Empire Conquest
Chapter 87 - 83: An Unexpected Encounter

Chapter 87: Chapter 83: An Unexpected Encounter

Facing the oncoming fighter, Qiaoben didn’t panic, but the pilot of the 97 ship attack plane following him was different.

Before Qiaoben could greet him, the 97 ship attack entered a dive.

Seeing this, Qiaoben couldn’t help but curse inwardly. If he had known this would happen, he definitely wouldn’t have called upon that ship attack plane.

Because it was not carrying torpedoes and did not need to participate in the battle against the Special Mixed Fleet, there was no need to worry about fuel, so after takeoff, Qiaoben flew at full speed.

It took about half an hour for him to catch up with the "Flying Fish" torpedo bomber that was returning.

Since he was flying alone and the enemy planes always flew in groups, Qiaoben just followed far behind, without getting too close or needing to.

It was only about fifteen minutes ago, around twelve-thirty, that another 97 ship attack caught up with him.

After forming a two-plane formation, Qiaoben then increased speed.

Although there is a noticeable difference between Liangxia Navy’s "Flying Fish" and the 97 ship attack, the 97 is also a torpedo bomber, and it’s very hard to tell the difference from a distance. Furthermore, the cruise flight altitude of torpedo bombers is generally around two thousand meters, while that of fighters is almost always above five thousand meters. And since they are both three-seater models, with cockpits approximately half the length of the fuselage, it’s even more difficult to distinguish them from a high altitude.

The key, in fact, is the emblem painted on the wings.

The emblem of Liangxia Navy Air Force’s shipborne aircraft is called "Golden Sun Shining Sea," a proud sun over the sea, which from a distance looks somewhat similar to that of the Saiyi Navy Air Force.

Qiaoben’s idea was simple, impersonate a "Flying Fish" torpedo bomber, and by following the returning Plane Group, he could find the Special Mixed Fleet.

If he encountered the Special Mixed Fleet’s fighters, he might even be able to pass by unnoticed.

Clearly, Qiaoben had oversimplified the problem.

Although the "wingman" pilot was also an elite from the Saiyi Navy and had participated in the assault on Chengjiang Port, having no doubt about mental resilience, this did not mean that in the face of unexpected emergencies, he would still keep his cool without being controlled by a reflex.

The key, in actuality, was the "unexpected emergency."

Before, the Special Mixed Fleet’s Plane Group had been heading west, towards Foot Island, and as a result, Qiaoben presumptuously assumed that the Special Mixed Fleet was near Foot Island.

Definitely on the east side of Foot Island.

Although Foot Island is smaller than what’s on the Xu Sea side at Zu Island, its area is still very large, with the widest East-West dimension being around two hundred and fifty kilometers. It’s the largest island in the northern part of the Flame Sea. Since the Mobile Fleet was more than three hundred kilometers from Foot Island, there was no way the Special Mixed Fleet could be on the west side of Foot Island.

If the Special Mixed Fleet was hiding in the bays on the west side of Foot Island, then those ship-borne aircraft wouldn’t even be able to fly back to Foot Island to land.

After making this judgement, Qiaoben kept his eyes fixed on the front.

Of course, the pilot of the 97 ship attack behind him did the same.

Even though he hadn’t spotted the Special Mixed Fleet yet, the further west he went, the tenser Qiaoben became, knowing that he could encounter the Special Mixed Fleet’s air defense fighters at any moment.

Who would have thought that the fighters wouldn’t come from the west!

Because his attention was focused on the front, and the navigator and machine gunner behind him were taking turns resting, Qiaoben noticed it only when the two fighters had already gotten close.

At that time, the distance between them was less than three thousand meters!

Two "Typhoons" flew directly towards them.

After a moment of shock, Qiaoben quickly regained his composure and made no hasty moves that could cause trouble during that moment of surprise.

In fact, Qiaoben had already made a judgement.

The pilots of the two fighters hadn’t recognized them, and had definitely mistaken the 97 ship attack for a returning "Flying Fish."

The reason was simple: the two fighters hadn’t separated.

If they had recognized and were preparing to attack, they would have spread out while approaching, encircling from both sides before launching a simultaneous attack.

A head-on attack?

If they couldn’t shoot down both ship attacks in one go, they’d have to turn around behind the ship attacks, and the 97’s defensive machine guns were mounted at the very rear of the cockpit.

Regrettably, the wingman pilot didn’t have that level of calm.

In fact, it was only under the tense condition and reflexive influence that he subconsciously pushed down the flight stick, sending the Type 97 ship-attack aircraft into a dive.

Don’t forget, when encountering a fighter, the only way out for a torpedo attack aircraft is to fly at ultra-low altitude, using its excellent low-altitude stability to shake off the fighter. If luck is on their side, they might even use the self-defense machine gun to shoot down the fighter, which is why the machine gun is mounted behind the cockpit.

But this is easier said than done.

When targeted by a fighter, survival was a matter of slim chances, possibly even no chance at all.

Among the two fighters coming head-on, in the cockpit of the one in front.

Seeing the torpedo bomber suddenly entering a dive, Lieutenant Wei Chengwen was also startled, or rather, he didn’t react at first, but he quickly saw it clearly.

That torpedo bomber was painted with the Medicine Flag!

There was no mistake.

It was red, not gold!

In fact, Qiaoben’s judgment was not wrong.

As they approached, Wei Chengwen hadn’t recognized the two Navy Type 97 ship-attack aircraft from Saiyi and mistook them for returning torpedo bombers.

They were simply flying over to greet them.

According to the plan, Wei Chengwen’s mission was to clear the way for the following Attack Aircraft Group, and a total of twenty fighters were assigned this task, all positioned in front of the Attack Aircraft Group. They flew in pairs about five kilometers apart side by side, spreading out eastward in a line.

This way, they could detect all enemy planes within fifty to sixty kilometers.

In addition, after reaching the Mobile Fleet’s area of operation, they could also scout for targets for the Attack Aircraft Group.

Had it not been for this tactic, Wei Chengwen would not have encountered the returning attack aircraft, as these torpedo bombers were making emergency landings east of Foot Island.

Greeting returning attack aircraft was a customary practice for the shipborne air force.

Who would have thought they would encounter two enemy planes following the returning group?

Obviously, Wei Chengwen would not let this opportunity slip through his fingers.

He issued the attack order at the first opportunity, then turned towards them. His wingman immediately got into position and circled around to the other side of the enemy aircraft.

Seeing the two "Typhoons" split up, Qiaoben knew trouble was brewing. Soon after, the rear seat machine gunner reminded him, it was the foolish mistake of the wingman.

What should he do?

What could he do?

"Captain!"

"Send a message to the Fleet immediately."

How could Qiaoben dare to hesitate? Before instructing the navigator to speak, he had already pressed down on the flight stick, pushing the throttle to the max, directing the Type 97 ship-attack aircraft into a dive towards the sea.

"Captain, what should I report?" The navigator was also anxious, feeling as if they were not diving to evade but instead plummeting straight down after being hit.

"Enemy Plane Group returning west, encountered enemy fighters from the southwest, suspecting the Enemy Fleet is east or southeast of Foot Island, please launch an attack immediately."

Behind him, the navigator had already turned on the radio.

"Remember to include our coordinates."

"Yes!"

Qiaoben didn’t say any more because the fighter on his left had already made its move, the six machine guns on both wings spitting flames, firing deadly bullets.

The Type 97 ship-attack aircraft was no "Flying Fish."

Not to mention, the Type 97 ship-attack aircraft was nearly eight hundred kilograms lighter in empty weight compared to the "Flying Fish," the weight reduction coming from the critical armor plating.

Moreover, the "Typhoon" was equipped with 13 mm machine guns, far more powerful than the 7.7 mm machine guns of the Zero Fighter.

Qiaoben had not given up, even if he was at his wits’ end, it wasn’t time to give up yet. At the very least, he had to let the navigator send out the telegram!