Chapter 9 The Snake Catcher Said (3)
(Three)
"Infrared reconnaissance tents, high-powered military infrared telescopes, Russian-made micro-light night vision devices. Damn it, this equipment is even better than what our special forces have." Kang Wei and his men couldn't help but marvel at the gear of the so-called "war correspondent" they had captured in the woods 1.5 kilometers from the airport just a day ago.
"The results are out." A lieutenant from the intelligence department pushed open the door of the secret room, glanced at the special forces soldiers with expectant faces, and said expressionlessly: "Dai Peiling, Malaysian Chinese, 23 years old, currently a war correspondent for Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao. One year ago, she collaborated with someone to publish a photography collection '2005 War Impressions' reflecting the Vietnam civil war." Looking at the crowd who seemed somewhat disappointed, the lieutenant smiled and said: "Although we can't use torture, interrogation is still possible."
"Miss Dai, I'm personally very interested in how you infiltrated the island!" In front of Dai Pei-ling, who was chewing gum with a nonchalant expression, Kang Wei had to bring out some gentlemanly demeanor. "It's not that difficult, 500 US dollars can rent a fishing boat, then dive ashore at any place on the island without your people, and use GPS to trek through the jungle, it's that simple."
Dai Peiling smiled lightly and asked in return, "I'd like to know how you discovered me? Can I meet the sharp-eyed sniper who did it?" Seeing Dai Peiling's thin clothing, Lieutenant Colonel Kang Wei couldn't help but feel a flush rise to his face, and for a moment he didn't know how to respond.
"This doesn't seem to be in line with our usual style, does it?" The lieutenant from the intelligence department sitting next to Kang Wei replied. "What a pity, I had promised to give my first night to the man who could capture me in the jungle." Dai Pei Ling stretched lazily and replied lightly. At that moment, Kang Wei felt his mouth dry up. Meanwhile, on the runway of Zifeng Airport, 32 DF-11 short-range surface-to-surface missile launchers belonging to the Second Artillery Corps of the Chinese People's National Defense Army were secretly entering their firing positions.
As the main force of the 171st Army Aviation Assault Division arrived on the battlefield, the mobile forces of the Chinese Expeditionary Force in the Java region reached 15,000 people, basically stabilizing the existing front line. Under the joint escort of the navies of China and Vietnam, the transportation fleet composed of 40 transport ships and temporarily requisitioned civilian roll-on/roll-off ships transported the 259th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Chinese Army's Southern Line Rapid Reaction Division. In its current form, there was no need to seek distant shores, and a direct landing in the Sampit area could be implemented, with the iron fist of the Chinese army's ground battle gradually tightening.
The arrival of the ground support fleet and the South China Sea's 2nd Maritime Air Attack Group has further strengthened the Chinese expeditionary force's existing air and sea advantages. "Tonight at midnight, launch a surprise attack, all troops should uphold our military's glorious tradition, continuous assault, directly attacking Jakarta." General Qian Xiao, Commander of the Southeast Asian War Zone of the People's National Defense Army of China, signed the order to launch the general offensive, while the three armies of the war zone had already entered their predetermined positions. The specific battlefield command will be fully responsible for the forward command post set up on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier "Shanghai".
The first wave of attack was still launched by the long sword of our army - the second artillery division. Entering the dense forest on Wuri Island, DF-11-type ground-to-ground missiles unfolded under the protection of Chinese naval infantry soldiers, rising one after another, pointing to the sky. On the deck of the "Shanghai" nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the J-10H and J-11H-type carrier-based aircraft groups of the Chinese Navy were also ready to take off. Under the protection of the huge escort fleet, there was no need to estimate any possible attack by the enemy, and all ships opened their lighting systems, looking far away on the sea surface like a city that never sleeps. In the suburbs of North California, the vanguard units of the Chinese naval infantry and airborne troops had already secretly infiltrated the front line, with powerful armored clusters behind them.
"Tonight is the decisive battle, we can only withstand the first wave of Chinese attacks and hope to see tomorrow's dawn." Standing in the command center of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' South Seas Dispatch Army in Jakarta, General Uesugi also knew that the final battle was imminent. All aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force had been assembled and deployed, and the air defense missile units stationed outside Jakarta were on high alert. "Thank you," General Uesugi bowed deeply to all the Japanese Self-Defense Forces officers gathered in the command room.
On the bridge of the aircraft carrier "Shanghai", a famous opera melody is echoing - "Tonight No One Sleeps". Everyone's watch hands are ticking towards midnight 12 o'clock. "Begin!" With General Ren Lingyu's order, countless dazzling lights burst out simultaneously on the Java Sea.
Jakarta was the center of the first wave of long-range attacks by the Chinese military, with 32 DF-11 tactical surface-to-surface missiles carrying 800 kg high-explosive warheads whizzing through the night sky and attacking major Japanese Self-Defense Force military facilities. Meanwhile, nearly a hundred cruise missiles launched from the Chinese fleet in the Java Sea and long-range bomber groups entered enemy airspace at low altitude. The Japanese Self-Defense Force fighter jets that had taken off before the attack began could only watch as their main air base, Jakarta International Airport, was hit by missile after missile, turning into a sea of flames.
"When returning, we can only go to small airfields in various places. I hope you will still be able to see us then." Commander Matsuno Hidenari, who took over command of the entire Japanese South Seas Dispatched Army's air power after the death of Captain Kousaka Suketaka, said this as he sat on one of Japan's only three remaining E-2C airborne early warning aircraft, addressing all Japan Self-Defense Force pilots.
Next, the massive Japanese fighter fleet will be separately deployed to intercept in the air and launch a desperate attack on the Chinese Navy. In the first round of long-range strikes launched by the Chinese army, the 26 "Patriot" missile defense systems deployed by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces were almost drained of their last drop of blood. Although more than 40% of incoming missiles were intercepted, the long-range early warning radar system was completely destroyed in a saturation attack by the Chinese military. The huge protective umbrella over Jakarta was ruthlessly torn apart.
In the suburbs of North Kalgan, a large-scale artillery battle between Chinese and Japanese troops also opened the prelude to the ground war. On the south wing position defended by the 16th Division of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in North Kalgan, the Japanese reserve soldiers who were mercilessly bombarded by the Chinese army's artillery fire could not lift their heads, covering their ears and shrinking into the trenches one by one, screaming hoarsely. The artillery forces on both sides had obvious differences in quantity and quality. The initial artillery battle quickly became a unilateral speech of the Chinese artillery.
Under the cover of extended firepower, the Chinese armored cluster launched a charge, with the main direction being the southern wing defended by Japan's 16th Division. "Let's fight the Chinese." Inspired by the lingering spirit of Bushido in their bones, Japanese soldiers emerged from their shelters to counter the incoming Chinese tanks with various anti-tank weapons. The Japanese Self-Defense Forces' Special Tank Brigade, gathered on the north coast of Ka, also rushed to support. Under the night sky, the armored forces of China and Japan engaged in a desperate battle.
