In 1942, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression entered its fifth year, and the heroic struggle of the sons and daughters of China swept away China's cowardly image of weakness and bullying over the past century, and won the admiration and praise of the international community.

In February '42, President Roosevelt of the United States sent another telegram to the chairman of the National Committee, saying, "The heroic resistance of the Chinese army to the barbaric aggression of your country has won the highest praise from the United States and all freedom-loving nations." The tenacity shown by the Chinese people, armed as unarmed, in the face of a very unfavorable situation, in the resolute resistance they have shown for almost five years against an enemy who has a great advantage in equipment, is an encouragement to the armies of other united countries and to the entire people! ”

Winston Churchill in Britain and Stalin in the Soviet Union both put forward the slogan of "emulating China" in order to encourage the people to resist stubbornly when the German army bombed London indiscriminately and the German troops approached the city.

It was against this background that the officers and men of the expeditionary force entered the battlefield in Burma with the pride of "exalting their prestige in a foreign land".

At that time, the Japanese Southern Army had already occupied the vast areas of Southeast Asia and all the US and British naval and air bases in the western Pacific and the South China Sea, inflicted heavy damage on the US Pacific Fleet and the British Far East Fleet, seized air and sea supremacy in these areas, and killed, wounded and captured more than 300,000 Allied troops.

After entering Burma, the expeditionary force was not discouraged in the face of the already eroded Burma war situation, and successively won victories such as the Battle of Tonggu, the Battle of Swa, the Battle of Ringanqiang and the Battle of Taunggyi Recovery.

However, the expeditionary force rushed to the battle, and the joint operations of the three countries were full of obstacles, and in the end, the expeditionary force made the decision to retreat on all fronts after covering the smooth retreat of the Indo-Burmese allied forces.

In mid-May, the first army withdrew from eastern Burma to southern Yunnan and confronted the Japanese across the Nu River; The new 38th Division of the 66th Army moved westward and withdrew to Imphal, India, at the end of May; The new 28th Division and the new 29th Division of the 66th Army withdrew from the Yunnan-Burma Highway to western Yunnan, and were contained and sorted out on the north bank of the Huitong Bridge, continuing the fierce battle with the Japanese invaders; The 200th Division of the Fifth Army broke through from Ba Mo and Nankan in northern Burma and returned to China in early June. It was not until 25 July that the troops directly under the Fifth Army and the newly formed 22nd Division and the new 22nd Division marched out of the Savage Mountains into Liedo, India, and the new 96th Division did not return to western Yunnan until mid-August...... At this point, the first expeditionary force entered Burma and ended with failure.

The entire territory of Burma has fallen, the international communication line between Yunnan and Burma has been completely cut off, and the strategic materials needed for China's War of Resistance can only be supplied by the "Hump Route", which is tantamount to a drop in the bucket, and the situation of the War of Resistance has become more and more difficult.

Although the situation is becoming more and more difficult, the determination of the Chinese military and people to resist the war has not wavered in the slightest!

If you don't believe me, let's go and see the vigorous anti-sweeping operations carried out by the Eighth Route Army in the base areas behind enemy lines!

If you don't believe it, go and see the soldiers of the national army who fought bloodily on the battlefields of Zhejiang, Jiangxi and western Hubei!

If you don't believe it, go and see the scenes of Isa's ragged and yellow-skinned people sweating on the construction sites of various airports in the southwest!

Although the first invasion of Burma failed, this battle successfully rescued the Anglo-Burmese coalition forces on the Burma battlefield, greatly enhanced China's status in the international community, and strengthened the confidence and determination of the British and American allies to support China's war of resistance.

If you don't believe me, go and look at the "Hump Route" and look at the American pilots who risked their lives to transport strategic supplies to China!

If you don't believe me, go check out the Ramgarh training camp and see the expeditionary forces that have been renewed...... Oh, it's the soldiers of the Indian Army!

On 3 August, a full set of American-style equipment was distributed to all units of the Indian Army: combat uniforms, training uniforms, jackets, T-shirts, underwear and underwear, sweaters, rubber raincoats, combat backpacks, steel helmets, soft hats, beanies, gas masks, combat carrying gear, field water bottles with canvas covers, S belts, jungle boots, canvas leggings, and even socks...... For Chinese soldiers who are accustomed to being poor and suffering, these equipment can only be described as extravagant!

At the same time, all kinds of American-style weapons were also distributed to various departments according to the establishment of the US armament unit: light and heavy tanks, military trucks, light and heavy artillery, light and heavy machine guns, submachine guns, and rifles...... It can be said that the current army stationed in India is equipped with the most advanced weapons of this era, and it can already be called a force armed to the teeth!

On August 4, the morning sun was rising, and the 66th Regiment ...... Oh, it was in the camp of the 1st Independent Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army, the agitated "March of the Volunteers" slowly dispersed, and the morning meeting was nearing the end.

On the stage, Li Siwei stood solemnly, his eyes slowly swept over the majestic and neat phalanx under the stage, and he felt full of pride, "Brothers: Now, Lao Tzu has really changed shotguns!" Now, Lao Tzu is armed with the best weapons in the world! So, train for it! Let's train! Don't let down your weapons! ”

"Yes!"

The soldiers made a loud promise, and the high-pitched shouts resounded through the camp, "Sweat more in peacetime, and shed less blood in wartime!" Sweat more in peacetime, bleed less in wartime! Sweat more in peacetime, bleed less in wartime! ”

This is the slogan shouted by Li Siwei during the training in Wuhe Village, and the soldiers in the regiment have never forgotten it!

"Good!"

Li Siwei praised and looked around at the soldiers again, "Start training!" ”

After that, Li Siwei turned around, strode down the platform, and began to patrol the various departments as in the previous training.

For a long time, the soldiers have never stolen or slipped in training, and now that they have new equipment, how can they not work harder?

After a round of inspection, Li Siwei had a satisfied smile on his face, explained to Chen Huaili, and then turned around and walked towards the regiment headquarters with the new guard Hu Dayan.

In the conference room of the regiment headquarters, all the soldiers hurriedly entered and exited, and Li Siwei strode over, just in time to meet Zhao Xin, who had just come out of the conference room.

"Commander,"

Seeing Li Siwei, Zhao Xin hurriedly stopped, "The command just called, let you go over immediately!" ”

The Expeditionary Force was reorganized into the Indian Army, and the Expeditionary Force Command was changed to the Indian Army Command.

"Good!"

Li Siwei nodded, then turned around and walked towards the gate, but there were doubts in his heart.

What's the matter with calling me now?

Pick up those American instructors?

Turtle's, the shelf is too big!

Li Siwei hurried to the headquarters and did not see a few American officers, so he went straight to Chief Luo's office.

"Report!"

When he arrived at the door, Li Siwei solemnly made a report.

"Here we are,"

In the office, Chief Luo was talking to a foreigner in a training uniform, and when he heard the report, he turned his head and beckoned to Li Siwei with a smile, "Come in......

"Yes!"

Li Siwei hurriedly agreed, strode in, looked at the foreigner sitting at the desk, and stopped from a distance and stood still.

The foreigner didn't wear a military hat, and he didn't have a military rank on a set of American-style training uniforms, but he could see that he was a big official, otherwise he wouldn't be able to sit at Chief Luo's desk and talk and laugh, so Li Siwei naturally didn't want to stand beside him.

"Captain Li,"

Seeing this, Chief Luo introduced with a smile, "This is General Stilwell, our commander-in-chief!" ”

"Smack!"

Hearing this, Li Siwei hurriedly saluted General Stilwell, "Jun Zuo is a good ......"

In the military, senior officers are habitually called "Junzuo", which is not easy to make mistakes.

"Huh,"

Before Li Siwei could finish speaking, General Stilwell interrupted him with a smile, and spoke fluent Chinese, "Just call me Joe!" Commander Li, I've heard of you, your regiment fought very sharply in the battle of Zaze! ”

"Thank you...... Bridge! ”

Li Siwei hurriedly saluted again, but felt that the title "Joe" was a little awkward.

"Huh,"

Seeing this, General Stilwell smiled and waved his hand, "There must be less politeness in the army, so that the efficiency can be higher!" ”

As he spoke, General Stilwell changed his words, "You must be aware of the situation of the troops stationed in India...... At present, we have a serious shortage of personnel, and the training work has not been carried out for a long time, so the headquarters has decided to first cancel the establishment of the 1st Independent Infantry Regiment, and your unit will be transferred to the new 22nd Division, numbered 66th Regiment. ”

"Captain Li,"

As soon as General Stilwell's words fell, Chief Luo hurriedly explained softly, "I understand, your department used to use this number, that's why you decided like this!" ”

"Yes!"

At this point, Li Siwei could only promise with a bang, and finally asked with hesitation, "The camp of the department ......"

"Don't move the camp yet!"

Chief Luo waved his hand, his expression was full, "The shortage of personnel in your department will be filled as soon as possible, and preparations will be made as soon as possible after you go back, and the instructors from the United States will be stationed in your department in the afternoon...... As for the training, everything is up to the instructor! ”

In this way, Li Siwei's headquarters suddenly changed from the 1st Independent Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army to the 66th Regiment of the 22nd Division of the new formation.

After receiving the order, Li Siwei hurriedly returned to the regiment headquarters, and hurriedly discussed with Zheng Sanyang and Chen Huaili about accepting soldiers and instructors, as for the change of number and subordination...... Li Siwei has long been accustomed to it!

After the discussion was completed, Li Siwei hurriedly went to the division headquarters to report.

The camp of the newly formed 22nd Division was more than two miles away from the garrison of the 66th Regiment, and Li Siwei came in a hurry, and his own guards took him to the division headquarters to meet Division Commander Liao.

"Captain Li,"

In the conference room of the division headquarters, Division Commander Liao looked at Li Siwei with a cordial smile, "Those brothers were taken care of by Domeng before, I was preparing to go over to visit when I would, I never thought that I would become a family so soon!" ”

"Don't dare, don't dare!"

Li Siwei hurriedly smiled, "They are all brothers of the national army, and they should support each other, and in the future, I hope that the commander will take care of them!" ”

"Alas,"

Hearing this, Division Commander Liao sighed softly, and a bitter taste appeared in his smile, "In the future, this army will ...... I'm afraid we don't have the right to speak! ”

"Uh......"

Li Siwei was stunned, his face full of doubts.

"Oh,"

Senior Commander Liao smiled bitterly and shook his head, "There are some things that you may not know. I heard that the US side was planning to replace some of our officers, but after negotiations, it was decided not to do so, but the US side will send liaison officers to our military battalion and above levels...... When the liaison officer comes, I'm afraid something will happen! ”

"Oh,"

Li Siwei knew it, but he didn't know how to talk, such a thing was not something that he could mix with as a regiment leader.

Master Liao naturally understood this truth, and smiled when he saw this, "This is ...... You have to be mentally prepared, so that your brothers should also be mentally prepared...... Don't make a mistake in training! ”

"Yes!"

Li Siwei hurriedly promised, his expression solemn, "Please rest assured, sir!" ”

Coming out of the division headquarters, Li Siwei's mood became heavy...... If you really do it like this, there will inevitably be some friction!

"Captain Li,"

Li Siwei had just left the division headquarters and was thinking about his thoughts worriedly, when he suddenly heard a cry of surprise, and hurriedly turned his head to follow the prestige, and saw Second Lieutenant Liu running over in a hurry, with a smile on his face, "What a coincidence!" ”

"Huh,"

Seeing his acquaintance, Li Siwei hurriedly put aside his worries and greeted him with a smile, "It's not a coincidence! Unfortunately! From now on, we will be our own brothers......"

As soon as Li Siwei said that his headquarters was transferred to the new 22nd Division, Second Lieutenant Liu's smile became even brighter, "It's really my own brother!" We were also transferred to the 22nd Division, which is in the divisional hospital! ”

Second Lieutenant Liu and others were originally directly subordinate to the Fifth Army, but now that the military headquarters of the Fifth Army has been abolished, they have also been transferred to the field hospital of the newly formed 22nd Division.

"Oh,"

Before Li Siwei could talk, Second Lieutenant Liu's expression moved, and he remembered something, but his expression dimmed, "Commander Li, when I was in the Hukang River Valley that day, Platoon Commander Li of your department handed over a bag of letters to our captain...... A few days ago, he heard from me that Platoon Commander Li was still there, so he asked me to return the letter to my family, and I have been busy these days, and I haven't had time to go over......"

"Oh,"

Li Siwei understood, and nodded with a smile, "Mo Shi, I'll go with you to get it, and I'll take it back by the way......"

"That would be great!"

Second Lieutenant Liu perked up, quickly turned around to lead the way, and said, "On that day, the captain did that out of helplessness...... Now I'm embarrassed to go and see Platoon Commander Li again......"

Li Siwei listened silently behind Ensign Liu, and naturally understood the bitterness in his words, but he still agreed with their approach, so naturally it was not easy to persuade him.

In this way, the two entered Second Lieutenant Liu's dormitory one after the other, which was also a room for four people, but there was no one in the room.

Unlike the combat troops, there are still many wounded sick people in the army who need to be taken care of by the medical unit, and Ning Rou has just pulled up the medical team in the regiment in the past two days, and she has taken the sick wounded back, and she has been busy working all day long.

"Captain Li,"

Entering the room, Second Lieutenant Liu hurriedly pulled out a chair, "You sit down first......

"Hmm,"

Li Siwei sat down, and Second Lieutenant Liu went to rummage in the cabinet, and after a while, he came over with a small silk cloth package, and handed it to Li Siwei with both hands, "Along the way, the captain wrapped it in a rain cloth...... Not wet! ”

"Hmm,"

Li Siwei hurriedly got up and solemnly took the package, "Thank you for me, captain!" ”

"Okay!"

Second Lieutenant Liu nodded hurriedly, his expression gloomy, "Alas! Captain he ...... My heart is bitter! ”

"Hmmm......"

Li Siwei gently patted Second Lieutenant Liu's shoulder, "It's all over!" No matter how hard it is, it's over...... In the future, it will get better and better! ”