When Tojo Hideki and the other two heard this, their expressions suddenly shrank, and they thought something in their minds.
Compared with the Fourth Battle of Songhu, Tojo Hideki and the other three were most concerned and worried about how to deal with the issues left over after the defeat of the Guards Division and the 7th Division.
Since the battlefield is in urban Shanghai, envoys from Western countries and media reporters can observe the actual battlefield at close range, so they can often accurately and timely grasp the progress and results of the battlefield. What's more, the Songhu Independent Regiment not only has independent
Radio stations, and from time to time also hold special press conferences.
Therefore, the results of the Third Battle of Songhu cannot be concealed even if we want to.
One of the cruelest facts is that the performance of the Guards Division and the Seventh Division in the Third Battle of Songhu, through the publicity of these Western envoys to China and media reporters, has completely become the laughing stock of the world. The British
, the media in France and even the United States have publicized this and ridiculed it with utmost cynicism.
Germany even sent a special inquiry message for this purpose, requesting the Japanese Army Ministry to provide a written explanation on this matter.
Obviously, the disastrous defeat in the Third Battle of Songhu made Germany seriously doubt the combat effectiveness of the Japanese army. It is said that German Air Marshal Göring even privately threatened that Japan would only drag down Germany and the Kingdom of Italy, and was not worthy of becoming one of the three major powers.
One of the Axis Allies should be replaced by Hungary.
At the moment, Japan is making every effort to join the Axis alliance with Germany and Italy as the core.
At such a critical juncture, a tragedy occurred such as the annihilation of the Guards Division and the 7th Division. It is no wonder that Marshal Göring of the German Air Force despised the Japanese army. It is no wonder that Germany had a serious impact on the combat effectiveness of the Japanese army.
I doubt it, because the Guards Division is the Guards of the Japanese Imperial Family, but in the end, a Chinese regiment was completely wiped out!
What kind of situation China is in, no one in the West knows better than the Germans, because before this, Germany and China had a five-year honeymoon period, and even until the Battle of Songhu broke out, none of the Chinese troops were still
There were a large number of German military advisers working. Falkenhausen even went to the front line in person during the first stage of the Battle of Songhu and personally directed the tank attack on the Huishan Pier. Unfortunately, it ended in failure.
In the words of a German consultant, China is big and poor, and its industrial base is extremely weak. Except for the mining and textile industries, it can hardly produce any decent industries. The military industry is also so weak that it can even make bullets and
The steel for the cannonballs has to be imported, and it cannot be self-sufficient.
The Germans are even more familiar with China's armed forces.
Speaking of which, the fifty-nine quasi-German armorers who participated in the First Battle of Songhu were organized and trained with the help of the German military advisory group. In the eyes of rigorous Germans, the Chinese army has the best in the world.
Soldiers and low-level officers with strong will and quality, but when it comes to the level of weapons and equipment, they are completely scum.
German military advisers in China generally believe that the combat effectiveness of one light infantry division of the German Wehrmacht is at least equivalent to five divisions of the National Army. If logistical support factors are added, the gap between the two sides will be even greater.
The combat effectiveness of the Chinese army is so weak, but now, the two divisions that the Japanese army invested in the Songhu battlefield have actually been completely wiped out by a regiment of the Chinese army, and one of the two divisions that was completely wiped out
It's the Guards Division. The Germans are no strangers to Japan's Guards Division. This is equivalent to a stormtrooper!
Therefore, the Germans could not help but have serious doubts about the combat effectiveness of the Japanese army.
Therefore, this matter is very difficult. Since the face of the royal family must be preserved and the negative impact must be restored internationally, it is especially difficult to restore the Germans' confidence in the Japanese Army! Before coming to see Hirohito, the three old devils
We have been discussing it at the War Department for a long time, but in the end we can only come up with nothing.
Tojo Hideki said: "In terms of specific command, it can be said that it was because Itagaki Seishiro made serious mistakes, which resulted in a serious disconnect between the front-line infantry regiment and the rear headquarters, which gave the Songhu Independent Regiment an opportunity to take advantage of.
opportunity, so I think Itagaki Seishiro should bear full responsibility."
Itagaki Seishiro has been defeated and committed suicide. The so-called courage of the army has become a joke. The Japanese base camp no longer has the need to protect his reputation. Therefore, the responsibility for the defeat of the Third Songhu Battle can be entirely placed on him.
, it is said that his improper command led to the failure.
Tojo Hideki's implication was that this was all Itagaki Seishiro's fault. The Guards Division and the 7th Division were all victims and sacrifices, so they did not need to bear responsibility.
In fact, this is still a consistent practice of shirking responsibility.
This is not only true for the national army, but also for the Japanese.
Kanin Gong Zai Ren and Temple Shouichi also echoed and expressed their agreement.
However, what surprised the three old devils was that Hirohito was very dissatisfied.
Hirohito frowned and said: "Tojo-kun, in this battle, Itagaki-kun certainly had improper command, but you said that he made serious mistakes, which caused a serious disconnect between the front-line infantry regiment and the rear headquarters, which is inconsistent with the facts.
It doesn’t match. As far as I know, his headquarters is only five kilometers away from the front line, so how can it be considered out of touch?”
"This..." Tojo Hideki was immediately speechless. Your Majesty, what is going on?
The Guards Division is the face of the royal family, shouldn't it be justified for the Guards Division?
Kanin Gong Zaijin and Temple Shouichi also looked at each other, a little confused for a moment.
However, Hirohito soon revealed the mystery and said: "Tojo-kun, you don't have to downplay the faults of the Guards Division just to worry about the royal family's face. Incompetence is incompetence. The performance of the Guards Division in this battle is simply
It's just like shit. There's nothing to hide. Moreover, if you conceal and beautify it like this, once Western countries see through it, it will be an even bigger scandal! Instead of making things more embarrassing in the future, it's better to reveal the truth now.
, correct mistakes and try to make up for shortcomings. This is a positive attitude."
Tojo Hideki immediately flushed with embarrassment, and felt a little excited in his heart: He is really our emperor!
At that moment, Tojo Hideki said excitedly: "Your Majesty, this is because I am ignorant."
After a short pause, Tojo Hideki said: "In this case, the establishment of the First Guards Infantry Regiment will be abolished according to regulations, and will not be allowed to be restored in the future. From now on, the Guards Division will only have three infantry regiments. This
It is a shame, but it is also a whip for all the officers and soldiers of the Guards Division, making them work harder to serve His Majesty the Emperor."
"This is not enough." Hirohito waved his hand and said, "In my opinion, it is not just the First Guards Infantry Regiment, there are three remaining Guards Infantry Regiments, Guards Field Artillery Regiment, and Guards Cavalry Regiment.
The regiment and the Guards Baggage Regiment have also been disbanded, and the numbers of the Guards Division no longer need to be retained and will be permanently deactivated!"
"Nani?" Tojo Hideki was immediately stunned. The entire Guards Division was going to be abolished?
Kanin Gong Zaijin and Terauchi Shouichi were also confused. This would be too long for the ambition of the Chinese people. Once the news spread, the Chinese people would go crazy with joy? Especially the Songhu Independent Group, they would definitely say, everyone, look!
, the arrogant Japanese Royal Guards Division was beaten to the point of disbandment by us!
Doing this is not conducive to boosting morale!
Xianyuan Gong Zairen whispered: "Your Majesty, I thought..."
However, before Kanin Gong Zaijin could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Hirohito.
Hirohito raised his hand to interrupt Hanin Gong Zaijin, and said: "Uncle Imperial, I haven't finished speaking yet. I believe that the designation of the Guards Division will be permanently deactivated and the existing Guards Regiment will be abolished.
Then, the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Guards Infantry Regiments will be newly formed, and then on this basis, the 2nd Guards Division will be newly formed!"
After a pause, Hirohito continued: "The formation of the Second Guards Division must be done quickly. Even if it is only formed into an infantry regiment, we must prop up the frame of the Second Guards Division and let it be put into action.
Until the Fourth Battle of Songhu."
Upon hearing this, the eyes of Tojo Hideki, Kanin Miya Zaijin and Terauchi Juichi lit up immediately.
Brilliant! It is indeed brilliant! In this way, it not only saved the face of the royal family to a certain extent, but also showed to the world the determination of the Japanese royal family to realize its shame and then be brave. Our Guards Division was indeed defeated. A defeat is a defeat. It is regarded as a failure.
Violators should be punished accordingly. Look, we have even permanently deactivated the designation of the Guards Division!
But we will never be discouraged, let alone admit defeat. Wherever we fall, we must stand up again!
"Your Majesty the Emperor is wise!" Tojo Hideki was really convinced this time. He paused and then asked, "Your Majesty, what should we do with the Seventh Division?"
Hirohito said: "Rebuild on the same spot."
Tojo Hideki whispered: "But Hokkaido's population is sparse, and I'm afraid there won't be enough reservists."
"Then we will still supplement from Aomori, Iwate, and Yamagata prefectures." Hirohito waved his hand and continued, "These are small things, you can just take care of them. Now let's talk about the Third Battle of Songhu in detail.
I really want to know what happened at that time? Why were the headquarters of the 12th Army, the division headquarters of the two divisions, and the artillery positions of the 4th Field Heavy Artillery Brigade were destroyed overnight? And
Are the troops on the front line unaware of this?"
"This..." Tojo Hideki said in embarrassment, "I am asking people to step up the investigation. However, due to the complete destruction of the Guards Division and the Seventh Division, including the personnel of the Twelfth Army Headquarters,
Almost no one has escaped, so so far, there are no results."
"Baga." Hirohito said angrily, "Not a single survivor?"
"That's not true." Tojo Hideki said quickly, "At least Okahara-kun escaped."
"Oluhara-kun?" Hirohito frowned, "Let him return home immediately, and then report to me in person what happened on the Songhu battlefield."