At the same time, at the Allied Logistics Support Department located in the Kunming camp, several new fighter planes quietly parked on the airport runway.

"Jesus! This is the first time I've seen such a wing."

"This is F4U. I heard it's a new carrier-based aircraft from the Navy. Why is it flying here now?"

"i don't know..."

A total of 6 F4U Corsairs have arrived here since the morning. The unique shape attracted the attention of a large number of ground staff and pilots. I heard that they seemed to fly over the hump line from India, and the crews flying the fighters were fighting with the aviation team.

Negotiate with senior management.

"What is this? You mean these planes are going to Nankan? By the way, who are you?"

In the camp, Smith looked confused and asked the stranger in front of him while holding a document with the Allied flag in his hand.

"Yes, Colonel, our mission is to go to the headquarters of the Third Honorable Division of China to assist the unit in fighting Japan. As for our identity documents, it should be clearly written and I don't need to elaborate further."

The leader was a middle-aged man with light blond hair and a thick beard. He had a very unruly expression. He was wearing a unique Allied air force combat flight suit, but the badges on his shoulders and chest were missing.

Pass.

Behind him were five younger pilots. What was surprising was their race: two were white and three were Asian. One of the Asians was a woman.

Smith looked at this group of guys in surprise. The documents showed that this group of people belonged to the Allied Southeast Asian Theater Aviation Volunteer Team. It seemed to be an organization that was formed not long ago. It did not belong to the Indian system or the Chinese Theater.

Moreover, their nationalities are diverse. The bearded man is actually a Soviet Russian, and the others are from Australia, Malaysia, and other places. This aviation task force seems to be similar to the original Flying Tigers, in a semi-employment situation.

The most important thing is that this document was authorized by the Southeast Asia Theater Command, or was signed by General Mountbatten, the commander-in-chief of the theater. This surprised Smith. When did Liao Mingyu tie up this giant Buddha?

"Gentlemen! Who can tell me what is going on?"

At this moment, a middle-aged officer wearing the uniform of a US military general suddenly burst in from the door. Before he arrived, a loud voice came first: "Smith, please explain to me, where did this group of people come from?"

?”

Smith rubbed his brow bones and knew who was coming without looking back. He coughed and said helplessly: "Ahem, General, they are the Southeast Asia Theater Aviation Volunteer Team. They should come here to support the battle in northern Myanmar. Here is the battle briefing and

Order document."

The person who arrived was none other than Chennault, Commander of the US Air Force in China. The airport was crowded with people early in the morning. Although the six F4U fighter planes that arrived at Kunming Airport were not many, they caused quite a stir and successfully aroused the attention of this person.

attention.

He took the document suspiciously and did not forget to ask Smith a question with his eyes. The latter shrugged and said that I don't know much, so you should read it yourself.

"Southeast Asian Air Volunteer Corps? Was this formed by Stilwell? No, no...impossible. That bastard who only knows about cannons and submachine guns doesn't even understand tanks. How could he value air power?"

Chennault murmured to himself, his words filled with contempt for the deputy commander-in-chief of the Indian theater.

Smith gasped in embarrassment beside him. Everyone in the circle knew that the former was at odds with Stilwell and it had become an indisputable fact. The two openly and unabashedly revealed their dislike for each other on many occasions.

The free and easy Chennault didn't care at all. He held the document and asked Xiang Xiangshi: "What is your name? Who is your commander?"

"General, my name is Andrei Oleg. As for our commander... I'm sorry I can't tell you because of the confidentiality agreement. I can only say that we are responsible for General Mountbatten."

Andre straightened his posture slightly and spoke in English with a strong tongue-rolling "vodka" flavor.

"What? Louis Mountbatten? Isn't this British guy here to coordinate? When did you start working on the affairs of the combat troops?"

Faced with Chennault's teasing, Andre just smiled and said nothing more, because he had no obligation to say anything more to the other person.

Chennault didn't mind after being rejected, and turned to look at Smith: "So they are going to Nankan next?"

Smith nodded, took out the cigar box from the drawer, struck a match and skillfully toasted two cigars and handed them over: "That seems to be the case, but actually I don't know more than you."

"You have so many good things."

Chennault had always loved smoking, so of course he would not refuse this kind offer. While puffing away smoke with Smith, he couldn't help but sigh: "That young Chinese general is very popular. The commander of Western Yunnan and the head of state in Chongqing favor him.

Yes, now there is the Southeast Asia Airlines Volunteer Team, and you, an old guy, have given a lot of things in private, right? Even I am a little envious of him."

Smith, who was poked into someone's hands, smiled awkwardly and changed the topic without leaving any trace: "Haha... I have said before that that young man is extraordinary. You have to compete with others, why bother? After all, this is the basis of the Chinese people, we are just here.

Working.”

"It's not a competition, forget it... But I'm a little interested in him now. He can even get the most advanced fighter planes from Vought Company. It's not easy."

Chennault took a deep puff of his cigar and sighed sincerely. His sharp eyes were full of meaning, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

After pondering for a long time, he said again: "Well, doesn't he need a group of ground crews? Don't go around recruiting people under the guise of the Allies. I will arrange a group of ground crews and technicians here, and you can send them together later.

Go over there."

"Huh? Are you sure?" Smith looked at him in surprise, not understanding why the other party's attitude had undergone a 180-degree change.

"Of course, when have I ever spoken without counting?"

"The flight formation left in Nankan...?" Smith asked quietly, his smiling face full of wrinkles.

"Is he your illegitimate son? You cunning old guy..."

Chennault teased, turned to the window and looked at those beautiful fighter planes, with thousands of thoughts in his heart.

"Let the crew stay in Nankan. It doesn't matter whether I give the order or not, but... I am happy to provide them with some necessary ammunition supplies."

As the saying goes, a man who knows the current affairs is a wise man. Chennault, who has lived in China for a long time, does not understand this truth. How can it be easy for someone who can even gain connections with the high-level Allied forces?

The most important thing is that this guy who causes trouble everywhere is deeply loved by the Chinese high-level officials. It must be said that he is indeed capable in combat command, and he makes big moves from time to time. No one can do anything to him.

Even I, the commander of the aviation task force in China, only has some old-fashioned P40s under his command. I have requested reports on new fighters countless times but to no avail. After all, Southeast Asia is only a secondary battlefield, and domestic attention is limited, but

It's terrifying that he can actually get f4u.

That is the latest fighter jet that was put into service with the Navy last year. Its combat performance is perfect. It is basically only active in the Pacific battlefield, not even in the European battlefield where the war is in full swing.

Maybe... I might be able to get some of these fighters through him. The fighter planes of my air force will also need to be updated.

Chennault may be able to detain these six F4Us based on his connections, but leaving aside the consequences of doing so, it is tantamount to killing the goose that lays the egg.

In fact, the unpleasant quarrel with the Third Division some time ago was also caused by the misunderstanding of the former by other senior officers of the Air Force and their own arrogant attitude.

Chennault was not hostile at all. On the contrary, he was full of curiosity about this unruly and mysterious Chinese general. I heard that he was only in his early 30s and was simply the Patton of the East.
Chapter completed!