บท 424: Chapter 424: Southeast Asia’s Little Overlord
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Hardy dispatched troops to strike Indonesia's naval and air bases, leading to the complete destruction of Indonesia's navy and air force overnight.
The Indonesian president was outraged.
Calls to attack Penang, Malacca, and Singapore grew louder, and for a while, the situation in Southeast Asia became highly tense.
Within Indonesia, two opposing views emerged regarding the Hardy Dominion.
One faction, driven by a desire for retaliation, argued that with the Hardy Dominion and Indonesia separated only by a strait, it would be feasible to launch an invasion despite the loss of the navy. Even if fishing boats and freighters were used to transport troops, sending 100,000 soldiers would likely overcome the relatively small forces in the Hardy Dominion.
The opposing faction held a different perspective. Firstly, the Hardy Dominion was considered a British possession, and an attack on it could be viewed as a declaration of war against the United Kingdom. Was Indonesia prepared to face the consequences of such a conflict? Secondly, despite the Hardy Dominion's smaller army, Indonesia's loss of its navy and air force left it vulnerable. The Hardy Dominion had several destroyers, frigates, and torpedo boats, and its naval presence in the Strait of Malacca would make troop transport difficult. Additionally, the Hadi Dominion had over 200 aircraft, demonstrating significant air power. A full-scale assault without the ability to decisively win could lead to catastrophic results.
Furthermore, the British garrison in Malaya included 7,000 troops and two ships. An attempted invasion could face fierce resistance and might not succeed.
After considering these viewpoints, the Indonesian president calmed down.
Half a day later, the Indonesian government declared a state of emergency, attributing the attack on their naval and air bases to the Hardy Dominion. They also sent a telegraph to the British government, requesting their stance on the situation and inquiring if they were prepared to engage in war with Indonesia. Additionally, Indonesia filed a complaint with the United Nations against the Hardy Dominion for initiating the conflict and secretly informed Moscow, requesting assistance.
The news of the Hardy Dominion's aerial assaults quickly spread worldwide, causing a stir.
Many wondered if another conflict in the Far East was imminent. Previously, the region had experienced unrest, and now the Hardy Dominion was in conflict with Indonesia.
Detailed reports revealed that the Hardy Dominion had the upper hand, with its planes destroying Indonesia's navy and air force. Without these military branches, Indonesia's foreign combat capabilities were severely compromised. Even though Indonesia's army was larger, it would be ineffective without air and naval support.
Indonesia attempted to gain sympathy through propaganda, but their efforts were overshadowed by the Hardy Dominion's Global Times, a leading global newspaper. The Global Times had previously reported negatively on Indonesia, highlighting issues such as economic exploitation and lack of freedom, which tarnished Indonesia's image.
Hardy's own publicity efforts painted the conflict as one of retaliation. The Global Times reported that Indonesia had enacted exploitative laws against Hardy's investments and had failed to address the violence against Hardy's operations and its citizens. The article accused the Indonesian government of orchestrating the violence and failing to punish those responsible. The subsequent conflict involved mercenaries retaliating against Indonesian military camps, further escalating tensions. Indonesia's response was to blockade the Strait of Malacca, affecting international shipping, which led to the bombing of Indonesian bases by Hardy's mercenaries as a warning.
The Global Times described the destruction of over 30 warships and 60 aircraft as a minor warning, highlighting the severity of the situation.
At the United Nations, discussions turned heated. Indonesia's representative demanded compensation and an explanation from the Hardy Dominion, while the British representative dismissed the claim, attributing the actions to the autonomous behavior of the Hardy Mercenary Corps. The British Empire, although diminished, was still a powerful entity, and its support for Hardy was clear.
The British representative warned that any military action against British territories, including Penang, Malacca, and Singapore, would be regarded as a declaration of war against the United Kingdom. Indonesia was thus deterred from escalating the conflict.
The United States expressed concern over the situation but offered no substantial support to Indonesia. The U.S. official's vague statements suggested a preference for restraint and dialogue rather than direct involvement. The United States, with its significant military presence in Japan and South Korea, was prepared for potential escalation but did not indicate a willingness to intervene directly.
The Soviet Union, despite promising support, faced limitations in its ability to project power overseas. The Soviets' warning to Indonesia was severe but lacked tangible military backing. The Soviet Union's focus on domestic issues and the challenge of logistics made substantial intervention unlikely.
In response, Hardy remained untroubled. Unlike the peninsula conflict from the previous year, where Soviet involvement was minimal, Southeast Asia presented fewer risks. The United States and Britain were prepared for potential escalation, but the geographical distance and the Soviet Union's limitations reduced the likelihood of direct intervention.
As Hardy continued its campaign of aerial harassment, Indonesia faced daily disruptions. The frequent overflights of Jakarta and other cities by Hardy's aircraft, although not resulting in constant bombardment, created a climate of fear and uncertainty. The Indonesian government struggled to maintain normalcy amidst the ongoing psychological warfare.
Indonesia's attempts to counter the threat, including seeking Soviet support and engaging in diplomatic efforts, proved insufficient. The lack of substantial international assistance left Indonesia vulnerable to Hardy's relentless harassment.
In the end, the conflict demonstrated Hardy's dominance in Southeast Asia, marking it as a significant regional power despite its relatively small size. Hardy's actions effectively established it as the "Little Overlord" of Southeast Asia.
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