The chief of staff asked several guards to lift the brigade commander up and stuff him into the car. Seeing the cavalry of the Eighth Route Army galloping towards them, the chief of staff knew that the Japanese army on the other side had probably been completely wiped out, and the large forces of the Eighth Route Army were coming here.
The only chance of survival now is to return to Gaobeidian Town, go all out to seize the town, and use the buildings in the town to hold on for help.
So he ordered the troops to turn around and go straight to Gaobeidian Town.
The chief of staff's judgment was correct. At this time, the Eighth Route Army had eliminated the remaining Japanese and puppet troops on the road and was heading here.
A large group of Japanese troops were heading towards Gaobeidian, and a large number of Eighth Route Army cavalry rushed over. In groups of more than a dozen, they continuously attacked the Japanese troops on the road.
The Japanese army was in a panic and exhausted, which greatly slowed down their march.
The chief of staff had a bad premonition. He knew that if this continued, there would be no time. Even if the troops arrived in Gaobeidian Town, it would be difficult to eliminate the Eighth Route Army inside. They would still be surrounded by the overcoming Eighth Route Army in the wild.
He considered countermeasures urgently and could not think of any good solution for a while. He couldn't help but hate Sang Mu Jianyi, a young man who was just talking on paper. Not only was this fool himself unlucky, he was also the chief of staff. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Sang Mu Jianyi with disdain. Suddenly his eyes lit up and he thought of a way.
He said to Sanmu Jianyi: "Your Excellency, Brigade Commander, our brigade is currently in danger. Please quickly seek help from Your Excellency, Commander of the Front Army."
Sang Mu Jianyi said with a sad face: "The surrounding Yellow Army has already come out, where are the reinforcements that can come to reinforce?"
The chief of staff said: "There is still an air force outside Baoding City. Let them bomb the enemy quickly."
Sang Mujian suddenly understood. As if he had grasped a life-saving straw, he immediately dictated the telegram and asked the signal corps to send it out.
The reason why the chief of staff asked Sang Mu Jianyi to send this telegram was because although they were stationed in Baoding, they did not have the right to mobilize the air force also stationed in Baoding. Sangmu Jianyi was different. He had an awesome brother-in-law. As long as he found the commander of the North China Front, he could order the air force stationed in Baoding to join the war.
Seeing the telegram sent by Sang Mu Jianyi, the chief of staff felt much relieved. He ignored Sangmu Jianyi and directly issued orders to the troops, asking them to build defenses on the spot and wait for the air force to come for reinforcements.
The Japanese army may dispatch the air force to participate in the war, and Xu Dalong has already made plans. Before this battle, it was not that he had not considered destroying the Japanese airport first, but because after three attacks, the Japanese airport had built a large number of defenses, which would be difficult to knock down in a short time. There are still so many Japanese and puppet troops in the city. Once they arrive for reinforcements, they will not be able to capture the Japanese airport.
Therefore, Xu Dalong's mission in the first phase of the battle was to first weaken the Japanese and puppet troops in Baoding City, so that when the Eighth Route Army attacked the Japanese airport, they would be unable to provide reinforcements. Before this battle began, people from the Baoding underground party and special forces were already monitoring the area near the airport. If the Japanese air force was spotted taking off, they would report it immediately.
Sangmu Jianyi now regarded the Air Force reinforcements as the only life-saving straw. After sending the telegram, although he knew that the telegram was translated and delivered to his brother-in-law, and then notified the Air Force in the direction of Baoding, the Air Force then made preparations. It took quite a while, but he still kept his eyes fixed on the sky, hoping that the Japanese planes would appear quickly.
Although the chief of staff despised Kenichi Kuwaki's behavior, he also regarded the air force as a life-saving straw and looked forward to the Japanese air force coming to support quickly.
After receiving the order from their superiors, the Japanese air force at Baoding Airport immediately began preparations. Soon after, the bombers began to take off.
When the Japanese military airport became busy, the special operations team responsible for surveillance had already sent a telegram to Xu Dalong. After receiving the report, Xu Dalong immediately issued a retreat order to all units.
Sangmu Jianyi and the chief of staff were looking forward to the appearance of the air force, but suddenly found that the surrounding Eighth Route Army had left the blocking position they had built and began to evacuate.
They guessed that the Eighth Route Army must have discovered that the Japanese air force was preparing to dispatch, and had to retreat due to fear of being bombed. Both of them were very happy and immediately gathered their troops to retreat towards Baoding.
The Japanese air force flew over, hoping to retaliate against the Eighth Route Army troops. It is a pity that the large forces of the Eighth Route Army have already evacuated. Although they found some Eighth Route Army troops, they had already taken precautions and the troops were very scattered. The Japanese army dropped aerial bombs. There were only a few casualties among the officers and soldiers of the Eighth Route Army. The Japanese air force Not wanting to waste any more bombs, he returned to the airport.
The battle in Gaobeidian ended victoriously. Although the Japanese and puppet troops from Baoding were not completely wiped out this time, great results were still achieved.
In this battle, one Japanese infantry brigade and two puppet regiments were completely wiped out, and two other Japanese infantry brigade were severely damaged. In total, more than 7,000 enemy soldiers were wiped out, and a large number of weapons and equipment were seized.
The leaders of the Fifth Army Division were very happy. They not only fought a great victory, but the most important thing was that they knew that the troops in the Mahushan Military Division had arsenals and looked down upon the captured weapons of the Japanese and puppet troops. Ammunition will definitely be left for them.
Sure enough, Xu Dalong gave all the captured weapons and ammunition to the troops of the Fifth Military Division. Ma Chao and others are very excited. Now they are not only capable of forming a third main group, but also have the ability to add two more groups.
Xu Dalong and others came here just to keep up the time, and there was nothing else to do anyway.
The Japanese air force posed too great a threat to the troops in the Central Hebei Military Region, especially the Fifth Military Division. The leaders of the Fifth Army Division strongly advocated attacking Baoding Airport. Xu Dalong had no objection, so he went to the Japanese airport with Ma Chao, Li Changshui, Wei Dayong and others to conduct reconnaissance in person.
Xu Dalong held a telescope and carefully observed the defense situation of the Japanese airport. After reading it, he couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
The Japanese airport has been attacked three times by Xu Dalong and others. The first two times they robbed a large number of military aircraft. Although the third time they did not seize the aircraft, they also caused serious damage to the airport.
In order to ensure the safety of the airport, the Japanese army specially strengthened its defenses. A large number of defenses were built around the airport, including six three-story gun towers, 24 bunkers, and many trenches. The airport's security force consists of an infantry group as well as the airport's own security squadron. If we attack forcefully, it will definitely cause a lot of casualties to the Eighth Route Army troops.
To be honest, Xu Dalong was not willing to bite this hard nut. Originally, he and Li Changshui did not come here to fight a big battle. It was only because the machine tools and equipment entered the base area of the Fifth Army Division, which caused the Japanese and puppet troops to launch a large-scale attack on Gaobeidian, and they had no choice but to fight against the Japanese Independent Mixed Seventh Army. Brigade.
The Japanese army already knows that Xu Dalong's troops are now around Baoding. They have tightened their guard against the airport. It is impossible to conduct a surprise attack. Attacking the airport is bound to be an arduous battle.
While conducting reconnaissance, Ma Chao kept paying attention to Xu Dalong's expression. Seeing him shaking his head, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He believed in Xu Dalong's ability, and ordinary difficulties could not stump him. He would only shake his head when he thought he was not sure at all.
However, he still held on to a glimmer of hope and asked: "Brother Dalong, do you think we can capture the Japanese airport?"
Xu Dalong shook his head again and said, "It's very difficult."
He pointed to the Japanese aircraft parked on the airport runway and continued: "Have you noticed? There are six bombers and two fighter jets parked on the airport runway. Such a duty level is very rare.
If we attack the Japanese airport, if we cannot capture it in time, these planes can take off immediately and bomb our troops attacking the airport. Nowadays, there are so many gun towers and bunkers built on the airport, and perhaps even bunkers. The Japanese army is on high alert, and it is impossible to capture the airport in a short time.
In addition to the Japanese aircraft on duty that can take off quickly, it won't be long before other Japanese aircraft on the airport can also take off to join the battle. Our army will definitely suffer heavy casualties. "
Ma Chao said reluctantly: "Isn't it okay to carry out a night attack?"
Xu Dalong still shook his head and said: "With the Japanese army on high alert, the effect of the attack cannot be achieved at night. Japanese aircraft can still take off and bomb, causing heavy casualties to our army. Therefore, I suggest not to use the idea of airport in the short term. ”
Seeing that Xu Dalong really had no idea of attacking the Japanese airport, Ma Chao, Gao Changwu and others felt very sorry, so they reported the situation to the leaders of the Jizhong Military Region. Soon, the Jizhong Military Region responded with a telegram. The telegram said that the attack on the Japanese airport in Baoding was of great significance to the Jizhong Military Region. However, the leaders were unwilling to force others into trouble, and it was not convenient for them to come forward and talk to Xu Dalong about this matter. They hoped that Ma Chao would have a good talk with Xu Dalong again and try to win him to help.
Ma Chao was also in a dilemma. He was very familiar with Xu Dalong and knew that he was a helpful person. If there were no special reasons, he would definitely not refuse to help the Jizhong Military Region. For a moment, he didn't know how to talk to Xu Dalong.
That afternoon, Ma Chao came to Xu Dalong and said that he wanted to invite him to his home for dinner. The excuse was that his lover heard that Xu Dalong was a famous anti-Japanese hero and wanted to meet him. Xu Dalong never refuses a friend's kindness and readily agreed.
Ma Chao's lover is Li Ling, a primary school teacher. She has short, ear-length hair and looks very energetic. After she met Xu Dalong, she shook hands with him enthusiastically and said with some surprise: "Captain Xu is so famous that it frightened the Japanese invaders. They didn't expect him to be so young."
Xu Dalong smiled modestly and said: "Sister-in-law is so complimentary. I am already 28 years old this year."
Li Ling was very interested in Xu Dalong and wanted to chat with him more.
Ma Chao said: "Hurry up and cook a few dishes, boil a pot of wine, and let's talk slowly."
Li Ling responded and went down to prepare.
Soon after, the food was served. Li Ling drank two glasses of wine with Xu Dalong. After chatting for a few words, Ma Chao urged her to add some more dishes.
Li Ling went to work reluctantly.
Xu Dalong saw that Ma Chao had something to say to him. He asked directly: "Masling, are you in any trouble? If so, as long as I can help, I will do my best."
Ma Chao said with some embarrassment: "Brother Dalong, let me tell you the truth. I received a telegram from the head of the Jizhong Military Region. I hope I can talk to you again about attacking the Japanese airport.
I am also very aware of the situation at the airport. It is indeed difficult to storm it. But this matter is very important to our Jizhong Military Region. The Jizhong Military Region is a large plain with convenient transportation, which is very suitable for the Japanese army's mechanized troop operations. The development of our army itself is very difficult.
Japanese aircraft are a greater threat. We want to gather our troops and organize a big battle, but we will soon be bombed by the Japanese air force. Life is really difficult. Therefore, the leaders of the Central Hebei Military Region hope to completely destroy the Japanese airport in Baoding and eliminate the threat of the Japanese air force to our army. Just like your Eighth Route Army in Shanxi, you don't have to worry about Japanese bombings during combat and can have no scruples. It felt so good to have a head-to-head confrontation with the Japanese. "
Xu Dalong felt a little sad when he heard Ma Chao's words. China's defense industry was backward. When the anti-Japanese armed forces fought against the Japanese army, they had no advantage in weapons and had to guard against bombings from the enemy's air force. This feeling was really uncomfortable. He wanted to agree to Ma Chao immediately and completely destroy the Japanese army's Baoding Airport.
However, Xu Dalong is a rational person. He knows that the Japanese airport is heavily fortified and a strong attack will inevitably suffer heavy losses. He will not go to fight against the Japanese in a hurry.
After thinking for a while, he said: "Masling, don't be too anxious. It's not impossible to attack the Japanese airport, but you must have a complete combat plan."
Hearing Xu Dalong's words, Ma Chao saw hope. He believed in Xu Dalong. As long as he didn't refuse, he would definitely come up with a way to deal with the Japanese airport.
He immediately said: "Brother Dalong, this matter is up to you to decide. We will fully cooperate with your actions."
At this point, Ma Chao felt relieved and urged: "Li Ling, you go prepare a few more dishes. Brother Dalong and I want to have a few drinks."
Xu Dalong returned to the reception area, called Li Changshui, Sun Desheng and Wei Monk, and told the leaders of the Central Hebei Military Region and Ma Chao's intentions again.
Sun Desheng and Wei Monk did not express their opinions. Anyway, they would do whatever Xu Dalong said. Li Changshui also hoped to destroy the Japanese airport, but he also agreed with Xu Dalong's opinion and did not advocate a forced attack.
He thought about it for a while, then suddenly his eyes lit up and he said, "I have an idea, I wonder if it works?" Then he revealed his plan.
(End of chapter)
