Chapter 45 bird's-eye

The rapid advance of the U.S. military in the Central Pacific shocked the Japanese base camp, and the Prime Minister and Lu Minister Tojo was even more stimulated like ants on a hot pot. They said they wanted to reverse the situation and ensure the "absolute national defense circle", but their hearts were so hot and things were as cold as ice. They were really angry and dead. First take a basin of cold water and pour it on your head to clear your mind!After waking up, Tojo suddenly had a flash of inspiration: always fighting and losing repeatedly, the key is that the navy and army are too fierce. They just know how to grab planes and quotas. Others are getting more and more frustrated, but they are getting more and more frustrated .

If the shoes are uncomfortable and will bleed, it is better to change them, it is time to be cruel.That night, Tojo called Sugiyama to his official residence. After some simple greetings, Tojo quickly got to the point: "Under the current serious situation, I suggest that you resign as the chief of staff and let me concurrently serve as Minister Lu and the chief of staff." Sugiyama didn't expect to call him in the middle of the night to seize his military power, and suddenly became furious: "What? You want me to resign, at this critical juncture?" Sugiyama thinks that after so many years of being by Tojo's side, there is no credit but also hard work: Could it be that the sweat I have shed is the water that got into my head at the beginning?Look at the wrinkled forehead lines and bent waist that I wrinkled for you!

Tojo doesn't care about Sugiyama's "hard work", he doesn't want to listen to nonsense.Seeing that Tojo was so ruthless, Sugiyama had to try his best to find a reason why he could not resign: "This is against the long-standing tradition of our country, and one person should not make both political and military decisions." In desperation, Sugiyama also moved out of Hitler.He said that the reason why the German army was defeated in Stalingrad was the result of Hitler's combination of military and political power. Back then, when the German army was so powerful, with "fields and houses that crows can't fly, and gold and silver that thieves can't carry", Tojo wished that all the Japanese would call him "Hitler of the East", but it is different now, the German army is declining. , Comparing him to Hitler is simply scolding.

Tojo blocked Sugiyama's mouth unceremoniously: "Führer Hitler was born as a soldier, and I am a dignified imperial general. I will pay equal attention to military affairs and government affairs. You don't have to worry about this." Sugiyama still muttered: "Easier said than done, you will set a dangerous precedent for the future." It is really difficult for an official to take off his official hat.Tojo covered the sky with one hand, wishing to swallow this old ignorant thing in one gulp: "In such an unprecedented war, all measures must be taken, even if the precedent is broken."

Sugiyama, who felt like he was running out of power, finally blurted out: "If you do this, the order in the army will not be maintained!" These words could not frighten Tojo, he said dismissively: "No. If anyone has any objection, I will replace him immediately!" Sugiyama is determined not to resign, but this is beyond his control.The next day, Tojo officially dismissed Sugiyama as Chief of Staff and replaced him himself. Sugiyama doesn't know whether he is really stupid or pretending to be confused. His so-called "order in the army cannot be maintained", it has been proved that he does not even have the function of scaring people.Since ancient times, the iron-clad soldiers have gone through the red ones and come to the green ones. As long as it is not Yamamoto Fifty-Six, anyone can be missing, not to mention that Tojo has a solid foundation in the army. Have to live.

For the first time since the independence of the General Staff Headquarters, Tojo has combined the four positions of prime minister, internal minister, land minister, and chief of staff.At the same time, he also appointed General Shigetaro Shimada, Prime Minister of the Sea, to replace Nagano.The Ministry of the Navy and the Military Command are in the same building, but not on the same floor. Therefore, Shimada has to put on and take off the ribbon of the Commander-in-Chief every time he goes up and down the stairs. This has become a joke within the Navy. Shimada is Tojo's confidant, and is called "the one who carries Tojo's business purse" by naval officers, and has always been obedient to Tojo's orders.In the past, the navy and army often refused to listen to calls. Now, Tojo alone has the final say and decisions in all key departments. As a result, many people directly denounced the Tojo government as the "Tojo Shogunate."

The happiest person about this is Sato, Tojo's adviser. As early as in an imperial meeting in 1943, the Japanese base camp set the final line of defense at the Mariana Islands and the Caroline Islands. To the Philippines for the final decisive battle. According to Sato, the Marianas and the Caroline Islands have only seven airfields, which the U.S. military could easily disable before launching an offensive, but in the Philippines, there are hundreds of islands that can be used as bases, so forces should be concentrated Fight the last battle in the Philippines. After the U.S. air strike on Truk, the situation was really bad. Sato repeated his old tune and privately drew up a plan for a decisive battle in the Philippines.However, because he was certain that Sugiyama would definitely not agree, he didn't dare to mention the premise to the General Staff Headquarters.

Well now, there is no need to worry about Sugiyama or other army bosses anymore.Sato rushed into Tojo's office excitedly: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, you have done a great job! The plan to strengthen the defense of the Philippines can be reported at any time!" Tojo, who had already worn the epaulettes of Chief of Staff, coldly rejected Sato's "last battle" proposal and plan.Seeing Tojo's attitude, Sato stood there in surprise, unable to say a word. No matter how bright Sato's brain is, he is only an aide after all, and some things are far less profound than Tojo's thought.He didn't know that if Tojo didn't serve as chief of staff, he might still support his proposition. After directly controlling the navy and army, he couldn't do so.

Compared with the Philippines, the Mariana Islands and the Caroline Islands are closer to the Japanese mainland, and the Northern Mariana Islands are only 1,500 nautical miles away from the Japanese mainland. If they retreat without a fight, Tojo will become a political target—in fact, Yes, even though they are both Axis powers, Japan is not Germany or Italy, and Tojo is not Hitler or Mussolini. His way of monopolizing power can cover people's ears and eyes, but how can they cover it? People's hearts and words? Being a dictator is not so easy. Tojo squatted in a crater, not only many people cursed behind his back, but also planned to assassinate him.Under such circumstances, if a shrinking retreat is deployed in a hurry, it will be difficult to explain even in front of the emperor, let alone others.Tojo told Sato: "I will resolutely defend the Mariana Islands and the Caroline Islands!"