China's Indian troops attacked Myitkyina. Stilwell has long kept in mind the targets and operational plans of Indian troops stationed in China. He is going to lead his troops from Lido, cross the India-Myanmar border, occupy the area west of the Tanai River, such as New Pingyang, and establish the starting position of the attack and the logistics supply base. Then cross savage mountain, break through Kang Hu Valley and Meng Gong Valley with powerful firepower and circuitous tactics, and seize Myitkyina, an important town in northern Myanmar; Finally, he developed an attack in the direction of Baying, joined forces with the Chinese Expeditionary Force in Yunnan, and opened the Sino-Indian Highway.
However, it is not an easy task to achieve this goal.
Although Indian troops stationed in China have been trained by Ramgar, they have all changed into American equipment, and their firepower and maneuverability have been greatly improved. However, China's army, after all, did not carry out a large-scale offensive campaign against the Japanese army and lacked operational experience in this field. At present, only the new 38 th Division and the new 22 nd Division can fight, with less than 35,000 troops. The new 30th Division, which has just flown in from China, is still training and dressing in Ramgar, and it will take some time to leave for the front. Although Impal's right-wing British army has assembled six divisions of 14 Army and 15 Army, it is not clear when it will be enough to launch an attack. Chiang Kai-shek has made it clear that as long as the British navy does not land in southern Myanmar, the 1 1 division of the Chinese Expeditionary Force in Yunnan will not allow these troops to enter Myanmar. The counterattack of the Indian army in northern Myanmar can be said to be alone, and it has no advantage over the Japanese army in terms of strength.
The battle route from Lido to Myitkyina passes through the Kanghu River Valley and Meng Gong River Valley in savage mountain, and the terrain is extremely complicated. There are mountains, cliffs and peaks, forests and rivers. It is difficult to deploy troops flexibly, to give full play to their firepower advantages, and to supply logistics.
The Japanese 18 Division, the enemy in person, is a hard bone to chew. The division has 32,000 people and is the ace of the Japanese army. 1937 participated in the attack on Shanghai and Nanjing, which was one of the culprits of the Nanjing Massacre. 1938 landed in Dapeng Bay, Guangdong, and captured Guangzhou. 1939 landed in Qinzhou, Guangxi and launched an attack on Nanning. 1940 transferred to Nanyang for special training in jungle warfare. 194 1 occupied Vietnam, entered Thailand and swept Malaya. In February of the following year, it created a miracle in Singapore that forced 85,000 British troops to surrender their guns with more than 30,000 troops, and then went to Myanmar to fight. Long-term experience in tropical jungle warfare has earned it the reputation of "king of jungle warfare". Mousi Koulian, the former head of the division, has also been promoted to the rank of commander of the Burmese Army 15 Army. He is now the head of the division, Lieutenant General Shinichi Tanaka, and once served as the head of the Japanese army base battalion. He is a scheming and wily commander.
Nevertheless, Stilwell is still full of confidence and hope. He must win this battle, because it will not only open the Sino-Indian highway and increase aid to China; Moreover, it can strongly prove his view that China's army can completely defeat any powerful enemy as long as it strengthens training and consolidation, updates its equipment and commands correctly. He believes that if Chiang Kai-shek can see the combat effectiveness of Indian troops stationed in China, it may prompt him to take a positive attitude in reorganizing the army and carrying out military reform.
Stilwell invited Sun Liren, the commander of the new 38th Division who had already entered Myanmar in advance, to introduce the front situation. Two months ago, the new 38th Division sent 1 12 regiment into Myanmar to cover the construction of the China-India Highway. At that time, the main force of the Japanese 18 division was still in Myitkyina and its east area, and only a few Japanese troops were stationed on the India-Myanmar border. 65438+1On October 24th, 1 12 regiment began to attack and advance, and occupied New Pingyang on the 29th. 165438+1At the beginning of October, when the regiment entered the Bangbang area, it was stubbornly resisted by the Japanese army and its progress was blocked.
The Japanese 18 Division immediately adjusted its deployment after discovering that China troops had entered Myanmar. 1 14 division stayed in Myitkyina, 55th and 56th divisions reinforced the front line, and division headquarters also advanced. In mid-February, the main force of the 65438+ 56 United Front arrived in Yubang area and launched a counterattack against our army, which was repelled by our army. At present, the battlefield is deadlocked
Stilwell believes that it is necessary to take advantage of the unstable foothold of the Japanese main force to launch an attack quickly, occupy the state, and cover the follow-up troops into Myanmar. The next day, he rushed to New Pingyang and established the headquarters. On the 23rd, the heads of the divisions and the new 38th Division were called to a meeting to deploy offensive battles against the state. At this time, the new 38th Division 1 13 regiment and 1 14 regiment have reached the front. Stilwell decided to take 1 13 regiment as the frontal attack, and 1 12 regiment and14 regiment attacked the Japanese army from the left and right wings respectively.
On the morning of 24th, Stilwell left New Pingyang and headed for the forward position. After walking for more than two hours, 20 minutes before the start of the battle, we arrived at the command post of the 3rd Battalion of 1 13 Regiment, which was in the frontal attack. The officers were shocked. A 60-year-old lieutenant general and deputy commander-in-chief of the war zone went to the battalion command post at the front line to inspect the battle, which was unprecedented in China's army.
At 9 o'clock in the morning, the battle of Yubang started, and the artillery units carried out an artillery attack of 1 hour, and more than 370 shells blossomed on the uneven ground. 10: 05, with a loud charge, the troops launched an attack on the enemy. Stilwell was very happy and gratified to see the officers and men stationed in India seize the enemy's strongholds one by one. "China people have a good time. These people are brave and fearless, and junior officers are also good. " That night, Stilwell returned to the headquarters and wrote down his impression in his diary.
10 year1October 29th, after six days of fierce fighting, the new 38th Division captured all Japanese positions in Yubang. The Japanese army left more than 300 bodies in the 56th United Front and retreated hastily.
The success of the first battle of Jade fully shows that the Indian army's combat effectiveness, especially its attack ability, has been significantly improved after Ramga's training and consolidation, which greatly inspired the confidence and courage of the officers and men stationed in China to defeat the Japanese army, and also gave the Japanese army a great shock. According to the Japanese war history: "In the past, a Japanese brigade (equivalent to a battalion) was more than enough to deal with a division in China. In particular, the 18 Division, which was organized in Kyushu and moved to China, has enough confidence to fight the China Army. Unexpectedly, the China army in the Hu Kang River Basin has completely changed its face in terms of organization, equipment, tactics and technology ... This has caused great losses to our army ... According to this information, the whole army can't help but be surprised. "
On the morning of 6543810.2, Stilwell called the generals stationed in India to deploy the next stage of the battle.
At this time, the 55th and 56th United Front of the Japanese Army had retreated to the line from Rhoda to Taibai. This is a rare gentle zone in the Kang Hu Valley, and the Tanai River meanders through it. On the other side of the river, the Japanese army built a position by virtue of protruding mountains and tropical jungles to stop the attack of China's army. Its main force was deployed in Taibaijia area, trying to take advantage of the dispersed attack of Indian troops and launch a counterattack from the right wing.
The new 38th Division of Indian Army is attacking Taibai Family from Yubang, and the 65th Regiment, the vanguard of the new 22nd Division of Liao Yaoxiang, has entered the new Pingyang. Stilwell decided to attack the left wing of the 56th United Front of Taibai Canadian Japanese Army with the new 38th Division 1 13 regiment. 1 14 regiment as the main assault direction, attacking Taibai and the enemy's right wing, cutting off the contact between the 55th and 56th wings of the Japanese army; Take the 1 12 regiment as the interspersed troops, cross Taibai, go to the northern mountainous area, insert the Japanese left wing, and block the Japanese retreat; In addition, the 65th Regiment of the new 22nd Division attacked the enemy of the legal heroes.
By mid-June, 5438+10, the new 38th Division had occupied the peripheral positions of the Japanese army and began to attack the Taibaijia frontier. The Japanese army hastily dispatched the main force of the 55th United Front of the legal heroes to reinforce in the direction of Dabaijia, resulting in the emptiness of the left wing. The 65th Regiment of the new 22nd Division quickly surrounded a brigade of the enemy of the legal heroes, and after fierce fighting, most of them were destroyed, and they occupied the legal heroes on June 5438+1October 3 1 day. The new 38th Division also launched a general attack on Taibai Family on October 28th, 65438/KLOC-0. The US Army 10 Air Force dispatched more than 30 planes to carry out air strikes in turn, and the main force of the Japanese Army 18 Division had to break through and retreat. In February 1, the new 38th division occupied Taibai's home.
The victory of the Battle of Rhoda-Taibaijia made the Indian troops stationed in China gain a firm foothold in Myanmar and opened the way to attack in depth. At the same time, it disrupted the deployment of the Japanese army and put the enemy in a passive position.
1 February, Stilwell moved his headquarters to Taibai, which he had just occupied, to prepare for the next combat operation. After the Indian army occupied Taibaijia and Rhoda, it has penetrated into Myanmar for about 90 kilometers, which is about 0/20 kilometers away from Lido Base. Continue to attack in depth, and logistics supply has become an important issue. On February 5th, Brigadier General Pique, who is in charge of the highway construction between China and India, was called to Taibai's house. Stilwell ordered him to build a temporary airport in Taibai's home within three days, and to repair the Sino-Indian highway from New Pingyang to this place before February 20th. General Pique is an excellent engineering expert. He is very capable. He did finish the task on time.
In the whole counter-offensive campaign, despite the extremely complicated terrain, inconvenient transportation and difficult transportation, the Indian army always had sufficient ammunition, grain, oil and equipment, and the wounded were treated in time, which played an important role in the victory of the battle. Indian troops stationed in China wrote in their post-war experience summary: "Wherever our army goes, there will be no shortage of ammunition. Even if you are surrounded by the enemy behind enemy lines, you can use the air force to deliver materials without the danger of being cut off. In short, there are many materials in the rear, convenient transportation and smooth supply, and the combat power in the front can be exerted. This proves that supply transportation is the most important condition for victory. "
After the Japanese 18 Division retreated from Rhoda and Taibaijia, it changed its defense deployment, arranged the 55th and 56th wings step by step, and occupied Mengguan and Varuban respectively. The distance between the two places was about 12km, in an attempt to prevent the Indian army from attacking with deep and solid defense.
On February 20th or so, Indian troops stationed in China moved to the outer position of Mengguan, and the new 22nd Division has all been put into battle. American Colonel roswell Brown's tanks in India and American troops in galahad have also gone to the front. According to Stilwell's deployment, the new 38th Division was on the left and the new 22nd Division was on the right, as a frontal attack on the enemy of Mengguan. At the same time, each division took out a force to attack the rear of Mengguan. Through the jungle with tank troops, cut off the contact between Meng Guan and the enemy of Varuban; Galahad's troops made a detour along the northern mountainous area, occupied Varuban and completed the encirclement of the Japanese army.
On February 24th, the Sino-American allied forces launched an all-round attack on the Japanese army, and the main forces of the new 22nd Division and the new 38th Division quickly approached Mengguan. On March 1 day, the American troops in galahad trudged nearly 100 kilometers in the dense forest of Chongshan, arrived in the northeast of Varuban, and immediately attacked the Japanese army, occupying the North-South River ferry on its side. After discovering that its rear was cut off, the Japanese army concentrated on launching a counterattack against Varuban, except for leaving a few troops to resist in Mengguan. With the support of the new 38th Division 1 13 Regiment, galahad troops launched a fierce battle with the Japanese army. On March 4th, the new 22nd Division occupied the frontal position of Guan Yi and continued to develop its offensive. The Japanese army was surrounded in a narrow area around Varuban. On March 9, the Japanese army fled the desperate situation by virtue of two secret passages temporarily opened by engineering troops in the jungle.
The battle between Mengguan and Varuban wiped out more than 500 Japanese troops 18, dealt a heavy blow to the18 Division, wiped out the enemy in the Hu Kang River basin, and laid an important foundation for the victory of the counterattack in northern Myanmar. On the day when the battle ended, Liao Yaoxiang, the new 22nd division commander, came to visit Stilwell happily. He proudly said: "The new 22nd Division defeated the 5th Division of the Japanese Army in Kunlun Pass, and this time it defeated the 1st Division of the Japanese Army18th Division, which was the second most powerful." Originally, Stilwell didn't like Liao Yaoxiang very much. He was a subordinate of Du. Between him and Sun Liren, Stilwell still values and appreciates Sun Liren more. But at this time, he is also sincerely happy with the brand-new look and fighting spirit of the new 22 nd Division. Years later, Liao Yaoxiang said with deep affection, "He is indeed a real soldier and an outstanding commander-in-chief. I admire his resolute and brave character, down-to-earth, pragmatic and selfless style and dedication. As my CEO, he will always be respected and admired by me. "
Stilwell, according to the situation that the Japanese army suffered heavy losses, adopted bolder circuitous outflanking tactics and hastily deployed. He ordered the new 22 nd Division to attack the Jianbu Mountain Pass head-on; Take the new 38th Division to the right with an arrow step, and cut off the enemy from front to back; Galahad troops and another division of the new 38th Division flanked Sha Duzu from the left and surrounded and annihilated the enemy face to face.
On March 14, various forces began to attack. The next day, Stilwell personally rushed to the 66 th regiment of the new 22 nd Division as the main attack. 19, the new 22nd division conquered the pass of Jianbu Mountain. This day happens to be Stilwell's 6 1 birthday. Several staff made a birthday cake for him with the words "Happy birthday to Uncle Joe" written on it. Marshall sent him a congratulatory message on his birthday: "Your work is of great significance to this war and the future of China." Stilwell was very excited to spend such a meaningful birthday on the battlefield.
The battle is going on smoothly. On March 23, the new 38th Division and galahad troops arrived at the designated position and engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy. After all, the Japanese 18 Division is an elite force with rich combat experience. Although its combat power has been damaged by nearly half in the early stage and cut into several sections by the Sino-American Coalition forces, it still stubbornly resists. On March 26th, the Japanese army broke through in the direction of Shaduzu. China and the United States interspersed with troops to attack for a long time, and their foothold was unstable. They failed to cut off the enemy's retreat, causing the remnants of the Japanese army to stand out and flee in the direction of Kamai. On March 29th, Chinese and American troops occupied Shaduzu and wiped out the remnants of Jianbu Mountain. Although the Battle of Jianbushan did not achieve the goal of annihilating the Japanese army, it still caused great losses to the Japanese army and opened the door to the Meng Gong Valley.
Just as Stilwell led the Sino-American Coalition forces to triumph, a very dangerous situation appeared on the British battlefield in Impal. On March 8, the Japanese army broke the silence of the battlefield and launched an attack on the British army. On June 5438+05, three Japanese divisions broke through the Qindun River and entered India. By the end of March, British troops in Impal and Koshima were surrounded by Japanese troops. If the British are defeated, the Japanese will cut off the railway from Assam to Bangladesh; Stilwell's troops will be caught between Scylla and Charybdis.
Mountbatten mobilized troops to reinforce Impal and Kohima, and asked London and Washington to put pressure on the Chongqing government to force Chiang Kai-shek to send an expeditionary force to Yunnan to curb Japanese actions. At the same time, he also called Stilwell and invited him to Chongqing to try to persuade Chiang Kai-shek.
On March 28th, Stilwell rushed to Chongqing and met with Chiang Kai-shek immediately. Chiang Kai-shek had called Roosevelt directly the day before and explicitly refused to send an expeditionary force from Yunnan to attack the Japanese army. Of course, he would not accept Stilwell's suggestion. However, he still agreed to airlift two divisions to Lido around April, namely the 50th Division and the 14 Division, to strengthen the offensive in northern Myanmar. Stilwell immediately contacted the relevant parties and determined the specific air transport plan.
On March 30th, Stilwell flew directly from Chongqing to Mengguan, where an airport has been established. At this time, Stilwell is faced with a very difficult choice: the face-to-face enemy has been hit hard, and he is retreating hastily, which is a good opportunity to pursue and surround the enemy; However, the Japanese army in Impal has seriously threatened the rear of the battlefield in northern Myanmar. If the British defense fails, the Japanese army will cut off the retreat and rear supply line of the Sino-American Coalition forces, and it will undoubtedly take great risks to move on. Stilwell must first find out whether the British have the determination and strength to stick to Impal. He immediately called mountbatten and asked for a military meeting in Assam to study the current situation and the actions of the allied forces.
On April 3rd, Stilwell met with mountbatten and Slim at the American Air Force Base in Assam. He first proposed that Sun Liren, the new British 38th Division, who had saved the British in the first Burma operation, could be transferred from the Northern Combat Command to help the British defend Impal. In fact, Stilwell didn't want the British to accept such reinforcements. He just wanted to test the British determination to defend Impal. Mountbatten thought that letting China's army help defend Impal was as unfortunate as throwing Impal to the Japanese. Slim made it clear that the British would never retreat from Impal. At the same time, the British side proposed that the long-range assault troops that General Wengert had penetrated behind enemy lines in northern Myanmar could be placed under Stilwell's command to expand the offensive in northern Myanmar.
Wengert's long-range commandos * * * more than 9000 people, in the air on March 5, dropped to the Mohan area between Myitkyina and Yingduo, foiled the Japanese army's attempt to reinforce the north, and independently mixed into the 24th brigade. This unit is of great significance to ensure the flank safety of the Northern Combat Command in its counterattack against North Myanmar.
The attitude of the British made Stilwell "a big surprise", which somewhat alleviated his worries. On April 4, Stilwell returned to the front and immediately ordered Chinese and American troops to attack the fleeing Japanese army.
However, after the main force of Japanese 18 Division retreated to Meng Gong Valley, more than 2,000 soldiers returned from the rear hospitals and were reinforced by the main forces of 56th Division and 53rd Division, which greatly enhanced their resistance. However, after continuous operations and long-distance raids, the Sino-American joint forces were very tired, so the progress was slow.
On April 2 1 day, Stilwell gave full play to his tactical imagination and made the boldest operational deployment. He ordered the new 22nd Division to attack in Gamai direction; The new 38th Division detoured to Meng Gong along the left side of Gamai; On the other hand, the Galahad German Army of the US Army and the 88th Regiment and 50th Regiment of the New 30th Division 150 Regiment, which had just left for the front, bypassed the mountains on the north side and inserted into Myitkyina, a strategic place behind enemy lines; Divide and annihilate the Japanese troops surrounding Myitkyina, Meng Gong and Karmai.
This deployment will completely smash Japan's defense system and tear Japan's defense line into several pieces, so that they can't care for each other. Of course, this kind of deployment will also take great risks, especially driving all the way to Myitkyina and going deep behind enemy lines. The situation is complicated and the result is unpredictable. However, it is difficult not to "surprise", and the greatest risk also means the greatest success. It is this bold and unexpected deployment that takes great risks that fully embodies Stilwell's outstanding imagination and creativity in tactical command.
On April 24th, Stilwell ordered the new 22nd Division and the new 38th Division to "attack with all their might". On the 28th, Sino-American joint assault troops secretly marched to Myitkyina.
The new 22 nd Division and the new 38 th Division were stubbornly resisted by the Japanese army and their progress was blocked. On May 5th, Stilwell had a long talk with Liao Yaoxiang, introduced his tactical command experience and encouraged him to fight bravely. On May 8th, Stilwell, accompanied by Sun Liren, inspected the command posts of 1 13 and 1 14 regiments.
Stilwell 6 1 year-old, an old man in his sixties. Continuous running, fighting, nervousness and insomnia made him exhausted and skinny, and the wrinkles on his face became deeper and deeper. He nicknamed himself "the old turkey face", and some soldiers thought he was 70 years old. On one occasion, an American black soldier looked at Stilwell with no rank carefully, then shook his head piteously and said to him, "Those people in the conscription bureau can do anything." How can they let such an old man do such a thing? " But Stilwell's fighting spirit, work enthusiasm and tenacious perseverance are even higher than those of young people.
On May 14, Stilwell finally received the signal from the Sino-US joint commando, which was still 48 hours away from Myitkyina. Two days later, the army approached the periphery of Myitkyina in a hidden way.
17 In the early morning of May, the U.S. military dispatched a large number of planes for a long and intensive bombing of Myitkyina. On 10 in the morning, the Sino-American joint commandos raided the airport about 1 km west of Myitkyina. The Japanese army was at a loss to the sudden Chinese and American troops and rushed to resist. After four hours of fighting, the allies completely wiped out the enemy at the airport. In the afternoon, a transport plane and a towed glider loaded with weapons, ammunition, supplies and reinforcements landed at Myitkyina airport.
The next morning, Stilwell led 12 war reporters to Myitkyina. He inspected the Sino-American joint assault troops and encouraged them to continue fighting and seize Myitkyina. Reporters with cameras kept pressing the shutter for Stilwell and the heroes who attacked Myitkyina. Immediately, the news of "Allied surprise attack and occupation of Myitkyina" quickly reached the ears of the allies.
Mountbatten sent a congratulatory message to Stilwell in the name of Commander-in-Chief of Southeast Asia Theater, and wrote: "Under your heroic command, the American and Chinese armies fought bravely and captured Myitkyina airport in one fell swoop, and achieved brilliant results. The action of crossing Guling has written a glorious page in military history. " In fact, mountbatten was very unhappy. 10 days ago, he called Churchill and asserted that Stilwell could not occupy Myitkyina, so he demanded the so-called "maritime strategy". When Churchill learned that Chinese and American troops suddenly occupied Myitkyina airport, he immediately asked mountbatten: "How did Americans fall from the sky in Myitkyina beautifully? What do you say about this? "
Myitkyina's success in the first battle cut off the logistics supply lines of the enemies of Meng Gong and Karmai, and greatly encouraged the new 22nd Division and the new 38th Division to attack the Japanese army. At the end of May, the new 38th Division surrounded the enemy of Varan, and the main force quickly advanced in the direction of Meng Gong. On June 1 day, the new 22nd Division conquered Malan Highland and immediately attacked Gamai. /kloc-in June of 0/6, Kamai was occupied and most of the enemy troops were destroyed. 18 division leader Tanaka Shinichi led more than 3,000 disabled soldiers and fled south with the help of the main force of the 53rd division. On June 25th, the new 38th Division conquered Meng Gong and annihilated 1600 people.
However, the battle to capture Myitkyina was very hard. After Sino-American joint commandos occupied Myitkyina airport, the Japanese army rushed to send troops to reinforce Myitkyina, which rapidly increased the number of Japanese troops there from more than 3,000 to more than 5,000. Stilwell continuously airlifted 14 Division 4 1 42 Regiments, New 30th Division 89/90 Regiments and 50th Division 149 Regiments to Myitkyina, and troops from all walks of life constantly stormed the Japanese army. However, with strong fortifications and tenacious resistance, the Japanese army has repeatedly frustrated the Sino-American Coalition forces.
After July, the enemies of Meng Gong and Gamai have been annihilated, and Myitkyina has become an isolated city. However, according to the order of "defending Myitkyina", the Japanese commander Major General Shui Yuan Zang still stubbornly resisted and fought for the trapped animals. Stilwell flew to the front of Myitkyina for the fourth time, and he had to replace the commander, General Brigadier General Botner. "Bertner was scolded and protested loudly." A month ago, he replaced his beloved Meryl. The new commander is Wilsel. The troops retrained siege tactics and adjusted their deployment. The 50th Division, the new 30th Division and galahad troops besieged Myitkyina from three sides.
On July 13, the Sino-American joint forces launched a general attack on Myitkyina, quickly cleared the peripheral positions and invaded the urban area, and then began to fight against the Japanese army house by house and street by street. After 20 days of fierce fighting, the remnants of Myitkyina were finally eliminated on August 3, and the whole city was occupied. On August 1 day, Japanese commander Major General Shui Yuan saw that the tide was running out and committed suicide with a pistol. Only a few remnants of the enemy sneaked into the Irrawaddy River and fled to Ba Maw. The Battle of Myitkyina annihilated more than 3,000 Japanese troops and conquered the core of northern Myanmar. Stilwell's operational goal of counterattack in northern Myanmar was basically achieved.
Through this stage of North Myanmar's counterattack, although the Sino-Indian highway has not been finally opened, the air transport to China has been greatly improved. Since May, Assam Air Transport Headquarters has started direct flights to Kunming via northern Myanmar without bypassing the hump route, and the air transport volume has greatly increased. In May, 6.5438+0.3 million tons of aid materials arrived in Kunming, which increased to 6.5438+0.8 million tons in June and more than 25,000 tons in July.
The counterattack in northern Myanmar caused a devastating blow to the Japanese ace 18 divisions and other departments, annihilated more than 20,000 Japanese troops, and erased the shame of defeating Myanmar two years ago. Immediately after the victory, Liao Yaoxiang called Chiang Kai-shek and talked excitedly: "The enemy's heavy weapons and military vehicles suffered huge losses, and casualties and diseases moved to ravines, which was even worse than the transfer of the national army to savage mountain two years ago. Looking back, seeing the present, the officers and men are ashamed. "