Republic of Japan AU

History of the Republic Of Japan (former Empire of the Fuso, Empire of the Japan)
#01 Naval Strenght of the Fuso Empire:
Battleships & Battlecruisers
Strenght of the Fuso navy WWII:

(unlike the real Empire of Japan, Fuso Empire had more ships and submarines on its disposal, it suffer great losses during the war mostly in larger battles as unlike real life Japanese(fuso) forces would retreat from area that couldnt hold thus loosing less soliders, ships and planes).

With expansion of Fuso Empire navy grown larger then it was originally intent to be. After 1922 Washington treaty Fuso Empire rejected any onther treaties and refuse to sign anything that would keep its naval power from growing. Large project of fleet expansion was created and with expansion into China, Philipines and other areas navy grow faster then western powers believed it would be possible.

Composition of the Fuso navy (WWII):

Battleships: 16
There were sixteen battleships in service during WWII with Fuso navy, in seven classes.

Kawachi class: Two ships in class: Kawachi and Settsu. These class was considered oldest of all battleships in service during WWII. Unlike some other battleship and battlecruiser classes from this time, Kawachi was at the time of Battle of Pearl harbor mostly used as training class. Although two ships recieved modifications on its propulsion and armor, weapon systems remain more or less the same. Their original speed was about 21 knots with upgrades class could go only three knots faster 24 knots. It was slow ship for the 1940's. For most of the war these two ships remain in Fuso waters, with exception of Settsu which had smaller trips to Manila and Hong Kong. Kawachi spend entire war time without firing one shot from its cannons, while Settsu did engage American PT boats.

After the case fire in November of 1945, Kawachi was retired from service and scrapped in 1947 while Settsu was given to USSR as war reparation.

Fuso class: Two ships in class: Fuso and Yamashiro. Fuso and Yamashiro were probably well known for their pagoda style masts (highest masts in the Fuso navy). These ships were well armed and armored but slow. Both ships had long carrers and participate in several important battles during the WWII. Fuso and Mutsu were shiops that bomb Manila, Hong Kong and several other cities during Fuso empire expansion in 1930's. None of these two ships survived the war. Fuso and several other ships including sister ships Yamashiro were engaged by American forces in Surigao Strait in 1944 with help of escorting destroyer squadrons and several submarines that were deployed to rescue the battlegroup Yamashiro manage to break and escape with few other ships, however Fuso itself was sunk during the battle. This was great hit as the ship that carried the proud name of Fuso was sunk. American forces also saw losses (four destroyers and light cruiser) but lighter then Fuso navy.

As part of case fire Japanese many of surviving ships to other nations as war reparations. Yamashiro was handed to United States. However ship was sold back to Japanese scrapping companies in early 1947 and scrapping work started in late 1947 and was finished by the end of next year.

Ise class: Two ships in class: Ise and Hyuga. These two ships were essentially upgraded variants of the Fuso class battleships, although during heavy upgrades in 1930's Ise and Hyuga recieved slightly different look then upgraded variant of the Fuso. Ise's saw less combat during first three years of the war, most of the combat they saw during 1944 and 1945. Ise recieved upgrade in 1944 which removes some of aft guns and adds small flight deck. This so called Hybrid battleship-carrier experiment was proved relativly sucess however planes that take off from Ise couldnt land back on it, so they were forced either to land to real aircraft carrier or land air base or if none of these was available then land on water and get picked by escorts. Hyuga recieved same modifications in late 1944. Both ships survived the war but badly damaged and were eventually scrapped between 1946 and 1948.

Nagato class: Two ships in class: Nagato and Mutsu. At the time of their launch Nagato's were considered to be strongest and heaviest battleships in the world. Both Nagato and Mutsu saw some extensive battle during the WWII. Nagato was the flagship of Fuso battlegroup that attacked Pearl Harbor under command of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Even after Yamato was finished, Yamamoto remain on board the Nagato having it as its flagship. Nagato saw many other battles including the Ambush near Davao in 1943. Fuso battlegroup consisting of battleships Yamato, Nagato, Tosa and Teshio plus two carriers, four heavy cruisers and six destroyers ambush American fleet, this was known as Davao Ambush. American fleet consist of two battleships (USS Idaho and USS West Virginia), two heavy cruisers (USS Santa Fe and USS Montpelier), one heavy cruiser (USS Minneapolis) and seven destroyers. American fleet believed due false informations provided by Fuso empire that small fleet of two battleships and few destroyers would pass near Davao, without any aircraft carriers or aircraft support. Not wanting to confirm this and wait for aircraft carrier group as support Admiral Johannsen moved foward to intercept the Fuso fleet. Once close to Davao, Fuso Air Force attacked the American fleet causing heavy damage on some ships but this was only to occupy Americans long enough before fleet could came to firing range, once in range Fuso's battleships and cruisers open fire. Both battleships, heavy cruiser and three destroyers were sunk in less then seven minutes while remaining ships escaped. 34th destroyer squadron was aproaching from oposite side and was ready to initiate torpedo attack on escaping American ships together with three submarines that join the battle, however on order from Fleet Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto attack was cancelled.

The young captain of one of American destroyers recalled later that some of sailors that observed the sea during retreat noticed Fuso's destroyers and one sailor could swear he saw periscop to. However no torpedo came, and destroyers never came closer. This is what he write later (as part of his report). "Information on enemy forces were wrong, there was more firepower from both air and sea then what we except. Admiral Johannsen moved into attack believing that with one strike we can neutralize the enemy fleet, he was wrong and he payed with his life. We manage to escape only to find that we were surrounded by Fuso navy, however destroyers that we spoted as well submarine - there was for sure more then one, never attacked us. We manage to escaped only because commander of Fuso navy let us go.. During the hearing after the war Fleet Admiral Yamamoto did confirm the young captain story I commanded many battles in this terrible war, on question why did i let enemy go, i didnt saw need to eliminate it, we had domination in sea and air, few destoyers and two damaged cruisers are no longer represent any threat.

Unlike her sister Mutsu which blow up due internal explosion in Hong Kong harbor - it was later concluded that ammunition that Mutsu recieved has serious flaws, Nagato survived the war and continue serving reformed Republic of Japan 1949. Ship was open as museum in 1951 and remain museum from that year.

Tosa class: Three ships in class: Tosa, Kaga (which was reconfigured as aircraft carrier) and Teshio. Sucessor to the Nagato class Tosa was upgraded and enlarged variant of Nagato. It boosts several improvements especially in anti-torpedo armor, better AA defenses and although having same speed it had slightly better turning. With exception of Kaga which was chosen to be reconfigured as aircraft carrier during construction, other two ships had long carrers. They saw some extensive combat during the WWII. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf Tosa and Teshio as well Kongo manage to engage American fleet, sinking two destroyers and battleship USS South Dakota, however all three ships were damaged during the battle but manage to withdraw. Kaga was first member of the class (as aircraft carrier) to be lost, she was sunk in battle of Midway. Tosa was damaged and capsized due heavy damage at the end of the war in 1945 in Yokohama bay, it was raised and given to UK as war reparation, it was finally scrapped in 1948. Teshio was retired shortly after the war was over and was scrapped in 1946 due heavy damage it recieved.

Kii class: Four ships in class: Kii, Owari, Wakasa and Inaba. Although Fuso Empire signed Washington Naval treaty in 1922 it didnt really respect the treaty, because if Fuso empire respect it, this class would never been build. However four ships were built from the Kii class and this ships did add a big strain on the Fuso economy of 1920's, however class neverthless remain in service. In 1930's ships recieved upgrades, new pagoda style masts, new weaponary, new engines and improved armor, however AA guns were not effective as those on Tosa class, that did change in 1943 when some AA upgrade was done on this ships.

Many in Fuso navy including Fleet Admiral Yamamoto believed that four ships were not needed and that instead additional cruisers and carriers could be built however these ships did prove themself well in combat. Their effectivness came in 1944 during battle San Bernadino Strait, three Kii class battleships, Kii itself, Owari and Inaba engage American fleet lead by Iowa class battleship New Jersey, there were also three other battleships and dozen of other ships. Thanks to the fact that Kii class has improved fire control that was bought from Germany, Fuso battleships fired faster and more acurate then before. New Jersey was concentrated from all three Kii battleships and sunk with loss of 90% of its crew. However battleship Kii was damaged by American submarine that manage to sneak in and then finished by other three battleships forcing the rest of the Fuso fleet to retreat.
Owari which was damaged during the battle later was ambushed by several American destroyers together with rest of the fleet, it was hit by four torpedoes and later hit by two bombs from dive bombers. Surviving crew was evacuvated and she was scuttled by friendly destroyers. Of course the commanding officer rear Admiral Sugimo who was second in command of the fleet and assume command after Admiral Togonami died (on board of Kii) was blamed for loss of battleshipo Owari.
Wakasa was given to US after the war was over as war reparation, she was buyed by Japanese compnay and scuttled in 1947.
Inaba was damaged during one US air raid on Yokohama base, although Americans lost seventy percent of attack force they manage to damange many ships and infrastructure including Inaba. Inaba was never repaired and was scuttled in 1946.

Yamato class: Three ships in class: Yamato, Musashi and Shinano (which was reconfirugred as aircraft carrier during construction). Biggest and strongest ship in the world during WWII, Yamato was pride of Fuso Empire (and later Republic of Japan). Originally five ships were to be built but due resources need on Yamato it was decieded only two ships to be constructed with thrid reconfigured as aircraft carrier. During the entire Pacific war Yamato's saw less combat then other battleship classes. Yamato itself was flagship of battlegroup that attack Guam it sinks american battleship New York with two volleys, and carrier Wasp during the campaign. Musashi was unfortunatley lost in 1944 during battle of Leyte Gulf, she manage to sunk heavy cruiser and battleship Tennessee before been sunk by combined air strike and rest of the American fleet (that consist of four battleships, four cruisers and ten destroyers plus four carriers behind the main line). Shinano itself had only ten day long service before been sunk by USS Archerfish. This debacle could be avoided if the ship was fully finished and her flood control was fully installed.
Yamato itself remain operational and Fuso command keep her away from combat. In November of 1945 Yamato lead small fleet that consist of herself, battleship Nagato, two heavy cruisers and four destroyers. On 19.November at dawn, Japanese fleet (no longer Fuso) meet with American fleet lead by Iowa class battleship Missiouri, battleship Washington, three light cruisers and five destroyers meet 75km north from Okinawa. Yamato and MIssiouri slowly aproach each other until they were less then fifty meters away, while rest of both fleets remain behind ready for combat. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and newly apointed president came on board the Missiouri to sign the case fire and end the war. Sailors from USS Missiouri watched in astonishment on Yamato. Americans at first demand full surrender (trying that again - believing they will scare Japanese), but Yamamoto decline but offer that newly established Republic of Japan will pay reparations for all that it caused. Americans then again trying to get best of it by demanding surrender of Yamato on which Yamamoto replied "Never gonna happen". After four hours the case fire was finally signed, the war was over. Both fleets departed. Yamato remain in service until 1955 when it was retired from service and year later open as museum. Ship was like Iowa's upgraded over the years in case of need but it remain museum.

Battlecruisers: 6

Amagi class: Three ships in the class: Amagi, Akagi and Akaishi. Originally five of this battlecruisers were to be built, However with Washington treaty, Japan abandon construction of five ships, however it did construct three ships with one been configured as aircraft carrier during construction. Both US and English side was furious after finding that Empire of the Fuso didnt respect the threaty but they could do little. These battlecruisers remain battlecruisers even after exstensive upgrades in 1930s unlike Kongo which become battleship. They were fast and well armed, and had excellent AA protection. However both battlecruisers were lost during the WWII.
Amagi was en route back to Fuso when it was attacked. It was protected by two destroyers but those couldnt stop USS Razorback to sneak and hit her with four torpedoes, ship listed to her side and after two hours sunk taking 567 sailors (from 1200) with her. In confusion it was probability that Razorback could sunk at least one of the destroyers, however her captain decide to withdrawn. Reason to this was probably that destroyers didnt engage her, they rush to help survivors even risking their own safety.
Akagi was reconfigured as aircraft carrier she manage to survive Midway, damaged but survived it. For the rest of the 1942 and first few months of the 1943 she was out of commission for repairs and upgrades. She participates in serveral other battles including climatic battle of Okinawa. Akagi survive the war and remain in service till 1950 when she was retired. In 1951 she become museum. There was formal request from giving Akagi to US as family members of those lost at Pearl Harbor wished that ship to be either sunk or destroyed on any other means as it was one of carriers from which planes were launched on Pearl Harbor, of course, new Japanese government refused. In 1975 a terorist attack almost happen when son of a killed sailor on Pearl Harbor, tried to blow the ship with improvised bomb. After this incident there was never again one as Japan once again apologize for what predcessor state done.
Akaishi the third member of Amagi class was sunk during the battle of Leyte Gulf shortly after Musashi was sunked.

Kongo class: Four ships in class: Kongo, Hiei, Kirishima and Haruna. Designed originally in UK and first ship the Kongo built in UK, class of four fast battlecruiser was one of two battlecruiser type in Fuso navy, although later in 1930s they were upgraded and reconfigured as battleships. Kongos have good long carrer and they perform relativly good during WWII. Kongo survived the war and remain in service until 1948 when was retired, in 1949-50 ship was scrapped. Hiei was only member to be lost during WWII, she was lost during battle of Guadalcanal. Kirishima badly damaged in 1945 was removed from service and scrapped by the end of 1946, Haruna which was also damaged during the last months of war was also scrapped at the same time as Kirishima did.

End of part I

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