On February 28, Island Nation's Army Air Force 3rd Air Force received supplements from domestic sources, and all Flying Division were fully occupied again. In addition, 4th Air Force also all arrived at Philippine Islands. This is also a powerful Air Force with three Flying Division.
When both Air Force are fully staffed, Island Nation's Army Air Force has more than 600 combat aircraft in Philippine Islands. In terms of the number of aircraft, it is no less than German Air Force 5th Air Group. It's just that it can't compete with German Air Force in terms of aircraft performance.
General Island Nation's Army Southern Army Commander Hitoshi Anami is also adopting new tactics. He knew that it was simply impossible to completely seize air supremacy. Island Nation's Army Air Force simply does not have this strength. Unless more fighter jets are mobilized from China, their losses will only increase further.
"Gentlemen, German Air Force has too great an advantage. It is difficult to defeat them with Army Air Force alone. So I decided to use new tactics to deal with Germany people!" General Hitoshi Anami said.
After taking up the position of Southern Army Commander, many people focused on this position. If General Hitoshi Anami is unable to succeed, this will undoubtedly give others an excuse. Therefore, General Hitoshi Anami can't wait to achieve results.
Philippines Front Commander Shigeharu Matsumori Lieutenant General, Lanyin Front Commander Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō, 14th Lieutenant General Front Commander Masaharu Honma, Lieutenant General 3rd Air Force Commander Michiharu Sugawara and Lieutenant General 4th Air Force Commander Kumashi Teramoto all looked at General Hitoshi Anami with serious faces, wondering what he was going to do.
"Tsukata-kun, inform all the generals of the plan!" General Hitoshi Anami said to the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Tadaichi Tsukada.
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander." Lieutenant General Tadaichi Tsukada nodded.
"Gentlemen, given that the Germany people have a very obvious advantage in the air, it is difficult for us to compete with them. Moreover, we do not have much time. Therefore, we can only adopt other tactics. After approval by the staff headquarters, the plan to land on Borneo can be implemented. However, I need to tell everyone that once this plan is implemented, our losses may be relatively large." Lieutenant General Tadaichi Tsukada said.
Several Front Commander's faces became serious. They knew that when the previous expected goal could not be achieved, Island Nation's Army would most likely adopt desperate tactics. After all, this is Island Nation's Army's consistent style.
"Two days later, Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army dispatched the main force, forcibly crossed Sulu Sea, and launched a landing operation to the east of Borneo. By then, Army Air Force 3rd Air Force and 4th Air Force, all We will provide reinforcements to prevent the transport fleet from being attacked by German aircraft. In addition, the navy will also dispatch some warships to reinforce us. We hope that this forced landing plan will be successful and land in the east of Borneo." said Lieutenant General Tadaichi Tsukada.
As soon as Lieutenant General Tadaichi Tsukada finished speaking, Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō's face became very ugly. This is obviously to let Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army use his life to fill it! Even with the cover of Army Air Force, there is no telling how many people will be buried in the sea before reaching Borneo. However, Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō had no way to refuse. He knew that all of this was what General Hitoshi Anami wanted.
"After the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army launches the attack, 14th Area Army will also launch a landing operation if necessary!" Lieutenant General Tadaichi Tsukada continued.
Obviously, this is to prevent Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army from suffering heavy losses and being unable to gain an advantage on the Borneo battlefield. At that time, 14th Area Army will have to attack.
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander!" Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma replied.
"Gentlemen, for the future of the Empire, we must work hard this time. I believe that Amaterasu Omikami will protect us. We will definitely be able to successfully land on Borneo and defeat the Germany people!" General Hitoshi Anami said.
"Empire will win! His Majesty the Emperor is onboard!" Several Front Commander shouted loudly.
On the night of March 2, Island Nation Navy secretly sent a fleet through Philippine Islands and into the Sulu Sea. This fleet consists of two 'Tone-class' heavy cruisers, two 'Tenryū-class' Light Cruiser and 10 'Yūgumo-class' destroyers.
Although Island Nation Navy did not dispatch Capital Ships, only two heavy cruisers were dispatched. However, after Combined Fleet suffered heavy losses, it is already very good for Island Nation Navy to be able to dispatch a fleet of this size. Moreover, these warships possess strong firepower and are undoubtedly a fatal threat to ground targets. Once Island Nation's Army Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army begins landing operations, if these warships use powerful Naval Gun firepower to provide them with artillery support, they will undoubtedly clear obstacles for the landing troops and increase the possibility of a successful landing.
At the same time in Mindanao and Zamboanga, a large number of transport ships and merchant ships have gathered in the port. Every transport ship and merchant ship was filled with the Island Nation's Army Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army soldiers. In order to maximize the number of people transported, those Island Nation soldiers were crowded on the ship like animals. Of course, this also means that once these transport ships and merchant ships are sunk, they can cause considerable casualties to the Island Nation's Army.
However, Island Nation's Army never takes the lives of soldiers seriously when fighting. As long as they can win, no matter how many people die, they will not hesitate.
At 10 o'clock in the evening, Lan Yin Front Commander Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō and Chief of Staff Major General Nakahashi Tarō appeared at the port. Major General Buryō Isomura, Deputy Chief of Staff Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army, who was responsible for the preparations for this attack, quickly reported the preparations to them.
"Your Excellency Commander, Your Excellency Chief of Staff. All units involved in this landing operation have been uploaded and are ready to go at any time!" Major General Buryō Isomura reported.
Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō nodded. "Where are Mr. Sakurai and Mr. Honda?"
The main ones who initiated this landing operation were 28th Army and 33rd Army under the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army. They will all devote their main force to this landing operation. Among them, 28th Army invested 2nd Division and 54th Division, and 33rd Army invested 18th Division and 56th Division. The two armies will launch landings at Sennah Port and Lahad Datu respectively.
Soon Lieutenant General Sakurai Shōzō and Lieutenant General Honda Masanori arrived.
"Sakurai-kun, Honda-kun. Please leave it to the inside this time. Our landing must be successful!" Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō said.
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander, you will do your best if you are a humble person!" Lieutenant General Sakurai Shōzō and Lieutenant General Honda Masanori replied.