Before entering the spring of 1942, the Chinese battlefield was relatively stable, but the international war situation actually underwent changes that made the Yamashiro government most pleased.
First, in December 1941, with the Japanese's successive victories in the battlefields of Southeast Asia, the Japanese Empire, with its growing desires, finally could no longer restrain its ambitions for the entire Pacific. The United States, with its powerful navy and industrial strength, was exactly what they expected to dominate.
Roadblock to the Pacific.
Although Japan's domestic evaluation shows that the industrial productivity of the United States is dozens of times that of Japan and is not at the same level, the United States also has extremely obvious shortcomings.
First of all, in terms of the army, because the United States is located in North America, close to the sea on both sides, with the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean as natural barriers, it is far away from the political whirlpool of Europe and is in a peaceful corner. There are no opponents nearby that threaten it, so at that time the American army did not
many.
At this time, the U.S. Army was simply terrible in terms of strength. It only had 4 infantry divisions and 1 tank division, with only 100,000 people, and only more than 300 tanks. With this level of scum, you can even come to China.
He was pushed to the ground and rubbed by the poor and backward Chinese army.
On the other hand, Japan has more than a hundred divisions at this time. The total active force is more than 20 times that of the United States, and many of them have experienced wars, not to mention the victorious divisions! It is simply a matter of fact to crush 100,000 American cowboys.
pinch.
In terms of navy, although the United States had the second strongest navy in the world at that time, with a warship tonnage of 1.43 million tons and 8 aircraft carriers, the United States still had to take care of Europe and the Indian Ocean. The only thing that could be used to deal with Japan was the Pacific Fleet, and in 1941
The U.S. Pacific Fleet only has 3 aircraft carriers.
Before the outbreak of World War II, the Japanese Navy had a total of 6 main heavy-duty aircraft carriers. These 6 aircraft carriers were Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku. Because Japan has always focused on aircraft carrier research and development, the quality of Japanese aircraft carriers in the early days of World War II was obvious.
Better than the US aircraft carrier.
Especially Shokaku and Zuikaku, this type of aircraft carrier had a full load displacement of more than 33,000 tons and was one of the best-performing aircraft carriers in the world at that time.
With a high-power engine of 160,000 horsepower, the Shohe-class aircraft carrier has a higher speed, can exceed 34 knots, and can also carry 80 carrier-based aircraft.
The navy and army have thousands of fighter planes. The sea, land and air have completely crushed the Americans. The Japanese, who are extremely gambling, would be aggressive if they did not choose to gamble on the fate of the country at this time.
Something strange happened.
But these arrogant Americans don't think so. In the eyes of Americans, both China and Japan are extremely backward in the East. Whether it is South Asia, East Asia or Southeast Asia, they are the places where they gain wealth.
Especially after World War I, the United States, which made a fortune by buying arms, didn't even pay much attention to European countries, let alone these lower civilizations from the East?
Even Tang Dao used Laura to warn General Stilwell in the second half of 1941, especially in November, telling them to be careful of the crazy Japanese.
The then commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Admiral Kimmel, listened carefully to the intelligence Stilwell obtained from China, reported the situation to the top brass of the U.S. military, and made certain arrangements, including moving the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier
The battle group was dispatched to the Wake Island area to increase the number of troops stationed in the Wake Island area. The USS Lexington aircraft carrier battle group was dispatched to the Midway Island area to transport a sufficient number of bombers and ammunition. It also temporarily increased the number of troops stationed at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base.
Shore batteries and anti-aircraft artillery.
But these were not enough to stop the already crazy Japan, nor were they enough to make up for the nearly all-out attack by the Japanese navy, which deployed 6 aircraft carriers and 350 bombers.
The radio wave "Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!" arrived as scheduled over the Pacific Ocean on December 7, 1941. The Japanese naval fleet spanning 3,500 nautical miles gave the arrogant American cowboys a hard lesson with the sky-high flames.
The Japanese won a huge victory in this attack. At the cost of losing one cruiser and hundreds of aircraft slots, they sank 19 warships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, severely damaged 20 more, and destroyed and damaged more than 300 U.S. fighter aircraft.
And this is the result of the Americans being more vigilant. Instead of the 10 temporary forts on the shore firing desperately, the final result can only be 0 to 40 in time and space.
However, there are still great hidden dangers behind Japan's huge victory. The three aircraft carriers at the core of the U.S. Pacific Fleet are still intact.
This is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that an oil depot near the port that stores 4.5 million tons of heavy oil is intact.
All this was thanks to the Japanese Navy. After the Japanese Navy completed the first two waves of attacks, the third wave of attacks targeting shipyards and oil depots was also ready, but was suddenly stopped before the action.
Japanese assault fleet commander Nagumo Chuichi was too cautious in this battle. He was always worried about the sudden "disappearance" of the American aircraft carrier. He believed that the Imperial Navy had won a comprehensive victory, but its position had been exposed.
It is extremely vulnerable to retaliatory strikes from US aircraft carriers and submarines, so there is no need to take greater risks in order to expand the victory.
This seemingly foolproof move was considered by future war history researchers to mean that Japan missed an excellent opportunity. They originally had more than a 50% chance of winning the war.
The Japanese army only needs to blow up the huge 4.5 million-ton oil depot to completely reduce Pearl Harbor to scorched earth. At that time, the American army will have to retreat to San Diego, 3,500 kilometers away, losing the initiative in the Pacific battlefield, and that
At that time, there was no naval force in the vast Pacific that could rival the Japanese Navy.
If this happens, China will no longer be able to receive military aid from the United States. The Japanese, who have obtained rich mineral deposits and supplies from Southeast Asia, can first devote all their efforts to solving the Chinese battlefield, and then use China's vast land as a logistics base and the United States.
People compete.
By then, Japan, which has tens of millions of "slaves" who can work as hard as they can without paying any price, will not necessarily fail.
But in the long timeline of history, there has never been such a thing as if. Not to mention the people who are deep in the torrent of that era and cannot see the future clearly. Even the Tang Dao who goes up against the long river of time, trying his best in this world, is nothing more than
He has changed the fate of the few people around him, but has never made the slightest change in the so-called general trend?
It doesn't matter whether the Japanese are celebrating their victory. What matters is that when they learned that Japan and the United States had officially declared war, the top officials in Yamashiro were jubilant.
Although the message of condolences to the President of the United States is still painful and indignant.
The Americans were forced to personally participate in the war, which meant that as allies they could get more military aid. As for the money or the amount of money, it didn't matter. Only the victors were qualified to consider the debt issue.
He was definitely a good player in politics. After the Japanese army ignited the war in the Pacific, only two days later, he ordered all theaters to launch attacks on December 9 to contain the Japanese army and coordinate the operations of friendly countries.
The 4th Theater Command was ordered to attack the Japanese troops in Yangcheng and support the Imperial Army in Hong Kong; the 5th, 6th, and 66th armies were assembled from Guangxi and Sichuan to Yunnan respectively, preparing to enter Burma to directly assist the Imperial Army in combat.
In order to coordinate the operations of its 23rd Army and the Southern Army and contain the Chinese army from advancing towards Guangdong Province, the Japanese 11th Army decided to launch another attack south of the Yangtze River.
Thus, the third Battle of Tanzhou began.
The 11th Army invested more than 100,000 men and fought fiercely for a month with the 300,000-strong army of the 9th Theater Command led by General Xue.
"Whether I can get things done with the Military Commission and the Executive Yuan depends on the outcome of the Tanzhou battle! If we win, it's easy to say; if we lose, it's hard to say. Once Tanzhou is lost, Guizhou and Yunnan will
Not only that Sichuan and other important areas in the southwest are under the threat of Japanese troops, our first and fifth theaters are also extremely dangerous."
When Tang Dao and General Jiang were sitting in the office discussing disaster relief matters, General Jiang also fully expressed his concern for the Battle of Tanzhou, which was coming to an end.
"Although Chief Xue is a maverick, he manages the army well and has mastered Tianlu warfare. Anan Weiji is no match for him." Tang Dao said decisively.
Anami Weiji took office as the commander of the 11th Army three months ago. His predecessor Yokoyama Yumoto was worried about the Japanese base camp because of the defeat in the Battle of Shipai. After careful planning by the General Staff Headquarters and the Dispatch Army Headquarters,
The "Eagle Special Attack Team" was completely wiped out, and Tanabe Moritake and others were assassinated by the Chinese in Jiangxia City. The top Japanese military officer in Jiangxia, Yokoyama Isamu, could only bear the blame.
There are quite a lot of bad guys in the Japanese army base camp. Isamu Yokoyama, who was transferred, did not return to his country. Instead, he went to the dispatched army headquarters to fill the vacancy of the dead man Moritake Tanabe and became the deputy chief of staff of the dispatched army. He was the former commander of the 11th Army.
I am going to be the deputy chief of staff at the level of major general. This is a proper demotion.
However, Isamu Yokoyama, who had always been arrogant, actually took up his post obediently, which impressed the Japanese base camp with admiration.
Perhaps only Tang Dao knows that this old guy is not a good thing. Hengshan Yong, who led his troops and fought the 9th War Zone twice in the Tanzhou Battle and ended in failure, knows best the capabilities of the general named Xue.
Waiting for the chance to make a comeback.
If Japan chooses to fight Tanzhou again and loses, it may be time for him to be used again.
The third Battle of Tanzhou was destined to end with Japan's defeat.
"You have quite a lot of confidence in Commander Xue, but you should be careful about your unique comments. If I help you spread the word, Commander Xue will not be Commander Li!" General Jiang, who was in a good mood, couldn't help but tease Tang.
Dao of Knife.
"Sir, most capable people are people with personality. Especially in these troubled times, if you don't have some special personality, how can you defeat those proud soldiers and generals from all over the mountains!" Tang Dao said seriously.
"Oh?" General Jiang looked out the window thoughtfully, but stopped talking.
He understood that this was Tang Dao trying to persuade him. Not to mention that there were many troops in the first war zone, but there were a few generals who relied on their direct lineage, but they were acting in secret. The military orders from the war zone headquarters were not that easy to use.
.
He, a newly arrived theater commander, is not deaf. How come he has never heard of the bad reputation of the 13th Army stationed in western Henan?
But if he is asked to be cruel or report his evil deeds to that person, that person is most likely unwilling to believe it, and even chooses to put it aside because of his outstanding performance on the battlefield the year before last. Then his position will be very embarrassing.
After all, compared to the disciple of the Emperor, who was known as one of the Five Tiger Generals under his command, the relationship with him was actually not as close as others imagined, and he himself knew it very well.
Seeing this person respond with silence, Tang Dao could only sigh helplessly in his heart.
To be honest, this commander is not highly rated in historical records. He is corrupt by nature and especially addicted to gambling. When he was the division commander in 1930, he lost an infantry division's March salary in one night, and even more so on the battlefield.
He is an expert in civil war and an outsider in foreign war. The great defeat of Henan Province in time and space is inseparable from his incompetent command.
But at least this time, he was indeed determined to solve the impending disaster in Henan Province, and even stated to Tang Dao that if the worst came to worst, the First War Zone could use part of the military rations to provide relief to the victims.
Tang Dao remembered very clearly that in the past, after the Japanese army conquered Henan Province and occupied Zhengcheng, there were still 1 million bags of flour stored in the grain warehouse of the First War Zone, which was enough to feed the 200,000 troops in the First War Zone for a year.
.
In the blink of an eye, it was the New Year, and 5 million kilograms of grain arrived, plus General Chiang Kai-shek took out another 1 million kilograms of military rations from the warehouse to provide relief to the victims of the 20 disaster-stricken counties.
However, this time it is not purely free relief, but is sold to the victims at a price lower than half of the current market price. The money recovered is used by the business group brought by Tang Dao to purchase grain in Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, and then transport it.
To prepare for the possibility of a second drought and even a locust plague in the coming year as Tang Dao said.
Except for the soldiers and businessmen who followed Tang Dao, most people thought that the disaster might ease in the spring. The serious disaster Tang Dao mentioned was only possible, not inevitable. Only Tang Dao knew that this was historical.
inevitable.
Starting from the beginning of February, counties began to open warehouses to sell grain!
At Tang Dao's suggestion, each county's grain sales point has an inspection team sent by the First War Zone Headquarters. If it is found that someone is taking out the grain bought at a low price without permission, or someone dares to mix the grain with substandard goods,
He was taken to Zhengcheng immediately. If he had the money, he would pay 100,000 yuan to atone for his sins. If he didn't have the money, he would be shot by the Jingzhe of Spring!
Moreover, before the inspection team led by the army captain level set out for training, Tang Dao had clearly informed everyone that there would be secret investigators behind the inspection team. If the members of the inspection team dared to collude with local officials and businessmen, the businessmen could spend their money and sell their lives for the purpose.
Disaster relief, as soldiers, can be carried out in accordance with military laws during wartime.
When others say this, the inspection team may just take it as lip service, but Tang Tuanzuo's reputation for starving to death for thousands of Japanese troops in the Battle of Shipai has long spread to all war zones, and even the Japanese hate it.
It's deep into his bones but there's nothing he can do about it. Isn't it easy to kill big soldiers like them?
However, human greed is really terrible.
Tang Dao, who was appointed by the Military Commission and held the warrant of the commander of the First Theater Zone, had already said such harsh words. In the face of huge interests, someone was still up to something.
........
Tang Dao also knew that it would be difficult to save these 30 million victims with his own efforts alone. Even if there were tens of millions of kilograms of grain stored in Zishan, and even if it took time and effort to transport it to Henan Province, for the disaster that would sweep the entire Henan Province
Disasters can only provide temporary relief.
Therefore, while selling food to the victims at low prices and collecting the money to buy food again to create a virtuous cycle, Tang Dao persuaded Laura to let her personally take the Western press group in the mountain city to Zhengcheng on a US military transport plane.
Then special personnel were sent to accompany these reporters who had received red envelopes and had a strong sense of justice to the counties most affected by the disaster to see the lives of ordinary people.
Not to mention the people who have not queued up to buy food. There are often only leaves and bark in the pot, and skin and bones cannot describe the extent of hunger. Almost every household has old people and children dying of starvation. It is really unbearable to read.
As for the people who spent their money to buy some food, their meals were equally rudimentary, because the officials above had said that there would be a greater drought this year, and there would even be a locust plague.
The gene of being prepared for danger in times of peace has long been engraved in the genes of the Chinese people. The tree bark noodle soup made by grinding the bark into powder and mixing it with two ounces of flour and boiling it in water is often the most normal meal for a family.
New graves are scattered all over the countryside. Not even a sparrow can be seen in the sky. They are like wandering ghosts in the wilderness searching for any man or woman who can get food into their mouths. The Chinese bowls are so clear that they can almost reflect the clear figures of the people.
A series of photos with a soupy face have impacted the hearts of many Chinese people.
By the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, all counties had reported that the low-priced disaster relief grains were basically sold out.
A small number of people who really do not have the ability to purchase will be signed and pledged by the local village chief, security chief, and village chief. After personal review by the captain of the inspection team, 50 kilograms of rice and noodles will be distributed to each head of the population, mixed with some grains and wild vegetables, etc., for half a year.
no problem.
Under such a policy, it is basically guaranteed that every household has food, at least before spring plowing.
New Year's Eve is the most important day for Chinese people.
On this day, no matter how poor you are, you have to take out the food you can get at home and sit together as a family to celebrate the New Year together.
It was still snowing that day, and Tang Dao, who did not return home due to work, accompanied Laura and two reporters from China and the United States. Under the leadership of the village chief, they randomly chose to enter the door of a house.
Tang Dao's trip was not for inspection or condolences, but to accompany the Chinese and foreign reporters he invited to see the situation after the relief food was distributed.
Being able to see the smiling faces of the victims satisfies the humanitarian concept of the Western world and reassures people from all walks of life in the mountain city.
Because Western reporters, who were shocked, spared no effort in reporting, Shancheng held a disaster relief fundraiser a week ago. Chinese and Western people from all walks of life in Shancheng, including ordinary people, raised nearly 40 million French currency in just two days.
General Jiang was so happy that Tang Dao must accompany these Chinese and foreign reporters, especially after the disaster relief, not only to see the misery of the past, but also to see that they can maintain a life of food and clothing after the disaster relief.
After all, this can be regarded as one of his political achievements.
But the first one they entered surprised Tang Dao, Laura and the two reporters!
............
PS: There was no update yesterday because Fengyue was revising the previously blocked chapters. Otherwise, it would cause more problems. It really hurts my head. I said this in the group, so I didn’t join the group again.