On the Crocker Range defensive line, Lieutenant Generals Masaharu Honma and Seiichi Tanaka stood side by side. This defensive line, which had once blocked them like an impassable chasm, now lay beneath their feet. Scattered supplies could still be seen everywhere across the positions. Clearly, the German military had been in a great hurry when they withdrew. All of this undoubtedly showed that the German military seemed unable to hold on much longer in this war.
Soldiers of the Island Nation's Army, clad in khaki uniforms, marched in neat formations, chests thrust out and bowlegs striding, as they crossed the Crocker Range. They seemed to have forgotten that countless comrades had died on this very defensive line.
"Tanaka, according to the intelligence we have received, the main force of the German 23rd Army Group has already withdrawn from Brunei City. There are now only a few German Infantry Divisions around Brunei City. Moreover, these divisions suffered considerable losses in the previous battles. Their total strength is probably only sixty or seventy thousand men. Defeating them will be as easy as turning over one's hand." Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma appeared extremely confident, as though victory in this battle was already theirs.
Lieutenant General Seiichi Tanaka nodded. The reason he had agreed to Masaharu Honma's proposal to launch an attack on Brunei City was that he did not want to let this opportunity slip away. Their troops had already suffered substantial losses in the earlier fierce assaults on the Crocker Range defensive line. If they could seize the tail of the German 23rd Army Group in the final battle and win a victory, it would greatly benefit their efforts to earn military merit. It might even affect the reinforcements they received afterward.
"However, Honma, I'm afraid we still need to be cautious.