1275psi
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9/6/42
Juni B and Inoue fly today –again the target is Changsa – operations to support an army thrust from Sinyang towards Honam –not that our pilots really care anymore –it seems that they will be supporting Army thrusts forever – would the Chinese Army ever just accept defeat and retire into the interior?
They return to Canton to receive some interesting news – British Hurricanes have been reported operating over Wuchow.
This is exciting – the reputation of the Hurricane has proceeded them – Oscars in Burma have already racked up an impressive rate of kills against them –and any fighter pilot –especially ones so long with out a score –would welcome opponents like these.
Its what a fighter pilot is about.
10/6/42
Canton filed is being reinforced.
For the bomber pilots in particular, it’s a very exciting day, as not one but 2 brand new units fly into the base -56 brand new shiny KI-49’s – the Armies new replacement bomber.
Its impressive against the older KI-27 – better protection, better performance.
It is harder to fly, but roomier.
In addition to the bombers, another unit of KI-43’s fly in to reinforce the KI-27’s.
These guys are veterans from Burma – rotating back to China to re fill the ranks.
The night in the mess is a good one –the Oscar pilots have much to relate – the air war in Burma has been hot.
The Oscar rules the sky when it encounters the hurricanes – but this happens far too rarely –the British are contenting themselves with small raids all over the front –and intercepts have been hard to achieve.
British Medium bombers too have been relatively easy to shoot down – except Wellingtons( flying colanders at times) –but the occasional raids by the 4 Engine Liberators and Fortresses were frustrating to the extreme.
Again and again that night the pilots of 47th sentai would here the same tale – empty guns –all bullets expended on them – and the bombers carrying straight on –undaunted.
Galling to the extreme.
The mess breaks up late –there is a great air of expectation for tomorrow –the Chinese tomorrow are to be sent a message –The British must go home.
11/6/42
One tends to just consider the number of planes that a field operates – but in reality –they are the easiest thing to organise (if a supply chain is working) prior to a mission.
It’s the men that must be catered for –that must be made ready for the flight –that will decide whether today will be successful or not.
Today Canton field has to get a total of 463 men into the air for this mission. The day starts early – very early for support crews.
The mechanics, and men directly involved in the planes preparation prepare as usual –its just going to be a bigger day, more fuelling, more bombs, more pushing.
But 463 men have to be fed.
463 parachutes have to be prepared, checked, signed out
Nearly 100 briefing notes have to be prepared – flat boards containing the maps, formation details, timings, and all other details.
460 odd flying suits have been laundered at some stage.
This body of men proceed through the routine though smoothly – 6 months of war ensure that –and as dawn breaks this vast body of men are gatherd before the base commander.
As usual he stands on his small platform – and gives his exhortation to the men.
Bomb true –push on – destroy the enemy with your spirit.
He salutes the men –and as one they will salute back.
Unlike the American –there are no trucks to take the men to the bombers spread all around the field –and some men have considerable distances to jog/walk to them across the field.
Co ordination is -as always –an art.
The Planes are divided into 9 plane units – and the leader of each one of these stands through the cockpit hatch –communicating via flags.
But this is still only mid 42 –and everyone is a veteran, or experienced enough to know what is going on, what to do.
Soon the field bellows with the beat of the powerful engines –and 3 at a time, the bombers roll down the field, again, and again, and again.
Today the men do line the field –waving caps, waving anything
A news camera records the event today – this is news –the Helen is debuting in numbers impressive enough to warrant it.
The bombers clear the field –and a great formation soon passes overhead –as the mass of fighters –(not so formal their departure –just a gaggle of planes going as each pilot sees an opening) rise to join them.
Hyakutake flies today –he has recovered enough, as does Takenaka (he would not have missed this for the world) –and the 2 Tojo join the rear of the formation
By nine O’clock -100 plus planes depart –the finished product of nearly 3000 mens efforts today –target –Wuchow airfield.
Would the effort be worth it?
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RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!! - 
) -but I remember his description vividly - because i had a go in an aerobatic glider one day - and stuffed it very, very badly -scared hell out of myself
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