Can't stop the bandwagon, might as well join it.
In terms of broad strokes, the IJA increases their influence even more during the thirties, Nomonhan never quite becomes the decisive Soviet victory it was in OTL, the IJN's argument for 'Go South' is weaker than in OTL, hyper inflation hits KMT China earlier and more visibly than OTL. As the Soviets seemingly collapse in June and July 1941, the Kwantung Army feels the time is ripe to remove the threat of Communism from the Far East, the collapse of the Soviet Union ensures a stronger bargaining position against the British, Hitler has thrown in some vague promises about vast shipments of oil to flow through from the Caucauses when the Aryan and Yamato peoples shake hands across the Ob river. In mid-August, twenty Japanese divisions wander into Siberia where the Soviets are waiting for them.
Japan wasn't mentioned in July's Anglo-Soviet agreement and Britain doesn't declare war automatically, whilst future scholars will state how abysmally things are going for the Japanese expeditionary force it's not quite clear at the same time how long Soviet forces in the Far East can withstand the Japanese offensive. Molotov insists that things are in the balance on the eastern front as much as they are on the west, what is Britain going to do about it?
Of course Churchill's holding back for a reason, yes, Britain wassn't going to waste the element of surprise by immediately going to war with Japan. He loves adventure but you need to always organise the picnic before setting out. The Soviets are demanding it, the Americans quietly give their assent, the British Empire is going on the offensive in the Pacific, when the time is right of course.
I'm no naval strategist so to what extent a pre-emptive strike on the IJN by the Royal Navy is practical, or whether a further offensive is feasible, I'll leave to the experts.
Is it doable?
What would it look like?
How would it go?
In terms of broad strokes, the IJA increases their influence even more during the thirties, Nomonhan never quite becomes the decisive Soviet victory it was in OTL, the IJN's argument for 'Go South' is weaker than in OTL, hyper inflation hits KMT China earlier and more visibly than OTL. As the Soviets seemingly collapse in June and July 1941, the Kwantung Army feels the time is ripe to remove the threat of Communism from the Far East, the collapse of the Soviet Union ensures a stronger bargaining position against the British, Hitler has thrown in some vague promises about vast shipments of oil to flow through from the Caucauses when the Aryan and Yamato peoples shake hands across the Ob river. In mid-August, twenty Japanese divisions wander into Siberia where the Soviets are waiting for them.
Japan wasn't mentioned in July's Anglo-Soviet agreement and Britain doesn't declare war automatically, whilst future scholars will state how abysmally things are going for the Japanese expeditionary force it's not quite clear at the same time how long Soviet forces in the Far East can withstand the Japanese offensive. Molotov insists that things are in the balance on the eastern front as much as they are on the west, what is Britain going to do about it?
Of course Churchill's holding back for a reason, yes, Britain wassn't going to waste the element of surprise by immediately going to war with Japan. He loves adventure but you need to always organise the picnic before setting out. The Soviets are demanding it, the Americans quietly give their assent, the British Empire is going on the offensive in the Pacific, when the time is right of course.
I'm no naval strategist so to what extent a pre-emptive strike on the IJN by the Royal Navy is practical, or whether a further offensive is feasible, I'll leave to the experts.
Is it doable?
What would it look like?
How would it go?
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