Turn 18. July/August 1942. Axis #4. Impulse Planning.
Japan – Land.
1. Another very big argument between the Army & Navy at Imperial Japanese HQ in Tokyo on action type (i.e., land vs combine/naval).
2. The Army emphatically argued that with a land that they would knock Mao out (i.e., destroy his HQ-I) and put China on the road for total conquest; possibly even this turn but no later than end of next turn!
3. They argued that without a land that Yamashita would miss a golden opportunity to knock Mao out and open access to Sian.
4. The Navy argued that shore up their critical shipment and supply lines in the China & South China Sea AND sending out their I-boats (3 groups) to attack allied supply lines would contribute significantly to the war effort.
5. However; the Army countered that the Navy had plenty of impulses left in the turn to do that and still lose more of their ships and convoys to the Americans before the end of the turn.
6. The Navy was not amused but stayed silent when IJHQ sided (again) with the Army on taking a land action.
7. Forces of Yamashita & Yamamoto Army Groups will link up, destroy Mao’s HQ-I and position to breech Mao’s eastern FLOT.
8. Specifically, position to take or at least threaten Sian.
9. Yamamoto, in addition to support the attack on Mao, will capture Ankang & position forces to attack & breech Mao’s rear flank FLOT northwest of Ankang.
10. However; Yamashita & Yamamoto, after getting their land, privately agree that they may need one more impulse of full movement (i.e., another land) after linking up to get the most favorable odds for attacking Mao’s eastern & southern flanks.
11. In reality, it’s not knocking Mao out that’s the main objective but breeching both his flanks!
12. In summary, four IJA Army Groups will move at top speed (but not flip) to converge on Mao.
13. Yamashita from the east, Yamamoto from the south, Terauchi from the southeast & Umezu from the northeast.
14. Yamashita will make the determination if it’s more favorable to attack Mao this impulse or to wait.
15. Regardless, these 4 Army Groups will move and fight with the intention of mortally wounding Mao’s CCP forces and completely conquering China, if not this turn but next.
16. The imperial Japanese Air Force will also get in the act and conduct strategic bombing raids against China’s 2 operating factories in Sian & Lanchow.
Active WAR.
- 04-AL-WAR-Japan.png (28.46 KiB) Viewed 516 times
Four IJA Army Groups Will Converge on Mao's CCP Lines.
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