The next morning at 8:30, just as dawn was breaking, the cool summer night breeze brushed against my cheeks, carrying a slight chill that instantly invigorated me.
However, the atmosphere inside the Sakura Cabinet was extremely tense.
"How could this be?" Prime Minister Tojo Umetoku looked at the documents and materials in front of him, feeling like his head was about to explode.
The document contained a news report about the National League for Democracy (NLD) fleet's withdrawal and landing on Awaji Island.
This left all the cabinet ministers somewhat puzzled. Why did you land on an island instead of the mainland?
Moreover, why did you lay so many mines to prevent warships from entering?
This doesn't make sense!
On either side of the conference table, cabinet ministers sat looking at each other blankly, having no idea what the National League for Democracy army was trying to do.
"Gentlemen, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
Prime Minister Umetoko Tojo stood up and tapped the table twice with her fingers, breaking the silence.
The cabinet ministers all looked up at him, but none of them spoke.
The main problem is that they still don't understand what the commander of the National League Army is thinking.
To plant a nail on your own island, without any supplies, and just hold it there—aren't you just asking for death?
Do you really think you can take over the entire island with just a few cannons?
That's such a pipe dream!
This behavior is tantamount to suicide!
After a long silence, Army Minister Korechika Anami stepped forward: "Your Excellency, regardless of the National League for Democracy's commander's purpose, since he dared to place a thorn in our heart, we must remove it."
“That’s right, Your Excellency Prime Minister. I suggest that we immediately send the army ashore to remove the thorn in our side.”
Yamamoto Isoroku nodded in agreement with Anami Korechika's point of view.
Although everyone present felt that the National League for Democracy's actions were utterly inexplicable, since the National League for Democracy had made such a provocative move, they, as the defenders of their homeland, naturally had a responsibility to remove that thorn in their side.
Prime Minister Tojo Umedo narrowed his eyes as he looked at Anami Korechika and Yamamoto Isoroku, and said in a cold voice, "Anami-kun, this thorn in your side will be removed by your Army Ministry."
"Hai!"
As soon as Prime Minister Tojo Umedo finished speaking, Korechika Anami nodded excitedly, turned around, and walked out of the conference room.
"Yamamoto-kun, I would like to trouble you to lead the Combined Fleet to assist Anan-kun in clearing all the mines in the vicinity."
"Hi!"
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, rest assured, I will personally oversee the operation."
Prime Minister Umetoku Tojo nodded: "Alright, meeting adjourned!"
……………………
May 17, 1942.
Assemblies were sent from Tokyo to various locations, and soon the Japanese army began to draw troops from all over the country, including Seiichi Shinohara's 1st Division, which was the elite unit of the Japanese army and had extremely strong individual combat capabilities.
Meanwhile, the 100th Division of Harada Jiro, the 101st Division of Ito Masayoshi, the 102nd Division of Fukuei Shinpei, the 103rd Division of Goto Mitsuzo, and the 104th Division of Sueto Tomofumi, totaling 110,000 troops, quickly assembled near Awaji Island.
On the night of May 19th.
At this moment, the Japanese army is digging trenches and building fortifications in the Hikida field on the west side of Awaji Island.
On the front lines, six division commanders, including Seiichi Shinohara and Jiro Harada, were observing the movements on Awaji Island through binoculars.
The island was quiet and pitch black, seemingly devoid of any enemies.
This only intensified the fear in the hearts of the six division commanders. Wasn't it far too quiet? The silence was frightening, even giving them the feeling of being stared at by wild beasts.
"Report!" A soldier rushed over, saluted, and reported.
"Speak!" Shinohara Seiichi returned the salute, his expression serious.
"Report! Small boats and civilian vessels capable of landing a division are ready!"
Upon hearing this, Shinohara Seiichi immediately smiled with satisfaction: "Good! Pass on my order to have the Imperial soldiers of the 1st Division prepare! Let's go remove this thorn in our side!"
"etc--!"
Harada Jiro, who was standing nearby, suddenly called out to Shinohara Seiichi, revealing a lewd smile unique to Japanese soldiers: "Shinohara-san, it's not fair that your 1st Division gets all the good things first. Why don't you let my 100th Division do it?"
"oh?"
Shinohara Seiichi looked at Harada Jiro, a playful smile playing on his lips, and said with feigned surprise, "Harada-san is actually so magnanimous?"
Actually, he was secretly overjoyed.
The island across the way is so quiet now. What does that mean?
This suggests that the enemy on the island is waiting for them, or perhaps already lying in ambush somewhere.
"Hehe, Shinohara-san, we're all soldiers of the Empire, shouldn't we take turns?"
Harada Jiro looked completely at ease with himself.
Foolish.
Since you want to die, I'll grant your wish.
"Alright, since Harada-san is so generous, then let your 100th Division be in charge of attacking Awaji Island."
"Thank you, Shinohara-san!"
Harada Jiro grinned and smiled happily.
Subsequently, the order to launch an operation was given, and 18,000 men of the 100th Division boarded small boats and civilian vessels from various coastlines and slowly rowed toward Awaji Island.
At this moment, Awaji Island remains quiet, shrouded in a layer of mist, making it impossible to see any trace of the island.
"Order the troops to maintain alert..."
Harada Jiro squatted on the small boat, holding a samurai sword, and spoke to the communications officer beside him.
"Yes, sir!" the communications officer responded, sending a message to each wing.
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