afterglow

Chapter 533 The wonderful use of gyroplanes; the horn of the general attack

After drifting on the sea for more than half a month, the 1st Marine Brigade and the 38th Division were finally reaching their destination.

They set off from Guadalcanal and Moresby respectively, first heading northwest to Guam, then northeast to Wake Island, then to Midway, and finally to Oahu, with a total distance of nearly 9,000 kilometers. , it can be said that he has traveled thousands of miles.

The next order of reinforcements is that the 1st Marine Brigade will rush to Oahu first, followed by the 112th Regiment of the 38th Division, the Mountain Artillery Regiment, the division headquarters, and finally the remainder of the 38th Division.

For the members of the 1st Marine Brigade, these days are undoubtedly the most difficult days - not only is the sea transportation boring and boring, but they are also frightened by US submarines.

"Now that I think about it, I still get angry. It was obviously good, but it was stolen accidentally."

"This is not bad, but the momentum has been suppressed. Last month, US submarines were much more rampant than now. One fleet was broken in half, and two escort ships were sunk."

Xie Wancheng, Zhu Lizhuo, and Yao Liangchuan were walking on the front deck of a merchant ship. Now the fleet had passed Kauai Island, and there was only half a day's sail left to the destination.

Three more unpainted Type 36 D-type fighter jets with exposed aluminum alloy fuselages flew in from the west in a U-shaped formation, hovering over the convoy to escort them.

The cargo ship Rong Xun was the only victim in this fleet. It was hit by one of the four torpedoes fired by the USS Stingray (SS-186) in the waters east of Midway Island. It capsized and sank more than minutes later. .

This simple little aircraft can only reach a top speed of 172km/h, uses a 300-horsepower radial engine, and has a maximum take-off weight of a pitiful 1200kg. Its payload can only carry a pilot and observer, including communication equipment. You have to plan carefully and not be too heavy-handed.

Telegrams from the mainland informed Zhou Changfeng of the latest situation on the European battlefield. In a city called Salamanca in western Spain, the offensive and defensive battle between the German and American armies ended.

【Picture】

The appearance of a gyroplane and a helicopter are quite similar. The biggest difference between the two is that the rotor of the gyroplane is unpowered, and the engine only provides power for the horizontal propeller. In this way, when moving forward, the oncoming airflow will blow the upper rotor to rotate, thus generating the main lift.

Therefore, the Army canceled the originally planned order of 400 aircraft, and only a dozen of the Type 39 rotorcraft were trial-produced.

On August 8, Hawaii welcomed the bright sunshine as always. Although the temperature was high, the refreshing sea breeze and abundant water vapor took away a considerable amount of heat, and the body temperature was far from hot.

The sun and the moon rotate, and the insignificant day passes in a blink of an eye.

"The good news came early in the morning. It feels sunny all day long."

The Ming Dynasty Army believes that this kind of light aircraft that can take off and land at short distances is suitable for use as artillery range shooting aircraft and liaison aircraft. The result so far is the trial production of the Type 39 rotorcraft.

As for more powerful suppressive artillery...there is currently the Second Field Heavy Artillery Brigade in the Haleiwa area. Although nearly half of the brigade was lost due to bombardment and air attacks by the US fleet, there are still 19 144mm howitzers and 17 112mm cannons that can be put into battle, but they are currently running out of ammunition.

Zhou Changfeng didn't take it seriously. This level of loss had little impact. The intact second battalion had a total of 18 80mm howitzers available.

The world's first rotary-wing aircraft was born more than ten years ago. In this era of rapid advancement in aviation technology, rotary-wing aircraft are also constantly developing.

The artillery units of the 17th Infantry Division and the 3rd Marine Brigade also suffered varying degrees of losses, but the total number of remaining artillery pieces should not be underestimated.

Therefore, the gyrocopter cannot take off and land vertically, and must taxi and accelerate before it can take off, but it is also very safe - even if the engine is turned off, the aircraft will gain lift due to the airflow blowing the upper rotor when it falls, and finally slowly Landed.

Zhou Changfeng is more concerned about the rotorcraft transported by this fleet. These gadgets may have the expected miraculous effect.

The so-called gyroplane is actually an early aircraft, in nature between a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft - in addition to the upper rotor, there is also a horizontal propeller to provide forward power, and is often equipped with small wings. Used to provide partial lift during flight.

The U.S. First Army set foot on European soil in May, and the German and American armies came into contact in early July. However, the subsequent battles were all small-scale, mostly company and platoon-level encounters.

Except for several prototypes that have been scrapped, the rest are undergoing actual combat testing in various armies. There are a few in the direction of India, a few in the direction of Australia, and a few in the direction of Siberia. The remaining four were all acquired by Zhou Changfeng. .

The reason why it is still called "trial production" so far is because the results are not as good as expected. The Ming Army discovered that although the rotorcraft has unique advantages, its shortcomings greatly limit its practical use-the payload is very small.

The 18st Battalion of the 112st Marine Brigade Mountain Artillery Regiment suffered heavy losses. A total of 2.9 mm howitzers and rounds of artillery shells were swallowed by the sea. The remaining observation and communication equipment were also lost.

Considering that our own side occupies air superiority, the air strikes of the aviation force can make up for the lack of artillery force to a certain extent. The combined firepower of the army, navy and air force is completely sufficient.

It was not until late July that the German army was fully prepared before officially launching a tentative offensive - only one mountain division and one infantry division each, and the scale was not large.

As the defender, the US military believes that it is ready to work and is well prepared, hoping to launch a beautiful defensive counterattack.

Although the U.S. military withstood the German attack at the beginning, the subsequent counterattacks were shocking. The counterattacks from the left and right wings were not well coordinated, sometimes faster and sometimes slower. The "pincers" that were supposed to be in place at the same time ended up being more than ten times different. Hours.

As a result, the German army seized the opportunity and made the dumplings of the US military in turn. As a result, one division was wiped out and two other divisions were routed.

During the battle that lasted eight days and seven nights, the U.S. First Army suffered 1 killed, wounded, and missing persons, 3426 wounded, 1.02 prisoners, and 5553 non-combat casualties.

The loss of technical equipment was also considerable. The US military lost 103 tanks, 228 half-track armored vehicles, and 610 off-road vehicles and trucks.

In comparison, the total number of German casualties was 3120, and the losses were 39 tanks of various types and 265 vehicles of various types.

"As far as the strategy is concerned, I think it's quite right, and I can't fault it, but in actual combat, it's shocking." said a former lieutenant colonel staff officer of the Luxun.

"The method is not difficult. There are many people who are sound in theory, but how many can actually implement it?" Zhou Changfeng waved his hand, "Large-scale land battles test the command ability of generals and the proficiency of officers at all levels. To a certain extent, Americans suffer because of their inexperience.”

"Indeed, the United States usually retains only tens of thousands of troops, and when a war comes, it expands its army at the last minute. Such a balloon-blowing army will be difficult to use and will take several years of training."

"This has little to do with time. The tuition of the army is human life. Any warrior who can fight has been tempered by war. The better an army is at learning lessons from casualties, the stronger it will be."

"Good advice, Commander-in-Chief! No wonder the 1st Marine Brigade gathers for a meeting to summarize after every battle. This is the way of the experts."

Zhou Changfeng said "hmm", stabbed open the can of luncheon meat with a can opener, and said casually: "This is a very important measure, and it can also suppress the arrogance and arrogance."

At this time, a messenger rushed into the headquarters excitedly.

He cupped his fists and saluted, and said loudly and happily: "Report! I saw the fleet!"

There is an air defense observation post halfway up the mountain in the northern part of Waianae Ridge. Several sentinels stared intently at the small black spots on the sea to the northwest.

The leading corporal put down the optical rangefinder, picked up the binoculars and looked at it for a long time.

It is vaguely visible that a dozen ships are heading here. There is no doubt that they are the reinforcements arriving at Midway Island.

At 8:2 pm on August 16, Fleet No. 25 arrived at Kenaka Bay in the Haleiwa area more than half an hour earlier than expected. The sight of corpses littering the fields is a thing of the past. The corpses of naval officers and soldiers from both sides who were pushed ashore by the tide were collected together the day before yesterday and yesterday, separated and buried at the northern foot of the Waianae Ridge.

The ebb and flow of the tide erased the blood stains and the smoke-soaked craters. Under the dazzling sunshine, the golden beach was still so charming.

"I heard that the 17th Division was almost completely defeated? Was the enemy's counterattack so fierce?"

"Is it true? How can it be false?"

"Isn't it different from the sterile place we were in Guadalcanal before? It was so difficult to fight. Thousands of people were trapped in Centipede Ridge."

The officers and soldiers of the 1st Marine Brigade, carrying rifles, submachine guns and light machine guns on their backs, set foot on the land of Hawaii while chatting. Many of them walked through a place that might have been a bomb crater a few days ago.

A quarter of an hour later.

The off-road vehicle that Zhao Hanfeng and Yao Liangchuan were riding drove slowly along the coastline, heading west, and finally stopped at the northern foot of the Waianae Ridge.

A temporary military station was set up here, with eight tents, three shacks, and two checkpoints. The crimson pennant was fluttering in the sea breeze.

Zhou Changfeng was sitting on a bench at the door of a shack, browsing several telex newspapers.

"See Jun Zuo!"

Zhao Hanfeng and Yao Liangchuan were undoubtedly excited. They had been separated for several months, and now they were overjoyed to see the old officer again.

Zhou Changfeng couldn't help but laugh, "It's good that safety is here. I've been worried for a long time, just afraid something would go wrong."

Zhao Hanfeng, who looked helpless, shook his head slightly, "It's a pity that the artillery battalion is gone, and the artillery, shells, and equipment have all sunk to the bottom of the sea."

"It's good that everyone is fine. In these days... brand-new cannons are almost leaving the factory."

"I read the battle report and said that the enemy has been silent since the defeat of the counterattack. With such a huge loss, it should not be troublesome to finish the battle." Yao Liangchuan said.

Zhou Changfeng nodded, "Absolutely. According to the prisoners' confessions, now (the US military) except for a patchwork independent infantry regiment that has not been put into battle are all defeated soldiers."

The 296th Infantry Regiment was reorganized from the garrisons evacuated from Wake Island and Midway during Operation Magic Broom. It has not yet been engaged in combat and is in a state of full strength.

In the evening, the 1st Marine Brigade Headquarters, Beach Front Selection Battalion, and Engineer Battalion successfully landed ashore.

As soon as Xie Wancheng came and saw Zhou Changfeng and others, he sighed carelessly: "What a pity, Jun Zuo. I originally thought that we would have to take the lead in Oahu Island, but now it seems that all we have to do is kick it." It collapsed."

"I was a little regretful the day before yesterday. The main contribution to the capture of Oahu did not fall on our First Brigade." Zhou Changfeng smiled slightly and said relaxedly: "But I was relieved when I woke up, because I thought that the First Brigade was coming. , I immediately felt confident.”

"Ballast stone." Yao Liangchuan on the side said calmly: "What's the plan next? Is the offensive side thinking about it?"

"One main and one auxiliary." Zhou Changfeng pointed to Oahu on the map and gestured. "The first brigade broke through frontally. The attack route was Wheeler Airport and the train station. Then it formed a semi-encirclement situation north of Pearl Harbor and surrounded the remaining enemy forces. The army is divided into two halves; the four brigades will support at Nuuanupali Pass to contain part of the enemy's army, or break into the city of Honolulu to disrupt the enemy's morale."

Everyone then discussed the deployment in detail. They planned to use the first regiment as the main force, concentrate all available tanks to break through along the main axis, and directly develop in depth, ignoring the flanks; the second regiment followed closely to finish the aftermath, if the first regiment was outflanked. Attack again in case of danger.

The four gyroplanes painted in earthy yellow took their turn to be unloaded the next morning. Their strange shapes attracted a lot of attention. No one had ever seen such an aircraft with a sub-rotor above its head.

After a short taxi, the four planes took off leisurely, climbed slowly, and flew to the Mokapu area dozens of kilometers away.

At the same time, two landing ships also transported a batch of supplies and several mountain guns to Kaneohe Bay on the Mokapu Peninsula.

The so-called "mountain artillery" in the military language of the Ming Dynasty actually refers to the howitzer. It has this conventional name because of its curved trajectory.

As for the real mountain artillery - the light mountain howitzer, it is called "mountain-passing artillery" in military language, because only this type of artillery can be disassembled and carried over mountains and ridges.

Because the combat environment is generally hilly and mountainous, and the terrain is complex, most of the artillery of the Ming army originally pursued lightness. Even the ordinary 80-type 660mm howitzer has a total combat weight of only 75kg, which is even heavier than the mm of some European armies. The mountain cannon is even lighter.

The Italian M34 mountain gun weighs 780kg, and the German GebG36 mountain gun weighs 715kg.

Under this circumstance, one can imagine the light weight of the mountain artillery in the Ming army's sequence.

The Type 80 408mm over-the-mountain gun adopts the design of an interrupted threaded breech block, a long cradle, and a long recoil stroke. It uses many aluminum alloy and aluminum-magnesium alloy parts during manufacturing. The total combat weight is only kg, which can be said to be ridiculously light. , but because of the high cost, the output is small.

Following Zhou's order, the Ming army used small liaison planes to fly back and forth on the Koolau Ridge, looking for a suitable and gentle mountain top.

The best place right now is a highland with an elevation of 585, seven kilometers away from Pearl Harbor in the west and six kilometers away from downtown Honolulu in the south.

The Ming army dismantled the three 37-type mountain cannons into their disassembled state and hung the individual parts under the rotorcraft. There was no one in the back seat of the rotorcraft, so that it could just fly.

After flying to height 585, the pilot turned off the engine, the rotorcraft slowly descended to land, and removed the artillery components.

Through this method, all three mountain guns were in place, and the gun crew members came to the high ground one by one.

However, the retreat machine of one of the mountain guns was damaged because it fell on a stone. Only the other two can actually be used.

Next, the four rotorcraft have been repeatedly performing ammunition delivery tasks, transporting boxes of artillery shells to high ground.

From here, you can have a panoramic view of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu city. The mountain artillery located on the high ground poses a serious threat to the depth of the US military's rear.

A U.S. military convoy was driving along the highway from Honolulu to Pearl Harbor when it was shelled without warning.

"Take cover! Get off the road!"

"Look out! Incoming fire!"

"Damn, where did these shells come from?!"

Dozens of bombs fell continuously within five minutes. The American soldiers were caught off guard and fled in panic. More than a dozen trucks were paralyzed and burned on the road.

When the officers and soldiers of the 585st Marine Brigade were ready for battle and began to enter the offensive starting position one after another, the rumbling sound of artillery was first heard from the Highland. The Ming army artillery above fired unscrupulously, warning the Ming army in advance. The clarion call for the final attack.

(End of this chapter)