In the past, the Japanese army became weaker and weaker as it fought, while the Chinese army became stronger and stronger. China's huge population base has also become a strategic advantage. It has continuously consumed Japan's reserve accumulation, and even when the United States and the Soviet Union
When a fierce general joined, the Japanese army had no room for the second strongest army, but only a group of old and weak soldiers, who were defeated in one blow. However, now, with the addition of the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Army", this situation has changed. Once upon a time,
At that time and space, although the North Korean puppet army entered China to fight, it was on a very small scale and played a very insignificant role. Now, the Tokyo base camp is wholeheartedly promoting the "use China to control China" tactics, and people have conducted in-depth research on this.
Neji Okamura took charge of the matter, and the destructive power of the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Army" was immediately revealed.
From the first North Korean puppet army entering Quzhou in April to the entire army of North Korean puppet troops entering Taiwan at the end of June, the Xuebing Army encountered crazy attacks by the North Korean Japs on multiple fronts. It took almost a year to achieve the strategic goals.
The advantages are almost exhausted,
On July 23, in an arsenal in Nagoya, Prince Fushimi Miyahiro, Mitsumasa Yoneuchi, Yamamoto Isoroku, Tojo Hideki and others, accompanied by Koizumi Toshiichiro, were visiting the newly established 15-type semi-automatic rifle production line.
Koizumi Toshiichiro was in the front. He explained the production process of the Type 15 semi-automatic rifle in detail to everyone. At the end, he said: "Generals, if you are interested, you can try its power with your own hands, although it is inferior to the Wei Qing assault rifle of the Xuebing Army.
Some, but it can definitely rank among the most advanced rifles in the world."
"What, such an advanced gun is not as good as the Chinese Wei Qing style?" Tojo Hideki shouted,
Koizumi Toshiichiro said with shame: "Your Excellency, there is nothing we can do about it. Our overall casting technology is not as good as that of the Xuebing Army. However, in terms of effective shooting range, our 15th style is worse than the Wei Qing style."
Yamamoto Isoroku said: "Tojo-kun, just be satisfied. This is much more advanced than the 38-style."
Tojo: "However, I always hope that my own things are the best, so that I feel most comfortable."
"We started late. However, as weapons research and development takes shape, we will have a steady stream of new weapons delivered to front-line combat troops. Type 15, I regard it as a transitional product."
Prince Fushimi Miyahiro said: "Koizumi-kun, thank you for your hard work. Tojo, don't stand and talk without pain in your back. How long did it take to develop the Type 38, and how much time did it take to develop the Type 15. Do you know that for this rifle
, Koizumi-kun, how much hard work did you put in? Let’s go, let’s try the power of this gun.”
Fierce gunshots rang out in the shooting room. Fushimi Miyahiro Kyouwang and Tojo Hideki each held a 15-style rifle and had a great time shooting. At the door of the shooting room, Yoneuchi Mitsumasa said to Koizumi Minichiro: "Koizumi-kun,
I heard that the Type Zero has been put into production, so when will the Type 1 special tank be ready?"
Isoroku Yamamoto looked at Koizumi with a "loving" face and continued: "I really can't bear that all the research and development tasks fall on Koizumi-kun's shoulders, but for the sake of the great cause of the empire, I can only wrong you."
Koizumi smiled and said: "Your Excellency Yamamoto, I am still young and have no problem. Your Excellency Prime Minister, the Type 1 prototype has been produced and will be put into production in September at the latest. However, I feel that the top priority is not the production of new weapons, but the production of new weapons.
It is to implement the Indian Ocean Strategy as soon as possible.”
The existence of Koizumi is definitely a big disaster, not only for the Xuebing Army, but also for the United States and even the world. The United States has imposed an embargo on Japan because Japan's dependence on American oil is as high as 80%, so now Japan is facing The biggest crisis is not the backwardness of weapons and equipment, but the need to find new sources of oil supplies as soon as possible. On this matter, the Tokyo base camp was once divided into two groups. Among them, the Army requested to launch a Pacific War and directly attack the United States in order to seize the United States. colonies in Southeast Asia; but because of Koizumi’s suggestion, the Navy insisted on launching an Indian Ocean offensive to seize the Dutch East Indies.
Japan decisively formed an alliance with Germany and Italy, which included this consideration. The two sides even agreed that once Germany began to attack the Netherlands, Japan would decisively send troops to the Dutch East Indies. Germany would blitz the Netherlands and Belgium in May. Japan originally intended to organize an expeditionary fleet. Attacking the Dutch East Indies, but because there were British and American colonies blocking the way, and the Marine Corps had not yet been established, Koizumi suggested to mobilize the Indonesians to become independent in the Dutch East Indies first, and then wait for the opportunity.
By the end of June, the First Army, Second Army, and Second Army of the Marine Corps had been established. Among them, the First Army participated in the counterattack in Taiwan and accumulated certain practical experience. With the defeat and surrender of France, Koizumi I feel that the time is ripe. I can take French Indochina first, and then directly skip the British and American colonies and enter the Dutch East Indies.
Mitsumasa Yoneuchi: "I tend to solve the Taiwan issue first, Yamamoto, what do you think?"
"Yes, yes, Taiwan is the empire's homeland. It would be unworthy of the imperial army to send troops to the Indian Ocean without solving its homeland concerns. Moreover, if there is a war with the United States, Taiwan may become a forward base for the US Pacific Fleet. This will be detrimental to the empire. The homeland is a huge threat." Hideki Tojo walked to the door at some point and interjected,
Yamamoto: "I agree with Koizumi's opinion. If the empire can obtain French Indochina and Dutch East Indies, these two rubber and oil resource production areas, it will no longer have to worry about the lack of strategic resources. Moreover, it can Obtain a large population and form a coercive army."
Hideki Tojo was given the nickname "Private", referring to his bravery and lack of strategy. He was quite resentful of Koizumi Toshiichiro at the beginning. He even believed that the reason why the Navy was able to overpower the Army was because he was a kid. But now, after seeing Koizumi's talent in military engineering several times, the old Japanese looked at him with admiration and even became a little superstitious, "Is this Mr. Koizumi's idea? Since it is Mr. Koizumi's suggestion, I think we should Think about it carefully." He pushed up his glasses and said, looking at Koizumi as if he were looking at his son-in-law.
Koizumi nodded and said: "Before the new aircraft carrier has not yet formed combat capabilities, it is really not appropriate to go to war with the United States. As long as we can seize French Indochina and Dutch East Indies, we can complete a series of combat readiness modification plans. Not only In this way, with the large populations in these two places, our 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Army' will be continuously supplied with troops. By then, we can even consider opening a new front in Vietnam to attack China."
"Brilliant, it's just as I thought." Tojo Hideki gave a thumbs up.
Yamamoto curled up his lips and smiled. Mitsumasa Yoneuchi glanced at Tojo, and finally his eyes fell on Koizumi's face, and asked: "But what if the United States insists on obstructing it? Southeast Asia has always been regarded as the back garden of European powers. We attack In the case of French Indochina and Dutch East Indies, the British and American colonies are equivalent to being surrounded by our troops. Will Britain and the United States allow this situation to arise?"
"I don't think the United States will rashly declare war on me. Moreover, Germany and the United Kingdom are at war with each other. Even if the United States wants to make a difference in Southeast Asia, I'm afraid it doesn't have the guts to do so while Germany is attracting the attention of Britain and the United States. , we just can do it cheaply."
As soon as Koizumi finished speaking, Tojo Hideki shouted: "I agree with Koizumi-kun's statement, so let's make the decision."
Mitsumasa Yoneuchi and Isoroku Yamamoto looked at each other, gritted their teeth and said, "Then, let's start the Indian Ocean strategy."