On February 28, the Island Nation's Army Air Force's 3rd Air Force received reinforcements from the homeland, bringing every Flying Division back up to full strength. Meanwhile, the 4th Air Force had also fully arrived in the Philippine Islands. It was likewise a powerful air force with three Flying Divisions.
With both air forces at full strength, the Island Nation's Army Air Force had more than six hundred combat aircraft in the Philippine Islands. In terms of numbers alone, it was no fewer than the German Air Force's 5th Air Group. It was only in aircraft performance that they remained unable to contend with the German Air Force.
Hitoshi Anami, Commander of the Island Nation's Army Southern Army, had also adopted new tactics. He knew that completely seizing air superiority was simply impossible. The Island Nation's Army Air Force did not have that kind of strength. Unless more fighters were transferred from the homeland, their losses would only continue to rise.
"Gentlemen, the German Air Force's advantage is far too great. The Army Air Force alone will find it difficult to defeat them. Therefore, I have decided to use new tactics against the Germans!" Hitoshi Anami said.
After taking up the post of Southern Army Commander, many people had set their sights on that position. If Hitoshi Anami failed to achieve success for too long, it would undoubtedly give others an excuse. Therefore, Hitoshi Anami could not wait to produce results.
Lieutenant General Shigeharu Matsumori, Commander of the Philippine Area Army; Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō, Commander of the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army; Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma, Commander of the 14th Area Army; Lieutenant General Michiharu Sugawara, Commander of the 3rd Air Force; and Lieutenant General Kumashi Teramoto, Commander of the 4th Air Force, all watched Hitoshi Anami with solemn