"General Umezu Yoshijirō? He is not a suitable candidate. General Umezu Yoshijirō has just been appointed as Kwantung Army Commander. At the same time, his military rank is only lieutenant general. Southern Army's battle in South Seas is related to the fate of the Empire, so we must find a more suitable candidate!" Prince Kan'in Kotohito retorted.
Although General Hitoshi Anami, whom General Prince Kan'in Kotohito had previously recommended, did not do very well in the position of Southern Army Commander. However, in addition to General Hitoshi Anami, he also has other candidates.
"The former General Commander Ueda Nobuyoshi of the Kwantung Army is more suitable to be Southern Army Commander. I believe Ueda-kun will be able to open up the situation after he takes office!" Prince Kan'in Kotohito said.
General Shunroku Hata couldn't help but frown. Whether it was Umezu Yoshijirō or Ueda Nobuyoshi, it was obvious that they were not the ones he recognized.
"Your Highness, Yamada-kun. The Germany people of South Seas are very powerful. If we want to defeat the Germany people, we must send a general with outstanding ability. I personally think that General Terauchi Juichi is the most suitable person!" General Shunroku Hata said.
Generals Prince Kan'in Kotohito and Yoshizō Yamada were both silent. Later, they all chose to compromise. Because General Shunroku Hata, as Minister of War, undoubtedly occupies the dominant position in the army. The two of them, the Chief of General Staff and Inspector General of Training, must also give face to General Shunroku Hata.
Of course, if General Terauchi Juichi fails to bring victory to the Island Nation's Army in Southern Army Commander's position, they can also justifiably demand the removal of General Terauchi Juichi.
"General Terauchi Juichi is a good candidate. He should be qualified for the position Southern Army Commander." General Yoshizō Yamada said.
"I also agree. General Terauchi Juichi performed very well on China Theater. Although Germany is very powerful, General Terauchi Juichi will definitely be able to win on Southern Theater!" Prince Kan'in Kotohito said.
"Well, since Your Highness and Yamada-kun have no objections, it's settled. General Hitoshi Anami will be replaced by General Terauchi Juichi and will take over as Southern Army Commander." General Shunroku Hata said with a smile on his face.
"So, how will General Hitoshi Anami settle down after he returns to China?" General Shunroku Hata then asked.
After some discussion among the three of them, it was decided that General Hitoshi Anami should go to a idle job to retire. For the defeated generals, it is already very good to have such a result. After all, Island Nation's Army's generals would often ask for hara-kiri to commit suicide once they were defeated. Being able to save one life was already a very good result.
"Your Highness, Southern Army have experienced several disastrous defeats. So far, Southern Army's remaining total strength is only more than half a million. With such a small force, it is difficult to fight against the fierce It is obviously not enough to fight against the disabled Germany. Therefore, I hope that the General Staff Headquarters can reinforce Southern Army in the shortest possible time!" General Shunroku Hata said.
General Terauchi Juichi is Southern Army Commander whom he recommended to the stage, so he will naturally provide him with support as much as possible. Otherwise, if General Terauchi Juichi still fails to bring victory in the position of Southern Army Commander, but fails instead, then he, Minister of War, may be embarrassed.
"Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army under the Southern Army, as well as 18th Area Army, which was nearly wiped out just now, have retreated to Philippine Islands for rest and recuperation. Domestic troops are being dispatched on a large scale. Go to Philippine Islands. If necessary, 14th Area Army and 7th Area Army can also retreat to Philippine Islands for rest!" Prince Kan'in Kotohito said.
General Shunroku Hata shook his head. "The newly mobilized troops have limited combat effectiveness. Even if they are replenished, it will be difficult to form combat effectiveness in a short period of time. Besides, we can't wait for these front armies to regain their combat effectiveness and stop attacking German offensive, right? The current situation is very unfavorable to us. The longer it takes, the more disadvantageous it will be to us!"
Prince Kan'in Kotohito couldn't help but frown. He understood what General Shunroku Hata meant. He just wanted to mobilize other troops to join Southern Army, so that he could quickly restore Southern Army's strength. Look, in order to support General Terauchi Juichi, General Shunroku Hata will do whatever it takes. However, Prince Kan'in Kotohito can also understand. After all, if General Terauchi Juichi loses, the consequences will be disastrous.
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister Lu, what do you mean?" Prince Kan'in Kotohito asked.
"Your Highness, directly transfer a few front armies or armies and join Southern Army! Germany people are in South Seas and Australia, but there are still hundreds of thousands of them. Without enough troops, it will be difficult for us to defeat them. Only by defeating the Germany people can we occupy South Seas and Australia. In this way, we can use the resources of South Seas and Australia to become more powerful!" General Shunroku Hata said.
"Okay, Your Excellency, Prime Minister Lu!" Prince Kan'in Kotohito nodded and did not dwell on this issue. As a general of the royal family, he certainly hopes that Island Nation's Army can win.
General Yoshizō Yamada did not speak on this issue. After all, although Inspector General of Training is one of Three Chiefs, his authority is not as powerful as Minister of War and the Chief of Army General Staff.
In the next two days, General Shunroku Hata and Prince Kan'in Kotohito discussed and decided on a plan to reinforce Southern Army.
First, mobilize a large number of newly mobilized soldiers to Philippine Islands to restore the strength of the Netherlands East Indies Expeditionary Army, 18th Area Army, 14th Area Army and 7th Area Army.
In addition, from Island Nation domestically, 5th Area Army, 8th Area Army, 10th Area Army, 4th Army, 31st Army and 34th Corps are drawn. The three front armies plus three corps have jurisdiction over 20 divisions and 24 independent mixed brigades, with a total strength of more than 700,000. If these troops are added to the troops originally under the Southern Army, and once those damaged troops regain their strength, Island Nation's Army Southern Army's total strength will exceed two million people.
Moreover, in order to further provide support to the Southern Army, General Shunroku Hata also took the initiative to strengthen a large number of field artillery regiments, heavy artillery regiments, etc. to the Southern Army, further improving the strength of the Southern Army.
It can be said that in order for General Terauchi Juichi to lead Southern Army to open up the situation on Southern Theater, General Shunroku Hata undoubtedly spent a lot of money. If Southern Army still fails to win under such circumstances, then they should all commit suicide.