Chapter 563: The Battle of Singapore

The Japanese Army's 16th Army's defensive area is the Dutch East Indies, that is, Indonesia.

16th Army: 2nd Division, 38th Division, 56th Mixed Infantry Brigade.

This force is the most likely to be able to reinforce Singapore, and the 38th Division of the 16th Army is scattered across the Indonesian islands like stars.

The main force, the 2nd Division, was transferred to Rabaul to assemble, preparing to attack Australia.

Now you have Terauchi Hisaichi pull units from the 16th Army; first you must draw them back from the various islands, then transport them by cargo ships.

Japanese Army's 14th Army: 16th Division, 48th Division, 65th Brigade.

This unit is carrying out operations in the Philippines, and now only the 48th Division remains to guard the Philippines.

It's not that there truly are no troops to call upon, but Singapore is not even the size of a county; pulling more forces would just crowd this tiny island.

Not rescuing it is obviously impossible.

"Can we pull forces from the Eastern Front to reinforce Singapore?" Terauchi Hisaichi asked in a heavy tone.

Chief of Staff Tsukada Gou hurriedly shook his head: "Commander, it is not feasible. All forces on the Eastern Front have already fully assembled, ready at any moment to launch the attack on Australia. If we pull troops from the Eastern Front, it would disrupt the attack plan, and the sea route from Papua New Guinea to Singapore is long; moreover, the Chinese fleet's containment in the Myanmar Sea means transport would take at least a month."

Tsukada Gou paused, then continued: "By the time the troops arrive in Singapore, it will likely already be occupied by the Chinese forces; then not only would the reinforcement be futile, it would also delay the attack on Australia, putting us in a passive two‑front situation."

"Actually, my biggest worry is the Nankai Fleet that suddenly appeared; our naval strength in Southeast Asia is simply too weak."

Terauchi Hisaichi fell silent; he knew Tsukada Gou was stating the facts.

He closed his eyes, contemplated for a long time, and his internal decision gradually became clear.

Compared with the gains and losses of Singapore, attacking Australia and fully controlling the South Pacific is the Southern Army's current core strategic objective.

Singapore is indeed important, but in the overall picture, a trade‑off must be made.

The crucial point also involves the relationship between the Army and the Navy; the Navy is preparing its final assault on Australia, and if we pull forces back now, we won't know when we can re‑assemble troops to attack Australia again.

The key is that the Japanese Army knows very well they have seized the United States Pacific Fleet's weak period.

If we wait for the Americans to recover, such a vacuum will be hard to create!

Terauchi Hisaichi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze becoming resolute, and in a cold, decisive tone said: "Relay my order: pull forces from Java and Sumatra to reinforce Singapore. The remaining Southern Army troops shall continue to assemble in Papua New Guinea, fully preparing the attack on Australia; the offensive must be launched on schedule and capture Australia in one stroke!"

"Commander, this... is Singapore's defense perhaps a bit too weak?" Tsukada Gou, his face shocked, quickly asked for confirmation.

Terauchi Hisaichi nodded, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness yet unwavering: "We are not abandoning completely, only partially. Tell Xia Shan Feng Wen to use his existing forces to defend Singapore as best as possible, delaying the Chinese forces' advance and buying us time for the attack on Australia."

"As long as we seize Australia and control the South Pacific, we will have enough strength to retake Singapore and exact revenge!"

Tsukada Gou said: "Yes! Commander, I will immediately convey the order to General Xia Shan Feng Wen."

The order was transmitted to Singapore; Xia Shan Feng Wen stared at the telegram and remained silent for a long time.

He knew this was Terauchi Hisaichi's decision for the Southern Army, the best choice, opting for Australia over Singapore.

It is a reluctant move, but the only option at present.

He clenched his fists, a flash of ferocity crossing his eyes.

Even if he has no troops, even if isolated, he will still hold Singapore, delay the Chinese forces, and buy time for the Southern Army's attack on Australia.

To eliminate any risk for the Navy's attack on Singapore.

Singapore's coastal batteries must be knocked out first.

The best method is to strike from the air.

Jiang Anguo summoned the two battalion commanders, Song Yunfei and William, together.

"Commander, there is a difficult problem here: the flight range is insufficient," Song Yunfei said with some concern.

He pointed to the map, indicating the distance between Yangon and Singapore: "It's over 1,900 km, meaning our current fighter aircraft cannot complete this mission."

The P‑38 Lightning's maximum is 3,600 km, which is the distance needed to hop to another airfield.

But this time is different; all of Southeast Asia is occupied by the Japanese Army, and there is nowhere to land.

Jiang Anguo lowered his head in thought, acknowledging the oversight: "What about our P‑51 Mustang fighters!"

William spread his hands: "Commander, the Mustang's range is shorter than the P‑38's, about a 1,300‑km combat radius; we might run out of fuel halfway!"

Jiang Anguo ignored William's joke.

Jiang Anguo stared at the Myanmar Sea; acquiring an aircraft carrier now would cost 900,000 points, yet he lacks sufficient Navy personnel, so the carrier couldn't be put into operation.

That means the Nankai Fleet and Jiang Zhiyuan must be recalled, and then naval forces drawn from them to form an aircraft carrier task force.

The Japanese Army cannot spare troops because of the window period.

Jiang Anguo naturally would not abandon the opportunity; Lin Yi has already pieced together some decrypted telegrams, and this informed Jiang Anguo of the Japanese Southern Army's movements—they are preparing to attack Australia.

Moreover, some elite divisions of the Southern Army have already been moved to Rabaul.

For this reason, Jiang Anguo needs to seize the plan and annihilate the Japanese 25th Army entrenched in Singapore, i. e., Xia Shan Feng Wen.

Turn this Malaysian tiger into a sick Malaysian cat!

Song Yunfei kept measuring on the map with a ruler; after a while he said: "Commander, look, our P‑38 Lightnings equipped with drop tanks can, after escort duties, proceed directly to the Andaman Islands without returning to Yangon."

Jiang Anguo's eyes widened instantly.

"Good plan!"

The solution not only solves the range issue but also provides excellent escort for bombers heading to Singapore to strike its coastal batteries.

The bombers assigned to this mission, also limited by range, are designated as B‑29 bombers.

The B‑25 Mitchell's combat radius is only 1,000 km.

"But, Commander, do you know where those Singaporean batteries are located?" William asked an important question.