Beiyang reactionaries

"Then what do you think, will China join the war? Will it support Germany, Italy and Japan?"

"In my analysis, even if China chooses to join the war in the end, it should not choose Germany, Italy and Japan."

"How to say?"

Roosevelt looked at Cordell Hull with more interest.Roosevelt was a very good politician and had his own views on everything.For a country as large as China, of course Roosevelt has done in-depth research.

But Roosevelt still wanted to hear from others.

Especially the opinion of his long-time partner Cordell Hull.Cordell Hull has cooperated with Roosevelt for many years, so he has nothing to hide, and directly expresses his point of view, saying: "I have studied the current Chinese dictator Duan Xun. This person is a radical nationalist. This person is a soldier. Born, becoming the leader of the Chinese government depends on the army in his hands. This person is not afraid of fighting, as long as there is interest, he really dares to fight."

"I know this."

Roosevelt nodded.

Then he said: "I have also carefully read the information of this person, and I have also studied his rise. I still admire him very much. It is not easy for this person to bring China to its current position under such circumstances. Capable, courageous, and patient when needed, he is a character not to be underestimated."

"Yes."

Cordell Hull nodded too.

After the First World War, a national independence movement was launched.In particular, the independence of Czechoslovakia has encouraged people in many colonial countries.But very few are truly successful.

But China is taking advantage of this shareholder wind to instigate nationalism in the country.Duan Xun even used nationalism to package himself, attracting young Chinese people and rapidly expanding his strength.The independence of the country and the independence of the nation that led China to complete drove those big powers out of China.There is also the United States in this.Duan Xun, the dictator, swayed from side to side, using Japan to drive away the United States, and then turned his face to drive away Japan.Roosevelt, Cordell Hull, and even many Western politicians have read these materials.The rise of Duan Xun is also a legend.

They all admired an opponent like Duan Xun.

Great.

Twenty years ago, China was not even in the eyes of the great powers.At that time, in international affairs, China was not qualified to speak at all.But now which big power can underestimate China.Not to mention anything else, the Sino-Soviet war, China's settlement of 20 million Soviet troops in a short period of time, was a sensation all over the world.Who can ignore such a China.

"Since Duan Xun became the leader of the Chinese government, China has gone through several wars and negotiations to recover most of its territory. However, there are still many territorial disputes, mainly with the Soviet Union and Japan. .Now that China and the Soviet Union have signed the "Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship", although there are still many territorial disputes that have not been resolved, there should be no problems in a short period of time. However, the historical issues between China and Japan are really irrelevant. Not much. Franklin, look, this place, as well as Taiwan, and the Korean peninsula, are the focus of conflicts between China and Japan. Unless this issue is resolved between China and Japan, otherwise, judging from Duan Xun’s past style of doing things, China’s He will never join the German-Italian-Japanese military alliance."

"If these issues are not resolved between China and Japan, war is inevitable."

Roosevelt spoke slowly.

Cordell Hull nodded, agreeing with Roosevelt's point of view, said: "The contradiction between China and Japan is difficult to adjust. The current Japanese government is more influenced by radical soldiers, and it is impossible for them to let go and swallow it." Interested. According to the information we got, when Yoshiichi Tanaka was the Prime Minister of Japan, China and Japan were almost on the verge of reaching an agreement in this regard. Yoshiichi Tanaka is going to return these places to China as a way to Get more support from China to reach a military alliance with China. If Tanaka Yoshiichi hadn’t been assassinated, maybe China and Japan had already reached an agreement in this regard.”

"God bless."

Roosevelt smiled.

But his face became serious in an instant: "Fortunately, fortunately, Tanaka Yoshiichi was assassinated. If China and Japan join forces, what we should consider now is how to protect our west coast, not how to protect the Hawaiian Islands and Australia."

It really is.

One Japan has turned the Pacific upside down, and it is a headache for the United States to deal with it.If China also joins in at this time, then the Pacific Ocean will really not belong to the United States.

Fortunately, China and Japan did not reach an agreement.

"Kordel, China is the largest material support country for Germany, Italy and Japan. As long as China interrupts its cooperation with them, it will be the biggest blow to Germany, Italy and Japan. But if China continues to support Germany, Italy and Japan in this way, then it wants to defeat them It's going to be very difficult."

"Yes."

Cordell Hull echoed: "So I think we need to win over China. Even if China cannot immediately cut off the supply of materials to Germany, Italy and Japan, we must prevent China from participating in the German, Italian and Japanese military bloc. If China participates in the German, Italian and Japanese military bloc Group, the situation will get out of hand."

"Ah."

Roosevelt nodded.

After thinking for a while, he said, "Kordell, I want to send a special envoy to China to negotiate directly with high-level officials in China. See what the Chinese government means and what their bottom line is? We must prevent China from joining the war. .Who do you think is more suitable?"

"Major General Stilwell. He traveled to China in the late Qing Dynasty, and later served as a language officer stationed in China. He can speak fluent Chinese and is familiar with Chinese affairs. He is the military's China hand. He has traveled to China several times. Six Years ago, he served as a military attache stationed in China. Because he has been in China for many years, he is very familiar with many generals in the Chinese military. I think he is the most suitable special envoy."

"Okay, General Stilwell."

Roosevelt nodded.

Although the United States entered China late, when it comes to means, the United States is definitely the best.If you slap you, you have to thank others. This is what the United States does.Just like Stilwell, he started learning Chinese very early and began to understand China.

"Cordle, make arrangements as soon as possible. I want to meet with General Stilwell."

"Yes."

670

"Chairman, just received the news that the US-Philippine coalition forces have surrendered."

"Ah."

Duan Xun sat on the special train and listened to the report by Zhang Zhizhong, the deputy chief of staff of military intelligence.

In early February 1941, just after the Spring Festival, Duan Xun left Beijing to inspect the Northeast by car.Of course, it was an investigation in name, but this time Duan Xun went to the Northeast and had many important things to deal with.

Starting from Beijing, after passing Jinzhou, Duan Xun heard news from the Philippines.

But Duan Xun was not surprised.

MacArthur left by plane, this action itself has given up the US-Philippines coalition forces.The US government was worried that generals of MacArthur's level would fall into the hands of the Japanese, so they ordered MacArthur to evacuate.At that time, the logistics of the U.S.-Philippines coalition forces were cut off, and the entire Philippines was surrounded by Japanese troops.If MacArthur stays at this time, he can still stabilize the morale of the army, and the US-Philippines may be able to support it for a while longer.But MacArthur chose to leave, tantamount to abandoning these troops.Under such circumstances, how could the US-Philippine coalition forces still have combat effectiveness.

So after MacArthur withdrew, they quickly chose to surrender.

This matter is inevitable, there is nothing sudden.In fact, what surprised Duan Xun was the death of MacArthur.MacArthur is also regarded as a famous general in World War II in history.After World War II, there was such a beautiful handwriting as the Incheon landing in the Korean War.

But this time he failed to play such a role, so he died in a wimpy manner.Of course there is a reason for this.Historically, MacArthur could run because there was a way out.But it is different now. Japan has occupied the entire Nanyang region and surrounded the Philippines. It is so easy to evacuate.Moreover, the large Japanese army is preparing for the Australian campaign, deploying a large number of troops in New Guinea.MacArthur was preparing to withdraw to Australia to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Anglo-American-Australian coalition forces.

Although the plane made by MacArthur tried to bypass the Japanese defense zone as much as possible, it was still shot down by the Japanese plane.It can be said that "you die before you leave the teacher".And the future evaluation and reputation will not be very good.After all, it was shot down on the way to retreat after dropping the troops.

"anything else?"

"On the Burmese side, the vanguard of the Japanese army left Mandalay in two ways. Some of them aimed directly at Myitkyina, and the other part seemed to be forcibly crossing the Chindun River. It is estimated that the Battle of Myitkyina and the Battle of Imphal will break out soon."

"How many troops does the British Indian Army have on Myitkyina?"

Duan Xun didn't ask about Imphal.

Because the Japanese attack on Imphal seemed straightforward and threatening.But this road is very dangerous, and it is basically impossible to succeed.Especially the logistics of the Japanese army could not guarantee Imphal's side at all.

So Duan Xun asked about Myitkyina.Compared to Imphal, Myitkyina is more dangerous.

"A lot."

Zhang Zhizhong sat down and reported: "The British Indian Army deployed two armies in Myitkyina, the No.14 Army and the No.16 Army. Their army formation is different from ours. Like the British Indian Army under the No.14 Army The 33rd Corps and the 34th Corps, each of which has two infantry divisions under its jurisdiction, and under the division are four infantry brigades. Therefore, the British Indian Army has 4 infantry brigades under each regiment, and 8 infantry brigades under the group army Infantry brigade. In addition to these infantry brigades, the group army also includes artillery units, tank units, engineering units, etc. The British attach great importance to artillery units. Each of their army groups has five direct artillery regiments, and each division is also under its jurisdiction There are five artillery regiments directly under it, and each brigade also has its own artillery unit. Moreover, each group army of the British army has a tank division directly under its command, and the British Indian army in Myitkyina has 16 tanks. In terms of weapons and equipment, the British The Indian army is more elite than the Japanese army."

Because Britain is an island country, they pay more attention to the navy just like Japan.

In addition, Britain is full of colonies, so the British army establishment is very different from other countries.Since the outbreak of World War II, the size of the British army has also expanded rapidly.So far, the UK has 300 million troops in its homeland alone. With the addition of Commonwealth and colonial troops, the UK can currently command more than 500 million troops.However, the current numbers of the British Army are limited, and the establishment of army divisions is even more pitiful.