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Chapter 1,444: Political Turmoil (Part 2)

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    However, just when Hideki Tojo was busy fighting with his domestic political opponents, an international news suddenly disrupted his plan - the Italian coup and the fall of Mussolini.

    Italy is an indispensable part of the three-nation axis of Germany, Italy and Japan, and it is also an extremely important ally of Japan in the international arena.

    ¡°But no one expected that this ally would fail so quickly. Even Mussolini, who had been in power in Italy for more than 20 years, was ousted. The impact on Japan can be imagined.

    In fact, as early as May of Showa 18 (1943), the German and Italian Axis forces in North Africa ended their resistance. At the same time, the American and British Allied Forces were preparing for the next large-scale battle.

    On July 10, the U.S. and British Allied Forces, with the support of superior naval and air forces, began to land in the southeastern part of Sicily.

    After that, the American and British troops and the German and Italian troops who landed on the island repeatedly fought to the death. However, the disadvantaged German and Italian troops were finally forced to the direction of the communication line behind Messina. By late July, the general trend of the battle was basically  Already decided.

    Under this situation, a coup suddenly occurred in Italy on July 25.

    In order to negotiate countermeasures for the landing of American and British troops in Sicily, Mussolini, who was meeting with President Hitler at Feltre, a summer resort in northern Italy, hurriedly returned after receiving reports of the bombing of Rome by the American and British Allied Forces. However, the anti-government forces  Work is already underway step by step.

    The royalists in the Fascist Party, centered on Count Grange and others, forced General Mussolini to agree to convene a grand council of the Fascist Party, and finally asked him to resign. The fascist regime that had ruled Italy for 20 years was thus in danger.  It declared a collapse.

    After Commander Mussolini stepped down and was succeeded by former Chief of Staff Marshal Badoglio, the King of Italy personally took command of the army, navy and air force and announced that he would resolutely continue the war of resistance.

    Faced with the above-mentioned coup, Japan and Germany calmly observed the development of the situation. On the 27th, the new Italian government authorities made it clear that Italy¡¯s policy remained unchanged. Therefore, the two countries decided to support the new government and continue to move in the direction of promoting a common war among the three countries.

    However, Italy¡¯s surrender was only a matter of time after all.

    On August 17, the resistance of the Italian army in Sicily ended completely, and the situation of the US and British troops landing on the Italian mainland gradually took shape. Subsequently, the British and Canadian (Canadian) armies finally invaded the southern tip of the Italian mainland, Reggio Garabria.  Afterwards, this landing force gradually expanded its territory to the north.

    It was only a matter of time before Italy surrendered. Coupled with the repeated defeats of its own army in the Pacific region, Tojo Hideki's prestige was once again challenged and he doubled the pressure.

    At the same time, domestic political opponents are finally no longer hiding and are preparing for a showdown with him.

    On August 30, Konoe Fumimaro, Okada Keisuke and others invited Tojo Hideki to the Chinese Association Hall as planned, with the purpose of forcing him to step down.

    After receiving the news, Tojo Hideki had already seen through their intentions. He came with Foreign Minister Shigemitsu Aoi, Tibetan Minister Kaguya Xingxuan, Marine Minister Shitaro Shimada, and Planning Institute President Suzuki Sadaichi.

    Originally, the original plan was for Okada Keisuke to first blame the defeat of the war, Yonei to criticize Tojo Hideki, and Konoe Fumimaro to advise Tojo to resign.  If Tojo Hideki refuses to comply, Reijiro Wakatsuki submits a memorial on behalf of the important ministers and introduces the traitor Ugaki.

    But after Hideki Tojo arrived, Mitsumasa Yoneuchi didn't criticize a word, and no one criticized on his behalf. Only Reijiro Wakatsuki said: "The war situation is not good, and the government only talks nice things." Even the most sharp one.  Criticized.

    Tojo Hideki formally reported the battle situation, and then everyone had an awkward meal and ended early.

    Nakano Masago who was waiting in a daze called Mita Village and learned that the banquet was over. Konoe Fumimaro and others did not come here and went straight back to the villa. At this time, Nakano Masago could only let out a long sigh.

    Such a result was expected by Tojo Hideki, because no one dared to take over this mess under the current situation, not even the Grand Duke Ugaki, who had the high hopes of the important ministers, and the prince whom Nakano Masa just valued was even more worried.  no.

    After dismantling the anti-cabinet movement of domestic political opponents, Tojo Hideki ordered the military police to first arrest Mitamura, a close confidant of Masato Nakano, on September 6 for "violating the publication law."

    By interrogating Mitamura and pulling out the radish and bringing out the mud, the cabinet-breaking activities of Nakano Masato and his important ministers were uncovered. According to the "Revised Wartime Penal Code", this is the "crime of disorder in state affairs."

    Then, more than 100 "special officers" from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested more than 100 people from three groups including Nakano Masaru's Oriental Gay Association.  The charge of arresting Nakano Masako was "gossip" because Nakano Masako once told young people in the group that "Japan is going to be defeated."

     But at this moment, Italy surrendered!

    Italy's surrender came much earlier than Germany and Japan expected. They all believed that Italy could resist at least until the end of the year, but no one expected that Italy would announce its surrender on September 7, and this was without the consent of Germany and Japan.  Announcement issued with understanding.

    For Japan, it had been expected that Italy would leave the Axis camp since the emergence of the Badoglio government, so it was not actually affected much by Italy's surrender by breaking the Japan-Germany-Italy Triple Alliance and the covenant not to make a separate peace.

    After receiving the report of Italy's surrender, the base camp and the government immediately held a joint meeting in accordance with advance preparations. Later, Japan issued the "Imperial Government Statement": "The Italian Badoglio government has unconditionally surrendered to the United States and Britain. This is a sign of respect for the three countries of Japan, Germany and Italy."  The empire deeply regrets the betrayal of the alliance and the covenant not to conclude a separate peace. However, the imperial government had long expected this and had taken precautions. This incident had no impact on the overall situation of the war. The empire will be more determined to win.  belief."

    "The Empire is determined to cooperate more closely with Germany and other European allies, as well as the countries and nations of Greater East Asia, and resolutely crush its old enemy the United States and Britain. The 100 million citizens must further carry forward the brave and fighting spirit and tenacity of the three thousand years of tradition, and truly one hundred million are one heart,  Resolutely exert the greatest fighting power to achieve the purpose of jihad in order to comfort Chen Jin."

    While issuing the above statement, Japan also steadily and quickly took substantive measures against Italy.

    As of the 14th, the following dispositions had been completed, that is, the Italian troops in various parts of East Asia had been disarmed, Italy's rights and interests in East Asia had been taken over, and some ships had been detained, including seven ships including the spy ship Calitea and  12 ships, including the merchant ship Quinte Wilde, with a total gross tonnage of 46,000, conducted surveillance on Italian nationals.

    In addition, negotiations are still ongoing with Germany on the issue of continuing the common war.

    On September 15, Japan once again issued the "Japan-Germany Joint Statement". The Japanese and German governments confirmed that the Three Kingdoms Alliance still exists, and stated their determination to strengthen the ties between Japan and Germany and move forward to complete the common war.

    Despite this, the turbulent political situation at home and abroad has sounded the alarm to Japan's militaristic government, and Japan's failure has become increasingly difficult to conceal.

    As Japan¡¯s top military and political commander at this time, Tojo Hideki also had to face this problem squarely.

    In addition, the Southern Army suffered a defeat in the Solomon Islands not long ago. It was foreseeable that the US military would expand its offensive and even intend to attack the Japanese mainland. Therefore, the Japanese base camp discussed countermeasures at the imperial meeting on September 30 and determined  The "absolute national defense circle" that must be protected.

    And based on this, establish a new command system, increase defensive forces, determine the maritime and air transportation organization and the accumulation base of various materials, establish a defense system and coordination between the army and navy, etc.

    According to regulations, the "absolute defense circle" that must be protected includes the Kuril Islands, the Japanese mainland and the Ogasawara Islands, the Mariana Islands, the Truk Islands, the Western Caroline Islands, the western half of New Guinea, the Southeast Islands, and Tatsumi  Within the scope of other islands, Java Island, Sumatra Island, Nicobar Islands, Andaman Islands, and Myanmar.

    In order to ensure an absolute defense circle, prevent the US military from approaching the Philippines from the southern sea area, and enhance the defense of western New Guinea and the Maguru Islands, the Japanese base camp decided to continue to transfer elite troops from the Kwantung Army to join the Southern Army's combat sequence.

    First, the headquarters of the 2nd Army of General Anamiguchi stationed in Qiqihar was transferred to Halmahera Island south of the Philippines, and then the headquarters of Lieutenant General Fusutaro Toshima's 2nd Army stationed in the Yanji area was transferred to Manoqua in western New Guinea.  inside.

    At the same time, the 18th Army was established, and Lieutenant General Anda 23rd, Chief of Staff of the North China Front, was transferred as the commander to defend the northern coastal area of ??New Guinea Island.

    As the order from the base camp was issued, a large number of senior commanders including General Yoshiki Anami, Lieutenant General Numata Takazo, Lieutenant General Kitano Kenzo, Lieutenant General Fuotaro Toshima, Lieutenant General Hachiro Tagami, and Lieutenant General Adachi 23  Evacuation from the Chinese battlefield.

    At the same time, a large number of elite troops were evacuated, including the 36th Division stationed in Shanxi, the Second Army stationed in Yanji, Jilin Province, and the 7th Flying Division, etc., totaling more than 70,000 people.

    The transfer of a large number of Japanese troops from the Chinese battlefield greatly weakened the combat effectiveness of the Japanese troops on the Chinese battlefield and also gave the Chinese army an opportunity to counterattack.  (Remember the website address: www.hlnovel.com
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