Requesting for tactical guidance, in the Island Nation's Army, is often a request made by a unit to the superior unit when it is in a desperate situation. Once such a request is issued, it means that the situation has become so bad that it cannot be changed.
Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō knows very well that since Lieutenant General Sakurai Shōzō and Lieutenant General Honda Masanori have issued such Telegram, it undoubtedly means that they have no choice about the current situation.
However, Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō has no other way now! Although, Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army still has several divisions and independent mixed brigades under his command. Still has good combat power. But German defensive line is very sturdy, has powerful firepower, and its air support is much stronger than Island Nation's Army. In addition, German Navy has also appeared, all of which make Island Nation's Army's landing plan likely to end in failure.
Even if we continue to send reinforcements to the east of Borneo, I am afraid that this result will not be changed in the end. Moreover, that would only make their losses bigger and bigger.
"Zhongyong Jun, what do you think we should do now?" Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō asked.
"Your Excellency Commander, 28th Army and 33rd Army have lost more than 50,000 people this time! They have been severely damaged. Although we still have 5 Infantry Division regiments and 3 independent mixed brigades, and more than 100,000 troops. However, even if all these troops are dispatched to Borneo, it may be difficult to open up the situation." Major General Nakahashi Tarō said.
Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō nodded, he was also worried about this. If you are unable to gain a firm foothold in Borneo and your losses become larger and larger, you may lose more than you gain. Moreover, there is no way to explain it to General Hitoshi Anami.
"Your Excellency Commander, why not report to the General Army headquarters! It is up to General Hitoshi Anami to decide what to do!" Major General Nakahashi Tarō suggested.
Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō is a little hesitant about this. If this issue is reported to Southern Army Headquarters, General Hitoshi Anami will definitely be dissatisfied. But at least you can escape some responsibility.
"Okay, report to the General Army headquarters!" Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō finally made his choice.
General Southern Army Commander Hitoshi Anami was indeed very angry after learning that Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army's landing operation had suffered a disastrous defeat and suffered heavy losses. Island Nation The country is very concerned about the actions of the Southern Army, and has been waiting for them to open up the situation in South Seas. Even Americans is waiting for their main force to hold down the Germany people in South Seas. You know, in order to promote Island Nation's Army to go south, Americans spent a lot of money. Such a result is obviously impossible to explain to Americans.
At that time, if he has to take responsibility, he Southern Army Commander will definitely not be able to escape. General Hitoshi Anami didn't want to have finally become Southern Army's Commander, only to be dismissed from his position.
"Send Telegram to the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army and tell them to continue the attack. Send out the remaining troops. We must successfully gain a foothold in Borneo. As for the losses of troops, we will give priority to replenishing them. In addition, 14th Area Army, German fleet, and Army Air Force will launch fighter planes to attack and drive away, so they don't have to worry!" General Hitoshi Anami ordered.
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander." Lieutenant General Southern Army Chief of Staff Tadaichi Tsukada immediately conveyed General Hitoshi Anami's order to the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army.
After receiving the order, Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō had no other choice but to order to continue transporting troops to Borneo. There is also 55th Division under the 28th Army under the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army. In addition, there are four Infantry Division regiments and three independent mixed brigades directly under the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army. These troops will also take transport ships and merchant ships one after another to Borneo.
Island Nation's Army 3rd Air Force and 4th Air Force dispatched a large number of Bomber to the Sulu Sea to search for traces of German fleet. However, German fleet had temporarily evacuated this sea area after massacring Island Nation's Army.
Brunei City, German 23rd Army Corps command.
Commander Lieutenant General William Adam was very satisfied with the battle last night. German military 225th Infantry Division and 228th Infantry Division, with the help of the navy, withstood the attack of the Island Nation's Army. Island Nation's Army paid an extremely heavy price.
"Your Excellency Commander, the Island Nation's Army that landed on Borneo has been severely damaged. According to reports from the front line, Island Nation's Army has stopped attacking. Obviously, with heavy losses, they are no longer able to launch another attack. It seems that we can hold on for a while longer." Chief of Staff Major General Erwin Willow said with a smile.
"Have 23rd Armored Division, 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division arrived at their predetermined positions?" Lieutenant General William Adam asked.
"They have all arrived and reserved their spots."
Lieutenant General William Adam nodded. "In this case, there is no need to hold on any longer. After all, 225th Infantry Division and 228th Infantry Division also suffered a lot of losses in the previous battle. If you continue to hold on, it will really hurt your muscles and bones."
Major General Erwin Willow thought this was true. They are far from home and difficult to replenish. If there are too many losses, these two Infantry Division may lose their combat effectiveness.
"Let 23rd Armored Division, 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division be hidden. Also, let 225th Infantry Division and 228th Infantry Division retreat tonight. Now., it's time for us to put Island Nation's Army's main force into Borneo, and then launch a large-scale attack, causing them heavy losses," said Lieutenant General William Adam.
The reason why he ordered 23rd Armored Division, 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division to go out was to give Island Nation's Army a heavy blow. In this case, it will help cause greater losses to the Island Nation's Army. Regardless of whether they evacuate Borneo or continue to fight in Borneo, there will be more room for maneuver.
"Yes, Your Excellency Commander." Major General Erwin Willow replied.
When Lieutenant General William Adam's order was issued, German military 225th Infantry Division and 228th Infantry Division secretly evacuated Sennah Port and Lahad Datu on the night of March 4. Although some officers and soldiers were very confused about such a retreat order, they believed that they had withstood the Island Nation's Army attack and could continue to hold on, and there was no need to evacuate. However, as soldiers, they still fulfilled their orders very well.