Published at 13th of February 2023 06:53:58 AM

A request for tactical guidance, in the army of an island country, is often a request to a higher-level unit when a unit is in a desperate situation. Once such a request is made, it means that the situation has become so bad that it cannot be changed.

Lieutenant General Shozo Kawabe knew very well that since Lieutenant General Shozo Sakurai and Lieutenant General Honda Masai had sent such a telegram, it undoubtedly meant that they had nothing to do with the current situation.

However, Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo has no other choice now! Although, there are still several divisions and independent mixed brigades under the Lanyin Front Army. Still has good combat power. But the German army's defense line is very strong, its firepower is very strong, and its air support is far stronger than that of the Japanese army. In addition, the German navy has also appeared now, all of which make the island army's landing plan, I am afraid it will end in failure.

Even if we continue to send reinforcements to eastern Borneo, I am afraid that this result will not be changed in the end. And, that would only make their losses bigger and bigger.

"Nakae-kun, what do you think we should do now?" Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo asked.

"Your Excellency, Commander, the 28th Army and the 33rd Army have lost more than 50,000 people this time! They have already suffered heavy losses. Although we still have 5 infantry divisions and 3 independent mixed brigades in our hands, there are still more There are more than 100,000 troops. However, even if all these troops are sent to Borneo, it may be difficult to open the situation." Major General Taro Nakayaga said.

Lieutenant General Kawabe Masami nodded, he was also worried about this. If you can't gain a firm foothold in Borneo and cause more and more losses, then the gains will outweigh the losses. Moreover, it was impossible to explain to General Nishio Hiszo.

"Your Excellency, Commander, why not report to the General Army Headquarters! General Nishio Hiszo will decide what to do!" Major General Taro Nakayaga suggested.

Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo hesitated about this. If he reported this issue to the Southern Army Command, General Nishio Hiszo would definitely be dissatisfied. However, at least some responsibility can be avoided.

"Okay, let's report to the General Army Command!" Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo finally made a choice.

General Hisao Nishio, the commander of the Southern Army, was indeed very angry when he learned that the landing operation of the Lanyin Front Army suffered a disastrous defeat and suffered heavy losses. The island country is very concerned about the actions of the Southern Army, and has been waiting for them to open up the situation in Nanyang. Even the Americans are waiting for their main force to hold down the Germans in Nanyang. You know, in order to facilitate the southward movement of the island nation's army, the Americans paid a lot of money. Such a result is obviously impossible to explain to the Americans.

At that time, if he wants to take responsibility, he, the commander of the Southern Army, will definitely not be able to escape. General Hisao Nishio didn't want to become the commander of the Southern Army with great difficulty, only to be dismissed from his position in the end.

"Send a telegram to the Lanyin Front Army and tell them to continue their offensive. Send out the remaining troops. We must successfully gain a foothold in Borneo. As for the loss of troops, we will give them priority. In addition, the 14th The front army will also start landing after them. The German fleet and army aviation will dispatch fighter planes to attack and drive away, so they don't have to worry!" General Hisao Nishio ordered.

"Hi, Your Excellency, Commander." Lieutenant General Tsukada Offensive, Chief of Staff of the Southern Army, immediately conveyed General Nishio Hiszo's order to the Lanyin Front Army.

After receiving the order, Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo had no other choice but to order to continue transporting troops to Borneo. The 28th Army under the Lanyin Front Army also has a 55th Division. In addition, the troops directly under the Lanyin Front Army also have four infantry divisions and three independent mixed brigades. These troops will also take transport ships and merchant ships to Borneo one after another.

The 3rd Air Force and 4th Air Force of the island country army dispatched a large number of bombers to the Sulu Sea to search for traces of the German fleet. It's just that the German fleet has temporarily withdrawn from this sea area after massacring the island country's army.

Brunei City, German 23rd Army Command.

Commander Lieutenant General William Adam was very satisfied with the battle last night. The German 225th Infantry Division and 228th Infantry Division, with the help of the navy, withstood the attack of the island army. The island army paid an extremely heavy price.

"Your Excellency, the island country army that landed on Borneo has been severely damaged. According to reports from the front, the island country army has stopped attacking. Obviously, with heavy losses, they are no longer able to launch an attack. It seems that , we can hold on for a while longer." Chief of Staff Major General Erwin Willow said with a smile.

"Has the 23rd Armored Division, the 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and the 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division arrived at their intended positions?" Lieutenant General William Adam asked.

"They have all arrived at their scheduled locations."

Lieutenant General William Adam nodded: "If this is the case, then there is no need to hold on. After all, the 225th Infantry Division and the 228th Infantry Division also suffered a lot of losses in the previous battle. If you continue to If you stick to it, it will really hurt your muscles.

Major General Erwin Willow thinks this is indeed the truth. They are far from home and difficult to replenish. If there are too many losses, the two infantry divisions may lose their combat effectiveness.

"Let the 23rd Armored Division, the 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and the 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division stay hidden. Also let the 225th Infantry Division and the 228th Infantry Division retreat tonight. Now, it is time for us to put the main force of the island army on the ground. Come to Borneo, and then launch a large-scale attack, which will cause them heavy losses." Lieutenant General William Adam said.

The reason why he ordered the 23rd Armored Division, the 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and the 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division to dispatch was to deal a heavy blow to the Japanese Army. In this case, it will help cause greater losses to the island country army. Next, no matter whether they evacuate Borneo or continue to fight in Borneo, there will be more room for maneuver.

"Yes, Your Excellency Commander." Major General Erwin Willow replied.

After Lieutenant General William Adam's order was issued, the German 225th Infantry Division and 228th Infantry Division secretly evacuated Siena Port and Lahad Datu on the night of March 4. Although some officers and soldiers were very puzzled by such a retreat order, they believed that they had already withstood the attack of the island army, and they could continue to persist, and there was no need to evacuate. However, as soldiers, they still fulfilled their orders very well.