Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 272, Section 271: The Spanish Civil War Situation, the Battle of Madrid, and the Air-to-Ground Battle of the University City.

Black paint, with the flick of a paintbrush, gradually outlined the two biplane markings on the right side of the Shrike's fuselage.

Fang Wen wrote another line of small characters next to the battle record marker.

In November of 1936, the Shrike shot down two German Condor He 51 fighters over Madrid.

Having written this, I can say that I have recorded the Shrike's combat record.

The members of the Taishan Elite Flight Team, who were watching from the sidelines, were also envious.

Unfortunately, the other aircraft that was shot down was shot down by three Il-16s. It was considered a team achievement and could not be marked on a single aircraft.

At this moment, the pilots of the Taishan Elite Flight Team were filled with fighting spirit, wanting to pilot their fighter jets and shoot down enemy aircraft on their own, personally painting the honor on their aircraft.

This is a sense of honor unique to fighter pilots, and for this reason, they made a joint request to Fang Wen.

Seeing the eager expressions on the pilots' faces, Fang Wen put down the paint bucket and started a group meeting on the spot.

"The main purpose of this trip to Spain is to enhance everyone's combat experience and teamwork. Of course, it will not prohibit the act of shooting down an aircraft alone. I hereby announce that anyone who shoots down an enemy aircraft alone can have their unique achievement recorded on their fighter jet. This includes their signature and the type of aircraft shot down."

Upon hearing Fang Wen's words, the seven elite pilots cheered.

Fang Wen then changed the subject: "War is not child's play. Even I cannot guarantee that I will be completely safe in an air battle. You must be prepared to face death. Have you written your 'last wills'? If something happens, you can at least give your families an explanation."

This requirement made the lively atmosphere somewhat heavy, but it was something that had to be done.

The seven pilots returned to the house and handed their respective 'last wills' to Fang Wen.

They are:
Red Army pilots Qi Baoqian, Du Jiahuai, and Shao Deqing.

Southeast Asian Chinese pilots Deng Zhongyu, Zhai Xiaojun, Rao Minghe, and Fan Bosheng.

Fang Wen carefully put away the seven 'last wills'; it was best if these things were useless.

After arranging things for the seven pilots, there was one more person to be taken care of: his brother-in-law, Kuang Anming.

Fang Wen had promised his wife and father-in-law that he would bring the boy back safely.

But this kid is currently in Madrid, and to find him, we'll have to go through the International Brigades.

Therefore, Fang Wen decided to visit the International Brigades' headquarters in Albacete.

At the Albaysett base command post, Fang Wen, dressed in a Soviet flight suit, negotiates with his guards.

"Please inform him that Fang Wen, the captain of the Asian Air Force, wishes to see the commander."

The commander of the International Brigades that Fang Wen wanted to meet was the commander of the International Brigades appointed by the Soviet Union.

His name was Emilio Kleber. He was originally an officer in the old system of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but was later captured by the Soviet Union. Now he was a Soviet military officer and was sent to Europe to manage the International Brigades.

It can be said that the entire International Brigades was full of complexities, including poets, writers, painters, workers, former nobles, and officers from the old era.

The guard on duty replied in Scottish-accented English, "Please wait a moment," before turning and going into the command post to report.

Not long after, a guard came out: "Comrade Fang Wen, please come with me."

He led Fang Wen to a room on the third floor and reported, "Fang Wen, the captain of the Asian Flight Team, has arrived."

A meeting was taking place in the room, attended by commissioned officers from the International Brigades.

They invited Fang Wen inside to attend the meeting.

Seeing that it wasn't the right time to talk about his own affairs, Fang Wen remained silent and observed the situation.

He took his seat and listened attentively.

A bearded officer spoke up:

"Franco's army is currently preparing to besiege Valencia. They have a strong navy, which puts the government forces on the defensive. But Valencia must not be lost. It is our central region. If it falls, Catalonia and Aragon will lose their southern defenses."

Another officer spoke up: "Valencia is indeed very important. The Popular Front has diverted a large number of troops to its defense, which weakens Madrid's defenses. Madrid cannot be lost, otherwise the rebels from the north could attack from the center."

As Fang Wen listened to the officers' explanations, he also analyzed the situation in his mind.

Franco was clearly not incompetent; strategically, he directly attacked the weaknesses of the Popular Front.

The Popular Front controls the industrial and agriculturally rich region of Spain: Aragon-Valencia-Catalan.

The fall of either Madrid or Valencia would have dealt a fatal blow to the rule of the Second Spanish Republic.

At that moment, Emilio Cleber, commander of the International Brigades, spoke up.

"I have already discussed this with the Popular Front, and they will be mobilizing troops to defend Valencia. Our International Brigades will join the remaining forces in Madrid to defend against Franco's army."

It seems the problem is serious.

The defense of Madrid was entrusted to the International Brigades, a challenging task for a loose, temporary military organization of volunteers from around the world.

In reality, the commissioned officers of the International Brigades were very excited about this, and they firmly believed that they could stop Franco's army from attacking.

They have even begun discussing the allocation of their respective defense zones.

During the discussion, new arrangements for the Asian Airlines fleet were also mentioned.

In response to the new circumstances, the command and control of the Asian Air Force was returned to the International Brigade.

Emilio Cleber had a private conversation with Fang Wen.

"Your Asian Air Force has performed very well and will be an important air force for our international brigade. However, given the current situation, your mission will be very heavy. In the future, you will not only be engaged in air interception, but also in ground harassment, bombing, reconnaissance, transportation and other missions. We hope you can cooperate with the operation."

Fang Wen nodded. He had been mentally prepared for this trip to Spain. The complex battlefield environment and various requirements were a challenge for elite pilots, but also a valuable process for accumulating combat experience.

Seeing Fang Wen agree so readily, Emilio Cleber was very happy. He said, "Thank you for your cooperation. Please feel free to ask if the Asian Air Force has any needs."

Fang Wen replied, "Currently, the main issue is ammunition supply; we lack 20mm cannon shells. Also, I have a personal request: could you send someone to Madrid to find a Chinese man named Kuang Anming? He is my wife's younger brother, and I promised her I would bring him back."

Emilio Cleber readily agreed to Fang Wen's request and immediately telegraphed the Madrid side.

With the adjustment of strategy, the International Brigades replaced the army of the Second Spanish Republic and fully entered Madrid to begin defense.

These international fighters constructed military fortifications in different areas to defend against Franco's army.

To avoid street fighting, Franco's army deliberately bypassed the workers' district and instead chose the relatively open university town as their point of attack.

Therefore, the defensive zone located in the university city north of Madrid became the most intense part of the Madrid defense battle.

Large numbers of International Brigades soldiers built defensive fortifications in the various teaching buildings of the university town. Books, desks, doors, and the buildings themselves all became tools for defense.

Inside these buildings, International Brigades fighters engaged in fierce battles with Franco's forces.

The University Town area is where Kuang Anming is located.

The defense of the university town is underway.

The once handsome Kuang Anming was now covered in soot, completely disregarding his image, as he held a Mosin-Nagant rifle and aimed it at a distant target.

As the trigger was pulled, a shot rang out, but the enemy on the other side was not hit.

Frustrated, he clenched his fist, "Damn it, I missed again."

The French international soldier next to him said, "Kwong, you did a great job. It was my first time on the battlefield, and I didn't even dare to fire a gun."

These words made Kuang Anming feel proud; he felt that he was born to be a warrior.

At this moment, two officers from the International Brigades arrived from the rear and specifically sought out Kuang Anming. They talked in the fortifications.

"Is your brother-in-law named Fang Wen? The captain of the Asian Flight Team?"

"Yes."

"He wants you to join the Asian Flight Team."

Kuang Anming refused.

In response, two officers from the International Brigades sent a telegram reporting the situation back.

Fang Wen didn't expect his brother-in-law to be so reckless, refusing to listen to him.

This won't do. If the war continues, Kuang Anming on the front lines could be in danger at any moment.

Therefore, Fang Wen decided to talk to Kuang Anming in person.

He set off in the Shrike, landed at Madrid Airport, and then, led by officers of the International Brigades, arrived at the University City.

Ahead, gunfire and artillery fire erupted. As the commander of the International Brigades' important air force, Fang Wen was forbidden from advancing any further.

"Please stay here, we will bring your brother-in-law back."

An officer went to the front line alone, and after a while, brought Kuang Anming to Fang Wen.

They thoughtfully allowed Fang Wen and Kuang Anming to be alone.

Only Fang Wen and Kuang Anming remained in the room. Fang Wen organized his thoughts and said, "Your sister and your father are very worried about you."

Having been through the baptism of war, Kuang Anming replied, "Brother-in-law, don't you understand what I'm doing? This is a war between the new world and the old world, and we will surely win."

Looking at Kuang Anming, who yearns for a bright future, Fang Wen couldn't help but think of the Red Army soldiers, all of whom harbored lofty dreams.

But this dream can be changed a little.

He said tactfully, "I understand. But let me ask you, do you love the whole world, or do you love your country more?"

Kuang Anming was stunned: "What's the difference?"

"Yes. If you die here, you'll never have the chance to serve your country again. Do you think it's more meaningful to be here, or to return home?"

At this point, Fang Wen gently patted his brother-in-law's shoulder and said meaningfully, "I came here to learn war experience so that it can be used by our country. But you are on the most dangerous front line, with an extremely high mortality rate. If you die here, at most you will be a brave internationalist fighter, but it will mean nothing to your country. Think about it."

Listening to Fang Wen's words, Kuang Anming felt a little confused. His brother-in-law was right; it would be such a pity to die here.

He couldn't help but ask, "But I can't just desert. What will my friends think of me?"

As expected of the third young master of the Kuang family, he still cares about saving face.

Fang Wen helplessly punched his brother-in-law, "Come to my air force, I'll assign you a frontline mission as a ground guide, to provide ground attack guidance for the Asian air force."

Kuang Anming was overjoyed. "Brother-in-law, what should I do?"

Fang Wen took out a radio wave transmission guidance device, handed it to Kuang Anming, and showed him how to operate it.

My brother-in-law's matter has finally been settled.

Although he was still on the front lines, his safety was greatly improved as a ground guide, and Fang Wen no longer needed to worry about the dangers he faced on the front lines.

Next, Fang Wen wholeheartedly accepted the orders of the International Brigade and began the combat training of the Taishan Elite Air Force.

The airborne military order was issued quickly.

Conduct military patrols over the university town, and carry out deterrent military operations such as interception and air-to-ground harassment.

This is a highly flexible military operation that needs to be sustained.

Fang Wen immediately set about it.

11 month 10 day.

Asia Air Force made its first departure, with a formation of four monoplanes taking off from Albacete base and appearing over the University City of Madrid.

Four aircraft circled overhead as Fang Wen activated his mechanical sensing capabilities.

With his mechanical perception ability, Fang Wen became one with the aircraft, using its various devices to explore.

There was no airborne radar feedback, and no German aircraft from the Condor Legion were within a 300-kilometer radius of the surface.

In this situation, there is no need to worry about air threats; Franco's enemy forces on the ground are excellent targets for attack.

Fang Wen was even more intrigued by the ground conditions observed through mechanical sensing.

Franco's ground troops on the front lines were not equipped with anti-aircraft weapons.

This kind of opportunity is too rare.

He used coded telegrams to issue instructions to his subordinates.

[30 minutes of free ground attack]

This was a rare non-formation attack order, and the three pilots were overjoyed. They each searched for their targets and dove down.

The high-speed diving planes hurtled toward different targets, and 20mm cannon shells exploded on Franco's front lines.

Smoke and explosions continued, and the aircraft unleashed deadly fire, while the ground troops were helpless against this high-speed dive-bombing attack from over 400 kilometers away.

Meanwhile, the International Brigades soldiers, harassed by their own fighter jets, seized the opportunity to launch an attack.

Fang Wen observed everything from the air. He was the only one who hadn't made a move yet, but he was waiting for the perfect moment to strike and add fuel to the fire of the international brigade's attack.

This opportunity will be provided by Kuang Anming, but only Fang Wen can execute it.

Time passed slowly, and three fighter jets strafed at low altitude. With the support of aircraft in the air, the international brigade launched a counterattack and seized a building.

Meanwhile, atop the tallest building in the university town, Kuang Anming was defining his goal.

He and his French companion stared at a spot in the northwest corner of the university town, talking in hushed tones.

"That should be a secret artillery position."

"It's very possible, but we haven't seen any artillery, so we can't be sure."

"Let's wait. My brother-in-law said that patience is the most important thing. We only need to confirm once."

Is your brother-in-law really that amazing?

"Of course, he's invincible in the sky."

Kuang Anming spoke proudly of his brother-in-law, but then suddenly fell silent.

He took out his binoculars and saw that five cannons were being pushed out of the building, and the soldiers were adjusting their firing angles.

If they had properly adjusted their firing parameters, they would have posed a significant threat to the International Brigades soldiers who were on the offensive.

Therefore, Kuang Anming immediately aimed the radio wave device and pressed the transmit switch.

A radio wave of a specific frequency was emitted, and the reflected wave was received by the device on the Shrike.

Fang Wen, who was controlling the Shrike to circle in the air, had found a target worth taking action against.

(End of this chapter)