Maybe the army could learn something about advancing from the Italians or Germans, both of whom tells us that they want to make their country great again, restoring the Roman Empire and GrossDeutchland.
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I don't know...the fact that of all the developments in the west, the Japanese have circled and highlighted captured the island, I suspect they have learnt eff all.
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"You can see in this briefing slide, we have moved this rock pile from here, to here. In the upper right corner, a yak or "concubine," was killed. Operation Extreme Redundancy is a smashing success."
With all due credit to Robin Williams.
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Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Nine : Third Week - 18.11.1939 To 24.11.1939
Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Nine : Third Week - 18.11.1939 To 24.11.1939
The Land War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Nine : Third Week - 18.11.1939 To 24.11.1939
The Land War
At the beginning of the third week the Army was engaged in two battles. The Battle of Yunxian and the Battle of Dongchuan.
One of the Bombing Groups was helping in the battle for Yunxian. In fact the Bomber Groups would help in a few of the ground battles as the lines moved inwards. (See Air War)
The Imperial Army announced that it was only a matter of time before they won these battles and moved onto the Capital.
Even as the battles raged units were being shifted from the left flank to the right. The Army seemed to have plans on hitting the Yunnan from the north. But they had failed to take into account the terrible infrastructure. It could take weeks for them to properly deploy these units.
On the 19th the Army announced a victory in Dongchuan. They had lost 386 men while the Chinese had lost 466 men.
In the Battle for Yunxian another Japanese infantry division had joined in. To be honest there was a slim chance there that the Chinese COULD win. Both sides were having supply issues.
Also the Chinese were being led by a officer by the name of von Hesselkammer. There was little information about the German commander. It was unknown if he was a mercenary or someone assigned to the Yunnan by the German government.
On the other hand, Major General Imamura, who was in charge on the Japanese side of the battle wasn’t worried. He was superior to the German commander in every way.
Hesselkammer wasn’t the only European commander among the enemy units Sadly, for the Chinese, none of the foreign officers were very skilled. While the Imperial Japanese Army officers had all become veterans over the last few years.
Shortly before midnight, on the 21st, a division of Japanese infantry had been marching into the Province of Qujing. It was protected by a single division of Chinese infantry who had refused to leave and, therefore, restarted the Battle for Qujing. But the Japanese unit had four Brigades instead of three and this resulted in the attackers outnumbering the defenders two-to-one.
On top of that the enemy had no skilled leadership and were badly organized. AND were having supply issues.
In the dark early morning hours of the 22nd the battle came to a close. A Japanese victory in which the Army lost 8 men and the defenders lost 64 before fleeing.
In the afternoon of the 24th the 5. Cavalry Division entered the Province of Dongchuan. Only to be attacked by a Chinese infantry division trying to take it back. But the attack failed instantly. The Japanese soldiers lost not one man while the Chinese lost 4 soldiers before withdrawing. And the province was secure.
This meant the enemy Capital of Kunming, which had been attacked around the clock by the Bombers, was now within range of the Army.
So, with the sun starting to set, the 5. Cavalry Division launched an attack on the Capital. Over eleven thousand mounted soldiers against over ten thousand Chinese ground troops.
But this number was somewhat deceitful. The defenders were made up of a lone infantry division and five HQ units. Which meant a large part of the defenders were staff officers and clerks armed with pistols and rifles they had barely drilled with.
These defenders had also been attacked by Bombers since the start of the war. Led by a commander named Golpurchin. Another German in which there was no information about.
Nearby Chinese units seemed to be on their way to reinforce their Capital. But it was hoped that those reinforcements would either be too slow to arrive on time or too weak to do anything to help. Some of these enemy units were in the process of retreating after all and would likely arrive in horrible shape.
By the end of the third week the Army claimed three victories at the cost of 394 soldiers while the Chinese had lost 534 men. The Pro-Army press praised the IJAA for ‘finally’ supporting the ground operations. The press also pointed out that taking the Capital would end the war.
This last point was true. The question on everybody’s mind was WHEN would the Army take the Capital?
The Air War
The Bombing Groups kept up the pressure. Two continued to blast away at the defenders of Kumming while one continued to attack the Province of Yunxian.
The Capital of Kunming was attacked fourteen times and the result was the death of 1,524 Chinese defenders.
The Province of Yunxian was attacked seven times and the result was the death of 450 Chinese defenders.
On the 22nd one of the Bomber Groups switched from Kunming to launching a Ground Attacks on the Province of Qujing. It only got one strike in due to the shortness of the ground battle. And therefore only killed 78 of the defenders before going back to bombing the enemy Capital.
By the end of the third week the IJAA was quick to point out that without its operations the Japanese Army would be making no progress at all. Pro-Air press also pointed out that the IJAA were likely, according to the reports, killing more of the enemy than the Army was.
Misc. Events
The Japanese economy seemed to be doing well during the third week.
Deals were made with Persia and the Netherlands which helped put the Treasury into the ‘Green’ without slowing down the buildup of the supply or fuel stockpiles.
It seemed that even nations, with segments of the populace hostile towards Japan, were willing to trade with the Pacific power.
The Ministry of Armaments reported that the last Aircraft Carrier would be finished in January of 1940 AND the next Armoured Division would be ready by December (next month).
Even the Province of Ch’ongjin, in Korea, might have its Port finished soon.
Of course this didn’t stop the military from complaining. The Kwantung Army Theater wanted twenty-one Armoured Brigades for future wars in Asia. And the Imperial General Headquarters ALSO wanted seventeen Armoured Brigades for any future conflict with the Europeans in the Pacific.
The Anti-Partisan wanted BOTH tanks and planes to use against uprisings while the IJAA wanted ground troops. Likely to protect their airbases which, at least, made some kind of sense.
By the end of the third week the Head of Intelligence reported that Brazil had captured one Japanese agent, the US had captured one Japanese agent, the Netherlands had captured two Japanese agents, Yunnan had captured one Japanese agent, and Portugal had captured one Japanese agent.
Japanese Security announced that they had arrested one spy from Xibei San Ma.
General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya pondered when the conflict with Yunnan would end and when the one with Xibei San Ma would start?
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Author's Note :
OOC - I finally noticed that @Bullfilter is correct. While some equipment does upgrade in the Naval ships items like hulls and main armaments do not seem to. Looks like we may need to build some more surface ships before we try to go to war with the Allies.
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Given that the Army's idea of a supply line seems to be to form a human chain from the supply base to the front to bring them forward, it could take a while.
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I thought so too but Google said it was a German surname and I could not find an example of it being used. It could be Russian for all I know.
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Let us put it down as another piece of Japanese Intelligence's brilliance...
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Chapter One Hundred-Thirty : Fourth Week - 25.11.1939 To 1.12.1939
Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty : Fourth Week - 25.11.1939 To 1.12.1939
The Land War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty : Fourth Week - 25.11.1939 To 1.12.1939
The Land War
As the start of the fourth week the Army found itself engaged in two battles. One was the Battle of Yunxian and one was the Battle of Kunming. The Battle for the Kunming was the most important though the Battle for Yunxian had become the longest lasting of the two.
Army scouts noticed that enemy units in the Province of Kunming were trying to withdraw. No doubt due to being made up of mostly worthless HQs.
On the morning of the 27th the Battle of Yunxian was reported as a victory. In a way. The Army lost 930 men while the Chinese defenders only lost 619 men. It was only a victory in that the enemy units were now in flight.
But the 36. Hohei Shidan was not doing well. While the men could be replaced it was totally disorganized and needed time to recover. It didn’t seem to be in any shape to occupy the Province of Yunxian.
At the Battle of Kunming the enemy were showing signs of cracking. The five HQ units in their reserve were in the process of leaving the infantry to their faith as the soldiers were becoming disorganized. The Japanese cavalry had switched to a new tactic - they were now launching an all out Assault on the Chinese. The Bombing Groups and their ground attacks didn’t help the defenses either. (See Air War)
By the 28th of Novembers maps of the war in the newspapers showed great changes to the battle lines. The Army truly had take large parts of the enemy territory in the few weeks the war had waged.
But this was all surface changes. The Nation of Yunnan was not any closer to defeat. None of the urban centers or industrial complexes had been taken.
On the morning of the 29th, while the stars were still bright in the night sky, the Imperial Army announced a victory in the Province of Kunming. The Army lost 177 men, and horses, while the defenders lost 336 men. This was a major victory. Or could be if the cavalry was able to take the Capital before the Yunnan military could reinforce it.
While this was happening, the 36., the division that was meant to occupy the Province of Yunxian, after its questionable victory, was heading north. The wrong way. It seemed ‘China Operations’ needed them elsewhere.
By the end of the day, on the 1st of December, the Imperial Japanese Army claimed two victories at the cost of 1,107 soldiers while the Chinese had lost 955 men to Land Combat. Final victory was within the Army’s grasp - If only they could march into and occupy the Capital of Kunming before the Chinese could retake it.
The Air War
The three Bomber Groups continued their mission of killed as much of the enemy’s ground forces as they could. It wasn’t like the Yunnan had an air force to worry about.
Two Groups continued to launch Ground Attacks on the Province of Kunming. During the week they attacked Kunming eight times and killed 731 defenders.
As this was happening the other Group continued to attack the Province of Yunxian. The province was attacked only two times and the result was the death of 113 Chinese soldiers.
On the 29th the Bombing Groups switched to bomb the Province of Longwu as the Battles for Yunxian and Kunming had come to an end. Funny enough there was only a enemy HQ stationed there. It was bombed five times and 347 HQ staff and clerks died.
By the end of the fourth week the Pro-Air newspapers and radio stations pointed out that without the IJAA the Army would be suffering even more casualties.
Misc. Events
The economy was still somewhat stable during this week of the conflict. By the 1st of December the military supplies and fuel were still in the ‘Green’ and the Treasury was still growing. Of the resources only the crude oil was still increasing as the stockpiles of coal, metals, and rare materials were all being consumed by the factory complexes. But this was not alarming. Not during a war.
True, an offer from the US was turned down. But a Trade Deal from France was accepted. And the people were having their needs met. So that was good.
News from outside Japan was interesting. At least to the General.
On the morning of the 30th of November, for example, news came of Germany canceling THREE Trade Agreements with the USSR and one with El Salvador. Was this politics or a sign that German industry was having issues?
In the war they were NOT having issues as they, and Italy, announced that their forces had linked up in France. Not a good sign for the Allies.
At this point it was clear that France was halfway to total defeat. Even if the Allies rushed troops and resources to France there was a chance that it would still fall anyway.
On the 1st of December news came that the Netherlands, who saw Germany as the greatest threat to their people and nation, started to mobilize.
There was also news that the government of Austria was starting to align themselves with the Axis. Seems their people distrusted the English.
In North Africa the Italian forces had made it to the city limits of French Tunis. If they took the port it could help them take the rest of French North Africa. But while the Italians had been doing this the UK had taken the Italian port of Tobruch.
By the end of the fourth week the Head of Intelligence reported that Brazil had captured a Japanese agent, the US had captured three Japanese agents, and Portugal had captured a Japanese agent.
Japanese Security also announced the arrest of a spy from Yunnan and the arrest of a spy from the Philippines.
The Head of Intelligence also passed out a secret report to the military chiefs and government ministers that showed that the Capital of Yunnan was truly the key to victory. The two most important cities in Yunnan were the Capital of Kunming and the City of Dali. The Province of Yunnan had the Treasury as well as three-fourths of the urban populace, industry, and the seat of government. Once captured that was is it - no more Yunnan.
The report also pointed out that, even with the war in Europe caused by the Germans, most major powers still saw Japan as the greatest threat. The US, the UK, and the USSR all saw the Empire of Japan as the threat to them and their way of life. The faster the conflict came to an end the better off international relationships would be. At least until the next war.
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This is the interesting twist in europe for ttl. Lots more minors involved doing things and randomly intersecting and interjecting.
If the UK eats Italian Africa as Italy eats french Africa, there isn't much to discuss about that front either. The Italians will reach Morocco only to be smashed by britian.
Some interesting stuff happening, but none of it to Japan. This is probably a good thing.
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Glad to have been of a little help there. Just build the CVS first!
France gone then, even without the Low Countries invaded and the Germans bulldozing through the Maginot Line.
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Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-One : Fifth Week - 2.12.1939 To 8.12.1939
Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-One : Fifth Week - 2.12.1939 To 8.12.1939
The Land War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-One : Fifth Week - 2.12.1939 To 8.12.1939
The Land War
On the 2nd of December the Imperial Japanese Army was busy marching. Marching to try to take the territories they had won in the battles. Including the Capital of Kunming.
On the 4th the 4. China Kihei Shidan finally arrived at the Province of Xingyi. Now it would wait for the capture of the Province of Kunming before deploying itself into Yunnan territory. They would keep the region calm. Hopefully.
In the late morning of the 5th the Army sent in the 6. Mountain Division to take the Province of Kaiyuan. The mountainous landscape was guarded by a infantry division and a militia unit. The Japanese mountaineers numbered twelve thousand against just under twelve Chinese defenders.
The Chinese was led by a Major General Kurukikov. A Russian who was known as a Winter Specialist but that was about it. But that MIGHT be enough as the winter had brought storms and the rain had turned the ground into mud. Did the Russian Leader have skills in dealing with winter mud?
By the afternoon another Japanese division, the 7. Cavalry Division, had joined in the battle and now the odds were more in favor of the Army.
Major General Nishio K., while not a Specialist, was highly skilled when compared to his Russian counterpart.
Then there was bad news. A Chinese division had arrived in the Province of Kunming right before the Japanese cavalry. This triggered the Second Battle of Kunming. Twelve thousand mounted soldiers against just under six thousand enemy infantry.
On the 7th the Battle of Kaiyuan came to an end in victory. The Japanese won the battle and lost 98 men and horses. The Chinese lost 784 soldiers before breaking.
Then there was some more good news. On the 8th of December the Army announced that a series of Land Forts had been completed in the Province of Shisuka. This were basic structures but would be useful if, or when, the Russians attacked.
Later that day the Army also announced a victory in the Second Battle of Kunming. The Chinese had become totally disorganized and collapsed. The Army had lost 58 men while the Chinese had lost 76 men.
By the end of the week the Army claimed two victories at the cost of 156 soldiers while the Chinese lost 860 men.
The Pro-Army media praised the ground forces but some newspapers questioned the Army’s efficiency. They asked how much time had been wasted fighting for Kunming again? They questioned if the Army could reach the Capital before more Chinese units entered it?
The Air War
The Bomber Groups, for some reason, spent the whole seven days launching Ground Attacks on the Headquarter unit stationed in Longwu.
The poor unit was attacked four times and reportedly lost 316 men.
The Pro-Army newspapers complained that the bombers were failing to support the ground forces. That they could be more effective attacking the enemy units trying to approach Kunming.
Misc. Events
The Japanese economy was moving along without any issues during this week of the conflict. True, Ecuador did cancel a deal with Japan but this did nothing to slow down the industry.
There were SOME issues. The HQ of the Anti-Partisan Operations announced that it, and many of its units, were in poor supply.
But as there were no revolts within the Empire’s Chinese territories this wasn’t as alarming as it could be.
News from outside of Japan was interesting but not shocking. German military forces were approaching the City of Paris. Like Yunnan, France would likely be falling before Christmas.
The Head of Intelligence reported that Yunnan had captured four Japanese agents, Canada had captured two Japanese agents, Brazil had captured one Japanese agent, and Portugal had captured one Japanese agent.
Japanese Security reported there were no arrests during the same time period.
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Author’s Notes:
OOC: Behind The Scenes -
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Nice land fortification, is there any air cover possible there or does an air base also have to be constructed.
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I would have to build a airbase and anti-aircraft positions. That could take forever. On the other hand a war with Russia might also take forever.
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I am not sure it isn't very good. Just look at the fun I have with my other AARs. Maybe we should say it isn't very realistic. None of Paradox's games are realistic. Germany, in most of my HoI3 games seems to win. And my Crusader Kings 2 game has Aztec in it. And they didn't even exist yet! And as for my Victoria 2 games...they just end up nutty as fruit cakes.
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So have you considered going to therapy with that time paradox?
Of course Germany won the great war.
Because the Aztecs controlled most of the Americas.
And the Victorians were great on canned fruit cake ....
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I see Intelligence has REALLY outdone itself this time. Losing FOUR agents to a country in the process of collapse. In a situation where aerial reconnaissance would provide all the intelligence (i.e. location of enemy units near our forces) necessary.
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I return from a spiritual retreat (lots of Sake was involved) to find that not much has changed.
This whole Yunnan war is still ongoing, and taking an inordinate amount of time and resources to win, all because the IJA is unable to deal with the terrain it's fighting on. The casualty ratios against Chinese rabble are also a troubling reflection on the quality of the IJA. The only positive we get out of all of this is that we can keep our economy on a wartime footing as long as this quagmire keeps going, so in a way the IJA's incompetence is speeding up our scarce Naval Construction efforts. Ironic, really.
Our 'Intelligence' service is just as inept as before I left.
We're still not building any new Battleship designs.
At least, the positive developments for the IJN concerning Airborne and SNLF troops, as well as the limited Battleship development, has also considered, so all hope is not lost.
I'm going to sleep off this spiritual hangover, and I'll be back as soon as there is more news.
Captain RobaS3,
Shooting an angry look at his wife as she locks away all of the Sake, until he gets sober again.
This whole Yunnan war is still ongoing, and taking an inordinate amount of time and resources to win, all because the IJA is unable to deal with the terrain it's fighting on. The casualty ratios against Chinese rabble are also a troubling reflection on the quality of the IJA. The only positive we get out of all of this is that we can keep our economy on a wartime footing as long as this quagmire keeps going, so in a way the IJA's incompetence is speeding up our scarce Naval Construction efforts. Ironic, really.
Our 'Intelligence' service is just as inept as before I left.
We're still not building any new Battleship designs.
At least, the positive developments for the IJN concerning Airborne and SNLF troops, as well as the limited Battleship development, has also considered, so all hope is not lost.
I'm going to sleep off this spiritual hangover, and I'll be back as soon as there is more news.
Captain RobaS3,
Shooting an angry look at his wife as she locks away all of the Sake, until he gets sober again.
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