Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

How many planes do you want?

Li Yunlong grinned, squinted his eyes, and thought for a moment.

At present, the Eighth Route Army has a total of 256 pilots and 138 aircraft, with the number of pilots far exceeding the number of aircraft.

However, the results of these two air battles exceeded expectations, directly earning them the value of 260 aircraft.

It's very profitable.

Even if half the price were exchanged for airplanes, that would be 130 airplanes, and the Eighth Route Army would still have more airplanes than pilots.

Moreover, a medium bomber typically requires two pilots to operate.

Zhao Gang reminded him, "Old Li, we need a batch of training aircraft to set up an aviation school and train our own pilots."

“That’s right.” Li Yunlong nodded and said, “That’s what I think too. Although Boss Lin will reimburse us for any lost or damaged aircraft, pilots will inevitably suffer injuries or deaths. We have to train our own pilots. Lao Zhao, how many training aircraft do you think we need?”

“Of course, the more trainer aircraft the better,” Zhao Gang said. “After all, they are a reserve of pilots. However, our price this time is limited, and we also need to exchange it for aviation fuel. After all, flight students need a lot of aviation fuel to train in trainer aircraft.”

Li Yunlong nodded and said thoughtfully, "Then this time, we'll use the value of 100 aircraft to exchange for 3 tons of aviation fuel, leaving us with the value of 160 aircraft..."

“咱们要60架中型轰炸机，20架野马战斗机，20架A-1攻击机和60架教练机如何？”

Zhao Gang nodded and said, "This allocation is very reasonable. We currently have 50 fighter jets, 60 attack aircraft, 20 reconnaissance fighter jets, and 8 transport aircraft, which is almost enough."

"If we add another 100 aircraft for attack, the number of aircraft for combat will reach 238. Add 60 trainer aircraft, and the total will be 298."

"Aside from the lack of pilots, we have about the same number of aircraft as the Japanese, which is about the same as a flight division."

In terms of reconnaissance fighters, 20 should be enough. In fact, fighter jets and attack aircraft can also perform certain reconnaissance missions.

As for transport aircraft, the Eighth Route Army does not currently need to rely on them for transporting combat supplies; they are mainly used for transporting personnel.

Therefore, eight transport planes are sufficient for the time being.

“Okay, it’s settled then.” Li Yunlong nodded. “After we finish bombing the Japanese airfields in Northeast China, we can get another batch of planes and aviation fuel.”

Zhang Dabiao immediately drafted a telegram, which Li Yunlong signed and then had Xiao Zhang send to Boss Lin.

Then, Li Yunlong's gaze fell on another telegram in his hand: "What did the division headquarters say?"

Zhao Gang smiled slightly: "The division commander gave high praise to our new napalm bombs. The original plan to clear Niangziguan Fortress in three days was completed in just one day with the air support of the air regiment using napalm bombs."

"Currently, the B4 heavy howitzer battalion of the 129th Division has arrived at Niangziguan Fortress."

"The 129th Division will deploy tonight and bombard the Niangziguan Fortress tomorrow morning. We hope that the air regiment will continue to carry napalm bombs to provide air support for the 129th Division tomorrow."

Li Yunlong smiled slightly: "The division commander has tasted the sweetness. Da Biao, immediately send a telegram back to the 129th Division headquarters, looking forward to the performance of the B4 heavy howitzer. In addition, the headquarters-affiliated air regiment will continue to cooperate with the 129th Division in the attack on Niangziguan tomorrow."

Zhang Dabiao: "Yes!"

……

Dark as ink.

Xinxian County Town.

Inside the dimly lit bunker command post of the Japanese 9th Brigade, candlelight flickered.

Koshiki Toranosuke, dressed in a major general's uniform, looked solemnly at the special attack team, also known as the suicide squad, that was about to launch their attack.

A battalion of over 800 Japanese soldiers, each carrying a Type 38 rifle with bayonets fixed, and wearing a trousers cloth strip tied around their foreheads.

For the past six months, not only the 9th Brigade, but the entire Japanese First Army has been conducting night combat training every night.

"Gentlemen."

Koshinogi Toranosuke gripped his military sword in his right hand, his voice low and hoarse:
"At this moment, you are no longer ordinary soldiers, but a sharp sword for our brother nation!"

"The enemy presses in like dark clouds, setting fire to and slaughtering the Locust Army. Yet the rise and fall of the Locust Kingdom rests on this very day!" "Seven lives for the country is no empty promise—your souls should scatter like cherry blossoms, striking with deadly force!"

"Your bodies will transform into lightning, and your names will be engraved on the bronze pillars of the Yasukuni Shrine!"

"The tears of parents, wives, and children need not be shed any longer—for you have already severed the fear for millions of your compatriots!"

"Remember: When you charge into the enemy's position, shout 'Long live His Majesty the Emperor!'"

"Let the Chinese people see what the spirit of Bushido is and what the true meaning of the Yamato spirit is!"

"...Now, drink this farewell cup."

As soon as he finished speaking, Koshino Toranosuke and more than 800 Japanese suicide squad members raised their sake cups, drank them down in one gulp, and the cups shattered on the ground.

"Attack!"

The soldiers bowed silently, the blood-written words "Death is certain" on the white cloth strips wrapped around their heads glaringly visible in the firelight.

Then, more than 800 daredevils quietly left the city and, under the cover of night, sneaked towards the position of the Independent Brigade of the New First Regiment.

Their mission was to recapture the positions and concrete fortifications that had been captured by the Eighth Route Army the day before.

Koshinogi Toranosuke had already devised a way to evade the Eighth Route Army's napalm attacks on the concrete fortifications.

As long as the firing ports are blocked with iron plates when the Eighth Route Army planes arrive, preventing the flames from entering the concrete fortifications through the firing ports and doorways, the napalm bombs will only burn for a minute or two.

During this burning period, the Eighth Route Army would certainly not dare to attack.

After recapturing the concrete fortifications, this tactic would surely inflict heavy casualties on the Eighth Route Army.

"Boom boom boom..."

"Da da da…"

The sounds of machine guns and exploding shells lasted for a full two hours.

After the artillery fire subsided, no suicide squad returned, and they failed to capture the Eighth Route Army's position; the Japanese suicide squad was completely wiped out.

"idiot."

Koshinobu Toranosuke said in a deep voice:
"Immediately send a telegram to the First Army Headquarters, saying that at 1 a.m. tonight, the 9th Brigade will organize a suicide squad to attack. After two hours of fighting, more than 800 people will die, 1500 Eighth Route Army soldiers will be eliminated, and 12 Eighth Route Army tanks will be destroyed."

With the battle at this point, the only thing Koshino Konosuke could do was to rack up more battle merits for himself.

To make life better for his family, his wife and children, in his hometown.

Anyway, the headquarters and the General Staff Headquarters are unlikely to come to the front line to verify the battle achievements. Anyway, the 9th Brigade will be completely destroyed sooner or later. How many Eighth Route Army soldiers are eliminated is up to him.

"Yes, sir." Colonel Hideo Miki bowed his head and quickly drafted a telegram, which was then signed by Toranosuke Koshino and sent to the First Army Headquarters.

Upon receiving the telegram, Yoshio Shinotsuka immediately doubled it, claiming that the 9th Brigade had annihilated 3000 Eighth Route Army soldiers and destroyed 24 Eighth Route Army vehicles. He then sent the telegram to the North China Area Army Headquarters, emphasizing that the troops had undergone six months of close-quarters and night-fighting training, with the First Army being particularly adept at close-quarters and night-fighting.

……

at the same time.

Niangzi Pass.

At the headquarters of the 108th Brigade of the 110th Division, Lieutenant Colonel Yamauchi, the chief of staff, and a group of Japanese staff officers had solemn expressions.

The Eighth Route Army cleared the Japanese army's outer fortifications at Niangziguan in just one day, making it difficult for all the Japanese soldiers to sleep.

"Why are you panicking?"

Major General Yoshitaro Hayashi, the brigade commander, snorted coldly and reprimanded:

"We have strong fortifications and 150mm cannons; there is absolutely no way the Eighth Route Army can capture Niangziguan Fortress." (End of Chapter)