Island Nation, Tokyo, Army Ministry.
Army Minister General Shunroku Hata was meeting with the Southern Army Commander he trusted, General Terauchi Juichi.
"Terauchi, the situation in Borneo is now extremely unfavorable for us. Although the remaining Southern Army units are being dispatched to Borneo one after another, even with the remnants of the 14th Area Army and the 7th Area Army included, we only have a little over five hundred thousand men. Moreover, the 14th Area Army and the 7th Area Army probably have very little combat strength left," General Shunroku Hata said.
General Terauchi Juichi nodded. Being appointed Southern Army Commander had filled him with great delight. It meant that the road to becoming a marshal had opened before him. Island Nation's Army generals were as numerous as dogs, especially lieutenant generals, who could be found everywhere. But there were comparatively fewer full generals. Naturally, General Terauchi Juichi wanted to go one step further and become a marshal. The position of Southern Army Commander undoubtedly provided him with such a platform.
However, once the excitement passed, General Terauchi Juichi calmed down as well. He knew that being Southern Army Commander was no easy task. General Hitoshi Anami had been left bedraggled and disgraced in that position and now had no choice but to resign. Although General Terauchi Juichi deeply despised General Hitoshi Anami's conduct of fleeing on the eve of battle, he had to admit that it was undoubtedly a very wise choice. If he continued clinging to the post of Southern Army Commander, he might very well lose his life.
Since General Terauchi Juichi had succeeded to the position of Southern Army Commander, he naturally wanted to win victory and earn promotion, rather than end in defeat and be forced to commit seppuku.
"This time, I have assembled