~-~ Chapter 1225 Multiple Possible Battlefields in Yangon

Tang Qiuli didn't know what the specific purpose of MacArthur's sudden arrival was, but he also guessed that the current situation caused by his series of military operations in Burma made this treacherous American feel uneasy, MacArthur came to supervise the war, and used various means to promote himself to kill all the Japanese.

It's just that because there was an agreement in advance, MacArthur couldn't pull the tiger skin of the first deputy commander-in-chief of the Allied forces in China and the Southeast Asian theater to blatantly issue orders, and he didn't dare to do so, so he changed his way, perhaps, in exchange for his own military action with some kind of compromise, but this kind of compromise could not meet his own requirements in any case, so this Yankee was doomed to waste his efforts.

Remembering that when he went to Manila, MacArthur's arrogant and arrogant appearance, Tang Qiuli couldn't help but laugh secretly, this guy is really a character, in the opinion of the Chinese, "has the potential of a tyrant, can bend and stretch, a bit of unscrupulous means to achieve the end," if he had not asked for something, he would never surrender his identity, and he was both an airplane and a car, and he ran all the way from Manila to the southern Burmese town of Yangdong to meet with the people he hated.

No matter what MacArthur did, he just took it, since he received the notice from the Allied headquarters and learned that this Yankee who was in Manila and had made trouble for the division commander in many ways was coming, the opinions of the generals of the independent division were surprisingly unanimous, "Ignore him, division commander, you just avoid it, just like when he dealt with the Englishman Alexander, even if he has a belly of tricks, he is helpless." ”

Even Tang Qiusheng, who had always been steady, did not approve of meeting MacArthur immediately, Tang Qiuli smiled and took out the top-secret telegram from the Allied headquarters, and said: "From this telegram, you can see the mystery, the telegram has repeatedly emphasized that the Allied envoys and the field observation mission, this trip must be absolutely confidential, and the identities and tasks of all members will not be disclosed to the public, for the sake of safety." ”

"But the meaning behind it is worth pondering, according to the report of Yu Deshui's intelligence department, some time ago, there were senior Japanese generals who met with MacArthur in Manila, and the specific content is not known, but after all, there is nothing good, MacArthur stepped on two boats, and played with both ends to reap benefits, so let's let him not be a person inside and out, so he can't be left dry."

Tang Qiuli already has a way to deal with it, since MacArthur is secretive, then he will simply make it public, no matter how clever he is in the Japanese, he can't change the fact that he has reached the front line, the headache, let MacArthur worry about it, before that, he has ordered Shen Jun's investigation department to be in charge of this matter, to leak secrets, poke out the news that MacArthur went to the front line in Yangon, and the specific operation plan, Shen Jun decides by himself.

Watching MacArthur get out of the car with great difficulty, Tang Qiu didn't move, according to the convention and etiquette, he did this, it was already rude, MacArthur was a guest, and his position in the Allied headquarters was still in front of him, no matter what, he could afford Tang Qiu to take a few steps forward to greet him, he wanted to see what kind of posture this American would show to treat his arrogance.

MacArthur's face flashed a trace of unhappiness, "This nasty Chinese is also too arrogant, is it to avenge the neglect of him in Manila?" If that's the case, it's easy to deal with," I have to admit that MacArthur has the potential of an actor and the talent of a politician, and when he is far away, he is full of smiles and stretches out his hands.

Walking quickly towards Tang Qiuli, he said enthusiastically: "Dear General Tang, since I said goodbye to Manila, I haven't seen you for a few months, the general's demeanor is better than in the past, we are old friends, I am very happy to see you again!" As he spoke, he gave Tang Qiuli a strong bear hug, and Tang Qiuli also hugged MacArthur back with great sincerity.

This scene, which is touching, people who don't know the inside story, are inexplicably moved by the intimate true feelings of these two allied heavyweights, thinking that they have witnessed the touching scene of friendship between China and the United States, MacArthur secretly said in his heart: "Damn and hated Chinese, my hug is for the benefit of the United States of America, and it is by no means you, a greedy and rude Chinese." ”

Tang Qiuli smiled secretly in his heart, "I can actually bear this ability to act on the spot, this Yankee, I really have two moments, how to say it, spit on my own face," just when everyone was paying attention to the scene of the two people hugging each other, in a few corners, three cameras, from different angles, captured this moving scene.

After the false politeness, Tang Qiuli was about to ask Yang Ketian to send the Americans to rest, MacArthur was a little impatient, and said: "General Tang, will we go to the forward position immediately to watch your brave and fearless soldiers launch an attack on Yangon, of course, this is also the only mission of the Allied Field Observation Mission." ”

Tang Qiuli said secretly: "I have to play meat," he smiled slightly, shook his head and replied: "General MacArthur, this is very inappropriate, because the order given to us by the Allied Headquarters is to keep the General's visit to Yangdong strictly confidential, besides, our army and the Japanese army are in a fierce battle, in case you or one of the other members of the observation group encounter an accident, I cannot explain to the Allied Headquarters, in this way, I will arrange an appropriate time to meet the general's wishes." ”

MacArthur was out of power at that time, and his eyes were so angry that his eyes straightened, "The trick of the deceitful ghost, if it is in the midst of a fierce battle, how can you not hear the sound of gunfire?" The entire front is as quiet as a grave, this is clearly an excuse, "But in the telegram I sent in the name of the Allied Headquarters, there is indeed a request for secrecy, what is called cocooning and self-restraint, this is, Tang Qiuli can't find anything wrong with this, he can only stare dryly!"

MacArthur's face was ugly, to be honest, he couldn't wait to see the results of the end of the Burma campaign immediately, so that he could return to Manila as soon as possible, not to deal with this difficult and annoying Chinese, Tang Qiuli continued: "Your Excellency, the journey is tiring, or rest first, in the evening, I will give a banquet to the general and all the members of the observation team"

Seeing the American convoy leaving, the generals of the independent division laughed, and when they returned to the headquarters, Tang Qiuli looked around at the generals and said: "The battle of Yangon must be ended as much as possible, and the land of the Indochina Peninsula should also do something for us. ”

"Regarding the battle of Yangon, it will be under the full command of Brother Qiusheng, the strength is your corps, the 29th Corps, the corps of Jiwu, this is a tough battle, we can't turn Yangon into a ruin, it will be an urban street battle, therefore, tanks, heavy artillery and other heavy equipment should not be used lightly, which is a new test for the main forces that are accustomed to using heavy artillery and tanks to open the way."

Feng Jiwu smiled and said, "Commander, are you too worried, how did we start?" It's not that in the deep mountains and dense forests of the northeast, with rifles and machine guns, and the planes and artillery of the Kwantung Army, we have been fighting for several years, this is our old business, that is, after entering the customs, the equipment has only improved to the current Cheng dù, there should be no problem! ”

Except for Tang Qiusheng, everyone nodded in agreement, agreeing with Feng Jiwu's statement, Tang Qiuli shook his head and said: "I'm worried about this, from North China to Burma, our equipment is superior to the Japanese army, we are used to large corps and mechanized combat, and whether the troops can adapt to urban street fighting is a question that needs to be tested." ”

"Therefore, my approach is that the corps participating in the Burma campaign should not rush into the battlefield, but can take advantage of the opportunity to compete for positions with the Japanese army on the periphery of Rangoon to exercise their ability to fight in street battles, and our goal is not to destroy how many Japanese troops there are, but to force Ito and his remnants out of Rangoon and retreat to the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula again, to a place close to the Americans' sphere of influence, and only in this way can we accomplish the purpose of the campaign."

The generals stopped talking, the difficulty of this battle, it can be imagined, neither can we beat Rangoon into ruins, but also cannot wipe out Ito and his more than 200,000 troops, but also force away the Japanese, we need to take care of the three conditions, Tang Qiusheng raised his head and asked: "If this happens, the Japanese army under Ito will fight to the death in Yangon and will not retreat, how should we deal with it?" ”

Behind Yangon, there is the Andaman Sea, and the five corps of the independent division, from Bago to Ado, are lined up from east to west, and in fact, the triangular area of Yangon has been cut off from the Indochina Peninsula, with a large army pressing the border in front and a vast sea behind.

Tang Qiuli nodded and said, "It's very possible, the so-called trapped beast is still fighting, Chief of Staff, tell you about our relevant solutions and the overall deployment of the Yangon Campaign." ”

Everyone's eyes were a little surprised, it turned out that the division commander had already known in his heart, Chang Feng said: "According to the judgment of the division commander, in the face of our pressure, Ito has the following options, first, retreat by sea, which requires a large number of transport ships, and in a short period of time, the Japanese army cannot do it, second, retreat by land, through the line of Bago, Hpa-an, and Mawlamyine in eastern Yangon, and withdraw to the Malay Peninsula, this route is the route that Ito is most reluctant to choose, because he is afraid that we will intercept in the middle and the battle of Mandalay will be repeated. ”

"The third option, Ito is holding on to Rangoon and waiting for reinforcements from Japan, if so, Ito will have a fierce battle with us in Rangoon to gain time, and the fourth option, within a short period of time, the reinforcements from the Japanese mainland cannot arrive, and the Japanese base camp will order Ito to defend Rangoon, there will be a situation that Deputy Division Commander Tang said, this will be a vicious battle."

No one spoke, no matter what choice Ito made, it was a situation of fighting to the death in Rangoon, but the purpose of the division commander's campaign was not like this, is there a solution to this problem?

(To be continued)

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