nucmednet Chapter 819: Repatriation of the Expeditionary Fleet
Chapter 819: Repatriation of the Expeditionary Fleet
819 transferred back to the expeditionary fleet
The first attack on the Japanese in Indochina organized by Stilwell ended in failure.
This made the Allied high-level officials very dissatisfied.
After all, before the war, Stilwell vowed that he could drive the Japanese out of Indochina within a year.
To this end, the Allied forces freed up a lot of supplies and sent them to the Southeast Asian war zone.
As a result, just two months after the war began, 100,000 British troops suffered a disastrous defeat.
This made it difficult for Stilwell to report to the Allied Command.
The Allied Command even almost transferred Stilwell back.
It was Ye Qingshan who spoke for Stilwell through the DuPont family, which allowed Stilwell to continue to serve as the commander of the Allied Forces in the Southeast Asia Theater.
A month later, the unwilling Stilwell once again convened a meeting with Ye Qingshan, Roberts and others.
Discuss the plan for the second attack on the Japanese.
“This is my destined new combat operation.
I plan to launch a second attack on the Japanese 25th Army in mid-April..."
"According to our intelligence, in the past month or so, the Japanese army has sent more than 30,000 troops to Siam and Singapore..."
“We must annihilate the Japanese 25th Army as soon as possible. Otherwise, if we delay, they will have longer time to operate in Siam and the Malay Peninsula.
It will be harder for us to fight..."
At the meeting, General Stilwell said to everyone.
"I have no opinion."
Ye Qingshan expressed his position.
"We in the British Army agree."
Roberts, the British commander on the opposite side, also expressed his agreement.
This surprised Ye Qingshan.
Ye Qingshan thought that the other party would object, so he launched an attack on the Japanese in such a hurry.
After all, they had just lost 100,000 people half a month ago.
“But I have a request.
Our troops are still responsible for attacking the Malay Peninsula by sea.
There is no need for Commander Ye to send troops to help us.
We can do it ourselves.”
Robles continued.
It turned out that in Stilwell's new combat plan, the major offensive strategy remained unchanged.
As always, the main force of Ye Qingshan's expeditionary force attacked the enemy's defense line in the mountainous area from the west, with the aim of tying down the main force of the enemy's 25th Army.
Then, send the main force of the British army and part of Ye Qingshan's expeditionary force.
Continue to take the sea route and attack the Japanese in the Malay Peninsula and Singapore.
There is actually nothing wrong with this style of play.
The last time the British army suffered a crushing defeat was mainly due to problems with their execution, as well as the fact that Ye Qingshan had tripped them up a bit.
However, this also made General Stilwell distrust the British army.
It was for this reason that Stilwell ordered part of the expeditionary force to participate in the sea attack.
However, I didn't expect Roberts to object.
Ye Qingshan had a cold face and said nothing.
As for why the other party opposed allowing his expeditionary force to participate in the attack on the Malay Peninsula and Singapore by sea.
Ye Qingshan could guess it roughly.
Face is one thing, and interests are another.
The British still hoped to occupy the Malay Peninsula and Singapore after the war, after all, they were originally their colonies.
But what if Ye Qingshan’s expeditionary force also participated in the attack.
After the war, Ye Qingshan’s expeditionary force will most likely occupy a piece of territory on the Malay Peninsula.
Look at what Ye Qingshan did in Myanmar before.
Therefore, under this circumstance, Roberts still did not want Ye Qingshan's expeditionary force to join them in attacking the Malay Peninsula by sea.
Stilwell's face also turned gloomy. He knew very well what the British were planning.
If it were before, Stilwell might have agreed to Roberts' request.
But not this time.
If they let the British continue to attack, they will fail in their second attack.
Stilwell is really about to be transferred back to his country.
So, Stilwell looked at Roberts and said in an unquestionable tone: "Roberts, listen.
This is the battle plan formulated by the headquarters.
You just need to execute it, and you don’t need to bargain with me.”
"The main force of the sea attack is still your British army.
Commander Ye will only send one division to support you.
I hope that this time you British troops can avenge your previous defeat and avoid making the same mistake as last time."
Seeing Stilwell's firm attitude, Roberts had no choice but to agree.
"General Stilwell, I also have a suggestion."
Ye Qingshan spoke.
"Commander Ye, please speak."
“I hope to apply to the Allied Headquarters in the name of our war zone.
Transfer my expeditionary fleet from the Pacific theater.
The last time, the British landing fleet was attacked by the Japanese's mysterious submarine force.
That led to the last disastrous defeat.
This time, we must be adequately prepared.
Our escort fleet is still relatively weak.
It's just right to call back my expedition fleet to escort our second attack.
This will better ensure the safety of our seaborne attack."
Ye Qingshan wanted to take this opportunity to transfer his expeditionary fleet back from the US Pacific Fleet.
After the Battle of Midway, the main force of the Japanese navy was basically destroyed.
Under such circumstances, there was no need for Ye Qingshan's expeditionary fleet to continue staying in the Pacific Fleet.
They need the escort and protection of a fleet.
When Stilwell heard what Ye Qingshan said, he was overjoyed: "Okay, I agree.
We really need to strengthen our maritime power now.
I can make this application.
How confident are you that you can transfer your expeditionary fleet to our war zone?"
Stilwell was very happy about Ye Qingshan's proposal.
Stilwell had long wanted to strengthen their maritime escort capabilities.
He also didn't want them to attack the Japs a second time.
The scene of the last time, when 100,000 British soldiers were defeated and captured, happened again.
In this case, it is very necessary to strengthen the maritime escort force.
"More than 70%."
Ye Qingshan said easily.
In fact, he has already discussed this with Frank.
The other party also did not object to Ye Qingshan's decision to transfer back the expeditionary fleet.
Otherwise, Ye Qingshan would not have mentioned this matter at the meeting.
When Stilwell heard Ye Qingshan say this, he knew that the matter was basically settled.
After the meeting, Ye Qingshan immediately sent a telegram to Frank.
Just one day later, Allied headquarters responded to Stilwell, agreeing to their request.
Half a month later, the expedition fleet led by Wang Chuying arrived at the southern port of Myanmar.
At this moment, Wang Chuying's expeditionary fleet had a total of eight warships and two escort aircraft carriers.
Although their fleet lost three ships in the previous naval battle with the Japanese.
But the others are still intact.
Moreover, these eight warships are all new ships, not the decades-old antiques that were used when they returned for the first time.
"Commander, we're back!"