This is a city located in the southwest of the Espinazu Mountains in the eastern part of the Brazilian Plateau. It has road and railway networks connected to Rio de Janeiro in the south and Sao Paulo in the southwest. It is a transportation hub in central Brazil.
On the morning of March 29, Kanji Ishihara and his South American Army headquarters entered the city. In the previous week, two Japanese troops who had rushed here along the railway line from Volta Redonda and Ruiz
In addition to controlling the mountain passes in the north, the division also captured factories inside and outside the city and gold, iron, coal, copper, tungsten, crystal, diamond and other mineral deposits within a hundred kilometers of the surrounding area.
Bello City, formerly known as Cida de Minas, which means mining city, is world-famous for being rich in various mineral deposits. Most of the 150,000 people in the city are engaged in work related to industry and mining, and the factories have metal smelting
Weaving factories, cement factories, gem and diamond processing, etc., mostly rely on local abundant resources for production. Oil that needs to be transported from outside can also be obtained from the oil fields of El Salvador and Aracaju in the northeastern coastal areas not far away.
The location advantage is unique.
For Kanji Ishihara, who was in urgent need of a stable industrial production base at this time, the unexpected discovery in Bello City was like pie in the sky. No one had thought before that this city in central Brazil would have such a complete industry.
system.
In the early morning of the 30th, it started to rain continuously in Bello City.
An eight-story building in the northern part of the city was originally the headquarters building of an American mining company, and is now the temporary residence of the Japanese military headquarters.
At 8:30 in the morning, in a large house on the top floor, Ishihara Wanji and Chief of Staff Shibayama Kenshiro stood side by side in front of the window, looking out at the city shrouded in rain.
"What a great place. There is no scorching heat in the summer and no severe cold in the winter. It is surrounded by plateaus, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. It can be used as a solid rear area. Mr. Shibayama, I am planning to move our theater headquarters from St. Paul City to
What do you think about this?"
Shibayama Kenshiro asked with some confusion:
"Commander, is the situation really as bad as you expected? At least so far, the empire still firmly controls the initiative of the war. There is no reason to be so cautious, right? From all aspects, the conditions in Sao Paulo are...
Much better than here!”
"Yeah?"
Ishihara smiled and shook his head: "Shibayama-kun. Do you really think so?"
Shibayama Kenshiro nodded solemnly.
"Come and see!"
Ishihara Wanji took Shibayama Kenshiro's hand and came to the command room next door. Several staff officers from the headquarters were busy. Ishihara Wanji waved his hand and signaled everyone to step back. Then he walked to the large world map and picked up the command.
Stick, he said to Shibayama Kenshiro: "What can you see from this map?"
Kenshiro Shibayama saw the Ranin Islands, Philippine Islands, New Guinea, Australia, Hawaiian Islands, western North America, Latin America and other regions that had been marked with the sun flag on the map, and proudly said: "From the Western Pacific to the Eastern Pacific,
From the Japanese archipelago, the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan to the American continent, from the Bering Strait to Australia in the south, the glory of the empire has spread all over the Pacific. The achievements of our soldiers are enough to leave a name in history and shine through the ages."
Ishihara smiled faintly: "Can't Mr. Shibayama discover the many crises contained in the empire?"
"crisis!?"
Kenshiro Shibayama was stunned: "Although the resistance from the Americans is still fierce, from the overall strategic perspective, the empire still has the upper hand!"
Ishihara Wanji held the baton and pointed at the vast Pacific Ocean on the map: "Shibayama-kun, don't you think the empire's sea area is too vast? Previously, we guarded the Panama Canal and monitored the Strait of Magellan and the Drake Strait, making the United States
The navy's raiding fleet has no
At the same time, as we gradually control the west coast of America, American ships lose their supply bases, and the submarines that were originally active in the central and eastern Pacific and harassed our routes have basically disappeared. But... now the Anjiajun Navy is here!
"
Ishihara Kanji's baton fell on Nanhua Bay: "From the information collected by the imperial intelligence agency, the surface ships of the Anjiajun Navy that appeared in this ship review are already a powerful force that cannot be ignored. And early on
Before the Empire went south to Lanyin, the Anjiajun obtained submarine manufacturing technology from the Germans. This was news that the Germans had long reported.
"Therefore, we can imagine that once the Anjiajun navy combines fast ships and submarines to attack our maritime supply lines in the future, serious problems will arise in the transportation of the empire's strategic materials and personnel. Moreover, a war that breaks out at sea will have too many consequences.
Due to many chances, we can defeat the strong and eliminate the US Navy's Pacific Fleet in one fell swoop. That is our luck. But what if our opponents get this luck?
"Once the main force of the combined fleet is defeated in the competition with the Anjiajun Navy, the empire's maritime communication channels will be cut off by the opponent. At that time, the empire's various departments will be separated, and there will be a risk of being defeated one by one."
Shibayama Kenshiro laughed loudly:
"Don't worry, the Imperial Navy has long replaced the United States and become the world's largest naval power! Now not only can large ships be built locally, Australia's Darwin, Hedland, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane, and Vancouver on the west coast of North America
, shipyards in ports such as Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego can build ships. Last year, the total tonnage of the Empire's ships launched was as high as four million tons, including 650,000 tons of warships. At this shipbuilding speed, even if it suffers one or two defeats,
It will not cause any damage to the Imperial Navy."
After the Japanese army marched south to the Lanyin Islands in 1937, anticipating that the United States might encounter war, the U.S. Congress authorized defense companies to expand their military equipment production capabilities and allowed private companies to borrow money from the government to add new buildings and equipment and expand on the original basis.
and enlist the help of industrial organizations in the establishment and operation of enterprises.
The following year, Germany invaded Poland, and Japan began to attack British colonies in Asia.
In accordance with the trade agreement reached with Britain and France, the Roosevelt administration began to accelerate national defense construction, liberalize defense production enterprises and establish many state-owned contract operating facilities, which had the advantage of being both operational and standby. In this case, the arsenal and navy
The dock has expanded its production capacity, producing weapons in two or three shifts a day.
With the help of government agencies, American industry began to shift to military production and incorporate new manufacturing processes. With the help of U.S. government loans, Roosevelt's personal friend Henry Kaiser entered the shipbuilding industry as a road company contractor. From
Starting in 1939, shipyards were being built crazily on the east and west coasts of the United States, and ships were built according to the rapid assembly line shipbuilding method he studied. The shipbuilding time was two-thirds that of other shipyards, and the cost was only one-quarter, which shocked the entire world.
world.
Caesar believed that giant ships could be produced using automobile production lines, but large ships and small cars were not the same thing after all. It was impossible for anyone to assemble a ship on a production line. At that time, most of the parts of the ship were connected with rivets.
Yes, after the hull is built, it will take several months to install each component.
After Nanhua's shipbuilding industry took the lead in technological innovation, Caesar and his engineers also thought of using welding to replace rivets. That is to say, various parts of the giant ship were produced in factories and then assembled at the dock.
Each factory specializes in producing only one part of the boat to ensure quality and speed.
At that time, there were many people who were technically opposed to this. They questioned whether the welded ships had enough endurance. It later proved that this worry was not unnecessary. Although most of the ships built in this way have withstood the test of the ocean, there are also a few ships.
There were cracks in the welds on the ship, and there were even incidents where the entire ship split in half.
But in any case, this revolutionary technological innovation greatly shortened the time for U.S. shipyards to produce ships. By mid-June 1940, Caesar's Richmund Shipyard in California set a record of four days and fifteen
The miracle of building a 10,000-ton ship in half an hour. The technology of manufacturing each component separately and then welding it has since replaced rivets as the main means of building large ships.
The Japanese army gained a lot after occupying the entire west coast of the United States. The Rechimand Shipyard is the most typical one. It has a 35,000-ton and a 20,000-ton slipway, a 25,000-ton floating dock, a 10,000-ton and
There are one 5,000-ton dry dock each, the dock shoreline is more than 1,500 meters, and the annual ship production capacity reaches an astonishing one million tons.
The most important thing is that through the Richimande Shipyard, the Japanese have also mastered the technology of manufacturing each component separately and then welding it. In North American and Australian shipyards with sufficient steel production, the production capacity of ships has increased significantly, which is why most Japanese officials
An important reason to be confident about Japan's future.
"Ship construction can certainly be accelerated. However, if skilled sailors are lost, can they be replaced in time?" Ishihara Wanji's expression became very serious: "Shibayama-kun, you can roughly estimate that since the war started, we have already
How many troops have been armed?"
Shibayama Kenshiro was a person who had served as the Military Affairs Section Chief of the Army Ministry and the Army Troops Supervisor. Naturally, he knew the situation of the Japanese army. He said casually: "Currently, the Home Defense Force has fifty-three divisions under its jurisdiction, and the Australian Army has fifty-two divisions."
divisions, the Southern Army has fifty-two divisions, the North American Army has fifty-one divisions, plus the forty-eight divisions of our South American Army... My God, before I know it, only the Army has
Two hundred and fifty-six main divisions!"
"good!"
Ishihara frowned: "If you add in the Army Aviation Corps, the mixed brigades with mixed numbers, the ** mixed infantry brigades, as well as the logistics and baggage troops, the population occupied by the Army alone will be around 7 million.
Our navy has expanded from 1937 to now, and there are at least 300 people serving in it. This means that how many people in the empire have
Almost one out of every four men is a soldier. In other words, this war has almost sent most of our young and middle-aged people into the army. And a country must not just have soldiers. It must also have people engaged in administration and management.
Scientific research, some people spread knowledge and culture, and some people operate precision machine tools and production lines to manufacture weapons and equipment..."
Shibayama Kenshiro suddenly said: "Ishihara-kun, are you worried that the navy will not be able to replenish its sailors?"
Ishihara smiled and nodded: "Looking at the threat the Germans pose to the British blockade, and then thinking about what will happen if the empire encounters a similar predicament, I am worried about the future. Once the empire is divided into independent parts,
Mainland China, Australia, North America, South America, Southeast Asia and many islands in the Pacific, etc., then we must be prepared to be self-reliant after losing contact with the outside world!"
"At least in the short term, our South Korean troops will not be in too much danger!"
Kenshiro Shibayama still found it difficult to understand Ishihara Wanji’s pessimism: “The North American Army is the strategic group with the most elite officers and soldiers and the most sophisticated weapons and equipment among the major military groups in the empire.
and General Doi Yuan, both
They are rare generals. Coupled with the two generals Hata Shunroku and Nishio Hiszo, facing those young American soldiers, the possibility of failure is very small! As long as the North American army does not fail, we will not have to face the war directly.
.Just do the logistics for now!”
"Baga! Seeking defeat before winning, this is the quality that a general must possess!" Ishihara Wan'er's voice became stern: "Shibayama-kun, we must understand that nothing in the world is absolute, we
The more fully prepared we are, the more calm we will be when encountering difficulties in the future. On the contrary, if we do not prepare early, we will wait until the battle situation is unfavorable before we can plan calmly. It will be too late!"
"Hi!"
Seeing Ishihara Wanji's anger, Shibayama Kenshiro bowed quickly, not daring to argue any more. He turned around and saw Intelligence Staff Major General Kawabe Torajiro entering the room, and hurriedly greeted: "Kawabe-kun, is there any urgent military situation?"
Major General Torajiro strode up to Ishihara Kanji by the river. After bowing, he handed Ishihara Kanji a message with both hands: "Your Excellency, Commander, General Okabe has called. He has led the Northern Route Army to Corinth City to the north of us.
, you can rendezvous with our department tomorrow night at the latest."
Ishihara Wanji was overjoyed. After reading the telegram, he said happily: "After four months, our strategic encirclement has finally been completed. The joining of the southern and northern armies means that the entire Brazilian territory has been divided by us. Next, we only need to
The capture of Rio de Janeiro brought an end to organized resistance in Brazil.
"Previously, we besieged Rio de Janeiro in order to fully attract the surrounding Brazilian troops to gather towards it. After our main force joined forces, we would exterminate it with absolute force. Judging from the effect of the implementation of the plan, the Brazilian army placed it in
All the troops in the eastern coastal area shrank towards Rio de Janeiro, creating an opportunity for our Northern Route Army's actions.
"This time, the effective forces of the Northern Route Army brought by Okabe-kun include five armored divisions led by Lieutenant General Hoshino. This will be of great help to us in capturing the heavily guarded Rio de Janeiro. The Empire's final decision on South America is just around the corner.
"
Kawabe Torajiro was also very happy and said loudly: "Your Excellency, Commander, I think you should personally call the Northern Route Army. Congratulations to them for their successful victory in El Salvador and for joining forces with us. All officers of the Northern Route Army will be able to obtain the 'God of War'
'The praise will help encourage military morale and morale!"
"Yoshi!"
Ishihara Wanji said: "Immediately send a call to all members of the Northern Route Army. I, Commander-in-Chief of the South American Army, Ishihara Wanji, will personally welcome the southbound athletes in Bello City. Under extremely difficult circumstances, all the officers and soldiers of the Northern Route Army, for the sake of His Majesty the Emperor and the
all citizens
, fought bloody battles continuously, and finally joined forces with my main force, which brought the empire's imperial hegemony to a higher level! When the soldiers arrive in Bello City, I will represent His Majesty the Emperor, award them with honors, and encourage them for their great achievements.
!”
"Hi!"
After Riverside Torajiro recorded Ishihara Wanji's words, he turned and left.
Ishihara Kanji said to Shibayama Kenshiro: "Shibayama-kun, although it is raining outside, I still want to trouble you to prepare a place for the troops going south. With the opening of the north-south passage, machinery and equipment dismantled from the western United States will continue to flow.
With continued shipments, the resources throughout South America will be fully mobilized to serve the empire.
"We must strive to achieve self-sufficiency in arms and supplies in the next one to two years. This will be the first and most important step for our South American military to take root in South America and expand territory for the empire. It must be done
good!"
Shibayama Kenshiro nodded: "Don't worry, I have ordered people to build simple houses a week in advance. There is not much in Brazil, there is a lot of wood, and it is easy to build houses. Moreover, the troops will not stay in Bello City for too long.
Soon, they will move south to join my army advancing on Rio de Janeiro. At that time, the remaining troops will seize the time to build houses to welcome the northern immigrants moving south."
"That's good!"
Ishihara smiled with satisfaction, raised his head and looked at the map, and suddenly felt relaxed all over his body.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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