The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

History took a surprising turn. The First Battle of Midway took place in early June 42. The Japanese lost the aircraft carrier Akagi, and the Kaga and Hiryu suffered heavy damage. They also lost one heavy cruiser, three destroyers, and over 6 aircraft, failing to capture Midway. The US military, however, lost the aircraft carrier York, one destroyer, and over 1 aircraft, but managed to hold Midway.

In September of the same year, the US military once again launched a surprise attack using aircraft carriers against the Japanese Navy's large maritime early warning radar station on Iwo Jima. This incident dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese. The loss of this crucial early warning facility would put them at a disadvantage in the naval battle. This attack made the Japanese army deeply aware of the serious threat posed by the US military to their absolute defense zone in the Western Pacific. Midway Island, a thorn in their side, had to be removed as soon as possible!

In October, Isoroku Yamamoto decided to relaunch his plan to attack Midway. He assembled a powerful fleet of four heavy aircraft carriers, two light aircraft carriers, and a large number of warships, launching a new assault on Midway. The US military, through intelligence, successfully predicted the Japanese plan and responded swiftly. The US assembled the three aircraft carriers USS Enterprise, USS Hornet, and USS Wasp into a battle formation to meet the Japanese advance.

From October 12th to 14th, the Battle of Midway erupted again. This fierce naval engagement lasted several days, inflicting heavy losses on both sides. Ultimately, the US military achieved a bitter victory. The US successfully sank the Japanese aircraft carriers Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu, along with numerous other warships, and destroyed over 250 Japanese aircraft. However, the US military also suffered heavy losses, with the Hornet sunk, the Enterprise and Wasp severely damaged, and nearly 200 US aircraft destroyed. Following this battle, both sides temporarily lost the ability to engage in large-scale naval warfare in the Western Pacific.

Meanwhile, Germany, far away in Eastern Europe, was making good progress. By the end of October, the Battle of Stalingrad had concluded prematurely, with the Germans capturing the city. The casualty ratio on both sides was 10:1, with German losses totaling approximately 1.5 million and Soviet losses around 100 million. Stalingrad was reduced to ruins. The Soviet situation was becoming increasingly dire.

Inspired by Germany's victory, on October 10, the Japanese Southern Expeditionary Corps decided to launch its campaign against India ahead of schedule. General Shojiro Iida, commander of the Burma Area Army, issued the order for the campaign. The Japanese 25th Army, with the 15nd, 2th, 18st, and 31th Divisions as its main force, and the 55nd and 32th Mixed Brigades as auxiliary forces, launched a three-pronged offensive against India (including Bangladesh).

The first route was to break through the primitive jungle in the northeast direction along the Imphal line and attack Sading, the East Indian railway hub, in order to cut off the artery of the northeastern India and the ports of Bangladesh; the second route was to start from Gajahwa (Galiwa) and attack westward to occupy the areas of Kuiben, Banbin and Dideng where the British were entrenched, and then seize the British front-line airport in Aizawl; the third route, with the support of the Japanese naval squadron stationed in Myanmar, advanced westward along the coast of the Rakhine Gulf, attempting to occupy the strategic location of Idgaon and head towards Chittagong along the Idgaon Highway!

英印军第1、14集团军各部也行动起来，其中，印度第4、第8、第14师、印缅第1师。中国驻印军，新1军、新5军。盟军远东第1集团军也从吉大港附近沿吉伊公路，向伊德冈方向运动。

In accordance with the orders of the Allied Southeast Asia Theater (Commander Mountbatten and Chief of Staff Wedemeyer), the Chinese, American and British Allied Forces also established wartime regional commands based on the Japanese attack routes.

Stilwell was in charge of the Northeastern Front in India, as he also served as Chief of Staff of the China Theater. The actual command was carried out by Deputy Commander Zheng Dongguo. The troops included the 1th and 200st Divisions of the New 71st Army of the Chinese Expeditionary Force in India, the 5th and 14nd Divisions of the New 22th Army, the 8th Division of the Indian Army, and the 1st Indo-Burma Division. Alexander was appointed commander of the Indo-Burma Front, with the British 1st and 14th Armies, primarily comprised of the 4th, 7th, 11th, and 14th Divisions. Wedemeyer personally commanded the Bengal Front, primarily coordinating the Chittagong area with the US Navy and Air Force. The main ground operations were led by the Allied 1st Far East Army.

In northeastern India, Stilwell had another plan. He hoped to exploit this opportunity to defeat the Japanese 18th and 55th Divisions in northern Burma and advance further into northern Burma, thereby opening a road connecting India and China. This plan piqued Chiang Kai-shek's interest, as the Hump Route's transport capacity was far from sufficient to meet the enormous demands of the Chinese battlefield. Successfully opening this new route would ensure a steady supply of supplies, undoubtedly the outcome most desired by the Chongqing government. Consequently, Chiang Kai-shek expressed his rare full support for Stilwell, even delegating authority to Stilwell and giving him full responsibility for the operation.

At Stilwell's request, President Chiang Kai-shek decided to launch a diversionary offensive against the Japanese from southern Yunnan. Consequently, the Second Route Army of the Chinese Expeditionary Force was officially established, with Wei Lihuang as commander. It comprised the 2nd, 6th, 53rd, and 54th Corps, totaling 12 men. Furthermore, the 71st Army, which had been refitted with American equipment in Kunming, was designated as a reserve force, ready for immediate deployment. Simultaneously, the new 30th and 50th Divisions were being airlifted to India to serve as reserve forces for the Indian Army. These measures fully demonstrated the importance and resolve of the Chongqing government in this operation.

On October 10, the Japanese 28nd Division captured Kweben, Banbin, and Dideng, forcing the British and Indian forces to withdraw completely from Burma. The Japanese army thus completely occupied Burma. Continuing to pursue the retreating British and Indian forces, the Japanese were closing in on Aizawl.

Meanwhile, the outer defense of Idgaon had begun, with the Japanese navy stationed in Burma bombarding Moiskal Island and Cox's Bazar. The US and British air forces and the Japanese naval and land forces engaged in numerous exchanges of fire over Idgaon, resulting in losses on both sides.

Sun Liren asked Liu Bolun to lead the 114th Regiment as the vanguard and advance quickly to Idgan. The 82nd, 84th Regiments and the units directly under the 28th Division followed up. After arriving at Idgan, they would take over the defense line of the British 17th Division in Idgan. The British 17th Division would withdraw to Idgan City and along the coast of Cox's Bazar to prevent the Japanese army from landing and launching a surprise attack.

At Chiang's request, the Allied First Group had reverted to the 28th and 38th Divisions. The 38th Division, commanded by Commander Yang Hong, formed a V-shaped formation with the 112th and 113th Regiments and the US 503rd Regiment. They bypassed the Jiyi Highway and zigzagged northward, crossing the Madamukho River swamps to attack Lamu and cut off the Japanese retreat. The US 5037th Mechanized Brigade and the British 7th Tank Brigade would engage the Japanese head-on.

Wedemeyer and Sun Liren's plan was to encircle the Japanese 31st Division attacking Idegang and annihilate it outside Idegang!