The process of recapturing Port Blair went very smoothly, and the rioters had no capital to resist, at least on the surface. The real test was the jungle warfare on the island.
Both sides are not particularly unfamiliar with jungle warfare, because the Southeast Asian battlefield itself is the home of jungle warfare, and the British-Indian coalition and the Japanese army fought here for several years.
As the first march of the landing, the Sikh regiment entered Port Blair under the leadership of its regiment Das Singh. The Sikhs who landed were also shocked by the skeletons on the island. After rescuing the prisoners who were not killed but were imprisoned
, everyone learned that the captives and indigenous people on the island were used as food rations.
Although there had been speculation before the landing, everyone was still angry when the speculation became reality.
Das Singh also followed the British in their northern and southern expeditions, and faced many Japanese troops, but this was the first time he saw such a large-scale cannibalism.
"We must completely eliminate them. Leaving even one of these lunatics is a blasphemy to the whole world. The master will also agree with us." The commanders of the Sikh regiment were filled with indignation.
In the subcontinent, Sikhism is extremely special, and its teachings are anti-peaceful and anti-Hindu. As a result, they were mixed together and became like a group of normal people with no taboos. They have always been relied on by the British Empire.
This reliance has led to a disproportionate number of Sikhs serving in the Indian army. Sikhs are also willing to join the army and change their lives through war. Naturally, they have not been forgotten in this operation.
It can be said that the landed Indian troops regained control of Port Blair almost immediately, but they were still far away from victory. Moreover, time was running out. There were only two or three hours of daylight, so the risk of entering the dense forest to pursue them was high.
After discussion, several army commanders, including Das Singh, decided to restore the facilities in Port Blair to operation first. Clearing out the jungle rioters would not happen overnight.
The telegram was then sent to New Delhi, and at this time New Delhi was discussing how to get rid of the blame... Well, discussing a complete solution. After all, this is not a glorious thing. Although it essentially has nothing to do with the gentlemen of the British Empire, but
If it is spread out, someone will inevitably make a fuss, leading to some unpredictable consequences.
This is not a good thing for everyone. After receiving the telegram from the landing force, it is impossible not to respond. A response that is too obvious will easily be misinterpreted.
"How about we give full command to the Indian commanders on the front line, and they can do whatever they want." Alan Wilson looked at Sir Barron and General Irvine. Since they were arguing, he gave the Indians the responsibility.
See what they do.
Port Blair, including the commanders of the Sikh regiment, was there. As the supreme commander, Aliman Thakar took the telegram from New Delhi and asked everyone to express their opinions. "In fact, it is very obvious that this telegram from the British is to let us solve the problem."
, the British have been doing this for a hundred years.”
"Commander, do the British want us to solve all the problems?" Das Singh confirmed, "To be honest, it would not be unfair even to kill all these people."
"It is true that what happened on this island will be criticized by the whole world if word spreads, but Japan is a defeated country, so it will definitely not feel anything. Those gentlemen in New Delhi are afraid that they will be implicated." Arimantakar raised his hands.
The telegram reported, "The final explanation of the telegram is that it is absolutely obvious that disarmament will not fall on our troops."
Everyone knows that the Governor-General is now promoting disarmament, and many troops have been laid off to receive farmland in allocated places and become farmers.
Of course, such an arrangement can be called conscientious, but it is for ordinary soldiers. For senior commanders in the army, they absolutely do not want the goal of disarmament to fall on them.
Seeing all the commanders nodding tacitly, Arimantarkar began to formulate a battle plan. The situation had become clear. Although the rioters were large in number and had some weapons, they were destined to be unable to compare with the fully armed regular army, especially during the landing.
The Indian troops also knew that the opponent did not have many weapons in their hands.
Essentially, this operation can be regarded as a low-risk, high-reward operation. It is possible for everyone to be promoted together if the job is done well. The war is over, and such opportunities are rare.
As long as this matter is handled cleanly and does not embarrass the British gentlemen in New Delhi, a large part of the difficulty will be solved.
"Everyone knows the situation. Let me talk about the current situation first." Arimantakar cleared his throat and said, "First, the purpose of destroying the enemy's camp has been achieved, but it cannot expand the results; second, the originally imagined clearing up cannot be achieved.
This is because it is difficult for the troops to operate as soon as they enter the jungle. Third, many scattered rioters attacked us in the dense forest. They are familiar with the roads and can move quickly. After the attack, they immediately hid in the jungle and could not be pursued, even if there was an open area.
, when chasing, bullets often fly towards you, and all you see is a bunch of bushes and deep grass. Fortunately, our firepower is strong and violent. We shoot blindly into the jungle, and sometimes we miss it, killing several people in the jungle."
"Can we use reconnaissance planes to identify where the rioters are hiding?" Das Singh expressed his opinion.
Arimantakar shook his head slightly and said, "This is an isolated island. The airport on the island has been destroyed due to bombing, and the reconnaissance planes that took off from the surrounding land will have to return soon after flying over the archipelago. The pressure is still very high."
There was silence in the war room. The planned active attack was suddenly unable to be carried out due to various conditions. It was completely unexpected. It was thought that the intelligence was conclusive and the well-planned operation had to go back to the starting point, which was to go deep into the dense forest and hide and seek with the enemy.
"Although there are many rioters, they don't have many weapons, so the risk is still controllable." Arimantakar said in silence for a long time, "Be prepared to fight deep into the jungle. After all, it is an island and they can't escape."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Yes, division commander." Several unit commanders, including Das Singh, nodded at the same time.
As a result, the night was uneventful except for sporadic raids. At this time, the atmosphere at the headquarters took a turn for the better. The Japanese prisoners of war also knew that their weapons could not be compared with the landing troops, so they did not choose to go head-to-head. Arimantakar seemed to regret it
Yesterday's move was too cautious, and the troops were ordered to continue deep into the jungle to search for fighter jets the next day.
Although the terrain on the island is not high, the dense jungle is a trap for rash intruders. The troops changed from encirclement and suppression to advance, with companies as units, advancing from the coastline to the mountains.
According to reports from various troops, there were dozens of small-scale attacks, and the troops also suffered casualties and were extremely tired. Due to the sweltering heat of the jungle and heavy sweating, some soldiers had collapsed due to dehydration.
In fact, the atmosphere in the Governor's Mansion was no more tense than on the front line. Everyone was eager to get good news. Alan Wilson had a guilty conscience and ran to the headquarters of the British Army in India when he had nothing to do.
General Erwin had just taken a shower, and his rosy face looked energetic under the milky white light. His chin was sharp and angular, the bridge of his nose was high and straight, and under his thick eyebrows was a pair of slightly sunken brown eyes. He was majestic and majestic.
But there is no arrogance.
However, there was deep sadness in the eyes cast on Alan Wilson, "Alan, I am tired of endless military meetings. The war is over, but there is none here. Not only do we have to deal with British India from time to time,
There was a mutiny, and it happened again this time."
"General Erwin, we stayed in British India solely to buy time for the country to recover. This matter is also very important and we must persevere." Alan Wilson expressed relief, "Maybe we did something wrong.
, but as a British citizen, you have no choice. As long as the mainland is restored, citizens can live a good life."
After all, Alan Wilson is not a soldier. He does not need to be like the opponent's staff. He must also show his military insights and talents, and at the same time, he must not overdo the work and give all credit to his superiors.
Alan Wilson was actually more relaxed at the headquarters of the British Army in India than at the Governor's Palace. This was also the purpose of his coming here.
"There are not many weapons on the island, so it cannot resist for a long time. This is a fact that everyone knows. If there is no progress for a long time, it is definitely the Indians' problem. We have to doubt whether the Indians are reliable."
After listening to Alan Wilson's words, General Irwin laughed loudly, and finally stopped and pointed at Alan Wilson, "If it were a hundred years ago, you would have been an outstanding governor of British India."
"I don't dare think about it." Alan Wilson shook his head and declined, "I just want to be friends with many people." For example, Ali Khan...
Alan Wilson is actually planning to migrate the fish that slipped through the island to the subcontinent after the suppression of the riots. You must know that the survivors may be shuddered by the experience on the island. Living in a different place will help to make people feel better.
They forget their psychological shadow.
As for the Andaman Islands, they were legitimately under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom and were separated from the subcontinent when British India became independent.
Alan Wilson expressed optimism about the operation in the Andaman Islands, and that was exactly what happened.
After the landed Indian troops began their encirclement and suppression campaign, although losses were inevitable, the price paid was still minimal compared to the killing and casualty they inflicted on the rioters.
With a resolute repressive attitude, the troops gradually narrowed the encirclement until they were compressed on Sadr Peak, the highland of the archipelago.
At this time, the real battle has officially begun. Countless rioters are already ready to resist. They already know that they will never end well, so they bring all the food they can eat and hold on firmly.
Because of the constant urging from the Governor's Palace, the division commander Arimantakar could only order an attack, ignoring the objective reality that a siege could solve the problem in a few days, and completely eliminate these enemies.