Rising Sun
From Alternative History
Contents |
[edit] 1942
[edit] Battle of Midway
Before the Battle of Midway, at the Battle of Coral Sea, the Yorktown was sunk by Japanese fighters and caused the number of Americans present at the battle of Midway to be reduced by a third.
Furthermore, the clear air superiority of the Japanese Mitsubishi Zero fighter gave the Japanese forces a near-unfair advantage. Also, the US Divebombers were unable to locate the Japanese carriers before running out of fuel and had to return to the Enterprise to refuel. This gave the Japanese enough time to mobilize their panes and strike at the American fleet, sinking the Enterprise and severely damaging the Hornet. Admiral Spruance is killed in the aerial bombardment on his flagship.
As far as air battles are concerned, the Zero fighters ripped apart the slower Wildcat fighters of the Americans. The US forces were forced to retreat, thus giving the Japanese control of Midway, destroying the US Pacific Fleet, and sealing the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
[edit] Post-Battle
Soon afterwards, in July of 1942, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto successfully led the Japanese invasion of Samoa and Fiji. This was coupled with Admiral Chiuchi's strike on the Aleutian Islands, which was also a success. American resistance in both cases was severely limited by the loss of the remainder of its naval power at Midway.
[edit] Invasion of Hawaii
From August 30th to September 7th of 1942, Japan carried out its invasion of Hawaii. The battle was long and arduous, as many American forces were still stationed on the islands, but the lack of logistical support from mainland America and the overwhelming numbers of the surrounding Japanese fleet caused the Americans to quickly lose ground. The last American troops surrendered in Maui on September 7th, 1942. In total, 6,000 Americans were lost in the Battle of Hawaii.
Forced to the negotiations table after losing the territory of Hawaii and the Aleutian Islands, Japanese and American forces agree to meet in Ottawa, Canada in order to discuss a cease-fire. Meanwhile, America is frantically attempting to rebuild its Pacific fleet, and Japan is consolidating its forces in preparation for further attacks.
[edit] 1943
[edit] Treaty of Ottawa
On January 14th, 1943, The Americans and the Japanese sign a cease-fire agreement in Ottawa. The Japanese pledge to cease attacks on American soil and return the Aleutian Islands if it can retain control of Hawaii. The US reluctantly agrees to this, and the US representative at the talks, Harry Truman, is welcomed home as a hero.
[edit] Japanese Consolidation
Meanwhile, Japan is busy consolidating and solidifying its power in the Pacific. On February 2nd, Japanese forces destroyed the last remaining resistance on the island of New Guinea, leaving Australia and New Zealand vulnerable to attack. Australia calls on the United States for aid, but the US does not wish to fight a naval battle with so few remaining ships. Instead, America sends 10,000 infantry troops that will fight under the Australian flag in the event of a Japanese invasion.
[edit] Invasion of Australia
On April 22nd, 1943, the Japanese made twin landings at Weipa and Darwin In the Northern region of Australia. The Australian Defense Forces were ill-prepared for the ruthless and determined Japanese forces and were quickly forced out of the majority of Queensland and the Northern Territory within weeks. Aid from United States forces at this time was sadly limited, as they were confined to protecting Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne on the southeastern coast. The only true resistance met by Japanese forces in the western part of Australia occured at Perth, but was quickly subdued by a Japanese naval bombardment of the city. In the major cities, the fighting was more intense. The US garrisons would not give up their posts as easily as the ADF. However, a lack of supplies and support forced the US and ADF forces back to a small area surrounding the capital city, Canberra.
[edit] The 11th Hour
When Great Britain heard of the Japanese invasion of Australia, the Queen was outraged. How could this occur in the Commonwealth? An Executive Order was issued by the Prime Minister that 25,000 Indian troops be sent to Australia in order to combat the Japanese menace. On July 15th, 1943, the first Indian Troops landed in Perth, successfully retaking the city. The Indians continued to push on eastward, retaking much of the Western Territory. By September, Australia was split between the Japanese-occupied territory in the east and the British-occupied territory in the west, with the Australian government temporarily serving in Perth.
[edit] The Christmas Agreement
On Christmas Day, 1943, British, Australian and Japanese delegates met in Adelaide and signed a temporary cease-fire, which was effective until a permanent treaty could be decided upon. The United States was also reprimanded for its actions at the meeting and was forced to pay $500 million in war reparations, even though no American representatives had been present at the meeting.
[edit] 1944
[edit] Treaty of Beijing
On February 19th, 1944, Japanese, Australian, and British officials met in Beijing in order to decide upon a permanent peace treaty. One week later, one February 26th, they signed the Treaty of Beijing. In the treaty, Japan agreed to return sovereign control of Australia. However, both Britain and Australia had to recognize the annexations of Japan up to that point. Britain also had to surrender control of Hong Kong to the Japanese, and Australia had to surrender control of Christmas Island to them as well. With the exception of Australia and New Zealand, Japan now controlled the entire Pacific Ocean.
