Section 7, Northeast Beacon Fire (3)
If you fly any lower, not only will the anti-aircraft guns be able to hit you, but even the enemy's heavy machine guns will be able to target you! Liu Cuigang was also anxious; by this time, 3 I-15 fighter planes had already been hit and were trailing thick smoke as they rolled into the sea, with no hope of survival for the pilots inside. The thought of losing these precious pilots, who had been together day and night, felt like a knife cutting through his heart. However, he could only continue to circle above the "Fengxiang" aircraft carrier, using his aircraft machine gun to fire and attract Japanese artillery fire, searching for an opportunity to attack.
After suffering a severe blow from the Japanese army, they reluctantly withdrew their claws, and then, under the lofty gaze of the Japanese naval officers and soldiers, they shamelessly continued to advance westward while remaining within the range of the ship's artillery.
Lü Zhengcao, the deputy commander of the 106th Division beside Zhang Xueliang, rushed forward with tears in his eyes to grab the phone: "Commander! Commander! The brothers of our division have fought bravely these days, and no one is saying that we, the 106th Division, are cowards who retreat without fighting anymore!"
As an outstanding student of the Royal Navy of the British Empire, the Japanese fleet was no ordinary force. The "Fengxiang" maneuvered skillfully on the sea, tracing a zigzag course, at times accelerating, at times decelerating, and at times changing direction, successfully evading three torpedoes dropped by the Northeast Army's aircraft. However, one of the torpedoes accidentally struck the stern of the battleship "Mutsu," causing an explosion and fire that tore a significant hole in the ship. In an instant, the officers and crew aboard the "Mutsu" were thrown into a state of chaos.
The prolongation of the war is disadvantageous for Zhang Xueliang, but even more so for Mutō Nobuyoshi. If the Japanese army, without reinforcements, loses this war, it will result in a loss of face for the Japanese army, the Empire of Japan, the Emperor, as well as for themselves and their subordinates' honor and lives. At this moment, both Zhang Xueliang and Mutō Nobuyoshi, who have staked their lives and fortunes on this war, resemble two giants intently staring into each other's eyes, competing in patience, waiting for the moment when one cannot help but blink and then raise their fists.
Having witnessed Wang Shuchang's skill in nitpicking, Liu Cuigang silently exclaimed that saying there are significant difficulties was already a very polite statement. It was specifically to prevent you from feeling too hopeless that I left some room for interpretation. Can it be that you, a dignified Major General Wang, cannot perceive the nuances in my words? Although he thought this in his heart, Liu Cuigang indeed knew that the ground forces had suffered enough from the Japanese Navy. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "I will go back and study it further."
On the other end of the phone, the sound of gunfire erupted, mixed with the nearby explosions of grenades. Niu Yuanfeng shouted, "Young Marshal! You need not say more! I have already decided to hold my ground until the end, to draw more Japanese troops and buy more time for the entire army. Furthermore, I must clear the name of my 106th Division for retreating without a fight!"
The massive offensive launched by the Japanese army along a nearly five-kilometer front in Liao Yang indeed overwhelmed the defending troops of the Northeast Army. Despite being outnumbered, the Japanese forces faced the Northeast Army's fortified machine gun bunkers and trench systems. After a round of artillery fire, if they had not captured the positions, they would send in soldiers wrapped in explosives, known as "human bombs," to charge forward, shouting "Long live" while waving the sun flag. Although many of these suicide squads were shot down by the Northeast Army's firepower on their path to mutual destruction, a significant number of "human bombs" still managed to infiltrate the ranks of the Northeast Army. In response to the minefields laid by the Northeast Army on key transportation routes, the Japanese even deployed a large number of unarmed wounded soldiers to roll through the minefields, detonating mines with their bodies to clear a path for the advancing troops. Under such a brutal offensive, which showed complete disregard for their own soldiers' lives, the Northeast Army's positions on the southern bank were systematically breached, and soon the surging Japanese divisions advanced across the solid ice and over the bodies, charging toward the northern bank amidst the Northeast Army's hail of bullets.
In the latter half of November, the city of Liaoyang was already experiencing fierce north winds and freezing temperatures, with a sharp drop in the mercury. The frontline soldiers of the Northeast Army had mostly received the cotton overcoats brought by the military trains from Liaoyang, while batches of disabled and injured soldiers were being sent to the rear by returning military trains. In the field hospital of the Northeast Army, the wounded were shivering uncontrollably, their faces turning blue from the cold. The guards at the hospital gathered a large amount of wood to light bonfires in the drafty wards, but to no avail. When Zhang Xueliang took the time to visit the wounded in the hospital, he was struck by the sight of the shivering soldiers and the pools of blood that had frozen into "blood ice" beneath them, feeling a heavy weight in his heart. The outer garments of the fallen soldiers were stripped off and placed over the wounded, yet incidents of severely injured soldiers freezing to death still occurred. Doctors and nurses, with their noses red from the cold, had to warm the liquid medications in their arms before injecting them into the wounded, as the medicines had already frozen solid by the time they were retrieved. "If only there were more hot water bottles," Zhang Xueliang thought, as he observed the scenes of suffering in the bitter cold. Suddenly, he recalled how the Chinese Volunteer Army had dealt with similar situations during the winter in Korea—by wrapping hot stones, heated in the fire, in blankets for the wounded to hold against their bodies for warmth. Upon this realization, Zhang Xueliang immediately instructed the hospital to adopt this warming method, which later proved effective, allowing many physically weak soldiers to survive due to this approach.
At 9:35 AM, while the sailors on the Japanese fleet were busily loading ammunition and firing, the lookout on the aircraft carrier "Fengxiang" spotted a group of aircraft rushing towards their fleet (in 1933, radar and sonar systems had not yet been widely equipped in the Japanese Navy). The sailor, who was not nearsighted, did not immediately sound the alarm; he was merely puzzled as to why the recently launched carrier-based aircraft had returned so quickly. It was not until he sensed the malevolent intent of the approaching aircraft and clearly saw the Northeast Army Air Force insignia painted on their wings that his worst fears were confirmed. In a state of panic, he hurriedly sounded the alarm, accompanied by a hoarse cry: "Air raid! Air raid! Northeast Army's planes!"
Zhang Xueliang suppressed the shock and slight fear in his heart: "Mutō Nobuyoshi is risking his life! Order the troops to hold on until 5 PM and retreat according to the plan!"
In the coming days, while Wang Shuchang and Roshiyama Shentaro engaged in a game of "you hit me, I run" guerrilla tactics, the pilots of Liu Cuigang's aviation squadron were busy supporting the army's aerial operations while also experimenting with high-altitude bomb drops. The results over the past few days were not very satisfactory; the success rate of the experimental empty bombs dropped from bombers at an altitude of 1,000 meters was less than 10%. Moreover, in actual combat, they would be dropping bombs on moving Japanese warships amidst the turbulent sea surface and the howling sea winds, while facing the dense anti-aircraft fire from the Japanese forces. At that time, if the hit rate could reach 5%, Liu Cuigang would be pleased. However, according to pure mathematical calculations, to sink a 1,350-ton Japanese destroyer, it would require at least 8 pieces of 200-kilogram aerial bombs to hit its central area. Based on this hit rate, the attacking squadron would need to prepare at least 160 bombs, a level of consumption and waste that the 3rd Aviation Squadron clearly could not afford.
If Nobuyoshi Mutou were to personally visit the front line in Panjin, he would find that the above statement is still overly optimistic.
Lieutenant General Wakayama Zentaro's opponents—the 110th Infantry Division of the Northeast Army, led by Deputy Division Commander Zhu Hongxun, and the 111th Division under Dong Yingbin, with Deputy Division Commander Liu Guiwu—are formidable adversaries. They firmly hold the strategic locations of Jinzhou and Huludao, and are in a stalemate with the 3rd Division stationed in Panjin. Compared to the situation of General Mutō Nobuyoshi, Lieutenant General Wakayama Zentaro's circumstances are also challenging, as he has only one division at his disposal while facing two fully organized divisions of the Northeast Army, which presents a significant difficulty.
"Shen Chonghui! Come back quickly!" "Shen Chonghui! What are you doing!" The urgent calls from the pilots over the intercom startled Liu Cui. She saw that among the three torpedo bombers that had been hit, two had already fallen into the sea, but one was still stubbornly circling in the air, trailing thick smoke and flames, wobbling as it turned towards the "Fengxiang".
This river clearly represents the collision of the souls of two nations. Usually speaking in a calm and unremarkable manner, Rongzhen has once again made a startling remark.
Zhang Xueliang slowly wrote a character on the paper, and everyone present was deeply impressed. Yu Xuezhong nodded in agreement and said, "This move is formidable! If Mutō Nobuyoshi encounters you, he will regret for eight lifetimes because of his past intentions to meddle in the Northeast."
The remaining hundreds of liters of aviation fuel in the tank, along with a torpedo hanging beneath the fuselage, exploded at the center of the "Fengxiang" ship's most important yet vulnerable bridge! A massive red-black fireball erupted into the sky, and the scorching shockwave sent nearby Japanese sailors tumbling into the sea. The entire bridge of the aircraft carrier collapsed with a thunderous roar! Burning fuel splattered and flowed across the deck, igniting a raging fire that rapidly spread into the interior of the aircraft carrier. Soon, the entire "Fengxiang" transformed into a gigantic fireball, tilted on the surface of the sea due to its unbalanced center of gravity, engulfed in flames. Burning fuel splattered and flowed across the deck, igniting a raging fire that rapidly spread into the interior of the aircraft carrier. Soon, the entire "Fengxiang" transformed into a gigantic fireball, tilted on the surface of the sea due to its unbalanced center of gravity, engulfed in flames
"Ecstasy," Rong Zhen said
Zhang Xueliang quickly connected to the headquarters of Niu Yuanfeng: "Commander Niu! Execute the order! Hurry and retreat!"
Liu Cuigang was well aware that his aviation squadron lacked the capability to annihilate the Japanese fleet. The purpose of this battle was merely to deter the Japanese ships; it was better to injure one finger than to sever ten. The pilots of the 3rd Aviation Squadron resolutely decided to sink a Japanese warship completely. Ultimately, the "Fengxiang" was unfortunately chosen as the target for concentrated attack. First, it was impossible to sink the two over 40,000-ton maritime behemoths, the "Nagato" and "Mutsu," with just dozens of aircraft from the 3rd Squadron, especially since these two battleships had formidable anti-aircraft firepower. As for the other four "Fengfeng" class destroyers, they were not selected; instead, the "Fengxiang" was chosen because it had a tall bridge and three large smokestacks, making it easier for the pilots to identify and concentrate their attacks. Moreover, the "Fengxiang," an old warship established in 1923, had a worn hull and relatively weak anti-aircraft capabilities, equipped with only four 140mm anti-aircraft guns and two 80mm anti-aircraft guns. Most importantly, the "Fengxiang" was the first aircraft carrier established by the modern Japanese navy, carrying significant symbolic meaning. Sinking it would have a greater psychological impact on the Japanese forces. To ensure that the six torpedo bombers could achieve a decisive strike, the 24 I-15 fighters responsible for escort and cover did not carry bombs, sacrificing bomb load to increase auxiliary fuel tanks, thereby extending their operational time and range in the air.
"Shen Chonghui! Your plane is not severely damaged, hurry back to land and parachute!" Liu Cui, realizing what he intended to do, was overwhelmed with tears and tried to persuade him to return.
"With a single salvo from the enemy's naval guns, we would at least lose a battalion! There have been too many brothers who have suffered in vain at the hands of their parents these days. The lives of our soldiers are just as valuable! We cannot let them face the enemy's naval artillery in battle!" said Liu Guiwu, the deputy commander of the 111th Division, with both anger and heartache.
"My Captain Liu!" Wang Shuchang urged, "You only mentioned that the difficulties are great, but you did not say it is impossible, right? You should go back and discuss with your pilots, and you must formulate a combat plan to inflict pain on the enemy's warships. You need to understand that during this period, we have already lost thousands of officers and soldiers under the enemy's naval gunfire"
We must drive the enemy's navy away! At the very least, we need to inflict enough pain on them so that they dare not act so recklessly!" Wang Shuchang lightly tapped the corner of the table, thought for a moment, and then suddenly stood up: "Adjutant! Please invite Liu Cuigang here!"
The 3rd Aviation Brigade of the Northeast Army first employed torpedo bombers to attack the Japanese fleet on the sea, a tactic that provided the Northeast Army Air Force with a surprising advantage in ambush. Therefore, when on the morning of the 12th, the 110th and 111th Divisions of the Northeast Army launched a fierce assault against the 3rd Division entrenched at Nanma and Bozi, the Japanese naval fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Ozawa Chisaburo, awakened by the intense artillery fire from both sides, dismissively ordered the entire fleet to approach the shore and bombard the Northeast Army, which was charging in a scattered formation. Thus, when on the morning of the 12th, the 110th and 111th Divisions of the Northeast Army launched a fierce assault against the 3rd Division entrenched at Nanma and Bozi, the Japanese naval fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Ozawa Chisaburo, awakened by the intense artillery fire from both sides, dismissively ordered the entire fleet to approach the shore and bombard the Northeast Army, which was charging in a scattered formation.
"Isn't Mutou planning to occupy Liaoyang? Then let him do so! When he finally tramples this city, which holds more symbolic than practical significance, he will be overwhelmed with joy, but at the same time, the urgency that has been pressing on him will suddenly ease, making him alert yet complacent. In that moment, we will strike him a fatal blow!" Zhang Xueliang became increasingly excited as he spoke, his eyes shining brightly.
The 3rd Aviation Brigade of the Northeast Army sank a Japanese light aircraft carrier and severely damaged the Japanese battleship "Mutsu" at the cost of 9 I-15 fighter planes and 4 Il-5 torpedo bombers. The 22 "Type 13" carrier-based attack aircraft aboard the "Fengxiang" were forced to crash due to fuel exhaustion after the carrier sank, with only 3 making emergency landings at the temporary Japanese airfield in Panjin. Most of the Japanese pilots who parachuted into the vast farmlands of Northeast China fell into the hands of local farmers, and their fates were dire. This remarkable naval victory, the most glorious in the history of the Chinese military, quickly made headlines in major newspapers across Northeast China, spreading through radio waves, broadcasts, and various publications throughout China and the world. Western countries were astonished by the strength and achievements of this local armed force in Northeast China. Domestically, there was widespread jubilation, with supporters of Zhang Xueliang's resistance against the Japanese flooding Shenyang and the 3rd Aviation Brigade with congratulatory messages. Even sympathetic high-ranking officials within the Kuomintang sent their congratulations privately. Meanwhile, the supreme "leader" Chiang Kai-shek remained indifferent, viewing the combat effectiveness of the Northeast Army as a growing concern.
As the conversation was ongoing, a sudden explosion erupted in the sky. In a flash of fire, an "Il-5" torpedo bomber was struck by a shell, exploding mid-air and transforming into a dazzling fireball. Dozens of burning fragments of the aircraft scattered and fell into the sea.
Surrounded by impeccably uniformed division commanders, Nobuyoshi Mutō sat quietly in a spacious courtyard on the southern bank of Liaoyang, which served as the command post. Unlike other senior officers who donned winter military uniforms, Mutō wore a brand new kimono, his already gaunt face appearing even more pale and withered from the cold. Outside, the sound of cannon fire was deafening, and the shrill whistling of airplanes filled the air, accompanied by intermittent massive explosions that caused the roof to tremble slightly, dislodging a few specks of dust. In the adjacent room, the incessant 'tick-tock' of telegrams being received could be heard. Amidst this chaotic clamor, Nobuyoshi Mutō knelt quietly on the mat, appearing as an outsider. Beside him lay a gleaming samurai sword. Before the war, Mutō had declared to the division commanders, brigade commanders, regiment commanders, and battalion commanders that if this 'final assault' failed to capture Liaoyang, Major General Harushige Ninomiya would take over command of the entire army and lead the troops back to Lüshun, while he himself would have 'no face to return to Tokyo, feeling ashamed before the Emperor and the souls of the loyal and valiant soldiers,' and would commit seppuku in atonement. Consequently, very few words were exchanged in the command room, creating a terrifyingly oppressive atmosphere.
"Well done!" Liu Cuigang exclaimed with excitement. Encouraged, the torpedo bomber pilots rushed down, attempting to deliver a fatal blow to the "Fengxiang". However, suddenly, a dense barrage of black anti-aircraft fire erupted in the sky—the Japanese destroyers "Minekaze", "Zekaze", "Chokaze", and "Shimakaze" had realized that the Northeast Army's primary target was the "Fengxiang" and immediately converged, unleashing a fierce barrage at the Northeast Army aircraft formation. One after another, three torpedo bombers were hit and fell from the sky like autumn leaves.
Compared to the difficult situation faced by the Japanese forces in the central route, the Japanese 3rd Division in the western route initially experienced smooth progress in the battles. General Yoshiyama Santaro frequently sent reports of victories to Mutou Nobuyoshi—on November 4, they captured Gaizhou; on the 5th, they occupied Yingkou; and on the 6th, they seized Dawa. Almost every day, they took a city. Just as Mutou Nobuyoshi had become accustomed to receiving a report of victory from General Yoshiyama as part of his daily routine, the 3rd Division's tradition of being a harbinger of good news abruptly came to an end. On the morning of the 8th, they received a telegram from General Yoshiyama that was clearly embellished, stating that the troops had encountered a "relatively strong" resistance from the Northeast Army led by Wang Shuchang, and that the situation was "slightly unfavorable" for the time being. However, it assured that in a few days, they would surely defeat the enemy in front of them and capture Huludao, Jinzhou, and Panjin. Deep down, General Mutou, who had become immune to such "funeral notices disguised as victory reports," had to admit that the 3rd Division had indeed faced resistance from Wang Shuchang's Northeast Army, and the situation was quite challenging.
On November 25, Nobuyoshi Mutō ordered the entire army to concentrate superior forces for a "final assault" on Liaoyang
"Perhaps we do not necessarily have to fight to the death with Mutō," Zhang Xueliang remarked, startling the assembled officers and advisors. "I believe that Mutō has likely lost confidence in completely defeating us. However, his heavy losses have inflicted unprecedented damage on the Japanese army, and he has been suppressing many reports that he has not dared to send to Tokyo. Currently, he only wishes to capture 'Liaoyang,' a city he must take to provide an explanation to Tokyo. Only in this way can the charge of 'ineffective command' against him be somewhat alleviated. What do you think? If a person has gone through great hardships to finally obtain something they have long desired, what will happen?"
The severely battered Japanese fleet in Liaodong Bay, under the command of Rear Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo, disregarded the "strong protests" of Yoshiyama Sentaro and hastily retreated towards Incheon Port in Korea. "We have done enough for you," Rear Admiral Ozawa wearily murmured to the struggling 3rd Division on the northeastern land. Upon returning to Japan, Rear Admiral Ozawa was dismissed and investigated.
Watching the doomed "Fengxiang" ship, Liu Cuigang quietly shed tears and softly said: "All units return to base"
"Young Marshal! What is your specific plan?" Yu Xuezhong and others asked curiously.
Captain Liu! Now it all depends on you! Can you fly out to sea and sink the enemy's fleet?
Naval operations differ significantly from land bombardments. First, the enemy's warships do not simply remain stationary, waiting to be bombed; they continuously maneuver to evade attacks. Second, the enemy's warships are equipped with anti-aircraft guns and are protected by aircraft. Third, the sea is turbulent, and dropping bombs from several thousand meters in the air onto enemy warships is as difficult as hitting a rabbit running several dozen meters away with a single shot. Liu Cuigang patiently explained this to the group of 'land animals'.
Attention all squads! Provide full cover for the attack aircraft group targeting the Fengxiang!" Liu Cuigang commanded over the radio while maneuvering the aircraft.
At this moment, the power system of the damaged "Fengxiang" resembled a dead fish floating on the surface of the sea. The crew had already sensed the intentions of the approaching Northeast Army aircraft, and in a state of panic and frenzy, they began firing at the plane, which was engulfed in flames and black smoke, hoping to shoot it down before it collided with the ship.
Compared to the difficulty of hitting targets with bombers, it is more reasonable to use attack aircraft to strike with torpedoes. After observing the demonstration by the pilots of the 3rd Squadron, who dropped a pile of bombs scattered over an area of several kilometers, Wang Shuchang, the initiator of this plan, suddenly lost confidence in the strategy of "high-altitude concentrated bombing to sink the Japanese fleet" and coincidentally aligned his thoughts with Liu Cuigang. Due to the urgency of wartime, after several days of rigorous training, the first six "naval aviators" of the Northeast Army were to give the six Soviet-made Il-5 attack aircraft, which had been stored in the warehouse, a chance to see the light of day. To prevent these aircraft, which had not been in operation for months, from crashing into the sea due to mechanical failure rather than being shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire, on the day before the official strike on November 12, Wang Shuchang and Liu Cuigang had the ground maintenance personnel thoroughly inspect the planes again. In addition, they also carefully overhauled the 900-kilogram Soviet torpedoes to prevent the occurrence of "duds".
As the last gunfire of resistance from Niu Yuanfeng's troops at Yunhong Bridge faded away, the remaining main forces of the Northeast Army had retreated entirely to the area north of Liaoyang. Except for a few units still engaged with the Japanese forces, over ninety percent of Liaoyang had already been occupied by the Japanese.
On the 24th, the Japanese troops from the Third Route gathered triumphantly in the southern part of Liaoyang. Mutō Nobuyoshi had lost interest in hearing the two division commanders report on the dire combat situation; what he was most concerned about now was how to decisively defeat the Northeast Army in front of Liaoyang.
The Japanese army, fighting with reckless abandon, indeed launched a fierce offensive. Under the repeated assaults of their human wave tactics, the northeastern army's northern defense line was gradually lost. Intense battles continued until around 4 PM, and the severely depleted northeastern army units began to fight while retreating. However, Zhang Xueliang received a report that the commander of the 106th Division, Niu Yuanfeng, was still holding the Yunhong Bridge, which had already been ordered to be abandoned by the military headquarters.
Perhaps it was the overwhelming momentum of the Japanese naval soldiers that left them trembling, resulting in a significant decrease in the accuracy of their artillery fire. Perhaps it was fate intervening, as not a single round from the Japanese's torrential barrage of anti-aircraft fire struck the aircraft of Shen Chonghui, which was no longer capable of any evasive maneuvers. Before the eyes of all, the plane suddenly plummeted and crashed into the bridge of the "Fengxiang"!
According to the Japanese army's cowardly tactics, Huludao will inevitably be lost sooner or later! This is because the entire urban area is within the range of the enemy's naval artillery! At the meeting, Wang Shuchang, who was pushed to the brink of endurance by the Japanese army, took a final, deep drag on his cigarette, crushed the butt under his boot, as if that cigarette butt were Yoshiyama Shintaro.
At 10:17, the Japanese Navy's light aircraft carrier "Hōshō" slowly sank in the turbulent waters of Liaodong Bay. Of the 550 officers and soldiers on board, 133 died directly from the explosion, while the rest were rescued by friendly ships
Following closely behind Liu Cuigang was the deputy commander of the 3rd Squadron, Wang Guangfu (whose sister would later become Chairman Liu Shaoqi's wife, Wang Guangmei). Taking advantage of Liu Cuigang's extraordinary maneuver known as "Swallow Skimming the Sky," he daringly executed a semicircular flight over the "Fengxiang" aircraft carrier, drawing the attention of Japanese anti-aircraft fire, which immediately redirected towards Liu Cuigang. In that moment, he quickly lowered the nose of his aircraft and, within fifteen seconds, dove to an altitude of less than 20 meters above sea level. Just as it seemed he was about to collide with the flight deck of the "Fengxiang," he abruptly pulled the control stick, causing the entire aircraft to leap into the sky like a fish leaping over the dragon's gate. Simultaneously, the Soviet-made "ZL-33" medium anti-ship torpedo, suspended beneath the belly of the aircraft, plunged into the vast blue sea with a splash, trailing white foam. Twelve seconds later, amidst the terrified cries of the Japanese sailors, it struck the belly of the "Fengxiang" with precision—"Boom!" The explosion of the torpedo's warhead, containing 50 kilograms of high explosives, erupted violently, sending shockwaves that caused the entire aircraft carrier to tremble slightly. In the midst of the raging flames, the "Fengxiang" was torn open, and torrents of seawater rushed in, while the Japanese sailors frantically ran about, shouting in panic as they desperately tried to extinguish the fire.
"Captain, there's no need to persuade me! Colleagues, I can no longer go on, farewell!" The voice of Shen Chonghui in the intercom was weak and low, yet there was a resolute determination in his words
However, we cannot just stand by and watch the 3rd Division swaggering towards the attack on Huludao while our troops are stationed so far from the sea, can we?" exclaimed Chief of Staff Chen of the 110th Division, filled with youthful vigor.
Note: General Lü Zhengcao passed away on October 15, 2009. May the old general rest in peace
Upon receiving the news, the morale of the Northeast Army officers and soldiers on the front line in Liaoning surged, prompting various units to organize counterattacks. Wang Shuchang immediately issued an order for a full-line offensive upon learning that the Japanese fleet had retreated. Amidst the thunderous roar of thousands of cannons, the 110th and 111th Divisions, poised for action, concentrated their forces with the support of local militias and under the cover of more than a dozen aircraft to launch a counterattack against the 3rd Division. Without naval support, the 3rd Division, whose individual firepower, artillery, and air strength were inferior to that of the Northeast Army, barely relied on its armored units for support. However, under the vigorous assaults of the highly motivated 110th and 111th Divisions, key positions such as Bozi, Nanma, Dawa, and Kaobatun were successively recaptured by the Northeast Army, and the 18th (Fengqiao) and 34th (Shizuoka) Infantry Regiments suffered heavy losses. On the 19th, Major General Yokoyama, in a state of helplessness, honestly reported the current predicament to General Mutō Nobuyoshi. After learning of this, Mutō judged that the objectives of the western route campaign had become difficult to achieve, and that the Japanese forces in the central route were already facing a shortage of troops during the assault on Liaoyang. He then ordered the 3rd Division to move to the Liaoyang front. Another reason for Mutō's decision was that he had just learned that Chiang Kai-shek had once again increased the troops by 3 divisions to the Shaanxi and Suiyuan borders to pressure the Northeast Army. The situation between the Northeast Army and the Central Army was on the brink of war, leading Mutō to conclude that the Northeast Army in Suiyuan and Chahar would not dare to recklessly send reinforcements to Liaoyang or to encircle his rear.
Zhang Xueliang gazed into the distance at the billowing smoke and the thunderous explosions at the Hongqiao Bridge, where fierce battles were taking place. He then looked at Lü Zhengcao, who was sobbing uncontrollably while holding the phone, and sighed inwardly: Historically, Niu Yuanfeng was sent by Zhang Xueliang to suppress the Red Army after the "September 18 Incident" when Northeast China fell, only to die a miserable death in battle; whereas Lü Zhengcao, after the "September 18 Incident," abandoned the darkness for the light and went to Yan'an, eventually accumulating merits and rising to the rank of General in the People's Republic of China. Alas, their fates have now changed because of himself, truly reflecting the unpredictability of life. In fact, some people are also heroes; it is just that history did not give them the opportunity to prove themselves.
In desperation, the abandoned 68th Regiment launched several desperate attempts to break out, but under the bombardment of artillery, machine guns, and aircraft from the Northeast Army, the surviving officers and soldiers disappeared at a rate dozens of times faster than the daily graying of their commander, Colonel Itono Iwan. On the afternoon of the 21st, with no way out, the remaining officers and soldiers of the 68th Regiment launched a "suicidal" attack against the Northeast Army, which outnumbered them tenfold.
At this time, the Japanese army launched a fierce attack on the Northeast Army positions with the elite main force of each division as the vanguard. Major General Kanda's suggestion of "concentrating superior forces to gradually encroach upon the Northeast Army positions" became the operational method for the Japanese attack. The Japanese concentrated six artillery regiments and hundreds of artillery pieces to bombard the northern bank of Liaoyang violently, turning the entire city into ruins, with two-thirds of the buildings collapsing. At the same time, Sasaki's aviation squadron, in conjunction with several squadrons from the First Army Aviation Division, carried out a "carpet bombing" of the Northeast Army positions with hundreds of bombers. The Japanese aircraft dropped more than 500 aerial bombs on the Northeast Army every hour on average, nearly exhausting 80% of the ammunition stockpile of the Japanese aviation forces. Additionally, the remaining forty or so tanks of the Japanese army rumbled into action. On this day of offensive, Mutō Nobuyoshi utilized all available means at his disposal. If it were not for the fierce north wind at that moment, Mutō would have wished to drop all remaining gas bombs on the heads of the Northeast Army.
Full cover! The fighter jets are drawing the Japanese anti-aircraft fire! Liu Cuigang immediately shouted, drenched in sweat
Under the deafening roar of the heavy machine guns of the Northeast Army, the bodies of the charging Japanese soldiers fell one by one, riddled like honeycomb. Groups of densely packed Japanese troops were torn apart by the mortar shells and grenades launched by the Northeast Army, their blood and flesh scattering in all directions. The heavy artillery in the rear thundered, raining down shells upon the battered body of the 68th Regiment, while even the Northeast Army's aircraft arrived to join the fray, indiscriminately strafing the helpless Japanese soldiers below. Witnessing their comrades instantly transformed into dismembered corpses on the ground, groups of Japanese soldiers wailed as they plunged bayonets into their own abdomens or detonated grenades pressed tightly against their chests. After more than three hours of combat, or rather, one-sided slaughter, the 68th Regiment of the 3rd Division of the Japanese Army was completely removed from the series of Japanese Army designations. The Northeast Army's cost was merely the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition and a few dozen barrels rendered inoperable due to overheating from prolonged firing.
The attack group of the Northeast Army consisted of 24 I-15 fighter planes and 6 Il-5 torpedo bombers. Upon receiving the news from the scouts that all aircraft from the "Fengxiang" aircraft carrier had been deployed, Liu Cuigang personally led a team of fighter planes to escort the 6 torpedo bombers, which carried the hopes of the entire army, as they surged towards the center of the Japanese fleet, targeting the "Fengxiang" aircraft carrier.
As for the people of Northeast China beyond the pass, ordinary citizens eagerly held celebrations to honor the remarkable achievements of their soldiers. Everyone rushed to purchase newspapers that reported this victory. The Northeast Army Daily published on the morning of the 13th was sold out immediately, and even an additional print run of 100,000 copies was insufficient. While celebrating the victory, the people of Northeast China also lit candles and offered fresh flowers to commemorate the brave sacrifices of Shen Chonghui and the other 12 heroic pilots who gave their lives.
Zhang Xueliang smiled and said: "Alright! Let us prepare for the handover in Liaoyang!"
The actual situation is as follows: Firstly, we have very few torpedo bombers, and secondly, our pilots lack practical experience in attacking fleets from the sea. Previously, the Air Force's combat training programs were primarily focused on the enemy's ground forces, with little to no training on attacking maritime targets. This plan is highly challenging, and even if successful, it would come at a great cost. Our pilots are far more valuable than the aircraft. Liu Cuigang could not bear to see his pilots shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire, struggling in the sea. The cost of training a pilot is at least equivalent to that of five aircraft. Liu Cuigang was calculating in his mind, completely unaware that Wang Shuchang and others were left with a grim expression after hearing his overly embellished words. "Colonel Liu, is it really that complicated? If you all collectively fly over the enemy fleet and drop bombs, even if you don't destroy them, you could at least sink their warships, right?" Liu Guiwu shouted.
On the other end of the line, Niu Yuanfeng exclaimed loudly: "Lv Zhengcao! You brat, listen up, the reinforced battalion I asked you to take is the seed of our 106th Division! You better rebuild the 106th Division well! Enough with the nonsense, I'm off to fight the Japanese!" With that, he abruptly hung up the phone.
As the fleet had already reached above the Japanese naval forces, the Japanese troops, who had been momentarily thrown into chaos by the sudden attack, quickly regained their composure. Soon, the dense anti-aircraft fire that erupted in the sky caused the Northeast Army's aircraft to bob like small boats on the waves, while the Japanese machine guns also began to fire in a sweeping manner.
The Young Marshal is correct! The Deputy Commander Yu Xuezhong continued, "Currently, the 9 infantry divisions participating in the war have already suffered over half of their losses, and our troop numbers are now below those of the Japanese forces. Although we have not yet encountered a shortage of ammunition and food, and the morale of the troops remains high, we estimate that it will require a tremendous cost to completely eliminate Mutou Nobuyoshi."
Our navy's strength is too weak to contend with the Japanese fleet; the tonnage of a single 'Nagato' class battleship exceeds the combined total of all our naval vessels. Currently, the young general has ordered them to hide in the port of Qinhuangdao. If it weren't for the protection of coastal artillery and anti-aircraft guns, they would likely have been bombed and sunk by Japanese carrier-based aircraft long ago. Therefore, we should not expect them to come and help us eliminate the Japanese fleet. The commander of the 111th Division, Dong Yingbin, is also anxiously smoking heavily.
All-out assault! Colonel Ito has understood the current situation, but he has never considered retreating, let alone surrendering, which is a thought that has never crossed his mind. At the last moment before the complete annihilation of his forces, he only thinks about inflicting the maximum damage on the Northeast Army with his troops. To boost morale, the Colonel personally carries a bayoneted Type 38 rifle and walks towards his own troops, who are already drenched in the machine-gun fire of the Northeast Army. Behind him silently follows the battalion staff, most of whom come from impoverished families in Qifu, and behind the staff are the clerks, telegraph operators, and other miscellaneous soldiers. At this moment, their faces bear the numb expression of those facing death. To inspire morale, the Colonel personally carries a bayoneted Type 38 rifle and walks towards his own troops, who are already drenched in the machine-gun fire of the Northeast Army. Behind him silently follows the battalion staff, most of whom come from impoverished families in Qifu, and behind the staff are the clerks, telegraph operators, and other miscellaneous soldiers. At this moment, their faces bear the numb expression of those facing death, wooden and mechanical as they follow the battalion commander, charging into the dense barrage of the Northeast Army.
As he watched the blood of the Japanese soldiers splatter onto the ice surface of the river, which was over twenty degrees below zero, the soldiers behind continued to tread over the corpses, fearlessly charging forward. Yu Xuezhong, an 18-year-old veteran with a full 25 years of military service, could not help but change color: "This river is no longer a battlefield; it is clearly a morgue! Floating in the water are corpses, frozen in the ice are still corpses, and rolling on the ice surface are also corpses"
Completion! Liu Cuigang felt a chill in his heart, mourning for the pilots who had perished in service to their country while also feeling a sense of coldness due to the failure of the mission. Four out of six torpedo bombers had already been lost, and the remaining two had completed their torpedo drops. Now, relying on the aircraft's defensive machine guns could inflict little damage on a warship weighing several thousand tons. At this moment, the "Fengxiang" was severely damaged and on the brink of collapse, but the 3rd Air Squadron had no last straw left to sink it.
At the onset of the war, the 3rd Aviation Squadron of the Northeast Army was ordered to station in Yixian to assist Wang Shuchang's troops in the fierce battle against the 3rd Division. For the past few days, they had been busy bombing the Japanese forces to cover Wang Shuchang's offensive. Squadron Leader Liu Cuigang (historically, Liu Cuigang was one of the "Four Kings" of the Nationalist Air Force, having shot down 11 Japanese aircraft in just three months, making him the highest-scoring Chinese Air Force pilot at that time. He unfortunately died in an air accident in Shanxi on October 26, 1937.) had just arrived at the command post of the 110th Division when Wang Shuchang expressed his wild thoughts, leaving everyone present in stunned silence.
At this moment, Nobuyoshi Mutou even began to place his hopes on the 3rd and 7th Divisions, which he had initially identified as supporting forces.
Currently, three divisions of the Japanese army have gathered together. Although the 3rd Division and the 7th Division have suffered severe losses under the strikes of our army's blocking forces, their main strength remains intact. The six divisions and one brigade under Mutō Nobuyoshi still have at least over 60% of their manpower, conservatively estimated to be more than 80,000 combat troops. He has now been driven to a dead end, and I believe the Japanese army will soon launch their final and largest-scale attack on Liaoyang. Compared to twenty days ago when he had just assumed the role of this 'symbolic' commander, Zhang Xueliang has gained considerable military analytical acumen.
Using air force aircraft equivalent to the army aviation to sink enemy warships is indeed an unprecedented "creative idea"; the Chinese Air Force has never engaged in combat with the Japanese Navy. Liu Cuigang also understood that the Japanese ground forces had suffered greatly from enemy naval artillery, making it difficult to outright refuse. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Liu Cuigang pondered this "sudden inspiration" and said: "Commander, your idea is theoretically feasible! Our air force has also purchased a small number of torpedo bombers from the Soviet Union in recent years, and we have pilots capable of operating them"
The pilot of this torpedo bomber, which had only sustained damage to its tail, was Shen Chonghui. At this moment, he had already been hit in the abdomen by bullets from Japanese anti-aircraft machine guns. Knowing that he was beyond saving, he steeled himself and struggled to maneuver the aircraft, unsteadily turning around and slowly charging towards the "Fengxiang". (Note: Historically, martyr Shen Chonghai piloted a "Northrop -2E" bomber to attack Japanese ships on the Huangpu River on August 18, 1937, and, despite being injured, crashed into a Japanese ship in defense of his country)
The focus of the Northeast Campaign—the Battle of Liaoyang—lasted from November 5 to 22, spanning a total of 17 days. At this point, the situation on the battlefield resembled a sky filled with drifting snowflakes and dense clouds, with both sides having suffered significant losses and being unable to continue fighting. The more than 200,000 troops from both sides, deeply entrenched in this quagmire, felt utterly exhausted and overwhelmed. In the following days, neither side's main forces were capable of further combat; however, the control zones of both sides had become interwoven, leading to a situation where skirmishes below the regimental level occurred incessantly.
Captain! Our bombing altitude is still too high! The enemy ships can easily evade our attacks! We must continue to lower the altitude for our strikes!" exclaimed a pilot who had witnessed his torpedo pass over the "Fengxiang" and head towards the Bohai Bay.
What is the actual situation? Wang Shuchang keenly heard the words "in theory" from Liu Cui's speech.