Chapter 445: Anxious Stilwell

The rainy season in Myanmar is indeed a nuisance.

On the Eastern Front, Hu Xianqun's Tank Regiment and Zhang Bing's Tank Battalion.

During the operation it was not smooth; at least ten tanks sank into the mud of Mandalay, and, helplessly, they had to be immobilized and used as artillery.

Even tank soldiers grabbed rifles and charged forward to kill the Little Devils.

Dai Anlan heard this, nodded, and agreed: "You're right, I think the same. Marching in the rainy season is indeed difficult, and the combat power of the Japanese Army 33rd Division is not to be underestimated; they are well‑equipped and familiar with Myanmar's terrain. If they really cut off our rear, we would be forced into a passive position."

At this point Dai Anlan's brows furrowed slightly, his tone carrying some doubt: "However, there's one thing I can't figure out. Mandalay, as a strategic stronghold in Myanmar, is of utmost importance. When we counter‑attacked, the Japanese forces in the central sector didn't send any troops to support, yet we still captured it smoothly. Logically, the Japanese could not have abandoned Mandalay so easily."

Jiang Anguo's gaze also darkened, a hint of contemplation appearing on his face.

Dai Anlan was right; this was also the doubt in his mind.

The 18th Division, an elite of the Japanese Army, was completely annihilated, yet Iida Shōjirō, commander of the 15th Army, could not remain indifferent to the loss of Mandalay.

"I've been pondering the question you raised as well."

Jiang Anguo said slowly, "The 18th Division was completely wiped out; such a huge loss means Iida Shōjirō could not have had no thoughts, unless he truly has no troops left to redeploy."

"No troops to redeploy?" Dai Anlan was startled for a moment, then fell into thought. "The 15th Army under Iida's command originally comprised the 18th Division, the Japanese Army 33rd Division, the 55th Division, and other divisions. In previous battles on the Dian‑Mian front, the 55th Division suffered heavy losses and is still recuperating in the rear, unable to be moved. What remains are only the 33rd Division and some scattered units."

Dai Anlan did not mention the 56th Division; the main reason is that he had seen the commander of the 56th Division, who is still unconscious in the Lashu camp.

"Exactly." Jiang Anguo nodded, his tone firm. "The 55th Division has lost its combat effectiveness and cannot support Mandalay; the other scattered units are too weak to make any difference. Therefore, the only main force Iida can now mobilize is the Japanese Army 33rd Division. He sent the 33rd Division over, presumably to retake Mandalay, but he didn't anticipate that we would seize complete control of Mandalay so quickly and have already prepared its defenses."

"What should we do now?" Dai Anlan asked. "Should we just hold here and wait for the Japanese Army 33rd Division to arrive?"

"Of course not."

Jiang Anguo shook his head, his gaze sharpening. "Our most critical task now is to ascertain the exact location, troop deployment, and marching route of the Japanese Army 33rd Division. Only after we have uncovered their details can we devise the appropriate response—whether to launch a preemptive strike and crush them, or to hold Mandalay and wait them out. That decision must wait for the intelligence."

He looked at Dai Anlan, his tone solemn: "Immediately task the intelligence unit to intensify reconnaissance, deploy all available scouting forces, and be sure to uncover every detail about the Japanese Army 33rd Division in the shortest possible time. Also, have the troops use the time to rest, clear the battlefield, and reinforce fortifications, preparing for a possible 33rd Division attack."

Dai Anlan has the intelligence department of the Expeditionary Force headquarters at his disposal.

Jiang Anguo will of course also send people to scout; at this moment, dispatching reconnaissance planes is the best option.

However, it's pouring rain now, so we can only seize the moment when the rain stops, send reconnaissance planes from the Dongzhi direction to observe the movements of the Japanese Army 33rd Division.

"Alright, I'll arrange it at once." Dai Anlan nodded, his tone firm. "I'll have the intelligence unit report back as soon as possible and urge the troops to rest and fortify. We will not give the 33rd Division any opportunity."

Dai Anlan knows that, at present, the only Japanese force in Myanmar still capable of fighting is the Japanese Army 33rd Division.

Jiang Anguo looked again at the ruins before him, rain still drizzling, washing over the city that had endured so much fire.

He knows that the recapture of Mandalay is only a turning point on the Dian‑Mian front, and the battles to come will only grow harder.

The approach of the Japanese Army 33rd Division, Iida Shōjirō's eerie silence, and the many inconveniences brought by the rainy season are all testing them.

The most critical issue remains the post‑war problem.

Not far away, the soldiers are still busy, clearing corpses, gathering intelligence, reinforcing works; their figures dart through the ruins, weary yet full of fighting spirit.

Jiang Anguo knows that as long as these soldiers are present, as long as they work together, there is no war they cannot win, no land they cannot hold.

"Once we have a clear picture of the 33rd Division's situation, we will decide our next move," Jiang Anguo said softly, both to Dai Anlan and to himself. "No matter how many they bring, we must hold Mandalay, preserve this hard‑won victory, continue southward, and drive the Japanese out of Myanmar completely."

Dai Anlan gave a firm nod, his gaze fixed on the distance as if he already saw the upcoming battle.

Just as the two were discussing the next plan, Stilwell arrived again.

"Hey, Jiang, Dai, congratulations on retaking Mandalay." Stilwell, upon arriving, first presented Jiang Anguo and Dai Anlan with a high‑crowned hat.

Then he said, "I truly didn't expect we could retake Mandalay in such a short time."

"Jiang, I'm not sure what your next move is—are you planning to continue southward to attack Yangon, fully open the Dian‑Mian Highway, or what?" Stilwell asked.

Jiang Anguo and Dai Anlan exchanged a glance.

Jiang Anguo said, "General, I must admit we do intend to open the Dian‑Mian Highway, but that will take time, because the Japanese forces in Myanmar still include the Japanese Army 33rd Division; we first need to locate its movements."

Stilwell's eyes lit up upon hearing that they truly intended to open the Dian‑Mian Highway.

"Jiang, once Mandalay Airport is repaired, I can deploy the 10th Air Squadron here to assist the Expeditionary Force's southward attack on the Japanese." Stilwell said excitedly.

Jiang Anguo smiled, unconcerned. "However, General, before any attack we must rest first. You should know that our two infantry divisions assaulted a Class A Division of the Japanese; although we captured Mandalay, both of our units suffered considerable losses, and we need time for reinforcements."

Three thousand were killed, wiping out a 30,000‑man Class A Division—a 1‑to‑10 ratio.

Of course, Jiang Anguo had to exaggerate this ratio before the American general to convey the hardship of the campaign.

In fact, the battle report that Dai Anlan sent to Chongqing was accurate, and Jiang Anguo also reported casualties exceeding two thousand.

But in front of Stilwell, their exchanged glances inflated the loss to forty percent of their forces, so that the American officer could understand how hard the Little Devils were to defeat.

Of course, the Americans would soon witness the Japanese troops' barbarism in the Pacific Ocean.

"Of course, I understand that the Huaxia Army's fight is not easy; we can rest first, then continue the offensive against the Japanese in Myanmar." Stilwell was no longer so hard‑line now.

However, Stilwell came with a mission; Roosevelt had explicitly ordered him to mobilize more Huaxia Army troops to contain the Japanese on the Asian front.

Stilwell knew well the two Huaxia generals before him were especially capable, and precisely because of that he could make a concession.

Because no matter what, part of the final credit will be counted on his shoulders.