inspire-indiana Chapter 540: Battle of Jinzhou (4)
Chapter 540: Battle of Jinzhou (4)
Mulan Arsenal,
In the No. 1 assembly workshop of the aircraft area,
The lights were bright, and various machines and equipment were running in an orderly manner, making a low humming sound. A reconnaissance plane was quietly parked at a workstation, and the wing was being installed with a 12.7mm aircraft machine gun in an intense and orderly manner.
A group of skilled workers were surrounding them, wearing uniform grey work clothes, helmets, and focused and determined eyes. A burly master held a wrench tightly in both hands, slightly bent over, and was meticulously tightening the screws at the connection between the machine gun and the wing, each of which was full of strength and precision.
The assistants beside them carefully lifted the parts of the machine gun to ensure the stability and smoothness of the installation process. They always kept their eyes on the operation area and did not dare to slack off.
A young engineer was holding a testing instrument, carefully measuring various parameters of the installation location, reporting data from time to time and communicating with his colleagues.
The workshop was filled with the smell of oil and metal, and the roar of machines was heard one after another. The hook moved slowly, lifting the required parts accurately to the designated location.
On the work platform under the wing, an experienced worker was concentrating on welding. Sparks from the welding were flying everywhere, like bright stars that bloomed and disappeared in an instant.
The entire workshop seems to be a huge, precisely operated machine in which every person is an indispensable part, contributing their own efforts to the important task of installing aviation machine guns on reconnaissance aircraft.
The workers around them watched the whole process intently, ready to provide assistance at any time. Sweat soaked their foreheads, but they didn't feel it at all, and devoted themselves to this crucial modification work.
The Liaoshen Campaign had been going on for more than ten days.
The most ferocious fighters at the moment are the 1st Air Strike Group, which have destroyed five ground airports, shot down and destroyed 63 enemy aircraft, and also lost 19 of their own aircraft!
Fortunately, the Mulan Arsenal is working at full capacity and can deliver a batch of aircraft every ten days!
In the report submitted by the Air Force combat unit, Yin Xinjun quickly discovered a major shortcoming of his side: the lack of a wealth of ground attack methods.
When performing low-altitude ground attack missions, the low-altitude flight airflow is complex, and the fighter needs to have good low-altitude stability and maneuverability, but the ME262 is obviously not suitable!
Based on the suggestions submitted by frontline pilots, Yin Xinjun decided to add two 12.7mm aircraft machine guns to the reconnaissance aircraft! Installed under the wings, so that it can carry out ground strafing attacks!
This type of aviation machine gun is also copied from the B24's onboard weapons, with a range of up to 2000 meters, which gives the trainer aircraft a certain self-defense capability!
This month, the East China Field Army Headquarters also dispatched a C47 transport plane from Shijiazhuang Airport in North China to support the uprising of the knowledgeable people in the Kuomintang Air Force!
Since the outbreak of the civil war, the number of KMT air force pilots who have revolted has reached three digits, and more than 40 planes have flown to the liberated areas! Starting from this month, some intact planes will be flown to the Northeast to be provided to the Mulan Arsenal for screening and replication!
Yin Xinjun’s current strategy is to give priority to the development of the aircraft manufacturing industry. His goal is certainly not only to seize air supremacy, but more importantly to train and cultivate a large number of pilots!
In the factory director's office,
Deputy Factory Director Zhao Taihua reported:
"The headquarters' logistics department called and asked us to transfer a batch of the new combat aircraft produced this month to the Northeast Aviation School. It is said that they are about to start forming the First Aviation Squadron of the Northeast Field Army!"
"The First Brigade of the East Field Aviation?"
"Yes, this is also the second air force combat unit of our East Field Army!"
Yin Xinjun said,
"Since it is named this way, it proves that our People's Liberation Army Air Force will soon be officially established!"
Both the 1st Air Strike Group of Tonghe Aviation School and the st Aviation Squadron of the East China Field Army to be established are air combat units, not air forces in a broad sense.
"It's time to set it up. We are already shipping more than 40 aircraft of various types every month, and the production speed is constantly increasing!"
Yin Xinjun was also in a good mood and said with a smile,
"And the enemy's planes are getting fewer and fewer. Lao Zhao, after we deal with the enemy forces in the Northeast, we still have to fight for air supremacy across the country and completely eliminate the enemy!"
Jinxi,
Huludao Port,
On the vast sea, warships are breaking through the waves, the sea breeze is whistling, and the military flags are fluttering.
The warship slowly approached the port, its huge hull stirring up waves. As the bow of the ship gently touched the dock, teams of neat and mighty troops quickly walked down the gangway with firm and powerful steps.
They wore American-style helmets and uniform military uniforms, and they were obviously elite troops. They were the 39th Army from Shandong, and they were ordered to come and reinforce Jinzhou!
At the port, the commander of the 54th Army of the Jinxi garrison, Que Hanqian, who came to welcome them, looked at an officer walking towards him, the commander of the 39th Army, Wang Boxun, with a smile.
In order to break the siege of Jinzhou, Nanjing transferred a total of three armies and an independent division from North China. Today, the 39th Army finally arrived!
Although Hou Jingru, commander of the 17th Corps in North China, was appointed as the commander of the Eastward Corps this time, there was still an order that before Hou Jingru arrived, Que Hanqian, commander of the 54th Army, would be in charge!
The two hands were tightly clasped together.
Que Hanqian said happily,
"After Commander Wang arrived, our strength has been greatly enhanced!"
Wang Boxun looked tired and asked,
"What is the current situation in Jinzhou?"
Que Hanqian said with a relaxed look,
"At present, the Communist army has surrounded Jinzhou but has not yet launched an attack! According to reconnaissance, the Communist army has set up a defense line at Tashan, 10 kilometers west of Jinzhou."
For Que Hanqian, advancing eastward to reinforce Jinzhou was a natural feat. Tashan was not a mountain, but just a small village with flat terrain. Moreover, the artillery shells of the Kuomintang warships docked in the sea could hit Tashan!
There are only some earth mounds and hills in the entire battlefield that can be used as cover, which is obviously very disadvantageous for the defenders.
Que Hanqian had already learned through aerial reconnaissance that a column of Communist troops had appeared in the direction of Tashan. Now with the arrival of the 39th Army and his 54th Army, plus the assistance of the Navy and Air Force, it was estimated that Tashan could be breached before Hou Jingru arrived. They would be the number one contributors to the lifting of the siege of Jinzhou!
There was a buzzing sound in the sky.
A reconnaissance plane was circling over the port.
Wang Boxun looked up.
Suddenly said,
"This plane doesn't seem to be one of our national army's!"
That’s right, the logo painted on the wings of the plane was not the blue sky and white sun, but the red sickle and axe!
Que Hanqian's expression changed immediately.
At this moment, the anti-aircraft guns on the ground suddenly started to fire, and clouds of black smoke bloomed in the air.
The reconnaissance plane quickly turned around, accelerated, and left the port!