Island Nation's Army The 100th Division and the 102nd Division under the 35th Army suffered heavy losses in a night of fierce fighting. More than half of the sixteen independent infantry brigades were lost. The remaining independent infantry brigades also suffered heavy losses. It can be said that these two divisions have been almost disabled. The loss is not small!
However, after paying such a heavy loss, Island Nation's Army did not get the results they wanted. They still haven't been able to break through German defensive line. It just destroyed the Landmine formations and barbed wire fences in front of the defense line. Such a result naturally made Lieutenant General Island Nation's Army 35th Army Commander Sōsaku Suzuki very angry.
However, three divisions and an independent mixed brigade suffered heavy losses. This leaves 35th Army with little combat effectiveness left, and only one 16th Division still maintains strong combat effectiveness.
German military After a day and night of fighting, although the losses of the troops were not huge. But the officers and soldiers on the front line were very tired. High-intensity battles are inherently a great test for the physical strength and energy of soldiers. During Island Nation's Army's uninterrupted attacks, the officers and soldiers were also very physically exhausted.
Therefore, after repelling Island Nation's Army's attack, German military 227th Infantry Division commander Major General Leiser and 229th Infantry Division commander Major General Manteuffel decided to let German military stationed on the second line of defense go to the first line of defense to replace the two infantry regiments and give them a good rest. In this case, it will undoubtedly be able to ensure that the combat effectiveness of the troops is as high as possible, and will not leave Island Nation's Army a chance.
After Lieutenant General 14th Area Army of the Island Nation's Army Commander Masaharu Honma learned that 35th Army still failed to break through German defensive line despite heavy losses, his face was also not good-looking. He had previously boasted in front of the 7 Front Commander Seiichi Tanaka Lieutenant General, claiming that they could break through German defensive line without relying on the help of the 7th Area Army. With the result like this now, isn't that a slap in the face? However, now that 35th Army has suffered too much loss, it is no longer suitable to continue the attack. Otherwise, once 35th Army loses everything, I am afraid that like Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army, it will have to withdraw to the country to rest.
After careful consideration, Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma ordered 35th Army to suspend the attack and let 41st Army, who rushed to the front line, take over from them and launch the attack. This made Lieutenant General Sōsaku Suzuki and Lieutenant General 16th Division Commander Keisuke Fujie breathe a sigh of relief. Especially Lieutenant General Keisuke Fujie, he knew that if he continued to launch the attack, I am afraid that 16th Division would soon follow in the footsteps of several other divisions.
Now that they can withdraw temporarily, this undoubtedly gives them a chance to breathe.
Island Nation's Army 41st Army took over the task of the 35th Army and began to attack German defensive line. 41st Army has relatively fewer troops than 35th Army. In addition to 8th Division as the main force, there are only a few corps and detachments, including Fujishige Corps, Kobayashi Corps, Matsuoka Detachment, etc.
However, in front of German defensive line, who has strong defense power, 41st Army's effect is not much better than that of the 35th Army. It is still a bloody blow in front of German defensive line.
While 14th Area Army of the Island Nation's Army and German military were engaged in a fierce battle, another Island Nation's Army was advancing westward along the coastal highway. German 226th Infantry Division, on the other hand, has built a position on the front line of protecting the Buddha and is ready to stop Island Nation's Army.
Although the 26th Infantry Division only has more than 18,000 people, its strength has also increased greatly after receiving the support of Artillery Regiment and Field Artillery Battalion from 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division. Even 18th Area Army of the Island Nation's Army's military strength is several times theirs. But 226th Infantry Division is still confident of resisting Island Nation's Army's attack.
Of course, this is under normal circumstances. If there are unexpected factors, the situation will be different. However, those unexpected factors are not what 226th Infantry Division should consider. 23rd Army Group Command has already considered everything.
It is almost five kilometers from the coastline to Crocker Range. German 226th Infantry Division spent half a month building a solid line of defense. The deep trenches, fixed firepower points, and artillery positions behind the defense line make this line of defense extremely powerful. Once Island Nation's Army launches an attack, German military can use the defenses to cause Island Nation's Army to hit their head and blood on their defense line, causing heavy losses. It's like 227th Infantry Division and 229th Infantry Division did it.
"Chief of Staff, is there any news about Island Nation?" Major General Friedrich asked.
"General, according to the latest intelligence we have received, the forward troops of the Island Nation people have arrived in Bapa, and are only more than 20 kilometers away from our defense line. They are expected to launch an attack on our defense line no later than tomorrow afternoon." Chief of Staff Brigadier General Georg replied.
"Tomorrow afternoon? It seems that the battle will start soon. Are our troops ready?" Major General Friedrich asked.
When he thought that the war was coming soon, he felt a rush of blood. Especially when he learned that 227th Infantry Division and 229th Infantry Division played very well, causing Island Nation's Army to suffer heavy losses, he couldn't wait to watch Island Nation's head smashed in front of their defense line.
"General, all units are ready. The 2261st Infantry Regiment is stationed as the first line of defense. The other two infantry regiments are ready to replace them at any time. Our Artillery Regiment and 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and The artillery reinforced by 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division is also ready. Once the Island Nation people launch an attack, our powerful artillery will make the Island Nation people pay a heavy price!" Brigadier General Georg said.
"Very good! Where is the navy? Are there any Island Nation warships nearby?" Rear Admiral Friedrich asked.
Their defense lines are all along the coast. Once they are bombarded by the enemy's navy Naval Gun, the consequences will undoubtedly be very serious. Whether it is Capital Ships or the cruiser's main gun, they can cause very large damage to their troops.
"General, our planes have searched the nearby waters and have not found Island Nation Navy's ships. However, it is still unclear whether Island Nation Navy will send warships after nightfall. Our fleet, They are already on their way. Even if Island Nation Navy really dares to come, our fleet can resist them and even make Island Nation Navy pay a heavy price!" Brigadier General Georg replied.
"So, we have nothing to fear. We just need to stop the Island Nation people in the next battle!" Major General Friedrich said with a smile.