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If you're going to use some brilliant music from DoW2, allow me to use the suitable quote;
"It is human nature to seek culpability in a time of tragedy. It is a sign of strength to cry out against fate, rather than to bow one's head and succumb. Inevitably many will fault the hands upon the sword which felled New York, the Japanese Army.
But the Japanese military merely performs the duty of its office. To further fear them is redundant; to hate them, heretical. Those more sensible will place responsibility with those who forced the hands of the Japanese. With some fortune, they may foster this hatred into purpose, and further rule their own fate by coming to the Emperor's service."
"It is human nature to seek culpability in a time of tragedy. It is a sign of strength to cry out against fate, rather than to bow one's head and succumb. Inevitably many will fault the hands upon the sword which felled New York, the Japanese Army.
But the Japanese military merely performs the duty of its office. To further fear them is redundant; to hate them, heretical. Those more sensible will place responsibility with those who forced the hands of the Japanese. With some fortune, they may foster this hatred into purpose, and further rule their own fate by coming to the Emperor's service."
only Emperor should possess such might - to order to release power of the gods.
inevitable comment, i suppose
but really, destruction of New York could be prevented. if Americans just knelt and begged for forgiveness to their betters, such tragedy would never happened.
Subbed! Glory to Nippon!
What can we expect of the new Siberian state?
Will the Russians be removed from Asia or will it be a Russian state when many European Russians can exile and escape Nazi war crimes?
What can we expect of the new Siberian state?
Will the Russians be removed from Asia or will it be a Russian state when many European Russians can exile and escape Nazi war crimes?
Like written above: They may foster this hatred into purpose, and further rule their own fate by coming to the Emperor's service.
"They lie right to your face and in the end all their depictions are calculated on something which turns out to be a deceit afterwards!"
— Adolf Hitler to Wilhelm Keitel about the Japanese, Autumn 1945
Second war with the Soviets in 1945 was considered just a tertiary goal, with absolute victory in Pacific War as a primary one and keeping imperial military at the top technical, strategic and tactical shapes, along with proper supplies: pre-war oil reserves were a distant memory in 1945 and Japanese merchant fleet had a hard time to secure enough fuel from Co-Prosperity Sphere and remaining neutral or minor Axis nations, as Germans and Italians themselves struggled to get enough of it.
In the Summer, one historical event happened without the world's noticing: in front of the eyes of IJA's and IJN's officers and few members of Imperial Family, first human-made atomic bomb detonated in Northeastern Siberia. According Dr. Nishina's team, not yet reliable device will produce more radioactive pollution than 'massive' explosion, but the result, nevertheless, was beyond anyone's expectations.
During August, Red Army's units were disintegrating even faster, as poor food and fuel supplies dissapeared after first battles. White Russians and Russian-speaking Manchurians were used to support countless defections, in some cases defections of high-ranking NKVD officers with useful intel or some very lucky scientists and technicians.
Japanese soldiers were once again often forced to march and fight to the point of total exhaustion, but this time, there were none Soviet units able to exploit it, and Transsiberian Railway allowed quick re-supplying of these unit, as much as transports of wounded men and prisoners of war.
Everywhere in Siberia, once they were pushed out of their few remaining major towns and military bases, Soviet forces had no literally way to recuperate and regroup.
Soviet generals, reduced to warlords of independent pieces of non-existent state without functional government, were soon left with only two options: surrender to Germans or Japanese. Latter one was a prefered option, as well-informed officers could compare possibility of survival under both hostile regimes.
Not everyone, though, was immediately reasonable and could be convinced to see such an option, though.
Wang Jingwei's forces attacking from Xinjiang encountered many difficulties without direct Japanese support, but held their part of responsibility, convincingly supporting a claim of 'joined Asian military intervention against last bastion of communism', as was conflict often called in full in newspapers.
Imperial Japanese Army accepted surrender of every unit and every soldier could count on survival. For a while. Then one of four things happened, as Kempeitai and White Russian 'cooperative groups' helped with selections of prisoners. Repatriation, which meant they would remain in Siberia and Central Asia. Re-education, which meant Manchurian mines and factories. Or they were handed over to Germans. Usually to Waffen SS units. Truly lucky ones, considered to be highly valuable assets, were sent to Japan and China: surgeons, engineers, scientists, intelligence officers etc., some of them even speaking Chinese or Japanese.
In any case, main targets of Siberian strategic operation, as Omsk fell not longer after Novosibirsk, with surrounding areas following suit afterwards, directly connecting the Japanese and German frontlines same as before in India.
Same month the unnoticed historic explosion appeared, another one was prepared and executed: the raids on North American coasts. This time, only Allied response and strength of their defenses were tested. And for the first time of the war, the mainland territory of United States was invaded - and not by some daring submarine's crew - divisions were prepared to visit the enemy territory.
Undefended Anchorage fell and Japanese flags were raised in Alaska. Not for a long time, but enough time for propaganda officers to use it all.
It could be said that landings on North America were more valuable for a propaganda purposes, as battles in Siberia were decided before they started. But something was overlooked by Japanese politicians and officers on the side of their 'ally'.
As more and more Germans started to view Empire of Japan rather as a threat than a tool, Nazi racial theories implemented in full seemed to work against the Reich, and more pragmatic approach to make regions 'German' or 'Germanic' was used, as implemented before in 1940-1941 by Gauleiter Albert Forster in ex-Polish territories: his officials simply gave German citizenship to everyone who verbally claimed to have German ancestry - just like that, he made 'Germans' out of from 2/3 of Poles in his Gau. After Reichsfuhrer Himmler's criticism, he only replied: "If I looked like Himmler, I wouldn't talk about race."
When IJN deployed all it's might from Alaska to Mexico, supporting the Japanese Marines, Gen. Hideki Tojo arrived to Oahu as appointed commander of 'Operation Number One'.
His first order from Oahu IJA HQ was directive about 'permanent presence' of imperial forces on Queen Charlotte Island and Vancouver Island, which were meant to be captured right after recent succesful landings.
In Siberia, the very only orders basically said: 'end it as quickly as possible'. Armies once again will return to the Pacific, for decisive and much more difficult offensive.
American response was overwhelming waste of resources and time, with their ineffective war propaganda absurd and paranoid every week more. Not for the first time, and certainly not for the last time.
Indians, same as Chinese, did their part succesfully, and during October captured actually the very last strategic target: city of Tashkent, after which surrendered the very last Soviet divisions, still struggling to hold the lines.
Germans promoted it as another victory for the Reich, for Japan, it was Co-Prosperity Sphere's victory. 'Victory for Asians'. Not for Axis. Not for Anti-Comintern Pact.
'All-Siberian Asiatic Confederacy' was the full name of the state, proclaimed in Novosibirsk, and appearence of new member of Co-Prosperity Sphere was widely celebrated in the Empire, with the Emperor's subjects correctly guessing it means Japanese-dominated Siberia at last: many expected it to happen decades ago, in 1905, when Russia was defeated for the first time, and during Russian Civil War: but the Empire wasn't yet prepared to fight such a giant to his bitter end - until now.
It's constitution divided the country basically into large areas only for Siberian native tribes, and considerably smaller areas, mostly towns along the railway and industrial centers, inhabitated by Russians, who, supposedly, considered themselves 'Russian Siberians'.
The conflict left many Germans angered by the 'brash' Japanese behavior, wherever they encountered their activities: Japanese 'tourists', 'advisors' and diplomats openly defied the German laws, be it protection of Jews coming to the Asia or helping the Soviet prisoners of war: the Japanese claimed to have right to decide about every 'Asian' in German hands, which resulted in Japanese officials declaring an 'Asian' anyone they personally deemed Asian. Including 'Semites', in fact.
In some cases, it was done out of the pure sympathy to people suffering from racism, like when diplomat Chiune Sugihara issued visa to thousands of Jews and Poles when stationed in Kaunas.
Imperial directives were more cold, basically about obtaining a valuable human resources, otherwise 'uselessly discarded' by Germans: Japan, and more so Asia generally, needed every skilled person, from industrial worker to university professors, and it 'just' happened, that many such persons were often either Jews or dissidents from German-occupied countries. British and Dutch, removed from their former colonies, also needed to be replaced by someone skilled, as Japanese themselves couldn't spare so many educated men. So, diplomatic protection offers were encouraged and numerous Japanese visas and passports were given, with or without German protests.
The Japanese knew the Germans too well already to act otherwise. The Empire of Japan will protect anyone willing to loyally serve for better Asia. Or hope for mercy elsewhere as the only other option.
The actual invasion of United States couldn't be planned without uninterrupted supply lines through secured sea lanes and cooperation of IJN and IJA: something unthinkable just one decade ago, with IJN having full control of the Pacific Ocean, including all the IJA's island strongholds and Gen. Tojo's HQ on Oahu in control of all IJN's units: including Naval bombers, Marines and IJAF's long-range fighters.
Americans were certainly waiting. In next year, everything will change.
Just after some degree of cleaning in the Pacific, probably.
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This AAR is probably my all time Darkest hour favorite! Amazing job, I can't wait to see how your war against the Americans goes
Join the American Merchant Marine today! Remember, every day is a good day to die!
Your AAR continues to be excellent. When you make the big push on the American mainland it is going to be very interesting
Your AAR continues to be excellent. When you make the big push on the American mainland it is going to be very interesting
Whether they have other destinations in mind or not, the US high command is certainly sending them to a date with the ocean floor
Just another giant with feet of clay.
It will be something like:
"In obedience to the gracious command of His Majesty the Emperor who, ever anxious to enhance the cause of world peace, desires earnestly to bring about a speedy termination of hostilities with a view to saving mankind from the calamities to be imposed upon them by further continuation of the war, The Japanese Government is ready to accept the surrender of Allied forces in North America. From the moment of surrender the authority of the President and the U.S. Government to rule the state shall be subject to the Supreme Commander of the Imperial General Headquarters who will take such steps as he deems proper to effectuate the surrender terms. Following are our terms. We will not deviate from them. There are no alternatives. We shall brook no delay. The U.S. military forces, after being completely disarmed, shall be permitted to return to their homes with the opportunity to lead peaceful and productive lives. United States shall be permitted to maintain such industries as will sustain her economy and permit the exaction of just reparations in kind, but not those which would enable her to rearm for war. The alternative for United States is prompt and utter destruction."
I'll accept nothing less than full victory. I certainly won't wait for any Amero-German deal against Asians.
To the last american island in pacific, surrounded by submarines and half of IJN's battlefleet, where USA sent 8 divisions, which could easily save Hawaii during same time xD
@Vlad_Dracul1989
I told you that was going to happen immediately after you landed in Anchorage!
But, good show nonetheless and Amaterasu-omikami strafe Bolshewismus!
I told you that was going to happen immediately after you landed in Anchorage!
But, good show nonetheless and Amaterasu-omikami strafe Bolshewismus!
When this war will be over, I'll let you all to decide the postwar path:
There will be TWO major options, each with different consequences/events/conflicts, one with higher possibility to start WW3. They will be called:
'All the World Under One Roof'
'The Bright Sun and the All-Hunting Eagle'
But don't vote now, only after all give you thorough introduction to the each one of them, and only after recent war with White Racist Plutocracy
AI for some reason always thinks that Anchorage is totally more important than San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Seattle...
There will be TWO major options, each with different consequences/events/conflicts, one with higher possibility to start WW3. They will be called:
'All the World Under One Roof'
'The Bright Sun and the All-Hunting Eagle'
But don't vote now, only after all give you thorough introduction to the each one of them, and only after recent war with White Racist Plutocracy
AI for some reason always thinks that Anchorage is totally more important than San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Seattle...
"The situation being such as it is, Our Empire, for its existence and self-defense has no other recourse but to once again appeal to arms and to crush every obstacle in its path. The hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors guarding Us from above, We rely upon the loyalty and courage of Our subjects in Our confident expectation that the task bequeathed by Our forefathers will be carried forward and that the sources of evil will be completely eradicated."
- 'Imperial Rescript on the Continuation of the War', by the grace of Heaven, Emperor of Japan, Emperor Showa
The Emperor of Japan, as a Supreme Commander, issued the order regarding the Army's and Navy's military police jurisdiction, both the Kempeitai and considerably smaller Tokkeitai, as their activities supported continued rivalry between IJA and IJN, acting more like secret police in Japan. From now on, only civilian secret police force, the Tokko ('Special Higher Police') was allowed in 'Japanese national territories', with Kempeitai and Tokkeitai limited to military bases as regular military police, foreign intelligence and supression of rebels in occupied lands, everything far away from Home Islands.
After final destruction of USSR, the borders between Co-Prosperity Sphere and rest of the Axis clearly favored the Empire of Japan, with Afghanistan too pro-German to bring the Mohammed Zahir Shah's kingdom to the Emperor's side. For now.
In the South Pacific, the Allies continued with highly wasteful activities around Samoa, losing many ships and many lives for years.
In the Europe, nothing changed. Germans had still everything they wanted, British had enough of war, as literally every city, more or less, was changed into ruins, millions of soldiers were dead or captured, more millions were being evacuated to North America by every available ship, protected by Royal Navy. Bleeding, mortally wounded, but it's warships with help of Americans still kept Kriegsmarine away, as IJN had no desire to help Germans in the Atlantic, same as Italians, completely fine with 'Mare Nostrum' and African coasts under their control.
African frontlines were a mess, but Americans and British fought mostly defensive war, as South Atlantic routes were still safe, able to continue with evacuation of civilians and military staff from Africa, binding large Italo-German forces in North Africa. Americans had also much less known motive: to secure and transport large quantities of high-quality uranium ore from Belgian Congo, preparing the mines for destruction.
In case of Japan, it didn't mattered, as in 1946, Empire of Japan had it's own atomic weapon of reliable type, to improve the odds when 'Operation Number One' will be launched.
Annexation of Vladivostok was no surprise, as White Russian government of 'Primorsk' was, in fact, aware of thousands Japanese settlers changing demographics of Outer Manchuria quickly than anyone would anticipate, building numerous settlements and new city's quarters, mostly by prisoners of war. In 1946, 60% of Vladivostok's (now Urajiosutoku's) population were a Japanese.
Only Siberian state remained from Russian one, where, somehow, Russians must learn to live under Japanese watchful eyes and ever-increasing influence of their culture, be a productive members of the Sphere, producing goods to fulfil the needs of the Empire, because the only alternative is much, much worse.
The aerial battles raging over Europe devastated many cities, if not by bomb, then by crushed bombers and fighters. In naval warfare, the Allies were in deep defensive for the time too long for them. The British and the Americans were losing the transports and smaller ships every day, unable to replace them quickly enough, and with Americans unwilling to send their impressive carriers into massive battles against skilled Japanese admirals, it won't change.
Intelligence reports, however, were more disturbing than enemy's losses: not only IJA will face united, hostile continent, but 'Operation Number One' may end in quick bloodbath for the attackers, and not from just one reason.
Enemy must bleed, must be scared and must be crushed even before the IJN's Marines will storm the coasts.
But the Americans, facing an imminent threat of invasion, had their capital ships contained in ports. President Truman and his advisors were confident, that Japanese victories made them blind to US strength on their own soil, and they will be destroyed by simple numerical and materiel superiority or it's just a part of effort to gain better deal during peace negoatiations, already started through ambassadors in Sweden, Switzerland and Portugal. US government secrectly sought German approval with any peace terms, as Germans themselves were tired of war, annoyed by their costly landings in England and Northern Ireland, not mentioning 'swimming' African front.
IJN's admirals agreed, that leaving US ships stationed safely in their ports would be madness, as it could lead to massive battle during eventual invasion, where hundreds of American planes could massacre the transports, before Japanese pilots will be able to stop them all. Instead, it was decided to lure them out and destroy them in series of battles.
Meanwhile, the armies were receiving new weapons and equipment in Manchuria, Korea and Home Islands, soldiers could spent a much time with their families and prepare themselves for the last battle, the longest and hardest one in millenias of Imperial history.
Initial efforts of Adm. Chuichi Nagumo's fleet were mostly about protection of submarines, endangered by USN's destroyer groups and escort ships.
USN tried to answer with their own submarine attacks, but IJN was well-prepared for such possibility.
Considering, that many valuable informations simply appeared in common newspapers from time to time and USAF was virtually unable to stop many Japanese recon planes launched by submarines and carriers on daily basis, it was not all strange, that Tokkeitai had soon many hints, that something suspicious is happening in some bases in the middle of nowhere. Americans answered with stronger presence around potential targets.
Coincidentally, first strategic bomber unit, under IJAF's command, was during same time relocated to Hawaii Islands, testing range and accuracy of bomb delivery.
Some Marine units, small but significant forces, were sent to secure Allied outposts in other parts of the world, further convincing the American generals in their theory about not really serious invasion of US.
Back in the Pacific, same men tried to find a weakness in Japanese hold over Pacific, to destroy their presence so near to their homeland. IJN's battleships proved no more merciful than pilots from the carriers Kaga or Taiho.
The IJN had more luck week later, when it's submarines located the massive USN fleet, with many carriers and battleships, protected by numerous cruisers and destroyers, seemingly covering evacuation of US forces from South Pacific. Finally.
Imperial forces were in no hurry. Important islands were fortified and submarines attacks forced the US fleet to escape only to north, back to the Californian ports.
Some of them escaped slightly damaged, like USS Saratoga, but the rest of them faced the Japanese torpedo bombers.
As the IJN continued with policy of 'no survivors', when enemy ships were sunk, so the USN's losses were total. Another heavy blow to American morale.
After this glorious victory, the first divisions for the 'Operation Number One' were sent to Vancouver Island's base, the IJN's unsinkable carrier.
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This AAR made me want to play Japan again!
I choice the New Grand Campaign mod because I like Taisho Tenno, or emperor Yoshihito. He was vastly underestimated even from the Japanese, so I want to give him a vast great empire.
I conquered China in 1916. Using manipulating world opinion against China, I could DoW on them early.
In 20 years peace time, I just made many ICs.
When the German launched the Barbarossa, I used your strategy, that back stab the Soviets from east. This time, the AI Germany was not good progress, so I conquered all Siberia and meet the Germans at Stalingrad.
In 1942 whole busy to conquering Siberia, the USA DoW on the empire. I immediately allied the German, and invaded Burma and Malay.
IN 1945, after conquered Australasia and India, the Japanese 70 divisions (the one third were tanks) landing on the west coast. The US army was about 50 divisions according to the intelligence, perhaps they lost many in the west Africa campaign.
After put the rising sun banner on the White House, reminded US army was just 7 divisions.
I made one nuclear bomb, but never have opportunity to use it.
Playing as Japan is always a lot of fun and challenge!
I choice the New Grand Campaign mod because I like Taisho Tenno, or emperor Yoshihito. He was vastly underestimated even from the Japanese, so I want to give him a vast great empire.
I conquered China in 1916.
Using manipulating world opinion against China, I could DoW on them early.In 20 years peace time, I just made many ICs.
When the German launched the Barbarossa, I used your strategy, that back stab the Soviets from east. This time, the AI Germany was not good progress, so I conquered all Siberia and meet the Germans at Stalingrad.
In 1942 whole busy to conquering Siberia, the USA DoW on the empire. I immediately allied the German, and invaded Burma and Malay.
IN 1945, after conquered Australasia and India, the Japanese 70 divisions (the one third were tanks) landing on the west coast. The US army was about 50 divisions according to the intelligence, perhaps they lost many in the west Africa campaign.
After put the rising sun banner on the White House, reminded US army was just 7 divisions.
I made one nuclear bomb, but never have opportunity to use it.
Playing as Japan is always a lot of fun and challenge!
Great AAR and updates, it's just a pity the AI is so passive. A competent USA or player would be throwing everything they have at your Vancouver Island base. And the naval battles, so one sided! You'd think that Japan was using rail guns and cruise missiles.
Not yet. USN must be butchered first, thoroughly, this necessity didn't changed. Their carriers must not escape the emperor's wrath.
My Axis 'allies' are very competent there. Italians got their revenge for Libya by massive landings in Syria and Algeria, and Regia Marina, as you can see, is greater enemy of Royal Navy than Kriegsmarine.
It seems I am just too fast for US AI to react properly. Before they started sending divisions to Pacific, Australasia was mine. Before they assembled larger naval force, I took Oahu.
They'll try, I assure you. And it will end badly, as you would expect.