Chapter 608: Southward!! Eastward!!

"Commander, absolutely not!"

Commander of the 25th Army, Xia Shan Feng Wen, immediately rose to object, "Although the Java Sea is concealed, Southern China submarines often operate in this area."

"The Wangjiaxi Strait is narrow, easy to defend and hard to attack; if the Southern China fleet sets an ambush there, our transport ships cannot pass at all, and we will be completely annihilated!"

Terauchi Hisaichi waved his hand, saying firmly, "Xia, I know this route is fraught with danger, but it is the only option at present."

"The Malajia haixia is firmly controlled by Southern China; we cannot break through. Other routes are either too distant or more exposed, leaving only the Java Sea and the Wangjiaxi Strait."

"Although dangerous, the Southern China fleet's attention is mainly focused on the Malajia haixia, so we can slip through while they are unprepared."

In fact, Terauchi Hisaichi chose the safest channel, but it required a detour, avoiding the main route.

Terauchi Hisaichi paused, then continued, "Additionally, I have decided to gather all remaining transport ships of the East Indies and dispatch the remaining destroyers and escort ships of the Combined Fleet to form an escort fleet, which will protect the transport ships throughout the journey."

"We will station Reconnaissance Planes along the route for early scouting; if Southern China vessels are spotted, we will evade immediately. Should we be attacked, the escort fleet will resist with full force to ensure the transport ships reach the Philippines safely."

Fan Cun Rang pondered briefly, bowed, and said, "Commander, this plan is risky, but it is the most reliable option right now."

"We can select elite vessels to form the escort fleet, commanded by experienced generals, and increase the transport ships' speed to shorten the time spent in dangerous waters, perhaps allowing a successful breakout."

The other generals, seeing this, also nodded in agreement.

They all understood that there was no better choice now; only by taking a gamble could the supplies and troops be safely withdrawn.

Terauchi Hisaichi looked at everyone, his voice heavy, and said, "Everyone, this breakout concerns the Imperial destiny, the lives of all soldiers stationed in the East Indies. I hope we work together to complete the mission, return the supplies safely to the homeland, and preserve a glimmer of hope for the Imperial."

"Yes!" the assembled generals answered in unison, their tone carrying a hint of resolve.

Although they all knew the route was full of unknowns and danger, possibly facing Southern China fleet attacks and perhaps paying a heavy price, in this desperate situation they had no choice but to give their all to secure a sliver of survival for the Japanese Army.

After the discussion ended, the generals rose immediately and began arranging the gathering of transport ships and the formation of the escort fleet; a desperate breakout concerning the fate of the Japanese Southern Army was about to commence.

After several months of rest, the Southern China Marine Corps First Division and Second Division had recuperated and were high‑spirited.

Marine Corps Second Division, Division Commander Liu Hua.

This unit was formed only a month ago, thanks to Southern China seizing all of Thailand and the Malay Peninsula.

Jiang Anguo's forces were expanded to one hundred thousand.

After the battle for Bangkok, it is now called Huadu.

The Marine divisions' equipment became increasingly sophisticated, and the soldiers' combat experience grew richer.

According to Jiang Anguo's deployment, the two large Marine divisions split into two routes, preparing to land on Sumatra Island to completely eradicate the Japanese there and incorporate this resource‑rich island into Southern China's territory.

The Japanese 38th Division garrisoned on Sumatra, commanded by Zuoye Zhongyi, is not an elite Japanese unit.

Nevertheless, relying on the island's fortifications, they hold a stubborn defense.

Marine Corps First Division, led by Zhou Haitong, has as its core objective the capture of the strategic stronghold in southern Sumatra—Ju Gang.

Ju Gang, located downstream of the Musi River in southern Sumatra, bordering the Malajia haixia, is the most strategically valuable city on the island and a energy and resource hub of Southeast Asia.

The city's value has long been coveted by the Japanese Army and has become a core target that Southern China must seize.

Ju Gang possesses astonishing oil and gas reserves, making it a key petroleum source in Southeast Asia; since the Japanese occupation, they have frantically extracted oil, attempting to fuel their war machine.

However, in the naval battle of the Liao Nei Qundao, the Japanese Navy suffered a crushing defeat and lost sea control.

The oil extracted at Ju Gang can no longer be shipped to the Japanese mainland by sea, forced to be stockpiled there, becoming a "visible but immovable" chicken rib in the Japanese hands and a treasure Southern China is determined to claim.

Besides the abundant oil and gas, Ju Gang also has vast rubber plantations and coffee farms, with rubber trees flourishing across the hills and the scent of ripe coffee beans filling the air—strategic supplies indispensable during wartime.

Rubber can be used to make tires and military equipment, while coffee provides energy to soldiers; both have irreplaceable value for military and civilian use.

In fact there is another thing: various spices. Many may wonder what value spices have.

In reality, spices hold high status in the navy, as the monotonous sailing and hot working conditions make naval personnel demand high‑quality food.

Indian curry, precisely, can alleviate this condition.

Curry can stimulate one's appetite.

Not only India likes curry; the British Navy, Japanese Navy, and even the United States Navy also enjoy curry.

More importantly, Ju Gang's port is uniquely advantageous.

Thanks to the Musi River's natural advantage, the port can follow the tide, allowing megaton vessels to sail directly in.

Once Southern China captures Ju Gang, it can rely on this port to swiftly transport oil, rubber, and other supplies, further consolidating Southern China's strategic advantage while cutting off the Japanese Army's last hope for resource resupply.

When Japan fought for Ren'ankiang in Myanmar, although it won, the oil fields were destroyed by the stationed British forces, halting Japan's westward strategy.

But the Dutch in Ju Gang surrendered quickly and did not damage the oil fields.

Thus, these old‑world European nations hold little standing in modern warfare.

Just as no country could break into Paris before France surrendered!

At this time, Ju Gang had already been turned by the Japanese 38th Division into a solid defensive fortress.

Zuoye Zhongyi fully understood Ju Gang's importance; upon learning that Southern China's Marine divisions were about to land, he immediately mobilized the division's main force.

He built numerous bunkers and trenches along Ju Gang's coast and laid fields of landmines.

He also deployed coastal defense guns at the Musi River mouth, hoping to block the Southern China Marine First Division's landing assault with coastal defenses.

"Ju Gang is the Imperial lifeline; once lost, we will all become the Imperial's sinners!"

Zuoye Zhongyi stood on Ju Gang's fortifications, roaring to his soldiers, "Hold the position to the death; even if we fight to the last man, we must never let Southern China troops set foot on Ju Gang's soil!"