The Philippine Campaign was Koizumi's first battle, and Sawada Shigeru could understand his eagerness for success. Koizumi opened his heart to him, and the old Japanese was touched and really wanted to help Koizumi. But the problem was that his subordinates were not up to par, so even if he had the intention
But they were unable to show it. To be honest, the old Japanese army was right to fight a protracted war. The Philippines was too far away from the jurisdiction of the Cadet Army, and the Second Cadet Expeditionary Army had difficulties in supplying it. The Japanese army had Singapore and Malaysia within easy reach.
It would definitely be beneficial to the Japanese army to back up Indonesia for a long time. However, Koizumi did not realize this. In his opinion, no matter how bad the combat effectiveness of the 4th Brigade was, it would be better if the elite aviation force of Yamabekawa Mikansu provided support.
If not, it will consume the sufficient strength of the Xuebing Army. By then, even if the Xuebing Army intends to defend Kapatagan, but when Xiang Ma Zheng's troops come from the north, the Xuebing Army will face being surrounded in Mindanao.
Dilemma. By that time, the Philippine Campaign will inevitably have a glorious ending.
Because of this idea, he could not understand Sawada Shigeru's "confidence" at all. Instead, he sighed to Hatano: "Lian Po is old!" and then said: "The Fourth Division is not of much use. It seems that the only option is to let the Sakamoto detachment
Come on, go and invite General Sakamoto and Yamabe-kun."
The Sakamoto detachment belongs to Soma Masaru's Second Marine Corps. It was originally used by Koizumi as a garrison for the Western Expedition Fleet headquarters. However, now, after realizing that the fourth brigade is simply not enough to capture Kapatagan
, Koizumi couldn't hold himself back and was directly preparing to put this unit into the battlefield.
While the war was raging in the Capatagan area, in Manila, the Americans' preparations for retreat entered a substantial stage. It is really ironic to say that two days ago, the Americans were still preparing for the "territory division and defense" plan and training soldiers.
The army was so preoccupied, but then completely abandoned the defense, and its change of attitude was faster than turning the page of a book. It can be called a miracle in military history.
At about four o'clock in the morning the next day, on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, a huge mushroom cloud suddenly rose into the sky, followed by a series of violent explosions. The Filipinos who were shocked by the light and sound looked over in shock.
The first reaction of few people was: Has the volcano erupted? But insiders sighed sadly: The Americans even destroyed the fortress and fort on Corregidor Island. It seems that they are really going to give up on the Philippines.
At the same time, it was not just the fortress on Corregidor Island that was exploded. Violent explosions occurred in many places in the Philippine Islands. Mushroom clouds rose one after another. These coastal defenses symbolized the existence of beautiful things.
The forts were destroyed one by one by the Americans, which seemed to indicate the arrival of a new era.
When there was a violent explosion on Corregidor Island, the Hosho aircraft carrier fleet led by Souma was only about 80 kilometers away from the place. Alarmed by the explosion, the old devil immediately got up and walked out of the cabin, and then he followed the sound of the explosion.
Looking in the direction from which it came, I saw a dazzling fireball flashing in the northeast. I couldn't help shouting: "The Americans don't even want the fort. It seems they really want to escape without a fight! Honda, call the commander immediately."
The official sent a message, we will launch an attack on Manila Bay immediately! Otherwise, MacArthur may escape."
Hiroshi Honda Matsumoto was Souma's adjutant. He shouted "Hai" and hurried towards the telecommunications room.
When a shocking explosion occurred on Corregidor Island, MacArthur was standing in front of his residence in Manila and watching. The old American man was a good-looking man. After self-defense and naval battles, even though he knew that the US military had lost the battle with the Japanese
He has the ability to continue fighting, and has received telegrams from the White House and Marshall asking him to evacuate to Australia first, but at least on the surface he is still very resistant to evacuating the Philippines. After returning to Manila, he frequently went to the front line to condolences to the officers and soldiers stationed there, and also in public
He did not mention the evacuation of the Philippines at all, but vowed to coexist and die with Manila, and to give the Japanese army a head-on attack in Manila. Although these statements of his did not fundamentally change the unfavorable situation of the war in the Philippines against the United States and the Philippines, they did
To a large extent, it has played a role in boosting the morale of the people.
His performance came to an end after the US military headquarters in the Philippines deciphered a telegram sent by the Combined Fleet to the Western Expedition Fleet. Under the instruction of Yamamoto, the Combined Fleet Command sent a telegram to Koizumi Miichiro, ordering him to
He wanted to capture MacArthur alive at all costs and said he would hang Americans in the Imperial Palace Square in Tokyo.
After the contents of this telegram were sent back to Washington, President Roosevelt and Army Chief of Staff Marshall became anxious. They called MacArthur frequently to urge him to evacuate to Australia. In order to comfort the old man, they even appointed him as the commander-in-chief of the Southwest Pacific Allied Command, who had not yet revealed his horoscope.
commander.
Soma Masaru's Hosho aircraft carrier fleet suddenly left the Sulu Sea and advanced toward Manila Bay. The Americans finally panicked. After obtaining the consent of Washington, Sutherland, the chief of staff of the U.S. military stationed in the Philippines, took over the retreat and first recalled the frontline troops to the area.
Manila, and then ordered the blasting of the coastal defense forts.
The forts on Corregidor Island were the U.S. military's largest weapon in defending Manila Bay. As these forts were blown up, even though MacArthur still wanted to fulfill his vow to live and die with Manila, he lost the capital to fight the Japanese army to the end.
Faced with the cruel reality, the old man finally compromised, but insisted on waiting until the fort was blown up before getting in the car and heading to Din Alan Bay.
The "rumbling" explosion gradually dissipated, and the mushroom cloud on Corregidor Island turned into thick smoke and drifted away in the wind. MacArthur straightened his military hat, solemnly performed a military salute, and vowed: "I will be back.
, I swear, it won’t be long before I lead my army to fight back!”
The Philippine Islands are the largest colony of the United States in the Far East. They are known as the "Pacific fruit bowl" in the hearts of Americans and are regarded by Americans as their own backyard. Therefore, MacArthur's retreat was a strategic plan formulated in the White House.
Yes, the purpose was to fight back as soon as possible. MacArthur knew the White House's plan, so these words were not just empty words.
However, because two butterflies, Ouyang Yun and Koizumi Toshiichiro, appeared out of thin air, the Americans even lost the Pacific Fleet. Do they really have any hope of fighting back as soon as possible?
When Koizumi received the telegram from Soma asking for battle, he was discussing the day's battle plan with the captains of the Sakamoto detachment, Takashi Sakamoto and Sankeyi Yamabekawa. After listening to Hatano read the telegram, he stood up with a "crash" and said: "
The Americans actually blew up the fort on Corregidor Island. Ha, God helps me." Then he frowned and said sternly: "Return the call immediately and ask the Hosho aircraft carrier fleet to launch an attack immediately. Remind Commander Soma, yes
It’s time to use Yamato Soul! MacArthur must not let him escape!”
"Hai!"
(Old poisoner: I have a severe headache. I used it for two days in a row to save the manuscript. I probably won’t be able to get hard on Monday. Please forgive me, brothers.)