Chapter 110: Air Support for the 200th Division

Du Lvming also did not decide everything on his own; on one hand he was negotiating with Stilwell, and on the other he sent a report to Chongqing, clarifying the current enemy‑friendly situation.

Chongqing responded immediately, ordering Du Lvming to lead the Fifth Army's main forces north along the Mandalay railway to Myitkyina, then back into Chinese territory, insisting the enemy be stopped at the border pass.

In fact, Du Lvming also asked Dai Anlan whether they could go from Xibu back to Lashu.

Lashu, as the Expeditionary Force's logistical base, not only supplies the Expeditionary Force but also transports supplies to the rear area.

Du Lvming still did not want to lose Lashu, but the answer was that the Japanese Army's defensive line at Xibu could not yet be broken through.

At this point, if Du Lvming were more decisive and moved the main forces—or Sun Liren's troops—to press a large army onto Xibu, they might capture the 148th Regiment outright and encircle the 56th Division's retreat route from behind, giving them a "wrap‑up".

Unfortunately, several battles left Du Lvming disheartened, compounded by the uncertainty of enemy troop strength.

Even this retreat was not approved by Stilwell, but it made no difference.

Chinese troops, of course, must be commanded by their own people; at any time they will never be taught to anyone else.

Just as a British army in France would not be handed over to French command.

Du Lvming not only issued withdrawal orders to the Mandalay units but also gave Dai Anlan a retreat order: if breaking through Xibu proved impossible, head straight north through the dense jungle back to the border.

At the same time, Du Lvming deployed rear‑guard forces—the newly formed 22nd Division under Liao Yaoxiang and the New 38th Division under Sun Liren—to cover the main force's retreat.

At present, only these two divisions still retain combat power; the 96th Division is the Fifth Army's reserve, also the Expeditionary Force's reserve, and cannot be moved lightly.

Only if the forward units truly cannot hold would Du Lvming mobilize the 96th Division.

Sun Liren and Liao Yaoxiang both understand that their divisions also contain reserve units.

The Fifth Army's heavy weapons—only a few 105 mm howitzers—were transferred immediately.

The 105 mm howitzers, rarely used on domestic battlefields, were brought over for the Burma Campaign; regardless of the cost, the assigned soldiers must ensure the howitzers can be safely transported back home.

The retreat order, originally issued by the Expeditionary Force headquarters after confirming Lashu's loss on May 1, has now been moved up by six days.

It is precisely this time gap that gives Du Lvming ample opportunity to organize a gradual withdrawal rather than a rout‑style escape.

The opposing force, the Japanese 33rd Division, actually has no desire to fight and lacks the high combat power of the 56th Division.

The 55th Division is only conducting harassment and has no intention of attacking the Expeditionary Force.

The newly arrived Japanese 18th Division is still massing its forces.

Compared with the Japanese's sluggish pace, the Expeditionary Force's retreat is much faster.

The Japanese actually moved quickly; in two months they reached Mandalay, the most important city in northern Myanmar. Once Mandalay falls, the Expeditionary Force would have no foothold in Myanmar.

The Myanmar Campaign could then be declared over.

April 25, 10:20 a. m.

Jiang Anguo returned to Lashu—not to retreat—but arrived at Lashu Airport, glanced at the system, and saw he now has points: an aircraft costs 1,000 points each, a pilot costs 50 points each.

Exchanging for an aircraft is straightforward; he had planned to redeem points, but no slots were available, and Lashu is all army, so opening an aircraft is clearly impossible.

First, even a World War II aircraft, learning to take off might be simple, but landing—for someone with no experience at all—is undoubtedly a death sentence.

Jiang Anguo directly exchanged for five seaplane transports, the American PBY seaplanes; the mission is simple: locate the Expeditionary Force's th Division units.

And deliver weapons, ammunition, and other supplies.

Jiang Anguo has already examined the map; it shows the area around the Xibu Defensive Line, and if the map is correct, there is a large river over a hundred meters wide, making water‑plane takeoffs and landings perfectly feasible.

He chose seaplanes over transport aircraft because of concerns about an unreliable air drop; it's safer to use seaplanes for supply drops first.

A PBY seaplane can carry two tons of cargo and has a range of four thousand kilometers.

Even patrolling Myanmar poses no problem.

Moreover, the system also granted ten units of fuel and ammunition, meaning this aircraft can fly up to forty thousand kilometers on fuel.

The fuel is stored on the ground; there's no exotic spatial technology involved.

This patrol aircraft requires four crew members, and Jiang Anguo directly exchanged for twenty pilots.

"Guard Company, load the transport aircraft with supplies and take off immediately," Jiang Anguo ordered.

He has already prepared all the needed supplies; the Guard Company quickly formed several long lines, passing the materials relay‑style, person by person.

Weapons, ammunition, medical items, and food—these are what the Expeditionary Force's soldiers currently lack.

The loaded transport aircraft were ready for takeoff; the first plane carried only one ton of supplies, and it needed to locate the th Division as quickly as possible, so it lifted off the moment it was loaded.

Consequently, they had to use the aircraft's radio for takeoff and landing.

Takeoff is fine; the worry is errors during landing.

The only reassurance is that Lashu Airport is usable and hasn't been damaged by Japanese bombers; perhaps the Japanese don't care about Lashu Airport because their intelligence knows it lacks fighters and bombers.

The Japanese focus more of their attacks on Yunnan, hoping to destroy the American aircraft stationed there.

No conditions? Then create conditions.

Jiang Anguo directly gathered a few Messengers, had them wave flags to direct the planes, using the most primitive method; for safety, each aircraft took off one by one.

"Meng Fanle, send a telegram to the whole corps immediately, stating that the transport supplies have taken off, and have them dispatch personnel to receive them," Jiang Anguo said.

Lashu is less than one hundred kilometers from Xibu, and since the aircraft fly in a straight line, preparation time may exceed flight time.

Meng Fanle shouted, "Yes, Commanding Officer."

Meng Fanle shouted, "Yes, Battalion Commander."