Time Slip Reiwa Japan

088 - China Upheaval - 7

The Japanese government, recognizing the escalating possibility of conflict between the United States and China over China's northern border (Southern Mongolia) – a collision course, conducted an analysis. As a result, it was concluded that the US would undoubtedly achieve its objectives but that the war itself would be long-term. This conclusion was based on an analysis of the historical events and progress of the Sino-Japanese War. While the United States boasts a national power far surpassing that of the former Japanese Empire, Japan could not be optimistic about a war between the United States and China. War is not merely about national power; it is an action taken with the adversary. It is not something that can be ended unilaterally.

The time of the Sino-Japanese War was a good precedent. No matter how Japan tried to invade, the Chinese Nationalist government, which had decided to retreat, continued to flee, and the war's desired conclusion was never achieved. Japan provided this information to the US, conveying the difficulties of a war with China. Nevertheless, the American perspective on the war was extremely optimistic, stating that there was no need for total war (total mobilization).

The Japanese government, along with the Republic of Guam (USFJ), was also perplexed by this. From Japan's perspective, which had the region facing off against the Soviet Union (Siberian Republic), a prolonged war could potentially destabilize the Frontier Republic (the vulnerable underbelly of the Siberian Republic), which was undesirable. Therefore, Japan decided to support the US in achieving an early victory in the war and offered this support through Guam (USFJ). *1

The United States, upon receiving the offer, was somewhat perplexed by Japan's serious attitude, despite it being a war against China (a reboot, a wonderful little war). However, if support could be obtained, they accepted the offer Details of the cooperation would ultimately be consolidated into the 1942 Japan-US Eurasian Cooperation Agreement. *2

. . .

United States

The US began the accumulation of troops and war materials. In 1940, they planned to prepare a mechanized force of up to 100.000 troops, similar to the full-scale forces used in the Great Manchurian Exercise. In earnest, the US was a nation where it would be easy to mobilize up to a million troops if necessary, but that was only possible under a total mobilization regime. However, this time, the US government did not intend to go that far. *3

The US Army planned to deploy only the fully equipped 11th Mechanized Division, which was stationed in the Frontier Republic and was completely full, and to leave the numerical main force to the Frontier Republic. In other words, the Frontier Republic already possessed such military strength. These three mechanized divisions were elite infantry units and permanent formations, each consisting of four infantry regiments, totaling around 20.000 troops. They were classified as heavy divisions and had achieved complete automation of their entire units with equipment such as half-tracks and trucks.

Anti-tank units were not overlooked either, with about one regiment of M2 tanks and M3 self-propelled artillery units attached. These were formidable units that had no shortcomings compared to regular divisions of major powers. In addition to these, the permanent divisions included two more in the Frontier Republic: One was an armored division, equipped with three tank regiments equipped with M2 and M3 tanks and one mechanized infantry regiment with half-tracks. The other was an automated division, although it was called a division in name, it was actually a border security force, with its main force being light infantry units capable of rapid deployment with trucks and jeeps. *4

The US planned to achieve a decisive victory over China, which was primarily composed of lightly equipped infantry, with approximately 100.000 troops from the four Frontier Republic divisions and the 11th Mechanized Division, with little mechanization. Although there were seven reserve infantry divisions in the Frontier Republic, the US did not plan to mobilize them.