Rising Sun

After the 2nd Division defeated the American-Australian-United Kingdom allies in the Sunda Strait, which was commanded by Vice Admiral Takahashi, it was General
Imamura’s turn to lead Rikugun to control Java on March 1, 1942.

Once the division landing and is ready to face all forms of resistance when entering
the community area.

But what they found was very different. The residents who saw them welcomed
them well.

The natives saw a hero who would free them from the shackles of the Netherlands
colonial era.

The Japanese intelligence officers stationed in the area were assigned to be
mediators, because they were the ones who could translate Japanese into the local
language.

“Dai Nippon, the elder brother of the Great East Asia who liberated Asia from the
oppression of the western nations.”

The first Imperial Japanese Army propaganda voiced in Indonesia.

Besides spreading propaganda, they also assigned Japanese intelligence to describe the location and strength of the Allies on the island of Java.

After the information was gathered from the intel, there were at least 3 forts called
Black Force Fefense belonging to the allies that they had to pass.

Then the results of the meeting resulted in the Division’s decision being divided into 2, so that they could seize 2 major cities at once.

Nasu’s detachment conquered the south, and the Imamura Division to the west
conquered the capital, Batavia.

Taise is assigned to fight to the south to seize territory until the city of Bandung.

Without waiting for supplies, Major General Yumio Nasu led the attack towards
Djasinga district.

Only with half a dozen Sumida M.2593 and a dozen wooden bicycles, which the
locals call wind vehicles.

After 100 kilometers of the convoy traveled, the recon squad reported that in a few
kilometers they would face Black Force Defense. Its strength is almost 1000
personnel with its defense armed with Madsen machine guns and 3 Sherman Firefly tanks.

Major General Yumio Nasu ordered the attack to coincide with sunset because the
Allies are in the east so the Allies getting disadvantage by reduced visibility.

“Sun with us!”

Major General Yumio Nasu advanced the recon platoon first, followed by the infantry as a backup line of attack.

Taise, who is a warrant officer in charge of a reconnaissance platoon, must fight on
the front lines.

Without the help of artillery and air attacks, it was difficult for the recon squad to
move towards the fort.

The shots of British tanks took turns, followed by hundreds of bullets fired from
mounted guns.

The number of Platoon Taise decreased, some were shot, some had their bodies
destroyed by a shot from British tanks.

Taise must be able to position the platoon as close as possible so that the anti-tank
infantry can be at an optimal firing range.

Once in a while he aims at the enemy and shoots, but rarely hits the enemy.

He and his platoon had to set aside time to hide and shoot while they had to keep
pushing forward on the line of attack.

“Squad 1 Attack! Squad 2 follow me!”

He acts when he sees the enemy’s LMD reloading.

The efforts of recon platoon paid off, as the anti-tank infantry began open fire.

The British tanks that were being pierced by bullets one by one stopped operating.

Even without explosives and air strikes, the Imperial Japanese army could defeat the armored vehicle.

Make morale of soldiers increases and terrify the allied forces so that they retreat to the next defence line.

“Taisho, allied defense fortress has been defeated.”

Said a runner reporting to Major General Nasu.

In the evening the Nasu Detachment was forced to camp and rest by the weather.

Constant rain made their roads muddy and slippery, making armored vehicles
unable to mobilize.

“Sōchō, Report! Around 50 people from recon squad have died.”

Report of one of Taise’s men.

“Understood. Return to your position.”

“Roger that.“

As he was about to drink a cup of tea, he saw a man not wearing an army uniform.

“Wait! Who are that civilians?”

“He is military intelligence from kaigun.”

The soldier saluted and bowed once.

Intel? I thought he was a civilian. Wait… intel?

“Wait, call him here.”

“Roger that.“

The soldier saluted and bowed once again, then quickly left.

“Sōchō, Seisuke Yoshizumi, navy intelligence fulfill your call.”

He saluted and bowed once.

“Please have a seat. Why is there intel on the battlefield?”

Taise waved his hand, asking him to sit down.

“A deployment order, somewhere around this area.”

“I see, then this area is a special area.”

“Sōchō, thank you for your effort we have made it this far.”

“Thanks to those who are gone.”

“Sorry, it must be hard to lose a precious subordinate.”

“Precious? If you are at the bottom, you will feel the pain of losing a friend.”

“But when you are at the top, you will feel the suffering of being responsible for life.”

There is nothing precious in war, the only thing precious is victory.