nucmednet Chapter 537 Stilwell's Decision
Chapter 537 Stilwell's Decision
537 Stilwell's Decision
"Now I seem to understand why Ye Qingshan asked Alexander for the equipment of an armored division.
Previously, I thought he was deliberately taking the opportunity to blackmail the British army.
Now it seems that is not the case.
He really knows how to use armored forces.
Unfortunately, he only had one armored regiment at the time, which was too small.
If he really had an armored division, there might be a chance to end this battle early."
Stilwell's attitude towards Ye Qingshan has changed a lot now.
“Unfortunately, Alexander would never agree to this.
He would not believe that someone in the East would command a large-scale armored group battle. "
The American colonel next to him shook his head.
"Humph!
This guy Alexander is not as good as Ye Qingshan.
At least Ye Qingshan dared to really fight the Japanese army, he would only let 200,000 British troops hide in Imphal. "
Stilwell snorted.
He disliked Alexander, the British commander, even more.
"Commander-in-Chief, good news!"
Just at this moment, Chief of Staff Luo Zhuoying rushed in from outside and shouted excitedly.
"Chief of Staff Luo, is there any new victory news from the front line?"
Stilwell looked at the happy Luo Zhuoying and asked.
“Yes, this is the latest news our commander just sent over.
Our special operations regiment, which marched southward, has captured Yangon.
The whereabouts of the Japanese headquarters are unknown for the time being. We destroyed the Japanese airport there and annihilated thousands of Japanese soldiers. "
Luo Zhuoying said quickly and excitedly.
Then he saw expressions of shock quickly appear on the faces of Stilwell opposite him and the American colonel next to him.
"I bought it!"
Stilwell was also stunned.
He was previously shocked by Ye Qingshan's bold use of the armored cluster.
However, it is not certain whether Ye Qingshan's operation to attack the Japanese rear and capture Rangoon will succeed.
But now, the news of victory came just one day later.
The news coming in succession from the armored regiment and the special operations regiment made Stilwell worry about the probability of the Expeditionary Force's success in annihilating the Japanese 15th Army.
It has increased from less than 20% to at least 60% now.
"Commander-in-Chief, our commander has decided to launch a final annihilation operation against the Japanese 15th Army besieged in Mandalay in the next few days.
But now, our expeditionary force lacks the ammunition supplies to launch the final annihilation war.
Our commander hopes to receive a new batch of ammunition supplies within three days.
The quantity should be large.”
Luo Zhuoying also took the opportunity to make a request.
But he knew that a new batch of ammunition and supplies sent by the Americans had arrived yesterday.
He was the one who sent the message back to Ye Qingshan.
Ye Qingshan also knew that Stilwell had sufficient ammunition and supplies.
Taking advantage of this opportunity when the Special Operations Regiment captured Rangoon, they asked Stilwell for ammunition and supplies.
"no problem.
I will sign immediately to provide supplies to your expeditionary force.
Just take the receipt and go to Hoffman to collect it."
This time, Stilwell was very easy to talk to and directly agreed to Ye Qingshan's request.
The expeditionary force was not strangled by the lack of ammunition and supplies.
The main thing is that Stilwell now really saw the hope of the Expeditionary Force to annihilate the Japanese 15th Army.
As a result, he couldn't help but want to personally command an army and participate in this battle.
But the expeditionary force definitely has no chance.
This time, along with a new batch of supplies, there was also an infantry division of the US Army.
Directly under Stilwell's command.
But this amount of troops is definitely not enough.
The only thing left was to command the 200,000 British troops in Imphal, and they were allowed to re-enter Burma to fight.
However, if Stilwell wanted to command these British troops, he needed to drive Alexander away.
Stilwell had reported this matter to the Allied Headquarters a long time ago, but unfortunately he received no feedback.
He could only wait.
But now, the situation has changed.
“Send someone to notify Alexander and ask him to come to the meeting.
It is time to decide whether to allow British troops to re-enter Burma."
Stilwell made up his mind.
On the other hand, Alexander also received the news that the expeditionary force captured Rangoon.
"Damn it, they actually succeeded."
Alexander was also deeply surprised when he received the news.
"Isn't the Japanese army's combat effectiveness very strong?
How come this time the performance was so poor that even its rear headquarters was occupied by the expeditionary force.
If the expeditionary force had really won this battle on its own.
Then our British army would become a joke.
No, we must also enter Burma to fight immediately."
Alexander also realized at this time that if the British army did not enter Burma, they would have no chance to get involved in this war.
"Order the entire army to prepare for the expedition immediately.
Tomorrow afternoon, our entire army will enter Burma.
After daybreak, send out a regiment from the first division first."
Alexander ordered the officer next to him.
“Commander, do you want to communicate with General Stilwell?
Let General Stilwell contact the Expeditionary Force, otherwise we will rush into Burma rashly.
If there is a conflict with the expeditionary force, it will be difficult to end it. "
The British major general next to him reminded Alexander.
Alexander disagreed: "Humph, that place was originally our colony.
Do we need the expeditionary force's consent to return to our own territory?"
The British army acted quickly.
Alexander also received a message from Stilwell, asking him to attend a meeting overnight.
But Alexander deliberately delayed and did not go there until after dawn.
At that time, the vanguard regiment he sent into Burma had already set out from the Imphal base.
The first stop is Gariwa, an important town on the way from western Myanmar to Imphal.
However, at this time, there was also a battalion of the expeditionary force stationed here, which was a main battalion from Ye Qingshan’s 86th Army.
On the morning of the 27th, Alexander went to Stilwell's headquarters for a meeting.
At the meeting, Stilwell told everyone that he had decided that the entire army would enter Burma to support the Expeditionary Force and annihilate the Japanese 15th Army.
At this meeting, Stilwell wanted to take back command, both for the US and British forces.
Next, everyone will accept his command.
Although Alexander was dissatisfied, he didn't say anything. After all, Stilwell was nominally the commander-in-chief of the Allied Forces in Southeast Asia.
They British troops were indeed under Stilwell's command.
But then, Stilwell told Alexander to let them agree to Ye Qingshan’s last request.
They used the equipment of their newest armored division in exchange for Ye Qingshan returning Ren'anqiang to their control.
"Walter?"
Faced with Stilwell's request, Alexander couldn't help it.
"Commander-in-chief, your order is unreasonable."
Alexander immediately stood up and complained loudly.
But this time Stilwell no longer indulged him. He looked at him with cold eyes and asked indifferently: "Are you refusing to carry out my orders?"
(It’s my birthday today, I’m putting out a bowl and asking for a small gift! Thank you!)