Part 23: The Zero
On the 9th of June one of our most pivotal research projects are finally deployed into the armed forces.
Based on earlier experiences from China we tasked Mitsubishi with producing a fast, highly maneuverable and extremely long range fighter. The answer is the A6M2 Type 0 Rei-sen. Also known as the "Zero".
By using a new top secret aluminium alloy, constructing the frame as a single piece and in general saving weight everywhere the aircraft was made extremely light. It has drawbacks such as no armor, fuel tanks are not self sealing etc. But in the hands of an experienced pilot, it is extremely deadly and will ensure Imperial Japan control of the skies for years to come! It is the first carrier based fighter to outperform its landbased counterparts.
Speaking of projects, another long term project I want to talk about is the development of capital ship cannons. We have just completed a project that will vastly improve our battleship and battlecruiser guns.
This is part of a larger long term strategy for a secret weapon to use against anyone who dares challenge Imperial Japan!
I cannot show more then this prototype picture, but I can tell you these new guns are larger than anything put on a warship before!
Back in Spain on the 13th of June the 4th Infantry Corps, 1st Division manage to take a lightly defended Madrid.
The Japanese spearhead straight into the heart of their country was to fast for their main elements to keep up with the advance. Maj. General Okazaki and his men met nothing but HQ units and their contingents in the enemy capital.
Suffice to say, they stood no chance against the battle hardened Japanese soldiers!
By now all important ports are firmly in Japanese control and we are pushing into key areas to force a surrender of Spanish forces. At this point Spanish resistance is rapidly weakening in the face of overwhelming Japanese air assaults. Spanish fighter squadrons are worn down to a point where they can no longer contest air superiority.
To be honest this is mostly due to the loss of airfields, individual wings of Spanish fighters are still strong, however, they now find themselves outnumbered and quickly loose what strength they had earlier.
Unfortunately bad terrain, weather and stiff resistance is slowing down the advance toward the last Spanish strongholds. To speed up the capitulation it is decided to employ one of the newer elements of the Imperial Japanese Army, our paratroopers.
They are immidiately flown over from Osaka to the European theatre where they are employed against important objectives in Valladolid in the northwest of Spain, their new capital. Resistance is expected to be light.
It was not... their landing met hard resistance from the entrenched defenders. An expected victory was quickly developing into an emergency situation with friendly forces over a week away. Our brave paratroopers under command of Maj General Ehime continue their desperate assault against overwhelming odds far behind enemy lines.
We have only one choice... set the entire might of the Imperial Japanese Air Force in support of the attack, holding back nothing!
Through the use of extreme amounts of aerial bombardment with everything from navy dive bombers to long range medium bombers we finally manage to secure the city and force capitulation of Spain on the 24th of June.
This is a glorious victory for the Empire of Japan! The Emperor is pleased! Maybe the Germans could learn a thing or two from this victory in their war against France and the allies.
While they have managed to advance into Belgium, they are yet to set foot on French soil.
On this overview you can see the new territories under Japanese control marked in yellow. Note the former Spanish holdings in southwest and west Africa.
Current forces in southwest and north Spain are redeploying to engage Portugal. Divisions closer to ports are moved by ship and will perform landings with the 1st Marine Corps 3rd Division spearheading an assault just north of Lisboa.
Due to a very strong Portuguese presence in their west African colonies it is unlikely that Portugal will surrender even if we overrun their capital. While their African colonies could supply limited amounts of raw materials and industrial capacity. It is also clear that we will have to focus our efforts or risk spreading our forces to thin. Thus we will not focus any efforts on defending our holdings in the southern part of Africa. However, we will probably attempt to secure Portuguese holdings off shore. Islands are so much easier to defend and can be bases for later conquests in Africa should it be needed.
While our Imperial forces in Europe go from victory to victory, preparations in Japan are going into overdrive.
With the latest expansions the industrial capacity is up to 361, of these roughly 300 are put into production with the rest on upgrades, reinforcements and supplies.
Due to the recent breakthroughs a lot of units require upgraded equipment and with the current allocation we can only upgrade around 20% of what is needed. However, this is acceptable during a limited period to ensure our new forces are in place as planned.
While focus is on the navy we also need to ensure the airforce is strong enough to reach the strategic goal Continental Military Power outlined earlier. Its also vital to be able to fend off any assaults by allied aircraft should they seek to invade our airspace.
Based on the experience in China the military police, Kempetai, will be expanded dramatically to ensure captured regions are at peace and continue to contribute their resources for the good of the Empire.
Focus will be on industrial centers, resources and important cities.
The basic unit will consist of one police unit and an attachment of cavalry. This is much cheaper than two police units, while still allowing it to operate as a fighting unit if necessary.
Old guard leaders will be assigned to these police units, that will give them something to do and prevent them from being assigned to frontline duty where their backward ways are not useful. They are stuck with old ideals and will not learn the new tactics required in a modern war as readily as younger minds.
While all this is going on, we are also reforming 6 militia divisions into marines, they are roughly 40% completed.
We also have 6 new light infantry divisions that will be completed early August.
By the end of June we are faced with an unexpected issue, a sudden shortage of freighters. New are under construction but I am starting to wonder if this is something that will need my direct control. Currently it is delegated to my advisors.
Multiple convoy routes require 20+ ships between Europe and Japan to transport raw materials, but they do not appear to be shipping anything...
A prime example is the resource convoy assigned to ship raw materials from Las Palmas to Japan. It has 24 freighters assigned, and when I review Las Palmas I realize that the islands only produce 1,5 tons of coal per day.
Not to mention our strategic reserves of Coal are full...
When I ask my subordinates on it, no one can really tell why these convoys are created and how much resources we have captured in occupied territories.
I am not sure I want to take on the additional responsibility of personally managing our resource and supply convoys, but this blatant incompetence is unsettling and unacceptable! I will meditate on this question. For now, all useless convoys are cancelled.
On the 4th of July the status in Portugal can be seen here. Lt. General Yamashita is attacking Lisboa that is defended by a single garrison division. He has full support from Japanese air and naval forces. This battle should be over fairly quickly.
By the 6th of July Porto falls to Maj. General Tsubaki and his 1st Marine Corps, 1st Division. This allows us to land additional troops, but to be honest, this battle is now nothing more then a mop up operation.
By mid July only a few regions remain contested in Portugal, and their armed forces are all crushed.
Marines are now dispatched to take the Cap Verde Islands in western Africa, we expect no opposition.
Imperial Japan is now in a very good position and Axis control of the Mediterranean will be ensured. Any future aggression by the allies will be met with firm resistance and the capture of the Suez canal. The goal is of course to prevent allied supply convoys to Asia and oil production from the middle east from reaching the UK.
However, it is clear that we have not yet faced the largest threat to Imperial Japan, these exercises have just been the prelude in the titanic battle for Japanese freedom!
