with you.”
The 19th Route Army and the Guangdong Air Force were from the same Guangdong system and certainly knew each other well. Fang Wen didn’t know why the other was looking for him, after all, he was just a temporary combatant, an outsider.
He dried the water on his hands with a towel and looked at the other.
“I’ve heard about the warfare these three days on the radio. You are heroes.”
These words made the other smile, and he directly stated his purpose.
“Thanks to your previous air raid, although the Japanese Army’s 9th Division ammunition depot in the rear was destroyed, they replenished ammunition via sea and restored their reserves. Starting from the 21st, thousands of Japanese soldiers launched a fierce offensive under the cover of airplanes, cannons, and armored cars.
My 19th Army is still holding on, but with the war at this point, supply problems have arisen. Some positions of the 19th Route Army have been cut off from logistics supplies by the enemy, lacking basic medicine, and even ammunition is in short supply. Although some supplies and medicine were obtained through spontaneous organization by Shanghai citizens, more supplies need timely replenishment from the rear.
The current problem is, we need a pilot with excellent flying technique who is also skilled in night flight to go to Jianqiao Airport in Hangzhou, pilot a transport aircraft to Shanghai, and perform nighttime low-altitude airdrop.”
“Can you do it?”
Fang Wen’s expression was grave, and he didn’t answer immediately.
The requirements proposed by the other needed careful consideration on several points.
Whether the transport aircraft model could be mastered in a short time.
Flying from Hangzhou to Shanghai would more easily encounter Japanese Army interceptions.
Even though nighttime flight had a high safety factor, the other required nighttime low-altitude airdrop.
This was different from the previous nighttime flight reconnaissance.
Shanghai now had many high-rise buildings; both accurately locating the drop point and avoiding collisions with buildings during low-altitude flight were necessary.
This required maintaining altitude below 1000 meters but above 500 meters, while still precisely locating.
“Very difficult.” He answered honestly.
“We just discussed this. Currently, only you can do night flight over Shanghai. No one else can.” The aviation captain interjected.
“What airplane is it?” Fang Wen asked in return.
“Rhein NYP-2, the one you piloted from Guangzhou to Hangzhou.”
This was good news; a familiar model increased the chances.
“I can’t guarantee success, but I can try.” Fang Wen replied.
“That’s all we needed to hear. Whether it succeeds or not, just do your best.” The 19th Route Army logistics officer quickly agreed.
“Then I’ll have Shao Sishen take you there.”
The aviation captain called Shao Sishen, and they were ready to take off immediately.
Because it was urgent, Fang Wen just changed clothes and boarded the airplane, leaving Nanjing Airport.
After more than two hours of flight, the airplane arrived at Jianqiao Airport.
For Fang Wen, this was a completely unfamiliar environment. Below were the most Republic of China military aircraft parked, and it was the largest military airport of this era.
After receiving landing permission, the airplane landed on the airport runway.
Shao Sishen stuck his head out and said to Fang Wen, who had gotten off the airplane: “Don’t worry, your technique will surely succeed. I’ll be waiting for your good news.”
Fang Wen smiled back and stood outside the airport runway.
Shao Sishen piloted the airplane to turn around and directly returned to base.
Without Shao Sishen, Fang Wen didn’t know what to do in this completely unfamiliar environment.
He remembered the instructions from the 19th Route Army Logistics Department officer before takeoff: go to the airport command tower to find a man named Gui Hongyuan, who would arrange everything.
The command tower was the tallest building at the airport. Fang Wen crossed the runway and went straight there.
There were no soldiers guarding outside the command tower, so he went right in.
Inside it was bustling, with over a dozen officers busy with their own tasks.
An officer saw Fang Wen at the door: “Which department are you from?”
“I’m looking for Gui Hongyuan. I just came from Nanjing Airport to report.” Fang Wen replied.
“Oh, you’re that night flight pilot.” The officer turned around: “Gui Hongyuan, the pilot from Nanjing Airport is here to report. Arrange for him.”
An officer who had been working at his desk looked up, saw Fang Wen, and came over.
He explained the mission to Fang Wen.
“You will next carry out a very important night flight operation. If successful, you will airdrop supplies to the Shanghai War Zone every night. This is very important for the ground army’s combat, providing various urgently needed supplies. I hope you succeed.”
Fang Wen understood; this mission wasn’t one or two times, but ongoing until the war ended.
In the original history, there was no such thing, after all, night flight wasn’t easy.
He nodded, and Gui Hongyuan then took him to the hangar.
That Rhein NYP-2 was quietly parked there.
Outside the hangar, a military vehicle was unloading cargo.
“Follow me. For your night flight operation, there are also two crew members. Let me introduce them.” After Gui Hongyuan spoke, he led Fang Wen to the transport aircraft, where two burly soldiers stood.
