Devil's Army

Chapter 1991 Attack on the Zhoushan Islands 2

The second company commander knew that there were many reefs in this area, so he continued to advance according to the route that the locals had told him beforehand, completely unaffected by the Japanese artillery bombardment.

However, the narrow channel prevented the ships of the Second Squadron from spreading out, and their advance was suppressed by the firepower of Japanese artillery and gunboats.

Upon hearing that the First Seafood Squadron, which was attacking the Zhoushan Islands, had been hampered and suffered considerable losses in the naval battle, the Anhui Air Force immediately dispatched air force reinforcements.

Soon after, the Anhui Air Force of the First Army arrived at the Zhoushan Islands and launched a fierce bombardment against the Japanese artillery deployed on the Xiazhimen Heights.

Japanese gunboats on the Xiazhimen Channel were also subjected to fierce bombing by the Anhui Air Force.

With strong support from the First Army Air Force, the Second Squadron of the First Army Navy quickly broke through the Japanese Navy's blockade of the Xiazhimen Channel and advanced towards the Zhoushan Islands.

The Third Squadron of the First Army Navy took Route 3: Ningbo Daxie Island—Huibieyang—Dayushan Island—Zhoushan Daishan Island.

The total distance here is about 42 nautical miles. The route crosses the open waters of the Grey Turtle Ocean, and passes around Dayushan Island (which has many reefs) in the middle section.

The Japanese army deployed artillery positions and defensive lines on the high ground of Dayushan Island.

Dayushan Island has a high elevation, allowing it to overlook the ocean and launch high-altitude fire strikes, while also laying mines underwater to block shipping lanes.

Moreover, the open terrain of the Grey Turtle Ocean made it easy for Japanese reconnaissance planes to spot targets, preventing the Third Squadron from launching a surprise attack.

When the 3rd Squadron of the First Army Navy attacked this place, it was intercepted by Japanese gunboats and artillery.

One of the ships leading the charge unfortunately struck a mine and sank.

The cruel Japanese army bombarded the warships of the First Army while also shelling the soldiers who had fallen into the water.

Subsequent ships suppressed Japanese artillery and gunboats while rescuing soldiers who had fallen into the water.

After all the surviving soldiers of the First Army were rescued and brought aboard the ships, the Third Squadron of the Navy temporarily withdrew from Dayu Island.

A while later, the Anhui air force that had bombed Xiazhimen also sent an air force to bomb Dayu Island.

Upon hearing the roar of the aircraft, the Japanese artillerymen at their positions on Dayu Island immediately ceased their bombing.

However, based on the coordinates provided by the Third Squadron of the Navy, the Anhui Air Force still launched a comprehensive bombing campaign against Dayu Island, which is located above the sea.

All the artillery pieces at the Japanese artillery positions on Dayu Island were destroyed by the air force.

The Japanese soldiers inside the fortifications, hiding in the collapsed structures, continued to suppress the Third Company's subsequent attack with machine gun fire.

However, this amount of firepower was no longer sufficient to suppress the guns of the third squadron's ships.

The artillery of the Third Squadron continued to suppress the Japanese machine gun fire in the collapsed fortifications, and continued to advance toward the Zhoushan Islands.

However, shortly after setting sail, another ship struck a mine and ran aground.

The Third Squadron of the First Army Navy did not have minesweepers, so they had to ask the air force for help to blast a passage.

Subsequently, the Anhui Air Force dispatched a bomber squadron to bomb the mines laid in the waters in front of Dayu Island.

The dense mines laid in the channel in front of Dayu Island were continuously detonated by the shock waves from the aerial bomb explosions.

Columns of water shot up into the waterway in front of Dayu Island.

The third squad leader watched with trepidation.

If their third squadron's ships were to force their way through this area, the sheer density of mines would be enough to send all of their ships to the bottom of the sea.

After the air force cleared a channel in front of Dayu Island, the Third Squadron continued to advance towards the Zhoushan Islands while suppressing the Japanese firepower on Dayu Island, which was no longer a threat.