In August 1942, all the eyes of the people across the country were focused on a place in Shanxi called Jinzhong.
Because just two days ago, the World War II District Commander's Headquarters suddenly issued a nationwide call. As the commander-in-chief, Yan Xishan personally announced that he would launch a battle to regain Taiyuan. For this purpose, the Jinsui Army dispatched five divisions, two divisions of the Eighth Route Army and the Liantai Militia.
, a total of 100,000 people attacked Taiyuan from all directions.
Jinzhong, as the east gate of Taiyuan, also became the focus of the fierce battle between the two sides.
In order to defend Jinzhong, Okamura Neiji personally took command in Taiyuan and mobilized the mixed 86th Brigade and the 115th Division, which was the first to arrive in Shanxi, to defend Jinzhong. The daring Jinsui Army was bound to be defeated.
.
In order to defend Jinzhong, the Japanese army did not hesitate to forcibly recruit tens of thousands of Jinzhong people, and even built fortifications and bunkers around Jinzhong themselves. However, the Japanese army had good intentions, but of course the joint command would not look at the Japanese army.
He repaired the fortifications so calmly.
Next to Airport No. 4 on the outskirts of Liantai County, a black car was stopped by soldiers on guard.
The scorching sun shone on the earth, and the sight of both of them was slightly distorted due to the heat.
The U.S. Ambassador to China, Gao Si, was sitting in the car at the moment. Under the scorching sun, the temperature inside the car had reached nearly 40 degrees, making Gao Si feel as if he was sitting in a steam oven.
Thomas, who was also sweating profusely from the sun, turned around and shook his head helplessly: "Mr. Gao Si, it's a pity that in Chinese terms, these guards are as smelly and hard as stones in the toilet. I don't care.
No matter what they say, they refuse to let you go, insisting that if you don't have a pass, they will have to ask people inside to pick you up in person."
"This damn bastard, how dare he stop an ambassador from the great United States of America!"
Since he came to China as ambassador, any official in China has treated him with respect and respect for fear of offending him. Even Chairman Chiang Kai-shek in Chongqing has been courteous to him. This situation became even more serious when the United States declared war on Japan last year.
It's obvious.
But now he was rejected in this remote place. Coupled with the hot weather, Gao Si's temper became particularly irritable, so much so that he cursed.
"Mr. Ambassador, you know." Thomas shrugged: "General Gao is now the richest and most powerful local force in China. It is understandable to be arrogant."
"May God punish this clown." Gao Si could only curse in a low voice.
Fortunately, they didn't wait long. A few minutes later, a Willys Jeep came to them quickly. When the car stopped, Doolittle, whose skin was tanned and tanned, jumped out of the car.
After seeing Doolittle, Gao Si was overjoyed at first, then frowned and couldn't help but blame him: "Major General Doolittle, why are you wearing a Nazi military uniform? If domestic reporters see it,
You'll be out of luck when you arrive."
Doolittle was a little unhappy when he heard this: "Mr. Ambassador, it has been more than four months since I led the air raid on Tokyo. You don't think I can wear one outfit for that long, do you?
In this case, I can only wear whatever the boss tells me. Is there anything wrong with this? If you think it is really inappropriate, you can send a telegram to China and ask them to send us some military uniforms."
Gao Si rolled his eyes and stopped talking. He was crazy to send such an outrageous telegram to the country.
Fortunately, Doolittle was kind enough and took the initiative to give him a step down: "Okay, Mr. Ambassador, let's go in first. It's really too hot here."
Several people got into the car, and this time with Doolittle's guarantee, the guards did not stop them anymore, and the two cars drove all the way to the airport.
Along the way, Gao Si looked at the densely packed P47 Thunder fighters and B-25 Mitchell bombers parked on the tarmac with a complicated expression on his face.
"Jimmy, you've been here for so long and you still haven't figured out the origins of these planes?"
"I have no clue at all." Doolittle shook his head: "Ambassador, you must know that even though I have been awarded the position of captain, my authority is limited to commanding operations. I have no involvement in logistics matters at all.
And do you think General Gao will tell me, a foreigner, the most important secrets?"
Gao Si cursed in a low voice and stopped talking.
The car stopped in front of a row of brick dormitories. Gao Si even saw a basketball court nearby, which was crowded with people, and bursts of cheers and whistles could be heard from time to time.
Gao Si was slightly startled: "You have quite a lot of entertainment activities here."
"That is."
Doolittle said proudly: "Our base not only has a pilot club, but also several basketball courts and football fields. Competitions are held every month. In addition to a bonus of one hundred dollars per person, the winning team also
You can also get a day off, how positive the boys' gender improvement is."
After the two got off the car, they came to Doolittle's room.
As the captain of the battalion, Doolittle had his own separate room, which contained a few simple pieces of furniture in addition to a single bed.
Doolittle made Gaosi a cup of coffee and sat down.
"Mr. Ambassador, can you tell me your purpose of coming to me this time?"
Gao Si touched his nose, "Is my purpose so obvious?"
Doolittle said helplessly: "This is not a question of whether it is obvious or not. You came all the way from Chongqing to Shanxi, you can't come here just to drink coffee, right?"
"All right."
Now that he had been seen through, Gao Si spoke frankly.
"Jimmy, you have been here for so long, and you should have an objective understanding of the combat effectiveness of the Liantai Militia. Can you tell me the truth, what is their true combat effectiveness?"
"Real combat effectiveness?" Doolittle was stunned. "By combat effectiveness, do you mean their air force or ground forces?"
Tiao said angrily: "Of course it's the ground troops, otherwise do you think I would make a special trip for a few planes?"
"If it's the ground troops." Doolittle pondered for a moment, "I can say that their ground troops are very powerful, at least better than our US Army."
Gao Si said displeased: "Jimmy, are your words too exaggerated?"
"It's not an exaggeration at all." Doolittle said sternly: "I will only tell you the simplest truth. One of their infantrymen only carries a bag of dry food made of flour and one hundred and fifty rounds of bullets, and continuously marches in the mountains.
Marching and fighting for a month, can you believe it?"