Chapter 281
February 23rd, 2021, 09:00
Corea
Every news outlet in Corea alerted the public about how the nation now officially occupied Kyushu since 7:00 pm yesterday. The military had achieved this within 11 days of landing on Japan, and the media promoted the bravery and actions of the soldiers under the 2nd marine division and 6th marine brigade who risked their lives for the war effort.
The Corean government had used this as consolation for the Japanese invasion during the Joseon era and the 36 years of colonization. Occupation of Kyushu would allow the nation to forget about its hurtful past.
Also, the attack on Osaka and Nagoya which were two major cities in Japan was underway. News about the bravery and hard work the military was doing day and night was being broadcasted.
For Japan, it was a disgraceful day, but considering it was a nation that would not admit to its wrongdoings in the past, it was a well-deserved punishment.
Japan had committed numerous heinous acts but did not admit to any of them. It had taught its citizens an incorrect history that made its citizens unaware of the nation’s wrongdoings from the past. This had caused many Japanese citizens to protest against Corea.
Japan also used its wrong historical view to claim Dok-do Island as Takeshima to the international community. This wrongful claim had caused outrage to the citizens of Corea for decades.
Once the news came out, many activist organizations went out to the streets and celebrated and thanked the victory of the Corean military. The central government and six state governments aided the celebration while preventing accidents.
The foreign press agents living in Corea were all shocked by how the Corean citizens acted. How could a nation that was waging a war against Japan and the world power, America be so peaceful that its citizens march onto the streets in celebration? The citizens of Corea had no fear or worry about the war. Each individual was confident and sure that their nation would be victorious.
* * *
February 23rd, 2021, 10:00
Seoul Yongsan-ku B2 bunker (ROK military joint command center)
The news about Kyushu being officially occupied by Corea was sent out across every broadcasting platform, as the Ministry of National Defense intended. While the citizens were out on the streets celebrating, the Joint Chief of Staff was checking over the progress of the urban battle occurring within Osaka, Nagoya, and Chukyo and discussing any changes they would have to make about the operations.
Both cities had America’s MEABs (Marine Expeditionary Armored Brigade) which operated the latest weapons in the area. The Corean military had suffered unexpected and significant damages. This threw a wrench in its plans. The Joint Chief of Staff expected to break through the Japanese army’s defenses within a day and take over major areas of both cities, but the MEABs and the remaining Japanese forces were making it difficult.
The Joint Chief of Staff had to come up with a solution.
“In the case of Osaka, we have been delayed, but it seems our operation to occupy the city will be over by tomorrow. However, for Nagoya and Chukyo, the region is twice as large, and the unexpected damages we sustained from the battle yesterday will delay the operation.”
“Operations director! What kind of uncertain report is that? Can’t you give it to us straight, in terms of days?” Vice-chairman Choi Ho-il spoke as if to scold the operations director with an unsatisfactory look on his face.
“Apologies, sir. Based on the current situation, it seems like it will take a week.”
The 18th armored battalion under the capital armored division that had battled against the MEAB forces yesterday afternoon had sustained heavy losses. They were now excluded from battle to recover. Also, two mechanized infantry battalions also suffered heavy casualties as well. There were now not enough soldiers to occupy the Chukyo area that was three times the size of Seoul, consisting of 10 cities. The cities within Chukyo had the 81st and 82nd paratrooper special forces conducting guerilla operations, but it was not enough to completely occupy a city.
“One week... According to our original plan, we should have finished all of this before marching into Tokyo by now,” Chairman Kang Ui-sik spoke quietly while glancing at the digital map on the screen.
“The original plan was for it to be over by tomorrow morning, sir,” Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun answered the chairman.
“Sir, how about we deploy the heavy armored paratrooper brigades to Nagoya and Chukyo?” Lieutenant General Yang Min-chun, the commander of the 7th mobile corps, made a suggestion.
For the second expeditionary forces, only the 7th mobile corp’s 20th armored division and the capital armored division were out in the field. The commander of the expeditionary forces for Japan was Lieutenant General Lee Hun-sang. To make the chain of command flow easily, all generals who were above the rank of lieutenant general were excluded from being sent to the field.
“Isn’t the heavy armored paratrooper brigade designated for the vertical envelopment mission during the march to Tokyo?”
The five heavy armored paratrooper brigades were a specialized force trained for urban battles and equipped with heavy armor like the one from Ironman. They were subordinate forces under each military command headquarters and the 7th mobile corps.
The 1st military command, 2nd strategic command, 3rd military command, capital forces command, and the 7th mobile corps had the heavy armored brigades as subordinate forces. As the 20th armored division was to march into Tokyo, the five heavy armored brigades would be sent into the city as well.
“I believe we could deploy a single brigade to Nagoya and exclude them from the mission for Tokyo, sir.”
“That’s not a bad idea. What do you think Lieutenant General Kim?” Chairman Kang Ui-sik showed a positive response to the suggestion, and asked Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun’s opinion.
“I agree, sir. I would like to have the 9th mechanized infantry division in charge of occupying the northern shores of Honshu to march with the 20th armored division as well. The MEAB is very powerful as we have seen at Osaka and Chukyo. If six of them are defending Tokyo, then I believe it would be difficult to take the city with the 20th armored division alone.”
When Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun finished speaking, Chairman Kang Ui-sik seemed to have made up his mind and spoke after tapping on the table.
“Great! Let’s do that! One more thing! Have the 6th marine brigade manage Kyushu, and make the 2nd marine division move to Chukyo ASAP, so they can relieve the 9th mechanized infantry division guarding the northern Honshu shores.”
“I will notify the expeditionary force’s commanders, sir.”
The original plan was to have the 2nd marine division take over the management of Kyushu once the occupation was accomplished, and the 6th marine brigade was to move to Jikkoku.
“Comrade chairman! Does that mean our march to Jikkoku is canceled?”
“Based on how things are going right now, I suppose so. The number of forces we have deployed in Japan is limited.”
“I guess we have no choice. I understand.”
The march to Tokyo, which was considered as the endpoint of the war between Corea and Japan, was about to begin. The duration of the war would decide what America would do after Tokyo is taken over. But it would be difficult for the U.S. to conduct a recovery operation once Japan’s capital was lost.
* * *
February 23rd, 2021, 10:20
The Yokota bunker, Honshu, Japan
The intelligence about the Corean forces came from the U.S. military’s command and Jotetsu. There was an armored force with about 1,000 vehicles stationed at the southeastern side of Jotetsu undergoing maintenance. They were only 202km away from the heart of Tokyo. The armored forces were one of the best from Corea that lead the charge during the war against China. The prime minister’s cabinet could not help but become anxious.
Japan’s joint military command had lost the ability to collect intelligence themselves and had to resort to relying on the U.S. armed forces’ intelligence department or government officials and citizens of each state or city.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Nothing can be more shameful than this!” Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro shouted while banging the table.
Kyushu was taken over by the Corean military. One of the four major cities, Yokohama, was occupied as well. The two remaining cities, Osaka and Nagoya, were under attack, but they were having a hard time defending the cities. When he heard the reports, the deputy prime minister became outraged.
76 years had passed since Joseon, once Japan’s colony, turned into Corea. Japan was now like a candle in the wind and been invaded by a nation that was once under their control. The thought of Corea taking over Japan was unbearable for Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro.
“What is the U.S. military doing? Contact Commander Wright and request for reinforcements at Osaka and Nagoya immediately!” Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro pointed to Minister Shibasaki and shouted.
However, it was the commander of the joint military Masaka Hajime who answered.
“I am sorry, deputy prime minister! We don’t know when Tokyo will be invaded by the Coreans as well right now. A Corean armored division is only 202km away from Tokyo.”
“202 km away? They are that close already?”
“They are encamped at northwest Jotetsu.”
“Ha ha ha! That’s... Are we able to defend Tokyo?”
“Yes, sir. America’s six MEABs and two marine divisions have formed a defensive line along Tokyo. Our own army’s 1st armored division and 12 chopper brigades are prepared to defend the city. Our 10 newly formed infantry divisions from the draft are ready as well.
Also, the 6th light armored infantry division under the eastern military has entered Tokyo to join the defense, while the 9th vehicle infantry division is standing by at Gosen to attack the Corean force’s rear once they begin the assault,” Commander Masaki Hajime explained the details while pointing at the map.
“This would be enough to stop the Coreans from making their offense?”
“We will do everything to defend our capital, Tokyo.”
“We must defend the city, no matter the cost. The emperor is exhausted from this war both mentally and physically.”
“We will defend Tokyo with our lives, sir,” Minister Shibasaki bowed his head and answered loudly.
The minister’s actions seemed too disingenuous, but Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro wanted to believe it. If Tokyo was to fall, it meant Japan was defeated again. The nation could not surrender to Corea after it already once did to the U.S. in 1945. Especially not to Corea which was once its colony.
* * *
February 23rd, 2021, 11:30
The Yokota bunker, Honshu, Japan (prime minister’s office)
Minister Shibasaki came back from the meeting and pulled out a smartphone from the locked drawer on his desk. He dialed 1. After the dial tone rang a few times, someone answered the phone in English.
“Hey! Didn’t I say don’t call me for a while?”
“I can’t help but call. Our nation’s capital Tokyo will be under attack by Corea.”
“You! Don’t you know our nation’s five carrier strike groups were severely damaged as well?”
“I am aware. But...”
“If you are, then wait.”
“Sphinx! Please stop asking me to wait and help our nation.”
“Isn’t America helping your nation?”
“I am not saying America is not doing so. I am just requesting for more active aid. If Tokyo was to fall from Corea’s attacks, then I have a safety net as well.”
“A safety net? How dare you? Are you threatening me?”
“I’m not making a threat. Prime Minister Abe’s assassination and the terrorist bombing on Pyeongyang in Corea...”
“Shut up. Minister Shibasaki, you are trying to cross a line you shouldn’t. This is your final warning. Do not speak of such matters again. Unless you want to join Prime Minister Abe. Bye.” Sphinx’s voice coming through the speakers was cold as ice. He gave his final warning and hung up the phone.
Minister Shibasaki slammed the table with the phone and muttered to himself while biting his lower lip.
Bang!
“You think I am just going to sit here and take it like Abe? You messed with the wrong man, Sphinx.”