Beiping, the headquarters of the North China Front. The newly appointed Lieutenant General Oshiroto Sanji hurriedly barged in and saluted: "Your Excellency, the Mongolian army has just sent a telegram saying that the 3rd Chariot Division was attacked by the Chinese Army in the paddock. ”

"Nani?" The acting commander, General Naosaburo Okabe, asked in surprise, "Oshiro-kun, have you been in contact with the 3rd Tank Division?" ”

Lieutenant General Ojodo Sanji nodded hurriedly and said, "Yes, Your Excellency! According to Lieutenant General Hideo Yamaji, the situation is very serious, and the two tank brigades under his command, as well as the motorized infantry wing and the motorized artillery wing, have lost contact......"

"Yaga!" Okabe Naosaburo said angrily: "A chariot division is in danger of being wiped out, and the commander of our dignified North China Front Army has not received any news in advance!" Why is this happening? Isn't there a little sign beforehand? What about the intelligence department, what about the military order department? When the matter was irreparable, I remembered to inform me, the commander, did I wipe your ass specifically? ”

The more Okabe Naosaburo spoke, the more angry he became, his arms fluttering wildly, sweeping all the things on the table to the ground, and the spit on his mouth sprayed Miji Oshido in the face. It's like a father who suddenly hears that his daughter, who is in high school, is pregnant. He was angry not only by the fact that his daughter was pregnant, but also because he didn't even know when his daughter was in the same place. This kind of blinded grievance made him more angry than the truth itself.

Oshito Sanji was full of shame, and when this kind of thing happened, the biggest responsibility was naturally him, the chief of staff. He glanced cautiously at Naosaburo Okabe. He explained in a low voice: "According to Lieutenant General Hideo Yamaji, before the war, he had discovered the anomaly of the Shina Army and reported it to the Mongolian army, and also received assistance from a flying squadron on the Kwantung Army side. However, the army stationed in Mongolia thought that the scale was too small, so they did not report it to us! ”

"Idiot!" Naosaburo Okabe scolded angrily: "Sooner or later, the future and fate of the empire will have to be buried in the hands of these self-righteous guys!" Too small? Well, what a brilliant irony of the Army! ”

Naosaburo Okabe felt his head blow up, so he had to walk around the room briskly to relieve his emotions. Suddenly, he turned around and slammed his fist on the wall, and scolded angrily: "Nanata Ichiro (commander of the Mongolian army) and Hideo Yamaji are two bastards. I won't let them go. I, I'm going to take them all to court-martial......"

Oshihiro Sanji hurriedly persuaded: "Your Excellency Commander, how to punish them is a matter of the future, now let's find a way to rescue the Third Division of the Chariot!" After all, the empire has only barely formed three chariot divisions until now. If something goes wrong......"

Naosaburo Okabe roared, "You also know that there are only three chariot divisions in the empire!" But now they are about to perish. What do we do to save it? What's more, the Chinese army there can even wipe out the 3rd Chariot Division. What if reinforcements are sent? Moths to the fire! ”

Dachenghu Sanzhi hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, the matter may not be so serious. According to the reports of several pilots of the Kwantung Army who escaped by chance, the 3rd Tank Division lost this time. Mainly because the Chinese army used a new type of anti-tank weapon this time, which is extremely powerful. If ......"

"Wait!" The perceptive Okabe Naosaburo suddenly interrupted: "Oshiro-kun, you just said that the Kwantung Army pilot escaped by luck, could it be that our aviation unit was also attacked by the Shina people?" ”

Ojo Sanji nodded awkwardly and said, "Yes, Your Excellency, this time the Chinese army not only brought powerful anti-aircraft artillery, but also dispatched fighters and bombers!" After a pause, he said: "The loss of Lu Hang is also very large!" ”

The Doolittle squadron that appeared in this battle brought not only a fleet of eight B25 bombers, but also twelve P38 "Lightning" fighters to escort it. These twelve fighters did not come easily.

Due to geographical reasons, the Second Theater of Operations has not been able to develop aviation units in the true sense of the word. Even if more than a dozen primitive helicopters were later obtained from Germany, as well as the Il-15 and Il-16 fighters obtained from the Soviet Union, they could not compete with the Japanese Fifth Air Regiment in North China. So the aviation units have always been in a state of training and air defense, and have not participated in real combat.

Zheng Huzi did not apply to the Military Commission, but first, there was a real shortage of aircraft on the battlefield in China, and second, due to well-known reasons, Chang Kaishen did not want to put limited air power in the second theater. It wasn't until after the Doolittle squadron landed in North China that it urgently needed fighter escorts, but Chang Kaishen just didn't agree. Whoever is persuaded will be in a hurry, and it is not easy for the Americans to speak. (Note: Historically, the chairman's attitude towards military aid is like this, not a single shot or bullet is allowed to be given to the Eighth Road, otherwise he will turn his face)

Originally, Zheng Weiguo wanted to ask the chairman for a few P40 fighters in a low voice, but fortunately, the Yankees had a lot of money, so they decided to directly allocate another 50 P38 "Lightning" fighters to Zheng Huzi. And together with the Doolittle squadron that had arrived in Jizhong before, as well as the dozens of B24s, the 16th Air Force of the U.S. Army was formed, with Doolittle as the commander.

Regardless of the fact that the P38 has a smaller sequence than the P40, in fact the performance of this fighter is much better than that of the P40, and it is claimed to be the first American fighter that can defeat the Zero.

Even better, the aircraft has a super endurance and can reach an astonishing 3,640 kilometers in the transport state, just enough to fly directly from Kamchatka to Jizhong. As a result, all of these planes flew at an altitude of 8,500 meters to avoid the interception of the Japanese planes, and soon all of them rushed to Jizhong.

However, what embarrassed Zheng Huzi was that there were planes, pilots, and weapons, but attendance could not be guaranteed. There is only one reason, and that is a lack of fuel.

Originally, under the cover of the Yumen Oilfield, Zheng Weiguo had secretly sent people to develop the Yanchang Oilfield, and now the oil used for vehicles, firearms, lighting, and even power generation in the Second War Zone all depend on this. However, the aircraft cannot be used directly.

Although airplanes in this era also burned gasoline, they used high-octane gasoline. This thing can't be easily refined, at least the chemical factories in Jizhong can't make it for the time being. The U.S. 14th Air Force in southwest China did have some aviation fuel, but they didn't have enough fuel for themselves. Second, even if there are too many, the chairman of the committee will not give it! Chennault has an excellent personal relationship with Chang Kaishen and his wife, and he will definitely not turn his face because of Zheng Huzi.

In desperation, Zheng Weiguo had no choice but to ask the US military B24 bomber to transport some fuel additives from Kamchatka, such as tetraethyl lead, and then mixed it into his own fuel, which finally barely met the requirements. However, the performance is still incomparable with the genuine brand of aviation fuel provided by the US military, and even if the US military provides additives, the quantity is not enough. As a result, there are now a lot of planes. Pilots are also a whole bunch. There are not many times when you can take to the air to fight, so you can only lie in the hangar and sleep.

Fortunately, the Japanese aviation units in North China were almost swept away, and the aviation units of the Central China Dispatch Army and the Kwantung Army could not be withdrawn for a while. Relying on a little "blended fuel" is enough to occupy air superiority, and a battle like this one is a complete victory.

Naosaburo Okabe learned that the aviation forces had also suffered a crushing defeat. The face is even more ugly. I couldn't help but ask, "Nani." Could it be that all the army and aviation forces of the empire have been defeated by the Chinese people? ”

Ojodo Sanji also felt sad. In this battle, a squadron of Japanese fighters, all Hayabusa fighters, were shot down four times. Five were damaged. None of the opponent's 8 B25s and 12 P38s were shot down. Since the Zero (Navy is Zero, the Army is Falcon, in fact, there is not much difference) fighters entered the war, it is the first time that the Japanese army has encountered such a disparity in scores.

Okabe Naosaburo sighed and said, "Maybe the pilots of the empire are too light!" ”

Oshiroto Sanji also sighed, but did not speak.

In fact, pride is only one of the reasons, and it is not even the main reason. The main reason for the crushing defeat of the Japanese army was that the equipment and pilots were not comparable to the American troops who participated in the war.

In terms of equipment, the U.S. military is the P38 "Lightning", and the Japanese army is the Falcon type, and the U.S. military is slightly superior; In terms of personnel, the US military can fly all the way from Kamchatka Peninsula to Jizhong, and they are all first-class flying masters, while the elite pilots of the Japanese Army Aviation have all gone to the front line to compete with the Soviet and US forces, and those who remain are rookies, and they are not opponents of the US military at all.

After a moment of silence, Naosaburo Okabe asked again: "Oshiro-kun, what you just said if, is there still a turn for the better?" ”

Ojo Sanji hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, Commander, no matter how slim the hope is, we should give it a try. I think that the Chinese army has mostly taken advantage of that new weapon, and its strength has not swelled to the point where our army cannot match. ”

Naosaburo Okabe nodded and said, "Maybe!" But what's the use of that? Now that there is only one division headquarters left in the 3rd Tank Division, how long can it last? Without two days, reinforcements simply could not arrive! ”

Ojodo Sanji hesitated for a moment and said: "Your Excellency, my idea is that since the division headquarters of the 3rd Chariot Division is still there, it cannot be said that they have been annihilated, we can order them to move to Chifeng first to hold on, and then we will gather the main force of the front army and the troops stationed in Mongolia to support ......"

Okabe Naosaburo interrupted unhappily: "By the time we arrived, the Shina people would have already withdrawn!" ”

Oshiroto Sanji insisted: "But they can't remove those damaged chariots!" ”

Naosaburo Okabe finally understood what Chief of Staff Miharu Oshirodo meant. As long as Hideo Yamaji led the division headquarters to escape to Chifeng, then they could report to the base camp that this army had broken out of the encirclement, and it could even be said that they were still insisting on fighting, and it was impossible for the base camp to send someone to verify it right away anyway.

Then the North China Front could take advantage of this "time difference" to repel the Chinese troops in the area of the paddock and retrieve the remains of those chariots. It's best if it can be repaired, but it doesn't matter if it can't be repaired, at least the thing is still in hand, and it looks better on the face.

Naosaburo Okabe smiled bitterly: "In the past, when His Excellency Terauchi Shouichi was the commander, I always thought that he did not do well! I didn't expect that when it was my turn, I would do even worse than him, and I would do something to deceive the base camp! ”

"Your Excellency!"

Okabe Naosaburo waved his hand and said, "Oshiro-kun, I understand your good intentions, so I will do as you say!" In any case, we can't let the people of China completely annihilate the 3rd Tank Division! ”

"The 27th Division, the 35th Division, the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade, the 4th Cavalry Brigade, and the artillery units directly under the Front Army were ordered to immediately begin assembling. This time, presumably, the Chinese army will not hide in the ravine again, and we will fight them to the death to see who is the real master of North China! ”

"Hello!"

……

After receiving the order, the commander of the Shan Lu Xiu male division didn't say a word, and immediately led his troops to launch a thousand-mile escape. He didn't want the 3rd Tank Division to be destroyed. I was even more reluctant to die.

Hideo Yamaji now has only one search team directly under the division in his hands, with a total strength of about 700 people, 2 squadrons of light tanks, 1 squadron of medium tanks, and 1 squadron of vehicle infantry.

As for the logistics troops, they can only be thrown away, and if the Chinese army does not attack the county town of Weichang, they may survive. Hideo Yamaji glanced back and finally gave the order to go.

The Japanese army was an all-mechanized march at an extremely fast speed. And the Chinese army did not expect that the Japanese army would turn around and run. As a result, by the time Commander-in-Chief He Zhuguo received the news, the Japanese army was already thirty miles away.

"Alas, alas!" He Zhuguo said with annoyance: "This mountain road show man is really a cunning guy, this time he is lucky!" ”

"Commander-in-Chief. Then we won't chase it? ”

Commander-in-Chief He said angrily: "We don't have mechanized troops on our hands. There were also no troops lurking in the Chifeng direction. How can you chase it? ”

"Alas, it's really unwilling to let the little devil run away at this time in the battle!"

"Commander-in-Chief. Why don't you let us go! ”

It was Zhang Zhankui, commander of the Third Division of the newly formed cavalry, who spoke.

He Zhuguo hesitated, shook his head and said, "Cavalry chasing tanks? Forget it, don't make any extraneous branches, our harvest in this battle is big enough! ”

"Commander-in-Chief!" Division Commander Zhang hurriedly said: "What a rare fighter this time! If you let the little devil escape to Chifeng, I am afraid that it will be a tiger into the forest, and there will be endless disasters! ”

The chief of staff was also a little moved when he heard this, so he persuaded: "Commander-in-chief, why don't you let Division Commander Zhang and them try?" Even if we can't catch up, we will scare the little devil's guts, so that we can carry out operations in Inner Mongolia. ”

"Uh, okay!" Commander-in-Chief He finally agreed, saying: "But the anti-tank rockets are almost running out, and the road to Chifeng is not safe, you should be more careful!" ”

Master Zhang was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Thank you Commander-in-Chief for success!" Then he rejoiced and went back to take orders.

"The Eighth Regiment is responsible for the pursuit, the Seventh Regiment is responsible for the detour, and the Ninth Regiment and the logistics unit remain in the camp on standby!" Division Commander Zhang was an anxious man, and he quickly deployed it after returning home, and personally led his troops in pursuit.

"Don't let go of the little devil's division commander!"

"Drive, drive! Catch up with the back! ”

As soon as the soldiers heard that they were going to chase the commander of the Japanese division who had escaped, they immediately became interested. They all hurried and chased in the direction of the Japanese army's escape. The war horse was also in high spirits, and its four hooves were as anxious as drumming.

In September, the grassland is still a scene of green grass and red flowers. After the Japanese armored forces passed, the deep rut left it with nothing to hide. Soon, the vanguard company of the 8th Cavalry Regiment had seen the dust stirred up by the Japanese tanks in front. Of course, the Japanese also discovered the arrival of the pursuers.

"Report to the commander of the division, the rear has found the cavalry of the Chinese people! There are many people, estimated at about 1,000 people! ”

"Nani?" When Lieutenant General Hideo Yamaji heard this, he immediately became angry and said angrily: "Baga, do you think that the people of China don't even fight cavalry?" Fukushima-kun, lead your subordinates to kill me back! ”

"Hello!" The captain of the divisional search team, Fukushima Shizaburo Nakasa, immediately ordered: "The medium tank squadron and the car squadron continue to escort the division headquarters north, and the two light tank squadrons will attack with me!" ”

"No!" Hideo Yamaji refused: "I will personally stay and watch you achieve victory!" ”

Shizaburo Fukushima did not persuade much, and immediately gave the order to attack.

"Kill, give!"

Two squadrons of light tanks, a total of twenty-four Type 95 light tanks, immediately turned around and rushed towards the pursuers. In Fukushima Shizaburo Nakasa's opinion, against the cavalry, these light chariots were enough.

"The companies disperse immediately!"

Ma Renxing, the commander of the 8th Regiment, soon discovered the movement of the Japanese army and immediately dispersed his troops. Part of the cavalry quietly jumped down and lurked in the grass with a handful of anti-tank bazookas.

Fukushima Shizaburo Nakasa led his troops to chase after him, but found that the cavalry had already fled, and couldn't help but be disappointed, muttering: "I thought that the people of Shina were so powerful, it turned out that it was the same as before, and they only knew how to escape......"

Rumble! Before he finished speaking, Fukushima felt a sudden shock to his body, and his mind suddenly became chaotic.

"Damn, what just happened?"

The commander cried: "Captain, we have been hit by the mysterious weapon of the Shina people, and the chariot has lost control!" ”

"Quick, jump out of the car!"

They hurriedly jumped out of the car in Fukushima, and the Chinese troops outside were lying on the ground and shooting at the Japanese tank. Anti-tank rockets are constantly whizzing in the air, in addition to a large number of anti-tank grenades and anti-tank grenades, which can be described as suitable for both near and far.

Two squadrons of light tanks of the Japanese search team soon fell into disarray. Hideo Yamaji and the others also discovered the anomaly here, and hurriedly led the rest of the chariots to come for reinforcements. However, in this kind of melee, the number of tanks is not of much use, but only the addition of some live targets.

"Your Excellency the Division Commander, you quickly retreat!" Fukushima Shizaburo Nakasa picked up a submachine gun and fired a fierce shot, which was the only southern submachine gun in the chariot unit, but the performance was mediocre, and it posed almost no threat to the officers and men of the 8th Regiment.

However, Fukushima's goal was not to counterattack, but to attract the attention of the Chinese army, so that Hideo Yamaji and his team could take advantage of the chaos to escape. Rumble! A 60 shell flew suddenly, and Fukushima was quickly blown to the ground.

"Division Commander, Run......"

"Damn it!" Hideo Yamaji angrily hammered on the car window, and finally realized that there was nothing to do, and ordered: "Withdraw!" Don't stop along the way, drive all the way to Chifeng! ”

"Hello!"

……

However, the Chinese army did not intend to let them go. Commander Ma Renxing left a platoon to take care of the wounded, clean up the field, and then led the rest of the cavalry to chase after him.

Hideo Yamaji was taken aback, and quickly ordered the chariot infantry squadron to stay behind to block the attack.

Regiment Commander Ma Renxing sneered and shouted: "The first battalion stays and drags this devil, and the second battalion and the third battalion will continue to pursue with me!" ”

So the soldiers of the first battalion quickly dismounted and fought, pestering the more than 100 devils. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions relied on the advantage of strong mobility to make a big circle and catch up with the Japanese again.

By this time, the Japanese army had only fifteen tanks left.

"Quick, catch up, don't let the little devil run away!" (To be continued......)

PS: Thank you very much for the monthly ticket voted by 123456789ass and dai157760, and thank you very much for the reward of the fishing stone. Sure enough, writing with heart is always the most popular, thank you for your support!