12dz Chapter 652 The Ryukyu Campaign is about to end
Chapter 652 The Ryukyu Campaign is about to end
"Third, and most importantly—" Zhang Chi paused, his voice emphasizing, "Although the Japs' defeat is certain, the war is not completely over yet."
"In the Pacific, in Luzon, Ryukyu, and even in the Japanese homeland, the future battles will still be brutal.
Our sights cannot rest solely on victory in the European war, but we must also keep a close eye on the Far East, fulfill our obligations as a member of the Allies, and at the same time...ensure our interests in the post-war Asia-Pacific landscape."
People will get discouraged. Fighting on home soil and fighting abroad are two completely different feelings.
With Hans's surrender, the atmosphere of peace will become increasingly strong, and many officers and soldiers may become disgusted with continuing to fight.
But Zhang Chi knew that national status could only be won through fighting.
This battle against the Japanese is just one breath away, and must be done to perfection.
Everyone present nodded, and the excitement on their faces was gradually replaced by deep thought.
Zhang Chi’s new chief of staff, Siamese Chinese Yi Meiyang, added:
"The end of the European war means that the conflicts between giants like the White Eagle and the Bear may gradually surface.
A new international order is brewing, and we in Southeast Asia need to find our place, seize this fleeting opportunity, and accelerate our development."
"That's right." Zhang Chi concluded, "Therefore, official propaganda should highlight our stance of fighting shoulder to shoulder with our allies and pursuing peace together, and emphasize our determination to completely defeat all fascist forces.
Internally, we must guide the people to transform the joy of victory into motivation to build the country and support the front line against the Japanese invaders."
"As for the celebration..." Zhang Chi pondered for a moment, "We can organize a solemn official memorial ceremony to commemorate the soldiers from all countries who died in the anti-fascist war and reaffirm our commitment to peace.
But the scale does not need to be excessive; the focus should be on the more difficult tasks ahead.”
After the meeting, Zhang Chi stood alone in front of the office window, overlooking the crowd still celebrating on the street below.
In the distance, the golden dragon flag of Nanyang fluttered in the sunset.
A complicated expression appeared on his face.
The joy of victory was real, but he knew in his heart that this was just another starting point.
The game in the post-war world has just begun. Whether the Nanyang dragon, which has just set sail, can grasp its own destiny in the stormy waves of the future, the test is still to come.
However, being able to stand at this new starting line as a victorious country is much better than being passively beaten and slaughtered.
-----
In June in Ryukyu, the air is filled with the smell of rotting tropical plants.
Under the devastation of crazy naval guns and bombs, a thick layer of loose soil appeared on the surface of many areas.
Under the fierce offensive of the White Eagle and Nanyang Allied Forces, Mitsuru Ushijima and his 100,000 elite Japanese soldiers are now like a candle in the wind, compressed into a few small areas at the southernmost tip of the island. Their destruction is only a matter of time.
However, the trapped beast still fights.
Despair often breeds more extreme madness.
On this day, a heart-wrenching incident occurred at the foot of a steep cliff facing the sea in the southern part of the island.
About two hundred defeated Japanese naval soldiers, along with dozens of forcibly conscripted Korean laborers and more than three hundred panicked Ryukyu local civilians, fled into a huge natural cave and connected tunnel system.
Most of the civilians who were taken hostage were women, children and the elderly.
A company of White Eagle Marines quickly surrounded the cave entrance.
"Listen up, everyone inside! The war is about to end. Lay down your weapons, raise your hands, and come out. We will guarantee your safety."
The White Eagle officer repeatedly shouted in awkward Japanese language through a metal loudspeaker.
In response, he heard a few scattered gunshots from inside the cave, and even more shrill cries.
Deep inside the cave, in the dim light, the Japanese low-ranking officers and sergeants were roaring at the shivering Ryukyu women at the top of their lungs:
"Don't go out. Those white eagle monsters with yellow hair and green eyes are all man-eating devils."
"They would eat children alive and rape women until they died."
"We are the warriors of the Yamato nation. We would rather die in glory than live in disgrace. You too must be prepared to sacrifice your life for your country!"
Fueled by fear, vicious rumors spread like poisonous bacteria.
Many Ryukyu women hugged their children tightly, their eyes full of despair. Some even picked up the grenades distributed by the Japanese with trembling hands, ready to "maintain innocence" at the last moment.
The White Eagle officers outside the cave observed through telescopes the horrifying scene of some women holding grenades against their chests or children's backs. They immediately dared not attack again and were sweating profusely in anxiety.
"Shit, these damn lunatics." He cursed, but there was nothing he could do.
Language barriers, cultural barriers, and carefully spread rumors made it difficult to persuade the enemy to surrender.
"Sir, perhaps... we could try asking our allies in Southeast Asia for help?" a liaison officer suggested. "They're Chinese, have had a lot of historical exchanges with the Ryukyuans, and they look similar. Perhaps we could gain their trust."
The officer's eyes lit up: "Quick, use the radio to contact the Nanyang troops immediately."
-----
In less than an hour, several Bobcat assault vehicles came rushing over, stirring up a cloud of dust.
A tall and calm-looking Nanyang Army major jumped out of the car, along with several translators who were wearing Nanyang military uniforms but whose faces were obviously Ryukyu natives.
After a brief exchange, Major Nanyang understood the situation.
He straightened his military appearance, signaled the White Eagle soldiers to retreat, and then walked towards the cave entrance with two Ryukyu translators, barehanded.
"My fellow Ryukyu people in the cave, please don't be afraid. We are the army of the United States of Southeast Asia and we are here to help you." The major spoke loudly in Chinese, his voice steady and powerful.
The Ryukyu translator beside him immediately repeated the message in Ryukyu and Japanese.
The crying and shouting in the cave seemed to be a little quieter.
"We are compatriots with yellow skin and black eyes, just like you. The White Eagle Army is our ally. They will not harm civilians. Please believe us." The major continued to shout, while signaling the translator to emphasize the word "compatriots."
Perhaps the similar appearance and familiar Ryukyuan language played a key role.
Perhaps the word "compatriot" touched some people's forgotten memories.
The fierce scolding in the cave subsided, replaced by some surprised whispers.
After what seemed like a century, a trembling voice belonging to a young woman came from the cave: "You...you really won't hurt us?"
"I swear on my military honor and in the name of the United States of Nanyang," the Nanyang major replied firmly, "Please let the women and children out first. There is food, water, and a doctor outside."
After some difficult communication, a few tentative figures finally appeared at the entrance of the cave. They were a few Ryukyu women with pale faces, thin bodies and frightened eyes.