After China's large-scale landing on the Goto Islands, Rear Admiral Kurihara Etsuzo wrote in Japan's April business magazine Industrial Japan:

"There are those who like to use my skin to take the flesh of the enemy, and my flesh to take the bones of the enemy, and I am against such a tactic. I agree with the tactic of taking the enemy's bones with my bones. Every Japanese person can do this. It suits Japan's national character as well as Japan's national conditions. This tactic is what is known as the Assault Team tactic. ”

Since the Battle of the Pacific, the Japanese have tried to use "kamikaze" tactics against the Chinese, and this tactic became an integral part of the defense of Fukue Island.

Since the landing, the Japanese have launched five large-scale "kamikaze" attacks on hundreds of Chinese warships gathered around Fukue Island, using more than 1,500 aircraft. Hundreds of planes broke through the dense anti-aircraft artillery fire network, crashed into targets and exploded, sending nearly 20 Chinese warships to the bottom of the sea and another 25 with bruises.

This number, while horrifying, does not tell the truth about the tragic deaths and the horror and heroism displayed on both sides. Watching a plane crash into your ship with no regard for life or death, and the pilot's determination to blow you to pieces, is a real blood freezer.

In order to cooperate with Ushijima's retreat from Fukue Island, the Japanese launched their seventh "kamikaze" attack on 25 April. Before the kamikaze attack, a death squad with five bombers attacked the Yomitan airfield in central Fukue Island. Four twin-engine planes were shot down, and the fifth landed on the ground. The daredevils crawled out of the cabin and scattered. Throwing grenades and incendiary grenades at the planes parked there, the Chinese soldiers stared at them with a blank eye, unable to believe their eyes. They destroyed seven planes, damaged twenty-six, and burned down a depot containing 70,000 gallons of gasoline. The attackers themselves were killed.

Above the sea, the "kamikaze" planes were already flying towards the berthing of the transport ship. Over the next 12 hours, 176 "special attack" planes broke into the target, rammed and sank a landing ship and a destroyer, and four others had to be scuttled, abandoned, or retired from active service due to heavy damage.

The madness of the Japanese pilots made the Chinese soldiers angry, but "this behavior is so different from philosophy." It's as if I've been hypnotized." It was commented that "as a series of 'kamikazes' rushed down, our souls scattered one by one, as if we were witnessing some kind of terrible phenomenon." In an instant. We forget about ourselves. Forget that you are a victim. Instead, I couldn't help but guess what those people who flew from high in the sky thought. ”

From this terrible morbid fascination arose various theories and rumors: "kamikaze" pilots went into battle in robes and turbans like monks, they had been doped, and they were locked in the cockpit. They are an elite unit that has been trained to commit suicide on their own; And so on and so forth. But in fact, they are ordinary Japanese youths who have volunteered to join the special attack team, and their goal is to die a meaningful death. They are convinced that a "special attack" is the best way to overcome the disadvantage caused by the low productivity of Benbi China. It takes only one person to damage or sink an aircraft carrier or battleship, and let a thousand enemies die with you.

Twenty-two-year-old Tokyo-born Second Lieutenant Aoki was convinced of their slogan of "one plane, one ship." His love of nature led him to attend the Agricultural and Forestry College in Formosa. At the time of the conscription, he enlisted in the navy because "the navy was attractive to him", he learned to fly airplanes, and by the beginning of the seventeenth year of Nakakoku he was already an instructor at the Kochi Aviation School on the island of Shikoku. When recruiting volunteers to join the special attack team, each pilot, instructor, and cadet had to sign a piece of paper, and if they volunteered, they would draw a circle with their name, and if they didn't want to go, they would draw a triangle. Without compulsion, several people did not hesitate to draw triangles on their names. Aoki thinks that those who draw triangles are cowards. Moreover, no one will survive the end of the war anyway, it is better to die as a pilot, and maybe sink an enemy ship.

All those who volunteered to join the special assault team were trained: flying at a low altitude thirty feet above the water, and as soon as they climbed high, they opened fire on a control tower. The aircraft they used for training was a slow, bulky two-seater trainer. Aoki, as the commander of his own plane, became the navigator, although he didn't think it was necessary. However, if there is no officer sitting next to him, the pilot may turn the nose of the plane.

Weeks passed quickly. During the training, everyone was engrossed, and the mission was a long time later, so it didn't seem to be taken seriously. However, as soon as the training was over, Aoki realized that he had been sentenced to death. As the aircraft was modified for mission, so did the sense of doom. With auxiliary fuel tanks installed in the fuselage and a 250-kilogram bomb on both sides of the wings, Aoki inspected his plane and thought, "This is the plane I will fly on with no return." ”

On April 25, Aoki's flying team was transferred to Kaya on the island of Kyushu. It was the base of the last sortie to Fukue Island. His fate had been finalized, which made him uncomfortable, but the calmness shown by his companions made him feel inferior.

At dusk, Aoki saw a convoy of "kamikaze" planes flying towards Fukue Island - it was his turn to be next. He returned sullenly back to the barracks in a small school. To his surprise, the six pilots he thought had flown away were in the barracks. They refused to attack, but instead lightened the heavy feeling of inferiority he had just felt. At least I'm not as greedy for life and afraid of death as they are, he thought.

At noon the next day, Aoki lay on the grass and watched as his group of planes was towed onto the runway, ready to go on a mission. Suddenly, the ground around him exploded - the Chinese were bombing the base. Aoki didn't move. He said to himself, it's nothing to be killed, it's death anyway, and he just hopes that the next life will be a calmer era.

However, when he scurried back to the barracks, life that had seemed worthless to him a moment ago became more precious than ever. You can live one more day, or even an extra hour. A minute, a second is also infinitely valuable.

He saw a fly and stopped. "How lucky you are still alive," he exclaimed. After dinner, the team gathered to receive final instructions for the next day's mission. Each flight team is free to choose the altitude and route of the flight, and the pilots mostly choose a detour route, which is to the east or west. Aoki recommends a direct flight to Fukue Island. His driver, seventeen-year-old Yokoyama, readily agreed.

They go to bed early. Aoki woke up at dawn with a calm mood. He thought. It doesn't matter! April 27. It was his last day in the world, and the weather was clear and cloudless. He felt very refreshed and in a particularly good mood. He has left his family with nail clippings and a lock of hair. I wrote postcards to my parents, four younger sisters and younger brother. "My sacred land will never be destroyed." Afterwards. He prayed for Japan's continued existence after its complete defeat.

Dusk of the same day. His flying team had a grand dinner. An chief executive toasts. Qing Shui raised his glass and drank it down, only to find that his friends had only taken a sip. A documentary photographer told the young men to stand and take pictures. They put on flying caps decorated with sun flags and sang "Cherry Blossoms in the Same Period" hand in hand.

At the last check-up. One of the Osa's eyes stopped in front of Aoki and asked him why his face was so red. "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Aoki explained that it was just because he had drunk alcohol.

"If you don't feel well!" Dazuo asked for his advice and said, "You can stay and go back to the next batch." ”

"No, no problem."

The crews of fifteen planes boarded the truck, followed by a group of people seeing them off. When they arrived at the airport, they put on life jackets painted with a giant sun flag and looked very incongruous. Aoki's pockets were empty, save for a family portrait and two small wooden talismans—which he hoped would bless him with his mission.

Towards dark, a farewell ceremony was held under the auspices of a rear admiral. As the Major General spoke, Aoki heard a group of staff officers talking and laughing next to him. He was indignant at how indifferent these people were in such a scene. Their chief instructor solemnly wished them success.

"There is an observatory on Fukue Island, and it can confirm the results of your mission," he said, "and tonight is the full moon, and it will take care of you, so you are not alone." I will be reunited with you in the future, please wait for me. ”

Thirty people were in tears, feeling a clear conscience. They knew that the chief instructor really wanted to go with them. They were grateful to him, and it was his words that kept their last moments alive from becoming so mediocre.

As the fifteen planes taxied to the take-off line, small groups of people standing along the runway waved handkerchiefs, hats and flags. From the roar of the engine, Aoki heard someone shouting "Aoki! Aoki!" He sat upright. Behind the plane, waving and crying, it was a pilot who refused to take off on the previous flight.

Aoki felt embarrassed, as if he was being chased by a woman. However, he smiled and shouted, "Come with us!" With that, the old trainer accelerated and left the ground. It climbed high into the air, and the sinking sunset seemed to stop there.

"How beautiful!" Qing Shui thought.

At an altitude of 3,000 meters, the young pilot flew almost directly northwest towards Torishima, which is 60 nautical miles west of Fukue Island. They turned to the left over Bird Island and flew straight to the sea where the Chinese transport ship was anchored. There was a plane in front of it that was flying away on the chosen detour, and a green light flashed below, and there was Cape Zota. This is the last light you can see before you leave the country.

Aoki watched it intently until it disappeared completely. Aoki looked down again, and saw a small island below, and the island was full of white smoke, which housewife was cooking dinner for her family, right? He couldn't help but think, you are still alive, but I am going to die.

The clouds forced Yokoyama to drop his altitude to 2,200 meters, but the air currents below were so strong that he had to reduce the altitude to another 1,000 meters. They flew forward in monotony and boredom, flying hour after hour, and the expected time to arrive at Bird Island had passed.

Aoki gestured to Yokoyama to keep flying, and then looked at his watch again. 11:30 a.m. According to the original plan, the attack was to begin at twelve o'clock at midnight, and there was no way they could get there on time. Five minutes later, Aoki turned Yokoyama to the east and began to descend.

To jam the enemy's radar, Aoki threw aluminum foil, and then he pulled the collar, which made the thrusters on the bomb spin. In this way, the bomb safety device was dismantled. It can be touched at a moment's notice. The dark clouds above had dissipated, and Aoki could see the moon reflected in the water.

Suddenly there was a flash. And then another. No, it's the enemy shooting at them. Yokoyama lowered the trainer to three hundred feet. Aoki struggled to find the ship, but the flash of frenzied anti-aircraft fire about a mile away kept him open. It would take another minute to reach the ship, but the anti-aircraft guns were getting more and more accurate.

"Rush to the right!" He commanded:

One by one, fiery snakes rushed towards them. Tracer bullets! Then there was a rumble, and a Chinese plane flashed past.

"Fuck!" He thought, he didn't even have a pistol, what to shoot it with? If Yokoyama turns back at this time, it will be easier to provide the enemy with obvious targets.

Aoki opened the glass hatch and stood up. Look around. The Chinese plane has flown away. He ordered Yokoyama to fly towards Fukue Island. Almost at the same time. They saw a destroyer slowly moving south.

"Dive," Aoki shouted. When Yokoyama was training, in order to avoid colliding with friendly planes, he practiced diving in the direction of the counterclock. What now. He had to dive clockwise. It's something he's never done.

When they approached the destroyer from the stern, not a single shot was fired from the ship. Aoki was still standing, his hands crossed over the hatch. With his face against his arm, his eyes fixed on the destroyer. He calmly waited for the explosion that would crush him. Now that the enemy ships are close at hand, it will be too late for the Chinese to open fire. He was content, and his death was meaningful.

When the old trainer plane rumbled towards the destroyer, neither Aoki nor Yokoyama spoke. With a plop, the plane crashed into the water. Aoki finds himself still in the plane - it was a double coincidence that he survived. Because Yokoyama never attacked an active target, the destroyer was unharmed, but why didn't the bomb explode?

"Squad leader, come here!" Yokoyama stood on the sinking fuselage. Aoki climbed out of the cockpit, and the plane sank nose down into the waves. Aoki: They inflate life jackets that they thought were useless. It was pitch black, and it was just the two of them - neither a ship nor an airplane.

"What shall we do?" Yokoyama asked.

Aoki, who had already put life and death on the line, found it difficult to answer this question. He felt that there was no joy in being alive anymore. In the early hours of the morning, they saw the shadow of a small island in the distance. There is no doubt that it is Fukue Island.

Aoki said that they were swimming to the island, but they were cut off by ordinary destroyers, and they lay on the water as if they were dead, arm in arm. The destroyer sailed up to them, their eyes closed and their mouths open. A hook hooks Yokoyama's pants.

"Kick it out of the way," Aoki shouted. But Yokoyama couldn't kick it off, and was dragged over like a fish, and Aoki was still holding Yokoyama's arm.

Aoki climbed up the soft ladder on the side of the ship. Now, he is captured, but he can escape or kill himself in the future.

"Are you going to climb up?" Yokoyama shouted, not believing it.

After getting on deck, Yokoyama stared at Aoki viciously. Later they were transferred to a larger ship. Obviously, there was no hope of escape, so Aoki motioned for Yokoyama to kill himself by biting off his tongue and swallowing blood. Yokoyama stuck out his tongue, and Aoki punched him down with punch after punch. Despite all the hardships, there was very little blood. Later, he tried to strangle himself to death with a thick rope. As he fainted, one of the guards rushed over. So, Aoki concluded that fate had kept him alive and that he had become an exemplary prisoner of war.

On the eve of Aoki's suicide mission, General Ushijima led the remnants of the 62nd Division and the 27th Tank Wing to withdraw the headquarters from Fukue Island, leaving only a pretend defense. The downpour covered the retreat, but it also made it a severe test, especially for the wounded soldiers on foot.

Since the wounded were evacuated from the line of fire, there was neither medicine nor food or drink. The wounded soldiers, who were still standing, marched in the rain in pairs and threes under the care of the Fukuejima nurses who had been studying at the normal school not long ago, pulling each other's ropes and groping their way forward in the dark.

They marched behind enemy lines for twenty-four hours before being discovered by the Chinese. Artillery and naval support ships blocked roads and intersections only with artillery fire.

The next day, April 27, the command issued a new directive to the Marines and the Seventh Army:

"There are indications that the enemy may withdraw to a new line of defense, and that a counteroffensive may be launched against our forces that threaten its flanks. Immediately put strong pressure on the enemy and find out his intentions. so that it cannot advance or retreat. The enemy must not be allowed to easily establish a new line of defense. ”

The Chinese army sent reconnaissance combat units to insert into the entire Fukue Island defense line, but the enemy artillery fire covering the retreat was fierce, and the reconnaissance units reported that there was no indication that the Japanese had retreated. The Marine Corps' intelligence unit agreed, saying, "It now appears that the Japanese believe that holding on to the area north of Fukue Island is the best course of action...... It is possible that we will gradually encircle Fukue Island......"

The Army believed that an encirclement was going to take place, but the Marines were unwilling to wait. On 29 April, the 2nd Marine Division launched an attack on the heights of Fukue Island and found itself weak in defense. They then stormed the edge of Fukue Island. It's heavily defended. The Marine Corps intelligence officer reassessed the situation that night, and now he confidently believed that "the defenders of the Fukuejima Front were just an empty shelf." Most of the army has been withdrawn elsewhere. ”

The rain almost never stopped. Under the cover of heavy rain. Ushijima escaped with most of his men and set up a new headquarters in a cave next to a cliff nine miles south of Fukue Island Castle. Beneath the cliffs lies the winding coast. Ushijima's retreat cost the people of Fukue Island dearly. In a panic, the local people fled south after the troops in droves, and their bodies were scattered all over the field by shells and bombs. Thousands of corpses were left on the muddy roads.

On 31 April, the Chinese Army and Marine Corps cautiously marched into the ancient capital of Fujiang Island from two directions. Under the fire of mortars, a thousand pounds of bombs and almost two hundred rounds of artillery, as well as shells from naval guns. Fukue Island is a piece of rubble. Only two buildings remain, the reinforced concrete Normal School and the Supervisory Church.

There was still smoke under the rubble. Hundreds of civilians and their supplies were buried underground. The pungent smoke mingled with the stench of decomposing corpses.

Fukue Island Castle, which took 10,000 migrant workers eight years to build, was completely destroyed by naval fire. The large walls of the city are like the building blocks that children play with. Only two bronze bells, damaged by artillery fire, are still recognizable.

The enemy's abandonment of this impregnable line of defense made the command rejoice. "The defense line of Fukue Island has retreated, and Ushijima has miscalculated, and now in addition to dealing with sporadic resistance. That's it. Of course, this is not to say that there is no war to fight, but that the Japanese have no way to build another line of defense. ”

Ushijima, however, found a natural barrier three miles south of Fukue Island – a coral mountain. This mountain is formed by overlapping with Mt. Za and Mt. Yae. It resembles a large wall that cuts through most of the southern tip of Fukue Island. This mountain is higher than Maeda Highland, the mountain is more treacherous, and it is backed by the sea. The Japanese will make their last resistance here.

On 1 June, the Chinese army began to attack. They walked slowly and easily through ankle-deep mud, thick clouds blanketing the depression to the south of this terrible barrier. The two flanks outflanked the peninsula on the east and west.

To the east, the Chinian Peninsula was not heavily guarded, but it was guarded by 2,000 sailors on the Koroku Peninsula to the south of Naha. By order of Ushijima, they had abandoned the facilities on the peninsula, destroyed most of their equipment and heavy weapons, and then retreated south.

But to the south of the new natural line, they found that the common people had occupied most of the caves they had intended to be fortifications. Instead of driving the Fukue Islanders out of the country, as the army did, they returned to the peninsula and repelled the amphibious and ground attacks of the Chinese Marines with light weapons.

On 5 June, the rain finally stopped, but the ground was still not dry. The road leading to Yoza-Yaedake became a soft swamp that Chinese tanks could not pass.

It was not until June 10 that the Chinese 732nd Division launched an attack on Yaegaku, and the Chinese Army named Yaeyue "Big Apple". A regiment of the Chinese army, after two days of intensive artillery bombardment and close combat, established a firm position in the northern part of the "Big Apple".

Ushishima had almost no artillery to use to stop the Chinese army. Communication was poor, and reinforcements of infantry units did not arrive on time. Before the Japanese were able to carry out an effective counteroffensive, the Chinese army had consolidated every position it occupied, and by midnight on 13 May, the entire eastern half of the highland line had begun to crumble.

The sailors who stubbornly resisted on Kuga Island also lost to the 6th Division of the Chinese Marine Corps, but the fierce fighting cost the Chinese 308 casualties. The bodies of Rear Admiral Minoru Ota, commander of the Japanese army, and five staff officers were found in the underground headquarters on 15 May, with their throats cut and lying on a high platform with their limbs outstretched, and the straw mats underneath were soaked with blood.

When the battle developed to the point of fighting for the caves one by one, nearly a thousand Japanese were killed every day. That night, the commander of the 27th Wing of the 7th Division, Jin Yama Jun Dasa, gathered his officers in the command post. Standing on a small high platform, he said that the Seventh Division was scheduled to launch a general attack at dawn. But he could not do what he was told. His wing had less than a hundred men left, and he thought the rest of the troops were just as little. It is no longer possible to conduct the battle in an organized manner.

Jin Shan poured gasoline on the military flag, wiped a match and lit it. When the flag caught fire, he said, "You have endured a lot of hardships in the past three months. I thank you for playing so well. I now disband this wing. You can find your own way. If you want to go back to Kyushu, you can try it. I'm going to die here, and you shouldn't share my responsibility. ”

His subordinates don't know what to do, and they are against finding their own way out. Jin Shan drew his dagger, stared at his subordinates, and once again warned them not to "imitate" him. He cut open his abdomen silently according to the seppuku ceremony, and the blood immediately spurted out, and his head drooped.

His adjutant Captain Sato raised his sword and slashed it violently, leaving Kanayama beheaded. After that, Sato fired a shot at himself. Another lieutenant also drew his pistol. "Long live His Majesty the Emperor!" He shouted, and then pulled the trigger. (To be continued......)