His Majesty the Emperor and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
MOST SECRET
Senior Commanders only
By hand of Officer only
Imperial General Headquarters
Tokyo, October 1937
5 Copies
Copy Nº 3
Imperial Directive Zero-2: for the Conduct of the War in Russia
1. Since the situation on the Far East border with the Soviet Union has become intolerable and represents a credible threat to our Empire and since all political possibilities of peaceful settlement have been exhausted, I have decided upon a
solution by force.
2
The attack on the Russian Far East will be undertaken in accordance with the preparations made for 'Operation Winter Storm', with such variations as may be necessitated by the build-up of the Army, especially the Anti-Tank brigades, which is now virtually complete.
The strategic purpose of the operation remains unchanged: to deny the Soviet Union naval and commercial access to the Pacific Ocean and set a new land frontier between our States around Siberia. This strategy aims to eliminate the Soviet Union as a geopolitical rival in East Asia.
- Date of attack 1st January 1939
3. In the
South it is important to leave the responsibility for opening hostilities unmistakably to the Republic of China. Minor violations of the frontier will be dealt with, for the time being, purely as local incidents. Only when We have driven deep into Russia and have secured our military position We shall declare war on China.
- Date of attack approx. late 1939 / early 1940
The Western frontier of China will not be crossed
by land at any point without my explicit orders.
This applies also to all acts of warfare
at sea or to acts which might be regarded, as such.
The assurances of neutrality given by us to Holland, France, the United Kingdom and the United States are to be meticulously observed.
Operation ''Winter Storm''
I) Imperial Far East Army Group commands two armies stationed in Manchukuo and is made up of 400,000 troops, 200,000 of whom are veterans from the Second-Sino Japanese war, the rest are freshly trained but well equipped recruits. The reason for the relatively low number of troops is because our intelligence estimates that the Soviets have the bulk of their armed forces in Europe and what is left at the border with Manchuria are second-rate and light forces.
One Army will invade Mongolia, Tannu Tuva and Sinkiang while at the same time, protecting the left flank of the other Army advancing through the Trans-Siberian Railway.
In the Home Islands, we have 4 Corps on standby numbering about 180,000 troops (one of the corps is an Anti-Tank column) ready to perform amphibious operations around Vladivostok with the purpose of encircling the Soviet Far Eastern Front, it being equivalent to a western Army Group.
II) The Imperial Navy will blockade the Soviet pacific ports and destroy the Soviet Pacific Fleet. It is very important to terminate their operational ability quickly, especially their submarine fleet, lest they sink many of our supply convoys and escorts.
Aircraft Carriers will be kept close to the coast to bombard military and infrastructure targets. Once the frontlines reach the interior of Russia, all CAGs must leave the carriers and rebase inland from where they can keep on flying bombing campaigns.
III) The Imperial Air Force shall serve as a heavy artillery unit and will be responsible for close air support and anti-armour operations. Interceptors shall provide air superiority to facilitate the movement of land troops.
IV) Case Han: once our military situation in Russia is secure, 400,000 veterans troops stationed in the border with China shall pour into the interior and conquer the rest of non-occupied China along with all of the warlord and satellite states.
Signed His Imperial Majesty
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Imperial Review on the preparations for Operation ''Winter Storm''
After Our victory against Nationalist and Communist China, Shanxi and the Kingdom of Siam in a three month lightning campaign, we have decided to rest, reorganize our forces and not engage in any military conflicts for the rest of 1937. We have also arranged a political truce with China. This will provide us with a entire year of operational freedom to prepare Our forces for a future conflict with the Soviet Union in 1939. Two out of three of our Imperial Armies will remain in China guarding the frontier. The third Army will be sent to the Mongolian border. A fourth Army will be recruited in Japan and deployed to the western Manchukuo-USSR border when they are done with basic training. In addition to those two Armies in Mongolia and Manchuria, We shall train three corps of amphibious troops to be fielded by our Empire.
Our Imperial domains in Asia:
Imperial soldier overlooking our newly conquered lands in China from the ancient Great Wall.
The year of 1937 and 1938 was quiet for this side of the world and there were no major events during this time. We just dedicated to the reorganization of our forces and the production of Anti-Armour batallions in preparation for the launch of Our offensive into the Russian Far east.
Military Theatres in East Asia
In Europe, the aggressiveness of the German state did not go unnoticed. Our military experts noted that the Sudetenland area annexed by the Germany after the Allied powers acquiesced, contained the outer defensive ring of Czechoslovakian fortifications, leaving this small European nation defenseless in case of future german aggression.
Map of Border Fortifications
We are deploying one of our three veteran Armies of China to the Mongolian border while another is being trained in Japan to be sent to northwestern Manchukuo.
An Anti-Armour Corps, ready to be deployed during war.
War of the Worlds...coming soon.
About 50,000 Imperial troops will support Manchurian forces around north Korea. We are actually counting on Manchukuo to hold the line and help trap the Soviets where the red arrow is.
Imperial Order of Battle
Imperial Field Marshal and his Officer Corps in Manchuria.
I) Imperial Headquarters Russia
a) Imperial Far East Army Group:
- 1) Imperial Army of Outer China
- 2) Imperial Army of Manchuria
While some parts of the world celebrate Christmas, we are secretly preparing our forces to the last detail. The Russian question will be settled once and for all!
Overview of the tactical landscape in Manchuria and surroundings. Notice how Manchukuo and its Army will be responsible for holding the entire northeastern front against the Soviets and will also act as a rearguard for our western Armies. God forbid they collapse or our entire rear will be exposed.
Imperial Order of Battle in China
I)Imperial Oriental Headquarters
a) Imperial East Asia Army Group :
- 1) Imperial Army of Northern China
- 2) Imperial Army of Eastern China
We have three Corps in Japan proper ready to perform amphibious landings in the Far East. We also have one more amphibious Corps stationed in China, specialized in Anti-Tank operations.
In total, around 400,000 troops are ready to take part in the conquest of the Russian Far East as of today. We also have about 180,000 rapid strike troops in Japan and China on standby to execute amphibious operations in Russia. In China alone we have another two Armies made up of 400,000 battle hardened soldiers guarding our borders. Lastly, our reserves in the Home Islands, Korea and our Pacific domains amounts to about 100,000 additional troops.
Herefore, the Review has concluded that the new organization and size of our armed forces fully satisfies the requirements for Operation ''Winter Storm''.
Approved by Imperial General Headquarters
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IMPERIAL RESCRIPT
We, by the grace of heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on a throne occupied by the same dynasty from time immemorial, do hereby make proclamation to all our loyal and brave subjects as follows:
'' We hereby declare war against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. We command each and all of our competent authorities, in obedience to our wish, and with a view to the attainment of the national aim, to carry on hostilities by sea, air and land against Russia, with all the means at their disposal, consistently with the law of nations.
Over thirteen years have now elapsed since our accession to the throne. During this time we have consistently pursued a policy of peace, being deeply impressed with a sense of the undesirability of being in strained relations with other nations, and have always directed our officials diligently to endeavor to promote friendship with all the powers. Fortunately our intercourse with the nations has continued to increase in intimacy.
However, the national policy of the USSR in respect to the Orient has always aimed at the domination of Asia and the subjugation of her neighbors to its Will. For more than seven years Japan has resolutely resisted Russia's border aggressions, regardless of suffering and sacrifice, in order not only to maintain her national independence and freedom but also to uphold international law and justice and to promote world peace and human happiness.
Japan is a peace-loving nation. In taking up arms in self-defense, Japan entertained the hope that Russia might yet realise the futility of her plans of conquest. Throughout the struggle all the other powers have shown the utmost forbearance likewise in the hope that Russia might one day repent and mend her ways in the interest of peace in the entire Pacific region.
However this is not to be for We have been attacked by the USSR in the frontier in yet another incident. This latest act of aggression on the part of Russia lays bare her insatiable ambitions and has created a situation that no nation which believes in international good faith and human decency can tolerate.
Such conduct on the part of Russia is not only a direct injury to the rights and interests of this Empire, but also a menace to the permanent peace and tranquility of the Orient. Judging from her action, it must be concluded that Russia from the beginning has been bent upon sacrificing peace to the attainment of her sinister objects. In this situation, ardent as our wish is to promote the prestige of the country abroad by strictly peaceful methods, we find it impossible to avoid a formal declaration of war against the USSR. It is our earnest wish that by the loyalty and valor of our faithful subjects, peace may soon be permanently restored, and the glory of the empire be augmented and completed."
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hand and caused the Grand Seal of the Empire to be affixed at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo, this first day of the 1st month of the 13th year of
Shōwa, corresponding to the 2,599nd year from the accession to the throne of Emperor Jimmu.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has delivered the Declaration of War to the USSR. We are effectively in war against the Comintern faction.
The Gates of Hell are now open!
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His Majesty The Emperor, hereby orders the Execution of:
Operation ''Winter Storm''
"Duty is heavier than a mountain; death is lighter than a feather"
Imperial General Headquarters Grand War Plan
Imperial Far East Army Group, composed of 400,000 troops shall penetrate Mongolia and the western defenses in USSR-Manchukuo border. They must advance through the Trans-Siberian Railway until they reach the red dotted line to set up new defensive lines. At the same time, 180,000 troops must land around Vladivostok and to the north of it to encircle and annihilate the Soviet Far Eastern Front (Army Group). Our land forces will be supported by our air forces and some naval assets.
A photo of a company of veteran soldiers about to march into war once again.
Inmediately after declaring war, Imperial troops started to pour into russian territory. A small flotilla was trapped and destroyed around Vladivostok.
Imperial Admiral and his flagship.
Imperial 1st Battleship Fleet blockading Vladivostok
The considerable geographical, military and industrial size of the USSR has forced our politicians to turn the Japanese civilian economy into a war industry if we are to match our enemy's war effort. We cannot spare any mistakes or weaknesses in front of a potential military juggernaut.
Amphibious landings around Outer Manchuria.
Our forces marching through a bombed out village in the Far East coast. Their objective is to link up with the Manchukuo army across the red arrow above and encircle the Soviets.
Our Imperial Army of Outer China tasked with conquering Mongolia, Sinkiang and Tannu Tuva. Another function they have is to protect the left flank of the Imperial Army of Manchuria as they advance in parallel through the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Brave Mongolian soldiers defending their sacred lands. Alas, if only they were fighting in our Holy War by our side...
Here, the Army of Manchuria is seen driving forward along the TRSSR.
Imperial troops advancing along the sides of the Trans-Siberian railway.