When the Japanese attack in Jiamai was blocked, the assault group commanded by Dai Anlan also encountered trouble in Longdong.
Defending Longdong was the 55th Infantry Regiment of the Japanese 18th Division. The commander of the regiment, Colonel Nasu Yoshio, had served in the North China Front and was extremely impressed by the Tumen Fortress in the Taihang base area, which also inspired Nasu Yoshio.
, this old devil had an idea and actually recruited a large number of Burmese civilians to dig a huge tunnel network in Longdong.
This caused great trouble for the assault group commanded by Dai Anlan.
Although the assault group composed of tanks and armored vehicles is indestructible, the requirements for logistical support are also quite high!
It would be quite risky or stupid to rush into the enemy's depths before the logistical support channel is opened, because the tanks will soon run out of fuel and become immobile after losing their logistical support.
If the infantry cannot keep up in time, it will be easily destroyed by the enemy.
The tunnel network excavated by Yoshio Nasu in Longdong naturally could not stop Dai Anlan's assault group, but it was enough to pose a fatal threat to the logistic barrier channel of the assault group! For this reason, Dai Anlan's assault group had to temporarily stop advancing.
They followed their footsteps and cooperated with the infantry to gradually eliminate the Japanese troops hiding underground.
However, eradication was very difficult because the Japanese army's tunnels were not only numerous but also formed a network.
The Japanese army not only built headquarters, field hospitals, arsenals, lounges and other underground facilities deep underground, but also stockpiled a large amount of fresh water and food. Even if the expeditionary force blocked all tunnel entrances and exits, it would be difficult to completely
Clear out the Japanese troops. Once the expeditionary force leaves, the Japanese troops hiding underground will soon return to the surface.
This is similar to the tunnel tactics used by the Chinese People's Volunteers on the Shangganling battlefield in later generations. The Eighteen-Nation Allied Forces, armed to the teeth, were still unable to wipe out the Chinese People's Volunteers hiding in the tunnels. At this time, the Chinese Expeditionary Force had both equipment and tactical qualities.
, are far inferior to the Eighteen-Nation Allied Forces, and naturally there is nothing they can do against the Japanese troops deep in the tunnels.
After three days of entanglement, Dai Anlan knew that he was in trouble and immediately called Meng Gong to ask for instructions.
Meng Gong, Expeditionary Force Headquarters.
Luo Zhuoying hurried into the war room and reported to Yue Weihan and Stilwell who were discussing tactics: "General, General Stilwell, Dai Anlan's assault group is in trouble in Longdong! The 55th Japanese Infantry Regiment
The team dug a network of tunnels in the middle of winter and moved all troops underground. The 200 Division conducted several clearing operations, but with little success."
"Tunnel!?" Yue Weihan frowned, "The little devil dug out the tunnel network so quickly?"
"Of course the Japanese army alone would not be so fast." Luo Zhuoying shook his head and said, "The little devil recruited local Burmese civilian husbands!"
"Damn it," Stilwell said angrily, "How come these Burmese natives don't know the difference between right and wrong? Don't they know they are helping the evil fascist army?"
Yue Weihan pondered for a moment and then said to Luo Zhuoying: "Since the 55th Japanese Infantry Regiment is unwilling to show its face, let them hide underground forever as groundhogs! Telegraph the Assault Group and the 200 Division to tell them not to stop.
Immediately go north, catch up with the main force of the Japanese 18th Division as quickly as possible, and give that little devil a hard poke in the ass!"
"Chief!" Luo Zhuoying asked anxiously, "What about the logistical support of the assault group?"
"As for logistical support." Yue Weihan turned back to Stilwell and said, "General Stilwell, please immediately call Major General Brereton of the Tenth Air Force of the U.S. Air Force in India and request him to send a transport plane to airdrop supplies to the assault group!
"
"Okay." Stilwell nodded repeatedly, "No problem, I'll send a telegram to General Brereton immediately."
Yangon, headquarters of the Japanese Fifteenth Army Corps.
Major General Haruki Isayama hurriedly walked into the office of Lieutenant General Shojiro Iida, and immediately stood upright and said: "Your Excellency, Commander, the 18th Division's attack on Camai has failed again! This is already the sixth day.
The 18th Division's combat attrition has exceeded 3,000 people, and the non-combat attrition has exceeded 5,000 people, and it is about to be unable to support it!"
"Bagagaru." Iida Shojiro scolded angrily, "Mutaguchi Renya is an idiot. I strictly ordered him and Sakurai Shozo not to continue to advance northward, but they turned a deaf ear and insisted on taking credit and rushing forward, which led to today's situation.
Passive situation!”
"Your Excellency, Commander, now is not the time to hold people responsible." Isayama Haruki said solemnly, "The top priority is to quickly find a way to rescue the 18th Division! If there is a mistake in the 18th Division, the Imperial Army's military strength in Burma will only be
There are only two divisions left. If the China Army takes the opportunity to counterattack, the lifeline of the Yunnan-Burma Highway will probably be re-opened by the China Army!"
Shojiro Iida was silent for a moment and asked: "When will the lost fighter planes of the 5th Flying Group be replenished?"
Haruki Isayama shook his head and said solemnly: "Although the Imperial Navy won the battle of the Coral Sea, it also lost a large number of fighter jets and pilots. The base camp has urgently replenished the fighter jets and pilots originally scheduled to replenish the 5th Flying Group.
Leave it to the Navy, I’m afraid the replenishment of the 5th Flying Group will have to wait for the next opportunity.”
"Bagagaru." Shojiro Iida frowned, "Isn't the U.S. Pacific Fleet already finished?"
Isayama Haruki sighed and said with a gloomy expression: "The U.S. government has transferred all the warships of the Atlantic Fleet to the Pacific battlefield. What is even more frightening is that the U.S. industrial machinery has been fully activated, and their shipyards and factories are manufacturing day and night.
Warships and aircraft, recently, US warships have been launched almost every day."
"The war potential and industrial manufacturing capabilities of the United States are indeed terrible." Shojiro Iida said solemnly, "The empire's industrial capabilities are simply incomparable. If it continues to be consumed like this, the Imperial Navy will eventually be defeated. Once the navy
If the war is defeated, it will no longer be possible for the islands in the Southwest Pacific to be defended."
"That is an issue that the base camp and the navy should consider." Haruki Isayama shook his head and said, "Your Excellency, Commander, the aviation force cannot be counted on. The 18th Division alone may not be enough to break through the encirclement. The top priority is
, on the one hand, we must strictly order the 18th Division to surround Japan in order to join the 56th Division, and on the other hand, we must urgently request the Denji Cabinet to send additional reinforcements!"
"Yes." Shojiro Iida said with deep understanding, "Myanmar's military strength is indeed a bit weak."
After saying this, Shojiro Iida added: "Immediately call the Southern Army Headquarters. Due to the aggressive advance of the enemy in Sakurai Province, the 33rd Division has been completely defeated. The 18th Division has also been in trouble because of this. The situation in Myanmar has reversed."
The danger is high, please ask the headquarters to quickly send reinforcements into Burma, please advise the tiger to send a report."
"Hai!" Isayama Haruki lowered his head suddenly and immediately took the order and left.
Singapore, Southern Military Command.
The Chief of Staff of the Southern Army, Lieutenant General Luota Gou, walked into Terauchi Juichi's office. He immediately stopped his feet and stood at attention and said: "Your Excellency, Commander, Shojiro Iida sent an urgent message. The 33rd Division has been completely defeated, and the 18th Division has also been killed."
We are in danger, and the situation in Myanmar is in danger of reversal. We request the headquarters to urgently send reinforcements into Myanmar!"
Terauchi Shouichi frowned and asked, "Luota-kun, what do you think?"
Luotian attacked: "Your Excellency, Commander, the 55th Division was severely damaged in the Battle of Tonggu, and its strength has not recovered yet. The 56th Division also suffered certain battle losses in Myitkyina, and must defend the Chinese Army from the direction of Yunnan.
, now the 33rd Division has been defeated, the 18th Division is also deeply encircled, the 15th Army Corps has lost all its elite, and there is indeed a possibility of the situation being reversed."
Terauchi Shou nodded, and then asked: "So, does the Southern Army still have troops that can be mobilized?"
Luota Gong thought for a while and replied: "In the entire Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific, except for the U.S. troops on the Bataan Peninsula who are still resisting stubbornly, the British troops in Hong Kong, Java, Malay Peninsula and other battlefields have all surrendered. Two divisions have surrendered.
The garrison is enough to maintain law and order in the occupied area, so it is still possible to dispatch the nearby Guards Division and the 31st Division to fight in Myanmar."
"Yo Xi." Temple Shouichi nodded happily, "Order, the Guards Division, the 31st Division to enter Myanmar immediately!"
Meng Gong, Expeditionary Force Headquarters.
Chu Zhongtian walked into the war room with a solemn expression and whispered to Yue Weihan: "General, Dark Night Rose urgent call, the Southern Army Headquarters has issued combat order No. 11 to urgently mobilize the Guards Division and the 31st Division into Burma.
!”
"Huh?" Yue Weihan's face changed slightly when he heard this, and he quickly walked to the map on the wall.
"Yue, did something happen?" Stilwell followed and stood in front of the map and asked in a deep voice.
"The Japanese army is going to send more troops to Burma." Yue Weihan stared at the map and replied in a deep voice, "The Guards Division and the 31st Division!"
"The Guards Division!?" Stilwell said solemnly, "The Imperial Guards of the Emperor of Japan?"
"Yes, Hirohito's Imperial Guards, one of the first seven established divisions formed by the Japanese army!" Yue Weihan said, "The Guards Division is not only well-equipped and has a large organization, but it is also one of the only four in the Japanese army's battle order.
One of the field divisions equipped with a tank brigade and a field heavy artillery brigade, it can be said to be the elite of the elite."
"Now we are in some trouble." Luo Zhuoying asked anxiously, "Where is the Guards Division now?"
"More than half a month ago, the Guards Division just occupied the Malay Peninsula and made an emergency landing of 100,000 British troops in Singapore. It is now resting in Bangkok, the capital of Siam." Yue Weihan tapped the map and said gloomily, "As long as
The Japanese army has enough transport ships, and the Guards Division and the 31st Division can land in Yangon within half a month, and reach Mandalay within twenty days!"
"Mandalay?" Stilwell's expression changed drastically, but he knew that Yue Weihan was also interested in Mandalay.
Needless to say, Mandalay’s geographical location and strategic value. Anyone without a military perspective can also know its value. If the Japanese Guards Division is allowed to arrive in Mandalay first, plus it is currently resting in Mandalay.
The Japanese 55th Division and the Sixth Army alone could never even think about capturing Mandalay.
This is really a plan that doesn't change quickly. Originally, Yue Weihan's plan was like this.
The first step was to defeat the Japanese 33rd Division, then besiege the Japanese 18th Division, and force the Japanese 55th Division in Mandalay and the Japanese 56th Division in Lashio to go north for reinforcements.
In the second step, the Sixth Army quickly penetrated and captured Mandalay with the cooperation of the Flying Tigers, locking the gate to central Myanmar in one fell swoop and locking several incomplete divisions of the Japanese army in northern Myanmar to the north of Mandalay.
The third step is to defend Mandalay and wait for the arrival of the 39th Army.
In the fourth step, after the arrival of the 39th Group Army, it will use Mandalay as its advance base and launch an offensive southward until it captures Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, in order to reopen the sea transportation line.
However, the Southern Army Headquarters suddenly decided to send more troops to Burma, which immediately disrupted Yue Weihan's plan.
Now, although the Japanese 33rd Division has been defeated, the 18th Division has not given up the idea of breaking out. It is still frantically attacking Jiamai, and there is a possibility of breaking through at any time. What's worse is that the troops commanded by Dai Anlan
The assault group was delayed for three precious days in Longdong. Now no one can guarantee that Dai Anlan can make a breakthrough first before the Japanese army.
Under such circumstances, the Sixth Army must be ready to go out to Jiamai to seal the gap at any time, so how can it rush southward?
Originally, if the Japanese army did not send more troops to Burma, the Sixth Army could wait a little longer, but now, the Sixth Army had to make an immediate choice, either to move forward to Jiamai and strengthen the defense of the New 22nd Division, or to go south immediately.
, carry out a large-scale long-distance penetration towards Mandalay. If there is any further hesitation, the opportunity to seize Mandalay will be completely lost.
Once the opportunity to seize Mandalay is lost, even if the Japanese 18th Division is surrounded and annihilated, the situation in Myanmar will not be fundamentally reversed, because after the Japanese firmly occupy Mandalay and Lashio, they can attack or retreat
Defensively, it can also separate the expeditionary force from the 39th Group Army that will arrive later, and will be in the absolute initiative in strategic layout!
The Chinese Expeditionary Force will be trapped in the dilemma of fighting independently, and it will be difficult to form an effective joint force!
Should the Sixth Army be allowed to move south quickly? Yue Weihan also fell into deep hesitation.
"Yue, the Sixth Army cannot go south!" Stilwell clearly saw Yue Weihan's hesitation and hurriedly dissuaded him, "God, this is too risky. Before the Japanese 18th Division completely gave up the idea of breaking out, let the Japanese
It is undoubtedly extremely risky for the Sixth Army to rush south. If the war in northern Myanmar cannot end in time, it will be meaningless for the Sixth Army to capture Mandalay before the Guards Division, because without strong backup,
The Sixth Army simply cannot defend Mandalay!"
"Backup?" Yue Weihan suddenly turned his head and asked Chu Zhongtian, "Zhongtian, where is the 39th Group Army now?"
Chu Zhongtian replied without hesitation: "The entire army has passed through the natural barrier of Shu Road in northeastern Sichuan. The forward Baoshan Division will be able to arrive in Chongqing this afternoon at the latest."
"Yue, I'm afraid the 39th Group Army can't count on it." Stilwell said with a bitter smile, "The distance from Chongqing to Burma is more than ten thousand miles? Unless tens of thousands of trucks are sent to pick it up, or hundreds of large transport planes are directly dispatched.
Airlift, otherwise, the 39th Army will never be able to arrive in Myanmar within 20 days."
"Car!?" Yue Weihan's heart suddenly moved.
As long as there are enough cars, the 39th Army may really be able to reach Myanmar in time!
Since the Nationalist Government retreated to the southwest, a large number of cars have been running on the Burma Highway every day. These cars are public and private, and the total number is at least 10,000! At that time, due to the lack of truck drivers in the country, the leaders of the overseas Chinese in Nanyang
Mr. Tan Kah Kee even mobilized more than 3,200 Nanyang machinists to return to China to serve.
After the fall of Lashio, the Burma Highway was interrupted. Most of the transport cars are now idle in Kunming, rusting and moldy. Even the more than 3,200 Nanyang mechanics who were mobilized by Mr. Tan Kah Kee to return to China are now mostly in trouble due to unemployment.
, if all these idle cars are collected, a powerful transportation force will be formed immediately!
A truck can carry at least 2 tons of supplies or 20 soldiers. 10,000 trucks can transport 20,000 tons of supplies or 200,000 troops! The 39th Army has a total of about 100,000 people, and the supplies accompanying the army are about 5,000 tons. 10,000 trucks
It is enough to transport the entire 39th Group Army to Myanmar at one time, including the transportation capacity for carrying oil.
Yue Weihan immediately turned back to Stilwell and said: "General Stilwell, please fly to Kunming immediately and rent trucks from major transportation companies at high prices in the name of the U.S. government. If possible, it is best to discuss it with Wang Longwang of Yunnan.
Requisition all the trucks in Yunnan, and then send these trucks to Chongqing urgently to bring the 39th Group Army to Myanmar!"
"Okay, this is indeed a good idea." Stilwell said, and said in confusion, "But Yue, why don't you just rent the truck in the name of the expeditionary force? You are the commander-in-chief of the Chinese Expeditionary Force appointed by the Nationalist Government.
I think if you need to rent a truck, the major transportation companies will definitely support you without hesitation."
Yue Weihan shook his head and said with a wry smile: "General Stilwell, you don't understand China's national conditions."
"I really don't understand your government. Well, I'll go to Kunming right now." Stilwell shrugged and then said, "But Yue, you must promise me that you will never let the Sixth Army go south to capture Manchuria.
Dele! This is too risky, and maybe the entire situation in Myanmar will collapse because of this risky decision."
"I'm afraid this won't work." Yue Weihan said without hesitation, "The Sixth Army must go south!"
"Yue, please be sensible." Stilwell said urgently, "God, you are gambling!"
"General Stilwell, I am very rational now." Yue Weihan turned around suddenly, looked at the direction of Mandalay in the south, and said in a deep voice, "Because I am convinced that the expeditionary force can win this battle, and Dai Anlan's assault group will definitely be able to grab the victory."
Make a breakthrough first before the Japanese army, and the Sixth Army will definitely be able to capture Mandalay and hold on until the 39th Army arrives. I firmly believe this!"