HCB Chapter 354: Battle for Chittagong (6) The Swordfish Fleet Given for Free and Vice Admiral Slim’s Mi
Chapter 354: Battle for Chittagong (6) The Swordfish Fleet Given for Free and Vice Admiral Slim’s Mi
"Oh my God—!"
A Swordfish was hit, and its wing was riddled with holes in an instant. Fuel leaked, the fuselage caught fire, and it rolled in the air, trailing thick smoke, and then fell into the sea below, exploding into an orange-red fireball.
"Disperse! Disperse! Lower altitude!"
The team leader shouted on the radio, trying to command the team to escape from this hell, but the Swordfish's maximum speed was not as fast as the P-47's takeoff speed, and they couldn't escape at all.
"Ta-ta-ta-ta!"
Another Swordfish was strafed by a P-47, its fuselage almost cut in half. Before the three pilots even had time to parachute, the entire plane broke into two pieces in mid-air and rolled into the sea.
"Damn it! Drop the bombs quickly, let's just charge forward!"
In desperation, the pilots of the Swordfish formation decided to fight to the death.
Just like Vice Admiral Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar more than a hundred years ago, he still fought bravely even when he was at a disadvantage.
They began to dive directly towards the Chittagong National Security Army Naval Base, trying to drop torpedoes before being shot down, even if it meant death.
However, everything is in vain.
"Oh? You still want to struggle?"
Cang Xingzhou sneered, maneuvered the plane to gently rise, then suddenly turned around and dived again with a strong gravitational acceleration.
A Swordfish appeared in his sight, and he pulled the trigger lightly without any hesitation.
"Da da da da——"
The machine gun roared, and tracer bullets cut through the sky, accurately sweeping into the open cockpit of the Swordfish attack aircraft.
The John pilot only had time to scream before his body was instantly pierced by bullets, blood splattered everywhere, his body fell backwards, the plane lost control, and rushed directly to the sea with the two unlucky guys in the back seat.
With a loud bang, the swordfish hit the water surface heavily, exploded into pieces, and sank rapidly.
In the end, all 37 Swordfish attack aircraft were shot down and none of them were able to return home.
A P-47 pilot laughed heartily: "They think this old aircraft can achieve anything? What a pipe dream!"
(The Bismarck battleship, whose leg was broken by a Swordfish: Then I leave?)
Cang Xingzhou narrowed his eyes, looked at the sea level in the distance, and said indifferently: "Mission accomplished, prepare to return."
Behind him were the wreckage of downed Swordfish, and the blazing flames cast a red glow on the sea surface.
In the distance, in Chittagong, the Chittagong Squadron of the People's Army Navy has entered a state of combat readiness, leaving the narrow and difficult-to-avoid port and heading towards the open sea.
Two small torpedo boats quickly left the main force and sailed towards the sea, braving the wind and waves, trying to salvage pilot John who fell into the water.
In their eyes, these Ansar pilots struggling in the warm sea water had won their victories in vain!
------
At 10:21 that morning, the air battle between the P-47 and John's bomber group had just begun.
Lieutenant General William Slim of the 14th Army was checking his pocket watch in the rear army-level command post.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the command center was not oppressive at all, and there was even a hint of relaxation.
In Lieutenant General Slim's plan, once the bomber force succeeded first and destroyed the ANI's outer defense positions in Chittagong, the 36th Infantry Division and the 50th Armored Brigade deployed north of Chittagong would immediately launch an attack.
At the same time, the 5th and 7th Divisions of the Sindhu Colonial Army were responsible for covering the two wings of the main force to ensure that the advance of the frontal assault troops would not be disrupted by the enemy's flank attacks.
The artillery units of the three divisions immediately used 25-pound howitzers (87mm caliber divisional howitzers) to bombard the city in depth, blocking the reinforcements of the Anmin Army from the city.
At the same time, south of Chittagong, three divisions separated from the city by the Karnople River immediately launched a feint attack, creating the illusion of crossing the river, thereby attracting the attention of the ANI defenders and making it impossible for them to take care of both the north and the south.
Everything was carefully planned and went perfectly.
Just waiting for the bomber unit to complete the mission first.
At 10:24 am that day, the door of the command center was suddenly pushed open.
A major staff officer rushed in breathlessly, his boots scraping rapidly on the wooden floor.
Slim frowned, his face darkened slightly, and he looked at the newcomer with displeasure.
"At ease, Major." His voice was steady, revealing a hint of authority. "I expect my officers to behave like gentlemen at all times."
He said calmly, "Tell me, did the bomber unit succeed? They were flying a bit fast today."
"My...my General, the bomber unit has been intercepted!" The major said breathlessly, holding the telegram he had just translated. "The enemy intercepted them accurately, and our air force is in a tough fight!"
"rock--!"
The gold-cased pocket watch fell to the ground. Lieutenant General Slim didn't care about the pain. He took two steps at a time and grabbed the telegram.
Those few short lines weighed heavily on his chest like a hot anvil.
what does this mean?
This means that the enemy not only grasped the action plan in advance, but also grasped the timing, location, and troop deployment of the interception with incredible precision!
This is not a matter of luck, but the enemy knew they were coming from the beginning!
"Damn..." Slim cursed under his breath.
Sweat instantly broke out on his forehead. He pulled the major over and shouted, "Our plan has been leaked. The enemy is well prepared. Give the order immediately to cancel the attack plan!"
"Macauley, hurry, notify the frontline troops immediately, stay put, and cease all offensive preparations! Cancel all flight plans for the second wave of bombers!"
But Major General Macaulay, the army chief of staff, stood there with a frown on his face, seeming a little hesitant.
"General..." McCauley said slowly, "The order to attack has been issued, and all divisions have already secretly entered their attack positions. Canceling it now will probably cause chaos."
"Chaos?" Slim slammed his hand on the table, his eyes widening in anger. "You bastard, don't you understand?! This is a precise interception. The enemy not only knows our bombing plan, they may even have the timing and route of our ground attack!"
He paused, gritted his teeth, and lowered his voice: "There is a mole in our headquarters."
There was a dead silence in the command center, and the expressions of all the officers changed.
"The Anmin Army must have made every possible preparation. The divisions are currently following the plan, but due to the suddenness of the battle, they haven't even prepared their artillery fire. If we launch another attack, we'll crash headfirst into the enemy's already prepared defenses. Can you shoulder this responsibility?"
Chief of Staff Macaulay was silent, his hands hanging down as if in despair. Yes, judging from the intelligence, the battle plan had been leaked, and launching an attack as planned would probably be suicide.
Instead, it is a good choice to stop and take a long-term view.
"In any case, we have a 2-to-1 advantage in terms of military strength. As long as we advance steadily, victory will definitely belong to His Majesty the King!" Slim ended the brief argument in a tone that was almost like reciting a hymn.
He slowly bent down and picked up the pocket watch that had fallen to the ground. A small crack had appeared on the golden shell.
The major looked at Macaulay with a hint of hesitation, and Macaulay nodded with a wry smile.
The major then saluted the two officers, turned around and ran out to arrange for the sending of the telegram.