Empire of the Rising Sun - a Black Ice (8.5) Japan AAR

[Trylun]

Empire of the Rising Sun
a Black Ice (8.5) Japan AAR

​

Game Version: Black Ice Mod v8.5 (Note: This version is due to release this weekend, but for the Introduction I don't need to start playing yet)
Starting date: 1936 Historical Start
Rules: No special rules
Goals: Achieve total superiority along every coast of the Pacific
Difficulty settings: HoI3 normal, Black Ice normal, Allies and Soviets normal, Axis powers on easy (this makes them weaker)
AAR-Style: Usually I will write from the perspective of somebody, be it a ministerium member, captain of a warship or just a grunt in an infantery unit. There will also be reports that are just that - reports written by somebody.
I will use lots of pictures, which often will be in higher resolution - just click to enlarge those.

INDEX
1936-01-01 Introduction
1936-01-01 Political Overview
1936-01-02 Military Overview
1936-06-16 Diary of Shin Yanagisawa
1936-11-11 Revelations and Latrines
1937-01-03 Tech Talk I
1937-01-10 Tech Talk II


Persons of note
Introducing all the persons from whom's perspective I write in this AAR.

Mataro Nagayo - President of the Imperial University of Tokyo
Koachi Kado - Advisor of Emperor Showa (Hirohito)
Hiroko - Marine Grunt

 

[Trylun]

Introduction
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1st of January, 1936
My name is Mataro Nagayo. Let me tell you a bit about the closer history and our leaders.

Mataro Nagayo (*1878), President of the Imperial University of Tokyo
​

It has been over 20 years since I returned from my studies in Freiburg. 20 years and so much changed! Although the modernisation of Japan has been going on since before my birth, when our rightful Emperor Meiji was reinstalled as leader, the last ten years are unprecedented in the development of our beloved country.

Emperor Meiji (died 1912)
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I would lose my head saying this in public, but Emperor Taisho, who ruled from 1912 to 1926 was weak. He was a sickly man and I was very happy when he was succeeded by the great Emperor Showa (Hirohito), who rules to this day - may he rule for many years longer!

Emperor Showa (from 1926 until now)
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After our great gains in the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, which eventually yielded us the whole Korean peninsula (1910), we now also hold the strings of the government of Machuria (now called Manchukuo). Not to forget all the German holdings in the Pacific, which we opportunistically took when we declared war on them in 1914 along with the Entente.

Already tension with Nationalist China is rising towards a boiling point. After our past conflicts, I surely hope we finish them for good this time!
In the north, the communists are still licking their wounds from their loss in 1905. Will there be more bloodshed?
The Western World has strangled Japan for a long time. Both role model and enemy for us, where will we go in the future?

We are looking at interesting times. We are looking at glorious times!
Our Empire will rise like none before - and I will live to see it!

-Mataro Nagayo

Tokyo, capital of the Japanese Empire​

 

[sebas379]

Japan is always an interesting nation, so I'll tag along. Good luck!

 

[BunnyPoopCereal]

will be interesting to see all the amphibious assaults along the coast of China.

 

[uther4117]

Can't wait for the first episode opcorn:

 

[Trylun]

Welcome aboard you three (and the rest of you!). Can't wait for 8.5 to be released!
Theoryzing about my approach right now. My last Japan game must have been a year ago or so.

Propably going with a Carrier-heavy fleet + Light Cruisers as Escorts. Naval Bombers from my island bases to engage any fleets I find. Hmm... Ideas?

 

[DasGleiche]

Will slyly observe this too...

 

[sebas379]

Welcome aboard you three (and the rest of you!). Can't wait for 8.5 to be released!
Theoryzing about my approach right now. My last Japan game must have been a year ago or so.

Propably going with a Carrier-heavy fleet + Light Cruisers as Escorts. Naval Bombers from my island bases to engage any fleets I find. Hmm... Ideas?

I don't play BICE but that seems a sound strategy. If you amass a sizable army, an interention against the Soviet Union could tip the balance there? I'm just imagining the army seasoned by the war in China fighting there whilst the navy secures crucial resources in southeast Asia. Or is that too much in BICE?

 

[Trylun]

Political Overview​

1st of January, 1936 - Report to the Emperor by his Advisor Koachi Kado
Emperor. You will not like my report. To describe our political situation as "unstable" would be the underestimation of the century. For a long time now there have been struggles between the different political parties. Not even assassinations are seldom - see our prime minister just 4 years ago!

This is a field we have huge potential to improve in Emperor - that is, if you want to press for a more direct control of who is responsible for what. We have to be subtle of course, as it must not seem that you step down to mundane things such as cabinet composition!

Let's take a look at our cabinet:

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Head of Government
Okada Keisuke - Born into an old Samurai family, Keisuke is very well respected. Surprisingly enough not by the militaristic spectrum, but by the moderate forces within the government. He is now our prime minister since 1.5 years. Performance wise, he does spend a lot of money on welfare projects. After his war experiences, he is very adamant against any wars started by us. This might pose an issue in the future.

Foreign Minister
Hirota Koki - A career diplomat and base-born (his father was a stonemason). Responsible for the Japan-China-Manchuko block, a pact against spread of communism. If we plan to expand in China, this man will be strictly against it. His performance is pretty good though - a hard decission!

Armament Minister
Machida Chuju - A politician since 1912 and very respected amongst his peers. During peace times his presence will be benefical, as he has a way with money and getting along with little!

Minister of Security
Goto Fumio - After being minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries between 1932-34, he now is our Minister of Security (Home Minister). He has good ties to academics throughout Japan dating back to his time at the Imperial University in Tokyo. It is said he has an impressive army of informants.

Head of Intelligence
Okamura Yasuji - One of the big weak spots. Has good connections to China after his time as advisor of a Warlord, but that's about it. Wasteful with ressources and hated by the people.

Chief of Staff
Kanin Kotohito - You know Kanin well of course, him being a Prince of one of the four Imperial Families and your adopted Great Uncle. His military career dating back to before the Great War makes him a staunch supporter of infantery and artillery warfare. I wonder, whether this is still the route we want to go?

Chief of the Army
Kanin Kotohito - See above. His Static Defence Doctrine makes him the perfect fit for isolation and defence. But is this what we want?

Chief of the Navy
Osumi Mineo - A staunch supporter of a large Imperial Navy, even if it means the ordinary people can just afford rice and water. Says Carriers are the future. Is he right?

Chief of the Air Force
Yamamoto Isoroku - A man of the Navy and opposing the land army. He is a top assassination target and if we want to keep him - and we should as he is one of our brightest heads - we need to protect him, my Emperor! His navy focus means our Air Force will mainly focus on naval support and I think that's what it should do, as well!


Emperor, this is the situation as it stands. What are your orders?​

 

[Fallen_Pie]

This looks good, I'll follow along.

 

[Nikolaju]

Awesome! I checked weekly whether you would make another AAR after the last one was destroyed by a bug. Finally my hopes have been answered!

 

[Trylun]

Quick update: I have played to 1939ish, but work makes it hard to update at the moment. Will try to have one by Wednesday!
And thanks Nikolaju!

 

[Trylun]

Military Overview​

2nd of January, 1936 - Meeting of the General Staff to discuss the current situation
Kanin Kotohito - Chief of the Army
Osumi Mineo - Chief of the Navy
Yamamoto Isoroku - Chief of the Air Force

Osumi: Kotohito, I know fully well you do not agree with our current focus of the Navy! But let me tell you, without us, your grand Army will be stranded in Japan! The Navy is our one and big hope - we have to make it large and powerful!

Kotohito: You and Yamamoto both are against me, but that doesn't matter to me! As the Chief of Staff and Great Uncle to our Tenno himself, I will decide our course! And I say Infantery and Artillery are still the way to go. Let me show you the current situation of our armed forces and you will understand, surely!

Here you can see the overview map. Manchukuo is as you are well aware our puppet. Current discussion is to fully integrate them into Greater Japan. Our front against the Chinese in the north is not large, which enables us to defend the area with only a few Army Corps.

I lead the Kwantung Army myself. With over 319.000 soldiers we will have little difficulty to defend against both the weak Russians and the puny Chinese.

Osumi: But Kotohito, you can not expect to hold the Chinese at bay with only a few corps down there! We do have the transport capacity to strenghten our troops at the Chinese border. We have to do it! What are our reserves in the mainland?

Kotohito: Don't dare question me! We need all the troops in the mainland to protect our cities!

Only about 160.000 men are under weapons and protecting the homeland. Surely you cannot expect to weaken our garrison there? And now enough with your ramblings! Give me a report on the Navy you are so proud of!

Osumi: Very well. I shall give you an overview.

Our Carriers are the greatest asset we have. Kaga and Akagi being the largest with Ryujo and Hosho being of a smaller type. Another three Carriers, two large and one small, are being finalized as we speak. Especially the large Carriers will make an impressive addition to our fleet, being the first true pure Carriers and not conversions of Battlecruisers!

The Kaga, a conversion of an old Battlecruiser.

Soryu (meaning Blue Dragon) being finalized. A beautiful and powerful ship!

Then, we have 16 more Capital Ships, 6 of those being Battleships, 3 Battlecruisers and 6 Coastal Battleships. Most of those ships aren't very modern, but can hold their own quite well nonetheless.

The Mutsu, Pride of the Fleet.

Yamashiro, Fuso and Haruna. Mighty Battleships, albeit a bit outdated.

Add to that 14 Heavy Cruisers and 19 Light Cruisers, mostly older models. But we have four new Heavy Cruisers almost finished. In fact, the "Tone", first of her class, is undergoing sea trials right now and should be ready within the year!

Tone doing sea trials in the Bay of Tokyo. A fast and powerful ship!

Several Destroyer and Submarine Flotillas round up the picture. Of course, our vast transport capacity has to be mentioned. We can transport a large Army in very short time.

Yamamoto: You two quarreling. So amusing. Take a look at the Air Force and you will both cry! You want us to focus on the Army or on the Navy, but our real vulnerability is the Air Force! Take a look:

6 Inteceptor Wings to defend our islands, the homeland and the colonies! Ridiculous!
6 Fighter Bomber Wings to go along with 14 Bomber Wings of various sizes (and outdated).
And most worrysome, only 8 Naval assets to take care of enemy ships. We need to build more. Much more!

Our Interceptor Model, the KI-10. Still a biplane, we have to develop something new!

Our Carrier based attack plane, the B4Y.

Kotohito: Maybe you are right. I will see to putting some Scientist Teams on developing new aircraft models. Until we have their results, building more planes is put on hold. You are both dismissed.

 

[Forster]

I will follow this.

 

[Trylun]

I will follow this.

Welcome and thanks, Forster!

Would be happy to hear about what people mainly want to read.
Next up in my "ideas" is adding a photographer who is sent around Imperial Japan for his newspaper, taking pictures of everyday-life and maybe add a few observations about people's life.
Another is following a particular unit in its battles (one of the elite ones) around the world.

That sound interesting?

 

[nfranz]

I'll follow too. I'd like to play Japan after the new release!
Nice immersion!
F.

 

[chals]

ITs FEB!! Why no updates!!

You so evil! Give us gnosis!

 

[Trylun]

ITs FEB!! Why no updates!!

You so evil! Give us gnosis!

Jeesh Chals that last update was just yesterday :-D
Patience! Yamamoto still has to cool down from his outburst about the sorry state of the Air Force!

And welcome to nfranz and you!

 

[chals]

Jeesh Chals that last update was just yesterday :-D
Patience! Yamamoto still has to cool down from his outburst about the sorry state of the Air Force!

And welcome to nfranz and you!

okay.. but but but..

Well I can try to endure a bit more.. You started this without letting your number one fan know!! BAD!!

 

[Trylun]

Diary of Shin Yanagisawa
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16th of June, 1936 - Somewhere northwest of Truk on the Seaplane Tender Notoro

Yamashita Tomoyuki. Why my newspaper has put me on duty of following this man, I still do not know! Sure, he is working in the general staff, mainly responsible for research of new military assets. But his big time? Has long since gone, when he tried to strengthen the Army's role in political Japan - an idea that is not very popular among politicians today, especially after the failed coup in February!

It came as a shock to all of us. The military revolting! This happened this year, on the 2nd of February.

After the coup failed at the start of March, Prime Minister Hirota took office in April to conclude the failed revolt. Yamashita was propably lucky to not be with the revolters. His positions are certainly awfully close to what the revolters wanted.

Now he is spending his time overseeing the tests of new military equipment - in this case the Mitsubishi F1M aeroplane. Sure, it is nice here in Truk and we're having a really good time on the beaches, but Yamashita ... will this be good for my journalistic career to be associated with somebody like him?

Anyway, I wrote a nice article about the new Mitsubishi plane we were testing near Truk. It's not the new star of the air force, but it will be a reliable workhorse for spotting and rescue missions.

The test crew in front of the Mitsubishi F1M on a Truk beach

We're stationed on an old Seaplane tender, the Notoro. Would have preffered one of the new Carriers to be honest with you!

The Notoro, photographed from our seaplane.

Finally, I have drawn our return route to Sasebo on a seamap. Our readers like things like this to see where things actually happened. Japan is large, you know!

Our return route Truk - Sasebo

I hope my next assignment will be more exciting!