Six Hundred and Eighty Eight Broke Through

The battle in the sky continued, and the U.S. bomber fleet, relying on their own advantages of rough skin and thick flesh, gradually approached the target that was not far away-the oil field facilities in Romania.

The accidental addition of the Soviet bomber fleet did buy time for the American bomber fleet, and it also made the Germans once again cramped in the amount of ammunition. After all, there are not many powerful pilots like Hartmann on the entire German Eastern Front, and most of them are at the level of normal ace pilots. Therefore, most German fighter jets did not deliberately save ammunition when attacking.

In fact, if a fighter jet shoots down a large bomber like the b-17 under normal circumstances, it can be said to be at a very good level. Of course, German fighter pilots have already developed the habit of saving ammunition. Good combat habits, so their results are better. However, it is still only possible to ensure that 15 to 25 shells can shoot down an American aircraft. Before an aircraft runs out of ammunition, it can only shoot down about three aircraft.

This is why until now, there are still many American planes that have not been shot down, because the b-17 bomber is too strong. In another time and space that Akado knew, it often happened that the b-17 was smashed into a sieve by German fighter jets, and it was still able to fly back to the British base staggeringly. It can be said that this kind of aircraft is about the same level as a tank in the sky, and it will not easily crash.

If it weren't for Akado's foresight to equip Germany with large-caliber cannons and pilots who are accustomed to using these cannons, what would today's interception look like? Just look at the bombed man in another time and space. Rotten Romania knows it.

"Stop fighting with these bombers! All get away from these bombers. If this fight continues, the opponent will enter the sky over the chemical plant area! Break away! Break away! Re-formation! Re-formation at an altitude of 11,000 meters! Quick!" The pilot of the German plane hung on his ear The latest action instructions came from the earphones he was wearing.

"Separate? Did you make a mistake? We broke up the opponent's flight formation after firing all the rockets. Now we separate and let the opponent form again? If we fight a second time, the opponent will enter the oil field area!" A plane just bypassed The American bomber ace frowned and questioned the order.

And more pilots immediately drove their own planes, separated from the US bomber formation, and flew to a designated airspace not far away, where they assembled a new fighter formation, preparing to launch a second dive attack on the US bomber fleet.

With deep unwillingness and regret, the German pilots all made the choice to obey the order. They flew their own planes and began to regroup not far away. At this time, the American bombers also began to adjust their teams. Formed, the defense system was re-established.

It's a pity that there are only 3 escorted p-40 fighter jets left, and they are flying pitifully among the b-17 bombers. As for who is protecting whose safety, it is unknown.

"Why retreat? Who is in command?" A major squadron leader finally found his subordinates in the high-altitude formation. He joined the battle with only one wingman just now, and now he sees that there are few soldiers in his troops. Two planes were shot down, which looked like two poor unlucky ones out of the dozen or so planes that had just been shot down.

A slightly deep voice came from the earphones, but almost all pilots could hear this voice: "I am Catherine, and this is my order to re-formation! Execute immediately!"

After this period of delay, the German ground forces were ready to meet these uninvited guests. Mobile anti-aircraft artillery units deployed on railways and roads entered the shooting area. The 88mm cannon raised its barrel high and pointed to the sky. , ready to fire at any time to greet enemies from afar.

These anti-aircraft guns are well-known in North Africa for their anti-tank functions. Patton called them the best weapons in the hands of the Germans.

Not a minute after the German planes left the U.S. aircraft formation, the anti-aircraft artillery firepower deployed by the Germans on the ground suddenly opened fire. Pilots have seen what is really ups and downs.

Although there is no such super invention as the radio proximity fuze, because the function of the radar has been developed very well, the altitude and speed of the American aircraft have been easily measured, and the shells used by these anti-aircraft guns on the ground are all in the The explosion height is set before shooting, and the hit accuracy is definitely not much lower than that of the proximity fuze shell.

Before the American pilots took a breath to relax their tension, shells like raindrops flew towards these American planes. The American planes that had just formed their flight formations once again withstood the baptism of a storm. The exploding shrapnel was riddled with holes, and many shooters were hit by the shrapnel and died in battle at their combat posts.

"Jack! I don't think we can complete the planned mission. Even if we can start dropping bombs now, the Germans won't suffer too much loss. The number of remaining bombers is not enough to completely paralyze an oil field." Powell, the frontline commander of the U.S. Army Air Corps bomber unit, looked at the already fragmented bomber formation, and said with some frustration: "You take the injured plane and start returning immediately."

The man named Czech is the front-line commander of the fighter force. Most of his men have been shot down by German planes, and now only he, his wingman and an ace pilot born in the North African air battle are left. He sighed, and said, "It's too late! Even if you turn around now, you won't have the chance to fly back. You know how fast those German planes are."

"My military rank is higher than yours, and I order you to cover the two wounded B-17s to leave here! Now, immediately!" Powell, who was piloting the bomber, said forcefully, "Go back immediately!"

"..." Silence, still suffocating silence, Jack knew that this was the last chance for him to escape from his old friend Powell. loss. Finally, Jack glanced at the hail of bullets outside the cabin, smiled wryly, shook the joystick to the left, and issued the combat order he was least willing to issue: "Return!"

The three fighters and the five b-17 bombers that were slightly damaged just broke away from the entire aircraft formation, and fled in another direction, busy blocking the American bombers, and the German fighter group that prevented them from entering the airspace of the oil field did not The idea of ​​chasing and killing the deserters was almost a tacit understanding, letting go of the escaped American planes.

However, with the fierce attack of two rounds of anti-aircraft guns, the US bomber force was on the verge of collapse. They only had a pitiful 49 left, and most of the fuselage wings had holes. The dorsal turret on the worst plane had been shattered by shells, and the corpse of the pilot hanging inside was still shaking on the seat, looking horrifying.

There are bombers in good condition here, and there are also some who can’t fly because of their bad condition. These American bomber pilots are ready to sacrifice themselves on this foreign land and do their best for the future of their country. s hard work.

On this occasion, in the fierce battle, even the cowards will be inspired to the greatest fighting spirit, all the American shooters are on the alert, and the bombers have accelerated to their targets, ignoring the friendly aircraft that were hit Falling with smoke.

"God bless America! I can't get closer to the target anymore! Open the bomb bay! Start dropping bombs!" Seeing that the number of his own planes is decreasing, the German fighter jets overhead have begun to dive and attack, and the losses are increasing. When the target was in the air, Powell finally gave the order to attack. His voice was extremely tragic, as if he had made up his mind to fight a lifeless battle with these pilots.

With the sound of mechanical friction, the American bombers finally showed their ferocious fangs, and when they were ready, in the shocked eyes of the German pilots, one after another heavy bombs left the b-17 bomber's plane relying on gravity This is the first time that the Allies have dropped bombs in Germany's heavily fortified air defense zone.

"It's still close! These bombs can't reach the designated bombing target! We must continue to fly forward!" Looking at the sight, the bombardier said with some regret: "Flying for a few more minutes, we will be able to accurately hit those factories! "

"Hold on! I'm going to lower the altitude! Even if I die, I'm going to drop these bombs on the heads of the Germans!" Powell gritted his teeth and said fiercely: "Skydiving is approved! Those who are willing to leave can leave now !Wish you guys good luck!"

In the telescope of the officer of the German ground observation station, an American plane rushed towards a chemical factory established by Germany in Romania by inertia. No matter how much ammunition the fighter jets poured on it, the plane still rushed towards that factory building. past.

This is the persistence and persistence of a bomber pilot, and it is also the faith and courage of an American. None of the crew members chose to parachute in advance, and they persisted in their combat positions until the last second! In the end, the American attack did work, and their planes smashed through the factory walls and blew up the corner of a warehouse. The fire was raging, and the Romanian air defense system of the Luftwaffe was finally breached by the Americans in name.