The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

On the morning of the 22nd, after a night of fierce fighting, the Sino-British coalition forces consolidated their positions on the east bank of the Dongdun River and defeated the Japanese counterattack. At the same time, the US and British air forces began to launch a fierce bombing of Japanese positions, bridges and roads. The already extremely weakened 33rd Division was forced to retreat on the defense. Okazaki Seizaburo had no choice but to ask for help from the 15th Army Headquarters and the 18th Division!

At this point in the war, the commander of the Japanese 15th Army, Shojiro Iida, was speechless. His chief of staff, Moritake Tanabe, knew from intelligence that American and British troops had joined the Imphal campaign. He suggested to Commander Iida that the 18th Division commander, Ren'ya Mutaguchi, take unified command of the Imphal front. At the same time, he proposed to the commander: The Battle of Imphal has developed into a decisive battle in Burma. The 56th Division, the 55th Division, the 21st Brigade and other units should withdraw their main forces and move westward as soon as possible to join the Imphal battle!

Iida carefully studied Tanabe's proposal and realized its feasibility and importance. He immediately sent an urgent request to the Southern Area Command. The Southern Area Command immediately contacted the Japanese Army General Staff, requesting additional troops from the China Theater to support the 15th Army. After careful coordination and deployment, ten Japanese battalions were transferred to the Southeast Asian battlefield. Simultaneously, the 10th Army Command issued instructions to all Japanese divisions and regiments in Burma, abandoning the continued encirclement and suppression of the remaining Chinese forces in the muddy terrain of northern Burma. Instead, the 15th Division, with the primary focus, would maintain its position of severing the Burma Road and launch offensives towards Baoshan and other locations in Yunnan, putting pressure on the Chinese forces and preventing them from deploying along the India-Burma Line. The 56th Division would return to defend the Rangoon front and, after receiving reinforcements, a regiment would be deployed to form a northern Burma mopping-up force, centered in Mandalay, to control key oil and mineral deposits. The 55th Division, with the 18rd Division as the main force, would continue its offensive against Imphal, attempting to open a route to India.

Iida was angry and dissatisfied with the attacks by the overseas Chinese guerrillas and the Burmese Resistance Army in the occupied areas of Burma. He decided to take more radical measures to suppress the resistance. He issued orders to the various occupation forces, requiring them to launch large-scale massacres in Burma.

A month later, Japanese reinforcements arrived in Burma and, based on the 21st Brigade, formed the 121st Security Division, specifically dedicated to suppressing Burmese resistance. Burma was plunged into bloodshed and chaos, with many innocent civilians suffering. Many lives were lost, families were destroyed, and social order collapsed. The Burmese people faced unprecedented hardship, living in fear and despair.

On the 23rd, the 18th and 56th Regiments of the Japanese 114th Division launched a multi-pronged assault, repeatedly and fiercely targeting Yingduo, Kajialuo, and other positions defended by the New 22nd Division. The fighting was fierce, with a hail of bullets and artillery fire resounding through the air. The Expeditionary Force soldiers bravely held their positions, engaging the Japanese in a desperate struggle. Relying on their numerical superiority, the Japanese surged forward like a tide. Unflinching, the soldiers engaged the enemy in close combat, using grenades and bayonets. Every inch of land was stained with blood, and the bodies piled like mountains.

At a critical moment, supporting tanks from the 22th Tank Brigade arrived, charged into the enemy lines, and bombarded the Japanese defenses. The Japanese fled in terror, and the New 22nd Division seized upon their victory, repelling them in one fell swoop. However, the Japanese did not give up. They quickly adjusted their tactics, organizing suicide squads and attacking again, attempting to break through the Chinese defenses. With unwavering resolve and tenacious fighting spirit, the New nd Division repelled the enemy's attacks time and again. The battlefield became intense, with both sides paying a heavy price.

Elsewhere, the Japanese 55th Infantry Regiment, in coordination with the bulk of the 18th Artillery Regiment, rendezvoused with the 33th and 214th Regiments of the 213rd Division southeast of Imphal and immediately joined the offensive against the city! The Japanese offensive surged like a tidal wave, their artillery fiercely bombarding the defenses of the 1st New Brigade at Dongdun River east of Imphal. The Japanese infantry and artillery regiments coordinated closely, their infantry advancing under cover of artillery fire while the artillery constantly adjusted their positions, fiercely bombarding the Allied defenses. The battlefield rumbled with the roar of artillery, and the dust and smoke filled the air. The Japanese charged fiercely, their bayonets flashing coldly as they engaged in close combat with the soldiers of the 1st New Brigade, shouts of killing echoing one after another...

On the Allied side, over 205 troops from the US 4000th Mechanized Regiment had landed in Chittagong. Their tanks and armored vehicles raced along the highway toward Imphal. The st British Burmese Division, after repairs and reinforcements, took over defenses along the Imphal-Bangladesh Highway.

Inside the Imphal Garrison Headquarters, Sun Liren and Martin were frantically summarizing the battle situation of their respective units. Concentrated in their analysis, they used a sand table to carefully analyze the enemy and our own forces, making timely battlefield maneuvers. Deputy Division Commander Stellan had already established the Southeast Front Command at Dongdun River, specifically directing the battles of the 1th Brigade and the new 22st Brigade. Deputy Division Commander Yang Hong personally led the division's direct troops, along with a tank battalion from the th Brigade, to reinforce the new nd Division's defenses.

Yang Hong and Liao Yaoxiang met briefly during a break in the battle. Liao Yaoxiang introduced to Yang Hong the current situation and battle situation of each unit of the New 22nd Division. Yang Hong then reported in detail to Division Commander Liao on the situation in Imphal and the progress of the British and American mechanized regiments.

According to the information forwarded by the headquarters of the First Expeditionary Force, the 96th Division retreating north has been found. They have temporarily stayed in an unknown area deep in the mountains near the Yunnan border and are expected to return to the country from the north; the First Army Headquarters, the 5th Army Headquarters, as well as its direct teams, guerrilla detachments, etc., have gradually approached the north of Imphal and are expected to cross the river from the temporary pontoon bridge to India tonight. Commander Luo Zhuoying and members of the headquarters decided to rush to Imphal overnight to re-establish the expeditionary force headquarters in Imphal. Chief of Staff Stilwell has reached an agreement with the Governor-General of India and is arranging the training arrangements for the westward retreating expeditionary force in Ramgarh and Ledo.

The biggest problem now is the 200th Division. The division has been dispersed. The 599th Regiment and its direct units are close to the new 22nd Division. It is expected to break through the flank of the 22nd Division and enter the rear tomorrow. The 200th Division headquarters has about 500 people and is 22 kilometers north of the new 80nd Division's defense line with a large number of wounded. It is expected to take at least 2-3 days to reach Imphal. Its rear guard is the 600th Regiment with about 800 people. The 598th Regiment is further north and scattered around the outer line of the division headquarters. They may also need 2-3 days to arrive.

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