After listening to General Sugiyama Gen's words, Okamura Neiji pondered for a while and said: "Your Excellency, Commander, I think that Lord Tojo is a proud man. He can directly ask for help from our North China Front Army at this time without going through the base camp. This is in itself
It means that the situation is more critical than what he said in the telegram, otherwise such a proud and arrogant person would not send such a telegram."
"Hey, Mr. Okamura is right. Mr. Tojo is a proud man. The fact that he can lower his dignity and send this telegram proves that the front line in Tongliao has reached a very critical moment." Xiao Xiao, the commander of the 12th Division
Iso Kuniaki nodded in agreement and said that among the North China Expeditionary Forces, he has been dealing with Chahar for the longest time, and he also knows the combat effectiveness of Chahar aviation the best.
But Seishiro Itagaki on the side shook his head and objected, "But our North China Expeditionary Army only has one flying division. If they all support the Kwantung Army, what will we do? It can't be said that we don't need air support."
In the second half of last year, Itagaki Seishiro defeated more than thirty divisions of the Chinese army with half a division, which was a great feat. Therefore, Itagaki Seishiro also had a group of supporters in the North China Expeditionary Army, even as far away as Tokyo.
Even Emperor Hirohito had heard of his name. Many people agreed with Itagaki's statement. As the saying goes, when the father is dead and the mother is married, everyone takes care of their own affairs. You Kwantung Army should wipe your own butts. We all dislike airplanes.
It's not enough. How can I have the time to take care of you?
"So stupid." Okamura Neiji couldn't bear it any longer. He stood up and shouted loudly: "The Chinese people have an old saying, "the lips are dead and the teeth are cold." Don't you all understand this truth? If the Kwantung Army fails,
, what good will it do to us? When the time comes, the Seventh War Zone will immediately turn around and attack us. Don’t you understand?”
"Okamura-kun" Seishiro Itagaki also stood up, without caring about the face of his old classmates: "But our North China Expedition Army only has one flying division. If they are all sent to the Kwantung Army, you can guarantee that they will not be like the Kwantung Army."
Will the First Flying Division be completely wiped out? At that time, what can we do to resist the attack of the Seventh Theater of China? I wonder if Okamura-kun dares to make a bet with me, if our Fifth Flying Division loses
If it is too big, the base camp will definitely not replenish it for us in the first place. If the Seventh War Zone takes the opportunity to counterattack Tianjin, what can we do to resist it?"
Okamura was silent, because what Itagaki Seishiro said was not unreasonable. In the heart of the base camp, Manchuria was the foundation. If the base camp was allowed to make a choice between the Kwantung Army and the North China Expeditionary Force, their choice would be unquestionable.
"Furthermore, I can be sure that if our Fifth Flying Division is sent over this time, they will definitely serve as cannon fodder. I know that superior soldier too well." Itagaki sneered and said, "He even knows Commander Umezu."
It can be abandoned, let alone several of our aircraft."
"Itagaki-kun, please be careful what you say." Sugiyama Yuan on the side said with a straight face: "I know that you and Ishihara Wanji have a good relationship, but Tojo-kun is a senior general of the empire after all, and you can't help but accuse him like this."
"Hai" Itagaki Seishiro quickly lowered his head and apologized. What he said just now did mean to express anger for his friend Ishihara Wanji who was ostracized by Tojo, but he immediately realized that it was inappropriate for him to say such words.
OK, so apologize quickly.
"Okay, let's second the 17th and 18th Flying Regiments to the Kwantung Army first, lest they accuse us of refusing to save us until we die." Sugiyama Yuan thought for a long time and finally came up with a way to reconcile the situation.
Upon seeing this, Okamura devalued his opinion of Sugiyama Gen. This kind of fueling tactics is obviously a taboo for military strategists. As the commander, General Sugiyama Gen. Gen. Sugiyama understands this, but he still does it. This
This shows that he did not want to offend most of the officers of the North China Expeditionary Force for extracting chestnuts from the Kwantung Arms, but he was also afraid of offending Tojo Hideki, a rising star in the Japanese military with a promising future.
Couldn't he understand that the consequence of not wanting to offend both parties would probably be to offend both parties?
After the meeting ended, Okamura Neiji was about to return to the headquarters of the Second Division, but Itagaki Seishiro came to Okamura Neiji and said, "Okamura-kun, can you please have the honor of having a meal with Itagaki?"
Okamura Neiji stared at Itagaki Seishiro for a while and then smiled reservedly and said: "I dare not ask you even if I wish, Okamura can't ask for it."
The two of them laughed and went hand in hand to a Japanese-owned hotel in Tianjin. They summoned Yi Ji and some fine sake and started drinking together. The two of them had a tacit understanding not to mention the differences in the meeting just now, but instead talked about it.
It was a windy and snowy night.
After three drinks and five dishes, Itagaki Seishiro bent down and filled the wine glass in front of Okamura Neji with sake, then said with a smile: "Okamura-kun, there are not many of our classmates in the 16th period now. Those who have retired, for
His Majesty the Emperor died in battle, and there are not many people who can still sit and drink together like us."
"Yes." Neji Okamura nodded with emotion: "Thirty-five years have passed in the blink of an eye since we graduated. Many of our classmates died in battles and retired. There are indeed not many left.
"
Itagaki Seishiro raised his glass with a smile, "Haha, we won't talk about these disappointing topics today. Okamura-kun, you just got married a few years ago and I didn't congratulate you in person because of my busy military affairs. I'm really sorry. I'm here to give you my congratulations."
"I apologize." After saying this, Itagaki Seishiro bowed at 90 degrees to show his apology.
Okamura sighed and shook his head in silence, and then said for a long time: "Since Eda's death, I have not remarried, and we didn't get married until the year before last. Let's not talk about this. Let's talk about today's events first. Itagaki-kun, can you tell me?
Why are you opposed to sending the 5th Flying Division to Manchuria? Are you just trying to vent your anger on Ishihara-kun?"
"No, no." Itagaki Seishiro shook his head: "It is true that Ishihara-kun and I are close friends. Although Itagaki is not talented, he would not do such a thing that would undermine public affairs for personal reasons. The reason why I stopped this matter is
In order to reserve a flying force for our North China Expeditionary Force that can withstand the axes of Chahar’s regime.”
"Oh, how do you say this?" Okamura asked curiously.
Seishiro Itagaki picked up the glass and drank it all before angrily saying, "Okamura-kun, I ask you, why does our empire keep losing in battles against Chahar's army?"
Okamura Neji smiled bitterly, "Is Itagaki-kun trying to test me? The Chahar army is well-equipped and well-disciplined, especially their fighter planes are much more advanced than the empire's. Through my observation, I found that this Su Tong fought
He is always quite satisfactory. I have watched and speculated on his tactics many times. His tactics come and go just like this. They are nothing more than planes bombing cannons first, and then infantry or tanks charging. Nothing new. But.
It's such a simple move, but our imperial team has repeatedly put it in his hands. Let's reconcile."
At this point, the two of them looked at each other and said in unison: "Absolute strength."
Itagaki Seishiro also sighed: "Yes, absolute strength, all conspiracies and tricks are so pale and powerless in the face of absolute strength. That's why I was so anxious to stop that thing. You must know that the fighters in the Seventh Theater are better than
We are much more advanced. I can conclude that even if we send the entire Fifth Flying Division to Manchuria, we will only be providing food to the Chahar government. Rather than letting them die, it is better to retain our strength."
"Humph" Okamura disagreed with Seishiro Itagaki's words, "Itagaki-kun is too pessimistic. It is true that our aircraft lag behind the fighters in the seventh theater, but we cannot passively avoid the war because of this."
A brave warrior must dare to face a powerful opponent and draw his sword, even if he is defeated, his reputation as a warrior will not be damaged."
"Haha, Okamura-kun, don't forget, this is not a fight between street samurai, but a fight about the fate of a pilot regiment. If you lose, you won't even have a chance to make up for it." Seishiro Itagaki, who was born in a business family.
Obviously, he has a different understanding of Okamura's samurai theory, so he doesn't really buy it.
"Humph, Mr. Itagaki, how can your businessman's theory be related to Bushido? This is related to the rise and fall of the empire." Neji Okamura also argued sparks.
"No, no, no," Itagaki Seishiro shook his head, "In my opinion, governing a country is no different from doing business. They both require the pursuit of maximum benefits at the minimum cost. What is the purpose of our military's existence?
, is nothing more than seeking greater benefits for the empire. Just like when we fight a war, we want to exchange minimal casualties for greater gains."
"You Itagaki-kun, have you forgotten the oath we swore in school?" Okamura Neji pointed at Itagaki Seishiro and was so angry that he was speechless. Two soldiers with two different ideas were in the hotel.
An argument broke out.
"I have not forgotten, but don't you think that unnecessary sacrifices should not be made?" Itagaki Seishiro sighed as he looked at Okamura Neji eating.
"Hmph, it seems that you have completely forgotten the teachings of your school supervisor, Captain Ogoshi Kenkichi, and are becoming more and more greedy for life and afraid of death." Okamura Neji stood up suddenly, "It's not enough to say anything. In that case,
Okamura said goodbye."
Seeing Okamura Neji walking out angrily, Itagaki Seishiro silently poured a glass of wine and drank it by himself, murmuring: "Did I do something wrong by reserving a division's aircraft for the empire?
Or are you so confident, Okamura-kun, that you can deal with the Chinese planes?"