sjar Chapter 371 Long-range sneak attack
Chapter 371 Long-range sneak attack
After they fly over, we will circle the airport twice. If there are any valuable targets, we will not be stingy with our bombs. If there are really no targets, the military camp over there will be our temporary target.
The bomber pilots also agreed with this plan. After all, bombing military camps would not bring much credit, while bombing airports would bring greater credit.
When the third group of bombers arrived, the black smoke above the airport was the thickest, and everything that could burn below was burning. The second group of bombers still dropped some incendiary bombs, which was one of the reasons why the burning below was more intense.
Of course, the fuel leak at the airport was the biggest reason. Although the largest oil barrel was blown up in the first round of bombing, the fuel pipelines throughout the airport sprayed out directly after being destroyed. A slight spark caused these fuel pipelines to explode in series, and the entire airport was filled with burning black smoke.
The commander of the third group was also straightforward. In this situation, he could not see the situation below at all, so he turned directly to the Japanese military camp in the south.
Dozens of bombers roared in and started dropping bombs on the tents in the military camp. Perhaps this was the most unworthy thing to do. One bomb could only kill a dozen Japanese soldiers. Compared with the previous two batches, we suffered a huge loss.
Fighter planes also began to dive down and strafed the Japanese soldiers in the military camp, but encountered weak resistance. Although there were anti-aircraft machine guns in the military camp, they were not organized in advance and no form of coordination was carried out, so only one of our planes was destroyed, and the rest all returned safely.
The first batch was still attacked by the airport's anti-aircraft fire, so nine aircraft were lost. The second batch lost four aircraft, and the third batch lost only one aircraft.
Of course, in terms of combat results, the first batch definitely achieved the greatest results. When they arrived over Liaoyuan, there was an intact airport there. After the third batch of planes came over, they could only resort to bombing a military camp as a second best option.
When the commander-in-chief of the Rehe garrison, Masao Tanimoto, received the news, he also heard the roar of planes in the sky, so he ran directly to the air-raid shelter. He did not expect that these planes were the ones returning from the bombing of Liaoyuan.
"What did you say? What happened to the First Air Division?"
Masao Tanimoto grabbed his operations staff and shook him hard, unable to believe that what he had just said was true.
We have fought with the 72nd Division many times, so of course we know the importance of air power. Although our air power is a bit outdated, it is better to have it than not.
Now his subordinates reported that all the aircraft stationed in Liaoyuan were destroyed, with only a dozen aircraft remaining. Originally, the First Air Division had three bases, but because Liaoyuan was relatively far behind and had more complete facilities, more than 90% of the aircraft were stationed there, and now they were all wiped out.
"Commander, eighty percent of the First Air Division's forces have been destroyed..."
The operations staff officer was strangled to the point of almost suffocating, but he still repeated the message in the telegram as ordered by the commander. Many people around him felt their bodies were almost stiff, as they were unwilling to believe that the news was true.
We were already at a disadvantage when fighting with the 72nd Division. Now without air support, I'm afraid we don't even have the confidence to fight. If we continue to fight like this, we don't know what the outcome will be.
I thought that with the help of the Rakshasas, the situation on the battlefield might be reversed, and I could then join forces with the Rakshasas to attack them. But now, let alone joining forces with the Rakshasas to attack them, I don't even have the ability to protect myself.
"Send a telegram to the Kwantung Army Headquarters, telling them about the First Division and asking them to make early arrangements. Without air support, the Rehe Campaign can no longer be sustained."
Commander Tanimoto has already given up on face. If he still wants to save face now, he won’t know how to fight next. He must replenish the First Air Division. He also knows that this means there are more than 500 planes.
According to Japan's current production, it can only produce more than 600 aircraft each year. Li Shaoyi's long-range assault just now directly wiped out 80% of Japan's annual aircraft production. If the aircraft were to be supplemented to the First Aviation Division, then other Japanese armies would not be able to obtain new aircraft.
"Commander, even if the telegram is sent, the First Air Division will not be able to obtain a full complement of aircraft. This is almost the entire annual aircraft production of Japan."
Chief of Staff Anton Shigekita said with some concern that he had worked in the Japanese industrial sector and was very familiar with the productivity of Japanese aircraft.
"Mr. Anton, in addition to sending a telegram to headquarters, you and I should also send telegrams to some of our colleagues and friends in Japan, asking them to use all their strength to replenish the First Air Division, and do it quickly. You will see, when the 72nd Division learns that the First Air Division has no combat effectiveness, all Japanese troops in Rehe will be subjected to their endless bombing."
Masao Tanimoto put aside his former arrogance and shook Anton Shigekito's hand.
Anton Shigekita had not thought of this step. After Tanimoto Masao finished speaking, he realized what the biggest crisis now was. It was not that the First Air Division was destroyed, but that he had to worry about the hundreds of thousands of troops in Rehe. Without the protection of air power, their lives would be difficult.
"Hayi, please rest assured, Commander. I will contact some friends in Japan immediately..."
When Anton Maobei turned around, all the senior officers of the Rehe garrison instantly knew what they should do. If they didn't hurry up and find someone to lobby, the Japanese headquarters would not be able to send more than 500 planes over. By then, there would be no air force overhead, and all they would have would be the bombs of the 72nd Division.
"Tell all troops in Rehe that from this moment on, everyone must dig their own air-raid shelter. No, notify the Kwantung Army Headquarters that all troops within 400 kilometers of us must strengthen their air defenses."
Masao Tanimoto issued a second order, stating that in addition to requesting aircraft, the existing air defense facilities could no longer meet their needs.
Some Japanese troops entrenched in Rehe and the northeastern border must also take action, and you may also become targets of bombing.
An air force surprise attack completely changed the skies of Northeast China...