Although many US troops have entered Manila and achieved considerable results, the encirclement of Manila has not yet taken shape.
Even the US military failed to successfully break through the "Xuanzi Line of Defense" outside Manila.
This is also completely consistent with the information Meng Shaoyuan provided before.
Before marching into Manila, he once said that Iwabuchi's three combat methods were to release part of the US military into Manila, and then rely on the "Xuanzi Defense Line" to resist the large US military forces.
In this way, the US troops entering the city and the US troops outside the city are actually separated.
It seems that the US military has entered Manila, but is unable to form an effective and destructive offensive at all!
The so-called "Xuanzi Defense Line" consists of more than 1,200 reinforced concrete fortresses that echo each other. It was built by the US military to defend against the Japanese army.
Now this line of defense has been used by Iwabuchi to defend the US military three times. This line of defense has caused huge casualties to the US military.
In addition, Iwabuchi also set up dozens of defensive support points in the city three times, set up a large number of roadblocks, destroyed bridges and infrastructure, used abandoned vehicles as bunkers, and decided to fight to the last soldier no matter what.
The Japanese army carefully camouflaged the forts on this line of defense. Many of the forts were covered with turf and wet soil, making them very difficult to identify.
Many times, the U.S. military approached within a few dozen meters of the fortress and was suddenly knocked down by the dense tongues of flames shot from the fortress.
In the area around the defense line, the Japanese army also laid a large number of mines, and the US military had to advance at a very slow speed.
Demining troops work day and night to clear obstacles for the main force.
The infantry detachment used various methods to outflank and break through the Japanese fortresses one by one.
The attack was extremely difficult.
For seven days, the US military was still in a stalemate with the Japanese army.
MacArthur was anxious and kept urging the frontline soldiers to speed up the advance.
But what effect can this have?
Now, the US military commanders on the front line basically do not take MacArthur's orders seriously.
You give your orders and we fight our way.
Only by visiting the front line can you know what is happening here.
The 6th Ranger Battalion was the first to enter Manila.
Lieutenant Colonel Musi and Meng Shaoyuan fought side by side for five days.
Most of the scenes that I originally expected to enter did not appear.
Apart from the Japanese troops, most of the people they encountered were sporadic friendly forces.
Subsequently, Lieutenant Colonel Musi and Meng Shaoyuan made a decision after discussion. In order to better play the role of the Ranger Battalion in reconnaissance and raids, the entire battalion was divided into two.
Lieutenant Colonel Musi and Meng Shaoyuan commanded a unit respectively.
Lieutenant William was assigned to Meng Shaoyuan as his assistant.
Tian Qi, who was very familiar with Manila, stayed with Lieutenant Colonel Musi.
Early morning.
Lieutenant William never got the tank he wanted.
The previous Sherman tank unfortunately stepped on a mine and lost its combat capability.
The Japanese army laid a large number of landmines in Manila.
This not only caused a large number of unnecessary casualties to the US military, but also slowed down the offensive.
They had to move forward cautiously while clearing mines.
Just yesterday they were trapped outside the Post and Telecommunications Building.
Meng Shaoyuan called for artillery support, but due to the reinforced concrete structure of the post and telecommunications building and its location, the artillery bombardment was not very effective.
Meng Shaoyuan organized several offensives.
Once we were very close to the Post and Telecommunications Building.
However, suddenly a civilian appeared in the window of the building.
Lieutenant William hurriedly stopped the attack.
Then, the civilian was pushed directly from the upstairs and hit the ground hard.
The Japanese army was sending a clear message:
There is a civilian presence in the building!
hostage!
Meng Shaoyuan had to order a temporary halt to the attack and find a better way.
After all, there are so many pairs of eyes watching.
If a forceful attack is ordered and a large number of hostage casualties are caused, it will definitely be investigated after the war.
At that time, my secret may be exposed.
"I think we have to wait until tank reinforcements come up and start shelling slowly." Lieutenant William muttered.
But what about the hostages in the building?
He hasn't thought about it yet.
In his view, war will inevitably cause casualties of one kind or another.
Civilians are meant to serve the war.
"Speaking of which, we still have to blame the Americans themselves." Meng Shaoyuan suddenly said.
Lieutenant William asked curiously: "Why?"
"The Americans have invested more energy in Manila than the Spanish." Meng Shaoyuan said lightly: "The Americans have built a fully reinforced concrete Xuanzi defense line and built buildings with fully reinforced concrete structures.
Facing these solid buildings, there seems to be no better way than constant shelling. You say, if you don’t blame the Americans, who should? "
Very strange idea.
Lieutenant William was speechless for a moment.
In fact, this is just Meng Shaoyuan's complaint.
When the Americans first colonized the Philippines, they already regarded the country as their own.
In order to ensure their own interests, of course they will build buildings one after another.
No one thought that these buildings would now become obstacles on the way to attack!
"What should I do about that building?"
Lieutenant William returned to the most practical problem, the postal building blocking the front.
They are just rangers, not assault troops.
But we have to wait until the US military forces enter. According to the current speed, God knows it will have to wait until the year of the monkey and the horse and the moon!
Meng Shaoyuan's head also hurt.
He is not a military commander.
Ask him to solve a case and he will be absolutely sure.
Can he be allowed to command an army?
He seemed to be struggling.
After all, there are specialties in the art industry.
The problem before us is that a forceful attack will cause the death of a large number of hostages in the building.
After the war, who will bear this responsibility?
This is not in China, and Meng Shaoyuan is not afraid of taking responsibility.
Now in the US military, what if this shit basin hits one's head in the future?
Is inaction the best action?
Meng Shaoyuan had such an idea in his mind.
But then he smiled bitterly.
"Think of a way and send someone to see if there are any tanks nearby."
Meng Shaoyuan bit the bullet and issued the order: "As for the hostages inside, I think we can send a small team..."
"Major, another Japanese soldier has entered the building."
At this time, the scouts reported.
Any more reinforcements?
It was already difficult to fight, but now that the Japanese troops in the building are coming to reinforce them, they are giving themselves exam questions.
Meng Shaoyuan picked up the telescope.
About a dozen Japanese troops began to enter the post and telecommunications building.
Meng Shaoyuan looked at these Japanese soldiers, and a strange smile suddenly appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Immediately, he put down the telescope and said:
"Lieutenant, I think there may be a way, we can deal with those monkeys!"
