It was already past two o'clock in the morning, but the lights in the Military Commission building were still bright, and the hall on the second floor was even more crowded, including General He, Minister of Military Order and Chief of General Staff, General Bai, Deputy Chief of General Staff, and Commander-in-Chief of the Ninth Theater Command.
Including General Chen, almost all the senior party and state generals living in Chongqing gathered.
In an inconspicuous corner, Du Yuming, Gan Lichu and Luo Zhuoying stood quietly. The other senior party and state generals all looked excited, but these three looked gloomy, because the Chinese Expeditionary Force's achievements were more brilliant.
, which further highlights their incompetence, especially Du Yuming.
"Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek is here!" A loud chant suddenly came from the stairs.
The senior generals in the hall stood upright one after another, and then all turned their heads to look at the stairs.
Amidst the sound of hurried footsteps, the slim Chairman Chiang hurried up the stairs, and immediately said impatiently to General He who was standing at the front: "With all due respect, please tell me the latest war situation in Myanmar.
"
"Yes." General He stood at attention and immediately stood in front of the map and explained to Chairman Chiang Kai-shek, "Commissioner, yesterday morning, the Baoshan Division Airborne Regiment carried out an airborne operation on Yangon and took control of Yangon Airport in one fell swoop.
A regiment of the 181st Division was airlifted to Rangoon through the U.S. Air Force's Tenth Air Force and Rangoon was completely captured."
"Has Yangon really been captured?" Chairman Chiang was obviously excited.
Old Chiang Kai-shek couldn't help but be excited. For China, Yangon is not just the capital of a neighboring country. With the coastal provinces of the mainland and the Indochina Peninsula already occupied by the Japanese army, Yangon Port is China's only window to the outside world.
, capturing Yangon means that aid supplies from the international community can be continuously imported into China again.
"Yes, Yangon has indeed been captured." General He nodded heavily.
"Okay, well done!" Chairman Chiang calmed down and said, "So, what about the situation in Mandalay?"
"Early this morning, the Japanese army had already evacuated from Mandalay." General He said, "After the fall of Yangon, the Japanese army's logistics supply line in Mandalay was cut off. The Japanese army could not withdraw even if they wanted to, but the order
What is puzzling is that the Japanese army did not retreat toward Yangon or Mawlamyine, but retreated into the Shan State Plateau in eastern Myanmar."
"Did the Japanese troops withdraw early?" Chairman Chiang said with regret, "Did the Japanese troops retreat into the Shan State Plateau?"
"This is also expected." Admiral Bai suddenly interjected, "There are many plains in southern Myanmar and the terrain is open. If the Japanese army retreats south, they will definitely be hunted endlessly by Allied aircraft. The Japanese army can only move towards
Only by retreating eastward into the Shan State Plateau can we use the dense jungle terrain to escape the pursuit of Allied aircraft."
"Where is the expeditionary force?" Chairman Chiang asked patiently, "What are Yue Weihan's plans next?"
If the commander of the Chinese Expeditionary Force had been replaced by another senior general, Chairman Chiang would not have asked more questions. He would have given the order directly for the expeditionary force to pursue it with all its strength.
The Japanese army fled. How could Chairman Chiang miss this opportunity to beat the drowned dog?
General He and General Bai looked at each other and smiled bitterly when they heard this. They really didn't know Yue Weihan's overall plan. Yue Weihan and Du Yuming were two completely different extremes. When Du Yuming was the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force, he would always ask Commissar Chiang for instructions, no matter how big or small.
However, Yue Weihan was the complete opposite. He dared to make the final say on all major matters by himself and did not even bother to ask Chairman Chiang for instructions.
Chairman Jiang was obviously aware of this, and the expression on his face became gloomy at that moment.
Thinking about the rumors that have been spreading wildly throughout the southwest rear area recently, Chairman Chiang is even more gloomy.
Recently, there is indeed a rumor that is spreading in Chongqing and the entire southwest rear area. The spreaders of the rumor believe that the reason why the Chinese Expeditionary Force was able to immediately reverse the situation and come back to life after changing the commander was not because Du Yuming was too weak, nor was it because of Yue Weihan
Too strong, but because of Chairman Chiang’s blind command!
Rumors categorically pointed out that Du Yuming was controlled by Chairman Chiang in every aspect, so he lost consecutive battles! Yue Weihan was completely unsupported by Chairman Chiang, so he won consecutive battles! This fully proves an ironclad fact, that is, Commissar Chiang
The leader’s blind command has misled the country. Therefore, a wiser leader should stand up and lead China’s war of resistance.
The spreaders of the rumor even listed three candidates for the reserve commander in a serious manner, namely Li Zongren, Yan Xishan and Yunnan Wang Longyun. Among them, Li Zongren had the highest voice. The only thing that gave Chairman Chiang a little peace of mind was that Yue Weihan was not there.
On this list, otherwise he would really have trouble sleeping and eating.
If it was just Li Zongren and his like who wanted to seize power, Chairman Chiang would not care much.
However, if Yue Weihan wants to seize Chairman Chiang's military power, the problem will be serious. With Yue Weihan's great military exploits and reputation, he only needs to stand up and shout, and the domestic people and overseas Chinese will definitely gather in Jingcong. In addition, he and his
Due to the good personal relationships between Stilwell, Chennault and other senior U.S. military generals, Chairman Chiang might really step down sadly.
On the road from Mandalay to Lashio, two armored vehicles and a dozen trucks were driving forward slowly.
Due to continuous wars, this road has been damaged and the road condition is extremely bad. Driving on such a road can make people go crazy. However, Yue Weihan actually fell asleep in the carriage, and he slept well.
It smells good. Speaking of which, he hasn't had a full night's sleep in more than half a month.
After two o'clock in the morning, Yue Weihan's motorcade finally drove into the 39th Group Army headquarters on the outskirts of Lashio City.
As soon as he stepped out of the armored vehicle, Yue Weihan saw Stilwell and Liu Yi, as well as the New 6th Division Commander Cao Xinglong, the New 9th Division Commander Chi Chengfeng, the Guard Brigade Commander Hua Hanlin, the Cavalry Brigade Commander Liu Fengsheng, and the Artillery Brigade Commander Niu Dagen.
When a group of old subordinates suddenly saw so many familiar faces, Yue Weihan felt as if he had lived a lifetime ago.
"Yue!" Stilwell opened his arms and greeted him enthusiastically.
Liu Yi and other senior subordinates also looked excited and stepped forward to salute Yue Weihan.
After taking a short rest, Yue Weihan and Stilwell sat in the small conference room of the 39th Army Headquarters. The old American man had many things to discuss urgently with Yue Weihan.
The two parties sat down, and Stilwell asked directly: "Yue, what should we do next?"
So far, almost no one knows Yue Weihan's complete plan. Even senior generals such as Stilwell, Dai Anlan, and Liao Yaoxiang only know the combat plan before the airborne landing in Yangon. As for how the Japanese army will react after occupying Yangon,
How the Chinese Expeditionary Force should respond, Yue Weihan never revealed to them.
That's why Stilwell asked this question. In Stilwell's view, after occupying Yangon, the war in Myanmar was basically over, but the 100,000 Japanese troops who retreated to the Shan State Plateau could not be easily let go.
, because, once they successfully retreat into the Kingdom of Siam, these 100,000 Japanese troops can immediately regain their combat effectiveness with just a little rest.
With or without these 100,000 Japanese troops, the war situation in Southeast Asia would be completely different.
Yue Weihan smiled slightly and asked without answering: "General Stilwell, have you heard of the German blitzkrieg?"
"Of course." Stilwell said without hesitation, "This tactic was first proposed by the famous German general Guderian. The reason why the German army was able to move across Europe was indispensable to blitzkrieg warfare. The characteristic of blitzkrieg warfare is to use one's own armored forces to move forward quickly.
As long as the infantry follows up quickly and the logistics support is effective, the enemy's heavy troops can often be grouped into organic formations and eaten up."
"But..." Stilwell said this, and then added, "If the infantry cannot follow up in time, or if the logistics support is insufficient, it will lead to catastrophic consequences."
Yue Weihan nodded, then shook his head and said: "General Stilwell, the so-called blitzkrieg does not just refer to a specific tactic. It is actually a brand-new combat concept. This concept is based on strong logistical support.
Basically, by using any method to quickly penetrate behind the enemy's rear, as long as the enemy's logistics supply line is cut off, the enemy's heavy troop group on the front line will be in a dilemma, and it will be easy for us to win the war."
Stilwell seemed to understand: "Yue, what do you want to explain?"
"Airborne in Bangkok!" Yue Weihan said ferociously, "Don't the Japanese army want to retreat to Siam through the Shan Plateau? Then we will occupy Bangkok or even the entire Siam and see where they go?"
"Airborne into Bangkok?" Stilwell shouted, "Occupy Siam!?"
Not only was Stilwell surprised, but his companions Luo Youlun and Liu Yi were also obviously surprised.
After the Japanese army retreated to the Shan State Plateau, the most conventional response strategy would have been to send a small force to the front to ambush and intercept, and then send a large force to chase and kill them. However, Yue Weihan had a completely different idea. He actually wanted to repeat the same trick and land in Bangkok.
, however, we must admit that this idea is very imaginative and attractive.
"Yue." Stilwell said solemnly, "I must remind you that Siam is not Burma."
Siam (Thailand) is indeed not Myanmar. In modern East Asia and South Asia, there are only three countries that have not become colonies of Western powers. One is the vast China, the other is the reform power Japan, and then there is Siam, which is struggling to survive.
Well, until World War II broke out, Siam still maintained its independence.
However, after the Japanese army marched southward, Siam quickly became a vassal of Japan.
So far, almost all ports, airports and important military facilities in Siam have been controlled by the Japanese army. Whether militarily, politically or economically, Siam has become a vassal of Japan.
In the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere", Siam's status is slightly higher than that of "Manchukuo".
As for the army of the Kingdom of Siam, it has no combat effectiveness at all. After the Japanese army took over, the King of Siam was left with the function of managing public security and guarding prisoners. Historically, the National Government only had the function of managing the border between China and Siam.
The deployment of a miscellaneous division suppressed more than a dozen divisions in the Kingdom of Siam from daring to act rashly.
As for the Siamese royal family and cabinet, they are even more clowns.
Historically, even after the Kingdom of Siam formally signed a treaty and announced its membership of the Axis Alliance, the Siam Station in Bangkok of the Military Command was still operating openly. And after Japan's defeat and surrender, the Siamese military actually announced that it would join the Axis Alliance.
The Axis Covenant signed by Germany, Italy, and Japan is invalid, which shows the dual mentality of its top leaders.
"I know that Siam is not Myanmar." Yue Weihan nodded and said calmly, "But I also know that the Japanese troops stationed in Siam have been mobilized!"
"Yue, don't forget that in addition to the Japanese army, there are also a large number of Siamese royal guards in Siam!" Stilwell said, "Especially the Royal Guards Division stationed in Bangkok, which was formed after the Japanese Guards Division.
It is not only equipped with Japanese tanks and heavy artillery, but also has a large number of Japanese military advisers, and its combat effectiveness cannot be underestimated."
"Siam Royal Guards Division?" Yue Weihan said suddenly, "That's a joke."
"What's more, I have never thought about going to full-scale war with Siam!" After saying this, Yue Weihan ordered Chu Zhongtian to spread out the Siam map he carried with him on the table, then pointed to Bangkok and said, "According to
According to information provided by the Siam Station of the Military Command Bureau and our army's insiders, the Japanese army currently has only two brigades with less than 1,500 troops stationed in Bangkok. One of the infantry brigades is stationed at the Military Police Headquarters in the city center, and the other infantry brigades are stationed in Mantong.
Airport!"
"As the saying goes, it takes a thousand days to raise troops but only a short time to deploy them. For this airborne landing, I decided to dispatch the special operations brigade."
"In order to avoid the anti-aircraft machine guns at the airport and reduce casualties as much as possible during the airborne process, the special operations brigade will parachute to the outer suburbs of Bangkok at night, and then divide the troops into two groups. One group will storm Mantong Airport, and the other group will lurk personnel on our side.
With the cooperation of others, we can quickly control the Siamese palace and cabinet. This is called capturing the thief first and capturing the king first, which is also called beheading!"
"Beheading?" Stilwell's heart moved slightly, and then he said, "Airborne landing at night will be very risky!"
"The risk is a bit greater." Yue Weihan nodded and added, "However, the training level of the Special Operations Brigade is not comparable to that of the Baoshan Division Airborne Regiment, and the training time is also longer. By the time the airborne mission is carried out, I believe they will be able to
Now that you have mastered the essentials of airborne movements, and with the guidance of the ground personnel who have infiltrated in advance, there should be no big problem."
"The situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly. What should we do if there is an emergency?" Stilwell asked again.
"There is no emergency that the special operations brigade cannot handle." Yue Weihan said confidently, "They can do it!"
"Okay, I'm convinced by you." Stilwell shook his head and smiled bitterly, "When will we land in Bangkok?"
"It's not urgent at the moment." Yue Weihan waved his hand and said, "If the airborne landing is too early and the Japanese army in Myanmar is forced to turn back and fight with us, or simply stay on the Shan State Plateau to fight guerrillas, then the gain will outweigh the loss!" After that!
Yue Weihan pointed to the map again and said, "Look, if the Japanese army in Myanmar wants to retreat into Siam, they must cross the Salween River. When the Japanese army enters this inaccessible primitive jungle in the river valley, the time will be ripe for airborne landing in Bangkok."
"Okay, so what should we do now?" Stilwell asked again.
"Building momentum." Yue Weihan winked at Stilwell and said with a smile, "Announce to the world that the Allied forces have taken the lead in transitioning to a strategic counterattack in the Southeast Asian battlefield!"