Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

The victory at Piamana acted like a shot of adrenaline, injecting a powerful boost into the very lifeblood of the entire Chinese Expeditionary Force.

After a brief rest and replenishment, the reorganized "attack legion" launched an even more ferocious offensive into the heart of Southeast Asia, like a tiger unleashed from its cage.

Du Yuming was stationed at the central command, overseeing the overall situation.

The two subordinate army groups, like two arrows released from a bow, had clear objectives and attacked separately.

Among them are the newly formed 30th Division and those that have just entered Siam from China.

PS: Sun Liren was promoted to commander of the newly formed First Army due to the Battle of Biaoguan. The First Army had the newly formed 38th Division and the newly formed 30th Division under its command. The 30th Division was newly formed earlier than Qiu Qingquan's newly formed Seventh Army, so it had troops.

Sun Li-jen, a scholar-general who graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in the United States.

They not only had strict discipline and innovative tactics, but also possessed a strong sense of honor and a desire to achieve great things.

In the Battle of Pyinmana, his New 38th Division served as the final "key," and its achievements were remarkable.

But in his own view, it was ultimately just "adding flowers to brocade," far less tragic and dazzling than the "sending charcoal in the snow" that Liao Yaoxiang's troops had done.

now.

They watched as Huang Baitao, Yu Zhixing, and their troops shone brightly on the main battlefield.

Sun Liren's competitive spirit, which refused to be outdone, was completely ignited.

He submitted a bold, almost insane, battle plan to General Du Yuming, the commander-in-chief of the Annamese army.

He requested to lead the newly formed 38th and 30th Divisions to form an independent "rapid infiltration column" to avoid entanglement with the remaining Japanese troops.

Instead, it was like a sharp scalpel, advancing deep along the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, striking straight at the heart of the enemy.

His target is Pearl City!
The most dazzling jewel in this region, controlled by the British Empire.

Sun Liren's reasoning was: "To catch the thief, first catch the king."

As long as we can destroy the headquarters of the Japanese Southern Army...

This would completely destroy the last command center and will to resist of the Japanese army in Southeast Asia.

Du Yuming hesitated for a long time when he received the plan.

This plan is too risky. It involves going deep into enemy territory alone, which will stretch the supply lines extremely long. If it fails, the consequences will be unimaginable.

But in the end, it was Chu Yunfei's words that made him make up his mind.

"Let him give it a try. He should have some spirit after going on an expedition."

"We provided him with the greatest logistical support and the most timely intelligence."

"If we lose, I will take the blame; if we win, the credit will be his."

With Chu Yunfei's tacit approval, Sun Liren was like a tiger unleashed from its cage.

He personally led the elite troops of the two masters.

Motorized infantry were the vanguard.

An unprecedented long-distance run along the coastal highway began.

……

at the same time.

The Second Army Group, commanded by Huang Baitao, proceeded steadily and cautiously, directing its offensive towards Siam (Bangkok).

Unlike Sun Liren's enterprising spirit.

In Huang Baitao's view, it was the Southern Army Command Headquarters in Mingzhu City.

They're already trapped, they'll be theirs sooner or later, there's no need to take huge risks just to claim credit.

Most importantly, the Second Army's attack direction was French Indochina.

The most important task at present is to completely eliminate the remaining Japanese troops in Siam.

To consolidate the gains of the Battle of Pyinmana.

And it firmly controls this most important country in Southeast Asia.

This is the real, tangible achievement and benefit.

His deputy, Wu Ziqiang, was also a down-to-earth general.

His considerations from the perspective of subsequent offensive strategies led him to agree with Huang Baitao's ideas.

The two hit it off.

Commanding the newly formed 11th and 12th Armies, he launched a general offensive against Siam, the capital of Siam, with overwhelming force.

Japanese troops entrenched in Siam.

They were already like birds startled by the mere twang of a bow.

The news of their main force's defeat at Pyinmana left them with no hope of victory.

only.

They still did not give up the fight.

The Second Army's offensive lasted for three full days before it finally managed to break through Siam's defenses.

The ancient pagodas and magnificent palaces finally opened their doors to this victorious army.

This was the capital of Siam, guarded by fewer than six thousand Japanese soldiers.

It took a full week of attacking them before they finally managed to capture it.

Huang Hongyou, the commander of the 15th Reserve Division in charge of the main attack, was not blinded by victory.

He immediately ordered his troops to occupy the Japanese military headquarters in Siam and seal all documents and archives.

These things are far more valuable than capturing a few cannons.

Just as the frontline commander was leading his soldiers to clear the headquarters building.

An unexpected discovery stunned everyone.

In a locked office.

They discovered the body of a Japanese major general.

It is very likely that he is the brigade commander who commands this garrison brigade.

The major general, dressed in a neat military uniform, committed seppuku in a standard posture.

Beside him lay another corpse.

The man was wearing the uniform of a Japanese Army general.

A white cloth was covering his head.

The authority and demeanor of someone who has long held a high position are still clearly discernible.

On his chest, a series of medals gleamed eerily in the dim light.

The company commander present was stunned, his heart skipped a beat.

He immediately sent someone to summon the regimental commander, who then ordered the Japanese prisoners of war at headquarters to identify the individuals.

The Japanese major was trembling with fear.

Upon seeing the general's clothing, he collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. "Your Excellency!"

Huang Baitao and Wu Ziqiang rushed over upon hearing the news, and looked at each other in bewilderment at the dramatic scene before them.

Both sides saw an almost absurd shock in each other's eyes.

They never dreamed of it.

What they could not have imagined was...

This monumental achievement, enough to shake the entire world, this "capture of the king" feat that even Sun Liren sought after on his long journey, fell so easily, even somewhat by chance, onto their own heads.

He recalled the hardships and setbacks of the first half of his life.

I recalled the countless bloody battles I fought under Chu Yunfei's command.

He never imagined that one day he would stand here as a victor, examining the corpse of a Japanese army general and commander-in-chief of an army group.

"Brother Ziqiang."

He spoke slowly, his voice carrying an indescribable sense of emotion: "Tell me, is this fate?"

Wu Ziqiang did not answer.

He just watched silently, then gave a standard military salute.

It wasn't facing the corpse.

Instead, it was directed towards the countless heroic souls of the expeditionary force who sacrificed themselves for this victory, in the darkness of the universe.

"Brother Huanran, should we report this directly?"

Huang Baitao was silent for a moment: "The newly formed First Army is still conducting long-distance assaults, which is a good opportunity to experiment with tactics."

Clearly, Huang Baitao still had some reservations about Sun Liren.

Wu Ziqiang understood immediately and said with a wicked smile, "In that case, we don't need to report to the Annam Army Headquarters. We can just send a secret telegram to you, Your Excellency."

Huang Baitao glanced at Wu Ziqiang, who was still holding back his gasp, and then nodded.

Expeditionary Force Headquarters.

Chu Yunfei smiled and accepted the telegram handed to him by the confidential staff officer. He glanced at it and immediately guessed that the two of them were up to no good.

"Your Excellency, are these two trying to make a fool of the New First Army? Should we stop their infiltration?"

Chu Yunfei frowned and shook his head: "No need. Let the Fifth Army do a good job of flanking protection. We can also test whether an elite motorized infantry division can carry out a long-distance assault of more than 400 kilometers."

The confidential staff officer hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Understood." Stilwell, who was standing nearby, also stepped over after hearing the commotion.

Chu Yunfei made a shushing gesture, indicating that he should walk to the small conference room next to him.

Stilwell understood immediately and followed closely behind.

Eisenhower, quite sensibly, stayed where he was and waited.

In the conference room.

Chu Yunfei casually turned on the desk lamp that was placed to the side and put the telegram in his hand on the table.

After reading for a few minutes, Stilwell slowly said, "Chu, now that the overall situation is settled, perhaps we should consider the next phase of our plan."

Chu Yunfei naturally understood what Stilwell's so-called next phase plan was all about.

The Americans really wanted the expeditionary force to participate in the Pacific War.

The bloody battle to seize the island and the brutal war of attrition caused them to lose a significant number of soldiers.

Such a war.

The Americans said they could keep fighting.

But if there's a chance to reduce casualties, they're unwilling to miss it.

“Mr. Stilwell, you are also aware of our casualties. Our attacking forces have suffered more than half their casualties. Even if we immediately switch to retraining, it will take at least six months to restore our combat effectiveness.”

Chu Yunfei refused decisively: "The battle of our Second Army Group is not yet over, and the First Army Group's raid is still ongoing. The time is not yet ripe."

Stilwell was dissatisfied, but there was nothing he could do.

Chu Yunfei's reasons were quite valid.

Furthermore, what is the current situation of the expeditionary force?

Stilwell was quite aware of this as well.

He simply needed to express his own thoughts and the needs of the United States.

Chu Yunfei paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Mr. Stilwell, you can rest assured that once our expeditionary force is free to act, it will certainly cooperate with our allies to launch a fierce offensive against the Japanese in order to achieve final victory."

……

a week later.

When Sun Liren's rapid column finally arrived at the gates of Mingzhu City after overcoming numerous hardships, they were greeted by local auxiliary troops who had already raised white flags.

As for those Japanese people...

They simply gave up resisting.

This outcome was somewhat difficult for a slightly embarrassed Sun Liren to accept.

Sun Li-jen stood on the shore of the Johor Strait in military uniform.

Looking at the city on the other side of the river, which was within easy reach, he felt no joy of victory whatsoever.

Instead, an indescribable sense of loss and melancholy welled up within me.

He completed a raid of over 400 kilometers and a long-distance offensive of 800 kilometers.

Yet it also seems like we've lost.

He used all his strength to throw what he thought would be a devastating punch, but in the end, he hit nothing but empty cotton.

Those Japanese devils have already withdrawn.

They encountered almost no resistance along the way and successfully captured Pearl City.

Fame and fortune are predetermined, but fate can be unpredictable.

Perhaps, this is war.

It was full of scheming.

It is also full of countless coincidences and accidents.

The real victor is often not the one who charges ahead.

"Commander, we just received a telegram from headquarters that the Japanese troops in MLXY are also boarding ships to evacuate. Commander Du has ordered us to garrison Pearl City and be on guard against a Japanese counterattack."

"In addition, we have already contacted the military reporters who will take photos to promote our recapture of Mingzhu City. What do you think?"

Sun Liren sighed and waved his hand helplessly: "The propaganda is no longer important. Order the troops to prepare to re-enter the city. Commanders at all levels must keep their troops in check and prevent anything from affecting the image of our army."

"Yes!"
-
Mingzhu City's abdomen is pulled in.

Like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, it has stirred up ripples on the international political stage.

This city is known as the "Gibraltar of the East" and the "jewel in the crown of the British Empire".

After a brief period of Japanese occupation, control dramatically fell into the hands of the expeditionary force.

When the news reached London, it reached the wartime cabinet office at 10 Downing Street.

The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, puffing on his signature cigar, had a face so somber it seemed to drip water.

"Singapore has fallen into the hands of Sun Li-ren?"

He slammed the telegram on the table: "What is Alexander good for?"

"Where is our army?"

"Are they just going to stand by and watch?"

His roar echoed in the huge conference room.

But no one could answer his question.

Because the fact is, this happened before Sun Liren's troops arrived at the city.

British forces throughout Southeast Asia had already been almost entirely wiped out in previous battles.

leftover.
For example, a miscellaneous unit like the British Burma 1st Division was not qualified to participate in such a "long-distance raid" operation.

Foreign Minister Anthony Eden cleared his throat and attempted to analyze the situation in a more rational tone: "Mr. Prime Minister, we must acknowledge a fact. Currently, the ground battlefields throughout Southeast Asia are entirely dominated by the Chinese."

Their victories in Burma and Siam not only crushed the Japanese but also fundamentally altered the military balance of power in the region.

"We have lost the leverage to negotiate with them."

Fatty Qiu took a deep drag on his cigar, and the thick smoke made him cough violently.

He knew, of course, that Aiden was telling the truth.

But to make this politician, who dedicated his life to "defending the glory of the British Empire," bow down to the "sick man of East Asia" whom they once looked down upon.

This was worse than killing him.

"No!" he insisted. "Pearl City must not fall into Chinese hands! It is the property of our empire! We must take it back!"

Colonial Secretary Leopold Emory shook his head with a wry smile: "Prime Minister, what are we going to use to take them back? Send troops to fight the Chinese?"

Putting aside whether we can win, would the Americans agree to this?

Roosevelt has been waiting to see our British Empire fail.

The mere mention of Roosevelt immediately dampened Churchill's arrogance.

He himself clearly realized this.

The British Empire today is nothing more than a cog in the American war machine in this world war.

They have lost the ability to act independently.

An awkward silence fell over the meeting room.

After a long silence, Aiden spoke again, proposing a compromise.

"Perhaps we can try to resolve this through diplomatic channels."

He looked at Fatty Qiu and said cautiously, "Prime Minister, the Japanese strategic retreat in Southeast Asia is already a fait accompli."

What we need to do most now is to restore our rule in the region as soon as possible.

I believe we should immediately send a high-ranking representative to the mountain city for an open and frank negotiation with their commander.

Fatty Qiu frowned: "Negotiation?"

“Yes, negotiations,” Aiden emphasized. “We can promise them recognition of their postwar influence over French Indochina, and even support their repatriation of **.”

In exchange, we demand that they return control of Pearl City and Malaya to us.

"This is the only thing we can do right now. We're using some of the interests we've already lost, or those that aren't so important, to get back our core interests."

Churchill fell silent.

He knew about the current plan.

Although humiliating, it is the most pragmatic and only feasible option at present.

"Ok."

He finally waved his hand wearily: "That's settled then. Who should we send?"

Aiden answered without hesitation: "General Archibald Wavell."

"He has served as Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army and Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East Command. He is very familiar with Asian affairs and has had contact with him."

"It would be most appropriate for him to step forward."

Fatty Qiu stubbed out his cigar, as if extinguishing the last vestige of pride in his heart: "Let him go." (End of Chapter)