Chapter 0786: Aerial Combat

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

An F2 fighter from the German Luftwaffe streaked past a British anti-aircraft machine gun position, releasing the small bombs hanging beneath its wings.

"Boom! Boom!"

The bombs exploded near the edge of the anti-aircraft emplacement, not only destroying two machine guns but also tearing the gun crews to pieces.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

The British anti-aircraft guns began to fire wildly, their bullets chasing the German aircraft through the sky. However, due to the immense speed of the F2s, the machine gun rounds found it difficult to land a hit.

Meanwhile, the German fighters opened fire with their aircraft-mounted machine guns, relentlessly strafing the British anti-aircraft position and inflicting greater casualties.

"Good! Destroy those British fools! How dare they ambush us!" the commanding officer of the 31st Fighter Squadron, his face flushed with anger, exclaimed. The recent ambush by the British had cost them several planes, including valuable bombers, and he had no idea how he was going to explain the loss when he returned.

Though the British anti-aircraft gunners showed remarkable courage and determination, the ground-based targets were naturally at a disadvantage when confronted by aerial threats. Consequently, they suffered immense losses under the relentless strafing of the German aircraft.

However, the 31st Squadron's jubilation was short-lived. From within a nearby cloudbank, dozens of British "Camel" fighters, using the clouds as cover, rapidly closed in on the German formation.

"God be with us! The Germans are distracted by the ground fire and haven't noticed us! This is our chance!" Colonel Henry, commanding the British "Camel" fighters, smiled as he saw the opportunity unfold. As a veteran airman who had faced the Luftwaffe many times on the French front, Henry knew just how fearsome the German planes could be.

Not only did the Germans have superior fighter performance, but even the "Camel" fighters lagged behind the F2s in terms of capability. In terms of individual skill and combat experience, however, the Germans also held the advantage. Their pilots had seen countless dogfights in France, while most of the Royal Air Force pilots were green recruits. The disparity in skill was obvious, and the outcome of an aerial clash was almost a foregone conclusion.

Thus, the Royal Air Force had gone to great lengths to devise a trap to ambush the German Luftwaffe in an effort to narrow the gap in their respective capabilities.

"Attack! Take down those German planes!" Colonel Henry ordered, immediately signaling his pilots with a flare.

Unlike the Germans, who were equipped with radio communication systems, the British still relied on signal flares for command. Thankfully, the order was simple enough for each pilot to understand without confusion.

Dozens of "Camel" fighters burst from the clouds, swooping down on the German formation.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

The aerial machine guns erupted in a hail of bullets, unleashing a barrage on the German planes.

The first to be hit were the H1 bombers. Many of them, after climbing to a higher altitude to eliminate the threat from the ground-based anti-aircraft weapons, had not yet departed and were awaiting orders. However, the sudden attack caught them unprepared, and they found themselves in a perilous situation.

The machine gun rounds tore through the H1 bombers with ease, punching large holes in their fuselages.

Inside the bombers, the pilots, struck by the bullets, lost control, sending the aircraft plummeting toward the earth.

Though the H1 bombers were larger and sturdier than fighters, they were slow and cumbersome, unable to evade the surprise assault from the British planes. One after another, the bombers were shot down.

"Damn it! The British fighters!"

"My God! I've been hit! I'm going down!"

"Drop the bombs! Return to base immediately!"

"Fighter cover! Get rid of those British planes!"

The entire bomber formation descended into chaos. The bomber crews, likely inexperienced with such an attack, were at a loss for how to react. Even the self-defense machine guns aboard the bombers were of no use in this dire situation.

"Damn it! We've been ambushed by the British!" The commander of the 31st Fighter Squadron could hardly believe the turn of events. Cursing under his breath, he immediately ordered his fighter pilots to assist the bombers.

The F2 fighters began to climb, preparing for a dogfight with the British Royal Air Force.

However, at this moment, the Royal Air Force held the advantage in altitude, making it exceedingly difficult for the German Luftwaffe to launch an effective counterattack.

In terms of air combat tactics, the Royal Air Force had studied and adapted to the Luftwaffe's methods, which made their tactics strikingly similar.

Several "Camel" fighters, taking advantage of their altitude, began to dive, drawing the German F2s into their crosshairs.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

The "Camel" fighters' machine guns opened fire, unleashing a deadly barrage of ammunition toward the German F2 fighters.

One F2's nose was hit, damaging its engine and sending the aircraft trailing smoke as it fell to the ground. Though the pilot ejected in time, falling into British hands would certainly not bode well for him.

Another F2 was hit directly in the pilot's seat. The aircraft spiraled out of control and crashed into the ground in a fiery explosion.

Yet another F2 had its wing sheared off, the plane losing its balance and plummeting to earth.

In this exchange, the Luftwaffe suffered devastating losses under the Royal Air Force's unexpected assault. More and more planes were shot down, particularly the H1 bombers, which bore the brunt of the attack.

After the initial panic, the Luftwaffe fighter pilots regained their composure and began to use the F2's superior maneuverability to engage the British fighters in a brutal dogfight.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

The air rang with the roar of machine guns, as both sides fought fiercely in the skies. Aircraft fell from both sides—German F2s and British "Camel" fighters alike. As the Luftwaffe pilots regained their edge, they began to strike heavy blows against the Royal Air Force.

However, due to the heavy losses sustained at the outset and the depletion of ammunition, the aerial battle did not last much longer before coming to an abrupt end.