Chapter 218: Transit in Kunming

Dust flew up on the runway of Lashu Airport.

The engines of two C-47 transport planes roared deafeningly, and the huge propellers whipped up a gale that nearly blinded everyone around.

Jiang Anguo took one last look at the officers and men of the Independent Regiment who had come to see him off, then turned and boarded one of the C-47s.

Inside the cabin, Stilwell and Dai Anlan were already seated.

Dai Anlan had originally not wanted Jiang Anguo to go to Chongqing together.

In his view, the Tonggu counterattack had just ended, the 200th Division needed rest, and Jiang Anguo along with his Independent Regiment were the core and soul of the entire division; they should not leave the front at this time.

But Jiang Anguo insisted on going. His reason was simple: "Some people in Chongqing need to see with their own eyes what was brought back from Myanmar, not just hear reports."

Jiang Anguo also brought a special guest—the commander of the Japanese paratrooper unit, Kume Seiichi.

This was to make up for this maverick action.

At the same time, Stilwell finally understood that Jiang Anguo was the mysterious 'General' who had captured Bamo and Myitkyina.

Dai Anlan couldn't refute him, so he had to let him go.

Dai Anlan was well aware that if the higher-ups punished anyone, it would be him. But if Jiang Anguo went along too, perhaps out of consideration for personal connections, the punishment for this defiance of military orders would be lighter.

Jiang Anguo had also made preparations. First, he ordered Lin Yi to stay in Lashu, and the Iron Fist to remain in Dongzhi. All troops, besides defending against the Japanese Army, were to engage in military farming.

Second, Jiang Anguo had reserved two months' worth of supplies in Lashu. If he couldn't return to Myanmar in a short time, Lin Yi could still handle the supply problem for tens of thousands of troops.

What surprised Jiang Anguo, however, was that Stilwell also decided to fly to Chongqing to report directly to Chiang Kai-shek on the Myanmar war situation and forcefully present his strategic vision.

Logically, flying directly from Lashu to Chongqing was the most straightforward route. But Jiang Anguo insisted that the plane must first land in Kunming.

"Colonel, why is that?" Stilwell was somewhat puzzled. He glanced at the route map; a direct flight would obviously save a lot of time.

Jiang Anguo didn't answer directly but pointed out the window.

Just then, a low, powerful roar came from overhead. Twelve P-40 "Warhawk" fighters, painted with shark mouths, swept past above the two C-47s in perfect combat formation.

Sunlight glinted off their smooth wings, reflecting a deadly cold gleam.

Stilwell's eyes lit up instantly.

He certainly recognized these as planes of the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, the famous "Flying Tigers." But what shocked him was that this large, elite escort formation was actually there to protect them!

"Did you arrange this?" Stilwell turned, looking at Jiang Anguo in disbelief.

Stilwell knew very well that he had no air force to command; the American Tenth Air Force had already flown to India.

Jiang Anguo nodded and explained calmly, "General, the skies over Chongqing are not safe. The Japanese Army's air force, though inferior in performance to our planes, is very reckless. They have been constantly bombing Chongqing, the great rear area of the War of Resistance. I cannot risk your safety, or Division Commander Dai's safety."

No, in truth, Jiang Anguo was more afraid of dying. These fighters were all to protect his own safety.

He paused and stated the most critical reason: "The combat radius of a P-40 fighter is about 1,100 kilometers. The distance from Lashu to Chongqing is nearly 1,200 kilometers, which exceeds the safe limit for the escort formation. If an emergency occurs, our escort planes might run out of fuel and be trapped."

This was also why Jiang Anguo needed to make a stopover in Kunming when flying from Lashu to Chongqing.

If Japanese planes appeared, by the time they reached Chongqing, they would have no fuel left and would be unable to counterattack the Japanese aircraft.

"But Lashu to Kunming is only a little over 500 kilometers," Jiang Anguo traced a line on the map with his finger, "well within the P-40's safe combat range. We can make a brief stop at Wujiaba Airport in Kunming, let the escort formation refuel and rearm, and then fly together to Chongqing. That way, we have air cover the entire way—absolutely safe."

After hearing this detailed and thorough explanation, neither Stilwell nor Dai Anlan had any objections.

Stilwell looked at the young colonel before him, his inner shock beyond words. He was not just a tactical genius, but a 'strategist' with enormous resources and mobilization capabilities.

How could an ordinary regimental officer mobilize an entire squadron of the "Flying Tigers" to act as bodyguards?

The power represented behind this made Stilwell begin to reassess Jiang Anguo, and the surname "Jiang" behind him.

Stilwell hated privilege, yet this young man seemed to use privilege just right.

Dai Anlan, on the other hand, wore a look of helplessness and pride. His own brother-in-law always did things so "extravagantly," but in a way that made one feel at ease.

The C-47's fuselage shuddered violently and began to taxi on the runway.

Soon, the plane lifted off, leaving the chaos and smoke of Lashu behind.

Through the porthole, the twelve P-40s could be seen like loyal eagles, closely guarding both sides of the transport plane. Their silhouettes traced a reassuring path across the shattered landscape of Myanmar.

Stilwell leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, but his mind was crystal clear.

He had come to China to use American supplies and advisors to build an army that could defeat the Japanese, a force completely under his command.

He had thought he was the director holding the script, but now he found there seemed to be another actor on the stage, one he couldn't control, who had his own script.

That actor was Jiang Anguo.

Because he didn't understand why a large number of German weapons had appeared in the Expeditionary Force, including German fighters at Lashu Airport. Of course, on the Ouzhou battlefield, Bf 109 fighters and Stuka bombers had already been captured.

The Americans were also researching more advanced aircraft; otherwise, Stilwell would definitely have tried to get two planes from Lashu back to the United States, so he could add another achievement to his record.

Two hours later, the outline of Kunming appeared beneath the wings.

The famous Wujiaba Airport was already clearly visible, with all kinds of military aircraft parked on the runway—a bustling scene of the rear area.

Most critically, the Leiyun Airport on the Yunnan-Myanmar border was no longer safe. Many personnel, equipment, and the real Flying Tigers were deployed to Kunming.

Relatively speaking, Kunming was safer. It could not only support the Myanmar front but also play a good role in defending Chongqing and Chengdu.

The plane landed smoothly. When the cabin door opened, Kunming's sunlight and fresh air rushed in, a stark contrast to Myanmar's humid heat.

Jiang Anguo was the first to step off the plane and took a deep breath.

Kunming, this key city in the great rear area of the War of Resistance, was their transit point for this trip and the last gateway to the power center of Chongqing.

As the group walked down from the transport plane, Jiang Anguo pulled out a pack of Cigarettes, took one for himself, took a deep drag, and then handed it to Stilwell. Stilwell took it, pulled out a lighter, and took a big drag as well.

"Jiang, you suit my temperament. I hope we'll be good partners from now on," Stilwell said.

Being able to rest during the flight was the best thing.

Jiang Anguo nodded and said, "Of course."

Jiang Anguo really wanted to tell Stilwell one truth: if American weapons were sent to the Huaxia Battlefield, China could definitely push the Japanese into the sea.