In 1943, a major turning point occurred in the world's anti-Sith battlefield.
With the disastrous defeats in the Battle of Midway and the Battle of Guadalcanal, the Japanese army had lost the initiative in the war.
The Allies switch from defense to offense!
In particular, the Battle of Guadalcanal, which lasted for half a year, caused the Japanese to suffer heavy losses.
This is not just as simple as losing Guadalcanal.
Rather, throughout the campaign, in addition to the army's cannon fodder, Japan's navy lost two battleships, a large number of destroyers, carrier-based aircraft, land-based aircraft and excellent pilots, which were beyond the reach of Japan's industrial and educational capabilities. made up for.
Especially the stupid "Tokyo Express" plan formulated by the Japanese military.
The so-called Tokyo Express Plan is the U.S. Navy's name for the old Japanese Navy's practice of using high-speed destroyers to transport Army or Marine troops to warring islands.
After the defeat at Midway Island, it was forced to take a defensive stance, but its military headquarters had disagreements over how to adopt a defensive stance. The main problem was the hesitation on whether to station troops on some of the islands and reefs it had already occupied or to abandon them completely.
Due to the conservative nature of the Japanese people, as well as the face issues of the military and the Imperial Japanese government, their high-level leaders cannot be so determined to abandon some islands that are useless for defense, and adopt a wait-and-see attitude of passively waiting for the US military to counterattack day by day. The Battle of the Island was actually such a battle.
For Japan, the Battle of Guadalcanal was a waste of the last elite aviation power of the Navy, causing those elite pilots to die needlessly in the battle that lasted for more than a year. If it is more rational, the military should let these people return Go to China and become a flight instructor, so that you can train more qualified pilots. The Japanese Navy's aviation force will never be able to regain its strength!
However, while the U.S. military used the Battle of Guadalcanal to contain the Japanese army, it also seized the time to train a large number of personnel and build a large number of new warships. When the Battle of Guadalcanal came to an end, Japan's fate of complete defeat could no longer be rewritten!
In the early days of the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Japanese army could still control the air and part of the sea in the theater. Moreover, the Japanese army suffered a disastrous defeat for the first time and needed to regain some dignity.
At first, the Navy used conventional landing ships and troop carriers converted from civilian ships to transport armies or marines and their supplies to the islands and reefs. However, soon after, as the US military gradually gained advantages at sea and in the air, it began to transport troops and equipment during the day. The losses were mounting, and sometimes not a single ship could reach them.
This forced the Japanese army to adopt the practice of using high-speed destroyers to carry armies or marines at night. This approach achieved certain results at first.
Sometimes it can not only complete the purpose of transportation, but also severely damage the U.S. destroyer that came to intercept. Later, as the U.S. military honed better and better destroyer tactics and radar and other technological advancements in the war, the Tokyo Express suffered increasing losses. , causing the Japanese Navy to complain endlessly.
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It was not until the Battle of Vera La Vera in 1943 that all Japanese destroyers participating in the battle were wiped out, but no U.S. troops were damaged. The Japanese base camp finally ordered the complete termination of the Tokyo Express.
By 1943, Japanese merchant ships had basically lost the possibility of naval escort.
In other words, once discovered by the US military, these merchant ships became complete living targets!
In the Philippines, a large number of commercial ships are unable to go to sea in the Port of Manila.
And supplies from outside cannot be transported in.
A pessimistic atmosphere permeated the entire Manila.
At this time, MacArthur, the Allied Pacific Theater Command, received a top-secret telegram.
"Order to increase the bombing of major cities in the Philippines." After reading this telegram, MacArthur did not hesitate: "Especially Manila and Sumalaga!"
"Yes, General."
"Also, let our young men who are resting get active."
Standing in front of the map, MacArthur looked at it for a while: "La Prador Island, right here, let the boys conduct an island seizing exercise."
"La Prador Island?"
The staff officer took a closer look and said, "General, are you ready to attack Manila?"
"Cambert, I said I would definitely go back, but not yet."
MacArthur smiled and said: "The boys have rested for a long time, and it's time to get active. We already have experience in the battle for Guadalcanal. Maybe soon, we will actually attack Manila."
"Okay, General, I'll get ready right away."
The staff officer still felt a little strange.
Why did an exercise suddenly appear?
This does not suit the commander's temperament.
"Help me prepare the car."
MacArthur adjusted his military uniform and left the office in high spirits and with confident steps.
…
"Ladies and gentlemen."
MacArthur smiled and said: "I have to tell you good news. Peter Lin successfully rescued twelve American boys in Sumalaga."
Fanny Wittgenstein was the first to cheer.
After all, it is always pleasant to hear good news from your sweetheart again.
But then, Fanny became a little worried again:
"Is he still in the Philippines? I heard that the Japanese were very cruel."
"Needless to say, they are all a bunch of inhumane monkeys!" MacArthur never had any good impression of the Japanese: "Of course, you don't have to worry, our brave Peter will always find a way."
At this time, MacArthur still did not know that one of the prisoners of war rescued by Tian Qi was his archenemy Eisenhower who secretly requested Tian Qi.
There were three other people in the room.
"Julia Meng" Peng Bilan, the great financier Clint Doncos, and Fanny's brother, Mars Wittgenstein.
Meng Shaoyuan is carrying out an unprecedented plan.
Even if this plan succeeds, there will be serious consequences.
To completely eliminate these hidden dangers, Meng Shaoyuan must use all available forces.
These American elites control the direction of American politics.
There is no doubt that they are Meng Shaoyuan's most beneficial backers in the future.
These businessmen most hope that the war will last as long as possible.
Because it will bring them huge benefits in return.
For example, Klinder's investment fund, in cooperation with Mars' company, will soon monopolize the contracting of services such as cleaning guns, repairing houses and paving roads, cooking and laundry, delivering letters and opening stores, and battlefield supplies for the Allied Pacific Theater Army.
The huge benefits contained in this are naturally self-evident.
The reason why they were willing to fully cooperate with Meng Shaoyuan was because they saw Meng Shaoyuan's huge energy and potential.
This is business cooperation.
Business cooperation based on huge benefits.
"Gentlemen and ladies." MacArthur continued: "Now, we need to cooperate with our people and put on a good show for the Japanese. It's time for you to take action, beautiful Lady Julia!"
