In early August, a storm hit Los Angeles. Perhaps this was the last performance of the atmospheric circulation in the Northern Hemisphere that year, and two days later the wind had subsided, the warm sun began to blow again, and the temperature suddenly rose. At this time, the level of science and technology was not yet able to make accurate forecasts of the weather, especially for storms at sea, and the uncertainty of which could only produce correct judgments a few hours before the storm came, so it can be said that the conclusions were basically based on experience. However, the storms at sea have their regularity, and the periodic performances are obvious, so everyone is once again looking forward to the arrival of calm and good days at sea.

In the headquarters of the Los Angeles Expeditionary Force, generals and officers above the army rank are seated. At present, the seven assault corps of the expeditionary force are fully manned, each corps is four corps, and is equipped with a mixed artillery division, with a total strength of 21 to 50,000 people. The subordinate units are still four divisions and three brigades, and the mixed artillery division is one heavy artillery brigade and two light artillery brigades. Marine aviation, armored brigades, separate cavalry divisions of the 1st and 2nd divisions, special forces are under the direct command of the Expeditionary Force Command. The Armored Brigade and its motorized regiment are now redeployed from Hawaii and the Armored Brigade has reached its full quota. At present, the total strength of the expeditionary force includes logistics troops and railway troops, and has reached 1.65 million.

The Expeditionary Force's headquarters are located in a three-story building on Central Avenue in Los Angeles, where the former gendarmes of the headquarters are heavily guarded, and military jeeps are lined up in an orderly manner and flashing in the dim light of olive green. The hall of the headquarters will be star-studded, with the commanders of the corps sitting in the front row, the deputy commanders and chief of staff of the corps sitting in the back row, and then all the commanders of the corps seated in the back. A large-scale attack was about to be launched, and the faces of every general were extremely excited. The dazzling stars of the generals also bear the desire of the generals to fight.

Soon. Under the expectant gaze of the generals, the commander of the expeditionary force, He Meng, the deputy commander, Khalid, and the chief of staff, Nie Fengwu, entered. All the generals stood up and saluted, and the three chief officers stood still and returned the military salute. The officer on duty shouted loudly, sat down and took off his hat. The three commanders, including the commanders of each corps, placed their military caps on the table in front of them and arranged them very neatly, and the military commanders in the back took off their hats and held them in their hands. The atmosphere was a little tense, but it was the norm before the war.

He Meng looked around and said, "Everyone, according to the order of the Imperial Ministry of Defense, the third phase of the attack of my expeditionary army is scheduled to start on August 20. At present, there is no fighting on the western front of the empire. Therefore, the President instructed the Imperial Department of Defense to demand that the expeditionary force speed up the process of conquest of the United States. The total strength of the expeditionary army was originally planned to be 2.1 million men, which was decided by the Imperial Ministry of Defense. The number of Army Group Center was revoked, and 1 million troops were requisitioned from Army Group Center to fight in the United States one after another, so our campaign plan also had to be readjusted. Next, I would like to ask the Chief of Staff to explain the deployment of forces on both sides and the new battle plan. ”

Chief of Staff Nie Fengwu stood up and walked to the huge military map in front of him, then picked up his baton and said, "The Imperial High Command has asked us to speed up the process of capturing the United States. According to the Expeditionary Force Command, it was fully conceived and reported to the Imperial Ministry of Defense. It was decided to fight a big battle in Salt Lake City. First of all, I will talk about the troop deployment of the enemy and our side, and at present, the Zhuang Lei Division of our 1st Corps is located on the line of Calente and Erie southwest of Salt Lake City. The Shaobo Division of the 2nd Corps was located on the line of Presgoth and Guststaff in the south-central region. The 7th Corps was located in the south along the line of Phoenix and Hilla Bund. ”

"My 3rd Corps is located on the Yukaia and Reading lines north of San Francisco. The 4th Corps was located in Austin, southeast of Carson City, and the 5th and 6th Corps were located in Winnemarka, northeast of Carson City. The deployment of US troops is based on the conclusions reached by the air force reconnaissance, and the detailed numbers are not very accurate, but after analysis, the US troops are judged to be as follows: Medford and Chelmat, north of Reading, the US military strength is about 200,000. Burns and Boise, northeast of Reading, had about 250,000 troops. Salt Lake City includes about 500,000 troops in the surrounding area, and Salt Lake City is the core defense focus, with about 300,000 U.S. troops. ”

"Cheyenne and Denver, east of Salt Lake City, are the support corps of the U.S. Army in the direction of Salt Lake City, with about 500,000 troops. The U.S. military strength on the front line of Thompson and Haidt in the central and southern parts is about 250,000. The south-central region of Gallup, Grants, and Santa Fe had about 350,000 troops. Tucson, Jogales in the south, and Jogales in Mexico had about 500,000 troops. The strength of the U.S. military's front-line combat forces is about 2.55 million, not including the U.S. military's logistics troops. It is estimated that the total strength of the U.S. military is around 3 million. ”

"An attack on all fronts can only crush the American army, so that our operation will be protracted. In order to speed up the war into the city. The operational plan of the Expeditionary Force Headquarters in this campaign was to encircle the US forces in Salt Lake City and fight a war of annihilation. In order to achieve the purpose of the campaign, we must confuse the American army. In order to encircle and annihilate the U.S. forces in Salt Lake City, the 3rd Corps in Reading was required to capture Medford and Klamasl, and then move eastward and launch a feint attack on Burns and Boise to prevent the U.S. troops on the Boise line from moving south to support Carson City. In addition, the 1st Cavalry Division operated in conjunction with the 3rd Corps. ”

Nie Fengwu thought clearly and continued: "The 6th Corps will attack northeast from McDermit, and be sure to capture Bliss and Pocatello, and form an outflanking situation against Salt Lake City in the north. The tank brigade will fight in conjunction with the 6th Corps. The 5th and 4th Corps launched a feint attack on the U.S. lines from southwest of Salt Lake City. On the west side of Salt Lake City is the Great Salt Lake, which is vast and forms a natural barrier on the west side of Salt Lake City. Although the Great Salt Lake is not good for our attack, it also has favorable aspects, and it can play a role in confusing the American army by concentrating our forces to encircle Salt Lake City."

"In order to eat all the U.S. troops in Salt Lake City, the key is to close the door and fight the dogs, and blocking the retreat of the U.S. troops is a key part. The headquarters of the expeditionary force decided that after the 1st Corps had taken Cedar City, it would send a division to launch a feint attack on Haight, and its main force would quickly move north, and its vanguard force would quickly capture Price in the north, and then advance directly to Rock Springs, a key point east of Salt Lake City. As long as Rock Springs, the U.S. troops in Salt Lake City will be the turtle in the urn. The 1st Corps had the most difficult task, both attacking fortifications and moving quickly. The most important thing is that after taking Rock Springs, it will face the escape of the American troops in Carson City, the reinforcements of the American troops in Cheyenne and Denver, and the flanking attack of the American troops on the east and west. If the 1st Corps had gained a foothold in Rock Springs, the American forces in Salt Lake City would not have escaped. We're going to concentrate about 900,000 troops in four corps and eat 300,000 U.S. troops in Salt Lake City. ”

"Please rest assured, commanders, that our corps will resolutely complete its mission!" Zhuang Lei excitedly stood up and promised. "I haven't finished talking yet, who told you to talk and play the piano!" Nie Fengwu glared at Zhuang Lei and continued: "In order to cooperate with the US troops besieging Salt Lake City, the 2nd Corps and the 7th Corps will launch a powerful offensive against the Gallup line and Tucson line, and we must make the US military command think that we are advancing on all fronts. As for the local campaign plan, you two corps can draw it up on your own, and the headquarters of the expeditionary force does not have hard targets. Nie Fengwu said with a smile on his face that he was finished.

He Meng said: "Now please ask Commander Harbin to explain the logistics preparations." Khalid stood up and said: "As the saying goes, the army goes first before the grain and grass are moved, and the key to logistics and supply is to ensure that the transportation line is unimpeded. At present, the 2nd Cavalry Division is fully engaged in the defense of railways and highways. The special forces also continued to deploy 10 detachments to defend the transport line. In addition, 10 detachments of special forces were dispatched to strengthen the defense of large and medium-sized cities and prevent sabotage by enemy agents??????。 Khalid's statement on logistics was not long, but he stopped by saying a few important points.

In the end, He Meng stood up and glanced at everyone majestically: "How to ensure that the US troops in Salt Lake City are eaten, the key depends on the coordinated operation of all departments. All the air force units were transferred to the direction of Salt Lake City to support the operation, and now I order! "All the generals stood up." On August 20, the attack officially began, requiring the 3rd Corps to capture Medford and Klamath before September 10, and to attack Boise before October 10, and not to launch an offensive against Boise without authorization, and remember that the established combat mission must be completed before October 10. "Yes! Mission completion guaranteed! The commander of the 3rd Corps stood up and replied loudly.

"The 6th Corps must take Brice and Pocatello by October 15, and form a situation of outflanking Salt Lake City from the north. After completing the outflanking, the armored brigade waited for an opportunity to move south to support the 1st Corps at any time. "Yes! The subordinates resolutely complete the task! The commander of the 6th Corps stood up and assured loudly. The 5th and 4th Corps must capture Proo in the south of Salt Lake City by October 20 to complete the outflanking of the south of Salt Lake City, and remember to take Proo by October 20. The commanders of the 5th and 4th Corps also stood up and assured loudly.

He Meng majestically continued: "After the battle is launched, the 1st Corps must take Cedar City on September 10, and put on a posture of attacking Haight and Thompson, and its main force will quickly move north. The 1st Corps was required to take Rock Springs by January 25 and complete the siege of Salt Lake City in early November. "Please rest assured, commander, that you will resolutely complete the task!" Zhuang Lei assured loudly. "The 2nd Corps and the 7th Corps, Chief of Staff Nie said it very clearly, and I won't repeat it. There are only two requirements for your two corps, to cooperate with the encirclement and annihilation of the American army in Salt Lake City as a whole. As for local operations, you can draw up your own plans. ”

Finally, He Meng said: "The Ministry of Defense asked us to complete the task of encircling and annihilating the US troops in Salt Lake City at the end of November and capture Salt Lake City to prepare for the fourth phase of the campaign, the purpose of which is to speed up the process of capturing the United States." ”――

(To be continued......)

PS: The big war will start again, and the battlefield will be even grander.