Chapter 302
February 26, 2021, 15:00
B2 Bunker, Yongsan-ku, Seoul (Situation Room of the Corean Army Joint Command and Control Center)
On the main screen of the control room of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, there was a digital map showing the whole area of Tokyo. Numerous notations were on the map. In particular, there were various blue markings. They showed battalion-level units, which were subordinate units of the three divisions that were currently proceeding downtown Tokyo.
Good news came from the Blue House. It was said that all the U.S. troops that had gathered at Yokosuka Port would withdraw from the Corean-Japanese war as of the present time, unconditionally. Accordingly, the Blue House had ordered the cessation of the attack on Yokosuka Port and take measures so that there would be no conflict against the U.S. military. With this, the Joint Chiefs of Staff only had to focus on Japan. As a result, the Joint Chiefs of Staff was relieved of the burden to some extent and was able to watch the war in Tokyo with a little optimism.
“We are almost there, ha-ha-ha,” Vice-Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Vice-marshal Choi Ho-il said, watching the screen with satisfaction.
Chairman of the Joint Staffs Kang Ui-sik, who was sitting on the chair with his arms folded since morning, also watching the screen, nodded slightly. He was satisfied. Then, he realized the troops advancing to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building were excessively concentrated. He called for the Operations Planning Director.
“Hey, Operations Planning Director!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Why are there so many troops gathering around the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building? There are way more soldiers there than at the former Yokota Air Force Base or the new Yokota Base where the Joint Command Office is.”
“That is... It seems like each division is greedy for the occupation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building.”
“What? Why?
“Because each division wants to put their division flag on that building.”
“Ha-ha-ha. Is that so? I guess it would be not cool to boss them around about those matters, would it?”
“Yes, sir. The expedition commander will take care of it.”
“Good! So, when do you expect the occupation of Tokyo to be completed?”
“We expect to complete the occupation of the entire Tokyo in at least one day.”
“Then, there’s only a day left for the war against Japan. Tell the expedition commander to ask for any support he needs! What would be the purpose to save it if only one day is left?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Chairman! Why don’t we go and eat some food? We skipped our lunch! I’m too hungry to sit down!”
“Ha-ha. Sure. Let’s go.”
***
February 26, 2021, 15:30
New Yokota underground bunker, Chiba Prefecture, Honshu, Japan
Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro was mentally unstable because Minister of Defense Shibasaki had committed suicide and Corean soldiers were advancing to Tokyo.
“Why did I have to be the acting prime minister and go through this pain?”
Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro had no greed for power like other politicians. He just wanted to pursue a comfortable life, piggybacking Prime Minister Abe. However, as the war against Corea had begun and Prime Minister Abe had been assassinated, he had to become acting prime minister as per protocol. Every day was torturous for him. If Japan was winning the war, he would be happy, but the reality was the opposite.
“Mr. Deputy Prime Minister! Are you okay?” Joint Command Officer Masaki Hajime asked as he noticed the awful expression on Aso Taro’s face.
“I’m fine. I just have indigestion these days. Anyway, is Tokyo safe? It seems like the explosions are getting closer.”
At the question of Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro, Joint Command Officer Masaki Hajime hesitated to answer.
He finally said, “Actually, we are being pushed back since the Corean military is so strong.”
“What?! Is that true?”
“Yes, sir. I’m truly sorry, sir.”
Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro grabbed his stomach and complained of pain. “Argh!”
The pain was due to nervous gastritis, a condition he had had ever since he assumed the job of acting prime minister.
“Sir, are you alright?”
Military commanders in the situation room gathered to support the deputy prime minister and someone called the army surgeon.
“Joint Command Officer! Since we don’t have a Minister of Defense, you have to take responsibility and defend Tokyo! If Tokyo is occupied by the Corean military, that will become another shameful episode in our history following our defeat in World War II.”
“Sir! I will guard Tokyo with my life. So, please take a break in the infirmary for a while.”
“T-thank you. I’m holding you to that.”
“Yes, sir!”
Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro left the situation room, assisted by a surgeon and a nurse officer who had come in a hurry. After he had left, Joint Command Officer Masaki Hajime convened an emergency meeting. Commanders gathered in the meeting room of the Yokota underground bunker. Then, Joint Command Officer Masaki Hajime started to unveil a shocking operation plan.
***
February 26, 2021, 16:00
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Honshu, Japan (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building)
The area around the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building was truly becoming a mess. The road was hollowed out by various shells, and large and small rocks were scattered around. Many tanks and carriers were on the ground, emitting dark red smoke.
Also, the dead infantrymen of the Ground Self-Defense Forces who had got off from their vehicles were everywhere. Some of the bodies did not have arms or legs, and some even had their whole body torn into pieces. The chunks of human flesh were scattered everywhere on the ground. It was a truly disgusting scene.
To defend the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building, both the 12th Airmobile Assault Brigade and the Tank Battalion of the 1st 8th Armored Division had come. However, the Corean 1st Assault Battalion showed tremendous offensive and defensive power. Their attack methods had been unbelievable.
As time passed, the reinforcement forces became useless and they were being pushed back. Due to this, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building had been occupied by the assault battalion alone even before the Corean armored unit had arrived.
The Armored Assault Battalion which had been attacking the Japan Ground Self Defense Force from the air and on the ground succeeded in conquering the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building as of 17:00. The Joint Chiefs of Staff were also surprised by the excellent performance of the Assault Battalion.
An hour later, the 26th Tank Battalion (Crocodile) of the 60th Armored Brigade of the 20th Armored Division reached the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. But they were already late.
In particular, the crew of tank No. 712, who had painstakingly made the journey with a tank with a broken main turret rotating plate, wanted to cry. Master Sergeant Oh Young-taek, the tank commander, did not say anything and just looked at the telescope with a gloomy expression.
The Heavy Armor Infantry of the 1st Assault Battalion belonging to the 2nd Armored Assault Brigade who had performed more than expected, hugged each other and shared the joy that they had captured the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building by themselves beyond their assigned mission. Among 300 members, only two had been wounded.
Lieutenant Colonel Lee Youn-joon smiled from ear-to-ear as it was decided that the flag of the 2nd Heavy Armor Brigade with Taegeukgi will be raised at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on the morning of the 27th.
***
February 26, 2021, 16:00
Road 14, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Honshu, Japan
The 26th Armored Brigade, a subordinate unit of the Metropolitan Armored Division, bypassed Tokyo at full speed and took Route 126 and entered Chiba City. They were on their way to the New Yokota underground bunker, where Japanese cabinet personnel and commanders of the Joint Command Office were stationed.
The 26th Armored Brigade managed to keep 90% of the brigade’s power from the last Nagoya battle. They were occupying all four lanes of the road and maneuvering quickly in a two-row column format. And just as they were about to pass Chiba, instructions were given to each battalion from the headquarters of the brigade.
– This is the brigade commander. Enemy armored forces are on the plains behind Ichihara, 15km ahead! The size is estimated to be at the division level. It seems to be the 7th Armored Division belonging to the Northern Army. Following the current maneuvering sequence, 8 battalions go to the left of the road, 35 battalions go to the right, and the 103rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion go straight. Over.
The current situations in the front as confirmed by the Spider II drone were as such: Battalion-sized tanks were intercepting on Road 126. And other flagship tanks were in ambush, aiming their guns at the highway, covered among the buildings and various places in Ichihara City. Finally, the third main tanks were moving in the direction of the southeastern part of Ichihara City. They moved forward rapidly, crushing on the broken apartments and buildings. They intended to attack the 26th Armored Brigade from behind.
The 7th Armored Division belonging to the Northern Army was a unit that had heavy forces of Ground Self-Defense Force along with the 1st Armored Division. It was organized into the 71st, 72nd, 73rd Tank Regiments, 7th Artillery Regiment, 7th Reconnaissance Battalion, 7th Communication Battalion, and 7th Aviation Division.
They were charged to guard 1/8 of the area of Hokkaido. Their main tasks were to take care of the main transportation in Hokkaido, such as New Chitose Airport, Muroran, Tomakomai Port, and oil stockpile, and to defend against the Russian offensive in the event of an emergency.
Until 2016, the 7th Aviation Division, which had operated only two types of OH-6D observation helicopters and UH-1J transport helicopters, began to operate 32 Japanese-developed AH-1 Ninja attack helicopters. Thanks to that, the combat power of the 7th Armored Division had doubled.
Meanwhile, the command of the 7th Armored Division, which was in charge of defending the New Yokota underground bunker after arriving at Honshu, confirmed that the Corean armored unit was moving quickly on Route 126. So, he ordered to deploy previously established defensive operations.
Accordingly, the 7th Reconnaissance Unit, consisting of Type 10 tanks, which were said to be the highest rank in fighting in the 7th Armored Division, blocked Road 128. Above them, 16 aircraft of the 1st Attack Helicopter Battalion belonging to the 7th Aviation Group flew in the north, emitting a unique rotor sound.
Squadron Commander Shibano Doramaru put on his headset. He had received a report from the flight leader of the OH-6D observation helicopter that had left earlier. The flight leader reported about the size and formation of the Corean army. Squadron Commander Shibano Doramaru opened the squadron’s public communications as soon as he received the report.
– Everybody, listen up. The enemy is approaching in an open formation from 10km ahead. Currently, it appears to be a one brigade-level force. There are several new Corean tanks. According to intel, enemy tanks also have anti-aircraft systems. Therefore, it is recommended to engage at an altitude of 3km or higher. Destroy enemy vehicles as soon as possible and return. Over.
When the order was given, 16 AH-1 Ninja attack helicopters split into squadron units.
Chuff, chuff, cuff.
The engine sound of the AH-1 Ninja attack helicopters went up. They increased their speed. The AH-1 Ninja attack helicopters began preparation to attack the Corean tanks which were currently splitting into two groups, crossing the railing of Road 126.
Each AH-1 Ninja attack helicopter had two 70mm Hydra rocket launch tubes and eight Hellfire missiles. It was also equipped with two self-developed short-range air-to-air missiles, JM-104 missiles.
After a while, a White Tiger tank entered the attack range of the AH-1 Ninja attack helicopter. The helicopter launched the 70mm Hydra rockets mounted on both wings at once. In an instant, a fire broke out and a thick smokescreen emerged. Nineteen 70mm Hydra rockets burst into flames and hit the Corean tanks.
The White Tigers were moving on the field in the long ridge of both sides of Road 126. Soil soared where the White Tiger tanks were. The White Tiger tanks emitted a powerful SECM. Accordingly, the Hydra rockets missed their aiming points. Of the 200 Hydra rockets, only a few of them hit the tanks. Those which were hit by the 70mm Hydra rockets did not even break.
Squadron Commander Shibano Doramaru ordered a second attack.
– Fire the Hellfire missiles!
The primary Hydra rocket attack was indiscriminate. The second attack was a blow-off attack, aiming precisely at the top of the main turret of the Corean White Tigers with a Hellfire missile.
As Squadron Commander Shibano Doramaru issued the second attack order, the armed officers of the AH-1 Ninja attack helicopters fired Hellfire missiles at the White Tiger tanks that had locked onto the aiming point of their helmet visor.
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