Zheng Shaoyu

Zheng Shaoyu (Chinese: 郑少愚; pinyin: Zhèng Shǎoyú; 1911–1942), also spelled Cheng Hsiao-yu (Wades-Gile), was born in Qu County of Sichuan province. In 1933–1934, he passed initial qualifications for admission into the China Central Aviation School at Jianqiao Airbase. He graduated top-3 in the class in 1935. When the War of Resistance/World War II broke out between China and the Empire of Japan following the 7/7 Incident, then-Lieutenant Zheng Shaoyu was attached to the 22nd PS, 4th PG at Zhoujiakou Airbase of the centralized Chinese Air Force in anticipation of operations in the northern front. On 13 August 1937, his fighter squadron would immediately be redirected from Zhoujiakou to Hangzhou Airbase, 175 kilometres (109 mi) southwest of Shanghai to engage the Imperial Japanese at what will be the first major battle of World War II in Asia; the Battle of Shanghai.[1][2]

In this Chinese name, the family name is Zheng (surname).
Zheng Shaoyu
Native name
鄭少愚 / 鄭士璽
Birth nameZheng Shaoyu / Zheng Shixi (Chinese: 郑少愚)
Born1911
Dazhou, Qu County, Sichuan, China
DiedApril 22, 1942(1942-04-22) (aged 30)
Jaipur, India en route to Kunming, China
Allegiance Republic of China
Service/branch Republic of China Air Force
Years of service1934–42
RankLieutenant Colonel (posthumous)
Unit22nd PS/4th PG
Commands held4th PG CO (1940-42)
Battles/warsWar of Resistance/WWII

Lt. Col. Zheng Shaoyu was the fourth commanding officer of the famed "Zhihang Fighter Group" (the 4th PG), after Capt Wang Tianxiang, Col. Gao Zhihang himself, and Capt. Li Guidan (Zh-Wiki) to die in the war against Imperial Japan.[3][4]

Career

On 14 August 1937, in the first air battles of World War II in Asia, Lt. Zheng Shaoyu's 22nd PS, 4th PG of Hawk III fighter-attack planes landed in Jianqiao Airbase 175 kilometres (109 mi) southwest of Shanghai for refueling, but arriving behind the 21st and 23rd squadrons of Hawk III fighters that already fueled up and were able to take off in time as the air raid sirens sounded just before the initial arrival of the eighteen Imperial Japanese Navy G3M medium-heavy bombers of the Kanoya Kokutai flying in from Matsuyama Airbase near Taipei in Japanese-controlled Formosa, and from Omura Airbase on Kyushu, led by Lieutenant Commanders Nitta and Asano on a schnellbomber mission to neutralize the Chinese Air Force assets at Jianqiao and Guangde Airbase. Lt. Zheng's Hawk III was ready only after the Japanese bombing run over Jianqiao, and he managed to catch up to the fleeing G3M bombers, riddling at least one bomber (of PO3c Ogushi) with 73 bullet holes, which somehow managed to make it back to Matsuyama Airbase in Formosa, but was written off and put on display in Tokyo as evidence of what is generally called the "Japan-China Incident" (Jpn: 日華事變/日支事變: "Nikka Jiken"/"Nisshi Jiken") in Japanese text.[5][6][7]

In the early morning of 15 August 1937 (some sources erroneously list the date as "17 of August"), Lt. Zheng Shaoyu led his squadron with wingmen Lt. Zhang Guangming (Zh-Wiki) and Lt. Yue Yiqin (also: Le Yiqin) on an intercept mission against approaching Japanese aircraft, encountering an inbound flight of 12 B2M (Type 89) attack-bombers belonging to the IJN fleet aircraft carrier Kaga over Hangzhou Bay. Lt. Zheng shared a kill of a B2M with 21st PS squadron leader Capt. Li Guidan (Zh-Wiki), while his wingmen Lt. Zhang shot down one, sharing in another, and Lt. Yue claiming four, which were most certainly shared-kills among the "17 Type-89s shot-down" as claimed amongst all twenty-one Hawk III pilots of the 4th PG in the battle that morning, which is more than the total number of the B2M Type-89s they had engaged; the actual number of B2M Type-89s shot down in that battle was eleven, with a lone surviving although bullet-riddled B2M piloted by Lt.(jg) Tanaka and his gunner PO1c Mitsui making their return to Kaga.[8][9][10][11][12]

In the following weeks through the remainder of August and September of 1937, Lt. Zheng Shaoyu and his 4th PG of Hawk IIIs squadrons were heavily involved in air-interdiction of Japanese positions and close-air support for the National Revolutionary Army of China in their intense battles for Shanghai, attacking troop-landings, warships and various other Japanese assets; these attacks were coordinated with various bomber and attack-plane squadrons consisting of A-12 Shrikes, B-10s, Gamma 2Es, O-2s, among others, although these coordinated efforts often poorly executed due lack of training time and familiarization with this motley mix of these Chinese aircraft types.[13] Lt. Zheng's 4th PG CO Capt. Wang Tianxiang (acting CO standing-in for Col. Gao Zhihang who was wounded during the interception of the Kaga attack-bombers on 15 August) was shot-down and killed by Lt.(jg) Tadashi Kaneko or his wingmen (flying A4Ns from Ryūjō) during the Shanghai air-interdiction operations on 22 August over the Baoshan area on the northern shores of Shanghai; 4th PG, 21st PS Lt. Tan Wen (Zh-Wiki) fought against Japanese fighters in a 1/2-hour long dogfight during the continued close-air support for the National Revolutionary Army in the Baoshan operations when his plane burst into flames, killing him (leaving behind his pregnant wife and unborn son) on 3 September,[14] while Lt. Zheng was himself was shot-up in the first-ever dogfight against the sleek-new Mitsubishi A5M fighter on 4 September in course of these Shanghai operations, wounded by the A5M's machine gun fire, and surviving a crashed-landing, but also suffering serious burns as a result, while his squadron-mate and fellow native north-Sichuanese 2Lt. Li Yougan (Zh-Wiki) repeatedly dive-bombed and strafed Japanese warships along the Huangpu River amidst intense anti-aircraft fire on 18 September 1937 but was hit by the barrage and crashed to his death.[15]

As Lt. Zheng was recovering from his battle wounds he sustained during the Battle of Shanghai, Capt. Liu Qihan (wg: Liu Chi-Han) assumed command of Zheng's 22nd PS, while Capt. Li Guidan assumed the overall command of the 4th PG following the death of Col. Gao Zhihang in a bombing strike at Zhoujiakou Airbase. With the new wartime capital of China pushed back to Wuhan as the Battle of Shanghai and Nanjing were ultimately lost, Lt. Zheng would recover in time for the next major air battle on 18 February 1938 in defense of Wuhan; fifteen G3M bombers led by Lt. Cmdr. Sugahisa Tuneru escorted by eleven A5M fighters led by Lt. Takashi Kaneko (not to be confused with Tadashi Kaneko) approached Wuhan, the Chinese fighter squadrons took-off in three separate flights, with the 23rd PS I-15 fighters led by Capt. Lu Jichun from Xiaogan Airbase at 12:45 hours, the 22nd PS I-15s led by 4th PG CO Capt. Li Guidan with Lt. Zheng at #2 position out from Hankou Airbase at 13:00 with squadron leader Capt. Liu Qihan flying in the 22nd PS rearguard, and the 21st PS I-16s led by Capt. Deng Mingde also from Hankou Airbase, at 13:10. [16]

While both sides were initially caught in the confusion of the low-cloudy weather over Wuhan, it was particularly unfortunate for the Lt. Zheng's 22nd PS as the A5Ms led by Lt. Kaneko caught Lt. Zheng and CO Capt. Li Guidan's forward flight of the 22nd PS from above and behind just three minutes into their steep takeoff from Hankou, and were effectively bounced by the A5Ms; Lt. Zheng's rudder cable was immediately shot-off and he spiralled out of control, but maneuvered enough to make a survivable crash-landing, while the #4 position, Lt. Ba Qingzheng who was simultaneously hit and spiralling out-of-control along with Lt. Zheng, crashed to his death. CO Capt. Li was also hit hard, and while managing to regain control, flew his stricken I-15 back to base, where unfortunately on approach to landing, his plane exploded, killing him in the crash. The 22nd's #3 Lt. Zhang Guangming was able to maneuver against three A5Ms attacking him from all directions; the squadron commander Capt. Liu Qihan who was at the rear of the 22nd PS flight managed to dogfight the A5Ms, shooting down one, but was hit himself, and while Lt. Zhang Guangming made his safe egress, Capt. Liu's I-15 engine was hit, and exploded, forcing him to bail out, and while descending underneath his parachute, two A5Ms took turns strafing at him, with the slugs zipping past him "like hailstones"; finally playing dead, the A5M pilots took him for dead, and left him alone, descending to safety. Lt. Zhang Guangming managed to land his I-15 fighter back on base, unscathed, but with 210 bullet holes in his plane, and three bullets lodged in his parachute pack.[17]

Having to recover from battle wounds again, Lt. Zheng Shaoyu would miss fighting in the Battle of Taierzhuang just a month later, of which his squadron-mate Lt. Zhang Guangming would earn an intriguing reputation for himself with 23rd PS fighter pilot Lt. Chen Huaimin.[18]

Maj. Zheng Shaoyu, a heavily-scarred survivor of many air battles and of the "Zero scourge", a Flying Tigers liaison officer, and the commander of the 4th Pursuit Group ready to lead his men back to the fight against the brutal Imperial Japanese aggressors on more-equal terms, was kille when the new Republic P-43 Lancer fighter aircraft he had received in Karachi, India (now Pakistan) under the Lend-Lease Act of 1941 to supply China with new warplanes, suddenly caught fire, then crashing near Jaipur while en route back to combat operations in China in April of 1942.[19][20][21]


Media adaptations

In the patriotic war drama Heroes of the Eastern Skies (1977), the convalescing 4th PG CO Col. Gao Zhihang is seen throwing his cup in rage, as he hears on the radio news broadcast about the "heroic martyrs of our air force; Yue Yiqin, Zheng Shaoyu, Tan Wen (Zh-Wiki), Shen Chonghui (Zh-Wiki) making the ultimate sacrifice for our nation", and laments about how he must sit and wait while his brothers are out fighting, and dying. While the scene accurately portrayed Col. Gao recovering at Mount Lu from the battle injuries he sustained in August of 1937, the film was inaccurate about the martyrdom of both Yue Yiqin and Zheng Shaoyu, as the two of them were still alive when Col. Gao himself was KIA in November of 1937.[22][23][24] Zheng Shaoyu's squadron-mate and fellow north Sichuanese-native Hawk III pilot 2Lt. Li Yougan was shown in the movie as having been strafed to death mid-air while descending in his parachute, but in fact 2Lt. Li was KIA getting shot-down in a barrage of heavy anti-aircraft fire on 18 September 1937 while dive-bombing and strafing Japanese warships on the Huangpu River in Shanghai; Lt. Liu Lanqing, a P-26/281 Peashooter pilot from the 17th PS, 3rd PG based in Jurong Airbase, was in fact strafed by Japanese pilots in mid-air while trying to descend to safety underneath his parachute on 19 September 1937, the day after the death of 2Lt. Li.[25][26]

See also

References
  1. Chai, George. "第四大队大队长 郑少愚". www.flyingtiger-cacw.com. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  2. Kuan, Yu-chien. "Shanghai 1937 – Where World War II Began". Shanghai 1937. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  3. Gustavsson, Hakan. "Hakans Aviation page - Sino-Japanese Air War 1942". Biplane Fighter Aces - China. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  4. Wen, Qian (2015-10-31). "80年前空军青年 求战护国回响曲 Battle Cries of Air Force Youth 80 Years Ago Echoes in Service of the Nation". 禁闻网 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  5. Cheung, 2015, p. 13. Lt. Cheng Hsiao-yu attacks PO3c Ogushi's G3M
  6. Gustavsson, Håkan. "Chinese biplane fighter aces - Cheng Hsiao-Yu". Biplane Fighter Aces - China - Cheng Hsiao-Yu. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  7. Matt, P. E. (2015-02-07). "Trans-Oceanic Bombing of China, 1937". Pacific Eagles - The 814 Air Battle. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  8. Howarth, 1983, p. 213. Lieutenant Commander Iawai led twelve Type 89 (Mitsubishi B2M) attack bombers from the aircraft carrier Kaga... intercepted by Chinese Hawk fighters... only Lieutenant (jg) Tanaka landed his crippled plane back aboard Kaga
  9. Bergin, Bob (2017-08-22). "High Aviation Ideals". HistoryNet. Retrieved 2020-11-09. 11 of the 12 B2M torpedo bombers shot down by the 4th PS that morning
  10. Gustavsson, Håkan. "Chinese biplane fighter aces - Chang Kuang-Ming". Biplane Fighter Aces - China - Lt. Chang Kuang-. Retrieved 2020-11-09. Lt. Cheng's (Zheng's) wingman 2Lt. Chang Kuang-Ming also claimed a victory in this combat
  11. Chai, George. "爭奪華東制空權". www.flyingtiger-cacw.com. Retrieved 2020-11-09. 21 aircraft of the 4th PS of the Chinese Air Force took off from Jianqiao Airport to face the enemies (aircraft) from “ Kaga ”
  12. Caidin, 1969, p. 33. Twelve Type 89 (B2M) attack bombers on a raid against Hangzhou led by Group Commander Iawai (other sources: "Iwai") took off from aircraft carrier Kaga... eleven of the Type 89s were shot down by a group of Chinese fighters... Lt.(jg) Tanaka managed to bring his bullet-riddled and crippled bomber back to the carrier.
  13. Hui, Samuel. "Chinese Air Force vs. the Empire of Japan". www.warbirdforum.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25. The air battles between the Chinese and Japanese pilots from 1937 to 1941 was considered by Westerners a forgotten war... it's still too important to deny... for the Japanese pilots, it was their first chance to earn experiences about fighting other pilots in the air... the Battle of Shanghai marked the first time Chinese Central Army enjoyed close air support from the Chinese Air Force. Unfortunately, due to difficult with ground-air communication and the general lack of experience coordinating close air support missions, the result left much to be desired...
  14. 魏, 冠中 (2018-09-07). "街舞教父 抗日空軍烈士譚文遺孤之後 當年譚文駕機以一敵八 碧血灑長空". 指傳媒 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-12-01. 九月三日，空軍第四大隊奉命支援友軍作戰，譚文駕編號二三一零號霍克機飛抵瀏河南方時，發現七、八架敵機，在陣地上空飛翔。於是譚文與敵戰鬥三十分鐘，擊傷敵機兩架，但他的座機因油箱中彈著火，導致機毀人亡，年僅二十六歲，身後遺孤一子尚未出生。譚文殉職後，中華民國政府追贈他為空軍上尉，至今他的靈位還在大直忠烈祠。(照片)
  15. 顾氏造船厂厂长. "【一点资讯】战鹰翱翔：记红色中国空军第一个王牌飞行员郑少愚的座机 www.yidianzixun.com". www.yidianzixun.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25. 1937年9月4日，郑少愚单机2209号霍克III（该机原属于梁添成，可能是因为2204号机已经损失或者机械故障所以郑少愚临时借用）在执行侦察任务中遇敌机5架围攻，寡不敌众，战机油箱被击中起火，迫降于杨林口附近，他也身负重伤。他的手、面部、头部均被烧伤，腿部也中弹，被我军士兵奋力救出，紧急送往苏州重伤医院救治，后转至芜湖戈矶山医院。
  16. Gustavsson, Hakans. "Chinese biplane fighter aces - Teng Ming-Teh". Biplane Fighter Aces - China. Retrieved 2021-01-10. On 18 February 1938, the Japanese attacked Wuhan with a 15 G3M bombers escorted by 11 A5M carrier fighters... ten I-16s of the 21st PS led by the commander Captain Teng Ming-Teh (Deng Mingde) took off from Hankou Airfield at 13:10... Captain Teng, saw the A5Ms dive from approximately 4000 meters altitude and attack the 22nd PS south west of Wuhan... Lieutenant Liu Chi-Sheng (Liu Zhesheng) scored a solo kill and then joined Captain Teng and Lieutenant Yang Ku-Fan to attack another A5M which was engaged in a turning fight with Lieutenant Liu Chung-Wu of the 23rd PS. Together, the four Chinese fighters shot down this hapless A5M.
  17. Gustavsson, Hakans. "Chinese biplane fighter aces - Liu Chi-Han". Biplane Fighter Aces - China. Retrieved 2021-01-10. In February 1938 Captain Liu Chi-Han (Liu Qihan) served as commander of the 22nd PS. This unit was at the time equipped with I-15bis and I-16s... On 18 February 1938, the Japanese attacked... there were low clouds over Wuhan, which caused a lot of confusion... Following the air raid warning net, the Chinese interceptors began taking off at 12:45... eight I-15bis from the 23rd PS based at Hsiao-Kan led by Captain Lu Ji-Chun... eleven I-15bis from the 22nd PS led by Captain Lee Kuei-Tan (Li Guidan), CO of the 4th PG from Hankou Airfield at 13:00... ten I-16s of the 21st PS led by the commander Captain Teng Ming-Teh (Deng Mingde) took off from Hankou Airfield at 13:10... The first Chinese interceptors to encounter the Japanese were the I-15bis from the 22nd PS led by Lee’s flight, which included Lieutenant Cheng Hsiao-Yu (Zheng Shaoyu) in the no. 2 position, Lieutenant Chang Kuang-Ming (Zhang Guangming) as no. 3 and Lieutenant Pa Ching-Cheng (Ba Qingzheng) as no. 4, were climbing steeply at about 1500 meters south west of the airfield three minutes after take-off... Japanese planes from the upper rear intercepted them from an altitude thought to be at 4000 meters.
  18. Gustavsson, Hakans. "Chinese biplane fighter aces - Chen Huai-Min". Biplane Fighter Aces - China. Retrieved 2021-01-10. His joy suddenly turned into fright as he saw three Japanese aircraft flying towards him, with guns blazing. In the first attack, tracers burned several holes on his parachute and severed five cords. The parachute went lop-sided, accelerated its downward decent... Chang (Zhang) fell on a vegetable field in Hsia Yi County east of Kwei Teh (Gui'de)... villagers told him a Japanese aircraft and a Chinese aircraft had crashed about a mile south of the village. Chang rushed to the scene of the crash, and found Chen Huai-Min of the 23rd PS... He was also shot in the leg and he had used his shirt as a tourniquet... no medical facility in the village. Chang got an oxcart from the village and spent all night to get Chen back to Kuei Teh (Gui'de) Air Base
  19. Dunn, Richard. "Republic P-43 Lancer fighter plane in Chinese service (Richard Dunn)". www.warbirdforum.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25. In July 1942 the P-43A flown by 4th Group commander and renowned fighter pilot Cheng Hsiao-Yu caught fire and he was killed.
  20. LoProto, Mark (2018-04-09). "Pearl Harbor Scourge: Mitsubishi A6M Zero". Visit Pearl Harbor. Retrieved 2020-11-25. Going into World War II, the Zero was a feared fighter, dominating the skies regardless of what the Allies threw at it.
  21. Network, Warfare History (2019-05-08). "Japan's World War II Zero Fighter Terrified the Allies". The National Interest. Retrieved 2020-11-25. The psychological and military shock that the Allies experienced when they first encountered Mitsubishi’s legendary A6M2 Zero fighter plane at the beginning of the Pacific War may be difficult to understand today. The Zero, while being a revolutionary design in itself, had in fact been flying and fighting in China for nearly two full years before the Western air forces encountered it in open combat in late 1941 and early 1942.
  22. 蒋, 泽枫. "高志航牺牲日期考辨_杂志论文_兰台世界杂志". www.zz-news.com. Retrieved 2020-12-12. ... 敌机再次进入，一阵疯狂扫射之后，只见一弹坑东侧50米处仰卧一人，杨、于二人急绕弹坑跑过去，见是一位苏联顾问已被机枪打穿腹部。这时，站长也跑来，派车将其送往医院抢救。我一面向南京政府发电报报告，一面派人整理高志航、冯干卿的遗体，并停柩于周家口镇王家花园后面一住户的空屋之内...
  23. 周口说, 發表于历史 (2019-10-23). "這個周口機場，90%的周口人不知道……". 每日头条 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-12-12. 1934年，周家口机场全部建成。机场大门朝北，场内驻高炮连，以防敌机空袭。守卫机场的部队是东北军，戒备森严... 1937年8月14日，日军驻台北的18架“九六式”陆上攻击机出动，空袭杭州笕桥机场。当天18时10分，杭州发出空袭警报。此时，中国空军第4航空大队第21/22/23中队已由河南周口起飞... 英勇果敢地冲上天空，在云层里同敌机群展开猛烈厮杀... 高志航驾机击中一架日机右翼主油箱，敌机迅速坠落在钱塘江畔，这架敌机也成为被中国空军击落的第一架日军战机... 1937年11月，高志航奉命率队赴兰州接收苏联援华的战机。飞至河南周家口机场时，因天气恶劣，在机场待命。21日，机场突遭11架日机偷袭，高志航在进入机舱准备起飞战斗时，被炸弹弹片击中牺牲，时年30岁...
  24. 徐 (Xú), 2016, pp. 354-355. 高烈士志航~冯烈士幹卿
  25. 徐 (Xú), 2016, p. 324. 李烈士有干
  26. 徐 (Xú), 2016, p. 325. 刘烈士兰清

Bibliography

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