Cross the Songhu battlefield and rise to become the most powerful warlord

Chapter 841: Taking on the task in times of crisis, marching north alone

841 In times of crisis, he accepted the order and marched north alone

"Walter? The New 1st Expeditionary Force Division is leaving?"

Not long after, the British army received news that the New 1st Division was about to march north.

At first, Roberts thought that the New 1st Division was going to retreat, which made him very angry.

At this time, the British army was having a hard time attacking. How could he allow such a fresh force as the New 1st Division to leave?

But then, the chief of staff beside him explained that this time the New 1st Division was leaving, not retreating.

Instead, he wanted to march north alone and attack Siam, the headquarters of the Japanese 25th Army.

After listening to this, Roberts' anger subsided and he looked at his chief of staff with a little surprise: "This is really the order.

Was it General Stilwell who gave the order, or was it Ye Qingshan who gave the order?"

Roberts still didn't quite believe it.

At this time, it would be very risky to let the New 1st Division march north alone.

Although, everyone knew that at this time the main force of the Japanese 25th Army was tied up in the western mountainous area and on their side of the southern line.

But who can guarantee that the old fox Yamashita Tomoyuki does not have other reserve troops?

Moreover, Siam was ultimately occupied by the Japanese army at that time and was their territory.

If an isolated army separates from the main force and heads north on its own, once its retreat is cut off and it is surrounded, it is at risk of being wiped out.

Roberts still found it hard to believe that Ye Qingshan was willing to let such an elite group of his own men take such a big risk.

"Commander, this is a joint order issued by General Stilwell and Commander Ye."

After hearing what his chief of staff said, Roberts knew that the news was true.

“It seems that General Stilwell and Commander Ye have reached a consensus.

When will the new division set out?"

Roberts' expression returned to calm and he asked the chief of staff beside him.

"The order is urgent. The new 1st Division will set out tomorrow morning.

General Stilwell ordered our army to deliver a batch of weapons and equipment to the New 1st Division.

They didn't have time to wait for the next batch of ammunition and supplies to arrive from the port."

After listening to this, Roberts nodded slightly and said, "Send a message to the logistics department and ask them to free up some ammunition and supplies for our friendly forces."

The British Chief of Staff was very surprised and stared at his commander.

This is completely different from Roberts' previous hatred towards Ye Qingshan.

As if sensing the surprised looks of his subordinates, Roberts cleared his throat and said, "Don't look at me like that.

What I hate is Ye Qingshan's cunning and shamelessness, even plotting against his own people.

But this time, he was willing to let one of his elite divisions go north at great risk, deep into the enemy's hinterland, in an effort to end the battle as soon as possible.

This is consistent with our interests.

If we end this battle sooner, our losses can be reduced.

In this regard, I still admire this Chinese man. At least he has some responsibility.

Therefore, we can't make things difficult for him at this time.

Otherwise, if General Stilwell finds out, we'll be in trouble too."

"What the Commander said makes sense."

After hearing Roberts' explanation, the other British officers around him, no matter how much they hated Ye Qingshan, changed their attitude towards him a lot this time.

"Commander, why did General Stilwell and Ye Qingshan suddenly change their plans?

Is it so risky to let the New 1st Division go north?

We can completely deplete the Japanese army in this way step by step, and sooner or later we will be able to consume them all."

Some British officers did not understand why the headquarters suddenly changed the original combat plan and let the New 1st Division carry out this isolated and deep combat operation.

Advancing deep into deep territory alone is one of the biggest taboos in warfare, no matter in ancient or modern times, in China or abroad.

Roberts glanced at the subordinate who raised the question. As the commander of the British army, he naturally knew the inside story.

They knew that in two months, the ammunition supplies they received from the US military would be reduced by more than half.

This is the fundamental reason why Stilwell and Ye Qingshan are so eager to end this war within two months.

However, Roberts did not tell his subordinates.

Nor did it allow the British army to increase its attack on the defensive positions of the Japanese 18th Division.

This is because, in Roberts' view, if he wants to win this battle by force within two months, he must first make huge sacrifices.

They are the British army.

Because only the British army could first take down the tough nut of the Japanese 18th Division.

Their original follow-up plan can be implemented.

However, Roberts did not want his main British army to suffer huge losses here.

For Stilwell, this battle must be won.

If he doesn't win, he'll be out of office.

But for Roberts, it was just the opposite.

Regardless of winning or losing this battle, he will not step down.

On the contrary, even if they finally defeated the Japanese army, if the British army suffered heavy losses, he would most likely be dismissed.

In this case, the best solution is for Roberts and the British army.

Just slacking off here.

We should use our advantages in weapons, equipment and manpower to wear down the Japanese army bit by bit, and never launch a hasty attack.

At this moment, differences of interest once again emerged between Roberts and the British Army and Stilwell and Ye Qingshan.

Stilwell also knew that the British army would definitely not agree to annihilate the Japanese 18th Division in a short period of time at all costs.

Therefore, he could only settle for the second best and let Roberts' British army trap the Japanese 18th Division here.

The battle plan was temporarily modified, and the task of moving north was assigned to the New 1st Division, the only expeditionary force participating in the offensive on the southern front.

Lu Dahai's New 1st Division was the kind that was given the task in a time of crisis. To outsiders, this was an extremely dangerous mission.

But in the eyes of the soldiers of the New 1st Division, they have become accustomed to it.

Even among the dozen or so divisions of Ye Qingshan's expeditionary force, the New 1st Division is one of the most elite ones.

Since they are elite troops, they must act like elite troops and fight the kind of battles that others dare not fight.

Otherwise, what a bullshit elite force!