afterglow

Chapter 537 Scrap Iron Fleet Squadron; The End of the Strategic Offensive
The temporary mobile command post consisting of two trucks and three off-road vehicles was filled with chatter and the sound of beeping messages.

"...The chemical defense team seizes the time to go to the port area and will dispatch a vehicle to help you later." Zhao Hanfeng hung up the phone.

Next to him, Zhou Changfeng covered his forehead and sighed: "There are still a lot of troubles, don't worry about it, take a good rest first, and then figure out how to deal with the aftermath in two days."

The first step is to clear out those coastal defense guns, otherwise the fleet will not be able to dock at Pearl Harbor; the second step is to repair Pearl Harbor's port facilities. The current messy port area is of no use at all.

Nearly four million tons of fuel were burning, and the thick smoke obscured Pearl Harbor. It could even be said that the entire sky on Oahu was dyed black. The pilots were surprised to find that the plane passing through the smoke also turned black. It's still a little sticky when you touch it.

The heat generated by so much fuel fire is daunting. Even standing outside the port area, you can feel the heat waves hitting your face.

Although the superiors have instructed not to stay in the port area for the time being, many people still bravely wander around in the hope of picking up some good things.

"Oh, there's a car! Go over and take a look."

"Yesterday, the boy from the second team was lucky enough to find a box of wine and several packs of cigarettes."

"No wonder you came back with a bottle."

The 1st Marine Brigade, which he led by himself, was fine, but the Army was not sure.

Several soldiers panting from the heat discovered two abandoned trucks of the US military parked on the side of the road. They wanted to collect trophies from them, but when they touched the door handles, their hands were so hot that they were electrocuted and they were withdrawn.

"You should pay attention. Any conflicts must be resolved in time. If the backlog persists for a long time, trouble will occur. In that case, it will be a joke."

The trembling and fearful citizens heard the sound of people and vehicles all night long last night. Most of the people's voices were in incomprehensible Chinese, and the sounds of vehicles seemed to be the movements of motorcycles and trucks.

As far as the underlying rules are concerned, the first to enter the city are the troops who have made the greatest contribution. Regardless of merit or hard work, Yu Qingyu who has contributed the most should be ranked first.

The Stars and Stripes in front of the city hall had been taken down a long time ago. It was casually discarded in the corner by the Ming army's flag guards. Now the flag of the Ming Dynasty is flying on the flagpole with a red background and yellow.

"There's nothing you can do about it. If you mess around, you can just wait and clean up the mess every day."

However, the issue of distribution of the spoils came one after another. The officers were overjoyed, but the soldiers were not satisfied-it was so difficult a few days ago, but in the end they only got some clear soup and little water?
Zhou Changfeng had to remind Zhong Dexin that the spoils were unevenly distributed.

"Zhou Taizhao really thought about it a lot. It's not easy."

The Americans have learned from the lessons of the British and Dutch. At the end of last year, they began to forcibly send overseas Chinese in Hawaii to South Dakota and Minnesota. For example, on Oahu, only Annan, Japanese, and Koreans are left. .

Those expatriates from Annan and North Korea were the most excited. They cheered to the groups of Ming troops and waved desperately to the passing vehicles.

Seeing the arrogant occupying forces, the citizens were filled with worry and panic, and were full of confusion and fear about their future life.

The next day, the rising sun jumped above the sea level, and it was another sunny day.

In the end, he deliberately arranged for the 17th Division to be stationed in the western suburbs of Honolulu. He repeatedly ordered that lawlessness and disorderly conduct should not be tolerated, and additional military police units were deployed for patrols.

However, the pent-up emotions after days of hard fighting can easily break out. If the winning side wins the battle, the occupying forces will easily make a series of tricks when venting their emotions.

As compensation, all the private properties of local fleeing businessmen and off-duty officials in Honolulu were confiscated, and a large amount of property was basically assigned to the 17th Division.

Zhou Changfeng obviously didn't want Honolulu to become a mess. This place would be occupied for a long time from now on. The elusive resistance organizations in the Nanyang region and northeastern Australia have caused a lot of trouble. There are reports of patrols and convoys being attacked every few days.

After dawn, many people opened their curtains and could see the Ming military police patrolling the streets through their room windows. From time to time, three-wheeled sidecar motorcycles carrying messengers rushed past.

The Honolulu government warehouses and some official residences were requisitioned by the Ming army...or organized looting.

It was getting late, the remaining hours flew by in a blink of an eye, and Honolulu changed hands on this day.

There are three main factors that affect military discipline: first, the supply status of the army; second, the average level of education; and third, whether law enforcement is strict or not.

Zhong Dexin smiled slightly, "It might as well be like this. We can be more gentle and gentle, and come up with a way to get the best of both worlds."

What he calls a good idea is actually to print temporary vouchers for the occupying forces, which are mandatory and can be used against US dollars on a one-to-one basis. In this way, if they are issued, they can buy whatever they want openly.

Looting in different ways, right? Now it’s Americans who are being harvested by vouchers? Zhou Changfeng, who couldn't laugh or cry, could only lament that Zhong Dexin was indeed a businessman and was indeed shrewd.

Honolulu's status is unusual. The imperial court's considerations are consistent with Singapore's, and it must be listed as directly under direct control.

Honolulu is actually the name of the overseas Chinese. In the 19th century, the sandalwood produced here was exported in large quantities, hence the name. The official English name is Honolulu.

After the occupation army's provisional government was hastily established, it immediately promulgated a series of policies such as curfew, rationing, and price controls, and at the same time changed Honolulu's name to Honolulu.

What is ironic is that the vast majority of overseas Chinese in Hawaii are now being detained in several small towns in South Dakota and Minnesota. Now, except for tens of thousands of Ming army officers and soldiers, there are not many Ming people on Oahu at all - a very small number of overseas Chinese. Either he is a gangster, or he takes the risk of forging documents to be of Annan or Korean descent.

Because no one had guaranteed victory before, the imperial court had only made rough plans, and it was only now that it began to formally prepare for the rule.

A team of officials will soon go here under the leadership of several court commissioners to be responsible for the future administration of Honolulu.

As of now, there are still a certain number of U.S. troops still resisting at the southern foot of the Waianae Ridge. They are mainly the remnants of the 501st Airborne Regiment and the 296th Independent Infantry Regiment, as well as the coastal defense artillerymen stationed at various forts.

Major General Charles White was promoted on the eve of the defeat. At the same time, he received vague instructions - hold on to the fortress as long as possible and consider giving up when the situation is not suitable. Conditional surrender after a certain period of time is allowed. .

Although he was extremely reluctant, he evacuated Honolulu with some followers who were willing to persist. He took a transport boat ashore in the Kapolei area and stationed at the strong Hatch Fort to command the troops to continue resisting.

These stragglers did not pose a threat to the Ming army, but so many huge cannons from Williston Fort, Crossen Fort, and Hatch Fort still blocked Pearl Harbor.

More than a dozen 305mm, 356mm, and 406mm coastal defense guns can fire at any time. Their strength is extraordinary. Some forts are even built in cliffs, with several meters of reinforced concrete and soil on top. Air Force units have tried to attack many times, but Even 500kg armor-piercing aerial bombs are of no avail.

Therefore, the burden of removing these nails still falls back on the ground troops, and the Navy has been urging them two days ago. Just as Zhou Changfeng reluctantly selected combat units and discussed the purge plan, the navy suddenly sent a telegram saying that there was no rush now.

The fleet really couldn't wait any longer and needed to return to the mainland for a thorough rest.

From last year to the present, the A-180 special agent fleet, which concentrated the main strength of the Ming Navy, has been continuously fighting overseas for nearly a year. During this period, the occasional rest was also very hasty.

Therefore, various mechanical failures are emerging in an endless stream today, and the failure rate of battleships has increased sharply. Leaving aside minor problems such as power outage, oil leakage, water intrusion, and abnormal noise, some battleships have problems with their engines and guns. For example, the steam superheater of the proud Yongle has been malfunctioning since last month. Every time it was repaired, it broke down again a few days later.

Battleships that have been lightly damaged in previous battles have been fighting with injuries. There are still many conspicuous patches on the decks of the two Ziweiyuan-class armored aircraft carriers, and a large amount of algae and barnacles have accumulated below the waterline of the hull, slowing down the ship. Sailing speed.

After weighing the situation, Song Zhongkai decided to dispatch troops as soon as possible. The dilapidated fleet was in urgent need of docking for maintenance, and he couldn't wait any longer. If it continued, it might be scrapped overseas.

Given that Pearl Harbor is still burning, it will be impossible to resume operations within a few months, and the damaged parts of the battleship can only be replaced in the Ming Dynasty.

At this time, the fleet has long lost the majesty and beauty of last year. Rust, bullet holes, scratches, oil stains, patches, and cracks can be seen everywhere. The black smoke coming out of the chimney seems to be deeper than before, like a scrapped pipe. Iron fleet.

In the evening, the sea surface was filled with sparkling waves, and the fleet gradually disappeared into the beautiful sunset.

Zhou Changfeng and his party arrived at Haleiwa Beach. Zhu Lizhao put his hands on his hips and sighed, "Tsk, once the fleet left, I felt a little unsure."

"Look what you said, don't let the Air Force guys hear it." Yao Liangchuan said casually: "Hundreds of planes are parked here, what's the point?"

It is not a bad thing that the navy hastily returned to Korea, at least it is not in a hurry to seize the time to clear out the remaining U.S. troops at the southern foot of the Waianae Ridge.

Zhou Changfeng decisively adjusted his deployment and instead assigned the remaining troops of the 21st Regiment of the North Korean Army to clear out the US military forts and remaining defeated generals.

Anyway, there is no rush now. The North Koreans have their own way of doing things, but the rigid and step-by-step attack is still up to standard, just grind it out bit by bit.

Gunfire rang out again soon after, which caused mixed emotions among the citizens of Honolulu.

After arranging the defense plan, Zhou Changfeng and the main generals took a car to the northern suburbs of Honolulu.

After nearly two hours of walking, everyone climbed up the mountain trail to the Nuuanupali Wind Point.

The wind howling through the valley made you have to speak louder to be heard clearly.

More than half a month ago, the detachment from the reconnaissance and search battalion of the 4th Marine Brigade galloped all the way here and captured this dangerous pass that only one man could pass and that no one could open.

During this period, the first forward platoon to arrive fought to the death and blocked the U.S. troops who came for reinforcements. Only sniper Zhang Tianshan survived in the platoon of thirty-seven people.

Now it's time to deliver on that promise.

"It's so open. Here are the lush mountains, and over there is the blue sea." Zhou Changfeng suddenly recalled the scene on the border of Wusizang four years ago. At that time, he led the First Battalion of the Third Brigade of the Imperial Guards After the battle of Demaji, they crossed the mountains and returned home first.

After a short moment of silence, he said calmly: "This is also a good place to sleep. There are mountains and water. The achievements of seizing the pass must be recorded."

Xie Wancheng suddenly said in a deep voice: "After so many battles, we lost many people in the third battalion back then..."

The officers present were silent.

Not only the members of the 1st Marine Brigade, but others still remember the classmates and friends who graduated from the Armed Forces Academy together. Many of their names have been printed on obituaries today.

"It's good to be remembered. I just hope that someone will still remember me a hundred years from now." Yu Daixin, commander of the 4th Marine Brigade, said leisurely.

After some evasion, the inscription was finally inscribed by Yao Liangchuan.

"In the summer and August of the 40th year of Zhichang, Major General Zhou Changfeng, Brigadier General Zhong Dexin, Brigadier General Yu Daixin, and Brigadier General Pan Mingbiao came here to report on their duties to heaven and earth, and to tell the sun, moon, mountains and rivers. Our army has crossed the ocean and traveled thousands of miles without fear of hardships and dangers. , in order to boost China’s prestige, this is what is called once and for all.”

"Three hundred eagles and more than a thousand eagles, with flags fluttering, cover the sky and block out the sun. In front are sea vultures soaring to defeat the enemy, and behind are warriors flying to seize the pass. The soldiers will fight hard, and the enemy will be frightened by the news. Now I will tell the ghosts and gods of heaven and earth with the news of victory, After defeating 30,000 enemies, the military strategists secured key areas, secured borders, and expanded the world. They laid stones to commemorate their achievements and show their virtues."

The land, sea and air battle surrounding Oahu came to an end after twists and turns. It lasted for three months from the capture of Kauai in May.

为了夺取这处战略要地，明军付出的是代价是23艘大小舰艇、37艘运输船或登陆舰、92艘登陆艇、283架飞机、74辆坦克、351辆各种汽车。

The Ming army suffered a total of 2.14 casualties, including 2210 Navy casualties, 5936 Marine Corps and Army casualties, and a total of 1.7 illnesses recorded.

为了保卫这处战略要地，美军的损失为27艘各型舰艇、19艘运输船、38艘登陆艇、465架飞机、118辆坦克、932辆不同类型的汽车。

The U.S. military suffered a total of 2.03 casualties, including 3201 naval casualties, as many as 7476 ground troops killed or died, and a total of 2.3 people were captured.

As the losing side, the U.S. military suffered an extremely high proportion of casualties due to injuries, and the loss of air superiority also amplified the negative impact.

The results of the Battle of Oahu proved the advantages of shore-based aviation. Although the US military was at an absolute disadvantage in terms of the number of aircraft carriers, it still relied on land airports to greatly restrict the Ming army's expeditionary forces.

The national strength, manpower, material resources, transportation capacity and tactical thinking of both sides have a decisive impact on the success or failure of the battle.

The U.S. military underestimated the Ming army's ocean projection capabilities and determination; the Ming army also underestimated the effectiveness of the enemy's shore-based aviation, as well as the U.S. military's desperate large-scale counterattack by land, sea and air.

After the Battle of Oahu, the US military's strategic defense suffered another major setback. The only good thing is that two precious aircraft carriers still exist.

At the same time, the Ming army's strategic offensive has come to an end. The serious losses twice as high as expected forced the Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of War to stop further offensives. This marked a fundamental change in the situation in the Pacific battlefield, and the Ming and US armies entered into a strategic stalemate. stage.

[I will post this picture again...]

(End of this chapter)