Facing the fierce reactions of Luo Zhuoying and Du Yuming, Stilwell's expression also darkened, and then he sneered again.
"General Luo, General Du, although I have not been authorized by Chairman Chiang Kai-shek, as the chief of staff of the China Theater, is there any problem with me participating in the command and combat deployment of the expeditionary force?
Moreover, with the arrival of Generals Chennault and Doolittle, the expeditionary force had transformed from a pure army into a combined army and air force.
I think I am more experienced in how to command such a multi-arms joint force, what do you think?"
Looking at Stilwell with a smile on his face, Luo Zhuoying and Du Yuming almost burst their hearts and lungs with anger.
This guy openly said that he was more experienced in commanding joint forces of multiple arms, but secretly his lines reminded the two of them that they should not forget that the more than 100 planes at the airport were all commanded by Americans. If they did not cooperate,
If so, you can think about the consequences yourself.
The hot-tempered Du Yuming immediately asked: "General Stilwell, you mean that if we don't hand over the command to you, the expeditionary force will not get air support, is that right?"
"No, no, no...I didn't say that."
Stilwell shook his head like a rattle, "I'm just a kind reminder. I admit that both of them are generals who are good at fighting, but commanding ground troops and air forces are two different things.
People who have not received systematic study are prone to problems. It would be bad if something went wrong due to command issues, what do you think?"
Du Yuming sneered secretly in his heart. This old guy kept talking about experience, but in the final analysis, he was not trying to spy on the command authority of the expeditionary force.
He was about to refuse, but he heard Luo Zhuoying say: "General Stilwell, the issue of ownership of command authority is a major matter, and we cannot make the decision without authorization.
Let’s do this, we can send a report to the chairman of the committee, and as long as the chairman agrees to your request, we can immediately transfer the command to you, what do you think?”
Seeing Luo Zhuoying and Du Yuming objecting together, Stilwell was not only angry but also secretly frightened.
Originally, he thought that with the arrival of Chennault and Doolittle, he could take the opportunity to take command of the expeditionary force. Even if he couldn't take over all of it, it would be good to even participate.
But he never expected that Luo and Du valued military power so much that they would move out the Chairman of the Generalissimo who was far away in Chongqing at every turn. The punch he finally punched was like hitting cotton, not to mention how uncomfortable it was.
.
Even a fool knows how could Commissar Chiang, who was far away in Chongqing, hand over command to an American.
However, Stilwell was not a person who gave up so easily. He nodded, "Okay, since you said so, we will immediately send a report to Chairman Chiang in Chongqing and report today's events to him.
In addition, I told him that if my reasonable demands are not met, I will report the matter to Washington. At the same time, I also hope that the friendship between our two countries will not be affected by this matter."
------------------
Chongqing Zengjiayan Official Residence
"Niang Xipi... robber, robber logic! The expeditionary army is our Chinese army, how can it be handed over to the command of a foreigner? This is absolutely unacceptable!"
"Darling... that's what he said, but Stilwell said in the telegram that if his demands are not met, he will report to Washington. I'm afraid it will affect the diplomatic relations between the two countries."
"Diplomatic relations? Huh... The quality of the diplomatic relations between the two countries does not depend on prayer, but on strength.
If the commanders of the two air forces we went to today were not Americans, but us Chinese, would Stilwell still dare to make such unreasonable demands so rampantly?
If our strength is not as good as others and our national power is not as good as others, we will have to suffer this kind of loss!"
"Huh……"
"What's wrong ma'am?"
"That's not right. Although both air forces are commanded by Americans, Chennault is a volunteer army hired by our National Government. We pay them and eat the rice we give them.
Doolittle was also sent by Gao Hongming of the Liantai Militia. What does it have to do with Stilwell? Why would he use these two troops to threaten us?"
"Yes..." With a crisp sound, a palm slapped the table hard.
"Didn't Stilwell keep saying that no one in the expeditionary force knows how to conduct joint operations? I remember that Gao Hongming just came back from Guadalcanal. He has experience in this kind of joint operations."
"Hey, Darling, what are you going to do in the middle of the night?"
"I'll send a telegram!"
With the door opening and the sound of footsteps, the man had left the room...
Yangon Airport pilot dormitory at the same time
Chennault and Doolittle sat at a crudely made table with two cups of coffee and a plate of cookies.
Taking a sip of coffee, Chennault asked Doolittle, "Jimmy, what do you think of today's events?"
"Are you talking about Joseph's fight for the command of the expeditionary force?" Doolittle put down the cup and said calmly: "I don't have any ideas, and I don't want to get involved.
Before coming here, General Gao’s order to me was to obey the reasonable orders from the expeditionary force headquarters and help the expeditionary force as much as possible to seize Myanmar’s air supremacy.”
Doolittle's words were a little vague, but Chennault obviously didn't want him to be fooled like this, so he chased after him and asked: "But Joseph must ask you to stand in line? Are you still willing to obey his orders?"
Doolittle was silent for a long time, then picked up the cup and drank the coffee in it. "Claire, to be honest, I don't want to get involved in these nonsense. I am a soldier, not a politician."
"Yes, we are all soldiers."
Chennault also sighed lightly, "To be honest, I don't really like Joseph's aggressive attitude today, but who makes us Americans?"
Doolittle frowned and said nothing. Just as Chennault said, although there were some things that he couldn't stand, he, who was also an American soldier, could not express his objection clearly.
After a long while, he shook his head and said, "Claire, there are some things that we cannot decide. Regarding this matter, I can only remain neutral. Whether it is General Luo and the others or Joseph commanding the expeditionary force, I will obey the order."
"yes."
Chennault also smiled bitterly: "Who told us that we are in the same trench?
To be honest, I actually agree with Joseph's approach today. The reason is very simple. If a Chinese general asks to command the American army, I am afraid our reaction will be greater than theirs."
At this point, the two of them looked at each other and saw the wry smiles in each other's eyes.
"Forget it, let Mr. President and the chairman of the Chongqing Committee worry about this kind of thing. We just need to do our job well."
The two chatted for a few more words, and then went back to their dormitories to rest.
But no one expected that on the third day, things would change dramatically.