MacArthur could not return the 500 troops to China, nor did he want Gao Quan to participate in the Battle of Okinawa. He was afraid that Gao Quan would make the Battle of Okinawa a mess. In fact, the current situation in Okinawa is very different from a mess.
Finally, General MacArthur rolled out a map. This is a map of the Southwest Pacific Theater. On the map are maps of Japan, Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asian countries. Those occupied by the Japanese army or the US military are competing with the Japanese army. Everything is clearly marked. Above Taiwan is a dazzling orange dot, indicating that the island was still being bullied by the Japanese invaders at this time.
MacArthur¡¯s finger first pointed to Okinawa, where the fighting was the fiercest. Then he looked around from Okinawa. Not far to the south was Taiwan. MacArthur¡¯s finger landed on Taiwan and stopped. Gao Quan¡¯s eyes also fell on the treasure island.
"Taiwan is now occupied by the Japanese army. There is the most elite Ninth Division of the Japanese army there. Gao, Taiwan is your Chinese territory. Are you willing to lead the troops to recover it?" MacArthur turned his attention from the map to Gao Quan's When I asked this question, I had put away all the negative emotions such as arrogance and contempt on my face, and my tone became serious.
"I am willing to obey the general's order." Gao Quan still stood as straight as a ruler. He spoke even more seriously than MacArthur.
"I'm glad to see you are willing to go to Taiwan. The Ninth Division is one of the most elite troops of the Japanese army. Having them in Taiwan is always a threat to the Okinawa battlefield. The fact that the 500th Army can go there to fight is the best cooperation for the Okinawa battlefield. .But Gao, I want to remind you that you will not have support from the air force. The fleet at sea will not be able to provide you with fire support. Everything can only be done by yourself."
¡°You don¡¯t have any support? Then how can our army land and swim across?¡± Gao Quan put on a puzzled expression.
"Ha. Gao. You are so funny." MacArthur laughed. He opened a box on the table, took out a cigar from it and handed it to Gao Quan. He then filled his corncob pipe with shredded tobacco. " I will send a fleet to escort your troops to the island. My fleet and aircraft will also open up a landing site for you. And I guarantee that during the 500th Army's operations in Taiwan, there will not be a single Japanese aircraft to help the 9th Division. .Sorry. I can only promise so much."
"Thank you very much. I am very satisfied with your help." Gao Quan sincerely expressed his gratitude to MacArthur.
Almost all U.S. troops in the Pacific theater are participating in the siege of Okinawa. MacArthur really cannot spare any troops to come to Taiwan to help. Being able to send a fleet to safely deliver 500 troops to the island is the greatest help MacArthur can do. High I know that I can no longer expect too much.
Taiwan is China's Taiwan. Now that Gao Quan has caught up, he must personally recover Taiwan. Especially when he heard that the Japanese on the island are the Ninth Division, Gao Quan's fighting will is even higher. The Ninth Division The division was one of the chief culprits in Nanjing. It was obviously Gao Quan's happiest thing to be able to fight this opponent before the end of the War of Resistance. As soon as MacArthur said it, Gao Quan agreed without even thinking about it.
After shaking hands, the two parties smoked cigars and discussed some issues related to the war. It was finally confirmed that the 500 troops would go to Taiwan to fight. The two of them made plans. Two days later, the 500 troops boarded the ship and went to sea. They rushed directly to Taiwan. Conduct island landing operations.
During these two days, the 500 Army received sufficient ammunition and baggage in Yangon City. Everything from Coca-Cola to toilet paper; bullets, artillery shells, grenades. All kinds of ammunition are complete. Even the armored corps Because of the addition of dozens of US tanks, it has become a real armored force. Anyway, these things do not need to be paid for by the 500 Army. Gao Quan will not refuse all equipment and supplies provided by the US military.
Time flies. After the 500th Army put on all kinds of US military equipment, two days passed. Now the 500th Army, except that they speak Chinese and wear Chinese military uniforms, other things They are all American products. Even the cigarettes in Gao Quan's pocket have been replaced by Marlboros from Hardman.
In Madaban Bay, 500 troops and 30,000 soldiers boarded a US military transport ship and went to sea. They would pass through the Strait of Malacca, pass through Malaysia, the Philippines, and China's Nansha, Xisha, and Dongsha Islands before arriving in Taiwan. MacArthur was with the fleet. Let's go. He's going to take a boat to Manila.
"Gao. Do you really no longer think about the issue of changing clothes? If you change into American military uniforms, then I can send an aviation squadron to be on duty over Taiwan and provide you with air support at any time. Only when you change into American military uniforms can I I will help you in good name. Otherwise, our pilots will have objections."
MacArthur was like a angry child. He tried his best to get Gao Quan to change his clothes, but failed several times. This made MacArthur a little discouraged. However, this five-star general of the US military was obviously not someone who gave up easily. The fleet was approaching the Philippines. MacArthur was still trying to lure Gao Quan into changing gear.
"There is no need to think about it. I have already decided. The 500th Army will wear squadron uniforms and fight with the US military. We are friends.""When I need help, I believe General MacArthur will be generous to help." Gao Quan still refused to change his Chinese military uniform, but his way of speaking was much more tactful.
"Of course. We are friendly forces. We should help each other. Do you really not think about it anymore?" MacArthur tried to make a last-ditch effort. After another direct rejection by Gao Quan, MacArthur was completely disappointed. ."Okay, my friend. Let's see you later. Good luck to you."
MacArthur was about to disembark in Manila. He was not the commander of the fleet. He could not command the fleet to sail or fight. Even if he followed him to Taiwan, it would be useless. When the fleet passed through the Philippines, he turned a corner and turned into Manila Bay to release the five-star general of the US military. Arrive in the capital of the Philippines.
Before disembarking, the Philippine U.S. Field Marshal expressed his blessings to the Chinese friends he had just met. On the pier, the welcoming crowd headed by the President of the Philippines had prepared a grand ceremony to welcome their hero, General MacArthur, back.
Gao Quan did not speak. He just used a military salute to express his respect for the five-star American general who helped him. MacArthur still lightly touched the brim of his hat with the crank cane as a return gift. Then he was surrounded by a large number of American generals. After stepping off the ship, the exciting music on the shore suddenly rang out. MacArthur waved his hand and walked toward the welcoming crowd.
The fleet is back again. The surroundings gradually become blue. The sea and sky are the same color. Below is the sea. Above is the blue sky. The same blue. The white in the sky is clouds. The white below is seabirds. The world seems to be left with only two colors: blue and white. .