Scenario WWII:1941-1945, Monthly Japanese HQ reports

[trurle]

Good day. Or bad day, as you may think about 22nd June, 1941.
Here is Oregu Nijuniku, newly appointed defense minister of the Japanese empire.
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According to mysterious time-slip report, Japanese government is going to alter our fate. Will we succeed? Everything in our and god hands now.

First, it is already known Soviet Union will not ultimately remain neutral to Japanese empire. Therefore, priorities of war has changed. We will act only defensively against USA,
while launching full-scale onslaught on the USSR. Effective now. Every armed man, every aircraft on Japan mainland going to Vladivostok. Aircraft carriers cramped by
On the Oceania front, war plans remains the same as written by HQ early this year. Of course, our strike force will be diluted by massive outflux of units to USSR. But we will do our best. Removing garrisons of outlying islands will help a bit. Also, instead of marching through Burmese jungle, we send 3 divisions and some auxiliaries to Malaya by see to keep the British Empire in bay.
With fleet situation is more complicated. All surface units with decent artillery (from destroyers up) are going to assist in Vladivostok onslaught. But anti-submarine light vessels and all submarines are being sent to south-east, to wage asymmetric warfare against Australian and USA fleets at eastern tip of New Guinea. The approximate area to hold is Port-Moresby to Rabaul.

The wide-scale mobilization is launched in Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, Hokkaido and Korea. 4 millions people are planned to be drafted in 2 weeks.
15 Yamato-class battleships are laid down in protected harbor of Incheon, Korea. These will support the ground troops offensive as soon as enemy fleets will be eradicated.
Also, dozens of Kaidai 7 -class submarines are laid down in harbors of Japan Sea and Hokkaido. These will be the force to break the back of the USA and British fleets.

The equipment for army is a big problem.
Because we now plans for large-scale land operation, clearly we need more powerful tanks. But with steel sent to shipyards by tens of thousand of tons, strongly armored land units are difficult to produce.
Therefore, supply men put the plan for 120-mm howitzer tank (de-facto assault gun). Also, monstrous O-I will be built in limited numbers for crack units. Of course, we ramping up the production of Shinhoto Chi-Ha.
Aircrafts are more problematic. A6M2 "Zero" is going to be produced as main fighter for IJN and Ki-43 as main fighter for IJA - all according to pre-war plans. But to escort our mainstay long-range dive bombers G4M some of the are being refitted to escort fighter role - G6M1. Not really good, but will help to reduce attrition of our bomber forces. Also, top-secret heavy bomber Ki-20 building program is re-opened and maintained at low level, while heavy flying boat H6K production is rapidly ramped up to provide ultra-long-range strike capability.

Now, time for tactical officers.
Long live the emperor!

[trurle]

Intermediate report: 2nd of July, 1941.

The offensive launched according to plan. The USSR Pacific fleet is history. 30 damaged Japanese vessels are being repaired in Vladivostok - twice more are sunk. Vicious fight around Vladivostok, near flanking strike spearhead in Obluchye, and in Eastern Manchuko (see map).
The 1st wave of Japanese troops sent to Siberia is 90% massacred, but they succeeded to capture majority of airfields. Therefore, in Eastern Siberia air superiority balance is tipping for the Japanese - despite loss of 75% of carrier aircrafts.
[attachment]Map1July1941.png[/attachment]
In Malaya, Japanese forces suffered ~40% casualties but was able to stop stop advance of British/Australian/Netherland forces against Thai army.
Across Pacific islands, advance continue with little resistance. But it have started to change - local garrisons are being rapidly reinforced, and advance comes to grinding halt.

[trurle]

Dawn of 22nd July, 1942.
The initial offense is over.
Good thing - the USSR coastline defense across all Siberia have failed. Front-line battle degenerated to series of sieges, the largest remained USSR army group on upper flow of Amur river and other spread over 1000 km line in half-dozen groups along the old border. Japanese troops have seized huge swaths of barely populated territory and advancing nearly without opposition. Especially fruitful was the capture of Magadan, opening way for Japanese advance up to Yakutsk. The 4 divisions sent to conquer ports of Northern Siberia (Chukotka peninsula) have finished task and proceed to conquer the Alaskan ports.
In Malaya, freshly drafted reinforcements are going to break stalemate and start Japanese offense to Singapore soon.
Against USA fleet results is equally fine. Battle of Rabaul (equivalent of historic battle of Coral sea) is won by Japanese submarine fleet. The same fleet immediately moved to Truk area, resulting in battle of Pohnpei. Japanese losses are about 60 ships (including 20 damaged), but about 120 USN ships (including 6 aircraft carriers and 5 battleships) are sunk as well. Precarious balance has established with about 30 IJN ships-of-line (mostly submarines and escorts) standing against 70 USN ships (mostly destroyers). Neither fleet dares to attack - mostly due USN being too busy wiping out garrisons of Japanese-held Marshall islands. But air is controlled by Japanese - H6Ks swarms from Truk are sinking USN ships nearly on daily basis.
On south flank, conquest of Borneo coming to end. Advance has become very slow - week-long shore bombardment and airstrikes are now necessary to dislodge Netherlandian port garrisons.

From production team, good news.
10 armored aircraft carriers (Taiho-class) are laid down in port of Hakodate, Hokkaido. Engineers have included double-walled,self-sealing gasoline tanks and wide ventilation shafts into design. The historical drama of carrier Taiho killed by after-effects of single torpedo hit will not happen this time!
Also, new tank (Chi-he) is available. It combine the new turret of Shinhoto Chi-ha with the slightly better armored hull. Still abysmal protection against AT guns, but at least it no longer vulnerable to small arms.
The production of Ki-43 declining. But same generation (light) bomber Ki-21 is immensely popular in avia-units fighting in China. Many army commanders are refusing to order Ki-43, waiting for A6M2 or G6M1 instead.

Army mobilization complete. 4 millions of recruits, armed with small arms, mashine guns and ~25% of artillery complement have left Japan and lead for Siberian siege camps to gain some experience.
Chronic lack of light mortars and AT rifles will mean these units will not be ready for intense combat any time soon.

[trurle]

August 6th, 1941.
Special news!
The 18th and 34th infantry divisions have stormed Chongqing (Chuncin on the map) - the capital of "Free China".
The "generalissimo" Chiang Kai-shek was captured alive and charged with over 30000 counts of murder.
Remains of his gang (still over 1 million men), surrounded in north-western China, are being actively hunted by Japanese army.
General Joseph Stilwell takes the command of the allied troops in Eastern Asia.

[Darth Maximius]

Dear trurle, upload game save file, please.

[trurle]

Here is the Japanese save on morning 9th of August, 1941

[trurle]

The rainy, foggy morning of August 22nd, 1941.
Japanese Empire is close to ensure its own security and may start to think about global offense.
The army mobilization committee has revised the priority. With active army already reaching 6 millions, the conscript reserves are dwindling - the conscript pool is half-emptied. Even worse, the horses reserves are projected to run out in 2-3 months even if only replacements for killed horses are considered. Therefore, across the empire men are being drafted exclusively into heavy artillery regiments and anti-aircraft brigades. These heavy artillery regiments are being equipped with nicely armoured SPG Ho-ro. Therefore, it is hoped to reduce attrition rate of men - each new combat stack is now only 11 thousand vs 60 thousands just month ago, but still can pack significant punch, both in close and medium range.
The Soviet attack at Hailar fortress has resulted in complete rout of Japanese forces of 1st line. 230 Ki-20 heavy bombers were lost in ultimately useless kamikaze attacks. But Soviet forces also suffered over 85% casualties and were finally blockaded in Hailar fortress by the 2nd Japanese echelon. 5 thousand of USSR troops withstand already 3 weeks of bombardment by over 1000 cannons. The encirclement is ensued by over 600 thousands of Imperial troops. They manage to kill in average 1 enemy per hour. It was a hard lesson for all us, but we will continue siege until no Russian will remain alive - even if it will take one more month.
On Chinese front, the army have pinned down the core corps of Free China. They are being systematically mauled by aviation and artillery, while the bulk of Japanese China front is advancing across Tibet, nearing British Burma. The north pronge of attack resulted in break-through along China-Mongolia border, and the spearhead brigades have reached Barnaul in desperate march under Soviet bombs. Will they take the Barnaul? The situation is extremely dynamic and chancy.
Slightly on the East, the concentration of forces against Chita (and Baikal lake) was completed and attack has started to unwind - this time with about 1.5 millions Japanese versus 80 thousand Soviet troops. But scarcity of roads and strong bomber forces of Soviets mean what the outcome of attack is far from obvious.
Advance in North Siberia continue with little resistance except the attrition infantry battle south of Yakutsk. But the Soviet position there is already close to hopeless.
The Alaska conquest has culminated in battle of Anchoridge - won by masses of Japanese conscripts against the under-staffed local garrisons. Also, the 1st echelon divisions were able to make an opportunistic conquest if Prince Rupert port in North Canada. Work is now underway to consolidate the gains in Canda and to make the Prince Pupert city the citadel and supply base for the eventual conquest of USA (although none is planned currently)
The US navy was decisively defeated in battle of Nauru, completely securing the Pacific front for months to come. Freed flying boats squadrons were immediately transferred to assist ongoing assault on Netherlandian Indonesia - Java and Sumatra.
In Singapore and Java, an unexpectedly heavy resistance were encountered. Despite complete air and sea domination, the losses are mounting and advance was slow. Battleship Ise was damaged during final assault of Singapore. Singaporean shipyard technicians estimate 6 months before Ise can be returned to duty.Also, over 200 aircrafts was lost - mostly to AA artillery. But concentration of Japanese forces has paid off. The Java is nearly finished. Sumatra thanks to sheer size is impossible to shell by battleships in many localities, therefore a prolonged action is expected. But units freed from Java assault are already landing in British Burma - to help desperately outnumbered units from former Chinese border.
Strange thing happened in Australia. Scouting regiment meet so little resistance, what it already come some 1000 km deep into Australian heartland. Supporting fleet of G6M1 heavy fighters wipes all light Australian units trying to flank his advance.
The Ki-21 bomber is slated for replacement, with IJA units now started to receive brand-new, sturdier Ki-49 bomber.

The Big Announcement happened today!
Emperor has declared the new war objectives. Here the citation from the speech:
We must help our German brothers dying under Russian tanks! To honor our agreement, we will land en masse at the coast of the Black sea - to stab the dirty, yet armored underbelly of the Soviet beast. Our current exploit in Siberia is just pulling his tail - as ineffectual as devastating for our army. To open the route for the invasion, a plan "Indian hop" is enacted. Wait an orders of your local commanders to further the glory of Japanese arms!

[Darth Maximius]

Cool story!

[trurle]

The morning of September 22nd, 1941. Morning? Not on the North Pole. The Arctic is freezing, and shivering Japanese commandos hurriedly seek shelter in the hostile vastness of North Siberia. Only one ship group in Arctic is still active - and it just finishing the subjugation of scattered settlements of Ob`s river estuary. On the other hand, Anderma air base on North Ural, captured from Soviets, is teeming with life. The Soviets will not have rest this polar winter!
In the South Siberia, Baikal offense was successful, not because of the valor of the Japanese infatrymen, but because of overwhelming air superiority. After infantry rest and reffiting everybody is targetting Barnaul-Novosibirsk area north of lake Balkhash. High density of enemy troops and scarcity of airfields mean hard time for the Japanese army group.
In Dutch Indonesia, the complete victory of Japanese arms has freed a huge army for the conquest of British Burma and Calcutta areas. Again, air superiority have decided everything, despite large formation of Indian AA guns. Also, naval landing forces supported by all shore bombardment ships, have secured Karachi area in Western India (now Pakistan). First bomber fleet have already overfly entire India, fulfilling the goal of "Indian Hop" operation. The spearhead of attack have now forked: minor forces are going to British Iraq to help losing Turkish army, while main forces are now leading for Suez. Landing underway in Aden, and position of British garrison is estimated to be hopeless.
Off east coast of Australia, the heavily fortified French port of Numea fell to Japanese after 3 weeks of devastating (700 bombers daily) air raids . Total ~2000 bombers are gathered around Australian mainland, and 10% of Australian army (including nearly everybody on north coast) is already slain by bombing. After fall of Numea, the start of division-scale land invasion on Australia is expected in a few days.
In Central Pacific, the invasion to Johnston atoll was a major setback. The defending American division have managed to shoot down all carrier-based Japanese planes (numbering 216), sunk 6 ships (including 1 aircraft carrier) and resisted shore bombardment until IJN was out of ammo. The IJA 5000-strong landing force was slain as well. Only 32-thousand strong reinforcements from Kwajalein was able to stop ammunition supply to USA forces - and ultimately killed them off after 2-weeks long siege. Because most of the aircraft in Pacific were redirected against Numea and Australia, the continuation of assault on Hawaii is now under big question. Without USN, these islands is just a fortress in the middle of nowhere.
In Canada, the IJN polar fleet was able to capture a critical stronghold of Hay river and erected a new airbase. Now Japanese are firmly entrenched in Canada and Alaska. But operation mode have shifted more to the defense (as expected), because of continuous stream of USA reinforcements from the south. To secure Pacific flank of Canada, the conquest of Vancouver island is under way. After initial forces were ambushed at landing by Canadian motorcyclists (sic), IJA was finally able to land 55-thousand strong force and push south to Nanaimo.

Also, the brief summary on the European war: "Disaster for axis!"
Only good thing is breakthrough of German to Kiev. But on North and South, Finland, Romania and Turkey were thoroughly beaten, with Romanian army suffering horrendous 70% casualties. The German advance on Central East front is also stalled around Vitebsk, while on West front the British have gained a solid hold in Brest peninsula.

Last week, there was a minor rebellion in Tokyo. Hospital patients have marched to Ministry of Defense and demanded defense minister (me) to resign. They claimed the terrible morbidity of my brainchild - the Ho-Ro self-propelled cannon. They call it "???”(Horobisha) (vehicle of dying). Yes, it was armored - but not the crew compartment. In hard battles around Karachi, it was normal to rotate crew of cannon 10 times per day. Usually the first task of new crew was the dumping overboard the remnants of the previous occupants. It was considered good omen by medical teams to find at evening exactly 7 eyeballs between the empty ammunition boxes. But thanks to extensive usage of grenades by Indian troopers, it was usually more than 7..
The rebellion was suppressed, of course. The most unreliable men were loaded to obsolete planes and sent directly to sunrise. Some of them may even survive, if they can find a common language with sharks.

[trurle]

September 24th, 1941.
A special news!
Japanese tanks have overrun the Chinese stronghold of Gulja (Kulidzha on map), killing the last remaining Chinese soldier.
Without the troops and bases to build new troops, the fate of China is sealed. The Chinese parliament, captured in Gulja, have signed the official document of surrender.

Also:
Japanese representatives have failed to find any sort of organized Mongolian government or army. Although the plans were made for grandeur, humiliating surrender of Mongolia, now Mongolia will be annexed quietly as "terra nullius". An indiscriminate bombing of Ulan-Bator is the likely reason for Mongolian government absence.