Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 480: Huge Aid Contract from the US Far Exceeding Previous Aid Funds (Subscription Request)

Myanmar.

North Yangon.

Stilwell's office at the temporary headquarters of the Joint Command.

Compared to the war room.

Stilwell's office was quite simple, even a little messy.

The walls were covered with large-scale military maps of Burma and surrounding areas, marked with the latest, mostly depressing, enemy and friendly situations in various colors.

The air was filled with a mixed smell of tobacco, sweat, and disinfectant.

General Stilwell paced back and forth behind his simple camp table with his hands behind his back.

His face had his signature expression, a mixture of fatigue, impatience and determination.

Chu Yunfei sat on a camp chair opposite the table with a briefing on the troops' losses and current position spread out in front of him.

He also looked tired, but his eyes were still sharp, and he was concentrating on thinking about the dilemma at hand.

Since the destruction of Yangon Port, the strategic situation on the entire battlefield has undergone a fundamental reversal, and heavy pressure has enveloped everyone.

Stilwell's voice was hoarse and low: "The Japanese have left us a ruin and a huge logistical disaster!"

He turned around and looked at Chu Yunfei: "I just received a telegram from Washington, sent by General Marshall, conveying the president's intentions."

Chu Yunfei raised his head and waited for what was to come.

He knew that at this critical moment, the attitude from Washington was crucial.

What's more, he has already maximized the favorability of the United States.

I definitely don't worry that the Americans won't pay.

Stilwell's face showed a complicated expression, which contained both "I told you so" and worry about the current situation: "It seems that the failure in Rangoon, or the Japanese determination to cut off the supply line to China at all costs, has finally woken up those officials in Washington."

He walked up to Chu Yunfei, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice: "Marshall told me that the president is extremely, extremely concerned about the situation in Burma. He is very worried now."

“We are worried that if we cannot quickly find a supply solution to replace Yangon, or if we cannot stabilize the Burmese front, there may be unpredictable consequences on the Chinese battlefield.”

Stilwell paused, as if he was choosing his words, and then said something that surprised Chu Yunfei: "The latest trend is that President Roosevelt and his core staff now seem to be more inclined to prioritize solving the mess we are facing. They believe that Southeast Asia must be stabilized first to ensure that support for China can be restored in some way. This strategic priority may even temporarily take precedence over the war in Europe at the moment."

Chu Yunfei raised his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Mr. Stilwell, do you mean that the White House believes that resolving the crisis in the Far East, especially in the China-Burma-India theater, is more urgent than taking the next major action in Europe? This is contrary to the grand strategy of 'Europe first, Asia later'."

"Yes, I know it sounds incredible." Stilwell nodded with a wry smile on his face, "But this is the information I got from Marshall. 'Europe first, Asia later' is the general framework, but the specific battle priorities will be adjusted according to actual conditions. The current situation is,"

"The Republic of China's ability to continue the war of resistance was fatally threatened, and once China collapsed, the strategic blow to the entire Allied Powers would be catastrophic, especially in the Pacific battlefield. Therefore, President Roosevelt meant that China must be saved at all costs, and the key to saving China lies in the land under our feet - Burma and the road to China."

He continued: "Washington is urgently formulating a larger aid plan for China, including weapons, vehicles, industrial equipment, and almost everything you can think of. They are also evaluating the possibility of rebuilding the port of Yangon or opening up new routes, although this requires astronomical investment and time."

Chu Yunfei quickly digested the information and grasped the key point: "Mr. Stilwell, if the United States really raises the China-Burma-India theater to such a high priority, does that mean that we will soon be able to get more sufficient resource support? For example, the heavy artillery we urgently need, more transport planes, powerful engineering troops to repair roads and bridges, and even stronger air support?"

"That's the theory," Stilwell replied cautiously. "The aid plan is being approved and resources are being allocated."

“It’s just that approval and getting it here are two different things.”

"You know, it exists here. Moreover, priority also means greater pressure. Washington is watching. They have invested resources and want to see results. They hope that we, including you, me, the British, and... the chairman, can turn the situation around as soon as possible and achieve some results that will reassure them."

Chu Yunfei nodded. He fully understood what Stilwell meant.

Higher strategic priorities mean greater responsibilities and stricter expectations.

This is both an opportunity and a challenge.

"I understand, General." Chu Yunfei's tone returned to calm, but his eyes were thoughtful. "If the United States is really willing to temporarily shift its focus to us, then no matter how difficult it is, we must seize this opportunity. We need to develop a practical plan as soon as possible to prove to Washington that their investment is worthwhile."

"That's right, Chu. We need a plan, a plan that can make these damned rich men feel that their investment can be quickly converted into..."

"We also need time..." Chu Yunfei rejected Stilwell's proposal: "And I need to know the specific content of the aid before I can make the corresponding decision.

The continuous fighting put tremendous physical and mental pressure on the first batch of soldiers who entered Burma to fight.

If there are no follow-up troops to rotate and replenish, it will be a problem to continue fighting like this.

In particular, the Yamashiro side has not yet made up its mind.

The replenishment of troops is also a big problem.

At present, Shancheng is still considering recruiting people who were deferred from the original military service policy and has been unable to make up its mind.

This is a very difficult thing for these people.

If students can graduate successfully, they can often take up key jobs in society.

It is of great significance for future post-war reconstruction and even the construction and restoration of administrative and industrial systems.

And now.

If the Americans provide large-scale weapons assistance, they will need a large number of educated soldiers to use these weapons.

There are many considerations regarding the students’ place of origin and even the province from which the student soldiers are recruited.

Given the efficiency of the Nationalist government, it may not be able to be resolved in a short period of time.
-
In the blink of an eye, another four days passed.

One week after the complete destruction of Yangon Port. Shancheng, the National Government Military Commission, the chairman's residence.

Ever since the news came that the Port of Rangoon was completely destroyed by the Japanese army, the Supreme Command in the mountain city of Chongqing has been shrouded in a solemn and depressing atmosphere for a whole week.

The sudden deterioration of the war situation in Myanmar, especially the severance of the sea lifeline and the cold attitude of the British made everyone feel unprecedented pressure.

Some mid-level military and political officials in the mountain city believe that Chu Yunfei's seizure of the Port of Yangon angered the British, which led to the deterioration of the situation.

After Chang Ruiyuan heard the news, he called Xu Enzeng and Dai Yunong to investigate the matter thoroughly.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t check, but once you check, basically everything is clean.

Either they were enemy spies bought by the Japanese, or they were involved with the Wang Puppet Government.

Based on the principle of rather killing someone by mistake than letting them go.

The Military Control Commission and the Central Control Commission went on a killing spree.

Chang Ruiyuan's brows finally relaxed a little.

That afternoon, U.S. Ambassador to China Gauss brought Washington's official response and requested an urgent meeting with the Chairman.

In the reception room, XXX sat in the main seat with a solemn expression.

Core aides including Finance Minister Song Ziwen, Military Affairs Minister He Jingzhi, and General Staff Minister Xu Cicheng were present, and the atmosphere seemed somewhat heavy.

After a brief exchange of greetings and expressing concern about the war situation in Burma, the U.S. representative solemnly conveyed President Roosevelt's decision:
"Your Excellency, Generalissimo, and all the generals." The US representative said in a serious and sincere tone, "Washington has already made a detailed assessment of the latest situation on the Burmese battlefield, especially the serious impact of the destruction of Yangon Port on your country's war of resistance."

"President Roosevelt is fully aware of the key role of the Chinese battlefield in the anti-fascist alliance and the great sacrifices made by your country's military and civilians. To meet the current challenges and once again demonstrate the United States' firm support for China's war of resistance, the president has signed an order to launch an unprecedented emergency aid program for China."

As soon as these words were spoken, the Chinese officials present were cheered up and all looked towards the US representatives.

The US representative opened the documents he brought with him and began to explain in detail the contents of the aid plan:

“Pursuant to the President’s order, the United States will immediately provide the following assistance to your country through the Lend-Lease Act:
US Army standard weapons and equipment:

Infantry weapons: 1 M1919 Garand semi-automatic rifles, 2 Thompson submachine guns, 50 Browning light and heavy machine guns (M1 and M . caliber), and M carbines.

支援火力： M2型60毫米迫击炮两千门，M1型81毫米迫击炮一千门，M1A1型75毫米山炮（驮载式，适合复杂地形）五百门，M3型37毫米反坦克炮及更新型的M1改型45毫米反坦克炮（主角此前要求设计的，美国二战时期实际上并没有45毫米反坦克炮）共计八百门。

Ammunition: The first batch of ammunition of various calibers to match the above weapons is sufficient to support a large-scale campaign, and will be continuously replenished in the future.

Communications and Engineering: A large number of SCR series field radios, telephone cables, pontoon bridge equipment, blasting equipment and engineering tools.

Vehicles and transport equipment:
Vehicles: 2.5 Willys MB/Ford GPW "jeeps", GMC CCKW -ton military trucks (also known as "ten-wheel trucks"), and Dodge WC series medium-duty trucks.

Surface ships/vessels: Provide construction quotas for 50 armed patrol boats for use in inland rivers, components for 100 landing craft (LCVP/LCM) (which can be assembled in China), and 20 Liberty Ships.

Although ports are currently limited, this represents a reserve of ocean shipping capacity that can be put into use in the future once ports are restored or new ports are opened.

Fuel and oil:
Fuel: The first batch of allocations is 20 million gallons of gasoline and 10 million gallons of diesel.

Aviation fuel: Five million gallons of high-grade aviation gasoline to ensure air transport and combat needs.

Industrial production equipment:

Ordnance production: a complete set of machinery and equipment used to expand or build new arsenals, including but not limited to bullet and mortar shell production lines, gun parts processing machine tools, and artillery repair equipment.

Basic industries: 100 sets of high-power diesel generator sets, 500 precision machine tools of various types, and some key equipment and technical data for smelting special steels and non-ferrous metals (such as copper and aluminum).

Other supplies and support:
Medical: Large quantities of sulfonamides, quinine (anti-malarial), surgical instruments, field hospital equipment, bandages and other medical supplies.

Daily necessities: one million boxes of various types of rations and other field foods, military bedding, blankets, boots and other personal equipment.

Raw materials: strategic raw materials such as rubber, copper ingots, and steel.

Technology and training: Send additional military advisers and technical experts to assist China in receiving, using and maintaining new equipment, and establish a corresponding training system in the rear.

After the US representative finished reading, the reception room fell into a brief silence.

The scale and scope of this aid list far exceeds any previous aid, covering almost all aspects needed for expeditionary operations.

Chang Ruiyuan was the first to break the silence. He stood up and nodded slightly to the American representative: "Please tell President Roosevelt that the United States of America has given China strong support in this difficult time. The Chinese government and 400 million compatriots are grateful! This batch of aid is of immeasurable significance in supporting China to continue the war of resistance!"

Song Ziwen also said: "Mr. Ambassador, your government's generosity and determination are admirable. Such a large aid plan will undoubtedly greatly enhance China's anti-Japanese war strength.

On behalf of the Ministry of Finance, I pledge to work closely with your relevant departments to ensure the efficient receipt and distribution of aid materials.”

However, amidst the gratitude and excitement, a huge shadow also loomed over everyone's hearts.

He Jingzhi and Xu Cichen exchanged glances.

The latter spoke cautiously: "Mr. Ambassador, the US aid is like timely rain, which relieves my urgent needs.

However, since the port of Yangon was paralyzed, how could such a huge amount of supplies be transported across thousands of mountains and rivers, break through the blockade of the Japanese invaders, and arrive smoothly?

I am afraid that the transportation problem is the most serious and urgent problem we are facing now. "

The US representative nodded and expressed his understanding: "The question raised by the Minister is exactly the core challenge that our two governments need to face and solve together.

Our government is committed to mobilizing all possible resources and manpower, working closely with your country to open up and maintain new transportation routes. President Roosevelt has instructed the military to make this one of the top priorities.

(End of this chapter)