Hirohito's Honor

[PaxMondo]

The Start of Hirohito’s Honor mod:

December 8, 0300 hours local – Tokyo Imperial Palace
An aide, acting on previous orders, knelt next to the emperor’s bedding. HIE awoke immediately and listened with apprehension to the message he had hoped he would never hear. His response was one well-rehearsed, but simultaneously one that he had hoped he would not ever utter. It set into motion a series of events long planned …

History books would later read: “Enraged and aghast at the ruling Army Junta’s inability to get the DoW done properly before initiating hostilities, Emperor Hirohito is able wrest his freedom from his ‘captors’ and then invites the entire Army Cabal to commit seppuku to atone for their egregious defamation of Japanese character.” This single sentence hardly does justice to the intricacies that had to occur, but the summary was accurate.

"with a Monarch's voice cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war."1

1 Shakespeare, 1926 JC Winston p956

[RangerJoe]

The Start of Hirohito’s Honor mod:

December 8, 0300 hours local – Tokyo Imperial Palace
An aide, acting on previous orders, knelt next to the emperor’s bedding. HIE awoke immediately and listened with apprehension to the message he had hoped he would never hear. His response was one well-rehearsed, but simultaneously one that he had hoped he would not ever utter. It set into motion a series of events long planned …

History books would later read: “Enraged and aghast at the ruling Army Junta’s inability to get the DoW done properly before initiating hostilities, Emperor Hirohito is able wrest his freedom from his ‘captors’ and then invites the entire Army Cabal to commit seppuku to atone for their egregious defamation of Japanese character.” This single sentence hardly does justice to the intricacies that had to occur, but the summary was accurate.

"with a Monarch's voice cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war."1

1 Shakespeare, 1926 JC Winston p956

I like that for the Army Cabal.

Payback is a . . . .

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Much later, in remembrance:

[PaxMondo]

I like that for the Army Cabal.

Payback is a . . . .

Yeah, I have to admit I enjoyed crafting that portion of the story ...

[RangerJoe]

I like that for the Army Cabal.

Payback is a . . . .

Yeah, I have to admit I enjoyed crafting that portion of the story ...

Yes that is good but you forgot the part where he had their heads pickled and delivered to the US Embassy in Moskva . . .

But I meant the Allied response . . .

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In Norway after the war . . .

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[PaxMondo]

I like that for the Army Cabal.

Payback is a . . . .

Yeah, I have to admit I enjoyed crafting that portion of the story ...

Yes that is good but you forgot the part where he had their heads pickled and delivered to the US Embassy in Moskva . . .

But I meant the Allied response . . .

No, I didn't miss your second part, and yeah, in this mod wait until you see the "response" .... Andy was original creator, I just finished what he started ....

[RangerJoe]

Yeah, I have to admit I enjoyed crafting that portion of the story ...

Yes that is good but you forgot the part where he had their heads pickled and delivered to the US Embassy in Moskva . . .

But I meant the Allied response . . .

No, I didn't miss your second part, and yeah, in this mod wait until you see the "response" .... Andy was original creator, I just finished what he started ....

Oh yes, Andy's Iron Man. I didn't get too far in playing those. I am now trying another game but you should know that . . .

I don't think that I have his "special" Iron Man scenario that he pulled from the downloads.

[PaxMondo]

I don't think that I have his "special" Iron Man scenario that he pulled from the downloads.

It was only up a matter of hours ... and I have taken it further here. Or rather given it the possibility to go quite far. I didn't add any "craziness" like Andy did, BUT I have the ability to basically flip the allied priority from Europe to Asia making everything available in Asia. All those B17's diverted from England to OZ .... etc.

[RangerJoe]

I don't think that I have his "special" Iron Man scenario that he pulled from the downloads.

It was only up a matter of hours ... and I have taken it further here. Or rather given it the possibility to go quite far. I didn't add any "craziness" like Andy did, BUT I have the ability to basically flip the allied priority from Europe to Asia making everything available in Asia. All those B17's diverted from England to OZ .... etc.

That could be fun in a PBEM to pull on an unsuspecting Japanese fan boi . . .

As long as Gene Roddenberry survives the war . . .

[PaxMondo]

December 8, 0800 hours local – Tokyo Imperial Palace
His Imperial Excellency (HIE) met with his advisory group, currently composed of his Chamberlain, Yamamoto, and a couple of other royal family members. The following realizations and decrees emerge from this summit:

There will be no short war. Yamamoto is emphatic that the allies will not easily capitulate and it all revolves around Europe. This is outside of Japan’s capability and so she must rely on her Axis partners, not a pleasant prospect. However, if IJ can do sufficiently well to pull Allied resources from the war in Europe; that may give her Axis partners the opening they need to create the overall victory and bring the Allies to the negotiated peace table.

Japan must take what territory she can on two fronts: Areas needed for economic sustenance; SRA (& NRA if possible) and Areas needed for security; China and Philippines are priorities.

Japan will then have to count on the successful outcome in Europe, fighting a delaying battle to the greatest extent possible. Failure in Europe means that Japan would have to negotiate separately, not a desired outcome, but there must be acknowledgement of this potential. To that effect treatment of all allied prisoners will need to conform to Geneva conventions. Tanaka’s memo is re-sent to all commanders under the Emperor’s seal.

Tight alliance with our Axis partners is in our best interest. We need to Trade Tech where we can. We have excellent RRF (Radar) tech that we can trade for both better AC guns and 2 stage engine chargers both of which are desperately needed.

An attack on NRA (SOV) must be considered as necessary to assist the Axis partners. In any case sufficient forces must remain in theatre in all events to maintain this appearance.

Japan will go on emergency full war footing as of today. This wil be a public announcement by HIE. Public works and goods not related to the war effort are stopped. This will free up steel and other resources (radio vacuum tubes, vehicles, etc) for war production immediately (economy looks like historical 43/44 in 42).

IJN and IJA R&D are now combined. Exceptions will be considered where there is a strong rationale.

Impartial joint committees will decide the best of the best and go forward on all devices. All committees will have an Imperial representative as moderator. Trade with Axis partners to improve/upgrade devices is to be accelerated. There will be a single R&D line for each device, aircraft or ship that will meet a stated goal/mission. Committees will present to Imperial Audience when called upon. The Imperial Audience will confirm committee plans and stipulate/authorize implementation. Device goals are to be clearly stated, with current and future designs along with implementation plans. Preliminary device analyses are to be presented starting in 4 hours. IJA will start followed by IJN.

The A/C Mission definitions will be updated and refined based upon our Axis partners experience in the Europe theatre as we will be seeing those assets deployed here soon. Progression plans for current a/c will be needed to allow for integration of current and near future needs and expectations. Preliminary mission and a/c analyses are to be presented starting in 8 hours. IJA will start followed by IJN.

The ship mission definitions will be updated and refined. Optimal class designs will be created for each mission. Progression plans for current ships will be needed to allow for integration of current and near future needs and expectations. Preliminary ship mission analyses are to be presented starting in 12 hours.

Each Ministry will present status of its governance and policies to support the war effort. This will be done by the Minister, or in case of their recent “absence”, the newly designated Minister. There meetings will be worked in around the above reviews.

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Shortly after 0900 Tokyo, HIE interrupted all radio programming with a live broadcast. He announced both the state of war now existing with the Allies and the loss of the previous government due to their disgrace. He asked that all subjects tighten their belts and be prepared for sacrifice for the good of the empire as he reluctantly accepted back his role as Head of State and Leader of the Empire. Further news would be forthcoming his offices.

Following his live address, couriers were dispatched throughout the country to almost every government and military office with directions. New commanders and minister appointments. Audience schedules with HIE. Finally, but not least, cables sent to all overseas commanders informing them of their new chain of command.

A minor prince having morning tea with his dowager mother commented: "Hiro really had this planned out, didn't he?"

[PaxMondo]

December 8 – Berlin: Tatsumi Eiichi
At the war start, the Imperial Intelligence Directorate is composed of the Director and 3 vice-directors. It reports to the War Cabinet composed of the IJA and IJN. With the downfall of the junta, it now also includes HIE.

Eichi-san read the cabled message again: “By His Imperial Excellency you are appointed Intelligence Director reporting to the War Cabinet effective immediately. Arrangements for soonest return incipient. Report directly upon arrival.”

It appeared that his report on intentions and reactions had proven too prophetic ….

[PaxMondo]

December 8 Tokyo midday: Colonel Kotani Etsuo, North Vice Director

The 3 vice-directors of the Intelligence Directorate were split to support the IJA and IJN. One was assigned to IJN and provided all intel for the Navy. The IJA had 2 vice directors, North and South. Essentially, the North director supporting China Expeditionary and the Kwangtung Armies with intel. The South director supported the Southern army and everything else.


Colonel Kotani Etsuo was in his office fraught with worry. He knew that Tatsumi Eiichi was being smuggled home from Europe at Imperial Request, somehow. That was in itself an operation of considerable note. He wasn’t sure how many others knew about this, but he did. Worse, he was quite unsure if his head was safe when Tatsumi did arrive. He was already legend in the intel community; he had accurately predicted all of this mess last October. His detailed analysis predicted:

• The allies would not be surprised by this war.
• They were planning, building, and preparing for a war against Japan.
• There was strong evidence that they were privy to Japan’s plans.

It had been summarily rejected by his superiors as it did not conform to their view. He had then been exiled to Berlin. All, as in every last single one, of those individuals involved had been invited to the imperial garden to join their ancestors. Generals and Ministers, some of whom were Imperial family members; that had been a LARGE group indeed. It is rumored the Emperor himself not only viewed their passing, but commented that there was no excuse for stupidity in the intel community. Kotani was very afraid that he was just as guilty …

[PaxMondo]

...
As long as Gene Roddenberry survives the war . . .

Always a condition of a successful game. And my family members that I have added (all survived historically by some miracle. Better than WWI ...).

[RangerJoe]

...
As long as Gene Roddenberry survives the war . . .

Always a condition of a successful game. And my family members that I have added (all survived historically by some miracle. Better than WWI ...).

I don't know about WWI but I do know about some in WWII . . .

[PaxMondo]

I don't know about WWI but I do know about some in WWII . . .

Condolences. My Great Uncle was WIA in WWI. Sniper got him low in the abdomen. Through and through. He survived with a gimpy leg and when he had to "go", he had to "go" now. Otherwise, as compared to the mustard gas that ate so many men, he was ok.

[RangerJoe]

I don't know about WWI but I do know about some in WWII . . .

Condolences. My Great Uncle was WIA in WWI. Sniper got him low in the abdomen. Through and through. He survived with a gimpy leg and when he had to "go", he had to "go" now. Otherwise, as compared to the mustard gas that ate so many men, he was ok.

Thank you.

[PaxMondo]

December 8 Tokyo midday (continued): Colonel Kotani Etsuo, North Vice Director

“and the hits just keep coming …”

Kotani is stunned. He held the reports in his hand along with copies of the photos that had just arrived. In 24 hours his world was collapsing, reality no longer existed.

Yesterday:

Hong Kong 411207

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Today:

Hong Kong 411208

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How is this possible? 10,000 guns. 10,000 GUNS!!! There are not 10,000 guns in the entire IJA, let alone at one place. And 13,000 troops. Insane, how did over 2 full divisions appear? There has to be a mistake, but how. Per sources, General Hata, commander of the China Expeditionary Army, was on his way to Tokyo. Oh Ko!!!

[PaxMondo]

General Shunroku Hata, China Expeditionary Army Command, Nanking

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Shunroku, a rare, almost unique name in Japan, had been here yesterday in his conference room standing in front of a large wall map just as he was now.
Yesterday: The war is starting today, but on the whole continent there was only a couple of others who knew this information; and, not being a member of the ruling junta, he didn't know all the details. What he did know was that he was responsible for 4 of the 12 initial key targets. Further, he had both the largest portion of the Imperial Army under his command and he was faced with decidedly the largest opponents. His first target: Hong Kong. One of the Crown Jewels of the British Empire.
Prewar Hong Kong reconnaissance: 2 units, 100 Troops, 0 Guns, 4 AFV's
His first primary target was well within his grasp. Against this paltry defense he had a full division, another regiment, and several heavy artillery Battalions. Hong Kong should fall within a day of when the forces are positioned.

But today, everything has changed. First, the staggering news from Tokyo: the Army Junta has been overthrown and the Emperor is in complete control. How? What will be his fate? Was he the only surviving General? Reports said that the palace gardens were still running red ... and now this ...

General Hata read the recon reports again, they had to be wrong, but how could so many independent observers report nearly identical findings? 10,000 guns? Impossible, but if not guns then what were they? If guns, what kind and caliber? Clearly, the enemy was entrenched in Hong Kong with FAR more than the pre-war estimates. He knew that Eiichi was somehow enroute back to Tokyo, and the idiot heading his intel now, what was his name? Forget it. He needed more units, a LOT more units to handle this. What did he have? 1st corp had 3 Divisions. What about the 21st from Shanghai? But then any of these had to be backfilled as they had been marked to be used for the offensive in the North. and who was in charge of the Kwantung Army now? He needed a strong partner, unlike the idiot that had been there. He needed to be in Tokyo now, things needed to happen.