The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

Qin Shi soon received news from northern Savan that the Japanese 56th Division's task force had experienced an irregularity in its deployment. After careful reconnaissance, they discovered that the Japanese had, intentionally or unintentionally, opened a gap in the north, northeast of the Mailikai River. This gap appeared to be a deliberate route for Qin Shi and his men to break out eastward.

Upon receiving this intelligence, Liu Xiao immediately realized this might be a good opportunity to break out. He quietly dispatched a small detachment deep into enemy territory for reconnaissance. They confirmed there were no Japanese ambushes around the gap. Furthermore, the reconnaissance team even swam across the Mailikai River and searched the other side, finding no signs of large-scale Japanese troop movements along the route.

Qin Shi was very confused: Did the Japanese army deliberately leave this way for them to escape? Or was there some other unknown conspiracy?!

Sato was also puzzled when he saw that Savan's guerrillas had not immediately withdrawn from the gap he had opened. He summoned Yamada again to analyze the situation. Yamada told Sato that the enemy must have thought it was a trap and would not dare to take any action!

Time was of the essence, and Sato could not afford to delay the attack any further. Assuring the guerrillas of his goodwill was crucial. Yamada, determined, told Sato to disguise himself and personally contact the guerrillas to deliver the message.

After thinking for a while, Sato agreed to let Yamada go in person.

Disguised, Yamada quickly met Qin Shi's representative, Liu Xiao, and explained his purpose. Liu Xiao hurriedly reported to Qin Shi. Liu Xiao, in his heart, did not believe the good intentions of the Japanese army.

Qin Shi, however, disagreed. He knew from historical relics many bizarre cases of self-sabotage within the Japanese army. He was well aware of the contradictions within the Japanese army. He signaled Liu Xiao to calmly accept the goodwill of the Japanese task force and quickly commanded the various units to exit through this gap in batches!

Upon seeing the guerrillas withdraw, Sato immediately closed the gap and launched a fierce attack on the town of Savang. The task force quickly captured the entire town from the north. Upon hearing the news of the task force's capture of Savang, the 32nd and 2rd Battalions of the 3nd Brigade on the Malikhai River launched a full-scale attack on the guerrilla positions along the river. They quickly seized their positions and reunited with the task force on the outskirts of Savang.

Several Japanese troops searched Savan and its surrounding areas extensively, but apart from the remains of positions and a messy battlefield that proved that a large number of guerrillas had once been stationed there, not a single body was found! Sato was fed up and immediately rushed to the temporary headquarters of the 32nd Brigade, demanding an explanation from Yanbu!

Yanbu obviously did not realize the seriousness of the problem, and scolded Sato and others for disobeying orders! He threatened to report to the 33rd Army Headquarters and punish Sato and others!

Zhibu realized that something was wrong and collected evidence of Yanbu's order. He quietly handed it to Sato and the others. Sato and the others were overjoyed to receive the evidence and immediately reported it to Commander Watanabe and Colonel Matsui.

"Baka! Shiobu's conscience is seriously broken!" Upon receiving the report, Watanabe Masao could no longer conceal his emotions. Ignoring the objections of his Chief of Staff Katakura, he directly called the front commander, Shojiro Iida, to report the unusual situation.

Iida was holding a battle report from the 5th Air Corps. The Japanese air force, of course, offered no explanation for its indiscriminate bombing. Instead, it reported: "According to orders from the 33rd Army Headquarters, reconnaissance aircraft had spotted a large number of guerrilla forces in the mountainous areas of northern Burma. These forces were heading north, attempting to escape into the high mountains of western Yunnan, China." The 5th Air Corps then dispatched a bomber formation patrolling southern Yunnan to conduct a large-scale bombing raid on the guerrillas.

Iida could obviously tolerate the inadequacy of the ground combat forces, but this report from the Army and Air Corps confirmed the negligence of Shiobu, the commander of the mopping-up front! Considering his alliance with Watanabe, Iida immediately issued orders: Shiobu was dismissed from his position as brigade commander and sent back to Japan to face military trial; the weaving chief of staff was dismissed from his position, and the 33rd Division was ordered to be court-martialed!

Mutaguchi Renya, commander of the 15th Army, received the news and immediately called Watanabe Masao: "Mr. Watanabe, the 32nd Brigade's poor performance was entirely due to the personal behavior of Colonel Shiobu. As Chief of Staff, Orifu has fulfilled his duties. I hope you will deal with Colonel Orifu as appropriate!"

Watanabe also knew that the weaving case couldn't be dismissed by military court like the Shiobu case. He had already been promoted to commander of the 33rd Army, and Mutaguchi Ren'ya was now commander of the 15th Army. There was no need for the two to argue over their previous minor disagreement.

Watanabe then kindly suggested to Mutaguchi Ren'ya, "Muta-kun, can you arrange for weaving?"

Mutaguchi Renya knew that Watanabe was looking for an excuse to back down, so after some thought, he said, "The 15th Army needs a lieutenant colonel intelligence officer. I think Zhifu should be able to do the job."

Watanabe understood what Mutian meant. Since he had given him a way out, Watanabe took advantage of the situation and said softly, "Since you need it, I also think we should give Zhibu a chance!"

Seeing that Watanabe had already agreed, Mutaguchi Ren'ya readily said, "Mr. Watanabe must be very dissatisfied with the 32nd Brigade's poor performance. These people have lost the blood of the Imperial soldiers in the war of peace in China. I suggest that the 15th Army will soon launch an attack on India. If you agree, you can loan the 32nd Brigade to the 15th Army. Let them experience the front line of the battlefield. Only in the bloody rain can the Imperial soldiers inspire their Bushido spirit!"

Watanabe and Mutaguchi Ren were both fervent militarists, and they quickly reached an agreement. Immediately, the 32nd Mixed Brigade was incorporated into the Japanese 15th Army.

As soon as Mutaguchi Ren'ya took over, he immediately launched a purge of the 32nd Brigade's squadrons. Veterans like Kyomizu Seisuke and Duanmu Xiangyun were immediately dealt with under the pretext of being warlords, and numerous squadron commanders were replaced or demoted. The man who purged them was none other than the former good-natured man, the former brigade chief of staff, Orifukuchi!

Most of the places bombed by the Japanese air force were Kachin villages and gathering places. The Kachin leader Luodan Zhuona found the high-ranking Japanese military officials and protested to them about the Japanese air force's wanton bombing of the Kachin people.

Watanabe was frustrated at not being able to locate the guerrillas, and the arrival of Rodan Drona gave him an excuse to implement another important Japanese strategy. Watanabe immediately invited Rodan Drona to his headquarters, feigning concern for the disaster suffered by the Kachin people.

Watanabe explained to Rodan Zhuona, "Mr. Rodan Zhuona, you should know that we are very resolute in striking down those who oppose the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Belt in northern Burma. Because northern Burma is mountainous and jungle-rich, it is obviously necessary for the Empire to send aircraft to bomb the rebels, and accidental bombing is inevitable. (Rodan Zhuona-san, go to keep knowing no more) , the private sector in the northern part of the country is the Great Eastern Community, and the people who fight against it are very strong. The northern part of Minoan Mountains, the Imperial Flying Machine, and the DispatchてResistance Army をExplosion することは明らかにNecessary であり、Accidental explosion もAvoidance けられない. )"