January 28, Luzon Island, Philippines, Pampanga River north of Manila.
As soon as the sky dawned, a sudden heavy rain enveloped most of the Philippines. Due to the intersection of hot and cold air currents over the Philippines, thick fog rose from the sea and soon spread to Luzon Island. The visibility in the air was extremely low.
Taking advantage of the opportunity when the South China Air Force was unable to participate in the war, the Japanese army stepped up its offensive on the northern and southern fronts of Manila.
The defensive position built by the US military on the south bank of the Pampanga River was shrouded in a cloud of fireworks. From seven o'clock in the morning until the end of the shelling at eight o'clock, the Japanese army did not completely destroy the fighting will of the Philippine army as they wished.
The commander of the Japanese northern front and the commander of the Sixth Division, Lieutenant General Machijiri Yuki, originally expected that one hour of continuous artillery fire coverage would be enough to reduce the number of troops on the Philippine garrison position by more than 40%. According to the current common view of European and American armies, attrition
Forty percent of the battle sequences, that is, losing combat effectiveness, must be withdrawn and regrouped. This is the Japanese army's opportunity.
However, what was incomprehensible to the Japanese army was that during the subsequent operation to cross the river to seize the beach, the Japanese army encountered extremely tenacious resistance from the Philippine army.
From 8:50 to 9:35 now, the beach battle has lasted for a full hour and a half. During this period, the Kagoshima Wing continued to launch two large-scale attacks on the beachhead on the south coast. However,
But they returned in vain. In the second round of attack, they were strictly ordered to
The Kagoshima Regiment's 2nd Infantry Battalion, which had to capture the enemy's position, even rushed to the enemy's position. However, after a life-and-death hand-to-hand battle, it was eventually defeated by the seemingly exhausted Filipino indigenous troops.
Called back.
This was the Japanese army's defeat in the face of another army after losing to the Anjia Army in close combat. What made Machijiri Yuki feel most intolerable was that the Philippine army even took advantage of this opportunity to launch a decisive and resolute counterattack.
, drove a squadron that had just landed on the other side of the river into the Pampanga River in a panic. Many people were swept away by the rapids, and their lives and deaths were unknown.
"It is a shame for the imperial army to lose to the indigenous army!" Lieutenant General Machijiri Yuuki muttered to himself with a telescope, his face full of anger.
With a closer view, Machijiri Yuki could clearly see that in the rising smoke of explosions on the other side of the river, the river beach was covered with bamboo rafts and wooden boats, and the beachhead of the Philippine Army was less than 500 meters deep.
In front of the position, the corpses of soldiers from both sides of the war were lying densely. The two types of military uniforms, oak green and yellow and blue, overlapped and overlapped. People of different skin colors were stacked on top of each other, which was shocking.
After the rain, the Pampanga River became extremely ferocious. In the rolling waves, there were soaked corpses floating on the river. The river water was dyed light red, and these corpses and boat wreckage were sent downstream.
into the sea.
"Baga! Don't tell me about casualties, I only want the opposite position!"
The roaring voice of Major General Nobuji Imamura, commander of the 11th Brigade, came from behind Machijiri Yuki: "Tsuboda-kun, I solemnly warn you that you must take advantage of this storm to seize the position on the other side of the river and quickly approach the city of Manila.
On the periphery, expel the South China Air Force fighter planes! Even if all your men are gone, you still have to plant the regiment flag across the river on your own, do you understand?"
The target of Imamura Shinji's reprimand was Colonel Tsuboshima Fumio, the commander of the 13th Regiment. Machijiri Ryouki, who was also filled with anger, knew that his most capable general, Imamura Shinji, was now very aggrieved. The 11th Brigade was the Japanese army's
The elite brigade has a reputation for fighting against China, invading the Lanyin Islands, and the Myanmar-India War. Even after landing on Luzon Island, it has been invincible. However,
In these consecutive days of fighting, due to the absolute advantage of Nanhua's air force, nearly half of the two wings were lost. Today there was a rare storm, and the opponent's fighter planes were finally unable to show off their power. If they could not take advantage of the opportunity,
If we go to the beachhead on the other side of the river, once the weather clears up, it is obviously unrealistic for our troops to win the beachhead despite being bombarded by fighter planes.
"Imamura-kun, do you feel that something is wrong with the Philippine army? When did these humble and cowardly indigenous soldiers become so powerful in combat?"
When Imamura Shinji came to his side, Machijiri Yuki put down the telescope and pointed to the other side of the river.
"yes!"
Imamura Shinji looked tired: "These indigenous soldiers are just like our old rival Anjiajun, they are not afraid of death at all! According to past experience, when the second round of attack just entered a hand-to-hand battle, the Philippine army should collapse, but
, today they not only withstood, but also launched a counterattack against us, the situation is too weird!"
"I feel weird about that too!"
Machijiri Yuuki nodded: "I guess he was stimulated by some good news! Imamura-kun, we still haven't captured the Pampanga River position in the past week, and the 26th Division on the southern front is also unfavorable in attacking the Cavite Fortress.
, Forty-eighth, the 105th Division was trapped on the Bataan Peninsula
...The Southern Army Headquarters is very dissatisfied with our front troops, and Commander Honma is under great pressure...At this moment, the base camp and His Majesty the Emperor are looking at us, we must get
Come up with a strategy, otherwise we will appear too incompetent!"
"It's difficult!"
Imamura Shinji said with a wry smile: "Logically speaking, as the troops on the other side gradually decrease, our opponents have switched from the Americans to the indigenous Philippine troops, so they should be easy to fight. However, due to the support of the Nanhua Air Force, the enemies in the encirclement were defeated."
The soldiers had great hopes, doubling the opponent's combat effectiveness! Now six days have passed, and I don't know how many people and materials have been evacuated from Manila...
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, I suggest that we take advantage of the heavy rain to ask for help from the navy and dispatch small warships into the Pampanga River to assist in the battle. At the same time, we pull up the reserve team and launch continuous attacks regardless of casualties until the enemy's defenses are completely destroyed.
As far as the defense line!"
Machijiri Yoshiki knew what Imamura Shinji meant. As more American and Philippine troops within the encirclement withdrew, the fewer troops available for resistance would be reduced. As long as this riverside defense line broke through, the Manila Line of Defense would collapse.
After pondering for a moment, Machijiri Yuuki nodded solemnly: "That's fine! It's time to make a decision! If our Sixth Division can take the lead in breaking the stalemate in the war, then our name will forever be left in the history of history.
....."
While speaking, Machijiri Yuki quickly walked to the phone, reported the battle situation to the commander of the front army, Masaharu Honma, and asked the navy for cooperation. At the same time, he adjusted the deployment of troops and transferred all the troops deployed on the second and third lines to Panbanga, Hebei.
Shore, a larger-scale war is about to break out.
...
Twelve noon.
At the Nicholson Airport southeast of Manila, MacArthur held an umbrella and stepped heavily onto the aircraft ramp. When he came to the aircraft hatch, MacArthur stopped and turned around to look towards downtown Manila.
Zhao Dongquan, Li Yufu, Yibel Yankoski, Cheng Shiming and other generals who followed MacArthur involuntarily raised their heads and looked at the supreme commander of the Far Eastern Army, and saw the surging spirit in his eyes.
Angry, but the solemn face revealed tragedy and helplessness.
"Rumble--"
From the north and south of the airport, dull explosions were heard at the same time, and the Japanese army launched a new round of attack again. Listening to the sound and scale of the explosions of the bomb groups, it was obviously more massive than the wave of offensive in the morning.
Zhao Dongquan came to MacArthur's side, and turned to look in the direction of Manila City, comforting him: "Don't worry, General MacArthur, the families of the officers and soldiers in charge of the rear have been properly relocated. They are trying to buy more time for their families to evacuate.
, I will definitely fight to the end!"
"Zhao, I'm not worried about this!"
MacArthur shook his head, with a hint of sadness and desolation on his face:
"In fact, it doesn't make much sense for them to fight to the death now. In six days, we withdrew 50,000 people in one go. The remaining 20,000 officers and soldiers need to be responsible for the north and south fronts. If they can hold on until now, I will do it for them."
I feel proud. What I can’t let go of now is my affection for the land of the Philippines. After all, I have lived here for many years and have always regarded Manila as my second hometown. But now I have to abandon it and feel uncomfortable...
..."
Zhao Dongquan hesitated to speak. He knew that at this moment, all the comfort was of no use, and he could only rely on MacArthur to turn the corner on his own.
After being silent for a long time, MacArthur's eyes became extremely sharp, and his sadness was replaced by perseverance. He nodded gratefully to Zhao Dongquan, and then said categorically:
"Zhao, I firmly believe that this departure is just a temporary farewell. I will come back soon. No matter whether it is three years or five years, I must lead the army and personally rescue Manila from the Japanese!"
After saying that, MacArthur walked straight into the cabin.
Zhao Dongquan, Li Yufu, Cheng Shiming and other generals looked at each other and smiled, and followed them into the cabin. As the last batch of planes took off from Nicholson Airport to rescue MacArthur and the U.S. Far East Army, the "Hurricane" operation finally came to a successful conclusion.
.
...
Four hours later, Xinjing Airport.
Mark Arthur had just walked out of the airport gate, and before he had time to get into the special car sent by the U.S. Embassy to greet him, countless reporters quickly surrounded him, rushing to ask questions and urging him to make a statement as soon as possible.
When answering reporters' questions, MacArthur delivered the most encouraging speech by the US military since the outbreak of the Pacific War: "The US government ordered me to break through the Japanese defense lines and come to the land of South China from Manila. According to my understanding,
My trip this time is to organize the army to launch a counterattack against Japan, and the most important goal is to rescue the Philippines. I am now out of trouble, but I will go back."
Although MacArthur's words were spoken casually, they were regarded as a Caesar-like promise and, under the exaggeration of the media, quickly spread throughout the world. In the United States, the words "I will go back" were rowed on the beach by the American people.
It was painted on the walls of the barracks, printed on the mail, whispered in the corridors of the church, and became a powerful battle cry. MacArthur once again became a hero in the hearts of the American people.
...
Night falls.
Xiao Nanhai, Xuanwu Building Conference Room, Zhao Dongquan, Li Yufu, Yibel Yankoski, Cheng Shiming and other generals reported to An Yi the situation of the trip to the Philippines, including the names of the US military generals who had evacuated to South China.
, positions and personalities, the equipment and combat effectiveness of the US and Philippine troops, etc., were explained in detail, allowing An Yi to have a general understanding of the situation of the friendly forces.
"So, Manila will fall soon!"
After listening to the introduction, An Yi quickly made his own judgment: "It is the dry season now, and the rain in the Philippines will not last long. Once the Japanese army finds out that all our air forces have evacuated, they will definitely launch a fierce attack. If we stay in Luzon now,
The Philippine army on the island has such a small strength that it will definitely not be able to hold on... If it were me, I would take advantage of the darkness to move tonight, even if it is to fight guerrillas, it would be better than wasting the troops in vain!"
Zhao Dongquan quickly added: "Yes, yes, we think so too. According to the plan discussed by MacArthur and us, by around ten o'clock tonight, the Philippine troops holding the north and south lines will take the initiative to withdraw from the defense line and retreat to the east of Manila.
Mount Iri
Fighting guerrillas. In the past few days, the guns, ammunition and food supplies needed to support long-term operations have been transported to the mountains by road for storage. A large number of people are also migrating to Mount Yili. The Japanese rule in Luzon Island
, will definitely be seriously threatened!”
Yang Jie, the deputy chief of staff who was observing, nodded appreciatively: "That's right! The Philippines has a population of 16 million, including more than 11 million indigenous people. Due to the Quezon government's anti-Chinese policy, the Chinese*
Most of them were moved to Mindanao and other islands. Currently, Luzon is dominated by Filipino indigenous people.
If the indigenous troops staying there have an excuse to continue to resist, we can use the hands of the Japanese to eliminate a large number of non-Chinese populations. The more intense the resistance of the Philippine army, the more brutal the Japanese army's suppression, and the more intense the surveillance of other islands.
Relaxation, in a sense, has broadened the living space of the Chinese in disguise."
An Yi was speechless at Yang Jie's frankness. He just kept some things in his heart, but speaking out would make people criticized. He quickly changed the topic:
"In the past six days, nine of our transport planes traveling between Luzon and South China have been shot down by Japanese land-based fighter jets taking off from airports in Borneo, Hainan Island and southern Taiwan. Twenty fighters and bombers were lost in the battle with the Japanese.
Eight, but the enemy lost more than 400 fighter planes, and the losses to airport facilities and personnel were countless. It can be said that we made a profit from this business, and a huge profit...
."
Everyone present showed happy smiles.
Just when An Yi was about to analyze the positive significance of Operation "Hurricane", Liu Qing, the Intelligence Minister of the General Staff, strode into the conference room with a telegram in hand, a look of shock on his face.
An Yi was surprised to see Liu Qing being so rude and took the telegram. After taking a look at it, his face changed drastically. After reading each word carefully, he stood up and paced back and forth.
A group of generals took turns reading the telegram and immediately started discussing it. The conference room was buzzing continuously.
It turned out that under heavy pressure from the German army, the Turkish military launched a military coup. Pro-British and American Turkish President Inonu, Prime Minister Sarajolu and Foreign Minister Numan Menemengioglu and other officials fled in panic and took a plane.
Go to Cairo, the capital of Egypt, for political asylum.
At present, the Turkish military has sent out a call to resume negotiations with the German government on joining the Axis Powers. The situation in the Middle East and the international community has undergone dramatic changes. Once Turkey completely falls to Germany, the strength of the Axis Powers will double
If it increases, Nanhua's strategy will definitely be affected, and this is what An Yi is worried about.
~~~~~~~~~~~
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