As the most successful rescue in history, the Cabanatuan Rescue also produced some negative effects. (Due to caching reasons, please visit the browser directly.\nCOM website to watch the fastest chapter updates)

This rescue gave MacArthur the illusion that the Japanese army's combat effectiveness was already vulnerable.

At the same time, he rejected General Kruger's suggestion to advance cautiously and believed that the intelligence provided by Meng Shaoyuan completely exaggerated the strength of the Japanese army.

In his eyes, Manila is already vulnerable!

He personally ordered the US 37th Division to advance at full speed and must use the fastest attack to capture Manila.

For MacArthur, the Philippines was his second home.

According to his words:

"My mother is buried here, my wife and I met here, and my son was born here!"

This shows what kind of status the Philippines holds in his heart!

On February 1, 1945, the Rangers commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Musi arrived outside Manila.

After careful investigation, Lieutenant Colonel Musi said in his report to the command:

"Charles' report is completely accurate. We will face crazy resistance from the Japanese!"

However, this report was scorned by MacArthur.

The US 37th Division, which was at the forefront, only issued one order:

"No later than February 5, I will hold a victory parade in the Philippines!"

In terms of marching speed, the U.S. 37th Division can only launch an attack on February 3 at the earliest.

In other words, if MacArthur's order is followed, the US military must capture Manila within one to two days!

At this time, MacArthur, driven by his eagerness, had become arrogant and arrogant to the point of being arrogant.

On February 2, the U.S. 37th Infantry Division, under the command of Robert S. Butler, arrived at the front line.

On the same day, the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, led by Major General Vernon March, also arrived north of Manila.

Two US military divisions have formed an encirclement of Manila.

Under MacArthur's strong orders, and after communication between Butler and March, it was decided to launch an attack on Manila on time the next day.

Subsequently, in the afternoon of the same day, Butler summoned Lieutenant Colonel Musi and Major "Charles".

"This is a whole line of defense." Meng Shaoyuan emphasized again: "General, the Japanese army's operational thinking is very clear. They have built a whole line of defense from inside the city to outside the city.

They will not stick to a certain point, and will even allow the US military to easily enter Manila. However, their resistance outside the city will not stop either.

After the US military enters Manila, the troops outside the city will try every means to cut off internal and external connections, leaving the US military in the city to fight alone in a short period of time.

Yes, in the end, the US military will be able to completely break through and form a joint attack on Manila, but it will inevitably pay a huge price!"

"So, what's your suggestion?" Butler asked calmly.

"It's very simple, shelling!" Meng Shaoyuan said without hesitation: "Carry out the most violent shelling, repeatedly clean up Manila, blow up, or at least weaken the Japanese positions in Manila.

This may take some time, but it is the most effective way to reduce casualties."

"No, this will increase civilian casualties!"

When Butler said this, Meng Shaoyuan only said two words in his heart:

fart!

This is so fucking important that you have to be both a watchmaker and a memorial arch!

The real scene is that when the US military found that the attack was unfavorable, they quickly called for artillery support.

In the earliest attacks, MacArthur simply wanted to keep Manila as intact as possible.

However, the frontline commander became angry after the attack was thwarted!

They no longer cared about preserving the integrity of Manila or civilian casualties, and began frantically bombarding the city with artillery fire.

There are many Chinese family oral memoirs in which the family members were not killed by Japanese bayonets, but were buried in the rubble after the US bombing.

This is undoubtedly a tragic fact. For Manila, it is difficult to tell who is the culprit in destroying the Pearl of the Orient, the Japanese with bayonets and rifles, or the Americans with indiscriminate bombardment by aircraft and artillery.

After the battle, more than one Filipino accused the Americans of destroying much more with artillery than the Japanese burned.

Meng Shaoyuan did not argue with Butler again.

This argument is pointless.

However, Colonel Musi was a little stubborn: "General, I beg you to report the intelligence here again and attack rashly, we will only suffer heavy losses."

Butler was silent for a moment and said: "Lieutenant Colonel, I can understand your mood, but General MacArthur has given me and March an order, no later than the 5th, he needs to hold a victory parade in Manila!"

"What?"

Musi cried out.

This is impossible.

Only a madman would say such a thing.

In fact, what is impossible?

Because the person who said this was MacArthur.

For example, a few years later he said, "I promise to end the war before Christmas and let you go home and have Christmas dinner with your family."

Isn’t this sentence exactly the same as today’s attitude towards Manila?

Meng Shaoyuan thought contemptuously in his heart.

He has always been an arrogant soldier.

When the Japanese army invaded the Philippines, they were completely defeated and almost wanted to commit suicide!

The subsequent counterattack relied on the absolutely superior artillery fire of the US military.

Even so, the Battle of the Philippines caused the U.S. military to suffer heavy casualties.

Needless to say, in North Korea in the future, he was pushed to the ground and beaten so hard by volunteer soldiers that he almost turned into a pig's head.

"In this case, I think we can only execute it." Meng Shaoyuan stopped Musi who was still trying to argue: "General, I think Lieutenant Colonel Musi and I will join the attack of the 37th Division as a commando."

"Okay, Major, your request is approved." Butler looked at Musi: "What about you, Lieutenant Colonel?"

"I do." Musi knew that he was powerless to change anything.

But he trusted Charles.

He knew that what Charles did was always right.

"Then, it's decided."

Butler said with high spirits: "Tomorrow, launch the attack on time. Boys, let us beat those monkeys hard. Victory belongs to the United States!"

Really?

Meng Shaoyuan smiled contemptuously in his heart again.

When he walked out, Musi was still complaining.

You shouldn't attack so hastily, especially when victory is within easy reach.

There is no need to let so many soldiers die under the gunpoint of the enemy.

"We can't change anything, Musi." Meng Shaoyuan said calmly: "You are a soldier, and all you can do is meet the commander's request, no matter whether the request seems reasonable or not.

Victory does not belong to the United States, victory only belongs to one person."

Musi smiled sarcastically.

Victory belongs to MacArthur.
Chapter completed!