The Sun Rises Again (A Japanese Iron Cross AAR)

[azedalis]

The Sun Rises Again (A Japanese Iron Cross 1.01r3 / AoD 1.05 AAR)

As Hirohitu sits upon the throne, he thinks to himself. WE (Japan) have been trying to westernize to become a great nation, but the home islands are a limitation. We need to conquer more of Asia, if we as the dominate race in the area. The pacific must be ours. We need oil and resources to grow and expand. America is weak, but could become our worst nightmare if she is not handled right, for now we will be friendly to her, I doubt she wants a war. China is grand, but is alot of land to take over. Indonesia is also a possible target, but how much can we take before the Untied Kingdom and her allies get involved. Whichever way we expand we must be stronger to begin with. So lets look at the western Calender. It is Early February of the year 1933, lets take a few years to develop, organize and plan our expansion.


Restarted see Post #7
Settings: This is my second game in IC and first ever as Japan - Easy with Agressive AI.

Thoughts and Strategies: First I noticed Japan has a 74 Base IC if we can raise it to be 80 or above we can get our 5th Tech Team going. So I plan to build some industry eary on and probably increase infrastructure in provinces that have large industry and resources. Second I notice alot of AA brigades, now a few is okay, but most of the time I will be trying to have air superiority so having alot of AA is a waste of the brigade slotso AA only for HQs, resources and manpower. next idea is to use 2 inf-lart and 2 mil together. This will make all the units move at 3 at the start. Also the supplies needed will be less. I don't expect to be fighting much hard targets so light artillery will be more useful them heavy.

Day one - I am doing the following
move deplomacy 1 toward central planning
Changed Head of intelligence to Takasu Shiro
Started researching: Basic Sub-Machine Gun, Wartime Industrial Base, Improved Industry and Chenical Industry
Production: Industry and infrastructure in Tokyo, Ehime, Fukuoka and Hiroshima
removed the 10 AA and the 2 AT brigades. Saved 3 AA and disbanded the rest.
Using advanced sliders I set upgrade and repair provinces to 0.0 (I have time to upgrade units later when I can upgrade multiple ranks at once.)
This leaves me with almost 20 supply and full production and comsumer goods. We will try it for a few days to see how much supply I need.
I set oil conversion to 0.0 until I get a few techs to limit the loses of energy due to poor tech.

 

[Hollandia]

Why easy?

 

[RisingSun]

You should wait til i get my mod done for the Pacific, would be much better than their. The Techs, models and other things are in wrong orders, give me time to complete it and try it out.

 

[azedalis]

March 1933 - Started research on Advanced Vacuum Tubes and Basic Infantry. Also got all 3 HQs with AA brigades setup. I decided to setup a NAvy base and airfield at Palau...started 4 levels of each. This will give me a good base to seend troops from if I decide to invade the Netherland holding in the south. I havent decided yet...but I am leading toward a this as my plan for a ahistorical expansion in the area. I also have to be ready to attack the brittish and french ports in the area if they decide to enter the war when I decide to attack. It will be important to knock out as many as possible. That said, I should slow start moving and reorganizing my fleets so that when I do decide i want war I can be prepared. Now I don't know what the events are early in the game here so I will have to figure them out.

May 1933 - Stared research for Selected Industrial Processes.

June 1933 - Started research for boost mining. The need to become self sufficient is a big dream of Japan.

August 1933 - Started research for basic electronics and first round of infrastucture done...no noticable effect...hmm...maybe it will mean nothing...we will see in the long run if it matters.

September 1933 - Started research on Light Industry and rare materials (I). Rare MAterials right now seems to be my slowest increase in materials for proction so an increase here is really needed. Looks like basic Infantry will arrive near the end of the year...atleast I will be ready to start upgrading when my first round of factories startup in Jan 1934.

January 1934 report - Industrial capacity 0/146/75 Approx resources energy 25k, Steel 29k, Spec Mats 10k Oil 13k supply 6k money 150 and manpower 575 TC 39/180. 4 new factories to be delieverd on the 6th, as well as all 4 research products to be done this month or next. A few events happened to slow down production like a manpower stike this year, but all in all, I believe we did well. No improvement in the army or navy, but will start upgrading very soon. resources are slowly increasing and nothing going down fast except money.

Goal is to reach special materials as soon as possible since alot of techs rely upon it and also to get that 5th tech slot ASAP.

(If anyone is reading this please give your ideas. I will be treating the readers as members of my cabinet and will ofcoarse will atleast listen to them. As emperor please realize I will act like they are my ideas, since I am Godly, atleast my people treat me as such infront of me. As for easy - I am expecting the english to attack me when I go ahistorical time and location for my attack...I don't want to be clobbered before 1939. Also even on easy so far I am barely ablee to produce the industry to get my 5th tech slot in 2 years...and keep my industry going. I haven't even upgraded a single unit in 1 year. If I find this to be too easy I will start over. But there is so much I don't know about IC and Japan. My first game with IC, I was German and before 1939 Japan was just the Isles as China reclaimed their territories including Korea. That kinda made me think China is over powered or the AI really messed up as Japan. As for waiting till a mod to come out...not sure I want to wait that long....I am waiting for DH to come out so that I can start a new AAR with that as the base, that is in only 3 months. The main reason for this AAR is to promote others to start their own and to get us a sub-folder for them.)

 

[unmerged(63881)]

I would balance your research. Do not go so much to the industrial research because your research speed can be highly reduced. I would Investigate on naval and land doctrines

 

[azedalis]

I did notice alot of things rely on certain techs...this forcing you to shoot to them ASAP. Like Special Materials really limit you early in the game. Once you get there you can slow down on industrial techs...since this opens you to alot of different techs and you dont need as many techs from there on to the next release of alot of techs. For major powers who have alot of tech slots, it is almost imparitive to put all your tech there until you reach this goal. One, most of these techs improve your ability to increase your production including research ability, resource production and even TC. Two, doctrines don't cost you anything to implement in time or materials to make your units better at doing their job as does the production and tech level of your units. Three, if your holding back your upgrading to get the bonus for upgrading units that are seveal levels below what is researched, you will need the industrial and unit level techs done ASAP so you have time like several other nations is no industrial giant, so they need to use every advantage in the book to get ahead of the game. Using 1933 and 1934 to get special materials researched looks on paper to be good plan, then I can upgrade my planes to Average or Improved levels, Naval guns and diesel engines for ships, Advanced Infantry to name a few in 1935 and 1936 and upgrade them during these years. Then in 1937, upgrade the doctrines to use these advanced units. By the end of 1937 I should be able to start producing Advanced units and ships for the extended war over the world.

 

[azedalis]

Game restarted for greater challenge.

Setings: Difficulty is Normal. Agressive AI. With some cheats for AI.

I will play the first 3 years mainly to work on technologies, moving my armies to where I have as many garrisons along the Korea/Manchuria border with the USSR. I will leave all the Islands unprotected for now. The Manchurian Army will defend the Mongolian border. I will set the 3 HQs on the China front with the infantry and Calvary. HQs will have 1 AA unit. I will disolve all other AA regiments and AT regiments. The Artillery and Enginering regiments will be dispersed through the infantry units. I will organize them in armies of 3 units each also along the China border.

For research - I will in 1934 through mid-1935 do only industrial techs leading to Special Materials. Any techs slots not availible to work on that and from then until 1936 will be used to get to the following techs...Basic Infantry and Basic marines...for Naval looking for Landing crafts and basic Air Craft carrier...Air will be Avarge CAS (for CAGs) and Basic Tac...Infantry Doctrines toward improving HQs (Centralized planning). If I have any left I will puch for techs for self efficiency in resources. I will not this time say when I start researching another tech. I think reading that stuff is boring.

Production: 6X3 Industry. And building up as much supply as I can get. Also high production of money if possible so I can buy what I need for the industrial production. When I can I will start producing the landing craft attachments and marine units. Either way they will be helpful either for landing in China or taking over the Netherland Resources in the Asiatic region. So here goes.

February 1, 1933 - Takasu Shiro was appointed head of Japanesse Intelligence. His knowledge on Industrial workings should help our great Empire to become a world power. In other news, the Japanese government increased its requirements for entering the country as port and airport security is tightened down throughout the country. (Slider moved toward closed society.)

March 4, 1933 - Tragedy struck when approximately 3,000 citizens of Yokohama where killed when an earthquake caused a tsunami.

March 28, 1933 - Japan permenently removed its representive from the League of Nations. Government officials gave no response when asked for a reason.

May 21, 1933 - Citizens of Osaka living conditions improved when after several years in the construction, a city subway system was opened up for public use. May the Sun never set on our great empire.

May 30, 1933 - The Empire of Japan and the Nationalist Government of China announced a truce today. Troops of the Chinese Government have surrender their positions and have pulled back into Central China. Japan now controls Manchura and a demilitrized zone in Hopei.

February 3, 1934 - The empire becomes a Paternal Aotocrat as the goverment with a shift toward becoming more Authoritarian (Slider Move). The shift in power was done without violence and in the palace.

March 5, 1934 - Started to switch National identity to Parochial World View.

July 16, 1934 - Started to switch Culture to Individualist Enterprise Culture.

October 2, 1934 - Distaster strikes Japan as a Typhoon hits the coastal cities of Toyko and Tokushima. over 1600 dead and another 3500 people missing. The empire is in morning over the fallen citizens

October 24, 1934 - Japan joins in on the London Naval Conference in hopes to recieve fair recognition in being a world naval power.

November 20, 1934 - Japan and Italy decide there will be no agreement in the London Naval Conference since they want equal size navies for all 5 nations.

November 23, 1934 - Japan denounces the 5-5-3 Naval Treaty Ratio. Diplomacy between Japan and USA and UK is being strained.

December 30, 1934 - Japan abandons Washington and London Naval Treaties.

January 24, 1935 - Japan and Manchuria sign a treaty in which Japan will fund a railroad for Manchuria, but Manchuria will oversee its construction.

February 3, 1935 - As Japan gets closer to war, Japan decides to become a fully closed society. (Slider)

March 25, 1935 - The Empire of Japan has decided to Sell some railroad equipment to Mongolia to increase relations between Japan and the Soviet Union.

June 10, 1935 - China recognizes the occupation of the northern China area by Japan. Tensions decrease between our two nations.

July 5, 1935 - We allow scientist from Germany to examine our Aircraft carrier technology, hoping this will bring our two nations closer together and they of coarse paid to examine our research.

October 29, 1935 - Japan poposes the Three Point Pact with China. This pact would be between Japan, Manchuria and China against communist aggression. This would be a big step toward removing communistic views in the area. But China refused and upset the court in Japan.

January 1, 1936 - Naval limits ended. The buildup of an unstopable Japanese Navy can begin.

 

[azedalis]

February 4, 1936 - Japan decides to become more free to get involved in world affairs. The empire feels she will decide what is best for Asia. (Slider move toward interventionism)

February 22, 1936 - Japan decides to start build special elite units for its protection and irradication of other races it is superior to.

February 26, 1936 - Japan decided to crush the coupe when radicals tried to take over the nation in the 2- 26 incident.

March 13, 1936 - Teh Empire of Japan announced today that several hydroelectrical plants have been established and placed online for power production for the nations lead. The modernization of Japan is in full force.

August 4, 1936 - It was announced tday that the 1940 Olympics Games will be held in Tokyo. This is an honor for the Empire of Japan.

October 2, 1936 - Japan sent a diplomat to CHina with seven secret demands. In these demand was that China would Ally with Japan and Manchuria in the war against communism. China accepted the demands. Japan is now Allied with China, manchuria and Xibei San Ma. This also put us at war with Guangxi Clique.
Also we are proud to report at this time we have 6 transports with the LVCP attachment (3 lvl 1 and 3 Lvl 2) and 6 Marine Divisions. We formed each transport into its own mini Kaigen with 1 LVL 2 CL. Each assigned to a Marine with an engineering brigade. 3 are stationed at Palau which we have built a lvl 4 naval port and lvl 4 airport. We are stationing 3 at Kaohsiung.

Sept 8, 1936 landed 2 marines at Haikou and 1 at Zahnjiang to assist in the war. China has almost finished them off but taking the Island should help alot.

Sept 11, 1936 China annexes Guangxi Clique. The war is already over. Stationing the 3 Marines orignally in Kaohsiung to Haikou since this seems to be the most south of the ports along the mainland coast. Maybe its close enough to assist if we decide to invade the Netherland Assets in the Asia area.

October 24, 1936 The Empire of Japan declared war on Shanxi.

November 12, 1936 Shanxi accepts peace with Japan and its Allies. Shanxi accepts becoming a puppet of Japan.

December 28, 1936 Japan and Australia sign a trade agreement for textiles. Japan hopes that this will minimize the chance of australia interfering with the Empire plans for other prime targets of wealth.

With the start of the New year the Emporor of Japan Asks his cabinet, What shall we do...we canpuppet the few other China states...We can prepare or even launch an attack on the Netherland holdings in Asia to hopefully absorb most of them into our territory. We could just build up more till war breaks out in europe and then try to join the Axis....

 

[Eugenioso]

listen azedalis, not that i dont like your AAR, but would it be possible to include maybe a few more pictures?

 

[azedalis]

Here you go...a few more pictures to show you what my situation is...

This image is zoomed out and in diplomatic mode to show the current Alliance's area at the current date. Not bad amount of area owned by the alliance for just being 1937. The problem for Japan is that Yeah we have a majority of china in the alliance..but its still just an alliance and Japan has gained no extra production capability or really resources with the excetion of Shanxi should be send her extra resources. I could have given Shanxi to china instead of puppeting it, but then Japan would have gotten less out of the deal.

This is the forces surrounding Communist China. I could declare war on her but it would probably cost me another 13 or so in Beligerence (I gained 13 from the short war on Shanxi and from puppeting her. CC looks to only have 5 or so militia units protecting her. And only 2 VP areas which is why my armies are at...ready to attack those 2 provinces. Problems with attacking her...Can I attacker her through National China borders if National China has a Peace Treaty? (Ends on the 17 Jul 1937.) Would this little country be worth the Beligerence?

This shows one of my 6 mini-fleets to carry individual marines and my southern port of Palau. The netherlands as far as I know has very few if any military units in the area. So these mini-fleets might halp me take an areas islands quickly. especially if I cature ports and use them to pickup-and then Amph Assault other areas. would probably be faster then trying to move through the jungle of the larger islands or trying to just move accross the island chains when availiable.

I know for some people alot of pictures slows down the read of AARs so I was trying to limit them if at all possible. I know I can see alot more thats going on then I possibly show you through pictures.

 

[unmerged(63881)]

Beating the commie china will not be a easy task.
Nice AAR keep it up

 

[AAGamer]

Very Nice AAR.. Please keep going. How large will your navy be?
Will you try and get enough resources to be self supportive?
Can you take Australia?

 

[azedalis]

As the emporor sits back in his throne he looking at the pages of diplomatic documents and reports, he has just decided a few things. First and foremost, after the surprise attack scheduled for daybreak on the first of January on Communist China, he will continue to develop his forces for a few years. China as a partner will be a good ally in the war to come and can watch our backside. Japan's future needs to be dominating the Pacific, taking over all the islands. But we must be careful to avoid battles with the larger coutries who have interest in the pacific. So creating a large navy to dominate the seas is a priority. A large landforce to defend these Islands is also need. Even now the empire is building ports and air bases throughout her land to be launching pads for attacks on the neighboring Islands and to help dominate the seas.

January 1, 1937 - War is declared on Communist China, Japanese forces launched a two prong attack on the mountainous regions. Having considerably larger number of troops against just a few militia troops and coming from multiple regions around the target area, appears to give us the advantage.

January 10, 1937 - Yan'an falls to Japanesse forces.

January 17, 1937 - Xianyang falls to Japanesse forces, The leaders of the communist factions are fleeing and the goverment of National China absorbs all of the territory of Communist China. (This is a bigger hit in belligerence then I had hoped...now at 28, but on the plus side National China has a base IC of 61...giving her 4 tech slots. Making her have the same amout of tech slots as Italy.)

February 5, 1937 - Sinkiang joined the alliance which only leaves Yunnan and Mongolia to not taken over or part of the alliance for the areas concidered to be of Greater China. In other news increased recruiting and conscription is taking place as the Japanese army is becoming greater (Slider move toward standing army.)

At this point I am going to start influencing Siam. I would love to be able to use their port to attack Metherland holdings in the Islands to the south of their lands, So if I can get Siam to join the alliance, it could speed up takeover and minimize the Netherland's navy chance to respond. The report on technology research is we are doing well on infantry techs. have done little to none armor and artillery techs. For the Navy, we have done some including we can build the Kaga class aircraft carrier and soon the Kagero class destroyer. We are also ready to start researching early aircraft for our carriers since we have atleast learned to make Ki-30's (Average CAS). But we are lacking in developing our Army Air units. Still have few Army and Navy Doctrines and no new air doctrines...so reasearch is still going slowly...but hopefully soon. At this point we have 9 mini-traqnsport fleets and marines for them. I think 12- 15 will be fine then I will switch to Militia or garrisons to defend the lands I need to help defend or have to defend.

March 4, 1937 - After long service during the first world war, The empire of Japan decide to retire the "old guard"

March 18, 1937 - Yunnan saw the forces of National China and Japan amassing on their borders. They decided to seek an aliance with our great alliance and we accepted.

October 4, 1937 - With the end of producing LCVPs I started a 4X4 Production of normal carriers. Will be starting some escout carriers probably in February sometime. Also probably one or two Yamato class Battleships to be close to historic.

Surprisingly there has been no major events since March, but the time was spent getting or start aircraft technologies...shoring up the larger ship techs to allow to start my production runs since naval units do not upgrade like other units. Also working on the 12th land doctrine, where I only got 7 naval doctrines done and only the 3 starting air doctines done.

I have been thinking of what will be the best way to take on the Netherland portion of the pacific Islands. I will have enough marines to land on the 4 ports that are built in the area and also I plan to hit all the VP zones also with atleast 1 marine right away. This way they will have few options on defending their territory. Only units they have in the area should be able to defend. I will have 18 marines with 18 transports ready to go. Unfortunately I do not have enough modern CLs to have a one for each transport. But I will start making destroyers who have enough range to support them.

For a picture I decided on a shot showing my troops along the UK border near Rangoon. I also have 3 divions on the Border in Sianking and The Indian Empire. I know they will not see action for probably nearly 2 years because I am hoping to get the French area for free and hoping I can force Siam to join the Alliance via events, if history goes by the books...if not I will assault Siam. So the plans for next year is to take the Netherland islands and continue to produce a large Navy and army. I do plan to have a decent air force also, but if nothing else I will have to use my carriers to provide my air dominance until such time. I really wish I have had research and produced mountaineers and learned jungle warfare tech already...but Japan doesn't have the best tech teams so reasearch is slow. I have picked techs to produce my navy up quickly and still have fairly good basic infantry. I don't have the luxury of having enough research capability to prduce unit like paratoopers and such.