Chapter 1346

The main force of the German 23rd Army shrank back to the vicinity of Brunei, which did not hinder the island army's operations in eastern Borneo. In just one week, the entire eastern part of Borneo fell into the control of the island army.

It's just that when the German army retreated, it took away all the supplies that could be taken away, and 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 army to take advantage of the infrastructure here even if it occupies eastern Borneo. However, being able to successfully occupy eastern Borneo made the generals of the island army very satisfied. After all, the Lanyin Front Army was almost completely lost before and did not achieve this goal.

On April 3, Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma, Commander of the 14th Front Army of the Japanese Army, and Lieutenant General Shizuo Tanaka, Commander of the 7th Front Army, and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura, Commander of the 18th Front Army, were in Belulan. Although everyone has the same military rank, the positions are also equivalent. However, the Southern Army Command has issued an order that Lieutenant General Masahiro Honma will be responsible for controlling the 7th Front Army and the 18th Front Army. This made Lieutenant General Shizuo Tanaka and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura only able to obey the orders of Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma.

"Tanaka-kun, Nakamura-kun. The Germans are afraid of our strength, and have now voluntarily withdrawn from eastern Borneo. This is undoubtedly a good thing for the empire. However, the German 23rd Army entrenched near Brunei City However, they still pose a great threat to us. If we cannot eliminate these Germans, we will not be able to completely occupy Borneo, and we even have to worry about being counterattacked by them. After all, although their strength is not as good as ours , but the attack power is very powerful, so we have to guard against it. Otherwise, once the Germans seize the opportunity, the fate of the Lanyin Front Army may be a lesson for us!" Lieutenant General Masahiro Honma said.

Both Lieutenant General Shizuo Tanaka and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura looked unhappy. The Germans defeated the Lanyin Front Army in just one day and almost wiped out the Front Army. Such strength really made them terrified. Together, these three front armies have a total strength of nearly 700,000 troops, much more than the German 23rd Army. However, none of the front forces has the strength to deal with the German 23rd Army alone. Therefore, they must act together. Otherwise, it is very likely that they will be defeated by the Germans one by one.

Moreover, the goal of the Southern Army Command is very simple. That is to defeat the German 23rd Army and occupy the entire Borneo. They, the troops under the Southern Army, must do their best to complete this task.

"The Germans withdrew from East Borneo in one go and gave up so much territory, 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 am afraid we will have to pay a lot The price." Admiral Tanaka said with a frown.

Lieutenant General Masahiro Honma and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura couldn't help nodding, they were also very clear about the strength of the German army.

"The Germans are indeed strong, but if we want to occupy Borneo, or even attack Indochina and Australia, we have to defeat them. Otherwise, the strategic goals of the empire will not be achieved! It is already April, The main force of the Germans in Europe is about to move again. Once Bu Russia is really unable to withstand the German attack, then the consequences will be very serious." Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura reminded.

"Mr. Nakamura is right, we are running out of time. Therefore, even if we have to pay a heavy price, we must get rid of the Germans as soon as possible!" Lieutenant General Masahiro Honma said.

Lieutenant General Shizuo Tanaka and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura nodded again and again. They are very clear that this means that the price they paid in this battle may not be too small. However, as long as the German 23rd Army can be defeated, everything will be worth it.

"Honma-kun, the headquarters ordered us to obey your orders, then we will unconditionally support your decision. So, you decide how to fight next!" Lieutenant General Tanaka Shizuki said.

Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura also nodded, although he was more or less unwilling, but he could only obey the order. What's more, they are all on the same boat now. If the boat sinks, no one can escape.

Homma Yaharunaka nodded in satisfaction: "Tanaka-kun, Nakamura-kun. I think about it this way. If we want to attack Brunei, we have to cross Vitti Mountain and Crocker Mountain. At present, there is only one road to cross these mountains The Germans must have deployed heavy troops on strategically important places. If we want to cross these two mountains, I am afraid we will have to pay a lot of money."

"Although Borneo is rich in resources, the infrastructure construction is very poor. Except for the roads built by the Germans on the island, there are no other roads at all. Therefore, in addition to advancing along the roads, There is no other choice at all." Lieutenant General Tanaka Shizuichi said.

This also meant that they had to attack strategic locations heavily fortified by the German army. And in that case, surely the loss would not be so small?

"Is there no other way?" Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura asked.

"If we go through those dense forests, our losses will probably be even greater. When the Lanyin Front Army was attacked by German armored forces, many soldiers chose to flee into the dense forests. However, almost all of those soldiers died in the dense forests. Lieutenant General Masahiro Honma shook his head.

The faces of Lieutenant General Shizuo Tanaka and Lieutenant General Akito Nakamura were very ugly. They also knew that the dense forest was too dangerous, 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 courting death.

"Another way is to detour. From the northeastern coast of Borneo, bypass Crocker Mountain, and advance westward along the coastal road. However, successive attacks from here will also be blocked by the Germans. And it will It took a lot of time. But the advantage is that it can force the Germans to divide their troops to stop us, so as to further bring out our superiority in military strength." Lieutenant General Masahiro Honma continued.

"Mr. Honma, let's make a detour. If we advance along the coast road, we may be blocked by the Germans. However, we can seek the support of the navy. Let the navy use the main guns of the battleship to help us defeat the Germans. Defense." Lieutenant General Tanaka Shizuki said.

Lieutenant General Masahiro Honma nodded: "I think so too. Then, let's advance to Brunei City in two ways!"