Episode 161 The Political Significance of Sakhalin
Episode 161 The political significance of Sakhalin Island
In orthodox time and space, the Sakhalin Island at this time was split between Japan and the Soviet Union. The northern peninsula was the territory of the Soviet Union, and the southern peninsula was the territory of Japan. But in this time and space, this large island was completely the territory of the Soviet Union.
The Ming army and the Soviet army met in a narrow road at the wasp's waist in the south of Sakhalin Island. The Ming army had three divisions and the Soviet army had only one division. With such a disparity in strength and firepower, the Soviet army could only choose to set up its defensive position here.
After all, the width here is only 25 kilometers, with the sea as a backing on both sides. To the east is the endless Sea of Okhotsk, and to the west is the widest part of the strait, which is nearly 150 kilometers without ice. The Ming army cannot rely on charge.
For cross-sea landings such as boats, large ships must be used. However, the control of the sea lies with the Japanese navy.
But for a division, it is too difficult to defend a 25-kilometer-wide front. Not only does the Ming army have superior ground firepower, it also has superior ground firepower on the other side of the strait, as well as on the northern plains of Sakhalin Island, as well as Terpei to the north of the waist.
Several frontline airports were built in the vast plains along the coast of Niye Bay.
However, the Ming army followed their usual thinking and hurriedly built several frontline airports. Only then did they realize that they seemed to be useless. It is winter now, and it is located in a cold maritime climate at high latitudes. The mountains and forests of Sakhalin Island are always filled with
There is a cold and thick fog, and the sky is always gloomy, either with heavy snow falling quietly, or a hysterical blizzard. Under such conditions, it is difficult for the aircraft to even take off, let alone fight.
This kind of weather with low visibility should be said to be beneficial for ground attacks - it is difficult for Soviet artillery observers to see far away. They can hear the sound of engines and guns on the opposite side, but they cannot see the target and report
You can't see the coordinates until the Ming army rushes in front of you. It's similar to the situation at the end of 1935 when the Qing army took advantage of the fog to invade the south.
But this time the Japanese Navy came to help. On the east and west sides of Sakhalin Island, there was a Japanese battleship squadron on one side, with one battleship as the core, four cruisers as the main force, and a dozen destroyers as the auxiliary fleet, heading towards the island
The area controlled by the Shangming Army was bombarded continuously. In this wasp's waist, which was only 25 kilometers wide, the Japanese naval guns on both sides could completely cover it. Dense heavy artillery shells continued to fall, blasting this narrow wasp's waist like the surface of the moon.
What is even more troublesome is that the oceans on both sides are the closed waters of the Sea of Japan, which the Ming fleet cannot enter; and the northernmost part of the Western Pacific - the Sea of Okhotsk, which is also closed by the Kuril Islands. The Ming fleet cannot enter.
Not to mention that it would be difficult for the fleet to get in, even if it could get in, it would have to go around half of the Western Pacific, spanning more than 6,000 kilometers, and it would take less than ten days and a half to reach it.
Now the Nanjing High Command is faced with a dilemma.
Tang Yunsheng, Xiong Dingming, Li Guoliang, Xiang Xiaoqiang and others gathered around the map table to discuss what to do next.
According to Army Aviation Commander Li Guoliang, the Ming Army's troops on Sakhalin Island can now temporarily stop and defend on the spot. There is no need to be too anxious. Anyway, the Ming Army is not in urgent need of Sakhalin Island for any use. It is nothing more than clearing the rear.
. This matter can be put off for a while, firstly to see how long the two Japanese fleets can accompany them, and secondly, to wait for the weather to clear up. By then, both land and sea navigation will be able to fight. At that time, at least in the Sea of Japan
This Japanese fleet does not dare to stay there any longer. Moreover, the Ming army's ground force attack will also receive air support.
Xiang Xiaoqiang stared at the map, frowned tightly, and slowly shook his head:
"No...it won't be that cheap. We will wait here, and the Japanese fleet will also be here to accompany us. They will not hesitate to maintain five or six fleets, let alone two fleets. Commander Li, you
Look at the location of South Sakhalin Island - it is only separated from Hokkaido by a strait. Once the Ming army reaches the southern tip of Sakhalin Island, it will only be 40 kilometers away from the northernmost mainland of Japan. Let's not talk about landing in Japan, even if we build here
Forts, construction of submarine bases and torpedo boat bases... Not to mention completely blocking the Soya Strait, at least it will prevent Japanese ships from safely entering and exiting here.
"So, even if Japan fights for its life, it is impossible for our army to occupy South Sakhalin Island. Although there has always been a deep estrangement between Japan and Russia over the issue of Sakhalin Island and the Northern Territory, and they have even fought against each other several times.
, but this time it is really a case of "death and toothache". Even if the Soviet Union does not give Japan a penny, Japan will do its best to help the Soviet Union defend the southern part of Sakhalin Island. - When necessary, I think the Japanese will even send troops to the library.
Ye Dao, fight us personally."
After he finished speaking, several generals present nodded slowly. Their expressions were also very solemn. Obviously, everyone was aware of the seriousness of the problem.
Tang Yunsheng nodded and said:
"It makes sense. We can't take any chances on this issue."
But Li Guoliang still wanted to have a big air battle. In Ming Dynasty, he could be said to be the second "Duheist" after Xiang Xiaoqiang, and his trust in air power was beyond compare. He mustered up the courage
, boldly retorted:
"Master Tang, Master Xiang... what I want to say is that the air control in Northeast Asia is still in our hands. Although the air control in the Sea of Japan is divided equally between us and Japan, Sakhalin Island is so close to the mainland.
There should be no problem with air supremacy over Sakhalin Island and its surrounding waters. Although it is winter and it is the cold northern sea, it cannot always be cloudy. Not to mention Sakhalin Island, even the North Atlantic, the United Kingdom, and Norway
In that kind of place, there are always sunny days in winter. Once sunny days appear, we can immediately concentrate the bombers and simultaneously attack the Japanese fleet on both sides and the Soviet army in the south of the island. The battle will be won or lost. If we can sink another Japanese fleet, we will win or lose.
Two battleships, or two or three heavy cruisers, that would still be an additional big gain from the Battle of Sakhalin. - Sirs, what do you think?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang shook his head and said:
"Commander Li, Sakhalin is close to the mainland, but it is even closer to the Japanese mainland. Japan sends planes from Hokkaido, and we send planes from the mainland and the north of the island. The distance is about the same. The sky of Sakhalin Island is at most one
Half. Even if we have more and better aircraft and more skilled pilots, it will still take several bloody air battles before we can seize air supremacy. Before we seize air supremacy, we cannot expect to be like on the mainland battlefield.
That, that reliance on air support."
Xiong Dingming pondered for a long time and then interrupted:
"Otherwise, let's make a compromise...neither launch an immediate ground attack, nor wait indefinitely...we send an aircraft carrier squadron to proactively attack the Japanese in the Western Pacific. We can then bomb Japanese coastal cities.
Try to bring back part of Japan's fleet near Sakhalin Island. What's the estimated time... it should take about seven to eight days."
Several people looked at each other and seemed to think that Xiong Dingming's idea was even more useless and would not benefit from either end.
At this time, Tang Yunsheng's adjutant walked in hurriedly and whispered in front of him:
"Sir, your phone number is from His Majesty."
When several people heard this, they immediately couldn't help but sit upright and look at Tang Yunsheng.
Tang Yunsheng looked serious, nodded, straightened his collar, stood up, held the marshal's staff and his big-brimmed hat under his arm, and strode out after the adjutant.
After a while, Tang Yunsheng came back. He put down his hat and scepter, sat down again, looked around at everyone, and said slowly:
"Everyone, His Majesty just made a suggestion to us on the phone, suggesting that we fight quickly to end the fighting on Sakhalin Island and control the entire island as soon as possible. His Majesty said that the Sakhalin issue is a key link that can determine the relationship between Japan and the Soviet Union.
Will we move towards closer unity or gradually separate? If we drag on, the Soviet Union will continue to lobby Japan, and Japan will become more and more aware that Sakhalin is related to Japan's homeland security, and will become more and more willing to ignore it.
If the local and Soviet armies are uniting, it is even possible to send Japanese troops to the island to fight us directly. That is what we least want to see.
"And if we can end the Battle of Sakhalin as quickly as possible and quickly control the entire island, then both the Soviet Union and Japan will have no choice but to shift their attention elsewhere. The Soviet Union will refocus its attention on
Lake Baikal, Central Siberia, and Japan will focus on protecting Hokkaido itself and protecting its own maritime transportation lines. The two countries will have fewer overlapping interests, and they will part ways faster. So,
Sakhalin will not only become a geographical 'separating barrier' between the two countries, but will also become a political 'separating barrier' between the two countries."
After Tang Yunsheng finished speaking, several people looked at each other, quietly savoring this "His Majesty's insights". In other words, everyone was wondering: When did His Majesty have such profound insights on strategic and political issues?