Novel:
Mariko and Takashi - Youth Dedicated to the Liberation of Asia
Part 1: The Liberation of Singapore
Author: Yutaka Anno
▼Landing in front of Kota Bharu
Though it was just one eyeball, it contained so much blood. Droplets of blood were dripping and staining the sand red. Each grain of sand stuck together, forming clumps with the soldier's blood acting as the adhesive. If each grain of sand represents a resident of East Asia, can the residents of Asia only unite and achieve independence through the bloodshed of Imperial soldiers?
One eyeball, forcefully ejected from the skull, snagged its nerve fibers on a nearby tree branch, swaying in the wind. One lens cracked radially on the ground, and the bent round glasses frame rolled around. The other lens and eyeball seemed to have been sent flying somewhere.
The wind blowing through Pantai Sapa's beach causes the blood-soaked eyeball to sway even more, as if the owner of this eyeball, having died prematurely, is asserting itself by intensifying the movement. No matter how brave and gallant the Imperial soldiers may be, they wouldn't want to die like this. Even the gods would not be pleased. Limbs are severed, and the right leg and left hand are gone from the roots. The head is shattered, scattered with the crushed helmet, and the right arm, still clutching the twisted Japanese sword, is lying in the sand. This sword was most likely a cherished ancestral sword handed down from the soldier's family, but its sheathing duty has already fulfilled its role. It belonged to a now-disappeared owner. No identification tag is found. The monk's robe should be draped over the upper body with a hemp cord, but it seems to have been sent flying somewhere, or rather, the torso itself is gouged, with only the skin remaining, making it impossible to confirm the identification tag. Only a few epaulets remain, suggesting the appearance of an officer. It seems like the leader of the assault squad standing at the forefront. Who is this officer? It is incredibly unfortunate to die on the first day of landing and also at the waterfront. He may have vowed for a long and prosperous military career and left his hometown, but this is not a death in vain. What was the purpose of the arduous training? When I pay my respects to the lifeless scattered bodies, I crawl towards the coconut forest that spreads deeper into the sandy beach. Tracer rounds shoot overhead in a fan-shaped pattern, like the ribs of a fan. By raising my head a few centimeters, I should be pierced by a bullet. One tracer round is accompanied by four regular rounds. The number of rounds that can be seen exceeds five times the number of tracer rounds, flying through the air a few dozen centimeters above the ground. Each time, it leaves a supersonic after sound, cutting through the air with a "shun-shun."
This battle is a battle for the liberation of Asia. It is a battle to free the Asian residents who have been treated like slaves and livestock by the white people of Europe and America for hundreds of years and to return the colonies to the hands of East Asian residents. It is the East Asian Independence War. I feel sorry for the fallen comrades scattered on the sandbox, but I cannot pay much attention to the torn bodies. I have to move forward.
Enemy shells continue to land, raising sand clouds, and the bodies of Imperial soldiers are blown up by the sand clouds, flying in the air, losing parts of their bodies, and falling onto the sand.
One soldier sits crouched, burying his face in the sand. He cannot lift his head out of fear. Digging the sand with his helmet, he buries his head in the hole and stays still. I ordered him to move, but is he unable to hear my voice? He remains frozen and refuses to move. Even in the 18th Division Wabi Support Unit, known as the elite of the Imperial Army and having achieved honor on the front lines of the Malayan campaign, there are soldiers who stop moving due to the intense artillery fire. It's probably their first actual combat. I overlook this soldier and continue to crawl forward.
When I looked back after a while, I saw that the soldier from earlier had been completely obliterated, perhaps from a direct hit by a British 25-pound shell.
On the other side of the sandy beach, there is a coconut grove. From the concrete bunkers built there, the British barrage us with intense gunfire. Tracer rounds fly, countless flares are launched into the air and descend while swaying on parachutes. Looking up at the sky, it's beautiful as if it were a fireworks display, but on the ground, it's hell. This is already fireworks display reflecting hell. Underneath these fireworks, one by one, Imperial Army landing craft and small landing boats rush to the shore, and soldiers wearing bayoneted Type 38 infantry rifles, which seem to reach to their height, burst out and start running towards the coconut grove. Some soldiers bow down to avoid bullets, while others are struck by bullets and become motionless. However, the surviving soldiers continue to close in on the coconut grove.
Whether it's the running soldiers or the shelling shells, the entire air on the sandy beach is enveloped in sand dust. The Imperial soldiers release smoke grenades as they steadily head towards the bunkers. There was no need to deliberately choose such a concentrated point for the landing site, but perhaps there was some strategic objective, or maybe there was no other suitable coastline for the landing operation.
In front of the coconut grove, multiple layers of barbed wire are laid out. The vanguard has already started clearing the barbed wire with the cutters in their hands, but due to the concentrated crossfire from the enemy, those soldiers are falling one after another, their bodies piling up, overlapping, as if forming a human bridge on the wire.
▼Instruction
Since departing from the port of Sanya on Hainan Island, the soldiers have been anxious about where they are being taken. Some say it's just an exercise, while others say it's a replacement for the Japanese troops stationed in French Indochina. There are even some who rejoice, saying that if it's stationed in French Indochina, they can become close with Vietnamese girls, so there would be nothing better. However, some soldiers have a premonition that if they are carrying complete equipment, including ammunition, fuel, and provisions that can sustain them for several days of combat, not to mention tanks and heavy artillery, then it wouldn't be just an exercise. Some soldiers predict that they are advancing north from Northern French Indochina to Southern Support. It was the third day since leaving Sanya Port, the day before the landing. The unit commander gathered the soldiers on the deck of the transport ship Awaji Mountain Maru and gave them instructions. It was at that moment that the soldiers were finally informed of their destination.
"Our 18th Division (Kurume) is a glorious and strong unit with the unit’s name 'Chrysanthemum Unit' granted by the emblem of the chrysanthemum, but now we have received a great mission and eagerly embarked on a splendid plan aimed at the south. This operation is viewed as a holy war, aimed at rectifying the perceived unjust actions of the British, American, and Dutch, who have long invaded, annexed, and exploited Asia. This is based on Japan's national policy of 'Hakkou Ichiu,' which translates to 'Eight Corners of the World Under One Roof'. Its significance and mission are truly profound and profound, a manifestation of the sublime and grand imperial dynasty and the establishment of a new order by Asians under the East Asian Prosperity Sphere. The success or failure depends on your diligent efforts and struggles.
The mission given to our division this time is to capture Singapore, the key to the British Empire, and cut off the lifeblood of the British Empire. The distance from the landing point to Singapore is a long march of 1,000 kilometers. It is expected that there will be various natural or artificial obstacles along the way, but if we t achieve a rapid advance, it will give the enemy an opportunity for counterattack.
You all will fully demonstrate our army's expertise in mobility, swiftly capturing and conquering Singapore by breaching obstacles, seizing the initiative, and annihilating American and British imperialism within a short period of time. In the early stages, rush forward with determination, as a swift advance is the best strategy to force the enemy to abandon their will to fight.
Considering that the enemy forces in this campaign are composed of mixed ethnicities, and their leadership consists of weak white ethnicities such as the British and Dutch, their combat capabilities likely pale in comparison to even the French Indochina Army. With the elite troops of our distinguished division, adorned with brilliant military achievements and traditions, victory is surely within reach. Plan strategically, act with courage and wisdom, thoroughly annihilate the enemy in the early stages with relentless vertical attacks, swiftly capitalize on the results, and charge forward to achieve the objectives of a single-strike operation.
Expose the weaknesses of the enemy's Asian troops composed of mixed ethnicities, and surely their unity will weaken and their will to fight will be lost, with the hope of breaking free from the shackles of the white race. Such native militia should be immediately brought under the umbrella of the Imperial Army, making subsequent command and control of operations extremely easy. The importance of the early stages in this operation cannot be overstated. t forget this and strive with discipline, to demonstrate the true worth of the Imperial Army with strict military discipline, benevolence, and to uphold the ideals of the Emperor's path without any regret.
The inhabitants of the operational area for this campaign have been oppressed and exploited by white people for centuries, and they eagerly hope for salvation by the dominant Asian power, Japan. As soldiers, you should proudly hold on to the aspiration of being the liberators, demonstrating your formidable power and earning respect and admiration from the local people. This will bring about a new era and they should be treated with kindness and mercy, regardless of their race, just like surrendering enemy soldiers. Especially for the surrendering native troops, we should take them in and utilize them, inspiring them with the eternal path of the Emperor.
Pay attention to hygiene and disease prevention, making every effort to mitigate the specific dangers of this savage and tropical region. This area is subject to scorching heat and frequent torrential rain. Moreover, epidemic diseases are rampant, requiring strict consideration for hygiene. With a strong emphasis on personal hygiene, under an energetic fighting spirit, the disease will be overwhelmed and the maximum combat power will always be achieved. Additionally, considering the abundance of dangerous animals and insects in this region, extra caution should be taken to prevent unforeseen harm.
The purpose of this operation by our division is to support and promote the Emperor's plan to establish the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, pioneering the hearts of the Yamato people and ultimately liberating them from white tyranny. The entire Japanese nation, as well as other Asian ethnicities, place their hopes on your shoulders. Remember the weight and importance of this mission, carry out the sacred teachings, demonstrate the greatness of this operation, abide by the Emperor's imperial mandate, and create a history for the century that fulfills the expectations of millions of people. Your lives are entrusted to the Great Marshal."
Upon hearing these instructions, the soldiers were informed for the first time that this expedition was not just for training or relief, but the beginning of the Asian Liberation War to overthrow white imperialism. The upper deck of the Awaji San Maru was filled with cheers. Finally, the time had come to strike back against the tyranny inflicted by the Americans and the British since Perry's arrival. The soldiers blushed with excitement, embracing each other in jubilation.
