Countless shadows of aircrafts were moving on the clouds. Indeed, it was just like great migration. I felt as if I had become a migratory bird. After a while, another flock was coming from our left side, and we were becoming a larger group.
I thought we would shortly be getting the report from the scouting team, which had left earlier. Currently, our flight course was not changed. The readings on the instruments were still. Same for my arms, pretty much. I checked the right and left sides, and then looked back occasionally. Just a few aircrafts were flying before me. Those coming from the left seemed to have positioned themselves to the rear left.
Most of the aircrafts flying near mine were Sankas. At first, two Someakas, latest models, were with us. But, they had gained the altitude and swerved to the right direction a bit earlier. It had got to be a part of their scouting duty. After that, only fighter aircrafts were flying together.
Then, our flying course was altered twice. They were slight adjustments of angles. The altitude remained the same. After flying for another 30 minutes, we started flying in formation. First, we spread out laterally and then separated vertically into three tiers. I was leading the middle layer.
The upper group moved ahead slightly. The lower group spread out even more laterally, and then assumed lines that were trailing backward diagonally. These commands were given by using short pulses of the frequency, which was unique to each team. So, I did not hear any voice, obviously. I could only hear the sounds of revving engines, the sounds of the airframes rubbing the air, and my own breath. All I had to do was to focus on the front side of me, so I could relax relatively speaking.
Clouds disappeared and the ocean started to dominate the view below us. There seemed to be no landmass in my sight. Only white, short streams made by a ship could be seen. I was not sure whether it was a civilian vessel, and to which side it belonged to.
I noticed the images of aircrafts on the right side before me. Almost at the same time, I got a pulse signal. The formation spread out even more laterally. The enemies seemed to be divided into two layers. They would probably recover and reform before long.
The upper group accelerated and split into two, to the right and left. The lower tier was moving forward while spreading gradually. Only the middle layer, including me, lunged straight, without spreading, and would make turns on the other side beyond the enemies. That was our plan. Well, will they allow us to lunge at them so easily? At least, it would likely to be impossible for me, who is in the lead. Those flying at the front would scatter the enemies, and the trailing aircrafts would fly straight into the deeper airspace.
Again, I got a pulse signal. The green light is on. It always starts quietly.
“Alright.” I exhaled the breath.
I refastened and tightened the seat belt.
I am going to enjoy this as much as possible.
Calm down.
Watch the enemies’ moves carefully.
Do not cling to one thing.
I will shoot and then break away.
I recalled the lessons learned from the dogfights in the past.
But those things are no more than just words.
The only things I can rely on here are the reactions ingrained within me.
They were approaching me.
They were coming in the formation that was assuming the cruciform section, to counter our formation that was in the shape of X, when viewed from the front side.
There was nothing on the ocean.
There was no cloud obstructing our sights.
The sun was behind us.
Only in the first phase, we had the advantage.
The aircrafts in the upper tier started turning over their wings, one by one, in sequence.
They were fluttering.
They were glittering.
Even though there are so many aircrafts, this airspace is vast enough.
We were already too close to each other to be able to recognize the opponents’ formation.
Those flying at the front of the enemy formation appeared to be twin-engined aircrafts.
Are they going to fly straight toward us?
We will lunge at them as well.
From the right and left edges, the enemies were starting to descend one after another. They are intending to take the position below us.
A consort plane on my right side was leaving me while slightly diving to the right.
I checked behind me, to confirm the positions of consort aircrafts.
Preparing to jettison the drop tank.
Checking the oil pressure and the oil temperature.
Releasing the safety lock of the machine guns.
Before jettisoning the drop tanks, I adjusted the trim tab positions of the elevators.
Shaking the rudder subtly and checking the airflow.
Checking the altitude.
Fuel, engine rotation, and the current time.
Listening to the pulse signals.
Radio is currently available and open. But, no one is saying anything.
Approaching the enemies even more.
In front of me, at the altitude of 400.
One of the enemies leaned its wings slightly and appeared to veer to the left.
I resisted the temptation to make the next move, in that situation.
I just ignore the enemy, and lunge more deeply into the airspace. The opponent might have the same thought as mine.
Getting closer.
One enemy aircraft was climbing up from the lower right.
It seemed to have shot the machine guns for a few seconds.
Where was it aiming at?
Keeping the horizontal orientation.
I opened the throttle even more.
Acceleration.
My airframe was dancing.
The one at the head of the enemy formation turned to the left, as expected.
The one behind it was coming toward me.
I dodged toward the right gently.
The next one was going upward.
The fourth one was also far from me.
The fifth one was closer.
It was lunging at me.
It is intending to shoot at me.
I floated up, and then flew down immediately.
Descending.
As I looked upward, that enemy aircraft was flying inverted. Is it seeing me?
Another two were coming from behind it.
I rolled to the right.
Checking beneath me.
I brought the orientation back at once, and started ascending.
Left.
One consort plane was right above me. Such a dangerous one.
I flew by the point approximately 10 meters below it.
The next one is an enemy, in front of me.
I brought the airframe to the horizontal flight orientation, and then let the wings be vertical immediately after that.
I used the elevators to turn toward the right rapidly.
One enemy was coming from behind me diagonally. It was too slow.
I rolled by 180 degrees, and then turned to the left quickly.
Moving deeper into the enemy zone.
Finally, the sky with no enemy aircraft was appearing.
“Ignore them. Go deeper.” It was the leader’s voice. “This is the thinnest part of the enemy formation.”
“Hatchback was shot down.”
“Yeah. I saw it.”
One enemy was flying straight, head-on toward me. I leaned toward the left.
The one who had been on my right would probably come toward me in the meantime.
While pretending not to notice it for a short while, I assumed the inverted orientation, and used the elevators immediately.
In front of me, one enemy entered my shooting range momentarily.
Fire.
Up.
Choking the throttle for an instant.
I looked backward. I am wishing not to be bumped from behind.
The enemy coming from the front had just passed by above me.
I saw its lower fuselage. It was an aircraft with the air-cooled tractor configuration. Old model.
While ignoring the aircraft, I recovered the orientation, and went farther.
There was no enemy anymore.
“Deadeye, let’s move to the above to the right.”
“Let us return.”
“Here is the main event now.”
I pulled the control stick to deflect the elevators slightly. At the moment, I saw something in front of me.
“Wait.”
“Who?”
“It’s Deadeye. We still have some ahead of us.”
I brought my aircraft back to the horizontal flight.