Age of Conquest Reborn

Chapter 1101: The First Battle of Myitkyina (Part 2)

Genzaburo Ito, the commander-in-chief of Japan's Southeast Asia Expeditionary Force, was extremely shocked when he learned that China, the United States, and Britain had signed a military alliance agreement. What he was most worried about was the Japanese division troops stationed on the border with China. Although they had fought with the British some time ago,

We meet, but there are no eternal enemies in the world, only eternal interests..

China, the United States and Britain came together because of the fierce offensive of the Imperial Army in Southeast Asia. Britain and the United States wanted to preserve their interests in Southeast Asia. The Chinese also feared that after Southeast Asia was occupied by the Japanese Empire, they would use it as a base to attack the mainland of China again.

, Ito Genzaburo speculated on the mentality of Britain and the United States, which was exactly the same, but speculated on China, but missed the mark by a thousand miles.

Japan's Southeast Asia Expeditionary Force was an important chess piece in Tang Qiuli's Southeast Asia strategy plan. For the sake of safety, Ito sent a large number of troops to the north of Mandalay without affecting the siege of Mandalay.

.Be on combat alert in the east direction of China.

Two days later, Ito Yanzaburo's speculation became a reality. The Chinese finally sent troops to Burma, and what was more, they sent out the daunting Japanese army. Ito Yanzaburo was so nervous that he almost immediately ordered a general attack.

Mandalay's order, although reluctant, was ultimately much better than fighting on two fronts and attacking from both inside and outside.

If Ito Yanzaburo immediately attacks Mandalay, Tang Qiuli's battle layout has not been completed, and the British have not yet made the determination to break through desperately. The result of the battle will make Tang Qiuli very disappointed. It can be said that it is a failure.

plan.

Another day later, Tang Qiuli deliberately revealed his intentions, and the Feng Jiwu Corps and Ma Chaoyang Corps that were advancing into Laos and Vietnam launched in the two places at the same time with great momentum. Ito received the intelligence and felt relieved. Laos and Vietnam were about 10 kilometers away from Myanmar.

Mandalay is more than a thousand miles away, and the geographical conditions of Indochina greatly restrict the marching speed of mechanized troops.

Even if Tang Qiuli's troops came from both places day and night, they would not be able to climb to the outskirts of Mandalay in less than two weeks. What reassured him was that Tang Qiuli's troops were attacking.

In the local area, there is no main force of the empire at all, only some pioneering groups and local forces controlled by the Japanese.

It can be seen that Tang Qiuli was not willing to fight the Imperial Army, which was heavily concentrated in Mandalay, and secondly, he took the opportunity to seize the British's original sphere of influence and take advantage of it. Such an alliance itself

There are entanglements of interests, mutual dissatisfaction, and it is impossible to form a joint force. Thinking of this, Ito Yanzaburo's worries are reduced a bit.

Tang Qiuli's strategic deception in the Indochina Peninsula achieved unprecedented success. This is what Sun Tzu said in the art of war, "showing it with form." All of Ito Yanzaburo's attention was attracted to the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula.

The ** Division's direct-affiliated corps and Tang Qiusheng's corps that participated in the Battle of Myitkyina disappeared into the mountains of northern Myanmar. Especially the directly-affiliated corps, with unprecedented concealment, quietly approached Myitkyina. Ito Yanzaburo was not aware of it.

Juichi Terauchi, who was recovering his strength on the Myitkyi side and blocking the British's retreat, did not realize that the huge danger was approaching step by step.

On the morning of June 7, the 1st Brigade, the vanguard of the Corps directly under the ** Division, and the 8th Brigade, which turned north from Nankan, had reached Waza due north of Myitkyina, Mofeng in the southeast, and the Second

, the third brigade is rushing to the Hukang River Valley area, the fourth brigade has arrived at Magao, east of the Mengguan line, and the rest of the follow-up troops are also rushing to the predetermined area, a large invisible net, quietly moving towards Myitkyina

Spread away.

The six brigades of the Sulu Mobile Regiment of the ** Division commanded by Yu Guanghan also followed the predetermined plan and spread out like a string of pearls at locations suitable for setting up ambush on the main transportation artery from Mandalay to Myitkyina.

In four days, Tang Qiuli's battle layout in Myitkyina in northern Myanmar was completed.

Major General Liu Hongzhang, commander of the 1st Brigade of the Directly Affiliated Corps, stood on a peak fifteen miles outside the town of Waza. This is the only commanding height of Waza. The clear Malikai River rushes down from Sawan Mountain.

The narrow plain at your feet flows slowly, and the mountains are densely forested and bushy. It is a good natural place to hide troops. Let alone a brigade of more than 15,000 people, there are hundreds of thousands of them. If they were scattered here, the sky would be

Aircraft reconnaissance cannot detect it...

As we climbed to the top of the peak, a cool mountain breeze blew through, wiping away the sweat and heat all over his body. In northern Myanmar in June, it was already as sultry as a steamer. Liu Hongzhang felt refreshed and wiped the sweat from his forehead without looking back.

, ordered to the confidential section chief standing behind him: "Send a report to the division commander that our brigade has arrived at the scheduled area of ​​Sawan according to the specified time. The troops are resting in hiding. Please ask for instructions on the next step."

Then, I picked up the telescope and looked in the direction of Myitkyina. Of course, this is not the endless Great Plains of North China. Standing on the high mountains, you can see dozens of miles away. The trees are blocking the view and the fog is shrouded. Even the shadow of Myitkyina is invisible.

Didn't see any of it.

Liu Hongzhang put down the telescope in annoyance and muttered, "In this damn place, there are only mountains and trees." Colonel Ren Zhaoquan, the brigade chief of staff, said half-jokingly: "Brigade commander, don't complain. If the division commander hears it, it's too much.

A harsh criticism, didn’t you snatch this vanguard’s mission from other brigades?”

Liu Hongzhang said somewhat proudly: "That is, with our first brigade here, who dares to steal the main attack from me? The first brigade of the ** Division, the main force among the main forces, is not convinced, so I pulled him out to show off!"

Ren Zhaoquan laughed and continued: "During the military meeting when the Corps went abroad to fight, Brigadier Qiao Manshan of the Second Brigade complained to me after the meeting. Tell your brigade commander, don't rush to be a part of everything.

The other brigades are not any worse than yours. Anyway, I am convinced by your loud voice, but the venue can only hear his quarrel. He can do it!"

The seemingly relaxed conversation between Liu Hongzhang and Ren Zhaoquan concealed the arduous journey of the first brigade from Tengchong to Vasa. In four days and four nights, in order to conceal the whereabouts of the troops, they walked

There are roads everywhere, and they are all virgin forests and swamps. They are completely temporary roads.

Almost all the soldiers in the brigade became engineering soldiers. They marched hard through all the obstacles, passing through the southern edge of Gaoligong Mountain and crossing the Wenlikai River. Only after crossing the Wenlikai River did they start to look like a road. The number of non-combat casualties along the way was over 2,000.

There were so many people that Liu Hongzhang was so angry that he cursed the heaven and the earth and the damn place in northern Myanmar.

Not long after the telegram to the division commander was sent, a reply was received, "Brigade Commander Liu Hongzhang, your troops are hiding on the Vasa line. At 5 o'clock in the morning on June 8, they will launch an attack on the Japanese troops in Myitkyina on time. The attack direction is Myitkyina."

Directly north of China, my idea is that your unit will be the first wave of attack troops, responsible for attracting all the attention of the Japanese army in Myitkyina, and you must have the momentum of a large force."

Liu Hongzhang was happy. This trip was finally not in vain. The blood blisters on the soles of his feet were worth it. They were the first troops to attack. While he was happy, Chief of Staff Ren Zhaoquan handed him a telegram with a wry smile.

, Liu Hongzhangyi

Look, he got angry at that time and shouted loudly: "Tell the brigade's first and second heavy artillery regiments and rocket launcher headquarters to get the cannon to the designated position for me even if it is carried by people. If there is no cannon, I will chew it with my teeth."

The enemy’s position?”

Ren Zhaoquan hurriedly advised, "Brigadier, it's not their fault. You also know what kind of road we are taking. It is difficult for infantry to pass, let alone those large and heavy artillery. I think this way, the regiments should not rest."

Except for a small number of security troops left behind, the rest went to repair the roads."

Liu Hongzhang let out a heavy "hum", exhaled a breath from his chest, and said: "Okay, let's do it. Zhaoquan, you can work hard and be responsible for the organization. Also, ask about the number of tanks assigned to us."

The first brigade has reached somewhere, it’s hundreds of kilometers away, right? We’re both civilized and military, what can I do to attack Myitkyina early tomorrow morning?”

Ren Zhaoquan shook his head helplessly. He knew that the brigade commander was not angry with the artillery and tank troops, but that he had been tortured by the terrain conditions in northern Myanmar in the past few days. It was only twenty years before the general offensive was launched.

It was not easy to get those heavy artillery and rocket launchers to arrive on time within an hour. He did not dare to waste time. After saying goodbye, he hurried away.

On the night of June 7, at the Myitkyina Battle Headquarters of the ** Division in northern Myanmar in Bhamo, Myanmar, Tang Qiuli asked Chief of Staff Chang Feng: "Chang Feng, have all the troops arrived at their designated positions?" Chang Feng replied:

"Division Commander, the five brigades responsible for attacking Myitkyina have all arrived at the designated positions. However, some heavy weapons are still on their way to the designated area due to road conditions."

Tang Qiuli's face darkened and he said: "Send a telegram to the brigades and order them that no matter what method is adopted, heavy weapons must be in place before the general offensive is launched. There are more than 70,000 people hidden around Myitkyina. How can they hide it from the temple?"

How long, therefore, the time for the general attack on Myitkyina remains unchanged, we cannot wait any longer, otherwise, the British troops in the direction of Mandalay will inevitably undergo unexpected changes."

After Chang Feng recorded the division commander's order and asked the confidential personnel to issue it immediately, Tang Qiuli asked again: "What is the situation of the troops in other directions?" Chang Feng replied: "The fourth brigade that crossed Meng Pass has arrived at the designated position.

, only the 2nd and 3rd brigades, whose intended target is in the Hukang Valley, have a longer journey and encounter more complex terrain conditions than other troops."

"According to the telegram from their brigade headquarters, the earliest they can arrive is around 10 a.m. on June 8. There is still a lag for the infantry, heavy weapons and tank troops. It seems that these two brigades cannot arrive according to the

The attack has been launched at the prescribed time! Division Commander, would you like to adjust the time of the total attack? In order to achieve uniformity in launching the campaign?"

Tang Qiuli shook his head and said: "The time for the general attack remains unchanged. The Hukang Valley is a relatively isolated battlefield, close to India. The Japanese defense force is not large. I have two main brigades with more than 30,000 people, equipped with heavy artillery and tanks.

Having eliminated less than 20,000 Japanese troops, we already think highly of them. Starting in the direction of Myitkyina will not affect the normal progress of the battle in the Hukang Valley."

(To be continued)

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