Lost and Spy

On February 1945, 2, the Battle of Manila officially broke out!
The 37th Infantry Division and the 1st Cavalry Division of the United States began to storm the Japanese defense line.

Whether it is MacArthur, the commander-in-chief of the U.S. military, or Fengfumi Yamashita, the commander-in-chief of the Japanese army, both sides are very confident in their troops and believe that they will win the final victory in the Battle of the Philippines!
Even MacArthur firmly believed that the Japanese would evacuate the city like the US military did in 1941.

It's just that the common people in Manila didn't 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 be turned into a beast because of its failure.

Just as Meng Shaoyuan predicted before the start of the war, the Japanese army did not seem to want to start a decisive battle with the US army outside the city.

The outer defense line of the Japanese army was quickly broken through.

At around 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 Taniguchi Shibu.

But this time when he came back, he transformed into Major Charles!

This ever-changing young master!

"University of St. Thomas!"

Amidst the gunfire, Meng Shaoyuan shouted loudly: "A large number of hostages are being held there!"

"how many people?"

"Five thousand, maybe more!"

So many hostages!

How could Lieutenant Colonel Musi dare to neglect, he immediately called for reinforcements.

Coincidentally, 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 he promised to send tanks for full support.

"Major, major."

Xie Changcheng came running out of breath.

He also carried three briefcases.

Since entering Manila, Xie Changcheng disappeared.

When he appeared again, Meng Shaoyuan took the briefcase from his hand.

Each briefcase is numbered.

He opened briefcase No. [-], which was full of blueprints, and he muttered while searching:
"Which one is it? I told you earlier, let you sort it out."

"Charles, what are you looking for?" Lieutenant Colonel Musi asked curiously.

Meng Shaoyuan ignored him, and after a while, suddenly shouted: "Aha, I found it, this is it!"

He handed the blueprint to Lieutenant Colonel Murthy: "Look, the blueprint of the University of St. Thomas!"

Lieutenant Colonel Musi opened it up, and the surprise on his face was completely undisguised!

This is a complete structural diagram of the University of Santo Tomas.

It also shows in detail the defensive deployment of the Japanese army, as well as where it is weak and where it is suitable for attack.

This is an invaluable treasure for Lieutenant Colonel Musi at this time: "Charles, are all the drawings in these three bags?"

"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel!" Meng Shaoyuan said triumphantly, "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 something.

This is not the first time Meng Shaoyuan has been praised as a magician.

The only difference is that this time, it came from the mouth of an American.

With this blueprint, the task of attacking St. Thomas University became a lot easier.

After getting in touch with Lieutenant Colonel Regan again, at 9:[-] p.m., Lieutenant Colonel Murthy and his Rangers launched a full-scale attack on the University of St. Thomas!

A leading jeep broke through the gates and starters and fired, then one M1 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 soldiers under Lieutenant Colonel Murthy.

The Japanese army was completely unprepared.

Panicked, they quickly retreated into the teaching building with some of the hostages.

After all, facing a tank, just rushing up like this is completely killing you.

In just one assault, the U.S. military rescued most of the hostages!
Originally, Lieutenant Colonel Musi was going 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 hostage casualties. Besides, it's too late now, we need to take a break.

I can guarantee that the Japanese in the building will come out to negotiate at dawn tomorrow. "

"negotiation?"

Lieutenant Colonel Musi was taken aback.

To be honest, he didn't quite believe it.

However, at dawn, Meng Shaoyuan's words were once again confirmed.

A Japanese captain, accompanied by a soldier, came out holding a white flag.

"Inside, there are 47 imperial soldiers and more than 500 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 to 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 lead to tragedy.

Moreover, the Japanese army with less than 50 people could no longer make waves.

"Okay, I agree." Lieutenant Colonel Musi said after thinking about it: "However, all your heavy weapons must be left behind. I allow you to carry rifles, pistols and sabers. From here to the south of Manila, I will ensure that Your safety."

Sometimes it was difficult for Meng Shaoyuan to understand the thinking of these Americans.

Why are they still allowed to carry weapons?
Waiting for them to continue stabbing themselves with bayonets?
However, it was too late to stop it.

The Japanese captain immediately agreed to Lieutenant Colonel Murthy's request.

Subsequently, 47 Japanese soldiers left the University of Santo Tomas under the supervision of the US military.

孟绍原和穆西中校的游骑兵，总共救出了5785人。包括5000名菲律宾人、2870名美国人、745名英国人、100名澳大利亚人、61名加拿大人、50名荷兰人等等。

On the same day, patrols from the U.S. 37th Infantry Division and the U.S. 31st Infantry Division rescued 1000 prisoners of war, most of whom were captured during the Japanese occupation of Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island.

It went very well.

Didn't even meet any decent resistance.

This also made MacArthur ecstatic after receiving the report.

He believes that his judgment is not wrong.

The Japanese army had no ability to fight at all.

Therefore, on February 2th, General MacArthur couldn't wait to announce that he had completely recaptured Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Those subordinates have followed the general's order to march on the victory parade.

But what MacArthur didn't know was that the war had just begun!

Joy is only temporary.

The reporter's predictions are being realized step by step. Japan is a country that will not admit defeat easily, and failure will also turn Japan into a beast.

When the United States attacked Manila, Japan ordered the destruction of Manila.

The U.S. military, having tasted the sweetness, began to underestimate the enemy.

But for them, the truly tragic battle officially kicked off from this moment!