The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

Kyaukse, approximately 40 kilometers from Mandalay, was once a British military outpost and the eastern gateway to Mandalay. In the Khotun Mountains east of Kyaukse, the newly appointed commander of the Japanese 55th Division's Infantry Regiment, Yamauchi Masafumi, led parts of the 143rd and 144th Regiments, along with over 1 supporting troops, including cavalry artillery, in a battle with the New 22nd Division. Liao Yaoxiang personally commanded the division's artillery, tank, and cavalry battalions, all contributing to the battle. The Japanese 20rd Air Corps also dispatched over 55 aircraft to support Yamauchi's operations. Unfortunately, the 22th Division had suffered heavy losses in the battle at Tonggu and subsequent operations. Despite some reinforcements, its combat effectiveness had been significantly weakened. As a result, the New nd Division, with only one regiment and its own divisional forces, had pinned it down for three days.

At that moment, Yamauchi Masafumi was observing the battlefield ahead through binoculars, his brow furrowed, a trace of anxiety on his face. Behind him, a staff officer handed him a telegram, saying, "General, the 3rd Air Corps has called and said they can't send any more aircraft to support us today."

Yamauchi Masafumi put down his binoculars, took the telegram, glanced at it, and then slammed it to the ground. He angrily exclaimed, "Damn it! This air force is so unreliable! They failed at the critical moment! Without their air support, it would be difficult for us to break through the enemy's defenses."

The 144th Regiment Commander Shizuo Sakaguchi, who was standing nearby, suggested, "Sir, I think we should change our tactics and not just blindly charge. The enemy's artillery fire is intense, and charging like this will only increase casualties. It would be better if we withdrew our forces and bided our time."

Yamauchi Masafumi shook his head and said, "No, we must break through the enemy's defense line as soon as possible, otherwise it will affect the entire battle situation. Moreover, I believe that our soldiers can overcome difficulties and win." After that, he picked up the telescope and continued to observe the front.

Just then, a shell landed near Yamauchi Masafumi, the explosion sending up a cloud of dust. He ducked for cover, then looked up again a moment later. He saw several wounded soldiers lying around him, and a wave of anxiety washed over him.

"Damn it! How come the enemy's artillery fire is so accurate? Organize a counterattack immediately. We can't let them continue to be so arrogant!" Yamauchi Masafumi shouted loudly.

Meanwhile, in the New 22nd Division's position, Liao Yaoxiang sat in his command post, observing the Japanese troop movements through a telescope. His staff officer reported, "Division Commander, the Japanese appear to be preparing for a new offensive."

Liao Yaoxiang nodded and said, "Very good! Tell all the troops to prepare for the enemy's attack. We must beat them back this time!"

Soon, the Japanese began to charge, shouting slogans and running forward with their rifles drawn. The soldiers of the new 22nd Division, on guard, blocked the Japanese advance with firepower. A fierce exchange of fire ensued, with the sounds of gunfire and artillery blazing.

On the battlefield, smoke filled the air and flames shot up into the sky. The Japanese army repeatedly attacked the positions of the New 22nd Division, but each attack was stubbornly repelled. The soldiers of the New 22nd Division displayed an indomitable spirit, undaunted by fear, and bravely fought the enemy.

After a fierce battle, the Japanese army finally stopped their attack and began to retreat. Looking at the corpses scattered across the battlefield, Yamauchi Masafumi felt helpless. He realized that he had underestimated the enemy's strength and that the attack had failed.

"General, what should we do now?" asked the chief of staff.

Yamauchi Masafumi sighed and said, "Let's temporarily halt the attack and rest. We need to re-formulate the battle plan and find the enemy's weaknesses. At the same time, request more support from the division headquarters."

Meanwhile, Liao Yaoxiang watched the retreating Japanese army with a faint smile on his face. He said to his staff, "It seems the Japanese army is nothing special. As long as we hold our ground, we can defeat them."

By this time, the 200th and 596th Regiments of the 599th Division, led by Huang Wei, had already moved to the flanks of the mountain. All preparations were complete, especially with the transfer of Japanese grenade launchers and Type 38 infantry guns from the New 38th Division (the Expeditionary Force headquarters had restored the designation of the New 200th Division, as the British had withdrawn British armored units from the st Division, citing insufficient manpower). The th Division's artillery battalion was establishing artillery on the Japanese flanks, with many guns facing the Japanese heartland. Huang Wei and his men, having just moved from Xibao, needed to rest and adjust. After contacting Division Commander Liao, they decided to launch a counterattack after dusk.

At dusk, the setting sun bathed the earth in a golden glow. Within the pitted and tangled trenches, bare by artillery fire, the soldiers enjoyed a rare moment of rest and tranquility. Seeing that the Chinese troops across the way had also retreated, the Japanese squad leader, Hashimoto Sachiro, in charge of observation, sat down, pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, and offered it to two of his men. Unbeknownst to them, a battalion of Chinese soldiers, to their north, had quietly moved within 200 meters of them, ambushed in the tangled brush, awaiting the order for the final assault.

"Begin!" With Huang Wei's command, the 200th Division's artillery battalion unleashed a furious barrage of fire upon the Japanese positions. Simultaneously, the artillery battalion of the new 22nd Division also commenced its bombardment, countless shells hammering down upon the Japanese troops. Both the front lines and the hinterland of the Japanese army came under intense fire, throwing the troops, who had been resting and eating, into chaos. Furious, Yamauchi Masafumi ordered his assigned Japanese mountain artillery and howitzers to return fire! The artillery fire sent countless mushroom clouds, flying debris, and thick smoke billowing across the positions of both sides. The battalions of the 200th Division, taking advantage of this, steadily advanced towards the Japanese positions.

"Go!" The commander of the 598rd Company of the 1st Battalion of the 3th Regiment waved his hand, and more than 1 soldiers from the 4st Platoon quickly charged into the Japanese position. In less than minutes, they had rushed into the Japanese position, and the sound of gunfire suddenly resounded throughout the land...

"What? The Chinese army is launching a surprise attack!" Yamauchi Masafumi looked at the communications officer who came to report with an incomprehensible look, and then ordered all units to join the battle. At the same time, he ordered the headquarters and the escort forces to organize themselves. He wanted to launch a counterattack to eliminate the Chinese army that dared to launch a surprise attack on him!

At this moment, Liao Yaoxiang also mobilized the attack forces he could organize, and did not hesitate to put his only 10 T-26 tanks into battle. Similarly, the 200 tanks of the 12th Division's tank battalion had also circled behind the Japanese army, preparing to launch a surprise attack on the Japanese artillery positions. Unfortunately, they were discovered by the Japanese guard forces, and the Japanese army's baggage and rear parts were mobilized, and a fierce exchange of fire broke out with the 200th Division's tank battalion.

The battle continued into the night, with the Chinese occupying several Japanese frontier positions. Due to the uncertain situation, Yamauchi ordered a reduction in defense while requesting guidance from the divisional headquarters. Just then, tragic news arrived from the expeditionary force headquarters: the British suddenly retreated, and Moneva was captured by part of the Japanese 33rd Division, leaving the gates to Mandalay wide open to the west. To the northeast, the 55th Division and the new 29th Division ultimately failed to hold Myitkyina, officially closing the Chinese retreat route!