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Chapter Thirty: The Futile Antiaircraft Artillery Position

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 on the ground, all of which were shining towards the formation. Two planes were caught off guard and were firmly shrouded in the beam.

According to the typical air defense combat principles of the Third Reich, the high-frequency gun-aising radar "Wurzburg" is used for precise positioning before the enemy aircraft enters the air defense position. This radar uses a 3-meter diameter parabolic antenna with a peak power of 8 kilowatts and a radar wavelength of 50 cm. The effective detection distance for aircraft-type targets is 40 kilometers. Compared with huge early warning radars such as Freya and Aquarius, its antenna is smaller and has higher accuracy, and can be used for independent fire control guidance with radar data. In addition to radar, searchlights are also used to observe the shooting situation. First, the main searchlight with a diameter of 2000mm is illuminated, and then the secondary searchlight with a diameter of 1500mm or 1000mm is followed, firmly locking the enemy aircraft in the light curtain to facilitate observation of the results of the battle.

"At this time, the air defense positions should have been firing. The anti-aircraft guns are mainly 88mm caliber and some 105mm caliber." Kamhuber introduced, "At a height of 3,600 meters, no matter which one can cause significant damage to the enemy mechanism."

Hoffman nodded and imagined in his mind the barrage constructed by the 88mm anti-aircraft gun using the firing frequency of 15 rounds per minute. It was a pity not to watch it on site.

"Stay calm, don't be afraid, don't be afraid! Pass through at the highest speed, you can shake left and right, and don't try to raise the height." The two words Kamhuber said lightly in the command center were like storm in Robinson's eyes. He roared in the sending machine while adding the accelerator to the maximum. He saw continuous anti-aircraft shells exploded in front, back and left and right in the plane, as if they would hit them in the next second. The dark night sky was covered with the flash of shells, as if the flash of landslides in the sky on a thunderstorm day.

Electricity, small fragments produced by explosions hit the body from time to time. Fortunately, Lancaster has a rough skin and thick flesh, and it doesn't matter if it hits the key position directly or at close range. The intention of choosing not to pull up is obvious. The speed is slower when pulling up, and the cross section exposed to air defense firepower is larger and longer. It is definitely not a good way to avoid bombs. Fighters can do this, and heavy bombers are best to resist hard-threatening situations than this Robinson has seen it. He is very confident about the solidity of Lancaster's body.

"The enemy plane formation left the position No. 7, with the course unchanged, with a speed of 440 km/h, and no crashes. Repeat it again, no crashes!"

Looking at the four red light spots that continued to advance on the aviation map, Hoffman seemed to be nothing, but Kam Huber's face looked very bad: The British are so hateful. Just four planes dare to bomb Berlin. The commander on the No. 7 anti-aircraft gun position was also a bucket. Do dozens of anti-aircraft guns can't leave a bomber. Isn't this openly losing face in front of the head of state?

Another guide's voice sounded: "The enemy plane formation turned, with a current course of 170, a speed of 390 km/h, and altitude gradually increased, with a current height of 4,700 meters..."

The formation of Robinson, who escaped from position 7, was still in shock. He rushed over the anti-aircraft gun to intercept the barrage under the guidance of the long aircraft and began to increase the height. Robinson felt a little uneasy. Harry fiddled with the Gee system but still had no results. The two discussed in a low voice and decided to adjust the course, and switched from southeast to south to flying. Although the Gee system was unreliable, the aircraft compass was operating normally and could indicate the approximate direction. The only good news is that the anti-aircraft gun fire just now did not cause any damage to the formation. Now everyone has raised their vigilance, and the flight altitude has also increased a lot, and the uneasiness has subsided a little.

The anti-aircraft gun positions in the Greater Berlin area are still relatively tightly built. After the formation adjusts its course, it encountered three anti-aircraft gun preset positions in succession. However, because of the high flight altitude and Robinson and others had their first experience, they still broke through without any danger. Faced with the dense anti-aircraft gun positions, they were excited and thought that even if they did not find the accurate target, they were not far from a valuable target - why did the valueless Germans set up so many anti-aircraft gun positions?

Unlike the RAF bomber formation, the sudden optimism of the anti-aircraft gun position interception failures made the air in the command hall seem to have frozen. Although the surrounding commanders and staff officers knew that the anti-aircraft gun efficiency was not that high, the situation today was different. There were no accidents allowed when the head of state personally supervised the battle. The face of the air force was lost.

A commander of an anti-aircraft gun position swears on the phone that he must not hit one, or at least it was injured. However, seeing the four red spots marked as red on the aviation map are still extending as if nothing had happened, Kam Huber, who was furious, swearing at the microphone despite the head of state, the other party then understood that it was not Colonel William of the Command Center but the air defense director who was talking to him. He knew that he had kicked the nail board and stopped talking tactfully. Kam Huber, who was angry, was angry.

The Lieutenant General felt that he had lost face and hung up the phone fiercely. On September night, the weather outside Berlin was actually very cool, and turning on the underground command center with high-power ventilation equipment made people feel more comfortable. But Kamhuber only felt a fire burning in his heart, his face was burning, and all the sweat on his forehead was pouring out. Even the faces of Yeshunnek and Garland beside him were ugly. Colonel William was even more depressed, but everyone stared at him but couldn't help.

Sper thought to himself: Could it be that anti-aircraft guns are just trying to hit the plane? If so, should they lower their priorities and give resources to places where they are needed more?

Marshal Kettle smiled awkwardly, and just as he was about to speak to break the dull atmosphere, Hoffman said: "Lieutenant General Kam Huber, don't worry, if British bombers are so easy to attack, will there be frequent air strikes? But our anti-aircraft guns are indeed a problem, so let me think about how to solve this problem."

Kamhuber wiped off the sweat from his forehead and whispered: "Thank you for your understanding. Now I'm going to deploy night fighter interception. The recent plane should be closer." After saying that, he pointed to the blue light spot closest to the British fleet on the screen and asked: "Whose plane is this? Who is guiding it?"

"Report to the commander, this is Captain Becker's plane from the 4th Brigade of NJG1. I am the guide." A sergeant stood up and Hoffman was happy when he saw it. Isn't this just scolding the female intern instructor for not "fussing". But he caused chaos in the whole audience?

Kamhuber was stunned for a moment, and he also recognized the young sergeant who had been glared at by him, but now there was no way, so he had to say: "Careful guidance will allow Captain Becker to quickly approach the enemy planes, and other guides should pay close attention to the direction of the enemy planes and prepare to guide the other night fighters."

"Yes! Sir."

The young sergeant had just sat down and was about to issue the order, but Hoffmann spoke, "Wait a minute." He said to the female intern instructor who assisted the sergeant next to him, "I remember your name is Helen?"

"Yes, the Head of State." Helen was a little surprised. How could the Head of State call his own name?

"Have you mastered how you have learned?"

"I have mastered it all! I am the second place in the training results among the first volunteers." Helen's voice seemed very proud, and then added in a low voice, "and also assisted the instructor instructors twice."

"Very good." Hoffman nodded with a smile, pointing to the equipment on the table, "Today you will guide you and let your instructor assist you."

"Me?" Helen's turn was surprised. She stammered, "First of the People's Republic of China, I have only received the necessary training and internships, and have not actually assumed the responsibility of guiding the pilots to fight."

"Today's occasion is the best practice." Hoffman smiled and comforted her, "Don't be nervous, just use what you usually learn."

"Yes, the Head of State."

The young sergeant was a little hesitant, but Colonel William behind Hoffman stared at him and immediately stood up to obediently expressing obedience. Kamhuber originally wanted to say something, but the smart Garland grabbed his sleeve. The latter knew what he was going to say about "stupid things" and shook his head slightly to stop him.
Chapter completed!
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