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Thanks! I was playing the game last night, and boy... I sure do get myself in some tight spots!
Should make for a fun AAR, though! Thanks! Or (as I'm roleplaying) I'm touching the hot stove again to see if it's still hot.
The Japanese, at this point, still have a very vague notion of where they stand, relatively, to the rest of the world.Which means (I'll tell you here what I hinted at in the update, but couldn't come right out and say), the Japanese assumption is that the last war was lost ONLY because the Russians had time to marshal their forces after a long period of time and we got overwhelmed because we didn't know what was coming. Japan, here, is fighting the last war the way it SHOULD have been fought the first time.
Now, maybe that will work. Or, maybe it won't!
Heh!
See my comment to Athalcor above. Thanks! Yes, there are some forts in Okhotsk and elsewhere along that coast. However, they're pretty rudimentary, and they're not a whole lot of protection. I'd hope for more protection in the mountains, which could combine with the fort that's there (I wish V2's modifiers for defense in mountains were higher -- historically mountains were a BIG deal).
As for Sakhalin, if you look closely at one of the above screenshots, you might start to get a hint of how relatively difficult Sakhalin Island might be this time around.
Oops, nevermind. I either covered up that part of the screenshot with my Mobilize announcement, or I just didn't include that screenshot. Take my word for it -- it's not going to be easy. Thanks! And if the Emperor HAS bitten off more than he can chew, then it just makes all the more interesting reading, eh?
Indeed, that's a valid question. And it's one that's hardly on the mind of the Japanese at this point, who still haven't quite grasped how enormous Russia is. The attrition is the big challenge, because I either have to split my forces to avoid attrition, making (I believe, yes?) it take longer to subdue the provinces, or I must keep them together and accept losses. Plus, I don't remember (I need to re-read my strategy guide, eh?) if there are weather penalties in V2 -- I haven't seen any yet, but I might have missed them.
Indeed! Should be fun to watch. Thanks for following along!
Any new readers out there, or readers who are just very quiet?
Thanks again, everybody, for your comments!I'll have an update either tonight or tomorrow, I think. I'm playing this game on my home computer, not on my laptop, which means I can't just do updates on the fly... EXCEPT that I've uploaded a bunch of screenshots to a flash drive and I'm starting to get into the habit of using the flash drive to write updates on my lunchbreaks, or wherever the opportunity presents itself. I think I'll be doing that today.
Exciting times ahead for Japan! Was having a blast playing last night. It doesn't take much for a relatively undersized country to have an epic war, but I'm in another of them (down the road, not this one).
Rensslaer
Looking forward to the Russians drowning your soldiers in a sea of Russian blood, which, considering how far we are above sea level, will be an amazing feat. This AAR haven't so far been particularly isolationist or serene, but it manages to be quite entertaining in spite, or maybe more correctly, because of this. Serenity doesn't make for good slaughterhouse entertainment.
Banzai!
Heh. Thanks! Well, the movie Serenity (Firefly) wasn't very serene either, but it was great entertainment. Welcome, Willum! Glad to have you following along!
More slaughter up right away....
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In declaring war upon Russia, Japan was more or less aware that they still maintained an alliance with Sweden. And the Japanese government was also aware of an alliance with the Turks of the far west, but what that meant, in terms of military considerations was hard to say.
Already, one part of Japan’s strategy – to wrest Sakhalin Island from the Russians – had been thrown awry. In response, most likely, to Japan’s keen interest in the last war, the Russians had, in fact, an enormous army stationed on the island. Such that Japan’s initial scheme to invade the island was redirected and postponed. Uneasiness already began to creep into the minds of military planners.
Japan’s continental warplan had hinged upon a surprise invasion allowing enough time to capture some key Russian coastal provinces before the Russian army could really get into the act. This strategy was aided by the fact that the Russians had no troops along the coast to oppose our landings – everything seemingly was going according to plan.
However, soon after two regiments had settled in to invest the province of Chernomin, slightly inland, Japanese commanders were distressed to hear news of 32,000 Russian troops nearing from just one province away.
Quick figuring determined that it would be impossible for the infantry to escape, so they were ordered to dig in and make a stand to delay the enemy, while the cavalry rushed back to Ayan to bolster the second defensive line there. Even so, that force would be only half the size of the Russian army. Could this war have turned so badly so quickly?
Those fine Japanese soldiers who had remained behind fought valiantly, if futilely. The entire regiment was wiped out for the loss of only 114 enemy soldiers. And their army marched on, toward Ayan.
Ill fortune marched before them, and on 26 December, combat ensued at Ayan, which was nowhere near secured in the less than 3 months since the invasion had occurred. The Japanese army, under a leader of no particular distinction, again fought bravely, for little result. The first Russian assault hit hard, more than a thousand Japanese falling that first day.
This did not bode well for the past 7 years of Japanese “modernization”. Was Japan always to lag behind the barbarians in warmaking implements and tactics, no matter how it tried, or would Japan be able to, eventually, overcome its disadvantage?
Already, the prospect of coming under Russia’s sphere of influence loomed. Could it really happen? And could it be Japan’s own fault? Hubris, cascading into a saga of devastation?
In the end, after scarcely more than a week, two-thirds of the Japanese army was destroyed, and the rest were marching back to Okhotsk, which would almost have to be the final redoubt. Without Okhotsk, the entire strategy devolved, and Japan would be reduced to begging.
Absent the military disasters across the sea, Japan’s technological chase was achieving results, with more advances in the area of steam engines (discovering Steamers first, followed by the Practical Steam Engine – sounds backward to me, but whatever).
Precious few defenders remained to hold Okhotsk, no matter the fort there (which was not yet captured) or the mountainous defensive advantage.
Fortunately, a force of 24,000 combined arms soldiers was being landed to assist. It had the potential to be enough, under Gen. Muto’s leadership, to turn the Russians back. But were the spirits really on our side? After the war’s first two battles, many were forced to wonder if we had angered the gods somehow. Were we being punished?
Just after the first of the year, the first war victory was the subjugation of Talaya province. Gen. Itagaki quickly gathered his forces and marched west, in hopes of arriving in time to prove a decisive presence in the defense of Okhotsk.
Barely in time, Gen. Muto succeeded in subduing the city and province of Okhotsk, too. Those soldiers who would fit inside the small fortress took up positions there, as a final holdfast, if the rest of his armies failed to stop the Russian General Rozhestvensky.
Muto immediately took to sea, leading a small army that meant to slip behind the Russians, into Ayan, as they negotiated the passes into Okhotsk. If a miracle occurred, and the Russians were defeated there, they might be trapped with no escape. Gen. Yui managed the defensive operations, in anticipation.
Gen. Yui’s army, bolstered by reinforcements, received Rozhestvensky’s blow at the end of January. The battle did not initially go as badly as feared. The forces, on either side, were approximately equal, but the Russians still inflicted twice as many casualties as they took themselves.
Gen. Muto’s 16,000 soldiers landed in Ayan before the month was out. Could it be that, in the face of impending failure, Japan could regain the initiative, and fight a successful war?
After another week of combat, Gen. Yui’s soldiers were proud to have turned the Russian flank, inflicting more casualties, and there was hope that the morale of the Russians might fail, and victory would be Japan’s. But the spirit of Yui’s own troops was flagging. They could not hold out much longer.
By mid-February, Japan had actually captured 7 Russian provinces, and the armies which had secured them were marching west to assist in holding Rozhestvensky back. But Yui had been forced to retreat from Okhotsk, and there seemed little hope of shifting the momentum back toward Japan.
Envoys were sent to humbly entreat for an early peace.
Fortunately, Russia was not, at that time, interested in further pursuing a bloody war with its eastern rival. The reasons would soon become apparent. They accepted a status-quo peace, and Japan’s armies began the dispiriting task of packing to go home empty handed.
Mere weeks after the close of hostilities, Russia invaded China. Doubtless, this had been their plan immediately before Japan’s attack, which explained the close proximity of Rozhestvensky’s army.
Back home in Japan, relief was mixed with frustration and anger. Japan had been humiliated. How to save face, now, before the Emperor and his people?
That was pretty unfortunate, but in the end at least you didn't suffer any losses other than some men and your pride
I second this proposal. Nothing like humiliating someone else to regain lost pride!
"No battle plan survives contact with the enemy".
Nip and tuck, I'd say. Lucky in a way that Russia had bigger fish to fry. Speaking of which, maybe Japan would benefit from an alliance with a big-time partner. Something to distract Russia, if you decide to try again.
Nip and tuck, I'd say. Lucky in a way that Russia had bigger fish to fry. Speaking of which, maybe Japan would benefit from an alliance with a big-time partner. Something to distract Russia, if you decide to try again.
How did Yui end up in command of the most decisive battle of the war? He didn't exactly seem qualified for the post.
Russia is proving such a tease I'd say go for Korea now, if they Chinese still come to their defence... they are welcome to try
I'd say go for Korea now, if they Chinese still come to their defence... they are welcome to try 
These last tree updates have been good (the last time I commented was 3 updates ago).
That was pretty unfortunate, but in the end at least you didn't suffer any losses other than some men and your pride
True enough! I was relatively satisfied to have escaped without greater injury. Welcome, Rabid! Thanks for saying hi!
Indeed, let's just say you'll see Japan at war with China at some point. Not saying when.
You are quite right! And Japan's pride is smarting, for sure!
No kidding! I was a little surprised they let me go so easy, but I wasn't complaining. One concern I have with alliances is that I might end up at war with one of the big European countries (or 3 or 4 at a time). Mind you, that is largely a "roleplaying" concern, as I'm obviously not concerned about going to war with the 2nd ranked power in the world (twice!).
You know, I started the game with this massive number of "okay" generals -- maybe 8 personalities, plus another 3-4 I "paid" for over the years. And in the first war with Russia I had one or two who had some skills in attack (none with defense as I recall). But after that first war they started dying like flies! I started this war with only about 4 personalities, and none had any particular skills. Yui was one of the best I had. I just figured I wouldn't attack with him. The other problem was most of my generals were "locked" in provinces I didn't control, so if I had someone better than Yui, I couldn't move them from where they were without capturing the province first.
Don't worry -- I get better generals soon!
Russia is proving such a tease
lol A tease, eh?
I think Korea might be the ticket. I was ready to invade them before this war anyway.Thanks! I've been very happy with this game so far -- lots of good material for the AAR.
Another update in the next couple of days. Big stuff ahead, and even bigger stuff after that!
Thanks for your readership and comments! I'm having alot of fun with this. In other news, I'm in the last string of updates for Imperio Novo, which means I'm already looking back at Kriegsgefahr to see how to get back into both the AAR and gameplay. I sure got into a fix with that one!
Watch me try to wriggle out!Rensslaer
those russians are a bit too tough for the moment ... maybe Korea/China first would be best , to match their numbers.
I had dropped in and sampled this AAR a few times when I found it atop page one. When things began to go awry during the first Russo-Japanese conflict I made a note to find the time to enjoy this AAR more fully. I am very impressed with your devotion to role-playing. It was incredibly pleasing to see you set aside your planned invasion of Korea (at least temporarily) in an attempt to settle old scores with the Russians when the game presented the opportunity.
Thank you for a wonderful read. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment.
Thank you for a wonderful read. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment.
Got what seems like a frustrating bug in my game. I can't produce artillery or engineers (or guards, probably) because they can't get liquor, but I produce liquor internally, and I'm still apparently exporting some of it. The stuff I don't export doesn't ever seem to get to these troops who need to be built. Grr...
Anyone know what could be done?
Rensslaer
Anyone know what could be done?
Rensslaer
Produce more of it. If you get sphered by someone rather larger than you it can be a problem to produce enough, but otherwise having half of your early factories be liquor should be enough. Government is last in line in 1.3 so you have to sozzle POPs first.
You can encourage the rest of the world to produce more by setting a manual buy order on the trade screen to 2000 and its generally a good idea to set manual buy orders to keep a stockpile large enough to immediately build as many units at once as you want to. Its not necessary for most purely military goods, but for goods which are mostly civilian but also required by troops, like booze and luxury clothes, it pays to have a decent sized stockpile.
lol I just set about 15 key items for manual trades, taking over from the AI, setting my stockpile to about what everybody needs, and allowing the POPs to buy from the stockpile, and so now my income is going pitter-patter -- daily gyrations of up 600, down 600 -- like a heartbeat on overdrive! I guess every day the POPs take something from the stockpile, use it to make something, then sell, then the next day they're back to repeat the cycle.
It's been a long time since I wrote the strategy guides, and even played, so I'd left the trades on AI even though I used to do everything manual. I finally remembered how to do it in a way that was (I think) smart, so we'll see how this goes as we move forward.
Thanks, The Arch Mede! Welcome to the story!
Renss
lol I just set about 15 key items for manual trades, taking over from the AI, setting my stockpile to about what everybody needs, and allowing the POPs to buy from the stockpile, and so now my income is going pitter-patter -- daily gyrations of up 600, down 600 -- like a heartbeat on overdrive! I guess every day the POPs take something from the stockpile, use it to make something, then sell, then the next day they're back to repeat the cycle.
It's been a long time since I wrote the strategy guides, and even played, so I'd left the trades on AI even though I used to do everything manual. I finally remembered how to do it in a way that was (I think) smart, so we'll see how this goes as we move forward.
Thanks, The Arch Mede! Welcome to the story!
Renss
Don't let your POPs buy from the stockpile. Its for you to build troops and naval bases with, not them to get drunk and make furniture to throw away.
There are also bugs in the economic calculations when POPs can buy. If you are making it work for you, its probably because you are exploiting them. The only time it isn't completely a bad idea is if you want to let capitalists have access to your stockpile of building materials because they are stuck on building something you want them to build. Then just give them 1 day to buy and shut off access again.