Meeting Places
2000 April 11th 1948.
White Livadiya Palace. Yalta, Soviet Union.
Stalin had been here before on many occasions and he had met with the Allied leaders in Yalta to discuss the disposition of Europe after the demise of Germany in late 1944. Neither Churchill nor Roosevelt would be present today as one had since been voted out of office by his Country's population and the other had died in office. Stalin did not allow such trivialities to alter the higherarchy of the Soviet Union as he ruled with an iron fist instead. Attlee and Truman would represent the United Kingdom and the United States of America on this occasion.
"Nice Palace you have here Joseph." remarked Attlee.
"Yes it is and I would like to keep it that way." replied Stalin. "A certain Emperor seems to want to take up residence in it though."
"Well that is why we are here." Truman stated neutrally. "His Imperial Majesty appears to be expanding much further than He should be allowed."
"I am glad you finally noticed." replied Stalin sarcastically.
"He has over-extended himself much as Hitler did. We all know what happened to that particular lunatic when that happened." Attlee said.
"I owe you some gratitude for that. I wanted to have him assassinated but your predecessors convinced me that it was better to let him remain in power. At least that was a good decision." Stalin said grudgingly.
"You have no idea how hard it was to find people not quite gifted enough to succeed in killing him but good enough to make it look like we were seriously trying."
"I don't suppose you have any plans to kill Hirohito by chance? He is a much bigger problem as He does not mess up his Military Commanders on a regular basis."
"We have thought about it but He is an impossible target." replied Truman.
"The NKVD came to the same conclusion so we are left with destroying His forces instead. I would agree that His forces are over-extended but it does not seem to be hampering them much."
"Our invasion of China would have given the Japanese High Command something to think about and there are signs that some forces have been moved to counteract further attempts." said Truman.
"Some Japanese troops have moved from around Manchuria recently but they could easily be heading for the Kaukasus mountains as anywhere else. His Majesty prefers to use his puppets forces for defence while his own troops advance." stated Stalin.
"Our increased activity in the Middle East and the Pacific seems to be having some results. Half the Japanese Airforce chased three of my Carriers all over the Pacific recently so we know they are a little scared of these ships."
"They didn't sink them?" asked Stalin.
"No they are all still in good condition. We got them to a friendly port in Samoa where they are somewhat immune to air attack."
"Harbour." said Stalin.
"Harbour?" asked Attlee.
"You said port. You destroyed the port facilities in Samoa after you invaded the Mariana Islands as you didn't think you would need it anymore." explained Stalin.
"Oh right." agreed Truman. "We don't think the Japanese know that though which is why they are content to use half their Airforce to try and attack it and patrol the Pacific. Our Pacific Carrier fleet is defending the harbour and it would be futile to try and attack such a force with aircraft."
"Let me get this straight. You invaded China and you moved your Pacific Carrier fleet out of San Diego?" asked Stalin.
"I did do that yes." replied Truman.
"Next your going to tell me the Royal Navy is operating in the Indian Ocean."
"Now, now, lets not get ahead of ourselves." said Attlee. "We have been sending a lot of troops into the Middle East though to keep the Japanese on their toes. We have even made some progress on occasion."
"How are things progressing with your defence of the Soviet Union?" Truman asked Stalin.
"About as badly as could be expected given that I am fighting almost the entire Japanese Army. My Generals inform me that we are finally beginning to establish a defensive line as our territory shrinks which makes it a lot easier to protect. Rather similar to the German invasion really. The enemy has no real force concentrations outside of Manchuria which means He cannot expect to punch a hole and keep it open for long."
"What about Siberia? That is a lot of land your are going to be giving up." asked Truman.
"Have you ever been to Siberia?" Stalin asked.
"No."
"There is nothing there worth defending. Let His Majesty have it if He wishes."
"Things seem to slowly be stabilising around the World and our superior production will wear Japan down, it is just a matter of time." Attlee said confidently.
"I am not so sure. Something is not quite right." said Stalin.
"Oh? Would you care to explain?" Truman asked.
"It is Spring. Where is the Japanese offensive? I have not noticed anything that even remotely constitutes an offensive and that worries me."
"He doesn't have to attack in the Spring you know. Maybe He really is over-extended and has switched to a defensive posture." replied Truman.
"It's in the rule book. You have to attack in the Spring once the snow melts. Even Hitler worked that one out after he messed it up in 1941."
"Well in the absence of any firmer plans I suggest we carry on as we are and continue to grind the enemy forces down and allow our superior technology and industrial resources to eventually come through." said Truman.
"Agreed." said Attlee.
"Agreed, I suppose." said Stalin grudgingly.
"Nice Palace you have here Joseph." remarked Attlee.
"Yes it is and I would like to keep it that way." replied Stalin. "A certain Emperor seems to want to take up residence in it though."
"Well that is why we are here." Truman stated neutrally. "His Imperial Majesty appears to be expanding much further than He should be allowed."
"I am glad you finally noticed." replied Stalin sarcastically.
"He has over-extended himself much as Hitler did. We all know what happened to that particular lunatic when that happened." Attlee said.
"I owe you some gratitude for that. I wanted to have him assassinated but your predecessors convinced me that it was better to let him remain in power. At least that was a good decision." Stalin said grudgingly.
"You have no idea how hard it was to find people not quite gifted enough to succeed in killing him but good enough to make it look like we were seriously trying."
"I don't suppose you have any plans to kill Hirohito by chance? He is a much bigger problem as He does not mess up his Military Commanders on a regular basis."
"We have thought about it but He is an impossible target." replied Truman.
"The NKVD came to the same conclusion so we are left with destroying His forces instead. I would agree that His forces are over-extended but it does not seem to be hampering them much."
"Our invasion of China would have given the Japanese High Command something to think about and there are signs that some forces have been moved to counteract further attempts." said Truman.
"Some Japanese troops have moved from around Manchuria recently but they could easily be heading for the Kaukasus mountains as anywhere else. His Majesty prefers to use his puppets forces for defence while his own troops advance." stated Stalin.
"Our increased activity in the Middle East and the Pacific seems to be having some results. Half the Japanese Airforce chased three of my Carriers all over the Pacific recently so we know they are a little scared of these ships."
"They didn't sink them?" asked Stalin.
"No they are all still in good condition. We got them to a friendly port in Samoa where they are somewhat immune to air attack."
"Harbour." said Stalin.
"Harbour?" asked Attlee.
"You said port. You destroyed the port facilities in Samoa after you invaded the Mariana Islands as you didn't think you would need it anymore." explained Stalin.
"Oh right." agreed Truman. "We don't think the Japanese know that though which is why they are content to use half their Airforce to try and attack it and patrol the Pacific. Our Pacific Carrier fleet is defending the harbour and it would be futile to try and attack such a force with aircraft."
"Let me get this straight. You invaded China and you moved your Pacific Carrier fleet out of San Diego?" asked Stalin.
"I did do that yes." replied Truman.
"Next your going to tell me the Royal Navy is operating in the Indian Ocean."
"Now, now, lets not get ahead of ourselves." said Attlee. "We have been sending a lot of troops into the Middle East though to keep the Japanese on their toes. We have even made some progress on occasion."
"How are things progressing with your defence of the Soviet Union?" Truman asked Stalin.
"About as badly as could be expected given that I am fighting almost the entire Japanese Army. My Generals inform me that we are finally beginning to establish a defensive line as our territory shrinks which makes it a lot easier to protect. Rather similar to the German invasion really. The enemy has no real force concentrations outside of Manchuria which means He cannot expect to punch a hole and keep it open for long."
"What about Siberia? That is a lot of land your are going to be giving up." asked Truman.
"Have you ever been to Siberia?" Stalin asked.
"No."
"There is nothing there worth defending. Let His Majesty have it if He wishes."
"Things seem to slowly be stabilising around the World and our superior production will wear Japan down, it is just a matter of time." Attlee said confidently.
"I am not so sure. Something is not quite right." said Stalin.
"Oh? Would you care to explain?" Truman asked.
"It is Spring. Where is the Japanese offensive? I have not noticed anything that even remotely constitutes an offensive and that worries me."
"He doesn't have to attack in the Spring you know. Maybe He really is over-extended and has switched to a defensive posture." replied Truman.
"It's in the rule book. You have to attack in the Spring once the snow melts. Even Hitler worked that one out after he messed it up in 1941."
"Well in the absence of any firmer plans I suggest we carry on as we are and continue to grind the enemy forces down and allow our superior technology and industrial resources to eventually come through." said Truman.
"Agreed." said Attlee.
"Agreed, I suppose." said Stalin grudgingly.
2000 April 11th 1948.
Imperial Palace. Tokyo, Japan.
"Problems?" Hirohito asked the assembled Armed Forces Ministers.
"Yes your Majesty." replied Tanigawa. "We encountered a little setback when we chased Admiral Calhoun around the Pacific."
"I expect you are going to tell me sooner or later? Don't bother trying to be Diplomatic, Minister Mamoru is not here so you can actually speak plainly."
"My apologies your Majesty. The enemy Carrier Task Force headed for Samoa where a recent bombing attack by our forces revealed not three Aircraft Carriers but twelve. The entire United States Pacific fleet is in Samoa."
"So destroy it."
"Yes your Majesty." replied Tanigawa. "We encountered a little setback when we chased Admiral Calhoun around the Pacific."
"I expect you are going to tell me sooner or later? Don't bother trying to be Diplomatic, Minister Mamoru is not here so you can actually speak plainly."
"My apologies your Majesty. The enemy Carrier Task Force headed for Samoa where a recent bombing attack by our forces revealed not three Aircraft Carriers but twelve. The entire United States Pacific fleet is in Samoa."
"So destroy it."
"Not quite so easy your Majesty. The anti-aircraft cover over that island is formidable to put it mildly, we already lost almost half a Tactical bomber squadron during two hours of bombing."
"Well if you can't destroy it what do you propose?" asked the Emperor.
"I would suggest that we patrol the seas around the island and attack anything that tries to leave your Majesty. This way we keep our bombers in good condition and we gain notice of any movements in plenty of time to react." Tanigawa replied.
"I see. What about our Operations?"
"We will need to modify them somewhat as you were of course aware of the targets of these Operations."
"Modify and not cancel? That is very dangerous given recent events."
"War inevitably involves risk your Majesty. We try to limit such risks but sometimes we have little choice."
"Are you all in agreement on this?" Hirohito asked the other Chiefs of Staff.
"We are your Majesty." replied Osami, Satoru and Jun.
"I suppose you had better tell me about these modifications then." said Hirohito.
"Well if you can't destroy it what do you propose?" asked the Emperor.
"I would suggest that we patrol the seas around the island and attack anything that tries to leave your Majesty. This way we keep our bombers in good condition and we gain notice of any movements in plenty of time to react." Tanigawa replied.
"I see. What about our Operations?"
"We will need to modify them somewhat as you were of course aware of the targets of these Operations."
"Modify and not cancel? That is very dangerous given recent events."
"War inevitably involves risk your Majesty. We try to limit such risks but sometimes we have little choice."
"Are you all in agreement on this?" Hirohito asked the other Chiefs of Staff.
"We are your Majesty." replied Osami, Satoru and Jun.
"I suppose you had better tell me about these modifications then." said Hirohito.
2000 April 11th 1948.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Fuso, Classified.
The news from Samoa was completely unexpected and gave Ozawa a huge problem to deal with. He knew where the American fleet was but he could not touch it. The High Command were making some alterations that Ozawa approved of but it would mean a possible small delay, but not much of one.
The increased activity in the Pacific would continue as another American fleet was spotted in the Marshall Islands. Admiral Nimitz had decided to take an active roll in proceedings which was a rare occurance. More Transport ships heading west. Ozawa would keep a close on eye on them but not begin to chase them with ships.
At 1500 hours on April 12th his Submarines attacked a British Submarine Flotilla off Socotra Island. This particular attack was not unusual and had been occuring almost daily for several weeks. The combination of Interceptor and Submarine attacks had finally wore the enemy fleet down to the point where it would sink.
Rather surprisingly Nimitz had not bothered to alter course at all. He had been spotted throughout his voyage and had made it as far as the Bonin Islands by 0200 hours on April 16th. China was looking to be his target in which case Ozawa could just about ignore the threat as BC Division 1 was blockading the Yellow Sea.
At 0300 hours on April 17th Admiral Koga reported sighting an enemy transport fleet in the South Yellow Sea. The beach defences were still not complete which would allow a possible invasion against an undefended beach which was much preferred by the Americans. Lianyungang would not see more Allied troops on its beaches today though. The only surprise evident during this encounter was that it was not Nimitz but Admiral Henderson who was leading an entirely different fleet of Transport ships. The Battlecruiser IJN Haruna sank the escorting 29th Destroyer Division with a large amount of damage also being incurred by the two Transport Flotillas which managed to escape BC Division 1.
Shimoyama's Close Air Support group was still in China and had also responded to the sighting. The combination of bombers and ships would prove to be a very powerful combination. Siamese bombers had spotted Nimitz and his Transport fleet which was still heading straight towards the waiting Koga.
At 1800 hours on April 17th Nimitz entered the South Yellow Sea. Four hours later he was running for his life after IJN Haruna sank his escorting Light Cruiser, the USS Savannah. Again the Transports would escape with heavy damage. It would take another twenty fours to destroy all four Transport Flotillas but they would all be sunk by aircraft. The Siamese Tactical bomber squadron would sink the final ship as it headed north trying to escape towards Attu Island.
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