At this time, looking at the past from a distance, Licheng seemed to be as peaceful and peaceful as before.
But at this time, the owner of this city has changed from the brutal Japanese army to the Eighth Route Army, the people's soldiers.
According to Kong Jie's suggestion, the plan to move all the people from Licheng and other five cities to create an empty city has been successfully implemented and completed.
In other words, at this moment, Licheng, Xiangyuan, Lucheng, Liaoxian and other five cities, on the surface, appear to be calm and no different from the past, but in fact they have become veritable empty cities.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been relocated under the cover of the Eighth Route Army soldiers on multiple nights, and have all been settled in a vast base area under the jurisdiction of a detachment.
Most of the people who appeared in the city in the past few days were cooperating in the performance. Some fellow villagers showed up during the day and then moved back to the base area at night.
On the outside of Licheng, the Eighth Route Army set up multiple lines of defense in one go, setting up layers of barriers so that the Japanese army's spy lines could not penetrate at all.
The only ones that can reach it are probably the Japanese reconnaissance planes that occasionally pass over Licheng for reconnaissance.
On this point, Kong Jie, who performed a full set of dramas, did not miss it.
In Kong Jie’s words: “We are just human beings! We will give the little devils as much as they want!”
With the concerted efforts of the soldiers, it took less than a day to erected tens of thousands of scarecrows, put them into people's clothes, and set them free in the county town.
At first glance, it looks like a real person, let alone a Japanese pilot conducting high-altitude reconnaissance."
Everything is ready, and all artillery and equipment for air combat are in place.
Waiting for a confrontation with the Japanese flying troops at any time.
There are also air defense fortifications built by soldiers at night in the city. Once the Japanese launch an air attack, the troops stationed in the city will quickly evade to avoid casualties.
……
Peiping, Japanese Army North China Headquarters.
After the flight team completed the reconnaissance mission, the relevant reports have been conveyed.
"General, our reconnaissance plane has been conducting reconnaissance over Licheng and other five cities for many days, and found nothing special. There is nothing strange about the people in the city. You can still see many people in the streets and alleys.
What kind of medicine is sold in this eight-way gourd?"
Okamura shook his head, naturally he didn't know the situation.
At the moment, he was worried about one thing, "The aviation unit secretly built by the Eighth Route Army, it is now certain that it was not destroyed by the Sixth Division at all.
In addition, in the later stage of the May Day raids, news came from various airports in Shanxi that we were raided by the Eighth Route Army troops. The fighter planes stored at the airport were suspected to have been hijacked by the Eighth Route Army.
Including some of the fighter jets we lost at Mingbao Airport."
When Okamura said this, he became angry and felt humiliated. These damn Eighth Route Army were so rampant that they directly attacked the airport, robbed the fighter planes of the Japanese Empire, and went back to form an aviation force.
It’s totally unreasonable!
Over the years, since the Japanese army and the Eighth Route Army faced each other, the Eighth Route Army ambushed and attacked the Japanese army, and used captured Japanese weapons to attack the Japanese army. This method has long become one of their important sources of daily equipment and ammunition.
Okamura, who is familiar with China, has even heard a jingle from the Eighth Route Army:
"There are no guns, no cannons, the Japanese made them for us!"
This is really irritating. Is it true that the Japanese Empire came to China to deliver equipment and supplies to the Eighth Route Army?
Now even planes have been sent to the Eighth Route Army, and their aviation units have been built.
Everything is like a joke.
Not to mention the troops from various countries watching the excitement, even the Japanese army themselves felt like they were having a nightmare.
"So I am worried that after our army launches bombing on Licheng, the aviation force secretly built by the Eighth Route Army will take the opportunity to sneak attack on our imperial aviation force!"
The Japanese chief of staff laughed: "General, you are overthinking. Even if the Eighth Route Army formed an aviation force by capturing our aircraft, the number would not be large, and the combat effectiveness would not be much stronger.
Weren't you still worried about how to destroy the secret aviation force of the Eighth Route Army?
If the Eighth Route Air Force dares to make a sneak attack, we might as well take the opportunity to destroy it.
I suggest that when we carry out the bombing of Licheng, we divide our aviation units into two groups. The first group will be used as bait to lure the Eighth Route Army's aviation units to attack. Once the Eighth Route Army's aviation units are lured out, our second group of flying units will be used as a trump card.
It can destroy the enemy's aviation power in one fell swoop!"
Okamura nodded and agreed to this battle plan, but still said that he should be cautious about this matter.
"Doolittle and his team have rich flying experience. If nothing else, they are now at the Eighth Route Army base. If they assist the Eighth Route Army in training aviation units, or even participate in the war themselves, their combat effectiveness must not be underestimated."
"It would be great if we could eliminate these bastards who dare to attack our empire's Kyoto together this time!"
Soon after, the Japanese army secretly held a meeting to launch an air raid plan against the Eighth Route Army's military parade in Licheng.
The squadron commanders of some flying squadrons and the captains of the flying squadrons of the Japanese aviation force were all present.
During the meeting, the Japanese officers discussed the specific tactics of the air attack on Li City.
We also decided on the approximate composition of the flying team participating in the war, as well as the corresponding fighter jets and bombers.
Among them, the fighter aircraft assigned to the main Japanese flying force in central China are basically Type 1 Falcon fighters, and the bombers are basically Type 97 heavy explosive bombers.
The combination of the two can be regarded as a quite advanced fighter combination.
First, the heavy explosive bombers spread out carpet-like fire coverage, and then the fighter jets carried out swooping low-altitude strafing to ensure that all targets were destroyed under two successive layers of fire strikes.
North China is basically dominated by second-line fighters and bombers such as Type 97 fighter jets, Type 98 light bombers, Type 99 dive bombers, and Type 92 heavy explosive bombers.
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Speaking of which, this North China region serves as the base camp for the Japanese troops in the areas occupied by the Chinese customs.
Public security and stability have always been good.
The Eighth Route Army troops, living in the cracks of the occupied areas, were not taken seriously by the Japanese army in the past few years.
I thought they were just a group of anti-Japanese armed forces who could not achieve anything.
But no one expected that the Eighth Route Army's strength would develop rapidly and rapidly in recent years, and it would become a serious problem for the Japanese army.
The North China region, which was the rear area of the Japanese army, was even more disturbed.
Therefore, the second-line fighter jets assigned to the North China region, which the Japanese army originally thought were stable, are now somewhat insufficient.
The fighters coming from East China are mainly the Type 96 land attack bomber, a long-range shore-based bomber developed by the Japanese Navy in the mid-1930s.
Plus some Dragon Swallowing bombers.
It can be said that the power of the aviation force used by Nikkei this time is no less than that used in a large-scale battle.
Even worse!
Okamura also risked his life this time. With his old face, he asked the navy for help and received reinforcements from the Japanese Navy flying force.
During the meeting, Okamura asked the Japanese chief of staff to introduce the relevant information of the Eighth Route Army to the Japanese flight commanders, and specifically said that the Eighth Route Army also had an aviation force on hand that might not be weak in combat effectiveness.
The captain of the Japanese Flying Group said with confidence: "The Eighth Route Air Force is just attacking a stone with an egg. This time, our East China Flying Group has specially enhanced some two-type double-seat twin-engine fighter jets to perform ground attack missions.
There are 37 aircraft guns, which can specifically deal with the Eighth Route Army's mobile armor and self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery.
Regardless of whether the Eighth Route Army has a trap prepared in advance in Licheng, we will destroy Licheng, along with all the Eighth Route Army and the Chinese people, in a sea of fire."
This is really inspiring.
But the faces of some army officers from the North China Front who also attended the meeting were not very good.
Listening to the tone of these flight officers, it is clear that they are mocking them because the army is not good enough and they can only rely on their navy!
But the fact is indeed the case. Only the Japanese air force can launch a targeted attack on the Eighth Route Army's rampant military parade in Licheng.
Count on the North China Front?
——Everyone has long been shrinking in the stable counties and towns, and has become a coward.
This time, the Japanese aviation force went out on a large scale, and the top brass of the Japanese army also attached great importance to it.
The commander-in-chief of the Japanese Army's China Expeditionary Force, Junroku Hata, even rushed to the Nanjing University Airport in person to personally encourage the Nanjing Regional Air Force directly under the China Expeditionary Force Headquarters for the expedition.
Including the Shanghai Hongqiao Airport in East China and the Wuhan Central China Expeditionary Force Airport, Japanese commanders rushed there in person to mobilize and encourage the pilots before the war, and to observe the aircraft taking off.
"The battle must be victorious! The Japanese Empire must be victorious! Long live the Emperor!"
The Japanese fighter pilots who were going out for the expedition roared in unison, and each one's face was filled with a sacred light as they climbed into the plane.
Time continues to pass.
The sky on August 1st has gradually become brighter.
The Eighth Route Army troops stationed outside Licheng increased their vigilance and guarded the defense line.
The interior of Licheng is so lively and full of joy.
Looking down from a high altitude, you can see that there are many people in the city, almost a sea of people, especially the large square where the Eighth Route Army is preparing to hold a military parade.
In addition to the crowds, looking down from a high altitude, one can also see artillery pieces, as well as mechanized vehicles such as armored vehicles and military vehicles.
Around 8:30 a.m.
First, two Japanese reconnaissance planes flew over Licheng at a high altitude. The Japanese pilots on the plane held up their binoculars to explore the situation. At a glance, they saw the crowds in Licheng and the people appearing in their field of vision.
Those mechanized vehicles that are still moving.
Inside the city.
Under the cheerful and lively appearance, the officers and soldiers of the Eighth Route Army were secretly preparing.
Several commanders of a team were in the temporary headquarters of various air defense positions. After receiving news from the signal corps, they learned that enemy reconnaissance aircraft had appeared twice.
Chen Quan smiled and said: "The little devil is obviously losing his temper. As soon as the investigation phase is over, the follow-up flight unit designation will come."
"Speaking of which, the Japs are probably still confused right now. They have no idea what our intentions are.
We are holding a military parade in Licheng in such an open and honest manner, and after the Japanese army's May Day raids just failed miserably, it's strange that the little devils are not impatient!"
Just saying.
Boom——
There was an explosion sound coming from outside the air raid shelter.
Chen Quan's smile became even wider, but he raised his voice even louder when he spoke, "Haha, here we go, the little son of a bitch is finally here."
The communications troops have received intelligence messages from the forward observation station outside the headquarters via phone.
"Report, seven or eight Japanese light bombers are conducting bombing raids over Licheng."
Chen Quan asked: "Have our troops moved into the air defense fortifications in time?"
"Captain, please rest assured, everything has been transferred!"
Chen Quan nodded.
Wang Leihu, the leader of the second regiment, could not sit still. "Why hasn't the order from the old regiment leader to start fighting come down yet?"
Regarding Wang Leihu's anxiety, Shen Quan was obviously more able to sit still and said calmly:
"Thunder Tiger, why are you so anxious? As the saying goes, you won't be too late for a good meal. We made such a big fuss in Licheng this time. Do you think the little devil just dispatched these seven or eight bombers and sent us away?"
Wang Leihu said: "You mean this is the Japs' first probing force?"
Shen Quan said: "That's for sure. The Japanese have been frightened by us all these years. They are cowardly! Without a clear investigation of the situation, the Japanese will not dare to launch a large-scale air strike rashly."
"You still don't know what kind of temper our old regiment commander is? Stay calm! He will never order a counterattack until the Japanese's main air strike force fully shows up."
This is indeed the case.
Kong Jie, who is in charge of the air defense frontline headquarters in Licheng, is very calm. He has taken the absolute initiative in the battle around Licheng and is not afraid that his little devil will not be fooled and is not impatient.
"Let the Japs have a taste of the sweetness first. That old Japs Okamura is being cautious!"
Peking, Japanese North China Front Headquarters.
The Pioneer light bomber team has taken the lead in bombing the Licheng area, but did not receive much response.
According to feedback from frontline pilots, a large number of bombs were dropped, and the thick smoke almost obscured the field of vision. The city was in chaos. The Eighth Route Army used many self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery, but most of the artillery had been destroyed by the bombs.
The air defense force built by the Eighth Route Army inside Licheng does not seem to be very powerful.
There should be wailing inside Licheng, and civilian casualties can be seen everywhere.
"General?"
"Inform the frontline aviation units to carry out the second round of air strikes as planned and prepare to drop incendiary bombs. All fighter planes should be alert to emergencies at any time." After a moment of silence, Okamura issued the order.
Okamura didn't believe in evil yet. He threw the incendiary bomb and plunged your city into a sea of flames. He wanted to see what other methods the Eighth Route Army hid.
In addition, this old devil also had a small calculation and tried to use this method to lure the Eighth Route Army's aviation troops out. For this reason, he also prepared a third special flying team to deal with the Eighth Route Army's aviation troops who dared to appear.
.
He even prayed silently in his heart:
Come on, damn Eighth Route Army, release your aviation units and compete with our Imperial Japanese aviation units!