Chapter 44 "I'll Go Back" Promise

To hide, too close; to run, too late. The two speedboats had to turn off their engines, turn on their torpedo launchers, and prepare for the upcoming close combat.But what is strange is that the Japanese cruiser ignored them and walked away through their channel. Obviously, the Japanese ship regarded the two speedboats as local fishing boats.I was so lucky, so lucky that it was a bit bizarre, almost like a myth. MacArthur's assistant later recalled that he experienced the most incredible thing in his life that day. In the early morning of March 13, 1942, the speedboat unit arrived in a safe area, and at the same time ended the unforgettable sea journey.During the dinner, MacArthur, who had survived the catastrophe, went to the seats of Bulkley and others, held a glass and said to them: "This time you have demonstrated the true naval style, and I will award all crew members with silver medals to commend you for your efforts in the Navy. The perseverance and bravery shown under extremely adverse conditions."

The sea adventure is over, but the air adventure has just begun.MacArthur must also fly to Melbourne, Australia. MacArthur noticed that the several "B-17s" that came to pick up and escort them were all in disrepair, "it seemed to be put together with chewing gum and packed wire."The situation of the Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific is like this. In other words, if the air force is stronger, the Battle of Singapore and the Battle of Java will not be completely defeated. Like the sea adventure, the American plane can only rely on the night as a cover in order to avoid the Japanese patrol fleet.The difference is that they were never spotted by the Japanese patrol fleet while sailing at sea, but they were spotted while in the air.

The U.S. plane hastily changed course and did not go to the airport where the Japanese army expected them to land.When the Japanese army discovered this situation, MacArthur had switched to another transport plane and flew south. Ten minutes after the transport plane took off, Japanese dive bombers and fighter jets roared in, reaching the sky above the original take-off position of the transport plane. "It's really dangerous." MacArthur sighed sincerely after getting out of the dangerous situation, "but war is like this, you either win, or lose, or live, or die, and there is only a slight difference between them."

As soon as MacArthur set foot on Australian soil, he received a warm welcome, and reporters flocked to him.In front of the reporters, he announced grandly: "As far as I know, the purpose of the President of the United States ordering me to break through the Japanese defense line is to organize the US military to counterattack the Japanese army. The first step is to recover the Philippines. How I came, I must How to go back!" Mai Shuai said it bluntly, but this passage caused great repercussions in the United States. It is recognized as the most inspiring speech to Americans since the beginning of World War II, and the "I will go back" has become a symbolic speech. battle cry.

At this time, the United States is in the darkest historical period of World War II. It seems that in addition to failure in the military, it is still a failure, and it is almost numb to defeat. This gap was duly filled. Mai Shuai is too in line with the American's positioning of heroes-it doesn't matter if you have a little pride, and it doesn't matter if you have a little individualism. Even if you are attacked by some people as "running away from the battle", it will not damage the image. The key is that the protagonist must be brave enough, enough Tough and smart enough.

From commanding the Bataan resistance to crossing the blockade, MacArthur was worthy of the three "enough" in the back. His story became an inspirational classic in World War II. The American people especially talked about how he crossed the blockade: "Veteran MacArthur successfully deceived the cunning Japanese!" Everyone knows that MacArthur is a veteran of World War I. Back then, his "Rainbow Division" was one of the most famous troops on the European battlefield in World War I. The evaluation he received was "the combat effectiveness of the Rainbow Division is unparalleled, and no one doubts it."

In the United States, the highest military honor is the Medal of Honor.MacArthur had been recommended to be awarded the Medal of Honor, but at the end of World War I, this award had been cancelled, and the Medal of Honor passed away with MacArthur. Today, driven by strong public opinion, the U.S. Congress made an exception and passed a bill authorizing Roosevelt to award the Medal of Honor to MacArthur. He once again reached the pinnacle of a career that an American soldier can achieve. But this time, Mai Shuai, who has always been proud, did not attribute the honor to the individual. He said that what this medal affirmed should be a "brave army", and he was just lucky to command this army.

The "brave army" of course refers to the US-Philippines who are still fighting in Bataan and Corregidor Island. In MacArthur's mind, the bravery of the US-Philippines is by no means inferior to that of the "Rainbow Division". "Army of the Brave" had solemn promises. It is said that the U.S. government suggested changing the "I" in "I will go back" to "we" when publicly delivering Mai Shuai's speech, but it was rejected.MacArthur was a brave man, and he must find a way to do what he said. In this regard, he will not allow himself to be perfunctory. He must regroup and fight back to the Philippines as soon as possible.

It is precisely because of such a good wish that when MacArthur left the Philippines, he was not only not depressed, but also full of hope for the future. However, he soon discovered that hope was fading.