Age of Conquest Reborn

In the pitch-black night, the Japanese Fourteenth Army troops, divided into several groups, rushed toward Manila like a torrent in the dark night. Such a blatant large-scale march could not be concealed from the U.S. reconnaissance troops.

Pieces of intelligence flew to MacArthur's headquarters like snowflakes. Each U.S. military reconnaissance unit made an exaggerated report based on the situation it witnessed with its own eyes. Colonel Kleist, acting chief of staff of the U.S. military headquarters, after reading the report of Staff

When the statistics of the Japanese troop strength were sent from the War Department, I was so frightened that I almost fell over from my chair.

It was so scary. According to the intelligence summary, the number of Japanese troops attacking Manila reached an astonishing number of more than 300,000. Colonel Kleister’s first judgment was that it was not Japanese troops from several other directions who had joined Luzon.

Island battlefield, otherwise, where would the 300,000 Japanese soldiers come from?

This cannot be blamed on the US military reconnaissance troops, who were operating in the dark. They could only see that on all roads, whether highways or byways, there were the footsteps of Japanese soldiers marching in a hurry, the Japanese officers' low-pitched orders, and the artillery carriages dragging artillery.

, trucks full of soldiers, tanks rumbling by, and US reconnaissance troops did not dare to approach for reconnaissance. Of course, they did not have the courage to take advantage of the night to conduct a small harassment and bring out the actual strength of the Japanese army.

Adhering to the principle of saying more than underestimating, the reported number of Japanese troops increased several times out of thin air. The total increase in the number of all US military reconnaissance troops would become an astonishing figure.

Colonel Kleist did not dare to delay, and rushed out of the staff headquarters as if his butt was on fire, and ran quickly to Commander-in-Chief MacArthur's office. His panic-stricken attitude caused a wave of panic speculation in the US military headquarters.

The situation was urgent. Colonel Kleist ignored the etiquette and banged the door. General MacArthur, who was looking at the map attentively, was startled and glared angrily on his face.

It was the pale-white chief of staff who angrily shouted: "As a soldier, how can you behave in such a panic?"

Chief of Staff Kleist, without bothering to explain, hurriedly shouted: "Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief, the situation is urgent. We have received a report from the reconnaissance force. There are about 300,000 Japanese troops rushing towards Manila. It is expected that they will be attacked soon."

At about three o'clock in the morning, the Japanese forward troops will encounter our troops!"

"What?" General MacArthur exclaimed, the sweat on his forehead started to fall, and his heart was trembling. My God, more than 300,000 Japanese soldiers with high morale, like wolves and tigers. Like a violent wave, I

The Manila defense line would collapse in an instant. With trembling hands, he took the statistical table from Colonel Kleist's hand and read it quickly.

As he watched, his brows widened, and then there was another burst of uncontrollable anger. He threw the statistics table on his chief of staff's face and roared: "Idiot! You have a long brain, such statistics

"Biao, you also believe that the total strength of the Japanese army on the battlefield of Luzon Island was only about 160,000 people. Where did the more than 300,000 troops come from? This is nonsense. Kleist, I am very disappointed with your performance!"

Ignoring the stunned Colonel Kleist, General MacArthur continued to roar: "What the hell is this reconnaissance intelligence? The numbers of the incoming Japanese troops, their weapons and equipment, how many routes they are divided into, which direction is the most prominent, and how many troops there are.

, None at all, this is also called reconnaissance intelligence, damn it, tell those bastards in the reconnaissance team to find out the details of the Japanese!"

Colonel Kleist was speechless. He didn't care about the insults from the Commander-in-Chief. As for those few pages, hitting his face was like a massage. Instead, he was worried that he would underestimate the enemy, so he followed his own judgment and pounced on the Japanese troops in Manila.

The troops, if not 300,000, must be more than 200,000. He said calmly: "Commander-in-Chief, you must not underestimate the enemy. Even if the intelligence of the reconnaissance unit is wrong, if you fold it in half, there are still 150,000 Japanese troops!"

"

General MacArthur, with his light blue eyes, wandered around for a few times, and he already had a rough judgment in his mind. According to the report of the reconnaissance force, the battle in the Calais Mountains was still in progress, and the Third Army had not yet been attacked by the Japanese.

Wipe them all out. The number of Japanese troops coming to attack Manila will not exceed 100,000, maybe even less. He said to the anxious Colonel Kleist: "Immediately notify the commanders of each unit to hold a meeting at the headquarters to discuss

Countermeasures!"

The commanders of the US military units quickly gathered at the headquarters. General MacArthur was not polite and reported the situation. Of course, the number of Japanese troops attacking Manila was based on his own judgment, which was about 80,000 to 90,000 people.

, instead of the astonishing more than 300,000 on the previous statistics table. If that were really the case, several people would probably faint on the spot.

After reporting the intelligence, General MacArthur asked: "Everyone, the Battle of Manila will officially begin from tonight to early tomorrow morning. This is our first confrontation with the Japanese army in Manila. I want to hear your opinions!"

Brigadier General Jonathan, commander of the 7th Mechanized Infantry Division, was the first to stand up and said: "Commander-in-Chief, based on the intelligence, we can make the following conclusion. The Japanese troops attacking Manila have about 80,000 to 90,000 troops, at least

It was divided into eight or more groups, each with no more than 10,000 troops. Moreover, the Japanese troops in each group advanced at different speeds, and there was also a certain distance between them."

"Therefore, I suggest that all our troops be dispatched to target one or more of the more prominent Japanese troops, and carry out a sudden attack on them with absolutely superior strength and firepower. We do not seek total annihilation, but only heavy damage and a quick battle.

Make a quick decision, and then quickly withdraw to the defense line. This will not only defeat the Japanese army's spirit, but also kill a large number of Japanese troops' effective forces. Our 7th Mechanized Division is willing to be the vanguard of one of the routes to raid the Japanese army!"

It should be said that Brigadier General Jonathan's suggestion is in line with the actual situation on the battlefield and has great maneuverability. The Japanese 14th Army advanced in multiple directions, like an open palm, to remove all the troops on the Manila defense line, cut off one of their fingers or

Counting fingers, it can definitely be done, especially if you don't seek total annihilation, just heavy damage, quick victory, and a quick victory, which captures the essence of this battle style in one sentence.

Brigadier General Jonathan's suggestion resonated with the participating U.S. military generals. Since the outbreak of the Pacific War, the U.S. military has suffered repeated defeats and been beaten to a pulp by the Japanese. It has lost hundreds of thousands of troops and lost its military base in the Southwest Pacific.

In important areas, it would be unfair to say that these US military generals are not holding their breath in their hearts. However, the situation is stronger than the people, the Japanese army is powerful, and they are at the peak of their momentum. Those who stand in their way are invincible, and those who are determined to make a comeback.

The U.S. military generals can only say nothing!

Several U.S. military generals who were eager to make a comeback also spoke out, "Commander-in-Chief, Division Commander Jonathan's suggestion is also an urgent thought in our hearts. This is a once-in-a-lifetime fighter that can not only defeat the Japanese army, but also boost the morale of the military and the people.

The defense of Manila will add more favorable conditions. Commander-in-Chief, I hope you can approve Division Commander Jonathan’s plan. Our troops are ready to go and are waiting for your orders!”

Several U.S. military generals saw the fleeting opportunity, and they talked freely about their opinions and wanted to fight. However, they did not notice that Commander-in-Chief MacArthur's face became more and more gloomy and uglier.

, and later on, he was almost on the verge of going berserk.

With a muffled sound of "Pa!", Commander-in-Chief MacArthur slapped the table hard, making several US military generals who were in high spirits look at each other. Only then did they notice that the Commander-in-Chief's face had changed.

It turned red as the color of pork liver.

MacArthur's sharp eyes flashed, and he tried his best to suppress his angry emotions, and said grimly: "Enough said, confused! Childish! You only saw the so-called fighter planes, but you didn't see what seemed to be hidden behind the fighter planes.

Danger, quick victory, easy to say, put all our troops into the battle to attack the Japanese army, the Manila defense line has no troops to defend, have you thought about the consequences?"

"Once the battle cannot be won quickly, all the troops are entangled by the Japanese army. They can neither quickly inflict heavy damage on the Japanese army, nor can they escape from the battlefield. The follow-up troops of the Japanese army who have ended the battle in the Calais Mountains catch up. What will be waiting for us? Once again.

The entire army will be annihilated or suffer heavy losses? Have you considered it?"

"Leaving the support of solid fortifications and annihilating the enemy in the wild is an adventure in itself. We have only one purpose. We will never take the initiative to attack. We rely on the existing fortifications to hold on and wait for the arrival of reinforcements. After we return, we will be on full alert if there is another attack.

If you talk lightly and start a fight, you will know the consequences. Dismiss the meeting!" This was not just an objection, but a naked threat.

After saying that, leaving a room full of generals looking at each other, General MacArthur turned and left angrily. Brigadier General Jonathan and several U.S. generals who were leading the battle could only smile helplessly and lament in their hearts, dejectedly, "It's over, an excellent fighter opportunity.

Just lost like this, hey, there is no way, who made this old guy the commander-in-chief!"

It is true that if Brigadier General Jonathan's plan is followed, it is impossible for the Japanese Fourteenth Army to be wiped out, but it will definitely suffer the greatest losses. It is normal to lose tens of thousands of people. Therefore, Commander Yoshihiko Haruta made the right bet. Maybe,

This Japanese general who was eager to fight saw through MacArthur's weak nature and dared to adopt such an offensive method.

At about 2 o'clock in the morning on August 14, most of the leading brigade of the 103rd Division of the 14th Army of the Japanese Army finally arrived at the perimeter of the US Army's Manila Defense Line. The Japanese soldiers who had marched all night were as tired as dogs and could barely stretch.

He gasped for air with his tongue out.

Before he could take a deep breath, the Japanese commander raised his sword in his hand and ordered: "Target, the US defense line, give me the opportunity to kill!"

(To be continued)

.