Kure Port is one of several important bases of the Japanese Navy, and it was developed as a result of the establishment of the 2nd Naval District in the Meiji era. The rise of Kure was closely related to the Imperial Japanese Navy. During the Edo period in Japan, this area was called "Kuruura" and was an unknown fishing village. In 1886 (Meiji 19), the establishment of the naval town guard "Kure Town Shofu" changed the fate of Kure City's urban development. The Naval Arsenal was established in 1903 (Meiji 36).

Like the Yokosuka Naval Port, the vast majority of the Japanese Navy's warships were built in the Yokosuka Naval Port and Kure Harbor. For example, the 'Yamato-class' battleships and the 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers being built by the Japanese Navy. The first and second ships were built at the Yokosuka Military Port, and the third and fourth ships were built at the Kure Port Naval Yard. This shows the importance of the Kure Port Naval Base.

However, when the 14th Army of the Imperial Army, with the 14th Armored Brigade as the main force, attacked Kure Harbor, the Japanese Army stationed here gave up after a slight resistance and withdrew to the north. And the marines stationed here fought to the last man. It's just that the Marine Corps stationed in Kure Harbor is only one brigade. In the face of the 14th Armored Brigade of the Imperial Army, which was armed to the teeth, they had no power to fight back. In less than an hour of fighting, this Marine Corps brigade of nearly 1,000 people was completely annihilated.

When the Imperial Army attacked Kure Port, the head of the naval base ordered the third and fourth ships of the 'Yamato-class' battleships and the Amagi-class battlecruisers under construction to be blown up. However, this order was not carried out. Because, before the Imperial Army attacked Kure Harbor, it launched a lot of propaganda leaflets into the city. It clearly states that the Japanese had to ensure the safety of two 'Yamato-class' battleships and two 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers. If the Japanese dared to artificially destroy these ships, then after the Imperial Army captured Kure Harbor. The slaughter of the city will be carried out here, and not a single one will be left. Such warnings, or threats, frightened those in Kure Harbor. Neither ordinary civilians nor low-level officers and soldiers want the Chinese* army to massacre the city in Wu Gang. Even if the Chinese* army wants to occupy the latest warships of the Japanese Navy.

Albeit. The massacre of the city was very cruel and would be condemned by the whole world. But the Japanese believe that if they provoke the Chinese, they will really do that. This is because the Japanese themselves have never taken the condemnation of the international community into account. During the war, they did not fail to do things like slaughtering cities. That's why they didn't dare to attack the 'Yamato-class' battleships and the 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers.

After taking Kure Harbor. A mechanized infantry battalion of the 14th Armored Brigade of the Imperial Army, making a headline for the naval factory. After ensuring that the 'Yamato-class' battleships and the 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers were intact, they took over the defense here. And, the defense here has been raised to the highest level. The Navy will immediately send Marines to Kure Harbor to take over the defenses here. Before the Imperial Navy drove away the two 'Yamato-class' battleships and the two Amagi-class battlecruisers, the Navy would deploy a regiment of marines here. Ensure the safety of this military port and these four warships.

On October 4, 4621, the commander of the Pacific Fleet of the Imperial Navy, Admiral Liu Guanxiong, and the chief of staff, Vice Admiral Li Dingxin, arrived at the Wugang Naval Base. They were to take over the two 'Yamato-class' battleships and the 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers of the Japanese Navy in the harbor on behalf of the Navy. According to the plan of Emperor Wu Haoxuan. All four 'Yamato-class' battleships will be assigned to the Pacific Fleet in the future. So, General Liu Guanxiong and Lieutenant General Li Dingxin. will be so attentive. As for the Amagi-class battlecruisers, they were just finished with the construction of their hulls. After being dragged back to China, it will be mothballed. Wait until the right time to transform it into an armored aircraft carrier.

Lieutenant General Sun Baihu, commander of the 14th Army of the Imperial Army, also rushed to Kure Harbor to meet with the commander and chief of staff of the Pacific Fleet. After all. In the war against Japan, the Imperial Army inevitably relied on the navy to provide fire support.

"General Liu, General Li, when the Imperial Army attacked Kure Harbor, the Japanese gave the order to blow up the 'Yamato-class' battleships and the 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers. Thankfully, we warned the Japanese in the city. They didn't carry out the order. Otherwise, we would not have seen such a mighty battleship. Lieutenant General Sun Baihu said.

In the military port, the two 'Yamato-class' battleships are almost complete, and even the main guns have been installed. If the Japanese were given another month or two, they might be able to complete the project. When the time came, four 'Yamato-class' battleships, armed with 460 mm guns, would pose a serious challenge to the Imperial Navy. Even if the Japanese Navy could not be reversed, the Imperial Navy would definitely pay a lot of price if it wanted to win the final victory. It would undoubtedly be best to be able to capture the 'Yamato-class' battleships of the Japanese Navy before they were completed.

"Hmmm! What a blessing for the Empire! Admiral Liu Guanxiong said.

"Old Sun, I didn't say it, the 14th Army did us a great favor! Next, what needs to be done by our Pacific Fleet, although the opening is enough. Admiral Liu Guanxiong then said.

After all, Lieutenant General Sun Baihui ordered to threaten the Japanese with the slaughter of the city, and he was himself captured with great responsibility. If the massacre really happens, even if the empire does not dispose of Lieutenant General Sun Baihu, his military career will probably only be able to go so far.

"General Liu, the Pacific Fleet has provided us with enough help, and without the fire support of the navy, if we want to land on the Japanese mainland, I don't know how much it will cost. Besides, the Imperial Army and the Imperial Navy are a family. It's not like the army and navy of little Japan, where water and fire are incompatible. Lieutenant General Sun Baihu said.

"Haha! That's right, we're family. Lieutenant General Li Dingxin said with a smile.

"Old Sun, next, the Marines will take over the defense here. As for what to do with these warships, we still need to consult the Admiralty. Once the Marines arrived, the Army could be evacuated from here. After all, aren't your tasks too tight? Admiral Liu Guanxiong said.

"Well, the Imperial Army's 4th Army has just taken Osaka and is attacking south. We are also going to attack north, and we are ready to join them. After that, it was necessary to clear out the Japanese troops who had fled to the mountains, and the task was to do it better. Kure Harbor was left to the Marines to defend. Lieutenant General Sun Baihu said.

The Imperial Army's defense of the southern part of the island of Honshu had gained an overwhelming advantage. There are not many formed units left of the Japanese army. Most of the troops were crippled and fled to the mountains. Next, the Imperial Army had to clear out these Japanese troops.

The news that the Imperial Army had captured Kure Harbor and captured the Japanese 'Yamato-class' battleships and the third and fourth ships of the Amagi-class battlecruisers soon reached the Admiralty. Marshal Sa Zhenbing, Minister of the Imperial Navy, and Marshal Cheng Biguang, Commander of the Navy, were greatly excited. You must know that in order to deal with the Japanese 'Yamato-class' battleships, they drummed up the 'Pangu-class' battleships. It's just that it didn't get the approval of the emperor.

However, now it seems that Emperor Wu Haoxuan is clearly scheming, and has long aimed at the Japanese 'Yamato-class' battleships and 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers. The 'Yamato-class' battleships were to be captured and then joined the Imperial Navy in battle. The Amagi-class battle cruisers, which will be converted into aircraft carriers, can be described as killing two birds with one stone, weakening both the Japanese Navy and the Imperial Navy.

After confirming that the Imperial Army had occupied Kure Harbor and that the two Japanese 'Yamato-class' battleships and two 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers were intact, Marshal Sa Zhenbing and Marshal Cheng Biguang immediately went to the Imperial Palace to meet Emperor Wu Haoxuan and tell him the good news.

"Your Majesty, the Kure Harbor Naval Base is currently under the control of the Imperial Army. The third and fourth ships of the Yamato-class battleships of the Japanese Navy are nearing completion. The third and fourth ships of the Amagi-class battlecruisers have also largely completed the construction of their hulls. Aren't we able to tow these four warships back home? Marshal Sa Zhenbing said.

The Imperial Navy was looking forward to having battleships armed with 460 mm guns, but it had been waiting for a long time. Now, it's hard to have such an opportunity. Although, it was the battleship of Little Japan. However, with a slight improvement, it can become the most powerful battleship in the world.

"Well, the Army did a good job this time. The Japanese Navy's 'Yamato-class' battleships have a large displacement, strengthened defenses, and strong main gun firepower. However, not enough has been done in terms of sighting equipment and fire control systems, as well as anti-aircraft firepower. The Imperial Navy needed to be further refitted to ensure a further increase in combat effectiveness. Wu Haoxuan said. This time the war against Japan, the destruction of Japan was the main goal, and the capture of the capital ships of the Japanese was only incidental.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Marshal Sa Zhenbing and Marshal Cheng Biguang were both overjoyed. The emperor nodded, and then they could immediately proceed to bring those warships back to China.

"Your Majesty, in the Yokosuka Naval Base, there are two 'Yamato-class' battleships and two 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers, we can't let them go!" Marshal Cheng Biguang said.

"Don't worry, they won't be able to escape. The Imperial Army's 1st Army had still swept away the island of Kyushu, and the rest and replenishment were about to end. Next, we can prepare to launch an attack on the northern part of Kyushu. Taking Yokosuka Naval Base would have been an easy task. Wu Haoxuan said confidently. The war has reached this point, and the empire can be said to have won the battle. (To be continued.) )

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