Under the escort of the fleet, the Island Nation transport fleet rushed slowly and hurriedly along the way. Finally, just after 5 a. m. on March 3, the Island Nation transport fleet arrived at the eastern offshore coast of Borneo.
"It will be dawn in less than an hour. We must hurry up! Ryuzaki-kun, the next step is up to you!" Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Sakurai Shōzō said.
Before arriving in the east of Borneo, the Island Nation transport fleet had already split up. Among them, 28th Army is heading towards Sennah Port, while 33rd Army is heading towards Lahad Datu. Similarly, Island Nation Navy's escort fleet is also divided into two parts, the heavy cruiser 'Tone', the Light Cruiser 'Tenryū' and five 'Xigumo' class destroyers, which will assist 28th Army in landing Sennah Port. The heavy cruiser 'Chikuma', the 'Tatsuta' number Light Cruiser and the five 'Xigumo' class destroyers will assist 33rd Army in landing at Lahad Datu.
"Your Excellency Lieutenant General, please rest assured, we will do our best!" Rear Admiral Ryūzaki Ryūkichi said.
Although there is a lot of conflict between the Island Nation's Army and the navy. But at this time, they are all in the same boat. For the future of Island Nation, they can only do their best.
"Onishi-kun, start shooting in five minutes to clear the way for the army to land!" Rear Admiral Ryūzaki Ryūkichi ordered.
"Hi, Your Excellency General!" Colonel Ōnishi Shinzō replied.
Five minutes later, the four twin-mounted 203mm Main Gun and the 127mm high-level dual-purpose cannon on the heavy cruiser 'Tone' began firing. The four 140mm main guns and 80mm secondary guns on the 'Tenryū' Light Cruiser also began to fire wildly. Even the 127mm main guns on the destroyer Yugumo also joined in.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
For a moment, the sound of cannons rumbled across the sea, and the shells roared and hit the Sennah Port coast.
Violent explosions sounded, and craters appeared one after another on the sea.
The fortifications built by the German Army were also destroyed bit by bit under the fierce bombardment of Island Nation Navy.
Of course, the fortifications built by the German Army are not just fake. Some key fortifications can even withstand large-caliber heavy artillery. When Island Nation Navy did not dispatch Capital Ships, but only dispatched one heavy cruiser, one Light Cruiser and several destroyers, it was obviously impossible to destroy German Army's defenses and destroy them in a short time.
When Sennah Port was attacked, the heavy cruiser 'Chikuma' of the Island Nation fleet, the 'Tatsuta' number Light Cruiser and five 'Yūgumo-class' destroyers also began to attack Lahad Datu.
While it is still dark, the Island Nation fleet hopes to use its main guns to destroy all German Army's defenses. In this case, it will be relatively easier for their army to carry out subsequent landing operations. At the same time, the Island Nation fleet also knows that German Air Force will definitely attack them once dawn comes. At that time, the warships in the fleet will not even be able to protect themselves, let alone provide support to the army.
The headquarters of Brunei City, German Army 23rd Army Group. Lieutenant General William Adam was also notified at this moment, knowing that Sennah Port and Lahad Datu were attacked by the Island Nation fleet.
"It seems that the Island Nation people are preparing to divide their forces into two groups to attack Sennah Port and Lahad Datu respectively. Order 225th Infantry Division and 228th Infantry Division to hold on to their positions. The air force will provide support to them next. Navy support will also arrive soon. I will also send reinforcements to them!" Lieutenant General William Adam said.
German military deploys one Infantry Division on Sennah Port and Lahad Datu respectively. Although 23rd Army Group has one Armored Division and ten Infantry Division under his command. However, Borneo is too large and there are many places that need to be defended. Therefore, 23rd Army Group also has limited troops.
"General, 23rd Armored Division and 23rd Heavy Artillery Brigade can also move to these two places. Heavy Artillery Brigade can use the range advantage of the heavy-duty Howitzer to launch attacks at long distances. Armored Division can take precautions. Once we cannot defend Sennah Port and For Lahad Datu, you can retreat. After the Island Nation's Army is far away from the coast, you can use Armored Division to launch an attack. Island Nation's Army's armor and anti-armor strength are weak and cannot resist the attack of our Armored Forces." Major General Erwin Willow suggested.
Lieutenant General William Adam thought for a while, then nodded. "Let the 23rd Heavy Artillery Brigade go to reinforce first. The 23rd Armored Division, the 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and the 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division will wait a little longer. Once Xanadu Port and Lahad Datu cannot be defended, It's not too late to set off. We can even use armored and mechanized troops to engage in a small-scale battle with the islanders. I believe we can take this opportunity to teach the islanders a big lesson."
"Yes, General." Major General Erwin Willow nodded.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Island Nation Navy's fierce bombardment continued, but the damage they caused to the German Army who was hiding in the anti-gun cave was very limited. In addition, the number of ships in the Island Nation fleet is limited, and the damage caused to the German Army's defenses is also quite limited.
Time passed little by little, and a hint of white fish belly appeared on the horizon. It can be seen that it will be dawn soon.
"It's too late, carry out a beach landing immediately!"
Lieutenant General Sakurai Shōzō immediately issued the order for the troops to land.
The most elite 2nd Division under the 28th Army, and also the most powerful division among the Island Nation's Army, served as the vanguard force for this landing.
2nd Division Commander Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Teiichi After receiving the order, he immediately issued the order to attack. The infantrymen 4th Wing, 16th Wing, 29th Wing and 30th Wing under 2nd Division, nearly fifteen thousand people, all participated in this attack.
A large number of the Island Nation's Army soldiers rushed to the shore on landing craft.
Island Nation's Army uses a landing craft, which basically relies on human power to row. This also makes them relatively slow.
There are more than a thousand landing craft with fifteen thousand people on board. There were so many landing craft that almost the entire sea surface was crowded.
Waiting for the 225th Infantry Division of the Army on the shore, they also discovered Island Nation's Army's intention. While reporting to Army Group Commander, they ordered the guarding troops to open fire and attack.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The Artillery Regiment of Germany 225th Infantry Division of the Army opened fire, 18 150 mm heavy Howitzer, 36 105mm Light Howitzer, a total of 54 75mm Field Gun of the Artillery Battalion of the subordinate infantry regiments, and even infantry guns, heavy mortars, etc., all joined in the shooting.
At the same time, German Air Force 5th Air Group's plane also took off urgently from the airport.