"The place names in the Republic of China are not very convenient, so I just use the current place names. It will also make it easier for interested comrades to see the map."
October 11, 1941, Wusu Airport.
Along with the sound of propellers from far to near, the figures of twenty-four Blenheims appeared in the sky. As the Eighth Route Army's first twin-engine fighter, the entire formation attracted everyone's attention as soon as it appeared.
A few minutes later, following the flag signals from the airport ground staff, all the fighter jets slowly landed on the concrete runway.
"This plane is a new weapon."
"Our Air Force Division is really rich. We are the fastest updated in terms of equipment in the entire army. In the past six months, I have seen four different types of aircraft."
Looking at Blenheim heading towards the tarmac, the ground crew team couldn't help but sigh.
Without him, the visual impact of the twin-engine fighter is too great. The hurricane next to him looked like a child compared to him, and his wingspan was nearly six meters shorter.
The turret on the back of the aircraft is even more novel. No one has ever seen such a majestic fighter jet.
"This plane can probably be used as a bomber."
"I just counted, and there are eight pylons on its belly. Even if it carries the lightest twenty-kilogram aerial bomb, it is definitely enough for the devils to drink a pot."
"Unless the enemy is hiding in a solid civil bunker or a bomb-proof hole during the bombing, even in a foxhole or trench, it will be a hit."
Although today is Blenheim's first appearance at Wusu Airport, the ground crews of the First Air Division have participated in a unified and professional training course and have a certain understanding of various types of aircraft.
The behemoth in front of you will definitely be another big killer on the battlefield.
"Good stuff!"
As soon as these words came out, the comrades nearby nodded in agreement.
The Eighth Route Army now agrees that the more firepower the better, the stronger the better, and the longer it lasts the better. After all, who doesn’t like to be a happy dog?
After the small talk, twenty-four Blenheims parked steadily on the apron.
Dozens of ground crews swarmed in. They began to inspect the fighter planes according to the manuals brought by the pilots, and loaded boxes of bullets and aerial bombs into the magazines.
At the same time, the soldiers of the 1st Marine Regiment walked out of the base in neat steps according to their usual training groups.
"Captain Wang Hai, this time I have to trouble you and your comrades to help us escort us."
"After the battle in Suiyuan is over, let's take Lao Huang to Dingxiang Tower for a big meal. We have done so many missions together, and I haven't formally thanked you yet."
"How long does it take to fly this time? Have you found the location of Route 7 and a half?"
Seeing the familiar faces in the escort formation, Commander Li immediately greeted them with a smile.
The First Air Division only had two short months to get new fighters. Only six combat heroes and comrades who had returned from the border were able to skillfully operate the twin-engine fighters.
This escort mission can only be led by inspiring model workers who complete the entire mission.
Seeing Lao Li coming towards him, Captain Wang Hai took out information from his flight suit and replied:
"Okay, of course I'll go to Li Yunlong's treat. I'll have to kill you then."
"This voyage is not too far, and we can reach our destination in three hours. But we have to set off quickly. The remnants of the 35th Army are marching a bit fast, and it won't be long before they enter the desert again."
"The comrade in your regiment probably has no experience in fighting in the desert. We must try to find him before Route 7 is halfway out of the plains."
Hearing the word desert, Commander Li immediately became serious.
As a native southerner, the word desert has nothing to do with him. On the way to transfer, I passed through eleven provinces, walked through grasslands and climbed snow-capped mountains, but I never went to the desert.
However, Lao Li had a good teacher who mentioned the precautions for desert warfare when he was teaching him how to fight in the desert.
Operating in the desert is a test of courage and will.
In addition to logistics, the first thing that needs attention is air defense.
After all, the terrain there is flat and there are almost no natural bunkers. Once the Japanese army aviation targets them, the consequences will be disastrous.
The 1st Marine Regiment's air defense means were only medium-sized self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles. After the artillery shells were fired, it would be difficult to organize an effective air defense force. After all, their equipment list did not even include a heavy machine gun.
The second is the terrain. Now the regiment is equipped with twenty-four airborne tanks. If you are not careful, you will fall into a quicksand pit or roll over into a dry river.
Moreover, the intense heat on the surface of the sand will cause light distortion and visual errors. Even Wang Xikui may not be able to guarantee his hit rate by then.
The last thing is medical treatment. There are many poisonous insects in the desert, and being bitten by them is very likely to be life-threatening. Moreover, there is a high probability that soldiers will suffer from heatstroke, and the medicine in the field medical kit may not be enough by then.
Thinking of this, Li Yunlong first looked at the transport plane, and then shouted to the soldiers: "Everyone! Check the equipment! Everyone will board the plane in five minutes!"
After hearing the order, all comrades began the last process before departure in an orderly manner.
At the same time, three trucks drove towards the gate of Wusu Airport. As if there was something urgent, the other party started honking the horn to signal the guards to open the door from 200 meters away.
Fortunately, the car has the logo of the headquarters, otherwise it would be really difficult to get in smoothly.
Under the gaze of everyone, the three trucks drove quickly towards the tarmac, the speed was definitely approaching the limit of Japanese trucks.
"Old Li! Fortunately you haven't set off yet!"
"Hurry up and let the soldiers carry the secret weapon I prepared onto the plane. Our Weapons Experimental Research Bureau spent a whole night working on it."
"It's a pity that there are a little few shells, so we can only fire two volleys at most. It doesn't matter if you can't bring them back, just blow them up on the spot and don't let the Japanese find them."
Seeing Huang He's bloodshot eyes and messy hair, Li Yunlong was very moved and hugged his fellow villager.
"Old Huang, on behalf of all the comrades, thank you!"
“All the soldiers of the 1st Marine Regiment will definitely live up to your efforts!
"Okay, what's our relationship? I won't have to say anything about mother-in-law and mother-in-law. When we get to the battlefield, help me kill more Japanese and try to bring me some general swords."
"OK!"
······
Suiyuan, border of BYNE plain.
"Brother, I beg you, eat something quickly."
"If this continues, let alone Lanzhou, you may not be able to hold on to SZS."
"Support from the Eighth Route Army is coming soon. They must have brought a lot of medicine and food. Now is not the time to save. You are sick and need to supplement your nutrition."
Although the Eighth War Zone failed to withstand the all-out attack of the Mongolian Army, the Seventh and a Half Army did not abandon Chen Jieshan and run independently this time.
With the help of ordinary people along the way, the two brothers led the remnants of the 35th Army to the area between Linhe County and SZS. The troops still had to cross the Ulan Buh Desert to reach a relatively safe location.
Originally, they wanted to abandon their heavy weapons and take the water route, but the pressure from the Kwantung Army's Army Aviation was too great. Once discovered by the Japanese on the sheepskin raft, there is a high probability that he will end up buried in the Yellow River.
In desperation, Qilu and a half had to retreat along the Baolan Highway.
This route is built along the Yellow River and is a trunk road connecting Gansu, Ningxia and Suizhou. It starts from Baotou in the north and ends at Lanzhou in the south, covering a total distance of more than 1,100 kilometers.
From the departure to the present, the non-combat attrition of the army has been very serious, with only 1,500 people remaining in the entire army.
If support from friendly forces does not come, the remnants of the 35th Army will die on the way to retreat even if they are not overtaken by the Japanese.
Blessings come in pairs, and misfortunes never come alone.
Last night, they were unfortunately discovered by four Type 97 fighter jets from the Kwantung Army.
Even though Qilu and a half managed to dodge in time, his thigh was still injured by the shrapnel from the aerial bomb. Fortunately, no major artery was scratched, but the injury made him very weak.
Coupled with the large temperature difference between day and night in the desert, he started to fidget since early yesterday morning.
If the guards hadn't collected cow dung and added some hay to make a fire, and then spread straw over the cow dung pit to make a "fire kang", he might not have been able to withstand last night.
After hearing the word "Eighth Route Army", Qilu's half-tired eyes suddenly burst into light, and then he tremblingly accepted the job handed over by Chen Jieshan.
"When the friendly rescue force arrives, you have to help me receive it. If I guess correctly, the leader of the other party should be a colonel."
"My military rank is indeed relatively low, but you must be polite to me!"
That's right, Commander Li is now a serious person.
After the Battle of Taiyuan, Baldhead not only rewarded the brigade commander with 20,000 French coins and a Blue Sky and White Sun Medal by name, he also recorded military merits for Lao Li.
The First Marine Regiment was the first airborne force of the Republic of China. Of course, the commander of such an elite force had to be close. What's more, the military rank of a colonel is not very valuable. Throwing a stone in a mountain city can hit several of them.
After hearing his elder brother's weak instructions, Chen Jieshan asked tentatively:
"Brother, what do you think our army should do in the future? Should we stay in Lanzhou to recuperate? Or should we counterattack Suiyuan with the Eighth Route Army?"
The implication of his brother's words is very obvious, it is nothing more than who to hang out with in the future.
This time the troops stationed in Mongolia launched a massive offensive. Baldhead not only strictly prohibited the Eighth Route Army from going north to support them, but also sent a telegram saying that there would be a solution if they held firm.
Such an action completely chilled the hearts of the soldiers.
However, Qi Lu Ban did not answer the question directly. Instead, with the help of the guard, he picked up the bowl in his hand and ate while thinking.
Before arriving at BYNE Plains, the remnants of the 35th Army had lost almost 60% of their supplies. In addition, we had traveled through a small desert before, and the only food we could eat now was peas.
If the support from the Eighth Route Army had not arrived today, he would definitely not be willing to eat these life-saving dry rations.
"Let's go back to Lanzhou first. Now we don't have the capital to counterattack with the friendly forces."
"What's more, if we get together with each other, our beloved Chairman may cause something to happen."
"The best choice at the moment is to release goodwill first and give up the entire Suiyuan area to others. Anyway, the Mongolian troops have already occupied it, and there will be no worse results. Let's take it one step at a time."
After finishing speaking, Qi Lu and a half handed the bowl to the guard. He felt that his body was getting colder and colder, as if he had fallen into an ice hole.
This situation frightened Chen Jieshan and rushed to the army doctor.
But medicines are in short supply. The troops not only lost the battle but also lost a lot of supplies. No matter how good the doctor is, he can't cure the disease without medicine.
Just when Chen Jieshan was about to send soldiers and doctors to search for herbs nearby, the sound of piston engines suddenly came from the distant sky.
"Enemy attack! Take cover!"
"Everyone move! Quick!"
"We must not let the enemy see us. The commander is seriously ill and cannot withstand the torture!"
After hearing the commander's order, the soldiers of the 35th Army immediately took action. They first covered the horses and carts with straw that had been prepared long ago, and then hid on the spot and prayed that the enemy would not find them.
But at this moment, a sharp-eyed soldier noticed something unusual.
The aircraft in the sky are not only obviously different in appearance from the Kwantung Army's Army Aviation, but the logos under the wings are not the ointment flags commonly used by the Japanese.
The aircraft emblem looks like it has a red five-star as its main body, plus two wings with red and gold edges.
"Sir, that could be a friendly aircraft!"
"I'm from the anti-aircraft artillery battalion, and I know all the Japanese planes! And there are more than 20 transport planes behind the opponent. It's very likely that the Eighth Route Army has prepared supplies for us!"
The soldier's words made Chen Jieshan determined. Now that his eldest brother was in danger, if he didn't take a gamble, he would live in regret for the rest of his life.
"Guard Company! Light the fire!"
"Shoot out the flares! Brothers of the 101st Division, shoot out the remaining flares to guide the aircraft in the sky to their targets!"
"Success or failure depends on this!"
Facts have proved that Chen Jieshan made the right bet.
The field of vision in the plain area is relatively wide. Captain Wang Hai and Principal Chang soon saw the fire on the ground and the signal flares rising one after another.
Moments later, the Hamilkas were decoupled.
More than twenty gliders took the soldiers of the 1st Land Combat Regiment and flew silently to the northeast of the 35th Army.
When the glider landed, the remaining warriors jumped from the belly of the Air Overlord, and white umbrella canopies filled the entire sky.
After circling for a while, the military transport plane turned around and returned under the escort of Blenheim.
······
The first to land were still the airborne troops.
Since the 35th Army had no experience in cooperating with the 1st Marine Regiment, Zhang Dabiao could only choose a landing site as far away as possible to avoid accidental damage.
Different from the past, the soldiers did not rush to move out the Cicada tanks after leaving the cabin. Instead, they carried food and medicine while maintaining vigilance.
Before landing, the First Air Division used professional equipment to conduct reconnaissance in a radius of dozens of kilometers, but found no trace of the enemy. They had enough time to deploy their troops.
This mission was mainly about rescue. Considering that the seven and a half remaining troops had been pursued for several days, the 1st Marine Regiment decided to help treat the wounded and provide food.
(End of chapter)
