afterglow

Chapter 422: Both sides declare war; delayed action

The president's speech began with a round of applause, and the warm applause was vaguely mixed with some words full of gunpowder.

"Any concession is a betrayal of the United States!"

"I carry a gun! If I see anyone voting no, I will execute the traitor in this sacred place!"

"We cannot ignore such slights!"

However, shouting loudly does not necessarily represent everyone.

"Mr. Speaker, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, yesterday afternoon, the United States submitted a rude war threat to the Philippine Autonomous State and declared war soon."

The president spoke, and the noisy hall suddenly fell silent, leaving only the squeaking sound of the camera wheels working.

Cameras manufactured by Parade Corporation are condensing this historic scene onto long stretches of Kodak film. [The illegal content has been deleted]

"We all know that under the protection of the United States of America, the Philippines has achieved significant economic, commercial, and population development. This is a model of peaceful development."

"The federal government has always worked hard to maintain peace in Asia and the Pacific and has conducted many negotiations with the Chinese government, but they lacked sincerity and rejected all proposals."

"Seven months ago, the ▇Chinese army attacked Malaya; six months ago, the ▇Chinese army occupied Singapore; five months ago, the ▇Chinese army attacked the Dutch East Indus."

"As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, I have ordered the military to be on alert and to take every precaution to protect the American people and private property from danger."

"Gentlemen, this is a well-prepared hostile act aimed at seizing U.S. interests in the East. The American people should know that this has violated our country's interests and security."

"Although our interests in Europe face greater threats, I think we should not retreat easily and we cannot make any compromises with hungry lions."

"History will prove that firm and brave resistance is the right choice. Actions to defend citizens and national interests are completely just. I believe that the armed forces will achieve final victory. God bless us." [violation content has been deleted]

"It has now been more than ten hours since the United States declared war on the Philippines. I ask Congress to recognize that starting from 12:00 Washington time, the United States of America will be in a state of war with the Ming Empire."

As his speech ended, cheers and applause filled the entire hall.

Immediately after this, voting begins.

The vote in the Senate was 68 in favor and 21 against; while the result in the House of Representatives was 334 in favor and 89 against.

"Damn! I can't believe there are so many cowards!"

"Congressman Anderson, calm down! Please stay calm!"

"You bastard are a disgrace to Montana! I want..."

"boom!"

The sudden sound of gunshots shocked the entire audience, and a congressman fell to the ground screaming.

In a flash of lightning, the Florida congressman who fired the gun was knocked down by several people who reacted nearby, and the Browning pocket pistol in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter.

"Protect the President!"

"We need medical attention!"

The congressmen in suits and ties were still in fear, and the parliamentary security personnel came in a hurry...

Although accidents occurred due to public outrage, in the end, the United States' resolution to declare war on the Ming Dynasty was officially passed through legal procedures.

The people and reporters who gathered outside the Capitol building were eagerly awaiting the results. When they learned the final result, they suddenly cheered.

The Washington Post reporter was sitting on a motorcycle, and after hearing the news, he immediately drove straight to the newspaper office.

The reasons for declaring war are often varied. Historically, Costa Rica followed Japan in declaring war because it wanted to protect its nationals, while Haiti's reason for declaring war was that anyone who attacks the United States is an enemy.

This time, the United States officially entered the war on the grounds of protecting national interests and safeguarding peace in the Pacific.

In the afternoon, the Ming Dynasty Council also held a symbolic second vote and passed a series of war bills without any suspense.

After all, everyone knows that declaring war on Luzon is actually equivalent to declaring war on the United States.

The edict that had been drafted long ago was then announced from the palace. That night, the prime minister also delivered a national speech.

"The emperor issued an edict to the ministers, workers, soldiers and civilians of the world: We, the Celestial Empire, have always protected all nations, and I have upheld the destiny of all the people, and I dare not tamper with China. The people of Lu Song only paid tribute to the Celestial Dynasty in the fifth year of Hongwu, but they were invaded by Fo Langji. It has been more than 300 years since the Longqing period."

"In modern times, the United States and Buddhism have been fighting each other, and Luzon has been occupied by the United States. Many people are in embarrassment. Countless uprisings have been planned in the past thirty years. The United States is illusory and submissive. The so-called autonomous state is no different than a puppet."

"It should be noted that the Celestial Empire has always maintained a peaceful and harmonious relationship, hoping to peacefully end the disputes in the Southeast Asia. However, the British and Dutch refused to give in, resulting in a military confrontation. This was not my original intention. Now there is a secret text known to the imperial court. It is from the British, American and Australian Secretly negotiate for alliance defense."

"It can be seen that the ambition of the three countries to instigate chaos and dominate the ocean is clear. It has also been discovered that the United States has deployed multiple long-range aircraft and submarines in Luzon. This actually poses a great threat to the safety of the people of the country and the DPRK and the shipping industry. How dare we condone and despise it."

"So far, all foreign affairs communications have ended in vain. The matter has reached this point and there is no other way. I order the civil and military ministers to gather in the court to discuss various defense matters and protect the safety and rights of the land where the sun and moon shine... Your Majesty. Telegraph to China and foreign countries. On the first day of October in the 39th year of Zhichang. The emperor's treasure."

Compared with the emperor's edict, the court's official documents are much simpler and more direct.

There have been discussions among the people for a long time, and newspapers often argue with each other. Some say that there will be no war in the short term, while others say that they will definitely pursue the victory and pacify the remaining Philippines.

Now, the previous ongoing arguments have ceased.

According to the information released by the court, people knew that an army of hundreds of thousands of Australian troops had marched south; and the Seventh Army targeting the Philippines had also set off.

Next, for ordinary people, apart from talking loudly, all they can do is wait quietly.

"Everyone, our army's first round of air strikes on Luzon has begun..."

"Okay! Let's see how long these lone soldiers can last."

"I've already told you that it will hold up to the sky for a month, and it is estimated that most of them were dragged out from the Bataan Fortress area."

"The siege heavy artillery brigade has come in handy."

In the headquarters of the Surabaya Naval Base, officers from the 27st Marine Brigade, the [-]th Engineering Brigade, the [-]rd Field Heavy Artillery Brigade, and the [-]th Infantry Division gathered here, discussing with great interest.

Although the Dutch burned most of their important documents before surrendering, they were not willing to set fire to such an elegantly decorated headquarters. "The so-called 3 defenders are just a bunch of bullshit. In reality, there are only [-] to [-] soldiers that can be called an army. Do you think so, Commander Zhou?"

"Well, those temporarily mobilized reserves and militia have little combat power. The key depends on how many US troops can be annihilated at the beginning."

Zhou Changfeng put his hands on his hips, thinking about the scene that would happen thousands of miles away, and was distracted for a while.

The Ming army's operation against the Philippines was separate, codenamed "Ji Zha", and was under the responsibility of the newly established Seventh Army.

The Seventh Army has the Second Marine Brigade, the 43rd Infantry Division, the Second Field Heavy Artillery Brigade, the First Siege Heavy Artillery Brigade, the Third Tank Brigade, the Second Siege Tank Battalion, the First Engineering Brigade and other combat units, with a total strength of approximately 4.

"I wonder what will happen to that MacArthur guy this time." Zhou Changfeng said to himself.

Marshal Douglas Mai was born in a military camp in Little Rock, Arkansas. His father was a soldier. It can be said that Marshal Mai was already familiar with life in the military camp when he was just a baby in his mother's arms.

Although his grades were mediocre when he was a child, and his teacher commented that he was "tired of studying, inattentive, and smart but not hardworking." However, as he got older, his study intensity also increased, and he eventually graduated from West Point Military Academy with honors.

After that, he participated in the Mexican War and the European War, and his military ranks were continuously promoted. He was promoted to brigadier general at the age of 37, and became the principal of West Point Military Academy after returning to China.Later, because he was an old acquaintance with Hoover, Marshal Mai became the youngest Army Chief of Staff.

However, Marshal Mai did not have a good relationship with President Franklin for many reasons, and the latter appreciated George Marshall more.So Marshal Mai was sent to the Philippines, where his father once served, as a special military adviser and was awarded the title of marshal.

After more than two years of hard work, under the guidance of Marshal Mai, the Philippines has a fairly small-scale armed force, with a total of seven infantry divisions and a total strength of about 10.

However, in view of the Ming army's previous fierce offensive against the British and Dutch colonies, the president of the Philippine Autonomous State has wavered in his determination to defend himself and has begun to think of surrendering to the Ming Dynasty.

Washington was very dissatisfied with this and threatened to revoke the independence of the Philippine Autonomous State if it dared to turn against the Ming Dynasty.

Day after day, Filipinos waited anxiously until the war broke out.

At 10:1 on October 16, the air raid by the Ming Air Force officially started.

Heading from the north to the south, some fighter planes took off from Tagu, and some aircraft took off from Sabah in Borneo, rushing towards Luzon Island in a mighty manner, looking for their respective targets.

"woo woo woo woo--"

When the air defense observation posts and air defense listening devices confirmed that the Ming army aircraft group was incoming, the shrill and piercing air defense sirens sounded throughout Manila!

Because the time is earlier than the original schedule, the Americans have not yet deployed a complete radar system in Manila, and radars such as SCR-268 and SCR-270 have just been put into mass production.

Military camps, docks, airports, and railway yards were all bombed.

"Da da da—da da——"

"Enemy planes are attacking! Captain, we..."

"Boom-boom! Boom!"

The destroyer USS Ingersoll anchored at the dock was slowly increasing its speed. The US sailors used twin 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine guns to fire fiercely at the Ming army bombers in the sky, but to no avail.

Twenty-three Type 23 light bombers carried out the bombing of the pier. The 184 100kg aerial bombs they dropped fell like hailstones, and columns of water and clouds of smoke suddenly burst out from the sea and the shore.

The Ingersoll was damaged by several near misses, the deck and superstructure were splashed with water, and the rolling in of seawater caused the destroyer to tilt significantly...

According to the plan drawn up before the war, once the Ming army invades, the surface ships of the Asian Fleet should evacuate directly, while the submarines must set off as soon as possible and leave the port that may be subject to devastating air attacks at any time.

The Ming army was worried about this situation, so the naval aviation formation that followed them flew to Manila Bay. More than 20 Type [-] twin-engine torpedo aircraft airdropped hundreds of mines to block the route.

"Sir, we should not hesitate any longer. The bombers must take off immediately..."

"But we don't have accurate information. What is the bombing target? You have not planned a route, and you have no available plan."

Colonel Alex, commander of the Far East Air Force, requested that all B-17 bombers take off immediately to prevent them from being blown up on the ground during Ming air strikes.

However, Douglas was hesitant and rejected Alex's application.

The latter was unwilling to sit still and ordered Clark Airport to refuel the B-17 and mount aerial bombs before he continued to try to persuade the stubborn Douglas.

At this time, the headquarters was flooded with all kinds of messages, instructions, and intelligence. There was a crackling sound of typewriters, and anxious civilians were walking quickly holding documents, looking disorganized.

One moment someone reported that Dagupan had discovered the Ming fleet, and the next moment they said that the information was wrong...

In such a chaotic situation, Douglas's heart seemed to be in a mess, and Alex's repeated requests made him quite annoyed.

"You can do whatever you want, Colonel, and stop calling!"

"Yes, sir!"

The overjoyed Colonel Alex hung up the phone and ordered all B-17 bombers at Clark Airport to take off immediately, as fast as possible!

His previous approach was undoubtedly extremely correct. The refueled B-17s roared into the sky one after another from the runway.

However, before they all took off, a series of small black spots appeared in the sky due north.

After a while, the Far East Air Force fighter jets defending the airport started a fierce air battle with the incoming Ming army aircraft group.

先后有37架P-36D战斗机和4架XP-40参战，而明军轰炸机编队亦有35架三六式乙型改一驱逐机为之护航。

U.S. fighter jets fought from the southeast. More than 30 fighter jets lined up in horizontal formation and pounced neatly on the Ming army aircraft group.

After the distance was shortened, they opened fire together, trying to scare and break up the formation of the Ming army's aircraft group, but it did not have the expected effect.

On the contrary, four two-plane formations of Ming fighter jets seized the opportunity to gain altitude, dived and strafed head-on, and set several P-36s on fire in one encounter.

At the same time, the Type [-] B flying escort beside the formation also seized the opportunity to attack suddenly and preemptively, and got entangled with the US fighter jets that were scattered in pairs.

A fierce close-quarters fight began. The performance and quality of both sides were quite close. If we look closely, the Ming Air Force had the advantage. [The illegal content has been deleted]

Beside the airport runway and on the city streets, people and soldiers raised their hands to shield themselves from the sun and watched this fierce battle. Planes were shot down one after another, dragging black or white smoke into the distance...

而亚历克斯上校心心念念的宝贝——34架B-17B最终有25架成功升空，其余的9架则全部遭到了攻击，除2架以外全部被毁于地面。

(End of this chapter)