"Your Excellency Commander, we have now found out that the German military in Kinabatangan are all troops that retreated from Sennah Port and Lahad Datu. The specific strength of the troops is still unknown. However, through analysis, the number of troops is less than 20,000. Otherwise, they will never take the initiative to evacuate Sennah Port and Lahad Datu." Major General Nakahashi Tarō reported.
However, Major General Nakahashi Tarō didn't know that all this was just an illusion intentionally made by German military. In fact, German military gathered a lot of troops in Kinabatangan. The total number of 225th Infantry Division who retreated from Sennah Port and 228th Infantry Division who retreated from Lahad Datu alone exceeded 30,000. In addition, there is the 23rd heavy Howitzer brigade belonging to the group army. The total strength of the entire army was nearly 40,000. Not to mention 23rd Army Group's three most powerful troops are still ambushing nearby. The reason why German military took the initiative to retreat was just to attract Island Nation's Army. It has only one purpose, and that is to successfully land Island Nation's Army.
Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō nodded, he also believed in this analysis.
"Where are the other troops of the Germany people?" Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō asked. He also knew that the total strength of the German military 23rd Group was more than 200,000.
"Your Excellency Commander, the main force of German 23rd Army Corps is near Brunei City. In addition, they have also deployed some troops in the west of Borneo. According to the intelligence we have learned, German military is in the east of Borneo, and there are only about five Infantry Division. This also includes the two Infantry Division that were severely damaged by us," Major General Nakahashi Tarō continued.
After Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō heard such news, he seemed to be completely relieved. "Very good, with our strength, there is no problem at all in annihilating German military's troops in the east of Borneo. Wait until they are eliminated. After capturing these German military, march towards Brunei City. As long as we can annihilate the main force of German military, there will be no problem in occupying the entire Borneo."
Major General Nakahashi Tarō also nodded again and again, thinking that this war was a sure thing.
"Let the independent* mixed 24th Brigade be stationed at Sennah Port, and the independent* mixed 72nd Brigade be stationed at Lahad Datu to respond to the subsequent landing of 14th Army Corps. The remaining troops are divided into two groups, starting from Sennah Port and Lahad Datu set off, Encirclement Offensive Kinabatangan, destroy the German military entrenched there, "Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō ordered.
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander. With our strength, we can capture Kinabatangan in at most three days!" Major General Nakahashi Tarō was extremely confident, as if German military was really vulnerable, completely forgetting how many troops they had lost in front of German military's defense when they stormed the beach.
Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō smiled, obviously agreeing with this statement.
The main force of German military Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army starts from Sennah Port and Lahad Datu and marches towards Kinabatangan. Only one independent mixed brigade was left in Sennah Port and Lahad Datu.
Two groups of troops, one led by the 28th Army Commander Lieutenant General Sakurai Shōzō, in addition to the remnants of 2nd Division and 54th Division subordinate to the 28th Army, also included 55th Division who was originally subordinate to the 28th Army. There are also 31st Division and 33rd Division, with a total strength of nearly 60,000. The other route was led by the 33rd Army Commander Lieutenant General Honda Masanori, including the remnants of 18th Division and 56th Division subordinate to the 33rd Army, as well as the 49th Group and 53rd Division, as well as the independent mixed 105th Brigade, with a total strength of nearly 50,000 people. This time, Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army can be said to be the main force.
Of course, this is also to prevent being attacked by German military's main force. If German military's other Infantry Divisions also arrive, it will be a big battle. With the combat power of German military, if the number of troops is reduced, I am afraid that it will not be able to withstand it. So Lieutenant General Kawabe Masazō invested all its main force. In this case, they can at least hold on until reinforcements arrive.
Although Lieutenant General Sakurai Shōzō and Lieutenant General Honda Masanori did not perform well in the previous battle. However, no matter what the reason was, they finally gained a firm foothold in Borneo, which can be regarded as completing their mission. Therefore, not only will he not be punished, but he will be important. 2nd Division, 54th Division, 18th Division and 55th Division, which suffered heavy losses, will also be given priority to be replenished after this battle.
This also makes Lieutenant General Sakurai Shōzō and Lieutenant General Honda Masanori very satisfied, and they can be regarded as a blessing in disguise.
"Speed up, we must advance to Kinabatangan tomorrow morning and eliminate the Germany people there in one fell swoop! Let them know how powerful Empire Valiant is!" Lieutenant General Sakurai Shōzō swept away the previous decadence and issued the order with high spirits.
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander!" several Division Commander replied one after another.
Island Nation's Army All divisions have accelerated their advance. Although soldiers of the Island Nation's Armys are a little shorter in stature, their legs are shorter and they have bow legs. However, their physical fitness is very good and their physical strength is very strong. Marching twenty kilometers in one day is not too difficult.
Similarly, Lieutenant General Honda Masanori also issued an order to attack Kinabatangan before March 9.
Two groups of the Island Nation's Army marched toward Kinabatangan aggressively, hoping to annihilate the German military there in one fell swoop. And they didn't expect it at all. Everything was just a trap set by German military, just waiting for them to jump into it stupidly.
Kinabatangan, German military 225th Infantry Division and 228th Infantry Division are working hard to build their positions. They have been working on this since their previous retreat here. Because we know that Island Nation's Army's military strength is several times theirs. Therefore, they also know that if they do not rely on defenses, even if they can withstand Island Nation's Army's attack, their own casualties will be very high.
German military 225th Infantry Division commander Major General Eric Hansen, 228th Infantry Division commander Felix Steiner major general, 23rd Heavy Artillery Brigade commander major general Abraham are currently gathering in the headquarters to discuss the current war situation.
"It seems that the Island Nation people really took the bait. They really thought that we suffered heavy losses in the previous battle. That's why they marched towards Kinabatangan without any scruples. I'm looking forward to what the Island Nation people will look like when they know that all this is a trap." Major General Eric Hansen's face was full of smiles.
"The Island Nation people are too arrogant. To attack so rashly is to seek death!" Major General Felix Steiner seemed to be very disdainful of the Island Nation people.