Chapter 6, Stalemate

Based on the intelligence obtained, Tanaka Masashi understood that the British were reluctant to give up their occupied colonies until the very last moment, or rather, the British were concerned that once the Chinese Expeditionary Force stationed in Myanmar, they would be unwilling to leave and would seize the colonial interests from them. In Chinese, this can be expressed as "inviting the gods is easy, but sending them away is difficult"

"The meaning of 'Major' is ... ... " Ishida Takachi asked from the side

It is a pity for Nakagawa-kun, who was an outstanding soldier and a loyal warrior of the Empire of Japan, yet he met an unclear death at his own hands

This battle can be said to have greatly assisted the imperial army by the British; otherwise, this battle might have been even more difficult

Therefore, Tanaka Masashi immediately issued the order: "Continue to hold the airport, and instruct Kono to establish a supply line as quickly as possible, ensuring that the ammunition is delivered to the airport in the shortest time!"

These ridiculous Burmese truly believe that the Imperial Army has come to rescue them from the oppression of the British. Consequently, they have spontaneously organized something called the Burmese Independent Volunteer Army to assist the Imperial Army in combat, and they even promote the Imperial Army. Now, even the Burmese people are providing guidance, intelligence, and supplies to the Imperial Army.

"Otherwise, how do you explain the explosives buried in the tunnel?" Tanaka Masashi retorted, "Moreover, don't you think the Chinese army retreated too quickly? It is completely different from their tenacious resistance on the Tonggu front!"

Thus, the foolish British did not allow the Chinese Expeditionary Force to enter Burma until the Imperial Army captured Moulmein, at which point they were compelled by circumstances to permit the Chinese Expeditionary Force to come to their rescue

With this, it is merely a matter of time before Tonggu is captured, and Tanaka Masashi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He found it truly difficult to imagine what the situation would be like if Tonggu were not captured and Chinese soldiers continued to arrive in droves around the Tonggu area.

"Report, Major!" At that moment, a messenger rushed in and reported, "We have just received a telegram from Jingye; Tunnel No. 3 has been destroyed by Chinese soldiers..."

Tianzhong Zhenzhi looked at the map and pondered for a moment, then shook his head firmly and said: "No, if we retreat into the jungle, Songgu will receive reinforcements from other Chinese troops, which will make our subsequent battles even more difficult and could even affect the overall plan. Only by holding the airport can we possibly end the battle in the shortest time possible"

Just like now, with the assistance of the Burmese people, the more than 1,000 individuals led by Tanaka Masashi easily bypassed Tonggu Jier and occupied Keyonggang Airport.

No one expected that the speed of the Chinese military's entry into Myanmar would be so rapid, nor that its combat capability would be so formidable

But by this time it was already too late. Tanaka Masashi was very clear about one thing: the firearms and ammunition of the Chinese army were not compatible with those of the British army, which would result in the Chinese army being unable to use the ammunition stockpiled by the British. This also meant that the Chinese army had to obtain supplies from distant China, and there was only one road connecting China and Myanmar, which also had the task of supplying blood to the domestic front in China

Ishida Koichi is the deputy commander of the 144th Regiment's Third Battalion. He is not only the right-hand man of Tanaka Masashi but can also be regarded as the think tank of the Third Battalion. The plan to bypass the frontal defense line of Tonggu and launch a surprise attack on the airport was proposed by him

It is evident! Tanaka Masashi said: "This is a trick by the Chinese, aimed at trapping us in this defenseless airport."

So it is like this! Tanaka Masashi slammed his fist hard on the table: "Could it be that the Chinese were already prepared?"

Ishida-kun! Tanaka Masashi said: "It seems that the Chinese are smarter than we imagined. If they were able to plant explosives in the tunnel in advance, it indicates that they likely detected our plan to launch a surprise attack on the airport beforehand. This time, they intentionally allowed us to enter!"

The Chinese have clearly recognized this long ago. In the event that the Imperial Army cannot swiftly capture Tonggu and becomes locked in a stalemate with the Chinese forces, the Imperial Army will only be able to operate in the narrow lower section, while the Chinese army will be operating in the broad central region. At that time, even if the Imperial Army has aircraft and artillery, it is likely that they will not achieve significant results.

After the messenger saluted Masashi Tanaka, he turned around and conveyed the orders

However, it was unexpected that the division commander soon encountered a formidable obstacle; the Chinese soldiers of the same era held them off for a full three days, and there was no hope of capturing the position.

"Bastard!" Tanaka Masashi couldn't help but curse, "How could this useless Jingye allow the Chinese to blow up the tunnel?"

At this thought, Tanaka Masashi couldn't help but frown

It is precisely for this reason that the division commander has always believed that even if the Chinese army were to arrive in time, it would not pose a significant threat

The overall topography of Myanmar resembles a standing diamond, being wider in the middle and narrower at both ends, while Sangkhok is located at the lower part, transitioning from narrow to wide.

Tanaka Masashi habitually rested his chin on his hand, gazing with satisfaction at the battlefield situation map hanging before him

What shall we do now? Ishida Takachi asked: Shall we enter the jungle and seize the high ground?

Of course, the division commander has his reasons for doing so, which is to use Nakagawa's death to urge others to fight desperately against the Chinese stationed in Tonggu.

Tanaka Masashi's expression changed dramatically; as the captain, he certainly understood what the bombing of the tunnel meant for them stationed at the airport

"The Colonel said this is a trap set by the Chinese?" Ishida Takachi couldn't help but gasp, but then expressed his doubt: "Are the Chinese that clever?!"

Fortunately, the Imperial Army has the assistance of the Burmese people

Therefore, rather than saying that Nakagawa died due to ineffective offense, it is more accurate to say that he died because of the division commander's underestimation

What?

After being mentioned by Tanaka Masashi, Ishida also felt that the airport was captured too easily

However, in truth, Tanaka Masashi understood in his heart, and others understood as well, that this was not due to Nakagawa-kun's lack of offensive capability, but rather that the resistance encountered by the Imperial Army this time was exceedingly tenacious

Fortunately, none of this happened, as long as one guards the airport

Since their entry into Myanmar, they have never encountered such tenacious resistance. As a result, the division commander ordered Nakagawa Bukan, who had been ineffective in the attack, to commit seppuku to apologize to the Emperor.

"Report, Major!" the messenger replied cautiously, "According to Jingye's report, it seems that the Chinese had buried the explosives in the tunnel beforehand. Jingye was so busy constructing fortifications and transporting supplies that he didn't notice..."

Tanaka Masashi couldn't help but smile