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I remain utterly confounded and perplexed by the IJA's quite liberal definition of what constitutes a "victory".
And here we see exactly what kind of brain-dead idiots are in charge of the Army, who cannot even read a map. Of course, any good Navy man will know immediately that there is no port at Jinghai, and will laugh at the insufferable Army fools from the warm comfort of the bar next to the port in Tianjin instead!
Now I am genuinely concerned. Why is the Army concerned about...defending things? Are we not planning to simply roll over the incompetent Chinese in three months and declare total victory? Are we somehow anticipating...complications?
Finally some reasonable casualty ratios in this damn excuse for a war the Army is putting on here.
At risk of toeing the truce line, one might wonder why even bother with the carriers if the CAGs can reach their targets just fine without them. Or better yet, why even bother with CAGs when we could build NAVs that not only have longer range, but can drop bigger bombs. Should naval fire support be needed, of course, we still have plenty of...ah, big-gun vessels waiting to see some action.
With any luck, there will soon be a rash of IJA officers dead by poisoning...alcohol or otherwise...
I'm shocked and appalled by the rejection of my top-secret proposal to turn all of Shanxi into a giant lake for drowning IJA soldiers and playing with IJN battleships like a giant bathtub. Then again, I should probably have made my proposal a little less top-secret and at least shared it with His Imperial Gloriousness prior to this vote, so perhaps the fault is mine.
My dearest colleagues, wise IJN proponents,
I'd like to thank you for your excellent concerted effort at pointing out the IJA's inadequacy and defeatist attitudes. - A defensive plan, really? - Meanwhile, the navy dropped the troops on time, and in good order around Shanghai, where naval shore bombardment, and CAGs (to a lesser extent), were instrumental in securing the area for the Empire. Still, a single Division of IJN Marines could have done the same job as that entire IJA infantry corps. The progress of the war in China can only be described as an embarrassingly slow grind that is costing us way too much.
Captain RobaS3,
Not impressed by the IJA's efforts and glad that they keep providing reasons for their budget to be cut in favour of the IJN.
I'd like to thank you for your excellent concerted effort at pointing out the IJA's inadequacy and defeatist attitudes. - A defensive plan, really? - Meanwhile, the navy dropped the troops on time, and in good order around Shanghai, where naval shore bombardment, and CAGs (to a lesser extent), were instrumental in securing the area for the Empire. Still, a single Division of IJN Marines could have done the same job as that entire IJA infantry corps. The progress of the war in China can only be described as an embarrassingly slow grind that is costing us way too much.
I think we all remain so confounded and perplexed. You know, the IJA's victory is the IJN's defeat.I remain utterly confounded and perplexed by the IJA's quite liberal definition of what constitutes a "victory".
Obviously IJN personnel won't be going to those bars. Our guys will ship in their own high-quality Japanese booze, to be served by Japanese deck hands.
An exciting prospect. The only real way to bring more firepower to bear in this war is to build massive canals so that our Battleships and monitors can go further inland to bring their guns to bear. That would make a lot more sense than Artillery on wheels pulled by horses... Of course, it is very unlikely the IJA would be capable to build such Canals, even if they were so inclined, so this is all theoretical.I'm shocked and appalled by the rejection of my top-secret proposal to turn all of Shanxi into a giant lake for drowning IJA soldiers and playing with IJN battleships like a giant bathtub. Then again, I should probably have made my proposal a little less top-secret and at least shared it with His Imperial Gloriousness prior to this vote, so perhaps the fault is mine.
Captain RobaS3,
Not impressed by the IJA's efforts and glad that they keep providing reasons for their budget to be cut in favour of the IJN.
If they used a conventional definition they would mostly be losing and be forced to commit the ritual suicide their failings require. It is notable that only the Mongolian Army and the SNLF have had any actual successes thus far.I remain utterly confounded and perplexed by the IJA's quite liberal definition of what constitutes a "victory".
I agree entirely with the CAGs-carrier plan; the movement to have Akagi and Kaga re-converted back into big-gun vessels start here. The carrier school can keep the CAGs and the purpose built carriers, so I feel this is an entirely reasonable compromise.At risk of toeing the truce line, one might wonder why even bother with the carriers if the CAGs can reach their targets just fine without them. Or better yet, why even bother with CAGs when we could build NAVs that not only have longer range, but can drop bigger bombs. Should naval fire support be needed, of course, we still have plenty of...ah, big-gun vessels waiting to see some action.
I concur, this is a good compromise that will allow us to get more big gun ships into action at relatively short notice without rubbing our Carrier proponent colleagues the wrong way. (well, not as much as if we were to convert purpose-built Carrier-hulls to Battleships.). Of course, this would only be a stop-gap measure, and to maintain modern vessel parity with the Carriers, at least 2 more modern new Battleships should be laid down within a few years, if no more CVs are laid down that is...
Let's keep up the good work.
Captain RobaS3
Impressed by such a creative and common-sense (partial) solution to the current imbalance between modern Carriers and Battleships.
This correspondent will only be slagging off the IJA when they really deserve it, in the interests of national unity and the saving of Imperial face, etc. Mind, you, they have deserved a bit in the early stages of the war in the north! Still, better them than the pilots and crew of our war-winning carrier arm!
After a shaky start, things seem to be rolling on well enough on the ground. Higher casualties should be expected while attacking, especially when the enemy units are still fresh (not sure if they were fully mobilised when we invaded). The amphibious landing has been a great success, port secured and large amounts of enemy captured with little fighting required.
Good to get a look at the main protagonist ‘in harness’: it is his war, after all! We can let the army fight in China (hopefully not for the bloody and ultimately futile years they did in OTL), and equip ourselves for the real fight ahead - against the British and American navies. Carriers, CAGs, escorts - and yes, even a few fast battle wagons to round out the task groups. So let’s hope the army does ok in China and doesn’t drain us from preparing for the important work ahead!
After a shaky start, things seem to be rolling on well enough on the ground. Higher casualties should be expected while attacking, especially when the enemy units are still fresh (not sure if they were fully mobilised when we invaded). The amphibious landing has been a great success, port secured and large amounts of enemy captured with little fighting required.
Good to get a look at the main protagonist ‘in harness’: it is his war, after all!
We can let the army fight in China (hopefully not for the bloody and ultimately futile years they did in OTL), and equip ourselves for the real fight ahead - against the British and American navies. Carriers, CAGs, escorts - and yes, even a few fast battle wagons to round out the task groups. So let’s hope the army does ok in China and doesn’t drain us from preparing for the important work ahead!
As for those who seek to break the truce ...
At risk of toeing the truce line, one might wonder why even bother with the carriers if the CAGs can reach their targets just fine without them. Or better yet, why even bother with CAGs when we could build NAVs that not only have longer range, but can drop bigger bombs. Should naval fire support be needed, of course, we still have plenty of...ah, big-gun vessels waiting to see some action.
I strongly suggest someone investigates the doctoring of sake supplies to the Battleship Barnacle Brigade, as they appear to have been drinking lighter fluid rather than the proper thing! One can only put their recurring episodes of delusional rantings down to some sort of severe alcohol poisoning. Sack the nurse in their Autumn Years Retirement Home for elder abuse!
Now this is getting sad - the BBB seems to now be consuming a diet made up entirely of mind-altering substances. Let’s de-commission one of those rusting old WW1 battleships, turn it into a retirement home for former battleship captains, and let it sail around pretending to do something useful! But no writing supplies or communications facilities aboard, just to prevent the recurrence of these outbreaks! They might end up distracting the government from fighting this and the next war, rather than the last one!I'm shocked and appalled by the rejection of my top-secret proposal to turn all of Shanxi into a giant lake for drowning IJA soldiers and playing with IJN battleships like a giant bathtub. Then again, I should probably have made my proposal a little less top-secret and at least shared it with His Imperial Gloriousness prior to this vote, so perhaps the fault is mine.
Chapter Forty-Three: The Air War Heats Up - 22.7.1937 To 28.7.1937
Utsunimiya's War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Forty-Three: The Air War Heats Up - 22.7.1937 To 28.7.1937
The Land War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Forty-Three: The Air War Heats Up - 22.7.1937 To 28.7.1937
The Land War
The fourth week of the war started out relatively peaceful in the north. The only battle raging was that in Hangzhou between the Special Corps and the Chinese infantry. The enemy down south was TRYING to advance while, at the same time, defending themselves against the Japanese infantry AND dodging the bombs being dropped on them by the Navy's CAGs. (See Navy War)
It was VERY early in the morning, on the 22nd of July, before things started to stir in the north. A Japanese mountain division attacked the Province of Renqiu which was protected by a Chinese HQ unit. In fact, even before lunch time, the Chinese retreated. No losses were reported by either side - it seems the Chinese Generals and staff just withdrew instead of putting up a fight.
It was almost midnight before the northern front explode into violence again. First one of the aggressive Cavalry Divisions, the 8. 'Moukogo', attacked the Province of Shijiazhuang, which was defended by a Chinese infantry unit. As the Japanese outnumbered the Chinese defenders they were going for a 'Shock' tactic to try to overwhelm them.
General Shō-ichi Utsunimiya, glancing at a map, was a tad worried about that battle. If the cavalry won they would end up in the middle of nowhere and could easily get cut off.
At the same time the Battle of Laiyuan started when one of the Mountain Divisions, the 9. 'Kanazawa', attacked the Province which was protected by three Chinese infantry divisions, a militia unit, and a HQ unit. Talk about aggressive!
At least the Battle of Hengshui, which also happened at the same time, was only a mountain division against an enemy HQ unit. The Chinese military seemed to have a amazing amount of militia and headquarters. This battle ended first, at 1:00 AM on the 23rd, with neither side losing a man. The Chinese HQ unit just fled and let the Japanese soldiers march right in.
At the same time the Mongol Army, having helped push the Shanxi back into their own country, was told to switch back to the Defensive. The Imperial Japanese Army still had worried about the Comintern and didn't want the border TOO thinly defended.
Eight hours later the Battle of Shijiazhuang came to an end with a victory. The cavalry had lost 18 men and horses while the Chinese had lost 67 soldiers.
Early on the morning of the 24th the 6. 'Kumamoto' Mountain Division launched a attack on the Province of Yangyuan which was held by a Chinese militia unit. Amazingly the Province was mountainous and, therefore, gave the attackers a slight advantage. If they won a victory they could help support the Battle of Laiyuan to the south.
On the border with Shanxi another battle started in the Province of Qahar. It looked like the Shanxi were not just pushed back but were now fighting to protect their own territory.
On the morning of the 25th the Chinese launched a massive counter-attack in the Second Battle of Shijiazhuang. The Japanese cavalry found themselves being attacked by three infantry divisions, a militia unit, and a Chinese HQ unit.
The problem with this, for the Chinese, was these units were now both defending themselves from one direction and attacking in another. In other words the Battle of Laiyuan ended in a Chinese defeat. The Japanese lost 425 soldiers while the Chinese lost 424 soldiers. Which meant the Chinese units had to retreat WHILE continuing to fight the Battle of Shijiazhuang.
And even before they could completely retreat the Second Battle of Laiyuan started as two Japanese mountain divisions tried to march into the not-yet-empty Province.
This caused the Chinese lines to collapse in Shijiazhuang and gave the Japanese a victory there. The Imperial Japanese Army lost 14 men while the Chinese lost 30 soldiers.
This, of course, caused the Second Battle in Laiyuan to end in a Japanese victory also. The Japanese only lost 3 soldiers while the Chinese lost another 30 soldiers.
As the Chinese units tried to retreat to safety to the west the Battle of Cangzhou started on the coast where a Japanese infantry division attacked a Chinese cavalry unit.
By the afternoon of the 26th the Battle of Qahar, in Shanxi, came to an end with a Japanese victory as the Army lost only 41 soldiers while the Shanxi lost 162 soldiers.
Only a few hours later the Japanese Army announced a victory in Yangyuan where they lost 97 men and the Chinese lost 314 men.
The next day, on the 27th, the Chinese tried to take Shijiazhuang in a THIRD Battle as they sent in a infantry division and a militia unit to push out the 8. 'Moukogo' Cavalry.
About ten hours later the Republic also launched an attack in Laiyuan with a militia unit to take the Province away from the 6. 'Moukogo' Cavalry. Even as this battle began the Third Battle of Shijiazhuang ended in Nationalist defeat. The Japanese cavalry lost 35 men, and their horses, while the Chinese lost 163 soldiers.
The Battle for Laiyuan ended less than an hour later with a Japanese victory. The defending cavalry lost one man while the Chinese militia lost 7 men.
Seems that the Chinese in Yangyuan were not retreating fast enough as a militia unit was attacked, a few hours before midnight, by an advancing an Japanese mountain division. And hour before midnight the battle ended in another Japanese victory. Neither side lost a man as the militia were fast runners.
Funny enough the next morning it seems a retreating enemy infantry division was moving through the Province of Yangyuan and was attacked by the same Japanese mountain division.
By 4 AM of the morning of the 28th of July the HQ of 'China' Operations decided that Beiping was no longer a objective to be worried about and they removed it from their list. Which would help free up units for moving deeper into the Republic.
Around noon the Battle of Nangong started when the Japanese tried to overwhelm a enemy infantry division and a HQ unit with a mountain division and a infantry division. The Province of Nangong was just southwest of the Province of Cangzhou. Victories in both of those provinces would push the Chinese back and MIGHT break their thinning lines.
At the same time there was ANOTHER Battle in Yanguan. As a cavalry unit from Shanxi tired to retreat through the Province. It was almost as if the enemy units needed to use the region as an escape route.
As nightfall approached the Japanese won the Battle of Cangzhou. The Army lost 180 soldiers while the Chinese defenders lost 277 men.
At the same time the Imperial Japanese Army sent an mountain division into Hunyuan. The idea seemed to be that if it could push out the defending militia this would slam the door on the escape route for the enemy units.
By the end of the fourth week of the war the Imperial Japanese Army had pushed the Chinese out of their most valued cities, was pushing into Shanxi, and could claim another eleven victories. The Imperial Japanese Army had lost 814 soldiers in the Land Combat during that time period. The Nationalist Chinese had lost 1,312 men while the Shanxi had only lost 162 men during the fourth week.
The Air War
The fourth week of the Air War with China opened with the Chinese launching a bombing run on the Japanese soldiers in Yongqing. The enemy bombers only did a total of two bombing runs and killed a total of 41 Japanese soldiers.
At the same time one of the Army Air Groups was dropping bombs on a lone Chinese HQ unit in Renqiu. Before they could end the run they were pounced on by the Chinese Fighter Wing which had been dogging the Japanese bombers for days. But the Chinese pilots were showing signs of strain. They barely kept formation and wingmen rarely kept up with their partners. The Japanese bombers were able to break through the fighters and killed 106 Chinese generals and their staff.
On the morning of the 23rd the other Air Group started blasting the Chinese troops defending Laiyuan. There were so many of them it was hard to miss, to be honest. The Air Group launched a total of six attacks and killed 539 Chinese troops.
An hour after the first attack on Laiyuan the Japanese troops in the Province of Zhoulu announced they were under attack from a SINGLE Wing of Chinese Bombers. The Chinese bombers attacked a total of six times but only killed 147 Japanese soldiers.
At the same time the first Air Group launched an attack on the Province of Qahar to blast the defending Shanxi militia. Militia who had no training on how to deal with being attacked by enemy aircraft. The single Air Group attacked Qahar five times. On the sixth attack it was joined by the second Air Group. The militia lost a total of 525 to the attacks.
On the 26th, during high noon, a Wing of Chinese bombers attacked the Japanese infantry in Jinghai. But before their bombing run was over they were pounced on by the two Wings of Japanese Fighters from Dalian. Jinghai happened to be within range of the Fighters. The Chinese bombers killed 23 Japanese soldiers before fleeing
The Bomber Wing returned with an escort of Chinese Fighters and were pounced upon again. Both enemy wings were said to be showing signs of wear and tear. The Chinese bombers were forced to withdraw before they could drop any of their bombs on their target.
Then, on the morning of the 27th, the Chinese Air Force sent their Fighter Wing to attack Dalian directly. The fools were outnumbered 2-to-1 and it is said many of the enemy aircraft were showing signs of damage AND were low on ammo. The defeat gave the Japanese fighter pilots their first 'Victory'. Many claimed to be 'Aces' after the air battle.
That same morning the Japanese Air Groups moved on from Qahar. One started to drop bombs on the Chinese cavalry in Cangzhou. After six attacks they claimed they had killed 479 enemy cavalry and horses.
The other started blasting the Chinese militia in Yushe. The Air Group attacked them three times and was said to have killed 232 militia.
On the 28th one of the Air Groups started bombing runs on Yangyuan. They only completed one attack during the day and killed 24 Chinese soldiers.
Overall the Japanese Army Air Forces had proven to be the better of their Chinese counter-parts during the week. Though many of the bombing crews said they were doing much of the work. They even said the Japan's first Air 'Victory' was due to them 'softening' up the enemy pilots for the Army Air Force fighter pilots. A lot of bar fights had to be broken up by the military police as a result of this 'disagreement'
The Navy War
As the Imperial Japanese Army, and their Air Wings, fought to the north the Navy's invasion, Operation 'Underbelly', continued in the south.
On the 22nd of July, during midnight, the Tactical Bombers stationed in Shanghai continued their bombing runs on the Capital of the Chinese Republic. During the fourth week of the war they had 24 bombing runs on Nanjing.
It was noticed that the stockpiles of fuel and supplies seemed to either go untouched OR, more likely, the Chinese local industry was replacing things as fast as the bombers could destroy them. On the OTHER, by the end of the fourth week, almost all of the roads and rail stations had been damaged. In other words it was doubtful that any of the supplies and fuel was getting to the units at front to the north. It was doubtful, in fact, anything was being delivered at all!
Of course while that was happening the CAGs were hitting the Chinese troops in Hangzhou. They launched seven attacks on the Chinese soldiers and HQ staff before being recalled to the Akagi and duty with the 1st Task Group. Before they were recalled they kill 206 soldiers of the enemy during this time period.
On the 22nd of July, during high noon, the Chinese infantry in Hangzhou tried to lunch an invasion of the Province of Songjiang even while trying to defend themselves. And failed when they found two Japanese infantry divisions already waiting for them. Eight of the Chinese vanguard died while not one soldier among the Japanese forces were lost.
Of course the 5. and 4. divisions joined in on the battle for Hangzhou by the end of the day.
On the morning of the 25th a new Wing of Nakajima A4Ns were deployed to Hiroshima. It formed up with the other Wing to form the 9th CAG. Now they just needed a NEW Carrier to be assigned to.
Near midnight of the 25th the Chinese infantry in Hangzhou broke. They had lost 302, to the Land Combat, while the Japanese divisions had lost 363 soldiers. With the victory the 5. and 4. were told to redeploy. The provinces, plus the airbase and the two ports, needed to be held.
Just 24 hours later, near midnight of the 26th, the 2nd Navy finally profited from being so patient. Four Chinese Light Cruisers and a Transport Flotilla ran into it. It looked like, from examining all evidence, that they were trying to enter the Port of Qingdao and didn't see the warships in the darkness, And so the Battle of Haizhou Wan began,
Of course it ended up a victory, as at 4:00 AM the next day the 2nd Navy reported the sinking of the Hai Chou. The Aki-Class Battleship Hyuga, the sister ship to the Fuso, claimed the kill. The rest of the enemy ships fled to the port.
By this time supplies were flowing into both captured ports from the home islands. Operation 'Underbelly' would not be having issues with food, ammo, or fuel. Now with the seas under total control of the Imperial Japanese Navy. In fact some resources were being shipped back to the factories in Japan!
For the fourth week of the war the Navy reported the submarines, and Naval Bombers, had attacked another twelve enemy convoys. They also claimed another victory at sea AND that the Operation 'Underbelly', planned by the Imperial General Headquarters and handled by the Imperial Japanese Navy, was a complete success.
Misc. Events
By the 22nd of July a memo was passed among the government branches, and some of the military leaders, that explained that a majority of the Soviet populace now saw Japan as a greater threat to the USSR than Germany. Once again, not really surprising, but it was not good news. Becoming the center of attention of both the Americans and the Soviets made the Diet, and the Imperial Cabinet, a tad nervous.
On the 25th rumors spread about Sweden leaning towards becoming a part of the Axis. It seemed unlikely but all facts suggested that Germany was, at that point, begging for somebody, anybody, to join them.
For the fourth week of the war the Head of Intelligence reported that Nationalist China had captured one agent, that Communists China had captured one agent, and the US had captured one agent.
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I don't know. It seems a very effective way of getting rid of political undesirables.
OOC - Right now the Republic of China is almost half-way to surrendering. Part of that was the loses of the major provinces. Part of that is the spies attacking the nation's unity. So the spies DO help in a small way.
So we overrun China within one year, I'm sure noting bad will happen to our reputation with that.
Yes. Another great naval victory, and it was a Battleship that sent another Chines ship to the bottom. Clearly BBs are still worthy of investment, and even needed for us to be able to face first rate navies.
If we consider a 1-1 ratio suggested above, rebuilding Kaga and Akagi into Battleships is actually a sizeable concession to you Carrier proponents. Let's consider both scenario's:
Kaga and Akagi both remain Carriers. The presence of Nagato and Mutsu means that no further Battleships need to be built to match them, but a new Battlewagon would have to be built to Match Amagi, and two more new Battleships would need to be laid down to match the two new Carriers currently being built.
Kaga and Akagi are both converted into Battlecruisers, bringing the total (relatively) modern BB fleet to 4 ships, and the modern CV fleet to 1, with 2 under construction. That means that if we don the conversion, we don't start building new Battleships until work starts on the second wave of Carrier construction. The result of such a policy would be that the all our CVs would be purpose-built state of the art ships (except for Amagi), while most of the Battlewagon Fleet remains at least 2 decades old.
(anything laid down before ww1 doesn't count. If you want to convert two of the Fuso's, or two of the Kongo's to Carriers, go ahead. They aren't substitutes for truly modern Capital ships.)
This remains true regardless of the ratio we agree upon. Converting Kaga and Akagi gets rid of your oldest Carriers and brings some good-will from Battleship proponents who would be more inclined to support construction of new Carriers to replace them. If anyone is trying to break the truce, it's the Flat-top-fetishists with their vague promises and their ad-hominem attacks on Battleship proponents and their servants.
How big are we talking? Something like a super-sized Surcouf with Battleship-grade main guns. (at least 14")? That might be a way to get more Battleship guns into the war. And if the Carrier guys want to go for a submersible Carrier, they can always try.
That said, I'll have someone check my sake-supply anyway, just in case this isn't an insult, but a warning,
Captain RobaS3,
Now quite worried about the quality of his Sake supply.
I agree with most of this, I'm even willing to endorse the continued construction of CVs. But, that, of course, is conditional on the Carrier proponent's concrete support for a fast Battleship programme. Right now, all I see are vague promises of 'a few fast Battlewagon's'. What shape are these going to take? When will these ships be designed and built, and what should the ratio between Battleships and Carriers be. I suggest a 1-1 ratio with 1 new BB/BC for each new CV that is built. I would prefer a ratio more in favour of Battleships, and I'm sure you would like a ration more in favour of CV's, but compromises have to be made if we are to unite in a common push for more IJN funding.
I don't see how any of what I, or my colleagues suggested, would break the truce, except maybe the comments about making Northern China into a lake of Canal-system. (but we all know we'll never get funding for that anyway, so those were more off-hand remarks rather than actual proposals)
If we consider a 1-1 ratio suggested above, rebuilding Kaga and Akagi into Battleships is actually a sizeable concession to you Carrier proponents. Let's consider both scenario's:
Kaga and Akagi both remain Carriers. The presence of Nagato and Mutsu means that no further Battleships need to be built to match them, but a new Battlewagon would have to be built to Match Amagi, and two more new Battleships would need to be laid down to match the two new Carriers currently being built.
Kaga and Akagi are both converted into Battlecruisers, bringing the total (relatively) modern BB fleet to 4 ships, and the modern CV fleet to 1, with 2 under construction. That means that if we don the conversion, we don't start building new Battleships until work starts on the second wave of Carrier construction. The result of such a policy would be that the all our CVs would be purpose-built state of the art ships (except for Amagi), while most of the Battlewagon Fleet remains at least 2 decades old.
(anything laid down before ww1 doesn't count. If you want to convert two of the Fuso's, or two of the Kongo's to Carriers, go ahead. They aren't substitutes for truly modern Capital ships.)
This remains true regardless of the ratio we agree upon. Converting Kaga and Akagi gets rid of your oldest Carriers and brings some good-will from Battleship proponents who would be more inclined to support construction of new Carriers to replace them. If anyone is trying to break the truce, it's the Flat-top-fetishists with their vague promises and their ad-hominem attacks on Battleship proponents and their servants.
This is either an opportunity to expand the navy and push for more funding, or a threat to the already shaky balance between CV and BB proponents.
How big are we talking? Something like a super-sized Surcouf with Battleship-grade main guns. (at least 14")? That might be a way to get more Battleship guns into the war. And if the Carrier guys want to go for a submersible Carrier, they can always try.
I beg your pardon. I won't stand for my nurse to be thus insulted. I am of sound mind, especially for my age, I may have had a bit too much Sake at times, but that was the real thing, and it was to drown my sorrows about the lack of a modern Battleship programme.
That said, I'll have someone check my sake-supply anyway, just in case this isn't an insult, but a warning,
Captain RobaS3,
Now quite worried about the quality of his Sake supply.
That all went well, and the Army seems to have settled into its groove now - credit where it is due.
I need to shout loud enough to be heard above the Babel of voices! And I leave the details to the esteemed Utsunimiya & co and the War Ministry to ice the cake.
The nurse didn’t train in the US, did she?
Brave if largely futile of them. They have to try.
Had to happen. Can’t let them go around bombing our troops with impunity.
Many new carriers needed!
Again, credit where due. Just observing they are up against light, old regional forces with no air power of their own. It won’t always be thus.
Ah, that is the kind of info the Head of Intelligence should be using more in classified briefings: Brave Japanese agents risking and losing their lives on foreign soil to undermine the enemy’s will to fight. Rather than dying by the bushel for no known gain. Two quite different stories.
I am but a lone modernist adviser up against a whole Brigade of Barnacles!
I need to shout loud enough to be heard above the Babel of voices! And I leave the details to the esteemed Utsunimiya & co and the War Ministry to ice the cake.I’d say a construction ratio of around 2 x CVs to 1 x new quick BB should be adequate. Would an SHBB be able to keep up? If not, then we shouldn’t be wasting research, steel and factories on them, sadly for some.
Yes, best check the sake. The Americans may have been doctoring it with experimental mind-altering substances in order to undermine our military planning.
The nurse didn’t train in the US, did she?
Chapter Forty-Four: The Mengkukuo Decision - 28.7.1937
Utsunimiya's War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Forty-Four: The Mengkukuo Decision - 28.7.1937
The Region Of Chahar
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Forty-Four: The Mengkukuo Decision - 28.7.1937
The Region Of Chahar
The 28th of July was a Wednesday. And it felt weird to Hajime Sugiyama be visiting the private resident of the Foreign Minister. Part of him wanted to be back at his own office reading reports from the front line freshly delivered from the radio room. But this meeting was about the future policy of the Empire and was important in its own right. And the Second Sino-Japanese War could go on without him for the next hour or so.
Kōki Hirota had a VERY large house and many servants. The Korean Butler had escorted the Chief of Staff to the study where the Foreign Minister had been waiting for him. On a side table was a tray. On it was a pot of freshly brewed English tea and a small platter of, what looked like, Russian biscuits covered in white sugar.
Hajime bowed and took a chair placing his hat onto his lap. He was not really a fan of foreign teas but took a cup just the same with a smile.
"Greetings Hajime Sugiyama," said Kōki with a small bow from behind his desk. "I have asked you here today because I have a decision that must be made by the advisers. But first let me explain WHY I need a decision."
Kōki Hirota pulled out a large map. This map was of China but not those normally seen in the newspapers or in the history books. It was a regional map. The Foreign Minister tapped on the area between Mongol, Shanxi, and Manchukuo. "This area is known as Chahar. There has been a debate about allowing it independence. That we would set up a 'independent' military government which would be allied to Japan. It holds nothing of real value and by giving it up we would benefit from not having to worry about any partisans. But before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented this idea to the Cabinet and the Diet I felt I should place the idea before the advisers."
Hajime sipped his tea and looked over the map. "Yes. Well, our Mongol Army is stationed there. And many of the units from 'Chain' Operations are fighting in that region. But it shouldn't cause them much in the way of trouble. It doesn't matter who owns the roads. They should still get their supplies and fuel. To be honest it looks like a zero-sum gain. There isn't a lot of resources or factories in the territory. So giving it up isn't going to upset the Minster of Armaments. Too much."
"Just a question, then, of when to set it up," remarked the Foreign Minister. "Do we do it now or after the war is ended?"
"Or if we should do it at all," added the Chief of Staff. "If we gain nothing from it why bother? Could be seen as a waste of time."
"Yes," replied the Minister. "Which is why I need you to ask the advisers for their advice."
Hajime sipped the horrible mixture again, wondering for a second why the English seemed to prefer mixing such strange blends, and said, "I'll send them a request for a decision right away."
---
Within an hour small leather packages were being hand delivered to homes, business, and secret drops by armed guards. Of course the public never saw the weapons the men carried and the men never looked like guards. They looked like businessmen, doctors, police officers, and milkmen. Inside was a hand-fill of pages on the region in question and a small letter:
From: Hajime Sugiyama (Chief of Staff)
To: ______ _______
Date: 28.7.1937
Dear Sir,
As a important member of the Imperial Japanese Government or Military we need you input on a new decision. Please review the papers within this package and then select the best choice you believe is needed for the future of the Empire.
Please remember to send your reply as soon as possible.
1. Should The 'Independent' State Of Mengkukuo Be Created -
A. As Soon As Possible
B. After The War Ends
C. Never
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, children, grandchildren, or family servants.
Signed,
Hajime Sugiyama
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Hmm, B. After The War Ends
What I really want to say is to wait until we own all the lands Mengkukuo has (or should have) cores on, since short of console wizardry there's no way in vanilla HoI3 to give them their cores, and they should have cores in what I believe is Suiyuan(?) as well (north half of Shanxi). That said, vanilla HoI3 is a mess when it comes to realism and the map is no exception.
So my advice is based on waiting until we control all appropriate land and giving it to our puppet to gain the maximum benefit. However, if there is no other land which could be given to such a puppet beyond what we already control, Option A makes the most sense in order to relieve partisan threats along our flank. However, even so it behooves us to wait until the Shanxi faction is taken out, so that Chahar is no longer a critical supply line for our advance into Suiyuan. Really, the given options are simply short-sighted without proper appreciation for the nuances of imperialistic expansion, which is about what I would expect from an Army initiative which I'm sure is where this scheme originated...