mesbooks Chapter 256: Stevenson's Joy and Sadness (Part 1)
Chapter 256: Stevenson's Joy and Sadness (Part 1)
Several wars suddenly broke out across the Asian continent.
The flames of war spread rapidly, affecting every inch of land from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
As the nominal theater commander, four-star General Stevenson was also overwhelmed at this moment.
Before dawn, the 61-year-old man had to drag his tired body out of bed, his legs so heavy as if every step was carrying a thousand-pound burden.
He washed up quickly and rushed to the war room to prepare for another day of fighting.
"Sir, your breakfast." An orderly holding a tray hurriedly caught up with him and stepped into the war room.
Stevenson, looking tired, looked at the tray. On the white porcelain plate was an authentic White Eagle full breakfast - fried bacon, golden sunny-side-up eggs, steaming baked beans with tomatoes, fresh boiled peas, crispy buttered potatoes with a soft inside, and a few slices of browned toast.
"Sorry, I don't have much of an appetite." Stevenson picked up the coffee on the porcelain plate and took a sip. The bitter taste immediately spread in his mouth and rushed straight to his brain, making him a little more sober.
"But, sir, the doctor said that you have some stomach ulcers and you must eat on time." Seeing this, the orderly became extremely anxious and frowned.
Stevenson gave a wry smile. He had paid little attention to his health. Years of fatigue, late nights, and commanding wars had left his stomach and intestines increasingly fragile.
As an experienced veteran, he was accustomed to this, but this time he had no intention of refutation.
He glanced absentmindedly at the war room and saw a staff officer adjusting a map next to him.
He wanted to start his day's work right away, but thinking of Zhang Chi's reminder, after a moment's contemplation, he casually waved his hand and said:
"Go to the cafeteria and get some sandwiches. I'll eat while I work."
Stevenson is Zhang Chi's largest and most important connection in the White Eagle United States Army. Zhang Chi is even more concerned about his health than Stevenson himself.
Since Stevenson died of stomach cancer shortly after the war, Zhang Chi specifically reminded him to have more daily physical examinations and eat on time, hoping that this would help Stevenson live longer.
Not long after, the orderly returned, and Stevenson took a bite of the sandwich, swallowing it with his coffee.
At this moment, his eyes fell on the map, his mind already occupied by the situation on the battlefield. He looked at the staff officer beside him, his appetite lost.
"How are John's people doing?"
"Not very good." The staff officer shook his head and pointed at the map.
"Both of Lord Mountbatten's interception lines were breached by Mutaguchi Ren'ya. Although the colonial troops inflicted some casualties on the Japanese 15th Army, the momentum of the Fuso devils charging towards the heart of Sindhu seemed unstoppable."
Stevenson's brow furrowed as he pointed at the border on the map. "Zhang's troops have taken control of the border. Mutaguchi Ren'ya's 15th Army's logistics routes have been cut off. Where do they get their food and ammunition?"
"About this..." A hint of embarrassment appeared on the staff officer's face, and he lowered his head to look at the intelligence information in his hand.
"Our intelligence shows that many Sindhu troops and local people have joined Chandra Bose's Sindhu Independence Army. The devils have obtained some supplies with their assistance."
Stevenson was a little embarrassed when he heard this. After all, he had heard that the intelligence agency had helped Boss before, but he didn't expect that the other party would eventually choose to mingle with the Japanese.
"Oh, this is really embarrassing." He shook his head, his tone filled with helplessness.
However, as an old man, Stevenson quickly adjusted his mindset and said:
"No, that's not enough. Mutaguchi Ren'ya's army has 80,000 men. Did the Japanese really get their shells, bullets, and even medical supplies from these Indian defecting troops and civilians?"
The staff officer swallowed his saliva, a hint of helplessness flashed across his eyes:
"According to reconnaissance, many Japanese troops have already been equipped with John weapons. They are fighting to support the war."
Then the staff officer shrugged: "Our allies didn't fortify their defenses and clear the countryside, and the colonial troops didn't even use up as many bullets as the Japanese sent."
Stevenson gave a wry laugh: "Oh, this is truly tragic."
Then he finished his sandwich in a few bites, drank his coffee, shrugged his shoulders, and said half-jokingly, "If only they had a General Sherman."
William Sherman, the source of the name of the M4 Sherman tank, was a famous Union general in the Civil War, who was famous for implementing the "Three Alls Policy" in the seven southern states.
"So is the situation under control?" After mocking John, Stevenson's eyes became sharp and he asked seriously.
"According to our analysis, the situation is still under control. John's men still have at least two armies nearby, including several powerful Gurkha battalions. Mutaguchi Renya's troops have no backup, so they will wreak havoc for another month or two at most."
The staff officer also put on a serious expression and slowly stated the staff team's judgment.
"As for Bose's independence army, their momentum was modest. After the Johns promised them independence after the war and released the imprisoned Congress leaders, more Sindhu people chose the side of 'non-violent non-cooperation'."
Stevenson nodded after hearing this, put down his coffee cup, and took a deep look at the map of the South Asian subcontinent.
After all, the John United Kingdom is an ally of the White Eagles in the fight against fascism, so it would be great to have someone like Mutaguchi Renya who can cause trouble for the John people without causing any serious harm.
"Keep a close eye on the battle situation. Notify the New 1st Army and other rear-line blocking forces. Make sure the Japanese don't have a chance to turn around and escape."
"How about my dear Zhang? Is there any new news?" After learning about the situation on the battlefield in Sindhu, he asked about the situation on the battlefield in Pegu with great anticipation.
During the Battle of Changde, the Flying Tigers took off from the domestic airport of Qian State and bombed Tainan Island, which was a huge breakthrough for him.
As long as Zhang Chi could successfully move south to the Andaman Sea, Stevenson could deploy planes in Rangoon to bomb the oil fields occupied by the Japanese in Southeast Asia.
In his plan, the two-pronged bombing would definitely be a huge blow to the Japanese.
If we can land on Luzon Island again, bombing the Japanese mainland will be just around the corner.
There was a glimmer in Stevenson's eyes, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.
"Excellent!" The staff officer was excited when talking about the progress of the People's Security Army. "Mandalay's siege troops have already entered the core city area. They will be able to liberate the city in one to two days at most."
The staff officer then pointed to the Yangmiding area on the map:
"The tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers in the Yangmiding encirclement have been completely surrounded. As soon as the rainy days end, Zhang's air force will launch a bombing raid. By then, the Japanese soldiers in the encirclement will either surrender or be completely wiped out."