Maj. von Mauser: The Millenarians are a bit of a confusing subject. They aren't exactly "Hard Right Authoritarians" in the western sense. If anything, you could think of them as a religious cult with an Army. They will be dealt with, but not in the way one would expect.
franc001sher & Beladriel: That was an interesting read. However, it was more indicative of the British view of the world at the time than it was of the actual situation in China. But it was true that the Manchu Emperors were seen as a foreign power by many of the Han Chinese.
Mozla: Well thank ye! I hope I continue to entertain with this.
Xesan: I can't promise that it won't die, but I will promise to keep it going for at least longer than six pages!
Especially after all of the work I've put into it by now -_-
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Pu Yi is no Emperor - Part 4
With a large number of Qing Forces cornered into the Xuzhou/Lianyungang corridor, the Revolutionary high command formulated at sweeping maneuver that would annihilate a third of the Qing Army. Using Xu Guozhang's Panzer Division as a hard hitting Pivot Point, the Republican army would push up against the coast to destabilize the Qing lines, while at the same time moving a secondary force to capture Yantai and encircle the Kaiser's lone infantry division in Tsingtau. Success in this mission would lead to a rapid victory in the rest of Qing China. Through the course of the Yantai Offensive, over
250,000 Republican Troops would face off against 130,000 Qing and 10,000 German Soldiers. Losses on both sides would be later compared to the Weltkrieg by German Strategists.
In the first phase, a dual assault upon Xuzhou and Lianyungang was put forward. Units based in Fuyang, Hefei, and Kaifeng(as strategic reserves) would Strike against Qing Divisions in Xuzhou. Units in Yangzhou and Nantong would strike at Liangyungang.
12 hours before the complete capture of Xuzhou and Liangyungang, a secondary assault was launched on Yantai against a trapped Qing Cavalry Division. The attack, launched by Xu Guozhang's Panzer Division and supported by two Infantry Divisions would last no longer than a few hours and lead to the Capture of Yantai by Republican forces.
With final capture of Yantai Imminent, von Falkenhausen faced off against the German General Curt Haase who commanded his lone German Division with skill and finesse, the Qing Forces however were too disorganized and demoralized to provide proper support. Tsingtau would fall to Republican hands. When fighting with only 60,000 troops against 250,000 one has little choice but to surrender.
The German Defeat at Tsingtau would be one of the most humiliating moments in Kaiser's long rule. Never before had a so-called "uncivilized" culture inflicted such a devastating blow to a European power. With the Qing Army collapsing on all fronts, the loss of German Controlled Tsingtau was probably one of the most decisive battles of the Chinese Third Revolution. Not only had a third of the Qing Army been annihilated, but so had a large portion of German, Belgian, and Ottoman Aircraft, was Tsingtau was a major airbase the German thought could never be taken. As a result of such claims, none of the using nations evacuated their Squadrons from the airfield. Hundreds of Foreign pilots were taken prisoner along with their officers. German aircraft were disassembled and loaded onto trains to be taken to the Republic's Air HQ in Nanchang where a Level 10 Airfield was under construction and supervised by Clair Chenault.
Of all of the Chinese Commanders who fought in the Yantai Offensive, none would be more decorated or more praised than Xu Guozhang, who had yet to lose a battle. One of the main reasons for his success can be attributed to his offensive spirit as a tank commander and his ability to pick his battles carefully. His battles were small in comparison to those commanded by the likes of Chiang Kai-shek and Falkenhausen, but his skill as a leader and the loyalty he earned from his troops is indisputable. His popularity by this point would be indisputable across all of Free China. In the years following the revolution streets and parks would be named for him. As well as a small Bronze Monument in his home town.
Due to the success of the Chinese Panzer Divisions, revolutionary planners began to push for the production of a fleet of militarized trucks to be used as rapid transports for the Republic's Infantry. These "Motorized" units would be used in tandem with Chinese Panzers to defeat the enemies of the Republic. The first of these new divisions was expected to arrive shortly after the new year. Along with the production of the Army, development of the Nanchang Air HQ was also well underway, with completion expected near the first half of 1940. New Air Squadrons were slated for production in 1939.
With the capture of the Nanjing-Shanghai Strip, the Industrial Capacity of the Republic nearly doubled. Allowing for the first time ever, the ability to research and develop weapon and industrial technology at the same pace of the Great Powers around the world. Industrial Effiecincy was also improved following the completion of modern machine tool research. This would also aid in production of the Motorized Units.
Attempts throughout the Qing War were made to provide the Vietnamese with material and diplomatic support. Unfortunately, Ideological Differences made it difficult for both sides to forge an alliance against their common enemy. This lack of appreciation for the Chinese Aid greatly annoyed republican leaders. Even more unfortunate would be the massive and unnecessary loss in Chinese, Vietnamese and German lives later in the war as a result of Ho Chi Minh's suspicion of Chinese Motives. (Which on the whole were genuinely sympathetic to the Vietnamese cause.)
The Months following the Yantai Offensive would be marked by a multitude of one-sided battles against Qing Forces, with German Support nearly gone, and Qing High Command effectively impotent, the National Revolutionary Army essentially ran roughshod over the Qing "Army".
As the Vietnamese Revolution slowly turned sour, Chinese leaders officially gave up on Ho Chi Minh's government and began preparations for the Invasion of Indochina. German Commanders in Hanoi expected this and began an unending bombing campaign across all of southern China, attacking both Military and Civilian targets. While the Kaiser refused to official recognize the RoC as a modern state, the reality could not be denied by German Military leaders. Round the clock bombing of Chinese Cities began in earnest. Civilians in Hong Kong and Guangzhou would be the unfortunate victims of these attacks. The result however would be a further solidification of the Chinese People to the Chinese Republic as small Army units in those cities worked tirelessly to defend them against Air Attacks to provide the population with medical and relief aid.
At the Beginning of 1939, the Pu Yi could see his end. Republican forces marched on Tianjin, and Baoding. Moving ever closer to the Imperial Capital of Beijing. Even the cold winter could not stop the march of revolution.
In the west, Millenarian Forces were equally effective in defeating the Qing Army. Soon enough Pu Yi would have no route for escape. Combat Engineers Brigades were also finally approaching deployment readiness and would be used to great effect in the coming full-scale war with Germany.
The Capture of Tianjin would lead to the destruction of several more German Air Units. At this point in time, Germany had lost more planes to the Chinese Army than they had to the Chinese Airforce!
The Battle for Beijing would be the single most symbolic victory in Republican History. Over 290,000 Republican and Millenarian Troops would fight block by block to capture the ancient City. Unable to escape Pu Yi could only listen helplessly as the sound of vicious modern war thundered outside the walls of the Forbidden City. Chiang Kai-Shek and the rest of his staff gleefully anticipated the greatest prize to ever be won in the since the start of the revolution. This time the Monarchist Sympathizers would pay for their stupidity.
Following the capture of Jining, the remnants of the Qing Army were effectively cut in half. With nowhere to go, surrender to the Revolution was the only logical option.
In the The Palace of Heavenly Purity, Pu-Yi fully dressed in his Imperial Military Uniform, stood in front of his throne awaiting the lead members of the Revolutionary Congress. He knew full well that his rule had come to an end. This would be his only chance to leave power with a sense of dignity rather than humiliation. The German Empire had abandoned him, and now here he stood regally, ready to negotiate the terms of China's New Government.
Not more than a few moments later, the entrance of the Ceremonial Hall was opened and the Members of the NKMT arrived to discuss the terms, with them, but not officially affiliated was the Widow of Sun Yat-sen, Soong Ching-ling.
Officially, Pu Yi would be forced to Abdicate and return to civilian life under house arrest until the end of the war with Germany. From there he would be allowed to live a free life as a Citizen of the Republic of China, equal to all others. He would however be forbidden of ever returning to Beijing or the Forbidden City. Having no choice but to accept, Pu-Yi signed the documents dictating his abdication and
abolition of the Qing Empire, "forever more."
With Qing Empire now only a memory, the People of China now faced a far more dangerous foe...