Chapter 265: Battles of the Past and Present, Pig Tactics
Three years ago, Jiangcheng fell.
After occupying the city, the devils immediately expanded the airport that originally belonged to Guosu as an aviation base.
Relying on the advantages of geographical location, the enemy actively carried out long-range aviation operations and bombing training. Frequent attacks on major cities and transportation hubs along the Yangtze River caused huge casualties to the military and civilians in the rear area.
At 3 pm on June 1, 1941, the Japanese Navy Air Force Hankou Airport.
Hundreds of devil ground crews rushed back and forth between the apron and the warehouse like flies.
The armorers loaded the bombs that needed to be loaded onto the aircraft with quality and quantity, and fully prepared the three 7.7mm cyclotron machine guns.
The mechanics manually checked the propellers of each aircraft, and at the same time, they had to check the accidents in an orderly manner to ensure that the aircraft could take off on time and no human failures would occur.
The last step was to fill the fuel tank of the 96 Land Attack with aviation fuel.
During the period when the ground crews were preparing, the pilots of the 11th Air Force of the Chinese Fleet were holding a briefing meeting under the leadership of their own major general.
On the wall of the combat meeting room, there is a military map of central and southwestern China, and there is a round-trip route of the attack formation marked with a ribbon.
Right below the map is an aerial photo of the city of Shancheng and all the target data.
"Gentlemen, we will continue the mission of bombing Shancheng today."
"But this time we will cooperate with the army's red deer, and the combat intensity can be said to be more than ten times that of the previous one."
"I have only one request, that is to burn the entire city from beginning to end! Let the bald head hiding in the mountains see the determination of the great Japanese brother country to attack!"
The protracted war and the encounter of the North China Front Army made the Japanese military restless.
In order to get out of the quagmire of war, it is urgent to conquer Shancheng and then conquer the Republic of China.
So under the joint mediation of Tianhuang and the five princes, the army and navy of the original reached a consensus temporarily and decided to join forces to defeat the weak preserved fruit first.
The devils urgently recruited part of the Kwantung Army Air Force stationed in the northeast, as well as two bomber squadrons in the Pacific.
They were ready to gather superior air power and launch an unprecedented large-scale air raid on the mountain city in order to force the bald man to surrender.
In the past, the Japanese army used nerve bombing tactics and moonlight bombing tactics, that is, using small groups of multiple batches of bombers to bomb continuously for several hours or day and night.
Deliberately extend the bombing time to disrupt the normal life of the people in the mountain city.
After all, Tian Huang, who was living a small life, held an imperial meeting three years ago and specifically pointed out that the air offensive against the mountain city could directly attack civilians.
But this time it was a solitary attack. The 11th Air Fleet was divided into two batches and departed from Hankou Airport, and the Central China and Kwantung Army Air Forces were divided into three batches and departed from Yichang Airport, which shows their determination and strength.
Looking at the subordinates in front of him with shocked expressions, Major General Tsuchida Tsunayoshi frowned with dissatisfaction. The old devil knocked on the wall with his fist, signaling everyone to concentrate.
"This time we will all use Type 98 Type 6 incendiary bombs."
"Don't worry about the safety on the way. The Eighth Route Army in North China will never appear. All 31 Zero fighters in the base will be dispatched to escort us."
"In the next half hour, I will focus on the mission areas of each formation."
"Hoo!"
The Type 98 Type 6 incendiary bomb is filled with solid incendiary agent. After the explosion, it can spray flames of 2,000 to 3,000 degrees Celsius, which can burn through a 20-centimeter-thick concrete roof.
It raises flames up to five meters high and can even continue to burn for fifteen minutes.
This type of aerial bomb is specifically targeted at the characteristics of most buildings in the mountain city, which are bamboo and wood structures.
At present, the houses of ordinary people are usually built with bamboo and wood boards of different sizes, commonly known as bundled houses. Once they encounter a large number of incendiary bombs, the consequences will be disastrous.
As for those Zero fighters, they were loaded from Yokosuka Port last year and arrived in Hankou via Shanghai.
Originally, there were 64 Zero fighters in this batch, but after more than a year of fighting, half of them have been lost in dogfights with the Aid China Flying Team and the Preserved Air Force.
Half an hour later, yellow dust rose at Hankou Airport, and the first batch of 48 Type 96 Land Attack and 16 Zero fighters took off one after another.
Each flight squadron circled in the air, and after all the fighters took off and formed a formation, they pushed the fuel to the destination.
The Japanese sent only 16 fighters for escort, which was not arrogant. After all, Guopiao had completely lost air superiority a year ago.
Since the situation in Europe became increasingly tense, the bearded man recalled the aid-China flight team one after another.
Last September, the last air force in Shancheng, a formation of 30 I-15s and I-16s, met 13 Japanese Zero fighters over FL.
Logically speaking, in terms of quantity, Guopiao's air force should have an absolute advantage.
Even if there is a certain gap in the performance of the aircraft of both sides, there should be no problem in self-protection and escape from the war.
But the air battle ended in just 20 minutes.
Twenty-seven of the thirty Soviet fighters were shot down, and only three I-16s returned to the base with serious injuries under the cover of their teammates, while none of the Zero fighters of the Japanese Navy Air Force were damaged.
Subsequently, major airports in the southwest region were destroyed one after another. In a short period of time, there was no ability to receive aid. Even if there were some fighter planes hidden in the bottom of the box, it was just a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
As for the Eighth Route Army Air Force in North China?
Don't joke, their fighters do not have much performance, but they are short-legged and have a worrying combat radius. Even with auxiliary fuel tanks, they can only go there without returning.
What's more, that cunning bald man would never let the Eighth Route Army's planes get close to his nest.
From Jiangcheng to Shancheng, it takes 1,370 kilometers by water. But the flight distance is only 780 kilometers, and the Type 96 Land Attack fully loaded with bombs can reach the destination in just four hours.
It is expected that there may be light rain in Sichuan today, which is definitely not the best time for air strikes in the conventional sense. But the devils are playing psychological warfare, specifically taking advantage of the opportunity when the preserved fruits are relaxed to launch surprise attacks.
The entire Type 96 Land Attack formation flew forward along the shortest route, sometimes high and sometimes low.
Soon, the devils flew over Yichang. The crew members all looked out and looked down at the rolling Daba Mountains and the majestic Yangtze River on the right.
"Major, every time I see such a magnificent sight, I envy those damned Republic of China people."
"They are such a backward race, but they have vast and fertile land. From the first day I joined the army, I vowed to win a colorful future for my brother country."
"Long live His Majesty Tianhuang! Long live the great Japanese brother country!"
As soon as these words came out, the other five people in the entire crew felt their blood boiling and fell into a violent state. Even the major who led the team couldn't help but look at the bombardier more.
Originally, he planned to fly over the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and then conduct pre-war mobilization, but he never expected that his subordinates would inadvertently complete the work process for him, and the effect was very good.
To add fuel to the fire, Tashiro Koki added in an affirmative tone:
"Sasaki-kun is right, we will definitely win the final victory in the war!"
"There is even a chance to trample the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, and the Netherlands under our feet in the future and become the real masters of the entire Southeast Asia region!"
"Okay, let's eat first. The formation will arrive at the battlefield in three hours. Let's conserve our energy and adjust our physical condition first, and strive to get off to a good start later!"
At this stage, the average strength of the Navy is definitely better than that of the Army.
Not only because the performance of the aircraft used by the two sides is very different, but also reflected in the combat quality of the personnel, after all, Army pilots often get lost.
Strong combat power is exchanged for the best resources.
After receiving the order from their own major, the crew members began to eat.
The devils' food is very rich. The staple food is rice with red sour plums. The lunch box also contains ten kinds of meat and vegetable dishes such as roasted meat, fried chicken, and salted roasted fish.
After all seven crew members finished their meals, they even poured coffee from the thermos.
Two and a half hours later, the 96th Land Attack Formation crossed the sky over the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and was only one step away from Shancheng. All the devils returned to their posts and prepared for battle.
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Shancheng, Air Defense Command.
"Report to the commander! Yunyang air defense surveillance post sent a telegram!"
"A large number of Japanese bombers are coming from the direction of Jiangcheng, and it is expected to arrive at the outskirts of the city in half an hour! Please give instructions!"
As soon as these words came out, General Zhu's face in the office turned pale instantly.
Although the Republic of China did not have high-tech such as radar stations, Guofu arranged a large number of observation posts around the city to deal with the bombing, and each post had five people on duty all day.
As long as the enemy was found, the soldiers on duty would report the number, model, heading and other information of the enemy aircraft by phone or telegram as soon as possible.
This year, Shancheng has been bombed nearly a hundred times, but there has never been a situation where the alarm did not sound.
Since he took up the post of air defense commander, Shancheng has not had a peaceful day, and it has been bombed by devils every once in a while.
Especially since last year, the enemy has been like taking stimulants. The most outrageous one was that a total of thirteen air defense alarms were issued in just four days, with a cumulative duration of ninety-six hours.
Due to problems with grassroots dispatch and execution, there were even two tunnel tragedies.
If it weren't for his close relationship with the chairman and being called a lucky general in the early years, he would definitely not have a good ending now.
Considering the future, General Zhu immediately shouted to his signalman: "Let all staff gather in the combat conference room. Anyone who doesn't arrive within five minutes will be dealt with by military law!"
After receiving the call, the staff gathered in the conference room, with a map of Shancheng in front of them.
Most of these people have experienced the battles in Shencheng and Jiangcheng, and are "well aware" of the Japs' aviation power.
"Sir, the enemy is coming with great force. We can only outwit them, not fight them with force!"
"I suggest that all citizens enter the air-raid shelter! The anti-aircraft artillery and the air force should also hide. We must preserve our strength at this stage! Wait until the enemy has consumed all its ammunition, and then suddenly counterattack and bite them!"
"It is unwise to just counterattack. We can't afford the blame from the chairman!"
This plan touched the heart of General Pig.
After all, in ancient and modern wars, the tactics of pigs have been successfully used by people again and again.
If you encounter an attack, you will lean your butt against the wall, so that you can't catch your tail, and finally make him helpless. If you don't do it well, you will bite you with sharp teeth and won't let go.
After several years of consumption, the anti-aircraft artillery of the mountain city has only 42 guns left, and now they are stationed on four high grounds in the city center.
These small and medium-caliber anti-aircraft guns made by various countries have a fatal weakness, that is, they are small in number and weak in power, and it is difficult to form an anti-aircraft firepower network that threatens Japanese bombers.
Instead of dying in vain, it is better to wait for the enemy's attack to end and then fire a few shots. Maybe there will be some gains.
As for fighter planes, let alone.
If the chairman of the committee was not a businessman, he would have left 21 planes before the Russians retreated. Now there might be no chance of counterattack.
After making up his mind, General Zhu began to give orders.
"Notify each air defense battalion to save strength this time! Just leave necessary observers on the position, and wait until the Japanese bombing is over before counterattacking!"
"Contact Baishiyi Airport and ask them to stay put and protect every fighter! I will be responsible for anything that happens!"
"Sound the alarm! Hang lanterns! Start evacuating citizens! Those who can go outside the city should go outside the city, and those who can't run should go into the air-raid shelter! Remember to call the chairman and ask him to move quickly!"
In theory, the tactics of the pig are not completely unreasonable, and even quite in line with the style of Guojian.
If the various troops can work together, at the cost of sacrificing a certain number of civilians, they may really be able to shoot down a few bombers.
But what the air defense headquarters did not expect was that the Japanese bombing was not a routine matter. It was a full-on attack with the purpose of burning down the entire mountain city.
Of course, the devils did not expect that the Eighth Route Army would risk a falling out with Guosu and send the entire First Air Division to the sky above the mountain city.
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At six o'clock in the afternoon, it was raining in the sky.
Rainy days are very important for this city that has been devastated by the Japanese army, because the devils' bombers are likely not to attack in the rain.
Ordinary people can come to the city center to do business, and even take a break from their busy schedule to participate in entertainment activities. Everyone seems to have a relaxing and pleasant evening.
Although there is less and less food in the city, the price has increased several times compared to four years ago.
But neither hunger nor war has defeated the city. People live stubbornly, like the unyielding yellow horn trees that grow tenaciously.
In the ruins of the city, the words "the more bombs, the stronger" can be seen everywhere.
On the streets, children or young people occasionally recite catchy doggerel in dialect:
"We are not afraid of your bombardment, we are not afraid of your bombardment, we have a strong air-raid shelter, we are not afraid! We are not afraid of your fierceness, we are not afraid of your evil, we will always counterattack, wait!"
Here it comes, the time of hell