There was something that Guo Kui and the others didn't know. Wavell made such a big fuss to welcome them, partly because he had such a wish, but most importantly because of London's requirements in this regard. Flying
Whether it was Churchill or Eden, they were actually forced to agree to pay such a high price in exchange for the help of the cadet army in rescuing the British soldiers captured in World War I in Singapore, because they were influenced by Wavell's words based on Craley's wishes.
They were confused by the telegram. How did they know that at that time, the information about the rescue of Singaporean prisoners of war was actually only circulated in a very small circle, and no reporters knew about it at all.
In fact, I didn't have much hope for the rescue operation, but it succeeded. Not only was it successful, it was also perfect. Of the 34,800 officers and soldiers, only 600 died and 1,200 were injured in the end.
All were rescued. When Churchill and Eden saw the telegram, their reactions were quite unanimous. They all thought that Wavell had got the specific number wrong.
"Chinese people, no, let's just say they are cadet troops. Are they gods? If the Japanese army was so vulnerable, they would have expelled the Japanese from the country long ago, right? Or are we, the Army of Great Britain, all idiots?"
Churchill chewed his cigar and said, before he finished speaking, he shook his head vigorously and said: "Ridiculous! Send a telegram to ask and tell Wavell that we can completely accept casualties of less than 10,000, and there is no need to lie about it.
!”
Aiden obeyed the order and immediately sent a telegram to ask. Wavell quickly replied. In the reply, he reiterated the authenticity of the matter and said that he had also asked Phillips about the matter, and this was how Phillips responded to him. In view of this
Based on Commander Phillips' understanding of the person, he believed that this matter was absolutely true.
This time, Churchill and Eden's expressions were wonderful.
While Churchill was still puffing on his cigar, Eden shouted: "What a glorious victory. Is there any more encouraging news than this? Phillips is so great! Prime Minister, this is going to be big."
Heavy propaganda, this is no less than annihilating the same number of German troops!"
Churchill also believed that the news was true, but he looked at the matter from a different perspective. He said: "It is certain that this matter will be widely publicized, but Aiden, didn't you think of anything else?"
Aiden was stunned for a moment, then solemnly replied: "I didn't expect that a mere clan could have such combat power. Prime Minister, your decision is correct. Under the current situation, it is necessary to build a good relationship with the country."
Churchill took another heavy puff of his cigar, and then said quickly: "Call Wavell and ask him to greet the Chinese who have helped us a lot with the highest courtesy. Tell him to give him a detailed report on the battle.
, I really want to know how the Chinese did it. Aren’t they going to purchase weapons for the student army? Let him do it freely, as long as he can defend the empire’s colonies in the Far East, no matter how big the sacrifice is, it will be worth it.”
Just as the British were rejoicing that the captured officers and soldiers of Singapore had regained their freedom, after receiving relevant reports from the Western Expedition Fleet Headquarters in Tokyo, the Japanese Military Headquarters in Tokyo began a debate concerning Koizumi.
Tojo Hideki first got angry. The old Japanese man said with a livid face as if his own mother had died, "This is the shame of the Japanese Empire." Then he pointed out in a stern voice that Yamamoto had major problems in the appointment of the acting commander-in-chief of the Western Expedition Fleet.
Question, Koizumi is indeed a genius in military scientific research, but he is by no means an outstanding strategist; he believes that the restructuring of the Western Expedition Fleet is urgent, and the Navy should transfer command to the Army and let the Army be responsible for the Burma strategy - "Why do we go to the West?
Isn’t the purpose of the expedition to open a western front against China? But the real situation now is that not only have we lost our only ally in Southeast Asia, but we have also been restrained everywhere and forced to confront the British army in the Mawlamyine area - gentlemen, we
What I want to reiterate is that the current biggest threat to the empire still comes from land, and our biggest enemy is still China. Therefore, I think that our most important thing at the moment is not to expand the long-range strike force of the navy, but to concentrate our strength to decisively occupy Burma.
To ensure the smooth opening of the western front against China and to completely defeat China in the shortest possible time!"
Yamamoto happened to be on a business trip in Tokyo, so the meeting happened to happen. As soon as Tojo finished speaking, he stood up and argued: "Minister of War, China is our biggest enemy. I don't deny this. Let me ask you something, if
If the western front in China is successfully launched, are you sure that China will be completely conquered within half a year?"
Tojo laughed wildly: "Why half a year? Three months is enough. With the combat power of our imperial army being the second in the world——"
Before he could finish his words, he was mercilessly interrupted by Yamamoto, who sneered and asked: "Three months? Is this after excluding the military academy?"
The Japanese army planned two encirclement and suppression operations against the Xuebing Army, using more troops each time, but the results were more and more disastrous. As the Xuebing Army gained a foothold in Taiwan, it also occupied the northwest with the Japanese army.
In Inner Mongolia, the Xuebing Army has become the nemesis of the imperial army. Therefore, in order to avoid damaging the atmosphere during a big meeting, everyone has formed a tacit understanding that they will never mention the word "Xue Bing Army".
Compared to the Navy, the Army suffered much more from the cadet army. After Yamamoto said this, Tojo felt as if a rotten duck egg had been stuffed in his mouth. He was breathing heavily but could not spit out a single word.
Not coming out.
After blocking Tojo's mouth, Yamamoto snorted coldly, looked around at everyone and said: "If China is the biggest enemy of the empire, then the Xuebing Army is the Optimus Prime of China. Gentlemen, in fact, we all know,
If we want to completely conquer China, we must defeat the Xuebing Army. But the problem now is that if the empire really concentrates all its forces to encircle and suppress the Xuebing Army, we may face the phenomenon of lack of follow-up. Therefore, instead of insufficient preparation,
To conquer China without absolute certainty, we might as well be realistic and consider the issues closely related to the long-term development of the empire. What is the biggest problem that plagues the development of the empire? Resources! Why should we concentrate all our naval power without solving China?
The Western Expedition? Yes, it is to obtain the resources of Southeast Asia, so that the empire can become stronger and go further in this century war. Gentlemen, I do not deny that the Singapore Prisoner of War Camp incident is a serious blow to the empire.
Shame. But what I want to say is, so what? Do you know the idiom "frightened birds"? These more than 30,000 former prisoners of war who were rescued are frightened birds. The British thought they had 30,000 more troops, but I think,
It is because of the return of more than 30,000 prisoners of war that the British army has become more vulnerable. If Wavell thinks that he can recapture Malaysia with this, haha, then I don't mind capturing them again. Gentlemen, our most important thing at the moment is
The thing is to consolidate the imperial army's position in Southeast Asia. How to consolidate it? That is to defeat all enemies in that area that threaten the empire, so I think that the empire's current attack direction is not on land -" At this point, Yamamoto frowned slightly
Yiwu paused consciously, then looked around at everyone again, with sharp eyes, and said loudly: "And on the Pacific Ocean -"