However, there is one thing that MacArthur has not paid enough attention to. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

That is, why the Chinese army was able to airdrop a large number of elite troops near Myitkyina in such a short period of time.

MacArthur thought it was due to the negligence and vigilance of the defenders stationed in Myitkyina.

He did not expect that the Chinese army already had such high-tech equipment as helicopters, otherwise he would have immediately ordered the entire army of Dai Kingen to retreat.

…………

Lashio is an important center for military, political, economic and transportation in northern Shan State, as well as an important gateway to northern Myanmar. It is located on a small ridge in the upper valley of the Nam Ma River in the northeast of Mandalay, at an altitude of 860 meters. It is 289 kilometers from Mandalay and 185 kilometers from the Yunnan border of China.

As early as 1903, the Mandalay-Lashio railway was opened.

Therefore, together with Myitkyina, it is the two major strategic material transit stations and important bases for the US military to attack China's southwestern frontier.

After being attacked and lost at Myitkyina, MacArthur's urgent message quickly flew into the hands of the commander of the Lashio garrison.

Because it was closer to the Chinese border, the Anglo-American forces were left here with a little more troops than Myitkyina.

Garrisoned in the city of Lashio and at the railway station was a reinforced regiment of the US army, which had four infantry battalions and one air defense battalion.

After receiving MacArthur's urgent military order, the defenders brought in another battalion near Lashio.

The strength has been increased to six battalions, and in addition, the garrisons of Xingwei and Nandu are also being ordered to urgently assemble reinforcements in the direction of Lashio.

Therefore, it is unlikely that the Chinese army will be able to imagine that it will be as easy as capturing Myitkyina.

In Baoshan County and at the airport, Zhang Xinghua did not disagree with what Zhang Xinghua expected, because the flight speed of the helicopters did not require transport planes and fighters, and in addition, they were carrying out combat missions for the first time.

Pilots also don't dare to go too far in speeding. In case of unpredictable surprises.

It wasn't until six o'clock in the evening that the helicopter fleet arrived at Baoshan Airport belatedly.

While the helicopter replenished fuel and other supplies, Zhang Xinghua, Zhang Lingfu, Du Yuming, Tang Huaiyuan, and others gathered together to carry out emergency consultations.

"What should we do, flying at night must be difficult and dangerous, do we still want to let the army aviation unit take the risk of taking off to transport the third airborne regiment?" Zhang Xinghua looked at Zhang Lingfu and the others and asked.

Du Yuming frowned and said: "Myitkyina has been captured by our army, and it is impossible for the US army to strengthen the defense of the Lashio area, so it is impossible to easily capture this place."

But. If the U.S. military wants to send reinforcements from other regions to strengthen the garrison in the Lashio area, it will take time.

In other words, if we don't attack tonight, then after dawn tomorrow, the US reinforcements around Lashio may arrive.

Then, the difficulty of the attack will be greatly increased, and then the battle of Lashio may evolve into a real hard-fought battle. ”

"But is it possible to fly at night?" Zhang Lingfu looked at Zhang Xinghua inquiringly.

"At the moment, our helicopter is only the first in the world, and there are still many features that need to be improved. Strictly speaking, it does not have the ability to fly at night.

However, the Zero fighter has the ability to fly at night, but it is difficult to find the airborne location at night. Zhang Xinghua was a little embarrassed.

Zhang Lingfu pondered for a moment. Suddenly, he said: "Brother Xinghua, you see if this will work, your airborne troops are all good hands, and when they are ready to land, they will be ready to land." Have them hang ropes and shoot flares into the ground.

This can effectively avoid the signal flare being too high and being discovered by the enemy, and it can also be a good survey of whether the terrain below can land. ”

There was a pause. Zhang Lingfu said: "In other words, even if the U.S. military discovers our whereabouts, we are not afraid, because the U.S. military has already prepared, and our attack tonight will definitely be a strong attack."

However, even if it is a strong attack, it will be much easier than waiting for tomorrow when all the American reinforcements around Lashio arrive. ”

I saw Zhang Xinghua nodding and said: "Well, this is a good idea, so let's do it, in order to ensure the successful implementation of this airborne night attack, I decided to personally fly the fighter plane to escort and guide the way for the army aviation troops."

In addition, we should look for more suitable airborne sites and try to avoid being discovered by the US military, so as to achieve the effect of surprise attack and surprise attack, and increase our army's chances of victory as much as possible. ”

"Brother Xinghua, will it be too dangerous for you to go in person?" Zhang Lingfu said with some concern.

Zhang Xinghua waved his hand and said: "It's okay, with me, whether it is a fighter pilot or a soldier of the Army Aviation and Airborne Forces, it will be much more down-to-earth, and it can also boost their morale."

As for my personal safety, the generals don't have to worry about me, as a soldier, Zhang Xinghua is ready to sacrifice his life for the country at any time. ”

Zhang Lingfu, Du Yuming and others said in awe: "The general is well aware of righteousness and is really a model for my generation of soldiers. ”

Du Yuming even said: "Tomorrow's reinforcements Du Yuming will personally lead and lead a unit with Sun Liren to rush to Myitkyina and Lashio respectively, and swear to share weal and woe with the front-line soldiers and coexist in life and death!" ”

…………

Kunming City, Zhang Xinghan's temporary trip.

"Commission, General Zhang Lingfu called again, and they decided to take the risk of attacking Lashio at night." Guo Zhong handed a telegram to Zhang Xinghan, who was discussing the military situation with Jiang Baili, and reported.

After Zhang Xinghan took the telegram and read it, he nodded happily and said: "Lingfu and Xinghua, their decision is correct, although the danger of carrying out the airborne landing overnight has increased, it is not impossible to succeed.

In this way, it will be possible to launch an attack on Lashio before the US reinforcements arrive, and the US troops will inevitably think that our troops will not be able to land airborne at night, and relax their vigilance, and there is still a great possibility of success. ”

Jiang Baili said: "Commission, now that Myitkyina has been successful, Lashio is expected to have no problem, it is time to launch a counterattack against the US army, lest MacArthur come to his senses and desperately order the main force of the US army to flee in advance, so that it will be much more difficult for our army to pursue." ”

"Well, I have ordered Long Yun to mobilize the garrisons of the Yunnan Army to the Nujiang front, and Liu Xiang's Sichuan Army and the more than 200,000 Central Army led by Hu Zongnan are also advancing.

The entire assembly could be completed in a week at the latest. Zhang Xinghan nodded and said: "However, what you said is reasonable, in order to prevent the Americans from escaping in advance, after the battle of attacking Lashio began, I ordered Zhang Lingfu and Du Yuming to immediately command the troops to launch a small-scale counterattack against the American troops in Tengchong and Longling.

First of all, the main force of the Americans will be contained, and then we will talk about the pain. ”

After speaking, he waved his hand and motioned for Guo Zhong to go and generate electricity.

Guo Zhong bowed his head and left.

Zhang Xinghan turned around and looked at the night outside the window, walked to the window and looked at the starry sky and said to Jiang Baili: "I hope we can end this battle before the rainy season in northern Myanmar arrives, otherwise, once the heavy rain comes, the situation will have many unpredictable changes." ”

Jiang Baili walked over, also looked up at the starry sky, and muttered: "The Indochina Peninsula is mostly tropical rainforest, and the rainy season usually comes earlier than our country, and it is more frequent and longer.

We need to speed up the campaign, but God willing, it won't rain for nearly a month. ”

……

At Baoshan Airport, Zhang Xinghua has changed into a pilot suit, and Zhang Lingfu, Du Yuming, Tang Huaiyuan and others have personally practiced it for him.

"Brother, you must take care, General Du and General Tang and I are waiting here for your triumphant return!" Zhang Lingfu held Zhang Xinghua's hand with one hand and patted him on the shoulder with the other.

"Well, don't worry, brothers! Our army will win this battle! After Zhang Xinghua finished speaking, he turned around and took the lead in boarding the fighter.

The rest of the pilots also boarded the plane one after another, and the elite paratroopers of the 3rd Airborne Regiment also began to board one after another silently.

Not long after, the Zero fighter piloted by Zhang Xinghua was the first to successfully take off, and began to circle back and forth in the airspace above the airport, waiting for the assembly of his comrades.

Soon, the second, the third...... All fighter jets and helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps were lifted into the air one after another.

Zhang Xinghua piloted the fighter plane, led dozens of Zero fighters into a goose formation, protected all the helicopters behind him, and flew in the direction of Lashio.

In the dark night sky, Zhang Xinghua's fighter plane was at the forefront of the entire flight formation, like a leading goose, guiding the entire formation to fly silently in the dark night. (To be continued......)