PART LII:WAR WITH SOVIET UNION
Japanese artillery shelling Vladivostok
September, 1942
Technological Researches
October, 1942
Meeting Between Yoshio Nishina and PM Tojo, Tokyo
PM Tojo : Dr. Nishina, I was informed that you want to talk about new weapon type by Lieutenant Yasuda.
Yoshio Nishina : Yes Mr. Prime Minister, I am talking about new type of extremely powerful explosive. Nuclear fission could be used to create such an explosive.
PM Tojo : Dr. Nishina, what could be the effect of single explosive ?
Yoshio Nishina : Mr. Prime Minister, don't confuse the powerful explosion that will be created with atomic reactions with conventional explosives. Such a weapon could turn the entire cities into ruin. I fear that Americans has already begun to work on such a project. We should also begin our research program.
PM Tojo : D.r Nishina, do you believe that such an explosive could be developed within decades ?
Yoshio Nishina : Not decades Mr. Prime Minister, I assure you that Americans could develop atomic explosives within few years.
PM Tojo : Well Dr. Nishina, I will provide you a labaratory and necessary resources to work on atomic explosives you mentioned. I want you to prepare detailed report about the feasibility of such a weapon. If our enemies are working on it, we should do the same.
Finnish government surrendered to Soviet Union. Finnish communists declared Finnish Democratic Republic in Helsinki today.
1st and 2nd Marine Corps began to land at Attu Island to capture submarine bases located in the island.
Technological Researches
General Yamashita launched offensive against Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
After two weeks of fierce fighting, American forces defending Attu Island surrendered.
General Yamashita stopped Kathmandu offensive due to stiff resistance. We launched offensive against Gwalior.
November, 1942
Imperial Conference, Tokyo
PM Tojo : His Majesty, our preparations for war against Soviet Union is completed. 24 divisions were given under Kwantung Army. Also, 2nd Bomber Wing and 3rd Fighter Wing based at Northern Korea to support operations. General Higashikuni set up his headquarters in Jixi province. Our intelligence didn't detect any significant Soviet troop concentration near border. Our forces will cross the border with the declaration of war.
Emperor Hirohito : General Tojo, what is the situation along Sinkiang and Mongolian border ?
PM Tojo : His Majesty, we didn't deploy any Japanese forces along Sinkiang and Mongolian border. We left the defense of these borders to Chinese and Mengjiangi troops. General Higashikuni doesn't plan to make offensive from these regions.
Emperor Hirohito : General, What are our strategic ambitions ?
PM Tojo : His Majesty, We have two strategic aims : to destroy Soviet industry in Vladivostok and to capture oil fields in Northern Sakhalin. Other than this, We will launch tactical offensives along the border to divert Soviet divisions to the region. While we split Soviet Army into two, our German Allies will crush Soviet forces in the West. We will also continue our operations against Americans and British.
Emperor Hirohito : General, I feel very uneasy about this. I hope you will prove yourself correct about the Germans. When will the war commence ?
PM Tojo : His Majesty, War declaration will be delivered to Soviets in November 5.
November 5
Early this morning, war declaration was delivered to Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov.
Immediately after the war declaration, 1st and 9th Infantry Corps began to assault Vladivostok.
1st Marine Corps captured Norhern Sakhalin. 1st Motorized Corps is advancing towards Semyonovka to cut the rear of Soviet forces in Vladivostok.
1st Motorized Corps captured Semyonovka and was immediately sent to Mongolian Border for further operations there. Battle of Nakhodka has begun.
Technological Researches
In India, our forces reached to Delhi.
2 Soviet divisions are making their last stand in Nikolsk.
Unit Deployment
1 squadron of G3M naval bombers were deployed in Nagasaki.