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The Fourth Empire of China Piaotian Literature www.piaotia.com Chapter 462 The First Air Battle

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    "Fire!" Seven kilometers away from Irkutsk is the position of the heavy howitzer battalion of the Third Army Artillery Brigade. This battalion has 4 companies and 48 155mm heavy howitzers, which are divided into four artillery positions.  A fierce shelling began on the positions north of Irkutsk.  The cannonballs weighing fifty kilograms are very powerful. Every time a shot is fired, it will leave a deep pit with a diameter of about ten meters.  Against the strong positions of the Russian army, this is definitely a powerful weapon.

    The artillery of the three armies in the northern battlefield launched an extremely violent bombardment of Irkutsk.  The scale of the shelling was even more violent than yesterday, and it seemed that it would never stop until the Russian position was completely destroyed.

    Soon, the Russian artillery also began to counterattack.  In the city of Irkutsk, the Russian army has deployed large and small artillery positions.  These artillery positions, hidden between buildings or in the woods, can effectively protect themselves before inflicting powerful damage on the enemy.

    The artillery of China and Russia launched a fierce artillery battle, and artillery positions were hit from time to time.  Although there was a distance between each cannon, some cannons were still hit.  The gun barrels were blown into pieces, and the artillerymen were blown to pieces.  This is not the most serious loss. Once the artillery shells accumulated on the artillery position are hit and explode, it will be troublesome.

    "Two hundred meters to the left! Adjust the bombardment direction!" About five hundred meters above the heavy howitzer battalion of the Third Army Artillery Brigade, an observation balloon was suspended in mid-air.  In the gondola under the balloon, two artillery observers were working, providing bombardment parameters to the artillery below.  An officer holding a telescope is responsible for observing the bomb point, and the other officer is responsible for using a wireless telegraph to contact the artillery position below and modify the artillery parameters in a timely manner.

    Although the Russian artillery positions are hidden in urban areas, they will still be discovered by high-altitude observation balloons when they fire.  The Chinese artillery basically won the competition, made adjustments, and launched a fierce bombardment against the Russian artillery.  This kind of attack is very effective.  Even if the Russian artillery is well hidden, it will be difficult to escape.

    In China¡¯s artillery force, each battalion is equipped with observation balloons, which can effectively provide support to the artillery. This puts the Chinese artillery in an advantageous position in artillery battles in many cases.  Facing the strong defensive positions of the Russian army, in order to reduce casualties, Cai Yun ordered each unit to use artillery shells to clear the way for the infantry to clear obstacles before the attack.  At the same time, in response to the Russian artillery counterattack, the Chinese artillery simply eliminated the Russian artillery first, and then concentrated on dealing with the Russian positions outside Irkutsk.

    I have to say that this strategy is very effective.  When the Chinese artillery put the main force of its attack on the Russian artillery, the losses of the Russian artillery suddenly began to increase.  Artillery positions were constantly hit, cannons destroyed, and artillerymen killed.  Even though the Russian artillery positions were well hidden, they could not escape the eyes of the sky, which caused heavy losses to the Russian artillery.  Even if the Russian army deploys thousands of large-caliber artillery pieces in Irkutsk, it cannot withstand such endless losses!

    "Your Excellency, the Chinese have changed their strategy. They have specifically attacked our artillery. So far, we have lost hundreds of artillery pieces. If this continues, I am afraid that our artillery will be completely lost in less than two days.  At that time, we will be in a passive state of being beaten!" Lieutenant General Ilya, the commander of the Russian artillery in Irkutsk, said with a bitter look on his face.

    "What's going on? Before the battle started, didn't you tell me that the artillery was fully prepared?" Grand Duke Nicholas frowned, looking a little unhappy.

    "Your Excellency, the Chinese observation balloons have all taken off. They have given their artillery precise guidance. Under such circumstances, our artillery has nowhere to hide!" Lieutenant General Ilya explained.

    "Is there any way to crack it?" Grand Duke Nicholas asked.  If the artillery is destroyed, Irkutsk's defenses will be greatly compromised.  Although he didn't know whether the Chinese had the strength to blow Irkutsk into ruins.  But this is obviously very disadvantageous for the Russian army.

    "Your Excellency, I heard that the Logistics Department has sent a batch of reconnaissance balloons. I hope they can be equipped to the artillery and used as observation balloons!" Major General Ilya said.

    "Well, you go to the Logistics Department and ask for it!" Grand Duke Nicholas said.  Although hot air balloons have been invented for decades, the Chinese were the first to use them on the battlefield and also invented airships capable of carrying out bombing missions.  The West is relatively far behind in this regard, and Russia is even further behind.  However, the Russian army has also begun to accept this new type of equipment. When purchasing weapons and equipment from the West, it also purchased a batch of hot air balloons.  As the most important battlefield for the Russian army now, Irkutsk is naturally divided into a group.  It's just that these heatThe ball is now only raised in the urban area and used for reconnaissance.

    "Yes, Your Excellency the Grand Duke! I will make arrangements right away!" Lieutenant General Ilya left happily.

    "Your Excellency the Grand Duke, we have just received news that the Chinese are building a dock at a river bend ten kilometers east of Irkutsk. It seems that they are preparing to supply supplies directly in Irkutsk!" Grand Duke Nicholas said  Cover said anxiously.

    "That's it! No wonder the Chinese dare to use artillery unscrupulously. It turns out that they have already thought of a way to solve the logistics supply. Is there any way to destroy the Chinese supply base?" Archduke Nicholas asked.  After the Chinese *** team has solved the big problem of logistical supplies, it can blow Irkutsk into rubble with just artillery shells. How can we fight then?

    "Your Excellency, it is very difficult! The Chinese specially dispatched an infantry division to guard this base. At the same time, there are Chinese patrol boats on the Angara River. The defense is very tight. We have not been able to effectively destroy this base.  Way!" Grand Duke Nicholas' adjutant said with some embarrassment.  Regardless of whether it is on land or on water, the Chinese ** team has taken strict protection of this supply base.

    "Then forget it!" Grand Duke Nicholas said helplessly.  The Chinese ** team established a supply base under the nose of Irkutsk, but the Russian army had no way to do it.

    The technological content of hot air balloons is not high.  Lieutenant General Ilya directly received ten hot air balloons from the Logistics Department.  Soon, these hot air balloons rose near the Russian artillery positions.  Russian observers can also look down from high altitude, and Russian artillery provides accurate data.  Since then, the Russian army's artillery hit rate has improved a lot.  The artillery battle between the two sides became more inextricable and more brutal!

    The news that the Russian artillery used observation balloons was reported immediately.  That afternoon, Wang Yuze learned the news.  He immediately summoned Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Long Feiyu.

    "General Long, during today's battle in Irkutsk, the Russians used observation balloons to provide guidance for the artillery. Although this did not cause us much trouble. However, we must also be sufficiently vigilant.  In order to reduce our casualties, the air force is dispatched to kill all the Russian observation balloons!" Wang Yuze said.

    "Yes, Your Majesty! Then should we send a plane or an airship? If it is a plane, it will be much faster. We can launch an attack on the Russian observation balloon tomorrow. But the premise is that the army must first build a simple airport.  That's all. If it's an airship, it won't be able to go into battle until tomorrow at the earliest!" Lieutenant General Long Feiyu asked.  In this war, except for the bombing of Vladivostok and providing logistical supplies to the Army's operations in Myanmar, the Air Force could only be a bystander most of the time. This made General Long Feiyu feel a little sad.  Unbearable itching.

    "Let's use airships! To deal with the Russian observation balloons, small airships can do the job. Aircrafts are our secret weapons. It would be best if they can be exposed later!" Wang Yuze said.  Because China used airships in the war and achieved considerable results, Western countries have increased their research on airships.  Wang Yuze is hoping that all countries will pay attention to airships. By then, the Chinese Air Force's aircraft will be able to achieve miraculous results unexpectedly.  Therefore, secret weapons like airplanes should continue to be kept secret.

    "Yes, Your Majesty! I will make arrangements immediately!" Lieutenant General Long Feiyu replied.

    Soon, ten small airships took off from Beijing Nanyuan Air Force Base. They will fly directly to the Irkutsk front line to provide support for the army's attack and eliminate the Russian observation balloons.

    In the battles on June 11 and June 12, China and Russia had been engaged in artillery battles.  However, both sides have their own advantages and disadvantages.  Although the Chinese artillery still has the upper hand, the Russian artillery has gradually begun to return to decline.  This made Grand Duke Nicholas very satisfied, as he seemed to have seen the hope of victory.  Grand Duke Nicholas did not expect the Russian army to defeat the Chinese navy. He only hoped to hold on in Irkutsk until the navy defeated the Chinese navy.  By then, the situation of the war will be reversed, and maybe the Russian army will still have a chance to win.

    On June 13, the artillery battle between the two sides was still in full swing.  The observation balloons of the Chinese artillery and the Russian artillery were launched into the sky, preparing to provide bombardment guidance to their respective artillery.  At this time, ten huge airships approached from the east of Irkutsk to the sky above Irkutsk.  Although it is a small airship, the airbag is nearly a hundred meters long, and it looks huge from the ground!  (To be continued. Please search Piaotian Literature, the novels will be better and updated faster!)
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