Iron Germany

"Your Excellency, Commander, we have found out that the German troops in Kinabatangan are all troops that retreated from Siena Port and Lahad Datu. The specific strength is still unknown. However, through analysis, The strength of the troops is less than 20,000. Otherwise, they would never have voluntarily evacuated Siena Port and Lahad Datu." Major General Taro Nakayaga reported.

It's just that Major General Nakayagataro didn't know that all this was an illusion deliberately made by the German army. In fact, the German army gathered a lot of troops in Kinabatangan. The 225th Infantry Division that retreated from Sinar Port and the 228th Infantry Division that retreated from Lahad Datu alone totaled more than 30,000 people. In addition, there is the 23rd heavy howitzer brigade belonging to the group army. The whole army adds up to nearly 40,000 troops. Not to mention that the three most powerful units of the 23rd Army are still ambushing nearby. The reason why the German army retreated voluntarily was only to attract the island army. Its purpose is only one, and that is to severely damage the landed island army in one fell swoop.

Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo nodded, he also believed in this analysis.

"Where are the other German troops?" Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo asked. He also knew that the total strength of the 23rd Group of the German Army was more than 200,000.

"Your Excellency, the main force of the German 23rd Army is near Brunei. In addition, they have deployed some troops in the west of Borneo. According to the information we have learned, the German army has only about five infantry divisions in the east of Borneo. .This also includes the two infantry divisions that were severely damaged by us." Major General Taro Nakayaga continued.

After hearing the news, Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo seemed to be completely relieved: "Very well, with our strength, there is no problem at all in annihilating the German troops in eastern Borneo. Wait until these German troops are eliminated. , and march towards Brunei. As long as the main force of the German army can be wiped out there, then there will be no problem at all in occupying the entire Borneo.”

Major General Nakayagataro also nodded again and again, also thinking that this war is a sure thing.

"Let the 24th Brigade of the independent * mixed group be stationed at Sinar Port, and the 72nd Brigade of the independent * mixed group be stationed at Lahad Datu to meet the 14th Army that will land later. The rest of the troops will be divided into two groups, from Port Siena and Lahad Datu Set out, besiege Kinabatangan, and eliminate the German troops entrenched there. Get ready for the next battle!" Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo ordered.

"Hi, Your Excellency, Commander. With our strength, we can take Kinabatangan in at most three days!" Major General Taro Nakayaga was extremely confident, as if the German army was really vulnerable, and completely forgot When they landed on the beach before, how many troops were lost in front of the German defense.

Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo smiled, obviously agreeing with this statement.

The main forces of the German Lan-Indian Front marched from Sinar Port and Lahad Datu to Kinabatangan. Only one independent mixed brigade group was left in Sina Port and Lahad Datu respectively.

Two troops, one led by Lieutenant General Sakurai Shozo, the commander of the 28th Army. 55 divisions. In addition, there are the 31st Division and the 33rd Division, with a total strength of nearly 60,000. The other route is led by Lieutenant General Honda Zhengcai, the commander of the 33rd Army, including the remnants of the 18th Division and the 56th Division under the 33rd Army, the 49th Group and the 53rd Division, and the independent army. Mixed into the 105th Brigade, with a total strength of nearly 50,000 troops. This time, the Lanyin front army can be said to have exhausted its main force.

Of course, this is also to prevent being attacked by the main force of the German army. If several other infantry divisions of the German army also arrived, it would be a big battle. With the fighting power of the German army, if the number of troops is small, it may not be able to resist. That's why Lieutenant General Kawabe Shozo put all his main force into it. In this case, at least they can hold out until reinforcements arrive.

Although Lieutenant General Shozo Sakurai and Lieutenant General Honda Masai did not perform well in the previous battles. However, no matter what the reason is, they have gained a firm foothold in Borneo, and they have completed their mission. Therefore, not only was he not punished, but he was important instead. The 2nd Division, 54th Division, 18th Division, and 55th Division, which suffered heavy losses, will also be replenished first after this battle is over.

This also made Lieutenant General Sakurai Shozo and Lieutenant General Honda Masai very satisfied, and they can be regarded as a blessing in disguise.

"Speed ​​up, tomorrow morning we must advance to Kinabatangan, and wipe out the Germans there in one fell swoop! Let them know how powerful the Imperial Warriors are!" Lieutenant General Sakurai swept away the previous decadence and was full of spirits issued orders.

"Hi, Your Excellency, Commander!" Several division heads replied one after another.

All the divisions of the island country army accelerated their advance. Although the soldiers of the island country army were a little short in stature, their legs were also shorter, and they also had bow legs. However, their physical fitness is very good, and their physical strength is also very abundant. Marching twenty kilometers a day is not too difficult.

Similarly, Lieutenant General Honda also issued an order that he must invest in the attack on Kinabatangan before March 9.

The two armies of the island countries marched aggressively towards Kinabatangan, trying to annihilate the German army there in one fell swoop. And they never expected that everything was just a trap set by the German army, just waiting for them to jump into it foolishly.

In Kinabatangan, the German 225th Infantry Division and 228th Infantry Division are making every effort to build positions. They've been working on this since retreating here. Because it is known that the strength of the Japanese army is several times that of theirs. Therefore, they also know that if they do not rely on fortifications, even if they can withstand the attack of the island army, their own casualties will be very large.

Major General Eric Hansen, Commander of the German 225th Infantry Division, Major General Felix Steiner, Commander of the 228th Infantry Division, and Major General Abraham, Commander of the 23rd Heavy Artillery Brigade, are gathering at the headquarters to discuss the current battle situation.

"It seems that the islanders really took the bait. They really thought that we had suffered heavy losses in the previous battle. That's why they marched to Kinabatangan without any scruples. I look forward to it when those islanders know all this What kind of expression will it be after it's all a trap." Major General Eric Hansen had a smile on his face.

"The islanders are too rampant. They are looking for death if they attack so rashly!" Major General Felix Steiner seemed to disdain the islanders.