Anti-Japanese War: The whole world is a base vehicle

"Report to the commander, a fleet suddenly appeared in the waters near Qiongzhou Island!" A Japanese intelligence officer rushed into Terauchi Hisaichi's office in a panic. His footsteps were hurried and messy, bringing up a slight breeze that made the documents on the desk rustle.

The voice trembled slightly because of nervousness, like an autumn leaf shivering in a cold night.

When Terauchi Hisaichi heard the news, his already gloomy face instantly became even uglier, like the sky covered with dark clouds before a storm.

The pen in his hand slammed heavily on the desk with a "bang", and the pen holder shook a few times, and several brushes fell down crookedly.

"What did you say? What's going on? Didn't they say that the previous fleet had disappeared without a trace? How come it appears again?" His voice was low and full of anger, like a volcano about to erupt, with magma surging in the depths.

The intelligence officer was so frightened that he trembled all over, as if he was struck by an invisible electric current.

He quickly stood at attention and tried to make his voice sound steady, but there was still panic in his voice that was difficult to conceal: "Commander, our reconnaissance team has just confirmed that this fleet is large and well-equipped, and it looks like they are coming with bad intentions. We can clearly see from the telescope that those warships are brand new and shiny, and the muzzles of their guns are shining coldly."

Terauchi Hisaichi stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the office.

His footsteps were heavy and rapid, and every step seemed to be stepping on his tense nerves.

The shadow of the mysterious fleet immediately emerged in his mind. That fleet was like a mystery, suddenly appearing and suddenly disappearing. The Japanese army spent a lot of manpower and resources to investigate but found nothing.

For countless days and nights, intelligence personnel rushed around and reconnaissance ships shuttled across the vast ocean, but the fleet seemed to have merged into the depths of the ocean, without a trace.

Now, this fleet appeared again, is it demonstrating to them?
Or is there some bigger conspiracy?

Terauchi Juichi's brows were twisted into a knot, and his thoughts were rapidly circling through various possibilities.

"Is there any new progress in the previous investigation?" Terauchi Hisaichi stopped and asked the intelligence officer, staring at him.

His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, as if he wanted to dig the answer out of the intelligence officer's face.

The intelligence officer shook his head, a helpless look on his face, like a student stuck in a difficult problem: "Commander, we have searched almost all the surrounding waters and asked everyone who might know, but we still have no clue about the origin of that fleet. It's as if they fell from the sky. Those fishermen and merchant ships, we asked everyone but they know nothing."

Terauchi Shouichi frowned and snorted, "Falling from the sky? Humph, I think they must be related to the Freedom Army. The Freedom Army has been more and more active on various battlefields recently. They may have received some external support to have such confidence. Last time in the battlefield of western Yunnan, they seemed to have suddenly changed their equipment and their combat effectiveness increased greatly."

"But, Commander, we don't have any solid evidence to prove that they are related to the Free Army." The intelligence officer said cautiously, his voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"No evidence?" Terauchi Shouichi sneered, "When the previous fleet appeared, the activities of the Free Army became more frequent. Now this fleet has appeared again, and it is near Qiongzhou Island, which is an important strategic base for us. Do you think this is just a coincidence? This place controls the South China Sea shipping lanes. Once it is lost, the entire Southeast Asian war situation will be affected."

The intelligence officer didn't dare to speak anymore and could only lower his head, waiting for Terauchi Juichi's next instructions.

His head was lowered almost to his chest, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Notify Colonel Ono Kiyotaka and ask him to lead his troops to the waters of Qiongzhou Island immediately and closely monitor the fleet's every move. If you find any abnormalities, report to me immediately." Terauchi Hisaichi gave the order in a firm voice.

"Hello, Commander!" The intelligence officer saluted, turned around and hurriedly left the office.

His footsteps were so hurried that he almost bumped into the door frame. He adjusted his military cap in a panic and left quickly.

A few hours later, Colonel Kiyotaka Ono called to report.

"Commander, we have arrived at the waters of Qiongzhou Island and discovered the fleet. They don't seem to have any aggressive behavior, just wandering there. From the telescope, their crew is very calm, moving around the deck in an orderly manner." The voice of Colonel Ono Kiyotaka came from the other end of the phone, with the whistling of the sea breeze.

"Just wandering around?" Terauchi Hisaichi frowned. "What exactly do they want to do? Are they waiting for some opportunity? Colonel Ono Kiyotaka, you have to keep a close eye on them. Don't let them get any chance. If something goes wrong, you know the consequences."

"Yes, Commander. But..." Colonel Ono Kiyotaka seemed a little hesitant, with a hint of uneasiness in his voice.

"But what? Just say it if you have something to say!" Terauchi Juichi said impatiently, with obvious displeasure in his tone.

"Commander, I feel that the equipment and tactical style of this fleet are somewhat different from the enemies we have encountered before. Their ships look more advanced, and they have shown a high degree of coordination and professionalism during the voyage. I suspect that there is a more powerful force supporting them. Those warships have a very fast speed and are flexible in turning, which is not something that ordinary armed forces can have." Colonel Kiyotaka Ono expressed his concerns, his voice full of worry.

Terauchi Hisaichi was silent for a moment and said, "I have the same suspicion. No matter who is behind them, we cannot take it lightly. You continue to observe and report to me at any time if there is any new situation." He put down the phone, tapped his fingers on the table, and thought about countermeasures.

After hanging up the phone, Terauchi Juichi fell into deep thought. If this fleet was really related to the Freedom Army, and there was a powerful force behind it, then the situation would become more complicated and severe.

He must come up with a countermeasure as soon as possible, otherwise the Japanese war situation in Southeast Asia may be reversed.

If he fails again this time, his military career will probably be ruined.

Just then, there was another knock on the office door.

"Come in!" said Terauchi Juichi, his voice filled with fatigue and irritability.

A staff officer walked in with a document in his hand: "Commander, this is the latest intelligence we just received about the Free Army." His steps were light and a little nervous.

Terauchi Juichi took the document and quickly glanced through it. The words on the document were like dancing demons, making his face look uglier and uglier.

Intelligence shows that the Free Army has recently carried out large-scale military mobilization in multiple regions, and they seem to be preparing for a large-scale campaign.

Troops are gathering in western Yunnan and supplies are being transported in Guangxi. All signs indicate that a war is about to break out.

"It seems that the Freedom Army is going to take action." Terauchi Hisaichi threw the document on the table, "They are likely to use the power of this mysterious fleet to attack us. We must be fully prepared." There was a hint of anxiety in his eyes, he stood up and began to pace around the room again.

"Commander, what should we do?" the staff officer asked, with a hint of expectation in his voice, hoping to get clear instructions.

Terauchi Hisaichi thought for a while and said, "On the one hand, we need to strengthen the defense of Qiongzhou Island and send more warships and fighter planes to ensure the safety of our strategic strongholds. We need to transfer the most elite Third Fleet and the Fifth Air Brigade. On the other hand, we need to increase our reconnaissance of the Freedom Army and grasp their combat plans and deployments as soon as possible. We need to use all intelligence channels, bribe informants, and monitor communications. Also, we need to continue investigating the origins of this mysterious fleet. I need to know who they are and what their purpose is. We need to dig deep to find the clues."

"Yes, Commander, I'll arrange it right away." The staff officer saluted and left the office. His steps were hurried, with a sense of urgency.

In the next few days, the Japanese army strengthened its surveillance and defense of the waters around Qiongzhou Island.

On the coastline, anti-aircraft guns stand in rows, with their muzzles pointing straight to the sky; on the sea, patrol boats shuttle back and forth, stirring up white waves.

The troops led by Colonel Kiyotaka Ono remained highly vigilant at all times, closely following the every move of the mysterious fleet.

The soldiers stayed at their posts day and night, their eyes fixed on the telescopes, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

The Freedom Army is also making intensive preparations.

In the secret base, the lights were on, the commanders discussed battle plans day and night, and the map was filled with small red flags; the soldiers intensified their training, the sound of gunfire was endless, and they practiced various tactical moves.

One day, Colonel Kiyotaka Ono reported to Terauchi Juichi again: "Commander, we found that the mysterious fleet had contact with a small ship. The small ship sailed out of the fleet and headed towards Hainan Island. We suspect they are transmitting intelligence or transporting supplies. The small boat is very fast and can move freely in the waves."

"Have you sent anyone to intercept that small boat?" Terauchi Juichi asked, his voice filled with anxiety and anticipation.

"We have sent out two speedboats to intercept them, but the small boat was very fast, and they seemed to be very familiar with this sea area. They used some reefs and shoals to successfully escape our pursuit. Those reefs are not marked on our nautical charts." Colonel Kiyotaka Ono said somewhat frustratedly, his voice full of annoyance.

Terauchi Juichi slammed the table hard. "What a bunch of rubbish! You can't even catch up with a small boat. Keep looking for it. You must find that boat for me. If you can't find it, you don't have to come back."

"Hello, Commander." Colonel Kiyotaka Ono replied helplessly. He put down the phone, sighed, and looked at the rough sea, feeling stressed.

At the same time, in a secret base of the Free Army, several commanders were holding a meeting.

"Soldiers, the Japanese have noticed our actions and have strengthened the defense of Qiongzhou Island," said a commander, looking at the densely packed marks on the map with a serious expression on his face.

"This is expected. However, we have the support of the fleet. No matter how tight their defense is, they cannot stop our attack. The firepower of that fleet is very strong. With them tying down the main force of the Japanese army, we have a chance." Another commander said confidently, his eyes revealing a firm belief.

"Although the fleet is powerful, we cannot rely entirely on them. We must formulate a detailed battle plan and give full play to our own advantages. We are familiar with the terrain and the soldiers have a strong will to fight." An elderly commander reminded, his voice steady and powerful.

"That's right. We have to take advantage of the Japanese army's fear of the fleet and develop a tactic of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west. First, let the fleet attract the Japanese army's attention in the waters of Qiongzhou Island, and then we will launch a surprise attack from other directions. Land on the west side where their defense is weak and catch them off guard." A young commander put forward his suggestion with excitement on his face.

After intense discussions, the Free Army finally developed a detailed combat plan.

They will be divided into several groups and attack the Japanese army from different directions.

Some groups were responsible for frontal feint attacks, some were responsible for outflanking attacks, and some were responsible for cutting off the Japanese army's supply lines.

The mysterious fleet was responsible for tying down the main force of the Japanese army in the waters of Qiongzhou Island and creating conditions for the Free Army's surprise attack.

The fleet will adopt an offensive posture to attract the Japanese firepower and manpower, leaving them no time to pay attention to the Free Army's landing troops.

In the next few days, the Free Army began its operations as planned.

Their troops quietly approached the Japanese defense line. Under the cover of night, the soldiers carefully advanced along the coastline, their footsteps masked by the sound of the waves. The mysterious fleet also frequently moved around the waters of Qiongzhou Island, constantly creating a tense atmosphere.

The signal lights on the battleship flashed, as if provoking the Japanese army.

Terauchi Juichi felt tremendous pressure as he kept receiving news from the front line saying that the activities of the Freedom Army were becoming more and more frequent and there were signs that they were about to launch a large-scale offensive.

He was extremely anxious, but he didn't know how to deal with it.

I paced around the office every day, looking at maps, trying to find a way to crack the problem.

One day, Terauchi Juichi was anxiously waiting for intelligence in his office when suddenly an intelligence officer rushed in and said, "Commander, something bad has happened! The Freedom Army has launched attacks on us from multiple directions at the same time, and our defenses are no longer able to withstand them."

Terauchi Hisaichi's face changed drastically: "How could this happen? How could they be so bold? Immediately order all troops to enter combat mode and defend the defense line at all costs." (End of this chapter)