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Jacko the Panda said:
Sure, demand all you like. It pushes up my postcount
But I can't deliver, because for some reason I can't upload. Anything. To anywhere. No, I don't know why. Yes, I have been reduced to screaming 'Why God, why?' and weeping into my keyboard. Sorry, but if you find it difficult to follow, just imagine what it's like trying to write the damn thing without maps to explain the action
Idea!
I have an idea (don't laugh, it might be good, really!)...
Could some kind reader possibly take a screeny of the north-east area of China, and send me the tag? It occurs to me that although the HOI map of China is pretty much burnt into my brain by now, since I started posting text-only updates a lot of people (alright, a few people ) will be at a loss regarding the province names. A 'reference map' is not as good as proper screen shots, but it might help a bit.
Any volunteers? The Emperor still has plenty of medals to give out
I have an idea (don't laugh, it might be good, really!)...
Could some kind reader possibly take a screeny of the north-east area of China, and send me the tag? It occurs to me that although the HOI map of China is pretty much burnt into my brain by now, since I started posting text-only updates a lot of people (alright, a few people
) will be at a loss regarding the province names. A 'reference map' is not as good as proper screen shots, but it might help a bit.Any volunteers? The Emperor still has plenty of medals to give out
February 1938 - The Shandong pocket take 2
It was not long before Japanese force of arms began to make itself felt over China once more. I say over China because on February 2nd the newly formed Imperial Air Defence Corps under Commander Fukudome fought its first combat action. Reports from the intelligence service were that the small force of bombers at the Guomindang's disposal were to attempt to harrass troop movements from Manchukuo towards the Datong salient, a golden opportunity!
The result was nothing short of a massacre. Having only the aged Caproni CA-101, and few enough of those, the Chinese were sitting ducks for the swarms of much faster Japanese interceptors, and were shot down in flames almost to the last plane. Strategically, their loss was neither here nor there to either side, but for the IADC it was an excellent way to christen their war!
As if to underline the yawning gap in technology between the belligerents, fully six wings of the new KI48-II bombers flew out of Dalian airfield to batter a corps of Chinese infantry guarding the coast at Lianyungang. The rain of bombs caused relatively few casualties among the defenders, dug in as they were, but many units took to their improvised shelters to escape the storm. Emerging after a week of solid bombing, somewhat dazed and shaken, they were poorly prepared for what awaited them.
For on February 8th the mass of iron grey warships standing a little way offshore in the Yellow sea parted to allow the passage of a column of small craft, new, fast moving little ships with no obvious armament. The Nationalist troops barely had time to report this new threat before the entire Japanese fleet opened up with a controlled, rolling barrage and a wave of carrier based planes which strafed their way along the beaches. The first wave of landing craft disgorged their cargo against little or no resistance. The expeditionary army had returned, enlarged by some 9 divisions and thirsty for vengeance!
As soon as a perimeter had been secured, larger troopships began to deposit the entire force which had been gathered in Korea, packing the docks and quaysides of Lianyungang province with masses of grim faced Japanese soldiers and their gear. Field guns, armoured cars, ton upon ton of supplies and ammunition were deposited at a frantic pace.
There was a hidden agenda behind the desire of the General staff to get back on the offensive, which swiftly revealed itself. The world was looking on, even if no-one had yet proved willing to intervene in the China war. Specifically This latest landing had been conceived in order to strengthen the image of the Japanese military in the eyes of one of the few nations which might be willing to cooperate with the Empire rather than merely standing by - Germany.
The position of the Reich in the affairs of China had so far been an ambivalent one. Unencumbered by colonial possessions in Asia (of which they had been relieved by the Japanese back in WW-1, no hard feelings, eh lads?) Germany had been an obvious choice for Asian nationalists to provide aid both technological and military against the common enemy of the western imperialists. A role which the Nazi regime had been only too willing to fulfill, seeking both influence outside europe and a testing ground for weapons and tactics. To Japan they offered diplomatic cooperation but the somewhat more needy Guomindang regime had been granted a fully-fledged program of aid in training and equipping its army, the 'Military mission' under General von Falkenhausen.
Thus it was that in 1937 Hitler and his government watched with interest to see which side might gain the upper hand in this conflict, and be given the benefit of German support and a closer working relationship. Naturally, the reversals of December had worried the Japanese party leadership greatly on this score. Proof positive was required that the Empire would be by far the better choice as an eastern ally. This coordinated display of military might by land, sea and air (plus a series of private communiques on the subject of how the IJA had meant to do that, really, and the first expedition had been only a raid in force, and so on ) finally tipped the scales in Japan's favour. On February 10th von Falkenhausen received the telegram he had been expecting for some months - mission terminated, return to Berlin for debriefing. A third and final world power had turned its back on Chiang kai shek, and the diplomatic isolation of the Guomindang was complete. As a secondary issue, to underline this new 'special relationship', Germany recognised the state of Manchukuo, the only foreign power to do so.
The next day saw the combined forces of the newly landed expeditionary army and those of the northern front gathered in Kaifeng, some 40 divisions in all, crush the 9 Chinese divisions defending Xuzhou in a classic pincer movement. A total of 8 more divisions attempted to hold the corridor to Shandong open by marching north from Hefei but were easily defeated by the horde of Japanese troops now closing in. After a series of bloody but one sided battles, the pocket was closed by the 22nd.
Aerial reconnaisance revealed some 11 divisions now cut of on the Shandong peninsular, almost exactly one eighth of the Guomindang's fighting strength.
Surrounded and without supply lines they were easily forced back towards Yantai, abandoning both the massive airfield at Jinan and the vital port facilites of Qingdao within days.
The fortunes of war were once again turning to the Empire of Japan!
It was not long before Japanese force of arms began to make itself felt over China once more. I say over China because on February 2nd the newly formed Imperial Air Defence Corps under Commander Fukudome fought its first combat action. Reports from the intelligence service were that the small force of bombers at the Guomindang's disposal were to attempt to harrass troop movements from Manchukuo towards the Datong salient, a golden opportunity!
The result was nothing short of a massacre. Having only the aged Caproni CA-101, and few enough of those, the Chinese were sitting ducks for the swarms of much faster Japanese interceptors, and were shot down in flames almost to the last plane. Strategically, their loss was neither here nor there to either side, but for the IADC it was an excellent way to christen their war!
As if to underline the yawning gap in technology between the belligerents, fully six wings of the new KI48-II bombers flew out of Dalian airfield to batter a corps of Chinese infantry guarding the coast at Lianyungang. The rain of bombs caused relatively few casualties among the defenders, dug in as they were, but many units took to their improvised shelters to escape the storm. Emerging after a week of solid bombing, somewhat dazed and shaken, they were poorly prepared for what awaited them.
For on February 8th the mass of iron grey warships standing a little way offshore in the Yellow sea parted to allow the passage of a column of small craft, new, fast moving little ships with no obvious armament. The Nationalist troops barely had time to report this new threat before the entire Japanese fleet opened up with a controlled, rolling barrage and a wave of carrier based planes which strafed their way along the beaches. The first wave of landing craft disgorged their cargo against little or no resistance. The expeditionary army had returned, enlarged by some 9 divisions and thirsty for vengeance!
As soon as a perimeter had been secured, larger troopships began to deposit the entire force which had been gathered in Korea, packing the docks and quaysides of Lianyungang province with masses of grim faced Japanese soldiers and their gear. Field guns, armoured cars, ton upon ton of supplies and ammunition were deposited at a frantic pace.
There was a hidden agenda behind the desire of the General staff to get back on the offensive, which swiftly revealed itself. The world was looking on, even if no-one had yet proved willing to intervene in the China war. Specifically This latest landing had been conceived in order to strengthen the image of the Japanese military in the eyes of one of the few nations which might be willing to cooperate with the Empire rather than merely standing by - Germany.
The position of the Reich in the affairs of China had so far been an ambivalent one. Unencumbered by colonial possessions in Asia (of which they had been relieved by the Japanese back in WW-1, no hard feelings, eh lads?) Germany had been an obvious choice for Asian nationalists to provide aid both technological and military against the common enemy of the western imperialists. A role which the Nazi regime had been only too willing to fulfill, seeking both influence outside europe and a testing ground for weapons and tactics. To Japan they offered diplomatic cooperation but the somewhat more needy Guomindang regime had been granted a fully-fledged program of aid in training and equipping its army, the 'Military mission' under General von Falkenhausen.
Thus it was that in 1937 Hitler and his government watched with interest to see which side might gain the upper hand in this conflict, and be given the benefit of German support and a closer working relationship. Naturally, the reversals of December had worried the Japanese party leadership greatly on this score. Proof positive was required that the Empire would be by far the better choice as an eastern ally. This coordinated display of military might by land, sea and air (plus a series of private communiques on the subject of how the IJA had meant to do that, really, and the first expedition had been only a raid in force, and so on
) finally tipped the scales in Japan's favour. On February 10th von Falkenhausen received the telegram he had been expecting for some months - mission terminated, return to Berlin for debriefing. A third and final world power had turned its back on Chiang kai shek, and the diplomatic isolation of the Guomindang was complete. As a secondary issue, to underline this new 'special relationship', Germany recognised the state of Manchukuo, the only foreign power to do so.
The next day saw the combined forces of the newly landed expeditionary army and those of the northern front gathered in Kaifeng, some 40 divisions in all, crush the 9 Chinese divisions defending Xuzhou in a classic pincer movement. A total of 8 more divisions attempted to hold the corridor to Shandong open by marching north from Hefei but were easily defeated by the horde of Japanese troops now closing in. After a series of bloody but one sided battles, the pocket was closed by the 22nd.
Aerial reconnaisance revealed some 11 divisions now cut of on the Shandong peninsular, almost exactly one eighth of the Guomindang's fighting strength.
Surrounded and without supply lines they were easily forced back towards Yantai, abandoning both the massive airfield at Jinan and the vital port facilites of Qingdao within days.
The fortunes of war were once again turning to the Empire of Japan!
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lifeless said:
Perfect! One Order of the Rising Sun for conspicuously useful conduct in the service of His Majesty is on the way!
(Edit - Although naturally folks'll have to do their own viewing, as Tagging such an image would be naughty. Yaaarrrr!)
Hey, don't join Germany! The Empire of the Rising Sun is the master of its own fate and no Krauts shall decide its way!
Com'on, you know you can take on the Americans alone. Not that in real life Japan and Germany had anything closer than a cordial "we won't get in your way" cooperative relationship anyway.
Com'on, you know you can take on the Americans alone. Not that in real life Japan and Germany had anything closer than a cordial "we won't get in your way" cooperative relationship anyway.
AntiochusIII said:Hey, don't join Germany! The Empire of the Rising Sun is the master of its own fate and no Krauts shall decide its way!
Com'on, you know you can take on the Americans alone. Not that in real life Japan and Germany had anything closer than a cordial "we won't get in your way" cooperative relationship anyway.
You misunderstand me, sir! The Germans are joining US !
You're quite right that we can't expect any help from that direction against the yanks, but bear in mind the real reason that Germany and Japan were inclined towards cooperating - the Soviet Union.
Right up until 1940, it was far from decided whether the Empire would be making any sort of move towards the western nations and their empires, or whether, as influential groups within the army and society wished, would be concentrating on the great struggle to destroy communism. It was against the USSR that help from Germany would be a great advantage...
Good to see you, BTW
And ironically, by the time the full-scale war against Soviet Union came, Germany was no longer arount to help
kami888 said:And ironically, by the time the full-scale war against Soviet Union came, Germany was no longer arount to help
In our time-line, sure... Perhaps this world will be different
(Phew, thanks for posting, I thought we were going to get bumped to page 2!)
March 1938 - Picking up the pace...
With the Guomindang forces within the Shandong pocket in full retreat, the bulk of the Japanese army in the region turned its attentions to those Chinese armies further inland. They had little choice in the matter, in fact, as 25 divisions of Nationalist soldiers launched themselves into Xuzhou in an attempt to break through and relieve their trapped comrades. With only 5 divisions defending the cordon under General Tojo Hideki this new onslaught was cause for some concern, and forced the main armies to the east and west to counterattack in an bitter struggle to blunt the Chinese advance.
During the course of two days fighting, vital intelligence was gathered on current enemy dispositions: 5 newly arrived divisions to the west in Fuyang, 10 to the east in Yangzhou (the force which had rolled up the north bank of the Yangtse months before) and fully 14 to the south in Hefei holding the centre of the Chinese line. General Terauchi with only 6 divisions himself from the northern front army nevertheless dislodged the defenders of Fuyang easily enough (They were commanded by Yan Xishan, ex-warlord of Shanxi and were most likely his own troops, and not the better trained and equipped regulars of the Guomindang army). The attack on Yangzhou was undertaken by the bulk of the newly landed expeditionary army, 17 divisions under General Higashikuni himself, while the main Nationalist force was left alone once it had broken off attempts move north - 14 divisions being more than anyone would wish to confront head on!
With so many Chinese formations now on the move within a confined area, the IJA bomber command roved freely over the north east raining death on the exposed infantrymen. They could not disrupt Nationalist movements entirely, however. On March 11th the advance on Yangzhou ground to a halt as the expeditionary army lost cohesion and Chinese divisions began to pile up in the province, and three days later Xuzhou was finally re-taken by determined veterans of Chiang's field army.
By this time, it was already too late. Jinan and Qingdao, the twin strategic objectives of the Shandong campaign, had already been secured and the Chinese armies on the peninsular were still trapped behind a solid line of rested IJA divisions, surrendering one by one as their supplies ran out. All 11 divisions were accounted for by the end of the month.
With the Shandong campaign reduced to a mopping-up action, General Higashikuni turned his attention to a fresh drive south towards Nanjing. For obvious reasons it was decided to make the main axis of advance along the coast, from Lianyungang to Nantong. 24 divisions were gathered for the offensive and supported every step of the way by offshore fire support. The warships cruising along within sight of their land based charges like sheepdogs trailing a flock. With the bulk of the Chinese army moving up from the south and west, Nantong was the weakest point of their line, defended by only 6 divisions - one third of which were poorly trained and equipped local militia. They stood little chance against 4:1 odds, even before the guns of the IJN battleships opened up on them. The battle lasted a mere two hours, and Japanese forces occupied the area by the 29th, easily fending off the hastily improvised counterattack which greeted them.
Almost simultaneously, at the other end of this vast battlefield that was northern China, several divisions of Manchurian troops headed by Lt General 'Mad Dog' Semenov and his sabre-swinging cavalry and supported by the army in inner Mongolia drove the Chinese back from their positions in Datong. A corps of troops had been assembling there, 3 divisions although hardly the best that China had to offer, and a pre-emptive strike to prevent them getting any funny idea about a breakout had been carefully planned since the new year. Only the many, many miles the Manchurians had been called upon to march had delayed such an action for this long.
Spring had come, and with it a new lease of life for the war in China. But grinding advances and heavy fighting would not be sufficient to carry the day against Chiang Kai Shek and his hordes. A breakthrough was needed, and needed soon...
With the Guomindang forces within the Shandong pocket in full retreat, the bulk of the Japanese army in the region turned its attentions to those Chinese armies further inland. They had little choice in the matter, in fact, as 25 divisions of Nationalist soldiers launched themselves into Xuzhou in an attempt to break through and relieve their trapped comrades. With only 5 divisions defending the cordon under General Tojo Hideki this new onslaught was cause for some concern, and forced the main armies to the east and west to counterattack in an bitter struggle to blunt the Chinese advance.
During the course of two days fighting, vital intelligence was gathered on current enemy dispositions: 5 newly arrived divisions to the west in Fuyang, 10 to the east in Yangzhou (the force which had rolled up the north bank of the Yangtse months before) and fully 14 to the south in Hefei holding the centre of the Chinese line. General Terauchi with only 6 divisions himself from the northern front army nevertheless dislodged the defenders of Fuyang easily enough (They were commanded by Yan Xishan, ex-warlord of Shanxi and were most likely his own troops, and not the better trained and equipped regulars of the Guomindang army). The attack on Yangzhou was undertaken by the bulk of the newly landed expeditionary army, 17 divisions under General Higashikuni himself, while the main Nationalist force was left alone once it had broken off attempts move north - 14 divisions being more than anyone would wish to confront head on!
With so many Chinese formations now on the move within a confined area, the IJA bomber command roved freely over the north east raining death on the exposed infantrymen. They could not disrupt Nationalist movements entirely, however. On March 11th the advance on Yangzhou ground to a halt as the expeditionary army lost cohesion and Chinese divisions began to pile up in the province, and three days later Xuzhou was finally re-taken by determined veterans of Chiang's field army.
By this time, it was already too late. Jinan and Qingdao, the twin strategic objectives of the Shandong campaign, had already been secured and the Chinese armies on the peninsular were still trapped behind a solid line of rested IJA divisions, surrendering one by one as their supplies ran out. All 11 divisions were accounted for by the end of the month.
With the Shandong campaign reduced to a mopping-up action, General Higashikuni turned his attention to a fresh drive south towards Nanjing. For obvious reasons it was decided to make the main axis of advance along the coast, from Lianyungang to Nantong. 24 divisions were gathered for the offensive and supported every step of the way by offshore fire support. The warships cruising along within sight of their land based charges like sheepdogs trailing a flock. With the bulk of the Chinese army moving up from the south and west, Nantong was the weakest point of their line, defended by only 6 divisions - one third of which were poorly trained and equipped local militia. They stood little chance against 4:1 odds, even before the guns of the IJN battleships opened up on them. The battle lasted a mere two hours, and Japanese forces occupied the area by the 29th, easily fending off the hastily improvised counterattack which greeted them.
Almost simultaneously, at the other end of this vast battlefield that was northern China, several divisions of Manchurian troops headed by Lt General 'Mad Dog' Semenov and his sabre-swinging cavalry and supported by the army in inner Mongolia drove the Chinese back from their positions in Datong. A corps of troops had been assembling there, 3 divisions although hardly the best that China had to offer, and a pre-emptive strike to prevent them getting any funny idea about a breakout had been carefully planned since the new year. Only the many, many miles the Manchurians had been called upon to march had delayed such an action for this long.
Spring had come, and with it a new lease of life for the war in China. But grinding advances and heavy fighting would not be sufficient to carry the day against Chiang Kai Shek and his hordes. A breakthrough was needed, and needed soon...
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Woot! Back in business!
As you can see if you skip back a page and check out the post describing the collapse of the first Yangtse valley expedition, I staggered home this afternoon to find that I can upload to Photobucket again
Leaving me none the wiser as to what the problem was, but much, much happier
Therefore I'm not planning on a new up-date for April '38 today, will be adding screenies to the Feb / March updates instead to get this sucker back on track... Thanks to everyone who's stuck with us during the technical difficulties and please God don't let it all break down again!
As you can see if you skip back a page and check out the post describing the collapse of the first Yangtse valley expedition, I staggered home this afternoon to find that I can upload to Photobucket again
Leaving me none the wiser as to what the problem was, but much, much happier
Therefore I'm not planning on a new up-date for April '38 today, will be adding screenies to the Feb / March updates instead to get this sucker back on track... Thanks to everyone who's stuck with us during the technical difficulties and please God don't let it all break down again!
God? What does God has anything to do with the Japanese Empire?
You ought to thank the Emperor's father for that. It seems he wants to see his son's Empire in colour-and-all.
You ought to thank the Emperor's father for that. It seems he wants to see his son's Empire in colour-and-all.
AntiochusIII said:God? What does God has anything to do with the Japanese Empire?
You ought to thank the Emperor's father for that. It seems he wants to see his son's Empire in colour-and-all.
Nothing much to do with the Japanese Empire, but hopefully my PC is getting some divine intervention
What a relief! I really couldn't see this story holding anyones attention without screenies...
On which subject, do you think the format I'm using works? I'm trying to keep the map-bits small and focussed rather than using full sized screens and I'd be interested to hear your (or anyones) thoughts.
It works fine. I like the touch of the texts explaining the situation, makes it more of a "military status!" map. I was actually following it quietly for a while during those "text-less" days, but I don't comment very much when I don't have much to say. And of things to say my novice military advice would only screw you up.
Right now we are just waiting for you to be done with China! The action's heating up and the setbacks make it interesting. :rofl: This AAR is at its best when your unique political description on an alternate Japan dominates (I'm still wondering what will be your explanation of the answer made by this particular Japan on the Chinese Question). And what's next for Japan after China is always interesting. A historical advance South? An army-backed Siberian route? An unholy Alliance with the evil Americans? Or straight-to-America-before-everything-else approach after China's done for?
Right now we are just waiting for you to be done with China! The action's heating up and the setbacks make it interesting. :rofl: This AAR is at its best when your unique political description on an alternate Japan dominates (I'm still wondering what will be your explanation of the answer made by this particular Japan on the Chinese Question). And what's next for Japan after China is always interesting. A historical advance South? An army-backed Siberian route? An unholy Alliance with the evil Americans? Or straight-to-America-before-everything-else approach after China's done for?
Jon Young said:
I also really like, it gives you exactly the information you need.
AntiochusIII said:
Thanks, glad no-ones hatin' on the graphics
I do wish I'd chosen a slightly 'lower res' approach now, when you update about a month at a time the China war suddenly starts to look pretty lengthy! Still, not long to go now
The politics will be back, have no fear... although they really re-assert themselves on the story after the surrender - we've covered the different decisions made by the party in the run up to the war, military tactics are best left to the military, which only differs a littlefrom our time line. Next will, as you suggest, be the aftermath of the war, where decisions need to be taken again...
I agree that the 'where next?' aspect of Japan is a big attraction. You can go in all kinds of crazy directions, as the boards show us
You can't ally with the americans though. Allying with americans is sick and wrong.
Even if it means you end up parading through Rome and Paris and gets to kill Stalin?