Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

Almost at the same time.

An air battle also broke out over Xinxian County, under the watchful eyes of the Independent Battalion of the New First Regiment and the Japanese soldiers.

More than two hours later.

Beiping.

Tieshishi Hutong, the headquarters of the North China Front Army.

"Report to the General."

Adjutant Yamamoto Ichiki strode into the headquarters, bowed deeply without expression, and reported to his superior:
"Lieutenant General Takeda Isamu reported that of the 85 aircraft in the four air squadrons that bombed the Eighth Route Army, only 21 returned to Jinzhou Bay Airport."

"Nani?"

Tada Shun suddenly stood up:
"How could this be?"

Tada Shun felt a buzzing in his head.

In one battle, more than 60 aircraft were lost, nearly a third of the current 3rd Air Division. This loss made Tada Shun dizzy.

The loss of more than 60 aircraft means the loss of nearly 100 pilots.

Currently, the country lacks resources, but its aircraft production is still sufficient, so aircraft are relatively easy to replenish.

However, pilots are not so easy to replace.

Although the country currently has a sufficient number of pilots and aircraft.

but.

It is impossible for the United States to allocate most of its air force resources to the North China Area Army.

In the past two years, the North China Area Army has lost more than 400 aircraft and more than 600 pilots, which has aroused strong dissatisfaction at headquarters.

"Based on the report from the 3rd Flight Division."

Yamamoto Ichiki bowed and reported:

"Four flight squadrons were ambushed in the air by Eighth Route Army aircraft. The air force units engaged in air combat with the Eighth Route Army Air Force, but the enemy aircraft were far superior to the Locust Army aircraft, and all four flight squadrons suffered heavy losses."

"Lieutenant General Takeda Isamu speculated that the Eighth Route Army was equipped with advanced air defense radar, which could detect the Locust Army's aircraft."

After saying that, Yamamoto Ichiki's lips curled into a mocking smile.

Japan started its research into radar technology relatively early, beginning its exploration of radar technology in the early 1930s.

However, the old officers in the Japanese ordnance department did not pay enough attention to radar, believing it to be a defensive weapon with limited help in offensive operations, and therefore limited their investment in radar research and development.

However, Yamamoto Ichiki knew that the radar technology of Germany and other European and American countries was already very advanced and could be used in actual combat.

"What?!" Tada Shun's brows furrowed instantly. "Advanced radar?"

At the same time, a sudden realization flashed through my mind, which explained why the Locust Army's bombing raids on the Eighth Route Army always ended in failure, and why many reconnaissance planes and bombers were shot down.

It turns out that the Eighth Route Army was equipped with radar.

If Takeda Isamu's guess is true, then the situation is very serious; Japanese aircraft entering North China will be detected by the Eighth Route Army's radar.

The enemy is using X-ray vision to fight, what's the point of the 3rd Air Division fighting?
"What are the enemy aircraft losses?" Tada Shun was eager to know that the Locust Army had lost more than 60 aircraft and shot down how many enemy aircraft.

"Four enemy planes were lost," Yamamoto Ichiki replied, bowing his head.

Tada Shun's face instantly darkened. A casualty ratio of 16 to 1 was practically a blow to the 3rd Air Division.

"Find a way to destroy the Eighth Route Army's radar station!"

"at all costs!"

After a long silence, Tada Shun spoke in a fierce tone.

Without destroying the Eighth Route Army's radar stations, this battle cannot be fought.

Tada Shun understood Li Yunlong's tactics; Li Yunlong always favored using overwhelming firepower, and this extended to his use of aircraft as well. Whether it was aerial bombs or incendiary bombs, he preferred to directly bombard the enemy positions. Given Li Yunlong's tactical style, the First Army would likely have to defend under a barrage of aerial bombs.

Even the main force of the North China Front Army, which was sent to reinforce, had to endure aerial bombardment on its way to Taiyuan.

Before they even reach Taiyuan, the reinforcements will likely suffer heavy casualties from bombing by Eighth Route Army aircraft.

Yamamoto Ichiki was stunned.

Destroy the Eighth Route Army radar station?
When he served as deputy chief of staff and head of the intelligence department in the First Army, he also suspected that the Eighth Route Army was equipped with advanced radar.

The First Army's intelligence department sent a large number of spies to the Eighth Route Army's base areas, including spies personally trained by Yamamoto, in an attempt to find and destroy Eighth Route Army radar stations. However, all their efforts were in vain, and the spies they sent out mostly appeared in the Eighth Route Army's border region daily newspaper.

The Eighth Route Army radar station must have been located in a concealed position, and it must have been heavily guarded nearby.

Even sending out Yamamoto's special forces would have a very low success rate, mainly due to a lack of intelligence.

"Yes, sir." Finally, Yamamoto Ichiki lowered his head. "The Eighth Route Army should have deployed radar on the front line in Xinxian. I will send a telegram to the First Army Headquarters, ordering the special forces to launch an attack, find and destroy the Eighth Route Army radar station."

Of the 100 special forces members in the special operations team, Yamamoto only brought 30 elite members to Beiping, leaving the remaining 70 to protect Yoshio Shinotsuka in the First Army.

This is an almost impossible task, but now only special forces have a slim chance of finding and destroying the Eighth Route Army radar station.

Otherwise, without air support, the Locust Army would suffer heavy losses on the ground.

……

"What?! Such a huge loss?"

Taiyuan, First Army Headquarters. After hearing the telegram from the North China Area Army Headquarters, Yoshio Shinotsuka looked incredulous.

Although the 9th Brigade headquarters had already reported the air force's crushing defeat, Yoshio Shinotsuka did not expect the 3rd Air Wing to suffer such heavy losses.

In the two air battles, 60 aircraft were shot down, while the Eighth Route Army lost only 4.

"Order the special forces to launch an attack, locate and destroy the Eighth Route Army radar station."

With a grim expression, Yoshio Shinotsuka gave the order to Mutaguchi.

Although the special forces' mission was to protect his safety, there was a risk that the entire First Army would be wiped out if the Eighth Route Army's radar station was not destroyed.

……

Dark as ink.

Guoxian County, the former headquarters of the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi.

"Commander," Zhang Dabiao reported to Li Yunlong, "The Independent Brigade achieved great results today. With the support of air force, we eliminated about 2000 Japanese and puppet troops. Chu Yunfei predicts that we can clear the Japanese fortifications outside Xinxian County by tomorrow."

Because the air force could not bomb the Japanese positions and concrete fortifications at night.

Therefore, the Independent Battalion of the New First Regiment ceased its attack that night.

Li Yunlong asked, "What are the casualties of the Independent Brigade?"

Zhang Dabiao replied, "The casualties are around 200."

“10 to 1.” Li Yunlong nodded with satisfaction. “Not bad. This is what you call a normal casualty ratio. In the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, the Soviet army had such powerful firepower, yet they almost fought the Japanese to a 1-1 draw.”

Zhang Dabiao laughed and said, "The Soviet army's tactics are different from ours. The Soviet army uses the coordinated operations of armor, artillery, and air force to suppress the Japanese army's traditional infantry assault tactics. Our tactics are much simpler and more brutal. No matter what tactics the Japanese use, we'll just launch a few rounds of firepower first."

"Haha." Li Yunlong nodded and laughed, "We can't play dumb when dealing with the Japanese. In Chu Yunfei's words, we must make full use of our advantages. The simpler and more brutal the tactics, the more effective they often are."

At this moment, Zhao Gang walked in with a telegram in his hand: "Old Li, the 129th Division and Boss Lin just sent us telegrams."

Now that Zhang Wanhe is in charge of the troops' logistics and manages the rear base area in northwestern Shanxi, Zhao Gang can also move with the regimental headquarters and participate in battle command and decision-making.

"Let's look at Boss Lin's telegram first." Li Yunlong's eyes lit up.

“Boss Lin said,” Zhao Gang smiled slightly, “that our air force has shot down more than 100 Japanese planes, which means we can acquire medium bombers.”

"A medium bomber?" Regiment Commander Li's expression brightened. (End of Chapter)