Chapter 246 The French Doomsday (16)

Radio proximity fuze, also known as VT fuze (VT stands for Variable Time), emits electromagnetic waves in the range of 180-220 MHz from the vacuum tube made into a radio frequency circuit. After firing, shells equipped with radio proximity fuzes have their safety devices disengaged, and the fuze starts electrification. When approaching airborne targets, the electromagnetic waves reflect back. Due to the Doppler effect, a frequency shift of several hundred hertz occurs. At this point, the shell itself becomes an antenna receiving the reflected electromagnetic waves. After filtering and amplification, the waves undergo filtering and amplification. When the amplified current reaches the threshold (indicating that the target is within the effective kill range), the detonation is initiated, completing the explosive process.

In 1943, approximately 9,100 shells with proximity fuzes and 27,200 shells with time fuzes were used for anti-aircraft operations in the Pacific theater. Of the results achieved by these shells, about one-fifth were attributed to proximity fuzes. The best combat record achieved by proximity fuzes was in one anti-aircraft operation where U.S. soldiers, using shells equipped with proximity fuzes, shot down 91 out of 130 incoming enemy aircraft.

By the late stages of the Pacific War, island nations, unable to gain an advantage on the battlefield, came up with a dubious idea of using one-man suicide attacks to heavily damage or sink high-value enemy targets. However, faced with the highly efficient proximity fuzes, a group of island nation pilots had not yet had a chance to perform a suicidal attack and had already met the Emperor in the sky. Proximity fuzes, in the Pacific theater, significantly reduced the losses of the Allies.

As a result, the U.S. military considered it the highest-level secret weapon. To prevent duds from falling into enemy hands, strict regulations were imposed by the U.S. high command on the use of proximity fuzes. Only the U.S. Navy and British homeland anti-aircraft units were allowed to use them in situations where it was impossible for the fuze to fall into enemy hands. Therefore, ground forces did not have a record of using proximity fuzes in combat until the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. Historians have regarded proximity fuzes as "undoubtedly one of the most important technological innovations during World War II", influencing the course of the war to a certain extent.

However, as of now, Germany's electronic technology has far surpassed that of other countries. According to what Wilhelm knows, even the United States has no research projects related to transistors.

It is precisely because transistors effectively reduced the size, allowing 88mm anti-aircraft shells to be equipped with radio proximity fuzes. Now, these are used by the Imperial Guards X Unit to deal with the bomber fleet of the Anglo-French coalition.

A shell flies out of the gun, reaching high altitude at an invisible speed to the naked eye. The initial velocity of this 36-type 88mm anti-aircraft gun is 1050 meters per second, meaning that the shell reaches an altitude of 1,000 meters in less than a second, approaching the target.

The radio signal emitted by the warhead begins to be reflected by the target. As the distance between the shell and the target decreases, the Doppler effect causes the reflected radio waves to create a low-frequency signal of 200-800 hertz within the emitter's current. This signal, after filtering and amplification, finally reaches the detonation requirements!

"Boom!" The shell suddenly bursts open, and the dense shrapnel sweeps across like a storm. Within the killing radius, the surrounding bombers undergo a terrifying baptism of metal.

Some bombers are riddled with holes, and many crew members die on the spot in their combat positions.

However, this is just the beginning.

The terrifying sound of anti-aircraft guns continues on the ground. Shells fly through the dark night sky, heading towards the brightly lit bombers illuminated by searchlights.

In addition to these formidable 88mm anti-aircraft guns, there are also classic Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft guns. The shells have been improved and now use both proximity and electrostatic fuze.

In addition to these two anti-aircraft guns, the German military also has the "Leopard" self-propelled anti-aircraft gun modified from the chassis of the Jackal tank. The turret is equipped with four 20mm aviation machine guns, capable of firing 30 rounds per second and delivering 1,800 rounds of 20mm shells per minute. This firepower density and destructive capability can be said to be excellent in World War II. Now that the coalition bomber formation has descended to an altitude of 1,000 meters, it has given them the opportunity to show their skills.

"Damn it! The enemy's firepower is too fierce! If this continues, we will be completely wiped out!!"

In a short moment, several bombers were shot down, truly terrifying the bomber pilots and causing them great distress.

"!!" The air commander was also extremely conflicted. The ground firepower of the German forces completely exceeded their expectations.

But the Meuse River is right in front of them. If they retreat now, wouldn't all their previous efforts be in vain, and their gains turn into losses?!

In the moment of hesitation, the aircraft formation has already approached the Meuse River. At this point, the bomber formation has lost nearly a quarter, a considerable loss. However, the air commander can no longer consider much and can only grit his teeth to continue the mission. "Drop the illuminating flares."

One after another illuminating flares, dragging dazzling light, flickering and slowly descending, brightening up the area below.

"Oh, damn it!" The bomb aimer on the bomber couldn't help but let out a mournful cry. I don't know how many smoke canisters the German forces on the ground have set off. The thick smoke billows up, making it impossible to see whether it's a river or land below, let alone find the pontoon bridge.

Meanwhile, the anti-aircraft gun units gathered on the opposite bank of the river, who have not yet crossed the river, also began to roar. Although they don't have shells equipped with proximity fuzes, their numbers are greater. The dense artillery fire weaves a terrifying firepower net in the sky.

"Drop bombs! Drop bombs! Get out of here fast!" Seeing one bomber after another falling around him, the air commander shouted loudly.

The bomb aimers on the bombers didn't care about what was below. They directly pressed the bomb release lever, dropping all the bombs from the bomb bay.

As they hastily dropped the bombs and flew out of the range of anti-aircraft firepower, the bomber formation was left with less than half of what it had at the beginning of the mission.

"Report to the general, the Anglo-French coalition's bomber formation has left the radar detection range!"

"Do we have casualties?"

"A light pontoon bridge was destroyed. A few soldiers were injured." These guys are like blind cats encountering dead mice. The randomly dropped bombs actually hit a pontoon bridge.

Guderian nodded. "Quickly set up a heavy pontoon bridge. We need the armored units to cross the river as soon as possible."

About ten kilometers south of Sedan, there is an unnamed highland, considered a dangerous location. If the French army seizes this highland first, it can threaten the German army crossing the river. If the German army seizes it first, the Sedan breakthrough can be consolidated. Although Guderian has already dispatched infantry to occupy that highland, he can't help but worry that the French armored units will launch a strong attack.

These days the weather has been somewhat sultry, seemingly about to rain heavily. Once it rains, the ground forces will lose powerful air support. Coupled with the armored units that couldn't be reinforced in time, the situation is not optimistic.