Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 851 Lectures at the Soviet Air Force Engineering Academy: Air Combat Secrets

Because Fang Wen and Ivan would only be staying in Yekaterinburg for two days, the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy temporarily adjusted its teaching plan after the two agreed to give a lecture, and specially added this precious open class for graduating students.

At 2 p.m., after having lunch in the college cafeteria, Fang Wen and Ivan were taken to the largest classroom on campus.

The entire classroom was already packed.

The room was packed with two hundred graduating flight students.

They were all dressed in identical blue air force cadet uniforms and boat-shaped military caps, with young and innocent faces.

They were only twenty years old, and in a few days they would be heading to the Western Front to fight against the powerful German Luftwaffe.

The dean of the college took the stage.

"As this year's graduating class of the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy, you are about to head to the front lines. The future air defense will be guarded by you!"

"Today, we are fortunate to have two true aerial experts to share with you the most valuable practical experience that you can never learn from textbooks!"

He turned to the side, raised his hand, and pointed to the two people at the door: "The first one is Colonel Ivan, commander of the flight regiment of the Moscow Defense Aviation Division. He participated in the air force aiding China, the Nomonhan air battle, and the air defense operations against Germany on the western front. He is a battle-hardened front-line elite pilot!"

The trainees applauded enthusiastically, and the applause was thunderous.

As the applause subsided, the dean's tone grew even more solemn, each word ringing out: "The second one is Comrade Fang Wen, an ace pilot from China!"

"He once fought against the German Condor Legion in the Spanish theater and swept through Japanese aircraft in the Far East. Our textbooks include a classic air combat case about him fighting a group of twelve aircraft in a single plane and breaking through a desperate situation. He is a true legend who survived countless life-and-death battles!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the applause surged again, even more enthusiastic than before.

All the students looked at Fang Wen, their eyes filled with curiosity and admiration.

This is a legendary figure from textbooks; breaking through the encirclement of 12 fighter jets is difficult enough to imagine.

After the introduction, the dean stepped down from the podium.

Ivan straightened his uniform and was the first to go on stage, while Fang Wen and the dean sat in the front row.

Ivan got straight to the point: "I'm a pragmatist, I don't talk about dry theoretical formulas, what I'm going to talk about next are things that happen on the battlefield."

He then recounted the details of the Battle of Khalkhin Gol to the aviation cadets.

This was the largest and most fruitful large-scale air battle fought by the Soviet Air Force before the outbreak of the Soviet-German War, and it was also a practical microcosm of Soviet-style formation tactics and close-range dogfighting.

Ivan, drawing on his own experience, meticulously recounted the characteristics and weaknesses of Japanese warplanes, as well as how the Soviet army fought against their adversaries.

Two hundred trainees listened attentively, and no one was distracted.

Some listened and took notes, recording every practical tip Ivan shared.

After recounting the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, Ivan changed the subject and began to explain in detail the advantages and disadvantages of Soviet-made main fighter jets.

He had worked on the front lines of the Air Force for many years, flying various Soviet-made main combat aircraft and was very familiar with them.

The Il-15 and Il-16 have weaknesses in low speed and advantages in turning.

The climbing characteristics and protective deficiencies of the Yak-1.

It also explains common operational mistakes, stalling traps, and common pitfalls in close combat that are frequently encountered by beginners.

Much of the content was based on Ivan's experience and was not found in the textbooks. It covered areas of knowledge that the trainees had not yet mastered, and it greatly benefited and enlightened these new recruits who were about to go to the battlefield.

Time passed slowly, and before we knew it, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon.

The two-hour hands-on training session was very rewarding for all participants.

Looking at the group of young faces below the stage, Ivan said sincerely, "The air combat I have experienced is all conventional combat. In terms of dogfighting, breaking out of desperate situations, and tactical prediction, my experience is far inferior to Fang Wen's."

All eyes of the trainees below the stage turned to Fang Wen in the front row.

"The cases of single-handedly taking on twelve opponents and escaping unscathed from desperate situations recorded in your textbooks are just the beginning of his air combat career."

"It's no exaggeration to say that Fang Wen is one of the world's top pilots right now. It's a very rare opportunity for you to hear him lecture. Please listen carefully and cherish this moment!"

After speaking, Ivan stepped down from the podium.

The classroom erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for a long time.

The faculty member in charge of scheduling went up to the stage and announced loudly, "Ten-minute break between classes, the next class will continue!"

Despite being told it was a break, not a single student got up from their seat.

Everyone remained in the classroom, discussing the matter.

The ten-minute break passed quickly.

Fang Wen stood up and walked onto the podium.

He has trained many pilots and has no shortage of teaching experience, so he handled this foreign teaching session with ease.

Facing the two hundred pairs of eagerly anticipating eyes below the stage, Fang Wen spoke:

"I'm very happy to be here to share some of my experiences. Before I begin the lecture, I'd like to ask you a question. In the ever-changing, life-or-death aerial combat, what do you think is the most important thing?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a whole bunch of arms shot up from below the stage.

The young faces were full of confidence, eager to give their answers.

Fang Wen randomly selected three students who were near the front to stand up and answer.

The first trainee replied firmly, "Report! It's the fighter jet's performance! Only a sufficiently powerful aircraft can gain an advantage in air combat!"

The second trainee proudly replied, "Report! It's flying skills! Precise operation and skillful maneuvers are what defeat the opponent!"

The third trainee pondered for a moment, then answered earnestly: "Report! It's formation coordination! Only through teamwork can we defeat the enemy aircraft group!"

The three answers each have their own basis, but none of them are comprehensive.

Fang Wen nodded slightly, gesturing for the three to sit down:

"After listening to everyone's answers, it's not hard to see that everyone's understanding is different, and there is no unified standard."

"Why? Because air combat is never a rigid formula, and there is no unchanging standard answer."

"The core factor that truly determines the outcome of an air battle is the pilot's initiative."

"The same fighter jet, the same battlefield, the same tactical environment, but different pilots will have completely different judgments, reactions and coping methods, and the final life and death outcomes will be vastly different."

"When you go to the battlefield in the future, you will face the agile and cunning German elites and the ever-changing battlefield situation. Blindly applying textbooks and copying tactics will only lead to your quickest demise. Because those are the most basic things, and your enemy knows them better than you do."

At this point, Fang Wen's tone became more serious:

"I'm going to give you a habit that will help you survive longer and get stronger in battle. After every air combat survival, you must organize a post-battle debriefing discussion." "Tell us everything about your experiences, mistakes, judgments, and gains. Listen to your teammates' experiences, absorb their lessons, correct your weaknesses, and fix your errors."

"Only by constantly reviewing and correcting your mistakes can you grow and improve in every life-or-death battle, and have the opportunity to take to the skies again and again and continue to fight against the German army."

Fang Wen's suggestion.

This left a deep impression on many of the students in the audience.

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted in the classroom.

Fang Wen raised his hand and gently pressed it down, signaling for silence from the audience.

The classroom fell silent instantly.

Facing two hundred pairs of focused eyes, Fang Wen began to teach these Soviet aviation academies.

"Next, I will talk about the opponent you are about to face: the German Air Force."

All the trainees below the stage held their breath, and no one dared to be distracted.

Fang Wen looked at the trainees below: "First, let's talk about the German army's advantages. To be honest, German pilots currently have far more combat experience than you. Their active-duty pilots participated in all the Blitzkriegs in Europe, survived numerous air battles, and have rich combat experience. Furthermore, they have a mature combat system that can cooperate with ground forces to conduct multi-layered air strikes."

After a pause, Fang Wen looked at the dean: "Is it alright to put it this way?"

The dean nodded: "Okay, now they just need to face reality, please continue."

Therefore, Fang Wen continued:

"The German Bf-109 series fighters are highly adaptable. Their high-altitude climb rate and vertical maneuverability far surpass your current mainstays, the Yak-1 and Il-series fighters. The Germans are best at high-altitude dive-and-attack, striking and then disengaging, never engaging in low-altitude dogfights, using altitude and speed differences to deliver a fatal blow, which is extremely cunning and efficient."

"The German formation tactics are also mature and efficient. Their two-plane and four-plane formations are loose and flexible, with clear division of labor. The lead plane attacks while the wingman provides cover, and they do not rigidly stick together. Once engaged in battle, they can infiltrate, divide, and encircle in one go. This tactic will be very effective against your dense formation tactics."

The cadets lowered their heads and frantically took notes, their expressions growing increasingly solemn. These details, never explained in detail in military academy textbooks, were the most lethal key elements of the air battles on the Western Front.

Immediately, Fang Wen changed the subject, accurately pointing out the inherent weaknesses of the German army, which boosted everyone's confidence:

"But the German army is not invincible. They have three fatal flaws that cannot be remedied, which are also your only chance to win."

Upon hearing Fang Wen's words, the students, teachers, Ivan, and the dean all perked up and looked at Fang Wen.

Under his gaze, Fang Wen said:

"Firstly, the Bf-109 has extremely poor low-altitude, low-speed maneuverability. Once it is dragged into a low-to-medium altitude dogfight, its climb advantage becomes useless, its turning becomes clumsy, and its probability of stalling is extremely high. Your Yak fighters and old Il fighters can completely suppress it with their turning advantage."

"Secondly, German pilots are extremely pragmatic in their tactics, and they are used to fighting with the wind at their backs and avoiding dangerous battles. They are good at surprise attacks to seize advantageous positions. Once the first surprise attack fails and they get into a stalemate, most German pilots will decisively break away and escape, rather than fight to the death. As long as you can withstand the first wave of dive-bombing, the enemy's morale and tactical rhythm will collapse."

"Thirdly, the German aircraft have short flight time and insufficient loitering ability. They rely on high-speed attacks and quick disengagements, and cannot sustain combat for long periods. As long as you can stall the battle and deplete their fuel, you will have a decisive opportunity to kill them."

The analysis was thorough and detailed, revealing the strengths and weaknesses of the German Air Force.

The German Air Force, which was once considered almost invincible by the trainees, was instantly stripped of its aura and exposed as vulnerable to defeat.

A hushed conversation broke out in the classroom.

A student sitting in the front row mustered up the courage to raise his hand.

"What do you want to ask?" Fang Wendao

The cadet stood up: "Mr. Fang, since the German army has weaknesses, why are we still suffering heavy losses in the air battles on the Western Front? Could you provide some practical advice for us new recruits?"

This question struck a chord with all the trainees. The rest of the trainees looked up, their eyes fixed intently on the podium, eagerly awaiting the answer.

What advice should we give them?

Fang Wen pondered in his heart.

He recalled that passage from "On Protracted War".

A solution was then devised.

"In my opinion, from the outbreak of the war until now, you have not lost because of the planes, nor because of your courage, but because you were forced into a passive engagement and used your weaknesses to fight the enemy's strengths. The German army fought in its own advantageous area from beginning to end, while you were being led by the nose by the enemy."

"Now that we have identified their three major weaknesses, all subsequent tactics will revolve around these weaknesses. I will give you a simple and effective air combat strategy."

The entire room fell silent instantly, everyone wanting to remember what Fang Wen was about to say.

"First, break the German army's advantage of high-altitude raiding."

"The German army's core weapon is high-altitude dive-bombing attacks. Your traditional formations fly too neatly and at fixed altitudes, which is like making you sitting ducks. In future patrol and escort operations, the entire team must be deployed in tiers at different altitudes. It doesn't need to be complicated, just two planes per group, staggered at different altitudes, so that there is an opportunity for mutual support."

"If you spot a bright spot in the distance or a ground-based air defense warning, do not wait for the enemy to dive down. Immediately accelerate and climb at a small angle to break their dive route."

"The German pilots were betting on your slow reaction and poor positioning. If their first dive missed, their high-speed advantage would be completely negated, and their morale would collapse halfway."

"Second, once you engage the enemy, resolutely engage in low-to-medium altitude dogfights, shifting the air combat environment toward your advantage."

"I'll emphasize it again: never try to compete with the Bf-109 in climb rate, vertical maneuverability, or high-speed sprint. That's their home turf, and you'll be doomed."

Fang Wen's words made the aviation cadets breathe heavily, as if they had personally experienced the helplessness in the face of German warplanes.

But then, Fang Wen's words brought hope.

"But as long as the altitude drops below 3,000 meters and you enter the low-speed turning and fighting zone, you can change this situation."

"Your Yak-1 and Il-16 fighters have smaller turning radii and are more stable, while the Bf-109 becomes clumsy at an altitude of 3000 meters and will stall if it makes a slight sharp turn."

"This gives you the opportunity for low-altitude dogfighting. Once you've locked onto them, don't give them a chance to climb and break away. Continuously shift positions horizontally and keep firing with your onboard weapons."

After a pause, Fang Wen recalled some battle examples that Ivan had mentioned in Moscow, and added:

"I also know some battle examples. Some of your frontline pilots won against the enemy, but were killed because the German planes broke away from the battle and went to pursue them. This was because they climbed up to pursue and actively sent the battlefield back to the enemy's advantageous area."

"Remember, never make this kind of basic mistake."

"Third, take advantage of the utilitarian mentality of German pilots."

"You must understand that the combat logic of German pilots is 'kill when it is advantageous, run when it is disadvantageous'; they will not fight to the death."

"Therefore, when encountering an enemy attack, the first priority is not to fight head-on, but to find a way to withstand the first wave of attacks and disrupt the enemy's rhythm."

"As long as you are not scattered in one blow, most of the German troops will choose to disengage when they see that the surprise attack is ineffective."

"When they run, they get anxious, and anxiety leads to mistakes. When they break away, avoid distorted movements so you can take the opportunity to pursue them. This will greatly increase your success rate."

After explaining the tactical plan, Fang Wen gave a summary.

"This is called: harass when the enemy is high up, entangle when the enemy is fast, delay when the enemy is impatient, and pursue when the enemy retreats. I hope you can understand this tactic and make it effective in battle. Alright, that concludes my lesson." (End of Chapter)