Volume 3, Chapter 33
When the second truck tarp cover pulled down it was a large wooden crate.
But this time, besides the dark green ammunition box there was also a pile of small paper cartons. Hans first picked up one of these paper boxes and handed it to Xu Jun.
Xu Jun took the paper carton and looked at the curious pilots with a smile. “This is my second toy. I know what some of you may be thinking but do not underestimate these things. It can very well save your life when the time comes.”
The pilots were growing increasingly curious. Staring at the small paper box in his hands. Xu Jun slowly opened the box and they could finally see what was it in.
Some of them couldn’t believe their eyes. Inside box were several small paper model airplanes.
“This…. isn’t this a model airplane? This is really a toy, isn’t it? But how can this save everyone’s lives, General?” Wolfe questioned.
Sure enough, Xu Jun gave another smile as he proudly picked up the carton of airplanes.
“Do not worry, Colonel, I will let everyone know soon enough. Again, this is the second toy I’m showing you. Indeed, this is a set of model planes. I understand that many of you don’t understand the usefulness of such things. However, that okay since I’m here to explain it to you.
Do you know what type of plane this is?”
Then the pilots started to turn their gazes to the plane in his hands.
“It’s a Hurricane, right?”
“Yes, this was to test your fundamental knowledge. Of course, a week ago I had some troubled run-ins with these planes. But fundamentally they were nothing against the Me109’s, haha. Oh, sorry. Forgot you all are Me110 pilots.”
Xu Jun then took another plane from the box. The pilots in the back had to stand to get a better view. Their eyes scrambling towards the new model plane. Interestingly, this new model stumped the pilots. No one had ever seen it before, causing them to retreat back and whisper to each other.
“So, do you know what kind of plane this is? No? No one recognizes it? Well, this is one of the opponents you will face at Dunkirk. The British dive bomber Suka. Now you should understand the reason that I have these models. These models are the enemy planes that you will face at Dunkirk. I"ll later give them to you so that you can identify them when fighting.”
“General, in fact, if you just gave us three different angles of the aircraft we can easily remember it just as well.”
“Haha, it’s good that you said that. Second Lieutenant, what is your name?”
“Hans Phillips, General.”
“Oh, of the 54th.”
“Yes, General.”
“Well, Phillips, come to the front.”
Xu Jun smiled and waved. Phillips quickly ran to the front, standing in front of Xu Jun.
“Alright. Second Lieutenant Phillips, we are going to be doing a fun experiment.”
Xu Jun picked up another airplane model and showed it with the tail end facing Phillips.
“What is this airplane?”
“A Hurricane, I have shot down four of these planes. If I shoot another down I could become an ace pilot.”
“Haha, I wish you the best of luck. However, Second Lieutenant Phillips, if you really met this plane on the battlefield, you would be dead.” Xu Jun then turned the plane horizontally to him.
“This is not a Hurricane at all. If you think that it is on the battlefield then you would be torn to shreds along with your plane. Alright, thank you, second lieutenant, you can go back to your seat.”
Phillips looked surprised and puzzled but didn’t dare stand there like an idiot. All the other pilots became interested in the new model.
Xu Jun took the model seriously against those pilots said, “That is the downside to using the three different angles. I want my pilots to be able to recognize the enemy airplanes at any angle, in the shortest amount of time possible. If you don’t then you may price the price in blood. I have these models here so that you can be a more intuitive understanding of the enemy’s planes. Not as simple decoration or toys.”
Looking at the grateful expressions on their faces, Xu Jun felt that the effect was indeed good.
Going on to say: “This is the biggest enemy of you fighter pilots, the new British fighter “Defiant”. Its shape is similar to the Hurricane, making it difficult to distinguish the two in the chaos of battle. Especially when looking at it from the tail. Being the fighter pilots that you are, seeing a Hurricane, the best method of attack is to follow behind it. However, the Defiant is different; once you choose to follow one you will be ripped to shreds by its four 7.7mm rear machine guns. Not sure what the British were thinking exactly when they came up with this strange design. Instead of forward guns, it’s armed with only rear guns.”
“So, it has absolutely no forward fire?” A pilot asked.
“That’s right.” Hearing this, it caused a stir among the pilots.
“Because we are quite short on time, I can only use this model to familiarize everyone with this aircraft. Each of you will receive a model. However, it will be slightly different from the one in my hand. On yours, I have marked the most vulnerable parts with red paint. If you shoot at these specific areas, you will get some satisfactory results. There is also a note in each box. It gives some specifications on the aircraft you will encounter.”
Hans and the other Luftwaffe soldiers started to hand out the cartons to each of the pilots. The sound of the boxed opening became frequent as they were impatient to have a look inside.
“General, with this toy we would like to express our heartfelt thanks.” Wolfe said. Those pilots also stopped and nodded. Their hearts were truly grateful for the commander’s concern and thinking.
“No, this was just an idea of mine.” Xu Jun waved his hand and after a brief pause said: “You should instead be thanking the intelligence officers who have collected this information for you. They have made great efforts and sacrifices so that you are better prepared against the enemy. You should also thank the German teenagers that made these models. It took only a day for the youth of Berlin to make these planes.
Rather, they were very excited to hear that they could help the heroic German pilots. Their enthusiasm and vigor was unprecedented. They spent a day to create the tens of thousands of these model planes. Our logistics staff then selected the most perfect ones from the thousands of planes. Those are the ones that you have in your hands right now. Models have also been sent to the other Luftwaffe wings.
Within these models is the children"s hope of your victory. You should be careful, cautious, and if you see the enemy, grab them by their weakness and throw them to h.e.l.l.”
Hearing those words, they felt as if their blood was boiling.
Xu Jun looked at their burning eyes with a tinge of regret. Using children to motivate these pilots, it was something that he despised doing. However, no one could argue that it was ineffective. He made a gesture to Hans. Then the men brought another craft in front of Xu Jun.
“Gentlemen, besides the models, I have another thing. As you can see, the red spots on the models, this next thing will go along nicely with that.
Xu Jun suddenly felt like he was turning into an arms dealer showing off his inventory.
The box was opened and of rows of machine gun bullets were displayed. Xu Jun picked up a bullet from the box and held it up.
“These are the bullets that you will use in the battle. They are for you to deal with the Royal Air Force, created especially for you. If the results are good then we will begin ma.s.s-production." Then he threw the bullet to a pilot on the first row for him to pa.s.s around.
However, the pilots were still somewhat puzzled as to what the difference was.
“This is a white phosphorus round, a kind of incendiary weapon.” Xu Jun said with an evil grin.
“This is my special request that I made. The bullet is not armor-piercing but ordinary hardened steel. Within its core is thirty grams of white phosphorus. When it penetrates the body of the enemy planes, the bullet will collapse in on itself and the white phosphorus will ignite. Causing localized temperatures upwards of 2000 degrees, enough to melt metal. Once it starts burning it cannot be extinguished until the source is completely combusted up.
Anywhere it hits, it burns. Other than that, they are just regular machine gun bullets, that is all. Hehe.”
The pilots looked at the cold gleam of the bullet and felt their backs run cold. They started to feel that their commander was a bit too insidious.
"Most of the British aircraft now are using a semi-hardened or even a wooden frame. The outside is covered with a thin layer of aluminum. With this bullet, a random hit will cause a fire. If there are multiple hits, then the plane will become a fireball. If it hits the fuel tank… there won’t be time for a parachute.”
“But, General, I remember that white phosphorus was used in the last war. When I was a reconnaissance pilot, I saw the German army use it to destroy British bunkers. However, I remember that all countries signed an agreement prohibiting these sh.e.l.ls. Wouldn’t this cause trouble? Wolfe asked.
“Haha, yes, the agreement was signed to prohibit the use of white phosphorus sh.e.l.ls in combat. However, anything below 20mm does not const.i.tute as a sh.e.l.l. There are no provisions that prohibit the use of white phosphorus bullets. Besides, rules are used to limit the losers. If I wanted to use white phosphorus sh.e.l.ls, who can stop me anyways? The strong do what they will and the weak suffer what they must.
Remember that war is cruel! There is no justice in it. In order to let my soldiers survive on the brutal battlefield, to let them fight better, I don’t care for what is or isn’t internationally allowed. I only care for what is the most effective. Of course, I will never allow my troops to use weapons that bring more suffering than necessary. In this instance, this weapon is the most suited to combat the Royal Air Force. Do you still have any more questions, Colonel Wolfe? Haha.”
The audience however, was thinking some other thoughts. Muttering “devil” or “demon” in their hearts. Fortunately, he was still their commander or they would be willing to immediately retire. Tilling the family farm was still much better than going up against such a cunning and sinister man.
But in terms of the operational plan. they were br.i.m.m.i.n.g with excitement. Their att.i.tudes of their commander shifted to that of near worship. They were convinced that this brilliant commander would lead them to the final victory.
“Haha, well, hold on now. I still need to show you the last of my toys. Although this is only a visual representation and won’t be ready for one or two days. However, I’m sure that some people will have a lot of fun with this.”
With the gestures of Xu Jun, Hans pulled down the tarp on the last and largest truck.