The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

In the expeditionary force's command post, Luo Zhuoying, Stilwell, D and other senior officials sat together with serious expressions. They were discussing whether the Battle of Mandalay was necessary to continue and how to safely evacuate Burma.

The room was filled with tension, and everyone's eyes were filled with worry. Luo Zhuoying, his brow furrowed, gazed solemnly at the map. He spoke first, "Everyone, the situation is very serious. The Japanese 33rd Division is approaching the outskirts of Mandalay from the west, and the 96th Division's positions to the south are also collapsing. We must face reality. The current situation is very unfavorable to us." His voice was low and serious, making the atmosphere in the room even more depressing.

General Stilwell stood by the window, his back to the group, his figure looming large. He turned and said in a low voice, "I understand General Law's concerns. Damn the Brits! They've messed things up so badly. They were on the verge of defeating the Japanese 55th Division in the southeast, and now it's like this." D sat in a chair, his arms folded across his chest, listening quietly to the conversation. His face was expressionless, but the slight frown on his brow suggested he was contemplating the correct decision. He knew this meeting would determine their future.

At this moment, an officer entered the conference room and handed D a document. D opened it, glanced at it, and then handed it to Luo Zhuoying. Luo Zhuoying's face darkened as he glanced at it. He handed the document to Stilwell and said, "This is the latest intelligence. The Japanese have occupied Myitkyina, Bhamo is surrounded, and the Japanese 56th Division, which has been advancing from the northeast, has approximately 1.5 troops."

Stilwell took the document and read it carefully. His face became increasingly grim, and finally he slammed the table and said angrily, "These damned Japs! They won't give us a way out!" His voice echoed in the room, giving people a chill.

D stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the scenery. He was silent for a moment, then turned back to his seat and said slowly, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are now faced with a difficult decision. We cannot lose nearly 10 elite national army troops around Mandalay."

"Luo, Du, my opinion is to immediately stop the original combat plan in Mandalay and evacuate as soon as possible!" Stilwell said earnestly.

Luo Zhuoying asked: "How to retreat and where to retreat?"

Stilwell said: "The main road back north has been blocked. The best evacuation route at present is to retreat along the British army's westward retreat route to India. There, you can get more support from the US government. During this period, I have witnessed the bravery and fighting spirit of your Chinese soldiers, and the perseverance and determination of your soldiers. It's just that your equipment is too poor. When you arrive in India, I will ask the Ministry of Defense to provide you with complete equipment as soon as possible, so that you can have weapons equal to or superior to those of the Japanese army. Then we will fight back and give the Japanese devils a fatal blow!"

D thought about it calmly and shook his head. "I don't trust the British. Coming to Burma was a mistake. We were deceived by the British and are now cannon fodder to cover their evacuation."

Luo Zhuoying also sighed secretly, "The president won't agree. We have to find a way to pass through the Japanese blockade from the north and return home!"

The conference room fell into silence, and everyone was thinking about their own position and responsibilities. This decision was related to the life and death of countless people. He needed time to weigh the pros and cons and find the best solution.

After intense discussion, everyone finally reached a consensus and immediately telegraphed Chongqing, requesting R. make the final decision. Chiang Kai-shek, realizing that it would be impossible to force Stilwell to obey orders, agreed to this plan. Stilwell and his American staff followed the British retreat route westward into India. D., on the other hand, was to rendezvous with Dai Anlan before leading the Fifth Army headquarters and its divisions to break through the Japanese defenses via Bhamo and Myitkyina and return home. As commander of the First Expeditionary Force, Luo Zhuoying remained in Burma, accompanying the 5th Division of the 6th Army and the 38th Division of the 66th Army. They gathered their remaining troops and retreated northwestward, hoping to forge a route back home from the north.

On May 5nd, various Chinese units withdrew from Mandalay. Using Burmese spies and various reconnaissance methods, the Japanese, like a hound with a keen sense of smell, quickly learned of the Chinese forces' movements. Consequently, the Japanese forces on the southern front pounced like hungry wolves on their prey, relentlessly targeting the Chinese units and attempting to annihilate them in one fell swoop. On the northern front, the Japanese 2th Division, while fiercely attacking Bhamo, also deployed its forces, primarily reinforced squadrons, to seize key routes along Myitkyina, the route used by the Chinese troops returning north, in an attempt to completely encircle the Chinese forces in northern Burma and annihilate them in one fell swoop.

The expeditionary force's retreat was not smooth from the start. Upon hearing of the Nationalist army's withdrawal, many overseas Chinese followed them northward without hesitation. These overseas Chinese had provided great assistance to the Chinese army during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and in Burma, so the expeditionary force had no choice but to take them along. Even greater disaster came with the Burmese monsoon. Starting on May 5rd, the rain fell incessantly, slowing down the fighting between the two sides. However, the Burmese Nationalist Army, instigated by the Japanese army, began to make extensive moves, destroying roads and setting traps along the way to slow the expeditionary force's progress, causing considerable trouble.

Led by traitorous Burmese guides, the Japanese troops dispersed in small groups and squadrons, gradually driving the expeditionary force northward into the quagmire. These traitors, deeply familiar with the Burmese terrain, guided the Japanese troops around the expeditionary force's defenses, putting them in a passive position. Furthermore, the Japanese employed a divide-and-conquer tactic, dividing the expeditionary force into multiple sections and defeating them one by one. Like a flock of sheep, they forced the expeditionary force into a desperate situation.

At this critical moment, Sun Liren and Yang Hong had reached a consensus. They decided to accept Commander Luo Zhuoying's orders and assume the covering mission while simultaneously guiding the New 28th Division, intentionally or unintentionally, toward Imphal to prevent the Japanese from outflanking and occupying Imphal from below. This would not only ensure the safety of the troops but also thwart the Japanese's intentions.

Yang Hong had already instructed Cai Yong to lead the most powerful 113th Regiment, detaching from the main group ahead of time, and quickly infiltrate Imphal. There, the British had abandoned a large amount of supplies, providing them with strong support. Furthermore, Yang Hong, Cai Yong, Luo Bing, and others had discussed plans to stage a world-shaking defensive battle in Imphal. This would demonstrate the Chinese army's morale and military might, and would be the best way to secure recognition for their retreat into India.