coobybook Chapter 198 Regret
Chapter 198 Regret
Zhao Gang handed the scene over to Lu Tianlong and the other two, then quietly stepped aside.
"Commander Lu Tianlong, I'm a reporter from Shenbao. I'd like to ask how we are doing in this battle?"
All the reporters present held their breath. Now this was the answer they wanted to know most.
The humiliating Chinese Air Force never won a single battle against the advanced Japanese fighter planes.
Even though they had seen the Japanese warplanes being blown up all over the sky, they still wanted to hear it from the eyewitnesses themselves so as not to be happy in vain.
Lu Tianlong's heart was pounding, his hands were shaking unconsciously, and his fingertips even began to twitch.
The pain and suffering of Lü Tianlong and all the Chinese Air Force over the past decade all turned into two resounding words:
"Great victory!"
"Great victory!"
"Great victory!"
The reporters and the public present went from murmurs of disbelief to huge cheers.
"Great victory! Great victory! Great victory!"
The Chinese people who had suffered countless bombings by the Japanese invaders had tears in their eyes. Regardless of whether they knew each other or not, they hugged each other and cried, or clasped their hands tightly.
In 1942, when the nation’s future was darkest, China needed a great victory!
In ten minutes, the news of the great victory spread from the auditorium to the streets and alleys of Jincheng.
Whether he was flying an old fighter plane or behind bars, Lu Tianlong always fantasized about the day when he would shoot down a Japanese fighter plane and tell countless Chinese people about it in person.
"The Chinese Air Force will never let the motherland down!"
The warm atmosphere in the auditorium gradually showed on everyone's face.
"Commander Lu, I'm a reporter from the Ta Kung Pao. Can you tell me the specific results of the battle? I think the Chinese people want to know what kind of great victory it was!"
Lu Tianlong gave this opportunity to Huang Rongfa, the captain of the First Flight Squadron.
"In the raid on the Japanese camps around Jincheng, we dropped more than 3000 tons of bombs. Preliminary estimates show that more than Japanese were killed!"
Next, the captain of the Second Flight Squadron, Xu Gun, spoke.
"In the Pingshun air battle that just ended, our independent column aviation division shot down 20 Japanese fighters and 20 bombers, and four of our planes were slightly damaged, with no damage!"
The casualty ratio is 0 to 40!
This has never happened in the history of Chinese air combat!
Even though Lu Tianlong on the stage was extremely familiar with and confident in the performance of the F6F Hellcat fighter, he could not hide his excitement after achieving such a good result.
Not to mention the ordinary people who have long lost confidence.
"Commander Lu, I am an independent journalist from Hong Kong. The question I want to ask is, what type of aircraft does your unit use? Can it outperform Japan's latest Zero fighter in terms of performance?"
Lu Tianlong glanced at Zhao Gang, and Zhao Gang understood what he meant and walked over.
"My journalist friend, the model of our independent column aviation division's aircraft is still a military secret and cannot be disclosed. But I can tell you responsibly that no matter what the performance of our aircraft is, we are confident that we can protect the blue sky of Pingshun, the blue sky of the base, and the blue sky of China!"
Zhao Gang is worthy of being a political cadre, he is good at ideological work, and before he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the auditorium was lifted again.
"Long live the Independent Column!"
"Long live the Aviation Division!"
"Long live the Chinese Air Force!"
Just as everyone was celebrating, an inopportune voice was heard.
"Excuse me, I would like to ask, where do you recruit your pilots? Are they recruited from friendly forces? As a fellow anti-Japanese army, is it disgraceful to do this?"
When Zhao Gang heard this, he thought, isn't this just someone looking for trouble?
"Excuse me, which newspaper are you a reporter for? Why didn't you introduce yourself?"
"Dagang Newspaper".
Zhao Gang nodded, "I see." Isn't this the mouthpiece of Chongqing? No wonder the questions he asked were so sharp and full of gunpowder.
"My dear journalist friend, and all the journalist friends present here, I think you all have this question to some extent. Today, on behalf of the Independent Column, I will give you an answer. These pilots who killed the enemy over Pingshun were indeed serving in Chongqing!"
Zhao Gang's remarks caused an uproar, and the atmosphere in the auditorium became subtle.
Some people say that this is an act of poaching, which is indeed somewhat unfair.
Others say that a wise bird rests by breaking a tree, and that any fighter in any camp who fights against the Japanese is a hero.
"My dear journalist friends, I will not talk about the rough and boring principles. I will just talk about these three heroes around us, Lu Tianlong, Huang Rongfa, and Xu Gun!"
Zhao Gang paused, and the auditorium became much quieter.
"They were all pilots from the former Chongqing 5th Flying Squadron. On the battlefield, they drove old, malfunctioning fighter planes to fight the Japanese's most advanced Zero fighter planes, and in the end they were sent to the warning!"
"Let's not discuss whether it is reasonable to send them to prison, but is it reasonable to stuff such a group of scarce talents with flight combat experience into a cold and damp prison? This is an act that will make the loved ones sad and the enemies happy!"
Then, Zhao Gang disclosed some of the training and fighting of Lv Tianlong and others in recent days. In short, he revealed one piece of information:
As long as you want to fight the Japanese, regardless of your background, the Independent Column will welcome you with open arms!
The reporter from Dagang Daily had an extremely ugly look on his face. He wanted to accuse the Independent Column of destroying unity, but he didn't expect them to be so calm.
We use the talents you don’t use!
You don't have planes or cannons, but we do!
So, come on!
By the early morning of the next day, the news of the Pingshun victory had spread throughout the streets and alleys of China.
Of course, this also reached the ears of Kenjiro Keisuke Miura, who was already furious.
Ever since he learned that the mixed formation of 40 planes was completely shot down, the anxiety and pain in his heart were reflected on his old face.
Although the First Flying Regiment was only there to help out and was not within his command authority, he was not responsible for any failure in command.
But he still felt a great crisis.
A few months ago, he could still rely on his air superiority to barely confront the Independent Column, but not long after, the Independent Column actually pulled out an air force unit.
"What a formidable opponent!"
Without the support of aircraft, this battle might not be so easy. Kenjiro Keiichiro's confidence is fading step by step.
"Please bring back Lieutenant Colonel Hans!"
German Lieutenant Colonel Hans was currently tasting local noodles in Jincheng. He was extremely angry after being disturbed.
"General, I wonder what's the matter that has you rushing to see me so urgently?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Hans, you should know about the air battle that took place over Pingshun yesterday? The Empire's Air Force suffered an unprecedented defeat! Has the Empire's authority been greatly challenged?"
Lieutenant Colonel Hans spread his hands as if it was none of his business.
"Oh? Really? Then I can only express my regret!"