NationStates Jolt Archive

The day had arrived. Japan’s old enemy would be destroyed at last. Together with a grand coalition, forged behind the scene with much difficulty, the Empire would bring Russia to it’s knees. The members of the Coalition were China, the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Argentina, Chile and Japan. The First stage had already started, with Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Italy attacking Russia’s Ally Serbia. Russia, as it was obliged to do, reacted with a declaration of war. The Bulk of the Russian Armies were in the west. Now it was Japan’s turn…

Operation Red Dragon

If Hachiman, the Japanese God of War, looked down on Asia, he’d see a huge horde of Khaki/Olive Green Figures along the Siberian Border.

In the East, He’d see two Cavalry Divisions and six Infantry Divisions on the Island of Sakhalin. The Cavalry Divisions would rush over the winter landscape towards Okha, were the Russian Pacific Fleet was located, stuck in the harbor surrounded by ice. (ooc. If you don’t believe me:
http://sharaku.eorc.jaxa.jp/ADEOS2/library/20030227/image/0227c.jpg )
Their mission was to overrun the Port Defenses (which should be light) and capture the Pacific Fleet. Following them were two Infantry Divisions, who marched at a high pace. At a slower pace were two more Infantry Divisions. If all went well, the Cavalry would reach the port in three days, the first Infantry Units should follow a day later. The Combined 1st. and 2nd. Fleets would patrol near the Southern Tip of Sakhalin, so long the ice wasn’t to dangerous. Destroyers and Patrol Boats would continue to patrol along the Kurills and Sakhalin, again if the Ice permitted it.

Slightly to the South and West a massive amount of 550000 Japanese (not counting National Army, which remains on defense) and 60000 Chileans were assembled in Korea. Four Japanese Armies (440000 men) and the Chileans would pour into the Russian Far East (the strange curve around China). They would march in two main columns, one along the coast and one deeper inland. It was expected that they’d reach Vladivostok in five, and the Amur River in 40 days. Three Imperial Marine Corps Regiments and one Cavalry regiment assembled in Pusan, ready to land along the coast to reinforce the marching Army.

Further to the North stood 330000 Chinese Soldiers (three Armies) to move via Urgel towards the Amur Estuary. Their Objective was simple; march, hold the gained territory and destroy any Russian presence in the area.

In the Northernmost tip of Manchuria stood 5 Chinese and 1 Japanese Armies, ready to cut straight towards the Sea of Okhotsk while constructing a defensive position along their western flank. If everything went well the forward units would reach the Sea in 15 days.

Further to the west, in Central Mongolia, stood one well trained Chinese Army. They’d perform a daring raid into Russia; they were ordered to attack the Lake Baikal district and cut all railroads and communications (telegraph lines etc.) on the East-West connection. They would have to do it as fast as possible and retreat before the first week of the war was over.

The Remaining Armies in Asia guarded the borders (1 Chinese Army in the West protecting Desert Province of Xiniang, 2 on the Border of Indochina 1 Japanese Army on Formosa/Hainan Dao and 1 Corps in the Pacific) or remained Reserves in the heartlands (3 Chinese Armies in China and 2 Japanese Armies in Japan). The 3rd. Japanese Fleet was sailing around Hainan Dao, ready to react to a hostile French reaction.

In the West the first Clashes between Astria-Hungarian Armies and the Russian had already started, while the Germans and Ottomans were ready. The Argentinean Forces were underway while the British concentrated on the Sea, with the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Pacific and Far Eastern Fleets scourging the sea for Russian vessels. The Home Fleet was ready to sail from Scapa Flow on the first order.

Ooc. If everyone posted their forces in this war, I’ll add it to this post.

Japan:
1.2 million men (10 Armies, 1 Corps and 1 Marine Corps, National Armies and RRP not Counted)
China:
1.5 million men (Active Forces)
Argentina:
40,000 men
2 dreadnaughts
3 crusiers
2 battlecrusiers
12 destroyers
multiple support craft and transports
Chile:
60000
Germany:
1.5 million men Western Front, 3 Million Eastern Front
Ottomans:
The total mobilization of The ottoman Empire is at this point just past 1 million soldiers with expectations of a rise to 1,600,000 by the middle of next year.

On the Montenegran Border:
60,000 troops.
On the Kosovo Border:
100,000 troops.
On the Bulgarian Border [Excluding Thrace]:
50,000 Troops

Troops have since been moved to the remaining fronts against the Greeks and Russians:
On the Greek-Albanian Border:
100,000 Troops
On the Greek-Macadonian Border:
90,000 Troops
On the Greek-Thracian Border:
100,000 Troops
On the Ottoman-Russian Border:
400,000 Troops


Troops are also stationed along the southern and eastern borders of the empire and in Libya.
Libya:
25,000 troops
Iran-Ottoman Border:
50,000 troops.
On the southern border:
25,000 troops.

Austria-Hungary:
Serbian Front:
50 Divisions
750,000 soldiers

Galician Front:
65 Divisions
975,000 soldiers

Carpathian defenses:
60 divisions
900,000 soldiers- strengthening defenses: which are already done, just being expanded

Romanian Border:
20 divisions
300,000 soldiers- building defenses

Spread across nation:
139 divisions
2,085,000 soldiers

Italy:
Active Forces:
In Montenegro
25,000 Soldiers
2 Dreadnoughts
4 Pre-Dreadnoughts
4 Armored Cruisers
5 Destroyers
10 Torpedo Boats
In Greece
20,000 Soldiers
1 Dreadnought
3 Pre-Dreadnoughts
3 Armored Cruisers
3 Destroyers
10 Torpedo Boats
3 Submarines
West Mediterranean
20,000 soldiers (Sardina)
20,000 soldiers (Sicily)
3 Dreadnoughts
5 Pre-Dreadnoughts
5 Armored Cruisers
8 Destroyers
12 Torpedo Boats
4 Submarines
5 Support/Aux Ships
Tripoli
5,000 soldiers
1 Pre-Dreadnought
3 Torpedo Boats
1 Support/Aux Ship
Italy
All remaining soldiers (300,000 total currently mobilized)
All remaining naval ships (See my factbook for complete list)
Great Britain: ??? Mainly Naval
Russia: ???
France:
Italian Border
14 divisions, 220,000 men
Spanish border
9 divisions, 95,000 men
German border defenses, 1.4 million men
Belgian border, 550,000 men
Nancy, 250,000 men
Epinal, 400,000 men
Verdun, 350,000 men
Paris, 500,000 men

Indochina (Being called up, ready next turn)
37,000 regular soldiers and 100,000 locals

THe problem the Japanese found trying to attack the Pacific fleet was that the crews of the fleet slept on their respective ships. As the Japanese army started to head towards the fleet held in the harbor, protected by the ice from any ships going in, as it was in a harbor, started to bombard the enemy entering the town that was now full of fleeing refuges. THey also found that the surprise wasn't as full, as the cavalry sent the forts thin soldiers to fight a delaying action.

When the infantry arrived to attack, the 11 Dreadnaught guns started to fire over the hills into the attacking Japanese. The destroyers and cruisers watching for any ships as the 11 Dreandaughts poured shells. The crews sleeping on the ships had been ordered out of their beds with klaxons, the surprise probably having been meant to be complete, the Japanese not realizing that to save money the RUssian Navy had kept the men on board. The majority of sailors, without leave as the war status had been held, were now going into warm clothes, much warmer than their Japanese counterparts, mounting machine guns and guns. The dreadnaughts making sure that the Japanese army destroyed itself before it came anywhere near them. THey'd conserve coal for the breakout, and make sure to keep their sailors and the handful of marines full of machine gun ammunition to keep any Japanese stupid enough or close enough to get to try and board the ships.

(Your attack was late. And with battleships firing into you, you're taking nasty casualties.)

The Russians digging in front of the Germans started to dig even more, making their trenches even better as they prepared fall back positions, just in case Germany got true ideas.

The problem the Japanese and the massive invading Chinese found was the cold. The Russian winter of 1914 was terrifyingly cold. It froze many men in their tracks. THey also found a rather hard fact, the Russians weren't coming out to play. The Russian 12th army of 300,000 men would march, switch from one area, and then countermarch to constantly harrass the enemy. Their 75's would move close enough, poor nearly 2,000 shells a minute for about 15 minutes until the Japanese or Chinese artillery could arrive, adn then leave.

(In fact the winters of 1913-1919 were exceptionally cold. It was considered a mini-ice age.)

The Russians weren't going into a drawn battle. They made sure to burn what they couldn't take, and let the freezing winter take care of the enemy. THey also made sure to harrass with cavalry. Making sure to make warm camps so that the poor frigid invading armies had to march to their camps, and then move to leave them in the snow. THe Chinese and Japanese were soon learning that a Febuary invasion was starting to become a major folly.

(The Japanese won the first Russo-Japanese war because of the quickness, and the fact they invaded Port Arthur, you do realize why the Japanese never attacked Russia during WWII right?: They realized how close theya ctually came to losing the first war with Russia. THeir casualties were horrendous when fighting the Russians. So believe me, this isn't going to be easy, and all I have to do is wear you down. Cause remember when the snow melts, you have mud and your attack slows to a crawl.)

Chilean troops sailed across the ocean, on the newly bought ships. They would help in the Fall of Russia.

(Gang up much? I think I might take this personally in a minute, cause if the whole world is going to fight me I might as well just give up.)

Argentina will contribute:
40,000 men
2 dreadnaughts
3 crusiers
2 battlecrusiers
12 destroyers
multiple support craft and transports

(all of these is brand new)

Due to graduation I can not play as RUssia anymore, therefore do with this as you wish.

OOC: Sukaida, it's just one of those things where the big kid falls down so all the little kids run up to kick him. You're probably screwed anyway (The Axis Powers have arisen).

OOC2:I also need someone to roleplay Montenegro's response. I promised their independence and protection from the Ottomans and Hungary in exchange for being allowed to occupy them during the war.

Here's a basic overview of my forces. 20,000 more soldiers and some more ships have been dispatched to Montenegro. A small fleet and some forces have also been sent to Greece to aid the Turks.

---------------------
Active Forces:
In Montenegro
25,000 Soldiers
2 Dreadnoughts
4 Pre-Dreadnoughts
4 Armored Cruisers
5 Destroyers
10 Torpedo Boats
In Greece
20,000 Soldiers
1 Dreadnought
3 Pre-Dreadnoughts
3 Armored Cruisers
3 Destroyers
10 Torpedo Boats
3 Submarines
West Mediterranean
20,000 soldiers (Sardina)
20,000 soldiers (Sicily)
3 Dreadnoughts
5 Pre-Dreadnoughts
5 Armored Cruisers
8 Destroyers
12 Torpedo Boats
4 Submarines
5 Support/Aux Ships
Tripoli
5,000 soldiers
1 Pre-Dreadnought
3 Torpedo Boats
1 Support/Aux Ship
Italy
All remaining soldiers (300,000 total currently mobilized)
All remaining naval ships (See my factbook for complete list)

OOC: I have graduation. And also half the countries you have working against me would never unite together anyways. Chile and Argentina hate eachother, and I have not done a thing to either of them that would make them see any different. THis is not a petty threat, I am done. That's it. I refuse to play. No more of the bullshit and I don't have time. EIther way play it whatever you want, I am not RPing.

OOC: I have graduation. And also half the countries you have working against me would never unite together anyways. Chile and Argentina hate eachother, and I have not done a thing to either of them that would make them see any different. THis is not a petty threat, I am done. That's it. I refuse to play. No more of the bullshit and I don't have time. EIther way play it whatever you want, I am not RPing.
OOC: Chile and Argentina do not hate each other, and in the begginign of the century they did not. YOu are relying on something that was a fact during the military dictatorships. Also, you better not post, or post very little, in the next 3 weeks.

Whatever.

Uh-huh...

Either way, have fun tearing up Russia. Let's say I went to the Virgin Islands to relax under the sun. Or some other tropical paradise.

OOC: Russia, I do agree that I can't see the South Americans joining the war, but the rest makes sense.
1. You declared war on me. I was only supporting my allies with what I was already doing.
2.You declaredd war on Austria.
3. Japan was recently at war with you, no reason why they wouldn't be there again.
4. I don't understand china, but I know nothing about China.
5. Germany would support me and Austria.

So most of this war was caused by you and we are not so much ganging up on you as we are reacting.

IC:
The total mobilization of The ottoman Empire is at this point just past 1 million soldiers with expectations of a rise to 1,600,000 by the middle of next year.

With the retreat of Serbian soldiers the defenses along the northern European border have been decreased considerably.

On the Montenegran Border:
60,000 troops.
On the Kosovo Border:
100,000 troops.
On the Bulgarian Border [Excluding Thrace]:
50,000 Troops

Troops have since been moved to the remaining fronts against the Greeks and Russians:
On the Greek-Albanian Border:
100,000 Troops
On the Greek-Macadonian Border:
90,000 Troops
On the Greek-Thracian Border:
100,000 Troops
On the Ottoman-Russian Border:
400,000 Troops


Troops are also stationed along the southern and eastern borders of the empire and in Libya.
Libya:
25,000 troops
Iran-Ottoman Border:
50,000 troops.
On the southern border:
25,000 troops.

I will have an RP later.

OOC:

I'll have a post or two up by tomorrow. I haven't been able to come online all day today so this is the first time I'm able to do so.

As for Voxio's question. China had signed an alliance with Japan back during the Boxer Rebellion (in my alternate timeline) and Japan has helped China immensely with modernization and training of its military. Therefore it would only stand to reason that China would be willing to repay Japan back for its support and generousity by supporting Japan in its attack on Russia.

In history, dogpiles *did* happen. Look at Germany in both World Wars. The dogpile was even worse in WW-2 but Nazi Germany held out for a couple years longer than was expected despite the dogpile (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Russia, France, etc.) If China was dogpiled by 10 nations, I wouldn't just up and quit. I'd try to make the enemy pay as much as I can, then rebuild post-war and then try again in the future.

Besides, virtually all graduations occur in May / early June (both college and high school). I've never heard of graduations occuring in mid-April.

In three weeks it will be May. It's the 18th of April. THree weeks is May. I graduate on May 13th. At least if I study. And as for CHina being helped by the Japanese, that's so outlandish it's to be ludicrious. Therefore I gracefully leave because personally I just don't like playing here anymore. If you are going to take history so lightly and ignore culture than play with fictional countries. If you are going to RP with real nations, play them right or don't play them at all.

OOC: I agree that Chile and Argentina fighting is unlikely, and that China is outrageous - it is backwards and in no position to fight at this point. And Britain fighting on Germany's side is also... out there. Finally, where is France, it should be fighting with Germany at this point.

Though that still doesn't condone pulling out in my eyes. But if you are graduating, then that is good enough. IRL World War I Russian mobilized more than 12 million men, and can again.

IC: Serbian forces have joined with the 4th and 5th Armies from the Bulgarian border to create a Grand Army. This experienced, desperate force plans to liberate Belgrade and defeat the Austrians, it strikes north

OOC:

There's a major difference between RL China and my China in this timeline.

In RL, China was wrecked by revolution, governmental collapse, riots everywhere, etc. by the 1910's. China lost the Boxer Rebellion, and got partitioned. Its economy and infrastructure did not develop much at all for obvious reasons.

In this timeline, Prince Tuan emerged victorious during the Boxer Rebellion. A new government is created (new Dynasty). There's no mass rebellions, revolts, or riots taking place. A lot of progress has been made, such as education reforms, Japanese aid in teaching China how to build factories and machinery, China building railroad networks, China importing *ALL* Western textbooks and knowledge (like chemistry, metallurgy, physics, etc.) into its education and industry sector, and a plethora of other industrialization efforts.

Keep in mind, the terrible Japanese atrocities have *YET TO TAKE PLACE* in this RP. In RL, these atrocities and most of the Chinese and Japanese "bad blood" occured before and during WW-II with Japanese invasion of Manchuria, the "experiments" at Nanking, and such.

So basically instead of paying Japan billions of dollars in money or financial terms, China is fulfulling its promise to repay Japan back by supporting Japan's endeavour aganist Russia. It so happens that Japan chose to attack Russia instead of other nations- if Japan chose to attack Indonesia or Indochina or even the USA, China would support Japan in such an endeavour instead of paying back Japan with the billions of dollars (for all the modernization, military training, etc.) that China doesn't have at the moment.

OOC: You did all this in four years?

As Bulgaria:
Bulgaria declares war on Serbia!!

There has been a call for general mobilization
The current army is at some 550,000 men (all well-equiped and well trained)

300,000 men have crossed into Kosovo, to fight against the Serbians.

ooc. Just a Reminder for everyone:

Game Paused Untill we have a Russia!

And it isn't so strange that China and Japan cooperate together. Culturaly they're very close to each other. The main reasons for the hostility between RL CHina and Japan are certain "incidents" (hey, I must keep my role ;) ) during the 2nd. Sino-Japanese war. If you guys want to play it über realisticly, I must admit that this isn't the right RP. In that case Russia would still be a bunch of morons with a huge army, Germany a "Psychotic Autocracy" and the USA isolationist. This is a Alternative History RP, you can change the future of your country (up too a certain level of realism ofcourse, Bhutan becoming Worldpower no. 1 is simply impossible).

Not too forget, you guys forget a major factor. Surprise.

Yes, surprise. Russia had reckoned with a Japanese assualt, but not on such a short term. Saying that the (RESERVE ARMY btw) moved from sector to sector which are hundreds of kilometers away is simply impossible. And why would the winter only damage the Japanese and Chinese Armies who are well prepared, equiped and supplied?

OOC: You did all this in four years?

OOC:

More than ten, actually.

1901 - 1914 (present time in this RP).

The Boxer Rebellion occurred in the first years of the 1900's.

OOC: game is paused I know, just thought I'd post strength

Serbian Front:
36 Divisions
540,000 soldiers

Galician Front:
38 Divisions
570,000 soldiers

Carpathian defenses:
40 divisions
600,000 soldiers- strengthening defenses

Romanian Border:
10 divisions
150,000 soldiers- building defenses

Traveling/spread across nation:
210 divisions
3,000,000
20 divisions travelling toward Galicia, 10 toward Carpathians, 15 toward Serbia

Starting Up again, let's place all posts concerning the war here!

Germany mobilizes the rest of its army, so it will have 3 million on the eastern front and 1.5 million on the western front.

In the Northernmost tip of Manchuria stood 5 Chinese and 1 Japanese Armies, ready to cut straight towards the Sea of Okhotsk while constructing a defensive position along their western flank. If everything went well the forward units would reach the Sea in 15 days.

Further to the west, in Central Mongolia, stood one well trained Chinese Army. They’d perform a daring raid into Russia; they were ordered to attack the Lake Baikal district and cut all railroads and communications (telegraph lines etc.) on the East-West connection. They would have to do it as fast as possible and retreat before the first week of the war was over.

originally posted on the IC thread:

Eastern Front:

The remaining reserves in Galicia arrived on the front, which had been starting to stabalize. The Austrians continued to shell the Russian forces, and dig in further, guaranteeing any attack would be extremly bloody. The AH airforce continued to drop bombs on the railroads and reservesd to tie them up and slow them down.

Meanwhile, severl small, nondescript boats pulled out of Ottoman ports and began silently sailing toward the Ukraine. They were loaded with Ukrainian exiles and weapons. Several submarines also followed suit

Serbian front:

The Austrians continued to push forward,and when stopped by heavy resistance, dug in. The Austrians surrounding Belgrade dug in around Belgrade and shelled the city. The final reserve forces arrived to reinforce the attacking divisions

The Republic of France declares war on Germany for attacking its ally in Russia. Germany will fall and the world will be rid of its oppression. This war can only end with Germany withdrawing from Russia and asking for peace. France calls upon all of its friends to join it in the fight against Germany, including Britain, Belgium Holland, and the United States. France also has no desire to fight with Italy but will if forced to.

French forces are being fully mobilized and readied for offensive or defensive maneuvers with Germany. Colonial troops are also being called up in French colonies.

**************************

French troop dispositions:

Italian Border
14 divisions, 220,000 men
Spanish border
9 divisions, 95,000 men
German border defenses, 1.4 million men
Belgian border, 550,000 men
Nancy, 250,000 men
Epinal, 400,000 men
Verdun, 350,000 men
Paris, 500,000 men

Troops in forward positions are preparing to move, artillery is being moved to primary positions, all reserves are being sent forward.

*******************

In Paris, the tall, gaunt man sighed, sitting in his plush seat, dark as if to reveal the mood of the room and the country. So it has come to this, again, he shook his head, drinking slowly from a short drink filled with a stiff drink. Looking up he glanced at the man leaning against the desk opposite him, legs crossed, eyes red and glazed, but despite this his mouth could still open. "We are up against quite an array of opponents here. Our nation is in great straits from the very outset. We have a vow to fulfill, and in any ways, if allowed to finish off the Russians, the Germans would just turn on us." He wiped his forearm across his cheek, breathing deeply. "We must strike first, we must do something, we must avenge ourselves of the blood we have on our hands, the guilt we owe our ancestors, illustrious they were, ashamed they are now. The enemy must be destroyed, our lands recovered." Stopping abruptly, almost as if to say more but stopping, his hand turned down to the floor. Across from him, the thin man retorted, "You must be right. For if you are not it doesn't matter, this world will swallow us up anyways. I will talk to the generals, but an attack it very well may have to be. Alert the troops. France marches to war." With that he turned and waived off the rough speaker from before. "Yes, mr president, " the man whispered, and rushed off. Within hours, the soft, quiet air of Paris was the receiver of the first omens, deep booms coming from far away to the east.

Captain Kosouka was a carefull man. As he and his squad, the vanguard of the Army on Sakhalin neared Okha he ordered to slow down, spread out and keep an eye open. When they entered the town they heared a low, booming sound in the distance, then a whistling sound which increased. Most men just stopped and wondered what the heel was that noise, but Kosuoka recognized it.

"Idiots! Move for cove..."

Booooooooom!!! *normal screaming of men and civilians alike*

When the dust cleared he looked around and saw that of his squad of 15 men, only 7 had survived. He quickly ordered to withdraw and they spurred their horses to a gallop. They moved asd fast as possible, but two more men died due to the shelling. When they were in a safer area, he slowed down and barked.

"You! Masuka! Go to the main column as fast as possible, and warn them that we are under fire from the ships in port. Do not forget to warn other units you meet!"
"Yes sir!"

*horse gallops away*

*Kasuoka spits and sighs*

"Bastard Russians! Well, the artillery of the Infantry divisions will sink those devil ships! Pah!"

Once the Main Army was warned, the order went out to spread out and not mover in tight knots. About 7 miles outside the city the men were ordered to leave their horses (guarded by a battalion) and move forward for two more miles. When the reached a given point they would dig in.

Further to the west, the 440000 Japanese men and the 60000 Chileans moved into the Russian Far East. They easily swept the border defenses (if any) away and continued as planned. Another four days and Vladivostok would be in Japanese hands.

When Foreign Affairs was informed that France declared war upon Germany, they immediately relaied it to Imperial Headquarters and the Defense Department. The Third Navy was informed and ordered to steam south from Hainan Dao to Indochina. Further orders would follow. The British Far East Fleet (in Singapore), the Royal Australian Navy and Great Britain proper of the French decision (if they didn't knew already) and the actions Japan would take.

Meanwhile, the following message was send to the United States of America.

To; To the Presidents Eyes Only
From; The Prime Ministers Office, Tokyo

We are sure that the United States are already informed of the most recent crisis that the world has found itself in. Due to acts of pure stupidity by certain nations a whole reaction was started, one that brought almost the entire world to war. We hope that you are wise enough (since you have no alliances whatsoever) to remain neutral and unconcerned in this war, as your policy has been for nearly 100 years.

In Name of Emperor Mutsuhito, Ruler of Japan, Korea, Formosa etc. etc.

Prime Minister Yamato Gonnohyoe

ooc. *MOD SPEAKING HERE* Since Mobilization time during WWI was 7-14 days, the called up troops (3 million Germans, 3.75 million French) will be ready next turn (tomorrow). The Germans had already mobilized 1.5 million troops. The Russians, Austria-Hungarians, Serbians, Ottomans, Chinese and Japanese were also mobilized since february.

The Chinese Emperor looked over the maps laid out in the recently built Defense Room in the Forbidden Palace, a new addition to highlight China's growing affulence and priority of defense.

He glanced at the recent comminque detailing the French declaration of war aganist Germany and smiled amid pronouncing a single word.

"Perfect."

He gazed upon the map of southern China, and grinned once again. Several ivory figures representing two Chinese Armies along the Indochinese border and a single Army near Canton / Guanzhou. The Emperor nodded to himself, and called a scribe to institute an order to be sent to his forces and generals in southern China.

The order read...

With the French attacking the Germans, they cannot hope to sustain a war both at home and abroad. This is the perfect opporunity to seize the initative and regain lands that are rightfully Chinese.

By Imperial Decree, the two Armies by the Indochinese border are to invade Indochina and 'liberate' its people from the French. The Canton / Guanzhou Army will assume defensive duties for the area between the Indochinese border and Canton / Guanzhou.

China's Mandate must be realized!

Go and seize victory in the name of Emperor Guozu!

Delivered by the Ambassador, his last act in France before he leaves for Switzerland and then via Italy home.

To the Honorable Nation of France

We regret to inform you that because of your declaration of war against Germany, who are our allies, a state of war exists between the Empire of Japan and France. We will terminate all your possesions in the Japanese Empire, which will be returned after the war. We will assist any evacuation of French citizens in the Empire and we guarantee their safety. A small compensation will be given to your citizens to pay their traveling expenses. We hope you will be as kind as we are to our citizens in the French Empire.

Once again, we regret this decision, but it has to be made. If you chose to proclaim neutrality, Japan will respect it and protect it with all it's might.

In name of Emperor Mutsuhito, Lord of Japan, Korea, Formosa etc. etc.
Prime Minister Yamato Gonnohyoe

New Strength, factoring in reserves:

Serbian Front:
50 Divisions
750,000 soldiers

Galician Front:
65 Divisions
975,000 soldiers

Carpathian defenses:
60 divisions
900,000 soldiers- strengthening defenses: which are already done, just being expanded

Romanian Border:
20 divisions
300,000 soldiers- building defenses

Spread across nation:
139 divisions
2,085,000 soldiers

ooc. Thanks Hanseastic!

French troops in Indochina, some 37,000 regular soldiers and 100,000 Indochinese levies are being called up and given French weapons and training immediately. The majority of the forces are to move to Hanoi, but forces will gather in several major cities

ooc. *MOD SPEAKING HERE* All French Forces in Metropolitan France (Mainland France) are ready for action, as are all German Forces. Some action can start soon I think :)

The Third Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy is ordered to start a blockade of Indochina. Any French or Russian Naval Ship will be attacked immediately, all Civilian Traffic will be searched and if needed the ships and cargo will be seized. The IJN advices nations to cease their trade with Indochina.

SIC. All Japanese Commercial Shipping in the Pacific is ordered to Return to Japan (Yokohama) and Formosa (Taipei). They should have returned in two weeks.

On Sakhalin the artillery has dug in fortified positions, as have the troops. A steady stream of shells is being fired at the ships, with the Dreadnoughts having priority.

The March in the Far East is advancing steadily with the capture of Vladivostok. Engineers have started construction of railroads in the rear of the advancing armies to secure the delivery of supplies.

French troops in Indochina, some 37,000 regular soldiers and 100,000 Indochinese levies are being called up and given French weapons and training immediately. The majority of the forces are to move to Hanoi, but forces will gather in several major cities

OOC:

I figure several months for these 100,000 Indochinese levies to be trained to acceptable combat proficiency. After all, training that many troops, especially while being "invaded" takes quite a bit of time, considering most frontline Regulars will have to square off aganist Chinese forces moving into Indochina, so there's fewer experienced troops to train the levies, hence the time issue.

Warta, any idea when the Indochinese Theater of Operations will start? I figure it'll be something interesting- I can handle the Indochinese campaign while you handle the Siberian one?

OOC:

I figure several months for these 100,000 Indochinese levies to be trained to acceptable combat proficiency. After all, training that many troops, especially while being "invaded" takes quite a bit of time, considering most frontline Regulars will have to square off aganist Chinese forces moving into Indochina, so there's fewer experienced troops to train the levies, hence the time issue.

Warta, any idea when the Indochinese Theater of Operations will start? I figure it'll be something interesting- I can handle the Indochinese campaign while you handle the Siberian one?

Well, you can invade at once ofcourse. The regulars will be a though nut to crack (some Foreign Legion Regiments were always in Indochina, totaling something like 5000 elite, well trained and equiped troops with a perfect moral) but they're fastly outnumbered.

The training issues quite clear. He can train 100000 troops in a week, but it will be no more than: "Ok, here's a rifle (if he has enough up-to-date rifles in Indochina that is), the bullets go in here and exit there. Beware of the enemy bullets, they kill if they hit. Good luck son!"

If France thinks and acts strategicly, 137000 men can cause a serious headache for China, Britain and Japan.

ps. I agree with me handling the Siberian Campaign and you the Indochinese one.

Emperor Guozu grunted in satisifcation at the current Chinese deployment in the "Liberation" of Indochina. His eyes wandered over the war room's map with the ivory figures positioned in different places than the last time he was there.

Several ivory figures, representing a full Chinese Army, were surrounding the city of Hanoi, with the reported French positions just outside the city. Several new figures were positioned in the water section of the map next to Indochina, representing Japanese naval assets.

The Emperor smiled as he thought to himself.

"Perfect.

It appears the majority of the French are assembled in Hanoi. If my Chinese troops are able to siege the city without actually going in the city itself, while fortifying Chinese positions around the city, French defeat is inevitable.

The plan is to cut off the city completely from any overland or sea routes, therefore depriving the troops of food, ammunition, and supplies. When the French troops start to run low on food, they will either try to break out of the city and throw themselves aganist the Chinese troops dug in around the city, or stay in the city and starve to death.

French supplies will be unable to reach Indochina via the ocean, thanks to Japanese naval assets in the South China Sea, which are blockading Indochina.

Intelligence reports indicate that the French have recruited tens of thousands of native Indochinese, but their major problem is that they lack even basic training. These troops should be easily dealt with by the second Chinese Army sweeping south through Indochina, bypassing Hanoi, where most of the French are assembled.

The Third Chinese Army is on hand along the Indochinese border, temporarily leaving Canton / Guanzhou sector lightly defended so that should the French have any success in breaking out of Hanoi, the Third Army will be on hand to reinforce the First Army surrounding Hanoi.

The French will fall, and Indochina will once again return to Chinese rule as destiny dictates."

OOC: will there be any reprecussions for training natives, or will that stuff be handled later.
IC:

The ships arrived in the Ukraine and began spreading weapons and ideas (OOC: rifles, grenades, some machine guns and mortars)

OOC: Russia has a navy in the Black Sea, attacking the Ottoman shipping - you can't just get to Ukraine

And Russia has a force and a naval presence defending Vladivostok, you can't just say it fell either

IC: French troops are mobilizing in the colonies as well

French troops in France are preparing to move out...more to come

OOC: these ships weren't exacty easy to be found, they were moving at night, hugging the cost, radio silence, and all the other things done to keep from being found. The boats are small boats or submarines

Germany begins semi-restricted submarine warfare against France (excluding only U.S. and U.K. shipping.)

Two battlecrusiers are sent to bombard French coastal towns along the eastern English Channel.

OOC: Can I get a quick ruling on the Montenegro issue?
-Italian soldiers in Montenegro demanding peaceful surrender
-Small Italian Fleet in the Adriatic
-The terms are that Montenegro will be occupied during the war but will remain independent and all Italian troops will leave the country as soon as the Austrian-Serbian War is over.

IC:
A small, beaten up truck pulled to a small campsight in southern Russia, immediately it was surrounded by men with rifles. A short, turkish man stepped out, hands in the air and the men were ordered to put away their weapons.

The comander moved close to the man and after a short conversation ordered the men with rifles to remove several large boxes from the truck.

OOC: Short, not very good, but my mind isn't really on RPing tonight. I just wanted to put something down.

Today French forces that had been training and prepping since war began have crossed the German border in response to German attacks on Russia and the Austrian attack on Serbia in order to bring down the German Empire. Factories are being switched to full war production and are being ordered to produce more heavy weaponry, small arms, and even planes as quickly as possible.

Total Forces: 172 infantry divisions
French Forces: 157 infantry divisions
Colonial Divisions: 15 divisions
Each divisions contains some 16,000 men

Logistics and Plan of attack:

Army Group I - (550,00) Based Besancon
1st Army -advancing towards Ulm, linking with 2nd Army
2nd Army - advancing towards Freiburg
3rd Army - advancing towards Mulhous

Army Group II - (900,000) Based Epinal
1st Army - advancing towards Strasbourg
2nd Army - advancing toward Karlsruhe and then to Heidelbronn
3rd Army - advancing toward Soreburg and then south to Stuttgart.

Army Group III - (800,000) Based Nancy
4th Army - advancing towards Ulm, linking with second army
5th Army - advancing toward Baden Baden and then north to Stuttgart
6th Army - advancing toward Karlsruhe and then south to Stuttgart

Army Group IV - (950,000) Based Verdun
7th Army - advancing toward Metz
8th Army - advancing toward Metz then to Mainz
9th Army - advancing toward Saarbrucken then to Manheim

The French air force is attempting to add its support by flying against targets across Southern Germany. Reserves are being put into line as soon as they are called up and prepared.

*****************************

The French Attack
The sun rose slowly into the morning sky, the pale blue of the night ending, as the final quiet chirp of grasshoppers fell into silence and the world awakened. The world shook into the light yet across the broad meadows and forested valleys something was amiss. The ordinary bustle of animals and men that crossed these lands had stopped, the sounds of day not existing as they should.

And then all became apparent as a single figure stepped out of the dark forests into the light of the morning and meadow. An officer of high rank, a soldier of many years who had seen war and would see much more. The man walked slowly forward, perhaps moving to his doom, perhaps to some glory and apocalypse unknown to himself and the world. The old officer smiled grimly, tucked in his uniform and glared at the far tree line. Raising his sword, the man turned to his troops, and raised the sword high. The universe paused. The from behind the officer, out of the forest stepped line after line of men, sharply dressed in fatigues, briskly moving. Trucks and small armoured vehicles broke the uniform line from north to south. It may have seemed to a passerbyer that the whole valley was on the move. But there were no pedestrians today. The long line of men slowly broke up, splitting into divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, companies... The officer charged ahead and the world erupted into flame.

Overhead soared the first of the experimental armada of planes, trying to make a real impact by bombing enemy positions, but often to hunt for enemy planes. And then the first explosions came, booming across the meadow and through the eardrums of many a man. Each group of men broke apart and began to surge towards a particular target, a manifestly important goal. The doom approaches, the end of the world, the war to do the deed. With a roar and explosions roaring, the men charged...

Divisions from the Luxembourg border to the north to the Swiss border to the south slammed into German positions, each divisions attempting to find the weak points and plow through the German lines. Strong points were left alone and enveloped, artillery in huge amounts fired to support the infantry and quash these places. Heavy forces attacked, attempting to reach major cities and destroy German resistance split onto two fronts. Over several hundred miles the attack commenced with some fdrggg million men attacking.

The French assault has begun.

ooc. airplanes up to this time had a scouting role only. Maybe a few small grenades or something, but large scale bombing was not really considered by most powers. Italy and Russia had done some tests RL though.

ooc. airplanes up to this time had a scouting role only. Maybe a few small grenades or something, but large scale bombing was not really considered by most powers. Italy and Russia had done some tests RL though.
Bombing more or less started in Libya, and since the Italo-Turkish wars never happened bombing would probably be set back a couple years.

OOC: sheesh, stop quiblling about such small things, I know why sukaida resigned and it is this sort of thing

And we restarting? Always right when the fun is about to start...