Chapter 1646 Tactical Choice
The Spaniards' adoption of this huddled defense tactic actually showed that they had a clear understanding of the strength comparison between the two sides, and had no intention of using layers of defenses on the periphery to resist Haihan's offensive. If they really want to fight for every inch of territory, it will actually suit Haihan's wishes, because then the Spaniards will not be able to gather heavy troops in one place, but Haihan can use the main force to go there. Attack these garrison strongholds and eliminate the Spanish armed forces bit by bit.
Although fortifying layers of defenses may create more trouble for Haihan and prolong the time it takes for Haihan to attack the city of Manila, this tactic will have a fatal flaw, that is, when Haihan’s army eliminates the surrounding When the stronghold reaches the city, the Spaniards will not have many troops left to defend the city. With the combat effectiveness of the Haihan Army, they may be able to break the city in one fell swoop.
The Spaniards' bottom line is to keep the city of Manila, so naturally they will not allow this to happen. The dispersed deployment of layer upon layer of defenses will definitely be wiped out by Haihan one by one in the end. However, if we take the initiative to withdraw the defense circle to Manila City and concentrate our superior forces to fight Haihan, we will not know whether we will win or lose. At least there will be a chance to win. If he had a chance to fight, he might really drag the Haihan army to death in the city.
But no matter which tactic it is, it is taking great risks for the Manila authorities to implement. If it fails, it may be the end of the city and the death of the people. As for Haihan, as long as he works step by step and does not rush forward, it is basically only a matter of time before the battle line reaches the city of Manila. So although it seems that Spain still has the advantage of playing at home, it is the Haihan Army playing away from home that takes the initiative in the battle.
Roger's troops did not find any large enemy forces near the town of Pasay and successfully captured this intermediate station leading to Manila. However, the dock size and facilities of the fishing port here are extremely limited and are not suitable for the fleet to be stationed here. It can only be used as a temporary cargo terminal. In this way, we must seize the time to expand the pier and lengthen and strengthen the trestle originally used to dock ships, so that cargo ships carrying materials can dock and unload smoothly.
However, Roger would definitely not let his troops lay down their weapons to do such hard work. Fortunately, before the war, the Ministry of National Defense considered that the Spaniards might adopt tactics of fortifying the wall and clearing the field, so they specially brought two troops with them on this expedition. Engineer Company. Naturally, the task of expanding the dock must be handed over to more professional troops.
On the eighth day after entering Manila Bay, the Haihan Army finally advanced to less than ten kilometers away from Manila City. Of course, if it hadn't been for the bad weather a few days ago, perhaps the army would have already arrived at the city by this time.
The Haihan Army's landing near the town of Pasay made a big splash, and naturally it could not be concealed from the enemy's surveillance. However, the Spaniards seemed to be very patient and did not rush to send troops to expel them. Adopted a stand-by attitude. The scouts also spotted Spanish riders on the periphery, but these riders who were responsible for inquiring about Haihan's military situation kept their distance very far, as if ensuring their own safety was their first priority.
But the Spanish warships of the Manila fleet were not idle. They tried to send several ships south from Manila Port to see if there was any chance of sneak attack on the Haihan cargo ship and troop carrier. But this plan is destined to be disappointed. Every cargo ship traveling between Cavite Port and Pasay is escorted by armed warships. The appearance of Spanish warships at sea will soon attract more people. The Haihan battleship moved closer to this sea area. If you don't want to be surrounded and suppressed, you can only choose to retreat proactively.
Although the Spaniards took the initiative to reduce the scope of defense, Haihan did not intend to settle down. In the early hours of two days later, the Haihan fleet raided the mouth of the Pasig River on the west side of Manila and launched a round of artillery fire on the Manila fleet temporarily stationed here.
The main reason why the Haihan fleet did not choose to break in and fire nearby was because the dock where the Manila fleet docked was under the fire cover of the coastal defense batteries. If it stayed near the coast for too long, it would probably attract the coastal defense. Cannon fire strikes. Even an ironclad ship like the "Black Shark" cannot guarantee that its hull can withstand the large solid shells of coastal defense artillery. The only option was to fire a round of artillery and run away before the defenders could react.
Since it was early in the morning when the Haihan fleet launched its attack, it was not yet dark, and the Spaniards were obviously not well prepared for such a sea raid, although they had already discovered the attack from the sea before the Haihan fleet formed an attack formation. attackers, but counterattacks came too slowly. When the coastal defense artillery fired the first shell, one-third of the Haihan fleet's ships had completed a round of shelling and began to evacuate to the southern sea.
In fact, no matter the attacker or the defender, it is difficult to complete accurate shooting under such limited visibility, and the firing time is extremely tight. Basically, they aim in a general direction and then fire. It is purely a lucky game. . However, Haihan's offensive was originally a harassment operation, and he had no real intention to defeat the enemy fleet through such shelling. The Spanish's counterattack on the fort was also similar to a warning, firing a few cannons with his eyes closed. , hoping to scare away the Haihan people.
So on both sides, you fight yours, and I fight mine. After each was busy, the battle was declared over before the battle officially started. The limited number of shells fired by the Spanish coastal defense batteries did not hit the jackpot, and all fell into the sea. On Haihan's side, several shells hit the target, but the damage was not too serious. Two ships were hit by bullets and caught fire, but the sailors put them out in time and did not cause a major disaster.
Juan rushed to the dock with a livid face, and after checking the damage of the ships that had been shot, he felt a little relieved. The place where he stayed last night was actually not far from the pier. At this juncture, he didn't dare to go back to the city to spend the night, lest someone would find out that he was afraid of fighting. Juan was actually prepared for Haihan's possible sudden attack, but he didn't expect that the Haihan people would actually play such a trick in the early morning. Judging from the Haihan fleet's immediate retreat after its victory and its unwillingness to fight, the other side obviously did not feel at ease to achieve any decisive results through this battle. To put it bluntly, it was just a harassment. The name is to attack the Manila fleet, but the reality is to attack the morale of the Spanish side.
Governor Aragones has begun to urge him to implement the so-called battle plan and deal with the difficult black warship as soon as possible, as a signal to launch a counterattack. But Juan kept delaying because he had to wait until enough chain bullets were available before he dared to take the risk. But Haihan's movements seemed to be just a step faster than him. Seeing that the number of chain bombs produced overtime was almost enough, the opponent plotted against him. Although he knew that the other party was deliberately harassing and provoking him to go to sea for a decisive battle, Juan also knew that after the matter was reported to the Governor's Mansion, the Governor would definitely have to urge him to take action.
"Go ahead and order all ships and personnel to prepare for battle today. We will go south for a circle tomorrow." Juan tried his best to give the order to the officers surrounding him in a calm tone. He deliberately did not use words like "decisive battle" because he did not want to put too much pressure on the minds of the combatants. Everyone knows that the incoming Haihan fleet is stronger than the Manila fleet. If there is a head-on decisive battle at sea, the Manila fleet's chance of winning is estimated to be less than 30%. Juan only issued this order in the form of an ordinary task in order to avoid pessimism and panic among the fleet.
After Juan gave the order, he left the dock. Things like repairing ships and preparing ammunition are left to the officers below to take care of them, and there is no need for him to take care of everything personally. Juan returned to the city by carriage, first went to the Governor's Palace, informed Aragones of the brief exchange of fire and the situation at the port, and then explained his battle plan.
"I will have the fleet's roster be sent to the Governor's Mansion later. Many people will cross their names from it, perhaps including me. Lord Governor, if the Manila fleet fails in this battle I hope you can forgive those who come back alive." Juan expressed his attitude to Aragones very seriously: "I guarantee that everyone in the Manila fleet will do their best in the next battle, but. I don’t want all these warriors to die on the sea. If we cannot defeat our opponents, then I will arrange for them to withdraw. Perhaps on land, our disadvantage will be smaller.”
"Dear Juan, I don't mean to force you to fight for your life. You must know that your role is greater than that of ordinary sailors. You must live well, understand?" Aragones looked at him as if he was not joking. , really planning to die, immediately persuaded him: "You have to lead the fleet to fight with all your strength, but you must also protect your own safety. If you really can't support it, then retreat, we still have Manila City to defend!" ”
Juan thought that without the harassment from the sea, the city of Manila would be an isolated city. The Haihan people could besiege the city with confidence and boldness. How long can this last? Although he is a Spaniard, he is not optimistic about the possibility of defeating Haihan on land. The opponent has already completed the landing on the coast of Pasay Town. It is obvious that he will advance from the land to Manila City. By then, Aragones will The heavily relied on shore defense artillery fortifications were almost useless.
Without the heavy fire support of coastal defense artillery, how many days can Manila City survive under Haihan's artillery fire? Juan did not want to think deeply about this issue. He had previously met with Francis, who was in charge of city defense. Although the other party insisted that he would teach the Haihan people a bloody lesson, he could not tell any specific tactics. It was obvious that he was also counting on coastal defense artillery. Able to prevent Haihan from landing in Manila Port. Now that the Haihan people are planning to bypass the coastal defense artillery from the land, this man must also have a headache after getting the news.
Of course, Juan would not really intend to die to serve his country. He just had to have such an attitude in front of the governor to show his determination. Otherwise, he would not have the honor to return to the city after losing the battle. But whether he can save his life in this battle is actually not something he can decide. After all, anything can happen on the battlefield.
In the early morning of the next day, Juan issued a departure order on the "San Diego", and the twenty-two sailing ships of the Manila fleet that were still operational rushed out and sailed south along the coastline.
Juan's first target was the fishing port in Pasay Town. He knew very well that the size of the local dock was not suitable for the large-tonnage Haihan warship to dock, so it was likely to be a weak point in Haihan's defense. If there is a Haihan cargo ship docked locally, then it would be a good idea to attack this weak persimmon. At the worst, the local port terminal should be destroyed as much as possible to slow down Haihan's delivery of materials and personnel to the local area.
There was nothing wrong with Juan's idea and it was a very reasonable battle plan, but unfortunately the opponent he encountered was Haihan. When the Manila fleet set off from the port, Haihan sailors had already noticed this movement on a reconnaissance sailboat a few nautical miles away. Although the sailing ship did not carry advanced equipment such as radios, with the advantage of high speed, the reconnaissance ship returned to the fishing port in Pasay Town ahead of the Spanish and reported the news of the enemy fleet's attack to the defenders.
As Juan expected, there was no Haihan battleship stationed here, but Roger's troops had already set up several twenty-four-pound artillery pieces on the pier for shore defense firepower. After receiving the warning here, they immediately informed the Cavite Port through the radio, and then the main force of the Haihan Fleet immediately set off from Cavite and rushed to the fishing port of Pasay Town. The two places are too close to each other. If the Spanish fleet wants to make a difference in the fishing port of Pasay Town, it will definitely not be able to escape the Haihan fleet, which is rushing to help.
Juan may have known this, or he may not have thought of it at all, but after the fleet arrived at the target area, he immediately issued the order to attack. The Spanish galleons of the Manila fleet formed a fighting column and swept the sea near the fishing port at a tangential angle while firing at the pier.
There were several cargo ships docked at the fishing port pier, but after receiving the warning, they all left the pier and headed south in time. But this also made it easier for the army artillery on the pier to respond to the offensive of the Spanish warships. Eight cannons fired in sequence, and the shells hit the Spanish sailing ships passing near the pier.
The range and accuracy of the army's artillery were far superior to those of the naval guns on the ship. Haihan had a clear advantage in this round of artillery knockdowns. Almost every shell hit the target easily. This made the Spanish sailing ship have to sail against the gunfire of the Haihan army when it moved closer to the shore to bring the dock into the range of the naval gun. This kind of pressure was no joke. The artillery emplacements deployed by Haihan were fortified with thick earthen bags. Even if the naval guns hit one or two shots, it would be difficult to pose a real threat.
(End of chapter)