Iron Cross

After a while, Halsey said: "Are the Japanese troops planning to copy our retreat? Or are they going to force us to withdraw by attacking Australia?"

Nimitz said: "It is very likely that Australia has sent an emergency telegram, hoping that the fleet will return to protect Australia and the precarious communication lines."

Holland was shocked and said hurriedly: "Sir, the Battle of Tarawa is about to be completely won. We must not withdraw our troops now, otherwise all our sacrifices and efforts will be in vain."

"I understand." Nimitz nodded and said in an unquestionable tone, "I would advise the Australians to strengthen their defenses. At the same time, the army aviation we deployed there is not entirely a display. If Australia and New Zealand need the Pacific Fleet to defend , we will never be able to take the initiative. In fact, the Japanese attack on Perth also allows us to learn more about the situation. At least I know the location of the enemy. Now that they are still on the west coast of Australia, we have won at least 2 more weeks to deal with Tara. The enemy of Wa is actually a good thing.”

Halsey agreed with this judgment, but at the same time asked uneasily: "Will this be the precursor to a large-scale invasion of Australia by the Japanese army? They still have a group of German troops in their hands."

"We can only rely on the efforts of General MacArthur and Australia." Nimitz sighed, "If we land, we will seize the opportunity to beat up the enemy. How many people can they come? 20,000? 30,000? Australia has a With more than 300,000 troops, plus the US Army, there is no need to worry about this. I am worried that the Japanese army will just pass by and harass - this will cause a different kind of embarrassment to the Australians, just like their air raids on XN and Canberra."

Although it was very cryptic, Holland understood the meaning: political pressure from Australia might force HSD to issue some unnecessary orders. He immediately said: "The Marine Corps boys will take over this island as soon as possible." , more than 6,000 people have gone up now..."

Learning about the Japanese attack put a lot of pressure on Devin, and the intensity of the attack began to increase again. After noon, he asked the troops to conduct an assault on the south coast fortification group. Now the high-explosive shells for each of the battleship's main guns have been reduced to only a dozen rounds, and there are not many armor-piercing shells left. The fleet said that except for the North Carolina, which can all be fired, the rest Some warships had to be reserved for naval battles, so the Marines had to rely on tanks and other artillery units coming ashore.

A high tide rose in Tarawa at noon, and large areas of the reef were submerged. The landing craft drove directly to the shore to unload the artillery. The corpses on the reef were swept away by the waves one after another. Looking at these comrades who sacrificed their lives, the soldiers who followed not only had to endure the still smelly corpse stench, but also worried about whether their own fate would end like those before them. The burial place finally disappeared into the boundless sea.

After days of fierce fighting, the Japanese army's military strength was also very tight, and they only met the defense needs of the south bank after abandoning a large number of surface fortifications on the north bank. Even so, Japanese resistance was gradually being crushed. The Marine Corps officers and soldiers advanced all the way with 6 Shermans as the lead. The infantry killed more than 10 Japanese soldiers who tried to destroy the tanks with their iron fists. The tanks helped the infantry suppress and destroy fire points encountered along the way. They advanced a total of more than 170 meters in one afternoon and killed more than 160 Japanese soldiers.

The most tenacious resistance of the Japanese army came from a large firepower point in the west of the south bank. It was covered with steel plates, coconut wood and coral sand. The firepower configuration had almost no blind spots. Every attack by the Marines was repelled. In the end, the attacking force could only summon tanks. After three Shermans were destroyed in a row, the fourth tank approached the perforation hole and opened fire, directly using armor-piercing rounds to penetrate the external defense of the bunker and tear a large gap. The desperate engineers stuffed a series of tied explosive packets, mines and blasting tubes into the gap and finally detonated it.

Almost at the same time, a lieutenant led the assault engineers and desperately used flamethrowers and explosives to seal the exit of a triangular fortification on the east side of the south bank, suffocating nearly a hundred Japanese soldiers and Korean workers inside. A bulldozer pushed up the coral sand and buried a large tunnel that could accommodate 150 troops - but now there are only about 10 people left inside.

Relying on the attack of this group of soldiers who were not afraid of death, by dusk, the US military finally separated and surrounded the Japanese troops who were still in surface fortifications on the south bank. Their destruction was only a matter of time. On the 7th day of the Battle of Tarawa, the U.S. military's casualties were finally less than those of the Japanese: On this day, the Japanese suffered more than 500 losses, while the U.S. lost less than 400. However, in terms of total battle loss ratio, the Japanese were still far ahead at 3,500:6,500.

"Sir, the Tarawa defenders sent a telegram that all surface positions have been captured, and there are still more than 1,500 people. Shibasaki said that he will rely on tunnels, underground fortifications and transportation trenches to fight the US military to the end."

"They have persisted for seven days. They are really brave and tenacious!" Nobutake Kondo said with emotion, "This has exceeded Mr. Tsukahara's original expectations for them."

"Use my name to send them telegrams of condolences. The navy will surely inspire the whole army with this spirit of sacrifice and sacrifice. The fleet has begun to copy the enemy's retreat. I hope they can hold on!"

At nightfall, the unshaven and ferocious Colonel Matsuo Noboru suggested to Major General Shibasaki: "Sir, let's launch a night attack. We are not afraid of death. The soldiers want to die in a dignified manner and do not want to hide underground and live like mice." !”

"Idiot!" Shibazaki got angry. "It is easy to die generously, but it is difficult to survive in vain. Don't you know that the most difficult thing is to resist with perseverance? The chief asked us to guard for one month, and we must persist for one month. We must persist for one month. Like a nail on Tarawa Island, making it difficult for the U.S. military to sleep and eat! You died so easily, didn’t you do the enemy a great favor?”

"Hai."

"Sir, the United Fleet has called back!"

"read!"

"Everyone in the fleet is aware of your bravery and tenacity in dealing with the enemy. All officers and soldiers are deeply proud of it. The main force of the fleet is now copying the enemy's retreat. I hope you will continue to delay the enemy's pace and work together to complete the total annihilation. The enemy has a difficult task. Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Horikichi!"

"Reply the call: Sir, I have high hopes, and I am deeply honored. Our unit will fight to the last man, and the combined fleet will have a long-lasting military destiny!" Shibazaki's completely sunken eyes suddenly projected a terrifying light, "Tell every officer and soldier of the call from the sir. , the whole fleet is proud of our spirit of sacrifice, we cannot live up to this high expectation! Today's night attack will consist of 15 people from each group, mainly for harassment, not forcible attack!"

On the 8th, 9th, and 10th days... the 3rd Marine Division was horrified to discover that even though they had completely occupied the surface buildings of Tarawa and even the airport was being repaired as quickly as possible, the Japanese resistance had not completely dissipated. , they are like moles that cannot be killed. They will spring out from incredible corners to attack every day, every hour, and they will be done with a shuttle, a few grenades or iron fists. Although the damage caused was not great, everyone was frightened, wondering if the fate of being killed in action would suddenly befall them.

The number of casualties of the 3rd Marine Division was still increasing every day, with almost 400 casualties lost in three days. In addition, many of the wounded soldiers transported in the previous two days died due to excessive injuries, and morale was very low. Although more than 200 Japanese troops who came to sneak attack were successively eliminated, this woodchuck-like sneak attack tactic was hard to guard against. It was like punching a mosquito with a fist but with no strength but completely unable to use it.

"How long will it take to clear out the enemy troops on the island?" Nimitz asked doubtfully, "Or, we can station troops on it, but we must clear out these rats at the same time?"

Holland was speechless. Not to mention 7 days, even 10 days had passed. Although he barely occupied Tarawa, he knew very well that this occupation was very reluctant and not even modest.

"It's possible to garrison troops, but I'm afraid it's not possible to retreat the fleet. At least we have to wait until a relatively complete defense system and supply base are established. In addition..." Halsey said worriedly, "What if we leave and the RB people come to attack? The Marine Corps has Can you hold on?"

Holland also held a 4th Marine Division in his hand, which he never used even at the height of the fighting, because Nimitz told him that if Tarawa was successfully defeated, he planned to use the 4th Marine Division. The division took advantage of the situation to attack the Marshall Islands, but now even if the Marine Corps still has the ability and courage to attack the Marshall Islands, it will not receive reliable naval gun support. He said with a red face: "The fleet cannot retreat for the time being. We have not consolidated the defense of Tarawa. In addition, if the combined fleet comes to counterattack, I am afraid..."

"This is what I'm worried about." Nimitz sighed, "But in the past two days, in order to support the landing campaign, the fleet used artillery shells and bombs very violently, far exceeding the planned quantity, and the supplies on board could not be fully To provide supply guarantee, we must rely on supplies from the rear, and the rear..."

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became awkward, and everyone found that they were in a decision-making dilemma: if the fleet did not leave, they were afraid that the supply line and the rear would be cut off; if the fleet left, they were afraid that Tarawa, which they had worked so hard to capture, would be lost - everyone did not think that The 3rd Marine Division, which was scarred and in urgent need of rest, could survive the overwhelming Japanese artillery fire; if the 4th Marine Division was replaced to garrison, I am afraid that this division would also suffer irreversible losses.

"Should we let part of the fleet leave first? Return to Australia or New Zealand?"

"No!" Halsey and Nimitz jumped up. There was a joint fleet there. Although the Japanese army had not shown their faces for three days after the air attack on Perth, going back now would almost mean committing suicide. If you want to go back, you can't go back to Australia and New Zealand. .

"Sir, urgent call from Australia."

After Halsey read it, his face became ugly: three merchant ships from Perth to Melbourne were sunk by Japanese aircraft halfway!

"Obviously, their next target is likely to be Melbourne!" Nimitz glanced at the chart. "Immediately notify the Australian authorities to raise the alert level in Melbourne. If I am not wrong, the Japanese army will launch an attack in two days."