Chapter 246: Jiang Anguo to the Rescue

Regarding the Independent Regiment mentioned by Commander Xue, Xu Guozhang has become very familiar with it these past two days.

"Independent Regiment, huh?" Xu Guozhang lowered his voice a bit, with a hint of mystery, "I know a little. Those people are all secretive, they have tons of aircraft, and they're fresh toys made by the United States! Their Regiment Commander Jiang is also a tough character; a couple of days ago he borrowed several thousand laborers from us to repair an airfield, and he was very proud about it!"

"Good!" Xue Yue felt pleased, "Right now, immediately, go find their Regiment Commander Jiang for me! Tell him that I, Xue Yue, have an extremely urgent matter and need to see him! Tell him I need his aircraft support!"

The line was silent for a few seconds, then Xu Guozhang's surprised voice came: "What? You want his aircraft? Where do you intend to strike?"

"Attack Yueyang!" Xue Yue said each word deliberately.

"My goodness!" Xu Guozhang inhaled a cool breath, his voice instantly filled with excitement. "Attack the Yueyang of that turtle son? Got it! Got it! Commander, you finally are taking action! I'll go find him for you right away! I guarantee to deliver the message!"

After hanging up, Xue Yue paced back and forth in front of the map, feeling both anticipation and a hint of uncertainty. He didn't know whether Jiang Anguo would agree, since the Independent Regiment was not part of his th War Zone's combat order.

May 25, 10 a. m.

Meanwhile, at Changde Airport.

The second and third waves of attack aircraft had successfully taken off, heading for Yichang and Nanchang. Jiang Anguo stood in the command tower, looking at a massive map of Central China, where the Japanese Army's airfields, supply depots, and transportation lines were marked in red and blue pencil.

His mind was like a supercomputer, rapidly simulating every upcoming step.

He picked up the tea cup handed over by Xiao Si, took a sip of strong tea, and refreshed himself.

"Commander, Division Commander Xu of the 150th Division has sent someone, saying there is an urgent matter to see you," Staff Officer Yan Xing reported.

"Let him in," Jiang Anguo said without raising his head.

A Liaison Officer dressed in the 150th Division uniform rushed in, saluted, then, panting, said: "Report, Regiment Commander Jiang! Our Division Commander General Xu Guozhang has asked me to deliver a message! Commander Xue Yue of Changsha wants to attack Yueyang and asks whether you can provide aircraft support!"

The pencil in Jiang Anguo's hand stopped on the map.

He slowly lifted his head, a meaningfully deep smile appearing on his face.

"Xue Tiger, exactly Xue Tiger."

He silently praised himself in his heart. He had just bombed Wuhan, cutting off the Japanese Army's air support, while Xue Yue was almost simultaneously preparing a ground offensive to seize the Japanese supply lifeline. At this moment, their thoughts aligned perfectly.

Xue Yue only thought that after Jiang Anguo bombed Wuhan Airport, those aircraft would retreat to Chongqing or Chengdu.

But instead, he also intended to bomb Nanchang and Yichang, directly destroying all Japanese aircraft at every airport in Central and South China.

Jiang Anguo now possessed air power stronger than the current Japanese Army's, while Xue Yue of the th War Zone commanded a massive ground force.

What Xue Yue now wanted was air support, enabling him to complete the attack on Yueyang.

Jiang Anguo simply needed a unit that could achieve greater effectiveness in this bombing.

If it weren't for Lin Yi lacking transport aircraft and Jiang Anguo having no troop organization, he would have wanted to launch an offensive.

"Xue Yue wants to seize this chance to completely crush the Japanese Army's 'Zhejiang-Jiangxi Campaign'..." Jiang Anguo muttered to himself, his gaze already beyond mere "support".

It must be said, Xue Yue's plan was very bold; success would naturally be easy to talk about.

If it failed, it would be a considerable blow to Changsha.

Of course, if the Japanese Army wanted to organize a fourth defense of Changsha, it would also take time; it's impossible to claim that Xue Yue hadn't achieved his objective, yet the Japanese Army dares to take an entire division's forces to directly seize Changsha.

If they could capture Yueyang, it would be like inserting a dagger into the heart of the Japanese Army's Central China war zone. It would not only threaten the Little Devils in Wuhan, but with Yueyang as a bridgehead, it could also menace Wuhan.

At this moment, Jiang Anguo was unaware that the Little Devils had gunboats, and it was precisely because the Little Devils had gunboat support that the nation voluntarily abandoned Yueyang.

Otherwise, occasional artillery fire from the Yangtze River would be something Xue Yue could not tolerate.

The Little Devils' entire 11th Army would find itself surrounded on all sides. Not only could they crush their "Zhejiang-Jiangxi Campaign", but they could also pursue the victory, drive the Japanese Army out of Hunan, and even... retake Wuhan!

This opportunity is once in a millennium!

"Tell Division Commander Xu," Jiang Anguo said to the Liaison Officer, his voice decisive and strong, "relay to Commander Xue that as long as he dares to attack Yueyang, my aircraft can take off at any time!"

He paused, then added: "Additionally, please have him immediately inform Commander Xue that I need a detailed operation plan, including attack timing, main direction, specific targets I must destroy: Japanese artillery positions, command posts, bridges, etc. At the same time I will dispatch a Liaison to accompany the attacking forces, ensuring my aircraft can destroy the targets at first strike. My bombers will clear all obstacles for him!"

"Yes!" the Liaison Officer saluted excitedly, turned, and ran out.

Jiang Anguo looked back at the map, a fierce flame burning in his eyes.

Changde Airport, Independent Regiment temporary command post.

A reply had already come from Xue Yue's side; the operation plan was being drafted urgently and was expected to reach Changde within two days. The entire command tower was filled with excitement and tension of an imminent battle. Jiang Anguo stood before the massive map, his gaze did not linger on Yueyang, but followed the Yangtze River westward, finally settling on another name—Yichang.

He was contemplating: Xue Yue ignited the north; what could he do in the south to make this great fire burn even brighter?

At that moment, a figure walked to his side. The person was tall and sturdy, with a resolute face, and eyes that showed a composure and sharpness beyond his years. He was Yan Xing, Jiang Anguo's operational staff officer, a battalion‑level operations officer, who had previously assisted Lin Yi and had now been transferred by Jiang Anguo to Changde.

"Commander." Yan Xing stood at attention, saluted, his voice resonant.

"Yan Xing, any business?" Jiang Anguo did not turn, his gaze still fixed on the map.

"Commander, Commander Xue's tactic of 'encircling points to strike support' is indeed clever," Yan Xing said, his analysis always incisive, "the Japanese Army's main force is being held by us in Wuhan, leaving the Yueyang defenders isolated and without aid. With the th War Zone's abundant troops, combined with our fighters and bombers, taking Yueyang should not be a problem."

He paused, then shifted his tone: "However, our Independent Regiment seems only able to drum up support from the sidelines, providing air support. Given the th War Zone's strength, we really don't need this 'air force' of ours, which lacks ground troops, to get involved in ground combat."

Jiang Anguo finally turned, looking at his most capable staff officer, a playful smile curling his mouth: "What's that, Yan Xing, you seem dissatisfied?"

"No!" Yan Xing immediately shook his head, his eyes shining astonishingly, "What I mean is, since Commander Xue dares to strike Yueyang, why can't we in Yichang expand the results?"

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