A Pacific War
12
0000 December 1st 1945.
Industry Offices. Tokyo, Japan.
Ginjiro quickly acted on the discussions during the previous meeting by altering priorities for upgrades.
All Interceptor squadrons in the Pacific, including the largest wing commanded by Mj. General Tanaka based on Yap, received the highest priority upgrades possible. As a consequence they were all also grounded for the upgrades to take place.
0700 December 1st 1945.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, In Transit.
Osami had also quickly advised his Pacific Force Commander, Admiral Ozawa, of changes to invasion doctrine.
Three infantry divisions that had been initially ordered to invade Wolelai after the failure of the marines were ordered to disembark on Woleai island instead. Osami already knew that if the marines could not succeed in a direct assault nor would the infantry. Both marine divisions would rest for a few days on Yap before the new doctrine was tested.
0900 December 1st 1945.
Nagaoka, Japan.
For two days prior to the state funeral hundreds of thousands of people had passed silently by the coffin as Yamamoto laid in state paying their last respects to a man held dear.
The funeral procession was large as befitted one of Japan's greatest military Commanders. The crew of the repairing IJN Nagato had made the short journey from their Osaka base to form the honour guard for the man who had used their Battleship as his headquarters during the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Directly behind the coffin was the Emperor with Chief of staff for the Navy Osami and Chief of Staff Tanigawa next in line. The remainder of the Cabinet were behind them.
The Imperial Japanese Army were tasked with security and providing a contingent. Field Marshal Sugiyama led troops from the Imperial GHQ based in Tokyo with Chief of staff for the Army Satoru at his side closely followed by representatives from the Imperial Japanese Air Force led by Chief of staff for the Air Force Jun.
There was also a large Naval presence with a large part of the crews from Carrier Group D and the Battleship IJN Musashi in attendance.
All of this paled in comparison to the civilian numbers lining the entire procession route. Tens of thousands of ordinary Japanese men, women and children lined both sides of every street to honour a Hero of Japan.
The city of Nagaoka was as silent as any city could be during the entire hour the body of Grand Admiral Yamamoto took to be conveyed from the Imperial residence in the city to his final resting place at the Temple of Chuko-ji.
He would be sorely missed.
0800 December 2nd 1945.
North China Army Headquarters. Lanzhou, China.
All aircraft had been grounded at dusk the previous day and were to remain that way until 0000 hours December 2nd by order of the Emperor himself.
The first aircraft to arrive over their target were several hours later than usual as a result as they began their bombing run over Karachi. The Allied forces present had decreased considerably from their triumphant march back into the province and they knew their days were numbered.
0800 December 2nd 1945.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, In Transit.
The force build up for upcoming operations had begun. The designated launch point was Sorong in New Guinea.
Admiral Kato had embarked two of the three defensive divisions from Palau and turned his fleet south. These troops were merely the tip of the spear.
Bombers also returned to Merauke to continue their destruction of the doomed American invasion of the province. One division was close to ceasing to exist with only one remaining. Trying to march through thick jungle was bad enough but it was futile to try and accomplish it under a constant hail of accurately dropped bombs.
1800 December 2nd 1945.
North China Army Headquarters. Lanzhou, China.
General Abe had been beaten to Sukkur by a British motorised division. It would not matter.
Abe had three divisions under his command and he knew he would win. His troops had inferior equipment but were more experienced after fighting their way first through Burma and then across India. There was also the presence of five Dive bomber squadrons to assist which would likely be of some small help.
By 1100 hours on December 3rd he had not only won the battle but had occupied Sukkur. His troops would rest for a few hours before they advanced on Karachi.
0400 December 3rd 1945.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, Kwajalein.
Ozawa had moved BB Division 1 back to Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands as this was now the front line in the Pacific.
The island was slightly more vunerable than others controlled by Japan as it could be reached by marching from Maloelap to the east. Ozawa would ensure that did not happen.
Admiral Triye had embarked two thirds of the Guam garrison and also headed south towards Sorong. These experienced troops would be the spearhead of future plans.