บท 71: Chapter 69 Bombardment

--- 3rd Person POV ---

--- 2nd of April 1897 ---

--- Taiwan (Formosa) Island ---

As the situation in Tainan Prefecture continues to escalate into total warfare, the forces of Butuan are gradually capturing village after village in the southern region of the prefecture. Meanwhile, Colonel Bhairav Mishra, Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Reyes, and Lieutenant Colonel Vishal Sharma have made contact with the garrisoned Japanese soldiers in the northwestern part of the prefecture. This area hosts only a few hundred Japanese soldiers, significantly fewer than those encountered by Colonel Gupta and Colonel Rao.

Their encounter in the northwestern part of the prefecture, particularly in the Village of Matosho, revealed that they could advance further in their campaign while also assigning soldiers to secure the village. With a population of only 3-4 thousand and a garrison of 80-100 Japanese soldiers, they managed to take control of the village within an hour.

Following their success, Colonel Bhairav Mishra, Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Reyes, and Lieutenant Colonel Vishal Sharma's forces proceeded north and east, aiming to secure other villages in the area.

Before the success of Brigadier General Mingde Zhu's team could materialize, Brigadier General Li Yong and his entire force of 8 thousand soldiers set course for the coast of Taichu-Ken. Their landing wasn't smooth, however, as three naval vessels, all corvettes of the Imperial Japanese Navy, were currently docked at the bay of Gosei town.

The ships lay silently at the dock of the coastal town, resting after a day of traversing the sea. Even the civilians of Gosei town were fast asleep by this hour, especially since it was already 1:30 in the morning. Soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army were also asleep, with only five soldiers actively patrolling the town, on high alert for a possible attack by the Butuan Empire's forces.

By this time, neither distress signals nor warnings from the soldiers garrisoned in the Tainan Prefecture reached the ears of the island's leaders. The battle in Tainan Prefecture was still on the verge of commencing, and even the conflict where Colonel Gupta and Rao were engaged had not yet reached its climax.

Seizing this opportunity to weaken the forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy, Vice Admiral Chen Yi commanded his entire fleet of 15 ships to commence bombardment along the coast and the town of Gosei simultaneously. The bombardment not only roused the townspeople and soldiers but also completely obliterated the Japanese ships docked in the town's port, thereby reducing the likelihood of retaliation by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the area.

*BOOM*

Continuous rockfire shook the coast of Gosei, alerting everyone in the town. Even those situated at a distance from the firing range of the ship's cannons were awoken by the deafening explosions and slight tremors of the ground.

Chaos gripped the entire town as the bombardment by the Butuanon Imperial Navy persisted. Children cried, adults dashed back and forth, striving to rescue their loved ones from the onslaught. Houses collapsed near the coast, while others blazed, adding to the glow emitted by the burning three ships of the Imperial Japanese Army.

One by one, boats departed from the vessels of Vice Admiral Chen Yi, as Brigadier General Yong Li's team headed towards the town's coast. The once serene and tranquil shoreline now teemed with light emanating from the blazing ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, as well as from the town of Gosei. Screams of fear, panic, pain, agony, and anger reverberated throughout the entire town. And amidst it all, two smiling figures, Vice Admiral Chen Yi and Major General Antonio Luna, watched the engulfing fire with satisfaction, paying no heed to the cries of the civilians struck by their bombardment.

In their perspective, sacrifices are deemed necessary for the success of a battle. Moreover, it wasn't their own people who suffered or perished; it was the enemy forces. Hence, Vice Admiral Chen Yi and Major General Luna found no reason to harbor guilt while witnessing the plight of the people of Gosei town.

After securing Brigadier General Yong Li's soldiers on the coast of Gosei town, Vice Admiral Chen Yi and Major General Luna departed, leading the entire fleet of 15 ships away from the town's shores towards their destination: Taihoku-Ken, Taihuko City.

By this time, an emergency telegraphic message had already been dispatched by the town's leader to the central government in Tokyo and Taihoku City. The message informed them of the town's siege by an unknown adversary, which had been destroying ships currently docked along the coast. Additionally, the town's leader requested reinforcements, citing uncertainty regarding the size of the invading force.

The sudden attack by the fleet of Vice Admiral Chen Yi and the invasion of soldiers from Butuan have thrown some of the Japanese Empire's soldiers in the town into confusion. This confusion proves fatal, as retaliation from the Japanese side fails to materialize even after the first wave of Butuanon Imperial Army soldiers enters the town perimeter and begins firing guns toward the soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. Adding to the soldiers' confusion and shock are bullets seemingly fired by their comrades from unknown locations, shots actually originating from Butuanon Imperial Army soldiers armed with Kar98B rifles.

The streets are filled with burning houses, most of which are made of wood; some have collapsed after being hit. Screams echo throughout the entire area, and the streets are littered with dead bodies—soldiers from the Japanese side, civilians including children, women, and men—scattered like garbage.

The bombardment was devastating, consuming 350 rounds of ammunition from the ships themselves, leaving the entire coastal area of the town unrecognizable. Soldiers under Brigadier General Yong Li advanced into the town, engaging every Japanese soldier they encountered. By this time, the Japanese soldiers had already regrouped and began organizing resistance against the advancing forces of Butuan. They discerned the invading soldiers after one of their own managed to escape and spotted the flag carried by an enemy soldier.

The echoing shots of gunfire reverberated throughout the town. Soldiers sought cover in houses and behind trees, momentarily calming the chaos of the encounter. Despite the relentless push for advancement by Brigadier General Yong Li's group, the Japanese forces retaliated fiercely, unwilling to be overwhelmed by the soldiers of Butuan. Despite their smaller numbers, the Japanese retaliated with impressive coordination and armament, surpassing their response in the Tainan Prefecture.

The town of Gosei holds significant importance as the foremost urban center in the prefecture. Serving as a hub for maritime trade, Gosei substantially contributes to the island's economy, particularly through its exchanges with Hainanese and Chinese traders. This pivotal role led Governor-General Nogi Maresuke to station a contingent of five thousand Japanese soldiers in the prefecture, along with artillery units and ships. Unfortunately, the ships were destroyed during bombardment, leaving only the soldiers and artillery.

For Governor-General Nogi Maresuke, Gosei Town's economic significance and strategic value for protection are paramount. He believed that the fall of Gosei Town could trigger a cascading effect, leading to the defeat of the entire Japanese Empire forces on the island. Both Gosei and Taihoku City are pivotal to the island's survival.

"Governor-General, we must take immediate action. The fall of Gosei town into enemy hands would be akin to severing one of our vital limbs. The town's port, a significant contributor to our trade, holds strategic importance in monitoring the activities of the Qing Empire. Allowing it to succumb to our adversaries in this sudden siege would undoubtedly be devastating," urgently declared a senior officer to Governor-General Nogi Maresuke. The governor-general sat behind his office table in Taihoku City, contemplating the urgent plea, aimed at persuading him to dispatch reinforcements to Gosei town.

This plea prompted Governor-General Nogi Maresuke to reflect for a moment, considering the potential courses of action in response to the distress signal from the forces in Gosei. Yet, what perplexed Governor-General Nogi Maresuke was the identity of the assailants and their objectives.

Governor-General Nogi Maresuke's confusion was dispelled when a soldier abruptly entered his office and delivered a bombshell of a report.

"Governor-General! We have bad news!" the soldier exclaimed in distress and panic upon entering the governor-general's office. Both Governor-General Nogi Maresuke and Major General Sato Jinichiro paused, awaiting the soldier's report.

"What's happened? Spit it out," Major General Sato Jinichiro said in an annoyed tone, indicating that neither he nor Governor-General Nogi Maresuke were in the mood for jokes or false reports.

The words of Major General Sato roused the soldier, prompting him to immediately deliver his report. "Two telegraphic messages have just arrived, Governor-General. One is from the village of Tainan, while the other is from the village of Hozan. Both messages contain distress calls for reinforcement and assistance. The villages are currently under attack by the forces of the Butuan Empire, who have brought weapons and thousands of soldiers. Given the urgency conveyed in the messages, there's a possibility that they won't last long, Governor-General," the soldier continued, still panting slightly.

The messages shed light on the attack that took place in the township of Gosei. Now, Governor-General Nogi Maresuke understands why the soldiers of Gosei needed reinforcement. Considering the formidable strength of the Butuan Empire, crushing the soldiers in Gosei would be an easy task for them.

Unlike others, Major General Sato and Governor-General Nogi hold the Butuan Empire in much higher regard in terms of military might. They both understand that Japan would not stand a chance against the soldiers and military technology of Butuan. However, before Major General Sato and Governor-General Nogi could even recover, another report arrived stating that towns in the northwestern part of Tainan-Ken were under attack by Butuan forces.

Realizing that they could not ask for help from forces in the south of the island, Governor-General Nogi finally made his decision.

"Send reinforcements to the town of Gosei: 2 ships and 3 thousand soldiers. We need to at least save the town of Gosei before we start our campaign to retake the southern part of the island," Governor-General Nogi stated seriously, receiving a nod from Major General Sato in satisfaction.

Upon receiving a telegraphic message from the officer in Gosei town detailing the events unfolding across the island's other towns, Governor-General Nogi Maresuke swiftly deployed reinforcements. He ordered the immediate dispatch of 3,000 soldiers, thereby reducing the garrisoned troops in Taihoku to a mere 7,000. Additionally, he arranged for the deployment of two naval ships to provide transportation and support to the forces stationed in Gosei, leaving only three ships in Taihoku. This decision marked a significant gamble for Governor-General Nogi Maresuke, as the acquisition of ships proved challenging, especially given reports suggesting that the remaining vessels of the Japanese empire could be counted on just four hands. This posed a considerable disadvantage against the formidable naval armada of Butuan.

Despite the risks, Governor-General Nogi Maresuke found himself compelled to take action, believing that reinforcing Gosei was a far more prudent strategy than simply waiting and bolstering their forces in Taihoku.

In the early hours of the morning, around 2 am, two ships from the Imperial Japanese Navy departed from the port of Taihoku and set course toward Gosei town as reinforcements. On board were 3,000 soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army, along with artillery units, ammunition, and guns - all essential supplies for battle. The atmosphere among the passengers aboard the ships was a blend of nervousness and confusion.

Some were perplexed as to why they were chosen for the mission when there were already garrisoned soldiers in the surrounding villages of Gosei town. Unbeknownst to them, Governor-General Nogi Maresuke had initially planned to seek reinforcement from the neighboring villages and towns for Gosei. However, his plans were thwarted upon receiving distress signals from the very towns and villages he intended to call upon.

This is one of the reasons why Governor-General Nogi Maresuke reluctantly dispatched two ships and 3,000 soldiers towards Gosei town. While some were bewildered, others were gripped by fear, as many of them would be entering a battle for the first time. The majority had anticipated a peaceful enlistment in the military, particularly in the island of Formosa, but their expectations were shattered, leaving them internally uneasy. Some even trembled with apprehension.

One soldier went so far as to comment that if he survived this ordeal, he would request a transfer back to Japan, believing that the main islands of Japan offered a much calmer and more peaceful environment compared to other regions under the control of the Japanese Empire. His sentiments resonated with others who shared similar thoughts, yearning for a peaceful life as soldiers back in their hometowns. This, in some way, lifted the spirits of certain soldiers within the Imperial Japanese Army.

Their plans were abruptly interrupted by an explosion. A vessel of the Imperial Japanese Navy, en route to Gosei town, was struck by a torpedo launched from the Barko ng Emperyo ng Butuan (BEB) Mahati. The torpedo struck the ship's bow, penetrating the ammunition compartment and triggering a devastating explosion that tore a gaping hole in its front section. The sound of fear, pain, agony, and disbelief reverberated throughout both the lower and upper decks of the vessel.

Soldiers on board, both above and below deck, succumbed to panic, unsure of what actions to take in the chaos that ensued. In their final moments, they bore witness to the harrowing sight of their comrades' screams of terror, the relentless explosions tearing through the ship, the rapid spread of engulfing flames, and the ghastly sight of fallen comrades strewn about in unspeakable conditions. This was the grim reality that confronted most of the soldiers before darkness enveloped them once more, another explosion ripping through the vessel and claiming their lives, while others were cast into the unforgiving sea, cruelly divided into two.

As the confrontation unfolded, the remaining ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy attempted to retaliate by launching torpedoes and firing shots at the 15 vessels comprising the Butuanon Imperial Navy. However, their efforts proved futile, managing only to strike one support ship of the Butuanon Imperial Navy. While achieving parity in ship numbers between Butuan and Japan would have been a noteworthy accomplishment, reality often proves to be unjust.

Despite successfully hitting and sinking a ship from the Butuanon Imperial Navy, there was no sense of celebration among the soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The destruction of the support ship failed to elicit any joy, as Vice Admiral Chen Yi, consumed by rage, promptly ordered his entire fleet to unleash all torpedoes on the remaining vessel of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

"Calm yourself, Vice Admiral," Major General Luna calmly interjected, his gaze fixed on the burning support ship of the Butuanon Imperial Navy.

The silence in the control room is palpable, as most of the soldiers remain in shock after witnessing one of their support ships explode, now engulfed in flames. The soldiers are not only startled by the explosion but also by the realization that it could have been their own ship, as the burning support vessel of the Butuanon Imperial Navy lies adjacent to theirs. The odds were against them, but luck favored their survival.

"Damn it! Release the torpedoes! These monkeys need to be put in their place for this!" Vice Admiral Chen Yi roars in anger, disregarding the words of his friend, Major General Luna, as he commands his entire fleet to unleash fire upon the remaining enemy vessel.

Vice Admiral Chen Yi's fury stems from his intention to complete this campaign with all 15 of his ships intact. Despite the fact that the support ship that exploded, carrying 700 soldiers, was just one of the vessels under his command, the loss of both the soldiers' lives and the ship itself drove him to madness.

He and Major General Luna were actually celebrating after successfully targeting one of the ships of the Japanese Empire, which was bound for Gosei town. However, they were caught off guard by the retaliation of the remaining ship.

*BOOM!*

An explosion occurred as the remaining ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy was hit by torpedoes. Unlike the first ship, which exploded and allowed time for a partial evacuation, the remaining ship suffered even more. After being struck by the torpedoes, a massive explosion ensued, transforming the once singular vessel into two disjointed halves. The explosion not only claimed the lives of the Japanese Empire's soldiers on board but also engulfed them in flames.

Upon witnessing the explosion, Vice Admiral Chen Yi took a moment to calm himself, inhaling deeply to regain composure. His composed reaction had a ripple effect, bringing a sense of relief to the entire control room, allowing the soldiers to finally exhale. Among the navy personnel under Vice Admiral Chen Yi's command, invoking the Admiral's anger was considered one of the gravest mistakes a marine soldier could commit. Even Major General Luna was acutely aware of this fact.

Vice Admiral Chen Yi is one of the most formidable figures within the Navy, and crossing paths with him is ill-advised. Known for swiftly seeking retribution, Vice Admiral Chen Yi doesn't hesitate to express his displeasure towards those who provoke him. One notable incident occurred during his tenure as a Commodore when he physically confronted an individual who had shown disrespect towards the Imperial Family's flag.

The severity of the altercation left the offending soldier nearly unrecognizable. However, due to Commodore Chen Yi's influential ties to the Clan of Liang, a cadet branch of the Imperial Clan Shaja, no official investigation was conducted. Since that incident, a palpable fear has enveloped those who would even consider finding themselves on the wrong side of Vice Admiral Chen Yi.

After gazing at the burning ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy for several minutes, Vice Admiral Chen Yi finally issued the command to resume their journey towards Taihoku, the capital of Formosa Island—where the current Japanese governor-general resides. As the remaining six ships of the Butuanon Imperial Army set sail for Taihoku, the light from the Japanese Empire's burning vessels gradually dimmed, silencing the cries of pain, desperation, and fear, casting a calm over the sea.

The failure of reinforcements to arrive, as requested by the soldier of the Imperial Japanese Army in Gosei, had a significant impact on the ongoing defense efforts. Despite their staunch resistance, the continuous fire from the soldiers of the Butuan Empire and the relentless shots from the wielder of the Karter 98B rifle made it impossible to keep the remaining 7,000 soldiers at bay in the northern part of the town, especially since their numbers had dwindled to a mere 2,500 soldiers.

But it wasn't just the soldiers from both camps were the victims of the battle. Countless numbers of Japanese and Formosan civilians were killed even during the bombardment from the ships of Vice Admiral Chen Yi. Bodies after bodies littered on the town's square and streets. The pungent smell of blood mixed with gunpowder dominated the air of the battle field.

A stark departure from what a typical night should have been. The once serene, tranquil, and joyous evening swiftly transformed into a nightmare. Families that were once whole now find themselves reduced to mere remnants: a son, a daughter, a mother, or perhaps a father, left to navigate the aftermath of the onslaught.

The conflict escalates, each passing moment painting the battlefield in deeper shades of crimson, claiming lives from both sides. The thunderous roar of artillery reverberates as casualties mount inexorably. There is scant evidence of surrender etched upon the faces of the opposing soldiers. The Imperial Japanese Army soldiers fight with a singular focus on survival, while the Butuanon Imperial Army remains steadfast in their resolve to reclaim their ancestral lands and exact vengeance for their fallen comrades, both before and during the ferocious battle.

A few minutes later, after the ships of Vice Admiral Chen Yi sailed toward Taihoku, they finally arrived. However, their arrival was not welcomed with open arms. The last three ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy in Formosa Island faced the arriving ships of Vice Admiral Chen Yi, attempting to intimidate the Butuanon Imperial Navy fleet. Instead of diminishing the morale of the soldiers of the Butuan Empire, it had the opposite effect.

Due to the meager remaining presence of the Imperial Japanese Navy in Formosa, soldiers from the Butuanon Imperial Navy and Army couldn't help but mock the Japanese for their pathetic state. Even Vice Admiral Chen Yi laughed at the thought of how few ships the Japanese Empire had left in Formosa.

Without warning, and despite the laughter just moments ago, torpedoes and gunshots erupted from both the Imperial Japanese Navy and the Butuanon Imperial Navy ships, shattering the silence that had enveloped Taihoku.

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(a/n: Hello everyone. I am not that really confident regarding this chapter. But I still hope you all will like this. Thank you for supporting me.)