Chapter 526: Southward! Southward! Southward!

If we say that at first the use of white phosphorus shells was, whether Stilwell or Du Yuming, met with extreme opposition.

But now that everyone has inspected the Japanese Army positions, they have changed their usual stance, believing this to be justified.

White phosphorus shells should be used on the heads of the Japanese.

Dai Anlan is also under great pressure, after all this weapon is too brutal.

Now that we have captured Pingmana, we have not let our brothers' blood be shed in vain.

On the battlefield, either we sacrifice our soldiers or we destroy the enemy's positions; Dai Anlan has no choice.

At that moment, Dai Anlan thought of the Tonggu Defense Battle, where the Japanese used poison gas shells in Tonggu, killing many brothers of the th Division.

After realizing this.

Since the Japanese can use despicable weapons, why can't we retaliate with even stronger weapons?

Du Yuming said firmly, "Regiment Commander Dai is right; on the battlefield, there is no room for a woman's compassion."

"The Japanese Army invades our land, harms our compatriots; their crimes are too numerous to record. Our use of white phosphorus shells is merely retaliation, merely to reduce our casualties, merely to drive the invaders out of our land as soon as possible."

Stilwell fell silent for a moment, then said slowly, "I previously indeed thought white phosphorus shells were too brutal, but now seeing this underground position, I finally understand that Regiment Commander Dai's decision is correct."

"In this cruel war, to win we must pay a price; if we persistently pursue 'compassion', it will only cause more soldiers to fall and embolden the invaders. From now on, I will fully cooperate with you to capture Yangon and open the Dian-Mian Highway."

Stilwell understood from the start that the Luo Si Fu Government wanted to use the Expeditionary Force and Huaxia troops to tie down more Japanese soldiers.

But the more he interacted with the Expeditionary Force soldiers,

he found that these soldiers were a group of lovely people, a group of pure people!

The group continued moving along the tunnel; the deeper they went, the stronger the shock in their hearts.

Although many parts of the tunnel's defensive works were unfinished, one could still see Song Jing Xiu Zhi's care: firing ports, shelters, ammunition depots, medical rooms, temporary rest areas—all were present. If these defenses were fully completed, they would become an insurmountable barrier.

The party walked while sharing their views on the position, each feeling grateful.

Grateful for their rapid advance, grateful for having weapons like white phosphorus shells, grateful for having brave soldiers, they finally captured this impregnable Pingmana with minimal losses.

Emerging from the tunnel, sunlight fell on them, dispersing the tunnel's cold gloom and oppression.

They turned back to look at the charred position, their hearts full of emotion.

Du Yuming stood on the heights, gazing at the road ahead, his eyes once again firm: "Pingmana has been taken; next, we continue southward, give our all, capture Yangon, open the Dian-Mian Highway, and fulfill our mission!"

"Give our all, capture Yangon!" the other commanders replied in unison, their voices loud, echoing over Pingmana.

In fact, after the 93rd Division's attack on Pingmana was stalled, Jiang Anguo had already set out with the Guard Battalion toward the front.

Of course, this time is different; besides Yang Zhi's 3rd Regiment marching west to Minjian and Dongsha area to block the Japanese 33rd Division, preventing the Japanese from cutting off the rear.

Since the 113rd Regiment's Song Jing Xiu Zhi dared to die‑bolt at Pingmana, there must be a backup plan.

It's simply to let the Fifty-five Division move north from Yangon, allowing the 33rd Division to encircle the Expeditionary Force's rear.

This is also a point Jiang Anguo worries about.

The Expeditionary Force has no other troops in Mandalay, so Jiang Anguo naturally must keep a reserve.

The rest of the st Division forces move south, cooperating with the Expeditionary Force's main body to attack Yangon.

As for heavy weapons and equipment, he quietly looked at the system's vast arsenal, including the gear of four American equipment infantry divisions, more than could ever be used.

Of course, this leaves Mandalay empty.

Jiang Anguo naturally kept a reserve; he left an infantry regiment in Mandalay, commanded by Jiang Yingjie, with the trait: public security.

Placing such an infantry regiment in Mandalay is indeed somewhat wasteful, since Mandalay houses three hundred thousand civilians placed there by Jiang Anguo, all absolutely loyal.

A city entirely of Huaxia people, Jiang Anguo does not think the over ten thousand Burmese can stir up any trouble.

And Jiang Yingjie's public‑security trait is very effective for maintaining regional stability.

Of course, externally the unit is not called the st Division, but the "Nanko Capital Guard Division," and the title must be grand.

Nanko's current "strength" is formidable: two infantry divisions and an infantry brigade formed from Japanese prisoners.

Of course, these units all obey Jiang Anguo; all weapons, equipment, and supplies depend entirely on Jiang Anguo.

At this point Jiang Anguo also realized that he must use his troops to build Nanko's army.

His forces are a foundation, then expanded into an infantry division; as for manpower, whether to follow the st Division's fifteen thousand or twelve thousand, that depends on the actual situation.

For example, defending Nanko's north—Myitkyina, Bamo, Lashu—these are mountainous, so many troops and heavy weapons are actually unsuitable for deployment.

Thus a division strength of 12,000 is most appropriate.

But moving south to Yangon is different; it's all plains, suitable for mechanized forces, so a large corps is actually most suitable.

Jiang Anguo doesn't mind the personnel arrangements of Nanko's various departments; Chen Jiageng can handle it himself.

Chen Jiageng, intentionally or not, wants his daughter Chen Baoyi to marry Jiang Anguo as soon as possible; of course, he has already sent people into Yunnan to find Chen Baoyi.

At that time, Chen Baoyi was retreating inland along the Dian-Mian Highway.

Chen Jiageng's other sons are all in the United States, also safe.

The st Division moves south; its tank units have no tanks, its artillery units have no howitzers.

The only heavy weapons carried are 80 mm mortars and 60 mm mortars.

A force of over 12,000 moving south, all howitzers were sent to Yang Zhi's 3rd Regiment; if the Japanese 33rd Division becomes desperate and tries to cut the Expeditionary Force's rear, they will have to go down and meet their own Amaterasu.

"Young Master, the Iron Fist Regiment Commander has sent a telegram from the front line," Xiao Si held a telegram in his hand.

Jiang Anguo, without taking the telegram, asked directly, "What does it say?"

"The Expeditionary Force has seized Pingmana and is advancing toward Yangon," Xiao Si said.

Jiang Anguo nodded; capturing Pingmana was expected.

But it was also thanks to the power of white phosphorus shells; otherwise, what Pingmana would have become is hard to say.