Petropavlovsk, the capital of Kamchatka. In fact, it has long since turned into a sprawling construction site. Whew...... The roar of the motor is constant, and from time to time you can see all kinds of construction vehicles passing by, which makes the originally quiet town suddenly become lively.

According to the requirements of the US military, several large and medium-sized airfields and docks for aircraft carriers will be built here. Of course, there must also be regular and magnificent fortifications, including mine nets. There is no way, the Yankees fight like this, there are no airports and docks, it is an American-style war.

"General Marshall, I didn't expect you to come to inspect it in person, it's really not an honor."

"Zhao, it's also my honor to witness the miracle you have created!"

Chief of Staff Zhao was accompanying a Yankee named Marshall to inspect the war preparations at the port.

There are many people named Marshall, but this man's full name is George. Catlett. Marshall, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, is China's equivalent of chief of staff. Previously, the US side had revealed that an important figure would come to Petropavlovsk for inspection, but no one expected such a big man to come, and even Chief of Staff Zhao Jiaxiang was taken aback.

Traditionally, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the president's strategic adviser, and he gives orders on behalf of the president on all major and minor military matters. For example, Marshall's staff officers alone are as high as more than 300 people, and they are the real command core of the US military. What is a character like this, not staying in Washington, running to remote Kamchatka for what?

General Marshall laughed, "No way, I have to come here." Because this is related to the future strategy of the United States. ”

From the summer of 1924 to the late spring of 1927, Marshall served as the chief staff officer of the 15th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army in Tianjin, and was later promoted to deputy commander, so his Chinese was not bad and he was able to communicate directly with the Chinese generals.

Historically, General Marshall was a staunch European-Asian, and this was in the interests of the United States, so there was no opposition in the United States. But now history has changed, and controversy has begun to arise within the U.S. military.

The opposition believes that Germany is now strong. Don't try to defeat it anytime soon. If it drags on too long in Europe. After Japan has thoroughly digested the resources of Southeast Asia, it will become a new Germany. Moreover, with the opening of land transportation, the strength of Germany and Japan will be further enhanced after the complementary advantages of science and technology and industry. When the time comes, Germany will not be wiped out. Japan has taken advantage of the opportunity to grow again.

Once it has come to this point. The United States will change from encircling the world to being surrounded by the world. The disaster of the destruction of the country will not be a lie. So a way out must be found. After some rigorous and cautious analysis and deduction, the US national think tank unanimously agreed that the proposal of the "Chinese general" was the most sound. That is, to seize Kamchatka in the shortest possible time, and then directly take out Japan with B24 and B25 bombers. The vast majority of Japan's industry is homegrown. Once destroyed, there will be no more capital to compete with the US military.

The B24 "Liberator" was a four-engine long-range bomber with a range of up to 5,152 km (2,300 miles, or 3,700 km with 5,000 pounds of bombs), while from Petropavlovsk to Hokkaido, Japan, was just over 1,600 km, to the island of Honshu was only 2,000 km, and to Tokyo was only 2,500 km. So once the Allies were able to gain a foothold in Kamchatka, the vast majority of Japan mainland would be in the shadow of the "liberators".

"And ......," Chief of Staff Zhao said, "we can also have planes take off from Kamchatka, bomb Japan, and then land in North China." ”

This is similar to the approach used in the Doolittle bombing, and the land-based B24 takes off much farther and safer than the B25 from an aircraft carrier. Even Japan's westernmost island of Kyushu will be spared, with cloudburst bombs blasting the shipyards and shipyards there.

General Marshall nodded appreciatively and said with a smile: "It's not enough to have North China alone, it would be even better if we could add Northeast China!" ”

Chief of Staff Zhao hurriedly said: "Please rest assured General Marshall, our second theater is planning an operation to the northeast." It would be even better if you could get air support from your army at that time! ”

With the strength of the Second World War Zone, it is okay to fight against the North China Front, but it will be very difficult if the Kwantung Army is added, and this is still a situation where the Kwantung Army is largely pinned down in Siberia. If the Japanese army returns to the northeast in large numbers, it is afraid that there will be a few more vicious battles, so the whole world in the second war zone hopes that the US bombers can directly provide air support.

General Marshall shrugged and said, "If you can get the airport and the dock to be completed ahead of schedule, I think of course there will be no problem." ”

It is about 2,500 kilometers from Petropavlovsk to Harbin, 2,700 kilometers to Changchun, 3,000 kilometers to Shenyang, and 3,400 kilometers to Dalian, all of which are within the range of B24 bombers. With the deep pockets of the US military, of course, there is no problem with this.

Chief of Staff Zhao was overjoyed and said with a smile: "That's great, General Marshall, I think the next scene will definitely interest you." ”

The two walked as they talked, and soon came to a dock that was being expanded. Thousands of warriors were working bareless, shouting trumpets, and working hard in the mud. Obviously, this marina is about to be completed. Marshall was worried about the quality at first, but after a closer look, it was definitely built to the highest standards.

It was previously an important port for the Pacific Fleet of the USSR, and it was not a problem to be able to moor heavy cruisers, and barely to accommodate an aircraft carrier. But in view of the problems of unloading and defense, it must be remodified, so the officers and men of a battalion here are working day and night in order to be able to come in handy before the counteroffensive in the northeast.

Marshall watched from the dockside for a long time, was shocked, and said, "Allow me to pay tribute to the soldiers, the pace of construction is unimaginable in the United States. ”

Chief of Staff Zhao proudly said: "They are the best soldiers in China!" ”

Marshall agreed: "I very much agree with you, that the fact that they could travel thousands of miles from China to Kamchatka speaks for themselves. It's a pity. They were supposed to be on the battlefield, not on the construction site. ”

Chief of Staff Zhao objected: "No, this is our battlefield!" ”

Marshall was stunned for a moment, and then said: "You are right, maybe the value of a soldier can be better reflected here." ”

"General, please!"

"Please!"

The two changed into a jeep and headed inland along a dirt road that had just been repaired. Along the way, you can still see broken bricks and tiles, which are traces of recent battles. As can be seen from the scratches of various shrapnel, that battle was not loose. In fact, too, the Japanese put up extremely stubborn resistance in Petropavlovsk. Fortunately, they did not have many troops, and they did not have time to strengthen the fortifications. After a bloody battle. This most important port has finally changed hands.

Marshall looked out the window from time to time and asked curiously, "Zhao, where are we going?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhao smiled: "Of course it's the airport!" ”

"Far away?"

"Well, we're going to Airport One. It is also the largest airport we have built so far. It is thirty kilometers from the marina. ”

In fact, there is a small airport near the pier. It is used for aircraft assembly and transfer. There, fifty Wildcat fighters were assembled and ready to take to the skies for combat. Furthermore. There were also three B24 long-range bombers, on which Marshall they came from planes directly from Alaska.

However, the location is narrow, there are too few runways, and it is too close to the shore. Considering the threat of Japanese naval guns (the Japanese Navy may counterattack at any time), Chief of Staff Zhao, at the suggestion of the US staff officers, built several new airfields, among which the combat field prepared for B24 long-range bombers was located inland on the peninsula, which was convenient for guarding.

Marshall praised: "Oh, Zhao, you are very thoughtful! ”

Chief of Staff Zhao smiled slightly and said, "It's nothing, we are fighting in the motherland!" ”

Marshall humorously said, "Me too!" ”

Soon, the location of the airport arrived. When Marshall got out of the car, he saw a large wasteland full of weeds.

"Zhao, hasn't there been construction here yet?" Marshall shrugged his shoulders a little disappointed and said helplessly: "If that's the case, I'm afraid the military won't agree to bring the B24 long-range bomber over." Of course, I know your difficulties, maybe I should ask the logistics department to bring in more engineering vehicles! ”

Chief of Staff Zhao smiled: "If you can have some more engineering vehicles, it will be great!" In that case, we can build more airports! But before that, please take a look at the gifts we have prepared for you. As he spoke, he picked up a clump of weeds with his hands.

Marshall realized that the weeds were a little strange, and when he squatted down to take a look, he realized that these weeds were just camouflage, and the cement runway had already been paved underneath. This made Marshall very happy, and of course, he was even happier - in the nearby mountains, many hidden hangars had been repaired to protect the planes from freezing in the bitter cold. This shows the importance that the Chinese military attaches to the US Army Aviation and its serious attitude towards the war.

General Marshall was busy with business and flew back early the next morning. However, after this trip, US assistance to Kamchatka and the Northern Front increased significantly. It seems that there will indeed be a major adjustment in the US strategy.

It didn't take long for a large number of B24 bombers to begin direct flights from the U.S. airfield in Alaska. A full 50 of them, organized into a flying group (16 in one squadron, three squadrons, and then two in reserve).

Thirty more fast merchant ships arrived in Petropavlovsk escorted by one battleship, two heavy cruisers, four destroyers and various auxiliary vessels. The supplies on these ships greatly increased Kamchatka's combat capability.

However, of course, such a big operation could not hide from the Japanese army. Originally, the Japanese army and navy were still arguing, but at this time they both realized that things were not good.

Prime Minister Hideki Tojo scolded the officials in charge of intelligence and the military in the Far East. But in fact, the blame lies not with them, but with the Cabinet itself. And until now, the Japanese base camp did not believe that the Chinese army had reached Kamchatka, knowing that it was nothing more than a rout of some Chinese and G volunteers and the Soviet Union in the Far East.

At present, the war in Siberia is going very well, and if it continues like this, it will be possible for the Kwantung Army to join forces with the German army in Siberia in less than two months, and achieve "immortal" feats. So the army, especially the Kwantung Army, did not want to focus on a place like Kamchatka.

The Japanese Navy was also reluctant to send ships north, and they were busy fighting fierce battles with American troops in places like New Guinea. Every ship can come in handy. Moreover, the number of their ships is far inferior to that of the US military, and if too many ships are transferred, it will undoubtedly affect the battlefield initiative that they have finally obtained.

If it is left behind, it is estimated that no matter how much we negotiate, there will be no result. However, the current Minister of the Navy, Shigetaro Shimada, is an outlier in the Japanese Navy, and is very supportive of Hideki Tojo (note that, it is Tojo, not the Army), and is ridiculed by the Navy as "Tojo's Adjutant", so after some heated arguments, the Navy finally compromises. It was decided to send a detachment to the north. Cooperate with the army to completely occupy Kamchatka and the areas further north, and cut off the possible "US-Soviet ties".

As soon as the navy compromised, the Kwantung Army had no excuse to delay, so an agreement was finally reached. It was decided that the Kwantung Army would send an elite mixed brigade to launch a landing operation against Kamchatka.

But before the Japanese army could make a move. Zheng Huzi preemptively showed his sword.

It was originally planned to use eastern Hebei as a breakthrough. But the battle was the first to start in the Jinnan area. At that time, the North China Front may have also noticed some changes, so it accelerated the pace of strategic contraction.

The 37th Division of the Japanese Army stationed in Yuncheng had just gathered its troops and was preparing to move north. The 5th Group Army of Zhongtiao Mountain in front of him immediately pressed up under the command of Zhang Wenbai. The reorganized 3rd Army assaulted from the front. The Japanese were bitten to the death, and the 9th and 15th armies were quickly outflanked from both flanks.

The 5th Army still had many old problems, such as not being good at attacking, but they had a total of ten divisions with nearly 150,000 troops, ten times that of the 37th Division of the Japanese Army. Although the combat effectiveness of the Japanese army is much stronger than that of the national army, it is only 3 times the appearance, and even if it doubles the advantage of defense, it is only 6 times, so the overall combat strength is not comparable to the national army.

In addition, the 5th Army's training during this period was still fruitful, and its logistics were greatly improved, while the Japanese army was in a sharp decline, and there was a serious shortage of food, food, and ammunition, so the 5th Army soon gained the upper hand.

The three main wings of the 37th Division were all held back by the Chinese army and could not get rid of it at all. In desperation, he had to ask for help from the 41st Division stationed in Linfen. The 41st Division was also a very evil unit, and in addition to the mountain artillery unit, there was also a temporary field heavy artillery wing with 16 Type 92 105mm cannons. This kind of artillery has an extremely long range and was originally used against the First Theater on the south bank of the Yellow River.

Historically, the Japanese army had put this kind of artillery on the Fenglingdu and bombarded it in the direction of Tongguan. However, in this time and space, under the advice of Zheng Huzi, the national army had already moved the Longhai line south, and the Japanese army could not reach it if they wanted to bomb, so they simply withdrew to Linfen to protect Taiyuan.

Of the armies in North China, only the field heavy artillery brigade in Suiyuan and the field heavy artillery brigade in Jizhong could compete with this field heavy artillery wing, and the rest of the troops had to retreat, so the Japanese 41st Division was also very arrogant. However, this time they finally kicked the iron plate.

At the foot of a hill south of Linfen, a small group of soldiers in gilly suits were keeping a close eye on the movement below. Soon, the road ahead was dusty.

"Look, the Japanese convoy!"

"Look closely and see if there are any 105mm cannons!"

"Report to the captain, 105 mm cannons were found, a total of sixteen, the intelligence matches!"

"Okay, notify the air team, start the action immediately!"

……

The troops of the 41st Division continued to move south, unaware of the fact that great chaos was coming. Suddenly, there was a violent roar in the clouds.

"What sound?"

"Nani?"

……

The Japanese soldiers looked up at the sky one after another, and before the Japanese could react, two B25 bombers had already come out of the clouds and rushed straight to the convoy!

"Not good, air strikes by enemy aircraft, quickly, prepare for air defense operations!"

It seems that this field heavy artillery wing is also an old unit, and it did not panic too much in the face of the sudden air attack, but carried out air defense operations in an orderly manner. However, in the face of the bombing of the B25, any resistance was futile, because the planes carried bombshells and cloudburst bombs specially developed by the Ping'an County Arsenal.

Rumble! Due to problems in bomb technology and bomb delivery training, the first bombshell was missed, but the strong air wave still made the Japanese army feel extremely frightened.

Boom Boom Boom ...... Bombs were dropped one after another, and the US crew members gradually figured out how to throw these bombs. The pilots selected by Doolittle Squadron are the best in the US Army Aviation and have extremely superb flying skills. The 41st Division can meet them, which can be regarded as a double face.

Finally, the bombs were dropped, the Japanese convoy was completely engulfed in gunsmoke, and the two bombers proudly circled in the air before starting to return.

While these two planes bombarded the Japanese heavy artillery units, the other 14 bombers also separately carried out air raids on airfields in Tianjin, Taiyuan, Beiping, Shijiazhuang, and other places. This was the first appearance of Doolittle Squadron after hiding in Jizhong. Originally, it was intended to weaken and intimidate the opponent, but unexpectedly, the effect was surprisingly good, and the Japanese Fifth Air Force in North China, except for more than a dozen planes deployed in Zhangjiakou and Jinan, was bombed at the airfield.

It turned out afterwards that due to the lack of fuel for the Japanese army (not for nothing, but to give priority to the Kwantung Army and the Southern Army, and the Chinese Dispatch Army should also give priority to the Central China Front), the Fifth Air Force basically did not train in the past six months, and even its daily flights were canceled. Only when an order was received from the North China Front would it be lifted into the air.

As a result, when the B25 appeared over the Japanese airfield, the Japanese army did not even have emergency fighters and crews, and could only watch Doolittle Squadron wreak havoc overhead.

In this bombing, in order to achieve good results, the arsenal worked overtime day and night, not only providing bombshells and cloudburst bombs, but also specially producing cluster bombs to deal with airfields. Doolittle and they are full of praise after using it, and it is estimated that it will not be long before they can earn another patent fee from the United States.

The 41st Division lost its field heavy artillery wing, which was equivalent to the loss of one of its most powerful arms. The Shanxi New Army quickly divided and surrounded from both sides, and sent a main regiment to participate in the siege of the 37th Division. Soon, both divisions were surrounded. If the Japanese are not able to provide strong support, they will be eliminated from the battle sequence of the North China Front! (To be continued......)

PS: Sao Rui, it's later, and the writing is relatively light, try to find passion tomorrow, sweat