Utsunimiya's War - HoI3(TFH) Japan AAR

[stnylan]

Do both at the same time - agreed.

 

[Surt]

C. wait for war and then use unlimited service.

 

[nuclearslurpee]

The section on the Submarines was...interesting....as all of them had been updated to C3-Class (J-Boats) but for the L-Type Boats in the port of Naha. How this had happened confused the General. Would that not require changing their hulls? Just how effective were the Naval engineers and dock workers?

Great job, Paradox!

If I remember vanilla correctly, the root of the issue is that there's no tech representing the hulls on which ships were built. For most classes of vessels this isn't a problem since the components which determine the ship model don't upgrade anyways, but for Subs the only components that determine the model are the engine and torpedo types, and the latter does upgrade. So if two sub models have the same engine tech but differing torpedo types, the first model can transform magically into the second simply by swapping out the torpedoes.

While General Shō-ichi Utsunimiya tried to deal with the military picture there were other events shaping the future of the nation.

Ah, shaping the future? Must be significant. Perhaps research into a new kind of weapon, or finally the development of super heavy--

During the month of May the government turned down a trade offer from the Republic of China, accepted two trade agreements with the Soviet Union, and accepted one trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

--oh. Trade deals.

He had become use to seeing the list of failures at the end of each month. Failure hung around the Head of Intelligence like smoke around a chain smoker. It was somewhat unfair really as the Head of Intelligence DID bring some useful information to the government and military. But the capturing of spies always ended up being so public that it outweighed any good news his agents could bring to the table. The problem was, from a public relationship point-of-view, much of the useful information was not released to the public. It was too valuable and, also, suggested that Japan had long term plans for mainland Asia. Plans the Chinese might not 'agree' with.

This sounds to me like someone is trying to set up justification to remove the Head of Intelligence once the war is on, and replace him with their preferred crony. This stinks of the work of the nefarious IJA!

From: Hajime Sugiyama (Chief of Staff)
To: ______ _______
Date: 31.5.1937

Dear Sir,

As an important individual within the government or within the business community I once again come to you with a important decision to be made. One I hope you will take seriously.

With this letter will come a written record of the meeting held with the Minister of Armaments. This information is top secret. Please make sure to burn it after use.

Once I have received all the feedback I will compile a report on the best course of action and send it to the Diet at the proper moment to insure the quickest and more effective action required.

The Decision is as followed -

A. Change To A Three-Year Draft When We Mobilize
B. Change To A Three-Year Draft When We Go To War

Once again, please reply to this letter as soon as possible. And please remember this is valuable information and should not be passed on to the public or those who do not have proper clearance. Not even spouses!

Signed,

Hajime Sugiyama

B. Furthermore, I would expect that we can change all the way up to Service by Requirement once the war is on, so there's no reason to change laws twice in such short succession, particularly when valuable cash reserves are needed to purchase more steel for our battleship fleets.

 

[Bullfilter]

I agree with those who advocate changing to the highest law we can once war is declared. So, does that make it the third choice we weren’t offered? You just can’t trust us advisers who think outside the box.

After these two complexes were finished the Ministry of Armaments announced all other factory complexes were be set on the lowest priority so that the Navy's Carriers and CAGs would be the focus of Japan's industry.

Very wise indeed.

Failure hung around the Head of Intelligence like smoke around a chain smoker.

Easily fixed - off with his head! Or send him to China to experience his agent’s problems first hand.

Yasuji Okamura had ordered more agents into Nationalist China to prepare for covert operations, sabotage, and infiltration.

ditto

Maybe draft a few more battleship designers to get the plans for the super heavies done!

This seems harmless enough, so long as we don’t bother building them.

so we can start recruiting the very best minds for the SHBB programme

ditto

I'm pleased to see the priority for production going to the navy, even building Carriers is a better use of resources than to produce whatever the IJA thinks it needs.

Very gracious, Mr Chitty Chitty Bang-Bang.

I think you'll find it's 'Captain Bang-Bang'

Captain Chitty Chitty Bang-Bang. <salutes crisply>

 

[El Pip]

It was from the office of Field Marshal Kanji Ishiwara on the state of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

That a mere army officer has the audacity to attempt to report on the Navy is, frankly, an offence to the laws of nature and of the Emperor. This alone is justification for the shelling of the Army HQ in Tokyo.

The section on the Submarines was...interesting....as all of them had been updated to C3-Class (J-Boats) but for the L-Type Boats in the port of Naha. How this had happened confused the General.

In fairness the General is also confused by windows, the concept of time and door handles. He is, after all, merely IJA.

Just how effective were the Naval engineers and dock workers?

Almost infinitely effective. A single naval engineer is more effective than every IJA officer who has ever lived combined, though I conceded this is a low bar to clear.

That seemed impossible. But he was not one to question his superiors. Maybe the Navy had helped

He is right not to question the Navy who are his superiors in honour, ability, intelligence and also in evolutionary terms.

Clearly the best plan is;
Option D - Disband the army, shoot the generals and use the manpower to build more Marines to serve as our new ground forces, thus rendering the entire question moot.

If pushed, then Option B/C and wait for war and jump straight to service by requirement. Frankly the Army should be more than large enough to easily defeat the Chinese so there is no rush, if the generals prove incapable of victory that just demonstrates how urgent it is to reform and enact Option D.

 

[Idhrendur]

Option C

 

[serutan]

I vote A.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya's War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Third Way - 1.6.1937

Mobilization​

Chūji Machida welcomed the Chief of Staff at the door of his house. "Hajime, I did not expect to see you with a response this fast. And to ask for a meeting so early in the morning. May I interest you in a drink? Or something to eat?"

Hajime Sugiyama shook his head. "I fear I only have a short time. Now that we will start mobilization things will happen even faster than before. I just wanted to explain the choices the advisers had picked."

The Minister of Armaments, in the process of escorting his quest to his living room, stopped to sigh. "Did they try to pick a third choice again?"

"Yes," remarked Hajime with a smiled. "And this time they made sense. They suggest we wait till the war starts but THEN picked the best Law for the Draft. Unlimited Service, if possible. Think of it as a Choice B-2."

He handed the other man a small folder. Chūji opened the folder and glanced at the replies from the many advisers.

The Minister of Armaments stood still for a few seconds and then said, "That is not a bad idea. We do save funding. And less paperwork. The Diet is always happy about less paperwork."

"So we start mobilizing today and wait for the war before picking the Draft Laws?"

"Yes," mumbled Chūji, "I guess so. Do you have an idea on HOW you plan to start the war?"

"We have an idea," stated the Chief of Staff with a smile. "Now if you excuse me, I really have to get to my office. Things will become chaotic soon and I will need to be on top of things."

As the Minister of Armaments helped the Chief of Staff out he said, "Do you think we have done everything we could to prepare Japan for the upcoming war?"

The Chief of Staff stopped in the doorway and thought for a few seconds. "I believe we have. As the saying goes - tomorrow's battle is won during today's practice."

 

[stnylan]

Things will become chaotic - great euphemism.

 

[nuclearslurpee]

"Now if you excuse me, I really have to get to my office. Things will become chaotic soon and I will need to be on top of things."

Things will become chaotic - great euphemism.

You know what would be a fantastic way to reduce chaos? Sack the entire Army and build a dozen super-heavy battleships. It will be much less chaotic ordering only another dozen or so majestic, large, quite invincible naval vessels around on the open seas rather than trying to herd about hundreds of thousands of unruly soldiers traipsing through all kinds of unfamiliar lands doing God-knows-what the second they get outside observation range of the nearest watchful IJN vessel.

 

[El Pip]

Do you have an idea on HOW you plan to start the war?"

"We have an idea," stated the Chief of Staff with a smile.

We are relying on an IJA Plan?!?!

This is going to end with even more Japanese dead spies, some confused and insulted diplomats and Japan at war with Costa Rica isn't it?

 

[Bullfilter]

You know what would be a fantastic way to reduce chaos? Sack the entire Army and build a dozen super-heavy battleships. It will be much less chaotic ordering only another dozen or so majestic, large, quite invincible naval vessels around on the open seas rather than trying to herd about hundreds of thousands of unruly soldiers traipsing through all kinds of unfamiliar lands doing God-knows-what the second they get outside observation range of the nearest watchful IJN vessel.

Nurse! Time for his meds again!

We are relying on an IJA Plan?!?!

This is going to end with even more Japanese dead spies, some confused and insulted diplomats and Japan at war with Costa Rica isn't it?

By ‘plan’ I think he means ‘not even faintly plausible pretext where you don’t even bother dressing your own guys up in enemy uniforms for some silly border stunt’. Even a Navy SHBB enthusiast could manage that.

 

[El Pip]

By ‘plan’ I think he means ‘not even faintly plausible pretext where you don’t even bother dressing your own guys up in enemy uniforms for some silly border stunt’. Even a Navy SHBB enthusiast could manage that.

It's certainly not something you could entrust to a carrier obsessive. They'd just get distracted by something shiny but ultimately useless then, while rushing to chase this illusory prize, they would doubtless trip over their own shoelaces (which they had been unable to tie up properly) before falling over in a disgraced heap having shamed themselves and the service. Then they would blame others for their own failings.

About all that can be said for them is that they are still superior to the IJA, but it is far too close for comfort.

 

[Bullfilter]

It's certainly not something you could entrust to a carrier obsessive. They'd just get distracted by something shiny but ultimately useless then, while rushing to chase this illusory prize, they would doubtless trip over their own shoelaces (which they had been unable to tie up properly) before falling over in a disgraced heap having shamed themselves and the service. Then they would blame others for their own failings.

About all that can be said for them is that they are still superior to the IJA, but it is far too close for comfort.

Ah, the little boys and their obsession with ‘big guns’. It is inevitably an over-compensation for other inadequacies - physical, mental and emotional. It would be sadly amusing if it didn’t threaten the future of the IJN and the Empire itself! Some battleships to escort the carriers and bombard enemy troops for shore landings is fine. By all means research a few design improvements for our conventional BB designs and build a few more of those - ones that can keep pace at sea with our fleet carriers.

But throwing time, treasure and research effort into the outmoded and unnecessary SHBB plesiosaurs? Too much of a thing that was good 25 years ago, but now poses a clear and present danger to our beloved IJN if it diverts us from the future. Let us look beyond the horizon to victory, not into a past that now only exists in the frenetic imaginations of the SHBB Barnacle Brigade.

 

[El Pip]

Gentlemen, I believe we have fallen into a trap. We have been lured into fighting amongst ourselves and allowed ourselves to be distracted from the true enemy, the ancient foe that threatens all that we hold dear and indeed the very existence of Japan herself. I am, of course, referring to the Japanese Army.

Consider the situation; an incompetent general head the staff, a field marshal controls the fleet, we are reduced to fighting for scraps once the Army has wasted the nation's resources on broken Italian trucks and lamed horses. This is clearly intolerable and correcting the situation should be our highest priority, yet we waste our efforts on inter-service rivalries.

I propose a Naval truce. Let us put aside our differences and work together to overthrow the traitorous fool
Utsunimiya and his barbaric and incompetent regime. The nation's future depends upon us working as a team on this most sacred and vital task.

 

[nuclearslurpee]

Gentlemen, I believe we have fallen into a trap. We have been lured into fighting amongst ourselves and allowed ourselves to be distracted from the true enemy, the ancient foe that threatens all that we hold dear and indeed the very existence of Japan herself. I am, of course, referring to the Japanese Army.

Consider the situation; an incompetent general head the staff, a field marshal controls the fleet, we are reduced to fighting for scraps once the Army has wasted the nation's resources on broken Italian trucks and lamed horses. This is clearly intolerable and correcting the situation should be our highest priority, yet we waste our efforts on inter-service rivalries.

I propose a Naval truce. Let us put aside our differences and work together to overthrow the traitorous fool
Utsunimiya and his barbaric and incompetent regime. The nation's future depends upon us working as a team on this most sacred and vital task.

Hear, hear! After all, once the vile Army is disposed of, there will be plenty of manufacturing capacity for capital ships of all sorts! Even the hardiest SHBB proponent can hardly say no to a fleet of mighty CVs to escort the battleships across the shining sea!

 

[stnylan]

Guys - please never ever change.

 

[Bullfilter]

Gentlemen, I believe we have fallen into a trap. We have been lured into fighting amongst ourselves and allowed ourselves to be distracted from the true enemy, the ancient foe that threatens all that we hold dear and indeed the very existence of Japan herself. I am, of course, referring to the Japanese Army.

Consider the situation; an incompetent general head the staff, a field marshal controls the fleet, we are reduced to fighting for scraps once the Army has wasted the nation's resources on broken Italian trucks and lamed horses. This is clearly intolerable and correcting the situation should be our highest priority, yet we waste our efforts on inter-service rivalries.

I propose a Naval truce. Let us put aside our differences and work together to overthrow the traitorous fool
Utsunimiya and his barbaric and incompetent regime. The nation's future depends upon us working as a team on this most sacred and vital task.

There was a bit of a peace feeler in my last foray (which had to be made for honour) and I think it a good idea that the Navy recognises that sibling rivalry is one thing, and being dragged into a vortex of land-based barbarism and adventurism is quite another. Intra-service rivalry should I agree be kept civil and constructive. Inter-service rivalry with the Army is simply a way of life!

Hear, hear! After all, once the vile Army is disposed of, there will be plenty of manufacturing capacity for capital ships of all sorts! Even the hardiest SHBB proponent can hardly say no to a fleet of mighty CVs to escort the battleships across the shining sea!

Let us drink a green tea to that, or better yet a nicely warmed glass or six of premium sake!

Guys - please never ever change.

It’s all right, as we all know the more we change, the more we stay the same! We are equals in the Navy - just so long as the SHBB Boys realise the carrier arm is the first among equals. Oops, can we edit that out?

 

[serutan]

Hear, hear! After all, once the vile Army is disposed of, there will be plenty of manufacturing capacity for capital ships of all sorts!

No, at that point - having done our work for us - your delusions and blindness will be exposed, and the true power shall arise. I refer you to an American by the name of Mitchell and an Englishman by the name of Harris. BWAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[nuclearslurpee]

No, at that point - having done our work for us - your delusions and blindness will be exposed, and the true power shall arise. I refer you to an American by the name of Mitchell and an Englishman by the name of Harris. BWAHAHAHAHAHA

Guards, we've got a spy here! Off with his head!

beat

...aw, crap, the guards units are all IJA, aren't they? No wonder spies are getting in here so easily... Ah, well, you seem crazy enough to fit in, you can stay.