Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

noon.

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

"Commander, good news."

After receiving the call from Takeda Isamu, Kasahara Yukio immediately reported to Tada Shun:

"All eight military aircraft that went to Shanxi Province to carry out bombing missions returned to Jinzhou Bay Airport and destroyed an Eighth Route Army artillery unit near Xin County."

"Yoshi," Tada Shun asked, "Was it an Eighth Route Army heavy howitzer that was blown up?"

"Four heavy howitzers were destroyed," said Yukio Kasahara. "However, it shouldn't be all destroyed. According to the 9th Brigade's report, the Eighth Route Army used at least 12 heavy howitzers to attack the Locust Army's concrete fortifications."

Tada Shun's face immediately darkened. Only four doors were blown up?
This thing poses a great threat to the locust army's concrete fortifications and fortresses.

even,

It could also play a role in changing the course of the battle when attacking Taiyuan. Only by blowing it all up could Tada Shun sleep soundly.

"However, this also shows that the Eighth Route Army only had one air defense radar."

"The air force units of the 3rd Flying Division of the Locust Army can launch attacks to destroy the Eighth Route Army's airfields and air force units."

Yukio Kasahara suggested.

"What is the situation with the 9th Brigade and the Yoshino Regiment?"

Tada Shun did not answer, but instead changed the subject and asked.

"Currently, the 9th Brigade, the Yoshino Regiment, and the main force of the Eighth Route Army are engaged in street fighting in Xinxian County. The situation is extremely dire!"

Kasahara Yukio replied.

“Commander, delay could lead to unforeseen circumstances. If the Eighth Route Army deploys new air defense radar, all our previous efforts will be in vain.” Kasahara Yukio glanced at Yamamoto Ichiki, “and the more than 50 members of the special forces team will have been wiped out in vain.”

Kasahara Yukio hopes Yamamoto Kazuki will also persuade Tada Shun.

After all, Yamamoto Ichiki is now a favorite of Tada Shun.

Unfortunately, Yamamoto Ichiki remained expressionless and unmoved.

"In the afternoon, I ordered 16 aircraft to bomb the Eighth Route Army's Jinzhong Airport."

Tada Shun remained cautious about this.

Only after the air raid on the airport was successful did he fully believe that the Eighth Route Army's air defenses had been destroyed and that there were no other air defense radars.

"Hi."

Kasahara Yukio felt that Tada Shun was too cautious and lacked decisiveness, but he could only lower his head and go to relay the order.

……

in the afternoon.

Following orders, Takeda Isamu dispatched six fighter planes and ten bombers to bomb the Eighth Route Army's Jinzhong Airport.

More than two hours later, Yukio Kasahara reported the battle situation to Toshio Tada again.

"Your Excellency, Commander."

"Major General Takeda Isamu just reported that the 16 planes that went to bomb the Eighth Route Army's Jinzhong Airport were ambushed by Eighth Route Army planes near Yangquan and were all destroyed."

Yukio Kasahara's face looked as if he were wearing a mask of pain.

"idiot."

"The cunning Eighth Route Army guerrilla, the cunning Li Yunlong!"

Tada Shun's expression immediately turned somewhat grim.

The loss of 16 aircraft made matters worse for the already struggling North China Front Air Force.

The battle had barely begun when the North China Front Army lost nearly 80 aircraft and more than 100 pilots!
This loss made it impossible for him to explain to the Expeditionary Army Headquarters and General Headquarters.

Tada Shun then looked puzzled: "Since the Eighth Route Army also has anti-aircraft radar, why was the 3rd Flying Division able to successfully launch a surprise attack on the Eighth Route Army's artillery units this morning?"

Kasahara Yukio guessed, "Is it possible that the Eighth Route Army's air defense radar hadn't been installed yet this morning?" "So that's it." Tada Shun's face darkened. "We missed our chance to annihilate the Eighth Route Army's air force?"

“This is just my guess,” said Yukio Kasahara. “Perhaps the Eighth Route Army has more than one anti-aircraft radar on the front line; this is a trap.”

"Regardless," Tada Shun's expression darkened, and he glanced at everyone, "the Eighth Route Army now has not only air superiority but also ground artillery superiority. The Locust Army has no advantage in this battle. What strategies do you gentlemen have to defeat the enemy?"

Hirata Masahiro said, "Since the special forces were able to successfully raid the Eighth Route Army radar station, can we repeat the same tactic?"

Tada Shun: "The same old trick? Are they going to continue attacking the Eighth Route Army's radar station? Li Yunlong isn't stupid; he'll definitely send a large force to protect the radar station."

“It’s not about attacking the radar station,” Hirata Masaaki said. “We can attack the Eighth Route Army’s supply depots, and we can also attack their artillery positions.”

“A sneak attack is not child’s play,” said Yukio Kasahara. “Ordinary troops could hardly accomplish such a mission; only special forces like special operations teams could.”

"Then what does the Chief of Staff think we should do?" Hirata Masahiro asked in return.

“Now that things have come to this,” said Yukio Kasahara, “the First Army should immediately move into Hebei Province and find an opportunity to concentrate the main force of our North China Area Army to engage in a strategic decisive battle with the Eighth Route Army.”

This suggestion was immediately refuted by Tada Shun:

"How can we so easily give up the cities occupied by our brother's country?"

"Even without air support and inferior artillery firepower, the First Army was able to inflict heavy casualties on the Eighth Route Army in Taiyuan and successfully advance into Hebei Province."

"Order the reinforcement troops to prepare to enter Shanxi Province at any time to support the main force of the First Army."

All the Japanese officers bowed their heads in unison: "Yes, sir!"

……

"Damn it, only 16 planes were shot down?"

Inside the headquarters of the New First Regiment, Li Yunlong listened to Zhang Dabiao's report on the number of enemy troops killed and felt somewhat dissatisfied.

"Captain."

Zhang Dabiao smiled slightly:
"That's already pretty good. This time we didn't lose a single plane, not even a single one was damaged."

Li Yunlong ordered the Japanese air force to prepare four or five fake artillery positions.

but,

The Japanese air force didn't attack the fake artillery positions; instead, they headed straight for Jinzhong Airport.

Of course, Li Yunlong couldn't let the Japanese destroy the airport, so he had no choice but to send out air force units to take out the 16 attacking Japanese planes.

"Old Li, be content," Zhao Gang laughed. "Being able to take down 16 Japanese planes is another considerable sum."

"Damn it!" Li Yunlong cursed again, then looked at Zhang Dabiao and asked, "How's the preparation for the medium bombers going? How long will it take to bomb the Japanese airfields in Northeast China?"

Although the Eighth Route Army was equipped with anti-aircraft radar, the Japanese planes would still occasionally attack, which annoyed Li Yunlong.

Therefore, Li Yunlong planned to see if he could wipe out the 3rd Flying Division in one fell swoop and eliminate any worries about the rear.

"We have already received 40 medium bombers, all of which are deployed at Yangcun Airport in southeastern Shanxi," Zhang Dabiao said with a smirk. "However, it will take at least half a month to assemble the crews, achieve combat capability, and ensure that the ammunition is in place."

Yangcun Airport is small, only able to accommodate 40 medium bombers and about 10 fighter jets and attack aircraft.

Although the Eighth Route Army currently has a sufficient number of pilots, the takeoff of a medium bomber requires not only two pilots, but also a bombardier, a navigator, and two machine gunners. All of these crew members need to undergo temporary training.

"I'll give you a maximum of ten days," Li Yunlong said. "After ten days, I want a squadron of medium bombers to launch an attack and bomb the Japanese airfields outside the Great Wall."

Zhang Dabiao: "Yes."

Li Yunlong asked, "What is the current battle situation in Xinxian County?"

"The Japanese are still fighting like cornered beasts," Zhang Dabiao said. "Although the attacking troops have suffered heavy casualties, by tomorrow at the latest, we can annihilate the 9th Brigade and the Yoshino Regiment."

"After the battle, the main force immediately advanced south."

Li Yunlong said:

"Also, the company commander and platoon leader who were in charge of defending the radar station last night should be severely punished."

"In large-scale military operations, strict discipline is essential." (End of Chapter)