The 16th Army of the Imperial Army successively occupied St. Jones, Rizal and Bang Abang, and used these three cities as fulcrums to build a defense line of more than 20 kilometers, blocking the hundreds of thousands of American and Philippine troops from the north of Luzon from the south, all of them in the north of Luzon, so that they could not move south. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 This tactic of the Info Imperial Army greatly alarmed MacArthur, who was staying in Rodriguez.

Because by doing so, the Chinese* army is tantamount to cutting the US-Philippine coalition into two parts. Once the Chinese* army hits the force and first destroys the US-Filipino forces in the north of Luzon, the remnants of the US-Filipino forces will not be able to resist the attack of the Chinese* army at all.

"Damn Chinese, do they have such a big appetite? Five U.S. infantry divisions and ten Filipino infantry divisions, which is already more than 300,000 people. There are only 200,000 Chinese, is it possible that they want to use 200,000 to eat more than 300,000 of us? What's more, does he think I'm going to ignore the more than 300,000 troops in northern Luzon? Lieutenant General MacArthur said with a dark face.

As the war progressed, the U.S. military gradually figured out the number of the Imperial* troops that landed in the Philippines. The 16th Army, with a total strength of less than 170,000 troops. There are also two Marine Divisions, with a total strength of just over 40,000 men. That's just 210,000 people combined.

"Send a telegram to General Henry, asking him to lead the combined American and Filipino forces in northern Luzon to storm the Chinese lines to the south. I will send troops to attack from the south to the north to support them. Lieutenant General MacArthur ordered.

"Yes, General." The staff officer saluted, and then went to telegraph.

Subsequently, MacArthur personally called the 44th Infantry Division and the 45th Infantry Division of the US Army stationed in Manila, and asked them to attack from south to north in the coordinated direction of the 26th Infantry Division, the 27th Infantry Division and the 28th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, and cooperate with the US-Filipino forces moving south from northern Luzon to flank the Chinese* army. According to information received by the U.S. military, the Chinese* army had only more than 70,000 troops on the St. Jones Line. With more than 200,000 troops, they flanked the Chinese* army of more than 70,000 people, and there was absolutely no possibility of defeat. What's more, in the northern part of Luzon, there are 3 US infantry divisions and 7 Filipino infantry divisions that can be reinforced south at any time. In that case, their advantage will be even greater.

The Imperial* army and the combined forces of the United States and the Philippines, around the St. Jones line, are about to start a fierce battle. In fact, choosing to fight the Imperial* army here is also very beneficial for the US-Philippine coalition forces. First of all, the St. Jones line was far from the coast, and the battleships and other warships of the Chinese Navy could not provide support to the Imperial Army with firepower, but could only provide support with carrier-based aircraft. Second, for the time being, the US-Philippine coalition forces have a great advantage in terms of military strength. If more and more Imperial* troops land in the Philippines, then this advantage of the US-Filipino alliance will gradually disappear. When the time comes, the US-Philippine coalition will be at an absolute disadvantage. If you want to reverse the situation, it is even more impossible.

The 16th Army of the Imperial Army was not unaware of the movement of the US-Philippine forces. Through the intelligence personnel of the Imperial* Military Intelligence Agency in the Philippines and the intelligence reconnaissance provided by the carrier-based aircraft of the Imperial Navy, the 16th Army of the Imperial Army was fully aware of the movements of the United States and the Philippines.

However, Lieutenant General Zhu Yimin, commander of the 16th Group Army, did not care about this. It is simply impossible for the US-Filipino coalition to defeat the Imperial Army on the front line of St. Jones with 200,000. The three infantry divisions were reinforced by heavy artillery brigades and rocket artillery brigades, and their firepower was amazing. The attack of the United States and the Philippines will only leave them with corpses in front of the defense line of the Imperial Army.

In addition, the main force of the 16th Army of the Imperial Army has landed, and two infantry divisions and an armored brigade have been assembled south of Dagupan, and the combat strength of these 50,000 people will be very strong, and they can attack the flank of the US-Philippine forces when the battle is at its most intense, and then encircle and annihilate the US-Philippine forces attacking St. Jones in one fell swoop.

What's more, the armies of the vassal states of the empire have also begun to disembark one after another, and the empire's disadvantage in strength is being made up step by step.

On the pier of Dagupan, eight infantry divisions from the Kingdom of Annam were disembarking, and General Nguyen Xiaoyong of the Annam Army was respectfully standing beside Lieutenant General Zhu Yimin. In addition, the army general of the Khmer Kingdom, Sinuman, also stood aside. The Khmer Kingdom also sent two infantry divisions to participate in this battle. With the infantry divisions of these ten vassal states, the 16th Army of the Imperial Army was equivalent to an additional 160,000 fresh troops. These vassal states* troops, which were trained by the Imperial Army, were definitely stronger than the Philippine Army, which used American-style equipment. Therefore, they will provide great support and assistance to the Imperial Army in battle.

"General Nguyen Xiaodung, General Sinuman, this time the Empire's battle against the Philippines is indispensable for your assistance. After we defeat the US-Philippine alliance, the empire will definitely reward you for your merits. Lieutenant General Zhu Yimin said.

"Yes, Your Excellency. As a vassal state of the Chinese Empire, it was our responsibility to fight for the suzerain. Our Prime Minister has already said that our eight infantry divisions are only the first units. Ten infantry divisions have also been drafted and are being trained. If the overlord needs it, they can be recruited at any time. Major General Ruan Xiaoyong said respectfully. Don't look at him as a general, but the gold content of a general of a vassal state is estimated to be less than that of a brigadier general of the Imperial Army.

Admiral Sinuman of the Khmer Kingdom also hurriedly expressed his position. Although the strength of the Khmer Kingdom was not comparable to that of the Kingdom of Annam, it was no problem for them to send two more infantry divisions into the battle.

Lieutenant General Zhu Yimin nodded, but he didn't care in his heart. The combat effectiveness of the vassal army's army was not very strong in the first place, and this still refers to their standing army. As for the new units that have just been formed, it is difficult to say how much combat strength they have. The Empire will never conscript those troops into battle unless absolutely necessary.

"According to the current progress, the troops of your two countries will be able to disembark tomorrow afternoon. When the time comes, you will go to the front to assist our army in its war. I hope that this is the first time that you will fight with the Imperial Army, and you will definitely give full play to your due combat effectiveness. Otherwise, wouldn't the Empire's help to you all these years be in vain? Lieutenant General Zhu Yimin reminded.

"Yes, please rest assured, our troops will fight to the death." Admiral Ruan Xiaoyong and Admiral Sinuman hurriedly patted their chests and reassured. They also knew that this was their first time in the war, and if they didn't make a good impression on the Imperial Army, it might not be their turn to do anything good in the future.

September 9, St. Jones front, the position of the 76th Infantry Division of the Imperial Army. In order to hold the line of defense in and around St. John's. The Imperial Army's 76th Infantry Division formed two lines of defense north and south of St. Jones, with one infantry regiment each deployed on the line. The other infantry regiment and units directly under the regimental headquarters remained in St. Jones. The 16th Heavy Artillery Brigade also left two battalions of 210-mm self-propelled howitzers here, and the 16th Rocket Artillery Brigade also left two battalions of 48 rocket artillery guns here to assist them in their defense.

In order to hold this line of defense, the carrier-based aircraft of the Imperial Navy also often circled over the defense line, and once the US-Filipino forces attacked, they would provide air support to the Imperial Army to strike at the US-Filipino forces.

Five kilometers north of St. Jones, Major General Henry, commander of the 46th Infantry Division of the US Army, and Major General Claude, commander of the 47th Infantry Division, were observing the line of defense of the Chinese* army. Behind them, two U.S. infantry divisions and three Filipino infantry divisions were already on standby.

"General MacArthur asked us to tear apart the Chinese lines, and he also sent two American infantry divisions and three Filipino infantry divisions to attack from the south. According to intelligence, the Chinese are only more than 70,000 people on the entire defense line. If we focus on attacking St. Jones, we will only have to face more than 20,000 Chinese* troops, and we have a huge advantage in strength. Major General Henry said.

"So let's do it. However, we must not underestimate the Chinese. Otherwise, Major General George and Major General Davidson are examples of what we have learned. Major General Claude reminded.

Major General George committed suicide and Major General Davidson surrendered, which has made the generals of the US Army very vigilant.

"Artillery was ordered to deploy, ready to fire on the Chinese lines. Also, pay attention to air defense, don't let the Chinese planes destroy our artillery positions. Let the Filipino artillery also join in, I don't care what their accuracy is, just hit the shells on the Chinese lines. Major General Henry ordered.

The order was immediately issued, and the field artillery brigades of the 46th Infantry Division and the 47th Infantry Division of the US Army, 48 155-mm heavy howitzers and 96 105-mm light howitzers were immediately deployed, and more than 200 75-mm field guns of the three infantry divisions of the Philippine Army were also deployed. In order to protect these artillery positions, a large number of anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft machine guns of the US-Philippine forces were also deployed around the artillery positions.

At 10 a.m., with the order of Major General Henry, the United States and the Philippines launched a heavy artillery attack on the line of the 76th Infantry Division of the Imperial Army.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! "One by one, 155-mm heavy howitzers, light howitzers and field guns began to fire frantically, pouring shells on the positions of the Chinese* army. For a time, the positions of the Imperial Army were shrouded in smoke and fire.

The shelling of the US army also officially kicked off the Battle of St. Jones. (To be continued.) )