Chapter 513: The Japanese Army Attacks Southeast Asia

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With the entry of many more countries into the world war on December 8, 1941. Pen | fun | pavilion www. biquge。 infoThe whole world is even more chaotic. Japan after a complete victory in the Battle of Pearl Harbor. Japan is well aware of the truth that soldiers are precious and fast. Immediately wave your troops south.

In order to be able to achieve the strategic goal of occupying the countries of Southeast Asia in the shortest possible time. The Japanese Army dispatched a total of 11 divisions and two flying groups.

The Navy even dispatched the Second Fleet. Third Fleet. The Southern Fleet and the Eleventh Air Fleet. The total strength of the entire navy, army, and air force is 400,000.

Among them, there are about 700 army aircraft. The Navy flew about 1,600 of them. Although tanks. The total number of armored vehicles, as well as army units, is only a third of that of China. However, the strength of the air force is far greater than the investment in China.

Although only a few of the armies attacking Southeast Asia were veteran Japanese divisions with strong combat effectiveness. For example, the 18th Division. There are many divisions and even new divisions that have just been established in Japan. For example, the Five Hundred Division.

However, the Japanese army's long-standing good reserve system has maintained the strength of the Japanese army's combat effectiveness. In addition, the Japanese army had absolute air supremacy at this time. Therefore, the Japanese army only relied on these 400,000 troops to attack at multiple points throughout Southeast Asia. It made Southeast Asian countries run around.

Southeast Asian countries were originally colonies of Britain and the United States. The nations have only a pitiful number of troops. And the Anglo-American coalition forces responsible for defending against the Japanese attack were even more demoralized.

The war was just beginning. The armies of Britain and the United States and other countries were defeated in successive battles. Whether it's the U.S. military stationed in the Philippines. The British army, which controlled many countries in South Asia, was defeated by the Japanese army in the first battle.

Whether it's the strategically important city of Manila or Singapore, which holds the main route of the Strait of Malacca. The war began in less than ten days. These cities were declared undefended by the United Kingdom and the United States.

And the armies of both countries retreated in full. They all ran back to several fortresses in South Asian countries to do defensive work. The armies of the two countries are preparing for a long period of resistance. While sending a distress message to the country. It is hoped that reinforcements will be sent from within the country as soon as possible to relieve them from their distress.

It's a pity that the garrisons of the two countries are doomed to disappointment. Because at this time, Britain and the United States are either beyond the reach of the whip. Either they have just been hit hard and are too busy to take care of themselves, and where can they send reinforcements.

As a result, the garrisons of the two countries, which were already demoralized, had even less fighting spirit. From time to time, there are incidents of desertion. Fortunately, there was plenty of ammunition in these fortresses. To the British and American defeated troops regardless of the loss of ammunition under the fire. It caused a lot of trouble to the Japanese army.

And the Japanese army, whose attack was frustrated, simply ignored these fortresses. They have crossed the fortress and continued to move westward to occupy the territory of Southeast Asian countries.

The result was only half a month. Both the Philippines and Malaya have occupied large swaths of the country. As for the small countries with only one or two cities, they fell in a matter of days.

Then the Japanese, who had occupied most of the territory, freed up their hands again. Surround the recalcitrant British and American forces in the fortress. Originally, the Japanese wanted to take advantage of the great victory. Completely drive the military forces of the United States, Britain and other countries in the Pacific out of Asia.

It's a pity that the morale of the British and American soldiers is low. But the forts they had been operating for decades were unusually strong. Even with the strength of the Japanese army. Heavy losses were also incurred during the storming of these fortresses.

Seeing the British and American troops in the fortress fighting all kinds of ammunition without regret. The Japanese army, which had always lived carefully, changed its tactics. They don't storm these fortresses anymore. Instead, it was changed to a siege-based. Deng was commuted to the secondary.

The Japanese believed that it was only necessary to besiege for a few more days. Sooner or later, these arrogant British and American GIs would surrender. It was the sudden change of offensive tactics of the Japanese army. It left a respite for the British and American garrisons.

The presence of the two countries immediately transmitted the situation back home. It is hoped that the country will immediately organize reinforcements to come to the rescue. And the two governments after receiving the distress letters from these GIs. Immediately came to mind their newest ally, China.

As a result, a telegram requesting China to send reinforcements to rescue the trapped Anglo-American forces reached Commander Chiang in Chongqing. And Commander Chiang after receiving these distress letters. Spread out the map now. Check out the route of the Japanese army's attack on Southeast Asia this time.

There is a slight difference from the offensive line of the Japanese army in the previous generation. Hong Kong. Hainan Island. Thailand. Vietnam and Burma, which are neighboring China, were not attacked by the Japanese.

The reason is that these countries are now under the control of Huaxing Group. And Myanmar, which was closely related to China in the previous life, is even less concerned.

The highway from Myanmar to Yunnan was no longer China's main external route.

Due to the appearance of Li Tie. In this life, China has many more channels to the outside world. Except for Hong Kong. These two sea lanes in Hainan. There is more Vietnam. Myanmar. Laos and several other important land routes.

However, the Japanese were not willing to accept defeat. They have come to the realization that it is impossible to defeat China in the short term. So they now also urgently need to cut off China's foreign supply lines.

And now most of China's supplies actually have to go through the Strait of Malacca. At the same time, more strategic goods are actually provided by countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia.

So in this life, the Japanese army focused on attacking the Philippines and other countries at the same time. It is also devoting most of its strength to the Singapore area. with a view to taking control of the Strait of Malacca. Then attack Southeast Asia to the north. Defeat the Huaxing Group's escorts. Then attack China.

It's just that the Japanese army is advancing too fast. Beauty. The British and Dutch garrisons in the Philippines and Indonesia were defeated so badly. It didn't take time for China to react. The countries of Southeast Asia have fallen.

I see that Japan's claws are stretching out to the South Seas. At the same time, Japan's attack on the South Seas seriously threatened China's land routes. Even the Huaxing Guards in Hainan were surrounded by Japanese troops.

So in fact, at this time, there were many calls for China to send troops to Southeast Asia.

December 23rd. The Chongqing Government held friendly consultation meetings with representatives of Britain and the United States. In the final decision, it was decided that China would send troops to Southeast Asia. Help Britain and the United States and other countries against Japan. And in return. Britain and the United States and other countries will increase the arming of the squadron.

December 24th. It should have been solemn in the large conference room of the national government. The representatives of the Chongqing government, who had just reached an agreement with Britain and the United States, were quarreling at this time.

It turned out. For sending troops overseas. Many generals can say yes. However, the question of which force to march on the expedition has indeed become a major question.

Take Li Zongren. The local powerful faction led by Bai Chongxi rushed to send troops overseas. Because their hometowns are close to the coast. They naturally occupy the geographical conditions for sending troops.

However, Commander Chiang also wanted to send the Central Army to the expedition. Because the soldiers who go out will not only be the first to be armed by the Americans. It will also establish a good cooperative relationship with the US military. It will lay a good foundation for future Sino-US cooperation.

Commander Chiang naturally did not want to give such a good opportunity to the local armed forces. Nor does it want to make the local armed forces grow stronger and stronger. The local armed forces were afraid that the already powerful national army would be armed with American-style equipment. The strength will be stronger. Then they will have an even more difficult life in the future.

After all, everyone knows that there is no shortage of soldiers in China now. What everyone lacks is equipment. And Americans are well known for their deep pockets.

It can be said that no matter which Chinese troops can get assistance from the United States. This force will immediately become a strong force in China. And everyone only needs to move a little bit on the number of soldiers. Americans who are stupid and have a lot of money will obediently send the money, food, and equipment they need. Who wouldn't calculate such a good thing.

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