coobybook Chapter 505: Advancing to Mandalay
Chapter 505: Advancing to Mandalay
505 advances to Mandalay
The Japanese rear command also learned at this time that Lashio had been captured by Ye Qingshan.
They also knew that their 56th Division, an elite ace division, had not only had two regiments annihilated by Ye Qingshan in Nankan.
The remaining two main regiments, as well as other troops, were trapped in the Bhamo and Myitkyina areas.
Became a lone army.
"Baga, Watanabe Masao is such an idiot, he said it with certainty before.
We will definitely defend Lashio.
Now, we have lost two regiments in Namkham for nothing, and Lashio is still lost.”
The Japanese commander Shojiro Iida was very angry at this time. He walked back and forth in the headquarters and cursed at the commander of the 56th Division, Masao Watanabe.
After cursing for a while, the old Japanese soldier got tired and asked the Japanese Chief of Staff beside him, "Where is Watanabe Masao now?"
“Commander-in-chief, Masao Watanabe is in command of two allied reinforcements from the 55th Division.
Now they are blocked in Jiaomei by Ye Qingshan’s brigade.
And according to our latest intelligence.
The main force of Ye Qingshan's 86th Army has moved south along the Yunnan-Burma Highway and arrived in Lashio.
At this time, there were tens of thousands of Chinese troops in Lashio.
They are Ye Qingshan’s elite troops.
I was just about to ask you whether we should allow Watanabe Masao to lead the two regiments of the 55th Division to withdraw.
Otherwise, I am worried that these two regiments will also be eaten by Ye Qingshan’s 86th Army.”
The Japanese chief of staff said with a worried look on his face.
"Damn it, how did Ye Qingshan join the Chinese army that entered Burma to fight?"
The Japanese commander had a headache.
He was naturally very familiar with Ye Qingshan.
At this time, Ye Qingshan was a celebrity in the Japanese base camp, and there was no Japanese general who didn't know him.
Originally, Ye Qingshan's base was in southern Zhejiang.
It is thousands of kilometers away from Myanmar.
Before the war, Shojiro Iida could never have imagined that Ye Qingshan would be willing to lead his troops to travel such a long distance to join the expeditionary force.
Come to Myanmar and fight them.
What a bad luck.
The Empire's Nemesis isn't called that for nothing.
“The 56th Division’s troops that have withdrawn to Bhamo and those in Myitkyina must be rescued.
Notify these two troops to temporarily hold on to Bhamo and Myitkyina.
Next, I will let the 18th Division defeat the Fifth Army of the Chinese Army as soon as possible and open a gap from the Yingduo direction.
At that time, let them withdraw from there and join the 18th Division."
The Japanese commander ordered.
There was no way he would give up, as the last two main regiments of the 56th Division were his elite troops.
"Then what will happen if Ye Qingshan's 86th Army's main force moves west to Mandalay?"
The Japanese chief of staff continued to express his new concerns.
He believed that Ye Qingshan's 86th Army would definitely not stay in Lashio after arriving in Lashio.
Attacking Mandalay may be Ye Qingshan’s biggest possibility next.
Because, at that time, Mandalay was also the logistics supply base for the Japanese 18th, 33rd and 55th Divisions.
The strategic value is more important than Lashio.
If Mandalay were lost, the Japanese would truly be defeated in this battle.
“Now, the 18th and 33rd Divisions, as well as the 55th Division’s troops remaining in Mandalay, total more than 10,000 people.
Is it possible that they can’t stop Ye Qingshan’s 86th Army?
Ye Qingshan's 86th Army was divided into several parts, and the number of troops that could be sent to attack Mandalay would not exceed .
We have more than 10,000 people, and we can't defend Mandalay with its geographical advantages?"
Although the Japanese commander Shotaro Iida knew Ye Qingshan's reputation, he still didn't believe that the combat effectiveness of Ye Qingshan's 86th Army could be that strong.
"Commander, you must never underestimate Ye Qingshan.
Don't forget that our imperial army has fallen into his hands several times.
Even General Matsui Iwane was defeated by him.
Moreover, according to the top-secret intelligence sent by the Special High Section, the number of troops under Ye Qingshan's 86th Army.
It is very likely not 30,000 people. The exact number has not been found yet, but it is definitely far more than this number.
So, if Ye Qingshan really attacks Mandalay next.
At this time, we only have about 10,000 troops in Mandalay, all of whom are soldiers from the logistics and supply troops. It is too dangerous.
I suggest that we withdraw two regiments from the 33rd Division and return to Mandalay to defend it.
Even if two regiments are taken away from the 66rd Division, it should be enough to deal with the Chinese th Army."
The Japanese chief of staff quickly put forward his suggestions.
"Okay, let's do as you say.
Let's inform the 33rd Division like this."
Therefore, the Japanese headquarters immediately made new arrangements for the next battle.
It mainly revolves around two points.
The first is to let the Japanese main force, the 18th Division, defeat the main force of the Fifth Army north of Mandalay as soon as possible.
Support the remnants of the 56th Division in Bhamo and Myitkyina and withdraw them.
The second is to defend Mandalay and prevent Ye Qingshan from taking Mandalay again.
As long as the Japanese can accomplish these two points next, they can continue to fight this battle.
They will not lose this battle.
At this point, the Japanese commander no longer had any hope of annihilating the 100,000-strong expeditionary force.
On Ye Qingshan's side, the subsequent actions of the main force of the 86th Army were indeed the same as what the Japanese chief of staff had guessed.
Ye Qingshan focused his attention on Mandalay.
According to Ye Qingshan's plan, the next decisive battle between them and the Japanese 15th Army will mainly be fought around Mandalay.
Ye Qingshan even wanted to re-launch the Battle of Mandalay.
However, Ye Qingshan’s Battle of Mandalay was different from the Battle of Mandalay that Luo Zhuoying and Stilwell had planned before.
In Ye Qingshan's Battle of Mandalay, the expeditionary force will be the attacking side.
The Japs will become the defending party.
“Commander, the armored vehicles and tanks of the armored company have been fully fueled.
The whole army is ready to go at any time."
At two o'clock in the afternoon, Zhou Pingkou found Ye Qingshan and said.
“Well, half an hour later, the army set out.
Let the armored forces take the lead and advance quickly towards Mandalay.
Try to test the Japanese defense situation in the direction of Mandalay.
Let Lu Dahai's group go to Ruibo, north of Mandalay, as planned.
When the main force of our army approaches Mandalay, the Japanese 18th Division in Yingduo to the north will definitely send troops to support us.
At that time, it will be a good opportunity to surround the point and attack the reinforcements.
I asked Black Bear's special operations regiment to assign an artillery regiment to help them.
Other units, advance towards Mandalay with all your might.
If you encounter small groups of Japanese harassment along the way, don't pay any attention to them.
If you encounter a large group of Japanese troops blocking your way, you should go all out and kill them as quickly as possible.
In two days at most, I want to see our 86th Army arrive in Mandalay."
Ye Qingshan quickly arranged the next combat operation. At this time, the entire army had been divided into several groups, each carrying out orders.
(Large-scale combat is not easy to write, please give me some small gifts!)