This information was valuable because it confirmed that the Eighth Route Army's strategic direction was correct.
The logic is this:
Because the Japanese have this BF109 equipped with an anti-tank gun, it proves that the Japanese really hope to use fighter planes to suppress the Eighth Route Army tanks.
The Japanese hoped to use fighter planes to suppress the Eighth Route Army tanks, proving that the Japanese had the confidence to lure the enemy deep into the territory and encircle and annihilate the Eighth Route Army.
The Eighth Route Army has new equipment to deal with this fighter: extended-range anti-aircraft missiles.
That is to say, the Eighth Route Army's trump card can suppress the enemy's trump card, so strategically it is more likely that the Japanese will be suppressed rather than the Eighth Route Army.
This made Wang Xuexin secretly relieved, and then ordered: "Order the troops to continue advancing towards Fengtian, and at the same time divide the troops into two groups to capture HLD!"
"yes!"
At this time, the battle to attack Fengtian really started, because Naosaburo Okabe never expected that the Eighth Route Army would attack HLD...
Naosaburo Okabe was shocked when he heard that five regiments of the Eighth Route Army with tens of thousands of troops were marching towards HLD. His eyelids twitched and he said, "They actually attacked HLD?"
Sanji Oshiroto on the side asked doubtfully: "Do they want to cut off the connection between the North China Front Army and Manchukuo? But... isn't this looking for death?"
The reason why Oshiro Sanji said that the Eighth Route Army was looking for death was because HLD is close to the sea and has a natural ice-free port, which is very suitable for the navy to land and conduct operations in this area. If the Eighth Route Army, which has no control over the sea, were stationed here... wouldn't that be the case?
Only to be bombed?
This idea is indeed okay, because as long as the warships use naval guns to bomb the Eighth Route Army garrison at a distance, but the Eighth Route Army does not have any equipment to hit the warships, then they will only be bombed and unable to fight back!
It is precisely because of this that Naosaburo Okabe always believed that it was impossible for the Eighth Route Army to attack coastal cities, so the North China Front could reinforce Fengtian at any time.
However, the reinforcements may have to pay the price of being bombed by Eighth Route Army fighter planes, because the reinforcement route will be within the combat radius of Eighth Route Army fighter planes.
But now...
Naosaburo Okabe looked very ugly. He shook his head and said, "Do you think the Eighth Route Army will do such a useless exercise? If they are not sure of victory, will they march into HLD?"
"But..." Oshiro Sanji asked in confusion: "What method can they use to deal with our warships?"
After a pause, Oshiro Sanji said: "Fighter planes? The Eighth Route Army wants to use fighter planes to bomb our warships?"
The natural enemy of warships is fighter planes, which is one of the reasons why aircraft carriers became popular during this period.
But Naosaburo Okabe shook his head and said: "Although the Eighth Route Army has fighter planes and air-to-air missiles, they lack bombers, let alone torpedoes!"
It is no secret that the Eighth Route Army's aviation force has always been short of bombers.
This is due to the Eighth Route Army's lack of resources. They can only use limited funds, manpower and materials to fight for air supremacy. There is no need to develop bombers or even torpedo aircraft for the time being.
Among them, the Eighth Route Army did introduce the "Mosquito" bomber, but this bomber was not a dive bomber that could accurately bomb targets, and it was still made of wooden structure.
(Note: Bombing warships usually requires the use of dive bombers, because the warship is like a slender bamboo pole on the sea, and it is still active, so it is almost impossible to hit it at high altitude to sink it)
"So..." Oshiro Sanji said: "Is it possible that the Eighth Route Army has developed equipment that can deal with our warships?"
Naosaburo Okabe didn't answer, which was what he was worried about.
As he said just now, it is impossible for the Eighth Route Army to go to HLD to die. In this case, now that the Eighth Route Army is marching towards HLD, it is very likely that the Eighth Route Army has developed equipment that can deal with warships but he does not know about it.
Okabe Naosaburo's expression changed again and again.
If the Eighth Route Army really had such equipment, then the North China Front Army's connection with Manchuria would be cut off.
This is the characteristic of inside and outside the customs:
It is very difficult to enter the interior of the Pass from outside the Pass, because you have to cross the Great Wall and pass through several dangerous passes, and there is no other way.
At the same time, it is also very difficult to get out of the pass from within the pass, because there are only a few transportation and supply lines, and they all have to pass through those important dangerous passes.
These dangerous passes can easily be bombed and blocked by enemy fighter planes.
If the empire had control of the sea before, there is no need to worry about this. In the worst case, the imperial army will reinforce along the seaside, and the reinforcements can advance under the protection of warships.
But now... the Eighth Route Army's sword cut at the throat of the imperial army and divided the empire's territory into two.
"No!" Naosaburo Okabe gritted his teeth: "We cannot let the Eighth Route Army cut off our army's connections! Even if they have such equipment, we must let them take it out to see if they can really deal with our warships!"
Naosaburo Okabe has no problem with this idea.
It is definitely not advisable to surrender without fighting. Maybe the Eighth Route Army is bluffing?
If the Eighth Route Army has no equipment and they plan to occupy HLD with ground troops, will the Imperial Army give up because of fear?
Therefore, Naosaburo Okabe asked: "Which unit is stationed at HLD?"
The staff officer immediately replied: "The first unit of the 92nd Division has a total strength of about one brigade!"
"Immediately transfer a regiment from Fengtian for reinforcements!"
"yes!"
"In addition, order the 'Nagara' and 'Kuma' to rush to HLD immediately to coordinate with the defenders in combat!"
"yes!"
The two warships "Nagara" and "Kuma" are currently being repaired at Kawasaki Shipbuilding's Kanto Prefecture Plant (Dalian Shipyard)... Actually, it cannot be said to be repairs, but a routine maintenance.
These two warships are both light cruisers. They were originally stationed in Southeast Asia, but Southeast Asia is very backward and has limited conditions. The shipyards there cannot provide the necessary parts for the warships. The Puppet Manchukuo has been under the control of the Japanese for some time, which makes
Kawasaki Shipbuilding's Kanto Prefecture factory is fully equipped, so it can only be driven here for maintenance.
This is the right time to accept being mobilized and put into battle.
Then Naosaburo Okabe added: "Inform these two warships that the Eighth Route Army has air supremacy, and they are likely to use fighter planes to bomb the warships and let them prepare for air defense!"
"yes!"
At this time, Naosaburo Okabe still thought that the Eighth Route Army was using aircraft to deal with imperial warships.
But it’s no wonder, what else can there be besides airplanes?
Missile?
This idea flashed through Naosaburo Okabe's mind, but he quickly rejected it.
Because this is too incredible. Even if the Eighth Route Army improved the accuracy of its missiles, they would still be aimed at fixed targets!
The imperial warship is a moving target. How could the Eighth Route Army hit it?