It should be said that the situation investigated by Lieutenant General Lopez is still difficult to judge.
This is not to say that Yingjiang doesn't know that Najun Jun has the idea of "preserving strength". In fact, they are very sure that Nijun Jun has this idea.
Because the news coming from intelligence personnel is:
"Since the Shuangliu air battle on March 14, the stubborn army has completely given up the awareness of air combat with the enemy!"
"Their planes have been dodging. They crashed more on the way to escape than because of the air battle!"
"The Flying Tigers haven't gone into battle yet. They hope to gather enough strength to launch a counterattack!"
…
Seeing this information, it is self-evident that the stubborn army wants to "preserve its strength".
But Lopez also considered another question: "But even so, what choice do we have? The Eighth Route Army? No, they may also have the mentality to preserve their strength, and their foundation is worse than the stubborn army.
If we support the Eighth Route Army, our role will be even less!"
Doolittle also had this idea.
However, when he arrived in Xi'an, he only stayed for one night and his mind completely changed.
It wasn't because he saw the fighting power of the stubborn army, nor was it because he had insight into the stubborn army's idea of preserving their strength.
Doolittle was actually right. He had always thought that he would not be able to see these life and battles without a period of time.
Doolittle changed his mind only because the commander known as the "corrupt commander" gave Doolittle and the pilots he led a "cleansing" in Xi'an.
Needless to say, how the "Corrupted Commander" came to Doolittle's favor. Wealthy ladies and ladies in gold and silver, as well as various fine wines and delicacies, held a Western-style dance party in an extremely luxurious hall.
…
The "corrupt general" was afraid of slowing down Doolittle and the pilot, so he spent a lot of effort on this dance, and even used his connections to buy fine caviar and French wine that even Doolittle could hardly get.
.
but……
The "corrupt general" never imagined that it was his own cleverness that ruined the good deeds of the recalcitrant army.
Doolittle felt more and more uncomfortable as he ate the food.
He doesn't care what the stubborn army does to the Chinese people, why the Chinese people are suffering while these corrupt generals are extravagant and lustful... it has nothing to do with him.
The problem is that Doolittle also thought of something:
Aren't the supplies for the recalcitrant army reinforced by Eagle Sauce?
Even if it's not reinforcements but loans, shouldn't they use these resources on the battlefield?
They keep saying that this is not enough and that is not enough, but the officials are here drinking French wine and eating caviar, and the noble ladies are all wearing precious jewelry...
So, how much of the supplies that Yingjiang has left to reinforce them will be put into the battlefield?
Looking back at the Eighth Route Army, such a situation would definitely not happen.
Therefore, as soon as Doolittle returned home, he immediately reported what he saw, heard, and thought to his superiors, which ultimately changed Yingjiang's idea of sending planes to reinforce the stubborn army.
Because as Doolittle said: "Gentlemen, if we send aircraft reinforcements to the stubborn army and hope that the stubborn army will use these aircraft to attack the enemy on the battlefield...will we be able to do so? Obviously not! These aircraft will be used by the stubborn army to attack the enemy."
If it is in the hands of the military, it is likely that it will not appear on the battlefield, but will be used by those officers as a private plane, or turned into a private armed force to protect their own safety! Is this what we want?"
Then Doolittle added: "If aircraft reinforcements are given to the Eighth Route Army, there will indeed be a problem of poor foundation and it will take a long time to exert combat effectiveness! But don't forget two points: First, the Huaxia battalion commander is an Eighth Route Army soldier, Huaxia
The battalion commander can propose to our aviation force
Suggestions and effectiveness, this shows that they are not ignorant of air combat, and may even be superior to the stubborn army. I would like to ask: Can the stubborn army make similar suggestions to us? Can it change the situation with just a few words?
Has it changed our entire air combat posture from passive to active?"
Having said this, Doolittle also looked around at the generals at the debate.
The generals nodded in agreement. The "Chinese Battalion Commander" has proven his ability, which also proves that the Eighth Route Army has the ability to organize an aviation force and let it play a role on the battlefield.
Doolittle went on to say: "Second, the Eighth Route Army is a force with much backward equipment. Only if you don't have it will you feel cherished. Moreover, the Eighth Route Army emphasizes the equality of officers and soldiers. Their commanders live a hard life like the soldiers. They work with the soldiers.
Fighting hard, we can easily verify this from intelligence personnel. Therefore, there is no problem of turning the aircraft into caviar on the table or gold on the lady's body. In other words, our aircraft can maximize its performance
effect."
When Doolittle said this, he spread his hands: "So, do we still need to consider it?"
So there really is no need to think about it.
Because everyone knows that even if the support is given to the Eighth Route Army and it can display its combat effectiveness later, it is better than being left in the hands of the stubborn army and unable to display its combat effectiveness.
Doolittle immediately informed Sun Erwei of the decision: "We have made a decision. Planes will be used to reinforce the Eighth Route Army. Let them prepare!"
Sun Erwei immediately informed Li Yunlong via phone.
To be precise, it was not "the first time". Sun Erwei rushed out of the office and broke into Wang Xuexin's headquarters, shouting happily: "Wang, we won, we got the plane!"
Wang Xuexin couldn't believe that such a good thing really happened to him, so that when he heard the news, he was stunned for a moment and asked: "Is it true? Are you sure?"
Although Wang Xuexin believed from theoretical analysis that Yingjiang should have given the aircraft to the Eighth Route Army instead of the stubborn army, the problem is that history is not like this, so he is not sure.
"Of course!" Sun Erwei laughed loudly: "I am very sure that it was Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle... No, it was Brigadier General Doolittle who personally sent a telegram to tell me!"
At this time, Doolittle had been promoted from lieutenant colonel to brigadier general. This span was difficult for others to complete in more than ten years. Doolittle completed it after returning to China after bombing Tokyo.
But this is deserved, because everyone knows that this mission is a narrow escape.
Then Sun Erwei notified Li Yunlong by phone and said to Li Yunlong: "Commander Li, you should start building the airport and reserve fuel as written in the plan. In addition, you should also prepare some candidates for replacement pilots."
"Yes, yes!" Li Yunlong was so happy that he couldn't even close his mouth. He replied happily: "Don't worry, it's guaranteed to be foolproof!"
After putting down the phone, Li Yunlong shouted to the correspondent: "Quickly, call the political commissar and tell him the great news!"
Li Yunlong was so happy that he forgot about the small half bowl of wine he had stolen from the Kang table in the bedroom.