In just three days, the Japanese army lost all its airports, arsenals, automobile factories, and some military facilities in Manchuria.
The Kwantung Army General Staff calculated the losses as quickly as possible.
"General."
"According to incomplete statistics, the locust army lost a total of 45 airports, more than 600 aircraft, and 226 pilots."
"Twenty-five arsenals and branch factories were bombed, 6 automobile factories were bombed, and countless equipment, skilled workers, weapons and ammunition were lost."
"Currently, the Manchurian Locust Army's aviation system has been paralyzed, and the output of the arsenal has become extremely low."
"..."
Changchun, Kwantung Army Headquarters.
After listening to the combat staff read the damage report, General Umezu Yoshijiro closed his eyes with a painful expression.
He couldn't believe it and couldn't accept it.
However, they had to accept huge losses such as the Manchuria Air Force being severely damaged and the arsenal being paralyzed.
Umezu Yoshijiro had already expected that the Eighth Route Army would launch an air attack on the Kwantung Army. The North China Front Army was almost completely wiped out, and the commander was shattered. The Eighth Route Army's next step must be to deal with the Kwantung Army.
The Eighth Route Army was very strong, but the Kwantung Army was not strong enough. He had already ordered some aircraft to be transferred to the peninsula and the country to minimize losses.
However, within three days, various military facilities including Manchuria airports, arsenals, and automobile manufacturing plants suffered near-destructive attacks.
The Kwantung Army was almost powerless to fight back.
It was really difficult for him to understand and accept that the Kwantung Army would never be so embarrassed even if it faced the Soviet army.
But facing the Eighth Route Army and the Eighth Route Army's strategic bombers, Umezu Yoshijiro felt a strong sense of powerlessness.
Even the current Soviet army does not have the capability of strategic long-range bombing. Where on earth did those group of beggars get strategic bombers!?
Umezu Meijiro was angry and confused.
What made him even more worried was that the number of strategic bombers of the Eighth Route Army had obviously increased, no less than 100!
Since the Japanese army currently occupies a large amount of Chinese territory, the Eighth Route Army does not dare to dispatch strategic bombers for the second time to bomb the empire's homeland.
but!
At the current rate of development of the Eighth Route Army, it will definitely continue to attack the Kwantung Army and the Expeditionary Forces.
After the Eighth Route Army destroyed the Kwantung Army and the dispatched army, the Eighth Route Army could unscrupulously dispatch strategic bombers to bomb the empire's homeland.
Moreover, at that time, the Eighth Route Army had at least several hundred strategic bombers.
Just thinking about it made Umezu Yoshijiro shudder.
What kind of existence has the empire provoked?
but.
Umezu Yoshijiro knew very well that at this point, the empire had no choice but to go all the way.
For the future of the Yamato nation, their generation had to fight their way out.
Because the Yamato nation has no future in that resource-poor island country.
Only a territory as vast and rich as China is worthy of the Yamato nation.
Either win or die.
Various thoughts flashed through Umezu Meijiro's mind, and he quickly regained his composure and opened his eyes.
"Our enemy is extremely powerful."
"Now how to do?"
After regaining his composure, Umezu Yoshijiro began to think about countermeasures.
At present, the airport and arsenal have been completely destroyed by bombing, which means that the reserve flight training ground and air support of the Kwantung Army and the Empire have been greatly reduced, and even the monthly production of weapons and ammunition has almost reached zero.
Although there are still some stocks, they are weapons and ammunition produced by the former arsenal.
However, without the continuous production of arsenals, the weapons and ammunition in those warehouses would not last long.
Blowing up arsenals and automobile factories weakened the Kwantung Army's war potential.
Lieutenant General Yukio Kasahara, Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army, said: "General, don't worry too much. Hasn't the Prime Minister already formulated a plan to eliminate the Eighth Route Army? Prepare to mobilize one million locust troops and 200,000 tons of combat materials to attack and eliminate the Eighth Route Army.
According to intelligence, the Eighth Route Army has a large amount of weapons and ammunition, a large amount of food, fuel and other combat supplies. As long as the Eighth Route Army can be eliminated, the Locust Army will definitely make a fortune."
"We can slowly find a way to solve the problem of the arsenal."
Hearing this, Umezu Yoshijiro's expression softened a lot.
The current empire has not yet reached its end. The Army and the Eighth Route Army are still capable of fighting, and it is still unclear who will win.
"There is an old saying in Chinese military art that the best defense is offense."
"Your Excellency, General, Your Excellency, Chief of Staff, I suggest that the Kwantung Army take the initiative to launch an attack on the North China Eighth Route."
A combat staff officer whose mind was full of bushido and locusts said with a stern expression.
"Offensive?" Yukio Kasahara snorted coldly, "Faced with the bombing of the Eighth Route Army, even defense is very difficult, how can we talk about attack?"
Kasahara Yukio didn't care too much about the Japanese, and turned to Umezu Yoshijiro and said:
"Your Excellency, General, the top priority is to divert the planes diverted to the peninsula to the mainland to avoid being bombed by the Eighth Route bombers."
"Yes." General Umezu Yoshijiro nodded and said, "In addition, another division will be transferred to Shanhaiguan to strengthen the defense of Shanhaiguan!"
"Hi."
Kasahara Yukio lowered his head suddenly.
…
The news that the Manchuria airport and arsenal had been hit by air raids and suffered heavy losses quickly reached the ears of Hideji Tojo.
When I heard the news, Tojo Eiji was eating.
"idiot!"
Tojo's chicken flew off the dining table.
This news made the Japanese army's already unhappy situation even worse.
Japan's resources are already poor, and the Japanese army's ammunition is not sufficient. The Kwantung Army's aviation units and arsenal suffered heavy losses this time, which will inevitably affect Tojo's subsequent strategy.
Tojo's strategy was to attack the national army first, and then concentrate superior forces to attack the Eighth Route Army in North China.
Winning the two battles will inevitably require a large amount of food, fuel, ammunition and other combat materials.
Tojo Hideji, who had no intention of eating, quickly summoned a meeting of cabinet ministers and staff.
Not long after, the Japs' staff and the Minister of Navy and Army quickly arrived at the Prime Minister's Office.
Hideji Tojo had no unnecessary nonsense and took the lead in letting his staff read the battle damage report sent by Umezu Yoshijiro.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! As expected, the Japanese officers who heard the news were suddenly startled and in a commotion.
It is almost impossible for the Japanese army and the Chinese army to jointly attack the Eighth Route Army, and now something like this has happened again.
All the old devils were in a bad mood.
According to the current situation, it is necessary to mobilize 1 million combat troops from the mainland to China.
A group of old devils began to offer suggestions and advice.
…
Chengde.
Japanese Army Headquarters.
Mizuo Nakazawa, Kazuki Yamamoto, Shigetori Kuroda and others are sitting in the headquarters.
The atmosphere in the headquarters was gloomy. Mitsuo Nakazawa held in his hand the latest intelligence he had just received:
The Kwantung Army's airfields and arsenals suffered heavy losses from air raids.
"Yamamoto-kun, Kuroda-kun, Toyama-kun, what do you think about this matter?"
Nakazawa Mizuo looked at Yamamoto Kazuki, Kuroda Shigenori and the 71st Division's long mountain climb, and asked with an ugly expression.
“As expected!”
Yamamoto Kazuki took the lead and said in a deep voice:
"The Eighth Route Air Force does not dare to bomb the mainland of the empire in a short period of time. It will definitely attack the Kwantung Army. Not only the Kwantung Army, but I am afraid that the dispatched army and the South China Front Army will also be bombed by the Eighth Route strategic bombers."
After leaving Zhangjiakou, the 1st Division, 26th Division and 71st Division retreated to Chengde and built fortifications here.
However, the Eighth Route Army did not pursue the victory, allowing these three divisions to gain some breathing space.
Although Yamamoto Kazuki is only a major general, he is also the deputy chief of staff of the North China Front, so he can hold meetings with Nakazawa Mitsuo and others.
These three divisions are already the last units of the North China Front.
"Damn it! Don't the Locust Army have the means to threaten the Eighth Route Strategic Bombers?"
Yuan Shanden slammed his fist on the table and said with anger in his tone and expression.
In just a few days, the Kwantung Army's arsenal and airport suffered a near-destructive attack, which was simply a shame for the Imperial Locust Army.
"It's difficult." Kuroda Shigenori shook his head, "The Locust Army has too few large-caliber anti-aircraft guns, but it is said that the local aviation command is already working on developing a jet fighter capable of fighting at an altitude of 10,000 meters."
Yamamoto said in a mocking tone: "With those rotten, rigid-minded ordnance officials? It would be difficult for them to produce an anti-tank rocket launcher, let alone an advanced jet fighter."
Yamamoto was completely disappointed with the ordnance department.
The Eighth Route Army continuously came up with a variety of new weapons, including new semi-automatic rifles and new fully-automatic submachine guns, new heavy artillery, new tanks and aircraft.
The firepower is strong and the power is huge.
And the empire’s ordnance department hasn’t updated the equipment for the Locust Army in how many years?
Still using the outdated Type 38 rifle and the often jammed Southern Type 14 pistol.
If we use these weapons against semi-automatic and fully-automatic weapons, isn't it just asking soldiers to die?
In the battle with the Eighth Route Army, the Japanese also achieved some sporadic victories and captured some of the Eighth Route Army's new Type 56 firearms, but the number was not large.
Yamamoto Kazuki personally test-fired the Eighth Route Army's new Type 56 equipment and came to a surprising conclusion:
Compared with the Type 56 equipment of the Eighth Route Army, the Japanese Type 38 rifles were only slightly stronger than fire sticks.
Mitsuo Nakazawa consoled him: "Yamamoto-kun, the officials who produce anti-tank rocket launchers and aircraft are not the same department. You have to have full confidence in the officials of the Locust Army."
Yamamoto Kazuki nodded slightly, and there was no point in continuing to mock the ordnance officer.
Ordnance officials would not produce jet fighters that could counter the Eighth Route Army's Saber fighters and strategic bombers just because of his ridicule.
At this moment, the communications staff officer walked in quickly and bowed his head to Mitsuo Nakazawa to report: "General, I have just received an appointment from the base camp."
Mizuo Nakazawa, Kazuki Yamamoto, Shigetori Kuroda and Toyama Tozan all turned to the communications staff and made a listening gesture.
Mitsuo Nakazawa: "Nian."
"Hi."
The communications staff officer held the telegram and read: "The 1st Army of the Imperial Japanese Army will be rebuilt in the base camp. Lieutenant General Mitsuo Nakazawa will serve as the commander of the 1st Army and the commander of the 1st Division. Major General Kazuki Yamamoto will serve as the Chief of Staff of the 1st Army. Next
It has jurisdiction over the 1st Division, the 26th Division and the 71st Division, and is under the command of the Kwantung Army Headquarters. It is stationed in the Chengde area to fight against the Eighth Route Army. The Prime Minister of the Empire of Japan, Hideji Tojo, the Japanese Locust Army board, and the Locust Majesty Board.
load!"
Because the North China Front Army Headquarters, including the commander, has been killed.
There were not many Japs in Chengde, so the Japanese base camp directly canceled the designation of the North China Front.
The 1st Division, 26th Division and 71st Division were combined to form a new 1st Army.
Mitsuo Nakazawa immediately said: "Immediately call back to the base camp and thank the Prime Minister and His Majesty Tianchu for their trust. The officers and soldiers of our First Army will surely learn their shame and become brave and invincible."
"Hi."
The communications staff member finished recording the contents of the telegram, then suddenly lowered his head and turned to leave.
"Yoshi!" Looking at the back of the communications staff officer leaving, Mitsuo Nakazawa looked at Kazuki Yamamoto and patted him on the shoulder, "Yamamoto-kun, from now on, you and I, working together, will definitely defeat the Eighth Route Army!"
Promoted from the commander of the 1st Division to the commander of the 1st Army, Mitsuo Nakazawa's inner haze was swept away.
It was originally thought that he led the 1st Division to defeat and would never have the chance to be promoted to the commander of the group army.
But he didn't expect that the base camp would still give him this opportunity. After being promoted to the commander of the 1st Army, the next step would be to be promoted to general and serve as the commander of the front army...
"Hi, Commander."
Yamamoto Kazuki lowered his head and then raised his head. Seeing Mitsuo Nakazawa looking like he wanted to reuse him, Yamamoto's expression fell into deep thought.
…
"The Flying Fortress strategic bomber is such a damn good thing!"
At the same time, Li Yunlong, the head of the new regiment, spoke with emotion after reading the bombing report on the staff headquarters.
Within three days, the Eighth Route Army dispatched approximately 600 bomber sorties and carried out surgical bombings on the Kwantung Army's arsenals, airports and other military facilities.
A total of 6,000 tons of aerial bombs and napalm were dropped.
The results were gratifying, basically destroying the Kwantung Army's aviation units and arsenal, and greatly weakening the Kwantung Army's war potential.
Zhao Gang nodded in agreement and said: "The great results achieved this time are all due to this Flying Fortress strategic bomber. It has high safety, strong reliability, long range and large bomb load. It is simply a perfect strategic bomber."
Wang Dehou said: "Headquarters sent a telegram saying that the Soviet army sent someone to contact YA and said they wanted our jet fighters and strategic bombers to deal with the German army."
Even as powerful as the Soviet army, it currently does not have the ability to conduct strategic bombing.
Strategic bombing requires not only long-range strategic bombers, but also a large amount of high-grade fuel, a large number of aerial bombs and excellent pilots.
The Soviet Army certainly has the latter three, but the Soviet Army does not have strategic bombers.
The Soviet army received assistance from the United States, but the Soviet army wanted the B29 strategic bombers of the American army, but the United States only gave B25 medium bombers.
"What a loud tone." Li Yunlong snorted coldly, "If he wants it, we will give it to him?"
Li Yunlong has not forgotten that the Red Army suffered heavy casualties due to the blind command of Li De sent by the Comintern.
What's more, at this time, the Soviet army in the Far East still occupied a large area of Chinese land.
He also said so directly, with the attitude that I am looking for you to give you face, which really makes Li Yunlong angry.
"So the head of YA didn't give it." Xing Zhiguo smiled slightly, "The United States also contacted YA and wanted our jet fighters and strategic bombers, not to mention the national army, which has been sending people to want our weapons.
equipment."
"It's okay if you don't give it!" Li Yunlong said, "No one can get the equipment that our Eighth Route Army soldiers earned with their blood for free."
After a pause, Li Yunlong looked at Wang Dehou: "Chief of Staff, Boss Chen has sent intelligence information about important Japanese military facilities in Central and South China. Your staff will continue to work hard and formulate a bombing plan as soon as possible!"