Manila, Island Nation Southern Army Headquarters. General Hitoshi Anami summoned Lieutenant General Shigeharu Matsumori, commander of the Philippine Area Army; Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō, commander of the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army; Lieutenant General Michiharu Sugawara, commander of the 3rd Air Force; and Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma, commander of the 14th Area Army, only part of whose forces had reached the Philippines.
"Gentlemen, we are now transporting large numbers of troops to the Philippine Islands through our transport convoys. However, constrained by the threat of German submarines and aircraft, our transport speed is far slower than we expected. But if the Germans think this will stop our offensive, then they are gravely mistaken!" General Hitoshi Anami said.
The lieutenant generals all wore solemn expressions. They knew that although the Island Nation's Army had been permitted by the Americans to pass through the Philippine Islands and launch an attack on the Dutch East Indies, American patience was limited. The Americans wanted the Island Nation's Army to launch its offensive as soon as possible and waste no more time. Therefore, General Hitoshi Anami could not wait for all of the Southern Army's troops to arrive before launching the attack early.
"Kawabe, is the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army ready?" General Hitoshi Anami asked.
"Commander, all units under the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army are prepared for battle. We can launch the attack at any time!" Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō replied. Although he knew they would be facing the powerful German Army this time, and whether his troops could defeat the Germans remained very much uncertain, Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō had confidence that they would fight the coming battle well. The soldiers of the Island Nation's Army, fearless in the face of death, would use Bushido spirit to defeat every powerful enemy.
General