NOVEL WEB Chapter 17: The Nikolayevsk Incident (Part 1)
October 1919
"Your Highness, a crisis is approaching for the Japanese residents near the mouth of the Amur River at Nikolaevsk Port. Red Army partisans are occupying surrounding villages and closing in on Nikolaevsk Port. If this continues, conflict with the Japanese garrison during the isolated winter months is inevitable. Given the disparity in forces, the garrison will likely be annihilated, and the Japanese residents may face massacre."
"I see. During winter, the port will freeze, and rescue ships won't be able to reach them. Takashiro, what do you think we should do?"
"Yes, Your Highness. One option is to send rescue ships now and evacuate the residents. However, it's unclear whether the residents will abandon their property and agree to evacuate based on speculation alone. Even if we force an evacuation, if no residents remain, the massacre might not occur. In that case, we could be criticized for making residents abandon their assets for no reason, turning it into a political tool."
"I see. It would indeed be foolish to let this become a political tool. Another option would be to send reinforcements now, correct?"
"Yes, Your Highness. As you wisely surmise, the Red Army's total strength is approximately 5,000, armed with rifles and field artillery. They have almost no vehicles. The current Japanese garrison is around 400, so I suggest sending about 10,000 reinforcements. After repelling the Red Army, we can evacuate the residents in the spring. Additionally, I would appreciate it if Lieutenant Arima, who is fluent in Russian, could accompany the troops."
The Crown Prince immediately summoned the Army Minister.
"Army Minister, I'd like to know the current situation at Nikolaevsk Port in Russian Sakhalin."
Since the Crown Prince had informed him in advance about his interest in Nikolaevsk Port, the Army Minister had prepared accordingly.
"Yes, Your Highness. Currently, we have a combined Army and Navy garrison of 400 stationed there to protect the residents."
"Hmm. Is that sufficient to ensure the residents' safety?"
"Yes, Your Highness. In the Far East, the Red Army is small in scale and poorly equipped. Our elite force of 400 is more than enough to defend the port."
"I see. However, according to the latest information I've received, around 5,000 Red Army partisans are approaching Nikolaevsk Port. They've been burning nearby villages, massacring residents, and looting food supplies as they advance. Can our 400 troops repel these 5,000 partisans?"
"W-what? Where did you get that information...? I must admit, our Army has no such intelligence."
"The source doesn't matter. I believe this information is highly credible. To be cautious, how about sending around 10,000 reinforcements to Nikolaevsk Port? Could the Navy cooperate and deploy cruisers to defend the port until next spring? If nothing happens, it can be treated as winter military training. Besides, I hear the crabs there are delicious. Everyone can enjoy some crab. And if, by any chance, we engage the Red Army, 10,000 elite troops and cruisers will ensure the safety of the residents, and everyone will marvel at the Minister's foresight."
Japan hastily organized a Temporary Mixed Army-Navy Expeditionary Division and dispatched it to Nikolaevsk Port.
Deployed Forces:
Commander: Major General Arima Hajime (father of Space Force Lieutenant Arima)
Armored Cruisers: Asama and Tokiwa (combined crew of 1,300)
Navy Marine Corps: 600
Army 7th Division (partial deployment): 7,600
Additional transport and supply ships
Intelligence Officer: Space Force Lieutenant Arima
About the Nikolaevsk Incident:
Historically, from February to April 1920, a large-scale massacre of residents occurred in Nikolaevsk by Red Army partisan units (later the Soviet Army). In this incident, approximately 350 Japanese residents and 400 Japanese garrison troops were massacred. At the time, 900 Korean residents with Japanese nationality joined the Red Army. Additionally, 300 local Chinese and the Chinese Navy allied with the Red Army, attacking the Japanese garrison and participating in the massacre. Except for one woman married to a Russian who miraculously escaped, all Japanese residents, including women and children, were killed.
At the time, Russia was in turmoil following the Russian Revolution, with the revolutionary Red Army and the imperialist White Army engaged in civil war.
When this incident came to light, it fueled anti-Soviet sentiment and hatred toward those who collaborated with them in Japan.
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A/N: Thank you for reading Chapter 17!
Troubling movements in the Far East!
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