I'd also choose D. When the war starts, you're gonna have to kick things into high gear as soon as you had enough money.
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I was going to say I was torn between C and D, and from a purely gameplay perspective that is true. However, from a more "in-world" perspective it is quite clear that Japanese soldiers deserve to be the best trained in the world. How else to demonstrate the inferiority of everyone else? Option C.
Ridiculously demanding training that is slow to produce replacements and fails far too many candidates is a very Showa Japanese approach. I am mildly surprised it wasn't already in place, so we should definitely go for Option C.
I must also express my delight that we have assigned a team of light artillery experts to work on a four engine airframe. I have very high hopes for the resulting aircraft being even more of a catastrophic disaster than the OTL Japanese four engined bomber project.
I must also express my delight that we have assigned a team of light artillery experts to work on a four engine airframe. I have very high hopes for the resulting aircraft being even more of a catastrophic disaster than the OTL Japanese four engined bomber project.
Chapter Thirteen : Specialized Training - 20.5.1936
Utsunimiya's War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Thirteen : Specialized Training - 20.5.1936
The IJN Ryujo
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Thirteen : Specialized Training - 20.5.1936
The IJN Ryujo
Chief of Staff, Hajime Sugiyama, had always thought of himself as a patient man. One had to be when dealing with the unknowns of politics and warfare. Still, having the Chief of the Navy, Baron Mineo Ōsumi, march into his office so early in the morning to rave at him was not something he was used to.
"Calm down," stated the Chief of Staff, making calming gestures with his hands from behind his desk. "Would you like some tea?"
"No, I don't want any tea!" exclaimed the red faced man. "I want my Carriers built on time!"
"They will be built on time." Hajime understood why Mineo was so upset. The man believed that Japan's very survival depended on expanding the Navy. The Baron had once told the Japanese legislators that 'the whole Japanese nation must make up its mind to cope with the situation, even if we are reduced to eating rice gruel.' Such a man would always pick guns over butter every time.
"What? How can you say that?" said the Chief of the Navy as he waved a piece of paper at Hajime. "Have you seen the report from the Ministry of Armaments? The first Carrier, the Ryujo, WAS coming out in August of 1937 is now coming out January of 1938!"
"Yes," replied the Chief of Staff with a nod. "Specialized Training was agreed on by the majority of the advisers. Of course, while increasing the skills of the men, both the Army's future soldiers and the Navy's future sailors, it also slowed down the whole process. You can't cram in more classes and training for each recruit and NOT lengthen the time it takes to do so."
"This is the Army's doing!" stated the Chief of Navy as he crumbled the report in his hands.
"Nonsense," remarked Hajime with a frown. "Please calm down and don't say such things. Their own units are being delayed. The next Mountain Division was meant to come out in May will now come out in June. Even the factories being built by the Ministry of Armaments won't be complete till March. The next air wing, the garrisons, even the many anti-aircraft guns, cargo ships, everything that was being built had been pushed back by this. Nobody is picking on the Navy."
"And we have to be ready when we expand southward," Hajime added. "And that means making sure the Army is prepared. This should help them greatly when the time comes." He knew that Mineo was very much a supporter of the 'Southern Road' doctrine.
The Chief of the Navy sighed, sat down onto one of the chairs in front of Hajime's desk and his face become a more naturally color. It had worked. "Maybe I could use some of that tea after all?"
Hajime nodded, walked over to open his office's door and ask his one of his staff to bring some tea. As he returned to his desk he said, "It isn't a surprise. You knew everything would be slowed down."
"Yes," grumbled Mineo. "But I wasn't thinking it would push back the shipbuilding THAT much. How is the Army taking this...issue?"
"Better than you did," replied the Chief of Staff with a smile. "As long as the divisions are available before any operations in China they don't care. As long as nothing gets in the way of their war."
"And the Chief of the Air Force?" added Mineo as a staff member entered the office and carefully placed a tray onto the desk. On it was a simple tea pot and two plain white cups.
"The Tactical Wing will be completed and joined with the other before operations. The IGH will have their bombers for Naval Plan Two," answered Hajime as he poured tea for both of them. "White Silver Needle Tea. Helps me calm down."
"Really?" said the Chief of the Navy as he gently took the small porcelain cup into his hands.
"The taste is so delicate that if I am not calm I can't even detect it," said the Chief of Staff. "One's mind has to be in a state of peace otherwise one misses its flavor."
Mineo gave out a soft chuckle. "In other words you have to be calm to truly enjoy it."
"It helps if you don't drink too much also," said Hajime. "Hard drink ruins one's sense of taste."
As Mineo sipped his tea Hajime gave off a quiet sigh. If the Navy was upset now how upset would they be when all the resources were switched to upgrade the Army's equipment? Tea would not calm Mineo down when the dry docks went silent.
Luckily for Hajime Field Marshal Ishiwara, the man who had direct control over Naval Operations via his position in the Imperial General Headquarters, was Army to the core. Otherwise the Chief of Staff would of had TWO men screaming at him that day.
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Damn right, no-one wants people saying inconvenient truths. The Army is running the show and they want everyone else to shut up and do what they are told. Which includes pretending that the Army isn't running everything.
Have they considered renaming the IJN to reflect it's new status? The Naval Warfare Division of the glorious Imperial Japanese Army has a certain ring to it.
That said I am looking forward to the IJN finally growing a spine and launching a coup. Ideally this will involve the un-Japanese traitors Hajime and Utsunimiya being exposed as Chinese agents before being shelled to death by a fleet of battleships sitting in Tokyo Bay.
I enjoyed the little tea ceremony there. Subtlety is needed as you pull the wool over the eyes of an angry Navy Chief! 
Still, Mineo has a point: war with the Allies will shake the Army out of its China monomania. At least (if your other recent experience is anything to go by) supine US AI commanders may help Japan get away with their smash-and-grab heist in Asia!
Still, Mineo has a point: war with the Allies will shake the Army out of its China monomania. At least (if your other recent experience is anything to go by) supine US AI commanders may help Japan get away with their smash-and-grab heist in Asia!
The amount of sway the Army is having over political decisions is rather worrying indeed. I might not like all those 'Carrier Proponents' who seem to be running the navy these days, but at least they are still navy men. I shudder at the thought of Admirals having to follow orders, direct or indirect, from Field Marshalls and Generals, retired or not.Have they considered renaming the IJN to reflect it's new status? The Naval Warfare Division of the glorious Imperial Japanese Army has a certain ring to it.
That said I am looking forward to the IJN finally growing a spine and launching a coup. Ideally this will involve the un-Japanese traitors Hajime and Utsunimiya being exposed as Chinese agents before being shelled to death by a fleet of battleships sitting in Tokyo Bay.
Just in case the Kempetai are reading this, I'm not advocating for treason here. That said, if this hypothetical coup were to happen, I wouldn't actively attempt to stop it. Battleships in Tokyo Bay sounds like a good thing really. I might even lift my sake-bowl to the naval gunfire.
Chapter Fourteen : Trade Deals And A International Spy - 20.5.1936 To 23.5.1936
Utsunimiya's War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Fourteen : Trade Deals And A International Spy - 20.5.1936 To 23.5.1936
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Fourteen : Trade Deals And A International Spy - 20.5.1936 To 23.5.1936
General Shō-ichi Utsunimiya, unlike many within the Navy, wasn't too upset by the slow down caused by the specialized training of the new units. The Mountain and Cavalry Divisions still being formed would be finished and in China well before the conflict started. And their increased experience would just make them all the more deadly in combat.
Now, the slow down in increasing the cargo ships and escorts to the convoy did worry him a tad. They had been lower on the production queue and who knew when they would be finished.
The industry was still screaming for more coal, metals, rare materials, and oil. It was using up the raw materials faster then it could dig it up or import it. On the other hand the supplies and fuel reserves were piling up due to the lack of activity among the units of the Army and Navy.
---
Of course, Japan did not live in a vacuum and there were events happening outside its islands that were just as important as the new Training Law.
The Americans, for example, suggested a Trade Agreement with the Empire. They offered to hand over a tiny amount of rare materials per day for a tiny amount of cash from Japan's Treasury. The Foreign Minister Hirota Koki agreed to this arrangement (after checking with the Ministry of Armaments).
Then there was a intergovernmental memo from the Head of Intelligence. Seems one of Japan's spies had been captured by the government of Bolivia and 'taken care of'. Of course the Foreign Ministry had protested, saying the spy was nothing more than a traveling businessman, but it had been no good.
And Utsunimiya's inbox was still receiving complaints from the 19. Hohei Shidan. They were still not getting the food, ammo, and other items needed and this was causing the locals some problems. Seems the division was 'borrowing' rice, fuel, and other items. In return the men were passing out 'IOUs'. In other words the officers were promising the Koreans payment in the 'near' future from the Army's own Quartermaster once supplies were available. It was something to worry about but there was not much that could be done to improve the infrastructure in that part of Korea. So those within the Japanese military and government were, kind of, looking the other way and ignoring the complaints from the outraged farmers, fishermen and business owners.
Then there was news that the nation of Saudi Arabia had come forward with a tiny Trade Agreement. The amount of metal they were willing to export to Japan was pretty small. But it was the right price and every bit of raw sources was needed.
Then Utsunimiya heard some information from one of his old coworkers back in the Chinese Intelligence Department. The first tier of land forts were being ordered for construction in the Province of Shisuka. Of course, at the rate that most of the projects were being carried out by the Ministry of Armaments these forts would likely not be finished till the year 1938. BUT it would hopefully help the Japanese infantry when, or if, a war with Russia began.
At the same time this was happening another Trade deal had been put forward. This time by Australia who was willing to give Japan metal for some cash. The Trade Agreement was accepted (after some more inter-Ministry discussion).
By the 23rd of May the rare materials were in the 'Black' but the supplies were now in the 'Red' and the Minister of Armaments was telling his people to calm down again.
“If you think this is a juggling act now,” he remarked to them after cleaning his glasses, “wait till we’re in our little war with Nationalist China. THEN you can panic.”
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Author's Notes:OOC: I have edited the chapter because trying to convert game units into real life units of measurement, as El Pip has pointed out, does not make sense.
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The quest for raw materials will eventually lead Japan into war. One an AI-led US may just let them win!
The chairman of Japan Iron & Steel held his face perfectly still, for he knew to betray his true reaction would be death.
The Minister of Armaments continued to prattle on about how this over 4 tons per day would amount to almost 1,500 tons over the course of a year. The Chairman restrained himself until he saw an opportunity to respond.
"Truly I am amazed at your reporting of this deal. To think that in as little as 18 months this trade may have produced enough metal to allow the production of a single small destroyer, it is a revelation to me that deals of this magnitude are being considered." He said.
"For myself I have little new to report, work continues on the new Hirohata facility. We hope when finished it will produce some 1,500 tonnes a day, a small increase to the nations's existing 19,000 tonnes a day annual production but it will consist of armour plate and other specialist steels so we believe it is worth continuing with. It does of course not compare with the contribution your trade deal would make."
The Minister of Armament hurriedly finished his tea, rushed his bow and then, once safely out of the room, sprinted back to his office to find out just how many zeros there should have been in that trade deal.
Meanwhile, in Canberra
"Can the Prime Minister please explain why he has started wearing a gold plated hat to Parliament?"
"Once you cobbers see the metal deal I've pulled of with the Japanese, you'll understand." The Prime Minister grinned broadly and lit his cigar with a ¥1000 note.
Chapter Fifteen : The Victory Of Intelligence - 23.5.1936 To 26.5.1936
Utsunimiya's War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Fifteen : The Victory Of Intelligence - 23.5.1936 To 26.5.1936
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Fifteen : The Victory Of Intelligence - 23.5.1936 To 26.5.1936
Utsunimiya was having what he thought of as an enjoyable weekend. On Saturday, of the 23rd of May, he went to a party one of his coworkers was having. The man played American jazz on his phonograph. The artist was somebody called Tommy Dorsey.
Utsunimiya had never heard of the man but his coworker insisted the American was a great trombonist and well known bandleader among those who were fans of jazz and big band music. Utsunimiya found it interesting but was more interested in the other people who had been invited to the party. Mostly the women. Sadly, his mom would not have approved of any of the chain-smoking modern city women who enjoyed modern dancing. Nor would she have approved of their European fashion, their curly hairstyles, and their interest in the latest movies.
That Sunday he spent much of the time reading, listening to the radio, and ironing his clothes. Mostly his shirts. While working on one of the collars, always a tricky maneuver, the news channel he had on announced some important news.
There had been advances made in the field of agriculture. Mostly in the invention of new machinery. This would allow the fields and orchards of the nations to use less labor. Which meant more men for the factories and, of course, the military.
The radio announcer also explained that the research team, who had made the new machinery, would now move on to improve on the anti-aircraft defenses used by the Aircraft Carriers.
Then, after some more local news, the same radio announcer also reported that the Communist Chinese had arrested a Japanese citizen, declaring him a spy, and his fate was now unknown. The authorities assumed the man had been murdered by the 'law' system of the Communist 'gangsters'.
Later that day, as Utsunimiya cut open a new book he had picked up on the history of Buddhism in Japan, the radio had more news that interested him. Seems the Soviet Union had broken one of their Trade Deals with Nationalist China. He wondered why. Politics? Issues with delivery? Who knew.
When he went into work the next morning there was a buzz of rumors among both the Navy and Army officers. Many were angry at the Communist Chinese while others were debating what had happened between the Nationalist Chinese and the Russians.
That week was an interesting one. The Americans, once again, approached the Japanese with an offer. They were offering a HUGE amount of metal for what was, from the point of view of the Japanese government, pocket change. Of course it was accepted. In the end it was six time the amount of metal that was being imported from Australia at only twice the cost!
This DID raise a worrying point with many within the military. Just HOW resource rich was the United States? Such a deal would have been almost the entire metal output of many nations of the Asian mainland.
Then horrible news filled the radio station broadcasts and the front papers of the nation's papers. The Americans claimed to have captured a Japanese spy. Of course, there was denial on the part of the Imperial government but it didn't help.
As Utsunimiya tried to focus on his work more news came to his attention. This time from his friends in Chinese Intelligence. The Americans had made a Trade Agreement with Nationalist China. And that VERY day the Nationalist China had cancelled the Trade Agreement.
Even for the Republic of China this seemed like a stupid move. Of course, the opinion of most of the Japanese government and military was that the Nationalists was not the 'brightest star in the sky'.
The Nationalist had failed, many times, to wipe out the Communist within China. They were looked at as ineffective and clumsy by more than just the Japanese. For the Nationalists to break off trade with the USA, after their trade with the USSR had been cut off, was a huge mistake. Those nations were the two largest trading partners on the planet. True, the Nationalists in China, like the Nationalists in Germany, were both Anti-Communism and Anti-Capitalism. But it was still a illogical move on their part.
Utsunimiya pondered on what the Republic of China was up to. Was this some kind of plan? Or were they just winging it?
---
Yasuji Okamura, Head of Intelligence, had not been very happy lately. Three of his agents had been caught and their capture had not been kept silent. Oh no. The governments his men had been spying on had put their prisoners on display, judged them before the public, and then executed them. The nations had made sure to make a grand show of it.
But they were not as smart they thought they were.
He smiled as he glanced down at the report his staff had compiled. A report he would be sending to a few select men of the upper ranks of the Imperial government and the military.
While the foreigners had been playing their little games for the populace, securing their future votes for the next election or outdoing their political opposition they had failed to notice what the Japanese had been up to.
Since the start of the year his people had been generating news stories and editorials. They had been creating fake photos and false rumors. All to make the People's Republic of China and Shanxi look like threats to the people of Japan.
The unforeseen benefit was that the American populace also now saw Shanxi as a threat to their freedoms and liberty. Even while their government screamed about the Japanese threat the people saw the tiny nation of Shanxi as the REAL threat!
The American press, without thinking about it, had passed on the Japanese articles and photos. Without even bothering to fact check the sources. And they were not the only ones.
A majority of the people of the People's Republic of China also saw Shanxi as a threat. And Shanxi saw the Communist Chinese as the threat. They were all falling for the Japanese propaganda designed to trick its OWN populace.
And there was more. The Republic of China, the Nationalists, had sworn to protect Shanxi. And they also hated the Communists. Though, the Head of Intelligence admitted to himself, they had always hated the Communists. So he really couldn't take credit for that.
But the point was that if Shanxi went to war with the Communists the Nationalist would likely join on the side of their allies. Who would win? How much damage would they do to each other? How many soldiers would be killed?
Yasuji's smile grew bigger. Let the world catch a few of his agents. They were good men and he would miss them. But as long as the enemies of Japan failed to see the bigger picture, the picture he was creating like a spider spinning a web, then they would be helpless to do anything when Japan finally decided to strike.
- 1
Okamura is celebrating the fact he has got Chinese factions that hate each other, to carry on hating each other. I look forward to his next triumph, getting the sun to rise in the East perhaps?
If this is the standard of 'intelligence' the IJA has to offer... well the IJN coup cannot come quickly enough.
If this is the standard of 'intelligence' the IJA has to offer... well the IJN coup cannot come quickly enough.
Chapter Sixteen : Conscription Laws - 27.5.1936
Utsunimiya's War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Sixteen : Conscription Law - 27.5.1936
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Sixteen : Conscription Law - 27.5.1936
Hajime Sugiyama, the Chief of Staff, entered the Minister of Armaments' office with a short bow. "Greeting Chūji Machida. I come here so often maybe I should have my offices moved to the Ministry of Munitions? I would be right next door to you."
The Minister of Armaments just chuckled and gestured toward the empty chair. Next to it sat a small table with a cup of tea already poured and ready. "Greetings. This time I have some tea waiting. The least I could do."
Sugiyama sat down in the chair, placing his hat onto his lap as he picked up the tea. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent. "Hmmm...green tea. Good for the soul." He took a sip and added, "So I assume I have been called for another decision?"
"Yes," said Chūji with a nod of his head. "The Treasury has reached a point where we can have one of our laws changed again. Not that it has to be changed."
"Let me guess," said the Chief of Staff, "the Three-Year Draft?"
"Yes," replied the old man with a nod. "We can change the Two-Year Draft to a Three-Year Draft. It would increase officer recruitment BUT hurt the men available for the private sector at this point of time."
"Or we can wait till the war starts and select Service by Requirement," added Sugiyama as he sipped his tea again.
"If it is available," remarked Chūji as he removed his small spectacles and cleaned them. "It WOULD make more sense to wait till war was declared."
"You always seem to prefer the waiting choice," stated the Chief of Staff with a slight smile.
"I don't like to rush head first into anything," responded the Minister of Armaments as he returned his spectacles to the ridge of his nose. "I prefer to keep my head on my shoulders."
The Chief of Staff gave off a snort and finished his green tea. "Well, I better prepare the packages for the advisers. I don't think it will take them very long to respond."
"Let us hope they make the right decision," replied the Minister of Armaments.
The Chief of Staff let off a laugh as he stood up and walked to the office door. "Have they failed us yet?" he commented as he left the office.
As the door closed Chūji Machida said to himself, "We won't know till it is too late. Will we? After all they just have to fail us once."
---
Within the hour a somewhat slim package was being prepared, sealed, and sent off to the advisers. It was, of course, hand delivered by men dressed in plain civilian clothes. But each of them were well trained in hand-to-hand combat and secretly armed. Just in case.
From: Hajime Sugiyama (Chief of Staff)
To: ______ _______
Date: 27.5.1936
Dear Sir,
Once again, gentlemen, I write to you with an important decision to be made. Included within this package, along with this letter, is a short summary of a meeting I had with the Minister of Armaments.
But to put issue at hand as simply as I can we are able to change the Conscription Law from a Two-Year Draft to a Three-Year Draft. Please choose the the path you feel will best serve the Empire in the long run.
Please remember that this change may have negative impact on our industry during peacetime. So turning down the change is not without reason.
The Decision is -
1. Change To A Three-Year Draft
A. Yes
B. No - Wait
I doubt I have to remind you but, once again, please reply as soon as possible. And make sure the information does not fall into the wrong hands.
Signed,
Hajime Sugiyama
- 1