Age of Rebirth

"How to reward?" Emperor Hirohito asked, and the ministers who were still immersed in the excitement knew it all in their hearts, and they each figured out what to say, and added another touch of icing on the cake.

This guy Yamamoto 56 has made such great achievements, the reward is certain, but it is impossible to be promoted to the military rank. , nothing more than medals and titles!

Emperor Hirohito obviously had more to say. When the ministers were still thinking, he said with emotion: "Aiki Yamamoto is a genius who is proficient in commanding the army and navy. The battle laid the foundation for the victory of the empire in America. Great expectations, lived up to the expectations of the people!"

"At the beginning, when I chose to attack the United States, I used to weigh between Aiki Yamamoto and Aiqing Ito. It was quite difficult to make a decision. Now it seems that my decision is very correct. Aiki Yamamoto is not only good at commanding the navy In combat, you are also good at commanding the army, you can be said to be an all-rounder, compared to your lovers who were born in the army, you don’t hesitate to make more concessions, but you can’t command the navy!"

Emperor Hirohito expressed his feelings, thanking himself for his knowledge of people, and granted Yamamoto 56 arbitrary power so that he could unify his affairs and powers without any constraints. Facts have proved that Yamamoto really gave himself a face. If he had continued to use Ito Gensaburo , I'm afraid, there is no such thing as today.

The words of Emperor Hirohito were quite shocking, and the generals of the army felt very uncomfortable, "Before the reward for Aiqing Yamamoto is determined, it should be said that the imperial army successfully landed on the west coast of the United States. The good news. Immediately inform the whole world and all citizens!" He continued excitedly.

General Mitsuko Minai, with mixed feelings in his heart, was sincerely happy for Japan's initial victory in attacking the United States.And because of this great achievement, which was exclusively enjoyed by the navy, he felt aggrieved in his heart. The landing battle was fought by the army as the main force, but in the end it became the navy's credit. Where can we justify it?

If at the beginning, Yan Saburo Ito had not left the post of deputy commander of the Imperial North American Combat Command.This great contribution, no matter what, is half of the army. Seeing that His Majesty the Emperor is a little overjoyed.Seeing the proud expression on Nagano Xiushan's face, he couldn't help but pour some cold water on his head!

"Your Majesty, with the victory of the imperial army, it is good to boost the morale of the people in the country!" Minai Koichi said slowly: "However, the initial progress made so far is not enough to prove that the landing operation has been completely won. The Americans are sure. We will fight back, the battle will be very fierce and cruel, after all, our landing force is only 10,000+ people!"

"And our second batch of landing troops is still on the sea in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and we won't arrive at the battlefield until tomorrow morning. Tonight is the most critical moment. It depends on whether the landing troops commanded by Mr. Yamamoto can withstand the counterattack of the Americans. Could it be safer to wait until tomorrow to inform all the citizens of this matter?"

"What a jealous old bastard!" Admiral Nagano Shuzan, the Minister of the Navy, couldn't help cursing in his heart. As soon as Koichi Minai said it, he understood what it meant. Whether Yamamoto could really win the landing battle? Not sure yet, naked envy, jealousy and hatred!

Koichi Miuichi poured the basin of cold water down, and Emperor Hirohito's feverish mind also calmed down a little. He absolutely did not believe that the imperial army that had successfully landed would fail and be driven out of the sea by the Americans. But after all, it has not yet completely It's good to stand firm and be safe!

Minai Koichi was right in saying, "It depends on whether Yamamoto can withstand the counterattack of the Americans!" Therefore, at the critical moment, the honor that the Imperial Army needs is the highest honor that can boost the morale and morale of the army!

"I have already decided that the news of the Imperial Army's successful landing can be postponed until tomorrow, but the reward must be announced immediately!" Emperor Hirohito said. "Immediately, in my name, notify the entire army, and award the first three Marine Corps divisions, six Army divisions, and the four squadrons of the Navy United Fleet escorting the title of 'Guardian Division'!"

"At the same time, tell all the soldiers who are fighting for the empire that I will never be stingy with honor. In the subsequent battles, the division that performed well will also receive this honorary title awarded by me personally. The chance is greater than that of every army. , are all equal, it depends on whether you have the ability to get it!"

The title of "Guardian Division" is the highest honor for the Japanese army. It has always been the Imperial Guard of the Emperor of Japan, and it will only enjoy this honor. Other troops, even if they have made great contributions, No matter how impressive the record is, don't even think about dubbing it the title of "Guardian Division". Think about it, being a bodyguard for the half-human, half-god emperor is something that ordinary troops can do?

Moreover, this honorary title is for all the officers and soldiers of the army. It is a collective honor. The officers and soldiers of the Guards Division have a sense of arrogance and superiority. When they see other officers and soldiers who are not Guards Divisions, they immediately One level higher, and the treatment of the Guards Division is extremely high, and the latest equipment is given priority. Therefore, ordinary Japanese division-level troops have to get the title of "Guards Division" even if they break their heads.

The minister gave a burst of sincere admiration, "His Majesty the Emperor is indeed wise and wise. Once this edict is issued, the imperial troops behind will not fight desperately. It is really wise to get the three armies to work together for a title. Extreme!"

In the early morning of December [-]th, the gloomy sky finally cleared the dark clouds and ushered in a sunny day. In the eastern sky, the morning sun has already revealed a bright red corner. Lieutenant General Hirano Yoshiki, standing on the land in the western suburbs of Los Angeles , took a deep breath of the air containing the smell of gunpowder smoke and blood, narrowed his eyes covered with bloodshot eyes, rumbling gunfire, intensive gunfire, echoed in the cold air in the early morning, indicating that this early morning is bloody.

On an extremely tragic night, the American soldiers went crazy, regardless of casualties, and fought desperately all night. Lieutenant General Hirano did not know that the troops under his command repelled the American troops in the direction of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Eureka. After several counterattacks, the battlefield on the west coast of the United States has almost become a meat grinder. On the four battlefields, soldiers from both sides are broken and incomplete, and the blood has solidified corpses, covering the ground.

The intensity and cruelty of the battle was unprecedented. Even Lieutenant General Hirano himself was hit by a piece of shell skin. Fortunately, it was not serious, and his left arm was bandaged. It was many years later that he was injured again. I remember the last time he was injured. It was still at Lushunkou in Manchuria, when the Russians fought. At that time, Lieutenant General Hirano was only a second lieutenant.

The pain from the wound on his arm made Lieutenant General Hirano's mind clearer. He knew that after this hellish night, he had won. The landing force finally defended the landing site under the crazy counterattack of the US army and was not driven off. The sea, now, the vigor and morale of the Americans have been exhausted, and they can no longer organize a decent counterattack!

But the price paid by the soldiers of the empire is also very high. As far as the situation of its No.14 Army is concerned, there are two first-class divisions with more than 5000 people. Up to now, there are less than 13 people left, and the casualties are close to One-third, on the other three battlefields, the casualties of the imperial troops were roughly the same. According to the statistics, the army's six divisions participated in the landing operations, [-] people, and the remaining troops were only more than [-] people. !

The reward for paying a heavy price is to defend the three landing sites and survive until the second batch of landing troops is about to reach the battlefield, "I just don't know, the marines who attacked Eureka, those guys How about casualties?" Lieutenant General Hirano thought to himself.

"Shido-kun, send a telegram to Commander Yamamoto. So far, the landing sites in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Eureka are still under our control! And please inform the headquarters of the exact time when the second batch of landing troops will arrive at the battlefield!" He gave instructions to the chief of staff, Major General Shinto.

Off the coast of Portland, in the command cabin of the flagship of the Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet, Admiral Yamamoto was watching carefully. The imperial edict issued by Emperor Hirohito said, "Is it the honorary title of the Imperial Guard Division! I really did not expect that His Majesty the Emperor praised North America so much." The troops of the Combat Command, counting the four escort squadrons, have thirteen guard divisions at once, which is unprecedented!" His face showed a very proud smile.

"Commander, Lieutenant General Hirano is calling!" Lieutenant General Matsuda, Chief of Staff of the United Fleet, handed over a telegram and said.

General Yamamoto finished reading the telegram, thought for a moment, and said: "Call back to Lieutenant General Hirano, His Majesty the Emperor conferred the honorary title of Guards Division on the first batch of landing troops, and ordered him to report to all units immediately, and at the same time, tell Lieutenant General Hirano that the first The second batch of landing troops will arrive at the battlefield on the west coast of the United States at around [-]:[-] am!"

In the ruins of downtown Los Angeles, in the underground headquarters of the US West Coast Defense Command, a stretcher was hurriedly brought in. On the stretcher, Lieutenant General Peng Rack, the commander-in-chief of the Defense Headquarters, was lying on it with blood and weak breathing. It seemed that his injuries were extremely serious, and even a thick bandage couldn't stop the blood from seeping out.

Compared with Lieutenant Admiral Pengrak's opponent, Lieutenant Admiral Hirano Yoshiki, he was undoubtedly unlucky. A Japanese warship fired a large-caliber naval gun shell and exploded nearby. If it weren't for these guards who acted as human shields, Lieutenant General Peng Rack would not have escaped the fate of becoming a pile of minced meat.

When the staff officers exclaimed and hurriedly dug the commander out of the mud, Lieutenant General Peng Rack was already dying, and several shrapnel hit the vital parts.

When the stretcher arrived in the infirmary, the chief of staff, Rear Admiral Woolsey, who heard the news, shouted sharply from a long distance: "Quickly arrange the best military doctor to operate on the commander!"

(to be continued) (to be continued...)