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UK, London.

Shrill air defense sirens echoed over London from time to time, and German air raids occurred almost every day. A hearing on the war in Southeast Asia was being held at the seat of the British War Cabinet, located underground in the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Army Chief of Staff General Allen Side gave a comprehensive report on the war in Southeast Asia to the war cabinet members.

"...Dear gentlemen, the current situation in Southeast Asia is extremely severe. After the Chinese launched a military attack on northern Vietnam and northern Laos under the pretext of the Lao Cai incident, based on the advice of General William, we and the French finally decided to abandon Vietnam.

In exchange for the ultimate evil between China and Japan.

However, the actual situation is completely opposite to our plan. Not only did the Chinese stick to the sea - they bent the line and stopped going south. They even publicly expressed their intention to join the dispute between southern Southeast Asia and the Malacca Strait.[

According to the analysis of the staff department, in this Chinese combat operation codenamed "Qin Shihuang", China actually found the best base for China to move out of Southeast Asia. We found that it controlled northern Myanmar - northern Laos - northern Vietnam

After obtaining a huge war bridgehead and a treasure trove of Southeast Asian resources, the Chinese ** team can launch a large-scale military attack at any time in any area in the south.

They chose an excellent opportunity to send troops to join the fight for Southeast Asia.

Due to China's special geographical location, the logistical problems that restrict them from launching larger-scale military operations in the future are far less severe than those of the Japanese. According to the latest intelligence, the Chinese are already using money and food to hire Laotians and farmers in northern Vietnam.

, build roads from China to these areas.

On the Japanese side, there are currently approximately 1.5 million Japanese troops fighting against the Soviet Red Army in the Far East. As the Soviets continue to mobilize troops from the Far East Railway for support, Japan is also forced to continuously increase its troops. However, after receiving support from the Germans,

After assisting the trade permit with the Chinese, the Japanese have become very strong. While taking on the responsibility of fighting in the Far East, the total number of troops commanded by Matsui Iwane, commander-in-chief of the Japanese Southeast Asian Expeditionary Force, has reached more than 700,000. Japanese troops around Vietnam,

The total number is about 500,000 and counting.

This group of Japanese troops are well equipped and have advanced weapons. Whether they are individual rifles, extremely easy-to-operate infantry cannons, or even aircraft and light mountain armored vehicles, they all pose a great threat to our frontline troops.

However, the main equipment of our army, the French army, and the Indian army is still mainly light weapons. Since the terrain is not suitable for traditional artillery and heavy artillery deployment, it faces problems such as insufficient firepower and is not suitable for operations in Southeast Asia.

In terms of the composition of the troops, our army has about 250,000 troops, the French army has 80,000 troops after supplementation, and the Indian army has 450,000 troops. From a numerical point of view, we have considerable advantages, but the French army has been unable to obtain additional troops.

, and the combat effectiveness of the Indian army made our frontline commanders extremely angry.

According to our final exercise results, if we do not take active measures, we will completely fail to reach the existing 500,000 Japanese troops to attack.

Of course, there is also good news. Based on a series of diplomatic efforts, we have received a commitment from the Chinese government that under the premise of friendship, the Chinese army will not participate in attacking us. And..."

General Allenside paused for a moment and said thoughtfully, "Moreover, the Chinese have promised that as long as we are willing, they can relax export conditions, and the China-Myanmar Railway will transport us everything from food to weapons and equipment for the war.

Materials.

Dear gentlemen, what I must say is that our troops in Southeast Asia must immediately replace their equipment. Only by distributing more advanced equipment can the soldiers withstand the ferocious Japanese. Otherwise, they will be driven crazy by the Japanese.

Charge and kill them all in the jungles of Southeast Asia. You must know that the Japanese purchased a large number of advanced weapons and equipment from China, such as the 'Chinese-style semi-automatic rifle Tian' infantry cannon and the 'Fire Dragon Flamethrower' that were developed almost exclusively for jungle warfare in Southeast Asia.

, 'Ma Chao' light jungle armored vehicle', and even Jungle M Cai, more efficient mine detectors, etc.

We urgently need more advanced weapons and equipment, and of course, this is also the topic of discussion at this cabinet meeting, whether to purchase large quantities of weapons and equipment from China again."

Obviously, the last situation mentioned by General Allen Side in this report is what needs to be discussed and decided at this wartime cabinet discussion.

"General Allen Side, I don't think it is a good idea to buy war supplies from the Chinese. I admit that they have made considerable achievements in industry and technology, and may have some advanced weapons and equipment. However, I think these equipment

The empire is fully capable of developing it on its own. The yellow race can develop it, and the great British Empire can also do it." Secretary of War Macdonald said with dissatisfaction. "I think it is a mistake to blindly attribute the defeat of the war to the inferiority of weapons and equipment.

This is a mistake. The British Empire has gone through countless wars, and our weapons have always been able to defeat our opponents before. We have also achieved almost all victories in Southeast Asia."

Listening to the words of the Minister of War, Alan Sid felt like he was venting his anger. He held back his emotions and said, "Mr. Minister, there is a jungle there, which is completely different from your farm in the suburbs. They are not ordinary mountains.

It's not a grassland or a desert, it's densely covered with water and full of jungles. The indigenous Southeast Asian armies we defeated didn't even have a rifle, but today, we are facing an elite Japanese army.

Since the Myanmar War of Independence, several battles have proven that it is imperative to replace the equipment of frontline troops.

We are completely unable to produce some of the excellent weapons that the Far East troops need. At least, we cannot successfully develop and produce them in time. The Japanese army is attacking us every day, and the soldiers have no time to wait for the rear to develop and produce the advanced weapons they need.

Come out, and then it will take half a month to transport it to India, and then send it to the frontline battlefield through rugged roads."

Alan Side was also frustrated. Although the General Staff discovered during the battle with the Burmese People's Army, with the weapons supported by the Chinese, the Burmese firepower could even suppress the same number of British troops.

However, when Alan Side tried to propose to the war cabinet and the Prime Minister several times to replace the weapons and equipment of the Far Eastern Force, he failed. The Prime Minister's main focus was on the defense of the British island, and every time he made a big move

The funds signed are all allocated to aircraft, tanks, warships and other weapons.[

The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Logistics have been doing their best to transport the most weapons to Southeast Asia or start production in Indian factories. However, this speed cannot even keep up with the consumption caused by the expansion of the Indian army. Therefore, the British government has no choice but to

, purchased more than 300,000 old-fashioned Chinese rifles and 10 million rounds from China nearby. The gun type developed from this rifle was unanimously welcomed by the British frontline troops in a short period of time. Compared with the ones in their hands

The Enfield rifle and the Chinese rifle can be described as advanced.

The British were even more surprised to find that the rifles in some arms boxes marked with the year 1922 were actually well preserved, with no damage at all after more than ten years of storage. This proves the Chinese people's industrial manufacturing capabilities and combat readiness reserves.

The technology is astounding.

This time, what Allenside is trying to win is to buy more weapons from China.

"Well, General Allen Side, as you said, the children on the front line need these weapons and equipment. But I still think that we can buy all the war materials we need from the Americans, and they will give them loans

Provide it to us instead of having to exchange it for gold or oil like the greedy Chinese."

Secretary of War Macdonald tried to find examples that would make his remarks more convincing. Compared with the greed of the Chinese, compared to the extremely generous war loans of the Americans, he believed that this was enough to make the British government never again

Buy even one Chinese rifle and one Chinese-made bullet.

"General Allen Side, do you have anything to explain?" asked another minister. He also believed that what MacDonald said made sense. Since war supplies can be obtained through war loans, there is no need to obtain them from war loans.

China goes to buy, "I also think that we and the Chinese government are not allies at least, not even potential allies. We probably shouldn't give them huge war wealth."

Alan Side: "Mr. Prime Minister, fellow ministers, in the list of equipment listed by General William on the front line, we cannot produce it, and the Americans cannot produce it immediately. Far away in the United States, they also lack experience in jungle warfare. On the contrary,

The Chinese understand this kind of war deeply, and their equipment is more suitable for us. For example, rifles. We combine the Lee-Enfield rifles equipped by our army with the American semi-automatic Garand rifles, and the Chinese semi-automatic

Rifles for comparison.

If you are a veteran, our soldiers rely on Lee-Enfield rifles to achieve a high speed of 15 rounds per minute, which is not much worse than semi-automatic rifles. Relatively speaking, the Chinese semi-automatic rifles of the Chinese

It is more advanced than the American Garand rifle, more stable and reliable, and suitable for combat in jungles and water network areas.

However, except for our most elite troops, our recruits, as well as the French army, especially those colonial army soldiers represented by the Indian army, do not have the high quality of the elite British soldiers at all, are insufficiently trained, and use old-fashioned rifles

The speed is already alarmingly low, and what the Japanese are best at is charging quickly. Often, when the Japanese rush to the position, our soldiers have no time to fire.

Therefore, I think that in terms of individual rifles, the best way is to import a large number of semi-automatic rifles from China, and then increase the equipment quantity of our Stuart submachine guns and Bren machine guns to increase the firepower intensity at close range."

Everyone discussed again. Although they were reluctant to import large quantities of weapons and equipment from China, since a large number of rifles, guns and cannons had been imported from China, this large order was not so absolutely impossible.

During the period, the ministers also listened in detail to technical experts’ analysis of the various advanced weapons that China can provide.

Finally, everyone looked at Mr. Churchill, the Prime Minister.

Churchill had been listening attentively to the discussion just now. He was not unaware of the serious problems faced by the British, French and Indian armies in Southeast Asia. On the contrary, he knew better than most of the ministers and other cabinet members present. Alan Side had also made suggestions to him many times.

, pointing out the dangers of this situation continuing

"Gentlemen, Southeast Asia is extremely important to us. Of course, everyone also understands that if Southeast Asia has to be lost, then India will also be our last position and an indispensable position. General Allen Side said

It is true that once we fail, then perhaps India will be the next Southeast Asia. We must not lose this war. The worst result is that the Far East Army and the newly formed troops must have strong strength to defend India.

Therefore, my decision is to sign and agree to this plan to purchase equipment from China. Furthermore, I will specifically approve an increase in the purchase of aircraft, artillery, semi-automatic rifles and other special weapons."

Churchill stood up, walked to the big map, and tapped his fingers on the map of China. "The biggest advantage of buying from China is that it only takes a few days for these equipment to be distributed to the most urgently needed troops. If it is purchased from the United States,

Purchased through a war loan, it will take at least 2-3 months to be distributed to the soldiers.

However, I have also decided that during my trip to the United States next week, I will meet with President Roosevelt and ask the U.S. government to provide more military assistance. It is foreseeable that more and more advanced weapons and equipment will continue to flow.

Shipped to India and Southeast Asia.

General Allen Side, gentlemen, the problem of inferiority in weapons and equipment will definitely be solved soon. What we need to do, while accelerating the development and production progress, is to at least give priority to blocking the Japanese and defending Southeast Asia, or at least defending the

India. We can use gold, and we can also open the oil storage depots in various colonial ports to allow Chinese ships to carry enough oil. What we need is advanced weapons and equipment, which must be able to compete with the Japanese jungle operations.

Weapons and equipment.

Otherwise, we will face the biggest failure outside our homeland.

Don't rush to deny this possibility. Two years ago, you would not have thought that today's Vietnam would be completely occupied by China and Japan. You would not even have thought that Singapore would be bombed daily by Japanese warships and aircraft.

Therefore, preparing for the worst and being fully prepared is the most correct choice."

"Pa bang bang..."[

As soon as Churchill finished speaking, the wartime cabinet members all took the lead in applauding. It must be said that Churchill's decision was the best decision. It not only solved the immediate problem, but also tried to win greater military assistance from the United States.

Understand the pros and cons, and clarify the priorities of things.

The meeting finally made a decision, and a huge military procurement plan was finally approved. According to discussions between the wartime ministers and cabinet, this huge order will be paid for with gold and oil. The remaining thing is to negotiate with the Chinese.

Get this huge batch of weapons and equipment at the best price.

After the meeting, Churchill retained General Alan Seed.

"Mr. Prime Minister, is there something wrong with that list?"

"No, no." Churchill said with a smile, "General Allen Side, I am very interested in the report you gave me last time. I hope that after my visit to the United States, I can see a more detailed action plan when I return home.

.However, its confidentiality level will be the highest, and no file will be able to record it. Otherwise, you and I will both be sinners in the UK."

"Yes." Alan Sid couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard this. He originally thought that the Prime Minister would categorically deny the plan, but unexpectedly Churchill praised the plan.
To be continued...