Chapter 185 Distress

After listening to all the reasons given by Zhukov, Stalin, who felt like a stone fell to the ground in his heart, once again found that familiar feeling of relief.

"It seems that your test has not caused you to lose your outstanding wisdom and overall perspective as a senior commander of the Red Army. I am very pleased about this, Zhukov."

The heartfelt smile of relief did not last long on Stalin's face. Soon, the troubled supreme leader of the Soviet Union once again looked a little lonely.

“What about Kiev?”

Hearing again from Stalin the issue that had led to his dismissal from office, the resolute Zhukov once again chose to face the truth without making any compromises to hypocritical lies.

"However painful this impending doomed outcome may be, Comrade Stalin, Kiev must give up, there is no other way for us."

This time, after hearing the same answer from Zhukov again, Stalin did not burst into thunderous anger like last time. He looked calmly, mixed with a little fear and sadness, towards the night sky outside the office window, which was like dots of stars. Generally profound.

"I understand. Go and do what you should do, Zhukov. I'm here waiting for your good news."

The weather in the early morning of September 10th the next day was not very good. Gloomy gray clouds hung over the airport, very close to Moscow. The breeze blowing by was as cool as spring. Comfortable.

Zhukov, who was re-appointed by Stalin as the Leningrad emergency fire captain, stood on the vast airport. Next to him were Lieutenant General Hozin and Major General Fedyuninsky who were personally selected by him and accompanied him to Leningrad. , the captain of the transport plane responsible for delivering Zhukov safely to Leningrad was in front of him and saluted him.

"General Zhukov, the entire crew is ready. We can take off for Leningrad at any time."

Listening to the captain's calm and calm report, Zhukov, who was full of worries about this dangerous and unusual air journey, couldn't help but raise his head and look at the hazy and gray sky above his head.

Zhukov's worry could be seen in his eyes. The captain, who was confident in his flying skills, immediately reassured Zhukov with a sincere smile.

"Comrade General, please don't worry. This kind of weather is most suitable for our covert flight. As long as we fly above the clouds, those German fighter jets competing for low-altitude air superiority in patrolling the theater will not be able to find us."

Zhukov, who was noncommittal to the captain's assurance, nodded silently and then, together with several of his entourage, boarded the aircraft, one of the most cutting-edge models of the Soviet aviation. 2 transport planes embarked on their journey to Leningrad.

The first half of the flight was as smooth as the captain said at the beginning. It was raining lightly all the way from Moscow to Lake Ladoga. The Li-2 transport aircraft, hiding above the cumulonimbus clouds, took advantage of the weather. With the cover, they flew safely to the sky above Lake Ladoga.

Just when everyone on the plane thought that this air trip would end peacefully because of God's good will, the weather suddenly turned from rainy to sunny, but suddenly and silently, the accumulated rain dissipated. The cloud suddenly exposed the Li-2 transport plane that Zhukov was riding on to broad daylight, and the danger index suddenly surged.

Fortunately, a squadron of 12 Lager 3 fighter jets that had been contacted before departure from Moscow Airport appeared on time over Lake Ladoga to greet Zhukov's special plane and escort it. This was already within the reach of the shore-based aviation force of the Baltic Fleet. The best fighter model to get your hands on.

The 12 Lager 3 fighter jets that were tightly protecting the Li-2 transport aircraft formed an escort formation and accompanied them all the way. Looking out of the cabin window at these most elite aircraft belonging to the Red Army aviation unit, Zhukov, who was in a good mood, turned to face the man next to him. The entourage spoke.

"It seems that our aviation guys are no worse than those German air forces. The sky over Leningrad will be much safer with their protection."

Before Zhukov finished speaking, two BF109 Messerschmitt fighter jets belonging to the German Army Group North suddenly dived over from higher airspace to kill the enemy like sharks smelling blood.

2 versus 12, with an unarmed transport plane escorted in the center.

Such a huge disparity in quantity is a very bad situation that most pilots and even elite air combat aces are unwilling to face. Under such circumstances, even if the performance of the fighter aircraft is superior, it will be affected by the geometric multiple of the number. Due to disadvantages, he was absolutely suppressed and unable to perform.

But I don’t know if the two German pilots went crazy or if they really had some secret weapons and the talented people were brave. The two noses and the fuselage were painted into black and gray wavy pattern BF109 without Fearless, they instantly pounced towards Zhukov's plane, which was being escorted in the center of the fleet, with the ferocity of a herd of tigers and sheep.

Seeing two enemy planes swooping down at a position higher than 12 o'clock of our own fleet, the 12 Lager 3 fighters with the numerical advantage in hand were not to be outdone. Except for the four Lager 3s that stayed to continue to defend Zhukov's plane, the remaining eight Warhawk pilots immediately pushed the throttles in their hands and headed towards the two German planes coming towards them.

The brave and fearless Baltic Fleet shore-based aviation pilots chose the most passionate confrontation method and rushed straight towards the oncoming German planes.

In this special battle situation where the two sides are facing off against each other, it is like playing roulette. The two fighter pilots who are unwilling to give in have a 50% chance of winning, even if the firepower of the aircraft is not much different. In the worst case scenario, it is not impossible for both parties to die together.

The Soviet pilots, who had an absolute numerical advantage, hoped that through this brave and half-win method, they could quickly kill two German fighter planes to resolve the battle.

However, the two experienced German pilots obviously do not want to determine the outcome through this simple luck tactic. Skilled air maneuvers and rich air combat experience are the magic weapons that the German Air Force elites have always used to win. .

Before the Soviet Lager 3 fighter jets were about to enter effective firing range, they had fought with the Soviet Air Force many times and had an unusual understanding of the performance of their enemy's fighter jets.

The two German pilots, who cooperated tacitly, swung their fuselage at the last second before the Soviet pilot was about to press the fire button. The two light-bodied BF109s immediately fought with the blazing bullets coming directly in front of them like two dexterous black flying swallows. The curtain passed by.