The Sun rises in Japan - Empire of Japan HPP AAR

[SKOTy]

Just to keep you updated on my own attempts: I really love how unpredictable is HPP mod.

That's the thing I love about HPP too! usually everything goes according to history with some little changes but sometimes you see whole timey whimey alternate reality stuff which is incredibly funny.

Main gaps between both attempts?
- China never had the united front until final days in the first attempt
- No Soviet or British intervention in the first one
- Chinese troops were mostly guarding the border facing terribly powerful and threatening Tibet
- NatChi national unity was amazingly low (no idea why) and I did not even have to take Chongqing
- Trade was automated, so I did not lick the US boots with lots of trading to ensure they stay friendly (+ did the same for NatChi in my first attempt to limit my threat)

Last additional questions: In neither case did I get the Nankin massacre which enables you to create the Jingwei regime... I looked at the triggers and it's just that I was too quick the first time probably, but for the second time its odd... any tips?

It would be nice to have a comment from SSmith or TheBromgev about this as they know everything about HPP


In this playthrough I've used "armoured horses" divisions (3x CAV, 1xSUP(T)). The armoured cars in support division worked like charm against Chinese militia swarm as even these are sufficient to provide you armour advantage against militia brigades. Also you can practice blitzkrieg like I did in the north China.

 

[sebas379]

Nice going, good to see you'r getting involved in the Middle East. I'd say that's you best bet to ensure that sector is pacified and everyone can focus on something else (like Russia)
And I see I hadn't commented on the state of the nation update before the last one. that was an interesting overview as well!

 

[SSmith]

It would be nice to have a comment from SSmith or TheBromgev about this as they know everything about HPP

Not everything, sadly, and of course TheBromgrev knows more...

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?

Yes, Italy is scripted not to jump into a war with France until it looks like Germany is winning.

Last additional questions: In neither case did I get the Nankin massacre which enables you to create the Jingwei regime... I looked at the triggers and it's just that I was too quick the first time probably, but for the second time its odd... any tips?

The Nanking Massacre is an event with a mean-time-to-happen, so it can't fire until the start of the month after you took Nanjing and could then take a few more weeks. So I guess it was just a matter of chance.

 

[Karaya 1]

Not everything, sadly, and of course TheBromgrev knows more...



Yes, Italy is scripted not to jump into a war with France until it looks like Germany is winning.



The Nanking Massacre is an event with a mean-time-to-happen, so it can't fire until the start of the month after you took Nanjing and could then take a few more weeks. So I guess it was just a matter of chance.

The MTTH will be edited when Sqwerl has the time i believe since in MP it is rare to every occur unless China is STRONK and played by a human because otherwise they fall too quickly. It could be possible to immediately trigger an event or set a flag in God or something ?

Wasnt there someone once who complained about it being called god ?

Anyway, nice going. Be aware that the french holdings in Africa might go back to Vichy when its formed.

 

[vector1]

The MTTH will be edited when Sqwerl has the time i believe since in MP it is rare to every occur unless China is STRONK and played by a human because otherwise they fall too quickly. It could be possible to immediately trigger an event or set a flag in God or something ?

Wasnt there someone once who complained about it being called god ?

Anyway, nice going. Be aware that the french holdings in Africa might go back to Vichy when its formed.

In MP the MTTH may not trigger all the time, so it's better to set a flag that triggers immediately, and possibly use that flag to trigger event X number of days later.

 

[AledlePieux]

The Nanking Massacre is an event with a mean-time-to-happen, so it can't fire until the start of the month after you took Nanjing and could then take a few more weeks. So I guess it was just a matter of chance.

Thanks for the info and the other comments.
If I am not mistaking in reading the events and decisions. I can only create the Jingwei regime if the Nanking massacre fires.
Considering the long MTTH, should I just fire manually the Nanking massacre before the fall of NatChi to be able to create the Jingwei regime? Or is it another way to secure the Jingwei option?

(I have started by third game as Japan, gearing up for the war with China and trying to do more realistic than the first time and not as crap as the second time)

 

[vector1]

Thanks for the info and the other comments.
If I am not mistaking in reading the events and decisions. I can only create the Jingwei regime if the Nanking massacre fires.
Considering the long MTTH, should I just fire manually the Nanking massacre before the fall of NatChi to be able to create the Jingwei regime? Or is it another way to secure the Jingwei option?

(I have started by third game as Japan, gearing up for the war with China and trying to do more realistic than the first time and not as crap as the second time)

In SP, if it doesn't fire, just manually trigger the event at the time you take Nanjing. There is no other way to form the Jingwei Regime.

 

[guillec87]

waiting for an update

 

[SKOTy]

waiting for an update

Update will come on Sunday. I am leaving for two days now and when I return I will provide it. I promise

 

[guillec87]

Update will come on Sunday. I am leaving for two days now and when I return I will provide it. I promise

thanks! I'll wait it eagerly

 

[SKOTy]

17. Fall of France

Defenders of New Zealand have just lost battle for their capital. If everything goes well New Zealand will soon become another Japanese puppet (I have no intention to take care of their lands but I also don't want to see them helping Allies).

A visit from Karl Dönitz accompanied with 2 battlecruisers and 2 battleships? It looks like majority of Kriegsmarine has headed for vacation in Rangoon.

In the Arab peninsula thing are going well. Oman has already fallen and IJA is pushing towards Yemen and so far only light resistance has been met. IJA has clear technological advantage there.

France is about to fall and German already begun negotiations on terms of French surrender.

IJN and IJA quickly executed amphibious assaults on remaining New Zealand's victory points to quickly finish campaign there and nearly a month after Wellington's fall they surrendered.

After new level of operation doctrine (I choose superior firepower) has been researched IJA is now capable of creating 5 division brigades - I doubt that I will ever use this as 3xINF and support division are in my opinion are already robust enough (remember my Germany AAR where I've stomped the world using triangle divisions).

Quick look into France which is about to fall. Italy and Germany now has nearly full control of French homeland.

3 days later, France fell - I've decided to tag switch to Italy and and "Italian historical demands" wargoal as guillec87 suggested.

After France surrendered I'Ve decided to act and I've immediately fired all decisions that were available to me. As a reward I've gained Gulf of Tonkin modifier which provided me 25% bonus to rares production. As long as Axis members will be capable of defending their convoys they should never run of rare minerals.

Yemen's defendes were no match for experienced and well equipped Japanese soldiers so it is not surprising that Yemen surrendered.

I have a strange feeling about this. Looks like Germans are tired of Europe.

I was minding my own business, clearing the Pacific islands out of Allied presence and preparing for a Siberian offensive when suddenly a popup that Port Said has fallen. Italians somehow managed to execute a large number of amphibious invasions and took control of Alexandria and Suez all of these while loosing badly in Libya.

With Suez canal secured IJN immediately rushed to help the Italians in securing near East and retaking Libya.

Is this maybe result of growing Italian confidence after they've managed to take control of Suez canal?

Judging by the number of Italian ships in the Mediterranean this Allied fleet composed of mainly French ships (judging by the names of the individual ships) is maybe the biggest one Allies have.

No ships were lost on either side and Italians managed to actually conquer the Egypt. Looks like they will be useful in this game.

 

[guillec87]

nice update! and thanks for following my humble suggestion, it seems as the Italian AI thanks you too and tries to be useful

 

[SSmith]

It looks like the Axis in Europe is doing quite well enough without you! Actually, I see Italy mount a lot of amphibious operations and with the RN so badly mauled there's nothing to stop them in this game. Just how many German units have been moving to the Pacific theatre, though? I really didn't expect to see them basing ships out there...

 

[Blackoberst]

I really like it when the AI does something un-IRL. The German offensive in the Dutch East Indies is a welcome sight.
And kudos for the French-Italian territorial exchange.

 

[caldega]

Subbed to this thread. Like where this is going.

 

[SKOTy]

Just how many German units have been moving to the Pacific theatre, though? I really didn't expect to see them basing ships out there...

So far one Kriegsmarine fleet and one paratrooper division (probably it's the same division we've seen in Rangoon).

Subbed to this thread. Like where this is going.

Welcome on board I will provide next update on Friday or Saturday

 

[sebas379]

More competent Italian AI? What's going on!
good job dealing with New Zealand and Egypt. I presume the Dutch East Indies are high on the priority list now, with all their lovely resources?

 

[SKOTy]

More competent Italian AI? What's going on!
good job dealing with New Zealand and Egypt. I presume the Dutch East Indies are high on the priority list now, with all their lovely resources?

We'll see in Greece, they usually get stuck there for a long time. To be honest when I saw them losing heavily I thought "they are doooooooooomed" but these amphibious invasions, oh my! Let's face the truth that RN was beaten really really bad so Italians didn't encounter too much naval resistance in the Meds so these invasions were possible, but they amazed me.

At the moment marines are busy island hopping in the Dutch East Indies (although resources are not priority at the moment as I have plenty of them coming from puppets but extra IC would be nice).

And one note, I've again run into issue with supply system where thousands of supplies and fuel are just disappearing, probably due to supply transfer costs I hope that supply system in HoI 4 will be smarter

 

[SKOTy]

18. Amongst the great powers

Campaign in Med is going well. IJN encountered remnants of French fleet which was quickly destroyed.

Shortly after all Allied forces were pushed out of Sinai peninsula IJA assaulted Cyprus with intention to create a base there which will be eventually used as staging area for attack against SU.

In late December 1940 first of five new carriers for IJN is finished.

Cyprus has fallen and 2 British divisions were taken prisoners of war. However the level 2 naval base there wasn't exactly what I was looking for as I hoped for level 5 and higher base.

Level 3 veteran army, I doubt any other country has such modifier. This will compensate land organization penalty once heavy naval influence occurs after Pearl Harbor.

Looks like Italy shouldn't be underestimated in this game.

IJA and IJN are slowly running out of targets (with exception of island hopping) so new target was chosen. Nothing less than fortress of Gibraltar as this would help Italian AI immensely.

Finally some resistance in the Med, however this 2 ships were quickly sunk.

Another contact with RN, this time with bigger fleet. It seems like British are desperate and are trying to prevent loosing Gibraltar from happen.

However instead of preventing Japanese from capturing Gibraltar they've lost their pride of the fleet and one carrier.

And another contact with RN. This time all British ships were sunk and no IJN vessel was fatally damaged.

Mediterranean see now belongs to the Axis.

Italians are doing good job retaking their lands, especially now when allies are cut off supplies.

Investments into building additional industrial capacity has paid off. Empire of Japan is now recognized as a great power in international field.



It may look like nothing is happening with exception of Med and the truth is that nothing is happening, in the Pacific marines are island hopping from island to another island with minimal resistance and I am redeploying units to Manchuria for strike against Soviets.



Bonus screenshot:

 

[FinnishFury]

Germans just love Far East, don't they?