Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 555 Urgent Telegram from the Siamese Front; Du Yuming receives the plane, Chu Yunfei urgently adjusts the deployment! (Please subscribe)

Fifth War Zone Command.

Chu Yunfei stood in front of the defense map of the Fifth War Zone.

Regarding the spoils of this battle.

Li Zongren has agreed that 30% will be allocated to the 125th Division of the Sichuan Army.

The remaining allocations were left to the war zones to handle.

As for Sun Ming
The current task is to compile plans for the Sichuan Army units under my responsibility.

In reality, it was also a matter of following the old ways, and with the experience of reorganizing the troops in the Second World War zone, it was actually quite easy to complete.

In the past two days, Chu Yunfei has only been able to spend two hours each day meeting with the officers of the officer training corps.

Let's talk about my views on war and some specific tactical implementations.

It was a rare period of relative peace.

only.

These good days didn't last long.

The third day after the battle to suppress bandits in Baiyun Mountain.

At noon that day.

A confidential staff officer rushed in with hurried steps, his face showing undisguised tension.

He didn't speak immediately, but instead stood at attention and saluted.

He handed over a telegram, the paper slightly damp from his sweaty palms.

"Commander Chu, urgent telegram from the Expeditionary Force Headquarters on the Siam front!"

Chu Yunfei took the telegram and quickly scanned the text on it.

The telegram was very short.

"The Japanese army assembled its main air force forces and launched a large-scale air raid on our Southern Route Army."

The British Burmese 1st Division's positions were breached and they have now collapsed.

My Fifth Army and the newly formed Thirteenth Army are putting up a fierce resistance, suffering heavy casualties.

He has ordered the 71st Army and the newly formed 38th Division to rush to reinforce the area.

However, the enemy's offensive is fierce, and the front line is in grave danger. We earnestly request your instructions.

Chu Yunfei held the telegram, his fingertips turning slightly white.

But his expression remained unchanged, still calm and serene.

His brain was working at lightning speed.

The British-led army had difficulty winning battles and was easily exploited by the Japanese army as a breakthrough point during combat.

Expecting them to fight is like trying to catch fish by climbing a tree.

This was entirely within Chu Yunfei's expectations.

However, the Japanese counterattack was much faster than he had anticipated.

The real trouble began when the Japanese chose to break through this weakest point, which was under the control of the British.

Terauchi Hisaichi's goal was clear: to use the sharpest blade to cut through the weakest point and tear apart the entire Southern Route Army's battle line in one fell swoop.
Du Yuming's response was correct.

Using the elite 71st Army and Sun Liren's New 38th Division as reserves was the only option to stabilize the front line.

However, the phrase "resisting step by step" already illustrates the ferocity of the battle.

This is not a tactical retreat, but a desperate defense pushed to the limit.

Once the Southern Route Army is defeated, or even severely damaged.

The Northern Route Army, commanded by Huang Baitao, would become an isolated force, stranded within Siamese territory, unable to advance or retreat.

Until then.

The entire Siam campaign would not only fail, but the more than 200,000 soldiers of the expeditionary force would also be in danger.

Sun Ming leaned over for a look, his brows furrowing into a deep frown: "Your Excellency, that old devil Terauchi Hisaichi has very likely staked everything and mobilized all available resources."

The Fifth Corps, the Thirteenth Corps, plus the armored forces that Stilwell treasured.

This was practically the entirety of the Southern Route Army's resources.

"Yes, our old rival just seized the opportunity when the sky cleared up to deliver a vicious blow to us."

Chu Yunfei was filled with emotion.

Terauchi Hisaichi truly deserves the title of a renowned general. Although Du Yuming is also quite capable, he cannot predict the weather like Chu Yunfei.

Do you know if tomorrow will be rainy or sunny?

It's impossible to micromanage every single unit, even if each unit does its best to conduct corresponding air defense operations.

However, it was difficult to exert much effectiveness under the direct attack of large Japanese aircraft formations and even naval air forces.

"Using air raids as a breakthrough, we attacked the Southern Route Army, which was preparing for an offensive operation. At the same time, we selected a breakthrough point to cause the British army to collapse. Then, we outflanked the Southern Route Army and used the elite 18th Division to cut off its rear."

They want to encircle and annihilate our Southern Route Army forces on the border between Siam and Burma.

"This is indeed a gamble with everything on the line."

"If they win, the Japanese army will have at least a year to catch their breath. Even if the expeditionary force is in complete defeat, the Japanese may be able to take over the Yenangyaung oil field as well."

"But if we lose, the Japanese Southern Army will have no force left to organize an effective defense, and we will soon sweep across Southeast Asia."

Sun Ming looked at the map with great concern: "General Stilwell is probably jumping up and down in a panic. His precious armored brigade will only be chased by the Japanese in this situation."

Stilwell was explicitly opposed to this strategic offensive, believing that the expeditionary force was far from ready.

Now, with the setback in the Siam campaign, it will inevitably affect Stilwell, Marshall and others' considerations for providing assistance.

What these Americans dislike most is things slipping out of their control.

This counterattack seems to have completely disrupted the entire game.

However, Chu Yunfei's heart remained completely unmoved.

Because he understood better than Terauchi Hisaichi that the war had reached this point.

The battle is no longer about the gains and losses of a single city or territory on the front lines.

It also reflects the entire country's war potential and logistical support capabilities.

Nowadays, with the establishment of more divisional districts, the construction of comprehensive training centers, and the liberation of southern Henan and Hebei provinces.

Their reserve force is almost inexhaustible; the only difference is that the training cycle has become longer.

That's it.

On the other hand, what about the Japanese?

This fierce attack by the Japanese army, seemingly ruthless, was actually a final act of madness.

How many more flights do their air force units have left?
How long do they have enough artillery shells to keep them going?

After suffering a series of crushing defeats in Burma and North China, how much morale did their soldiers have left?

This was a magnificent fireworks display; after its brilliance came endless darkness.

"Sun Ming." Chu Yunfei's voice rang out, calm and undisturbed.

"exist!"

"Get the plane ready, I'm heading to Myanmar."

Sun Ming was taken aback for a moment, then stood at attention and replied, "Yes!"

"in addition."

Chu Yunfei folded the telegram and put it in his jacket pocket. "Draft two telegrams in my name."

He paced back and forth as he dictated his thoughts, his train of thought remarkably clear:

"The first telegram is addressed to the Military Commission of Chongqing, for the Chairman's personal attention."

The content states: The current situation in the Siam war has suddenly changed, with the main force of the Japanese army launching a fierce counterattack, and the situation on the southern front is critical.

In order to stabilize the overall situation, he decided to return to the Expeditionary Force Headquarters immediately to personally take command.

It is recommended that military affairs in North China and the Fifth Theater be temporarily handled by the commanders of the respective theater commands.

Yunfei will be on the front lines, serving the Party and the country with utmost loyalty, and dedicating himself to the nation.

Sun Mingfei quickly took notes.

This is hardly a request for instructions.

Chu Yunfei was directly presenting his decision to the Chairman and expressing his willingness to take full responsibility for the defeat in the campaign.

"The second document is addressed to General Du Yuming, Acting Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force."

"Content: The telegram has been received. The British defeat was not due to a lack of skill. Commander Du is advised to maintain the troop's position, buy time by creating space, regroup the troops, and await reinforcements."

Sun Ming put down his pen, looked up at Chu Yunfei, his eyes filled with admiration.

At such a critical juncture, such a telegram was nothing short of a shot in the arm for the soldiers on the front lines.

However, he was also quite puzzled at this moment.

He didn't understand where Chu Yunfei was referring to as reinforcements.

Could it be the 66th Army that was still being reorganized in Yunnan, or the 6th Army that was defending against the Japanese landing operation in Rangoon?
Sun Ming asked hesitantly, "The reorganization work of the Fifth War Zone..."

Chu Yunfei pondered for a moment, then replied, "Pengcheng hasn't been discharged from the hospital yet. You stay here and continue to handle the reorganization of the Sichuan Army with Commander Li and Commander-in-Chief Sun."

"Yes."

Sun Ming turned to leave.

Chu Yunfei then spoke up: "Send a telegram to the Chairman, requesting permission to take the Generals Training Corps to Burma as well."

Sun Ming paused, then nodded emphatically: "Understood."

After arranging everything, Chu Yunfei remained silent.

He walked alone to the edge of the highlands, letting the mountain wind blow against his clothes, his gaze fixed on the distant south, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

The beginning is always the hardest, but the reorganization work of the Fifth War Zone has already made a breakthrough.

The subsequent work should be easier to carry out.

Siam and Burma were his true battlefields.

Terauchi Hisaichi, if you want a duel, then I will give you one.
-
Dark as ink.

A C-47 transport plane roared monotonously through the thick clouds.

The cabin was dimly lit, with only a few small lights barely illuminating the narrow space.

Chu Yunfei did not rest. On the small table in front of him was a large military map, covered with dense symbols and arrows marked in red and blue pencils.

Occasionally, a 76 might appear, causing the water glass on the table to tremble slightly, creating ripples on the surface.

His finger slowly moved upwards from a dot marked "Yangon," eventually stopping at an area between "Pyay" and "Tunggu."

The Southern Route Army's defensive line was like a taut string.

The Japanese air raids were like the sharpest needle, striking precisely the weakest point guarded by the British.

The string was broken. Du Yuming's response was textbook perfect.

Using the elite 71st Army and the newly formed 38th Division to plug the gap is the only correct choice at this moment.

However, this is a rather rigid style of play.

They were using their elite soldiers' flesh and blood to block the bayonets of the Japanese army's counterattack.

Terauchi Hisaichi, that old Japanese devil, wasn't fighting a localized counterattack.

It was a decisive battle to achieve victory in one fell swoop.

He concentrated the entire air force of the Thai-Burma Front on one point, aiming to create an unstoppable breach.

Then he used his most elite ground troops to pour in like a flood, breaking down and scattering the entire Southern Route Army's defenses.

He was gambling.

They gambled on taking advantage of the clear weather these past few days to completely crush the main force of the expeditionary force.

They had no other choice; no one knew what would happen after they plundered supplies from Siam, Malaysia, Singapore, and other places.

How long can these Japanese devils from the Thai-Burma Front and the Southern Army hold out?

Chu Yunfei shifted his gaze from the southern front.

Then I looked at the north side of the map.

That was the Northern Route Army commanded by Huang Baitao and Wu Ziqiang.

If the southern front was the "anvil" that withstood the Japanese army's fierce attacks.

Therefore, the Northern Route Army must become the "hammer" to smash the enemy.

He picked up a pencil and drew a thick arrow on the map.

From the current position of the Northern Route Army, the line points diagonally south of Chiang Mai to a railway hub called "Lampang".

In Chu Yunfei's view, simply capturing Chiang Mai was not enough.

That can only be considered a restraint.

The Japanese army's retreat route must be completely cut off.

It threatens the lifeline of the entire Thai-Myanmar Front Army.

Take control of the railway hub connecting Bangkok and the northern Siam.

This made Terauchi Hisaichi's counterattack force, which was frantically rushing towards the Southern Route Army, worry that their rear would be outflanked.

Only in this way can we force Terauchi Hisaichi to retreat.

This was the only solution Chu Yunfei could think of without the aid of a three-dimensional combat map.

But the same thing.

People like Hisaichi Terauchi are never lacking in courage.

If Terauchi Hisaichi were to see that the war could be won by abandoning the 56th Division, he would definitely use the 56th Division as a pawn.

Chu Yunfei rubbed his head. Lately, he felt that his energy and physical strength were not very good.

I don't know if it's because my old injury hasn't fully healed, or if my physical condition has declined again due to lack of exercise.

The fuselage bounced violently, and the plane began its descent.

Outside the porthole, the thick clouds were torn apart, revealing the earth below shrouded in night.

"Chief Advisor, we're almost there."

The pilot reported via intercom.

"understood."

Chu Yunfei answered calmly, carefully folded the map, put it in his briefcase, and then straightened his military uniform.

His face showed no expression or anxiety, as if he were conducting a routine inspection.

The plane landed at a field airfield near Yangon.

The moment the hatch opened, a wave of hot, humid air mixed with the smells of gunpowder and fuel rushed out.

The beams of searchlights crisscrossed in the air.

Ground crew guided the aircraft into the hangar amidst shouts and screams.

Du Yuming, the acting commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force, was already waiting not far away.

This general, known for his composure and decisiveness, appeared slightly anxious at this moment, with a full beard and bloodshot eyes, clearly having not slept for dozens of hours.

However, his military uniform was still neat, and several generals with equally solemn expressions stood beside him.

This included Zheng Dongguo, commander of the Fifth Army; Yu Zhixing, commander of the newly formed Thirteenth Army; and Liao Yaoxiang, chief of staff of the Fifth Army.

They saw Chu Yunfei walk down the gangway.

Du Yuming strode forward, gave a forceful military salute, and said in a hoarse voice, "Chief Advisor!"

Chu Yunfei returned the greeting, his gaze sweeping over the group of generals behind him, and said in a deep voice, "You've worked hard, Brother Guangting."

There was no unnecessary small talk.

The group went directly into the temporary command post next to the airport.

The command post was filled with smoke, and the sounds of telephones and telegraphs filled the air. In front of the huge battle map on the wall, staff officers were loudly reporting the latest battle situation.

"Condition?"

Chu Yunfei cut to the chase and asked, "What is the current situation of the various units at the front?"

Liao Yaoxiang immediately reported: "The Japanese offensive is too fierce, and they are fighting without regard for casualties. Our soldiers are very brave, and we are completely suppressed because we lack air cover."

"Where is our air force?"

"Because of the vast disparity in strength between the two sides, General Stilwell refused to provide close fire support. He believed that our aircraft should defend Rangoon and drive away the torpedo bombers in the airspace to improve the efficiency of aid delivery."

Stilwell's idea was not wrong.

Chu Yunfei listened quietly, his gaze shifting back and forth across the map.

In reality, his consciousness had already been immersed in the three-dimensional combat map.

Unit Name: Sixth Army

Current organization level: 88%

Current combat strength: 19347 (out of 24380)

[Currently the main light weapons in service: Garand rifle; Type 24 rifle.]

[Currently the main machine gun models in service: Browning light machine gun, Czech-made light machine gun]

[Currently, the main supporting weapon types are: Type 92 infantry gun, 60mm mortar, and 82mm mortar.]

[Current main equipment heavy weapons: Shanghai-made 75mm mountain gun]

Current equipment status: Good

Current logistical support status: Good

[Current training level of this unit: Initial training completed]

Unit Name: Newly Formed 22nd Division

Current organization level: 35%

Current troop strength: 8437 (out of 14386)

[Currently the main light weapons in service: Garand rifle; Type 24 rifle.]

[Currently the main machine gun models in service: Browning light machine gun, Czech-made light machine gun]

[Currently, the main equipment support weapons are: 37mm anti-tank gun, 45mm direct-fire gun, 60mm mortar, 82mm mortar, and 107mm mortar.]

[Current main heavy weapon: M1-75mm mountain gun]

Current equipment status: Good

Current logistical support status: Poor

[Current training level of this unit: Well-trained]

Within the range of the three-dimensional combat map, the number of combat troops that can be seen is not large.

The newly formed 22nd Division was one of the units that withdrew earlier, and its casualties have reached one-third.

Although the number of weapons was relatively intact, the organization was clearly damaged to some extent.

The low morale is most likely due to the loss of air superiority.

Chu Yunfei didn't have any good solutions to this problem.

After some thought, Chu Yunfei slowly spoke, his tone calm yet unquestionable.

He immediately issued an order!
"Order: All units of the Southern Route Army shall withdraw to the outer defense line of Mawdan Myint and Yangon."

"what?"

Du Yuming and all the generals on the field were stunned.

The air in the airport command center seemed to freeze.

The pungent smell of tobacco, sweat, and damp earth mingled together, making it hard to breathe. The telegraph machine in the corner continued its tireless ticking, as if striking a death knell for this life-or-death battle.

Du Yuming and his generals stared intently at the seemingly fragile new defensive line drawn by Chu Yunfei on the map.

A full retreat?

Abandon the defensive?

In their traditional military doctrine, this is almost equivalent to defeat.

Every inch of land was won with the lives of soldiers; how can we give it up so easily?
Moreover, these are all defense lines they had previously built, and if they did not rely on these defense lines to resist...

How should the next battle proceed?

Zheng Dongguo spoke with difficulty, his voice slightly hoarse: "If we retreat like this, the Japanese army will surely advance unimpeded, and the morale of our troops will probably be affected as a result."

"Morale?" Chu Yunfei turned around, his eyes flashing like lightning as he swept over everyone present: "Watching your brothers being killed in droves by Japanese shells and bombs on the front lines without air cover or heavy artillery support, is that what you call having morale?"
Or should we let them use the terrain we're familiar with to wear down and gradually annihilate the pursuing Japanese? Is that what you call having high morale?

Chu Yunfei slowly said, "Terauchi Hisaichi wants a quick victory. He's staked everything on this, hoping to take advantage of our unstable position and kill us with one blow. We'll not let him have his way."

"The faster he attacks, the longer his supply lines are stretched, and the faster he dies. Huang Baitao on the northern route is like a knife stuck in his heart; the deeper he advances, the harder the knife stabs him!"

Chu Yunfei ignored their surprise, picked up the command baton beside him, and drew a new defensive line on the map: "Lengthen the defensive line and expand the depth."

Wasn't the Japanese army going to make a breakthrough?

Let them continue their advance.

From this moment forward, our goal is not to hold onto any point, but to wear them down in the process, to make them pay a bloody price for every step forward.

We have shifted from a defensive posture to a mobile warfare posture.

If necessary, strategic locations such as Maodanmian can be abandoned directly.

As long as Rangoon remains in our hands, the Japanese army will never be able to stop its offensive.

in other words.

As long as we hold Rangoon, those little devils will eventually bleed to their last drop!

(End of this chapter)