Iron Cross

In addition to the F6F, the most eye-catching trophies captured were the batch of C-47 transport aircraft. These behemoths aroused the curiosity of many people, and a group of military officers were at the airport to observe them. With the help of technical manuals and the help of several pilots, Murata Shigeharu, who had only a few transport aircraft flight experience, finally succeeded in flying the C-47, and proudly patrolled the island of Ceylon, almost triggering anti-aircraft fire below. shooting.

Kusaka Ryuunosuke couldn't help but frown when he saw the noisy scene. He was going to accuse them of being ridiculous, but seeing that Tsukahara Jiro-san and Kusaka Renichi were watching with great interest, he didn't want to jump out and be the villain. ——The plane was picked up for nothing, so what if it falls?

Murata Shigeharu, who got off the plane, clicked his tongue and praised: "This transport aircraft is good, better than any transport aircraft I have ever seen or flown in, and it is effortless to operate. Sir, will you keep them?"

Ryunosuke Kusaka nodded immediately: "Okay, pack up the Grumman fighter planes and take them away with you when you leave. Don't let the Army see them, or they will rob us."

Caolu Renyi shook his head: "You can take away the fighter jets, but not the transport planes. It's still useful, sir."

"it works?"

"Sir wants to use a transport plane to pick up people in Singapore, especially pilots. How can we do it by taking a slow boat? As for ownership..." Kusaka Renyi laughed, "Reprint the SH Army logo as soon as possible. I'm sorry that the Army will be embarrassed to talk to us. Rob."

Everyone was right. Without the arrival of the land-based pilots, the carrier-based pilots of the mobile fleet could not leave - or the commander had considered it carefully.

"The only regret is that the B-29 was not found. I asked the prisoners, and they told me that Australia has received this latest heavy-duty strike aircraft, but the US military is obviously reluctant to put it into the hump route or hand it over to the British."

Everyone has heard of the famous name of the B-29. Although it was badly beaten by German jet fighters in its limited appearances, everyone admits that it is a good aircraft. Whether it is Germany or RB, it lacks the 4-engine aircraft most. of large bombers.

"Speaking of jets, it's a pity that we didn't see them this time." Mizuo Fuchida said with emotion. "If you hadn't been to Germany, you wouldn't have known about the development of Europe, the progress of science and technology, and the civilization of the people. RB is still far behind. No wonder India In people’s minds, white people are always superior.”

"Don't be sorry. The German head of state agreed to sell us a batch of jets. The price is exactly two-thirds of the Tiger, 450,000 marks a piece, but the technical information is more expensive, at least 100 million marks..."

From Genda Minoru's point of view, the price is not expensive at all. Jets are the only good thing in the world. Now the Germans are willing to sell them for 450,000 marks. If the chief had not cooperated with Germany in fighting against domestic pressure, how could the head of state be so generous? ? Little did he know that, excluding technology research and development costs, the cost of Messerschmitt's production of a Me-262 was only 110,000 Reichsmarks - every time RB bought a jet, it was equivalent to paying the Germans. 3 racks.

"Sir, do you agree to buy it?"

"Sir, of course I agree, but the problem is that we don't have the money. Not to mention that Germany spent all of the credit granted to us last time and owes an additional 300 million marks. Now it's all counting on India's gold and China's trade silver. Caolu Renyi spread his hands and confessed, "Sir, I told you to force the enemy to surrender as much as possible and keep the equipment and supplies as much as possible instead of trying to destroy the thing - it's all money." !”

Several bomber pilots subconsciously shrank their necks: The fighting this time was too much. Incendiary bombs and aerial bombs were thrown at the Ceylon Army for free. In the end, only a dozen or so tanks were captured intact. Enemy trucks, Most of the planes were also destroyed.

"Can the USS Borg be saved?" Mizuo Fuchida asked, "I don't think it can be used for fleet operations, but it's good for escort purposes."

"Drain the water as much as possible and drag it back for inspection. It really can't be used as a training aircraft carrier. In the future, we must vigorously train pilots. It will be troublesome if we don't have a training ship." Kusuka Renyi suddenly remembered something and said to these ace pilots, "Let's Do you have any problem with going to the rear to train new pilots?"

"This..." Akamatsu Sadaki scratched his scalp, "I actually still have hope."

Murata Shigeharu also said: "Training new recruits is not as exciting as fighting..."

Several other top pilots unanimously agreed that they were willing to stay in the front-line troops. Only Saburo Sakai, who had an eye injury, expressed his willingness to return to China as an instructor.

Mitsuo Fuchida scolded the others with a straight face: "You are so inconsiderate of your commander's intentions. Look what the Germans did. On the one hand, I envy others for their almost endless reserve pilots, but on the other hand, I If you don't want to train new pilots, and he won't go, who will train them? Who will tell them the latest combat skills and aircraft performance of the domestic pilots? Flight instructor?”

The others didn't say anything, but they kept mumbling in their hearts: Mitsuo Fuchida himself has made it clear that he will continue to stay in the mobile fleet to lead the troops, and his military rank may be further promoted to colonel. He hasn't even become a general yet. I started talking without back pain anymore.

"Akamatsu Sadaki!" Fuchida Mitsuo looked at the dissatisfied looks of several people and emphasized, "Now I order you to thoroughly understand the performance of Grumman's aircraft and find out its shortcomings. When you return home, you will be responsible for leading a group of pilots. Flying an F6F aircraft serves as an imaginary enemy to help new pilots train tactics.”

Akamatsu Sadaki, whose name was called, had to reluctantly agree. In the midst of the embarrassment, someone came to deliver the order, requiring the main force of the mobile fleet to leave for the Maldives in the evening to prepare for the transport fleet to unload the cargo on Ceylon Island.

Just as the Navy was happily counting prisoners and trophies and cleaning the battlefield, Army General Yamashita Tomobumi, known as the "Malay Tiger", had just gathered his team to board the ship and leave the Philippines. After receiving the battle report that the Navy had completely occupied Ceylon, he Nodding slightly, he handed the telegram to Lieutenant General Suzuki Sosaku, chief of staff of the dispatch army. The latter was his old partner when he was fighting in Malaya. However, due to Yamashita Fengfumi's involvement, he was demoted all the way until he was attached to the Army Ordnance Factory. He was reduced from a front-line combat officer to a handyman officer in charge of logistics affairs. Although his military rank remained unchanged, But the treatment and influence are vastly different. You must know that the Japanese army is famous for not paying attention to heavy baggage and heavy troops - if heavy baggage and heavy troops are considered soldiers, then even dragonflies can be counted as eagles.

As soon as Yamashita came out of the mountain, he immediately took his old partner to the Indian Expeditionary Force. However, Yamashita believed that this experience was actually beneficial to Suzuki himself. In addition to understanding production, he would have a deeper understanding of logistics and supplies, which is very important for a staff officer. Growth is particularly important, and Suzuki himself, who "sees the light of day again," is devoted to Yamashita. He subconsciously asked: "Completely occupied? Didn't they just successfully land?"

The confidential staff officer added: "We have confirmed with the navy that full occupation has been confirmed. Most of the more than 50,000 British defenders have been captured, and a small number have been killed by our army. Currently, all important strategic strongholds on the island are in the hands of our army. The main ones are The airport has also been restored..."

"How many troops did the Germans send out?"

"There are four marine brigades, about one division, but the battle is mainly fought by the first attack wave of more than 6,000 people. The follow-up troops can only go up to accept the surrender and chase and annihilate the fleeing enemies."

All the followers around him looked horrified, but Yamashita Fengwen nodded: "If the German army was fighting the main battle, the navy should not be bragging. Their combat effectiveness is indeed very strong. I knew this when I served as a military attaché in Austria. Battle of France After that, I went to Germany again. They are unique in the world in the field of armored groups and mechanized infantry. Only fools like Tojo think that they can conquer the world with rifles, light machine guns and grenade launchers. This is great. With the cooperation of capable Allied troops, it will be much easier to fight in the future. More importantly, the German army can help us train armored force tactics."

Now Tojo is not the prime minister, but just a small military police commander. Yamashita and he already dislike each other, and now they are even more merciless when they scold him.

Lieutenant General Kanakura Nakura, commander of the 4th Tank Division, who was on the same ship as him and was established earlier than history, asked: "Which tanks are we going to accept this time?"

"There are many, all models are available, made in Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and oh, there are also French products."

"Can we allow our division to pick first?"

"Of course, you are the only tank division currently dispatched. It may take a few more months for the follow-up troops to arrive." Yamashita Fengfumi thought for a while and said, "But you can't pick too many tiger moves, otherwise Ishihara-kun will look for you later." I'll settle the score."

"A few Tigers are enough. I want the T-34."

Suzuki Sosaku nodded in understanding: "Because of Nomonhan?"

The Nomonhan battle was too exciting. Judging from the simple exchange ratio, RB actually did not suffer a loss. However, the Kwantung Army had always regarded it as a treasure. The two tank regiments led by Lieutenant General Masaomi Yasuoka were defeated by the Soviet and Mongolian army's artillery and The fact that the tank troops were completely wiped out made the Japanese army heartbroken.

After the battle failed, the base camp established the "Nomenhan Committee". In addition to conducting a comprehensive study of the reasons for the failure, it also conducted research on the formation, training, intelligence, command, communications, coordination of services and arms, political education, tactics, and supply support of the combat troops. We conducted in-depth discussions and spent great efforts on the improvement of weapons, especially heavy equipment such as tanks, artillery, and aircraft. On the one hand, we organized specialized personnel to conduct comparisons and studies, and on the other hand, we sent people to Germany to observe - led by Yamashita Tobumi .

The impact this time left on the Japanese mecha troops was too profound. The T-26 defeated all the Japanese tanks until they could no longer take care of themselves, and the T-34 was far more powerful than the T-26. In addition, the Japanese army was accustomed to equipped with diesel engines. So Nagura Magazine selected T-34 as soon as it came out.

"Although I agree with your choice, I hope that the 4th Tank Division can fully master and equip different types of tanks from various countries."

Yamashita Fengfumi's words made Nagurakan stunned, and he couldn't turn around for a while...