Chapter 103: The Landing Battle!

The Army Minister’s decision revealed his resolve to sacrifice these troops for the greater cause. Upon hearing this, all the army generals present showed no expression, as if the seven thousand soldiers were nothing more than mere numbers. To them, soldiers were tools to achieve victory; if they fell in battle, new recruits would be trained in their place. Given the vast population base of the dynasty, it remained one of the populous realms in this era of turmoil.

Shortly after, the Army Minister briefly announced the combat plan, ordering all units to prepare for the mission.

A week later, the 15th and 16th Mixed Divisions of the Japanese forces boarded the Third Fleet on Jiuzhou Island, crossed the Yellow Sea, and sped full throttle toward Blue Island, officially commencing their secret assault.

In the initial phase, to maintain caution, they avoided densely fortified targets like Weihaiwei, opting instead for the relatively weak central region as the breakthrough point. The choice to attack the Tiger’s Mouth area was primarily due to its gentle terrain and sandy beaches, highly favorable for combined naval and land operations. Furthermore, Tiger’s Mouth held critical strategic importance as the transportation hub leading to Weihaiwei harbor. Once captured, it would enable rapid control over the entire Shandong Peninsula, severing the peninsula’s defensive forces from inland support.

The navy would then only need to enforce a maritime blockade, isolating Jiangbai’s defensive forces on Blue Island.

According to the original strategy, it was expected that Jiangbai would heavily deploy troops to defend Tiger’s Mouth. Therefore, the Third Fleet unleashed a continuous five-hour bombardment on the area with heavy naval artillery. Even from dozens of kilometers away, the flashes of explosions on land were visible, and nearer locations felt the air trembling slightly.

Watching the shelling from the deck, General Kamio of the 15th Division displayed a sneer, convinced that under such overwhelming firepower, the Japanese forces had little chance of survival. This was the crushing advantage firepower brought.

When the bombardment ceased, Vice Admiral Kato calmly issued orders: “Dispatch reconnaissance planes to assess the status of the Japanese positions!” Obediently, two seaplanes were sent to scout the Tiger’s Mouth area.

The reconnaissance reports returned with unexpected news: “Commander, no enemy forces detected in the Tiger’s Mouth area! The enemy appears to have withdrawn!”

This discovery puzzled Vice Admiral Kato. “If the enemy has retreated, there is no further reason to linger here.”

The decision to strike Tiger’s Mouth was based on its terrain advantages and strategic location—it was both suitable for amphibious assault and the gateway to a crucial harbor. Capturing it meant swift control over the entire peninsula and the severing of its connection to the mainland. The navy only needed to enforce a maritime blockade afterward, isolating Jiangbai’s forces.

The navy resolved to dispatch several of its newest destroyers to protect the landing troops while sending the main fleet toward Blue Island, seizing this rare opportunity to destroy the island’s military fortress and reduce losses for the marine landing forces.

Vice Admiral Kato decided to leave part of the new destroyers to guard the troops, while the main fleet proceeded toward Blue Island. He assigned four Kongō-class cruisers and four Fusō-class battleships to the Third Fleet, aiming to use this chance to completely annihilate Blue Island’s military fortifications.

Upon hearing the plan, General Kamio agreed to Vice Admiral Kato’s fleet returning, confidently asserting that the army’s artillery was sufficient to handle the Japanese forces and expected to regroup soon on Blue Island.

Vice Admiral Kato confidently prophesied that victory would belong to the dynasty and led the battleship fleet directly toward Blue Island.

The 15th Division successfully landed under the cover of light cruisers. Subsequently, reconnaissance units discovered enemy fortifications about five kilometers north of Tiger’s Mouth. Although the enemy’s strength was unclear, Vice Admiral Kamio disregarded it, ordering infantry and search teams to envelop the enemy positions from two sides, firmly believing the dynasty’s soldiers’ charge would utterly crush them.

Despite some units and equipment still in transit, Kamio was confident that the combined strength of just two regiments was enough to defeat the enemy—one infantry regiment with over 3,800 men and a search company of 2,600 soldiers. Each infantry regiment approached the size of a 6,000-strong combat brigade, easily overwhelming ordinary troops.

With orders issued, infantry and search teams quickly mobilized. “Bring up the artillery and ammunition!” The Japanese soldiers, filled with fervor, eagerly awaited the assault.

Amid the rousing battle cries, the two infantry regiments advanced in a combat search formation toward the enemy fortifications.

Watching the two infantry units disappear into the distance, General Kamio paused in thought before issuing another command: “Immediately order the 55th, 113th, and 125th Infantry Regiments to accelerate their landing!”

“Time is of the essence; we must speed up our operations!” he urged.

“Ensure the 17th Artillery Regiment lands first to support the 54th Infantry Regiment!”

“Inform the 20th Infantry Brigade and Heavy Artillery Brigade that upon landing, they must seize the high ground immediately to secure advantageous terrain and prevent any sudden enemy counterattacks that could encircle us!”

Upon hearing his orders, the chief of staff promptly responded, “Yes, Lieutenant General, we will execute immediately!”

“These enemy forces, deprived of Blue Island’s fortress support, are foolish to confront us head-on,” Kamio declared.

“Let the Tiger’s Mouth garrison be the sacrificial lamb for our first battle!” he said with a satisfied smile.

Meanwhile, several kilometers away in the mountainous defensive line, the 63rd Infantry Division, under Chen Shan’s command, rapidly constructed two layers of defensive positions, connected by dense communication trenches to ensure rapid reinforcements in any direction.

The soldiers of the 63rd intensified their trench digging, preparing for the imminent confrontation.

“The 211th Brigade will hold the first defense line, the 212th Brigade the second!”

“The 213th Brigade remains in reserve, ready to support from the rear at any moment!”

Chen Shan turned to Jiangbai, inquiring if any deployment adjustments were necessary.

Jiangbai gently patted his shoulder, offering reassurance. “Don’t be nervous, Chen Shan. You are the commander here now; I am merely an observer.” Then he asked about the deployment of artillery brigades and heavy artillery units.

Noticing the infantry’s advance, Chen Shan swiftly reported to the corps commander, “Commander, the artillery units are positioned behind the lines, ready. Their range covers targets eight to nine kilometers ahead without needing precise targeting.”

Jiangbai nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

He understood that the enemy’s primary artillery pieces, though powerful, had shorter ranges due to their weight constraints. By positioning artillery at the rear to maximize range advantage, they could actively control the battlefield.

Once the Japanese artillery revealed their positions by engaging, the 63rd Division could leverage their range superiority to counterattack, inflicting significant losses.