Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Two : Sixth Week - 9.12.1939 To 15.12.1939
The Land War
The sixth week of the war with Yunnan was filled with the sound of boots marching as the Japanese divisions moved inwards. The enemy was slowly, oh so slowly, being squeezed into a smaller and smaller area.
The world didn’t approve of this but the major powers were already involved in their own problems. The Russians and the Americans, the only powers not involved in some kind of conflicts, just watched from the sidelines. They didn’t trust the Japanese but weren’t willing to do anything to save the Chinese either.
The 5. ‘Moukogo’ Kiheishidan was slowly riding their horses towards the Capital of Kunming. They reported no problems with supplies and it seemed their only issue was the landscape. Horses don’t do well in mountains.
While this was happening mountain and infantry divisions were approaching the Provinces of Kaiyuan and Qujing. The Chinese forces in those areas were in full retreat and it was doubtful they would even bother to put up any type of fight.
Then, shortly after lunch on the 9th of December, the Army announced it had attacked the Province of Mile. One Japanese infantry division was going up against a Chinese infantry division. Over eleven thousand attackers against just under six thousand defenders.
The IJA, likely remembering some of the criticism from the media, ordered some of the Bomber Groups to launch attacks on the Province of Mile. (See Air War)
Then the Army, on the morning of the 10th, launched an attack on the Province of Yuanyang. Over eleven Japanese Mountaineers against under six thousand Chinese soldiers. The Japanese launched an all over Assault as they had the numbers AND the Chinese had no skilled Commander in charge.
It looked like the Army was trying to cut off the Capital from the rest of the nation. But since that suggested forethought General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya assumed it was just a bit of a luck.
Before noon the Battle of Yuanyang came to en end. The Army lost zero men while the Chinese also lost zero men. This suggested that the Chinese were having more issues than the Japanese units were.
On the 12th of December the Army reported that the Battle of Mile had come to an end. The Japanese had gained a victory at the cost of 89 soldiers. The Chinese lost 311 men.
On the morning of the 13th the 1. Sensha Shidan was ready and deployed to the Province of Sasebo. Now two partially completed Japanese Armored units were waiting for their Anti-Tank Brigades to be finished.
And a debate inside the Imperial Japanese Army spread into the upper ranks. Which Front would be assigned the First Armoured Corps? The Russian Front or the Chinese Front?
There was even question of how they should be deployed. As one unit under one of the Theater HQs or split up among many Army HQs?
Then during the late evening of the 13th some annoying news came over the wireless. The Chinese had placed a unit inside Kunming. A small infantry units of only about six thousand and not even properly led.
But this started ANOTHER Battle for Kunming. The cavalry, of over twelve men and horse, once again had to fight over the enemy Capital.
Though there was reports that the Chinese defenders lacked supplies and were heavily disorganized it was still an annoyance.
On the morning of the 15th the Army launched an attack on the Province of Zhongdian. Only one Japanese division of over eight thousand soldiers against two Chinese divisions totaling about twelve thousand defenders.
While the Chinese had the numbers their Commander, Major General Liu Wen-hui, was not as skilled as the Japanese Commander, Major General Kawabe, so it was hoped there would be a swift victory.
By sunrise on the 15th the Battle of Kunming came to an end. Again. The Japanese won at the cost of 56 men while the Chinese lost 98 men. A somewhat close victory to be honest. But still a important victory.
By the end of this week the Army claimed three victories at the cost of 145 men. The Chinese had lost 409 men to Land Combat.
The Pro-Army newspapers were even willing to praise the IJAA for its support and credit it with helping in the Province of Mile.
On the evening of the 9th the 1. Hikoutai and the 3. Nihon Koukuujieitai were redirected to attack the Province of Mile. They were ordered to do so night and day, fuel be damned.
It was to support the Army’s attack on the province. (See Land War)
The Province of Mile was attacked six times and resulted in the death of 847 defenders by the 15th.
While that was happening the 1. Nihon Koukuujieitai was ordered to stand down. The airbases in Chengdu were not supplying the two Wings with enough fuel and military supplies to allow them to be effective. They were ordered to wait till the stockpiles could be replenished.
The Province of Ch’ongjin, in Korea, finally announced the completion of the port. Now supplies could be sent to the Japanese troops stationed there and they could stop stealing from the farms and local businesses.
A convoy was soon sent up to supply the brand new port. At least these soldiers would be prepared if a conflict broke out with the USSR.
Some of the Garrisons in Southern China were also having supply issues. But, once again, as they were not in danger this wasn’t seen as a problem.
At around the same time another Trade Deal was made with Siam. This was both to help the Treasury gain some cash and strengthen ties with the nation of Siam.
On the 11th the Fins accepted Military Access offered to them by Sweden. A weird decision but Europe was becoming a knot of politics and alliances that was becoming impossible to untie or understand.
That same day Germany asked Japan to join the Axis and was turned down.
On the morning of the 12th the Ministry of Armaments announced that the Research Team working on improving the methods and procedures to be used by Security units had been completed.
The Research Team was next assigned to working on better designs and armour for Light Armoured Tanks. Of course this would increase weight and would slow them down slightly. But future Light Tanks would be better protected.
On the 14th the Team working on the equipment and organization of Airborne Infantry announced they had finished. Now Airborne Infantry units could be assembled and trained.
The Team was then assigned to improving on the Anti-Aircraft guns for Battlecruisers. There were rumbles within the IJN that the next generation of surface ships would be needed soon. And when such craft were to be built they would be better protected.
At the same time Airborne units were added to the list of divisions and ships being assembled by the military industry. It was believed the first couple of units would be ready some time in June next year.
The Head of Intelligence reported that the US had captured three Japanese agents, Canada had captured one Japanese agent, and Brazil had captured one Japanese agent.
Japanese Security reported that they had arrested a spy from Bhutan and a spy from Tibet,
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Author’s Notes:
OOC - Behind The Scenes : Veteran Army