October 30th, 1942
On this historic date, an accord was signed in Calcutta between the leaders of Japan and Britain that would forever change the nature of the League. In response to growing American fanaticism about ending the war on their terms, the LMCP decided to unify their resources behind a joint military command structure in Calcutta, with all component nations retaining sovereignty under their governors. Manchuko was formally assimilated as the lesser partner in the League, while Iraq was classified as a territory of the LMCP, as were Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and most of the Pacific and Africa. Battle Plans were drawn up for the seizure of Guam and Wake Islands, followed by a strike to Midway and then Hawaii. To facilitate this, the League raised six divisions of Marines in Japan.
Furthermore, Grand Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto agreed to assume command of joint League naval operations. He immediately, having waited for years since hearing of the British "Carrier Battle Group" idea, ordered the complete reorganization of the IJN. A good bit was disbanded on the spot, but 14 carriers and the battleships Yamato and Musashi were kept, then organized into two CVBGs. A further Cruiser Task Group was cobbled together in Tokyo Bay from the IJN Gunfleets. Yamamoto took personal command of the new "Force I" from the Yamato and sailed for Scapa Flow. Admiral Nagumo placed his flag on the Musashi and took command of the Pacific theater. Since both the Yamato and the Musashi possessed only AA batteries and strengthened hulls, refits were ordered to provide them with radar arrays and fire control systems, as well as "just in case" torpedo tubes.
In Tokyo, Admiral Ozawa began to hammer the Cruiser Force into shape, requisitioning light cruisers and destroyers as screens for the heavier ships. In Calcutta, two Vanguard-Class battleships, the King George V and the Prince of Wales, were ordered to strengthen Ozawa.
Admiral Mikawa was ordered to Britain where an entirely new CVBG was being built for him. It would feature the latest in naval technology to allow him to face down the USA. Also the HMS Duke of York, the first Yamato-Class battleship to be built by the British, would become his flagship. Also, 19 of the new Shinano-Class Aircraft Carriers were laid down to strengthen the RN.
Meanwhile, the Germans had turned their losing battle against the Soviets around and began driving out of the Baltic States into Russia proper.
December, 1942
The South African Army was melting away against a massive League onslaught.
And the ANZAC forces in Australia had already made plans to fall back to New Zealand.
On this historic date, an accord was signed in Calcutta between the leaders of Japan and Britain that would forever change the nature of the League. In response to growing American fanaticism about ending the war on their terms, the LMCP decided to unify their resources behind a joint military command structure in Calcutta, with all component nations retaining sovereignty under their governors. Manchuko was formally assimilated as the lesser partner in the League, while Iraq was classified as a territory of the LMCP, as were Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and most of the Pacific and Africa. Battle Plans were drawn up for the seizure of Guam and Wake Islands, followed by a strike to Midway and then Hawaii. To facilitate this, the League raised six divisions of Marines in Japan.
Furthermore, Grand Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto agreed to assume command of joint League naval operations. He immediately, having waited for years since hearing of the British "Carrier Battle Group" idea, ordered the complete reorganization of the IJN. A good bit was disbanded on the spot, but 14 carriers and the battleships Yamato and Musashi were kept, then organized into two CVBGs. A further Cruiser Task Group was cobbled together in Tokyo Bay from the IJN Gunfleets. Yamamoto took personal command of the new "Force I" from the Yamato and sailed for Scapa Flow. Admiral Nagumo placed his flag on the Musashi and took command of the Pacific theater. Since both the Yamato and the Musashi possessed only AA batteries and strengthened hulls, refits were ordered to provide them with radar arrays and fire control systems, as well as "just in case" torpedo tubes.
In Tokyo, Admiral Ozawa began to hammer the Cruiser Force into shape, requisitioning light cruisers and destroyers as screens for the heavier ships. In Calcutta, two Vanguard-Class battleships, the King George V and the Prince of Wales, were ordered to strengthen Ozawa.
Admiral Mikawa was ordered to Britain where an entirely new CVBG was being built for him. It would feature the latest in naval technology to allow him to face down the USA. Also the HMS Duke of York, the first Yamato-Class battleship to be built by the British, would become his flagship. Also, 19 of the new Shinano-Class Aircraft Carriers were laid down to strengthen the RN.
Meanwhile, the Germans had turned their losing battle against the Soviets around and began driving out of the Baltic States into Russia proper.
December, 1942
The South African Army was melting away against a massive League onslaught.
And the ANZAC forces in Australia had already made plans to fall back to New Zealand.
