Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 468: Stilwell Commander-in-Chief, Chu Yunfei Commands Stilwell (Please subscribe!)
On the day that Dawei was captured.

Stilwell left Chu Yunfei and flew to the mountain city to ask for command.

The candidate for the expeditionary force's commander-in-chief was initially confirmed to be the commander-in-chief of the First War Zone, Wei Lihuang.

But Wei Lihuang did not take up the post.

The deputy commander-in-chief was Du Yuming, commander of the Fifth Army.

The position of commander-in-chief seems to remain vacant, and Du Yuming is temporarily serving as a part-time employee.

Everyone knew who should be in this position, and the Fifth Army had not yet made a comprehensive deployment.

It was only under Chang Ruiyuan's remote control that the defense was deployed according to the original combat plan.

Of course, this battle plan came from the advisory group.

Although Stilwell was only a major general in terms of military rank, he held the important position of Chief of Staff of the Far East Theater, and essentially represented the US Department of Defense.

Stilwell had a clear idea of ​​his own position.

He knew that even the British could not be convinced.

He also had to ensure that the command of the expeditionary force was not in the hands of Shancheng.

What is the command level of the commander-in-chief of the Far East theater?

Stilwell still had a clear idea in his mind -

"Your Excellency, the British command just sent a telegram that Maodanmian has been lost. The defenders were barely able to evacuate, and all the supplies were destroyed before retreating."

Chu Yunfei nodded slightly, already prepared in his heart.

Ten days ago.

Mao Danmian was surrounded on three sides and the Fifth Army's combat troops were still 100 kilometers away from the Japanese army.

He anticipated that the Japanese army would most likely choose to take over Maodan Cotton as soon as possible to consolidate the front line.

Maodan Mian is the second largest seaport in Myanmar and the estuary of the Salween River.

Geographic location is key.

"We have just learned that the commander of the 55th Division of the Japanese Army, Takeuchi Hiroshi, and Yamashita Tomoyuki were contemporaries. He previously served as the Chief of Staff of the North China Front Army and as the commander of the 21st Division. He performed well in the battles behind enemy lines."

Sun Ming paused, and then continued: "This old devil had previously attempted to launch an attack on the border area between Guangxi and Hunan when he was fighting with the Fourth War Zone troops in northern Guangdong."

"A notable feature of the command and operation is that the tactical choices are quite conservative and it seems that they are not willing to take risks."

Chu Yunfei nodded slightly.

The fact that the commander of the 55th Division, Hiroshi Takeuchi, was unwilling to take risks, or even unwilling to take risks, did not affect the decision-making of the Japanese 15th Army.

"The Japanese attack this time seemed a bit hasty, and even a bit strange. I suspect they seem to have learned some intelligence, or they may have other strategic purposes."

"Could it be that the Japanese army knows about the joint defense agreement on the Burma Road?"

Chu Yunfei nodded: "I don't rule out this possibility. I'm more worried that the Japanese army has made preparations to fight us in advance."

Today, they are still fifty kilometers away from the front line.

You can only see the situation of your own troops.

[Unit name: Fifth Army of the National Revolutionary Army]

[Current combat strength: 27890]

[Current Organization Degree: 85%]

[Currently mainly equipped light weapons models: Mosin-Nagant rifle, Zhongzheng rifle]

[Currently the main equipped machine gun models: Czech light machine gun, DP28 light machine gun, Civilian 24 heavy machine gun]

[Currently the main equipment support weapon models: Soviet 45mm anti-tank gun, 37mm anti-tank gun; 107mm mortar, mm mortar, mm mortar]

[Currently the main heavy weapon equipment: 75mm mountain cannon;]

[Current equipment status: good]

[Current logistics supply status: moderate]

[Current training level of the unit: well-trained]

They have sufficient manpower, high morale, and are equipped with firepower advantages of light and heavy weapons.

The only drawback is that the anti-virus equipment is a bit scarce.

It just so happens that there is such a stockpile in the Yangon Naval Port.

At Chu Yunfei's reminder.

Du Yuming has already sent his capable subordinate Dai Anlan to pick up the goods.

Besides.

The adjacent defense line of the Fifth Army was composed of the British Indian 17th Division (minus the 44th and 45th Brigades), which was equivalent to only the division headquarters and an Indian infantry brigade.

[British Indian 17th Division-46th Infantry Brigade]

[Current combat strength: 3400]

[Current Organization Degree: 47%]

[Currently mainly equipped light weapons models:]

[Currently the main equipped machine gun model: cloth wheel light machine gun]

[Currently the main equipment support weapon models: 60mm mortar, 6-pound anti-tank gun]

[Currently mainly equipped with heavy weapons: None]

[Current equipment status: good]

[Current logistics supply situation: poor]

[Current training level of the troop: a mob]

This unit was originally supposed to be a combat force sent by Churchill to support Singapore. In Chu Yunfei's memory, the commander of this unit seemed to be named Smith, who was also a talented person.

Although the combat strength now seems insufficient, there are also two units under the command of Major General Smith: the 2nd Burmese Infantry Brigade and the 16th Indian Infantry Brigade.

If all were added together, their military strength would barely reach nearly 10,000 people. However, they not only faced the dilemma of insufficient manpower, but their personnel quality and organization were also completely poor.

The British Army's 7th Armoured Brigade also received a transfer order at the same time, but this order was strongly opposed by Australian Prime Minister Curtin.

But it didn't work.

Although Wavell was a scoundrel, he had already anticipated the fall of Singapore.

He advocated the transfer of these two troops to Burma.

Because in the eyes of the highest commander of the British army in the Far East.

The fundamental purpose of defending Myanmar and even Singapore is to ensure India.

Even if Singapore is reinforced, it will be difficult to reverse the situation of failure, and it may even be too late to retreat.

It would be better to go through Myanmar instead, and on this basis, a series of blocking actions can be carried out.

Buy some time for India to consolidate its defense.

Churchill accepted Wavell's advice and had reservations about Wavell's negative views on the expeditionary force.

Wavell refused the expeditionary force's entry into Burma, but Chang Ruiyuan insisted on his own way.

Chang Ruiyuan's move happened to be in line with Churchill's wishes.

He also didn't understand why his commander was so opposed to the expeditionary force entering Burma to fight.

This is clearly a win-win situation.

In any case, the relationship between Wavell and other British generals and the mountain city side reached a freezing point.

The British Army's 7th Armored Brigade, which had just participated in the North African Crusade in November 41, was a rare armored force. It was equipped with 114 American M3 "Stuart" light tanks and some British "Vickers" MK.IV light tanks. The personnel and equipment of the entire brigade were carried by 7 transport ships.

第7装甲旅下辖第7女王直属轻骑兵团（团长福斯迪克中校）、皇家坦克团第2营，第414骑炮兵连、第95反坦克炮团A连、西约克郡摩托化步兵团第1营和部分运输补给部队等。

The 7th Armored Brigade is still on the way, but the "Bilin River" defense line chosen by the 46th Infantry Brigade is indeed not a place that can be held.

Just as Chu Yunfei was thinking about how to make this British army retreat to the rear of the Fifth Army.

Stilwell hurried to the advisory group's residence.

Headquarters of the 17th British Indian Division - 46th Infantry Brigade.

Major General Smith looked at the telegram in his hand, and his good manners prevented him from cursing.

But after seeing the signature, this gentlemanly commander couldn't help but frown.

Chief of Staff of the Far East Theater, Stilwell!
Major General Smith felt quite uncomfortable that an American was commanding a British man like him.

Fortunately, Smith supported him in retreating to the Xitang River line and reorganizing the defense.

Will the command be executed or not?

Major General Smith was also quite hesitant at this time.

As he was thinking, the Japanese air raid came over them.

After more than ten minutes of bombing and strafing, the position, which was not strong to begin with, was instantly shattered.

Lieutenant Colonel Farr McKinley, who was standing by, immediately gave his own suggestion: "General Smith, perhaps we can inform the headquarters by telegraph before retreating. At least General Wavell should know who told us to evacuate to the rear."

Smith nodded slowly: "Take action immediately, guys. At least don't be surrounded by the Japanese."

Fifth Army Line.

Du Yuming also received two telegrams at this time.

One was from Shancheng and one was from Stilwell.

The content of Stilwell's telegram was quite simple. He asked the Fifth Army and the Sixth Army to be responsible for the defense of the line from Mawdamyen to Rangoon, and informed the British troops of the scope of the defense line they were responsible for.

Liao Yaoxiang looked at the telegram in his hand and the geographical location on the map. "Strange, why did Huang Baitao's main force deploy behind the British Indian 17th Division? Did Stilwell intend to use them as a reserve force?"

"It's not Stilwell, it's Chu Yunfei." Du Yuming then handed over another telegram in his hand: "According to the news from Shancheng, Stilwell is currently staying with the advisory group. This is most likely what Commander Chu meant."

"This..." Liao Yaoxiang came back to his senses: "Then I understand, this is probably not the reserve force, this is Huang Baitao's main force supervising the battle..."

"The British are unreliable... just based on their character..." Du Yuming said arrogantly, "They don't know how to fight at all, so it's a good opportunity for me to teach them."

"Once this batch of gas masks arrives at the frontline, I think there won't be too many problems. The Yunnan-Myanmar border has already begun organizing people to enter Burma. According to the current expedition plan, the frontline combat troops only need to stabilize the front line. Two years at the latest will be enough to launch a counterattack."

The Five Army Defense Line at this moment.

Their trenches have been dug one meter deep, anti-artillery holes, machine gun positions, and various types of bunkers are also being built in full swing.

With such a line of defense, the Fifth Army is confident that it can hold out for more than a month, or even two or three months, let alone an attack by one Japanese division.

What's more, their command lineup is extremely strong and can be called an all-star team.

The harm has strong reinforcements.

The best infantry commander in Asia, and even in the world, is stationed in the rear.

Little devil, win by taking the head?
Another two days.

The advisory group's headquarters moved another thirty kilometers closer to the front line.

It has been set up in Guacha, about seven kilometers away from the Fifth Army Headquarters.

This place is not well-known, it is just a small village near the highway.

There is still a safe distance of eight kilometers from the front line.

They were only separated from the Fifth Army commander by a road, but they were also not far from the Sixth Army's headquarters.

Stilwell is the same as Chu Yunfei.

They are essentially lunatics who have no fear of danger.

Despite the constant dissuasion from Huang Baitao, Sun Ming and others, they still could not change the two's minds.

The two even agreed to go to the front line together to inspect and ensure the front line in Yangon.

And urged other expeditionary force troops to enter Burma, such as the 66th Army, which will go to Mandalay to garrison... to ensure the stability of the rear.

As for the front line, the Japanese would never be able to take Rangoon even if they broke their front teeth.

Chu Yunfei has this confidence now!

End of January.

Chu Yunfei is inspecting the front line accompanied by Zheng Dongguo.

One shell after another fell into the trench.

The moment I heard the sound of breaking air.

Zhao Pengcheng and Zheng Dongguo's adjutant raised the alarm.

Chu Yunfei and Zheng Dongguo also went into the anti-artillery cave and continued to discuss the points that could be adjusted and improved on the defense line.

"The rainy season is about to begin, so we must do a good job of drainage. This is even more important than strengthening the defense line."

"Please rest assured, Captain Chu. We will do as you say." Zheng Dongguo's helmet was pressing against the anti-gun hole, which made him feel a little uncomfortable.

"By the way, did Brother Haiou get his gas mask? I specially arranged to purchase some filter canisters. They are cheaper and can be reused, but the operation requirements are relatively high. You must concentrate on training and do the corresponding work well."

"The first and second batches of gas masks have been distributed to frontline combat troops."

As soon as he finished speaking, poison gas bombs were fired directly into the front line.

Chu Yunfei took the gas mask handed over by the accompanying guard with a slightly helpless look, and gestured to retreat.

Soon, the fighting on the front line began.

The Japanese army was well prepared for its exploratory attack, with artillery bombardments, air strikes, and poison gas bombs covering their positions.

"Assault, give it a try~!"

"The big brother of Japan is on board~!"

The slogans were loud, but when the real fight came, they were smaller than anyone else.

The blue sky, white sun flag hanging high in the sky clearly told them that their opponents had been replaced.

They were no longer the weak British colonial army, but a real elite expeditionary force.

It is even very likely that it is one of the few ace combat attack forces of the National Government.

The Japanese launched a tentative attack in small groups.

The width is only two kilometers, but the skirmish lines are very long.

He charged forward reluctantly with his bayonet pointed.

The machine gunners and grenade launcher shooters were on high alert, ready to support their own infantry at any time.

Even on the few Type 92 infantry artillery positions of the 55th Division, all the Japanese were always ready to support the front line.

The ammunition carrier even had shells in his hands.

There was no counterattack in the first two hundred meters.

These second-line troops, with third-rate soldiers and fourth-rate combat skills, inevitably relaxed their vigilance. The engineering corps quickly destroyed the barbed wire and cleared the way forward.

The next moment, gunfire sounded suddenly.

Da da da da da...boom!

Bang, bang~pop~boom!

A series of bullets were fired at the Japanese engineering troops who were working.
(End of this chapter)