Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 297
Only Noblemtl
#297. In the name of the Tsar (1)
I took out a notebook and looked at the status of friendly forces that could be mobilized immediately.
“If our front line Guards Division and 2nd Reserve Infantry Division were destroyed like that, we might be able to recapture Wonsan this time.”
“I agree. First, we should recapture Wonsan and expel all Japanese troops from the Gwanbuk front, and if the Russian-American troops in Manchuria defeat the Japanese troops… we could aim for more. For example, recapturing Hanseong.”
The other officers clenched their fists at my words.
It was the best way to show the Japanese military the utmost contempt and disdain in front of the world.
Of course, it has been like that up until now, but this time it has a little more meaning.
Because it needed to have the effect of ending the war and having a political impact.
“But, Commander, we only have about 80,000 troops that can be mobilized immediately. The remaining troops should be allocated to maintaining our supply lines and defending the coastline connecting Najin, Sungjin, and Hamheung in the rear. If the Japanese forces at the front decide to go on the defensive, it will be bad for us.”
“No matter how much of a scumbag they are, once they enter the trenches, grab a rifle, and start shooting, they’ll do what they’re supposed to do. Then you’ll have to be prepared to suffer a lot of losses.”
It was true that attacking was more difficult than defending.
Just as the attacker has more rights than the defender, there are also more things to worry about and coordinate.
That was also the reason why the Japanese army continued to make mistakes and fail on the Korean front.
Although our military has shown quite good skills in defensive battles, no one knows what will happen if we switch to the offensive.
Because the moment the supply line increases even a little, you never know what might happen.
While I was thinking for a moment, I turned my head when I saw someone coming in.
“I think we can help solve the governor’s worries, even if only a little.”
···Naval Vice Admiral Jang Gi-ryeom entered together with Navy Admiral Lee Dong-hwi.
He thrust a sheet of operational plan at me.
Judging from the slightly faded paper, it appeared to have been written in the early days of the war.
And the content was quite impressive, and considering the current situation, it was something from a very astral realm.
“It’s called a landing operation. But our fleet only has six destroyers. Even if we scrape together a bunch of ships, we’ll only be able to transport one company with difficulty… Besides, even if the main office doesn’t know, if we deploy that many ships to Wonsan Port, the enemy will definitely notice.”
“Oh, sir. We can’t fully utilize those six ships. The Army may have a similar principle, but the Navy has a 1/3 rule that must be followed. One out of three ships must always remain in port for maintenance and one for training. In other words, our Navy can only mobilize two ships in case of a trade war or emergency.”
He continued speaking with a smile.
“But there is one trump card that neither the enemy nor our allies have thought of. And it is a very big one at that. Thanks to the Emperor’s kindness, we were able to obtain the ‘cruiser’ Yangmu from the Japanese.”
The crowd was in an uproar.
It’s been a long time since I’ve heard the name of that coal-eating hippopotamus.
It was deployed to defend Hamheung Bay, but was last reported to be moored at the port due to coal supply issues, and was hardly ever deployed for operations.
“That ship was originally a coal carrier, and now all of the guns have been removed and replaced with land-based batteries, leaving quite a bit of space. At this rate, it’s easy to deploy a battalion for one transport.”
I couldn’t help but be astonished at this statement. Last time he had been saying something that an admiral of the Kriegsmarine would say 40 years later, but this time he was dreaming of something like a British commando raid in World War II, something similar to Operation Chariot.
Or maybe it was the Soviet army attempting to land in Seattle on a container ship, as shown by some game company.
‘Are the authors who are the leaders of our Navy humans from the future, just like me?’
As I was thinking about this seriously, I ended up revealing my true feelings without realizing it.
“···Really, just hearing it makes me feel crazy.”
“But isn’t it wonderful? It also allows us to show the greatest contempt we can to those enemies who seek to dominate the seas, and to those who dare to confront the great fleet of Russia. Isn’t it fun to think about?”
Chief Jang Gi-ryeom’s expression was sincere.
In fact, the method he advocated was a very simple and yet surefire solution.
They were planning to drive the sheep and land at Wonsan Port, then run around without any distinction between the front and rear.
The plan was to expand the bridgehead by gradually deploying infantry units waiting at Hamheung Port through Hamheung-Wonsan, and to actively cooperate with the Army to strike the outer defense line together.
At first glance, it seemed like a far-fetched plan, but I couldn’t help but think that maybe they could do it.
“What do we need for this operation?”
“The landing force of the Army. The last time we landed on Ulleungdo, we had the opportunity to use the direct command of the Sunmuyeong, but this time we need more than last time.”
Jang Gi-ryeom continued speaking, unable to hide his smile.
“If it were up to me, I would like to operate without the support of the Army, even if it is only with our Navy alone. I would like to deploy the Naval Land Forces, which I have hastily assembled from the Navy Military Police and Port Guards, but I think it would be better to deploy the much more elite Assault Infantry Regiment.”
“You probably aren’t trained for landing.”
“Haha, it wouldn’t be impossible for the assault infantry, which is much stronger than the direct command. Besides, they think they control the sea, and they wouldn’t even dream of us landing. So what do you think? If we do this, we can minimize our casualties and subdue Wonsan as a diversionary operation.”
“···To say that the Korean Navy is truly crazy is an understatement.”
I spoke with honesty.
The staff and the naval command also became serious for a moment at my words, but their expressions changed after my next words.
“But that’s why I think it’s worth a try. Submit the plan for this operation to the Marshal’s Office Operations Division. Then, assemble all the staff and commanders above the regimental level. It’s time to start the counterattack.”
“Hahaha! Look at that, Commander. Commander, you have the same blood as our Navy.”
Well, if you’ve been looking into the future, then maybe so.
I nodded silently and opened my mouth to talk about an important topic related to this.
“Do you have an operation name in mind?”
“Well, how about ‘Glory of the North’? It’s a name that came from within the Navy’s command, and it’s quite neat.”
These people really seemed to be halfway from the future. They were referring to the most heart-pounding scene in Tom Clancy’s book, Red Storm, called ‘Polar Glory’.
I was half-stunned, but the Navy leadership must have seen me as thrilled by their suggestion.
“The governor is also in good shape. Very good. I will report the detailed outline of the operation to the Marshal’s Office and the governor’s office soon. Ah, the tone is very good. The glory of the North Pole.”
Jang Gi-ryeom went out with Lee Dong-hwi, whining. Truly, the organization that bears the name of our proud Korean Navy… has always been maddening.
I felt a sense of relief at the sight, but at the same time, I felt uneasy.
Perhaps after this war, the Navy would become even crazier than it is now, for better or worse.
“Are you okay, sir?”
“Probably. It’s going to get busy soon, so everyone get ready. We have to recapture Wonsan before we can move on to the next step.”
I held onto the baton tightly, my confused mind in check.
The time was now coming when the war would have to end.
***
“Brave soldiers of the Second Manchurian Army! I am your commander and supreme commander, General Gripenberg! I am certain that no matter what happens, I will never give the order to surrender to the enemy. I will not promise the fate of Port Arthur to the soldiers I command.”
“···The problem solver has arrived.”
“He’s not exactly a pleasant problem solver. I welcome the reinforcements, but I doubt I can keep a commander with that fiery temper.”
Kuropatkin and his staff saw a man who had arrived in Lushun and was raising the morale of the Russian soldiers, whose voice was full of husky and passionate energy and who was maintaining a depressed atmosphere.
Although he was bald and covered in a thick beard, his bright eyes and aggressive nature, which were not appropriate for his age, made him famous even within the Russian military.
“Therefore, there is no word for retreat in our great Russian Imperial Army, and anyone who leaves his position and benefits the enemy can be shot. If the commander orders you to retreat, you can shoot him.”
“···As befitting the Tsar’s hammer.”
General Lineevich, who was appointed as the commander of the 1st Manchurian Army, recited this with candid feelings.
It was obvious that the morale of the soldiers, who had been struggling for months and seemed like they would never be caught, was rising with just a few of his strong words.
“Gentlemen! From now on, brace yourselves. Let us show the Japonskys the true Great Russian Empire, the noble wrath of the Tsar. Everyone, hold your bayonets firmly, trust in the protection of our saints, and fight on the land of Manchuria! Then I will bring you victory!”
“Wow!!”
Amidst the cheers of the soldiers, General Gripenberg strode towards the headquarters.
The soldiers cheered him so enthusiastically that not only the military police but also the officers had to run out to protect him.
“Come on, Griffenberg!”
“Long live Russia! Long live the Tsar!”
The appearance of General Gripenberg, the recently arrived Tsar’s messenger, commander of the 2nd Manchurian Army and one of the most aggressive men in the Imperial Russian Army, was quite spectacular.
He arrived at Mukden, which was to be the battlefield, leading 90,000 troops, including 126 infantry battalions, 18 cavalry squadrons, and 294 artillery pieces belonging to four corps, including the 1st Siberian Corps.
It was said that one of these corps troops was reorganized into a Korean style.
They brought in the Korean Army’s infantry training manual translated into Russian, and about 10 Russian officers and 20 non-commissioned officers who had served in the Korean Army, and reorganized them in Siberia.
In any case, the arrival of reinforcements from the mainland and the arrival of passionate commanders, albeit temporarily, gave the Far East Army, whose morale had fallen to the point of collapse, the capacity to reorganize and send it out to a new battlefield.
But as time went by, the situation was not getting any better.
“Commander, this is a telegram from home. It seems that the situation at home is not good either.”