The War of Resistance Against Japan: Special Operations Battalion Traverses Shanghai and Slaughters

At the command of Division Commander Northcott, more than 300 tanks of the 1st Armored Division on Kangaroo Island quickly took aim at the heavily armored combined arms brigade that had entered firing range from their concealed positions, and the lead 112 Type 99A main battle tanks opened fire.

"Boom boom boom..."

In the first round of firing, more than 300 armor-piercing rounds fired from the Matilda tanks with a 40mm caliber were used, and most of them successfully hit the 112 Type 99A tanks.

The Type 99AT tank has 700mm thick frontal armor and 200mm thick side armor. At that time, no armor-piercing projectile produced by any country could penetrate this armor protection thickness.

What's more, it was only a small-caliber tank shell, 40mm.

When the shell hit the 99A tank, it only left a slight dent and scratch.

"What's going on? How come not a single enemy tank has been destroyed? That's unbelievable."

This question wasn't just on the minds of the tank crews; even their division commander, Northcott, was stunned, his eyes glued to his binoculars.

There's a saying that skill breeds daring. Xie Qiang knew that the Type 99A tank was invincible at that time. Using this tank to deal with the small tanks weighing only twenty tons on Kangaroo Island, the outcome was self-evident.

Therefore, even during the march, many 99A tank crews reported that they had spotted several hundred Kangaroo Island tanks lying in ambush in the distance.

Xie Qiang remained unmoved and ordered them to continue advancing.

Xie Qiang only ordered a counterattack after the other side launched the first attack.

"Let you kangaroos have your fun for now. Do you think you can mess with a heavy combined arms brigade?"

Xie Qiang, considering that the Kangaroo Island troops had shown no mercy to the Japanese during World War II, decided to show some leniency and not want to inflict too heavy a blow on them.

After all, the army on Kangaroo Island is different from the Japanese. As long as we teach them a lesson, they will be willing to surrender.

After receiving the order to fire, 112 Type 99A tanks fired only one volley of armor-piercing rounds and destroyed one-third of the tanks on Kangaroo Island with perfect accuracy.

Immediately afterwards, Xie Qiang ordered a halt to firing and launched a rapid assault on the tanks on Kangaroo Island.

Because the Matilda's main gun had a range of only one kilometer, and the Type 99A tank was traveling at a speed of sixty kilometers per hour, it reached the enemy tanks in less than a minute.

Several Type 99A tanks failed to slow down and brake in time, and crashed directly into the other tanks. With a loud "bang," the tanks on Kangaroo Island were pushed back more than ten meters before coming to a stop.

Several of the tank crew members inside the Kangaroo Island tanks were knocked unconscious on the spot.

Xie Qiang's bizarre move left not only the tank crew members bewildered, but even the tank crews on Kangaroo Island were completely baffled.

The remaining two hundred or so tanks on Kangaroo Island were like a child facing an adult in front of the massive Type 99A tanks.

Therefore, they naturally dared not make any rash moves. They also understood that even if they fired, it would be futile, as it would be like tickling the other side.

Northcott seemed to immediately understand Xie Qiang's intention. The enemy had only fired one round of shells before rushing in, which was practically asking if they would surrender.

Because if this weren't the case, the enemy could continue firing and could completely destroy his armored division in an instant.

Having realized this, Northcott, in order to save his armored division, decided to give up futile resistance and surrender to the enemy, despite his deep reluctance.

Northcott first ordered all the tank crews to get out of the tank, then he opened the tank's top cover and climbed out, then jumped off the tank, straightened his uniform, and stood there straight.

At this moment, 100 Type 04A tracked infantry fighting vehicles followed closely behind.

The soldiers inside the tank quickly opened the doors and rushed out, then surrounded the enemy personnel with their guns drawn.

Xie Qiang then left the tank, strode up to Northcott, and jokingly asked in Lion's Mandarin.

"General, are you deciding to surrender to our army?"

Seeing that Xie Qiang, at such a young age, already carried three general's stars on his shoulders, Northcott was greatly surprised, then sighed and took the initiative to salute.

"Hello, I am Northcott, commander of the 1st Armored Division on Kangaroo Island. I have to admit that my armored forces are no match for yours. I do not want my men to die in vain, so I have decided to surrender."

Xie Qiang raised his head slightly and returned a military salute: "I am Xie Qiang, the naval commander of the Longyan People's Army. Congratulations on making a very wise decision. I have decided to accept your surrender."

Just as Xie Qiang was about to order his troops to continue their advance toward Canberra, Northcott suddenly spoke.

“We still have two infantry divisions defending Canberra, both outside and inside the city. They have no naval or air support and have now lost their armored forces. They certainly cannot withstand your attack. Therefore, I am willing to suggest to Commander-in-Chief Thomas that we surrender.”

"Oh... in that case, fine, I'll let you go back. Also, I'll give you one hour. If you don't surrender by then, I'll order an attack."

Northcott nodded silently in agreement.

Immediately afterwards, Xie Qiang ordered them to drive back a tank, settle the prisoners of war, and wait for a reply from the other side.

Northcott's tank advanced a few kilometers toward Canberra and encountered the 10th Infantry Division, which was fortified outside the city. He immediately dialed Thomas's number.

"What? Your 1st Armored Division surrendered to the enemy?"

Thomas was thunderstruck when he heard Northcott's report.

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief, the enemy's armored forces are too powerful. If we don't surrender, everyone will die. For the sake of so many soldiers' lives and the safety of the citizens of Canberra, I hope you will also give up resistance and order a surrender."

"Even if we had ten infantry divisions, let alone two, we still couldn't withstand their attack. So please consider my suggestion carefully."

Thomas knew Northcott fairly well, knowing he wouldn't exaggerate, but he wouldn't easily agree to surrender.

Just then, Prime Minister Curtin, who had returned to Canberra, called to inquire about the situation.

Curtin felt a chill run down his spine after learning from Thomas that the 1st Armored Division had surrendered.

The warning he received during his escape had already terrified him, and now, hearing that the enemy had a powerful armored force, Curtin's will to resist was growing weaker and weaker.

"Thomas, you are the Commander-in-Chief. Do you think we should continue to resist or choose to surrender?"

Thomas, of course, didn't answer directly, but skillfully threw the difficult question back at him.

“Mr. Prime Minister, as a soldier I will choose to fight to the end, but for the sake of the lives of soldiers and the safety of citizens, I do not oppose surrendering.”

"Furthermore, Mr. Prime Minister, I have already learned about the Dragon Flame Kingdom and the Dragon Flame People's Army. Not only are their weapons and equipment very advanced, but their combat power is also extremely strong. The 500,000 mechanized troops of the Rakshasa Kingdom and the more than 1 million Japanese troops are no match for them. Do you think our mere 20,000 men can hold Canberra?"