bayedsolid Chapter 463 Communication before departure
Chapter 463 Communication before departure
In the headquarters of the 11th Army of the Japanese Army, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto and Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura were sitting in the office drinking tea. Just now, the headquarters had sent a telegram to transfer Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura to return to the mainland headquarters to serve next month. After completing the handover with his successor, he can return to the mainland.
For the failure of the Changsha Campaign, the Imperial Headquarters did not impose any punishment on the 11th Army's commander, Lieutenant General Okamura Neiji, and chief of staff, Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi. After all, the battle was launched very suddenly, and the 11th Army was not given any time to prepare. It was launched temporarily only to save face because the Imperial Headquarters and the Japanese Empire had been humiliated by the Soviet Union in the north.
It was a bit wishful thinking to expect to achieve a great victory when the troops were insufficient in manpower and supplies and the troops were ill-prepared. Although the operation failed, at least both sides maintained their original defense lines.
The most crucial thing is that the 11th Army performed well in the post-war propaganda war. It not only found the most appropriate reason for the defeat, but also gave the base camp a very good way out. This forced the bigwigs in the base camp to return the favor and take care of this side.
However, the failure of this operation was real and objective, and the necessary actions had to be taken. This was also an explanation to the Japanese people and government. Therefore, the headquarters decided to transfer the commander of the 11th Army, Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji, back to the country to serve. After this period of controversy passed, they would find a suitable opportunity to re-employ Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji. In this way, everyone could have a good explanation to each other.
"Mr. Yoshimoto, it's all thanks to you that I was able to solve the problem smoothly this time. After the new commander appointed by the headquarters, Lieutenant General Sonobe Kazuichiro, arrives in the three towns, I will complete the handover with him and return to the mainland. I haven't had a good rest since the war between the Empire of Japan and China. This time I will take this opportunity to relax." After taking a sip of the tea in the cup, the commander, Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji, talked leisurely with the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi.
"Commander, your talents are obvious to all. The headquarters had to transfer you back in order to calm the emotions of the people at home. I believe that it won't be long before the headquarters will let you take charge of some aspect of command and combat work again." Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto also said what was in his heart.
Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura glanced at the Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto who was sitting opposite him, and secretly admired him in his heart for being a smart man. He was silently using compliments to remind himself to take good care of him when he returns to office.
"Mr. Yoshimoto, after I leave, you will have to share more of the affairs of the 11th Army. The new commander, Lieutenant General Kazuichi Sonobe, is not very familiar with the situation here, and he needs time to understand the actual conditions of the various troops below. First, you should deal with the security issues in the existing areas, and then launch an attack on the areas controlled by the Chinese government when the conditions are fully met." Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura felt that he should still remind the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto.
Now the Imperial Japanese Army's manpower is completely insufficient, and the experienced officers and soldiers in each unit are constantly being consumed. Although the occupied Chinese land seems to be very large, the result is that the troops are becoming increasingly dispersed, and the combat advantages of the Japanese Army's large corps cannot be brought into play.
Just like the Changsha Campaign that just ended, he had to squeeze out 100,000 troops by moving them here and there. If he could mobilize another 50,000 to 100,000 troops, he would be able to easily deal with any conspiracy or trickery the Chinese government's Ninth War Zone had.
"Thank you for your teachings, Commander. Please rest assured that I will assist the new commander, Lieutenant General Kazuichi Sonobe, and not let the Chinese army take advantage of this opportunity." Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto also bowed to the commander, Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura, to express his gratitude.
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi looked at Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji who was drinking tea. After hesitating for a moment, he asked in a low voice: "Commander, do you think the headquarters will launch another attack on Changsha? You know, Changsha and Hunan Province are between Hubei Province and Guangdong Province. If the Yuehan Railway is not opened, the troops in these two places will not be able to communicate conveniently, which is very disadvantageous for the entire Chinese operation."
Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji looked at Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi with satisfaction. After placing the teacup in his hand on the table, he slowly said, "Mr. Yoshimoto, you don't have to worry that the headquarters will order the 11th Army to attack Changsha again in the near future. Now I think the headquarters is planning a new combat strategy to strike the Chinese government. Changsha and Hunan Province should not be the focus of the headquarters at present. Moreover, the 11th Army has just lost so many troops and equipment, and the reserves of supplies are not enough to meet the needs of the attacking troops. The headquarters must know this."
After hearing the analysis of Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi felt a little relieved. He was afraid that the headquarters would launch another attack on Changsha in the near future. Given the current situation of the 11th Army, it would be an impossible task.
"Commander, you just mentioned that the headquarters is studying new combat ideas. What do you think they are?" Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto asked curiously. The commander knew about the order that the headquarters had not even studied. It seemed that the commander had a lot of supporters behind him.
"Mr. Yoshimoto, after Guangzhou was occupied by the 21st Army, China's main international transportation and supply lines from Hong Kong Island to the mainland were cut off, but the 21st Army has limited manpower, and most of western Guangdong has not been completely occupied and controlled. The Chinese government can still continuously import various supplies through the coastal areas and Xijiang areas as well as the Guiyue Highway, Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, and Yunnan-Burma Highway. This is the most urgent problem to be solved at present. As long as the Chinese government's transportation lines for obtaining external supplies are cut off, then the Chinese government will have no choice but to surrender." Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura expressed his inference thoughtfully.
After listening to the analysis and judgment of Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto blinked and began to think. Indeed, the analysis of Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji made a lot of sense.
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