kingnovel Chapter 911 Manual Refueling
Chapter 911 Manual Refueling
When Japanese spies lurked around the Peking airport, they were stunned by the situation before them.
It was originally thought that the 72nd Army would not be able to send aircraft into battle if the oil depot was bombed and the refueling equipment was destroyed. Now, they can use manual refueling to ensure that the aircraft can take off.
In addition to the original combat personnel, Li Shaoyi also selected 1,900 college students in Peiping. These people had already been registered and were considered half of the 72nd Army. However, in order for them to complete their studies, Li Shaoyi had never approved their requests to join the army. Now that they heard that they could contribute some effort, they all came to the airport early in the morning.
Because they had not undergone rigorous training, there were some mistakes in the process. However, because their bodies were searched several times and all things that could cause fire were put away, there was no possibility of it catching fire even if gasoline was poured on the ground.
There are also piles of sand nearby. When gasoline spills on the ground, someone will immediately cover it with sand to minimize all safety hazards.
Because of the reopening of the Peking Airport, the Japanese pursuing forces suffered considerable losses. They originally thought that the 72nd Army had no aircraft support and would definitely retreat frantically along the way. At this time, as long as we pursue them closely enough, the 72nd Army will not have time to establish a defense line, and we will be able to reap the results of the battle.
As a result, when they were rushing forward recklessly, countless bombers appeared in the sky, bombing the entire Japanese army so hard that they had no idea where to go. It was under such circumstances that Lieutenant General Matsuji Koizumi, an inspection official sent by the Japanese headquarters, arrived in Tianjin.
The Japanese headquarters sent him not to supervise the war situation, but to see the actual casualties of the North China Expeditionary Force, so as to evaluate how to fight against the 72nd Army next.
"Master Terauchi."
In the commander's office of the North China Front Army Headquarters, General Koizumi met the commander of the North China Front Army. He had rushed all the way from the airport and originally thought that Tianjin was very safe and would not be bombed. However, in just a dozen kilometers, he had to stop twice in a row, which made General Koizumi speechless.
In the telegrams sent back to Japan by the North China Front Army, there was constant talk about the retreat of the 72nd Army, and it was said that the 72nd Army retreated in a very panic. Now Tianjin has come under the complete control of the Japanese army. Is this what you call complete control?
During the journey of more than ten kilometers, General Koizumi was forced to get off the car twice and hide in some incomplete air-raid shelters. Looking at the situation inside the air-raid shelters, General Koizumi could guess how many people died inside.
This is completely different from the telegram sent back by the North China Front Army.
"Koizumi-kun, it's been several years since we last met at Imperial University."
The two are also in a relationship of senior and junior. Most of Japan's high-ranking generals came from the Imperial University.
"Senior is right. I hope you can take good care of me during this trip to Tianjin."
General Koizumi had his signature smile on his face when facing his senior, but everyone in the North China Front Army felt that in addition to himself, General Koizumi also brought hundreds of investigators. The data to be investigated this time could not be just what the Front Army gave them. They must go to the positions of each division to investigate the real situation.
"That's for sure. What Koizumi-kun did was very useful to the entire Japanese Army. This data must be treated strictly, so that our Army can learn lessons while not chilling the hearts of the fallen soldiers."
Hearing Commander Terauchi's words, General Koizumi frowned. What does it mean to chill the hearts of the fallen soldiers? If that were the case, wouldn't it mean that some data would be falsified? This time, coming from Japan, both the Minister of the Army and the Emperor's attendants had made it clear to him before leaving that he must obtain the most authentic data. This was related to the Empire's entire war situation in China.
"Senior, the Imperial Command has changed some of their words. I wonder if you have heard anything about this recently?"
The two men came to sit at the tea table next to them. A Japanese geisha had already started making tea for them. Even in China where the war was quite fierce, conversations between high-level officials had to maintain a good atmosphere.
"Please enlighten me, Mr. Koizumi."
Although Commander Terauchi has had some insiders in the country since he came to China, they certainly don't know everything. Judging from the expression on his junior brother's face, there must have been a big change, otherwise he wouldn't have raised it so solemnly.
"The Japanese Army's main combat targets in China have always been the Nationalist Government's Central Army. To be more precise, it should be the several German-equipped divisions. They are our formidable opponents, but our investigation into them has come to an end. Now the Japanese Army Department has a new target of investigation: the 72nd Army, which caused us heavy losses."
General Koizumi said this very seriously. Of course, there was a reason for him to say this, that is, the data obtained during this investigation on the North China battlefield must be real data. The face of your North China Front Army is too insignificant compared to what the entire Japanese Army will do next.
"In my opinion, the Empire's plan is appropriate. The 72nd Army's mobilization and combat capabilities far exceed those of the Central Government's German-equipped divisions. The Empire's response speed is very fast. To be honest, in the Battle of Tianjin, the North China Front Army lost nearly 200,000 troops before it captured Tianjin. This is completely different from our previous estimates."
Commander Terauchi said this without blushing or breathing heavily, but General Koizumi did not agree.
Nearly 200,000 troops?
You don't reveal the actual number of casualties, but the Imperial Army Department knows how many people were sent in total, which is 479,000. How many Japanese troops are there in the entire North China region now?
You only lost nearly 200,000 troops?
Then there must be at least 300,000 troops in North China. From the airport to the headquarters, there are not many Japanese troops in sight. Of course, you can also say that most of them are on the way to Beijing, but General Koizumi had already received accurate intelligence. The army lost in taking Tianjin should be nearly 300,000 people. You reported a full 100,000 fewer troops.