On August 30, the 1st Infantry Division, the 16th Infantry Division, the 1st Cavalry Brigade, the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade, and the 1st Armored Brigade under the 1st Army of the Imperial Army began to advance from Fukuoka towards Kurume. Among them, the 1st Armored Brigade is the most recent unit formed by the Reich.

In order to strengthen the assault capabilities of the Imperial Army, the Reich planned to form an armored brigade in each army group. Each armored brigade is equipped with a medium tank battalion, two light tank battalions, two mechanized infantry battalions, a two-company 105-mm howitzer battalion, plus units directly under the brigade headquarters, with more than 8,000 people in the brigade.

As a result, in addition to the Praetorian Guard, the other armies of the Imperial Army began to form armored units. Of course, the Praetorian Guard was still the largest armored group in the Imperial Army. The armored forces of each group army are more likely to assist the infantry in assault and cooperate with the infantry to break through the enemy's defensive line. If you really want to carry out a large-scale armored assault, you need to rely on armored forces mainly from the Praetorian Guard. Of course, the Imperial Army also planned to form an armored corps of the Imperial Army on the basis of the Praetorian Guard. This facilitates the large-scale application of armored forces on the battlefield of the future.

Two infantry divisions, plus three brigades, totaling nearly 60,000 men, set out for Fukuoka and advanced all the way to Kurume. Thanks to Japan's relatively good transportation facilities, a large number of trucks, armored vehicles and tanks of the Imperial Army were able to move easily. Otherwise, the heavy equipment of the empire really doesn't know what to do.

After the departure of the first batch of troops, the other three infantry divisions of the 1st Army of the Imperial Army, as well as the units of the other army groups, were also rapidly disembarking. As a follow-up force, they will rush to Kurume as soon as possible to support the first troops.

In addition to this, the 1st and 2nd divisions of the Imperial Marine Corps. It also departs from Fukuoka and heads to Kitakyushu. Kitakyushu, located in the Kanmon Strait, will be heavily shelled by the Imperial Navy. They were to provide support to the Imperial Marines in terms of firepower. The 3rd Marine Division is also heading south from Fukuoka to Sasebo. The Japanese army was in Sasebo, and there was also an infantry brigade. Together with the marines stationed here to guard the military port, the total strength is nearly 10,000. The Imperial Marines, with the strength of one division and the support of naval guns, had no problem conquering Sasebo. As long as Sasebo is taken, the light cruisers and destroyers of the Japanese Navy in the Sasebo military port will have only one way to be sunk at that time. In this way, the Imperial Navy's control over the entire Tsushima Strait and the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea will be further strengthened.

The battle on the entire island of Kyushu is about to break out. The Imperial Marines take Fukuoka. It's just a prelude to the war. The Battle of Kurume was the battle that decided the final ownership of Kyushu Island. Of course, in order to hold Kyushu Island and defeat the Imperial* army, the Japanese will also do their best.

On the morning of August 30, Emperor Wu Haoxuan went to the Supreme Command to listen to the war report.

"Your Majesty. Judging by the current situation, the empire is in this war. It has already occupied an absolute advantage. In terms of the navy, the superiority of the Imperial Navy is further expanding. With the completion of the Imperial Navy's blockade of Japan, Japan's foreign trade routes have been completely cut off. The various resources that the Japanese continued, including food, could no longer be obtained from overseas. Support provided to Japan by the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. It is also in a state of being cut off. If this siege continues, it won't be long before Japan collapses. Marshal Shi Tianhan, Chief of the General Staff, said.

Wu Haoxuan nodded, the fate of Japan was when its navy was completely defeated by the Empire. It's already decided. It's just that the Japanese don't believe in evil and must stubbornly resist the empire. Then, the empire will have to make them pay an even heavier price. A blockade of Japan could devastate Japan's economy and society, and even cause famine. This is a little cruel for the Japanese, though. However, for the Empire, there are great benefits. A Japan with social upheaval would be more conducive to the empire's destruction of them.

What's more, what others don't know is that Japan will soon be unlucky. Calculate the time, that is, it is a matter of two or three days. When the time comes, many people will die in Japan, and many more will be homeless. The empire could seize this opportunity and beat Japan to death in one fell swoop.

Of course, when the time comes, those Western powers in the cloak of civilization will definitely jump out to sympathize with Japan and blame the empire. The empire doesn't care, though. The so-called taking advantage of his illness to kill him is an eternal philosophy. The Empire and Little Japan are rivals! Only one of the two States can continue to exist. Therefore, the Japanese disaster is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the empire.

"What about the Imperial Army? How's it going? Wu Haoxuan asked. The landing of the Imperial Army on the island of Kyushu was just the beginning. The next landing on Honshu Island is the most important thing. After all, while Kyushu Island is important, Honshu Island is the real core territory for Japan.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Marines have taken Fukuoka. The Imperial Army's 1st Army was loading and unloading, and a cluster consisting of the 1st Infantry Division, the 16th Infantry Division, the 1st Cavalry Brigade, the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade, and the 1st Armored Brigade had already marched from Fukuoka to Kurume. The Japanese troops on the island of Kyushu were massed in large numbers towards Kurume. The Japanese clearly wanted a decisive battle with us in Kurume. Marshal Shi Tianhan said.

"Is it a decisive battle in Kurume? The 1st Army of the Imperial Army, was it sure to defeat the Japanese at Kurume? Wu Haoxuan asked.

"Your Majesty, General Shi Qingshan is confident that he will defeat the Japanese army for another long time." War Minister Marshal Cho Seok-fu said.

Wu Haoxuan nodded, after all, a group army of the Imperial Army has a total strength of 160,000 people, especially an armored brigade that has been strengthened, with more than 200 tanks and hundreds of armored vehicles. If they could not defeat little Japan in such a situation, then they should have jumped into the sea and drowned.

"Send a telegram to our troops on Kyushu Island, fight on Kyushu Island, and pay special attention to those civilians. The entire island of Kyushu has a strong people's customs, especially the area that used to belong to the Satsuma domain. If the Imperial* army enters to fight there, it is very likely that it will be attacked by those civilians. Let them protect themselves. When necessary, the threat can be stifled in the cradle. Wu Haoxuan solemnly admonished.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Marshal Shi Tianhan and the others all nodded.

The Japanese on Kyushu are a little tougher than the Japanese on Honshu. When the War of Downfall was first launched, the local forces on Kyushu Island were the main force. Plus those ronins who have been poisoned by the spirit of bushido, and so on. An attack on the Imperial officers and soldiers was highly likely. In such a situation, the Empire* army naturally has to be prepared.

Wu Haoxuan's meaning is that after the Empire* army discovers such signs, it can take the first step to eliminate these threats. Of course, the massacre of civilians, which is not a good thing. But killing the mob intent on attacking the Imperial officers and soldiers was another matter. What's more, it was the Japanese who were killed, so Wu Haoxuan would have no psychological burden.

"Except for the 1st Army, are the other armies ready?" Wu Haoxuan asked.

This time, the Imperial Army prepared three or four armies to land in Japan, including the 4th Army and the 14th Army in addition to the 1st Army. In addition, an army group will be drawn as a reserve. It's just that the General Staff believes that three army groups plus three marine divisions can solve Japan. Therefore, this army group, as a reserve, was not selected. When the time comes, if it is really necessary, it will be no problem to make a temporary assignment. With the Empire's current transportation and maritime strength, it would be possible to transport this group of troops to Japan in a very short time.

"Your Majesty, the 4th Army and the 14th Army are ready. We have also recruited a large number of transport ships and merchant ships to transport them to Japan at any time. Marshal Shi Tianhan said.

Wu Haoxuan nodded: "Let the 4th Army get ready." Heavy equipment can be transported to the transport ship first. After receiving the order, it was necessary to set off within half a day. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty." Marshal Shi Tianhan nodded. He knew that Wu Haoxuan was planning to land the 4th Army in Japan.

"Let the navy focus on clearing this sea area from Ise Bay to the imperial mainland. The 4th Army, which will set off in the next few days, will land in Ise Bay. Wu Haoxuan said.

"Landing in Ise Bay?" Marshal Shi Tianhan was stunned. In the previous plan, it was necessary to wait until the 1st Army cleared Kyushu Island before landing on Honshu Island. Landing now, it seems like a little eager. In addition, the landing in Ise Bay seems to be too sudden.

"Prepare as I ask. After landing in Ise Bay, the 4th Army captured Nagoya and then blocked the road to the northern part of the island. In this case, the island of Honshu is almost cut into two sections. The 14th Army was advancing from the southern part of Honshu Island, taking out the entire southern part of Honshu Island. Wu Haoxuan said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. However, when the 4th Army landed in Ise Bay, it was afraid that it would be besieged by the Japanese army. Marshal Shi Tianhan said with some concern. After all, the 4th Army landed directly in Ise Bay, which can be regarded as a lone army in depth. The Japanese will never let go of this opportunity.

"Don't worry, the Japanese don't have that chance. Because, soon God will punish the Japanese. Wu Haoxuan said with a smile.

Marshal Shi Tianhan was stunned, he didn't expect Wu Haoxuan to give such an answer, this seems to be too child's play. (To be continued.) )

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