Chapter 26 Chinese and American Air Forces Drop Warmth

The winter sky was as pale as paper.Although Changde's ground is scorched and ruined, bombs and flames are flying everywhere, the sky above her is still so vast and pure. "Buzzing", a black dragonfly-like plane approached. The Chinese and Japanese troops who were fighting suddenly stopped the "cracking" gunfire.The Japanese commander did not mobilize the plane to assist in the bombing at this moment, so looking at this rather suspicious plane was a bit baffled.The national army officers and soldiers thought it was another Japanese plane coming to attack, so they all shrank their heads and hid in the shelter.Fortunately, a daring national army platoon leader knew the emblem of the plane. He immediately recognized the C-46 transport plane of the Chinese and American Air Forces from the wings of the low-flying plane.

"Oh, our plane! Our plane!" Following the shout of the platoon leader, soldiers of the national army also ran out to cheer, waving to the Chinese and American Air Force transport planes in the sky. "Hidden! Hidden!" The Japanese troops in the distance suddenly became a mess. In order to avoid the possible dive and strafing by the Chinese and American air force planes, under the warnings of the commander, the soldiers ran away and evacuated in large numbers, lying on the ground, not daring to look up. . The eyes of the C-46 observers are also really sharp. The plane had just circled twice before observing the position of the national army. Then the plane slightly raised its tail and dropped several large cotton bales, which did not allow the Japanese army to make more reactions. , it quickly flew away and disappeared into the vast white clouds in the distant sky.

Airdropped cotton bales contained bullets, newspapers and pork.This is the first time that the Chinese and American air forces have successfully provided air assistance to the 57th Division of the Changde garrison.Looking at the sky, Yu Chengwan clasped his hands together and murmured gratefully: "General Chennault, I didn't expect you to be so loyal!" The reason why the Kuomintang Air Force during the Anti-Japanese War was called the Sino-American Air Force was mainly due to Chennault. In May 1937, Song Meiling, the first lady who also served as the secretary-general of the China Aviation Committee, was strongly recommended by American instructors Billy Macdonald and Roy Holbrook of the Jianqiao Aviation School, and hired Chennault, a retired captain of the U.S. Army Air Corps, as the aviation committee advisor.The talented Chennault once developed a new set of flight tactics in the United States, abandoning the previous air combat method of "separately attacking each other" by a single plane, and adopting a coordinated attack of three planes (two planes attack, one plane takes cover at a high place). The set of tactics later proved to be effective, but at the time it did not attract the attention of the superiors.Chennault was depressed, and shortly after arriving in China, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident broke out. He was sent to Nanchang to preside over the final actual combat training of fighter jets there, and arm Chinese pilots with his new tactics.A large number of facts later showed that Soong Meiling's reuse of Chennault was a great contribution to the Chinese Kuomintang Air Force.

In order to repay his kindness, Chennault devoted himself to training the young Chinese Air Force. With his efforts, a small but increasingly effective flying force was finally established.Before officially participating in the Anti-Japanese War, a total of 296 aircraft were included in the establishment, organized into 9 brigades, each with 2 to 4 squadrons, and a total of 31 squadrons, each with 9 aircraft. The main pilots of the Chinese Air Force are all students carefully brought out by Chennault. From August 14th to August 21st, 1937, in just half a month, the Chinese Air Force's flying brigade shot down 61 Japanese planes, taking the so-called elite Kanaya and Kisarazu The two naval air teams were wiped out, which dealt a heavy blow to the arrogant and arrogant Japanese Air Force. The commander of the Kanaya Air Force, Yoshishi Ishii, Marine Colonel, committed suicide by cutting open his stomach out of shame.

After the fall of Wuhan and Guangzhou, the Japanese army stepped into the inland, and a large area of ​​Chinese territory was occupied by Japan, which directly damaged the interests of the United States in China, and the relationship between the United States and Japan gradually deteriorated.Since 1940, the United States has shown signs of directly aiding China in the war of resistance. In November 1940, the Chinese government successively sent Chennault, Mao Bangchu, and Song Ziwen to the United States to conduct assistance activities. When Chennault returned to the United States as an envoy of the Chinese government, his activities at the beginning were not smooth, because at that time the United States focused on aiding the United Kingdom and did not care about China's war of resistance.Later, with the support of Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau and Thomas Cochran, Under Secretary of the Navy for Aviation, Chennault finally persuaded President Roosevelt to sign the Lend-Lease Act on March 11, 1941.According to this bill, China can obtain aircraft and other aviation equipment from the United States by way of lease.After Chennault's active activities, China soon obtained 100 advanced P-40C fighter jets from the Curtiss-Wright Aircraft Company that were originally intended for the United Kingdom.The Chinese government fully trusted Chennault, and decided to hand over these planes to Chennault, who would form an American volunteer air force. On April 15, 1941, President Roosevelt signed another unpublished order allowing US reserve officers and retired personnel to join volunteer teams to fight in China.Chennault immediately formed a five-person recruitment team, went to all over the United States, and hired a group of pilots and mechanics with high salaries (paid by China). On July 10, 1941, the first batch of American volunteers, consisting of 110 pilots and 150 maintenance and logistics personnel, departed from San Francisco and arrived in Yangon, Myanmar via Australia. On August 1, the American Volunteer Team of the Chinese Air Force was formally established in Yangon. Chennault served as the captain, under the jurisdiction of 3 squadrons, and began training in Donggua, Myanmar.

On December 19, the volunteer team took part in the battle for the first time, and shot down 9 of the 10 Japanese bombers that would attack in the sky near Kunming, without losing any of them.The American Volunteers won the first battle and have since won the reputation of the "Flying Tigers".The American Volunteers existed for 7 months and shot down a total of 299 Japanese planes, 153 of which may have been shot down, and only lost 12 of their own. There was no defeat in 50 air battles. On July 4, 1942, the United States decided to expand and reorganize the American Volunteers into the 23rd Fighter Battalion under the 10th Air Force of the U.S. Army, also known as the U.S. Air Force Task Force in China.Chennault returned to active duty, was promoted to brigadier general, and continued to serve as the commander of the team in China.

In 1943, the air situation on the Chinese battlefield began to undergo important changes.In order to strengthen the air force on the Chinese battlefield, the US Task Force in China was expanded and reorganized into the US 14th Air Force on March 4, with 1,000 combat aircraft of various types.Chennault was promoted to major general and remained commander of Fourteenth Air Force. In June, China accepted Chennault's suggestion and set up a training center in Karachi to train Chinese Air Force pilots in batches to master new American aircraft and improve their combat skills. In October, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Battalions of the Chinese Air Force, the U.S. Army Air Forces, and some members of the former "Flying Tigers" jointly formed a mixed regiment of the Chinese and U.S. Air Forces. It governed a bomber brigade and two fighter brigades, all of which belonged to Chennault. The general commanded.When the Battle of Changde broke out, the Chinese and American Air Forces were equipped with 60 bombers and more than 180 fighters, and their strength was already quite strong.

Chennault not only formed an indissoluble bond with the Chinese Air Force, but also developed a deep affection for this ancient land of China.He established friendships with many Chinese, including the Central News Agency reporter Ms. Chen Xiangmei who later became his wife, as well as many senior generals in the Chinese army. Yu Chengwan met Chennault entirely because of a chance.Two summers ago, Yu wanted to send his wife Kuang Yuan and their children to the rear.There are two places to choose from, Chongqing and Kunming. Chongqing is the accompanying capital, and there are too many dignitaries. Lieutenant generals like Yu Chengwan are not rare at all, so Kunming was chosen.

After settling his family in Kunming, Yu Chengwan was eager to rush back to the army. At that time, one battle after another, there was no time to stop.The Ministry of National Defense stipulates that if conditions permit, generals of the national army can take the convenience plane of the Chinese and American air forces.Chennault's air force headquarters is located in Kunming. The so-called convenient flight means that there are a few empty seats on the transport plane or bomber plane on this route, so you can take advantage of the wind.At noon that day, the sun was scorching, and Yu Chengwan rushed to Kunming Wujiaba Airport, and got the boarding pass at the Air Force Wing Command with the certificate of the general officer.When is there a plane?He replied that in a few hours, a transport plane would fly to Enshi, where the commander-in-chief of the sixth theater is located.So Yu Chengwan went to wait under the shade of a tree beside the runway. At the same time, there were already about 10 generals waiting there, but they didn't know each other very well, and everyone waited there patiently in silence.

At this time, on the runway behind them, an old DC-3 military cargo plane broke down. The pilot and a mechanic wanted to push the plane back to the hangar, but they pushed it for a long time under the scorching sun, and it was very difficult. Obviously there are too few people and not enough strength.Far away, the big-nosed Americans couldn't see the identity of the group of people standing here, so they yelled "Wow wow wow" regardless of etiquette, meaning to ask them to come over and help.But the generals all pretended to be deaf and dumb, and stood there calmly, and they were unwilling to drop the price.

Suddenly, a person strode over, shaking his hands as he walked, meaning "I'm coming".He is Yu Chengwan.Several people worked together, "Ouch, ouch" pushed the plane all the way to the door of the hangar, just about to push the huge thing into the door again, an American jeep passed by, and braked suddenly beside them with a "crack" stopped.A tall and burly American general jumped out of the car, and the pilots and mechanics rushed over to stand at attention and saluted. This was Chennault.Chennault asked what was going on?The pilot gave a general report, but before the report was over, Chennault reprimanded angrily: "You guys are too rude, do you know what mistake you made? You used a lieutenant general as a manpower!" Chennault knew the national army In the car, he immediately saw that Yu Chengwan was a lieutenant general.He walked up to Yu Chengwan and said humbly, "Your Excellency, General, I'm sorry, but your subordinates are rude and have caused you to be wronged." Voluntary!" After that, he greeted the pilot and the mechanic: "Come on, let's finish the work and push it hard!" Chennault couldn't help being moved, and joined their ranks, pushing the plane forward together. library in place. After the incident, Chennault shook Yu Chengwan's greasy hand and asked, "May I ask the general's name?" "Yu Chengwan. Commander of the 57th Division of the National Army. What about you?" Yu Chengwan guessed who he was, but wanted to confirm it. "Chennault." The two have only met each other once, but they have a good impression of each other.Especially for Yu Chengwan, Chennault felt that this young, unassuming general was very "buddy"! After the 57th Division was trapped in Changde, Yu Chengwan did not think of asking Chennault to help when he was in extreme danger. Instead, Chennault first discovered Yu Chengwan's name in the briefing on the war situation. He thought the name was very familiar. Immediately remembered the touching scene of pushing the plane.War briefings came out one after another, showing that the situation of Commander Yu Chengwan was getting worse day by day. Chennault could imagine that, surrounded by the Japanese army, the 57th Division might eventually reach the point where it would run out of food and ammunition.Not only is his relationship with the Chinese army an ally, but he is literally a member of the Chinese army. Coupled with the goodwill and friendship he had with Yu Chengwan earlier, he believes that he has the responsibility to provide rescue within his ability. But at that time, the main forces of the Chinese and American air forces were all deployed on the Burmese battlefield and the "Hump" transportation line. The Chongqing Military Commission did not request air assistance to Changde, so Chennault directly reported to General Stilwell, and Stilwell advised him that the airspace over Changde Air supremacy is still in the hands of the Japanese, and there are not enough fighter jets to escort them, so transport planes must not risk airdrops.That's true.Just when Chennault almost had no choice but to give up the idea of ​​sending a plane to Changde, Chen Xiangmei encouraged him to go.Chen Xiangmei said, didn't you say you wanted to make friends with General Yu?We Chinese have an old saying when we make friends, it is called to repay the kindness of a drop of water with a fountain. Although General Yu has no kindness to you, he will do his best when he should do it for you. What about you?He hesitated when he was able to do his best, and it was impolite to come and not to go, so let's go!With the support of Chen Xiangmei, Chennault specially flew to Hengyang Sino-US Air Force Airport, and then made a special trip to Changsha, reported to General Xue Yue, and finally obtained consent, so he ordered the Aviation Mobile Brigade to send planes to drop rescue items to Changde. The Japanese army's communication code was intercepted for the first time, and there was a gap without escort by fighter jets. From the second time, 4 P-40C fighter jets escorted each time. On November 30, five planes of the Chinese and American air forces came to the southwest corner of Changde City and hovered for a few weeks before dropping 4,000 rounds of rifle bullets on the defenders of the 57th Division.As soon as he was about to return, he encountered the arriving Japanese fighter jets, and a fierce air battle broke out. As a result, 4 Japanese planes were shot down, and there were no casualties in the Chinese and American air forces. Under Chennault's further proposal, the Chongqing Military Commission and the Sixth and Ninth War Zones finally included the air force in the battle plan for the Changde battle.In the case of a very short supply of fighter planes, Chen still tried his best to mobilize a group of new troops and put them on the front line of Yuanshui and Lishui. Those days, the news media rejoiced that the Air Force was joining the fray, retweeting the news to cheer people up. News 1: Stilwell's headquarters in China issued Bulletin No. 148 on the 29th, stating that the fighters and bombers of the 14th Air Force were extremely active in assisting the Chinese land forces in the Dongting Lake area on the 26th and 27th.Many enemy landing barges were destroyed, and the Japanese infantry and cavalry suffered casualties. Ninety percent of the bombs dropped by the 'Mitchell' medium-sized bombers hit Yueyang in the air. Explosions, fire and thick smoke occurred in the target area.The enemy had a little anti-aircraft artillery resistance, but our planes returned safely. News 2: U.S. News Agency reported on the 29th that Chennault's 14th Air Force's forward combat P-40C fighter jets successively attacked the Dongting Lake area yesterday, which was extremely successful.Raided the enemy trying to cross the river over the Changde Yuanjiang River, and strafed the enemy at low altitude, causing heavy losses to the enemy personnel. News 3: According to a report from a base of the Air Force of the Central News Agency, on the 30th, the Chinese and American Air Forces continued to dispatch to assist our ground troops in Changde, northern Hunan. very heavy.After my aircraft completed the mission, all returned safely. News 4: A certain place of the Air Force reported that on the 28th and 29th, our Air Force braved the bad weather and continued to fly to the front line in northern Hunan to fight against the enemies outside Changde in batches. At 9:30 a.m. on the 29th, when four of our planes were performing missions, they encountered 15 enemy bombers and six destroyers over the northeast lake in Changde. I shot down the frame on the spot and fell in two counties of Hanshouan Township. On the 28th, when our air force sent ammunition to the Changde defenders from the air, they delivered 2,000 catties of beef and pork each as a token of condolence.At that time, the defenders in the city were fighting hard for ten days, and when they received this rare gift, they all waved their hats to thank Yun. For the officers and soldiers of the 57th Division, the supplies provided by the air aid from the Chinese and American Air Forces are of course a timely help, but people in desperate situations seem to need spiritual comfort and a few beams of light.Chennault understood the psychology of war quite well, and promptly wrapped a large number of newspapers and periodicals in the parachute bag for the officers and soldiers of the besieged national army to read and draw strength from. In the dark, damp, and cold trenches, bunkers, and bunkers, crumpled copies of "Central Daily" and "Ta Kung Pao" were spread throughout the entire army from hands covered in dust, gunpowder, and blood.They know that the vast rear, and even the whole world are paying attention to the defense of Changde. They are described by the most heroic words, they are blessed by the most sincere words, and they are sung by the most exciting poems.These simple officers and soldiers did not regard their own lives as precious. Now that the battle for the country and the territory has been publicized so enthusiastically, their fame will last forever and their ancestors will be honored. What are they planning?So they were all moved to tears.After crying, they were determined to fight the Japanese army to the end, until the last drop of blood was shed. In the division headquarters, a piece of news made the commanders' blood boil with excitement.According to sources, from November 27th to 30th, when the Battle of Changde was at its worst, Chiang Kai-shek went to Cairo, the capital of Egypt, to attend the meeting of the world's three giants, and met with US President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.The Battle of Changde was a hot topic at the giant meeting, and the 57th Division was very proud of the Chinese, and won several beautiful defensive battles in succession, preventing the Japanese army from taking half a step into the city. During the celebration, Roosevelt raised his thumbs up to praise the bravery and tenacity of the Chinese army, and asked Chiang Kai-shek the number of the defending troops and the names of the main generals. After hearing Chiang Kai-shek's introduction, Roosevelt recorded Yu Chengwan's name in the backup Forget about the manual.This is tantamount to a great honor. Although Roosevelt remembers the name of Yu Chengwan, doesn't Yu Chengwan represent the entire 57th Division?So it is the glory of the whole "Hu Ben"! Bullets and "spiritual atomic bombs", Chennault's Chinese and American Air Forces sent two precious things to the 57th Division.