16. The advance
(1st July 1940 - 1st September 1940)
Japanese marines and IJA are slowly but steadily progressing in capturing every allied piece of land in Asia. If everything goes right Allies will have no bases in Asia when the strike on Pearl Harbor will come (obviously apart from US ones).
IJA is also advancing in the New Zealand which will become another Japanese puppet as I have no intention to take of their lands myself. 100,000 men are operating on New Zealand and if you look at the outcome of battle of Paeroa you can see who has clear advantage there, both in numbers and in terms of soldiers equipment and experience.
As most of India's army has been captured and taken prisoners of war cavalry is experiencing almost no resistance from Indians. North of India tanks of major general Kawabe Masakasu finally arrived into Kathmandu and caused Nepalese surrender. One less British puppet to deal with.
Another success in the field of military doctrines. Japanese soldiers are amongst well trained ones. This will help them fight better against red hordes where commies could use their human wave tactics and in places where human wave or superior firepower is not applicable (China, Burmese jungles) they will excel.
Romania was forces to secede Transylvania to the hand of Hungary. Shortly after this right wing coup has taken place there and Romania joined the Axis (bit OT - I've seen Romania to decline Hungarian claims once declare war upon Hungary).
While battle for France is raging in the Europe IJA cavalry units are nearing undefended Delhi.
And while cavalry is near Delhi group IJN attacks Bombay, last important Indian city which was safe from Japanese might. However this fleet was just passing by as Bombay was not main target for them.
India fell shortly after and Japan is another step closer to full control of Asia.
During all this mess Soviet Union delivered ultimatum to the Baltic states. Brave Estonians decided to resist the red bear. However their resistance was short as strength of Estonian army is negligible compared to the Soviet one.
Imperial Japanese Navy fleet has finally reached its destination while escorting transports carrying 100,000 men eager to fight the Allies. Oman was the first target.
Shortly after Oman capital has fallen they gave up every piece of resistance they had and surrendered. 5 divisions started march and landgrab towards Yemen. While the rest of the fleet escorting another 5 divisions have departed towards another objective.
Fleet of admiral Yamamoto Isoroku run into Royal Navy fleet while it was entering the Red sea and one of the larges naval battles this war has seen has encountered. Lack of ships Yamamoto had was compensated by CAGs operating (some were operating from Kaga, most fearsome IJN carrier in terms of ships sunk) from adjacent sea zone.
Although IJN was outnumbered more than 2:1 IJN ships and CAGs managed to sink HMS Nelson, pride of the Royal Navy. Few more RN capitals were sunk including carrier HMS Furious, and at least 2 more capitals (IIRC it was HMS Royal Oak and HM Hood - I've blindly dismissed popup with battle ). Apart from these capitals one British heavy cruiser, 3 destroyers and 4 transports were sunk while IJN has lost one heavy cruiser and IJN Mutsu. This was the first time Allies actually managed to sink IJN battleship.
And there's coming another landing. This one is to drive Allies out of Ethiopia's vicinity so they don't distract Italians from doing their job elsewhere.
Paris has fallen but Frenchmen in France are not yet defeated unlike their fleet. IJN fleet patrolling at the entrance to the Red sea encountered remnants of the French fleet and sunk possibly their last battleship Ocean.
I've decided to invest a bit into superior firepower doctrine as this will be surely useful against red hordes which Japan will be soon fighting.
With France on their knees Italy accepted Germany's call to war just like they historically did. Is that a feature of HPP or it was just a coincidence? I am thinking whether should I tag switch to Italy and add wargoal which demands historical Mussolini's claims from France. I would like to hear you opinions on this.
North island is nearly whole under Japanese control and New Zealand's surrender is just matter of time. After this I will focus on driving Allies out of their bases in Pacific (e.g. Nauru) and slowly for Pearl Harbor.
P.S. I would like to apologize for not providing and update for quite some time. I hope that you've enjoyed this one packed with action.
As always any feedback is appreciated and I am looking forward to bringing you another update.
Hope you don't mind another update which does not bring gameplay. If there will be objections I will provide gameplay one.
