Forward from: アジアの曙
Shumshu—The final battle
The war ended on Shumushu Island, and the garrison soldiers held a farewell party and reminisced about reuniting with their families back home. The elite 11th Tank Regiment, nicknamed the "Samurai Spirit Unit," was stationed on the island, but their tanks were no longer needed and discussions were underway to dispose of them at sea. Then, late at night, news of an enemy attack arrived, accompanied by the sound of artillery fire.
On August 18, 1945, a Soviet division landed at Kunihatazaki.
Colonel Ikeda Sueo's tank unit arrived near Mt. Shirei, shrouded in thick fog, at 5:00 AM. Only about 20 vehicles were ready in time, less than one-third of the regiment's total. However, the enemy was already imminent, and if they were to take Mt. Shirei and place heavy artillery there, the Japanese army would be suffocated.
Ikeda had to give orders, knowing that just a few hours earlier his subordinates had been smiling with joy at returning home.
The war ended on Shumushu Island, and the garrison soldiers held a farewell party and reminisced about reuniting with their families back home. The elite 11th Tank Regiment, nicknamed the "Samurai Spirit Unit," was stationed on the island, but their tanks were no longer needed and discussions were underway to dispose of them at sea. Then, late at night, news of an enemy attack arrived, accompanied by the sound of artillery fire.
On August 18, 1945, a Soviet division landed at Kunihatazaki.
Colonel Ikeda Sueo's tank unit arrived near Mt. Shirei, shrouded in thick fog, at 5:00 AM. Only about 20 vehicles were ready in time, less than one-third of the regiment's total. However, the enemy was already imminent, and if they were to take Mt. Shirei and place heavy artillery there, the Japanese army would be suffocated.
Ikeda had to give orders, knowing that just a few hours earlier his subordinates had been smiling with joy at returning home.