At the same time, at the Allied Logistics Support Department located in the Kunming camp, several new fighter planes were quietly parked on the airport runway.
"Jesus! This is the first time I've seen such a wing."
"This is F4U. I heard it's a new carrier-based aircraft from the Navy. Why is it flying here now?"
"I don't know..."
A total of 6 F4U Corsairs have arrived here since the morning, and their unique shapes attracted the attention of a large number of ground crews and pilots. I heard that it seemed to have come over the hump line from India, and the crews flying the fighter planes were negotiating with the top brass of the aviation force.
"Whatisthis? You mean these planes will be sent to Nankan? By the way, who are you?"
In the camp, Smith looked confused and asked the stranger in front of him, holding a document with the Allied flag in his hand.
"Yes, Colonel, our mission is to go to the base of the Chinese Honorable Third Division to assist the unit in fighting Japan. As for our identity documents, it should be clearly stated, so I don't need to elaborate further."
The leader was a middle-aged man with light blond hair and a thick beard. He had a very unruly expression. He was wearing a unique Allied air force combat flight suit, but the badges on his shoulders and chest were missing. Pass.
Behind him were five younger pilots. What was surprising was their race, two white and three Asian, one of whom was a woman.
Smith looked at this group of guys in surprise. The documents showed that this group of people belonged to the Allied Southeast Asian Theater Aviation Volunteer Team. It seemed to be an organization that was formed not long ago. It did not belong to the Indian system or the Chinese Theater.
Moreover, their nationalities are diverse. The bearded one is actually from the Soviet Union, and the others are from Australia, Malaysia, and other places. This aviation task force seems to be similar to the original Flying Tigers, in a semi-employment situation.
The most important thing is that this document was authorized by the Southeast Asia Theater Command and was personally signed by General Mountbatten, the commander-in-chief of the theater. This surprised Smith. When did Liao Mingyu tie up this giant Buddha?
"Gentlemen! Can anyone tell me what's going on?"
At this moment, a middle-aged officer wearing the uniform of a US military general suddenly burst in from the door. Before he arrived, a loud voice came first: "Smith, please explain to me, where did this group of people come from?" ?”
Smith rubbed his brows and knew who was coming without looking back. He coughed and said helplessly: "Ahem, General, they are the Southeast Asia Theater Aviation Volunteer Team. They should be here to support the battle in northern Myanmar. This is the battle briefing and Order document.”
The person who arrived was Chennault, the commander of the US Air Force in China. The airport was crowded with people early in the morning. Although the six F4U fighters that arrived at Kunming Airport were not many, they caused quite a stir and successfully aroused the attention of this person. attention.
He took the document suspiciously, not forgetting to question Smith with his eyes. The latter shrugged and said that I don't know much, so you should see for yourself.
"Southeast Asian Air Volunteer Corps? Was this formed by Stilwell? No, no...impossible. That bastard who only knows about cannons and submachine guns doesn't even understand tanks. How could he value air power?"
Chennault murmured to himself, his words filled with contempt for the deputy commander-in-chief of the theater in India.
Smith gasped in embarrassment beside him. Everyone in the circle knew that the former was at odds with Stilwell. It had become an indisputable fact. The two had openly and unabashedly revealed their dislike of each other on many occasions.
The free and easy Chennault didn't care at all. He held the document and asked Xiang Xiangshi: "What is your name? Who is your commander?"
"General, my name is Andrei Oleg. As for our commander... I'm sorry I can't tell you because of the confidentiality agreement. All I can say is that we are responsible for General Mountbatten."
Andre straightened his posture slightly and spoke in English with a strong tongue-rolling "vodka" flavor.
"What? Louis Mountbatten? Isn't this British guy here to coordinate? When did you start working on the affairs of the combat troops?"
Faced with Chennault's teasing, Andre just smiled and said nothing more, because he had no obligation to say anything more to the other person.
Chennault didn't mind after being rejected, and turned to look at Smith: "So they are going to Nankan next?"
Smith nodded, took out the cigar box from the drawer, struck a match and skillfully toasted two cigars and handed them over: "That seems to be the case, but actually I don't know more than you."
"You have so many good things."
Chennault had always loved smoking, and of course he would not refuse this kind offer. While puffing away smoke with Smith, he couldn't help but sigh: "That young commander is very popular. Both the Western Yunnan Command and the Chongqing Commander are very fond of him." Plus, you’re an old guy too. You’ve given him a lot of things in private, right? Even I’m a little envious of him.”
Smith, who was poked into someone's hands, smiled awkwardly and changed the topic without leaving any trace: "Haha... I have told you that that young man is extraordinary. You have to compete with others, why bother? After all, this is the territory of the Chinese people, we are just here. work."
"It's not a competition, forget it...but I'm a little interested in him now. He can even get the most advanced fighter planes from Vought Company. It's not easy."
Chennault took a deep puff of his cigar and sighed sincerely. His sharp eyes were full of meaning, and he didn't know what he was thinking.
After pondering for a long time, he spoke again: "Well, doesn't he need a group of ground staff? Don't go around recruiting people under the guise of the Allies. I will arrange a group of ground staff and technicians here, and you can send them together later." Go over there."
"Huh? Are you sure?" Smith looked at him in surprise, not understanding why the other party's attitude had undergone a 180-degree change.
"Of course, when have I ever spoken without counting?"
"The flight formation left in Nankan...?" Smith asked quietly, his smiling face full of wrinkles.
"Is he your illegitimate son? You cunning old guy..."
Chennault teased, turned to the window and looked at those beautiful fighter planes, with thousands of thoughts in his heart.
"Let the crew stay in Nankan. It doesn't matter whether I give the order or not, but... I am happy to provide them with some necessary ammunition supplies."
As the saying goes, a man who knows the current affairs is a hero. Chennault, who has lived in China for a long time, doesn't understand this truth. How can it be easy for someone who can even gain connections with the top leaders of the Allied Forces?
The most important thing is that this guy who causes trouble everywhere is deeply loved by China's senior officials. It must be said that he is indeed capable in combat command, and he makes big moves from time to time. No one can do anything about him.
Even I, the commander of the aviation task force in China, only has some old-fashioned P40s under his command. I have requested reports on new fighters countless times but to no avail. After all, Southeast Asia is only a secondary battlefield, and domestic attention is limited, but It's terrifying that he can actually get F4U.
That was the latest fighter plane that was put into service with the Navy last year. Its combat performance was perfect. It was basically only active in the Pacific battlefield. There was not even one in Europe where the war was in full swing.
Maybe... maybe I can get some of this fighter plane through him. The fighter planes of my air force will also need to be updated.
Chennault might be able to detain these six F4Us by relying on his connections, but leaving aside the consequences of doing so, it would be tantamount to killing the goose that lays the egg.
In fact, the unpleasant quarrel with the Third Division some time ago was also caused by other senior officers of the Air Force's misunderstanding of the former and their own arrogant attitude.
Chennault himself was not hostile at all. On the contrary, he was full of curiosity about this unruly and mysterious Chinese officer. I heard that he was only in his early 30s and was simply the Patton of the East.
After much thought, I still felt that it would be better to maintain a friendly relationship with him. Sending this simple kindness was just the first step. Maybe I would have more contact with the young general in the near future.
"That's it for now, Smith. Since he wants to establish a new air force, we can definitely provide some help. You can arrange the specific matters yourself. Anyway, you, the logistics minister, often do things to line your own pockets."
Chennault joked with a smile, not forgetting to give a look that everyone understood.
"Bullshit! Stop talking nonsense!" Smith immediately retorted with a blush on his face.
The former shrugged and said nothing more, turned to look at Andre and others, and said with a smile: "Do a good job, boys, I hope you can bloom majesticly in the sky above Myanmar..."
…
Bhamo is a small town located south of Myitkyina and standing on the China-India Highway.
The town area is not large, five kilometers long from north to south and three kilometers wide from east to west. There are many lakes and swamps in the area, forming a turtle-shaped highland, but the terrain is hills and swamps, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
As one of the important towns in the southern gateway of Myitkyina, both the British army at the time and Japan now attach great importance to the defense system here.
As early as a year ago, after the Japanese army initially occupied Bhamo, they began to build defensive positions here and built it into a terrifying fortified city.
In addition to the group of fortifications built around the mountains and rivers, there is also a military airport built by the British in the past, which now houses many Japanese Falcon fighter jets.
There is also a fate here. When Liao Mingyu led the Sichuan Army to enter Myanmar for the first time and met Long Wenwen, he was guided by the latter and brought him here. This airport was where they defended the British for a day and a night. .
The arrogant British guy drove away Liao Mingyu and the others in disguise for an unimportant identity issue, completely unaware of the dangerous situation he was in.
Then the Japanese army easily occupied this place. The British army also cooperated very well. They raised their hands and surrendered while beating gongs and drums. They thought they would be protected by the Geneva Convention, but the crazy little Japan doesn't care about your bullshit convention, with bayonets and rifle butts and bullets. Even though I have the final say, I don’t know if those idiots are still alive.
…
In addition to the casualties on paper, a large number of non-combat attrition also caused the Western Yunnan Expeditionary Force to pay a heavy price. For this reason, it became unable to sustain itself when faced with the interception of the 33rd Division. The entire 11th Group Army, only Yu Xiaoqing's men ended up fighting the Japanese army. The battle lasted for several days, but they failed to gain an advantage.
Fortunately, the 33rd Division entered western Yunnan only to cover the retreat of the 56th Division and did not counterattack the expeditionary force. After completing its mission, it immediately retreated to Weimao, Myitkyina and other places.
On December 10, when Caijiazhai, the last town in western Yunnan, was recaptured by the 71st Army, the Chinese Expeditionary Force finally expelled all the Japanese troops who invaded western Yunnan. After being occupied by the Japanese for one year and five months, western Yunnan returned to the motherland. embrace.
There was great joy in China, and major newspapers began to report on the major victory achieved by the expeditionary force, as well as the spirit of the 200th Division of the Third Division to go abroad to fight against the Japanese invaders. With the deliberate and unintentional momentum building by various ministries, many people also knew about the young Huaxia The general's name.
Even the top leader of the revolutionary army in the north expressed high praise for the expeditionary force, calling it the pride of the nation, the sharp sword of China, and the great power of our country!
In just half a year, starting from the Sichuan Army's attack on Nantianmen, the Western Yunnan counterattack was considered a great victory, which even the head of state in Chongqing did not expect.
In addition to handwritten documents commending several outstanding generals, the head of state's usual medals and commendations arrived in western Yunnan like snowflakes, and a large number of silver coins were distributed to reward officers from various ministries who had made the most outstanding contributions.
In particular, Liao Mingyu's First Division played a vital role in the entire battle. If the Third Division hadn't marched all the way west and defeated the Japanese, they lost their armor and armor. It's unknown how long the counterattack in Western Yunnan would have lasted.
At present, the first phase of the counterattack on Myanmar has come to an end, and the Allied forces have also completed the clearance of the India-Myanmar border. Stilwell immediately began to prepare for the next combat operation, but when he contacted Chongqing, the answer he received made him extremely angry. .
The government responded that the Western Yunnan Expeditionary Force had suffered heavy losses due to consecutive days of fighting, and should undergo a period of repair and replenishment. It would not use troops against Myanmar for the time being. The Chinese Army in India could continue to fight against Japan, and Sun Liren and Liao Yaoxiang would make their own arrangements.
Stilwell was furious. He and the Chongqing man had always disliked each other, but now that things were getting better and the conflict continued to escalate, Cha Hua pointed at each other and scolded him.
In fact, the bald head of state did not make up his mind to fight back in western Yunnan at this time.
First, the head of state has always been wary of the British. As early as the first time the Chinese Expeditionary Force entered Myanmar to fight, the British showed uncooperation many times and dropped the ball at critical moments, resulting in many defeats for the Chinese Expeditionary Force.
It can be said that the first battle was entirely to cover the retreat of these pig teammates. It was a bloody road paved by countless Chinese soldiers with their lives for the British.
Therefore, in the past two years, although Britain and the United States repeatedly urged the national government to organize a counterattack, the bald head of state was afraid that the British would once again break their promises and not cooperate, causing the expeditionary force to face the Japanese army alone, so they stood still and continued the confrontation for more than a year.
If Liao Mingyu hadn't emerged from nowhere, the counterattack in western Yunnan would not have started until May next year.
Secondly, the head of state is prepared to preserve his strength and focus more on the domestic battlefield than Myanmar. At present, the Japanese are eyeing Hunan. Seeing that the Battle of Hengyang is about to begin, the Ninth Theater is not absolutely sure to stop the Japanese attack. However, there are two armies in western Yunnan with nearly 200,000 people. If the war goes unfavorably, the head of state is likely to transfer these 200,000 to the domestic battlefield.
Chen Ze advances eastwards
British pig mate,
Hao Zhipeng
