The Rise Of Australasia-Chapter 1180 - 885: Not a Single One Left_2

However, the Island Nation Army was locked in fierce combat with the Australasia Army in Naha, and presumably, they wouldn't notice the movements of this Australasia force.

Because they were on foot, although there was a greater chance that they would not be detected by the Island Nation Army, it also meant that the completion of the encirclement would take longer.

But looking at the current situation on the battlefield, it was the Australasia Army that was not in a hurry; on the contrary, it was the Islanders who were anxious.

Ever since Naha was successfully ambushed, the Island Nation Army had never again approached this Urban City.

Moreover, it seemed that the majority of Naha's residents did not intend to resist the rule of the Australasia Army.

If one understands the history of the Ryukyu Islands, this archipelago was once composed of three countries, each corresponding to one of the three larger islands in the Ryukyu Islands.

After the unification of the three countries, the rather well-known Ryukyu Kingdom emerged. However, during the last years of the Ming Dynasty, the Ryukyu Islands were invaded by the Island Nation, leading to their de facto control.

But at this time, the Ryukyu Kingdom had not yet been destroyed, and the region was still referred to as the Ryukyu Kingdom.

It was not until 1872 that the Island Nation, taking advantage of the so-called Emperor's direct rule, demoted the Ryukyu Kingdom to a feudal domain, formally establishing Ryukyu's subordinate status to the Island Nation.

In 1879, the Island Nation government announced the abolition of the feudal domain system and turned the Ryukyu domain into Okinawa Prefecture, completing its occupation of the Ryukyu Islands.

It was clear, however, that with the Ryukyu Islands' demise having occurred only a bit more than 50 years ago, many Ryukyu people still harbored deep affection for the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Naturally, they didn't have much fondness for the role of the Island Nation as an invader.

Even in later generations, there remained a significant independence movement in Ryukyu, seeking to break away from the rule of the Island Nation.

While the Ryukyu people's feelings had little impact on the rule of the Island Nation, once the Island Nation lost control over Naha, the Ryukyu people would certainly not long for or aid the Island Nation.

For some special reason, Australasia had no interest in the Ryukyu Islands territory.

Therefore, after the occupation of Naha, Australasian officers sought out esteemed individuals among the Ryukyu people, expressing willingness to allow Ryukyu independence.

Of course, the precondition was that the Ryukyu people must support Australasia in defeating the Island Nation, and only on the basis of winning the war would Australasia back Ryukyu independence.

Moreover, as compensation, Australasia would not interfere with any affairs of post-independence Ryukyu, which would become a fully sovereign independent country.

What was it that made Australasia completely disinterested in Ryukyu? It was none other than a terrifying creature known as the mud crab.

The conditions offered by Australasia naturally received a warm welcome and "loyalty" from those Ryukyu people.

At least after the occupation of Naha by Australasia, order in the city remained stable, and these Ryukyu individuals showed no inclination to cause chaos.

Thanks to the stability in Naha, the Australasia Army could confidently resist the Island Nation Army's assaults.

As for Naha, it was only necessary to leave a few hundred people behind. First, to maintain the city's order and prevent any issues within the city while the army was abroad fighting.

Second, to prepare the logistics for the front-line forces. Naha had a large weapons depot with many weapons and equipment that Australasia could use, which was good news.

Subsequently, some food and supplies were collected from within Naha to be transported to the front line.

Currently, judging by the Islanders' attacks, it is certain that they could not possibly give up the city of Naha.

Naha was not only the largest city in the Ryukyu Islands, but it was also the biggest reserve for weapons, equipment, and food supplies.

If Naha were lost, the tens of thousands of Island Nation Soldiers on the Ryukyu Islands would have no place to find such an abundance of supplies.

In other words, if they could not take back Naha, these Island Nation troops would not only face an ammunition crisis but also a food crisis, starving while fighting against the Australasia Army.

Just as the Island Nation Army was advancing relentlessly towards the defense positions of Australasia, the other force—a paratrooper unit of over 3000—finally completed the final encirclement.

Before initiating the encirclement, the paratrooper unit had already contacted the military in Naha to ensure that the encirclement could be carried out smoothly.

After receiving a response from the Australasia Army in Naha, the operation on this side officially began.

After prolonged combat, the Military of the Island Nation in Naha had dwindled to less than 15,000 men, to be exact, around 14,000.

The forces of more than half a division encircled Naha on three sides, among which, the main assault was undertaken by an infantry brigade supported by a Type A Division.

It must be said, the difference in combat effectiveness between a Type A Division and a Type C Division was enormous. The full strength of a Type C Division with 20,000 men had difficulty posing a threat to Australasia's defensive positions in head-on assaults.

They didn't even qualify to approach Australasia's defensive lines; charges were simply met with easy slaughter.

However, after the arrival of this infantry brigade, the situation changed slightly.

At least, the Military of the Island Nation could now approach Australasia's defensive positions with impunity and even threaten the lives of the soldiers within.

If it were not for the overpowering airpower and the fact that the overall quality of the Australasian soldiers surpassed the Islanders, the Island Nation Military might have regained the upper hand in this siege battle.

As for now, both parties had entered a delicate balance.

Australasia could rely on the advantage of defense, coupled with the Air Force's destruction from above, to inflict heavy casualties on the Island Nation Military.

Every charge by the Island Nation Military also inflicted significant casualties on the Australasia Army.

Both sides were competing not only in the reserves of material supplies but also in their zeal for the war and their respective troop strengths.

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The number of rounds of ammunition, the number of soldiers, and the fervor for war were three critical elements. If any of these fell short, it meant that side would be at a disadvantage in the wider conflict.

What the Island Nation Military did not expect was that for all their zeal for the government and the Emperor, the Australasia Army held a similar fervor for Arthur.

Moreover, Arthur's pension policy and merit system showed the Island Nation Military an army even more terrifying than their own, soldiers even more fearless in the face of death.

The time came to just past 10 o'clock, and both sides were still engaged fiercely.

Pop! Pop, pop!

Amidst a few clearly distinct gunshots, the Island Nation Military instantly fell into chaos.

As the flanking force in the encirclement, the Australasia Army naturally identified the strongest of the three Island Nation forces.

After brief consideration, the Australasia Army targeted the Type C Divisions on the eastern and western flanks for their attack.

Each flank had about 5,000 troops, but their combat effectiveness was significantly less compared to the Type A Division's infantry brigade in the center.

Having waged war against the Island Nation's Type C Division, Oceania naturally understood the true combat might of the Island Nation's Type C Division.

As long as they could quickly rout the Type C Divisions on both flanks, the robust infantry brigade in the center, no matter how strong, would be left vulnerable to a pincer attack by the Australasia Army from both sides.

Just as anticipated, when faced with an attack by the Australasia Army, the two flanking Type C Divisions began to panic.

Because it was a sudden assault, the Australasia Army inflicted heavy casualties on the flanking Island Nation troops in a short period.

Further compounded by the Islanders' panic and slow response, by the time they responded, hundreds of Island Nation Soldiers had lost their lives.

Seeing the dire performance of the Island Nation Soldiers on both flanks, the Australasian Commander smiled and issued the order for a full assault to his troops.

Watching the warriors bravely charging forward beside him, the Australasia Commander did not forget to add, "By His Majesty's command, leave no Islander soldier alive!"