Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 187



Only Krnovel

#Episode 187 We will defend Haenam Island until the end!

“Oh, this can’t be right!”

“… … .”

Haikou is the shortest distance from the Guizhou Peninsula, making it the largest city in Hainan.

Bai Chongxi was shocked when he received the urgent report that the South Korean expeditionary fleet had appeared.

I had already received notification from my home country.

A larger fleet than expected was coming, so I told them to put aside their pointless stubbornness and retreat.

But when I actually saw it, it was beyond my imagination.

Aren’t there huge steel ships lined up so densely that you can’t even see the sea?

I was shocked just by looking at it.

Of the 130 ships in the Korean expeditionary fleet, more than two-thirds consisted of transport ships and support ships such as LSTs, Liberty ships, and Victory ships, but from a distance, they all appeared to be combat ships.

That’s why its majesty seemed even more amazing.

“S-commander, this is too much.”

“That’s right! “No matter how advantageous it is that we are in a defensive position, we cannot withstand a large fleet of this size!”

“you’re right!”

“… … .”

The staff, appalled by the huge size of the Korean expeditionary fleet, unanimously declared that they could not resist.

“… … .”

Bai Chongxi said nothing.

Then, an impatient aide came to the rescue.

“Commander!”

“noisy! “The Koreans aren’t attacking right away, so why all the fuss!”

“but… … .”

“Once they contact me, I listen to what they say and then decide.”

“… … .”

That’s when I returned to the headquarters in the rear of Haikou.

Jump up!

Bai Chongxi’s office opened and staff rushed in.

“what?”

“Commander! “They’re broadcasting on the radio!”

“what? “By radio?”

“Please listen.”

The adjutant hurriedly turned on the radio in the office.

―Chiek! I am the Fleet Commander of the Republic of Korea’s Southern Expeditionary Fleet!

Our fleet has come to take over Hainan Island and the Guizhou Peninsula area ceded by the People’s Republic of China in accordance with legal procedures.

To the armed forces currently illegally occupying the territory of our Republic of Korea, listen!

We inform you that if you do not surrender by 12:00 noon on December 30, 1951, local time, we will inevitably use force and the responsibility for this lies entirely with the illegal armed forces.

Additionally, residents of Hainan Province, especially those living in the Haikou area, are prohibited from passing through, and must never approach areas where illegal armed forces are stationed!

And access to ports and major infrastructure is also prohibited!

Repeat!

I am the Fleet Commander of the Republic of Korea’s Southern Expeditionary Fleet!

Our fleet… … .

“… … “Stop turning it off.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Even though the radio was turned off, Bai Chongxi’s office was quiet, and the staff just stared at Bai Chongxi’s mouth.

That’s about 10 minutes.

Bai Chongxi’s mouth opened.

“What time is it?”

“It was a little after 4 p.m.”

“So there are about 44 hours left?”

“That’s right.”

“I get it. There’s still time, so think about it some more. Concentrate the troops in Haikou and continue inspecting the coastal batteries.”

“All right.”

“Let’s go out now. I’m tired. Oh, my subordinates must have also heard the radio, so there will be some commotion. “Good luck with the crackdown.”

“All right.”

When the staff left, Bai Chongxi closed his eyes.

Let’s think calmly.

According to information provided by Cheonburei, there were approximately 30,000 Marines in the fleet, including 4 aircraft carriers.

It was undoubtedly the largest fleet since the end of World War II.

But would it be possible to occupy Haenam Island with that many troops?

The number of troops he brought with him was over 50,000, and the number of troops he conscripted locally and made hastily was about 30,000.

In total, there were 80,000, which was 50,000 more than their 30,000 marines.

There are 50,000 elite troops, all armed with weapons provided by the United States.

There were over 100 M4 Sherman tanks and over 300 155mm towed guns.

Moreover, Haenamdo is an island.

Since there was a natural defense called an island, the Koreans would have to make a huge sacrifice if they were to land.

This was clear even when looking at the United States’ hardships in the Pacific theater.

The U.S. military had to make countless sacrifices to occupy islands such as Guadalcanal and Tara, which were nothing more than boogers compared to Haenam Island.

Later on, perhaps as they gained experience, they were able to occupy it with relatively little sacrifice.

On the other hand, Haenamdo is a large island.

The area was over 33,000㎢ and the population was 2.5 million.

Could it be that Koreans, not the US military, could occupy such a large island?

Although their firepower appears to be great, it cannot be compared to the US military.

In that case, it was reasonable to assume that the defense of Haenam Island would be possible.

The problem is next.

If we stop this invasion by the Koreans, they will not attack again, at least for the time being.

No matter how well they are doing recently, they are not America.

Anyone can see that it is a common belief that in order to attack an island the size of Haenamdo, you have to be at the level of the U.S. military.

But what about after that?

Unfortunately, he did not have the strength to occupy the Neuju peninsula with his own troops.

Because it was a continent, there was no ability to protect it.

In the end, we have to plan for the future based on only Haenam Island. This doesn’t matter because it is a land with enough land to be self-sufficient in food, but the problem is that there is no way to receive military support.

In that case, he has to bow to Chiang Kai-shek again, but will Chiang shake off the pressure of the Koreans and help him?

Anyway, from the moment he refused the summons order, he should be considered to have become virtually independent from Chiang Kai-shek, right?

However, it does not mean that there is no possibility of training.

Not only Chiang Kai-shek, but also all elements of the government were extremely opposed to the Koreans swallowing Hainan Island and the Leizhou Peninsula.

If so, he would be angry at himself for refusing orders right now, but if he could just stop this invasion, Chiang Kai-shek would change his mind.

Although they would not be able to support themselves openly due to pressure from the Koreans, it was thought that they could at least provide support by sea covertly.

Anyway, even though Haenam Island is big, it is not big enough to be completely independent.

I didn’t think so myself in the first place.

Even if only semi-independence was achieved, this rebellion could be considered a success.

Then you look at the situation.

The Chiang Kai-shek he knew was never a person who would be satisfied with only three surnames.

Although he was in a hurry right now and agreed to end the war, he would increase his strength and pursue the north again, and when that happened, he would be needed again.

How many times have you resisted Chiang Kai-shek so far, but didn’t you forgive him because you needed his own ability and power?

If such a confusing situation occurs again, you will also have an opportunity.

A chance to rebuild Guangxi.

In this way, Bai Chongxi’s worries deepened.

December 28, 20:00.

On the expedition fleet flagship Hong Beom-do, Kim Jong-woo was having a conversation with his staff after finishing a meal.

“President, didn’t you give them too much time? “Couldn’t it have been better if I just told you to decide by tomorrow?”

“Do other people think that way too?”

“Well, it seems like they gave me a bit more leeway than I expected. “If they decide to resist, it may be time to prepare.”

“okay? “I don’t think so?”

“What do you think, President?”

“me? I intentionally gave myself some leeway. “You have time to think a lot.”

“yes? “If Bai Chongxi thinks a lot, is it to our advantage?”

“Hehehe! Yes, I hope Bai Chongxi thinks a lot. Because they must have been horrified at first when they saw the size of our fleet, right?”

“Of course, right?”

“But, that’s how humans are animals. Even if the shock is big at first, it will gradually fade over time. “Even if you feel like you have to surrender after seeing our fleet, as time goes by and you think about things, you’ll think it’s worth giving it a try.”

“Well, is that so?”

“Shall we make a bet?”

“No, I decline.”

There has never been a case where a bet was made with Kim Jong-woo and he won.

However, what Kim Jong-woo is saying is that Bai Chongxi is being deliberately induced to resist, which runs counter to the government’s policy.

“But President, isn’t that against our President’s policy? “Did you tell me to take over quietly like that?”

“ha ha ha! “It’s like these innocent friends.”

“yes?”

“Do you think I’m so blood-crazed that I’m deliberately trying to get Bai Chongxi to resist?”

“… … .”

“… … .”

They don’t say it, but everyone looks like they’re saying that’s true.

“Wow, these are really great!”

“Hum hum! “We didn’t say anything?”

“Noisy! Anyway, that’s not the case. “I am not some kind of human butcher.”

“Then why are you inducing combat?”

“I think this is a good opportunity.”

“yes? “What a good opportunity?”

“This is an opportunity to officially put the Kuomintang bastards to shame.”

“yes?”

“As everyone knows, the Kuomintang does not have good feelings towards our Republic of Korea. In a way, it’s natural. Think about it. What you mean is that just a few years ago, people who lived without a country have now become almost masters, right? “Would it feel good if it were like you guys?”

“That’s not true. To put it bluntly, wouldn’t Chiang Kai-shek or the Kuomintang think that our Republic of Korea is a barbarian who only paid tribute in the past?”

“bingo! That’s it! I mean, people get stomachaches when their cousin buys rice fields. But did the things they used to bow down to and offer as tribute become their masters? This is something that is difficult for them to tolerate. Especially the Chinese who think that the center of the world is only the Chinese people!”

“Hmm.”

“This is the same for both the Communist Party and the Nationalist Party. That’s why I’m going to take this opportunity to give it a try. “There’s a difference between vaguely thinking that getting hit will hurt and actually getting hit, right?”

“I understand what you mean, but there were instructions from the President and Minister Go Seok-man, right?”

“Fuhaha! Hey guys! “What kind of people are these people? Do you think they don’t know what’s going on?”

“yes?”

“The President spoke clearly. It means to do it ‘gently’. “Didn’t you ever tell me not to do that?”

“Is that what happens?”

“of course. Otherwise, no matter how much I asked, they wouldn’t have appointed me as fleet commander. Do you understand? They know it too. “We need to show the Kuomintang bastards an example at least once.”

“her… … .”

“What I’m saying to be quiet and gentle is to not harm civilians, and don’t kill too many people.”

“… … .”

It was strangely persuasive,

I don’t know if it’s real or not.

Anyway, the situation was progressing as Kim Jong-woo had predicted.

December 29th at 14:00.

Bai Chongxi made a decision after staying up most of the night.

“I have decided. “We will defend Haenam Island until the end!”

“Commander, please reconsider!”

“Listen more to me. No matter how strong the Koreans are, this is an island. No matter how much support you receive from aircraft carrier fighters and battleships, you must ultimately carry out an amphibious operation. But is the landing operation easy? “If it were that easy, would the US military, so powerful, have shed so much blood to occupy tiny islands?”

“… … .”

“Furthermore, even though the Korean fleet looks powerful, they are not American soldiers. We cannot occupy Haenam Island, which is guarded by 50,000 of our troops and 30,000 local conscripts. Do you understand? “We will definitely win this war.”

“… … .”

“And if we successfully prevent this invasion, we can use this as a base for future plans. For our future, we will fight and prove our skills. Did you understand?”

“All right!”

“Order all troops. “We must thoroughly prepare our defenses against artillery bombardment and air raids!”

“yes!”

In this way, Bai Chongxi crossed a line that should not be crossed.