“Excellent. You earned your pay today Clarke.”
In a curious way, mobility added to Meade’s problems. Remaining at anchor just outside of Kaohsiung Harbor was an easy decision — he could either stay there or abandon ship and move his flag to the Germantown. Now he had a choice. Stay in Taiwanese waters or make for international waters and presumed safety south of the 21st parallel. At six knots that would take no less than ten hours with the Chinese most likely trying to sink him the entire way.
Meade’s eyes narrowed. Abandon ship, try to run, or wait for the inevitable missile strike. He looked at the navigational charts for Kaohsiung, noting the depths and calculating where it made sense to land amphibious forces—where the Marines landed, of course.
Meade thought of a desperation maneuver the Japanese Imperial Navy tried in World War II — calculating the Americans would eventually weary of high losses, the Japanese decided to sortie the super battleship Yamato at the island of Okinawa during the American assault of that island. The Japanese hoped to beach the massive ship and create an unsinkable battleship that would then proceed to pound the U.S. invasion with its 18.1-inch guns. The Yamato never even reached sight of the island — it was quickly spotted and sunk by American aircraft. Might as well take some more of the bastards with me.
Meade gave the orders: with only a skeleton crew remaining he would beach the Curtis Wilbur on Chichin Beach at high tide — stern first, bow anchors out, the ship’s lone 5-inch gun pointing defiantly to the west. Too bad they weren’t defending Okinawa today — the Japanese would really be annoyed that the Americans successfully executed one of their most valiant last-ditch naval efforts.
Protecting the airport, the prime landing beach just south of the harbor and maintaining a force on top of the big hill overlooking Kaohsiung was a job for at least a division of 14,000 Marines. Flint had less than 2,000 and now, after the recent enemy airdrop that they repulsed, the enemy knew the Marines were there.
Flint turned to his S-4, Major Vine: “Logie, forget about getting more beans and band-aids off the Germantown, just get all the bullets you can. I want every weapon, every stick of explosive. We’re going to find ourselves in a helluva fight here and I want everyone, even what’s left of the service company, armed to the teeth.” He smiled grimly, “This is not a humanitarian mission.”
Every Marine was trained to be a rifleman. Vine returned the grim smile, “We’re on our way.”
“Bring back some of those fat Navy chiefs as well. They’re not going to like it very much, but they can carry guns, too.”
“Now you’re talking, sir!” Vine turned to go pressgang some squids into being ammo bearers. If I live through this, Vine thought, this will make a great sea story.
Fu Zemin swept into the Cathay Pacific office in Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport, the intelligence officer, Major General Wei, right behind him. The office and the adjoining offices of other airlines were appropriated by the commander of the Taiwan operation, General First Class Deng Yen-hsi.
General Deng, was pacing the floor and yelling into his SATCOM phone. He nodded at the presence of the two men but continued his tirade, “You stupid dogs! I cannot believe you’ve let a division of sick foot soldiers and a brigade of tanks that isn’t even close to the area of operations prevent you from reaching your first day’s objectives!” The general listened to the reply impatiently, then lowered his voice to a growl, “I don’t care if the Americans disrupted your effort. China has given you every tool you need to succeed. In fact, you have more than enough to ensure victory. Perhaps what is needed is your own personal leadership. Why are you not at the front with your men in Kaohsiung?”
Deng’s eyes were burning with the fires of military leadership. Fu could tell this man savored command in war — even if everything wasn’t going according to plan. Men like this could lift China to its rightful role as the world’s hegemon.
“I will give you six hours and the 202nd Air Mobile Division to help you get your follow-on divisions ashore. By 1800 this evening, if you’re not in Kaohsiung engaging the enemy yourself, I will personally sign the order for your removal for dereliction of duty! Is that understood General?… Fine then, Deng out!”
General Deng clicked the phone off and turned to Party Liaison Fu. He smiled and bowed. “Sir, I am honored by the presence of the Party’s trusted representative and the architect of this most excellent operation.”
Fu was momentarily stunned—a General First Class with four stars on each shoulder was bowing to him! Of course, that was as it should be, he reminded himself, he was, after all, the Party’s representative on Taiwan and therefore the highest-ranking political officer on the island.
“You’re too kind General Deng. The honor is mine. Please, give me a brief update on your progress. I last had a briefing from General Wei at about 10:00 AM and have since made a tour of our positions around the airport.”
“Excellent. Major General Wei is a fine officer. He once worked for me as my Chief of Intelligence when I commanded the 12th Group Army. The situation is simple. We are crushing the Taiwanese and making all of our objectives on or ahead of schedule…”
“What about Kaohsiung and the Americans?” Fu decided he would be demanding. He had a reputation for being smart and aggressive, now he wanted to enhance his reputation as a hard nose among the military.
If the general was fazed, he didn’t show it, “The Americans have managed to inflict some significant damage on our Kaohsiung operations. They have destroyed the 97th Infantry Division and the 2nd Regiment of the 3rd Airborne Division—12 battalions of infantry. Interestingly, they managed to achieve surprise against the 14th Group Army commander. He expected nothing but virus-weakened Taiwanese troops. He failed to react to the initial indications that his landings were in trouble. I am still not concerned, though. As far as the Americans go, there are not many of them and now we know where they are. I hear our Foreign Ministry is now working out the terms of their surrender. I, for one, almost wish they would fight to the last man so we could exact revenge.” The general clenched his fist in front of his barrel chest and squeezed.
Fu nodded, “If we could force a surrender that would be exceptionally good. An American surrender would cause Japan and South Korea to swiftly acknowledge our unquestioned primacy. Is the American presence in Kaohsiung the reason why you risk reinforcing failure?”
Deng arched his eyebrows, “Ah, yes, the 202nd Air Mobile Division. As for Kaohsiung, you are correct, it is only a supporting attack. Our goal is to tie down Taiwanese reserves and mobile forces along the length of Taiwan so they cannot interfere with our landings and build-up around Taipei. By the time the Taiwanese eliminate our southern beachheads and break free to rescue Taipei, it will already be too late, we will outnumber them in the decisive area of operations!”
“General, if I may, if it is only a supporting attack and it is not going well, then why are you willing to reinforce failure with another division?” Fu felt satisfied that he asked a good, militarily relevant question. After all, he was here to be more than just a wall decoration.
General Deng stopped a half-beat, not out of frustration, but out of respect for the younger man’s position. A hasty answer would indicate a lack of respect, “Comrade Fu, in most military situations, you would be correct. In an offensive effort, one does not reinforce failure. On the other hand, you have no doubt heard of the axiom, ‘one man to the enemy’s rear is worth ten men to his front’?”