Chapter 304 Desert Combat? The First Flight of a Twin-Engine Fighter.

"The place names in the Republic of China are not very convenient, so I just use the current place names. It will also make it easier for interested comrades to see the map."

October 11, 1941, Wusu Airport.

Along with the sound of propellers from far to near, the figures of twenty-four Blenheims appeared in the sky. As the Eighth Route Army's first twin-engine fighter, the entire formation attracted everyone's attention as soon as it appeared.

A few minutes later, following the flag signals from the airport ground staff, all the fighter jets slowly landed on the concrete runway.

"This plane is a new weapon."

"Our Air Force Division is really rich. We are the fastest updated in terms of equipment in the entire army. In the past six months, I have seen four different types of aircraft."

Looking at Blenheim heading towards the tarmac, the ground crew team couldn't help but sigh.

Without him, the visual impact of the twin-engine fighter is too great. The hurricane next to him looked like a child compared to him, and his wingspan was nearly six meters shorter.

The turret on the back of the aircraft is even more novel. No one has ever seen such a majestic fighter jet.

"This plane should be able to be used as a bomber."

"I just counted, and there are eight pylons on its belly. Even if it carries the lightest 20 kilograms of aerial bombs, it is definitely enough for the devils to drink."

"Unless the enemy is hiding in a solid civil bunker or an artillery hole during the bombing, even in a foxhole or trench, it will be a hit."

Although today is Blenheim's first appearance at Wusu Airport, the ground crews of the First Air Division have participated in a unified and professional training course and have a certain understanding of various types of aircraft.

The behemoth in front of you will definitely be another big killer on the battlefield.

"Good stuff!"

As soon as these words came out, the comrades nearby all nodded in agreement.

The Eighth Route Army now agrees that the more firepower the better, the stronger the better, and the longer it lasts the better. After all, who doesn’t like to be a happy dog?

After the small talk, twenty-four Blenheims parked steadily on the apron.

Dozens of ground crews swarmed in. They began to inspect the fighter planes according to the manuals brought by the pilots, and loaded boxes of bullets and aerial bombs into the magazines.

At the same time, the soldiers of the 1st Marine Regiment walked out of the base in neat steps according to their usual training groups.

"Captain Wang Hai, this time I have to trouble you and your comrades to help us escort us."

"After the battle in Suiyuan is over, let's take Lao Huang to Dingxiang Tower for a big meal. We have done so many missions together, and I haven't formally thanked you yet."

"How long will it take to fly this time? Have you found the location of Route 7 and a half?"

Seeing the familiar faces in the escort formation, Commander Li immediately greeted them with a smile.

The First Air Division only had two short months to get new fighters. Only six combat heroes and comrades who had returned from the border were able to skillfully operate the twin-engine fighters.

This escort mission can only be led by inspiring model workers who complete the entire mission.

Seeing Lao Li coming towards him, Captain Wang Hai took out information from his flight suit and replied:

"Okay, of course I'll go to Li Yunlong's treat. I'll have to kill you then."

"This voyage is not too far, and we can reach our destination in three hours. But we have to set off quickly. The remnants of the 35th Army are marching a bit fast, and it won't be long before they enter the desert again."

"The comrade in your regiment probably has no experience in fighting in the desert. We must try to find him before Route 7 is halfway out of the plains."

Hearing the word desert, Commander Li immediately became serious.

As a native southerner, the word desert has nothing to do with him. On the way to transfer, I passed through eleven provinces, walked through grasslands and climbed snow-capped mountains, but I never went to the desert.

However, Lao Li had a good teacher who mentioned the precautions for desert warfare when he was teaching him how to fight in the desert.

Operating in the desert is a test of courage and will.

In addition to logistics, the first thing that needs attention is air defense.

After all, the terrain there is flat and there are almost no natural bunkers. Once the Japanese army aviation targets them, the consequences will be disastrous.

The 1st Marine Regiment's air defense means are only medium-sized self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles. After the artillery shells are fired, it will be difficult to organize an effective air defense force. After all, their equipment list does not even include a heavy machine gun.

The second is the terrain. Now the regiment is equipped with twenty-four airborne tanks. If you are not careful, you will fall into a quicksand pit or roll over into a dry river.

Moreover, the intense heat on the surface of the sand will cause light distortion and visual errors. Even Wang Xikui may not be able to guarantee his hit rate by then.

The last thing is medical treatment. There are many poisonous insects in the desert, and being bitten by them is very likely to be life-threatening. Moreover, there is a high probability that soldiers will suffer from heatstroke, and the medicine in the field medical kit may not be enough by then.

Thinking of this, Li Yunlong first looked at the transport plane, and then shouted to the soldiers: "Everyone! Check the equipment! Everyone will board the plane in five minutes!"

After hearing the order, all comrades began the last process before departure in an orderly manner.

At the same time, three trucks arrived at the gate of Wusu Airport. As if there was something urgent, the other party started honking the horn to signal the guards to open the door from 200 meters away.

Fortunately, the car has the logo of the headquarters, otherwise it would be really difficult to get in smoothly.

Under the gaze of everyone, the three trucks drove quickly towards the tarmac, the speed was definitely approaching the limit of Japanese trucks.

"Old Li! Fortunately, you haven't set off yet!"

"Hurry up and let the soldiers carry the secret weapons I prepared onto the plane. Our weapons testing and research bureau spent a whole night rushing to make this."

"It's a pity that there are not enough shells. We can only fire two salvos at most. It doesn't matter if we can't bring them back. Just blow them up on the spot and don't let the devils find them."

Looking at Huang He's bloodshot eyes and messy hair, Li Yunlong was very moved and hugged his fellow villager.

"Old Huang, thank you on behalf of the comrades!"

"All the soldiers of the Marine Corps will not let you down!

"Okay, we are not related, so don't talk about it. Help me kill more devils on the battlefield and try to bring me back a few generals' swords."

"Haha, good!"

······

Suiyuan, BYNE Plain border.

"Brother, I beg you, hurry up and eat something."

"If you continue like this, let alone Lanzhou, you may not be able to hold on to SZS. ”

“The Eighth Route Army’s support will come soon. They must have brought a lot of medicine and food. Now is not the time to save money. You are sick and need to supplement your nutrition.”

Although the Eighth War Zone failed to withstand the full-scale attack of the Mongolian Army, the Seventh Route Army and a Half did not abandon Chen Jieshan and run away independently this time.

With the help of the people along the way, the two brothers brought the remnants of the 35th Army to the area between Linhe County and SZS. The troops still need to cross the Ulan Buh Desert to reach a relatively safe location.

Originally, they wanted to abandon their heavy weapons and take the water route, but the pressure from the Kwantung Army’s aviation was too great. Once they were discovered by the devils on the sheepskin raft, they would most likely end up buried in the Yellow River.

In desperation, the Seventh Route Army and a Half had to retreat along the Baolan Highway.

This route was built along the Yellow River and is a trunk road connecting Gansu, Ningxia and Suiyuan. It starts from Baotou in the north and ends in Lanzhou in the south, with a total length of more than 1,100 kilometers.

From the start to now, the troops’ non-combat casualties are very serious, with only 1,500 people left in the entire army.

If the support of friendly forces If the reinforcements don't come, the remnants of the 35th Army will die on the way of retreat even if they are not caught up by the devils.

Good fortune never comes alone, and misfortune never comes alone.

Last night, they were unfortunately discovered by four Type 97 fighters of the Kwantung Army.

Even though Qiluban dodged in time, he was still injured in the thigh by the shrapnel of the bomb. Fortunately, the aorta was not scratched, but the injury made him very weak.

In addition, the temperature difference between day and night in the desert is large, causing him to have shivering since early yesterday morning.

If the guards hadn't picked up cow dung and added some hay to make a fire, and then spread straw on the cow dung pit to make a "fire bed", he might not have survived last night.

After hearing the three words "Eighth Route Army", Qiluban's tired eyes suddenly burst into a gleam of light, and then tremblingly took the bowl handed by Chen Jieshan.

"When the friendly rescue team enters, you have to help me receive them. If I'm not mistaken, the leader of the other side should be a colonel. "

"His rank is indeed relatively low, but you must be polite to me!"

That's right, Captain Li is now a formal leader.

After the Taiyuan Campaign, in addition to rewarding the brigade commander with 20,000 French francs and a Blue Sky and White Sun Medal by name, the bald man also recorded Lao Li's military merit.

The 1st Marine Regiment was the first airborne unit in the Republic of China. The commander of such an elite unit must be friendly. Moreover, the rank of a colonel is not worth much. Throwing a stone in the mountain city can hit several people.

After hearing the weak exhortation of his elder brother, Chen Jieshan asked tentatively:

"Brother, what do you think our troops should do in the future? Stay in Lanzhou to recuperate? Or join the Eighth Route Army to counterattack Suiyuan? ”

The implication of his brother's words is very clear, it's nothing more than who to follow in the future.

During the massive attack by the Mongolian troops, the bald man not only strictly prohibited the Eighth Route Army from going north to support, but also sent a telegram that there would be a way if they firmly held on.

Such a move completely chilled the hearts of the soldiers.

However, Qiluban did not answer the question directly, but picked up the bowl in his hand with the help of the guards and ate while thinking.

Before arriving at the BYNE Plain, the remnants of the 35th Army almost lost 60% of the army's supplies. In addition, they had crossed a small desert before, and now the only food they could eat was peas.

If the support of the Eighth Route Army had not arrived today, he would definitely not be willing to eat these life-saving dry food.

"Let's go back to Lanzhou first. Now we have no capital to counterattack with friendly forces."

"What's more, if we get involved with the other side, our beloved chairman may come up with something weird. "

"The best choice at present is to show goodwill first and give up the entire Suiyuan area to them. Anyway, the Mongolian troops have already occupied the place, and there will be no worse results. Let's take it one step at a time. "

After saying that, Qiluban handed the bowl to the guard. He felt that his body was getting colder and colder, as if he had fallen into an ice hole.

This scene frightened Chen Jieshan and made him rush to the doctor who accompanied the army.

But medicines are scarce. The troops not only lost the battle but also lost a lot of supplies. No matter how good the doctor is, he can't cure the disease without medicine.

Just when Chen Jieshan was about to send soldiers with doctors to find herbs nearby, bursts of piston engine noises suddenly came from the distant sky.

"Enemy attack! Hide!"

"Everyone move! Quick!"

"We must not let the enemy see us. The commander is seriously ill and can't stand the torment!"

After hearing the order from the commander, the soldiers of the 35th Army immediately started to act. They first covered the horses and carts with straw that had been prepared long ago, and then hid on the spot and prayed that the enemy would not find them.

But at this moment, a sharp-eyed soldier found something unusual.

The plane in the sky not only had a clear difference from the Kwantung Army's land aviation in appearance, but the logo under the wing was not the ointment flag commonly used by the devils.

The emblem looked like a red five-star as the main body, with two wings with red and golden edges.

"Commander, that may be a friendly plane!"

"I'm from the anti-aircraft artillery battalion, and I know all kinds of devil planes! And there are more than 20 transport planes behind the other side, which are likely to be the supplies prepared for us by the Eighth Route Army!"

The soldier's words made Chen Jieshan determined. Now that his eldest brother is in danger, if he doesn't take a gamble, he will definitely live in regret for the rest of his life.

"Guard Company! Ignite!"

"Fire the flares! Brothers of the 101st Division, fire the remaining flares to guide the planes in the sky!"

"Success or failure depends on this one move!"

Facts have proved that Chen Jieshan made the right bet.

The plain area has a relatively wide field of vision. Captain Wang Hai and Principal Chang soon saw the fire on the ground and the flares that were launched one after another.

A moment later, Hamilcar was unhooked.

More than 20 gliders, carrying the soldiers of the Marine Corps, flew silently to the northeast of the 35th Army.

When the glider landed, the remaining soldiers jumped out of the belly of the air overlord, and the white umbrellas filled the entire sky.

After a short circle, the military transport plane turned around and returned under the escort of Blenheim.

······

The first to land was still the airdrop unit.

Since the 35th Army had no experience in cooperating with the Marine Corps, Zhang Dabiao could only choose a landing site as far away as possible to avoid accidental injuries.

Unlike in the past, the soldiers did not rush to move the Cicada tanks out after leaving the cabin, but carried food and medicines while keeping alert.

Before landing, the Air Force 1st Division used professional equipment to conduct reconnaissance of dozens of kilometers in radius, and did not find any traces of the enemy, so they had enough time to deploy troops.

This mission was mainly for rescue. Considering that the remnants of the 7th and a half routes had been pursued for several days, the Marine Corps 1st Regiment decided to help the other side treat the wounded and provide food first.