northernbook Chapter 697: Landing in Nagasaki, the Place is Empty
Chapter 697: Landing in Nagasaki, the Place is Empty
Six days later, as the warships of the 101st Marine Division of the North Sea Fleet slowly approached Nagasaki Port, the sky was filled with a heavy sense of oppression, as if even the sea breeze was carrying the heaviness and sorrow of history. Nagasaki Port, once a prosperous and vibrant port, is now a devastated wasteland.
From afar, the port area was shrouded in billowing smoke and dust, with fire occasionally flickering in the ruins, like the embers of the gates of hell. Huge cargo ships and warship wreckage were scattered everywhere, some leaning on the shore like giant beasts swallowed by huge waves; others were half-sunken in the sea, their huge steel bodies appearing mottled under the erosion of seawater. The hulls were covered with bullet holes and charred, telling the tragic story of that devastating battle.
The port facilities were almost completely destroyed, the docks were shattered, and wooden boards, rails, and containers were scattered all over the ground, like a post-war ruin. The once busy loading and unloading area is now only charred wooden boards and twisted metal frames, lying there powerlessly, telling the story of its past glory and today's desolation.
On the shore, most of the buildings were reduced to rubble, with tall chimneys leaning or collapsing, bricks and rubble piled up like mountains, and burning ashes and lingering smoke everywhere. On the streets, the wreckage of vehicles could be seen everywhere, they were either overturned or burning, blocking the roads tightly.
The air was filled with the pungent smell of burning and gunpowder, and occasionally one could hear explosions in the distance and the roar of buildings collapsing. On the sea, all kinds of debris were floating, and oil covered part of the water, making the sea water turbid.
After deciding to abandon the Port of Nagasaki, Yamashita Tomoyuki personally ordered the destruction of this port, which had a history of half a century in Fuso and was the most important port in the Nagasaki region and even the entire Kyushu Island.
As the warships of the 101st Marine Division of the North Sea Fleet anchored in the distant sea, facing the completely destroyed Nagasaki Port, an unprecedented challenge was placed before them. The port area was filled with huge warship wreckage and ruins of large-tonnage ships, like a natural barrier, preventing large warships from directly docking. These ruins not only blocked the waterway, but also emitted a pungent smell, which made people feel daunted.
Faced with such a predicament, the soldiers of the 101st Division did not retreat. They quickly adjusted their battle plan and decided to use assault boats for landing operations. One assault boat after another shuttled through the waves, like silver arrows cutting through the sea, carrying the warriors towards the desolate coastline.
The sun was still shining brightly, shining on the empty and deserted land of Nagasaki, but the tranquility seemed strange. In order to completely prevent the enemy from using the port, Yamashita Tomoyuki not only blew up the port facilities, but also deliberately left these difficult-to-clean debris, setting up many obstacles for the enemy's landing. At the same time, he ordered the urgent relocation of millions of people in the Nagasaki area to Fukuoka in a short period of time, turning this once prosperous city into a ghost town in an instant, leaving only empty streets and silent buildings.
When the soldiers approached the shore in their speedboats, they could clearly see the desolate scene on the shore. Without the hustle and bustle of the past, Nagasaki seemed to be forgotten by time and became a corner abandoned by the war. Among the ruins, you can occasionally see some items that have not been evacuated abandoned on the roadside, silently telling the residents' haste and helplessness.
As the assault boats gradually approached the shore, the soldiers jumped into the sea and waded ashore. They quickly occupied advantageous terrain, built fortifications, and launched reconnaissance and search operations.
Nagasaki is famous for its vast plains and rich natural scenery. In this land, the main city of Nagasaki City and the three main counties of Qingfeng County, Changzhi County, and Jiudao County together constitute.
As the core of the entire Nagasaki region, Nagasaki City is located on a vast plain. Although it is surrounded by low mountains occasionally, the overall terrain is flat and open. The city not only has a unique geographical location, but also has become the economic, cultural and transportation center of the region with its vast area of about 1200 square kilometers. It is densely populated, with more than two million residents living and working here, enjoying the convenience and prosperity of city life.
Qingfeng County is located in the northeast of Nagasaki City. It is also mainly plains with an area of about 900 square kilometers. The land here is fertile and agriculture is developed. It is an important granary in the Nagasaki area.
Changzhi County is located to the west of Nagasaki City. Changzhi County is also dominated by plains, with a total area of about 600 square kilometers. Although it is relatively small in area, Changzhi County is famous for its unique geographical location and rich resources. There are both fertile land for agricultural production and rich mineral resources to support industrial development. Residents have taken advantage of these advantages to continuously promote economic and social progress, making Changzhi County an indispensable part of the Nagasaki region.
Jiudao County is composed of a series of flat islands connected to the mainland, with a total area of about 1000 square kilometers. These islands are connected to the mainland by bridges or ferries, making Jiudao County geographically closer to a large peninsula or archipelago plain. Jiudao County has a mild and humid climate and fertile soil, which is not only suitable for agricultural development, but also has rich marine resources.
In just seven days, Yamashita Tomoyuki demonstrated his extraordinary decisiveness and execution as a military leader. He was well aware of the threat that the approaching Chinese Expeditionary Force posed to Nagasaki and the entire strategic landscape, so he quickly launched a massive resident relocation plan, aiming to slow down or even defeat the enemy's offensive rhythm through the "empty city plan." This unprecedented large-scale migration not only tested Yamashita Tomoyuki's strategic vision, but also was an extreme challenge to his organizational ability.
As the order was quickly issued, every corner of the Nagasaki area responded quickly. With the efficient cooperation of the army and local governments, residents of Qingfeng County, Changzhi County, and Jiudao County packed their bags and set out on the road to Fukuoka. Although there were crowds of people on the road, the order was in good order. Every family and every village tried their best to keep their pace to ensure that the migration was completed in the shortest time. Yamashita Tomoyuki personally supervised the process to ensure that every link went smoothly without omission.
At the same time, the remains of Nagasaki Port still lie there quietly, like a silent guardian, witnessing the changes in history. But now, it is no longer a busy trading port, but a deserted battlefield. The surrounding villages and fields have also lost their former vitality, leaving only silence and desolation.
The commander of the 101st Division, Jia Zhengde, immediately reported the situation to the flagship Longteng, which was anchored in the distance, through encrypted communications. Jia Zhengde's voice was solemn, but firm: "Report to the commander, the entire Nagasaki Port and its surrounding areas, including all villages, have been confirmed to be empty. No traces of Fuso civilians or enemy troops have been found. We need to be vigilant to prevent the enemy from using ambushes or other tricks."
After receiving Jia Zhengde's report, Wang Junjie, commander of the First Fleet of the North Sea, responded quickly. He knew that although the urban area of Nagasaki was empty, the potential threat had not been completely eliminated. So, on the one hand, he ordered the 101st Division to continue advancing into the urban area of Nagasaki, while strengthening reconnaissance and vigilance to ensure that the team would not be ambushed by the enemy during the exploration process; on the other hand, he personally drafted a detailed report to inform Su Zhengyang of the latest situation in the Nagasaki area and request further instructions.