bookcurios Chapter 517 Counterattack
Chapter 517 Counterattack
517 Counterattack Counterattack
“Yes, I can prove it.
Last night, I received a telegram from the new 22nd Division.
They said that the Japanese 18th Division had started to launch another attack to the north since yesterday afternoon.
The offensive has increased instead of decreased.
At the same time, the 200th Division also sent a telegram from Bhamo saying that the 113th Regiment of the th Division of the Japanese army trapped in Bhamo was also breaking out to the south.
They should be trying to break through the encirclement of the 200th Division and head south to join the Japanese th Division."
Du Yuming said with a serious expression.
"Well, the Japs have no intention of retreating.
The Japanese 18th Division, don't they know that they have already lost Toungoo and their retreat has been cut off by our army?"
Gan Lichu was puzzled.
"Of course they do."
Ye Qingshan sneered and continued, "The Japanese commander, Shojiro Iida, clearly thinks that even if our expeditionary force surrounds their 15th Army, we will not be able to defeat them.
Therefore, they were not in a hurry to retreat.
They even didn't want to give up the other two regiments of the Japanese 56th Division that were surrounded by us in Bhamo and Myitkyina.
I also want to rescue them and then retreat.
These Japanese generals are still as arrogant as ever.
This time, if I don't make them pay the price for their arrogance again, I won't be called Ye Qingshan."
Ye Qingshan knew too well the psychology of these senior Japanese generals: they were arrogant, conceited and arrogant.
They still look down on the expeditionary force.
Even if they were surrounded, they were certain that the expeditionary force could not defeat their 15th Army.
At this time, the adjutant sent by Stilwell came back.
He whispered a few words to Stilwell, who then looked shocked and cursed: Shit!
Then Stilwell looked at Ye Qingshan: "You win."
At this time, Stilwell also confirmed from MI6 that the Japanese had really lost Toungoo.
The Japanese 15th Army in Mandalay in the north had its retreat cut off, and the situation on the battlefield changed significantly.
Before that, it was the Japanese 56th Division that captured Lashio and encircled the Expeditionary Force.
In just one week, Ye Qingshan used the same tactics as the Japanese and even took the same route.
In the past, we captured Toungoo and cut off the enemy's retreat route.
This was the first time that Stilwell encountered such a strange battlefield situation, which made him re-examine Ye Qingshan, the young expeditionary force commander.
"I, Stilwell, keep my word. From today on, I will not interfere with the command of your expeditionary force.
I want to see how Commander Yeh will defeat the Japanese 50th Army."
Stilwell kept his promise and granted Ye Qingshan command, which made it completely legitimate.
Ye Qingshan can now fight according to his own plan without worrying about being constrained by Stilwell.
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief."
When Ye Qingshan heard Stilwell say this, he immediately saluted Stilwell and addressed him as the Allied Commander for the first time.
This shows that Ye Qingshan still recognized Stilwell as the commander of the Allied Forces in Southeast Asia.
However, this battle is too important to the expeditionary force, so he must command it personally.
When Stilwell heard Ye Qingshan's address, he was stunned for a moment, then he understood.
His eyes towards Ye Qingshan became much softer.
Then, Stilwell did not leave, but stared at the map and said: "Now, you have indeed encircled the Japanese 15th Army.
You want to eat up the 100,000 troops of the Japanese 15th Army.
There are two ways.
Either we launch a strong attack and wipe out these 100,000 Japanese troops in Mandalay before the Japanese army recaptures Toungoo and reopens the retreat route to the south.
Otherwise, we could fight a war of attrition, exhaust the Japanese army's ammunition, and then encircle and annihilate the enemy.
At the moment, I think that one.
You all can't do it.
I still think that encircling the Japanese 15th Army this time is not a wise choice at all."
Stilwell shook his head and still did not approve of Ye Qingshan's battle plan this time.
After expressing his opinion, Stilwell returned to his seat.
“There are definitely difficulties.
Then find a way to overcome it.
But he wants me to spit out the fat that I have swallowed.
That's impossible.
Even if I die of bloating, I'd rather die of bloating."
"Hahaha!"
Ye Qingshan's joke made everyone laugh and made the atmosphere a lot more relaxed.
“A strong attack is not feasible.
General Stilwell is right. Our expeditionary force does not have the ability to quickly defeat these 100,000 Japanese troops."
Luo Zhuoying also expressed his opinion at this moment.
"We still have to use the commander's method, fight a war of attrition, and grind them down slowly.
Perhaps our expeditionary force can still defeat the Japanese 15th Army if our forces are similar in strength."
Ye Qingshan told Luo Zhuoying and the others last night about his subsequent battle plan.
As for how to eliminate the Japanese's surrounded 15th Army, Ye Qingshan chose to use the most stupid and cruel war of attrition.
There was nothing he could do.
Because this is indeed the most suitable tactic for the expeditionary force.
"According to the news sent back by the mobile regiment, they destroyed a batch of military supplies of the Japanese in Toungoo.
The main force of the Japanese 15th Army around Mandalay has been fighting fiercely with us for a week.
The 100,000-strong army consumed a huge amount of ammunition and supplies.
If I calculated correctly.
The remaining ammunition and supplies of the Japanese 15th Army are not enough to support them in fighting a major battle.
So, next we will play a game of attrition with them.
Wait until they run out of ammunition and food, then launch a general attack."
After saying that, Ye Qingshan looked at Stilwell and pleaded, "Commander-in-Chief, whether we can win this battle or not does not depend on how I command.
On the contrary, it depends on whether our allies' logistical supplies can be delivered in greater quantities and in a more timely manner.
If we win this battle, the greatest credit will go to you."
Now that he has obtained the command, Ye Qingshan will need Stilwell's cooperation and it's time to say some soft words.
Ye Qingshan's attitude suddenly changed so much that Stilwell felt a little uncomfortable.
But then, Stilwell cleared his throat and assured everyone loudly: "As the commander of our Southeast Asian Allied Forces, can I still let you fight the Japanese army with insufficient clothing and ammunition?
Just go and fight with confidence. You don't have to worry about the ammunition supply.
I will make sure it is delivered on time.”
"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief, for your support."
Ye Qingshan saluted Stilwell again.
"I must go back to Imphal to hurry up the British.
Otherwise, with the efficiency of the British vassal army, the transportation of ammunition and supplies would be slow."
"Okay, I'll let Chief of Staff Luo accompany you to Imphal."
Ye Qingshan did not stop Stilwell.
He knew that Stilwell was not lying.
He also knew how efficient those Indians were in doing things.
It really won’t work if you don’t urge them.
In the afternoon, the meeting officially ended.
Afterwards, the three expeditionary force commanders Du Yuming, Gan Lichu and Zhang Zhen quickly returned to their own troops overnight to command the counterattack.
Stilwell and Luo Zhuoying returned to Imphal under the protection of a team of soldiers.
On the expeditionary force commander's side, only Ye Qingshan was left.
However, they all had one goal in mind: to counterattack and wipe out the Japanese 15th Army.