"To deal with the powerful Eighth Route Army, we must have air supremacy. Even if we don't have air supremacy, we must have air power."
The speaker was Lieutenant General Yukio Kasahara, Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army.
In just three years, the Kwantung Army has had three chiefs of staff.
Among them, Michichi Miyano was blasted by the Sharp Sword Brigade in Baoding, North China. He took a plane and was killed like Zhang Zuolin.
The next Kwantung Army chief of staff, Yoshimoto Sadaichi, was killed by the Eighth Route Army on his way to be transferred to the Shanxi First Army as commander.
His first two chiefs of staff were both killed in North China. It is impossible to say that Yukio Kasahara is not afraid.
Kasahara Yukio warned himself that he would never set foot in North China until he had killed the Eighth Route Army.
"Several air strikes by the Eighth Route Army have destroyed most of our Kwantung Army's airports and arsenals. How can we still have air supremacy?"
The speaker was Lieutenant General Kinoshita Toshi, commander of the Kwantung Army Air Force.
Kinoshita Toshiro was the chief of the 3rd flying group of the Japanese Army Air Forces in the Yamashiro bombing.
The Japanese navy and army aviation units deployed in central China were defeated by the Eighth Route Army's air force.
Kinoshita Toshi then led the remnants of the 3rd Group to be added to the Kwantung Army and changed to the 3rd Flying Division.
And the old devil Kinoshita Satoshi was also promoted to the aviation commander of the Kwantung Army, but his rank was still that of lieutenant general.
Almost all senior generals in Japan's military aviation field have non-aviation backgrounds and are typical laymen leading experts. Kinoshita Toshi is one of them.
Facing the attack of the Eighth Route Army's strategic bombers, apart from ordering several flying divisions to escape, Kinoshita Toshiba almost did not take any countermeasures and allowed the Eighth Route Army's strategic bombers to wreak havoc on Japanese airports and arsenals in Manchuria.
When Kasahara Yukio said that the Kwantung Army should have air superiority, Kinoshita Toshi wanted to laugh.
At present, the Eighth Route Army has a complete air force system.
The Eighth Route Army pilots are highly skilled, their fighter jets have excellent performance, and they possess advanced radars. If he hadn't given the order to escape quickly, several Kwantung Army flying divisions would have been defeated long ago. Do you still want to have air supremacy?
Do you think I don’t want the Locust Army to have air supremacy?
"This is a matter for your aviation unit."
Seeing that Kinoshita's attitude was not very good, Kasahara Yukio was not to be outdone:
"Kinoshita-kun, you ask me, who should I ask?"
"Where are the aviation units in Manchuria now?"
Kinoshita Toshiro snorted: "I don't even have a pilot or a plane. My aviation commander is just a decoration."
Although there are still some pilots and aircraft in Manchuria, they are not many in number and they are all hidden. They dare not show their heads easily for fear of being discovered by Eighth Route Army aircraft.
During this period, the Eighth Route Army's reconnaissance planes and strategic bombers were dispatched to Manchuria for reconnaissance almost every day.
But the Kwantung Army was helpless.
Umezu Yoshijiro frowned and looked at Kinoshita Toshi: "Kinoshita-kun, air support is very important to the ground forces of the Locust Army. After the start of Operation Plan No. 1, your aviation force must have at least 200 fighter jets and 300 bombers taking off for combat.
Provide air support to ground forces."
"Your Excellency, General."
Kinoshita Satoshi had a bitter expression:
"Our aviation force can currently handle this number of fighters, bombers and pilots."
"The difficult thing is how to establish an airport, ammunition depot and oil depot under the powerful intelligence network of the Eighth Route Army."
"Even if we can build airports, ammunition depots and oil depots, it will be difficult for our fighters and bombers to avoid the Eighth Route Army's radar..."
In order to provide ideal air support to ground troops, the airport should be as close to the battlefield as possible.
For example, during the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain, the Japanese Yuncheng Airport was only a few dozen kilometers away from Zhongtiao Mountain, and the Yangmingbao Airport was 50 kilometers away from Xinkou.
"idiot!"
Seeing Kinoshita's grievances, Umezu Yoshijiro became angry:
"Only your aviation unit has difficulties. Don't our infantry have difficulties?"
"If you, Kinoshita-kun, are not qualified for the position of commander of the Kwantung Army's aviation force, then resign yourself to the Prime Minister and Tian Locust and send another capable officer to the Kwantung Army. Our Kwantung Army will not accept waste!"
Umezu Yoshijiro also knew that Kinoshita Toshi was a layman, but the other party was appointed by the headquarters, and he had no immunity.
"Hi."
Being called useless, Kinoshita Toshi's face turned ugly, so he had to bite the bullet and accept the task:
"Your Excellency, General, the Air Force promises to complete its mission. I, Toshi Kinoshita, am by no means a waste!"
"I don't want slogans." Umezu Yoshijiro snorted coldly, "I just want results. If your aviation unit cannot fight during the No. 1 operation plan, then you can have a caesarean section yourself."
Facing the Eighth Route Army's increasingly powerful air force, this Operation Plan No. 1 without air support would have been disastrous for the Japanese army.
The Eighth Route Army has powerful fighters, as well as light, medium and heavy bombers that can adapt to various types of air support.
Based on information.
Umezu Yoshijiro also knew that the Eighth Route Army had set up a aviation school. Li Yunlong was the honorary principal of the Eighth Route Aviation School and vigorously recruited young intellectuals.
Although Japanese spies and agents were sent to try to sneak into the Eighth Route Army's aviation school to cause sabotage, they all failed.
so.
The Japanese army still does not know the specific location of the Eighth Route Army's aviation school and the size of its student pilots.
That's why Umezu Yoshijiro attaches so much importance to air support. If there is air support, the chance of winning this time will be even greater for Operation Plan No. 1.
"Hi." Kinoshita Min suddenly lowered his head.
"Kasahara-kun, Ikeda-kun, starting from today, your staff will start formulating an attack plan."
After a pause, Umezu Yoshijiro looked at the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Yukio Kasahara, and the deputy chief of staff, Major General Junhisa Ikeda.
"Hi." Kasahara Yukio lowered his head, "I would like to ask you, the general, to show you the offensive ideas for this No. 1 operation."
Like the New Regiment, the staff department is responsible for formulating combat plans, but the offensive ideas need to be provided by Umezu Yoshijiro.
If the combat plan formulated by the General Staff fails, the General Staff cannot bear this responsibility.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "This time our Kwantung Army's attack is mainly divided into four routes!"
Umezu Yoshijiro stood up, walked to the wall and pointed at the map on the wall and said:
"The first route starts from Chengde and attacks Zhangjiakou. After capturing Zhangjiakou, we will decide whether to attack in the direction of Peiping or Datong based on the battle situation!"
"The second route starts from Shanhaiguan and attacks Peiping, Tianjin and Hebei Province to eliminate the Eighth Route Army in North China!"
"The third and fourth routes are sea routes. The locust army landed from Longkou, Huang County, Shandong Province, and Qingdao, captured Linyi and Jinan, and then attacked north to flank the Eighth Route Army in North China!"
As soon as Umezu Yoshijiro finished speaking, Deputy Chief of Staff Ikeda Junhisa said: "General, I admire you for your wisdom!"
"The last time Li Yunlong attacked North China, he also used a pincer offensive, but Li Yunlong only had two pincers."
"But the commander's plan has four pincers, and this battle will definitely be won!"
On both sides of the conference table, the faces of some commanders and division commanders also showed just the right amount of admiration.
However, there were two sober-minded Japanese officers, but their expressions were still tense, and they were obviously not optimistic about the No. 1 battle plan.
Facing the admiring looks of all the Japanese officers, Umezu Yoshijiro did not show any pride on his face.
He didn't have much confidence for this battle because the equipment of the Eighth Route Army was really good.
The soldiers of the Eighth Route Army have a strong will to fight, not inferior to the Japanese soldiers, and their individual qualities are also strong.
Almost all the commanders of the Eighth Route Army have survived fighting on the battlefield. From soldiers to grassroots officers to high-level officers, the Eighth Route Army uses their brains when fighting.
but!
As the commander of the Kwantung Army, even if you no longer have confidence in your heart, you must appear confident and high-spirited in front of others, and you must never appear discouraged.
Otherwise, the morale of the entire attacking force will soon collapse.
Thinking of this, Umezu Yoshijiro pretended to show a confident expression on his face: "These are just the four pliers of our Kwantung Army. In Central China, there are also dispatched troops, the 11th Army, the South China Front Army, and troops drawn from Southeast Asia and the mainland.
At least 600,000 troops will attack North China from central China, and together with our Kwantung Army, we will encircle and annihilate the Eighth Route Army."
Upon hearing this battle plan, the eyes of most of the Japanese officers suddenly became fanatical.
Although the base camp gave the Kwantung Army and the dispatched troops two months to complete preparations.
But two months is definitely not enough. The allocation of troops and combat materials will take about three months to complete.
However, most of the combat supplies are mobilized from the mainland, and hundreds of thousands of troops are also mobilized.
Although there are more than 1 million Japs in China, most of them are distributed in the vast occupied areas.
Although the Japanese army judged that the Chinese army would not join the Eighth Route Army in attacking the Japanese army, once all the Japs in these occupied areas were mobilized, the Chinese army would definitely take advantage of the situation to regain these areas.
The Kwantung Army will leave hundreds of thousands of troops to defend the Soviet Army in the Far East.
The Japanese's dispatched troops, the South China Front Army, also had to leave a considerable number of troops to prepare for the counterattack of the national army in the southwest.
Amidst the slogans of "must win" from the Japanese officers, Umezu Yoshijiro sat back on the main seat with a confident and satisfied expression.
"Shanhaiguan and Chengde are the only places for infantry to pass through, and they must not be lost."
Umezu Yoshijiro glanced at the officers and spoke coldly.
"Hi!"
All the Japs suddenly lowered their heads.
…
While the Japanese were formulating combat plans and mobilizing combat supplies.
The Eighth Route Army is also formulating combat plans and preparing combat supplies.
"Captain!"
The communications staff officer walked in with a telegram in his hand and reported to Li Yunlong:
"Just now, Captain Chu Yunfei of the Independent Brigade sent a telegram asking you to fight."
"A fight?" Li Yunlong was staring at the map. When he heard the sound, he raised his head and asked, "What kind of fight are you asking for?"
"You'd better see for yourself."
The communications staff officer handed over the telegram with both hands, saluted and turned to leave.
Li Yunlong took the telegram and started reading it.
In the confused eyes of Zhao Gang, Wang Dehou, Xing Zhiguo and others, Li Yunlong smiled slightly:
"Chu Yunfei is worthy of being the fifth phase of Huangpu. He guessed that our regiment will attack Shanhaiguan and Chengde recently, so he specially sent a telegram to invite us to fight, and even shouted the slogan 'Use me in the first battle, I will win'."
Now Chu Yunfei's new independent group has more than 30,000 people, all equipped with American equipment.
Although Chu Yunfei's rank was reduced to the deputy commander of the new regiment, he lived the life of a military commander, and he was also the life of an ace commander of fine weapons.
And this also made Chu Yunfei extremely lucky to accept the olive branch offered by Li Yunlong and join the new group.
Otherwise, he would still be a small commander of the Jinsui Army, blowing the northwest wind in Luliang Mountain or somewhere in northern Shaanxi.
Now that the new regiment's independent brigade is strong, Chu Yunfei naturally wants to show off his skills and contribute his own strength to independence, democracy and freedom.
Since the National Army reduced its strength, the Independence Brigade has no chance to recruit veterans of the National Army.
"It's good to take the initiative to ask for a fight!"
Zhao Gang heard this and praised:
"Chu Yunfei's ideological consciousness is very high, and he is happy when he hears about the war. It seems that Chu Yunfei has bid farewell to the style of the national army, both in behavior and in thought."
Li Yunlong put down the telegram and looked at Wang Dehou: "Chief of Staff, can the independent brigade be arranged to go to the battlefield for this battle?"
"Captain, this is a bit difficult."
Wang Dehou said:
"At present, the troops attacking Chengde and Shanhaiguan have been determined, and the combat effectiveness of the independent brigade..."
The combat effectiveness of the independent brigade is definitely not as strong as that of the main heavy equipment battalions of the new regiment.
"Show me your battle plan." Li Yunlong said.
The current combat plan is still in the formulation stage, and combat missions have not yet been assigned to each unit, so there is no problem in making changes.
Wang Dehou is mainly worried that the current combat effectiveness of the independent brigade is not very strong and it will not be able to complete its combat missions.
"yes!"
Wang Dehou then took the battle plan drawn up by the general staff and handed it to Li Yunlong.
Li Yunlong opened the battle plan and read it. This battle plan was formulated based on his thoughts.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! According to Li Yunlong's instructions, in the direction of Shanhaiguan, the staff deployed four heavy equipment battalions and six heavy artillery battalions on the front, with a total strength of approximately 60,000 people.
Then use transport ships to land four heavy equipment battalions from the rear of Shanhaiguan, one to attack Huludao, and the other to cut off the retreat of the Japanese 4th Army in Shanhaiguan.
In the direction of Chengde, the General Staff deployed 6 heavy equipment battalions, paratrooper battalions and 4 heavy artillery battalions to compress the Japs of the First Army into Chengde City.
After reading the troop arrangements, Zhao Gang said: "Considering the equipment and combat effectiveness of the Independent Brigade, we can use the Independent Brigade to surround the Japanese in Chengde."
"Although the Japs in the First Army have four divisions, we have killed more than 10,000 people, and the total strength is still about 50,000."
"In addition, the Japanese are all huddled inside the city of Chengde. The independent brigade only needs to build defensive positions outside the city to prevent the Japanese from breaking out."
"With the strength of the independent brigade, we can completely achieve this strategic goal."
"Although the equipment of the Independent Brigade is not as good as that of the heavy equipment battalions of our new regiment, compared with the equipment of the Japanese, the equipment level and firepower of the Independent Brigade are much better."
"If the tactics are properly deployed, the more than 30,000 men of the Independent Brigade can completely hold down the Japanese First Army."
Li Yunlong said: "Old Zhao's words make sense, but if you want to improve your combat effectiveness and accumulate combat experience, the best way is to practice combat."
"Considering that the independent brigade has no experience in large-scale combat."
"In this way, arrange the independent brigade to the front of the Shanhaiguan attack as the main offensive force, put 6 heavy artillery battalions under Chu Yunfei's command, and the remaining heavy artillery battalions will serve as reserves."
"When the battle at Shanhaiguan is over, the battle in Chengde will almost be over."
"Before the start of the Jaap No. 1 combat plan, the independent brigade that has been rested will be transferred to the Japs outside Chengde City to surround the Japs of the First Army."
"Hey, Chengde's First Japanese Army, this is a big fat piece of meat. Let's see if Chu Yunfei can eat it."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Good guy, not only have the independent brigade's combat missions been arranged this time, but the next combat mission of the independent brigade has also been arranged.
Wang Dehou made a note of this in his mind and prepared to ask his staff to modify the battle plan later.
"That's right, Captain."
Wang Dehou seemed to have thought of something and asked:
"In this battle, the Japanese are very likely to land on the coast of Shandong Province. Which troops should we send to Shandong Province?"
Li Yunlong looked at the map of Lu Province on the table.
"Where are the Japs likely to land?" Li Yunlong asked.
Wang Dehou: "The Japs are likely to land in Yantai, Weihai, Qingdao, Rizhao and other places, but I think the Japs are most likely to land in Longkou and Qingdao in Huanglong."
While speaking, Wang Dehou pointed to the locations of Longkou and Qingdao on the map.
"What's the reason?" Li Yunlong frowned.
On land, the Eighth Route Army could occupy Chengde and Shanhaiguan and seize the initiative on the battlefield.
But when the Japanese landed from the sea, the Eighth Route Army was relatively passive, because there were many places along the coast where they could land, and they didn't know where the Japanese would land.
Wang Dehou then said: "In early September 1914, the Japanese army landed at Longkou, Huanglong; in January 1938, the Japanese army landed at Laoshan, Qingdao. The Japs have landed at both locations. They are familiar to the Japs. If I were a Japs, I would
Land at these two locations at the same time and attack Jinan in two directions."
Zhao Gang then said: "These locations suitable for landing should have defensive positions. If we strengthen the defensive positions, can we block the Japanese from landing?"
"It's very difficult!" Xing Zhiguo said, "Based on the experience of the Songhu Battle, the Japanese warships have very strong firepower. Even if we build a fortress on the beach, it cannot withstand the Japanese 300mm large-caliber artillery shells. It is said that the Japanese battleship Yamato
Main gun caliber 460 mm.”
"Then put the Japanese ashore." Wang Dehou said harshly, "then send planes to sink the Japanese warships and transport ships, and then drive the Japanese who landed into the sea to feed the sharks."
Xing Zhiguo said: "It would be better to send planes to bomb the Japanese transport ships and fleet when the Japanese land, and sink the Japanese and Japanese ships together."
"It's not impossible." Wang Dehou said, "This is also a way."
Li Yunlong asked: "What if the Japanese land at night?"
Wang Dehou and Xing Zhiguo remained silent. The Japanese knew that the Eighth Route Army's fighter jets were very powerful and had guided ground-penetrating bombs, so they would most likely land at night.
And the most important thing is, we don’t know where the Japanese will land.
Zhao Gang suddenly said: "There is another way."
Li Yunlong looked at Zhao Gang: "What can we do?"
"Don't we have an aircraft carrier fleet headed by the Yunlong?"
With a smile, Zhao Gang said, "Although our Eighth Route Army's aircraft carrier fleet has not yet fully formed its combat effectiveness, and it is not suitable for a head-on confrontation with the Japanese Pacific Fleet at this time, it is still easy to deal with the Japanese transport ships and frigates, right?"
Li Yunlong's eyes lit up slightly.
After the last ocean combat training and the training of the past few months, the combat effectiveness of the aircraft carrier fleet has improved compared to before.
…
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