The father of the sword is Kong Jie

The autumn offensive initiated by the Eighth Route Army soon swept across North China.

Come with great momentum.

This move overturned the passive defensive situation behind enemy lines, in which the Japanese army had always taken the initiative to launch large-scale raids on the Eighth Route Army base areas.

Of course, before this, a team led by Kong Jie took the lead in trying to conduct an active offensive against the Japanese army.

It's just that the scale and movement at that time were completely different from the massive joint operations in various major base areas and theaters of the Eighth Route Army.

At the beginning of the battle, Okabe, an old devil, tried to make some small calculations.

On the one hand, he wanted to stick to Taiyuan and never allow Taiyuan to be lost.

On the other hand, this old devil is still hoping that he can take this opportunity to wipe out the main force of the Eighth Route Army that has almost been cleared out of the Taiyuan area.

In order to complete the operational goals that were far from being achieved when Okamura was in office.

Until the Eighth Route Army's offensive from all sides, like bamboo shoots springing up after the rain, quickly broke through the ground, and even directly caused the entire North China to become a pot of porridge.

Major areas occupied by the Japanese army were violently attacked by various forces of the Eighth Route Army.

Reinforcement troops from all directions heading to Taiyuan were blocked by the Eighth Route Army along the way.

Okabe then quickly put away this small thought.

Now he no longer expects to destroy the main force of the Eighth Route Army in one fell swoop, but only thinks about being able to defend the foundation that the Japanese Empire has built in North China over the years under the sudden autumn offensive launched by the Eighth Route Army.

Hub counties such as Datong, Taiyuan, Zhangjiakou, Baoding, HD, and Jinan, which were heavily guarded by Japanese troops, were all in distress, not to mention the surrounding small counties and towns where the garrison strength was already weak.

The situation quickly escalated.

Okabe, who had considered the situation and the current situation in the staff department, and a group of Japanese military staff officers quickly came to a conclusion.

The existing strength of the North China Front alone is insufficient to maintain the vast occupied area of ​​the North China Front, block the Eighth Route Army's large-scale, large-scale autumn offensive, and minimize the empire's losses.

This made General Okabe look a little ugly.

Not long after he took office, the North China Front Army, one of the major front armies of the Japanese army, and the number one imperial combat force under the "A" title, was forced to ask for help from the Kwantung Army and the Central China Front Army in disgrace under the offensive of the Eighth Route Army, which was originally trying to survive in the cracks in the occupied areas.

This really insults the military might of the North China Front and the majesty of General Okabe.

The Japanese chief of staff on the side said helplessly: "General, the Eighth Route Army has grown too fast in recent years. Their bases are all over the countryside. I don't know when, the counties, towns and towns occupied by our empire have been completely surrounded by them. middle.

Our security area is vast, which results in our garrisoned troops being relatively dispersed. Faced with a swarm of attacks by the Eighth Route Army without any prioritization, it is difficult for us to conduct a comprehensive defense over such a wide range. "

In this regard, the Japanese Chief of Staff put forward his own suggestion: "General, for the present plan, I am afraid that we can only further abandon some areas with less military value, shrink our army's strength, and stick to key counties, towns and important transportation lines. , at the same time, waiting for reinforcements from the Kwantung Army and the Central China Front Army!"

Although Okabe was unwilling to do so, he had no choice but to nod and agree since the matter had come to an end.

But he still wanted to struggle.

"I'll just follow your orders, but the Eighth Route Army is so rampant. If our Empire of Japan doesn't respond accordingly, won't we lose all our last dignity?

The army aviation forces of all parties were notified to immediately enter a state of full combat readiness and to be ready for orders from the headquarters at any time to conduct air strikes against the large-scale forces of the Eighth Route Army in the fighting areas of all parties.

At the same time, cover the defensive operations of key counties, towns, and transportation lines! "

"Hi!"

……

Each lined up their troops.

Regarding the newly established Aviation Command of the Eighth Route Army.

Kong Jie, who temporarily serves as the aviation commander-in-chief of the Eighth Route Army, is analyzing the war situation in North China after the winter offensive begins with the newly appointed Chief of Staff Liu of the Eighth Route Army Aviation Command Headquarters.

Chief of Staff Liu is a veteran of the Eighth Route Army, a veteran of the Red Army, and he is also an old comrade-in-arms with Kong Jie, Li Yunlong, Ding Wei and others.

Not only that, he graduated from the Anti-Japanese Red Army University, and also studied at the Frunze Military Academy of the Soviet Union. Later, he was awarded the rank of major general while interning in the Soviet Red Army.

After the Eighth Route Army's aviation industry achieved initial development, Chief of Staff Liu followed the instructions from Yan'an and returned to China from the Soviet Red Army and devoted himself to the Eighth Route Army's aviation construction.

This time, he was appointed as the chief of staff of the Eighth Route Army's Aviation Command Headquarters. Together with Kong Jie, he was responsible for the combat command of the Eighth Route Army's aviation forces after the launch of the autumn offensive.

Regarding the rapid development of the Eighth Route Army's aviation field, Chief Liu, who rushed back to China, was shocked, and then ecstatic.

Later, he heard from the headquarters how the Eighth Route Army's aviation force gradually developed amidst all the obstacles. Even the first fighter plane was captured from the enemy's airport.

But even under such difficult and dangerous conditions, the Eighth Route Army's own aviation force was still successfully established.

The biggest contributor to the successful establishment of the Eighth Route Army's secret aviation force, the generals at the headquarters were surprisingly unanimous - Kong Jie!
Although Kong Jie himself has always denied this, and modestly claimed that it was the result of the joint efforts of all soldiers.

In the end, if Kong Jie hadn't jokingly said that the title of the father of the Eighth Route Army aviation would have been used to encourage Brother Doolittle!
Maybe the cadres put this name on him.

Chief of Staff Liu was also filled with emotion about this.

Over the years, he has been studying in the Soviet Union. After returning to China, the most deeds he heard were about Kong Jie, the kind and honest old comrade-in-arms in his memory.

From the independent regiment winning one battle after another, to growing into a team, and then leading the first independent anti-Japanese detachment in northwestern Shanxi, the first Japanese army howled.

It even forced Yoshio Shinozuka, commander of the Japanese First Army, to abdicate.

Later, I heard that even Okamura Neiji, the commander of the Japanese North China Front, had been transferred to Guadalcanal because he had fought too many defeats on the North China Front.

In this way, if one were to pick a rapidly rising dark horse among the frontline commanders of the Eighth Route Army, Kong Jie would undoubtedly be the darkest and fastest.

"Old Kong, looking at the situation, the Japs seem to have learned their lesson. Our offensive is too scattered, with no priority at all. The Japs' defense line cannot be stretched so long, and there will always be times when the troops are not enough.

Sure enough, just as we speculated at the pre-war military meeting, facing our full-scale autumn offensive, the Japanese can only choose passive defense.It's really emotional to say it. Who would have thought that there would be times when little devils would be beaten up by us at home? "

Chief of Staff Liu sighed with emotion.

The battle situation on the front line also came one after another with news.

After the autumn offensive was launched, the battle that quickly broke out around Taiyuan attracted most of the Japanese army's attention.

Immediately afterwards, the Eighth Route Army feinted a shot and launched an attack on Datong, Zhangjiakou, Baoding, HD, Jinan and other major counties around Taiyuan, catching the Japanese army by surprise.

The Japanese army barely parried and after shrinking its troops to important county areas, they used the power of flying troops to launch targeted air strikes in the battle areas exposed by the Eighth Route Army on a large scale.

At this time, on the huge military simulation sand table in the staff room.

Different from the conventional military markings in the past, this time not only did the Japanese army have some small red flags representing the air force, but the Eighth Route Army also had special flags representing the aviation force.

"Now at Laokong's secret aviation base, there is the First Air Force formation we built, which is responsible for competing with the Japanese army for air supremacy in the frontline combat areas in Shanxi.

At the Yongbei Airport in the Luliang Mountain area, we established the Second Aviation Force, and then at the newly built Yongbei Yanta Airport in Yan'an, we established the Third Aviation Force.

With these three aviation bases, we can actually compete with the Japanese flying troops from a local perspective! "

Chief of Staff Liu's words were very emotional, something that was unthinkable in the past.

Just a few years ago, in the face of the Japanese air force reinforcements, the Eighth Route Army could only fend off in a panic. It didn't even have some decent air defense weapons, let alone its own aviation force.

Kong Jie smiled, where did he go?

"After all, it's still not enough. Even if we have built three aviation bases, the aviation strength of the Japanese army in North China is far greater than ours."

As he spoke, he casually picked up three small flags representing the Eighth Route Army's aviation unit, and then planted them in three locations on the simulated sand table in front of him.

The first one is in the Baotou area.

The second place is in the Huangyadong area.

The third place is in the Jizhong area, and the fourth place is in the LY area.

Chief of Staff Liu's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Lao Kong, do you mean to build subsequent planned aviation bases in Baotou, Huangyadong, Jizhong, and the LY area of ​​Shandong?"

Kong Jie smiled and said: "Old Liu, I really can't hide anything from you.

In fact, we are carrying out this autumn offensive. On the one hand, we are taking advantage of the kid's disease to kill the kid, further expanding the advantages brought to us after the May Day raids completely defeated the Japanese army, and striving to further strengthen our base areas.

On the other hand, at the same time, this all-round autumn offensive against the Japanese-occupied areas will gain more experience for our army's operations, and even for the operations of the aviation forces that cooperate with the army.

After the actual combat has fully begun, we can have a clearer understanding of the deployment and tactical issues of our aviation forces.

According to the current war situation, my initial idea is this.

At present, the First Air Force of our Eighth Route Army is located in the first team base area, the Second Air Force is in the Luliang Mountain area, and the Third Air Force is in Yan'an.

These three aviation units are basically used for air combat in Taiyuan, or in Shanxi. As for further areas, it is difficult for us to reach them.

On the surface, the autumn offensive we launched this time seems to be a regular offensive by the army, to further expand the area of ​​​​the base area and stabilize the development of our base area.

But it is also our battle to use the army to seize the air base and further advance to the front line.

Throughout Mengdi, the Baotou area almost overlooks the overall situation. Baotou has been defeated by the 35th Route Army many times. The Japanese army seems to have given up on treatment. There are not many troops stationed in the Baotou area.

With the help of our autumn offensive this time, Commander Fu can capture Baotou in one fell swoop and completely develop Baotou into a stable anti-Japanese revolutionary area.

Then try to establish a pioneer aviation base in Baotou.

Commander Fu and I have discussed this matter. In addition, Commander Fu sent a special communication just a few days ago. In the communication, he happily stated that he had defrauded several aviation units from Lao Yan and Lao Jiang.

At that time, we will support some more fighter planes and pilots to form the Fourth Air Force to protect the communication line between Inner Mongolia and western Inner Mongolia.

This completely revitalized the entire Mengxi region! "

Commander Liu immediately came to his senses and said with a smile: "I understand, what do you think about this old Kong from the aviation force in the Huangyadong area?"

Kong Jie said: "We have accumulated a lot of air force transportation experience in the last operation to loot the Japanese army's airport.

My boss and I have also suggested this matter. I think we can establish an aviation logistics support center in Huangyadong Industrial Zone. Well, we still have a number of transport aircraft on hand, including some C47 transport aircraft, Baidu transport aircraft, Mosquito night fighters, Carter Lina radar aircraft and Catalina relay communication aircraft form a joint logistics support force.

These transport aircraft and communication aircraft are combined to create a centralized air transport center to airdrop and transport important supplies to frontline troops.

Provide material reinforcements from a distance at any time.

This is extremely important for improving the long-distance strike capabilities of our troops, ensuring the logistics of long transportation lines, and ensuring emergency material reinforcements from aviation bases on all sides.

In addition, in the central Hebei region, a frontline airport should also be established to form the Fifth Air Force. My initial plan is to station three La38 fighter squadrons, two P[-] fighter squadrons, two Mosquito fighter squadrons, and one Type-[-] Falcon in the early stage. squadron, later stationed as a dive bomber unit.

The main combat mission is to ensure the frontline air supremacy of the Baoding troops in the early stage, to ensure the air supremacy of the Jidong attacking troops in the later stage, and to cooperate with operations in central Hebei, eastern Hebei and even southern Hebei.

Finally, there is Shandong LY area.

For specific locations, we can choose to build temporary airports in base areas such as Huxi and Baodugu, establish three front-line airports, and establish the Sixth Air Force.

Including this time, Lao Li and Lao Ding led the mobile troops to fight in the Shandong area, which is also a further step to strive for a stable base environment and lay the foundation for our subsequent construction of temporary front-line airports.

The preliminary plan is that after the construction of the Sixth Air Base is completed, three P38 squadrons, five La[-] squadrons, a mosquito radar unit, three mosquito bomber units, three SBD dive bomber units, and a seaplane communication unit will be stationed. Relay troops.

It can cooperate with various base areas in Shandong to fight against the Japanese army and compete for frontline air supremacy. "