On February 3, 1945, the Battle of Manila officially broke out!
The U.S. 37th Infantry Division and 1st Cavalry Division began to storm the Japanese defense lines.
Whether it is the commander-in-chief of the US military, MacArthur, or the commander-in-chief of the Japanese army, Yamashita Tomofumi, both sides are very confident in their troops and believe that they will win the final victory in the Battle of the Philippines!
MacArthur even firmly believed that the Japanese would evacuate the city just like the U.S. military did in 1941.
But the common people in Manila did not think so. They witnessed the brutal behavior of the Japanese with their own eyes, and they could even understand the impact of failure on Japan's extreme culture.
One reporter even claimed that Japan must have turned into a beast because of its failure.
As Meng Shaoyuan predicted before the war started, the Japanese army did not seem to want to start a decisive battle with the US military outside the city.
The Japanese perimeter defenses were quickly breached.
At about 7 p.m., Meng Shaoyuan followed the Rangers commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Musi and entered Manila again!
The difference is that when he left last time, he was Lieutenant Commander Shibu Taniguchi.
But this time when he came back, he transformed into Major Charles!
This ever-changing young master!
"University of Santo Tomas!"
Amidst the gunfire, Meng Shaoyuan shouted in a loud voice: "There are a lot of hostages detained there!"
"how many people?"
"Five thousand, maybe more!"
So many hostages!
Lieutenant Colonel Musi didn't dare to neglect and immediately called for reinforcements.
By chance, the 44th Tank Battalion was nearby.
Lieutenant Colonel Musi immediately contacted Lieutenant Colonel Regan of the tank battalion.
Lieutenant Colonel Regan did not hesitate and promised to send tanks for full support.
"Major, major."
Xie Changcheng ran over panting.
He also carried three briefcases in his hands.
Xie Changcheng disappeared since entering Manila.
When he appeared again, Meng Shaoyuan took the briefcase in his hand.
Each briefcase has a number on it.
He opened briefcase No. 1, which was full of drawings. He looked for it and muttered:
"Which one is it? I told you to sort it out."
"Charles, what are you looking for?" Lieutenant Colonel Musi asked curiously.
Meng Shaoyuan ignored him. After a while, he suddenly shouted: "Ah ha, I found it, it's it!"
He handed the drawing to Lieutenant Colonel Musi: "Look, the drawing of the University of St. Thomas!"
Lieutenant Colonel Musi spread it out, and the surprise on his face was completely undisguised!
This is a complete structural diagram of the University of Santo Tomas.
It also indicates in detail the defensive deployment of the Japanese army, as well as where the weak points are and where they are suitable for attack.
This was a priceless treasure for Lieutenant Colonel Musi at this time: "Charles, are all the drawings in these three bags?"
"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel!" Meng Shaoyuan said proudly: "In the whole of Manila, no matter where you want, I have it!"
"You are simply a magician!" Lieutenant Colonel Musi couldn't help but say.
This is not the first time that Meng Shaoyuan has been praised as a magician.
The only difference is that this time, it comes from the mouth of an American.
With this blueprint, the task of attacking the University of Santo Tomas suddenly became much easier.
After getting in touch with Lieutenant Colonel Regan again, at 9 p.m., Lieutenant Colonel Musi and his Rangers launched a full-scale attack on the University of St. Thomas!
A leading jeep opened the gate and starter and opened fire, then an M4 Sherman tank from the 44th Tank Battalion broke through the university wall, and four others entered through the Spanish Street entrance.
Then came the most elite Alamo spearheads under Lieutenant Colonel Musi.
The Japanese army was completely unprepared.
In panic, they quickly took some of the hostages and retreated into the teaching building.
After all, facing a tank, rushing forward like this is completely risking death.
In just one assault, the US military rescued most of the hostages!
Originally, Lieutenant Colonel Musi was preparing to pursue the victory, but was stopped by Meng Shaoyuan:
"Lieutenant Colonel, our tanks are useless in the teaching building unless we don't care about the casualties of the hostages. Besides, it's too late now, we need to take a rest.
I can guarantee that at dawn tomorrow, the Japanese in the building will come out to negotiate. "
"negotiation?"
Lieutenant Colonel Musi was startled.
To be honest, he didn't quite believe it.
However, at dawn, Meng Shaoyuan's words were confirmed once again.
A Japanese captain, accompanied by a soldier, came out holding a white flag.
"Inside, there are forty-seven imperial soldiers and more than five hundred hostages."
The Japanese captain said: "We can hand over the hostages, but you need to ensure that we can leave safely."
Lieutenant Colonel Musi glanced at Meng Shaoyuan.
Meng Shaoyuan nodded towards him.
Yesterday's raid started when the Japanese army was unprepared, so most of the hostages were rescued.
And now the remaining hostages are being held in the teaching building. Once the Japanese army jumps over the wall in a hurry, it will inevitably cause a tragedy.
Moreover, the Japanese army, which consisted of less than fifty people, could no longer make waves.
"Okay, I agree." Lieutenant Colonel Musi thought for a moment and said: "However, all your heavy weapons must be left behind. I allow you to carry rifles, pistols and sabers. From here all the way to the south of Manila, I will ensure that Your safety."
Sometimes, it is difficult for Meng Shaoyuan to understand the thinking of these Americans.
Why are they still allowed to carry weapons?
Waiting for them to continue to stab themselves with bayonets?
However, it was too late to stop it.
The Japanese captain immediately agreed to Lieutenant Colonel Musi's request.
Subsequently, 47 Japanese soldiers left the University of Santo Tomas under the supervision of the US military.
The rangers of Meng Shaoyuan and Lieutenant Colonel Musi rescued a total of 5,785 people. Including 5,000 Filipinos, 2,870 Americans, 745 British, 100 Australians, 61 Canadians, 50 Dutch, etc.
On the same day, patrols from the U.S. 37th Infantry Division and the U.S. 31st Infantry Division rescued 1,000 prisoners of war, most of whom were captured when the Japanese occupied the Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island.
It went very smoothly.
Didn't even meet any decent resistance.
This also made MacArthur ecstatic after receiving the report.
He believed that his judgment was correct.
The Japanese army simply had no ability to fight.
Therefore, on February 4, General MacArthur couldn't wait to announce that he had completely recaptured Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
Those men had carried out a victory parade in accordance with the general's orders.
But what MacArthur didn't know was that the war had just begun!
Joy is only temporary.
The prediction that the reporter once made is coming true step by step. Japan is a country that will not admit failure easily. The same failure will turn Japan into a beast.
When the United States attacked Manila, Japan ordered the destruction of Manila.
The US military, having tasted the sweetness, began to underestimate the enemy.
But for them, the truly brutal battle officially kicked off from this moment!
