The time has entered 1944. This year, the anti-Japanese situation in the entire world has become increasingly clear. On the Pacific battlefield, the situation of the Japanese in the Pacific has also taken a turn for the worse with the loss of the Marshall Islands. At this time, the Americans, who had taken the initiative in the Pacific battlefield, set their sights on the Mariana Islands.
The strategic location of the Mariana Islands is very important. It is at the throat of the Central Pacific Waterway. It is an important maritime communication route between Asia and the Americas. It is also the only way for the US military to attack the Japanese mainland and the Far East. If it is occupied by the United States, Japan's mainland and Southeast Asia will The maritime lifeline will be cut off, and Taiwan and the Philippines will also be under the direct attack range of the US military. The most important thing is that the US military's B-29 flying fortress bomber can bring the Japanese mainland into its bombing radius. Because of this importance, it was Known as the "Breakwater of the Pacific."
The Little Devils realized the importance of the Mariana Islands, so they decided to establish an absolute defense circle along the Kuril Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Mariana Islands, Caroline Islands and the western part of the New Guinea Islands, of which Mariana is the line of defense. Core.
On Guadalcanal, Wang Yaowu and Liao Yaoxiang were in a good mood after meeting Chairman Chiang. They trained the soldiers in high spirits every day, just like getting chicken blood, and they shouted that they must show up to bring glory to Chairman Chiang's face. Add color.
At the Third Regiment's station, Di Gua was chewing betel nut while watching the training in the New Sixth Army camp in the distance. Seeing the New Sixth Army's training in full swing, Di Gua couldn't help but rolled his eyes and said: "Damn, these National Revolutionary Army seem to be After taking the Dahuan Dan, it seems that he really wants to make some noise, and even shouted to bring glory to Chairman Chiang Kai-shek, hehe, he is much more arrogant than before."
Ergazi said: "Diya, do you think their training is called training? Not to mention compared with Langya, even compared with the ordinary troops of the Third Regiment, it is still far behind."
After hearing Ergazi's words, Digua was very happy. Obviously, Ergazi's words touched Digua's heart, and Digua said: "Don't look at how these National Revolutionary Army are shouting for joy now. When they really get to the battlefield, we still have to look at it." Three groups of dogs, dogs that always bark never bite, and dogs that bite never bark."
"That's true, huh? Sweet potato, your comparison is inappropriate. Why are you comparing us three to dogs?"
Sweet potato chuckled, spit out the betel nut shell in his mouth, and said, "It's just an analogy."
"Sweet potato, I heard someone say yesterday that there will be another battle to fight recently." Ergazi said.
"Oh? Have you heard where we are going to fight?"
"It seems like an archipelago called Maria or something." Ergazi thought for a while and said.
"Oh, it's the Mariana Islands," said Digua.
"Yes, it's the Mariana Islands, Digua, have you heard of this island?" Ergazi asked.
Digua said: "The regiment leader has been crossing the map in the past few days. He said several times that the Americans were going to attack the Mariana Islands, so I knew about it."
Ergazi said: "Hey, it doesn't matter what island it is, as long as we have a war to fight and can kill the little devils."
"Yes, my hands are itchy after being here all day. It's time to kill some Japanese to relieve the itch." Digua clenched his fingers without moving, only to hear the crackling of his finger joints.
Just as the Chinese and American Allies were sharpening their swords, the little devil also got the news that the Chinese and American Allies were about to attack, so he began to strengthen the defense of the Mariana Islands area.
Due to the limited military strength in the Mariana area, the Japanese base camp planned to transfer the 3rd and 13th Divisions on the Chinese battlefield to the Central Pacific to strengthen the ground forces in the area. However, due to the tense fighting on the Chinese battlefield, this The two divisions were unable to escape from the Chinese battlefield for a while. The Japanese base camp had no choice but to transfer the 29th Division of the Kwantung Army stationed in Northeast China to Mariana. The Ministry of War also transferred eight newly formed detachments to the area. , Subsequently, the Japanese base camp reorganized all army units in the Central Pacific region into the 31st Army, with a total strength of approximately 60,000.
The Japanese plan was good, but several Japanese commanders in the Mariana Islands were worried, especially Saito Tsuyoshi, the commander of the 43rd Division, who had a sad look on his face.
The old devil calculated that all the fortification plans would not be completed until November. At this time, only half of the work had been completed. There were almost no artillery bunkers, and neither mines nor barbed wire had been laid.
This old devil thought, why am I so miserable and stuck in such a hard job? If I had known this, I would have gone to the base camp to take care of myself and leave this damn island at all costs. Unfortunately, it is already too late now.
In order to protect the Mariana Islands, the Japs also fought hard. They merged the Second and Third Fleets to form the First Mobile Fleet, and assembled dozens of warships and nearly a thousand aircraft. This time the Japs really fought hard. to defend the Mariana Islands and the Caroline Islands to the death.
Although the Japanese dispatched so many warships and aircraft, compared with the wealthy U.S. Navy, the quantity and quality of the warships and aircraft were at an absolute disadvantage. More importantly, the little Japanese misjudged the purpose of the U.S. landing attack in the base camp. Location, they thought that the Americans would land in the Caroline Islands, so they neglected the defense of the Mariana Islands.
At this time, the Americans organized 130,000 people, hundreds of warships, and 2,000 aircraft, sharpening their knives, aiming directly at the Mariana Islands.
The Americans decided to capture Saipan first, and then Tinian and Guam. The rapid capture of Saipan was the key to this battle. Nimitz decided to put the newly trained Chinese Expeditionary Force into the battle on Saipan along with the U.S. Second Marine Division and the Fourth Marine Division.
After receiving the order, Xu Rui, Wang Yaowu and Liao Yaoxiang immediately organized their troops to board the American transport ship and headed for the Mariana Islands. In this battle, they wanted to tear a hole in the Japanese defense circle and prepare for the final landing in Japan. Lay the foundation.
Saipan is the second largest island in the Mariana Islands and has long been the economic and cultural center of the Mariana Islands. The Japanese have built three airports on Saipan. The Japanese 31st Army Headquarters and the Navy's Central Pacific Fleet Headquarters are located here. At this time, the force on the island is the 43rd Army Infantry Division. Together with other miscellaneous navy and army units, the total number is more than 40,000. Most importantly, commander Saito Jiyoshi still has more than 40 tanks in his hands.
Although these tanks are of average quality, in the eyes of Saito Tsuyoshi, they are baby bumps, ready to play a key role at critical moments.
Since the commander of the 31st Army is not on the island, the defense is actually responsible for the 43rd Division Commander Lieutenant General Saito Tsukiyoshi. Saito Jiyoshi knew that the prospect of this battle was bleak, but he still said to his men: "Saipan is the gateway to the empire. We must persist until the end, and we will never give up even if we fight to the death of every soldier!"
"But General, judging from the current situation, it is really difficult for us to hold on." An officer said.
"Then... let's live or die with Saipan." Saito Jiyoshi said...
At this time, the Chinese and American allied landing forces had gathered outside Saipan. They included the Second and Fourth Marine Divisions of the United States, as well as the New Sixth Army, the First Division of the Seventy-fourth Army, and Xu Rui's three regiments. In total, they were nearly One hundred thousand people and more than 200 battleships.
In the early morning of June 15, the ship carrying the attacking troops arrived in the waters of Saipan. Looking at the rolling mountains in the distance, Xu Rui stood on the warship and said, "It's another bloody battle."
"Commander, you are too pessimistic. Now we have absolute sea and air superiority, and the number of infantry is several times that of the Japanese. As long as we use the right methods, we should be able to take Saipan very soon." Huang Shouxin said .
"Soon?" Xu Rui shook his head. He knew that in history, it took the Americans half a month and paid a huge price to capture Saipan. Therefore, Xu Rui was not interested in this battle. There is an extravagant hope of a quick victory.
"Commander, the attack is about to begin. Our third regiment is taking the lead. This time, we want to show the little devil how powerful our third regiment is." Gao Chu said.
"Gao Chu, don't underestimate the enemy. After landing, you must pay attention to the enemy's firepower on the beach. In addition, the enemy likes to attack at night, so prepare more flares. Remember, you must let the soldiers protect themselves. The soldiers of our third regiment, all They are all treasures," Xu Rui said.
"Captain, don't worry, I, Gao Chu, am not one of those stupid young men who have never seen the world!"
"Whoosh~ whoosh~"
Countless cannonballs pierced the night sky and attacked the distant beaches from the sea. Everyone's hearts were shaken. They knew that the real battle was about to begin!
"David, tell the boys to hurry up. We can't let the Chinese take the lead. The first victory over Saipan must belong to our American army!"
On the transport ship, an American officer shouted.
"Colonel Smith, don't worry. We will land on the island before the Chinese. Don't forget, we have hundreds of tracked landing vehicles and amphibious tanks. Our speed is incomparable to the Chinese." Another major said.
"Damn, look, the Chinese have already set off. They are wading on foot to land on the beach. We take action immediately!"
"Go! Go! Go! Boys, we must land before the Chinese. This is an honor that belongs to us Americans!"
More than 600 tracked landing vehicles and amphibious landing vehicles immediately rushed to the beach. Later, more than 70 fighter planes from the US military escort aircraft carrier also took off to suppress the Japanese defenses with air defense fire. The gunboats organized in the landing craft fleet 40mm artillery was used to provide accompanying fire support, while amphibious tanks cleared the obstacles set up by the Japanese on both sides and in the middle of the track-mounted team, and covered the landing vehicles ashore.
At this moment, the Japanese discovered the landing of the Chinese and American coalition forces, and immediately launched a bombardment of the beach landing site with fierce artillery fire. The war had begun...