Utsunimiya's War - HoI3(TFH) Japan AAR

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Seventy-Eight : Banzai - 13.1.1938 To 18.1.1938

The Land War​

The situation on the 13th of January was mixed. The Nationalists in the north were fleeing, in some cases faster than the Japanese could keep up, while in the south the Nationalists were trapped in muddy trenches and foxholes without a bullet to their name.

Yet many of the Japanese units in the Army were also complaining about a lack of supplies and much of the aircraft were grounded due to a need to repair them or, in many cases, to give the crews time to recover from weeks of nonstop combat.

And in some ways the Navy’s ground troops in their footholds were just as trapped as their enemy. None of them had the numbers to break out of their ports and expand into the surrounding areas. Not that they would get far in the mud.

But this did not stop the Army from announcing a victory on the 13th. The Battle of Fangxian had come to a end with the Japanese losing 145 men while the Nationalists had lost 176. There wasn’t much difference in the numbers but a victory was still a victory.

Then the Army announced a defeat in Ankang. While they only lost 7 men and the Chinese lost 20 a defeat was STILL a defeat. And at this point of the conflict somewhat surprising. Seems the Nationalists still had some spirit among their ranks.

On the morning of the 14th the Army sent a infantry division into Xinghua and attacked the Nationalist infantry division protecting the province. Over eight thousand Japanese soldiers against about six thousand Chinese soldiers.

At noon the Battle of Xinghua was a victory. The Army lost 34 men while the Chinese lost 69 men.

Finally, on the afternoon of the 14th of January, good news came over the wireless. A Japanese mountain division, the 9., had marched into Xi’an and started a fight with the defending Chinese infantry. Twelve thousand attackers against just under six thousand defenders. The Chinese hadn’t even had time to dug in before they were attacked. It would be house to house, street to street, fighting of the most brutal type.

Then the Army launched another attack on the Province of Xingdua. Which they won within an hour. The Army lost 2 men and the Chinese lost 7 men before fleeing.

Then during the dark early hours of the 15th the Army announced victory in Xi’an. The mountaineers lost 27 men while the Nationalists lost 36 men.

Now if the Army could take it and hold it! Utsunimiya wondered how long they could keep it? He felt kind of helpless being in Shanghai and yet knowing the war’s end would be decided in the ancient city of Xi’an. In the end he wished the 9. Mountain Division luck and prayed for them at the nearest Buddhist Temple.

Then the Battle of Hongze came to an end. Seems the enemy just fled after one too many bombing runs on their positions.

On the afternoon of the 16th the Army sent a infantry division into Huainan. Almost nine thousand Japanese soldiers against over eight thousand Chinese soldiers. The enemy were dug in and the Japanese were crossing a river but the battle could either way.

On the 17th, back in Sasebo, a newly formed Garrison division, the 31., had finished training and was ready for deployment. It was decided that the 1st Navy would take the unit to the Port of Gaoxiong in Taiwan.

Then the troops in Sixian spotted the remaining Russian Bombers of the Chinese Air Force. It looked like they were about to suffer a bombing run but the enemy aircraft were jumped by one of the Army’s Fighter Groups. There was no official announcement of victory but the fighters did chase the bombers away before they could carry out their mission.

Then on the 17th of January, at 8 PM, the 9. ‘Kanazawa’ Gokujin no Hohei Shidan marched into and occupied Xi’an. One of the oldest cities in China, one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals as it was the capital of many of the old dynasties, and now it was under control of the Japanese. And the last blow to the Republic’s ability to rule destroyed the enemy’s hope of victory.

On the morning of the 18th the Nationalist government, realizing it could no longer win the conflict, surrendered to the Empire of Japan. The Republic of China was officially annexed into the country with some paperwork stamped and few bows.

At this time the Battle of Huainan came to an end in a victory as the Chinese, on hearing of the government’s surrender, just gave up and left their positions. The Army had lost 191 men while the Chinese had lost 43 men.

The Imperial Japanese Army claimed six victories and lost 406 men to Land Combat. They downplayed the one defeat and got away with it as the Final Victory pretty much overshadowed everything else. The Nationalists lost 351 soldiers to Land Combat.

The Second Sino-Japanese War had ended after 201 days. Three once independent nations now belonged to the Glorious Empire of Japan!

Who would be next?

The Air War
​

The Army Air Groups were pretty active during this time period. Even one of the Fighter Groups got involved. (See Land War)

One of the Army Bomber Groups started bombing the Nationalist infantry in Hongze. The province was bombed nine times and 1,152 enemy soldiers were killed.

The other Army Bomber Group started carrying out bombing runs on the Province of Ankang. Much to the horror of the Nationalist militia stationed there. The province was hit only twice and 318 enemy militia was killed.

On the 14th both Air Bombing Groups joined together to bomb the Province of Hongze as one unit.

Then on the 15th one split off to bomb Xi’an. Ironically the enemy soldiers seemed to be in the process of retreating already. So the one bombing run only killed 43 Nationalists.

Then one of the Bomber Groups started bombing runs on the Province of Huaianaa. The Nationalist brigades there were some of the most well armed and modern of the Republic’s military. They had armoured cars and anti-tank guns. Which were worthless against bombs being dropped on them from the sky. By the second attack both Groups were working together. The Nationalist unit was bombed three times and, as a result, 446 soldiers were killed and a lot of equipment was destroyed.

Before a fourth attack could be launched the crews were told the war was over. They celebrated by going to their makeshift bunks to make up for all the sleep they had lost over the months.

The Navy War​

The Navy’s side of the war was starting to run down. Winter was being felt by the Nationalist forces to the south even more than those in the north. And many of the Carrier Attack Groups were still resting. Aircraft needed maintenance and pilots needed rest. Like the soldiers the crews of the Task Groups had warm quarters and good food.

But the Province of Shenxian was not being allowed any rest as one of the CAGs continued to drop bombs on it. Maybe the local commanders felt the Nationalist soldiers there were a threat. Or maybe the pilots were still fresh. Or maybe there was another reason. Whatever it was the province was bombed twenty more times before the war ended. And 302 Nationalist soldiers died because of that unknown reason. The pilots were in the air, about to carry out another mission on the 18th, when they were told to return as it was announced the war had ended.

The Port of Nantong was bombed eight times which resulted in the death of 277 militia before it was finally captured.

By the 13th of January if was clear that the militia were about to fall apart. The pilots reported that the enemy below them were like ants from a nest that had been kicked over. Of course, the fighting was so chaotic that it was very hard to tell. The only clear evidence of the approaching victory was the fact that more and more buildings were being overrun by the 16. Infantry Division.

On the morning of the 14th of January a newly trained CAG Wing, the 14th, was deployed to the airbases of the Province of Hiroshima. There it would wait till the Wing it would be paired up with was also finally assembled. The speed of the building up of the aircraft was being aided by the capture of the Chinese Province of Pixian and its wonderful source of Aluminium. (1)

Later that day, right when the sun was just kissing the lands in the west the Chinese Fighter Wing attacked the patrolling 5th CAG again. They were not defeated and, yet, they did not win.

An hour before midnight the Battle of Nantong came to an end in a victory. The Nationalists lost 72 militia while the Japanese lost 89 soldiers.

The Port-Province wasn’t officially occupied till the next day, on the 15th, when the 16. Infantry Division paraded through the streets. After the streets had been cleared, of course, by some of the local populace.

At that point the 4th Task Group started their return journey to the Port-Province of Lianyungang. They would arrive there early on the 15th.

The Navy made sure a convoy was created for the Port of Nantong to keep the troops supplied. While at the same time stopping the convoys to the Port of Weihai which no longer needed fuel and ammo.

A few hours later THREE more CAGs Wings were assembled and deployed to the airbases of Hiroshima. Now with four Wings available two Groups were formed. The 12th CAG and the 13th CAG.

Now they just had to wait for the new Aircraft Carriers.

On the afternoon of the 16th the 4th Task Group were ordered to rebase in Sasebo. The reason was pretty simple - the Navy didn’t need the Group in China anymore. It would arrive back in its new Japanese home port by the afternoon of the 17th.

During this time period, between the 13th and the 18th, the Navy claimed one victory and lost 89 men in Land Combat. In return they had killed thousands of the enemy.

With the end of the war the Navy ALSO claimed credit for destroying much of the Republic’s industry, tying up much of its military, and cutting off its trade. In other words the Imperial Japanese Navy stated it had won the war. With SOME help from the Army.

Misc. Events​

While there many events that happened during this period not all of them were public events.

---

It was the morning of the 13th and the man in charge of the Imperial General Headquarters was being visited by one of the few men who outranked him.

“Chief of Staff,” said Field Marshal Ishiwara as he rose, “I rarely get the honor of your presence. You normally don’t visit the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff Office. Would you like some tea?”

Hajima Sugiyama shook his head as he took a seat, placing his cap on his knees, “No thank you. I just came to go over an idea with you.”

“Of course,” said Ishiwara as he sat back down. “I am all ears.”

“As you know, China isn’t just controlled by warlords and bandits,” stated the Chief of Staff with nod towards one of the remaining Naval maps on the wall. “There are a few European colonies there as well.”

“There is Hong Kong controlled by the British and there is Zhanjiang controlled by the French,” he continued. “Both of those are members of the Allies. Getting in a war with them now would be stupid. But there is a third colony.”

“Yes,” remarked Ishiwara, “The colony of Macau. Controlled by Portugal.”

“Yes. Portugal. Who is not part of any of the blocs,” pointed out the Chief of Staff. “And, from I understand from Intelligence, distrusts the British. So they have no allies.”

The Field Marshal nodded. “A war with them for the colony would be somewhat easy. They don’t really have the power to protect their colony. Once taken we could demand a peace treaty and that would be it. But…we need a reason to start a war with them.”

“I am sure the Head of Intelligence could help us with that,” responded the Chief of Staff. “I just wanted you to know. I plan to start working for the war with Portugal once this one ends. I believe the Navy will want to be involved on the capture of a port. Don’t you?”

“Yes,” replied Ishiwara. “But we need to be careful about the timing. The European community might not like us beating one of them in a war. Even if it is a minor nation.”

“Timing,” commented the Chief of Staff, “will be the important factor in this small war. We need to time it in such a way that nobody notices. We need to wait till the European powers are focused on something else.”

---​

Much of the other events during this time period were out in the open for all to see. Mostly.

While it was noticed that the people of Japan felt that the USSR was a threat to their way of life the government also noticed that the left-leaning political movements were starting to grow.

The largest of these groups was called the ‘Stalinists’ and nobody knew how to handle them. Should the secret police and military start taking names and making arrests OR should they be left alone?

In the end it depended heavily on which way the government was planning on going. Would it decide, in the end, to go independent or join one of the Blocs?

Of course there were the normal back and forth in trade. A deal was made with the USA while Colombia canceled a deal with Japan. And so on.

When the announcement of finally victory hit the news stands and the radio stations there was relief and happiness. The crowds filled the streets and embraced the soldiers and sailors they found. The populace, mostly, had forgiven the military for their defeats and mistakes. It was looking forward to things going back to normal. Families wanted to see their sons and fathers again and business looked forward to customer goods filling their stores again.

Of course everybody took the news of victory differently. It is said when the Imperial Cabinet gave the Emperor the news he gave a slight nod of approval.

In China, in the HQ of the Kwantung Army Theater, it is said that Field Marshal Hideki Tojo was so pleased on hearing the news that for a whole day he didn’t slap any of his staff. And even allowed the staff to add one piece of coal to their office stove.

The Chief of Staff had mixed feelings. The war he had started had finally been won. But it had taken TWICE as long as he had promised and many with the military AND the Imperial Diet were somewhat upset with him. It was likely he might be demoted if not outright removed from military service all together.

General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya celebrated by opening a bottle of rice wine in his inner office. Unlike his men he did not go out on dates or to the clubs. They thought they would be going home to family and wives. He knew better. So he enjoyed some rice wine and started to plan out, in his head, the orders he would be issuing to his divisions.

The Head of Intelligence reported that, during this time, the Nationalist Chinese had captured one Japanese agent, that the Guangxi Clique had captured one Japanese agent, and that Canada had captured two Japanese agents.

Japanese Intelligence had also arrested two Soviet agents. What happened to them was unknown. Were they questioned? Sent back to the USSR?

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Author’s Notes:

Of course the ships were being built almost as fast because if the vast and very modern dock facilities of Japan’s many ports.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Seventy-Nine : Birth Of A Nation - 18.1.1938

The idea of the nation of Mengkukuo started WELL before 1938. Prince Demchugdongrub had dreamed of Inner Mongolia independence for decades. And now to become the Head of the state of Mengkuko (or Mengjiang as some called it) was the fulfillment of his dream..

The foundation of the new nation had started a few months ago when the Japanese government approached him. They were going to release some territory, some captured from the annexed nation of Shanxi, to create Mengkukuo. They wanted HIM to be the Head of the State. As the Leader of the Mongol Local Autonomy Political Affairs Committee they felt he was the best pick.

And now here he was, shaking hands with Japanese officials and officials from his OWN government, in front of the international press after the ceremony had made his rule a fact.

The ceremony had been somewhat short but it still filled him with pride. His dream had come true! Not only was he now Head of the State but he was both allied with the Japanese and his neighbors Manchukuo.

And maybe with their help, with a little luck, he could liberate the rest of Mongolia from the crushing weight of Communism.

---​

“So that’s him,” said the American photographer. “The Prince. Not very impressive looking.”

“He doesn’t have to be impressive old chap,” replied the British reporter with a nod of his head. “He’s just a figurehead.”

“Really?” said the American replacing his flash bulb after taking a picture.

“See that man over there?” said the British reporter with a nod of his head. “The NEW Head of Government and Chief of Staff? That’s the power behind the throne. Name of De Noyan.”

“Oh,” responded the American who took a picture of De Noyan.

An Australian reporter behind the two men rolled his eyes. As a reporter with a lot of experience in Asian affairs he knew who was really the ones in charge here and it wasn’t any of the Mongols.

The new nation was a military dictatorship. And in a military dictatorship you look to the military to see who was REALLY in charge. And most of the bloody military here was Japanese.

In fact the ‘Mongol’ Army, who had not even bothered to change their name, was still stationed in the area.

Sure, the Japanese were handing over information on how to improve the local infantry. So when, or if, the local government started training a army the shared technology would help produce soldiers almost as good as the Japanese soldiers.

But that was unlikely. The ‘Puppet’ government existed to keep the peace and act as a buffer state. Nothing more, nothing less.

The Aussie reporter understood this because of decades of covering events in Asia and Oceania. And because, like most Australians, he trusted the Japanese as far as he could throw one of their Sumo wrestlers.

On the other hand the Aussie also felt a certain amount of envy towards the Japanese. Australia had its own plans for much of Oceania and it rarely involved getting permission from the European powers.

As the hand shaking and photo op came to a close and the crowd wandered off the Aussie wondered just how far Japan was willing to go to carry out its own plans for Asia. And maybe it had plans for his own country?

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Author’s Notes:

OOC - Behind The Scenes

Spoiler

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Eighty : Aftermath - 18.1.1938

The Economic Front​

While peace brought many families happiness there were some disadvantages. The industry downshifted from ‘War Time’ to ‘Peace Time’

In other words certain laws had only been enacted because of the war. So Total Economic Mobilization came to an end to be replaced by a War Economy. And Service by Requirement went back to a Three-Year Draft.

On the other hand the factories had plenty of Aluminum and the military, due to having the Province of Ankang, had all the horses they could want.

And the dates for all the military equipment coming out of the factories or the ships coming out of the dockyards just got pushed back even farther. But not THAT far - the next Carrier would be launched in April of that year.

The increase of factories, due to the annexation, had slightly softened the blow of peace time. And as more factories were built, or repaired, the Japanese industry would grow. (1)

The Military Front​

Of course peace meant the demobilization of the reserves. These allowed thousands of the nation’s men to step down to return to the factories, mines, and fields. But it also meant it would take time to gear up for the next war.

And now many of the units had to be called back to Japan or returned to the ‘Manchukuo’ Theater.

In fact the 1., the 10., the 28., and 31. Infantry Divisions were detached from ‘China’ Operations, handed back over to ‘Manchukuo’ Operations within hours. They, slowly, started making their way overland to the border with Russia. It would take some time but at least that Theater now had four tested, harden, divisions that had proven themselves under fire.

Then the 3rd Task Group, at Ningbo, loaded up the 53. Infantry Division and started off for the Port of Osaka. Which would be its new home port during peace time.

The 1st Task Group, collected up the 52. Infantry Division, and started for its new home port of Nagaski. It would be the first of the returning Groups (outside of the 4th Task Group of course) to reach Japan as it reached its new home port by that evening. Many soldiers of the 52. and sailors of the ships were met by cheering crowds, loved ones, and at least one high school band.

And last, but not least, the 2nd Task Group loaded up the 48. Infantry Division, with their trucks, and started for their new home of Hiroshima.

The Navy’s 14. was ordered to redeploy from Nantong to Shanghai. It started the march south with many of the soldiers wondering WHY they were heading towards Shanghai when they could just as easily be picked up in Nantong?

The 2., the 4., the 5, and the Guards were all told to deploy to Shanghai. There, along with their HQ unit, they would be picked up and taken to their new ‘assignment’.

The men and officers were so happy about the end of the war few questioned what their new ‘assignment’ would be.

The 1st Navy, which had dropped off the 31. Garrison Division at Gaoxiong, was now directed to Shanghai. On landing the 31. had attached itself directly to the IGH back in Japan.

The Navy’s two Bomber Groups were ordered to the airbases in Suskai on the home island of Shikoku. Of course they got there in time to have some cold breakfast.

Knowing where the next war was planned the ‘China’ Operations was given a new list of objectives. To take and protect. Shanghai, Changde, Macau, Nanning, Guilin, Bauise, and Guangzhou. Most of these provinces were in Guangxi Clique.

The nation in question, if it could be called a ‘nation’, held four ports which the Navy wanted very much. It also, by it’s very presence, protected three European colonies from attack from the land-side. Each one of those colonies also controlled a port. And the government had decided those ports NEEDED to belong to the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Of course the Army Air Force were the quickest to deploy south.

By the early afternoon the 1. Zerosen no Hikodan had based themselves in the slightly still damaged airbases in Nanchang while the 3. Zerosen no Hikodan had taken over the airbases in Changde.

The Army’s Bomber Groups were slower to move to the new airbases to the south but soon rebased themselves in Nanchang. It was a tight fit and the crews were not impressed with the barracks they had inherited from the Chinese but they made do as best they could.

Then there was the change in the Ministers.

---

The meeting was in ways very familiar to those who attended it. Only the Minster of Security, Keisuke Fujie, was a new face for the men sitting around the table.

The other change was that Prince Kotohito Kan’in was now Chief of Staff and Hajime Sugiyama was now Chief of the Army.

If seems both men had been called to see the Prime Minister after the Republic had been annexed. The meeting had been short and to the point. Seems there were those among the military, government, and even among the Imperial Cabinet, who wanted the old Chief of Staff out of his position. And there was even a suggestion that some wanted him out of the Army.

Still, he had a few friends left among those in power. So in the end, with the victory in Asia, came mercy. He and the Prince just ‘exchanged’ their positions. He, in other words, had been demoted.

Some within the room were not happy about this. And some were VERY happy.

As the men finished their tea and turned their attention fully towards the new Chief of Staff the Prince smiled, gave a short bow from his sitting position, and said, “Congratulations I think is in order. While the war lasted twice as long as projected and the numbers of men lost were higher than any of us hoped I think we can be pleased with the final result. It had been the dream of past generations to conquer the Middle Kingdom. It is my understanding that his Imperial Majesty was very pleased.”

Even Hajime Sugiyama had a hard time holding in a small smile. He may live with the shame of being removed from his office but he would go down in history as the man who helped Japan take the first step to greatness. Nobody could take that away from him.

“Now, before we can prepare for future operations we have TWO decisions to ask our Advisers to make. One is more of a question of military structure while the other has to do with the direction the nation will take.”

The Prince nodded towards Shunroku Hata, the Chief of the Air Force, and added, “It has been suggested that a independent Theater HQ controlling ALL land based aircraft, outside of the Naval Bombers, would be a more effective way to handle all air missions in the future.”

The Baron looked like he was about to explode. “Nonsense!” Mineo Ōsumi finally sputtered out. “The Navy handled the Tactical Bombers perfectly!”

The New Chief of the Army stirred in his chair and added, “While mistakes were made the Army Air Force learned from them. Remember ‘a boy living near a Buddhist temple can learn an untaught sutra by heart’. Also, creating a new HQ? Surely this is a waste of manpower and supplies.” (2)

The Prince nodded. “I would tend to agree. But I have decided it will be decided by the Advisers. We made the mistake of not asking for their advice on the timing of the declaration of war on the Communists. I don’t plan to let us make that mistake again.”

The men in the room tried to hide their expressions of surprise and curiosity. So was THAT why Hajime had been taken down a peg? And was the Prince mentioning it to remind him of his failure?

The Prince seemed to ignore the expressions and continued.

“The Advisers will be given three choices. One, to keep things as they are. Two, to assign all aircraft to the IGH, as the Navy’s Bomber Groups are. Or, the last choice, to create a new Theater HQ to become the Imperial Japanese Air Force. To control all air asserts outside of the Naval Bombers and the CAGs.”

Both the Chief of the Navy and the Chief of the Army looked uncomfortable while the Chief of the Air Force looked very pleased with himself.

The Prince waited for a few seconds to let things settle before adding, “And now for the important decision. We need to pick a side. We need to join one of the three power blocs that are forming. We either join the UK, and their Allies, or we join Germany, or we join the Comintern. We have to decide before it is decided for us.”

The New Chief of Staff let that sink in before saying, “But Germany is a special problem.” He turned to Yasuji Okamura, Head of Intelligence, and said, “Would you be so kind as to explain?”

Yasuji nodded, stood up, and said, “As you know, from my reports, the American populace is slowly turning towards Fascism. To put it simply I believe they will elect a Fascist President in 1940. IF nothing stops the American First movement from gaining more power. I fear us joining on the side of the Germans MAY force the US to join the Allies.”

As he sat down the Prince sighed. “So, this decision is a tad complex. The first choice is the Allies. Which will likely bring us into conflict with Germany. And maybe, decades from now, the Soviet Union. A long game.”

“The second choice is the USSR. They will likely allow us to do anything we want on the mainland. We just have to be careful about starting a war with the Allies. Problem is they have a pitiful Navy and there is the chance that if they went to war with Germany…well, Germany’s Navy is also tiny. But their army is not. In other words, we join up with the USSR and decades from now we may be facing Germany after it eats the bear.”

“Then there is the third choice. To join up with Germany AFTER the 1940 American elections. To see which way the US goes and THEN join up with Hitler and his government. Of course we will end up in a war with Allies which will allow us full access to the Pacific colonies. But we may also end up in a war with the Comintern AT the same time due to Germany’s anti-communist ideology. If the US is on our side we have a chance. If not…”

The Prince was no longer smiling. “We NEED to decide. We can’t hold it off any longer. We can only stay on the fence for so long before somebody knocks us off. Any comments?”

There was none. The room was dead silent.

“I will send the Advisers the two decisions to be made as soon as possible. Please continue normal operations as needed. We all know our next target. And we all know what needs to be done. Thank you for coming.”

---

A dozen men, this time with escorted by military police, were soon on the streets. They weren’t trying to be invisible in the crowds this time. They were going to deliver their packages and nobody would get in their way. The frowns of the military police and their weapons would make sure of that.

The packages were delivered to homes, business, and secret drop boxes. In some cases they were delivered into the hands of the residents themselves. Nothing was going to get in the way of the packages. They were too important.

From: Kotohito Kan’in (Chief of Staff)
To: ______ _______
Date: 18.1.1938

Dear Sir,

As a important member of the government we need your input in some decisions that need to be decided on before we can go forward with our plans. Please take the time to ponder the following issues, select what you believe is the best course of action, and send a reply as soon as possible.

With this letter will come a written record of the meeting held in the Imperial General Headquarters. This information is top secret. Please make sure to burn it after use. Or eat it.

The Two Decisions are as followed -

1. Should our land based aircraft (out of the Naval Bombers) be -

A. Left alone
B. Placed Under Control Of The IGH
C. Organized Under A New Theater HQ

2. Who should Japan start to align with -

A. The UK
B. The USSR
C. Join Germany After The American Elections In 1940s And ONLY If The Americans Elect A Pro-German President.

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,

Kotohito Kan’an

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Author’s Notes:

1. The more factories there were the more coal be could turned into oil and the more oil could be turned into fuel.

2. English version would be something along the lines of - Experience is the best teacher.

Edit: Sorry, choice D was meant to be C. That has been corrected.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Eighty-One : Tying Up Loose Ends - 19.1.1938

The Economic Front​

Of course, with most of the Navy out at sea the fuel stockpile took a nose drive. The Ministry of Armaments warned the government that there was only 13 days of fuel left.

So the Foreign Minister Hirota tried his best to gain oil and fuel without going totally bankrupt.

Deals were made with France and South Africa. The deals were good but did little to stop the flow of fuel that was being used.

The Military Front​

One of the first loose ends to be taken care of was the arrest of the fake Kawaba in charge of the 7. ‘Moukogo’ Cavalry Division. After all the REAL Kawaba was on on the Ryujo II Aircraft Carrier back in Japan.

So when the military police arrived and forced their way into Kawaba’s tent they were shocked to find that there was no person in charge of the unit. What they found was a German Gramophone. Seems the REAL Kawaba would record his instructions on a record and then send it by military mail to his staff.

Of course the Gramophone, and records, were confiscated and the staff questioned. Seems only a few knew about the cunning plan. In fact many, on hearing his voice from behind closed doors or from inside his field tent, had assumed he was present.

Major General Iida, a skilled officer with talent for Offensive operations, was given command.

Even Keisuke Fujie, Minister of Security, was somewhat impressed when he received a report on the whole situation. He even joked that the Army should buy more Gramophones and put them in command positions.

Around 10 AM in the morning the 1st Navy finally entered the Port of Shanghai. It needed to take on supplies and fuel before anything else could be done. Commander Mikawa was able to meet General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya who took him to a local restaurant. The Commander enjoyed the meal and they exchanged their experiences of the war.

As that happened the 3rd Task Group arrived in Osaka and offloaded the 53. Hohei Shidan. Once assembled the division started their deployment towards the Port of Nagoya to join the Central Japan Army - their commanding HQ.

Slightly before midnight the 2nd Task Group entered Hiroshima where it unloaded the 48. Hohei Shihan. They were detached from the 14. Hendan (which was back in Taiwan) and linked up with the West Japan Army.

The 16. Hohei Shidan finally got their answer on why they were heading towards Shanghai. They were also detached from the 14. Hendan and then linked to the 1. Tokushu Gundan.

The Special Corps now had five veteran divisions. General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya was both pleased and honored to have such a effective fighting unit added to his command.

With nothing to command the 14. Hendan was not longer needed and was disbanded.

Right before midnight it was pointed out that, because Shanghai had a Garrison Division, ‘China Operations’ didn’t need to guard it. So the province was removed from the Theater’s sphere of responsibility.

Misc. Events​

The Head of Intelligence announced that Canada had arrested one of Japan’s agents during the day.

The major cities in China were slowly recovering from the war. Yan’an and Nanjing were empty shells but Hefei had already repaired a third of their factories. Also, their infrastructure had gone untouched by the Japanese bombers. Many of the minor cities and ports had survived the conflict without a scratch.

The end result was resources were pouring into the home islands. The bottleneck to fuel production, which is something the Minister of Armaments understood if nobody else did, was that the number of factory complexes decided how much oil was turned into fuel.

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Author’s Notes:

OOC: Also have control of the Taiwan Strait with increases our Research Efficiency and helps with Supply Throughput but makes no sense IC so I will put it here.

Spoiler: Taiwan Strait

Also it took me a while to figure out the Fuel + IC formula. Don’t worry, I figured it out by the end of the game month.

Behind the Scenes - Special Corps -

Spoiler: Taiwan Strait

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Eighty-Two : Dealing With The Fuel Issue - 20.1.1938 To 30.1.1938

The Economic Front​

With fuel in danger of running out within a few weeks the Foreign Minister became brutal in both canceling and agreeing to Trade Deals. During the ten day period between the 20th of January and the 30th of January Trade Agreements were made with Finland, Soviet Union, Albania, Persia, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and the US.

Some nations, such as Afghanistan, canceled their Trade Deals with Japan. But a large portion of already existing Trade Deals were canceled by the Ministry. Trade Deals, that were felt to be hurting the economy or worthless, were broken. Including those with Mexico, Siam, the US, and the USSR. In fact four older Trade Deals were broken with the USSR and five were broken with the US.

It is said by the 30th that Koki Hirota was so worried about how this might damage the relationship between Japan and the US that he had lost a few pounds just from worrying.

The Chief of Staff also visited the Ministry of Armaments to have a discussion on what other measures could be taken to slow down the use of fuel or increase the production.

Both agreed that one way to improve the situation was to make the building of the industrial complexes a higher priority. Those projects dealing with the building of factories were pushed up the production queue. Only the Carriers and CAGs were still higher than the factory complexes.

Of course the Army grumbled but they didn’t openly complain. Not when it was believed that the Prince had the backing of the Prime Minister.

Even ‘China Operations’ who wanted eight Armored Brigades kept it to themselves.

The Military Front​

On the 22nd the 1st Navy was ready to take the 16. and the 2. of the Special Corps to their new posting. The Port-Province of Gaoxiong in Taiwan.

General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya wasn’t surprised by this fact. Surely his divisions would be involved in the upcoming war with the gangsters who called themself the Guangxi Clique.

At midnight the two units were being unloaded onto the docks of Gaoxiong. Soon the 2nd Navy returned to Shanghai.

By the morning of the 25th it was loaded with the 5th and the Imperial Guard and was heading back to Taiwan.

It was the morning of the 26th when the two units were finally offloaded onto the dock of their new home.

On the morning of the 27th the last two units, the 4. and the HQ unit, were loaded and the 1st Navy was on its last delivery trip. On the way down Commander Mikawa was able to return the favor of the Shanghai cuisine by serving the General a proper Japanese meal served by Japanese chefs.

By the 28th the two units were being unloaded at Gaoxiong. The two men said their goodbyes and wished each other good luck.

At that point the 1st Navy was ordered to the Port of Sasebo. A new Garrison Division had finished training earlier that day and was awaiting delivery to China.

On arrival, on the 29th, Major General Maeda loaded up the two Garrison Brigades and showed the Commander his orders. He was to be taken to Shanghai and than to deploy his men to the Province of Changde. There he could protect the airbases and keep an eye on the surrounding Provinces.

The 1st Navy delivered the Garrison unit on the 30th and they were soon off. The Major General had heard about how horrible the road system had been in China but he was horrified to find out just how BAD it was.

Back in Japan the Chief of Staff ordered that the two Infantry Regiments of the 48. Hohei Shidan become motorized like the 47th Regiment.

Then he ordered three new divisions added to the queue. The three divisions were each made up of a Motorized Regiment, a Armoured Car Brigade, and a Motorized Anti-Aircraft Brigade. The idea was clear - the 48. would be upgraded and waiting for the three divisions. Then it could be split up to bring the three new units up to full strength.

When asked why he would order, into production, three fuel consuming military units his reply was brief and to the point.

“By the time they are assembled our fuel problems will be a thing of the past. Or we’ll all be speaking Russian.”

He also, like the Foreign Minister, carried out brutal searches to find out where fuel was going. Many convoys going to mainland China had their shipment of fuel removed. And many convoys going to the Pacific islands were stripped of their fuel shipments and, in come cases, completely canceled. He had found that some islands had enough supplies to keep their Garrisons in food and ammo for months.

“From now on,” he announced to his officers, “any convoy that is delivering supplies needs my approval. Period.”

Misc. Events​

On the 25th of January the Head of Intelligence was told to start operations in Portugal to make them look threatening to the Japanese populace.

And on the 29th Germany asked Japan to join the Axis again. And again was turned down.

It was also noticed that the nation of Brazil was very close to joining the Axis. The only thing keeping it back was that the UK was trying to influence the Brazilian people. This was unlike to work due to the fact that the populace of Brazil saw the UK as a threat to their way of life.

By the 30th of January the Head of Intelligence reported that Brazil had captured three Japanese agents, the US had captured two Japanese agents, the Guangxi Clique had captured two Japanese agents, Canada had captured on Japanese agent, and Portugal had captured one Japanese agent.

In return, in Japan, security agents had captured two spies from Mongolia, one spy from Xibei San Ma, and one spy from the Philippines.

And the General got a message from the Chief of Staff. To plan out the invasion of the Dutch East Indies. Using the Special Corps and the current available Naval assets.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author’s Notes:

OOC: After the fall of China I continued to play till the 30th (in game) which is why I was able to put out these chapters so quickly. They will slow down again as I wait for the last few votes and also plan out Japan’s future actions.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Eighty-Three : Trimming The Fat - 31.1.1938

If you were to walk the streets of any of the major cities of Japan on the 31st of January of that year you would see happy crowds enjoying their Saturday. Stores selling customer goods. Young women bundled against the cold to see the latest movie. Young men, some of them military, enjoying the sights and sounds of being back in Japan. Mostly the sights and sounds of the young women. Street vendors selling newspapers and guide books, restaurants filling the air with the scent of noodles, and a few confused tourists trying to make sense of it all.

But under the surface there was a lot of activity. First off the government was trying to find a way to kept the Treasury from bleeding out. All the Trades to increase the amount of oil and fuel for the Imperial Japanese Navy had worked. But now the nation was running out of cash.

And in North China the ‘Manchukuo’ Operations’ order of battle was being reorganized. Much to the annoyance of the Imperial Japanese Army.

The Prince was ‘trimming the fat’ as he called it.

First, the Garrison Divisions, which were slow and worthless in a offensive against the Soviet Union were being directly attached to the Kwantung Army Theater. Some of the Infantry Divisions were consolidated to few HQ units. Which allowed the disbanding of the 4. Hendan HQ and the Korea Army HQ.

Of course the staff of the ‘Manchukuo’ Operations were now demanding even more armoured units and aircraft.

The Chief of Staff also ordered the Head of Intelligence to send agents to the Netherlands to start generating rumors and propaganda to make the nation look like a threat to Japan.

Then, of course, there was the formation of the Imperial Japanese Air Administration. It’s job was to control the development of aircraft, in general, and the direct control of the Army’s Air Groups. Of course, the Naval Bombers and Carrier Attack Groups would continue to be under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

It was based in the Province of Nagoya which was a major urban center and had both a major port and airbases.

After forming it was put under the command of Field Marshal Sagara, who was known for his knowledge of Logistics, sent the 1. Hikoutai, with its two Wings of Ki-48, to the airbases in Taiwan. So to be closer to the future battle grounds.

When he first addressed his staff the new Air Field Marshal demanded that all units under him be as aggressive as possible.

“We won’t win wars by sitting in the airbases drinking sake and flirting with pretty girls,” he explained. “We will win by destroying the enemy’s ability to wage war. Fuel, food, and munitions are the blood of armies. And it will be our job to make our enemies bleed.”

Even as this was happening General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya was working on the plans on invading the Dutch East Indies. He had locked himself into his office in the Port of Gaoxiong and had ordered his staff to leave him alone.

The biggest issue was deciding the most important targets out of a chain of, mostly, empty islands. It wasn’t as hard as one might think. In the end he had narrowed it down to three ports and four provinces.

But there was ONE big problem with declaring war on the Netherlands and he made sure to point that out in his final draft as he prepared to send it to the Chief of Staff.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Eighty-Four : Independence Guaranteed - 32.1.1938 To 15.2.1938

The Economic Front​

Fuel was flowing into the stockpile. Either from the processing of the nation’s oil or from being imported from foreign sources. But that meant the nation’s bank account was also becoming smaller and smaller.

Of course the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Armaments continued to do their best to keep Japan from going broke. The Treasury had to be stabilized.

Deals were canceled with the Soviet Union, Canada, and the US.

And completely new ones were made with Canada, Saudi Arabia, Tibet, and the Soviet Union.

By the 6th of February the Treasury and the fuel supply were both in the ‘Green’. In fact both coal and military supplies were also increasing.

That same day the Foreign Minister also asked Siam, Yunnan, and Guangxi Clique for Transit Rights. All three nations refused and this was what the Minister wanted as it would make relationships between Japan and this nations worse. And make declaring war on them later all the more easier.

The Ministry of Armaments was also able to announce some advancements made during this time period.

On the 3rd they announced that one of the Research Teams had finally completed their work on improving the military’s Arctic Warfare Equipment.

After a short break the Team was assigned to upgrading the Air-Launched Torpedo system. This would benefit both the Naval Bombers and the Carrier Attack Groups. It would make them better ship killers.

On the 5th it was announced that one of the Ministry of Armaments’ other Teams had improved on the equipment, and training, of field medics. In other words they had improved on the basic First Aid used on the battlefield.

After a small party the Team was sent to work on improving the theory and practice of Aeronautic Engineering.

On the 8th, while this was happening, the Foreign Minister had all his new recruits taken away from him by the military. Seems the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had thousands of employees doing nothing at the moment and it was decided to funnel any of the NEW recruits into officer training.

On the 13th the Research Team working on Advanced Construction Engineering announced their success! This would allow the Japanese to build roads and railways in some of the most horrible of Asia’s inland regions.

The Team was then assigned to improving on the science of Artillery. With many upcoming units having artillery this was thought to be a good idea.

With the new advances in construction the Minister of Armaments ordered new roads and rails built all along the border of Guangxi Clique. It was hoped these would supply the troops when the war started. OR at least help them when it was time to invade Yunnan.

The Military Front​

On the 31st the 1st Navy finally made it to their home port of Sasebo. They were happy to be with family and friends again.

That same day the 1. Hikoutai landed in Gaoxiong. They quickly made the airbases there their own, taking over the barracks, the mess halls, and the officer clubs.

After that both the IJAA and the IJN became ‘still’ as they waited for future wars. This ‘ stillness’ would be useful in building up the fuel supply also.

In the occupied territories of China was where all the activity was happening as the units under ‘China Operations’ painfully moved south over the horrible roads.

On the 13th the Chief of Staff finally approved the return of Supply shipments to the minor islands of the Pacific. But not one drop of fuel was sent to any of the Garrisons.

The Dutch East Indies​

It was the 8th of February, on a Tuesday, around 8 PM . It was raining so hard outside that it was almost impossible to see outside the office’s windows. The crowds of clerks and staff who worked at Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office HQ had disappeared long ago leaving behind Guards, some janitors, and those who stayed late to get in extra work.

Tokyo was truly having miserable weather. The Chief of Staff was not looking forward to being driven home. But the plan for the invasion of the Dutch East Indies had finally arrived by courtier and he wanted to go over it before heading home.

Peeking one last time out the window he stepped back to his desk, sat down in his worn chair, and unlocked the small briefcase that held the report and maps created by General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya.

When he had been promoted he had decided to stay in his old office. One office was as good as another. And over the years this one had become a home away from home.

As he pulled out the slim report and unfolded the maps that came with it he noticed the list of required military units were small.

The General had taken the Prince’s requirement that he only use his Special Corps to heart. In fact outside of his own divisions the General only required six Transport Flotillas and one Task Group.

Two divisions would land in the Port of Osthaven and take it. Once secure one of them would march north and take the Province of Palembang with its Oil Refineries.

One division and the HQ unit would take the Port of Batava. Once there the division could easily take the Province of Serang with its Gold.

The remaining two divisions could take the Port of Soerabaja. Once secure they could take both the Province of Malang, with its supply of Cinchona, and the Province of Samarang, with its supply of Rubber.

Of course many of these provinces and ports also held metals, oil, rare materials and airbases. Aircraft could easily be brought in by the IJAA to occupy and use the airbases.

And the General pointed out once the major resources were secure secondary targets, mostly with oil fields, could be taken easily via more landings from transports. Nice, simple, easy to understand.

But there was one major barrier to this plan reported by the General in the final page of the report. The UK guaranteed the Netherlands’ independence. If Japan invaded the Dutch East Indies they would end up in a war with the Allies.

The Prince sighed to himself and placed the papers and maps back into the briefcase. He closed it and carefully locked it. It looked like the plan would have to be shelved. For now.

Of course once the Allies were engaged in a war with Germany or Russia….

The German Factor​

The restaurant was still as popular as ever. Both Yasuji Okamura, Head of Intelligence, and Keisuke Fujie, Minster of Security, had been forced to wait for a table.

But they didn’t mind. The food was good and the main room was loud. Perfect place to chat and exchange information.

A waitress soon took them to a table in the middle of the main dining room. It had just been cleared and was still slightly wet. Both men ordered their usually noodle dish and waited till she was gone before saying anything.

“You look depressed,” said Keisuke as he leaned forward on the table with his elbows. The men were just another couple of businessmen, or maybe family members, having lunch.

“You might say that,” replied Yasuji with a nod of his head. “It’s the Americans.”

“Oh?”

“Well…the numbers have changed,” remarked the Head of Intelligence.

“Changed?” responded the Minister of Security. “What do you mean?”

They became silent as the waitress brought their orders and a pot of tea with two porcelain cups.

They waited till she had moved away before starting on their meal. They stayed quiet for a few minutes before Yasuji said, “The support for the different parties have changed.”

“What do you mean?”

Yasuji sighed and said, “The American First Party have about 28 percent of the public behind them but now the Democratic Party’s support has jumped to 31 percent.”

“How? What changed?” demanded the Minister of Security.

“The only factor that changed was that the Germans are now trying to influence the American populace,” replied the Head of Intelligence.

“Surely they are NOT helping the Democratic Party?” stated Keisuke almost forgetting to keep his voice down.

“I don’t know. But that’s the only thing that changed since my last report.”

“Well,” replied Keisuke. “You may wish to start causing some trouble for the Americans. Start trying to attack their unity. Spread rumors. Make them think they can’t trust their own rulers. Make it easier for….well, if somebody goes to war with them we want them as weak as possible.”

“True,” remarked Yasuji.

“Oh,” added Keisuke after sipping some of his tea loudly. “You may wish to assign some domestic agents to supporting our own government. Just in case the Germans try to ‘influence’ us.”

Yasuji sighed. “Damn those Germans.”

Misc. Events​

Not only did the Head of Intelligence pass on the bad news of the American First Party and the Germans he also reported to the Chiefs and Ministers some more bad news. Between the 32nd of January to the 15th of February three Japanese spies was captured in Portugal, six Japanese spies was captured in the US, five Japanese spies was captured in Yunnan, and three Japanese spies was captured in Brazil.

It looked like the pathway to glory was going to be somewhat bumpy.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Eighty-Five : Stable - 16.2.1938 To 28.2.1938

The Economic Front​

With the economy now more ‘stable’ the Foreign Minister could slow down and be a tad more selective when it came to Trade Agreements. Agreements were made with Haiti, the USA, and Siam.

The Netherlands canceled two Trade Deals with Japan. Which wasn’t a surprise to be honest what with all the spies being captured. (See Misc. Events)

There was also more technological advances made during the latter part of the month.

The Research Team working on the “Secret Project” reported success. But the members of the Team explained to the Minister of Armaments that the second stage of research had to wait till the results from the first stage had been completely understood. And new equipment had to be made or purchased to carry out the second stage of research.

So the Team was assigned to work on researching ways to improve on, and speed up, research in the field of Infantry Warfare.

Then the Ministry of Armaments announced, this time to the public, improvements made in Japan’s Industrial Production.

After a short celebration the Team was sent off to work on Mobile Warfare Research. In other words to find ways to improve on projects that dealt with improving the mobility of our ground troops.

On 23rd, due to the complaints of the ‘Manchukio’, HQ the Minster Chūji Machida ordered the construction of roads and rails from Hamhung, in north Korean, to the north. The project might even be done before war with the Soviet Union happened. Maybe.

The Military Front​

On the 17th of February the 61. Hohei Shidan marched into the Province of Changde and officially attached itself direcly to the Kwantung HQ. They quickly settled down to patrol and garrison duty.

On the 19th a new CAG was assembled and the Wing of A4N1s were deployed to the Province of Hiroshima. There it could wait for it’s partner Wing and, of course, a new Carrier.

Misc. Events​

Without a war to distract him the General noticed more news articles in the local papers that dealt with the outside world.

In Italy is was reported that Benito Mussolini had his soldiers adopt the “Roman Step”. Or as it was called by the rest of the world the “Goose Step”.

On a more serious note, in Germany, the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (High Command of the Armed Forces) was formed and Hitler was now in complete control of the German military.

‘Bringing Up Baby’, a comedy starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn premiered on February 16th in San Francisco and was a hit. (1)

On the 23rd of February the Germans invited Japan to the “Axis” again. Even though such a organization didn’t even exist. Of course the offer was again turned down.

Between the 16th of February and the 28th of February the Head of Intelligence, who seemed to be more depressed than normal lately, reported that the Guangxi Clique had captured two Japanese spies, Yunnan had captured seven Japanese spies, Portugal had captured six Japanese spies, the USA had captured three Japanese spies, the Netherlands had captured one Japanese spy, Canada had captured one Japanese spy, and Brazil had captured one Japanese spy.

At the same time the Minister of Security announced the capture of one agent from the Soviet Union.

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Author’s Notes:

1. In the Midwest, and some other major cities, it didn’t do so well and, in the end, was thought of as a failure.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Eighty-Six : Poking The Warlords - 1.3.1938 To 15.3.1938

The Economic Front​

While things had, mostly, settled down there were still a few issues here and there that needed the attention of the Foreign Minister.

A worthless Trade Deal was canceled with Venezuela. Trade Agreements were signed with Afghanistan, New Zealand, and Chile. Though offers from the UK and France were turned down.

On the 3rd of March the Research Team working on Combat Medicine announced a advancement that would improve the care of wounded soldiers. And might allow many of then to recover completely and go back into combat.

The Team, after a small party, was assigned to work on Radar development.

On the 4th the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was asked to request Transit Rights from the Guangxi Clique. This request came from the Chief of Staff who was likely trying to get the future enemy all riled up.

They refused to react at all of course. Funny enough this ‘poking’ not only failed to rile up the Guangxi Clique it was pointed out, by the Head of Intelligence, the Clique felt that the UK was the biggest threat to them. The Chief of Staff was said to be slightly offended by this.

The Military Front​

By the 4th of March the IJAA had as much of the future battlefield as covered as they could without access to the enemy’s own airbases.

On the 5th, with a Garrison now protecting Changde it was removed from the list of Objectives of ‘China Operations’.

On the 21st the logistic system seemed to be kicking in as all the units on the border or approaching the border reported receiving supplies.

On the 12th the 22. Kaigun, the 4th Task Group, and the 1st Navy were all ordered to the Port of Gaoxiong.

The 4th Task Group and the 1st Navy would arrive there on the afternoon of the 13th of March.

The Submarines would take slightly longer. They arrived on the early, still dark, morning hours on the 14th.

The Chief of Staff made sure to approve fuel shipments for Taiwan.

The IJN and the IJAA were now ready for the war. Now two things were needed. For the Army to get all its units into position. And for an excuse to go to war.

Misc. Events​

Things were becoming more and more awkward for the Foreign Minister. Germany asked not once but TWICE for Japan to join them in the “Axis”. Once on the 5th and again in the 14th. Of course both times they were turned down.

But it was doubtful he felt as awkward as the Head of Intelligence who had to report that, during the two weeks, Portugal captured five Japanese agents, Guangxi Clique captured two Japanese agents, Yunnan captured three Japanese agents, Canada captured two Japanese agents, the Netherlands captured three Japanese agents, the US captured two Japanese agents, and Brazil captured four Japanese agents.

On the other hand the Head of Intelligence WAS delighted to announce that the US was FINALLY drifting towards the Axis. It looked like that the German influence, and the American First Party, were starting to work on the American public AND the American government. But while their relationship with Germany had improved it would likely still be a close thing in the elections of 1940.

While this was happening the Minister of Security announced the capture of one spy from the Philippines.

The General was, of course, ordered to plan out the invasion of Guangxi Clique. As he started to work on the rough draft he wondered to himself if this plan would also end up being shelved.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Eighty-Seven : Taiwan - 16.3.1938 To 31.3.1938

Taiwan had a somewhat interesting history. It didn’t come into the hands of the Japanese Empire till after the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895. When the Qing Dynasty ceded the Province of Taiwan to the Japanese the people of the island were not happy. A resistance movement formed the short-lived Republic of Formosa. Before Japanese troops arrived, crushed the Republic, and turned the island into Japan’s ‘overseas colony’. Of course there was still problems and incidents but by 1915 armed resistance had come to a halt.

Since then the culture of the island had become a mixed of Chinese and Japanese influences. Part of this was due to the Japanese local government stomping out foot binding and opium use. But also part of it was how much Japanese literature, cinema, music, and art had become a part of the island’s life.

Utsunimiya could walk about the Port of Gaoxiong and feel secure. Many of the people walking the streets had brothers, sons, and fathers in the Japanese military. It was said soldiers, pilots, and sailors from the island were some of the most baring and bold in battle.

Many of the newspapers and signs were in Japanese. The people worked, played, and spent much of their time speaking in Japanese.

There were Japanese movies being made in Taiwan - mostly due to the lower costs of such a production. Even the traditional puppet shows had changed as the puppets now wore Japanese fashions and even Japanese music was used during the shows.

The island even had baseball now. It had become so popular that even the schools had baseball teams. Many of these teams did so well they ended up playing in Tokyo during the national high-school baseball tournament!

Of course Japanese government officials had improved on the roads, railroads, public health, and even brought in Shintoism. The Japanese had also brought the first banking system to the island.

Yet there was still a hint of the mainland about the place. Some of the restaurants, some of the buildings, some of the street fashion still screamed Chinese.

It was strange and friendly at the same time. The people had become as close to becoming Japanese as they could without living in Tokyo. And that made the General even more homesick.

The Economic Front​

By the 16th of March the amount of fuel was twice the size it had been during the last days of the Second Sino-Japanese War. But the Navy wanted it bigger and the government agreed. There could never be ENOUGH fuel stored in Japan’s stockpiles.

There was still the issue of the metal and rare materials. Those stockpiles were decreasing. Slowly and, to be honest, that was normal when you take into account the growing number of factories. More and more were being repaired in China and becoming active.

In fact Japan’s industrial base had increased by 19 percent. With Japan’s super-efficient management of its factories and the lack of corruption the real output of its industry was around 43 percent more than it would normally be. And this would just grow as the number of factory complexes grew!

So an agreement was made to import rare materials from the Soviet Union. Of course offers from the Netherlands and the UK were both turned down.

On the other hand the Chief of Staff had weird ideas about diplomacy. First, on the 17th of March, he had Foreign Affairs suggest a Non-Aggression Pact to the Gunagxi Clique which everybody knew they would turn down. Which they did.

On the 22nd Germany asked Japan to join it again in an alliance called the “Axis” and once again it was turned down.

Then on the 25th the Chief of Staff demanded that the government place an Embargo on Guangxi Clique. Which Japan was not trading with anyway. No matter - it was passed in the Diet.

He also wanted to demand Transit Rights from Portugal to see how far he could push them. But in the end decided not to send the request because it was likely that they might give Japan permission to do so.

The Military Front​

While the Chief of Staff was playing at politics the Army did what it did best. It marched. And it was the perfect month for it. By the afternoon of the 19th of March all the divisions were in place.

Then it, like the IJN and the IJAA, waited for its superiors to start the war.

Misc. Events​

But the Chief of Staff wasn’t just playing at politics. It seemed he liked to dabble in the field of intelligence gathering and espionage.

On the 16th of March, for example, he ordered the Head of Intelligence to send spies into Xibei San Ma to increase their threat to Japan. After all that nation, if it could be called that, was on the list of those to be annexed or turned into a ‘puppet’ state.

On the 18th he also ordered the Head of Intelligence to send more spies to start disrupting the national unity of the Guangxi Clique AND also ordered that spies start stealing their technology. The Head of Intelligence obeyed even though he knew this would not help in way, shape, or form in bringing war closer to reality.

By the end of the month the Head of Intelligence reported that from the 16th to the 31st the Guangxi Clique captured four Japanese agents, Yunnan captured four Japanese agents, Brazil captured nine Japanese agents, the US captured eight Japanese agents, Portugal captured one Japanese agent, and Canada captured one Japanese agent.

Many blamed these horrible numbers on the low standards the Intelligence Department had when recruiting their foreign agents. Most were picked for their greed and lack of loyalty towards their own people. Not the best qualities one wanted in their operatives who were carrying out secret missions in other lands.

On the other hand Japanese Security captured one spy from Guangxi Clique, one spy from Xibei San Ma, and one spy from Yunnan.

One piece of good news that the Head of Intelligence was able to pass on to the military Chiefs and government Ministers was that Brazil, whose government was already Right-Wing in its politics, was becoming more and more Pro-German. It would likely join the ‘Axis’ before, or at the time, the Americans did. Hopefully.

Funny enough if Brazil went full ‘Fascist’ and started invading its neighbors there was little the US could do about it. They had guaranteed Brazil’s independence, along with the rest of South American, and couldn’t do anything if Brazil decided to start annexing the smaller nations. The Monroe Doctrine protected the American nations from outside influence. In other words, Europe, and it didn’t say anything about local American nations beating each other up.

If Brazil joined up with Germany, of course, that would change things. But for now, if Brazil decided to do things on their own they could ‘legally’ get away with it. Kind of like Japan’s position in Asia at the moment.

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Author’s Notes:

OOC: In game terms 19 percent is a whole 19 factories! Golly GEE! Our pre-war IC base was 100. But due to our tech we have a higher output. Problem - much of it is going to radios, toasters, and collectible baseball cards. Stupid peace time! But as our IC increases the speed of our builds also increases AND more coal and oil can be converted. Also the Dockyards and Aluminum gives us speed boosts in the making of ships and aircraft. So we should do okay till somebody nukes us.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Eighty-Eight : Chinese Rebels - 1.4.1938 To 14.4.1938

The Economic Front​

By the 1st of April the Japanese economy had settled down to something that seemed sane. The people were happy as everybody was getting their fashionable outfits, their radios, their music records, and their brand new cars.

And the military was happy about the overflowing stockpiles of supplies and fuel. Mostly. There was a complaint from the 6. Mountain Division about a lack of supplies on the 10th. They were in some very rough country on the border with the Guangxi Clique and supplies were just not getting to them.

A Trade Deal was made with the USA to export supplies, in fact. Which would bring money to the Treasury and, hopefully, bring good relationships with the Americans.

There was some issues. Cuba canceled a Agreement with Japan. And Japan canceled a Agreement with South Africa. And it also turned down offers from France and the Netherlands. But there events did nothing to hinder the economy.

Everything looked like clear sailing from there. Until the 14th. (See The Military Front)

Li Zongren - Warlord And Socialist

The Plan For Guangxi Clique​

It was the 3rd of April, a Sunday, and the Prince was working at home. He never really EVER stopped working. But this time he was looking forward to it. The Plan for the invasion of Guangxi Clique had arrived that morning.

He had waited till much of the household had turned in before going to his private office, turning on the lights, and unlocking the briefcase that had been delivered.

The nation of Guangxi Clique was a interesting entity. It had been, technically, part of the Republic while, at the same time, separate.

Li Zongren, the Guangxi Warlord and Kuomintang military commander, had done nothing to help the Republic during its war with Japan. Japanese agents within the nation suggested that there was evidence that Li Zongren was, in fact, a Left-Wing Radical! (OOC)

The plan was pretty simple. The Clique’s military forces was mostly militia units and they were outnumbered by the Japanese forces. And likely they didn’t have the equipment, leadership, or training to take on the Japanese in a fair fight anyway. Therefore the General suggested that the Imperial Japanese Army try for ‘breakthroughs’. In other words smash holes into the enemy lines and try to get behind. Or just charge through existing holes.

Of course the newly formed IJAA would bomb the enemy units where it was felt to do the most damage.

Then, at T+ 7 days, three Infantry Divisions of the Specials Corps would land in the Port of Guangzhou. Funny enough this major port had been mostly forgotten in earlier discussions of the ‘nation’. It was the fifth port and was a urban center that was equal to Nanning, the enemy Capital, in size and importance.

The Navy would provide transport AND the Carrier would be assigned to this operation to help give air support to the invasion and all follow up operations. The idea was these troops could try to strike out north and cut off the eastern region. Starving those enemy units trapped there.

Of course the enemy government would react to such an attack by sending in anything it had in reserves. Maybe even pulling units out of the front line.

Which was why the next operation would happen at T-21 days. Two Infantry Divisions would take the Ports of Fangchenggang and Beihai. Once these cities were secure the units could march on Nanning. By then it would be either undefended or already under attack by approaching units from the north.

Of course, during the war, one group of submarines would be hunting for, and sinking, convoys. If there was anything to sink.

The whole plan sounded very complete. Both Naval operations were taking important provinces, cutting off trade, and would likely cause Li Zongren to panic.

The General believed that the whole war could take as little as two months. The Prince hoped for a shorter period of time but after the Army’s last performance he was unwilling to make any promises. Not that he said such things aloud, of course.

Now all they needed was an excuse the Prince thought to himself as he carefully returned the maps and paperwork back to the briefcase. He locked it and placed it into a safe behind his desk. Copies would be made when needed. Until then it would stay in his residence.

Rebel Scum

The Military Front​

During the first part of the month of April there were wasn’t much happening. There was some excitement within the Navy as the newest Carrier would be launching on the 24th of April.

But in reality there was only two important events to note that happened within this time period for the military.

One was the Imperial Japanese Navy splitting the 4th Task Group into TWO Groups on the 14th. One was still named the 4th Task Group and still contained the Ryujo II, two Battleships, one Heavy Cruiser, two Light Cruisers, two Destroyer Flotillas, and three Transport Flotillas.

The other was named the 1st Navy and contained two Battleships, one Heavy Cruiser, two Light Cruisers, two Destroyer Flotillas, and two Transport Flotillas.

This was, of course, to prepare for the Naval operations of the upcoming war. (See The Section Above)

The other event was a uprising in the Province of Tongcheng. Seems that Chinese ‘Nationalists’ had overthrown the local government and declared the ‘independence’ of China. Of course the Japanese government declared them nothing but rebels and demanded the military do something about them.

The two Tactical Air Groups in the airbases at Nanchang were ordered to destroy the rebellion from the air. In fact they would launch four Ground Attacks on the Rebels and killed 651 of them in the first day of the Revolt.

Of course the Army was also told to take care of it. And overreacted.

The WHOLE front started going north till the Prince canceled their orders.

“Let’s not use a hammer to kill a fly,” he said to his staff. “Ask the Special Corps to send a division. ONE DIVISION. To deal with the rebels.”

By late afternoon of the 14th the Imperial Guards had been loaded onto the transports of the 4th Task Group. Which had then been ordered to the Port of Shanghai.

There would be a lot of marching in their future.

Brazil Does Not Trust The Netherlands?

Misc. Events​

On the morning of the 8th of April the Head of Intelligence, Yasuji Okamura, was working away in his office. He was there earlier than normal due to the never ending paperwork that always piled up in his inbox when he wasn’t around. It was a Friday and he hoped to make a dent in it before the weekend.

Of course he took a lot of it home with him so his weekends were not much different from his weekdays.

He was going over a report from Brazil when one of his clerks knocked on the office door and poked his head in.

“Yes?” Yasuji asked.

The clerk looked nervous as he said, “Sir, the Chief of Staff, Prince Kan’in, has arrived and wishes to speak to you. Should I let him in?”

“Of course!” replied Yasuji. “And bring some tea!”

As the Prince was escorted in, and a tray of fresh tea and small cookies were placed on the desk, the Head of Intelligence bowed his head and asked, “How are you doing? It’s a surprise to see you.”

The Prince bowed back and placed his hat on his lap. “Good morning. Sadly I am here on business. I have come to ask you to help me understand WHY the Guangxi Clique think the UK are a greater threat than we are.”

The Head of Intelligence waited for the clerk to finish filling their cups and leaving the officer before he said, with a somewhat knowing smile, “That’s easy to explain. Because of Hong Kong.”

“What? A colony?”

The Head of Intelligence sipped some of his tea and continued, “Yes. Hong Kong is part of the British Empire. And the nations of Asia are going to see it as a greater threat than us. Take the Netherlands for example. We are making them look like a threat to our people. Yet Brazil has come to think of the Netherlands as a threat to them. Even greater than, say, the UK. Of course Brazil is next to a few European colonies. One of them belongs to the Netherlands.”

The Prince responded to this with a sigh before trying some of the tea. “Brazil isn't the issue right now. We have an army right on the border of the Guangxi Clique and they think the UK is a greater threat? Inconceivable!”

“If I may be direct, Sir,” replied Yasuji, “the Imperial Army didn’t really perform that well in the Second Sino-Japanese War. I doubt anybody is impressed with us right now. The UK’s military are going to look much more impressive.”

The Prince silently finished his tea and stood up. “Thank you for your insight.” At that point the Prince gave a shallow bow and left.

The Head of Intelligence finished his tea before returning to his work. He seemed to have a small smile on his face.

---​

On the 13th the Germans, once again, offered to let the Japanese join them in the ‘Axis’. And they were turned down.

By the end of the 14th the Head of Intelligence announced that Portugal had captured three Japanese agents, the USA had captured three Japanese agents, Brazil had captured four Japanese agents, Yunnan had captured two Japanese agents, Canada had captured one Japanese agent, and the Netherlands had captured two Japanese agents.

While Japanese Security had arrested one spy from the Soviet Union and one spy from the Philippines.

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Author’s Notes:

OOC: Wow, the game really screwed up the background and history of Li Zongren!!!

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Eighty-Nine : Crushing Rebels - 15.4.1938 To 30.4.1938

The Economic Front​

The economy was mostly stable during this time period.

The US did cancel a Agreement with Japan. But it did little to hurt Japan’s stockpiles.

On the other hand a very good Trade Deal was made with the UK for the import of Rare Materials.

On the 28th of April the Research Team working on Multi-Role aircraft announced they had finished. It would allow for the production of Fighter-Bombers who had almost twice the range of the Interceptors.

After a short celebration the Team was assigned to improving the Research of Naval Engineering.

Then on the 30th of April Turkey requested permission to produce a Wing of Ki-30s. Which the government approved without a problem.

The Military Front​

On the 15th of April to the two Tactical Bomber Groups bombed the Rebels three times and killed 589 of them. After this they were joined by a CAG. (See Below)

On the evening of the 15th the 4th Task Group finally entered the Port of Shanghai where they stated to unload the Imperial Guard Division sent to wipe out the Rebels.

Major General Nishihara oversaw the unloading of his men and his artillery pieces. He was one of those officers who liked to supervise everything. He was as likely to be in the mess watching how much salt was used to cook the rice to helping the Quartermaster staff check the inventory. As a Trickster and a man skilled at Offensive tactics he was the perfect commander to CRUSH the rebellion before it spread.

If only he could chase them down.

Even as the Major General ordered his men westwards the Ryujo CAG was commanded to attack the Rebels. And therefore the CAG started to join the Army Air Groups in their attacks. Together they attacked the Rebels thirty-eight times and killed 3,495 of the Rebels by the end of the uprising.

On the 15th it was noticed by the Chief of Staff that the 5. Cavalry Division was trying to head north to join in the conflict. And it was, of course, told to halt and stay on the border.

The Rebels, even whole being bombed, kept moving northwards. At first it looked like they were going to liberate the old Capital but in the end they bypassed it.

On the 17th the 7. Cavalry started to head north and the Chief of Staff told them to halt and say in the border.

On the 19th the Imperial Guards marched into the Province of Nanjing. Why the Rebels had not taken it was unknown. It was noticed by the Army officers that the locals had already repaired some of their factories and roads.

The 7. Cavalry, on the 20th, once again tried to head north and was told to halt. The Chief of Staff was starting to get annoyed at the ‘China Operations’ HQ's refusal to keep still.

He ordered the Ministry of Armaments to move up three Cavalry Divisions already being trained. The idea was a small Anti-Partisan Group would be formed in China using Cavalry and, maybe, a Tactical Bomber Group to deal with future rebellions. Of course these units were not pushed ahead of the Carriers or the Factory Complexes.

The newest Carrier, the Akagi II, was finally launched into the waters in the Port of Hiroshima. One of the waiting CAGs were renamed and assigned to the Carrier. Which was than added to the 2nd Task Group.

The Imperial Guard finally chased the Rebels down on the 25th of April. Over nine thousand veterans, with supporting artillery, against over four thousand peasants armed with hunting rifles and shotguns. The report was the Rebels were also TOTALLY disorganized and half their original ranks had been wiped out by Ground Attacks.

The Battle of Wuhei wasn’t really a battle. Neither side lost a man as the Chinese either turned themselves in or ran away. An army of 4,188 Rebels just collapsed without a bullet being wasted.

The Guards were ordered to ‘free’ the Provinces of Wuhei and then move south to clear the other provinces of the ‘Rebel’ governments.

So by the 30th of April the Rebellion had been crushed. And many newspapers were starting to take more notice of the newest branch of the military. After all, it seems that the IJAA had pretty much destroyed the rebellion almost without any help from the other two branches.

Misc. Events​

Much of the events outside of China and Japanese’s economy had to deal with espionage.

The Head of Intelligence reported that, between the 15th of April and the 30th, Brazil had captured six Japanese agents, the Netherlands had captured two Japanese agents, the Guangxi Clique had captured three Japanese agents, Canada had captured one Japanese agent, Portugal had captured seven Japanese agents, Yunnan had captured three Japanese agents, and the US had captured one Japanese agent.

Security reported the arrest of one spy from Iraq and the arrest of one spy from the Guangxi Clique.

Also, for some reason, a file had been fold in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that shows that a Non-Aggression Pact had existed between the Empire of Japan and the Republic of China that would not expire till October 1941. No doubt a fake but it did cause some confusion within the government’s ranks.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author’s Notes:

OOC: As I will likely not get back to this AAR till next year, due to the Holidays, let me suggest some reading material to occupy your time while I am gone:

Pacific Empire by G. Miki Hayden published by JoNa Books is a series of short stories in a world where Japan did NOT lose World War II.

Rising Sun Victorious which is edited by Peter G. Tsouras and published by Greenhill Books is ten chapters, each one a what-if, of how Japan MAY have won the war. Mr. Tsouras has a few books out there and I have most of them

And last, but not least, Tsushima 1905 : Death of a Russian Fleet by Mark Lardas published by Osprey. I have a few of their books also. Mostly on World War Two and Roman military.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Ninety : Cleaning Up - Part One - 1.5.1938 To 15.5.1938

The Economic Front​

By early May it was noticed that the Chinese territories were slowly starting to recover from the conflict. The Provinces of Hefei, Wuhan, and Nanchang had totally recovered from the bombings and fighting while the Provinces of Yan’an and Nanjing were in the process of rebuilding. This was wonderful news. As every factory complex that was repaired added to the industrial might of the Japanese Empire.

On the other hand some nations, such as Albania, were canceling their Trade Agreements with Japan. These agreements had brought cash into the nation’s economy. It meant that the Treasury was, once again, in the ‘Red’.

To counter this the Foreign Minister exported some supplies to South Africa, Australia, Argentina, and the United States. In return, of course, for cash money.

He also made a deal with the Netherlands, funny enough, to import some Rare Materials and also made deals with Chile and Canada to import more Metal.

By the middle of May everything was looking good but for the nation’s stockpiles of Metal and Rare Materials which were still being used up faster than they could be collected.

Still, as long as the Fuel Stockpile was increasing, that was all that mattered.

The Military Front​

On the 1st of May the Imperial Guard Division was marching towards the Province of Ma’anshan to free it of the Rebels who controlled it.

The Province was liberated on the morning of the 3rd and the unit continued to the south to then free the Province of Tongcheng.

Which was liberated on the morning of the 5th. At that point the division was ordered to march back to the Port of Shanghai.

On the 6th the 6. Mountain Division started to complain about a lack of supplies.

Seems the mountaineers were in the perfect spot NOT to receive any supplies. There was nothing that could be done - the infrastructure was already being worked on.

By the 12th the Imperial Guards finally reached the Port of Shanghai and were loaded onto the 4th Task Group. Which was ordered to return to the Port of Gaoxiong with the unit.

The Task Group arrived there by the late evening on the 13th and the military settled down to wait for the next problem to appear.

As they waited the Imperial Japanese Navy received TWO new CAG Wings. One on the 14th and one on the 15th. Both were deployed to the airbases in the Province of Hiroshima to wait on the Carriers they would be assigned to.

For some reason the Mongol Army HQ was heading towards Japanese territory. Its target seemed to be the Province of Leting. It was unknown why. It didn’t seem to have logistic issues and it was pretty sure its units could defeat the Comintern units it was facing. Could it be heading to Japanese territory to ensure future logistics wasn’t a problem?

It was one of the only Theater HQs NOT complaining.

Misc. Events​

Outside Japan’s sphere of influence there were few events of importance.

Mostly it was noticed that there were a lot more broken deals between nations. Canada broke off deals with many nations in the Americas including the US. While Germany had refused a deal with the USSR.

There was a theory that tensions between nations was starting to increase but this was likely wishful thinking on the government’s part.

The Head of Intelligence reported that Portugal captured one Japanese agent, Brazil captured five Japanese agents, the US captured three Japanese agents, the Netherlands captured two Japanese agents, and Yunnan captured one Japanese agent.

Security announced the arrest of a spy from Tannu Tuva.

It was also reported that the people of Germany and Portugal both saw the Netherlands as the greatest threat in Europe. While everyone else still saw Japan as the greatest threat to them and their way of life.

And the populace of Japan saw the Soviet Union as the greatest threat to the nation. A view which the Pro-Army media supported and the Pro-Navy media tried to discredit.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Ninety-One : Cleaning Up - Part Two - 16.5.1938 To 31.5.1938

The Economic Front​

During this period of time the Foreign Ministry made deals with Afghanistan, Tibet, and Lithuania to export Coal for cash. Coal, between the home islands and the Asian territories, was one thing the Empire had an overabundance of.

Deals were also made with the nations of Ireland and Costa Rica, to export Supplies to them.

Due to this influx of cash the Japanese industry also made deals to import more Fuel, Rare Materials, and Metal.

Some deals were turned down and a few canceled. But in the end the economy kept rolling along without a problem.

In fact a report from Yan’an, the Ex-Capital of Red China, stated that more than 50 percent of the factories had been repaired and the infrastructure was almost totally repaired.

The Ministry of Armaments announced that a breakthrough had been made in oil production Technology. Advancements in the science of oil refinery would increase the efficiency by 20 percent! The Research Team, after being given some metals pinned on their lab coats, were sent to work on Automotive Research. With a few Tank and Motorized units being assembled it was felt such research would help improve the equipment in the future.

The Military Front​

During the latter part of May there was not much happening on the military side of affairs. They were waiting for the politicians to get a war started with either Guangxi Clique or Portugal. Which didn’t seem to be coming.

Of course all the HQs wanted more aircraft and brigades of Tanks. Whole divisions of Tanks. Which they weren’t getting any time soon.

Still, on the one hand peace wasn’t a BAD thing. The longer peace lasted the more likely the nations of the world would stop focusing on Japan and focus on other problem nations - like the Netherlands, the UK, or Germany.

On the other hand a peace time economy was slowing down the production of military equipment and the formation of new fighting units. The NEW Carriers would be constructed faster during a war time economy. The NEW ground divisions would be trained and equipped faster during a war time economy. Even the NEW factory complexes would be finished faster.

Misc. Events​

One of the biggest events of late May was the United States passing the Naval Act on the 17th of May. In theory this meant Congress “mandated” a 20 percent increase of strength of the United States Navy. It authorized the construction of 105,000 tons of battleships, 40,000 tons of aircraft carriers, and so on. In fact this was unlikely to happen anytime soon due to the limitations of the US’s own peace time economy.

The Head of Intelligence reported that Guangxi Clique had captured three Japanese agents, Yunnan had captured nine Japanese agents, Canada had captured one Japanese agent, the Netherlands had captured four Japanese agents, Brazil had captured two Japanese agents, Portugal had captured one Japanese agent, and the US had captured one Japanese agent.

Security announced one spy from Tibet had been arrested, one spy from Iraq had been arrested, and one spy from Napal had been arrested.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author’s Notes:

OOC - Yan’an :

Spoiler

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Ninety-Two : Second Revolt - 1.6.1938 To 30.6.1938

The Economic Front​

The economy was doing great, even during peace time, and the Fuel stockpile was just getting bigger. And the Supply stockpile was even larger.

True, some deals were canceled. For example, the UK stopped sending Japan Rare Materials and France canceled a agreement that supplied Japan with Metal. South Africa and Costa Rica canceled deals in which they gave Japan cash for Supplies.

But new deals were made with Venezuela, Italy, the US, and Belgium for the import of Metal and Rare Materials. While Cuba and Siam were more than willing to pay for Supplies. And Yugoslavia was eager to buy Coal - much to the anger of its own coal miners. So little damage was done.

On top of that the month of June seemed to be a wonderful time for the advancement of science!

On the 12th of June the Team working on Aeronautical Engineering had announced they had made a breakthrough that would allow faster and more effective research in this field.

They were told to move on to Mechanical Engineering to help on the research and science of engines and new industrial parts.

On the 20th it was announced that breakthroughs had been made in the science of Artillery design. This was wonderful because of the Army’s new request for such support units. (See Military Front)

The Team was then told to move onto working with Basic Strategic Bombers. After all, now that Air Transports were being produced it wasn’t that big of a step to replace the cargo and passenger section with bomb racks.

On the 26th of June a breakthrough was made in Infantry Warfare. This would mostly made infantry weapons development more effective.

The Team was, after a small party, was assigned to work on improving the fuel tank designs of the medium aircraft. The idea was for them to find ways for aircraft to carry more fuel and improve on their range. Very important when dealing with the vast, empty, spaces of Asia and the Pacific Ocean.

The Ministry of Armaments and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had done well. The military on the other hand had its….well, hands full.

The Military Front​

The month of June started out slowly for the military forces of Japan.

‘Manchukuo Operations’ continued to complain about a lack of troops. It wanted more aircraft and it wanted at least eleven Armour Brigades. To be honest, being that it facing Russian forces greater than its own, it had a right to complain.

The HQ of the Mongol Army was now heading NORTH. As if it could not decide where to station itself. Unlike the other HQ’s it estimated that it could easily overwhelm the forces it was facing. Too confident maybe?

And due to all the moving about the Mongol Army HQ was now having supply issues.

‘China Operations’ seemed to think it could also take on the military forces of the Guangxi Clique. It outnumbered the future enemy in units, had better equipment, experienced officers and men, and, in some cases, larger units. Also many of the warlords’ divisions across the border were made up of militia.

On the 7th of June another CAG Wing was deployed to the airbases in Hiroshima. The fact is Carrier Attack Groups were easily to assemble and train. They were therefore faster to create. And might even see combat before all the Carriers were finished.

On the 18th of June General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya sent a request to the Ministry of Armaments to put fourteen Artillery Regiments into production. These units would be armed with 15 cm Howitzers. Seemed a few infantry divisions would be receiving support regiments. But which ones likely depended on the needs of the Imperial Japanese Army when the units started to come out of the factories.

On the 23rd the newest Garrison Division, the 30. Hohei Shidan, was deployed to Nagasaki.

It was loaded onto the transports of the 1st Task Group which was then ordered to move them to the Port of Nantong. It was decided that the Province of Hefei was be the perfect place to station the new unit.

By the 23rd the unit had been unloaded at Nantong and had started it long journey to the Province of Hefei to guard it’s factories and stockpiles. Of course it was transferred to the Kwantung Army Theater which had authority over mainland Asia.

The 1st Task Group was back to the Port of Nagasaki by the late morning of the 24th.

By the 25th of June it was noticed that all the Imperial Japanese Army units on the border were FINNALY receiving the supplies they needed.

On the 28th the HQ for the Mongol Army was, once again, heading SOUTH.

Early on the morning of the 29th the Second Chinese Revolt came into being when rebels took over the Province of Zhongxiang. A province just north of the HQ of ‘China Operations’.

Of course the 3. and the 1. Tactical Groups were ordered to blast the Rebellion into dust. They were up and in the air within the hour and started dropping bombs on the Chinese before they could even decide in which direction to move. The two Bomber Groups would bomb the scum six times and kill 1,043 rebels before the end of the month

It was noticed by the bomber crews that the rebels lacked any supplies and were quickly becoming a disorganized mob.

While this was happening the Chief of Staff, the Prince, ordered the Special Corps to send in a division. He didn’t wish the units of ‘China Operations’ to leave their positions.

“That makes no sense,” remarked the General on reading the orders. “Those units are right there. Well within striking distance. The Cavalry could wipe out these Nationalists…I mean…these rebels within a week.”

Bowing down to his superior’s commands he ordered the 5. Hodei Shidan, a division with four infantry regiments, to prepare for deployment. The commander of the division, Major General Ushijima, was a member of the Old Guard but was also known for his logistical skills. He was a leader who might be able to keep his men supplied and fed even while having to deal with the horrible mess that was China’s road system. It was hoped that the oversized division would be able to handle any lightly armed peasants.

The unit was loaded onto the transports of the 4th Task Group which was ordered to the Port of Fuzhou.

The division was unloaded in the Province of Fuzhou and started the VERY long march to rebel territory.

The 4th Task Group made its way back to Gaoxiong and made it by the 30th of June.

Now the General could wait and watch as the counters moved about his map on China. So very slowly.

Misc. Events​

In the great wide world the most noticeable events were happening in the United States. On the 1st of June a new comic book out about a ‘Super’ man from another world. An overgrown boy scout who was the symbol of America’s solid Mid-Western values. This suggested that the American public was trying to escape reality and live in a fantasy world where the events in Europe and Asia did not affect them. Utsunimiyas, who cared nothing for fantasy nor science fiction, didn't understand the appeal of such comics.

On the 11th Germany once again sent diplomatic feelers to see if Japan was willing to join in an alliance. And once again was turned down.

Then there was a scandal in the US on the 16th when a film released by United Artists ended up upsetting the Republic of Spain. Seems the movie, called ‘Blockade’, was a drama set in Spain during a fictional Civil War. The problem Spain had with the film was that the writers had used real individuals in their story and made both sides look somewhat shady. The State Department was trying to handle the damage done but the Spanish were not the only ones offended. It seems one of the characters was Russian and therefore the Soviets were pretty upset by it also.

Then Germany, once again, offered to allow the Japanese to join in an alliance on the 28th of June as well. It, too, was turned down. Maybe Germany was living in a fantasy world too? How many times would they ask Japan to join them in a alliance?

For the month of June the Head of Intelligence reported that Portugal captured six Japanese agents, the Guangxi Clique had captured five Japanese agents, Canada had captured five Japanese agents, the US had captured five Japanese agents, Yunnan captured eight Japanese agents, and Brazil captured nine Japanese agents.

Japanese security, for the month of June, arrested a spy from Yunnan, a spy from Xibei San Ma, a spy from Guangxi Clique, a spy from the Philippines, and a spy from the US.

And in Taiwan the General waited for a report from China. A report about his men, about the revolt, about anything.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Ninety-Three : Crushing Another Revolt - 1.7.1938 To 31.7.1938

The Economic Front​

The month of July for the economy was somewhat slow. At least when compared to the military.

There was an announcement on the 1st of a breakthrough in Mobile Warfare which would help the Army in future conflicts.

After the Research Team had a short rest it was assigned to working on improving Supply Production. This should help keep the Navy and Army supplied with all the hardtack and shells they needed.

A deal was made with the US to import more Metal while Italy canceled a trade deal.

Around the 27th it was noticed that the Fuel Stockpile was dropping. Slowly. Likely due to the bombings and the transportation of the ground units.

But during July most of the action was in the revolt, or should we say revolts, in China.

The Military Front​

The Bomber Groups continued to blast at the rebels in the Province of Zhongxiang. The rebels were bombed twenty-four times from the 1st of July to the 9th of July. And 3,673 Chinese rebels were killed before they decided to flee into the thick forests of the province.

On the 1st of July two Cavalry units tried to leave the border to attack the rebels in Zhongxiang and were told by the Chief of Staff to hold their ground because the 5. Hohei Shidan. Of course, with the IJAA trying care of the Revolt all by itself the whole thing was a waste of fuel and resources.

Of course, as one Rebellion silently died another was born in the Province of Tongcheng. And so the Bomber Groups were called in before they even had a chance to take a rest from their last bombing run.

The flat landscape of the province gave the rebels no place to hit from the bombing crews. In fact one bombing run, in which only 45 rebels were kill, was enough to cause them to flee. The fear of the Japanese Bombers was enough to crush the Third Chinese Rebellion.

As the Bombers were allowed to get a rest the Chief of Staff ordered the Garrisons to take back to two provinces.

The 30. Hohei Shidan, on its way to the Province of Hefei, was told to stop by and free the Province of Tongcheng.

And the 61. Hohei Shidan was told to move to Zhongxiang to free it. Then return to the Province of Changde to continue to guard its factories and airbases.

Of course now the 5. Hohei Shidan of the Tokushu Gundan was told to return to the coastal Port of Fuzhou. It was no longer needed to crush the rebels.

The 1st Navy was told to go to Fuzhou to pick up the Infantry Division. It got to the port by the late morning of the 12th and waited for the slow moving ground troops to show up.

As they waited a NEW Garrison Division was finally assembled and deploy to the Province of Nagasaki. The unit was loaded up into the transports of the 1st Task Group which would deliver it to the Port of Hangzhou.

It was delivered to the port by the evening of the 16th and was given its orders. The Garrison would be stationed at the Province of Chengdu. As far west you can get in China and still be in a region thought of as slightly civilized. The reason? Airbases and some factory complexes that were important to the Empire.

The second they started marching they came under the authority of the Kwantung Army Theater HQ. The 1st Task Group returned back to its home port on the 17th.

By the 26th of July the 5. Hohei Shidan FINNALLY reached the Port of Fuzhou and loaded up into the transports of the 1st Navy. The ships launched and arrived at the Port of Gaoxiong by the early morning hours of the 27th of July.

The rest of the month the General spent waiting and watching the Garrisons, not built for speed, SLOWLY march towards their target provinces to free the Chinese people from the rebel governments that, somehow, still clung to the outdated ideas of the Nationalist movement. A dead movement. China would never become a independent nation any more than Russia would become a true democracy or the United States would develop a taste for GOOD tea.

Misc. Events​

There were only a few interesting news reports worthy of note in the month of July.

On the 4th of July, in Italy, Benito Mussolini opened threshing season in Aprilla. He boasted that Italy would never buy gain from the ‘so-called great democracies’ again.

On the 5th, in Japan, a flash flood in the Mount Rokko area claimed at least the lives of 715 persons.

And Germany, like a broken clock, continued to offer to let Japan join in an alliance every few weeks. They did so on the 12th and the the 20th. Both times they were turned down.

On the 25th the Fourth Anniversary of the July Putsch was celebrated in Vienna as a day of ‘National Pride’. Why the Germans wanted to celebrated a FAILED coop was unknown to Utsunimiya.

The Head of Intelligence, for the month of July, reported that Yunnan captured seven Japanese agents, Canada captured four Japanese agents, Guangxi Clique captured four Japanese agents, Brazil captured nine Japanese agents, the US captured three Japanese agents, and Portugal captured four Japanese agents.

Security announced the arrest of one spy from the USSR, the arrest of one spy from Iraq, and the arrest of a spy from Yunnan.

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Ninety-Four : Letter From Home - 1.8.1938

To : General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya
Special Corps HQ
Gaoxiong, Taiwan

From : Mr. Eiji Utsunimiya
Fikushontaun
Tokyo, Japan


Dear son,

Greeting from Japan! I hope this letter finds you doing well and in good health. Here everything is going great. Our first harvest in May was large and very profitable.

With the expansion of the Army and Navy the military needs more of everything. Horses, eggs, rice, and so on. So we can sell at top prices. Not that I see much of the money. The more we make the more tight-fisted your Mom becomes with the cash. I swear in a past life she must have been a bank manager.

Now we are getting ready for the second harvest. The fields were easy to work on as the town has rented a hand tractor. It is a weird thing to behold but so easy a woman can handle it and it really helps cut down the time on preparing both wet and dry fields. Though there was some grumbling about who had to pay for fuel. The prices fluctuate so much.

Don’t get me wrong. We still had to do work on the dikes and pathways and planting the rice. Hard, back breaking work that can cause even young men and women to go home exhausted. Wish you were here. Another pair of experienced hands would have helped.

One downside of the military expanding is the branches need more and more men. Which left less sons around to help. Many have even gone off to train to be pilots. One of the families (do you remember the Ito family?) gets letters from a son training with the Imperial Japanese Air Administration.

He writes about how they train their reflexes by catching flies with chopsticks and improving their sense of balance by walking on their hands. Sounds strange to me. If we were meant to fly we would have been Tengu!

You Mom is getting worried about you. Or should I say she is getting worried that she isn’t a Grandmother yet.

When you were in Shanghai she worried that the Chinese women would seduce you. Now you are in Taiwan and she worries you will be seduced by the islanders.

I try to explain that Taiwan has been part of the Empire for a long time and that the women there were citizens of Japan but she refuses to listen.

I think she is making a list of women available in the local townships. In other words I think she plans to arrange a marriage for you. Whether you agree to it or not.

So, I find myself getting into baseball. I know, I know, a waste of time and money, but I can’t help it. Of course going to Tokyo to watch the Japanese Occupational Baseball League is out of the question, your Mom would refuse such a visit, so I mostly go to the local high school games and sometimes the towns organize a game.

It is becoming very popular among us rural folks. Victory at a game gives the farmers one more thing to brag about besides their town’s famous shrine or their prize pig. We farmers can become so competitive.

Remember that time our town and the other towns started debating on who had the best soil? Silly really. Everybody knows our town has the best soil west of Tokyo.

Not much else to write about. And the candle I am using to write by is about to go out soon. Don’t forget to eat regular meals and keep safe. Your Mom is worried that the stress of your position will make you unwell.

And remember that you always have a place on the farm when your time in the Army comes to an end.


Your Father,

Eiji Utsunimiya

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Ninety-Five : Waiting Again - 1.8.1938 To 31.8.1938

The Economic Front​

At the start of August the Fuel stockpile was in the ‘Red’. It wasn’t decreasing quickly but it was slowly getting smaller again.

Ireland, Colombia, Australia, the Netherlands, and Romania canceled their deals with Japan and offers from Uruguay, Poland, Latvia, Australia, and Finland were turned down.

On the other hand NEW deals were made with the US, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Lithuania, Mexico, France, Colombia, Canada, the Netherlands, Argentina, and Romania.

Many of this deals had been offered to Japan by the nations themselves and many within the government believed that due to being independent from any of the political Blocs that Japan was seen as a safe trading partner. It was becoming the major trading hub of Asia.

Sadly by the end of August the Fuel stockpile was still in the ‘Red’. The outward flow had slowed but not stopped. And with the IJN and IJAA being mostly inactive it was unknown WHO was using the fuel.

The Military Front​

The month was somewhat routine for the military. The 30. Hohei Shidan was approaching the Province of Tongcheng while the 61. Hohei Shidan was approaching the Province of Zhongxiang. Both provinces were being terrorized by ‘Nationalist’ governments. In the Japanese media these governments were called ‘bandits’ or ‘warlords’ and were treated as small issues for the Imperial Army to handle. Of course stories were spread of the horrors of living under the rebels. Abuse of the populace, stealing of their property, and other crimes.

The 46. Hohei Shidan was quickly approaching its future home at the Province of Chengdu. Where the troops would likely grow bored and become lazy with nothing to do.

On the 5th of August a new Garrison division was deployed to Nagasaki. There it was loaded into the transports of the 1st Task Group.

Early in the morning the ships slipped out of the port and headed towards the Chinese Port of Fuzhou. The troops would have it easy as Fuzhou was going to be their final destination. In other words they would be guarding the port.

Shortly before midnight the troops were unloaded into the port, their new home, and the Task Force started its journey back to Nagasaki. It arrived there on the afternoon of the 6th.

Of course the .47 came under the direct authority of the HQ of the Kwantung Army Theater.

It was the 15th before the 30. entered the Province of Tongcheng. Some rebels fled before the troops could capture them and others were arrested for trial back on the home islands.

After making sure the proper Japanese authorities were back in control the unit continued on it way to Hefei. It finally marched into its new home on the 18th and settled in to guard the factories.

It took the 61. till the afternoon of the 24th before it finally liberated the Province of Zhongxiang. They arrested a few rebels, put the Japanese officials back in charge, and started to march south back to Changde.

On the 26th of August the 46. finally arrived at the Province of Changdu in western China. They settled down to guard the airbases and the factories.

Misc. Events​

August was a slow month news wise. The only interesting event to happen in the US was that Charlie McCarthy received a Honorary Degree from Northwestern University. Charlie was a famous radio and movie star in the US. And a dummy. A ventriloquist’s dummy. Utsunimiya started to wonder if the Americans were unbalanced.

Also, on the 4th of August, it was reported that there was evidence of a break in at one of the research centers. But it was impossible to know who had broken in and what secrets they had stolen.

At that point finding and neutralizing enemy agents become more important then supporting the government ruling party and raising national unity. In other words the Head of Intelligence put half of the Domestic Spies into Counterespionage.

Germany, once again, asked for Japan to join it in a alliance on the 15th of August. And once again were turned down. At this point the newspapers, radio stations, and newsreels were having a field day making fun of Germany, their leadership, and their people. The government was trapped between whether they should stop it for diplomatic reasons or just ignore it.

On the 22nd of August the Japanese government asked the government of Siam for Transit Rights. Such an agreement would strengthen ties between the two nations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the chances of it being turned down was unlikely.

It was turned down. Even General Sho-ichi Utsunimiya wasn’t surprised. He was beginning to wonder if there was any part of the government that was capable of doing its job.

Within Japan the Head of Intelligence announced to the government Ministers and military Chiefs that, by the end of the month of August, Guangxi Clique had captured four Japanese agents, Yunnan had captured six Japanese agents, Brazil had captured nine Japanese agents, Portugal had captured five Japanese agents, the US had captured ten Japanese agents, and Canada had captured four Japanese agents.

Of course there was the regular protects that these agents were harmless tourists in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and that it was all a mistake. But the foreign governments refused to believe that.

Security reported, for August, the arrest of a spy from Guangxi Clique, the arrest of a spy from the Philippines, the arrest of a spy from Xibei San Ma, the arrest of a spy from Iraq, and the arrest of a spy from Yemen.

By the end of the month the General wondered if the Army would spend the rest of time crushing small revolts while waiting for the next major war. Would the Chinese ever settle down? Would they learn to behave like the people of Taiwan and, to some extent, the people of Korea?

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Ninety-Six : Creation Of A Anti-Partisan HQ - 1.9.1938 To 30.9.1938

The Economic Front​

The month of September started off with the Fuel stockpile still in the ‘Red’ and the government trying its best to reverse this trend.

As they struggled with this many nations canceled their Trade Agreements with Japan. Such as Afghanistan and Tibet.

New Deals were made at the start of the month with the Netherlands and the USSR

On the 2nd of September the Research Team working on Naval Engineering announced a breakthrough. From now on any research dealing with Naval Engineering would move much faster.

After a short rest the Team moved on to work on Tactical Air Command. They wanted to find ways to reduce the stress on crews and the strain on equipment. They hoped this would allow aircraft units to stay more effective during continuous tactical missions.

By the 9th of September the Fuel stockpile had become ‘Green’ again. Much to the relief of the Minister of Armaments and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

To their horror it started to decrease again by the middle of September. Of course more deals were made. With nations such as Argentina, Uruguay, Ireland, Persia, the USA, Romania, Latvia, and Venezuela. While other offers from such nations as Canada were declined.

Some of these deals didn’t last long. Venezuela canceled theirs shortly after it was signed. And Yugoslavia also canceled the deal they had made only a month ago.

On the 12th of September the Minister of Armaments received a interesting, but not surprising request, from the Chief of Staff. Four Militia Divisions, to be trained in two waves of two, had been ordered into production. Each unit was made up of two Militia Bridges and a Military Police unit. If didn’t surprise the Minister because of the events happening in China. (See Military Front)

By the 21st all stockpiles, but for those dealing with Metal and Rare Materials, were in the ‘Green’ again.

There were STILL some cancellations of deals. The Netherlands broke off a trade agreement with Japan. As did Afghanistan, the USA, and Argentina.

On the 30th the Research Team working on advancing Automotive Research finished with a breakthrough. From now on any research dealing with automotive theory would be much faster and more effective.

After a short break the Team was assigned on the next project. Improving the Anti-Aircraft Guns of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s Heavy Cruisers.

Overall the month had been good for the economy of Japan.

The Military Front​

The month of September would turn out to be….interesting for the Imperial Japanese Army.

The Mongol Army HQ was still moving about like a oversized, and slightly drunk, bumblebee on the map of China.

The troops under ‘China Operations’ was still WAITING for the politicians to start the war. ANY war.

The 61. Hohei Shidan finally, on the 4th, returned to protecting the Province of Changde. Much to the delight of the garrison troops who were sick of marching aimlessly around.

Then the 6. Mountain Division was having problems with supply issues. Again.

On the 10th the first two of the Cavalry Divisions assigned for Anti-Partisan duty assembled in the Province of Nagasaki after finishing their training. The 1. China and the 2. China. Commanded by Major General Muto and Higashikuni, respectively. Both were known for their knowledge of Offensive tactics.

The 1st Task Group loaded them up and was ordered to take them to the Port of Hangzhou.

Once delivered there on the 10th of September the two units were attached to the NEWLY formed Anti-Partisan Operations (China) Theater HQ. The 1st Task Group would return to Nagasaki and arrive there on the evening of the 11th.

General Juzo Nishio, who had been Vice Chief of the General Staff from March of 1936 to March of 1937, was promoted to Field Marshal to take command of Anti-Partisan Operations in China. While a master of logistics, a important skill when dealing with China’s lack of a infrastructure, he seemed to have little common sense when it came to fighting partisans.

Because when the Garrisons in that part of China were handed over to him the NEW Field Marshal started ordering them to deploy to completely different parts of China. Leaving the important urban centers, with their airbases and industry, totally unguarded.(OOC)

Of course the Chief of Staff had to step in and put an end to that. All Garrisons were ordered to stay where they were. Then the NEW HQ was ordered to station itself in Nanjing.

The 1. China was deployed to Nanchang to protect the factories and airbases there while the 2. China stayed put. There was still some debate about where to station it.

While this mess was being cleared up there was more bad news. The 1. Yama Gundan, the Mountain Corps HQ, was now also having supply issues.

Four Militia Divisions were ordered into training. They would come in two waves of two divisions each. Each Division was to be two Militia Brigades and one Military Police units. They were, of course, meant for the newly formed Anti-Partisan Operations in China. Once they were available.

On the 13th the 3. China Cavalry was deployed to Nagasaki. Commanded by Major General Yamaguchi it was soon loaded into the transports of the 1st Task Group. Shortly before midnight they were being unloaded onto the docks of the Port of Hanzhou. Once all the men, horses, and equipment were offloaded the Task Group slipped anchor and heads back home. It arrived back at the Port of Nagasaki by the late evening of the 14th.

It was finally decided to send the 2. China to the Province of Jinan while the 3. was sent to Nanchang. Both Provinces held valuable airbases. They would both arrive at their new stations by the 23rd of September.

The next wave of Cavalry Divisions would not be ready till at LEAST January 1939.

On the 25th of September the 1. ‘Shikoku’ Hohei Shidan was stationed on the Island of Shikoku. This was the second of the infantry divisions that was part of the deal made between the Army and the Navy. Of course, this unit was assigned to Imperial General Headquarters.

The commander of the division, Major General Nakai, was known as a Master of battle. It was said he was happy with the two Infantry Regiments and the Artillery Brigade of 15 cm Howitzers. But the Anti-Tank weapons, designed by Germany engineers, failed to impress him at all.

It is said he called the 37mm PaKs “sling shots” and commented that it was too bad the Russians had Armour and not Biblical giants.

The division was attached to the West Japan Army HQ and settled down to protect the port and the airbases.

By the end of September the Imperial Army had finally gotten its forces back into some kind of order.

Misc. Events​

The biggest event to happen during the month happened in TWO places. In France, during the unveiling of a plaque honoring Franco-American friendship, the Ambassador to France was quoted as saying, “France and the United States were united in war and peace.”

Bullitt, the French Ambassador, was a Francophile, fluent in French, and was said to own at least eighteen thousand bottles of French win. AND a close friend of the President. So it was assumed if he believed in something so did the President.

Of course, back in the US, this triggered the American media. Soon Republicans, American Firsts, Socialists, and even Communists were accusing the President of planning on joining the Allies. They said he was going against the “Will Of The People”. That he planned to bring the US into the next European conflict.

President Roosevelt had to deny that the Ambassador had even said what he had said. He went a far as to say that the newspapers were “110% wrong that the United States would join a stop Hitler bloc.” This did little to repair the damage.

On the 14th Germany invited Japan to join in a alliance and was turned down again. Then Germany invited Japan to join AGAIN on the 25th. And once again they were turned down.

It was also noticed that on the 28th of September Turkey started aligning itself towards the UK and her allies. They had dropped the USSR like a hot sweet potato.

By the end of September the Head of Intelligence reported that Brazil neutralized eight Japanese agents, the Netherlands neutralized four Japanese agents, Yunnan neutralized eight Japanese agents, Guangxi Clique neutralized five Japanese agents, Portugal neutralized three Japanese agents, Canada neutralized two Japanese agents, and the US neutralized five Japanese agents.

Security announced they had arrested a spy from Bhutan, arrested a spy from Tibet, arrested a spy from the USSR, and arrested a spy from Xibei San Ma.

The Head of Intelligence also reported mixed news about his operations in America. Both the Republican Party and the American First Committee, combined, had dropped to only about 30 percent of the populace supporting them.

The Democratic Part had 29 percent of the populace behind them. And the Socialist and Communist parties had ALSO grown.

This had been caused by the Germans trying to openly influence the American public. Because when they started it the UK also started to influence the US. And they turned out to be slightly BETTER at it.

The US was still moving towards the German sphere of influence. But it was doing so VERY slowly. And could, at any time, be derailed.

By 1940 there was still a chance that the American First group may win the election. But the chance had become slimmer than before due to the German’s overt actions.

Funny enough the same thing had happened in Brazil but that nation was too close to joining Germany in an alliance to be swayed by the UK’s influence.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author’s Notes:

OOC: Yeah, not surprised by this. AI in this game thinks HQ units, Garrison units, and front line fighting units are all the same. Which is why I ordered four Militia units made. In my France AAR I noticed that the AI SEEMED to understand that Militia WERE different. It sent the Militia to guard the costal ports which freed up the Infantry Divisions stationed at those ports which it then deployed towards the border.

When all six Cavalry units and Militia units are deployed I will assemble them under a Army Corps AI. While allowing the Theater HQ to stay attached to the Garrisons. So the Army Corps AI will control the reactionary forces while the Garrisons STAY still and act like active sensors for the network. Until then I will control the units, like I control the Navy, myself.

Oh….and DAMN YOU GERMANY!!!!!!

 

[Eurasia]

Utsunimiya’s War
(HoI3 TFH - Interactive Japan AAR)
Chapter Ninety-Seven : A American Coup? - 1.10.1938 To 24.10.1938

The Economic Front​

At the start of October the only real issue the government of Japan had on the economic stage was the fact that the Treasury was in the ‘Red’. Still, as much of this cash was being used to buy fuel and other resources this wasn’t really a problem.

New Trade Agreements were made with Tibet, the US, the Netherlands, Australia, Colombia, Yugoslavia, Sweden. Afghanistan, Siam, Venezuela, and Mexico. Most of these NEW deals made were for the export of Coal and Supplies for cash.

Other deals were broken by nations such as France, Persia, the US, Colombia, and the Soviet Union. While this hurt relationships with these countries the broken deals were import agreements which meant the nation was now saving money.

A few deals were turned down, such as offers from Honduras and the UK, but by the 17th of October the Treasury was gaining money once again. And both the Supply and Fuel stockpiles were growing.

That same day the Ministry of Armaments announced that there had been a breakthrough in Mechanical Engineering which should benefit future development in Mechanical Research - such as industrial machinery used in factories.

After a short rest the Team that had worked on the Mechanical breakthrough was assigned to working on improving Small Arms that could benefit the ground troops.

By the 24th the economy was doing well and the people were happy fuel prices had become stable.

The Military Front​

October, at least the early part of it, was not a good month for the Army. On the 6th of October the HQ of ‘China Operations’ itself started to complain about a lack of supplies.

The Navy, on the other hand, announced the deployment of the NEW IJN Carrier the Amagi II in the Port of Osaka. Another Third-Generation Soryu-Class Aircraft Carrier to join the Navy.

Of course one of the waiting CAGs was renamed the Amagi CAG and assigned to the Carrier. After which the Amagi II was assigned to the 3rd Task Group. In doing so it was joining the Carrier the Ryugo and the Battleship, and Pride Of The Fleet, the Kongo.

A total of three more were left to be built. The next was scheduled to be launched around April of 1939 and the last scheduled to be finished about January 1940. The Carrier Attack Groups had already been finished and were now all just waiting for their Carriers to be completed.

Of course, during a conflict, the tempo of construction would likely speed up.

But nothing else really happened and by the 24th the military was still waiting for the next war.

Misc. Events​

The only important events outside of Japan was ones that upset the American media once again.

First, on the 16th of October, Winston Churchill, a British politician of some clout, gave a radio address to the United States outlining the reason why the UK and the US both needed to arm themselves against the German threat. The speech was titled “The Defence of Freedom and Peace” but was subtitled “The Lights are Going Out”.

Once again the President had to exclaim that he had no plans to ally himself with the UK or any of the ‘Allies’.

Then on the 19th of October Germany presented Charles Lindbergh a Service Cross of the Order of the German Eagle. His acceptance of this award become somewhat controversial though he denied knowing about the award ahead of time.

Of course Germany asked Japan to join them in an alliance. And they were turned down.

Inside Japan 226 people were killed by a typhoon that struck Kyushu, Japan, on the 20th of October.

By the 24th of October, the Head of Intelligence reported that the US had captured four Japanese agents, Guangxi Clique had captured four Japanese agents, Canada had captured five Japanese agents, Yunnan had captured four Japanese agents, Portugal had captured two Japanese agents, and Brazil had captured five Japanese agents.

Security announced, during the same time period, the arrest of a spy from Yemen, the arrest of one spy from Yunnan, the arrest of one spy from Tannu Tuva, the arrest of one spy from Tibet, the arrest of a spy from Bhutan, and the arrest of one spy from Nepal.

On the 24th there was also a rumor that the Head of Intelligence was having a meeting with the Prime Minister.

---

Coup Now Or To Coup Later?​

It was the morning of the 24th of October, a Monday, and Prime Minister Keisuke Okade found himself greeting a member of the government he rarely got to interact with.

The Head of Intelligence, Yasuji Okamura, had asked for an audience with the Prime Minister. The first request the Prime Minister’s office had ever received from the man.

To be honest Keisuke was both curious and wary about what the man wanted to talk to him about. The Head of Intelligence rarely had good news to deliver.

“Good morning Mr Okamura,” said the Prime Minister with a slight bow. “Would you like some tea? There is a slight chill in the air outside.”

“Yes, thank you, that would be wonderful,” replied the man with a head nod as he sat down.

The Prime Minister called in a member of his staff and asked for some Russian tea to be served with some cookies.

He watched as the Head of Intelligence tried not to look nervous and tried to look like he was enjoying the tea. He failed.

“So,” said the Prime Minister after they had each 'enjoyed' a cup of tea, “Why don’t you tell me why you are so nervous?”

The Head of Intelligence was quiet for a few moments, to get his thoughts in order, before he nodded. “As you know Japan has been carrying out covert operations within the United States.”

“We have agents trying to help the American First movement as while as agents trying to cause problems. Misinformation, rumors, anything to breed mistrust of the government and cause disunity.”

He stopped talking for a few seconds and then added, “We also have agents carrying out operations within the government itself. And they have reported that they COULD try to overthrow the government. Now.”

The Prime Minister frowned. “What are the odds of them succeeding?”

“I would say very slim,” replied the Head of Intelligence with a shake of his head. “The American First Party has shrunk and so has the Republican Party. I think many on the right has shifted to the left to be honest.”

“Republicans becoming Communists?” remarked the Prime Minister in shock.

“The difference between Reactionaries and Revolutionaries is almost nonexistent. They are both self-righteous extremists,” remarked the Head of Intelligence. This statement was almost an afterthought and suggested he had a dark view of politics.

The Prime Minister, who had dealt with politics for decades, shared his man's view on politics and found himself in agreement. Not that he would ever say such a thing aloud.

The Head of Intelligence sat up and added, “I wish to ask the Advisers for advice. Or I should say a decision. Should we launch the coup now or wait til after the election. In case the Democratic Party still holds the White House.”

“So,” said the Prime Minister, “one chance to fail now or two chances to fail later.”

Yasuji seemed to almost be amused by the way the Minister said that. “Yes, something like that,” he remarked.

“Well,” said the Prime Minister, “normally I am not the one sending out the letters. But as this is a political decision and not a military one I guess there is always a first time.”

---

Surprise Tea Delivery​

Within hours men from the Prime Minister’s office were on their way to deliver packages of tea. They were not armed, they were not well dressed or badly dressed, and they were not noticeable in any way.

The tea was delivered to the Advisers openly. As if the men were delivering, well, tea.

Of course once opened the Advisers found a letter among the loose leaf tea. It read as followed -

From: Keisuke Okade (Prime Minister)
To:____ ____
Date: 24.10.1938

Dear Sir,

As a important former member of the government or the military I come to you for your knowledge and experience in the field of both. I have a issue that could change our relationship with the United States. And could help our future in the Pacific.

It had come to my attention that agents within the US could, at this very moment, help elements within the government overthrow the current administration. I must be honest - the odds are against success.

Or we could wait to see the results of the 1940 elections before launching the coup. Which would allow the American First a chance of taking over the government without blood being spilled.

1. Should we -

A. Launch The Coup At Once
B. Wait Till After A Failed Election in 1940

I ask you to reply as soon as possible. Your feedback is import to me and the government. Long Live The Emperor! Long Last The Empire!

Signed,

Keisuke Okade

PS - Please enjoy the tea.