Chapter 532: A Tragic Armored War
The changes in Thailand have captured the eyes of the world, and over time everyone has realized that this is a long-planned political movement, not a previous skirmish. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info
The leaders of Southeast Asian countries have met frequently, especially several neighboring countries, and have taken emergency measures to avoid harming the pond fish.
ASEAN wanted to intervene, but was strongly rejected by the Thai government, which did not want to internationalize the issue of southern Thailand and was ready to solve the high-level of the New Pattani alliance with a quick solution.
After the establishment of Pattanii YSL, riots broke out in 14 provinces in southern Thailand, and all the Thai armed forces in the five southern provinces were taken down, while the other 9 provinces had varying degrees of violence, and police stations and army arsenals were constantly attacked, which caused a lot of trouble to the Thai authorities.
Powi moved very quickly, and in just three days after the founding of the state, he formed five army divisions, including an armored division. Although the combat effectiveness of this army has yet to be tested, it is enough to give confidence to the people of Wufu.
Seven divisions of the Thai government army moved south, including three divisions originally deployed in the south. Prior to the independence of southern Thailand, Thailand had a total of four divisions in the southern region, but one of them was controlled by the New Pattani Alliance. In order to suppress this independence movement, Ba Xiang transferred four more divisions from the north.
Before the army arrived, the fighter squadron stationed in Chumphon had already arrived in Pattani and bombed Powi and others. However, the Thais did not expect that Powi and they had the intelligence support of Penglai Island and hid before the plane came, so they failed to behead as they wished.
With the strength of 12 divisions assembled in the Malay Peninsula, a big battle is on the verge of breaking out!
At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Ross Garcia had a solemn face, as if he was thinking about something.
"Your Excellency, intelligence shows that there are Chinese people behind this separatist movement in Thailand!" Paul, the undersecretary of defense for the Asia-Pacific region, said hastily.
Ross was not surprised, as early as a month ago, they found out that the New Pattani Alliance had a connection with the Chinese.
"Paul, what do you think is the intention of the Chinese?" Rose asked.
Paul said: "In my judgment, the Chinese are laying out the Indochina Peninsula!" The strength of China is growing too fast, and it needs space to vent, there is Russia in the north and northwest, and Fusang in the east, and they are the easiest to break through only in the south. But what I didn't expect was that the strategy of the Huaxia people inevitably changed too quickly, and there seemed to be no sign of it before......"
"Huaxia's ambitions for the South China Sea and Southeast Asia are undoubted, but if it is said that Huaxia made a move this time, it may not be!" Rose sighed slightly.
Paul didn't understand what he meant.
"Last year, Huaxia Penglai Island was talking to Thailand about the Kra Canal project, and in just half a year, southern Thailand has become independent, and their armed forces are beyond our imagination." Ross said lightly.
"Minister, are you saying that the New Attanii Alliance is supported by Penglai Island?" Paul was a little unconvinced.
Rose nodded: "Yes, except for Lu Yang, I don't know anyone else who can be so bold." β
"Is that really possible? Huaxia's power is very centralized, and Lu Yang dares to start a war behind the Huaxia government? β
"It's very likely, I've dealt with Lu Yang a few times, this person is not only difficult, but also bold and strong, and the Huaxia government may not be able to order him. According to the intelligence of three months ago, the New Pattani Alliance only had 3 divisions of armament, and now, they have exposed 5 divisions and an armored division. This kind of assistance is not something that Malaysia can afford, and only Lu Yang has the strength and motivation to do so! Ross said.
Paul was not convinced, he was just in charge of the Asia-Pacific region of the Mi Army, and he didn't know much about Penglai Island.
"What do we do now?" Paul asked.
"Let the Pacific Theater be ready, let the aircraft carriers Washington and Roosevelt enter the South China Sea, and block the assistance of the Chinese side to the New Attainee Alliance, but be careful, try to avoid conflict!" After careful consideration, Rose ordered.
"Do you want to contact the Thai side and give them some assistance?" Paul asked, "If China supports southern Thailand, this is a good opportunity for us, Thailand has always wavered between China and China, and if we can draw them into our camp, we can form a stronger strategic pressure on China......"
"I would suggest it to the president."
The world saw Thailand's separatist movement as a game between China and Malaysia in Southeast Asia, and many countries began to take sides. The traditional younger brothers of the United States such as the stick country, the Philippines, the kangaroo country, and the Lion City unanimously expressed their support for Thailand, and the Philippines and the Lion City also hope to introduce the United States into the ASEAN and strengthen military cooperation with the United States to counter China.
Annan's reaction was similarly violent, and although there is no evidence yet that there is a connection between China and Thailand, the Annan government has already identified the matter. Within two days, Annan announced that the Cam Ranh Bay Naval Base would be temporarily open to the Mi military, and that the aircraft carrier Roosevelt would be stationed there in the next month.
The attitude of other Southeast Asian countries is somewhat ambiguous, mainly because of the economic influence of China in Southeast Asia. Since 2009, China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner, and the economic growth of ASEAN countries has been a ride on China's free ride to a considerable extent.
Since five years ago, China's military strength in Southeast Asia has increased rapidly, especially in the past two years, the J-20 fighter squadron has been stationed at Scarborough Shoal, and the South China Sea Fleet has added an aircraft carrier formation.
Economic strength combined with military strength constituted China's influence in Southeast Asia.
On March 18, two aircraft carriers of the United States Army left Hong Kong and began cruising near the Spratly Islands, but did not enter the Gulf of Thailand. In a-for-tat manner, the South China Sea Fleet made frequent moves, and the aircraft carrier formation was stationed at Huangyan Island.
"Boss, the people of the United States have intervened, what should we do now?" On Penglai Island, Feng Hai observed every move of the United States through the Tianyan satellite system.
Lu Yang also knew Mi Guo's actions, so he said: "Don't worry, Mi people will not rashly get involved in the war, don't look at their big moves, in fact, they are all false moves." The protagonists of this drama are the Thai government and Powi. β
"Now that the people of the United States have blocked the Gulf of Thailand, I am afraid that our later assistance will not be able to reach Powi." Feng Hai said worriedly.
"The two aircraft carriers want to blockade the Gulf of Thailand, and the people of the United States are too naΓ―ve." Lu Yang disagreed, "How to send it or how to send it, I will let the Air Force escort the fleet." β
In the afternoon of the same day, Thailand's F16 fighter squadron launched another attack on Powi, but was ambushed by the prepared Pattani YSL troops and lost three F16s.
The next day, the Thai 3rd Panzer Division arrived at the front and was once again ambushed by Powi and men, and the two sides suffered heavy losses in heavy fighting north of Songkhla. According to post-war statistics, the Third Panzer Division was destroyed by more than 200 tanks and basically lost its combat effectiveness.
Both sides were not satisfied with the outcome of the battle.
"Damn, why did Povey find out about the movements of our army in advance?" Ba, who was far away in Bangkok, wanted to learn of this result and was furious, "Where did Powi get so many tanks?" β
"Prime Minister, the people of the United States have given us information that Powei is supported by the Chinese!" Defense Minister Bayi said.
"Huaxia people, are they going to divide Thailand?" Foreign Minister General Tanassa said, "I will immediately lodge a protest with Huaxia and unite with other ASEAN countries to put pressure on Huaxia!" β
"General, calm down first, we don't have any evidence to prove that this was done by the Huaxia people!" Bayi hurriedly grabbed him, "I can only say that this kind of possibility exists, and it is also possible that this is a trick of the Mi people." β
"Neither the Chinese nor the Chinese have good intentions towards us." "What makes me wonder is that Povey's men are just a group of recruits, why were they able to ambush our armored division?" β
"According to the soldiers who participated in this battle, although the southern troops did not have a high will to fight and their fighting quality, their tanks were very advanced and they were very accurate, and if it were not for the command problems, the Third Armored Division would probably be completely annihilated." Bayi replied.
"Advanced tanks? Could it really be provided by the Chinese people? Ba Desire's heart was gloomy.
In Pattani, Powe was holding a meeting with his generals to summarize the experience of the two battles.
"It is unforgivable that we made a mistake and allowed the remnants of the 3rd Panzer Division to break through!" Povihu glared at the generals, "Our weapons are more advanced than the enemy, and we are ambushes, and we have the advantage and failed to annihilate the Third Armored Division, this kind of mistake must not be made again in the future!" β
Don't look at Povey's anger, but he was pleasantly surprised in his heart, this battle seems to be a draw, but in fact, the south is a victory. Before the battle, no one was optimistic about the south, because their strength was too far behind the Thai government, but after the battle, the confidence of the people in the five southern provinces was greatly increased, the morale of the soldiers was high, and everyone seemed to see the hope of victory.
"The top priority is to rebuild the armored division, and in addition, we have to get the Chinese to support a batch of anti-aircraft weapons...... Ba Xiang only has this armored division in his hands, and now it has been destroyed, all he can rely on is the air force, if he can destroy their air force, the Thai government army has nothing to worry about! Povey thought to himself.
The results of the Battle of Songkhla Panzer spread all over the world, and although the number of people on both sides was small, the results were so tragic that they were probably the only ones seen since the beginning of the new century. Through this war, the southern Thai government officially stepped onto the international stage, and until then, they were not recognized as a political force.
The defeat of the 3rd Panzer Division alerted Ba to the south, and in order to eliminate the separatist groups in the south as soon as possible, he once again increased his troops to the south. (To be continued.) )