Chapter 28 One general is incompetent, and the three armies are exhausted

Yamashita adopted the "hook-and-heart tactic" in the Kedah breakthrough battle, which was also a tactic he successfully used many times in the Malaysian campaign, that is, with short and capable troops as the avant-garde, "hook" the heart of the British coalition defense zone , and then pass through. The British had always had an illusion, thinking that since Japan had been fighting in China for four years but failed to finally defeat China, the Japanese army should be nothing serious, and they did not expect the opponent to be so ferocious.That kind of feeling is like separating "two roof bones, and countless cold ice poured down", and the hearts are completely cooled.

At this point, all the units of the British Allied Forces on the front line were either destroyed by themselves or retreated and fled. Major General Bennett stared angrily.What made him feel especially depressed was that Parcival's level of command and courage in front of the battle was really hard to be called the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. On December 14, 1941, the frontline battle situation was so tense that Percival even discussed with Bennett: "The Japanese army may attack Singapore from the sea. I hope you will transfer part of the Australian division to defend Singapore."

I have only heard of punting against the shore, but I have never heard of punting against the shore.In Bennett's view, this was a mistake in the strategic direction, which was really unbearable, so he replied angrily: "The enemy is on land, and the only ones in the sea are sharks!" Bennett felt that the most important thing at the moment was to quickly organize the battle lines.Parcival found it troublesome as always: "Arrange the front line? Then you have to change the combat deployment on the peninsula. The regional organization of the troops is complicated, no!" In order to rebuff Bennett's suggestion, he also used Churchill as the sword of Shang Fang: "Prime Minister Churchill instructed that securing the island of Singapore should be given top priority."

Bennett's eyes lit up. It would be nice if he could do his best to secure Singapore. He immediately said, "So, how about we gather all our troops to Singapore?" Parcival spread his hands: "There are not so many barracks on the island!" Difficult to enter through the door, Parcival then escaped through the window.Bennett was too angry to say a word. On December 16, 1941, he sent a telegram to the Australian government, accusing Parcival of: "There is no will to fight..." An incompetent general is enough to exhaust the entire army.The battle situation was tense, and Bennett didn't care what Percival would think, so he issued a call to the British coalition forces on his behalf: "The tactics of the Japanese army are nothing new. There is no need to retreat blindly. Only by counterattack can we get out of the predicament."

Due to his limited responsibilities, Bennett could only play a calling role, and it was still Parcival who held the commanding power.However, Parcival's plan for the front line was not to resolutely counterattack, but to "resist and retreat as quickly as possible." Yamashita is also drawing up a combat plan, the drafter of which is Operation Director Masanobu Tsuji. Masanobu Tsuji was a celebrity in the Japanese army staff, having made waves at the Battle of Nomonkan.At that time, Tsuji Masanobu believed in "going north", but it was also in this battle that the Kwantung Army's face was swollen by the Soviets, and Tsuji Masanobu was also demoted.After that, he turned the steering wheel to support the "Southern Advance", and spent half a year in Taiwan specializing in the study of fighting against Britain and the United States, and compiled a pamphlet called "One Read Must Win".

Tens of thousands of copies of this booklet were printed and distributed to the Southern Army for officers and soldiers to study, claiming to be a must for tropical jungle warfare.As a result, Tsuji Masanobu was reused, which became one of the reasons why he was appointed as the director of operations of the 25th Army. Tsuji Masanobu himself was very proud of this appointment, saying: "In the Army, you will be sent to the most important places after strict selection." Opinions in the headquarters are not unified. The main reason is not that Tsuji Masanobu is not capable enough, but that he is too capable and often acts without authorization, so that he leaves the chief officer behind. Such a person is difficult to use.

In the end, the Director of Personnel had no choice but to plead with his superiors: "Try it first, just this time, if something goes wrong, we must deal with it." Tsuji Masanobu was able to take office. It is easy to practice in Gongmen.Having worked as an aide for a long time, Tsuji Masanobu also knows that if he wants to manipulate the chief official, he has to be dismissed by others, and he can't do whatever he wants.For example, Yamashita is definitely not someone who can be at your mercy.Especially after that meeting with Taketa Palace, Tsuji Masanobu didn't dare to make too much of a fuss, but if he was not allowed to play a little bit, he would be unwilling.

Therefore, Masanobu Tsuji made a compromise on the battle schedule. The specific date for the Japanese occupation of Singapore was neither the Army Day he advocated nor January as Yamashita said, but Japan’s founding anniversary—— February 11. The time has been delayed for so long, and Yamashita is not satisfied in his heart, but the principle of the Japanese Army is that the staff is the center. The staff is not only responsible for drafting the combat plan, but also can decide on various details. If officials interfere too much, it will cause dissatisfaction and complaints.In addition, even if it was postponed for a month, some staff members felt that the goal was difficult to achieve, and Masanobu Tsuji's arrangement was already relatively radical.

On December 25, 1941, the 5th Division crossed the Perak River and continued to approach the south.In order to speed up the "electric drilling war", Yamashita equipped the soldiers with a new means of transportation.