Chapter 2195 Encounter
"Is there any news from the headquarters about the German fleet?" On a V1500 long-range reconnaissance aircraft departing from Iceland, the captain asked the radio operator next to him impatiently. He and his crew had been flying in this airspace for 4 hours, but they still found no trace of the German fleet.
"No, the Germans were discovered by one of our camouflaged reconnaissance ships around 2 o'clock this afternoon, but then the reconnaissance ship should have been sunk. We can only determine the target's previous position, but the average of the German fleet The speed is as high as more than 22 knots, and they don’t know where they are now." The radio operator said with some regret. And if there is no information provided by other friendly forces, then this long-range reconnaissance aircraft code-named Seagull can only rely on itself to find the German fleet.
"Let's raise the altitude. Today's weather is good. The clouds are thin and the altitude is very high. We can search at a higher place." The captain thought for a moment and said. It stands to reason that a fleet of this size should have a lot to do. Smoke can be found dozens of kilometers away, but why can't I find it myself?
The reason is very simple. The two Turkish battleships and the two fast battleships commanded by Su Xiong are oil-burning ships because they have sufficient fuel. The chimney smoke is much less than that of coal-burning ships. The four Austro-Hungarian fast battleships are now also burning oil. It is mainly oil, so the smoke characteristics are naturally lighter.
It was cruising at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour at a huge altitude of meters. However, what the British did not expect was that they were not alone in this airspace. Above the clouds, four aircraft took off from the Independence. The JU5 attack aircraft are also performing reconnaissance missions. Yes, you read that right, they are reconnaissance missions. During World War II, attack aircraft with longer range and larger loads often also served as reconnaissance aircraft! But this time, these JU5s are preparing to serve as fighter jets.
"The target we are looking for is nearby! In less than 20 minutes, this guy has sent at least 5 telegrams, and judging from the speed of movement, it should be an airplane." At this time, on a JU5 From the back seat of the attack aircraft, the radio operator captured the approximate location of the V1500 through multiple radio sideways.
"Where is the other party's heading information?" the captain asked.
"If it doesn't change its course, it may find our fleet in another 45 minutes," the radio operator said.
"Okay, then let us kill them! Let's fly high, above the clouds, and then get close to the target. We must kill them before the other party sends a telegram!" said the captain.
"What if it has an escort?" asked the gunner in the back seat.
"It's very simple. Forget it, but I guess there shouldn't be. It's too far from any airport in the UK." The captain said easily.
Perhaps the British were unlucky, or perhaps the V1500 was too huge. The American 4-plane team quickly discovered the V1500 bomber flying at the bottom of the clouds. Then, the captain began to make battle arrangements. The four JU5 attack aircraft will throw away the auxiliary fuel tanks, then enter from the rear one after another, and attack the V1500's wing root from above.
"Damn, this guy is so strong! It was that bastard who told me that a 50-gun machine gun would definitely be enough!" The American pilot discovered the enemy first and launched an attack without the other party being prepared! The first two JU5 attack aircraft successfully locked the target in the aiming ring.
However, the firepower of the two 12.7MM machine guns on an aircraft was still too weak for this big guy with a wingspan of nearly 40 meters. A series of bullets left a series of holes in the huge body of the V1500.
But it was not fatal. The opponent only swayed slightly in the air and regained its balance. The fire caused by hitting the body was also quickly extinguished. Afterwards, this giant dragon-like monster fought back with a barb-like self-defense machine gun. , while starting to turn the machine awkwardly to prepare for retreat!
"Hurry up and send a telegram, saying that we have been attacked by enemy fighter jets! Damn it! These planes are not seaplanes, repeat, these planes are not seaplanes!" The captain of the Seagull commanded the radio while commanding the plane to try to get rid of the opponent's pursuit. The transmitter immediately informed the British Navy of the latest situation.
The radio operator located in the middle of the cabin quickly operated the radio, first reporting the aircraft's attack position, and then the direction and situation of the incoming aircraft. However, the British's attempt to issue a telegram aroused the Americans' nervousness. Four JU5 attack aircraft launched more violent attacks on the target one after another. After destroying a JU5, two other JU5 attack aircraft successfully destroyed the additional fuel tank inside the bomb bay of the V1500. The unprotected highly volatile fuel was ignited by large-caliber machine gun incendiary bombs in less than 20 seconds. Here, with a violent explosion, the reconnaissance plane code-named Seagull turned into a huge fireball!
"It seems the British finally sent the telegram?" said a rear seat gunner.
"I don't know, maybe it was sent out, maybe it wasn't sent out. No matter what, we must return now. Inform the destroyer to prepare to rescue our pilots." The captain said after looking at the debris of the British aircraft flying from the sky.
However, this operation fully exposed the youth of the U.S. Navy. Just as the U.S. fleet was returning and reporting the situation to the headquarters, another V1500 ocean patrol aircraft patrolling the surrounding waters also passed the radio close to the sea level. The route and trajectory of the US aircraft fleet were confirmed in a directional manner! Subsequently, this ocean-going reconnaissance aircraft painted in marine camouflage began to chase in the direction of the retreat of the American fleet!
After many naval battles, the British are still nimble enough. Although it is easier for aircraft in higher airspace to detect fleets in the distance, at the same time, these aircraft will also attract the opponent's firepower like targets, so in reconnaissance, The British adopted a combination of high altitude and low altitude. The high altitude was responsible for discovering the target, while the low altitude was responsible for tracking. Even if a large bomber like the V1500 is painted in marine camouflage, it is still difficult to be visually detected if it flies towards the target with the sun behind it. This situation also occurred in World War II. The German F200 ocean-going patrol aircraft used low altitudes to contact the enemy to avoid detection. Several times when the German bombs were thrown up, the British crew members reacted.
While performing the tracking mission, this V1500 also sent the collected intelligence to the British Grand Fleet. As luck would have it, this time, the Grand Fleet was not far from the sea area where the incident occurred!
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