Chapter 202 Counterattack
History is composed of countless coincidences.
There has always been a hypothesis among postwar World War II historians, especially Japanese scholars.
If Nagumo Chuichi had not made such a conservative choice at the time and sent more than half of the carrier-based aircraft to attack the Enterprise, could this meritorious American aircraft carrier be sunk?
If the Enterprise was sunk at the beginning, in the later Battle of Midway, would the US military's tactics become different because of the loss of an important bargaining chip? Then the Kaga aircraft carrier or Can at least one of the later Akagi aircraft carriers be preserved?
Well, even if Nagumo sent less than 40 carrier-based aircraft to attack the Enterprise, if the Pacific Fleet Command at Pearl Harbor at that time did not arrange for the "Red Winged Dragon" to refuel the Enterprise, but asked him to If they land on the ground, will they have a chance to severely damage or even sink the Enterprise?
Take a step back, if the pilot named Suzuki Koji could turn around and continue to shoot at the accidentally discovered jeep instead of walking away, would it be possible to kill the mysterious genius codenamed "Red Dragon" What about the driver strangled in the cradle?
If this is the case, is it possible that Japan’s national destiny is slightly different?
Maybe at least be able to exit the war with dignity?
Of course, this is just the nonsense of some orphans who are unwilling to fail. Considering the domestic situation in Japan at that time and the relationship between the navy and the army, if the last bit of war potential in the country is not squeezed out, there will be no absolute victory. When the odds are against them, those lunatics will not give up.
That's all later, and now the crew of the Enterprise, who have just experienced a catastrophe, are welcoming a mysterious guest.
Thanks to the fact that this F4U "Pirate" is a test model and has a hook specifically designed for landing on an aircraft carrier, the red fighter successfully stopped on the deck with the help of the arresting cable.
The ground staff on the side clapped and gathered around, all curious about who this ace pilot was.
When the Asian faces appeared in front of everyone, some people were so surprised that they forgot to continue applauding.
Asian soldiers were an absolute minority among the U.S. military in World War II, and pilots were even rarer. When He Chi stepped off the plane, everyone was caught off guard.
Especially since he was still wearing casual clothes.
"I am Captain George Murray, thank you for your support." The colonel came down from Cambridge and extended his hand.
"He Chi, airport ground maintenance sergeant, I actually didn't expect this." Dongfangren also stretched out his hand to shake the opponent's hand.
George Morrie was obviously taken aback, but he just regarded the other party's words as a special joke. "I appreciate your sense of humor, but let's get to the point. Have you brought any news from Pearl Harbor?"< br>
He Chi shrugged, not intending to explain clearly in a short time, and then changed the topic, "I only know some general information..."
George Mori felt sweat starting to form on his head. If it was true as the other party said, the Japanese army could launch two attacks with a total of more than 300 sorties, then it means that the Japanese formation has at least five medium and large aircraft carriers.
My own enterprise account is now completely alone.
"Jack, do you have any suggestions?" the colonel asked his deputy.
The deputy put on his military cap and thought for a while, "From a tactical point of view, we should immediately break away from contact with the Japanese fleet. If we cannot do that, we will cruise around the periphery of the military port, in the midst of ground anti-aircraft firepower and road-based aircraft. The radius that can be supported. However, the current condition of Pearl Harbor is very poor, and the protection it can give us is limited, and..."
Before he finished speaking, a soldier ran out of the telegraph room with a piece of paper.
"Sir, the latest order, and it was sent from the direction of Washington across the Fleet Headquarters."
George Morrie took the telegram, a short piece of paper, but he read it for several minutes, until he saw the message on the side. The adjutant couldn't help but ask, "Sir, what did the higher-up say?"
"The higher-up ordered us to launch a counterattack against the Japanese army on the premise of saving the Enterprise." George Murray said this.
The adjutant was silent for a moment, and spit out a few words from his teeth, "This is damn politics!" The meaning of the telegram was very obvious, that is, the Pacific Fleet under attack must have an appropriate counterattack to highlight the bravery of the army. , but the senior officials did not want to sacrifice the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier.
Therefore, letting carrier-based aircraft launch a high-risk frontal assault became the only option. From Washington's perspective, it didn't matter even if all these pilots were killed. As long as the news reports were clever, they could even arouse the common hatred of the people. .
Colonel George Murray's rationality told him that allowing planes to attack the Japanese aircraft carrier formation at this time would be suicide, but it was just like what his adjutant said.
This is politics, damn politics!
"Order the dive bomber squadron to prepare for attack, and tell the pilots that they have the right to abandon bombing in dangerous situations." The colonel gritted his teeth and ordered.
Sixteen SBD "Dreadnought" dive bombers ascended to the deck. Due to the need to guard the aircraft carrier, they were escorted by only four Wildcat fighters.
This seemed to be an attack with no return, but none of the pilots refused. News of Pearl Harbor had spread among the grassroots soldiers. The undeclared sneak attack by the Japanese made everyone feel the same hatred. These The young pilot just wanted to teach the shameless guy on the other side a lesson in using bombs.
At this time, the mysterious Asian pilot came over, "Mr. Captain, I hope we can set off together."
"He, this is an order given to us, you did not do this "
To be fair, one more excellent pilot can make the bomber formation safer, but Colonel George Murray does not want the talented Asian in front of him to bury himself in this narrow escape flight. superior.
"I know, Mr. Commander, I don't intend to die. I have my plan, and..." He Chi paused and looked in the direction of the Japanese First Air Force. The gangster also has some personal grudges.”
The red Corsair fighter jet was refilled with fuel, and the six Browning 0.5-inch machine guns were replenished with ammunition. At He Chi's request, the ground crew also hung three "gadgets" under the wings
"Hey buddy! Now we are a team. Do you want us to design a lucky symbol for you?" A young pilot came over and said to He Chi.
"Lucky symbol? What is it?"
"Come on, let us teach you, Jack, to design something exciting for our new partner!" Someone shouted enthusiastically.
Someone dragged He Chi to the plane and painted various patterns on the front of the fuselage with homemade watercolors. This is a military camp culture called NoseArt.
A simple Ace of Spades, sexy beauties, sharks with wings, tigers, etc...
The painter named Jack looked at He Chi, "Well, you said you are from China, Then...we have it!”
The young pilot started working with watercolors, and soon He Chi had his own NoseArt
It was a giant red dragon, Breathes flames at the enemy.
(End of this chapter)