Chapter 0785: Escort

Outskirts of Calais, German Army Air Corps airfield. Here, the 3rd Fighter Squadron and the 4th Bomber Squadron of the German Army Air Corps were stationed. The 3rd Fighter Squadron was equipped with 120 F2 fighters, while the 4th Bomber Squadron operated H1 bombers.

Though, when compared to the sleek, powerful fighter planes and bombers of the future, the F2 fighters and H1 bombers of the German Army Air Corps might be regarded as the ugly ducklings of aviation. Yet, it is undeniable that these aircraft were among the most formidable of their time. Indeed, Germany's adversaries would have relished the opportunity to equip their own forces with similar aircraft to withstand the German aerial onslaught.

Of course, more advanced aircraft were under development in Germany, far surpassing the F2 and H1 in capability. However, the technology was still in its infancy, and mass production had yet to commence. Once the next generation of these powerful machines entered service, Germany's aerial might would be further bolstered, leaving other nations far behind.

The airfield was a hive of activity. Ground crew members were diligently refueling and rearming the fighter planes and bombers set for takeoff. Pilots, meanwhile, grabbed a hasty breakfast while reviewing the day's mission briefings. For these pilots, daily sorties against British ground targets had become a routine affair.

"Boss, we've been relentlessly bombing the British positions for three days now. We've inflicted considerable casualties on them, but where are their planes? Not a single one has appeared. All we do is target their ground defenses. It's getting boring," a young pilot complained.

"The British planes are hiding in the rear, too frightened to engage. I believe they'll come out soon enough. If this keeps up, we'll be providing close air support for the infantry right up to Canterbury. Can the British planes continue hiding then?" a squadron leader replied.

"Enough talk. Everyone, get to your planes. We're providing cover for the 41st Bombardment Squadron's attack on British targets!" ordered the commander of the 31st Fighter Squadron.

The German Army Air Corps' nomenclature followed a simple rule: odd-numbered squadrons were for fighters, such as the 3rd Fighter Squadron, while even-numbered ones were bombers, like the 4th Bomber Squadron. Each squadron comprised three battalions, with each battalion further divided into squadrons and smaller flight units.

Each flight unit consisted of four aircraft, split into two pairs—one lead plane and one wingman. Three flight units made up a squadron, totaling 12 aircraft. Three squadrons, along with four reserve planes, formed a battalion, comprising 40 aircraft. Three battalions made up a squadron, numbering 120 aircraft. Above the squadron level, the Air Corps had yet to be formed, a task likely awaiting the establishment of the Imperial Air Force.

"Yes, sir!" the pilots responded, before climbing into their aircraft with the assistance of the ground crew.

Fifteen minutes later, 36 F2 fighters of the 31st Fighter Squadron took off from the airfield, heading for the western part of the Dover Strait to escort 36 H1 bombers from the 41st Bombardment Squadron.

The primary task of the 31st Fighter Squadron was to ensure the safety of the bombers. The threat was not only from the skies but also from the ground. Though British aircraft had been absent for some time, the pilots dared not let their guard down. While the British fighters were no match for the German F2s, the cumbersome bombers were easy prey, and any misstep could see them shot down in moments. The ground threat came from the British Army's anti-aircraft weapons. Upon detecting these weapons, the fighters were to engage in a strafing run or drop small bombs from their wings to neutralize the threat, clearing the way for the bombers to drop their payloads unhindered.

It took only a few minutes to cross the narrow Dover Strait. As the aircraft entered British airspace, the pilots grew tense. Combat in enemy territory was always perilous; if they were shot down, even if they parachuted out, they would land in enemy-controlled zones. Capture by the British would surely spell a grim fate.

Fortunately, the flight proceeded without incident, and the formation soon reached their target area.

"Prepare to release bombs!" commanded the leader of the 41st Bombardment Squadron.

With advances in radio technology, all German Army Air Corps frontline aircraft were now equipped with communication devices, ensuring that orders from commanders could be swiftly transmitted to every aircraft. This innovation placed the German Air Corps at the forefront of global aviation.

Over thirty H1 bombers began their descent to prepare for the bombing run. Their target was a British infantry division's position southwest of Canterbury. German battleships had already heavily shelled the area, reducing most of the British defenses to rubble. The deployment of the Army Air Corps was merely to mop up any remaining resistance.

"Rat-a-tat-tat!" A barrage of tracer fire suddenly erupted from the ground. British anti-aircraft machine guns were in action.

"Climb! Climb now!" yelled the commander of the 41st Bombardment Squadron.

The H1 bombers' structures were fragile, with only a thin layer of armor on critical areas, unable to withstand hits from anti-aircraft machine guns. Bullets tore through the fuselage, and one bomber's wing was shot off. The plane lost balance and plummeted to the ground in a fiery explosion as its fuel and bombs ignited.

"Boom!" The deafening sound of an explosion rang out as the downed bomber erupted into a blazing fireball.

Under the surprise assault from the British anti-aircraft machine guns, three H1 bombers were shot down. The rest of the bombers pulled up sharply and climbed to higher altitudes to escape the hail of bullets. However, several aircraft sustained damage and were forced to release their bombs prematurely before retreating.

"Damn it! First Squadron, clear the ground defenses and take out those British anti-aircraft positions!" The commander of the 31st Fighter Squadron, his face flushed with frustration, barked the order. Having conducted numerous escort missions before, this was the first time such a failure had occurred. Losing three bombers was a disgrace.

Twelve F2 fighters immediately dove towards the ground, intent on teaching the British gunners a lesson.