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January 28, Luzon, Philippines, the Pembanga River north of Manila. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

As soon as the sky was light, a sudden heavy rain enveloped much of the Philippines, and as hot and cold air currents converged over the Philippines, a thick fog rose over the sea, and soon it spread to Luzon, with extremely low visibility in the air.

Taking advantage of the fact that the South China Air Force could not participate in the war, the Japanese army intensified its offensive on the north and south fronts of Manila.

The defensive positions constructed by the US military on the south bank of the Panbanga River were shrouded in smoke. From 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. and the end of the shelling, the Japanese army did not completely destroy the will to fight of the Philippine army as they wished.

Lieutenant General Machijiri Shiki, commander of the Japanese Northern Front and commander of the 6th Division, had expected that an hour-long artillery coverage would be enough to reduce the Philippine defenders' positions by more than 40 percent. According to the current general view of the European and American armies, the battle sequence of 40 percent attrition, that is, the loss of combat effectiveness, must be withdrawn and reorganized, and this is the opportunity for the Japanese army.

However, to the incomprehension of the Japanese army, the Japanese army encountered extremely stubborn resistance from the Philippine army in the following operation of crossing the river and seizing the beach.

From 8:05 a.m. to 9:35 p.m., the beach-rushing operation has lasted for a full hour and a half, during which the Kagoshima Wing has continued to launch two large-scale attacks on the beachhead on the south coast, but to no avail. In the second round of the attack, the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the Kagoshima Wing, which had been strictly ordered to take the enemy's position, had even rushed to the position held by the opponent, but after a life-and-death hand-to-hand battle, it was finally beaten back by the Philippine native army, which looked exhausted.

This was the defeat of the Japanese army in the face of another army after losing to the An Jia army in close combat. What made Machijiri feel intolerable the most was that the Philippine army even took advantage of this opportunity to make a decisive and resolute counter-charge, driving a squadron that had just landed on the other side of the river into the Pembanga River in embarrassment, and many people were swept away by the torrent, and their lives and deaths were unknown.

"It's a shame for the Imperial Army to lose to the indigenous army!" Holding the binoculars, Lieutenant General Machijiri muttered to himself, his face full of anger.

In the narrowed field of vision, Machijiri clearly saw that in the constant smoke of explosions rising on the other side of the river, the river beach was covered with bamboo rafts and wooden boats, and in front of the beachhead of the Philippine Army, which was less than 500 meters deep, the corpses of soldiers on both sides of the war were densely lying down.

In the pouring waves, soaked corpses floated on the surface of the Pembanga River, which became extremely fierce after the rain, and the water was stained pale red, sending these corpses and the wreckage of the boat downstream to the sea.

"Baga! Don't tell me about casualties, I'll just talk about the opposite position! ”

The roaring voice of Major General Imamura Shinji, commander of the 11th Brigade, came from behind Machijiri Liangji: "Tsubsujima-kun, I solemnly warn you that you must take advantage of this wind and rain to take the position across the river, quickly approach the perimeter of Manila City, and expel the fighters of the South China Air Force!" Even if you're all running out, you're going to plant the flag across the river on your own, understand? ”

The target of Shinji Imamura's reprimand was Fumio Tsuboshima, the commander of the 13th Wing. Machijiri Liangji, who was also full of anger in his heart, knew that the most effective cadre under his command, Imamura Shinji, was now very aggrieved, and the 11th Brigade was the elite brigade of the Japanese army, which was famous in the war against China and the invasion of the Lanyin Islands and Burma-India, even since landing on Luzon. However, in these several days of continuous operations, because the air force of Nanhua occupied an absolute superiority, the two wings had already lost nearly half of the battle, and today there was a rare storm, and the opponent's fighters were finally unable to exercise their might; if they could not take the opportunity to take the beachhead on the other side of the river, once the weather cleared, it would obviously not be realistic for the troops under their command to win the victory in the beachfront in the face of the wanton and indiscriminate bombardment of the fighters.

"Imamura-kun, do you feel that something is wrong with the Philippine army? When did these humble and cowardly indigenous soldiers have such a strong fighting force? ”

When Shinji Imamura walked to his side, Machijiri put down his binoculars and pointed to the other side of the river.

"yes!"

Imamura Shinji looked tired: "These indigenous soldiers are like our old opponent An Jiajun, and they are not afraid of death at all!" According to past experience, after the second round of attacks just now entered the white-knuckle battle, those Philippine troops should have collapsed, but today, they not only withstood it, but also launched a counterattack against us, the situation is too weird! ”

"I'm weird about that, too!"

Machijiri nodded: "I guess it was stimulated by some good news!" Imamura-kun, in the past week, we have not taken the position on the Punbanga River, the 26th Division on the southern front has not been able to attack the Krabi fortress unfavorably, and the 48th and 105th Divisions have fallen into the Bataan Peninsula...... The Southern Army Command was very dissatisfied with our front army, and Commander Honma was under great pressure....... Now the base camp and His Majesty the Emperor are watching us, and we must come up with a strategy, otherwise we will be too incompetent! ”

"It's hard!"

Imamura Shinji said with a wry smile: "It stands to reason that with the successive reduction of the army on the other side, our opponent has shifted from the Americans to the indigenous army of the Philippines, which should be very easy to fight, but due to the support of the South China Air Force, the enemy soldiers in the encirclement have given great hope, resulting in the opponent's combat effectiveness doubling!" Now, six days later, there is no telling how many people and supplies have been evacuated from the city of Manila......

"Your Excellency the division commander, I suggest taking advantage of the heavy rain to ask for help from the navy, and send small warships into the Punbanga River to help in the battle, and at the same time we will pull the reserves up, regardless of casualties, and launch continuous attacks until the enemy's defense line is completely destroyed!"

Machijiri knew what Imamura Shinji meant: as the more American and Filipino troops withdrew from the encirclement, the fewer troops could be left to resist, and the Manila Line would collapse if the line along the river was broken at all.

With a slight groan, Machijiri nodded heavily: "It's okay!" It's time to make up your mind! If our Sixth Division can take the lead in breaking the deadlock in the war, then our name will remain forever in history......"

While speaking, Machijiri walked quickly to the telephone, and while reporting the battle situation to the commander of the front army, Masaharu Honma, and asking the navy to cooperate, he adjusted the deployment of troops, and transferred all the troops deployed on the second and third lines to the north bank of the Panbanga River, and a larger-scale war was about to break out.

......

Twelve o'clock in the afternoon.

At Nicholsgar Airport, southeast of Manila, MacArthur climbed the ramp of the plane with an umbrella and heavy steps. When he reached the hatch, MacArthur stopped and turned to look out over downtown Manila.

Following MacArthur were Zhao Dongquan, Li Yufu, and Ipels. Yang Kosky, Cheng Shiming and other generals involuntarily raised their heads and looked at the supreme commander of the Far Eastern Army, and saw the surging anger in his eyes, but the solemn face revealed tragedy and helplessness.

"Boom—"

In the north and south directions of the airfield, a dull explosion was heard at the same time, and a new round of Japanese attacks was launched again. The sound and scale of the explosion of the bomb group were obviously greater than the morning offensive.

Zhao Dongquan came to MacArthur's side, also turned his head to look in the direction of Manila City, and comforted: "Don't worry, General MacArthur, the families of those officers and soldiers in charge of the rear of the palace, have been properly transferred." In order to buy more time for their families to evacuate, they will definitely fight to the death! ”

"Zhao, I'm not worried about this!"

MacArthur shook his head, a hint of pathos and gloom on his face:

"In fact, now there is little point in them fighting to the death, in six days, we withdrew 50,000 people in one go, and the remaining 20,000 officers and soldiers need to be in charge of the two fronts in the north and south, and I am proud of them for being able to hold on to this day. What I can't let go of now is my affection for the Philippines, after all, I have lived here for many years, and I have always regarded Manila as my second home, and now I have to abandon it, and I feel uncomfortable......"

Zhao Dongquan wanted to speak and stopped, he knew that at this moment, all the comfort was useless, and he could only rely on MacArthur himself to turn the corner.

After being silent for a long time, MacArthur's eyes became extremely sharp, and his sadness was replaced by a color of perseverance, he nodded gratefully to Zhao Dongquan, and then said categorically:

"Zhao, I firmly believe that this departure is just a temporary farewell, or I will come back soon, no matter three years, five years, I must lead the army and personally rescue Manila from the hands of *** people!"

With that, MacArthur walked straight into the cabin.

Zhao Dongquan smiled at each other with Li Yufu, Cheng Shiming and other generals, and followed into the cabin. Operation "Hurricane" to rescue MacArthur and the U.S. Far East Force came to a successful conclusion as the last planes took off from Nicholsgar Airport.

......

Four hours later, Xinjing Airport.

As soon as Mark Arthur walked out of the airport gate, he did not have time to get into the special car sent by the US Embassy to meet him, and countless reporters quickly surrounded him, scrambling to ask questions and urge him to make a statement quickly.

In response to reporters' questions, MacArthur delivered the most encouraging speech from the US side since the outbreak of the Pacific War: "The US government ordered me to break through the Japanese defense line and come from Manila to the land of South China. According to my understanding, my trip this time is to organize the army to launch a counteroffensive against China, the main goal of which is to rescue the Philippines. I'm out of trouble now, but I'm going back. ”

Although MacArthur's words were casual, they were regarded as Caesar-style promises, and they quickly spread around the world under the rendering of the media. In the United States, the phrase "I will go back" was scratched by the American people on the beach, smeared on the walls of barracks, printed on the mail, and whispered in the corridors of churches, becoming a powerful battle cry, and MacArthur became a hero in the eyes of the American people again.

......

Night falls.

Xiao Nanhai, Xuanwu Building Conference Room, Zhao Dongquan, Li Yufu, Yiber. Yang Koski, Cheng Shiming and other generals reported to An Yi on the situation of the trip to the Philippines, including the names, positions and personalities of the US generals who withdrew to South China, the equipment and combat effectiveness of the US army and the Philippine army, etc., no matter how big or small, they were explained one by one, so that An Yi could roughly understand the situation of friendly forces.

"So Manila will soon fall!"

After listening to the introduction, An Yi quickly made his own judgment: "It's the dry season, and the rainfall in the Philippines won't last long." As soon as the Japanese find out that our air force has been completely withdrawn, they will definitely launch a ferocious attack. With the small strength of the Philippine army that is now left on Luzon, it will definitely not be able to hold out...... If it were me, I would take advantage of the night to move tonight, even if it was a guerrilla fight, it would be better than wasting troops in vain! ”

Zhao Dongquan hurriedly added: "Yes, yes, we think the same. According to MacArthur's plan discussed with us, by about 10 o'clock tonight, the Philippine troops holding the north and south lines will voluntarily withdraw from the defensive line and retreat to Mount Irie in the eastern part of Manila to fight guerrillas. In the past few days, the guns, ammunition and food supplies needed to support the long-term war have been transported to the mountains by road and stored, and a large number of people are also moving to Mount Iri, and the rule of the *** people on Luzon Island will be seriously threatened! ”

Yang Jie, deputy chief of general staff, who was listening, nodded appreciatively: "That's right!" The Philippines has a population of 16 million, of which more than 11 million are indigenous. Due to the Quezon government's anti-Chinese policy, most of the Chinese have been relocated to Mindanao and other islands, and Luzon is currently dominated by indigenous Filipino populations. By giving the indigenous army remaining there an excuse to continue to resist, we can use the hands of *** people to eliminate a large number of non-Chinese people. The fiercer the resistance of the Philippine army, the more brutal the Japanese army's suppression, and the more lax the monitoring of other islands, in a sense, broadened the living space of the Chinese in disguise. ”

An Yi was a little speechless about Yang Jie's straightforwardness, just keep some things in his heart, but saying it would make people criticize, and he hurriedly changed the topic at the moment:

"In the past six days, nine of our transport planes traveling between Luzon Island and South China have been shot down by Japanese land-based fighters that took off from airfields in Borneo, Hainan Island, and southern Taiwan, and 28 fighters and bombers have lost 28 in the battle with the Japanese army, but the number of enemy planes lost is more than 400, and the loss of airport facilities and personnel is even more innumerable......

Everyone present smiled with relief.

Just when An Yi was ready to analyze the positive significance of the "hurricane" operation, Liu Qing, director of intelligence of the General Staff Department, strode into the conference room with a telegram on his face.

Seeing Liu Qing so out of shape, An Yi took the message with some surprise, and after a glance, his face changed greatly, and after reading it carefully, he stood up and paced back and forth.

A cadre of generals and schools took turns to read the telegram and immediately began to discuss, and the "buzzing" sound in the conference room continued.

It turned out that under the heavy pressure of the German army, the Turkish military staged a military coup d'état, and the pro-British and American Turkish President Inonu, Prime Minister Sarajolu and Foreign Minister Numan. Menegioğlu and other officials fled in panic and flew to Cairo, the capital of Egypt, for political asylum.

At present, the Turkish military has sent a telegram that it will resume negotiations with the German government on joining the Axis powers, and the situation in the Middle East and the international community has changed dramatically. Once Turkey completely fell to Germany, the power of the Axis powers would increase exponentially, and the strategy of South China would inevitably be affected, and this is exactly what An Yi was worried about.

~~~~~~~~~~~

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