"Itagaki-kun, hurry up as soon as possible! United States only gave us one week to prepare. We have to launch the attack in a week. This time, Americans even gave way to Philippine Islands, which shows that they have We attach great importance to this battle. If we can no longer meet Americans's requirements, then Americans may no longer support us!" Fumimaro Konoe Prime Minister said solemnly.
"Hi, Prime Minister, please rest assured. In a week, we will definitely send troops to Philippines. And launch an attack on Dutch East Indies as soon as possible." General Seishiro Itagaki replied.
Fumimaro Konoe nodded and said nothing more. His Prime Minister has very little control over the army.
After Seishiro Itagaki returned to the Ministry of War, he immediately asked General Army Chief of Staff Prince Kan'in Kotohito, General Inspector General of Training Yoshizō Yamada and General Inspector General of Aviation Lieutenant General Hideki Tojo to be found.
"Gentlemen, due to our incompetence, we have to postpone our attack on South Seas and Australia. However, fortunately, United States attaches great importance to this. US government has agreed to let us use Philippine Islands, and then attack South Seas and Australia have launched an attack! This is undoubtedly great news for us. With Philippine Islands as a springboard, we can launch an attack on South Seas and Australia without relying on the support of the navy." General Seishiro Itagaki said with a smile on his face.
"Yo west! This is indeed great news!" General Prince Kan'in Kotohito had a smile on his face.
General Yoshizō Yamada and Lieutenant General Hideki Tojo were also very happy. It was the first time for them to hear the news.
Originally, Island Nation's Army was still waiting for an opportunity. He waited until he defeated German Navy and seized control of the sea before launching an attack. Now it seems they don't have to wait any longer.
"Gentlemen, what we have to do now is to form Southern Army as soon as possible, then send troops to occupy Philippines first, and then use Philippines as a springboard to launch an attack on Dutch East Indies. Finally, launch an attack on Indochina and Australia, and completely defeat the German military deployed here!" said the leader of Seishiro Itagaki.
Several Island Nation's Army senior generals nodded. If Philippine Islands can be used as a springboard, then this battle will undoubtedly be much smoother. Even relying on their army strength advantage to sweep South Seas and Australia is not impossible.
"Itagaki-kun, the troops that form Southern Army this time must be elite! What we are facing is German Army, who is known as the number one in the world!" General Yoshizō Yamada reminded.
General Seishiro Itagaki nodded heavily, although they believed that Island Nation's Army's combat effectiveness was also very strong, and they fought more bravely than the soldiers of the German Army. But they had to admit that German Army was very powerful in combat. If they want to defeat German Army, they must send elites.
"This battle is related to the Empire's future. We will dispatch the most elite troops." General Seishiro Itagaki said.
"Tojo-kun, this time whether we are sending troops to Philippine Islands or attacking Dutch East Indies, as well as Indochina and South Seas, we need the full support of Air Corps. Therefore, Air Corps's task this time is very difficult." General Seishiro Itagaki looked serious.
"Minister of War, Air Corps will do their best. All our pilots are ready for battle!" Lieutenant General Hideki Tojo replied.
"Gentlemen, Empire's life and death depends on this battle. We must try our best to win this battle!" General Seishiro Itagaki said.
"Hi!" everyone replied.
Island Nation's Army Staff Headquarters has already started the establishment of the Southern Army, and with the mobilization of the Island Nation's Army, it is almost completed. They are able to mobilize more and more troops.
The next day Army Chief of Staff Prince Kan'in Kotohito submitted a formation plan for the Southern Army.
In the plan, Southern Army will have five front armies, four Infantry Corps and two Air Force. The total strength includes 38 Infantry Division regiments, 23 independent* mixed brigades, two tank divisions, six Flying Division and several other units.
For the Island Nation's Army, who has already formed hundreds of divisions, deploying so many troops is nothing. Of course, a large portion of these troops are elite. It can be seen that Island Nation's Army attaches great importance to this battle.
"Itagaki Sei-kun, this is just the first unit of the Southern Army. If the war does not go well, we can send more troops to join Southern Army at any time!" Prince Kan'in Kotohito said.
General Seishiro Itagaki nodded, although he knew that if he wanted to defeat the Germany people in South Seas and Australia, such a small force was obviously not enough. But he also knew that it was impossible to dispatch all the troops at the beginning of the battle. After they completely occupy Philippine Islands and Dutch East Indies, if the troops are not enough, they can draw them from the country at any time. Island Nation's Army plans to form more than two hundred divisions.
"These troops should be enough in the early stages of the war. After the war begins, we can gradually increase them!" General Seishiro Itagaki said.
Prince Kan'in Kotohito nodded. "So, how to determine the candidate for Commander of the Southern Army?"
General Seishiro Itagaki couldn't help but frowned. It is foreseeable that Southern Army will soon develop into the General Army, the most powerful Island Nation's Army. If they want to capture South Seas and Australia and defeat the 800,000 German military deployed there, they must send more troops. Then, there will be no doubt that Southern Army's strength exceeds one million. Even reaching 1.5 million or even 2 million is very possible.
In addition, the attack on South Seas and Australia determines the fate of Guam country. So they hope to win this battle.
This requires Southern Army's Commander to be a very capable person.
Several names flashed through General Seishiro Itagaki's mind, but then they were rejected.
"Itagaki-kun, how about letting General Hitoshi Anami serve as Southern Army Commander? Nishio-kun has served as Kwantung Army Commander and Inspector General of Training, with the rank of general, and his qualifications in the army are enough to serve as Southern Army Commander." General Prince Kan'in Kotohito suggested.
General Seishiro Itagaki thought for a while, then nodded. "You can let Nishio-kun serve as Commander. I will suggest it to Prime Minister."
Southern Army Commander is undoubtedly a very important position, and it must be approved by Prime Minister.
After consulting Fumimaro Konoe Prime Minister, General Hitoshi Anami received a letter of appointment and became Southern Army Commander.