Allied Japan

22 June 1941
Operation Barbarossa begins. Churchill announces aid will be sent to the USSR immediately. However, Japan, still wary of the USSR, refuses to escort any convoys, besides which Crete has depleted Force J. Ryujo is already enroute with more aircraft and fuel, while PM Yonai decides in what form Japan shall continue the war.

Late June 1941
The US announces Lend-Lease aid will be sent to the USSR and China, who has just declared war on the Axis and promises 14 divisions by the end of 1941. The timing, just as the last Japanese troops have left southern China under the 7 Powers treaty, infuriates Japan, as she has been fighting for over a year with no aid from America. Again calls are made to terminate the 2nd Anglo- Japanese Treaty, with Yonai initially supporting the calls.
Britain finally convinces both sides to cool down: Japan will receive Lend Lease (primarily raw materials), plus can spend the $1.3 billion in China instead of America. This mystifies the Americans, but readily agrees. Japan will supply 3 divisions, under the command of General Yamashita (acceptable to Britain; as he had little experience in China; Yonai, as Yamashita supported good ties with the US and Britain, and the IJA; who just wanted him out of the way) as well.

America is allowed to ship unlimited material to China and the USSR, and has the expressed goal of supplying China with 2 fighter wings and 2 bomber wings by spring 1942. Britain, desperate to relieve pressure on the Red Army (or at least grab territory while the Wermacht is busy) starts planning invasions in the Mediterranean...
 
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Japan at War: 1936-1976

"Japan's decision to spend the $1.3 billion in China seemed counterintuitive. Why strengthen Chinese industry, when the war had just ended, and might erupt at any moment? The reason was prices. Chiang, desperate for hard currency, would sell at a third of the US prices, and allow the shipments in Japanese hulls. So China industrialized, financed by her enemy..."

"China would have benefitted greatly from the peace, but for Chiang. Eager to show his allegiance to the Allies, and prove China's greatness, he sent his best 2 divisions to Egypt. Many have criticized him for not sending untrained ones, who would have been trained and equipped [for free!] by the Americans. As it was, this greatly weakened his position at home. Communists began raiding Nationalist positions, while warlords suddenly asserted their independence from Chungking once more, forcing Chiang to cut his support of 14 divisions to just 2. The Communists also launched raids into Japanese occupied China, assassinating collaborators and Japanese, proclaiming that while Chiang had signed a peace treaty with the Japanese, and was even trading with them, Mao would not give up the fight to unify all China. Although the raids did little damage, the propaganda coup was priceless. So once again, China seemed destined for continuous warfare."

The Japanese felt comfortable enough with China, and threatened enough by the US, to demobilize the troops garrisoning China by: sending 20% to Manchuria to guard against the USSR, 30% released from active duty (many stayed in China as managers of the expanding industrialization), and maintaining 40% to "support" her puppets. The 6 battleships of the North Carolina and South Dakota class were to be matched by the Yamato class (5), while the Montana's (5) were matched by the A-150 (4).

The Iowa and Alaska classes were problematic, as their high speed and numbers threatened to overwhelm any scouting force. There were thoughts to putting the guns of the Nagato and Mutsu on new hulls, but was feared such ships would be obsolete in a world of 18 and 20 inch battleships, and 2 ships would not make a difference. The compromise was 6 more of the Shokaku class aircraft carriers, 3 more Yamato's, and more Mogami's (at least 8, designed with wartime experience). Japan was to have 20 carriers of all types, including those currently in service. The strain of trying to keep up was already showing..."
 
1 Aug 1941
Force J (under the command of Ozawa, with Yamaguchi under him) has swelled with the addition of battlecruisers Hiei, Kongo, and Haruna, carriers Soryu, Ryujo and Hiryu, as well as the 4 Takao cruisers, for a total force of 3 BC, 4 CV, 1 CL, and 8 CA (the Japanese light cruisers were too old, while in the British opinion "their destroyers cannot sink a sub, shoot down a plane, nor drive off a torpedo boat" although the heavy torpedo armament was noted).
The British forces were Ark Royal, Formidable, and Illustrious (Victorious was working up, and supporting Home Fleet). The carriers Argus, Furious, Hermes, and Eagle were already loaded with crated Spitfires and Hurricanes. The KGV and POW were with Home Fleet, with DOY working up (Anson and Howe had been suspended on favor of higher priority construction), so the British could only spare 3 QE's and 3 R class battleships, plus Renown and Repulse (Hood was getting refitted), plus many light cruisers and destroyers and auxiliaries.

With the 3 Japanese, 2 Chinese, and 12 Commonwealth divisions, the pressure to invade was immense. Fearful of attacking the mainland and losing, Sicily was targeted (with plans drawn up for withdrawal just in case). The fearful losses suffered by the Red Army (leading many to believe surrender is imminent) force the Allies into a huge gamble. The invasion is planned for Aug 10, 1941, hoping that the veterans and air superiority will allow a victory. The Japanese will take the SE beach, Britain the middle (moving westward), and China the extreme left (no one would allow the Asian forces within artillery range of each other).
 
10 Aug 1941

4 am
The Japanese begin their assault. Although there is much confusion due to the darkness, the benefits of catching the Italians unaware outweighed any losses. Having no dedicated amphibious craft, the soldiers must disembark into small boats, while several ships intentelly beach themselves to unload artillery. The carriers start preparing the planes for a long day...
Dawn sees the British and Chinese landing, and with dedicated craft everything goes smoothly. Matildas quickly end any Italian opposition, while overhead planes wait for targets. The oddest sight, if one had time to notice, was a pair of Chinese junks, used to transport troops due to their shallow draft.

3pm
Rome
Mussolini is panicked; the invasion threatens to topple his regime. Oh, and lead to Italy's defeat. The resolution is to not inform the Germans, as Hitler's victories contrasted with Mussolini's defeats would cause social unrest. Attempts to cross the Straits of Messina are thwarted, as British and Japanese bombers, subs, and light naval units try to close the sea. Italian efforts, while not enough to reopen it, is still fierce, causing heavy casualties.

12 Aug 1941
Hitler finally finds out about Sicily, and is furious. He orders 50,000 troops from the Russian front, and an additional 25,000 from Norway, to retake the Island. The only reason why the island is still in play is the Chinese and Japanese lack enough heavy firepower or trucks to advance quickly, while the British stick to their timetable. The IJN bombs in Japanese areas (using colored smoke to signal), while Zeros fly cover over the Japanese and British fronts. The British provide cover and bombing runs for the Chinese, allowing her flanks to ignore each other.

18 Aug 1941
Messina falls to Yamashita, due to stealing any transport they can (even bicycles) and recklessly attacking at every opportunity. Axis propaganda had previously depicted the Japanese as vicious rapists who murder POWs, leading to low morale among the Italians, while the ever-present IJN planes (due to long loiter time) attack with impunity. O'Conner would have easily taken the city, but was forced to help out the Chinese.

The 75,000 German troops are pending reassignment, as Hitler wonders if Britain will foolishly attack the continent. He demands that Russian be defeated by winter so the mighty Werhmacht can be redeployed.
 
20 Aug 1941

Using the new airbases, and the massive forces still present, the Allies launch twin attacks on Corsica (with De Gaulle's iconic wading ashore and "Napoleon, we have returned!") and Sardinia, capturing both within a few days. Although of dubious military value, and not distracting the Germans at all, the news is wildly celebrated in Britain and France.

Japan at War: 1936-1976
"Operation Peacock [invasion of Sicily] went well, due more to Italian deficiencies than Allied prowess. The number captured was lighter than expected, due to the Straits of Messina being closed, although risking German intervention to capture more would be foolish. With the Free French [left out of Sicily due to limited shipping] agitating for an assault, operations Fish (Sardinia) and Chips (Corsica) were launched simultaneously to keep the Axis off guard. Due to politics, the Japanese provided cover for Sardinia, and British and Japanese soldiers took the island. After Mers-el-Kebir, and the Japanese and British occupation of Indochina, neither could set foot on Corsica. So the British provided air support, while Free French took the island alone. The fact that Napoleon’s birthplace was secure from all aggressors caused a national celebration in Vichy France, which authorities only partially muted."
 
Sep 1941

Having not threatened any French colony that would not declare Free in the previous year, a combined British/Free French force now forces all colonies to declare for (the) Free French. Most, like Syria and Algiers, declare under duress (the British moved the 3 Japanese and 2 Chinese divisions to Libya, the former due to "possible misunderstandings" with civilians, the latter due to inadequate training with their equipment), while at Dakar a short, vicious fight ends with Vichy surrender.
The French ship Richelieu sails for Britain for fitting out, using material for the cancelled Howe and Anson. Force Y (4 Mogami's, under Admiral Yamaguchi's command) arrive at Scapa Flow. After acclimatization, Yamaguchi begins a harsh training program, only sailing in heavy seas or misty conditions.
 
There are 2 things stopping the Nationalists: the IJA and Chiang. He will be sending his best troops to Europe, weakening his power at home. ASB? He seemed to place his hope on the West, and this would give him Lend Lease. He did sacrifice his best soldiers in the Battle of Shanghai. It doesn't seem out of character for him to make a mistake like this.

Japan is not withdrawing from China; the coastal regions off Taiwan are evacuated, while most Chinese territory is under Wang Jingwei's "control" (meaning Japanese explotation, with Japanese soldiers stationed).

If you can have a better treaty, I will retcon it in.

Uh, this doesn't make sense either. Why would he be sending troops to Europe when his mortal enemies (the Japanese and the Chinese Communists) are right next to him?

And if the Japanese aren't withdrawing from Wang Jingwei's territory, there is no end to the war in China. The Japanese will still be fighting guerillas in the countryside, and Jiang will go on the offensive instead if he senses weakness. For many (if not most, or even almost all) of the Chinese and the Japanese, the Second Sino-Japanese War was a struggle of national survival. For the hardliners on both sides (who are in control at the time), the war in China ends only when either the Japanese are in Chongqing or when the Nationalists run the Japanese out of the Chinese mainland (Manchuria might be a different story).

You can't retcon anything in, yet, until you get a good explanation for why the Japanese government would withdraw from China besides "Prime Minister Yonai said so, and high-ranking officials agree with him."
 
Japan, even Allied to Great Britain, can't really build that many Battleships, Yamato and the next generation, without more capital and steel...

She would have to divert enough of her economy and industrial strength in building destroyers, cruisers and more carriers as she slowly realize the benefits that what a good Carrier with its Air Wing can do to enemy Taskforces without any air support...

especially since she is fighting with and among side with her British Allies...

And she most definitely need to build up their Merchant Fleet
 
Agree

Japan, even Allied to Great Britain, can't really build that many Battleships, Yamato and the next generation, without more capital and steel...

She would have to divert enough of her economy and industrial strength in building destroyers, cruisers and more carriers as she slowly realize the benefits that what a good Carrier with its Air Wing can do to enemy Taskforces without any air support...

especially since she is fighting with and among side with her British Allies...

And she most definitely need to build up their Merchant Fleet


You and I both realize that. America will laugh and just build Tillmans and Midways. Japan is trying to be a superpower on, at least in this time, a Great Power budget. Even on a war footing, she will lose. The only question is whether it is like OTL or like the USSR's fall (although faster).
 
Uh, this doesn't make sense either. Why would he be sending troops to Europe when his mortal enemies (the Japanese and the Chinese Communists) are right next to him?

And if the Japanese aren't withdrawing from Wang Jingwei's territory, there is no end to the war in China. The Japanese will still be fighting guerillas in the countryside, and Jiang will go on the offensive instead if he senses weakness. For many (if not most, or even almost all) of the Chinese and the Japanese, the Second Sino-Japanese War was a struggle of national survival. For the hardliners on both sides (who are in control at the time), the war in China ends only when either the Japanese are in Chongqing or when the Nationalists run the Japanese out of the Chinese mainland (Manchuria might be a different story).

You can't retcon anything in, yet, until you get a good explanation for why the Japanese government would withdraw from China besides "Prime Minister Yonai said so, and high-ranking officials agree with him."

Only 2 IJA divisions are in Europe. Most remain in China. You are correct on the guerillas... Mao is rapidly expanding his powerbase as the only true government of China. Jiang is rebuilding with US Lendlease; Mao with Soviet. By 1944 at least, the war will re-erupt. This is not a real peace, nor a "white" peace of exhaustion. It is a ceasefire. Some generals had realized the "6 month war" was unwinnable.

The IJA is trying to outbuild China on land, the IJA the US on the sea. There has been no "Night of the Long Knives" so the militarists are still in power. My current sketch is guerrillas raiding IJA puppets, Jiang will strike in 1944, (using the time to remove warlords), and will slowly push the IJA out. Then Mao, using spare T-34's (I think Germany will be done by 1944, perhaps even 1943; not sure). So Jiang gets Shanghai, Mao Manchuria, meeting in the middle. No idea if Japan can hold onto Korea; if Jiang attacks Mao then maybe.

The fictional book has 40 years of war since I think Japan will have that. With a worse grind thru France, France cannot hold onto South Indochina; this means the Vietcong may launch raids north (irony!). Taiwan might get prefecture (spelling?) status, Korea unknown (rascism vs progressive values...). After being smashed out of China, Japan faces its own Vietnam, with an option on an Algierian revolt, possibly apartheid with embargoes. This is a TL where Japan helps the Allies, but tries keeping China. They do not win...
 
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