The Sun is Rising - Japan AAR

[Holy.Death]

"Hakko ichiu" (All the world under one roof).

It came from the south. The Great Depression that engulfed the world, leaving countries - both great and small - stunned in its wake. But not Japan. The Japan has survived, endured, and emerged even stronger than before. In response to the growing threat of "ABCD nations", as well as many other foreign influences in the past centuries, nationalist and military tendencies escalated, strenghtened even more by unquestioned loyality that formed the foundation of the japanese culture. The Land of the Cherry Blossom is hungry for resources, and for greatness. People across the country agree that drastic measures are to be employed to ensure domination of the Empire in the region. The strategy has been formed. The Sun is Rising, heralding the Dawn of the Empire in the Far East.

The thundering of hooves can be heard in the distance. The Four Riders of the Apocalypse are coming...

Rules:

- This ARR will be directed from the strategic point of view, it is encouraged by unique situation of Japan.
- Narration will be most likely mixed, but with emphasis on historic book.
- I intend to hand most of the combat to AI, with some exceptions if I see something really stupid, to ensure that the game will be more interesting.

Table of Contents (click on the name of the chapter to go there):

- The Dawn of the Empire.
- The Gathering the Storm.
- The Invasion of Poland.

Coming:

- The Storm.

[son of liberty]

How about giving explanations of the how and why of your builds, plans, research etc...?

[Cybvep]

Subscribed.

[Holy.Death]

How about giving explanations of the how and why of your builds, plans, research etc...?

Of course, all my actions (including research, plans, troops deployment and much more) will be explained. First update will be centred around war preparations and possible war scenarios (vs USA, vs Shanxi and more). I will also provide updates for broad-world events, like possible German attack on France or situation of the Italian colonial army stationed overseas, as this is strategically important for Japan and my plans.

[Ticket Cookie]

Will be following.

If I good remenber, you have already made an another Japanese AAR?

[Holy.Death]

If I good remenber, you have already made an another Japanese AAR?

Yes, but not here. I wasn't aware about these forums back then and came after CK2's release, interested by the demo.

[Avindian]

Should be interesting. Subscribed!

[Cybvep]

BTW don't you think that Japan AARs have suddenly become very popular?

[Holy.Death]

Three elements of the Japanese Strategy.

Water: Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) protects the Emperor and His Empire. Naval superiority is the key to protect Japan; it's the fleet that that transports troops and supplies, it's the fleet that shields the islands of Japan from enemy invasion forces, it's the fleet that provides protection for convoys and vital resources needed for national industry to function properly. Terrain is difficult at best, riddled with hills, mountains and jungles, and infrastructure across Asia and Pacific isles is severely underdeveloped, making ports important supply nods for Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). Navy can offer support to ground units stationed near the coastline which will be imperative if any invasion force is to land successfully on the shores of China or Shanxi. Carriers are the future of the naval warfare and of Japan as they'll be able to join combat when needed - in the air, on the ground or at the sea. Important is to improve range of all sea vessels in the future in case of combat on the high seas as well as increasing reach of IJN in any kind of operation. The enemy fleets and other colonial forces will have to station in ports, they will require supplies to act effectively, making enemy convoys obvious targets for submarines. As the ships will sustain damage the Civil Defence is to be enacted to incorporate people into Japan's war effort by assisting in reparation of the IJN.

Air: Due to the size of the Empire (estimated over 2,500 square kilometers in straight line), arduous terrain and not uniformed land masses (as Japan is consisted of both isles as parts of the continent of Asia) Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAR) is second force that will play a great role in the war. Because supply is hard to transport in the traditional way air transport needs to be researched in order to provide supply drops where they'd be needed. In case of encirclement it's often the only way to keep troops fighting and it allows to drop paratroopers behind enemy lines, should the situation present itself. Torpedo bombers, carrying air-water missiles, (and interceptors) will support the IJN in defending the Japanese holdings laying overseas and attempt to destroy or damage any hostile vessel trying to sail on Imperial waters. Mobility of the IJAAR should allow to concentrate superior air forces where and when needed at a moment's notice. Bombers are to cooperate with ground units on the offensive and destroy infrastructure on the defensive to slow down the enemy and reduce their lines of supply.

Earth: IJN and IJAAR will require fuel in order to function, and a lot of it. This means that the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) will be consisting largely of infantry, with some mountain and marine divisions to relieve - if possible - regular troops not suited to fight in non-standard operations like mountain or amphibious warfare. Oil refinement must be improved to minimize lost of precious resource. Light and medium armor will be researched and produced in limited quantity and deployed in the area where it can be used to its fullest extent. Military police and garrison units are to be recruited to maintain order in the conquered territories and important areas like cities, airfields or ports. Their main goal is to hold potential enemy attack at bay for long enough for the other military wings to be able to respond with adequate force. Due to scare supplies divisions will most likely consists of two-three brigades per division unit. Not only will it reduce supply needs of front units but will allow to rotate divisions and compose larger front. In order to improve supply production and supply throughput research has been started.

Operational Scenarios has been laid down by the Imperial High Command to cover any possibility:

• Fox

After successful invasion on Manchukuo in 1931 on the Great Empire of Manchuria a Japanese-aligned puppet government has been established and served as staging ground for further invasion of China. Manchuria is a poor country, with no infrastructure other than narrow, muddy pathways cut through the deep jungle, hills and mountains. The Kwantung Army has been recalled from Manchukuo's wide borders to shorten the lines of supply. Korea has two large ports and better logistic network to supply a large number of troops. However, Manchuria won't be left alone against possible attack. The Liao and Songhua Rivers provide excellent natural defenses, this - coupled the fact that terrain near the rivers is riddled with mountains and hills - make this position a strong one. Garrison troops are boosted with regular infantry to make sure that Harbin - the capitol of Manchuria and important airfield in the region, Xinjing - will remain in the hands of JIA. Supply for the USSR will have to come through Trans-Siberian Railway or nearby port of Vladivostok, which is well defended. This is making the attack from the east very convenient and more likely to happen. These ports (Vladivostok and any other north of Sapporo) will guarded by the IJN, adjacent waters are to be patrolled by u-boots and smaller fleets make sure that no convoys will manage to get past the blockade. If the enemy will decide to assault regardless bombers will be tasked with attacking high-value targets of opportunity and further ruin possible supply routes, slowing the advance of ground troops in the process. Should the Harbin and the Great Empire of Manchura fall into the Soviets hands the second line of defense will be formed behind the Yalu and the Tuman Rivers at the north-korean border, in the area composed of mountains and uplands, with the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan surrounding the Korean Peninsula the IJN will be able to provide assist close to the coast.

• Lighting

Original plan to use Manchukuo as a base of operation to push further into China will be carried out. Operation Lighting, as it is called, anticipate three-phased attack on neighbouring Shanxi, the puppet state of China. In the first phase the IJA will attempt to lure Shanxi troops as deep into Manchuria as possible before launching major counter-offensive. If the enemy won't move too deep or even remain on its initial position then Shanxi Army will execute the second phase and engage the enemy while the Mongol Group will protect the rear of the whole army group, with orders to defend the river from any attack that might come from the north. The last phase is to drop parachute troopers behind the enemy lines, attacking targets of strategic importance (capitol, resources, etc). If the Republic of China will interfere capturing Beiping on the way to Taiyuan is considered, if not too well defended.

• Shield

In case of Operation Lighting not being executed fast enough and expected China intervention the Japan Imperial High Command has agreed to prepare for Operation Shield. The plan is to provide distraction and shield invasion of Shanxi by attacking the coast of China, largely exposed for the IJN. All ports - or beaches near them - will be invaded by marines, spearheading the attack. After the ports are captured regular infantry and mountain divisions will proceed, first securing the coast, linking all ports together, then attacking inland. Airfields, capitol of the Republic of China - Nanjing, enemy supply lines and surrounding the enemy forces are strategically important goals once the landing and securing the coastline is finished. Until the invasion is complete the Chinese ports are all under blockade, to prevent trade with the outside world, hit economy and ensure faster surrender of the foe. The Operation Lighting and Shield are both coordinated by Yamashita, the commander of the Japan Imperial Forces in the region.

• Water Barrier

Defense of the Japan islands in the event of war with the naval powers (Great Britain, United States of America) is impossible. Only viable strategy is to combine delay strategy and deep strategy - as long as ports on the Pacific Ocean stay in Japan hands the enemy can't reach Japan proper. Garrisons are to hold for as long as possible for the IJA, IJN and IJAAR to act. Attacking the enemy supply convoys is important as resources must be shipped from homeland and during transport convoy fleets are ripe targets, as well as intercepting and destroying enemy invasion fleets by the IJN. To fight the enemy the strategy of short jumps is to be enacted - hitting and capturing port after port to shorten the range of the enemy fleets. If the foreign navy can't reach Japan, or if their options are severely limited, then the IJN and IJAAR can concentrate their efforts in certain directions on the Pacific Ocean. Not only will the captured ports deprive the enemy of strategical possibilities and will strengthen the defense of the Empire's homeland, but they'll make an excellent staging points for the IJN to strike from.

______________________________

BTW don't you think that Japan AARs have suddenly become very popular?

Japan is very interesting country from many reasons and (unlike the Great Britain) her deeds are often fairly unknown for the Europeans. It's also the only major Axis power (historically speaking) in the Far East. Also I guess that's the impression because there are some active Japan AARs ongoing, but I guess there are other countries that are base for AARs more often, only they aren't as displayed on the front page as Japan ones.

Important: I didn't made much progress and I decided change game to alpha HPP under For the Motherland which I found very interesting to play with. Expect to change Operational Plans of Lighting and Shield a bit when I will be able to evaluate what needs to be changed due to some border changes in HPP (it is not much thought, so it shouldn't be too problematic). The rest of the ARR and overall plans will proceed as normal.

[Saithis]

Interesting start, I like your description of the Japanese war plans, it's a unique way to present it.

[Holy.Death]

The deplorable incident in the capital!

30/2/36

TOKYO, Wednesday. - in the early hours of the morning the center of Tokyo has been closed by soldiers of the Imperial Japan Army. The sounds of gunshots were heard in the distance. Metropolitan Police Department, Official Residence of the Home Minister Goto Fumio , the department of the Army, the General staff office, several newspaper companies, the Political Centers, including Tokyo districts; Nagata-cho, Kasumigaseki, Akasaka, and Miyake-zaka has been closed. The government forces surrounded the soldiers occupying Tokyo. No panic has been reported in the surrounding districts. In the afternoon a notice was announced by the name of Army Minister Kawashima:

"1. The purpose of your actions has been reported to His Majesty.
2. We recognize that your motives are based on a sincere desire to clarify the national polity.
3. The current situation concerning the [inadequate] manner in which the true nature of the national polity is being clarified (including its defilement) is a matter of great regret to us.
4. All the supreme war councilors have agreed to unite and move forward in accordance with the principles stated above.
5. Beyond this everything depends upon His Majesty's will."

TOKYO, Thursday. - Martial law has been proclaimed in order to prevent the crisis from spreading. The police and the navy officials are afraid as it might be the start of, what they think, military regime, but the Emperor's will must be done. According to ealier reports some of the government's officials were killed during the incident, however, exact facts are still unknown. It is confirmed that Prime Minister Okada was able to escape from his residence with help from the military police NCOs.

TOKYO, Saturday. - Between 5:10 and 8:30 the area has been closed and civilians were evacuated from the area of the incident. By the evening almost all rebelious troops has surrendered, with expection of Captain Nonaka who comitted suicide. Saito Makoto, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, Takahashi Korekiyo, Finance Minister, and Watanabe Jotaro, Inspector General of Military Training, are dead. Okada escaped assassination because the insurgents killed his brother-in-law, Captain Matsuo Denzo, by mistake. There are casualties amongst on-duty policemen and soldiers loyal to the government. The Emperor Himself will honor the fallen. Soldiers and officers responsible for the whole affair are in custody, awaiting trial.

Boycott of the Second London Naval Treaty

26/3/36

TOKYO, Thursday. - The Second London Naval Disarmament Conference opened in London, the United Kingdom, on 9 December 1935. It resulted in the Second London Naval Treaty which was signed on 25 March 1936. The main goal of the Treaty was to limit technological race of major powers by investing large sums in naval technology and large fleets, to prevent bankruptcy. In theory. In reality, the purpose of it was to ensure that the United Kingdoms will remain the main naval player. Our Heavenly Sovereign saw the Treaty as yet another attempt to limit our State's greatness and refused to take part in it. Italy and Germany also didn't sign the Treaty.

Anti-Comintern Pact signed

6/10/36

TOKYO, Tuesday. - Today our Emperor has signed the Anti-Comintern Pact, in order to maintain the balance of power in the world as well as to preserve our national interests against growing communist threat. The Emperor has expressed his strong desire of further and more detailed cooperation between states of Germany and Japan. Republic of China, being in a state of civil war with the People's Republic of China since 1927, also joined the Pact, escalating the conflict between these two nations.

The End of Civil War?

26/12/36

TOKYO, Saturday. - The Chinese Civil war came to an end, it seems. Two days ago, in 24 December 1936, the Chinese Nationalist Party decided to stop war with the People's Republic of China and "unite against the common threat". This can only be seen as danger to our glorious nation, when the neighboring state conspire with the communists so openly. The involvement of Zhang Xueliang, whose name surfaces from time to time during the discussions about Xi'an incident, remains unknown.

[Cybvep]

Looks historical for now. I'm eager to hear about the strategy you devised :>.

[Holy.Death]

Not historical really, I wanted to make an update and had no war going on for now, but the Storm is about to hit, have no fear (small hint: what happens during the Storm?). When I'll be fighting war I'll keep mixing historical events-reports with war news and plans of the Imperial High Command as they'll be made in accordance with the current situation of Japan.

[Cybvep]

Did you mean August Storm?

[Saithis]

The discussion here got way off topic, I've moved the conversation regarding the difficulties of Modding here so as to enable the AAR to continue without pages of clutter.

Also, the last update was nice. I hope you fix your problems soon. :)

[Holy.Death]

Road to War

In March 1938, Austria became a part of Germany in the Anschluss, the only reaction from the British Isles was a piece of paper. Hitler counted on that and his expectations has proved true. Despite Chamberlain's best efforts to stem Germany's lust for conquest the hunger of the Thrid Reich seemed only to grow with time, strengthened by the lack of decisive actions from major powers of Europe.

Sudetenland, region of Czechoslovakia, was another goal of the Furher. Not important as the land gain itself, but because of its strategic position. Difficult terrain and Czechoslovak border fortifications could prove to be quite an obstacle for German tanks. Hitler sought to solve this problem by advocating on the behalf of the German minorities - consisting the majority of the populace in Sudetenland - with world's crisis affecting the worldwide economy strong tendencies only helped to justify Germany's claim. Forfeit by her allies the Czechoslovakia was forced to cede Sudetenland on 15 September, year 1938, making weakened state an easy target for any future aggression from the Third Reich. This opened the option to the Treaty of Munich and annexation of Czechoslovakia.

On August 23, 1939 the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed. Formally it was a non-aggression pact between U.S.R.R. and Germany. What was hidden from the rest of the world was the secret protocol, dividing Romania, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland between these two major powers. A dispute over Danzing led to open war. on August 25 Germany invaded Poland, the Commonwealth and France declared war on Germany.

August Campaign

After the declaration of war Marshal of the Polish Army, Edward Rydz-Śmigły said: "We don't give the enemy a single scratch of ground, not even a coat, not even a button". In fact the polish forces were overstretched across the whole western border and exposed along their entire west-northern front, making it night impossible to defend effectively. Shortening the front, however, was not an option as the most important industrial centres of Poland were exposed along the German front, most namely coal basin in polish Silesia and textile industry in CIP (Central Industrial Region) which contained heavily industrialized cities of Łódź, Kamienna, Kraków, Katowice and Lublin.

The Fall of Poland

On 16 September entire western border was lost, including the Danzig Corridor and the Free City itself. The Eastern Prussia had land connection with the rest of Germany. Situation was looking grim as the Polish Army was underequipped, underdeveloped and less numerous than Heer. They still used old fashioned tactics from the previous war and weren't prepared for Blitzkrieg. Germans were too mobile and too heavily concentrated for the Polish to organize any efficient counter-offensive or simply to stop the advancing enemy as units had to withdraw in haste to not be cut off like the defenders of Łódź. On 17 September Stalin realized that Poland can't defend itself and decided to claim the other half. On 29 September first Soviet units set foot on the polish soil. Second Polish Republic has been betrayed by the Allies. who refused to act against U.S.R.R. For all the courage of the soldiers Germany conquered a half of Poland in a matter of month and was now threatening the capital. On 2 October National Socialists and Communists greeted each other near Grodno. A week later Warsaw has been cut off, the city fell at 22:00, after a two days of combat. Without supplies, industrial base and resources Poland was forced to announce unconditional capitulation on 10 October, 1939. Stalin and Hitler maintained their previous agreement regarding their shares of land. The Invasion of Poland was over and Poland was no more.

The World War 2 has just begun.

[Holy.Death]

I've realized that I don't have enough time to lead two AAR's at the same time, so I have to close The Sun is Rising and will focus on other AAR (and Influence Wars).