Chapter 299: 298 Japanese Agents In Action, Jinan Airport Security, Tianjin Warfare
On the twenty-ninth of the seventh month, the air combat that suddenly erupted over Nanyuan had an impact on all sides.
On this rotten North China battlefield, it was rare stimulating good news.
Many people inside Beiping City saw the battle in the sky.
The menacing Japanese Army bomber formation was attacked by fighter jets that appeared suddenly, causing huge casualties.
In the entire Nanyuan area, as well as the Fengtai District further south, there were wreckage from several Japanese Army aircraft.
The most eye-catching was the Type 95 fighter jet that crashed into the city wall, disintegrated, and exploded.
The old and young men in the four-nine city were all eager for excitement. Even in such a dangerous situation, they found ways to go out of the city to witness the most Japanese Army fighter jet wreckage by the city wall.
Even the military attachés from various countries in Dongjiaomin Lane brought cameras out of the city to take photos. Only the Japanese side’s diplomats stayed behind closed doors. For a time, the four-nine city was filled with a sense of fast pleasure.
Meanwhile, the aircraft wreckage farther away was also searched and counted by soldiers of the 29th Army.
Including those with crashed wreckage and those that exploded in the air and turned into fragments, under the statistics combined with testimonies from soldiers and evidence, the officers responsible for the investigation in the 29th Army were surprised to find that at least 10 Japanese Army fighter jets had been shot down.
Such a battle result was very gratifying. In the current continuously deteriorating battle situation, it was even more worthy of widespread propaganda.
But which aviation team took action?
Because there was no prior notice, the 29th Army military department thought it was a secret operation by the National Air Force, so they sent a telegram to inquire with the aviation management committee.
But the other side said they had not dispatched any aircraft to attack at all. Due to military supplies preparation issues, at least until August, the two aviation detachments supporting North China would not take action.
This reply made the 29th Army feel incredulous.
Besides the Central Army’s aviation team, was there another air force force supporting them?
Could it be the Shanxi-Suiyuan aviation team that had not yet been incorporated into the Central Air Force?
They immediately sent a telegram to Shanxi, but the other side stated it was not them either.
After such inquiries, the 29th Army was surprised to find that there seemed to be only one possibility left.
That was the Taishan Airlines Escort Team.
Although this escort team had a good performance at the beginning of the war, achieving this level today was truly unbelievable.
Immediately, the 29th Army sent a telegram to Jinan to inquire and received an affirmative reply.
At this point, the Chinese attacking side of the 729 Nanyuan air combat was confirmed.
As the telegram was transmitted back to Nanjing, the National Government immediately made a big fuss about this matter and carried out special propaganda.
At the same time, a competitive spirit was aroused within the National Air Force.
A civil aviation escort team showed such excellent performance in the war. How could the orthodox Central Air Force of China show weakness?
In response, the Nanyuan Detachment and Tianjin Detachment, which were originally still preparing, all requested to go into battle with their superiors.
Meanwhile, the Japanese side was also greatly enraged by this.
Tianjin, Japanese Concession Hailun Temple, North China Garrison Command.
The fighter jets that escaped back to Tianjin brought bad news, enraging the entire command.
The entire bomber formation of 20 aircraft went out, but 13 fighter jets were shot down, and less than half returned.
This result could be said to be the greatest loss in the North China warfare.
In response, the garrison command ordered the secret service organs and the air force to investigate the matter together.
This group of independent investigators immediately took action, preparing to leave the Tianjin area where combat was ongoing and head to the Nanyuan and Fengtai District areas on the Beiping side to conduct investigations.
But unexpectedly, latent agents in Nanjing sent an urgent telegram saying that the National Government had issued a special commendation meeting, publicly commending the Taishan Airlines Escort Team for its excellent performance in the Beiping defense battle. The situation described was exactly the air combat that occurred earlier in the Nanyuan and Fengtai District areas.
These secret service personnel were somewhat familiar with Taishan Airlines, so they immediately adjusted their action direction and all went to the Shandong area in plainclothes.
July thirtieth.
Jinan Airport suddenly became lively.
Local gentry and military administration leaders gathered at the airport, beating gongs and drums, setting off firecrackers, full of celebration.
Facing such a lively scene, Fang Wen felt surprised.
Taishan Airlines had never received such treatment. All the prominent people in Jinan City had come.
For safety considerations, he did not appear in public but entertained the military administration executives inside the airport.
After some conversation, he understood.
It was about responding to the 29th Army yesterday regarding the air combat matter.
As a result, the 29th Army reported it to Nanjing, and it was suddenly taken as an example of the War of Resistance for propaganda.
It could be said that in the current rotten North China warfare situation, it was a rare battle result that could be promoted.
Fang Wen felt relieved, but Wu Yingzong, who also knew the ins and outs, was particularly worried.
He came to Fang Wen’s side: “General Manager Fang, I have important matters to report.”
Fang Wen pretended to apologize and excused himself, then talked with Wu Yingzong in a quiet place.
“What is it?”
“General Manager Fang, this matter is probably troublesome. Now that you have been held up as an example, plus the Japanese Army lost thirteen aircraft, they must hate you to the bone. Now that full-scale war has broken out, with no more scruples, they will definitely take action against you.”
Fang Wen nodded, “I understand. Precisely because full-scale war has started, I must have the awareness to face danger when throwing myself into the war.”
Yes, it was no longer the previous time of stable development. Danger was everywhere in wartime, so how could they shrink back because of this.
In response, Wu Yingzong felt excited in his heart. His master could clearly avoid facing all this, yet he bravely participated because of the national cause. Few people could do this.
He developed the idea of definitely protecting Fang Wen’s safety and stated his plan.
“General Manager Fang, I’m afraid the Japanese Army will send agents to Jinan for assassination and sabotage actions. The airport’s security must continue to be strengthened. Additionally, we need to set up our secret sentries outside.”
This security plan was something Wu Yingzong had considered for a long time. This time was just right, so he laid it all out.
The airport’s security naturally needed to be even tighter, fully taken over by the Mercenary Group.
At the same time, to counter Japanese spies hiding in the dark to spy and sabotage, personnel needed to be arranged for airport external operations.
These people included original airport security team members and Mercenary Group personnel. They would lurk in shops around the airport, constantly monitoring changes in the surrounding situation.
Fang Wen agreed with this.
Unlike other enterprises, Fang Wen had always paid attention to the construction of the business circle around his own airport.
At the same time, to arrange employment for airport employees’ families, most of the shops outside the airport were leased by Taishan Airlines and sublet to employees’ families to open stores, providing more ways to make money and support families.
Doing this made the business circles around Taishan Airlines’ several own airports mostly operated by their own people, making it even more convenient to arrange the lurking personnel Wu Yingzong mentioned.
Immediately, Wu Yingzong began making arrangements.
The Mercenary Group from Xiangxi Airport began successively transferring to Jinan. At the same time, many personnel he arranged appeared around the airport, disguising as shop employees and lurking in different shops.
On the surface, Jinan Airport showed no changes, but in reality, it became tightly defended.
Temporarily, nothing suspicious had been discovered. It would probably take some time for the Japanese side’s agent team to arrive.
Those local Jinan gentry and notables, as well as military administration executives who came to congratulate because the National Government had set an example, also left after a day of excitement.
But the influence of the Nanyuan air combat was still fermenting.
This great air victory let all sides see that even facing a strong enemy, they had the power to fight.
Among them, the ones most affected were those National Air Force pilots.
They requested to go into battle but did not get permission.
The superiors were very pleased with this fighting spirit but also worried that this group of young master soldiers without actual combat experience would have problems in real combat.
For this reason, they required the pilots of the Nanyuan and Tianjin wartime detachments to seek instruction from Fang Wen.
The team leader was Captain Gao of the Fourth Air Group.
Fang Wen agreed to this. Immediately, three military transport aircraft flew to Jinan Airport.
After the three military transport aircraft landed, Fang Wen brought Taishan Aviation Team pilots to greet them.
Team Leader Captain Gao had a full smile on his face and introduced to Fang Wen.
“General Manager Fang, we came this time to learn from you. These are pilots from the Nanyuan Detachment and Tianjin Detachment. They are about to engage the Japanese Air Force. I hope you won’t hesitate to teach.”
Fang Wen glanced at the pilots behind Captain Gao.
Some had admiring gazes, some were unruly, and some were not very attentive.
These emotions represented their mental state upon arriving here. Young master soldiers were not easy to lead.
Fang Wen smiled slightly and talked with Captain Gao: “No need to talk about learning as disciples. This is exchanging experiences. I hope you all can use them in future combats.”
These words made some of the National Army pilots who came to learn change their attitudes, and the overall atmosphere improved a lot.
Immediately, Fang Wen brought them to the hangar temporarily used for lectures.
There, Fang Wen explained the situation of the Nanyuan air combat.
Listening to Fang Wen’s explanation, Captain Gao praised: “High-altitude ambush, a stroke of genius, catching the enemy off guard. This is also the advantage of monoplanes over biplanes, fighting with more flexible tactics.”
Fang Wen responded: “Yes, most tactics for biplanes are arranged horizontally. Except for dives, their other flight maneuvers are much worse than monoplanes. In response to this situation, I designed this ambush, which brought very good results.”
A pilot stood up to ask a question.
“My father learned a good news from high-level friends that the National Government is about to sign a non-aggression treaty with the Soviet Union. They are willing to support us in confronting Japan’s invasion and fund a batch of Il-15 and Il-16 fighter jets. I see you are also using Il-16 fighter jets. Can you teach some driving skills for this type of fighter jet?”
In response, Fang Wen said: “Our Il-16 has been modified, with greater internal engine power, allowing more high-performance flight maneuvers that the original Il-16 cannot achieve. But overall, the feeling of driving the Il-16 is similar. If you are interested, I can organize Taishan Aviation Team pilots to exchange with you.”
These pilots were very interested in this, so Fang Wen had Taishan Aviation Team pilots exchange with them.
And he chatted alone with Captain Gao.
“Captain Gao, Tianjin can’t hold on anymore. Do you know?”
“What’s going on? Please inform me, General Manager Fang.”
“On the Tianjin side, there is only the 38th Division pistol regiment with over a thousand men, six security brigades with three thousand men, 114th Brigade 228th Regiment about fifteen hundred men, Independent 26th Brigade two regiments about three thousand men. Plus the 223rd Regiment stationed at Tianjin Xiaozhan and the Third Battalion of the 224th Regiment stationed at Xian Shuigu, about two thousand men. Total force is just over thirteen thousand. The troops assembled on the Japanese Concession side are continuously increasing. If they don’t take action anymore, there will be no chance at all. Therefore, starting on the 28th, the Tianjin defending troops proactively launched an attack on the Japanese Army.”
Fang Wen described the Tianjin warfare that happened at the same time as the Nanyuan air combat.
These were all obtained through his intelligence channels, many of which were military attachés from the Tianjin French Concession and British Concession sending telegrams in real time to Shanghai, then sold to various intelligence dealers.
On the battle layout,
114th Brigade 228th Regiment and Security Brigade Sixth Brigade attacked East Station (today’s Tianjin Station);
Pistol regiment and Independent 26th Brigade 678th Regiment Second Battalion combined with Security Brigade First Brigade to attack the barracks of the troops stationed at Hailun Temple North China Garrison Command;
Independent 26th Brigade and Security Brigade Second Brigade attacked Tianjin General Station (now Jinbei Station) and Dongjuzi Japanese Army airport;
Security Brigade Third Brigade maintained traffic safety near West Station to prevent enemies from entering;
112th Brigade 224th Regiment two battalions attached to Security Brigade Fourth and Fifth Brigades held the Dagukou sea defense;
Armed police were responsible for traffic guidance between various battlefields.
This battle was destined to fail, but they fought very bravely.
And just yesterday, the Tianjin warfare failed, and these troops had begun withdrawing from Tianjin.
Hearing Fang Wen talk about the Tianjin situation, Captain Gao couldn’t help but sigh.
“We formed the Tianjin Detachment, but haven’t set off yet, and Tianjin has already fallen. Truly ashamed.”
Fang Wen wanted to comfort but couldn’t say it.
Based on what he learned at Zhoujiakou Airport, although supplies were somewhat lacking, they were not unable to go into battle. The key was that the superiors did not allow action.
At this time, a telegraph operator came running over.
He came to Fang Wen, saw outsiders, and did not explain the telegram content, just made a report.
“General Manager, the 38th Division sent a telegram via the communication frequency we agreed with the 29th Army. The telegram message content is here.”
Fang Wen took the telegram paper and let the telegraph operator leave.
After reading it, he informed Captain Gao aloud.
“Troops from the Tianjin side are heading south, preparing to go to Cang County, Hebei, and Dexian, Shandong. A force of Japanese Army is pursuing them, with air force reconnaissance and harassment. He requests our support to intercept Japanese Army aircraft. Are you interested in joining?”
The Cang County and Dexian mentioned in the telegram were the future Cangzhou and Dezhou.
Hearing this, Captain Gao was tempted.
“You mean we act together to intercept the Japanese Army fighter jets’ reconnaissance and harassment of the 38th Division, letting them head south smoothly?”
Fang Wen nodded: “Yes. This action is not very difficult. The Japanese side won’t dispatch too many military aircraft south. It’s the best actual combat training opportunity.”
Captain Gao was somewhat hesitant: “But we came to learn, and the aircraft are still at Zhoujiakou Airport.”
“As long as you’re willing to go into battle, it’s just a round trip of one hour. Just say if you dare or not.” Fang Wen deliberately used stimulating words.
Hearing this, the other side got fired up.
“What’s not to dare? Lend me your radio station. I’ll request to go into battle with Nanjing.”
The telegram he sent received a response.
The superiors allowed this joint action and also relayed the National Government’s commendation invitation to Fang Wen.
Saying that after this joint action, the two commendations would be combined into one.
In response, Fang Wen actually wanted to go to Nanjing. Not for the fame, but to give the Taishan Volunteer Army a legitimate name. With a name, the Taishan Volunteer Army could legitimately participate in the War of Resistance.
Moreover, those two ‘Taishan Pine’ medium tanks could then head north.
