On the morning of February 20th, the German Navy's flagship Nassau battleship, accompanied by the Westfalen battleship, several light cruisers, and destroyers, appeared off the coast of Alibag.
As the German ships frequently patrolled these waters, the soldiers of the British Indian Army paid little attention upon seeing them.
"These German warships are truly colossal! Those two battleships are like mountains," exclaimed one British Indian soldier in awe.
"Indeed! No wonder the Germans were able to defeat the British," another soldier remarked.
However, their superior, a British lieutenant, was far from pleased. Originally a common soldier in the British Indian Army, he had been promoted due to the rapid expansion of the force and the shortage of junior officers. Thousands had been selected from the ranks of ordinary soldiers to fill positions such as lieutenants and even company commanders.
Upon hearing the two Indian soldiers' comments, the British lieutenant's expression darkened.
"Silence! Those were once ships of the British Empire! The vile Germans stole them when they attacked the Empire's homeland. Now, they shamelessly use them—how despicable!" the lieutenant berated.
The two soldiers fell silent, but in their hearts, they harbored disdain for the lieutenant's words. The fall of Britain was common knowledge, and clearly, the German warships were trophies of war—winnings from their victory over the British. It was only natural for the Germans to possess them, and no amount of vilification could change that reality. They had lost the war, and that was the truth.
"What are the German battleships doing here? Normally, they just pass through these waters," the lieutenant mused, perplexed.
"Sir, do you think they are merely passing through? Perhaps their destination is Mumbai," suggested an Indian soldier. After all, Mumbai, being a major city, would be a likely target for a German assault.
The lieutenant nodded, finding the suggestion plausible.
But soon, his eyes widened in shock. He observed the two battleships slow their speed and turn their broadside.
"My God! They truly mean to attack Alibag!" the lieutenant shouted.
"Boom!"
The Nassau fired first, its three triple-barreled 380mm guns launching heavy shells at Alibag with devastating force.
Simultaneously, the Westfalen began its assault. The two battleships unleashed a relentless barrage upon the small town.
A fleet of transport ships appeared in the distance, closing in on the coastline. Aboard these vessels were the 3rd Marine Division, tasked with supporting the army's landing operations in India, as well as securing the ports to ensure the safety of the logistical supply bases.
"Boom!"
Shells exploded in Alibag, turning the low buildings to rubble as debris rained down.
Countless Indians fled in terror—perhaps never having imagined that war would one day reach their shores.
The garrison here was the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 12th Infantry Division, 2nd Army Group of the British Indian Army, with barely 4,000 men. The brigade headquarters was located within the town.
Upon hearing the explosions, Brigadier General Lieutenant quickly awoke.
"What's going on? Where did the explosions come from?" he said, hurriedly fastening his pants as he rushed from his room.
"General, it's shelling! The German battleships are firing at Alibag," his aide-de-camp reported.
"What? The German battleships are opening fire? My God! Why aren't they targeting Mumbai? Why us?" the general exclaimed in horror.
"Also, report immediately to headquarters. We are under German artillery fire, and the Germans may be preparing to land at Alibag. We urgently need reinforcements. Otherwise, the fall of Alibag will be inevitable," he ordered. He knew that with just a few thousand men, they would be unable to hold the Germans at bay. If they were elite British soldiers, they might have held out for a while, but with mere Indian troops, resistance was hopeless.
"Yes, General," the telegraph operator replied, his face pale as he hastened to send the message.
Everyone knew that their most dangerous hour had arrived.
"Boom!"
A 380mm shell struck the British Indian Army's camp, sending shattered buildings flying in all directions. Many soldiers still asleep were killed instantly.
Others, rudely awakened, fled the camp in panic, not even stopping to put on their trousers, let alone gear up for battle.
The British Indian defensive positions along Alibag Beach became the focus of the German naval bombardment.
Originally flimsy and poorly constructed, the British Indian defenses were no match for the overwhelming firepower of the German battleships. The 380mm guns easily demolished the beachfront fortifications, leaving nothing but ruins in their wake.
"Boom!"
Another shell exploded on the sand, sending a shockwave of sand and debris flying in all directions. Though the sandy beach slightly dampened the impact, the surrounding defenses were utterly destroyed, leaving behind craters across the beach.
Though the German bombardment lasted only twenty minutes, Alibag Beach was left in ruins, riddled with massive craters, resembling the surface of the moon.
The city of Alibag, though not heavily attacked, had terrified its inhabitants. Many Indians fled in panic, leaving everything behind as they scattered in every direction.
The British Indian soldiers stationed in Alibag, who hadn't even seen the Germans yet, were also struck with fear as they witnessed the devastation caused by the battleships' shellfire.
Yet, soldiers are different from civilians—they possess some measure of organization. While the British Indian Army's combat capability was poor, their elite formations, such as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Army Groups, had not been split. These divisions, despite their weaknesses, were still capable of buying time for reinforcements and training.
Under the officers' command, the soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the 12th Infantry Division, though shaken, took cover inside the town, preparing for the imminent German assault.