Iron Cross

When a strong searchlight beam suddenly burst out from the ground, Robinson knew it was going to be bad. Before he could react, dozens of beams of different thicknesses had risen from the ground, all illuminating the formation. Two planes were caught off guard and were firmly shrouded in the beams.

According to the typical air defense combat essentials of the Third Reich, the high-frequency gun-aiming radar "Würzburg" was used to accurately locate the enemy aircraft before it entered the air defense position. This radar uses a 3-meter diameter parabolic antenna, a peak power of 8 kilowatts, a radar wavelength of 50 centimeters, and an effective detection distance of 40 kilometers for aircraft targets. Compared with large early warning radars such as Freya and Aquarius, its antenna is smaller and more accurate, and it can achieve independent fire control guidance using radar data. In addition to radar, searchlights are also used to observe the shooting situation during the shooting process. The main searchlight with a diameter of 2000mm is used for illumination first, and then the auxiliary searchlight with a diameter of 1500mm or 1000mm is used to follow the illumination, firmly locking the enemy aircraft in the light curtain, making it convenient to observe the results of the battle.

"The anti-aircraft positions should have been firing by now. The anti-aircraft guns are mainly 88mm caliber, and some are 105mm caliber." Kamhuber introduced, "At an altitude of 3,600 meters, any type can cause significant damage to the enemy."

Hoffman nodded, and imagined in his mind the barrage of 88mm anti-aircraft guns using a firing frequency of 15 shells per minute. It was a pity that he didn't watch it on the spot.

"Hold steady, don't be afraid, don't be afraid! Go through at the highest speed, you can shake left and right, and don't try to increase the altitude." Kamhuber's two words lightly in the command center were like a storm in Robinson's eyes. He roared in the transmitter while increasing the throttle to the maximum. I saw continuous anti-aircraft shells exploding around the front, back, left and right of the plane, as if they would hit it in the next second. The dark night sky was filled with flashes of shells, like lightning in the sky during a thunderstorm. From time to time, small fragments from the explosions hit the fuselage. Fortunately, the Lancaster was tough and thick, so it didn't matter as long as it didn't hit the vital parts directly or at close range. The intention of not pulling up was obvious. When pulling up, the speed slowed down, and the belly of the plane was exposed to anti-aircraft fire for a larger section and longer time. It was definitely not a good way to avoid bullets. Fighters could do this, but heavy bombers were better off resisting it - Robinson had seen more dangerous situations than this, and he was very confident in the sturdiness of the Lancaster's fuselage.

"The enemy aircraft formation left the No. 7 position, the course remains unchanged, the speed is 440 kilometers per hour, and none of them crashed. Repeat, none of them crashed!"

Looking at the four red dots on the aviation map that continued to advance forward, Hoffman acted as if nothing had happened, but Kammhuber's face was not good: the British were too abominable, daring to bomb Berlin with only four planes, and the commander of the No. 7 anti-aircraft gun position was also a loser, dozens of anti-aircraft guns could not even keep a bomber, wasn't this openly embarrassing himself in front of the Führer.

Another guide's voice sounded: "The enemy aircraft formation is turning, the current heading is 170, the speed is 390 kilometers per hour, and the altitude is gradually rising. The current altitude is 4700 meters..."

The Robinson formation that escaped from the shooting of the No. 7 position was still in shock. Under the leadership of the leader, they rushed through the anti-aircraft artillery interception barrage before starting to increase their altitude. Robinson felt vaguely uneasy. Harry fiddled with the Gee system but still had no results. The two of them discussed in a low voice and decided to adjust the course from southeast to due south. Although the Gee system was unreliable, the aircraft compass worked normally and could indicate the approximate direction. The only good news was that the anti-aircraft firepower just now did not cause any damage to the formation. Now everyone has been alert, the flight altitude has also risen a lot, and the uneasy mood has subsided a little.

The anti-aircraft artillery positions in the Greater Berlin area were relatively densely built. After the formation adjusted its course, it encountered three preset anti-aircraft artillery positions in succession. However, because the flight altitude was relatively high and Robinson and others had already had the first experience, they still managed to get through without any danger. Facing the dense anti-aircraft artillery positions, they became excited, thinking that even if they did not find the exact target, they were not far from the valuable target - why did the Germans deploy so many anti-aircraft artillery positions if they had no value?

Unlike the Royal Air Force bomber formation, which gradually became optimistic, the failure of several consecutive anti-aircraft artillery interceptions made the air in the command hall seem to solidify. Although the surrounding commanders and staff officers knew that the anti-aircraft artillery was not that efficient, the situation was different today. The occasion where the Führer personally supervised the battle did not allow so many accidents. If it was spread out, the Air Force would lose face.

The commander of an anti-aircraft artillery position swore on the phone that he had hit one, or at least damaged one. However, seeing the four red dots on the aviation map continuing to extend as if nothing had happened, Cam was furious. Huber ignored the fact that the Führer was beside him and swore harshly into the phone. Only then did the other party understand that the person he was talking to was not Colonel William of the command center but the Director of Air Defense. Knowing that he had kicked the nail board, he stopped knowingly. Say something. Lieutenant General Kamhuber became angry and hung up the phone viciously, feeling that he had lost face. On a September night, the weather in the suburbs of Berlin was actually very cool. The underground command center with high-power ventilation equipment turned on made people feel more comfortable. But Kamhuber only felt a fire burning in his heart and his face was burning. The sweat on his forehead was pouring out, and the faces of Jeshunek and Garland next to him were ugly. Colonel William was even more depressed, but everyone stared but couldn't help.

Speer thought to himself: Could it be that the anti-aircraft gun flying was just a matter of luck? If this is the case, should they lower their priorities and give resources to places where they are more needed?

Marshal Keitel laughed awkwardly twice. Just as he was about to speak to break the dull atmosphere, Hoffman spoke: "Lieutenant General Kamhuber, don't worry. If British bombers are so easy to attack, air raid losses will occur frequently." "But there is indeed something wrong with our anti-aircraft guns. Let me think about how to solve this problem."

Kamhuber wiped the sweat from his forehead and whispered: "Thank you, the head of state, for your understanding. Now I will deploy night fighters to intercept. The nearest plane should be relatively close." After speaking, he pointed to the closest plane on the screen. The blue blip of the British fleet asked: "Whose plane is this? Who is guiding it?"

"Sir, this is Captain Becker's aircraft of NJG1 Wing 4 Group, and I am the instructor." A sergeant stood up, and Hoffman was amused. Wasn't this the same thing he had just scolded the female trainee instructor for not to do? Is the lead sergeant who made such a fuss "only to cause chaos in the whole place?"

Kamhuber was stunned for a moment. He also recognized the young sergeant whom he glared at, but now he had no choice but to say: "Guide carefully and let Captain Becker quickly approach the enemy plane. The other commanders will pay close attention to the enemy." aircraft heading and prepare to guide the remaining night fighters.”

"Yes! Sir."

The young sergeant had just sat down and was about to give an order when suddenly Hoffman spoke up, "Wait a minute." He said to the female trainee instructor next to him who was assisting the sergeant, "I remember your name is Helen?"

"Yes, the head of state." Helen was a little surprised. How could the head of state call her name?

"How are you studying? Have you mastered everything?"

"Everything is mastered! I am the second best in training among the first batch of volunteers." Helen's voice sounded very proud, and then she added in a low voice, "And I also assisted the instructor in guiding twice."

"Very good." Hoffman nodded with a smile and pointed to the equipment on the table, "It's your turn to guide today and let your instructor assist you."

"Me?" Now it was Helen's turn to be surprised. She stammered, "Führer, I have only received the necessary training and internship, and have not actually assumed the responsibility of guiding pilots in combat."

"Today is the best practice." Hoffman reassured her with a smile, "Don't be nervous, just use what you have learned."

"Yes, Führer."

The young sergeant was a little hesitant at first, but when Colonel William glared at him from behind Hoffman, he immediately stood up obediently to show his obedience. Kamhuber originally wanted to say something, but his sleeve was pulled by the smart Garland. The latter knew what "silly words" he was about to say, and shook his head slightly to stop him.