Iron Cross

It was abnormal to propose such a motion, and it was even unprecedented, because the Japanese army traditionally did not attach importance to logistics. The navy was slightly stronger, but only slightly better than the army. This lack of attention was not only reflected in the fact that there had never been a complete plan for logistics and supplies in large-scale wars, but also in the lack of a mature escort and transportation system. There was no talent to manage the overall escort - only officers who were looked down upon or banished to the cold palace would do logistics.

If the Combined Fleet had not had the strong support of Germany and Italy and Hori Teikichi's foresight in logistics, the combat effectiveness would have been at least half discounted when it went to Europe and the United States. In addition, the German side attached great importance to logistics - the second-in-command of the General Staff was not the deputy chief of staff in charge of operations, but the deputy chief of staff in charge of military supplies (the first military supplies director), and even the Eastern Front Military Supplies Director appointed Schmont, the head of state's confidant, which showed the degree of attention. It deeply touched the Combined Fleet and brought this idea back to the country.

Now the Combined Fleet not only attaches importance to logistics and transportation, but also proposes to integrate anti-submarine, air defense, escort, communication, and dispatch. All the ideas that were not dared to be thought of before have been proposed - there is also a vague intention to fit Hori Teikichi's reform ideas. Although the conservatives disagree, the situation is stronger than people, and the situation cannot be ignored by everyone - transport ships are often loaded with industrial products and weapons and equipment from Europe. What if one ship sinks?

From Hori Teikichi onwards, escort is now highly valued. Lieutenant General Kurita Takeo, who successfully completed the escort mission during the entire expedition, ranks very high in the list of meritorious service, probably second only to major combat generals such as Tsukahara and Kakuda. This move is even more impressive, and even Kurita himself is deeply surprised. Hori Teikichi also personally talked to him and said that he would promote the establishment of the Nanyang Escort Operations Command, hoping to take charge of all his air, submarine, aviation, and electrical affairs, and be in charge of the entire route from Europe to the Far East. This is a great use, even more important than being the fleet commander. Although it is not up to Hori Teikichi to decide whether such a command can be established and whether institutional reform can be promoted, Kurita Takeo, who blindly believes in his superior, promised him that he must have a way.

Now the proposal to build 48 escort aircraft carriers in one go has quickly gained consensus. The difference lies in how to build them and what to use.

While the meeting was still discussing what civilian ships to use to convert escort aircraft carriers, Prince Fushimi Hiroyoshi had already left the meeting early on the pretext of being unwell. Today's scene made him fully understand that he had lost the control of the meeting. Hori Teikichi and Yamamoto Isoroku joined forces and sang the same tune to maximize the influence of the aviation faction. After losing the support of the Combined Fleet, the fleet faction became a tree without roots and water without a source, but no one expected that it would be so defeated in the shipbuilding plan. Not to mention that the fleet faction had no share in the main battleships, even light warships and auxiliary warships began to lean towards the aviation faction.

Looking at the "Outline for the Implementation of the Marushin Plan", the fleet faction was almost labeled "outdated" and withdrew from the stage of history:

1. The main battleships only built aircraft carriers, and the aviation faction occupied an absolute dominant position;

2. Emphasis was placed on allocating a part of the shipbuilding budget to the aviation budget, and the aviation faction benefited completely;

3. Light warships emphasized air defense and anti-submarine, abandoning the heavy torpedo equipment that had always been insisted on, but the aviation faction still accounted for the majority;

4. It was determined to vigorously build submarines and develop anti-shipping, but the fleet faction never attached importance to the role of submarines;

5. Vigorously build standard escort aircraft carriers. The army and navy reached a consensus to use the TL-type 10,000-ton wartime standard oil tanker as the basis for transformation. The class was changed to the special escort aircraft carrier, with a standard displacement of more than 10,000 tons, a 132-meter-long deck, and a power of 9,000 horsepower. The maximum speed is 18.5 knots, and 10 aircraft can be carried on the deck.

Since the capture of the US military's fast tankers and several 20,000-ton high-speed tankers from Europe, the Combined Fleet has looked down on the slow and light-loaded domestic tankers, and believed that they could all be used for transformation. However, Japan is quite self-aware and knows that the TL-type 10,000-ton wartime standard oil tanker is too far behind the United States. It is impossible to obtain combat effectiveness similar to the Borg class, let alone the Casablanca class. Therefore, the combat mission assigned to it is mainly anti-submarine, followed by transportation.

Both are 10,000-ton escort aircraft carriers, but the Borg-class can carry 28 aircraft, while the special-type escort aircraft carrier, which can carry only 10 aircraft, can only carry one-third of its opponent. However, because Japan is very dependent on the supply of crude oil in the South China Sea, the freed-up tonnage can be used to transport oil, and each special-type aircraft carrier can transport an additional 8,000-9,000 tons of fuel. According to the new tactical research guidelines, fast and capable escort aircraft carriers such as Taiying and Chongying will become the core of the escort aircraft carrier team, called escort leaders, and special-type escort aircraft carriers will form a high-low match with them.

When the combined fleet returned this time, the Shipbuilding Headquarters was also happily preparing to survey and map the construction of new large tankers imitating the fast tankers of the US military - with the increase in mechanized equipment and naval ships, Japan's domestic demand for Borneo oil has become more urgent. In addition to introducing patented coal liquefaction technology from Germany and improving the level of liquefied oil, it is doing everything possible to tap the oil production in the south. Large tankers must be built. There are ready-made templates to refer to, so why not?

Another spillover effect brought about by the return of the Combined Fleet and the new Maru plan was the interruption of the Japanese Navy's tank construction plan - that's right! Historically, the Army built aircraft carriers and the Navy built tanks. The Japanese Empire was so willful. Now with the import channel of Germany, as long as you pay, you can buy high-end products such as the Type 4 and Tiger. There are even more inferior Type 3, Italian tanks, and French tanks. In addition, they are still trying to localize the T-34. Both the Army and the Navy look down on their original broken assets. Since the Army readily handed over the aircraft carrier to the Navy, the Navy also returned the favor and stuffed all the finished and semi-finished tanks it built to the Army - the official name is the Special Type 2 Inner Fire Boat.

This 9-ton thing is actually better than some of the Army's rags - such as the Type 95 light tank, but the Army's vision is also high now, and these things are not worth looking at. But the Army is used to suffering and is reluctant to be recycled as scrap steel. After a thought, all domestic sales were transferred to exports and put on the list of military exports to China. Now arms exports to China are a big business. French mortars, Italian infantry guns, rifles from various European countries, Japanese or Italian tanks, and airplanes are everywhere. As long as you are willing to pay, it's fine, and you can even use supplies to compensate. The last time the army sold arms directly in Indochina, all went into the hands of the local power groups of the Nationalist government. The next export target is the CCP armed forces that control the north of the Yellow River - the balance cannot be broken.

The General Staff Headquarters has made statistics. After conversion, the weapons, ammunition and equipment exported to China can equip about 200,000 to 250,000 people. The CCP armed forces are relatively poor and only bought less than a quarter. The rest were all bought by the Nationalist government's central army and local power groups. Recently, the two sides have been on the verge of a fight and have been constantly attacking each other. In addition, the supply of American arms from India has been greatly reduced, and the arms market is bullish. The top leaders of the Chinese Expeditionary Army are ready to make the business bigger.

The General Staff has clear standards for the transfer of senior officers: those who are not smart but still cooperate will be transferred to the reserve after returning to China and being promoted one level; those who resist openly or secretly will be sent to guard islands in the South Pacific; those who are smart, quick to change direction, and good at business will either be sent to India to make meritorious deeds or be responsible for expanding arms sales. Although some people use this to attack Ishihara Kanji for abusing power, with Prince Higashikuni Norihiko around, no one can touch him.

In addition, the war in India is progressing smoothly, tons of gold have been obtained, and a large number of new heavy equipment have been obtained. The appointment of Yamashita Tomoyuki and the acceleration of the Indian strategy have been proven to be completely correct, and Deputy Minister Ishihara's reputation is at its peak. In the face of reality, the concepts of the middle-level officers of the China Expeditionary Force are also changing dramatically, and those who have connections are trying to transfer to India to get promoted and make money.

Some good things were reluctant to be exported, such as the Soviet-style TT-33 pistols, which were obtained in several thousand this time. After seeing them, Japanese officers generally believed that they were better than the Nambu pistols they were equipped with, and would rather use Soviet-made pistols than Nambu pistols. The Army Ministry, which obeyed public opinion, quickly ordered officers to decide whether to replace them or not. All the replaced Nambu pistols were dumped at low prices to the Siamese, Chinese and Indian national governments.

In shipbuilding, the fleet faction had completely lost its power and could not struggle, but it finally saved a little face in the torpedo tactic: in addition to submarines, according to the cooperation agreement between Japan and Germany, Germany will give Japan 12 S boats, which can also be sold to Japan at the same time, and the cost will be paid from the special submarine credit. In order to take care of the face of the fleet faction, Yamamoto proposed to purchase an additional 24 S boats, a total of 36 boats including the donated ones, and Hori Teikichi also agreed.

Officers with frontline combat experience all know that although the S-boat has good combat effectiveness, its range is too short, and it is unlikely to accompany the fleet in the ocean. It is very good for defending islands and short-term assaults in various parts of the South Pacific. Rather than being a pack of wolves in a torpedo attack, it is better to say that it is a defensive vanguard. This is obviously not even a comfort for the fleet faction with a huge appetite and always insisting on attacking.

On October 9, under the premise of the determination of the principles and policies, the Navy Headquarters submitted a complete "Marushin Plan" and budget. Almost all the clauses followed the meaning of the meeting. The only additional clause was that in view of the lack of water-based aircraft carriers, the 17,000-ton Shenwei was planned to be converted into a new water-based aircraft carrier to be used in conjunction with the Nissin.

According to the new plan, starting from Showa 19 (1944), all old shipbuilding plans except those started on the slipway will be abolished, and a new round of plans with aircraft carriers, air defense, and anti-submarine as the core will be fully implemented. Including the reconstruction of warships, it is planned to invest 11.7 billion yen in 5 years to build (reconstruct, purchase) 1.89 million tons of various warships.

Although the fleet faction was defeated in this round of shipbuilding meeting, Prince Fushimi Hiroyoshi was very patient. In a few days, he will hold a high-level meeting to discuss personnel, promotions, and the next combat direction. He is still thinking about how to restrain Hori Teikichi, but he never expected that the other party actually submitted a reform proposal to Hirohito directly on October 11, which immediately caused a thousand waves...