Chapter 97 Honest yet shameless!
"British BL 140mm howitzer?" Krupp's eyes lit up and he looked at Cun Yunsheng quickly, as if he wanted to get a definite answer from him.

"Yes, do you know how to operate it? This is not a 120mm heavy mortar, but a real heavy artillery." Cun Yunsheng nodded and looked at Krupp again.

After all, this thing is very difficult to operate.

Fortunately, the infrastructure near Myitkyina is quite good, and the supplies can be transported to the front line by simply hanging them on the back of a truck.

The only thing that limits it is how it is launched.

"I can work with the American instructors to study how to operate it. If a few British artillerymen had been left behind at the time, we wouldn't be in such a passive position now." Krupp said with some regret.

Hearing this, Cun Yunsheng smiled and shook his head.

"As for those British soldiers, it's simply a dream to expect them to stay, so we should think carefully about how to fire this heavy artillery. Otherwise, it will be our turn to be bombed by the Japanese army."

"But you don't have to worry too much. It's not that easy to set up a position for a 150mm cannon. Whether it's calibrating the coordinates or anything else, it will take at least a day."

"And its blast radius isn't that large."

"Because it has reduced the weight of the shells in order to increase the range. As long as you find an opportunity and hit it with one strike, you can destroy it."

"The Soviet army proved during the Battle of Nomonhan that the range of heavy artillery cannot completely determine victory or defeat."

"It also depends on the power of the explosion and the number of people."

"The current British BL 140mm howitzer has a pretty good explosive power, even though the British are unreliable."

"But the weapons produced are still quite reliable."

"Leave the quantity to me. I'll have old Stilwell deliver the heavy artillery as soon as possible."

"Even if we don't have 155mm cannons, we have to ask him to transport more 105mm howitzers to increase our firepower."

Cun Yunsheng's words filled Krupp with confidence. He saluted and left.

When Krupp left, Cun Yunsheng sighed lightly.

"Commander, will this be troublesome?" Meng Fanle suddenly had an idea and asked.

"Of course it's troublesome. I was just comforting Krupp and told him not to worry. In fact, our troops have experienced the power of the 150mm cannon. When we were in Nanjing, many solid fortifications and city walls were destroyed by this guy." Cun Yunsheng nodded and said with some annoyance.

"How about abandoning the shore defense line? Retreating to the city?"

"The Japanese army doesn't have a ferry, so it may not be easy to transport these heavy artillery. We will still be able to defend Myitkyina by then." Meng Fan hesitated for a moment and made a suggestion.

"The shore defense line cannot be abandoned. Now we not only have to defend Myitkyina, but also maintain a little vitality for the main force of the expeditionary force." Cun Yunsheng shook his head and rejected his proposal.

"Do you think I haven't thought about retreating to the city and holding out with the help of fortifications?"

"If we do that, it means that the Japanese army can split up and attack everywhere, and even attack the Fifth Army's retreat route. At that time, tens of thousands of expeditionary forces will be lost."

"Now, we are guarding the shore, and the Japanese army cannot cross the river. They can't attack everywhere, and their main force is firmly tied down by us. The main force of the expeditionary force will be very safe."

Hearing this, Meng Fanle was deeply moved. Perhaps others did not know what the Sichuan Army had done, but only he knew that Cun Yunsheng had made sufficient preparations for the safety of the expeditionary army.

During the retreat from Tonggu, the 200th Division, which was almost out of ammunition and food, relied on the gap created by the Sichuan Army Corps to retreat safely. Although the remaining troops suffered some losses, most of the troops were saved at a very small cost, which was definitely a miracle.

The Battle of Tangji once again saved the 200th Division.

If the Sichuan Army had not sent troops to recapture Tangji, the 200th Division that returned to support the western front would probably have found itself surrounded by the Japanese army.

Now, the Sichuan Army Corps is under threat from the Japanese heavy artillery. It can obviously withdraw into the city and avoid the heavy artillery, but it still holds the defense line. The purpose is to ensure that the main force of the expeditionary force can withdraw safely back to the country.

"Commander, I'm afraid those people in Shancheng won't appreciate what you've done."

"Because you are not a direct descendant, but an officer of a ragtag army. This is a shame to them." Meng Fanle looked at the other party and said in a heavy tone.

"If you are a direct descendant, with your military exploits, it would not be a problem for you to be promoted three levels."

"I don't want promotion. I just want things to return to the way they were before." Cun Yunsheng shook his head.

In fact, he also knew that the people in Shancheng didn't like the unknown brands.

Just because General Cun Xingqi was a member of the Yunnan Army, he was not promoted even though he had outstanding contributions and rich experience.

Fortunately, the children of the Cun family don’t care about these things. They only care about serving the country and killing the enemy.

"You are this." Meng Fanle couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

"I really mean it this time. You are the most upright officer I have ever met."

"If I remember correctly, didn't you say that I was the most shameless officer in history?" Cun Yunsheng said with a smile.

"Ah..." Meng Fanle felt as if he was struck by lightning. He looked at the other party with a flushed face. He didn't expect that his private complaints were known to the other party. He didn't know what to say for a moment.

"You are indeed the most shameless officer. I am truly impressed that you can talk about treacherous British troops so righteously. However, you are also the most upright officer at the same time."

After thinking for a while, Meng Fanle hurriedly explained.

"Okay, no matter whether they are shameless or upright, what we have to do is to drive away the Japanese army and let things return to the way they were before." Cun Yunsheng waved his hands, too lazy to listen to his explanation.

"Send a telegram to Stilwell and tell him that we need support, a lot of support, especially artillery and aircraft, otherwise the Japanese will attack Imphal after occupying Myitkyina."

"Then the Japanese army will sweep across India just like they swept across Burma. We must make things sound serious. Do you understand? Old man Stilwell likes to hear this."

After hearing Cun Yunsheng's words, Meng Fan hesitated for a moment and asked in confusion.

"Stilwell is not a fool. How can he not judge it?"

"Even if we lose Myitkyina, what can the Japanese infantry regiment do? There are tens of thousands of British troops in Imphal. Didn't you say that India is the exclusive territory of the British army?"

"If the Japanese army attacks Imphal, the British army will definitely go crazy, right?"

"And there is an expeditionary force in Imphal. What can those Japanese troops do?" "So, I said you have brains, but it's still not enough." Cun Yunsheng said with a look of disappointment.

After hearing this, Meng Fanle was not angry, but humbled himself and asked for advice.

"Don't you think Stilwell doesn't know? He was fooled so badly by the British Army, and the 100,000 expeditionary troops suffered heavy losses because of him. His prestige has dropped sharply. Apart from anything else, can those people in Shancheng give Stilwell a good face?"

"Even if the people in the mountain city can bear this for the sake of military assistance, what about the officers and soldiers of the expeditionary force? Can they bear it?"

"They don't understand the overall situation. They only know one thing: Stilwell has been harming the expeditionary force in order to protect the British army."

"So, if Stilwell doesn't make any changes, he won't be able to command any troops." Cun Yunsheng sneered.

"Do you think Sun Liren of the newly formed 38th Division is also a good person? When we get to Imphal, without American weapons and equipment, do you think he will pay any attention to Stilwell?"

"Now that the British army has withdrawn to Imphal, it is absolutely impossible for them to send troops to counterattack Burma."

"Their focus now is to hold on to India. As long as the Japanese don't go crazy and enter Imphal, they won't counterattack."

"So Stilwell's only option left was the expeditionary force, unless the Americans were willing to spend a lot of money to airlift American troops over."

"In that case, Stilwell will have to come up with something to win over the expeditionary force and repair the relationship with the mountain city."

"Before this, we were the only most capable force in Stilwell's hands."

"After all, we have proved through actual combat that the Sichuan Army is definitely stronger than the Japanese Army."

"As for the newly formed 38th Division you want to talk about, they were formerly the General Tax Police Corps. Their combat effectiveness is not bad, but don't forget that their performance after entering Burma was not impressive."

“Although the Battle of Mandalay eliminated some Japanese troops, it did not show the momentum to turn the tide.”

After hearing these words, Meng Fanle suddenly realized, gave a thumbs up, and praised sincerely.

"So this is what we are doing now? What do we say, and Stilwell has to listen to it?"

"Yes, that's what I mean. But we have to grasp the right degree and not challenge Stilwell's limits. But within his tolerance, we can ask for as much as we want." Cun Yunsheng said with a smile, looking like a teachable child.

"Okay, send a telegram to Stilwell immediately and describe our situation as dire as possible. It would be best if we could involve Steve as well. That guy is the supervisor sent by Stilwell. It would be best if he could testify."

"Yes, Commander."

Not long after, a telegram flew into the hands of Stilwell who was on the march. The moment he received the telegram, Stilwell was in disbelief.

Unexpectedly, the Sichuan Army actually arrived in Myitkyina and successfully blocked the Japanese army on the opposite bank, temporarily preventing them from crossing the river.

This means that everything west of Myitkyina is safe.

The main force of the expeditionary force led by Du Yuming was also able to return safely.

It can be said that this wave of performance by the Sichuan Army really earned him some face.

If the Fifth Army takes a detour and returns home, it will surely suffer heavy losses, and by then it will probably have to pay a greater price to repair the relationship between the two sides.

But now, thanks to his wise command, the Sichuan Army Corps occupied Myitkyina and blocked the Japanese offensive. The Fifth Army could withdraw safely in advance, and the relationship between the two sides would not drop to freezing point.

Therefore, the joy on Stilwell's face can still be seen.

"I didn't expect the Sichuan Army to perform so well." Stilwell muttered to himself. Luo Zhuoying, who was following him, was also very curious. After reading the telegram, he couldn't help but regret his original decision.

If they had been more decisive and rejected Stilwell's proposal, the Sichuan Army Corps would have been part of the Expeditionary Force, and these outstanding performances would have been their battle records.

But it's no use regretting now. Old man Stilwell will definitely value the Sichuan Corps very much in the future.

"The Japanese army mobilized a heavy artillery regiment? 150mm cannon? And air bombing?" Stilwell frowned.

This is not good news.

If the Sichuan Army suffered heavy losses, it would be a huge loss for him.

Give up Myitkyina?
No, the Fifth Army will definitely have to take a detour, and by then the relationship between the two sides will definitely break down.

If we don't give up, we can only mobilize transport planes to airdrop supplies.

In response to Cun Yunsheng’s request for heavy artillery and fighter jet support.

Stilwell was in a dilemma.

It is very troublesome to transport heavy artillery, especially when the other side proposed that a 155mm cannon was needed to restrain the Japanese army.

Where did he get the 155mm cannon?

We don’t know when that thing will be delivered.

However, at the end of the telegram, Cun Yunsheng suggested that if there were really no 155mm cannons, the British BL 140mm howitzers would also do, as long as there were enough of them, they would be enough to pose a threat to the Japanese army.

At the same time, they also hoped to send some British artillery to assist them.

After all, the Sichuan Army has a weak foundation and does not have that many artillery.

Rely on the British Army?

Stilwell was so angry that he laughed.

If it weren't for the British army, could he have lost the whole of Burma in such a short time?
artillery?

He didn't!
However, he could ask Du Yuming to provide some artillery support to the Sichuan Army.

Of course, this comes at a price.

　I got up late and slept until seven o'clock. I felt guilty. I usually get up at six o'clock to write, but today I felt so guilty that I slept for one more hour. I updated first and revised later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)