Xinxiang Airport, in front of the ammunition depot.

Ground crew member Nobu Ohira was pushing a board cart, and he carefully moved out the aerial bombs and machine gun bullets and placed them on the truck.

It's not a good job, and if you don't follow the rules, your life is likely to be in danger. What's more, those pilots have a hard time talking, and they will be difficult for themselves before every departure.

Just as he was working diligently, he was suddenly awakened by a noise.

The honest man finally couldn't hold back the anger in his heart, lowered his head and began to whisper insults, almost all the ground crew did not like those army pilots who had no one in their sights.

As he raised his head to find the source of the sound, four never-before-seen planes flew past the airport at an extremely low altitude.

"Yaga! Don't you need time to prepare and reload? Why did you come back so quickly? ”

"Is this a new aircraft from the Kwantung Army? They look advanced, and I wonder if I'll have a chance to get up close and personal with them. ”

As soon as the words fell, one plane after another hissed and passed them at low altitude.

A sharp-eyed ground crew finally noticed the difference, and he stood up and pointed to the wings and reminded loudly, "Look! That's not our plane! There is no machine emblem! ”

At the same time, the piercing sound of air raid sirens resounded in the sky.

On the way to Xinxiang, Captain Wang Hai was still worried about whether he would encounter a group of devils flying in the sky. After all, the 1st Air Division was delayed on the road, giving the enemy plenty of time to prepare.

The main thing is that they had an unexpected gain, discovering the enemy's cavalry brigades.

In a sense, this class is a greater threat to the defenders of Nakajo Mountain, and it must be dealt with first, otherwise there will be endless troubles.

But as it turned out, all worries were superfluous.

When the huge airport appeared in front of everyone's eyes, all the pilots were shocked, because there was not a single Japanese plane taking off and intercepting in the sky over Xinxiang.

When the attack was about to begin, the radio silence was lifted, and the communication channel was immediately filled with the voices of surprise.

"Captain, what's the matter? Not only did not there be a single enemy plane, but even the air defense sirens were just sounded? Didn't those dive bombers return home? ”

Wang Hai was also a little confused, he had already prepared for the battle, and thought that it would be a bitter battle next.

But I never expected that Xinxiang Airport was unprepared.

This is mainly because the devils did not expect that the Republic of China actually had an air force, and they were not even equipped with anti-aircraft guns. The so-called garrison is only defending against guerrillas.

As for those ninety-seven single light? They knew very well that the enemy planes would not abandon the Xinxiang airfield, so they had already made a detour to land somewhere else.

"All crews! Free Attack! At least a third of the bullets from the aviation machine guns should be left, and after ten minutes all retreat! ”

With Captain Wang Hai's order, the entire formation began to attack in groups of four, and tongues of fire erupted from under the wings of the fighters.

Ammunition depots, oil storage areas, and all moving devils are targets, and under the rain of bullets of various calibers, the entire airport is like purgatory on earth.

There were also a few neatly parked Type 97 fighters in the hangar, and dozens of devils rushed out of the dormitory without fear of death, wanting to take off to meet the enemy.

But they were taken care of by Wang Tianbao, and all the remaining Western artillery bullets were given to these brainwashed enemies.

Moments later, the entire road was covered with red debris and stumps and severed arms.

The soldiers of the 1st Air Division were swept into the wind and completely destroyed the Xinxiang Airport in just five minutes.

Because of the explosion in the oil storage area and ammunition depot, not only was there a raging fire in the area, but even the runway and some unimportant buildings were damaged.

After the battle, Captain Wang Hai looked at the scene and shook his head with some dissatisfaction.

"If only there were Mosquito B or Lancaster, compared to tactical/strategic bombers, the fighter's ground attack capability is still almost meaningless."

"All crews, retreat! We already don't have enough fuel and ammunition! ”

"Target, the southeast base area of Jin."

······

On the evening of May 7, 1941, the Second Theater Command of Ji County, Jin Province.

Although it was dinner time, the battle conference room was still a busy scene, and no one left their posts.

Staff officers of all sizes ran around the room, racing against time to sort out the information transmitted from the front.

Since strengthening its counter-espionage capabilities, the intelligence network of the Jin system is not weaker than that of any organization.

Regarding the movement of the devil's troops, Yan Laoxi knew about it. After all, the movements of the North China Front Army and the Kwantung Army in joint operations were very large, and it was impossible to hide them from others.

It's just that his think tank didn't expect that the Japanese army was going to cross the Yellow River west to attack Qinchuan for hundreds of miles, but in fact, it was a preserved fruit army that was ready to eat Zhongtiao Mountain.

Even if the two sides were hostile, Yan Laoxi had to admit that Okamura Ningji's move was powerful enough to deceive almost everyone.

Although the fruit preserved troops have been holding the defense line of Zhongtiao Mountain for more than three years, they have even repelled thirteen enemy attacks.

But he was still not optimistic about the current situation, and felt that the defenders were more than lucky. After all, the devil is too fierce, and six divisions have been dispatched.

However, this battle also gave Yan Laoxi a sense of crisis, if there were no 200,000 preserved fruit troops, the entire Jin Province would change dramatically.

At that time, it will definitely be difficult for the Eighth Route Army alone to withstand the four divisions of the First Army with full firepower.

This means that once the devil successfully takes Zhongtiao Mountain, he has to surrender if he doesn't want to, who knows if there will be any changes in people's policies.

Maybe after surrendering, he can take back the Taiyuan that he has been thinking about for a long time, but that is a small day to give him alms. And it means that he will become a puppet of others, which is not the future he wants.

While Yan Laoxi was meditating, a staff officer hurriedly ran into the combat conference room with a telegram in his hand. He looked so anxious that he forgot even the military salute.

"President, there's an urgent call from the southwest capital!"

As soon as the words fell, the head of the family snatched the telegram and began to read it. In this process, Yan Laoxi's face was full of sadness, as if he had encountered some difficulties.

"I knew why I had to do it today, but if the bald head hadn't put the commander of the First Theater under house arrest and hadn't transferred the Fourth Army, Zhongtiao Mountain would not have fallen into the passive situation it is now."

"Let me send troops? I want to help too! But I'm only 50,000! ”

"What can this little force do, it's not enough for Yoshio Iwamatsu to stuff his teeth, what can I do to support!"

After venting the feeling of powerlessness in his heart, Yan Laoxi walked to the strategic situation map and began to think about ways to break the situation.

He used to dance on three eggs, and he couldn't step on any of them.

But now an egg is about to be pinched and burst, an egg has no clear attitude towards itself, and an egg is almost abandoning itself.

Thinking of the last time he negotiated, Hua Gu was talking about the appearance of no one around, Yan Laoxi made a complete decision, he wanted to fight for the Jin family.

However, in principle, it is still necessary to drive the tiger and devour the wolf, after all, his family background is too shallow, and he may lose all his money if he rushes out troops.

But at this moment, two more staff officers ran in, and the two brought different choices to Yan Laoxi.

"Report to the President! Good news from the front! ”

"According to the news from the defenders of Zhongtiao Mountain, the Air Force of the Eighth Route Army defeated the devil's army aviation on the whole line with more than 300 fighters, and also destroyed the two airfields of Jincheng and Xinxiang."

"Now the enemy army has lost air supremacy on the eastern line, the western front, and the northeast front, and all divisions have stabilized their positions except for the main battlefield on the western front."

After listening to the report, Yan Laoxi gasped. Why haven't I seen an air force for a few months, this is developing too fast.

As a person who has worked in the Air Force, he naturally knows how difficult it is. Not to mention anything else, airplanes and fuel alone stumped ninety percent of the forces.

After reading the first one, the staff officer directly read out the second piece of information.

"President, the devil has sent a messenger. Inform us to accept some counties in the province, and you will see how this matter is handled. ”

This news was a bit unexpected, and Yan Laoxi thought that Iwamatsu Yoshio had completely given up the idea of making peace with him.

However, after a closer inspection, he found that the geographical location of these counties is not very good. It is either bordering the northwest of Jin or close to the southeastern base of the Eighth Route Army.

The devil's idea is very simple, it is nothing more than to buy himself with these awkwardly occupied areas.

At present, the First Army has mobilized a large number of troops, and the entire province is dependent on two independent mixed brigades to watch over the family. Once the Eighth Route Army began to make trouble in the rear, they would definitely not be able to hold it.

After receiving these counties, both the Central Army and the Eighth Route Army will be suspicious of the Jin Sui Army.

What's more, the final ownership of these sites does not depend on the faces of the Japanese. If you don't treat the devil as a dog, you still have to spit out as much land as you eat.

Seeing that the head of the family was hesitating, the staff officer on the side suddenly became a little anxious: "President, do you see whether we will accept these counties or not!" ”

"Close! Why not! There is no reason not to eat the meat that is delivered to your mouth. ”

Thinking of the humiliating scene that day, Yan Laoxi was angry.

"Pass my orders! While receiving the county seat, the troops should be ready for battle. If the Japanese want to ask, they will say that we must strictly guard against the Eighth Route Army! ”

"Anyway, in the eyes of outsiders, our relationship is not very good."

"Keep an eye on your men! Once the devil is in decline! Let's press it right away! I'm Yan Baichuan! Not only for revenge! It's a shame to be ashamed! ”

After everyone left, Yan Laoxi clenched his fists.

Now that the situation in North China is chaotic, this is the only chance to regain lost territory. If you don't grasp it, it is estimated that you will not be able to refer to Shanxi in the future.

······

For this Zhongtiao Mountain Campaign, the deputy commander-in-chief made a lot of arrangements.

On the one hand, it was naturally a sabotage operation, in which the enemy not only mobilized six divisions, but also dispatched a lot of armored units. If the supply of such a unit cannot keep up, the combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced.

In the plan of the deputy commander-in-chief, he planned to use the backbone regiments, militia and the masses to destroy the Baijin line, the Zhengtai line, the Tongpu line, the Pinghan line and the Pingsui line.

Since the deputy commander-in-chief was preparing to launch a major operation in Jin Province before the devils attacked Zhongtiao Mountain, there was no difficulty in personnel scheduling.

In addition, the sabotage operation is actually a miniature version of the Hundred Regiments War, and it can be said that the comrades are familiar with it.

On the other hand, it is natural to send the main force to support the defenders of Nakajo Mountain, and such a military operation is much more difficult than breaking through in the rear.

What they can think of, Okamura Ninji and Iwamatsu Yoshio can certainly think of.

The 36th and 37th Divisions, in addition to attacking the western front of Zhongtiao Mountain, also had the purpose of strictly guarding the southward support of the Eighth Route Army.

In the event of an unforeseen event, the two divisions could stop their offensive at any time and cooperate with the 41st Division on the eastern flank to devour any troops that rushed to support.

Considering the great difficulty of the next battle, the deputy commander-in-chief could only wait until the troops were all together before giving the order to attack.

······

Let's move the perspective to the southeast of Shanxi, the airborne training base of the Eighth Route Army.

"Captain! When will our 1st Marine Regiment be dispatched? Aren't transport planes and gliders parked at the base? When will it be our turn? ”

"Is it possible to let people eat meat, and our troops directly under the headquarters are standing stupidly on the side? Half of the 129th Division has been dispatched, isn't this a joke for the fraternal troops? ”

"What are you afraid of? Why don't you dare to fight with the deputy commander-in-chief? ”

Looking at the anxious white-faced monk and Duan Peng, Li Yunlong put down the book in his hand and helplessly spread his hands towards the two.

Although he is also in a hurry, after all, the 1st Marine Regiment occupies the best resources of the whole army, and it is impossible to say anything without making some achievements. However, parachute operations require a lot of intelligence support, and rash dispatch is in vain.

"What? Their eyes widened like cow's eggs. What are you staring at me, unorganized and undisciplined! ”

"I know you're in a hurry, but don't worry. The superiors must have their own considerations, and good steel has to be used on the blade. How bad it is for the comrades to hear that you two are so complaining. ”

"I can understand that you have emotions, but you can't find a place where no one is there and hit your head against the wall."

Just then, the phone in the base rang.

Grand Master Li, who was still pointing the country, immediately bounced up from the stool, and he took a few big strides and directly picked up the earpiece.

"Li Yunlong! You kid must be scolding the street again."

The words are not finished yet. The brigade commander on the other end suddenly remembered something. His own love will not be the muddy ball he used to be, and now he can barely be regarded as a good child who loves to learn.

After the two sides were silent for a few seconds, Li Yunlong lowered his head and said tentatively: "Which dog day hit me for a little report?" ”

"Hahaha! Alright, don't talk nonsense with me here. You can begin to prepare for the launch, and the deputy commander-in-chief is working on your regiment's offensive plan. “

"Listen up, you kid! Although you went out and worked alone, as long as you play well, my face will shine! ”

"Be careful! Good luck with your best of luck! ”

Li Yunlong was very moved by the concerned tone on the other end of the phone, and he adjusted his mood and replied loudly: "Brigade commander! Just look at it! I'll take my regiment with me! Let the little devils see what the real elite is! ”

I wish you all a happy May Day holiday!

(End of chapter)