Chapter 111: Our Plane

Jiang Anguo again had Xiao Si catch up with Meng Fanle, and told him to add to the telegram that the Eighth Company on the ground should point out the enemy's direction to the pilots in the sky.

Because Jiang Anguo can only see from the map that the Japanese Army has occupied Xibu, and he has never been to Xibu, if a fighter flies over, it will arrive in just over ten minutes, and a single slip could cause it to overshoot.

The distance is really too short; a slight deviation would make the bomb fall on one's own men.

Time waits for no one.

Jiang Anguo immediately exchanged for four Stuka bombers and four Bf-109 fighters.

It's not that Jiang Anguo doesn't want more fighters; there simply aren't any. The water transport plane just lost 20 slots, and each Stuka bomber requires two crew, leaving only four fighter slots.

Now Jiang Anguo can only wait at Lashu airfield, unable to leave, and after the front‑line headquarters and Li Yi are reported dead, he will immediately replenish pilots and fighters.

It cost points in total.

Stuka bomber, Ju-87 bomber.

Crew of two, 1,200 horsepower, maximum takeoff weight 5,000 kg, top speed 320 km/h, maximum payload 500 kg.

Its biggest feature is a sound projector that emits a low, shrill howl, which intimidates the enemy psychologically during a dive‑bombing run.

Bf-109 fighter, top speed 710 km/h, service ceiling meters, range 700 km, maximum takeoff weight 4,405 kg.

Whether it's the Stuka or the Bf-109 fighter, they are already outclassed by the American Army's fighters and bombers.

One reason Jiang Anguo made the exchange was to avoid trouble with the Americans, because he has never bought weapons from them and there is no record on the American side.

If a large number of American planes suddenly appeared in Myanmar, it would inevitably draw American attention, which he does not want to see.

As for German planes in Myanmar, it doesn't matter; a convenient excuse can be found to deal with it.

Among all pilots, Jiang Anguo also selected a battalion commander, Song Yunfei.

"Captain Song, your mission is to ensure the th Division can break through the Japanese Army's positions at Xibu and coordinate the ground assault," Jiang Anguo said.

He doesn't understand how air and ground should cooperate, having never studied it; in his previous life he was just a video enthusiast, not a seasoned military buff.

"Yes, Commander." Song Yunfei nodded and said.

After Jiang Anguo and Song Yunfei discussed, they decided that fighters would escort the bombers over Xibu; after the Stukas drop their bombs—knowing a Stuka can also carry 500 kg of ordnance, though at the cost of range, typically a single 250 kg bomb.

Four 250‑kg bombs dropped, and the Japanese at Xibu will have a hard time.

Myanmar's economy is still centered on the southern coastal region; the most developed north is Mandalay and Lashu, the latter existing only because China needs that sole transport corridor.

Therefore, there aren't many Burmese people inside Xibu.

April 25, 11:04 a. m.

Watching the bomber formation recede into the sky, Jiang Anguo let out a long sigh; coordinating fighters and bombers is not something you can just talk about, even with World‑War‑II aircraft, which are relatively simple and not that complicated.

He almost got scared to death when ammunition fell while loading earlier; a 250‑kg bomb exploding on the spot would have essentially destroyed the airfield.

Xibu.

At the Expeditionary Force's forward line, the th Division's 600th Regiment was at the forefront.

The 598th and 599th Regiments suffered heavy losses in earlier battles and never received reinforcements, so this time breaking through the Japanese Army's Xibu defensive line depends entirely on the 600th Regiment.

In fact, the 600th Regiment's weapons and ammunition were also not replenished; the entire th Division fought under a shortage of supplies.

The last supply run actually occurred when the main force set out for Taunggyi.

After the Taunggyi battle ended and the Expeditionary Force's main body withdrew from Taunggyi, the headquarters split forces with the 200th Division, which received no supplies because the Fifth Army had none left to give.

Dai Anlan furrowed his brow; everyone isn't afraid of sacrifice, but using lives like this makes him feel frustrated. If effective supplies could be obtained, he believes his troops could definitely break through Xibu.

"Division Commander, good news." Chief of Staff Zhang Zhige, holding a telegram, rushed to the 600th Regiment.

Indeed, Dai Anlan was commanding the fight on the front line.

"Zhang, what's the good news?" At this moment, Dai Anlan hoped to boost morale, but it was extremely difficult.

The only hopeful news Dai Anlan hoped for was from the Lashu direction.

"Division Commander, headquarters just received a telegram from Lashu saying transport planes will land on the great river near Xibu shortly, bringing ammunition and food for us to receive." Zhang Zhige felt on the verge of tears; it's so hard—any unit that loses more than forty percent of its strength loses combat effectiveness and withdraws.

Yet on the Chinese battlefield, there are far too many fights to the death.

The th Division's survival until now has been truly hard; the only belief left that keeps the soldiers going is to return home, to fight back home.

"Alright!" Dai Anlan hammered a heavy fist onto the sandbag.

"The news came at just the right time; quickly have people stand by for reception."

The Mi Jie River, a large river southwest of Xibu and the th Division, blocks the area, causing Dai Anlan to abandon protection on both flanks, because the north is mountains and the southwest is this river.

A small detachment can cross the river easily, but a large force requires far too much preparation.

The Expeditionary Force's preparations are incomplete, let alone the Japanese; the Japanese have no intention of continuing northward operations.

Soon the sound of propellers and roaring engines filled the air, and many soldiers saw the planes in the sky.

"Blue Sky, White Sun flag."

"Yes, it's our plane."

"Ah!"

Many soldiers saw the Blue Sky, White Sun flag under the wings; fortunately the wing flags can be changed, otherwise Jiang Anguo would worry whether his own men might fire on those planes.

The pilot in the air, flying a waterplane, swayed left and right.

Headquarters has already ordered a messenger to contact the transport plane's pilots via radio and guide them in landing.

The Mi Jie River was indeed wide enough; five PBY waterplanes landed one after another, the pilots' skill was superb, and after landing they taxied briefly and turned toward the shore.

Soldiers waiting on the shore received orders to swiftly move the supplies from the planes.

Without any verbal communication, they formed human walls and moved boxes of ammunition, medical supplies and food from the planes.