Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 197 A Different Pacific War

The whole of Nanyang is in a state of decay.

Thanks to the sacrifice of the 800 brave warriors of Pattani, Yamashita Tomoyuki, who was originally known as the Tiger of Malaya in history, was not able to sweep across the entire Malay Peninsula with a devastating force as in history.

But it was only slightly worse than in history. The entire British Indian Army in Malaya was still vulnerable under the iron hoof of the Japanese army. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that it was only a matter of time before the Japanese army swept across Malaya.

Zheng Yi even had to turn against Britain because of this.

Because the British side had been urging Zheng Yi to send troops to support, asking him to help the British army to stop the Japanese, rather than just defending Alor Setar. Until the end, when Malaya was almost swept away, they still hoped that he could send troops to defend Singapore together.

Of course Zheng Yi refused, until he was so annoyed that he just started to speak harshly to Fatty Qiu.

Yamashita Tomoyuki naturally also tried to launch a tentative attack on Alor Setar. After slightly testing the defensive firepower of Alor Setar, he immediately turned around and decided to give up attacking Alor Setar and head north first.

This is the advantage of Yamashita Tomoyuki. When he encounters a tough opponent in battle, he can turn around and leave very quickly, or encircle the enemy, or simply give up. He is very good at making choices and understands the principle of circuitous warfare.

Such generals who have the idea of ​​encircling large troops are extremely rare in the Japanese army where almost everyone only knows how to fight and charge.

Yamashita Tomoyuki quickly determined that Alor Setar was difficult to attack and that he could get support from Penang at any time.

The decisive battle between the Japanese army and Mr. Zheng can perhaps be completely put behind Singapore.

He completely ignored the danger of his retreat being cut off and rode his bicycle past Alor Setar, heading north to attack other territories in Malaya, intending to attack Singapore in the end.

Zheng Yi didn't know how long Singapore could hold out. Theoretically, or on paper, Singapore should have 54 coastal defense cannons with a caliber of 380 mm or above, and more than small-caliber cannons.

If the British had listened to me and I had helped them to hold off the Japanese army for such a long time, and if these cannons had been equipped with a function to adjust the muzzles internally, it would have been extremely difficult for the Japanese army to take over Singapore.

Of course, these cannons only exist on paper and in name.

In fact, Zheng Yi had no idea how many cannons Singapore had, and the British troops did not dare to let him know.

He was now increasingly skeptical as to whether the so-called cannons in history that could not be fired inwards were really unable to do so or were simply an excuse.

It is better to use the excuse that the muzzle of the gun cannot be turned than to report to the outside world that all the cannons have gone into the pockets of the officers.

In addition to the Malayan battlefield, fierce fighting is still going on in Indonesia and the Philippines.

The Indonesian battlefield was not much different from the historical one. The Allied forces were basically defeated in the naval battle, and the Japanese army had already landed. The 100,000 Allied defenses faced a frontal attack of nearly 30,000 Japanese troops. Defeat was only a matter of time.

And let Zheng Yi go to rescue him.

Zheng Yi saved his uncle.

On the Philippine battlefield, General MacArthur's 100,000 US-Philippines coalition forces still retreated to the Bataan Peninsula.

However, unlike history, in this time and space, the Bataan Peninsula is not isolated and helpless because of Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi no longer had any interest in rescuing the British and Dutch armies, but he was still very interested in supporting the US military.

And there is a lot of interest.

At around nine o'clock in the morning, a military plane secretly landed at Penang South Airport. Marshal Mai, smoking a pipe and looking rather haggard, slowly walked out of the cabin.

Countless reporters carrying cameras, video cameras, and microphones had been waiting here for a long time. When they saw people coming down, they put their cameras in the front and started bombarding them with countless questions.

But it was a much bigger event than the first time he came to Penang.

There are many American journalists in Penang itself, and American journalists always ask unpleasant questions, deliberately poking people in the chest. They swarm in and ask questions that are difficult to handle.

"Marshal, I've heard that the Japanese pilots' combat capabilities far surpass ours. Do you think it's the pilots or the aircraft that are failing?"

"Marshal, I heard that you were completely defeated by the Japanese army and have now completely withdrawn from Luzon Island. Do you think you need to bear responsibility for this defeat?"

"Excuse me, Marshal, I've heard that the Japanese media has been clamoring to attack California. What do you think of the Japanese army's arrogance? Do they really have the ability to attack the US mainland?"

"Excuse me, Marshal Mac, is the United States capable of organizing a counterattack? Will Japan become the new world hegemon?"

All kinds of messy questions came to him like a wave.

Fortunately, Marshal Mai was an old hand at showmanship, so he didn't say much. Instead, he raised his fist high and shouted loudly and solemnly:
"I admit that we did lose the war, and I did make a lot of tactical mistakes."

"However, we American soldiers are definitely not cowards as the Japanese claim. We just lack actual combat experience, but not courage. We are growing rapidly."

"Washington has ordered me to retreat. I want to tell the public that I will never leave. I will lead the 80,000 US-Philippines troops on the Bataan Peninsula to fight the Japanese to the end and will never retreat!"

"Victory will always belong to the great America!"

After a charismatic speech, Marshal Mai got into Zheng Yi's bulletproof car in a very casual manner with the support of Penang staff, and the convoy began to slowly drive towards the Penang city.

"Here, Zheng, this is the best cigar I have."

After getting in the car, Marshal Mai immediately took out a cigar as a gift. The gift itself is not important, the key is the attitude.

Zheng Yi immediately took out the cigar he carried with him, cut off the head, and put it in his mouth. Marshal Mai immediately took out a lighter and helped Zheng Yi light it.

"Marshal Mai, do you really want to fight to the death and live and die with the Bataan Peninsula? After all, you have been the head of the US Army and a big shot in the Republican Party. If you were defeated and captured, or if the Japanese cut off your head and showed off their power, it would be too embarrassing."

Marshal Mai said, "That depends on whether you, Mr. Zheng, are willing to help me. Mr. Zheng, in Nanyang right now, only your place can be considered a pure land."

"Pure land?"

Zheng Yi couldn't help but smile bitterly.

As they were talking, the car had already entered the city, and the scene in the city made Marshal Mai involuntarily shocked.

But Penang at this time no longer had the prosperous appearance it had when he came last year. Instead, it was in a mess everywhere. There were chaotic crowds on both sides of the road, and women holding children were begging on the streets.

The neatly-assembled welfare buildings on both sides of the road, which were once the pride of Penang, are now all covered with illegal structures on the roofs. They are extremely ugly and block the sunlight.

"The Japanese hate us Nanyang Chinese to the core. After Nanyang fell, almost all of them fled to Penang. The whole of Penang is now increasingly overwhelmed. I'm not afraid of you laughing at me when I say this, but my woman in Hong Kong got me another 700,000 yuan and asked me to go pick her up."

"Penang's current population is close to eight million. Add in the 70 in Hong Kong Island, and the total is definitely over eight million. Given the brutality of the Japanese, they will definitely continue to send people to Macau. As the head of the overseas Chinese community in Nanyang, I really can't just ignore it. It's a difficult situation. If this continues, the population will probably exceed million. To be honest, we're almost full."

Marshal Mai said worriedly, "Is there enough food and water?"

Zheng Yi: "As long as Alor Setar is not lost, there should be no problem with fresh water. As long as Yangon is not lost, there should be no problem with food. Penang itself has a certain amount of food reserves, which should be enough to last for a while."

“As for fresh water, if Alor Setar is really lost, I will have to use the refinery to refine fresh water.”

This was his original plan. Although Zheng Yi did not have seawater desalination equipment, if there was really no water, the refinery could still distill seawater. It might damage the equipment a little, and it would not be able to be distilled cleanly, but it could be used as a makeshift method.

Of course, it would be even better if Alor Setar could hold on.

"Sunshine and Alor Setar? I see. Is there anything we US ​​military members need to cooperate with?"

Zheng Yi: "Of course. I hope that you, the US military, can retain a navy in India, such as in Ceylon, instead of retreating all to Australia. This, together with the British navy in India itself, should be enough to protect the sea route to Yangon in a naval battle."

"Also, I need planes, the more the better, and excellent pilots. Penang and Rangoon have no navy, so we need a large number of aircraft to control the sea from the air." Marshal Mai said, "Don't worry, I assure you, there will be no problem with these, especially the aircraft. I guarantee that all aircraft produced in the United States will be supplied to Penang first."

"After all, Bataan can only be defended if Penang is not lost. However, regarding military supplies, we do need your help."

Zheng Yi: "Of course, helping Bataan means helping Penang, and if you help Penang, you are helping Bataan. You and I are now one. We prosper together and suffer together."

"However, the Japanese army is rampant right now. If we use ships to transport supplies to the Bataan Peninsula, it will not be easy and the risks are too great. We can only use planes, and this requires the support of your American pilots."

Marshal MacArthur: "Of course, Dr. Jimmy Doolittle will arrive within three days with our newest and most advanced American aircraft."

"Ah."

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "As for the support for the Bataan Peninsula, as long as there are enough planes, then at least guns and ammunition will not be a problem. However, as for food and fresh water, can you provide some of them on your own?"

"After all, air transport is not as good as sea transport. Capacity is limited. Also, you can see the current situation in Penang... I can produce ammunition and even guns, but food is really in short supply. We're even relying on coupons for internal supplies now."

Marshal Mai: "I understand. I will try my best to find a way to get food and fresh water. I believe the Japanese blockade of the Padang waters will not last long."

The Bataan Peninsula is easier to block than Penang, but it is only relative.

Blockading an island for a long time is a huge workload for the navy.

What's more, the Japanese army also wanted to blockade Malaya, the Dutch East Indies, and even Rangoon and Australia.

Even if he had control of the sea, how could he possibly seal it?

In the current Pacific War, although the Japanese army is still advancing very quickly, due to the existence of Zheng Yi, the situation of the Allied forces is much better than in history.

The biggest difference, of course, is the existence of Penang.

As long as Penang is there, the American troops on the Padang Peninsula will not surrender easily, and Marshal MacArthur will not run away easily.

Objectively speaking, General MacArthur was not a famous general, and he did bear an unshirkable responsibility for the outcome of the Philippine campaign.

And this guy loves to show off.

However, at this moment when the US military is at a great disadvantage, who can say that his show is useless?
Showmanship is often the greatest use of such high-ranking generals.

Simply put, Marshal Mai is a man who can handle both favorable and unfavorable winds.

This guy is a terrible fighter when the wind is in his favor.

However, in times of great adversity, whether it was inspiring people or calming morale, as well as the indomitable will he displayed, which was difficult to tell whether it was true or false, it can be said that it was a very rare military quality.

The performance of the US-Philippines coalition forces in the Battle of Padang was actually quite remarkable. They were no pushovers and dared to charge in the opposite direction under the Japanese artillery fire.

Historically, because all other areas in Southeast Asia had been lost, the American troops in Badong became completely isolated, out of ammunition and food, and without reinforcements, they had no choice but to choose to surrender. Marshal Mai was also on the run because his military rank was too high and he was indeed ordered by the government to transfer.

But at this time and space, the US troops in Bataan were not alone.

Penang is still here.

Moreover, Zheng Yi has decided to do his utmost to help the US troops in Bataan.

A single tank of fuel is certainly enough for a round trip from Penang to the Philippines. Japan's plan to blockade the airspace between the two countries with aircraft carriers is sheer wishful thinking.

The Bataan Peninsula is easy to defend but difficult to attack, as it is covered with jungles and mountains. The Japanese army cannot deploy its large forces. As long as the 80,000 US-Philippines coalition forces have sufficient supplies, it will be difficult for the Japanese army to capture it.

Even the support Zheng Yi can provide to the Bataan Peninsula is not just weapons and ammunition. It is not impossible for him to send tens of thousands of reinforcements to help.

With the two strongholds of Penang and Bataan, the rhythm, methods and approaches of the entire Pacific War would definitely change completely.

The US military can rely on Australia to support Penang, and rely on Penang to support Bataan. In the final counterattack, the navy and the army can take a two-pronged approach.

While counterattacking Manila from the Bataan Peninsula, they also counterattacked Malaya from Penang. If these two places could be taken back, taking back the Dutch East Indies would be a piece of cake.

During this period, Zheng Yi naturally asked for whatever the United States wanted and gave it whatever it wanted.

The entire American society has gone completely crazy under the huge humiliation. After giving the country $100 million after Pearl Harbor, Congress just held a meeting and decided to increase the loan to the country by another $500 million.

To be honest, Zheng Yi and even the entire Nanyang Alliance’s total wealth, at least in cash, could never amount to 500 million US dollars. Such wealth is beyond the reach of even the richest man in Nanyang.

As for Penang.

There's no such thing as yours or mine. What's mine is yours. Congress is even discussing giving Zheng Yi the title of general. He can get whatever support he needs, even if he asks for an exorbitant price.

And Zheng Yi really had no intention of being polite to them.

"By the way, although we have lost control of the sea in the Dutch East Indies, we still have 1.5 Allied troops, including American troops. Mr. Zheng, can't you consider supporting the Dutch East Indies?"

The two men finished discussing the Bataan matter in less than ten minutes. The rest were just some details that could be left to their respective subordinates to discuss.

Marshal Mai was still unwilling to give up and brought up the Dutch East Indies.

"I heard there's a powered delta-wing factory in Penang. Delta-wing pilots have always been a specialty of Penang. Speaking of distance, even a powered delta-wing should be able to reach the Dutch East Indies if you take off from Penang."

Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "Marshal Mai, I will not save the Dutch East Indies. It would be a waste of my limited military strength and would have no practical significance. Politically, I am not suited to do it. In fact, I don't want to save the Netherlands."

Marshal Mai: "Why is that?"

Zheng Yi: "The Dutch colonial methods were too cruel. They had absolutely no popular support in the local area. Once the Japanese army landed, the 100,000 defenders would have to face not only 30,000 Japanese troops, but also at least 5 million Javanese people on the island."

"The Javanese would welcome the Japanese army with food and drink, completely plunging the Allied forces into a people's war on the island. Objectively speaking, the Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies can indeed be called a just war against colonialism."

"So no matter how many military resources we have, they can't fill this bottomless pit in Java. It's better to cut our losses in time and make a decisive move. Besides, if I really support your allies, in the eyes of those Javanese, I will become an unforgivable colonizer and a running dog of the European white colonizers."

"After all, I am a Nanyang person. The Japanese will be defeated sooner or later, and I don't think the Dutch will have a chance to come back. Although I don't have any ties with the Javanese, I don't want to make enemies and become a villain in Nanyang, don't you think?"

"We are such close neighbors. If you label me as a lackey of European white people, our relationship will be very difficult after the war is over."

Marshal Mai: "Do the Javanese really hate the Dutch that much? I heard the Japanese army was also very brutal."

Zheng Yi: "The Javanese have never witnessed the brutality of the Japanese army, but they have suffered from the brutality of the Dutch for hundreds of years."

"Marshal, as a Nanyang native, I need to remind you that in the eyes of us Nanyang natives, the British colonies, the Dutch colonies, and your American colonies are completely different."

"If the US had not adopted relatively mild colonial tactics over the years and the local Filipino people had been quite supportive of you, I wouldn't even have supported Bataan. After all, the Philippines does have guerrillas, and the Filipino people are following you, the US military, in the fight against Japan."

"What about Malaya? As far as I know, the British and Australian prisoners of war in Malaya are all guarded by Malays and Indians. The fact that they haven't turned their guns back on us is a bit of a face-saving gesture for the British."

"As for Indonesia, the Japanese only need to distribute guns to the local people, and the people will naturally understand who the guns are aimed at."

"Marshal, please curb your white arrogance. The entire Pacific War has another protagonist: us, the natives of Southeast Asia."

(End of this chapter)