Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 418 Recapture of Nanwei Island

The South China Sea doesn't have distinct seasons; it's almost always summer. However, winter is more comfortable. Although the air is still humid, the sun shines brightly, the breeze carries a refreshing feeling, and the temperature isn't too high.

On nights like these, it's easier to fall asleep.

Nanwei Island.

There were only a few tents on the island, which were where the commander lived. Ordinary soldiers preferred to sleep in hammocks.

They tie ropes to the few coconut trees they can find, hang hammocks, and sleep swaying back and forth. Although they swing like on a swing, they don't feel tired, since they've been sleeping like this since they were children.

At the northern tip of the island, there is a cone-shaped reef that reaches a height of seven meters. This is the highest point on the island and naturally became the location of the lookout post.

The monkeys built a watchtower here. At this moment, two sentries on duty are leaning against the wall of the watchtower, smoking and chatting.

"Is it almost dawn?"

"Yes, it'll be soon. When I get back, I need to get a good night's sleep. I've been feeling quite tired lately."

"Yes, it's really boring on this island, and we also have to worry about being attacked from the north."

"It shouldn't be that bad, right? Those people in the north value land territory a lot, but they don't care about the sea at all. After all, they are still a traditional land power."

"Let's hope so. The fighting on land is truly brutal. The tactics we used against the Americans are completely useless. Our Soviet big brother isn't coming to our aid either, and we've failed in Siam too..."

"By the way, before I went to my post, I passed by a tent and heard on the radio that the Russian fleet would be here in three days. They would also hold a military exercise here at that time to intimidate the people to the north."

"Yes, yes. I've heard about it too. Apparently, there's an aircraft carrier involved. They'll be conducting maritime patrols around the islands and reefs we control, asserting our sovereignty. The Russians are really going all out this time..."

"Huh, there seems to be a sound coming from the sea?"

The two stopped talking and looked up into the distance.

They didn't have night vision goggles and had to rely on their own eyes to see. The night before dawn was the darkest, and they couldn't see anything at all!
However, they could hear a series of booming sounds coming from the distant sea.

"Could it be... a supply ship has arrived?"

"If the Russians are coming, the supply ships will definitely have to make more trips and deliver more supplies, so that's a possibility..."

The two continued smoking, gazing at the distant sea, waiting quietly.

On the sea, two Type 072 tank landing ships are approaching at high speed.

For the Eastern Navy, there has always been a need for cross-sea amphibious landings. In the 1970s, drawing on the design of the American LST large tank landing ship, the Eastern Shipbuilding Industry Department began to develop a brand-new tank landing ship, codenamed Type 072. The first ship was completed in 1978, making it the newest equipment in the Navy!
At this moment, the main engines at the stern were running at full power, and the two warships were approaching Nanwei Island at top speed, getting closer and closer!
On the island, at the lookout post, two sentries looked on with some curiosity.

"This...this is getting so close, why aren't you slowing down?"

"I've already seen it. The outline of this ship is at least three thousand tons. It's definitely not one of our monkeys' warships!"

"Damn it, quick, raise the battle alarm!"

Shortly after, piercing alarms echoed across the entire island, and the eastern sky began to lighten with a faint white glow.

Company Commander Ruan Zhigang, nicknamed "Monkey," quickly ran out of the tent.

"What's going on, what's going on?"

"Report! Report! There are two large ships approaching us at sea!"

Snapped!
The next moment, Ruan Zhigang slapped the reporting sentry across the face.

"Damn it, what's the rush? It must be the Soviet big brother's warships arriving, what's the hurry for you!"

The Soviet Union, the big brother?
Yes, the Soviet Union was supposed to come over soon, but there was probably a problem with communication, which caused the discrepancy in the timing.

"Stop the alarm! Everyone assemble on the beach and wait for our Soviet big brother to arrive!"

The monkey soldiers nimbly climbed off the hammocks, quickly straightened their clothes, slung their guns over their shoulders, and came to the beach. By this time, the eastern sky was already completely white, and the two warships in the distance were getting closer and closer.

Red flags fluttered in the wind from the masts of the warships, but from the angle of the shore, the front of the flags could not be seen!
"A nation unlike any other and sons of freedom, ready, sing!"

Everyone joined in singing: "The song we sing today belongs to our glorious Party, to our most remarkable people... Our Soviet motherland is as solid as a rock..."

This is the national anthem of Russia. To show their friendship to the Soviet Union, the Russians translated the song into their own language and then sang it everywhere.

Now, to welcome the Russians, of course we should sing this song.

In the distance, on the bridge of the Type 072 amphibious transport dock 927.

What are the monkeys doing?

"It seems like they're welcoming us. Could they have mistaken us for the Soviet Navy?"

"That's right, it must be! Notify the tank units in the ship's hold to quickly deploy after the beach landing and flank these monkeys from both sides!" Commander Zhang of the South China Sea Fleet, who was in charge of commanding the fleet, said excitedly, "This time, we will recapture Nanwei Island without shedding a drop of blood!"

While we are not afraid of war—after all, we've wiped out countless monkeys on land—this is only the second time at sea. If we can avoid bloodshed, that would be ideal. Our principle is to win people over with virtue.

Below, inside the cabin.

"Start the engine! Everyone, floor the gas pedal!" shouted Ma Shiyong, the company commander of a tank company of the Marine Corps, excitedly.

Buzz, buzz!

The engine roared to life, and just then, a sharp, screeching sound suddenly came from the bottom of the ship's hold, sending chills down one's spine.

They've already landed on the beach!
Tank landing ships are a special type of ship. They have a flat bow, which allows them to easily run onto the beach. They also have hatches at the bow, which can be quickly opened once the beaching is over, allowing tanks to drive directly out from the front and onto the beach!

During World War II, this type of equipment was used in the initial Normandy landings. However, with the development of technology, the use of tank landing ships has become less and less significant. After all, in modern warfare, it is too difficult to directly rush onto the beach. The defending side can simply lay landmines to deter those attempting to land on the beach.

Amphibious landing ships are even more useful. Their well decks can carry hovercraft, allowing them to fly directly over the beachhead and reach the enemy!

Seeing two tank landing ships landing less than 100 meters away, the monkeys sang even louder.

Suddenly, someone noticed the flag on the warship.

"Oh no, it's not a hammer and sickle flag, it's five stars!"

"They're Easterners, damn it, fight!"

At this moment, Ruan Zhigang was somewhat dumbfounded.

what's the situation?
Wasn't it supposed to be Soviet warships coming? How did they suddenly turn into Eastern flags? Are these warships from the East?

Just as the monkeys were making a ruckus, the hatches at the bow of the tank landing ship opened to both sides, the tank diesel engines roared, and the first tank rushed out with lightning speed!

With its boat-shaped hull and rounded turret, this is the Type 63 amphibious tank from the East!
The tanks are coming!
The defenders of Nanwei Island are all infantry. If they had hidden in the jungle, they might have been able to fight for a few more days. But now, on the beach, their rear has been cut off by tanks!
The tanks came out and drove towards the island, circling around to their rear!
Amphibious tanks are lightweight and have powerful engines, so they are very fast!

One, two, three... Just three tanks coming out is enough to give them a hard time, not to mention the Type 072 tank landing ship, with a full load displacement of nearly 4,000 tons, carrying a whole tank company!

Ten Type 63 amphibious tanks lined up in a row, completely trapping the monkey soldiers on the beach. They had no choice but to charge at the tanks, jump into the sea, or... surrender. "Lay down your arms and you will not be killed!" Marine infantry followed, shouting slogans in their newly learned monkey language as they quickly formed a second encirclement.

"Damn your ancestors! We gave your monkey country its name, and now you've learned to steal our ancestors' territory!" Ma Shiyong poked his head out of the tank turret and cursed at those below, "Surrender or we'll wipe you all out!"

Wow!

As he spoke, he pulled the bolt, and the dark muzzle of the gun was pointed at the monkey.

"Surrender, we surrender!"

At this point, the monkey had no will to resist anymore; if it didn't surrender, it would be killed!
"Alright, put down your guns, and everyone take a shovel!"

What, a shovel?

The monkeys stared wide-eyed as they watched as one after another…construction machinery drove off from the second landing craft!
With bulldozers, excavators, and other machinery roaring and starting up, the construction project was already in full swing when the five-star red flag was raised on Nanwei Island.

Hundreds of monkeys, free labor, might as well use them. As for those who dare to resist? They'll be executed on the spot!

Ma Shiyong's tank unit lined up in a row, each tank guarding a construction length of seventy or eighty meters, ready to fire at any moment. The monkeys would hear the sound of the bolt being pulled as soon as they wanted to take a break, and they would quickly bury themselves in their work again, working with great enthusiasm.

Morning, ten o'clock.

"Hey, Ruan Zhigang, come here!"

Ruan Zhigang, who was working, wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly ran over: "Comrade, what can I do for you?"

"It's time for the routine call. Let's go over to the tent and make the call."

The monkeys stationed on the island would call their superiors at a set time every day to let them know they were safe. At this moment, Ruan Zhigang had a vague idea in mind: as long as they said a few coded words when they called on the radio...

"Okay, I'll definitely cooperate." Ruan Zhigang quickly walked into the tent, turned on the radio, and then...

Ma Shiyong plopped down in the seat next to him and pulled out a triangular dagger that gleamed with a bluish light.

In the past few years on the battlefield, countless monkeys have been stabbed by this thing, leaving huge wounds that can't be stitched up. The wounds are so large that even if they are treated, they won't heal. It's said that it's coated with poison...

"Remember, don't say things you shouldn't. For example, the name of the island. You call it Changsha Island, don't get it wrong!"

Ruan Zhigang's heart skipped a beat. This was their code. How did the Easterners know it?
It seems we should just stick to calling it honestly.

"Changsha Island is calling Jinlan Bay, Changsha Island is calling Jinlan Bay..."

Nanwei Island has been an eastern territory since ancient times. After the monkeys occupied it, they renamed it Changsha Island and even made an agreement that if it was called by an eastern name, it would mean something was wrong. Now, the other side can't do anything!

"Good, get back to work!"

"Yes Yes."

The runway foundation was laid in one day, and that night, the transport ship sailed to the dock to unload the field runway modules. They were basically just steel plates that could be joined together to form a flat runway. They were easy to disassemble, but there wasn't time to harden them with cement, so this kind of makeshift runway was the only option.

Ruan Zhigang and the others were filled with unease. Were they going to build a running track here? But what could they possibly do with a track that was only six or seven hundred meters long?
In the latter half of the night, they reached the end of the tunnel and were amazed to see a steel support that curved upwards. They wondered how the sloping surface could increase the aircraft's takeoff capability. These Easterners…

At the other end of the runway, in the reserved open space, the arresting gear began to be installed. This kind of purely mechanical device is not difficult to develop, and with the sample of the crying country's aircraft carrier as a reference, this thing is already considered mature.

The monkeys worked tirelessly for a whole day and night. When the first light of dawn appeared in the east, they were completely exhausted. After a brief exchange, they lay down on the beach and fell into a deep sleep.

Just as he fell asleep, the roar of airplanes could be heard in the distance. Ruan Zhigang looked up and saw a fighter jet already aimed at the runway.

Landing carrier-based aircraft is very difficult and requires the assistance of specialized Fresnel landing aids, but now... even if there is a landing mishap, it doesn't matter, the runway is long enough!
So, although it was their first time, none of the pilots were worried.

The lead pilot, Yang Guoqiang, kept his eyes fixed on the Fresnel light box. As previously instructed, the orange orb should be positioned exactly in the center of the green reference light, and he was warned that doing so would be difficult.

However, he didn't find it too difficult. With a simple adjustment of his control stick, he steadily kept the plane on the glide path. The plane's attitude looked like it was about to crash, but in reality, he wasn't worried.

The Q-5 is a reinforced version of the J-6, with a very robust airframe and landing gear. Adding an extra carrier hook is not a big deal, since Factory 320 completely referenced the Tomcat design when building the twin-engine Q-6.

The runway is getting closer and closer.

Bang! Finally, his plane crashed hard onto the runway and continued to slide forward. Then, he felt himself being pulled back hard, as if he had hit a wall. This landing obstruction was too strong!
No wonder people say that pilots who are used to flying carrier-based aircraft look down on pilots who fly land-based fighter jets!
The fighter jet came to a stop, the arresting cable was lowered, and under ground control, it taxied to the parking area.

The monkeys on the beach were stunned.

When the plane caught the arresting cable, they were in a daze. This was an arrested landing, something only the US Navy would do. When did these Eastern pilots learn this maneuver?

The second Q-5 landed in the same way, followed by the third, the fourth...

Ten Q-5 fighter jets landed and lined up on the tarmac. Their arrival signifies that the East has entered a new era of control over the South China Sea, finally possessing an unsinkable aircraft carrier at sea!

The amphibious landing ship has already left, while the engineering and construction equipment and tanks have been left behind. The supply ship has once again docked at the pier and unloaded more equipment.

Radar vehicles, anti-aircraft missile vehicles, steel-structured prefabricated houses... the entire base can be completely built in just one day!
On the beach, the monkeys were no longer sleepy at all.

Originally, they still had illusions that even if the Easterners occupied this place, they wouldn't be able to hold it, after all, this place was too far away from the Eastern continent.

But now, they even have airplanes, which means they're going to be stationed there long-term. And these airplanes can take off from the island and go bomb the monkeys in the south!
and many more!

A whooshing sound rang out, and several armed helicopters appeared in their field of vision! They had arrived carrying a supply ship, making routine patrols much more convenient!

How to do?How to do?
Jinghong Island is located northeast of Nanwei Island.

The island is oval-shaped, with its highest point at an elevation of 3.6 meters and an area of ​​0.08 square kilometers. It is surrounded by beaches and has a lowland in the center. Seabirds inhabit the island, and it is covered with dense forests. It is the sacred and inviolable territory of our motherland.

However, in 1973, the island was also occupied by the South Korean government. Now, a company of troops is stationed here, which is the location of the South Korean government's second command in the Spratly Islands, second only to Nanwei Island in importance.

On this day, the monkey sentinel discovered something strange.

"An airplane flew by!"

"Judging by appearances, it's a Q-5 fighter jet that flew in from the north!"

“This plane… has a very short range. Now that it’s come, it can’t possibly fly back immediately!” Commander Wen Jinyong’s face was grim. “They have likely already occupied an island and built an air force base!”

He was still clear that this aircraft was a modified J-6, also known as the MiG-19. Monkeys also had this kind of aircraft, which had excellent performance at low and medium altitudes, a high thrust-to-weight ratio, and first-class maneuverability. However, its short range problem had never been corrected.

Now that they can fly over, it means they must have a base nearby!
"Quickly, call our other controlled islands using the password!"

"Report: Only Nanwei Island has not responded!"

Nanwei Island only called according to the previous radio communication schedule. At other times, no one stayed here at all. The monkeys were unreliable, and we ourselves didn't know how to call, so this time we were exposed!

"Send someone over there immediately to check!"

A few minutes later, a speedboat set off. By the time it reached Nanwei Island, it was already noon. From afar, they could see the bustling construction scene on Nanwei Island. The monkey on guard was shocked and was about to turn back when the whooshing sound of a propeller stirring the air came from the sky!
An armed helicopter flew over, spotted the monkey speedboat, and without hesitation, unleashed a burst of bullets, sinking the monkey's speedboat!
As the sun set on Jinghong Island, Wen Jinyong was finally able to confirm something.

"Something must have happened on Nanwei Island! Hmph, aren't they too arrogant? The Soviet naval fleet will be here tomorrow!"

(End of this chapter)