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Volume 1: Songhua River Chapter 1,702: Assault on Manila (Part 2)

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    In the dark night, the Japanese Fourteenth Army troops, divided into several groups, rushed towards Manila like a torrent in the dark night. Such a blatant large-scale march could not be hidden from the US reconnaissance troops.

    Pieces of intelligence flew to MacArthur's headquarters like snowflakes. Each U.S. military reconnaissance unit made exaggerated reports based on the situation they witnessed with their own eyes. Colonel Kleist, acting chief of staff of the U.S. military headquarters, read the report of Staff  The statistics of the Japanese troop strength sent by the War Department were so frightened that they almost fell over from their chairs.

    It was so scary. According to the intelligence summary, the number of Japanese troops rushing towards Manila reached an astonishing more than 300,000. Colonel Kleist¡¯s first judgment was that it was possible that Japanese troops from several other directions had joined Luzon.  Island battlefield, otherwise, where would the 300,000 Japanese soldiers come from?

    This cannot be blamed on the U.S. reconnaissance troops, who were operating in the dark. They could only see that all the roads, whether highways or byways, were full of the footsteps of Japanese soldiers marching in a hurry, the Japanese officers' low-pitched orders, and the artillery carriages dragging artillery.  , trucks full of soldiers, tanks rumbling by, and US reconnaissance troops did not dare to approach for reconnaissance. Of course, they did not have the guts to take advantage of the night to conduct a small harassment to bring out the actual strength of the Japanese army.

    Adhering to the principle of saying more than underestimating, the reported number of Japanese troops increased several times out of thin air. The total increase of all US military reconnaissance troops would become an astonishing figure.

    Colonel Kleist did not dare to delay, as his buttocks were on fire.  He rushed out of the staff headquarters and ran quickly to Commander-in-Chief MacArthur's office.  The panic-stricken attitude caused a wave of panic speculation in the US military headquarters.

    The situation was urgent. Colonel Kleist, regardless of etiquette, slammed the door with his head against General MacArthur, who was looking at the map attentively.  The Chief of Staff was startled, and he glared angrily at the chief of staff, whose face was already pale. He angrily shouted: "As a soldier, how can you be so panic-stricken?"

    Chief of Staff Kleist did not bother to explain.  He hurriedly shouted: "Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief, the situation is urgent. I have received a report from the reconnaissance force. There are about 300,000 Japanese troops rushing towards Manila. It is expected to be around three o'clock in the morning. The forward troops of the Japanese army, that is,  You can encounter our army!"

    "What?" General MacArthur exclaimed, the sweat on his forehead started to fall down at that time, and his heart was trembling.  My God, there are more than 300,000 Japanese soldiers with high morale and like wolves and tigers.  Like a violent wave, his Manila defense line would collapse in an instant. With trembling hands, he took the statistical table from Colonel Kleist's hand and read it quickly.

    As he looked at it, his brows widened, and then there was another burst of uncontrollable anger. He threw the statistic table on his chief of staff's face and roared: "Idiot! You have a long brain, such statistics  "Biao, you also believe that the total strength of the Japanese army on the battlefield of Luzon Island is only about 160,000, and how can it be more than 300,000? It's nonsense, Kleister, I am very disappointed with your performance!"

    Ignoring the stunned Colonel Kleist, General MacArthur continued to roar: "What the hell is this reconnaissance intelligence? The numbers of the incoming Japanese troops, their weapons and equipment, how many routes they are divided into, which direction is the most prominent, and how many troops there are.  , Not at all. This is also called reconnaissance intelligence. Damn it, tell those bastards in the reconnaissance team to find out the details of the Japanese! "

    Colonel Kleist was speechless. He didn't care about the insults from the Commander-in-Chief. As for those few pages, it was like a massage on his face. Instead, he was worried that he would underestimate the enemy. According to his own judgment, he pounced on the Japanese troops in Manila.  The troops, if not 300,000, must be more than 200,000. He said calmly: "Commander-in-Chief, you must not underestimate the enemy. Even if the intelligence of the reconnaissance force is wrong, if you fold it in half, there are still 150,000 Japanese troops!"  "

    General MacArthur, with his light blue eyes, wandered around for a few times, and he had already made a rough judgment in his mind. According to the report of the reconnaissance force, the battle in the Calais Mountains was still in progress, and the Third Army had not yet been attacked by the Japanese.  All were wiped out. The number of Japanese troops coming to attack Manila would not exceed 100,000, maybe even less. He said to the anxious Colonel Kleist: "Inform all unit commanders immediately and hold a meeting at the headquarters to discuss  Countermeasures!¡±

    The commanders of the US military units quickly gathered at the headquarters. General MacArthur was not polite and reported the situation. Of course, the number of Japanese troops attacking Manila was based on his own judgment, which was about 80,000 to 90,000 people.  , instead of the astonishing more than 300,000 on the previous statistics table. If that were really the case, several people would probably faint on the spot.

    After reporting the intelligence, General MacArthur asked: "Everyone, the Battle of Manila will officially begin from tonight to early tomorrow morning."??, this is our first confrontation with the Japanese army in Manila, I want to hear your opinions!  "

    Brigadier General Jonathan, commander of the 7th Mechanized Infantry Division, was the first to stand up and said: "Commander-in-Chief, based on the intelligence, we can make the following conclusion. The Japanese troops attacking Manila have about 80,000 to 90,000 troops, at least  It is divided into eight or more groups, each with only more than 10,000 troops. Moreover, the Japanese troops advance at different speeds, and there is a certain distance between them. "

    "Therefore, I suggest that all our troops be deployed to target one or more of the more prominent Japanese troops, and carry out a sudden attack on them with absolutely superior strength and firepower. We do not seek total annihilation, but only heavy damage, and fight quickly.  Make a quick decision, and then quickly withdraw to the defense line. This will not only destroy the Japanese army's spirit, but also kill a large number of Japanese troops' effective forces. Our 7th Mechanized Division is willing to be the vanguard of the Japanese army on the way! "

    It should be said that Brigadier General Jonathan's suggestion is in line with the actual situation on the battlefield and has great maneuverability. The Japanese Fourteenth Army advanced in multiple directions, like an open palm, to remove all the troops on the Manila defense line, cut off a finger or  Counting fingers, it can definitely be done, especially if you don't seek total annihilation, just heavy damage, quick victory, and a quick victory, which captures the essence of this battle style in one sentence.

    Brigadier General Jonathan's suggestion resonated with the participating U.S. military generals. Since the outbreak of the Pacific War, the U.S. military has suffered repeated defeats and been beaten to a pulp by the Japanese. It has lost hundreds of thousands of troops and lost control of the Southwest Pacific.  In important areas, it would be unfair to say that these US military generals are not holding their breath in their hearts. However, the situation is stronger than the people. The Japanese army is powerful, and they are at the peak of their momentum. Those who stand in their way are invincible, and those who are determined to win the battle.  The U.S. military generals can only say nothing!

    Several US military generals who were eager to make a comeback also spoke out, "Commander-in-Chief, Division Commander Jonathan's suggestion is also an urgent thought in our hearts. This is a once-in-a-lifetime fighter that can not only defeat the Japanese army, but also boost the morale of the military and the people.  The defense of Manila will add more favorable conditions. Commander-in-Chief, I hope you can approve Division Commander Jonathan¡¯s plan. Our troops are ready to go and are waiting for your orders!¡±

    Several U.S. military generals saw the fleeting opportunity, and they talked freely about their opinions and wanted to fight. However, they did not notice that Commander-in-Chief MacArthur's face became more and more gloomy and uglier.  , and later on, he was almost on the verge of going berserk.

    With a muffled sound of "Pa!", Commander-in-Chief MacArthur slapped the table hard, making several US military generals who were in high spirits look at each other. Only then did they notice that the Commander-in-Chief's face had changed.  It turned red as the color of pork liver.

    MacArthur's sharp eyes flashed, and he tried his best to suppress his angry emotions, and said grimly: "Enough said, confused! Childish! You only saw the so-called fighter planes, but you did not see what seemed to be hidden behind the fighter planes.  Danger, quick victory, easy to say, put all our troops into the battle to attack the Japanese army, the Manila defense line has no troops to defend, have you thought about the consequences? "

    "Once the battle cannot be won quickly, all the troops are entangled by the Japanese army. They can neither quickly inflict heavy damage on the Japanese army, nor can they escape from the battlefield. The Japanese follow-up troops who have ended the battle in the Calais Mountains catch up. What will be waiting for us? Once again  Have you considered whether the entire army will be wiped out or suffer heavy losses?"

    "Leaving the support of solid fortifications and annihilating the enemy in the wild is an adventure in itself. We have only one purpose, never to take the initiative to attack. We rely on the existing fortifications to hold on and wait for the arrival of reinforcements. After we return, we will be on full alert if there is another attack.  If you talk lightly and start a fight, you will know the consequences. Dismiss the meeting!" This is not just an objection, but a naked threat.

    After saying that, leaving a room full of generals looking at each other, General MacArthur turned and left angrily. Brigadier General Jonathan and several US military generals who were leading the battle could only smile helplessly, lamenting in their hearts with dejection, "It's over, a great fighter opportunity.  Just lost like this, hey, there is no way, who made this old guy the commander-in-chief!"

    It is true that if Brigadier General Jonathan's plan is followed, it is impossible for the Japanese Fourteenth Army to be wiped out, but it will definitely suffer the greatest losses. It is normal to lose tens of thousands of people. Therefore, Commander Yoshihiko Haruta made the right bet. Maybe,  This eager Japanese general saw through MacArthur's weak nature and dared to adopt such an offensive method.

    At about 2 o'clock in the morning on August 14, most of the leading brigade of the 03rd Division of the 14th Army of the Japanese Army finally arrived at the outer perimeter of the US Army's Manila Defense Line. The Japanese soldiers who had marched all night were as tired as dogs and could barely stretch.  Tongue out and gasped.

    Before he could take a deep breath, the Japanese commander raised his sword in his hand and ordered: "Target, the US defense line, give me the opportunity to kill!"

    (To be continued)?? .
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