Chapter 11 2. Ignite the fuse of the Xiangxi War

On February 25, 1945, a fighter plane of the Chennault Flying Tigers took off from Zhijiang Airport in western Hunan and flew northeastward, pointing directly at Japanese territory.With a loud bang, the bombers of the mixed brigade of the Chinese and American Air Forces dropped revenge bombs one after another.The bomb hit the Japanese Imperial Palace, and the Japanese Emperor Hirohito was so frightened that the Japanese government and the public were in an uproar, and the citizens were terrified. Neiji Okamura, the commander-in-chief of the China Expeditionary Force who had just taken office, was summoned by Emperor Hirohito.The emperor was dissatisfied with the performance of the dispatched troops from China, what was there to do?There are so many troops stationed on Chinese territory, and yet there was an incident of Chinese and American planes bombing the Japanese imperial palace. This must be investigated and completely destroyed, so that such a bad incident will never happen again.

Commander Neiji Okamura kept saying "Hey! Hey!" as he came out of the palace, his shirt soaked in sweat.Since Tojo Hideki's cabinet was reshuffled, the life of the Japanese Army is not as easy as before.When Hideki Tojo was the prime minister, the Japanese army was the most favored son, and it was invincible.Now the Japanese Air Force and Navy dare to challenge the Army at any time, make severe criticisms, and even ask you to step down. Okamura Ningji returned to Nanjing, China, and immediately held a military meeting to inform the generals in the Chinese theater of His Majesty's imperial order.Who bombed the Japanese Imperial Palace?Of course, it is the mixed air force brigade of China and the United States, especially the Flying Tigers of the United States.According to the judgment of the intelligence department, the planes that bombed the Japanese mainland should be locked in the western part of Henan or the northern part of Hubei. Only when there is a base there can it be so convenient to replenish ammunition and fuel.

Neiji Okamura did not think it was possible, and ordered the intelligence department to go all out to find out the exact location of the Chinese army's air force base as soon as possible.Before the military conference he convened was over, he sent accurate information that the bases of the Chinese Air Force were built in Nanyang, Henan, Xiangyang, Hubei, and Laohekou. In front of a hanging military map, Major General Imai Takeo screamed.He is the deputy chief of staff of the Chinese Expeditionary Army.He thinks that this should not have happened. During the battle on the 1st last year, these military airports should have been destroyed. If it had been completed then, how could there be any troubles today?

Neiji Okamura was also very annoyed. He punched the map and decided to dispatch five divisions to completely destroy the air force bases in western Henan and northern Hubei in the shortest possible time to protect the safety of the Japanese mainland and sea lines of communication. Order of His Majesty the Emperor. The Japanese army attacked northern Hubei and western Henan very quickly. What they received was the emperor's order to completely destroy the Chinese Air Force base at all costs.In less than a month, the air force airports in Nanyang, Xiangyang, and Laohekou were destroyed by the Japanese army.The Chinese defenders stationed at the airport could not withstand the crazy Japanese attack. After more than a week of fierce contests, more than a hundred thousand Kuomintang troops retreated.

The fifth war zone did not do well in combat, losing Nanyang, Xiangyang and Laohekou one after another.In less than a month, the arrogant Japanese army gathered a large number in the north of Chongqing, which made Chiang Kai-shek a little restless.The Japanese army is likely to follow the trend and directly attack the Chongqing area.Therefore, Chiang Kai-shek hastily mobilized heavy troops for defense. Before the Japanese dispatched troops in China had time to be proud, voices of criticism came from the base camp, asking whether Okamura Ningji lied about the military situation and the results of the battle.According to Neiji Okamura, after destroying the air force airport of the Chinese army, why are the Japanese mainland and sea lines of communication constantly being attacked by air?

Even worse than before? Commander Neiji Okamura did not know that since the China-India highway was opened and the oil pipeline was also opened, the problem of fuel and ammunition that had seriously restricted Chennault was solved, and the Chinese and American air forces were not unable to spread their wings as before.Now there are several batches of aircraft all day long, bombing Japan, Taiwan, and Japan's sea lines of communication indiscriminately, playing a huge role. General Chennault and the Flying Tigers he led can be said to be well-known heroes in China. In 1995, the United States conducted a selection of World War II heroes. Eisenhower was named a European Hero, and Chennault was named an Asian Hero.It is no exaggeration to say that General Chennault made a major contribution to China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. He is worthy of the title of Asian Hero of World War II.

President Roosevelt commented on Chennault and said: "He is a man who works hard for the free world. After years of watching from the sidelines, I found in my heart that there are not too many people like Chennault, but too few." Chiang Kai-shek once wrote: "General Chennault has been in China since 1937 as an advisor to the Chinese Air Force, assisting in training, working hard with enthusiasm, and building a solid foundation. Three years after the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the general served as the commander of the American Volunteer Army in 1941. During this period, the command post Fighting against the strong and powerful, he has a brilliant record, and he was promoted to the commander of the 14th U.S. Air Force in 1942, and he made a lot of contributions to promoting the cooperation between the Chinese and U.S. air forces.”

Chennault was born on September 6, 1893 in a small farmer's family in Coomas, Texas, USA.Afterwards, the whole family moved to the jungle and harbor bay in northeastern Louisiana, where there is the Mississippi River and forests, so Chennault developed a special hobby of fishing and hunting since he was a child. Lieutenant Chennault, who was enlisting in the army in 1917, applied for an examination as a volunteer officer pilot. In the second year, after studying at the aviation school, he was appointed as the adjutant of the 46th Fighter Squadron. In 1919 he graduated with honors from flight school and was rated as a fighter pilot.Some say Chennault was born to be a pilot.He not only has a high level of flying, but also wrote a series of teaching materials for fighter jets, which caused a sensation in the world. In 1937, due to bronchitis and ear problems, he voluntarily submitted his resignation and officially retired from active service as an Air Force captain.

Chiang Kai-shek's wife, Song Meiling, was very discerning. Knowing Chennault's influence in the U.S. Air Force, she warmly invited him to visit China.Chennault, who had just been discharged from the hospital, happily accepted Song Meiling's invitation and agreed to her idea of ​​guiding the construction of the Chinese Air Force. He set off in April of that year and arrived in Shanghai in July. The first stop of Chennault's investigation in China was Zhijiang in western Hunan, where he conducted a field inspection of Zhijiang Airport.Zhijiang Airport was not originally an airport. It was an ancient teaching ground, which was used by the government and the army of all dynasties. It was mainly used for training soldiers in peacetime, and it was also a place for major events such as the examination of Wu Xiucai and the inspection of the army.The so-called airport is because during the period of warlord melee, He Jian in Hunan sent planes to land here and bombed Zhijiang City where the rebels were stationed.

Chennault, who was born in the Air Force, was full of praise when he looked at the rolling hills all around him, and the airstrip with a size of a thousand acres in front of him.Zhijiang left a deep impression on him. At that time, Chennault didn't know that Zhijiang, deep in the mountains in western Hunan, China, would form an indissoluble bond with him, not only accomplishing his heroic deeds, but also giving him My personal life has brought infinite beauty and happiness. After Chennault inspected Zhijiang, when he reported the situation of Zhijiang to Chiang Kai-shek, he emphasized the importance of Chen Zhijiang's strategic position, which laid the foundation for Chiang Kai-shek's later decision to expand Zhijiang Airport into a strategic base for the Sino-US Air Forces.During the War of Resistance Against Japan, it was strategic to choose Zhijiang to expand into a large-scale military aircraft site. For this alone, Chennault should be rewarded for his foresight and sagacity.

The Xuefeng Mountains to the east of the Zhijiang River, and the Wuling Mountains to the west, between the two mountains with huge walls, there is a basin like the Zhijiang River, which can be said to be a unique and secret military base.Due to the high mountains and dense forests, it is very closed, and the Japanese never imagined that there is such a large airport in the depths of this mountain.Chennault chose this airport out of various considerations.The first is its concealment; the second is the geographical location of Zhijiang. Since ancient times, Zhijiang has been known as "the gateway of Yunnan and Guizhou, and the throat of Guizhou and Chu". It is the most convenient channel to Guizhou, Yunnan and Chongqing in the rear.Although the land transportation conditions are not good, the water transportation is very convenient. A Wushui River runs through the county and directly leads to the Wuyang River in Guizhou Province.There is a Guizhou-Guizhou highway on the side, which can go directly to Tongren, Sansui, Guiyang, Guizhou, and south to Guilin, Guangxi; third, it is more convenient than the airports in Yunnan, Guiyang and other places to support the battlefield in the interior. Close to the main battlefield of China's Anti-Japanese War, it is convenient for military aircraft to go back and forth. When the Chinese Anti-Japanese War broke out, the Japanese army relied on its air force superiority, dispatched a large number of planes frequently, and bombed the important military targets and transportation fortresses of the Kuomintang army in turn, causing heavy losses to the Chinese army.The Japanese air force is as arrogant as the army and navy. In their eyes, let alone the Chinese air force, even the air forces of the United States and the Soviet Union are no problem.Chiang Kai-shek also knew very well in his heart that his air force was backward, but he couldn't have no air supremacy on the battlefield.So during the Battle of Songhu, Chiang Kai-shek still ordered the 4th Flying Battalion stationed in Nanchang to fly to the airspace of Hangzhou Bay to bomb the Japanese 3rd Fleet parked in the waters of Jianqiao, destroying the Japanese command and supply system, and intercepting Japanese aircraft flying to Shanghai. , Nanjing and other places. Chennault had just been hired by Chiang Kai-shek as an advisor to the Chinese Air Force, and he elaborated a set of Chinese Air Force combat plans and tactics.According to Chennault's deployment, the 4th Flying Group of the Chinese Air Force was dispatched on August 14.The Japanese air force didn't take this seriously at all, and they also dispatched to fight. The Japanese air force had their first fierce confrontation in the air over Hangzhou Bay. The officers and soldiers of the Chinese Air Force were full of fighting spirit. They were determined to fight the Japanese Air Force to the death, and defended the country's airspace with their own blood.Aircraft battles require not only the good performance of the aircraft, but also the wit and bravery of the air force fighters.As a result, the results of the battle shocked the whole world. The Chinese Air Force shot down 23 fighter planes of the Japanese Air Force that day, but it was unscathed.This achievement greatly increased the ambition of the Chinese people and destroyed the prestige of the Japanese Air Force. Therefore, August 14 became the Chinese Air Force Day. The Chinese Air Force achieved an unexpected and unprecedented victory in the first battle, which made Chiang Kai-shek both happy and surprised. He repeatedly said hello to Chennault, and since then he has also mentioned Chiang Kai-shek's interest in developing the Air Force.On the issue of building a strong air force, at a military meeting, something unexpected happened to the senior generals of the Chinese army. Chennault and Stilwell can be said to be iron plates meeting steel nails.An arrogant and resolute air force captain had a violent quarrel with a rough-tempered army general.Stilwell was the general-level figure of the chief of staff of the Chinese theater, and he was in charge of the aid supplies and combat matters of the United States.He did not agree to invest limited money and materials in airport construction and purchase of aircraft. The Air Force is only a force that cooperates in combat, and the entire war depends on the army.He insisted that supplies airlifted over the Himalayan Hump route be used by the Chinese infantry.He undoubtedly relied heavily on the Army to emphasize the importance and decisiveness of ground operations. Chennault, who has always refused to admit defeat, disagreed. He wanted to use his Flying Tigers alone to win the war. Chennault put forward his own air force winning theory, which is the creed that Chennault adhered to all his life. He used this creed to persuade his good friend President Roosevelt and won the support of many officials in the White House.Now he expounded this "air force victory theory" aloud to General Stilwell: Your Excellency, I have repeatedly declared that as long as there are 105 new fighter jets, 30 medium bombers, and 12 heavy bombers, and I promise to meet this number at any time, I can call Japan down.My tactics were based on the thesis that Japan could be defeated in China and the Japanese Air Force could be forced to fight me in the form I chose.However, some people completely lack the idea of ​​using air power, or even basic military strategic common sense, which prevents me from achieving this goal. In fact, my plan will enable China's ground forces to fight smoothly. In General Stilwell's eyes, Chennault's "air force victory theory" is undoubtedly the wild words of a lunatic. If it is as simple as you said, why should the country build an army and navy?It's really selling something, shouting something, arrogant, and ignorant of the heights of the world. Stilwell's rank and position could not intimidate Chennault, Americans do not pay attention to this.Chennault was not an active soldier and was not under Stilwell's jurisdiction. The two of them quarreled at the meeting until they blushed and their necks were thick. Stilwell either slapped the table or the bench.No matter what you say, the stubborn Chennault just believes in his theory, and you really can't help him.The two were incompatible with each other, and they had a lot of quarrels, and the contradictions were very sharp. Chennault had a close relationship with Roosevelt, and he also got along well with Chiang Kai-shek, Song Meiling, and Chinese party, government and military officials.Chiang Kai-shek had conflicts with Stilwell, and when he pushed him out of China, Chennault supported Chiang Kai-shek.Fortunately, Chiang Kai-shek adopted Chennault's suggestion at that time, and was determined to build several large strategic backup airports in the southwestern region, which had an important military role, to ensure support for the battlefield and absolute security for the rear. Therefore, under Chiang Kai-shek's behest, Chennault worked out a huge airport expansion plan with the China Aviation Commission and the Air Force Command. Gasoline depots and explosives depots.Those included in the plan are Hengyang, Guilin, Liuzhou, and Zhijiang.In the later period of the Anti-Japanese War, Hengyang Airport, Guilin, and Liuzhou Airport were successively occupied by the Japanese army. Nanyang, Henan, Xiangyang, Hubei, and Laohekou Airport were destroyed by Neji Okamura. Now, apart from Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan, only Zhijiang is left. Secret airport. After the China-India Highway was opened by the Chinese Expeditionary Force, fuel and ammunition continued to flow into the rear of China's War of Resistance. In addition, Stilwell, who was on Chennault's head in the past, left. Now Hurley and Wedemeyer are vigorously fighting against Chennault. support.Therefore, Chennault can let go of his hands and feet to do a big job. Zhijiang Airport shoulders a heavy bombing mission.It mainly blocked the Japanese sea line of communication, attacked the important Japanese military installations in Taiwan, Vietnam and other places, and at the same time attacked the arrogance of the Japanese army and carried out focused bombing of the Japanese homeland.Hundreds of fighter jets and bombers were dispatched every day, making the Japanese army unable to cope. At this time, the Zhijiang Air Force Base was the most prosperous and active during the Second World War. In addition to the guards of the Chinese army, there were also the US Air Force Command in China, the US Logistics Command in China, and the US Army in Zhijiang. The Air Force Command, the various combat units of the U.S. Army in Zhijiang, the Zhijiang Branch of the U.S. Strategic Intelligence Agency, the U.S. 14th Air Force, the Bombing Battalion of the Sino-U.S. Zhijiang Hospital, the U.S. Air Force Club and five guest houses of the U.S. Air Force. Hundreds of thousands of army, air force and logistics personnel gathered in this beautiful place, Zhijiang. At that time, it was the most secret military location in China. Although it was in the cruelest war years, Zhijiang seemed very peaceful, just like a war. It's never been the same, especially the US Air Force Club, which is peaceful, playing bridge, playing chess, drinking champagne, and beautiful singing.