The main force of German 23rd Army Corps shrank back to the vicinity of Brunei City, which allowed Island Nation's Army's actions in the east of Borneo to no longer be hindered by any obstacles. In just one week, the entire eastern part of Borneo fell under the control of the Island Nation's Army.
However, German military took away all the materials that could be taken away when retreating. Even those that could not be taken away were destroyed. Including those airports etc. Even the roads were damaged a lot. This makes it impossible for the Island Nation's Army to utilize the infrastructure here even if it occupies the eastern part of Borneo. However, the generals of the Island Nation's Army were very satisfied with the successful occupation of the eastern part of Borneo. After all, Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army failed to achieve this goal even though it suffered almost all losses.
On April 3, Lieutenant General 14th Area Army of the Island Nation's Army Commander Masaharu Honma, in Bintulu the same as the 7th Lieutenant General Front Commander Seiichi Tanaka and the 18th Lieutenant General Front Commander Akito Nakamura. Although everyone has the same military rank and equivalent positions. But Southern Army Headquarters has already issued an order, and Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma is responsible for controlling 7th Area Army and 18th Area Army. This allows Lieutenant General Seiichi Tanaka and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura to only obey the orders of Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma.
"Tanaka-kun, Nakamura-kun. The Germany people are afraid of our strong strength, and have now taken the initiative to evacuate the eastern part of Borneo. This is undoubtedly a good thing for the Empire. However, the main force of German 23rd Army Corps entrenched near Brunei City still poses a great threat to us. If these Germany cannot be eliminated, people, we can't completely occupy Borneo, and we even have to worry about their counterattack. After all, although their military strength is not as good as ours, their attack power is very powerful and we have to guard against it. Otherwise, once the Germany people seize the opportunity, Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army's fate may be a lesson to us!" Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma said.
Both Lieutenant General Seiichi Tanaka and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura looked unhappy. Germany defeated Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army in just one day and almost wiped out all the front forces. Such strength really makes them scared. Their three front armies combined have a total strength of nearly 700,000, which is much more than German 23rd Army Corps. However, no front army has the strength to deal with German 23rd Army Corps alone. Therefore, they must act together. Otherwise, it is very likely that Germany people will defeat them one by one.
Moreover, the goal of Southern Army Headquarters is very simple. That is to defeat German 23rd Army Corps and occupy the entire Borneo. These troops under the Southern Army must complete this task as much as possible.
"The Germany people withdrew from the east Borneo in one fell swoop, giving up so much territory and making it even more difficult to deal with! They are near Brunei City and have a very strong force. If we want to defeat them, I'm afraid we have to pay a high price." Lieutenant General Seiichi Tanaka said with a frown.
Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura couldn't help but nod. They were also very aware of German military's strength.
"Germany people are indeed very strong, but if we want to occupy Borneo, or even attack Indochina and Australia, we have to defeat them. Otherwise, Empire's strategic goal cannot be achieved! It is already April. "Germany's main force in Europe is ready to move again. Once Buru really cannot resist the attack of Germany, the consequences will be very serious." Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura reminded.
"Nakamura-kun is right, we don't have much time. Therefore, even if we have to pay a heavy price, we must get rid of Germany as soon as possible!" Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma said.
Lieutenant General Seiichi Tanaka and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura nodded repeatedly. They know very well that this means that the price they pay in this battle will probably not be too small. However, as long as you can defeat German 23rd Army Corps, it will all be worth it.
"Honma, if the headquarters orders us to obey your orders, then we will unconditionally support your decision. So, you make the decision on how to fight next!" Lieutenant General Seiichi Tanaka said.
Akito Nakamura Lieutenant General also nodded. Although he was more or less unwilling to do so, he could only obey the order. What's more, they are all in the same boat now. If the boat sinks, no one can escape.
Masaharu Honma nodded with satisfaction. "Tanaka-kun, Nakamura-kun. This is how I think about it. If we want to attack Brunei City, we have to climb over Mount Witti and Crocker Range is the only way. There is currently only one road across these mountains. The Germany people must have deployed heavy troops on strategically important areas. If we want to cross these two mountains, we will have to pay a high price."
"Although Borneo is rich in resources, its infrastructure construction is very poor. Except for the roads built by Germany people on the island, there are no other roads at all. Therefore, we have no other choice except advancing along the road." Lieutenant General Seiichi Tanaka said.
This also means that they have to attack German military's heavily defended strategic location. And in that case, surely the loss would not be too small?
"Is there no other way?" Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura asked.
"If we pass through those dense forests, our losses will probably be even greater. When Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army was attacked by Armored Forces from Germany, many soldiers chose to flee into the dense forests. However, almost all of those soldiers died in the dense forests." Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma shook his head.
The faces of Lieutenant General Seiichi Tanaka and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura were very ugly. They also knew that it was too dangerous in the dense forest, and at most only a small number of elite troops could be allowed to pass through. If a large army wants to enter the dense forest, it is no different from seeking death.
"The other way is to take a detour. From the northeastern coast of Borneo, bypass Crocker Range and advance westward along the coast road. However, if you launch attacks from here, you will also be attacked by The Germany people's blockade will take a lot of time, but the advantage is that it can force the Germany people to divide their forces to block us, thus further utilizing our strength advantage," Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma continued.
"Mr. Honma, let's take a detour. If we advance along the coastal road, we may be blocked by the Germany people. However, we can seek support from the navy. Let the navy use Capital Ships's main gun to help us defeat the Germany people's defense." Lieutenant General Seiichi Tanaka said.
Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma nodded. "I think so too. Then, let's divide our forces into two groups and advance towards Brunei City!"