Hello everybody,
Well, break time is over, time to get back to work.
November 1, 1940 - Imperial Japanese Navy Headquarters, Tokyo, Japan
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto looked at the officers gathered in the conference room. “Gentlemen, the Emperor has given his consent to the initiation of hostilities with the United States, the British Empire, and the Netherlands. The plan remains unchanged at this time.
The Kido Butai will depart as scheduled for the attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, while other units of the Navy will move south to support the Army’s operations against the Philippines and the British and Dutch colonial possessions in the southwest Pacific. Finally, the Naval Special Landing Forces will complete the occupation of Wake Island, the Gilbert Islands, and other places necessary to the creation of our defensive frontier.”
“Sir, what of the reports that the British have been reinforcing their defenses at Singapore and in Australia? The defeats inflicted in the last year upon the German and Italian navies have allowed them to move men, materiel, and ships from the war in Europe to face any moves we will make. Does this change the plan?”
“No, Admiral Nagumo, it does not. I too have read those reports, the ships being sent to Singapore have been cruisers and smaller, no capital ships or aircraft carriers have been seen. As for the troop reinforcements, they are of no concern to us, only to the Army. Once you have smashed the American fleet, we shall be free to turn our full attention to the south. It is unlikely that Britain will be able to move any substantial naval forces into the area before we have accomplished our objectives.”
“Has there been any change in the disposition of the American fleet?”
“None that have been reported at this time. The Americans have moved their entire Pacific Fleet to Hawaii. This has been confirmed by agents there. Reconnaissance flights over the other planned targets report no changes as well.”
“So, we have the British and American forces accounted for.”
“Indeed, Admiral Nagumo, we do.”
One of the junior staff officers stood up. “Sirs, with all due respect, I believe there is one force we may be overlooking.”
“What force is that, Captain Takeda?” asked Yamamoto.
“The Republic of Texas, sir.” The other junior officers shook their heads, not believing that he would bring up that again. “They are allies of Britain, and their naval and land forces played an important part in the defeats suffered by Germany and Italy. They will almost certainly commit forces to the Pacific once hostilities have begun out here.”
One of the other staff officers asked “Why are they a concern? Texas is a small nation, and by all reports their total naval strength is pitiful. They have no battleships, only two aircraft carriers and some over-gunned cruisers, all of which, as reported by our naval attache there, are currently undergoing overhaul, and they are not expected to return to service until the middle of 1942.”
“True, but they are rapidly building their strength. The same report also says that they have three new heavy cruisers and three fast carriers fitting out, expected to commission no later than January 1942, with four more of each on the builder’s ways now. By the middle of next year, their carrier strength will nearly equal ours. This means that even if we catch the American carriers in port when Admiral Nagumo attacks, within six months we will be facing an equivalent carrier threat.”
Nagumo said “Perhaps that is true, Captain Takeda, but since my attack is expected to so shock the Americans that it will cause them to sue for peace, I consider it unlikely that the Texans will seek war with us. They will see the futility of facing our fleet and refuse. And even if they do choose to fight, as stated it will be at least six months, likely more, before they can even get into the area of the conflict. We shall have achieved our goals by then, and will have secured our defensive perimeter against any who wish to attack us.”
Yamamoto stood and said “I agree with Admiral Nagumo. The matter is closed. Good day, gentlemen.”
After they had left the conference room one of the other staff officers stopped Takeda. “Fool! Why do you insist on airing your ill-founded theories in front of the Commander-in-Chief?”
“It is my duty to the Emperor to provide my superiors with the best information I have, so that they may best carry out their duties.”
“Your obsession with Texas has destroyed your career, Takeda. Ever since that incident off the French coast in 1937, you have done nothing but talk about that pitiful, worthless nation. It has cost you command of Ashigara and your chance at flag rank. Why? They are nothing!”
“As we once were, Kenji. You are right, I have spent a great deal of time studying the Texans, because in them I see a similar warrior spirit to our own. They will not be shocked into seeking terms, they will be the ones dictating them.”
Copyright 2024 D.A. Brock
