coobybook Chapter 509: Heading North for a Meeting
Chapter 509: Heading North for a Meeting
509 Going north for a meeting
Stilwell's purpose in returning this time was to regain command of the Expeditionary Force.
At this time, Stilwell saw that Luo Zhuoying was so aware of the current situation and had no objection to any of his orders.
Stilwell felt even happier.
"Commander Luo, don't worry.
Before coming here, I had asked Imphal to prepare enough supplies to arm two armies.
Now, I'll send a telegram.
Two days, just two days, this batch of supplies can be delivered here."
Stilwell was in a very good mood at this time.
Originally, the situation in Burma was deteriorating and the expeditionary force was in danger of being annihilated by the Japanese.
As a result, Stilwell, the de facto supreme commander of the Allied Forces in Southeast Asia, was impeached by the US top leadership.
The supplies that were supposed to be sent to the expeditionary force were also left on the British territory in Imphal.
Fortunately, the situation has turned around now.
Stilwell no longer hid anything and sent a telegram directly to the Allied forces in Imphal, asking them to deliver the supplies originally intended for the expeditionary force as soon as possible.
Luo Zhuoying was also very happy after hearing this.
"Great! As long as we have the supplies, our expeditionary force can take revenge on the Japanese in this battle.
The outcome of the Battle of Mandalay is still undecided."
The failure of the Battle of Mandalay not only disappointed Stilwell, but also caused concern for Luo Zhuoying.
"Haha, Luo.
This time, you and I will cooperate again and fight the devils again in Mandalay."
Stilwell looked at Luo Zhuoying and said with a smile.
But Luo Zhuoying just smiled and said nothing.
I just thought to myself: You have never really taken over the command of the expeditionary force.
It will be even more impossible in the future.
But Luo Zhuoying couldn't say this at this moment.
This was something he, Ye Qingshan and Du Yuming had discussed in advance.
Let Luo Zhuoying first appease Stilwell and get the necessary supplies.
As for undermining Stilwell's command, that would only take a few minutes.
The command of the expeditionary force has always been in the hands of the four army commanders below.
For example, Du Yuming's Fifth Army, the headquarters could even bypass Luo Zhuoying and issue orders to his Fifth Army.
Before Stilwell, he could always command the expeditionary force to fight.
This is also because the domestic command agreed to give Stilwell supreme command.
But the real supreme command power has never been in his hands.
Now, after the last British stabbing incident, the top leaders of the National Army realized that these foreigners are not reliable at all.
The supreme command authority was nominally still reserved for Stilwell.
However, the actual command of the expeditionary force must be given to someone recognized by the headquarters.
The candidate has not yet been decided.
But it certainly won’t be me.
Because he had trusted the British too much, which led to the expeditionary force being surrounded, Luo Zhuoying had already considered resigning as commander.
Ye Qingshan is also unlikely, after all, Ye Qingshan's situation is special.
Luo Zhuoying guessed that the commander of the new expeditionary force finally chosen by the headquarters would most likely be Du Yuming.
Because, among the three generals of the expeditionary force, he held the highest position.
And Du Yuming is the old man's confidant, so he must be the most suitable one.
The three of them should have met a long time ago.
This time, Stilwell rebuilt the General Headquarters, which was a good opportunity for the three of them to meet.
Soon, the telegram sent in the name of Allied Commander Stilwell reached the commanders of the expeditionary forces.
“Stilwell came back and reestablished Allied command.
He wanted to call me, Du Yuming and others to a meeting at the headquarters.
And let me serve in the Allied Command."
Ye Qingshan couldn't help laughing when he saw the content of the telegram.
Ye Qingshan was not surprised at all about this. He had even predicted it two days ago.
“Well, the new Allied Command does need to be rebuilt.
The question of command authority really needs to be clarified.
Otherwise, there will be big problems in the decisive battle with the devils later."
Ye Qingshan stood up, called Xiao Wusheng, and asked him to gather the guard company and prepare to set off.
"Lao Zhou, after I leave, this place will be handed over to you.
Remember, if there is any news about the mobile group, please inform me as soon as possible.
I estimate that they will have news today or tomorrow.
If there is still no news, then things are bad.”
Before leaving, Ye Qingshan gave Zhou Pingkou some instructions.
"Don't worry, Commander. I'm here with you in the army. Be careful when you go there.
As soon as there is any news from the mobile regiment, I will inform you by telegram immediately."
"Xiao Wusheng, drive."
The military vehicle that Ye Qingshan was riding in left the barracks and, under the protection of a guard company, headed north to Ruibo to attend the high-level meeting of the expeditionary force.
As for Stilwell's order to Ye Qingshan's 86th Army, it was to leave the Aniskan line on the eastern front and head north to join the Fifth Army.
Ye Qingshan simply ignored it.
This does not conform to Ye Qingshan's subsequent combat plan, so he naturally will not carry it out.
At this time, the battle line between the Expeditionary Force and the Japanese around Mandalay had basically remained static and was in a stalemate.
This meeting will be directly related to the future development of the war between the Expeditionary Force and the Japanese.
Therefore, Ye Qingshan attached great importance to it.
Moreover, Ye Qingshan made this trip in order to gain actual command of the expeditionary force.
In this case, he had to meet with Luo Zhuoying and the commanders of the other three armies of the expeditionary force.
As for Stilwell, the Allied commander, Ye Qingshan gave him this positioning.
As the Minister of Logistics of the Allied Forces, he was only responsible for supplying materials to the expeditionary force.
Of course, if he could command the British army, that would be his ability.
But if the British army wants to come back, it depends on whether Ye Qingshan agrees.
*
*
Just as Ye Qingshan was setting off for a meeting at the headquarters.
Far to the southeast of Mandalay, in Taunggyi, nearly 200 kilometers away, in the nearby jungle,
Zhao Dongsheng's mobile regiment had been hiding in a jungle for two days.
They arrived in Taunggyi two days ago, relying on armored vehicles, cars and bicycles for transportation.
This is a very important strategic location when heading south from Lashio.
This was also the route taken by the Japanese 56th Division when it headed north to capture Lashio.
Now, Zhao Dongsheng and his men were merely repeating the original attack route of the Japanese 56th Division.
Take Taunggyi, then go south to capture Leigu, all the way to the final destination of this mobile regiment, Toungoo.
They are all very important strategic locations.
Moreover, once Zhao Dongsheng and his men captured Dongzhi, the whereabouts of their mobile regiment would be completely exposed.
The Japanese headquarters will certainly discover their regiment's intentions immediately.
Therefore, Zhao Dongsheng knew very well that once they took action in Dongzhi, they would have to move with swiftness and without any delay.
In order to ensure the success of the next, more important assault operation.
Zhao Dongsheng then ordered his mobile regiment to hide and rest in a jungle north of Dongzhi for two full days.
Let the more than 3,000 soldiers in his regiment recuperate and gather their strength to launch a fatal attack.
Once they start, they will not have a chance to rest for a long time.
(I have something to do tomorrow, please take a day off.
A reader gave me a battle plan. I will draw it up tomorrow and see how to post it.)