The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

Chapter 228: Surprise Attack on the Coast

Under the cover of night, the US fleet split into two groups and appeared near Llorente and Surat on the southeastern coast of Samar Island. This area is mostly pristine forested, but within a 15-kilometer-deep plain stretching approximately 200 square kilometers, the Japanese, due to the vastness of the occupied area, did not penetrate deeper into some of the more important islands and areas, giving the US military an opportunity. In fact, one of MacArthur's plans for the invasion of the Philippines was to prioritize the capture of the vast southern region of Samar Island and establish a forward base there. Because MacArthur was obsessed with breaking through the Japanese strategic stronghold in one fell swoop, utilizing the Japanese army's already developed resources, he attempted to accelerate progress and realize his dream of returning home in glory. Therefore, he decisively abandoned the safe strategy and took the risk of launching a landing operation on Leyte Island.

The Japanese strategy was clear: to lure a large-scale American landing, then engage in a decisive battle on land. They had already abandoned the pristine southern region of Samar Island, concentrating their main forces on the developed northern part. The American landing on Leyte played into the Japanese's hands, and Suzuki Sosaku immediately deployed the 26th Division from Samar. At that point, the vast island of Samar was left with only the 45th Mixed Brigade and a small number of naval coast guard troops.

The Japanese garrison at Llorente consisted of a squadron of the 37th Coast Guard Regiment, equipped with four 4mm coastal guns and a small number of fixed positions. In Surat, the 240th Regiment headquarters consisted of approximately 37 Japanese troops, several coastal gun positions, and deep crossfire points.

The 22nd Division landed and attacked Llorente. One of their advance companies first, under the cover of US landing ships, secretly approached the coastline in a small boat at a distance of 500 meters from the coast. They landed on the coast very smoothly and then quietly moved along the coast towards the Japanese coastal artillery positions. The Japanese obviously did not realize that someone would attack them and had no defense. The advance company successfully controlled the coastal artillery positions.

Following the signal from the advance company, two large landing ships, under the cover of several gunboats, approached the coast, and a battalion of troops quickly landed. At this time, the Japanese sentry discovered the ships and the landing troops and sounded the alarm to the sleeping Japanese garrison squadron.

The moment the Japanese turned on their searchlights, the battle erupted. The advance company quickly seized advantageous terrain, blocking the Japanese artillerymen attempting to deploy their coastal batteries outside the forts. A battalion of troops, already ashore, also quickly deployed, attacking the Japanese garrison, which was entrenched in its limited position...

"Mosh, mosh. What? We were attacked by the Americans. How many people are there?" Okamura Hisaji, commander of the Surat garrison, received a call from the Llorente garrison and quickly sounded the alarm, ordering all units to stand up and the coastal artillery to take up positions. Staff officers activated their night vision goggles to survey the coastline, but found nothing unusual.

Llorente's squadron leader called again, saying that the coastal artillery positions had been attacked and that they could only organize a counterattack within a few established positions. The US landing force was small, only about two or three companies. He requested the garrison to provide support as soon as possible.

Okamura was well aware that their role in guarding Samar's southern coastline was to provide early warning. There were three other battalion-level coast guards like theirs along the coast, and even if all were combined, they would be insufficient to sustain a large-scale landing by the US military.

While comforting the other party, Okamura reported to his superiors, the 15th Marine Guard Division of the Japanese Navy. He also ordered all coastal defense batteries to prepare for firing. Just then, the battleship's 340mm heavy gun roared in, slamming heavily into the Surat coastal defense positions.

"Boom-boom-boom--", the continuous bombardment, the piercing sound in the sky kept falling, followed by the shocking explosion, and the huge fireball illuminated the coast...

Major General Takahashi Inubu, commander of the 6th Japanese Navy Security District in charge of coastal defense, immediately called Suzuki Sosaku. According to the latest order from the Imperial Headquarters, General Yamashita Tomoyuki appointed Suzuki So as the supreme commander of the southern front. Therefore, Takahashi was temporarily under Suzuki's command.

By the time Suzuki finished his call with Takahashi, his command post was already bustling with activity. The various combat staff officers had returned to their positions, and reports were pouring in. The US military had taken advantage of the night to launch bombing raids on multiple areas. Japanese naval search teams had spotted a large-scale US military buildup off Samar Island, both from the sea and the air. This wasn't a feint, but a real landing.

Suzuki studied the map and analyzed the sudden landing of the US forces in the southern virgin forest belt of Samar Island. What was their purpose? Were they advancing along the coastline, attacking Taft or Dogras? There was indeed a strategic road along the coastline, but it was winding and surrounded by cliffs. The garrison would only need a small force in key areas to stop their movement. Were the US forces planning to advance north through the virgin forest belt? That was possible, but the defenders of Samar Island could only hold the narrow terrain of the Lokilokon line, leaving the US forces powerless.

Suzuki was not worried about losing the southern coast of Samar Island and decided to wait until tomorrow morning to consider further actions. Of course, to be on the safe side, he ordered the 1st Division to send a regiment across the Samar Strait overnight to defend Samar Island.

The coast of Leyte Island was continuously bombed by the US Navy Air Force. Under such cover, dozens of transport planes of the 5th Air Force quietly arrived over Leyte Island. They were mixed in with more than bombers, and the Japanese army did not notice them at all. They went straight to the airdrop area. The US military on the ground lit the guide fire, and the transport planes immediately dropped the Chinese special forces regiment. As the special dark gray parachutes opened, these soldiers were like a sudden dark cloud in the sky, immediately covering this airspace.

When the 16th Division's security forces, responsible for encircling the US troops, discovered the situation, the Chinese troops had already begun landing. As soon as the German warning shots rang out, the besieged US troops immediately retaliated with fierce firepower...

George Lee soon met with Brigadier General James, the temporary commander of the besieged American troops. According to the breakout plan, George Lee ordered the already gathered 1st Battalion to start expanding the road to the south according to the plan. Their breakout plan was to suddenly move south and break through the weak defense line of the Japanese army, making the Japanese army think that they were going to the southeast to meet with the 24th Army landing site in Dulag. In fact, their goal was to break through the Japanese blockade on the southern line, and then make a big detour to quickly approach Palo to the east. The 10th Army used a part of its forces to feint an attack on the Japanese blocking line, and the main force advanced to Palo, and then occupied Palo, and at the same time met with the besieged American troops.