Chapter 71: The Chinese have radar, what should we do?
Since the Japanese army's ultimate goal in this battle was to capture Zhengxian County and open up the Pinghan Road, they were bound to face the many fortifications of the Chinese side near Zhengxian County. To this end, the Japanese army used all means including airplanes and artillery.
At this time, the artillery equipped by the Japanese army posed a certain threat to the Chinese fortifications, including the Type 96 150mm medium mortar, Type 97 150mm short mortar and mortar, Meiji 38 Type 150mm field howitzer, Taisho 4 Type 150mm field howitzer, Type 89 150mm field cannon, Taisho 7 Type 150mm heavy cannon, Type 90 150mm heavy cannon, Taisho 14 Type 270mm heavy mortar, Type 90 240mm train cannon, Type 96 150mm heavy cannon, etc. It seems that there are many types, but in fact the number of first-line equipment is limited, which is even more insufficient compared with the extensive Chinese fortifications.
In order to make up for the shortage of artillery, the Japanese army could only use air force to carry out supplementary bombing.
A characteristic of modern warfare is that after the outbreak of war, powerful air force is used to destroy the opponent's fortifications, suppress troop concentrations, and affect rear traffic, so that one's own troops can minimize losses in the attack and pass through the enemy's preset defense zone as quickly as possible.
However, in order to achieve safe bombing, in addition to facing China's air defense fire network, the Japanese army also had to deal with the counterattack of the Northwest Air Force, which required the Japanese army to seize absolute air supremacy in Zhengxian's airspace.
However, since the strongest opponent Japan encountered on the battlefield was the Soviet Red Army, which was still in the transition period, the Japanese Army, which had never established the idea that air superiority was equal to the initiative in battles, was far less concerned about the construction of its aviation force than the Japanese Navy, which was its opponent.
Specifically speaking of the main combat aircraft models, the main aircraft models of the Japanese Army Air Force between 1938 and 1941 were still the Nakajima Ki-27 Type 97 fighter with a maximum speed of only 480km/h. Compared with the Yinglong Type B equipped by the Northwest Air Force at the same time with a maximum speed of 550km/h, it had no advantage at all.
Even the Yinglong A type equipped by the Northwest Air Force in the early days could effectively intercept it under the guidance of the ground radar guidance station.
In fact, the Japanese Army Air Force did have fighters with faster speed, longer range and higher ceiling, but only two Kawasaki Ki-28 prototype fighters that imitated the Zero fighter were produced.
Although its successor model, the Nakajima Ki-43-1 Hayabusa 1, had already conducted prototype test flights as early as January 1939, the pilots were full of complaints about the closed cockpit and retractable landing gear. As of early 1941, the Japanese Army only had 10 pre-production models. The result was tragic.
On March 12, 1941, the second day after the battle on the Zhengxian front officially broke out, the 59th Squadron of the 5th Flying Group of the Japanese Army Air Force, the 3rd Flying Regiment, dispatched more than 30 Nakajima Ki-27 Type 97 fighters and 6 Nakajima Ki-43-1 Type 1 Hayabusa fighters.
The 75th Squadron's covering flight consisted of more than 20 Mitsubishi Ki-30 Type 97 light bombers, Kawasaki Ki-48 Type 99 light bombers, Mitsubishi Ki-51 Type 99 attack aircraft, and the 17th Squadron's independent flying squadron of more than 10 Ki-36 Type 98 direct-coupling reconnaissance aircraft bombed the Chinese front within 7 kilometers east of Zhengxian County.
Soon after the Japanese took off, they were captured by the front-line radar stations set up by the Northwest Air Force in Dengfeng, Xinmi and other places. After settlement by the rear headquarters in Xi'an, the Northwest Air Force determined the scale and bombing targets of the Japanese planes, and immediately ordered the flight teams in Luoyang, Xingyang, Yichuan and other places to take off immediately for interception , and successfully intercepted the Japanese planes in the airspace west of Zhongmu.
In this battle, China dispatched a total of 56 sorties in six batches. The main combat fighters were Yinglong A, Yinglong B and some Thang Long Kai. In terms of technical weapons, China did not have an absolute advantage.
However, the Chinese side effectively used radar guidance, using the new Yinglong B to disperse the Japanese aircraft group, and then the Yinglong A cooperated to intercept the Nakajima Hayabusa 1, and the Shenglong Kai concentrated on attacking the Japanese bomber group. In one fell swoop, 18 Japanese planes were shot down or damaged, while only 4 of their own planes were shot down or damaged, dealing a heavy blow to the Japanese army.
"It has now been found out that Northwest China had widely set up radar base stations before 1939 to detect the actions of the Imperial Army Air Force and effectively guide the surrounding air forces to intercept. The reason why the Imperial Army's fighter planes were effectively intercepted by Northwest China every time they were dispatched in recent years is precisely based on this reason."
In fact, the Japanese had long learned through their spies throughout Sichuan that a strange-looking radar base with a rotating antenna had been set up in the northwest, and some spies even risked taking blurry photos and sent them back.
As a result, the Japanese spy network in Sichuan suffered a devastating blow.
However, it was the Battle of Britain that broke out in the second half of last year that made the Japanese army truly understand and connect these strange devices with the famous radar system.
"The Army Ministry has already sent people to Germany to seek technical support."
In fact, Japan had already successfully developed a cavity magnetron with quite reliable performance in cooperation with the Martini Laboratory. However, the military leaders were obsessed with the traditional Bushido spirit and were not interested in new technologies. They believed that the Japanese army with strict discipline, extraordinary courage and spirit of sacrifice could overcome everything.
On the other hand, the limited resources of the island nation also restricted the enthusiasm of the Japanese at that time in investing in high-tech equipment, so the Japanese only took the first step and stopped moving forward. This can be said to be a blessing for the Northwest.
Although Japanese scientists gave up halfway, in the late 1930s, the Japanese military still developed a radio detection system called "IJA Type A" for the future air defense needs in the war against the Soviet Union. This was the prototype of Japan's earliest anti-aircraft radar.
The system operates in the range of 7.5 to 3.75m / 40 to 80MHz. Its working principle is to set up a radio wave transmitter and a radio wave receiver at both ends more than 100 kilometers apart. When the aircraft is in the radio wave beam between the two ends, the receiver will display an abnormal signal.
This is of course extremely primitive. It cannot even measure the distance of the aircraft. It can only know that there is an aircraft on this line. Its military value is very limited and cannot be compared with the mature radar equipment in the northwest.
Therefore, when the Japanese learned that Northwest China had built a radar system as advanced as that of Britain and Germany before them, their astonishment can be imagined, and the shock caused was also enormous. So the first thing the Japanese thought of was to ask their allies for help. However, due to the serious confrontation between the Japanese army and navy, both sides sent technical teams to visit Germany. Of course, this is a story for later.
"But even if the Chinese Northwest Army has radar, the heroic Imperial Air Force should be afraid. We must believe that our fighter planes are the most sophisticated and our pilots are the best. This cannot be offset by the Chinese's slight technical advantages."
"Sir."
A middle-aged officer below stood up.
"I disagree with your opinion. Although the quality of the Imperial Army pilots is far superior to that of the Northwest China Army, the losses of the Army Air Force have been extremely serious since the start of the war. This shows that the Imperial Army is far behind Northwest China in terms of aircraft."
"Major Ichimanda, you are over-exaggerating the strength of the Chinese army."
"Sir, I did not exaggerate the bravery of my opponent ."
Major Ichimanda Yoshihiko did not accept the mocking comments from Major General Kanhara Michida in front of him.
"Just from the air battle in Zhongmu, the Imperial Army's Type 97 fighters were no match for the Chinese Yinglong fighters. As for the Type 1 fighters, their firepower was too weak. They could only fight against the Yinglong I equipped with four Type 79 machine guns. They were no match for the Yinglong II equipped with one 20mm cannon and two Type 79 machine guns."
"Sir, I think what Major Ichimanda said makes some sense."
Lieutenant Colonel Takeda Taira stood up and supported Ichimanda's opinion.
"I went to check the Chinese fighter planes that landed in the Imperial Army's controlled area. Both the Shenglong and Yinglong models were made of hard metal shells. What does this mean?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the aviation officers below immediately began to whisper.
"Yes, it's the engine. The horsepower of the Chinese Army's aviation engines has clearly exceeded the engine horsepower of the Imperial Army's existing fighter planes."
"This may have been purchased by the Chinese from Britain and the United States."
Colonel Moritama Tokumitsu, captain of the 44th Independent Flying (Reconnaissance Aircraft) Squadron, responded.
"As far as I know, Northwest China purchased a considerable number of high-power engines in Europe before the war. Therefore, this does not mean anything, and the imperial soldiers should not be afraid of it at all."
"That's right, sir. It may not mean anything."
Takeda Ping responded calmly.
"But Northwest China can successfully combine these European-made engines with its own fighter planes. Shouldn't this ability make us worried? At least, the Imperial Army should pay more attention before the high-power aircraft engines purchased by Northwest China are used up."
This statement was recognized by the front-line flight officers, and there was an obvious commotion in the meeting place.
"Takeda-kun has a point."
Lieutenant General Toshimitsu Kishita, head of the 5th Flight Group, nodded.
"But we don't know how many high-power engines the Northwest Army of China has in reserve, so it will be difficult to use them all up. Before they are all used up, the imperial soldiers will have to pay more blood for this. But, are you afraid?"
The Japanese are all fighting cocks. After the lieutenant general provoked them, the aviation officers present immediately stood up and said, "Please rest assured, sir. It is our duty to sacrifice for the empire. No one is willing to live in humiliation."
"That's good."
Lieutenant General Kinoshita glanced at Major General Kanhara.
"The bombing must continue. General Nishio is still waiting for good news from the front."
Looking at Major Takeda who seemed to be hesitant to speak, the lieutenant general smiled tolerantly.
"About the losses on the front line? I have submitted a report to the Expeditionary Force Headquarters and the Military Headquarters, requesting that more Type 1 fighters be dispatched in a short period of time. The replacement pilots, flight sergeants, and lieutenants will also arrive from the country soon."
At this point, Lieutenant General Kinoshita's eyes became sharp.
"The production capacity of Northwest China is far inferior to that of the Empire. Even if we have to fight with losses, we must completely defeat the Northwest China Air Force."
"yes!"
A group of officers responded with murderous intent.
Major Ichimanda Yoshihiko said again: "Sir, based on the experience of the British battlefield, the mission of the Fifth Air Group should be to destroy the Chinese Army's radar base first."
"No, that's too slow."
Lieutenant General Kinoshita shook his head.
"The frontline soldiers need our support, so we should carry out the original plan."
"Then please change the large-scale attack to a small-scale attack, so as to consume the energy of the Chinese Air Force and distract the attention of the Chinese radar soldiers. You should also build more front-line airports and attack quickly."
"What do you think, Sugawara-kun?"
"Sir, I think Major Ichimanda's suggestion can be tried."
