In Tokyo, the Naval Headquarters of the Island Nation, despite it being deep into the night, remained brightly lit. The three highest-ranking naval officers had all gathered here to analyze the battlefield based on the intelligence compiled and assessed by their staff, with the intent to formulate decisive actions.
Although the island's navy had adopted a strategy in this battle to avoid a direct confrontation with the German Navy's Expeditionary Fleet, they had nevertheless considered the disruption of the supply convoys supporting the fleet as their primary target. If successful, it could potentially alter the course of the battle and bring about an unprecedented victory.
"Those Germans have shamelessly attacked our merchant ships. It's become nearly impossible to track their movements. However, it's speculated that they will soon reach the island of Kyushu," said Admiral Ijuin Gorou solemnly.
"Indeed! Who ever claimed that Europeans wouldn't target civilians during a great war? The Germans have spared no merchant ship of ours. To this day, over ten of our vessels have been sunk, and our intelligence personnel have suffered severe losses," Admiral Shimomura Sokuo added, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Losing a dozen merchant ships is trivial. What concerns me is if the Imperial Expeditionary Fleet ventures into our coastal waters, it would spell disaster. We must ensure that all merchant and fishing vessels avoid German ships at all costs. Otherwise, the consequences will be dire," Admiral Yatsuda Rokurou remarked, his face filled with concern.
The island nation heavily relied on maritime trade, and given its small landmass and limited arable land, it had to depend on the sea for sustenance. This meant the presence of many fishing vessels. If the German Expeditionary Fleet targeted these civilian ships as well, the damage to the nation would be incalculable.
"Damn it! We should condemn the Germans' actions against our civilians to the international community!" Admiral Shimomura exclaimed.
"That would be of no use. Germany is now the world's most powerful nation. Which countries would dare to risk offending them? Besides, such condemnations are utterly ineffective. If the Germans continue their course, there is nothing anyone can do. Moreover, our attack on Southeast Asia has already stirred a storm in Germany. Most Germans view this as an attempt to steal their victory, with increasing calls for punishment. Even if the German Navy's Expeditionary Fleet attacks our merchant ships, the Germans will simply ignore it. Such condemnation is utterly futile," Admiral Ijuin Gorou responded with a resigned tone.
"Given that we have no other options, we must order our merchant and fishing vessels to refrain from leaving port as much as possible to avoid German attacks," Admiral Yatsuda sighed.
"But such an order would create panic domestically and result in massive losses. The Cabinet will certainly object," Admiral Ijuin Gorou replied.
"There's no other way. We must do this. It is better than losing our merchant and fishing vessels to the Germans!" Admiral Yatsuda stated.
"Yes! If the Germans sink them, that would be an immense loss. As long as we defeat the Germans, all the losses can be recovered," Admiral Shimomura affirmed.
That night, the Navy Department urgently requested the Cabinet to issue an order for all merchant and fishing vessels across the nation to remain in port to avoid German attacks. However, this order was not widely heeded. While many understood that encountering the Germans at sea could mean certain death, staying ashore would result in even greater losses. Especially the fishermen, who were hoping to catch fish to sell and buy rice.
On the morning of August 6, as the sun rose above the horizon, the German Navy's Expeditionary Fleet had already arrived at the southern waters of Kyushu. This was a busy shipping route, frequented by ships traveling between the island nation, China, and Southeast Asia.
Despite the Cabinet's order from the previous night to prevent merchant vessels from sailing, a number of ships were still navigating these waters, particularly those returning from Southeast Asia and China, who had not received the order.
"General, Japanese merchant ships!" Major Mao Fu exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Order the fleet to engage. Let the destroyers handle it! The battleship shells are too expensive, every bit saved counts!" Rear Admiral Spee coldly issued the command.
Upon receiving the order, 21 destroyers immediately surged toward the Japanese merchant ships.
Despite some German sailors expressing reservations about attacking civilian vessels, in the military, following orders was the paramount duty. Thus, they reluctantly advanced on their target.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The latest German destroyers were equipped with three 88mm guns. While these guns were not particularly powerful, their incredible rate of fire allowed them to discharge over ten shells per minute. They were highly effective against light warships and, more so, against civilian vessels.
"Baka! What's happening? We are merchant ships! What are those German warships trying to do?" The captain of one merchant ship yelled in anger. Their ship was transporting rice from Southeast Asia to the island nation. Since the Japanese army's occupation of Southeast Asia, they had looted much of the region's rice, which was now being brought back to relieve food shortages at home.
"Captain, they're firing!" a sailor cried out in panic.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The sounds of explosions echoed across the sea as shells tore through the wooden hulls of the Japanese merchant ships, sinking them effortlessly.
"Amaterasu-sama! The Germans are attacking our merchant ships, please save us!" The Japanese sailors, realizing the peril they were in, desperately prayed to Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess they worshiped, but their pleas were in vain.
One merchant ship after another was struck, caught fire, and then sank beneath the waves. Countless sailors jumped into the sea, but the shore was still miles away. Their chances of survival were nearly nonexistent.
Rear Admiral Spee coldly issued the order to prevent any rescue attempts. The fleet had to press onward to attack more Japanese merchant ships and fishing vessels. If the island nation's navy did not engage in a decisive confrontation soon, the Germans would have no qualms about using even more extreme measures. The German Expeditionary Fleet was determined to employ every means necessary to achieve victory.