Chapter 3475
Qian Shaobao originally wanted to follow Gao Qiaonan and stay on the beachhead to deal with possible offensives by the Dutch. But how could Takahashi Nan really let him put himself in danger? Without further explanation, he ordered him to stay on the Weixing and participate in the follow-up operations of the troops.
Qian Shaobao was somewhat conflicted at this time. On the one hand, he hoped that the Dutch would take the initiative to launch an attack, which would give them sufficient reasons to start a war. However, on the other hand, he was worried that the beachhead would not have enough troops to withstand the opponent's offensive, so he would give up when the time came. Not to mention morale, even Takahashi Minami will be in danger.
But military orders are like mountains, and since Takahashi Nan has given them, he can only follow them.
Qian Shaobao didn't know that Gao Qiaonan's daring to adopt such risky tactics was not just a whim due to a hot head. He has a clear understanding of the risks he may face next and is prepared with the means to deal with them.
When setting off from Phuket Island, Qian Tiandun allocated two heavy machine guns in the general arsenal to Gao Qiaonan, along with 5,000 rounds of special ammunition.
Because of the complex manufacturing process and high material requirements, even the bullets used need to be manufactured on a separate production line. Therefore, the current cost is extremely high and the production capacity is very limited. It has not been officially installed in the Haihan Army. A small number of elite troops were qualified to trial this new weapon.
Although the special operations division is Haihan's ace unit, it only received four heavy machine guns and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition. Since ammunition is precious, even live ammunition training has to be used sparingly, and it is rarely used in actual combat. But because this mission had certain risks, Qian Tiandun specifically asked Gao Qiaonan to bring this treasure with him as a precaution.
Machine gunners who operate weapons are considered a brand new branch of the military. Since there is no old practice in training, their training is not carried out in the army. Instead, they are transferred to Sanya by the Ministry of National Defense to complete the training at the Army Academy. course.
Takahashi Minami personally went to the Army Academy to watch the live-fire training of machine gunners. He knew that this new weapon was extremely powerful and could be called a weapon to kill infantrymen. It can be said that it is no longer a weapon of the same era as the muskets currently equipped by various countries.
In a situation like the current disparity in strength between the two sides, as long as there are two heavy machine guns holding down the formation, and the barbed wire fence deployed around the perimeter of the position, Takahashi Nan does not have to worry about what tricks the other side can use to rely on their superior strength.
The beachhead is backed by the sea, and the terrain is flat with no shelter. There is no need to worry about being surrounded by enemy forces from all sides. Regardless of whether the Dutch wanted to attack this position with infantry or cavalry, they could only hit the firepower of heavy machine guns from the front.
Coupled with the four small-caliber field guns that had just been shipped ashore and the defenders' more than two hundred guns, the firepower of this small position was probably far beyond the imagination of the Dutch.
Of course, Takahashi Minami also considered the possibility of the Dutch using artillery, so he deliberately left several warships equipped with new naval guns to operate near the coast. Once the opponent wanted to set up artillery outside the beachhead, the warships would Be the first to strike from the sea.
The Dutch's artillery has a limited range and can only form effective firepower if the position is set up within one mile. This range is already within the firepower coverage of the Haihan naval gun, so there is no need to worry about being hit by unilateral artillery fire from the opponent.
Preparations for the beachhead position are proceeding in an orderly manner. The soldiers have even used scaffolding unloaded from the ship to build a simple observation tower about three feet high in the position to ensure that enemy activities in the distance can be controlled.
This simple sentry tower, which is easy to quickly build in various terrain environments, and the accordion-type barbed wire that can be quickly deployed are all field equipment commonly used by special operations divisions.
It is precisely because of these special equipment that the special operations division was able to perfect the deployment of the beachhead position in a very short period of time. Shortly after Dutch General Van Hollen left, the sound of gunfire outside Colombo gradually stopped. It seemed that he was not just threatening, and really planned to turn his guns to deal with the Haihan army on the beach first.
However, based on the mobility that the Dutch have shown on the battlefield in the past, Takahashi Minami is convinced that they still need some time to reorganize their team and issue a new combat plan.
Gao Qiaonan raised his head and looked at the sky. It was already afternoon, but Ceylon Island is located in the tropics, and there would still be five or six hours before dark. With the Dutch's combat efficiency, it would be good to launch an offensive before dark.
To his slight surprise, before the Dutch took action, another group of visitors arrived.
This team stopped one mile away from Haihan's position and first showed their identity. It turned out that they were the defenders from Colombo. Seeing that the Haihan Army had set up a beachhead on the coast, they hurried out of the city to communicate.
It's just that the Dutch had a blockade outside the city, so they had to make a large detour and took several hours to reach the coast less than five miles away from Colombo.
But the sharp-eyed Takahashi Minami quickly noticed that there were quite a lot of people in this team, and there were old, young, and even women. This was obviously not as simple as leaving the city to make contact, but the dignitaries in the city took the opportunity to arrange for their family members to escape. Go to the place controlled by the Haihan Army.
Takahashi Minami was not interested in being a nanny for others, so he ordered someone to call Consicao and asked him to confirm the situation of these people first.
If the Portuguese cannot provide appropriate benefits, then Takahashi Nan certainly has no obligation to provide protection to these refugees.
Conceicao's ability to do things did not disappoint Takahashi Minami, and he came back soon to explain the situation. This team included the governor of Ceylon and the families of several wealthy businessmen. They were willing to pay a thousand silver coins each in exchange for the protection of the Haihan Army.
In addition, there are more than a dozen armed cavalry in this team. In addition to escorting these refugees, their mission will also be to serve as a channel for transmitting information between the defenders in the city and the reinforcements outside the city.
After confirming that the other party was willing to pay the fee, Takahashi Minami ordered people to take in the refugees.
Taking people's money to eliminate disasters for others, Takahashi Nan did not accept the money in vain. Instead of leaving these people in fear on the beachhead, he immediately arranged for them to be transported to the warship in a small boat for resettlement.
Of course, based on this sign, it is not difficult for Takahashi Nan to judge that the situation in the city is already very critical, and only these dignitaries would secretly send their family members out.
Fortunately, the Portuguese did not abandon the city, otherwise the city of Colombo would be taken by the Dutch, and it would not be so easy to get it back.
Takahashi Minami summoned the officers leading the team and carefully inquired about the current situation in Colombo City. As he expected, Colombo City's defense system was on the verge of collapse. If the Dutch offensive continued, it would probably fall as soon as tomorrow.