Ouyang Jian and Stilwell inspected the Xiaoshan Air Base in Fujian Province for less than three days when they suddenly received a summons from Lao Jiang and hurried back to Chongqing. Military jeeps whizz directly from the airport into the city and stopped in front of the Ministry of Defense building. At this time, Lao Jiang made an exception and stood in front of the door with a solemn expression. Ouyang Jian got out of the car and stepped forward to ask, "Headmaster, what happened, urgently recall us." Lao Jiang waved his hand and waited for Stilwell to approach and said: "The situation has changed, and the United States has called to request the 14th Air Force to transfer the main air team to support the Burma operation!" ”

Ouyang Jian translated it in English, and Stilwell's expression changed dramatically and he hurriedly walked into the building. In the command and operations hall, Minister of Military Affairs He Yingqin handed over a telegram from the US High Command to Stilwell. Stilwell's face was extremely ugly, and the content of the telegram was: In order to coordinate the South Asian operation, his Burma counteroffensive was advanced, and in order to cooperate with the Chinese Expeditionary Force, the US 14th Air Force was ordered to transfer half of its combat aircraft to support the Burma operation. The Burma counteroffensive was personally commanded by General Stilwell. Genus name, President Roosevelt.

"How can this be reasonable, the arrow is already on the string, and the sudden change in the battle plan has disrupted our entire military deployment." Old Jiang said angrily.

"General Stilwell, this must be the ghost behind the British, the purpose of the British is to use the expeditionary force to launch a counteroffensive first, and their calculations are very good! It was also the idea of the British side to let you personally command. Stilwell said with some frustration: "The president personally issued the order, and it cannot be changed." But the British are not cold to me, why did they suddenly change sex! "It is not difficult to understand this, at the moment your prestige is the first choice, and you are also the best person to command the expeditionary force, although the British do not like you, but they will not be ambiguous in the face of interests."

"General Ouyang, it is the duty of a soldier to obey orders, and I must obey them unconditionally. It seems that the operational plan for seizing control in the Chinese battlefield has to be postponed, "General Stilwell, it cannot be postponed, and I have decided that the air battle on the Jiangxi side will be dominated by the Eighth Route Army Flying Regiment, and the operational plan for seizing air supremacy will be carried out as scheduled." "General Ouyang is very courageous, I support you. If you have any difficulties, please ask us and I will help. ”

"I demand that the US side ensure the loss of fighters and the formation of a bomber fleet of the Eighth Route Army." Ouyang Jian took the opportunity to put forward conditions.

This is not an opportunity, Ouyang Jian can't let the opportunity slip away. "There are no problems, no one will object to the counteroffensive. However, the pilots left behind by the 14th Air Corps are basically rookies, and they lack actual combat experience, so they can only rely on the Eighth Route Army Flying Regiment. "General Stilwell, please rest assured that the pilots of the Eighth Route Army are fighting for the country, and their will to fight is beyond doubt." On the same day, Stilwell contacted China, and the United States praised the bravery of the Eighth Route Army and pledged to fully support the operation.

This alone proves that this is entirely the work of the British. Nowadays, the British also saw the decline of the Japanese army, so it was imperative to use the expeditionary force for their own benefit.

Stilwell then gave Chennault an order to move the main force of the 14th Air Force to Burma, and Stilwell also went to Burma to take up his post. Ouyang Jian hurried to Ruijin after discussing with Lao Jiang. In the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army, Runzhi listened to Ouyang Jianyu's report: "Maybe this is a bad thing to turn into a good thing, our Eighth Route Army Air Force takes this opportunity not only to fight independently, but also to improve our air force system in air combat, isn't it a good thing that this is difficult?" Comrades, good luck can't be stopped! Runzhi's witty conversation amused everyone.

Zhu Dedao: "It turned out that we were fighting with the US Air Force, and it was indeed a bit unexpected that the supporting role suddenly became the protagonist. The President is right, and this is a great opportunity for us to exercise. "Brother Ouyang! It's up to you to command the air battles, and you need to be in charge of it yourself. Peng Dehuai suggested. Ouyang Jian did not give in and said: "How to play the prestige of our Eighth Route Army Aviation and become famous in a war, you need to plan well!" "I'm afraid you've already made up your mind!" "It turns out that we are cooperating with each other, and the role reversal combat mode must be changed."

Peng Dehuai continued: "I have ordered the guerrillas and underground organizations in the Songhu and Nanjing areas to prepare and make every effort to rescue the pilots, and at the same time capture the Japanese pilots, so that Okamura's plan for Ningji will be frustrated. "I suggest that the special operations units enter the enemy-occupied areas to participate in rescue operations, and fighting will inevitably break out between the rescue and counter-rescue forces on both sides, and we must send combat detachments with strong combat effectiveness to assist the guerrillas and underground organizations and do a good job in the rescue work." "What Chief of General Staff Ouyang said makes sense, I agree!" "I don't have an opinion either!"

Seeing that everyone was eager to fight, Runzhi changed the topic and said, "When will the people who came back from the United States arrive?" "Depending on their itinerary, they arrived in late February or early March, and at the moment they are in the Indian Ocean. I have already greeted Admiral Stilwell, and as soon as the fleet arrives in Karachi, the US military aircraft will give priority to sending them to Dihua. "This time, you can't withdraw from the command, I think let Enlai go to Dihua to pick them up, and you and Enlai will explain the specific work!" Ouyang Jian nodded. "I still have something for you to study!" Runzhi finished speaking and left.

Ouyang Jian stayed in Ruijin for 3 days, and then went to Xiaoshan Air Base. The transport plane landed on the No. 1 Dongku runway, and on the side of the apron, the base commander Zhang Yourong and Major William, the remaining unit of the 14th Air Corps of the US Army, picked up the plane. Everyone exchanged pleasantries, and then walked towards the cave headquarters. In the headquarters of the cave library, Ouyang Jian said with a majestic expression: "The headquarters has decided that the plan for seizing air supremacy will remain unchanged, and the battle plan will be officially implemented on March 1, and the battle plan will be codenamed "Eagle"!"

"Zhang Yourong!" "Here!" "In the first stage of air warfare, US pilots will not participate in the war for the time being, mainly pilots of the Eighth Route Army, and you must mobilize all aviation forces to fight!" "Yes! I've been looking forward to this day for a long time. "Zhang Yourong listened to the eyebrows flying." Major William, I hope that the pilots of the Eighth Route Army will become familiar with the bombers as soon as possible, and I hope that you will fully cooperate! "Don't let the rookies left behind go into battle, why not, Major William said: "General Ouyang, General Stilwell has explained, I will do my best." Guaranteed to keep you satisfied! ”

In the following days, the motors roared at the airfield, and the pilots of the Eighth Route Army, under the guidance of the US pilots, seized the time to familiarize themselves with the take-off and landing of the bombers. Due to the large payload of the bomber and the long taxiing distance, there is a difference between take-off and landing on a fighter. On this day, Ouyang Jian was learning about the training situation, and Zhang Yourong walked in with a flight suit. "Report to the Chief of the General Staff, according to your order, I will requisition all pilots who can fly to the base. The current deployment is: Xiaoshan Air Base, deploying two fighter groups and forming two bomber squadrons. ”

"The two fighter groups at the Xiaoshan base are the main combat forces. In addition, two flight squadrons were deployed at Jiujiang Airport, two flight squadrons were deployed at Nanchang Airport, one flight squadron was deployed at Jingdezhen Frontline Airport, and two flight squadrons were deployed at Ruijin Airport. Depending on the situation, these flying squadrons can support the operation at any time. In addition, two flight squadrons were deployed in Fuzhou to intercept an attack by enemy planes from the Taiwan side. The Qiliping alternate airfield on the northwest side of the base has been improved, and if the cave warehouse is bombed, the fighter can land at the alternate airfield! ”

Ouyang Jian nodded and said, "Details determine success or failure, you have to personally check the readiness of each airport." Okamura Ninji has a lot of brains and has already sniffed out that we are going to carry out a large-scale air attack. According to intelligence, the Japanese army has increased its air force at Nanjing, Shanghai and other airfields, and the Taiwan side has also increased its army aviation fleet. In addition, the Japanese army continued to draw army aviation teams from the northeast and the mainland, and this aerial combat will be the most brutal contest on the Chinese battlefield. ”

After Zhang Yourong left, Ouyang Jian once again fell into contemplation over the strength of the enemy and himself. According to intelligence, the Japanese army requisitioned 6 Zero teams from the mainland and were the main opponents in this air battle. Since the Zero Sentai was recruited from the Japanese mainland, it was difficult to obtain internal information. Knowing that he was invincible in a hundred battles added uncertainty to the upcoming aerial battle, and for this, Ouyang Jian's self-confidence was challenged.

The base headquarters is located in the upper part of the cavern, and the cliff is well lit. At this time, Ouyang Jian stood in front of the circular window and looked out, below was the straight runway, flanked by anti-aircraft artillery positions, and the anti-aircraft gun barrels pointed obliquely at the sky vigilantly guarding this airspace. An American-style military jeep sped along the runway and stopped at the gate of the cave. A fierce general got out of the car and showed his ID to the guards, and then strode into the cave. Seeing the familiar figure, a smile appeared at the corner of Ouyang Jian's mouth.

"Report to the Chief of the General Staff, Special Forces Commander Mu Shixiong came to report, please instruct!" "Haha! Brother Mu, no outsider doesn't have to sit down! After the guard put the tea on the table and retreated, Ouyang Jian asked, "How is your situation?" "According to the instructions of the headquarters, 300 people were transferred to the special operations regiment to form 30 squads, and each detachment was equipped with a radio station for all 30 people. At present, under the leadership of Hao Yi, commander of the special operations regiment, all detachments have secretly drawn out to enemy-occupied areas. ”

Ouyang Jian nodded with satisfaction and said, "Let your special operations regiment send an elite squad to assist the local guerrillas and underground organizations, and the task is to rescue the pilots with all their might." Okamura Ninji is not a dry eater, and will also send troops to rescue the pilots. This is a very difficult task for you. The next air battle was very tragic, and whether we could save a large number of pilots in the process of fighting with the Japanese army was the focus of ensuring the victory of the air battle. In other words, whether or not we can seize air supremacy and create conditions for a major counteroffensive is of great importance to the contest in the air. ”

"Chief of the General Staff, you let me sit in command at Xiaoshan Air Base!" "Yes, I ask your command radio station to be sure to maintain 24-hour contact with the various squads, and I want to keep abreast of the situation of the pilot's rescue. I want the rescued pilots to be sent back as quickly as possible. I have already telegraphed Su Yu and He Long to ask their front-line troops to organize their response. Mu Shixiong said with a solemn expression: "I understand that we must ensure that the situation of the rescue in the enemy-occupied area will be fed back in a timely manner, and the pilot must be saved at all costs." ”

"Your command position is next door to mine, and the radio and personnel have already cooperated. In addition, 10 excellent deciphering experts were recruited from the Jiujiang base to understand and grasp the movements of the Japanese army, which was equally important for achieving victory in air combat. Brother Mu, you go and get acquainted, I'll pick up the wind and wash the dust for you at night! Mu Shixiong entered the next room, and an operational staff officer walked in and said, "Report, the 1st and 2nd Fighter Brigades, the team leader and the squadron leaders are waiting outside!" "Let them in!"