Summoning Japan × The New Order: Last Days of Europe

Chapter 7

June 3, 1963, noon

Off the coast of Maihark, Principality of Qua-Toyne

"Approaching the designated sea area! Reconnaissance planes launched from the Taihō have detected a group of approaching ships!"

"How many?"

"About 20 ships, sir... However, according to the information from the reconnaissance planes, all 20 ships appear to be sailing vessels."

"Even though they are sailing vessels, the fact that they are approaching in a group suggests a high likelihood that they belong to a local nation or armed group, Itō, sir."

"Hmm... The Army's Ichi-Ichi (YS-11R recon plane) was reportedly attacked by dragons while conducting low-speed, low-altitude reconnaissance. They might have some flying projectiles. Let's not be lax in our vigilance."

Sailors were bustling about on the Imperial Japanese Navy First Fleet's flagship, the Yamato, in preparation for the operation. As the fleet commander, Itō *1 felt the tension he had experienced during wartime once again coursing through his body.

The reconnaissance plane of the Army had been heading towards the sea area near where it was shot down, attempting to approach via Okinawa.

Given that the era of transforming small ships into heavily armed vessels was already upon them, the evaluations of battleships from anyone other than the traditionalists in the Navy, who emphasized big-ship and big-gun doctrine, were deemed to be of little use beyond intimidation to other nations.

"However, it's fortunate that the Musashi's refitting was completed in time."

"It sure is. The nuclear engine is the only reason why the Musashi can accompany destroyers as a fast battleship."

"Although she has been modernized, this force represents the current limit of our country's naval combat capability."

"But without oil, we won't be able to operate other fleets or fighter planes. Even Kii and Shinano, which were scheduled for modernization, are currently waiting in the docks at Kure."

After winning the Pacific War, the Navy modernized many combat ships to maintain control over the Pacific Islands and to ensure maritime security, and many of its warships have been modernized and remained in service after World War II. The battleships Yamato and Musashi were no exceptions, equipped with anti-aircraft missiles and refitted with nuclear engines.

Before the transference, Japan possessed the world's largest navy, consisting of over 440 warships centered around 7 battleships and 13 aircraft carriers of various sizes. However, only about 80 ships made it to this world...

There are only four Yamato-class battleships and two Taihō-class aircraft carriers, with the rest being light cruisers, destroyers, coastal patrol boats, and submarines. The current Japanese Navy possesses less than one-fifth of its pre-transference fleet.

This is because most of the aircraft carrier task forces and destroyer fleets deployed throughout the Pacific were not on the mainland but stationed in crucial naval bases such as San Francisco, Rabaul Island, and Southeast Asia. As a result of this situation, the Japanese Navy has suffered a devastating blow, akin to the destruction of its main forces, due to the effects of the transference.

This is also true for the Army, which consisted of 43 divisions of the standing army. However, despite including the elite armored units that had returned to the mainland for defense duties and quelling unrest overseas, there are only a meager 12 divisions.

Nevertheless, fortunately or unfortunately for the Army, they still have many units that can be quickly replenished. Out of the 12 divisions, there are 2 armored divisions specializing in combat, 2 motorized divisions, and 1 division specializing in special forces such as airborne assault units centered around helicopters and naval land forces, with the remainder being comprised of units such as guard divisions and infantry divisions. Apart from the divisions deployed overseas, including armored divisions, many utilized local defense forces and infantry brigades, making replenishment easier for the Army than for the Navy. Moreover, the Army has hastily implemented recalls of reservists, retirees, and unemployed individuals, primarily through organizations such as veterans' associations. With a maximum conscription period of two years, the Imperial Army is probably the only one capable of mobilizing up to 4 million men, including reservists, at a moment's notice.

"In any case, we must negotiate with the local states or factions to ensure the collection of food and fuel. That's why we have officials from the Foreign Ministry on board."

"The one dispatched from the Foreign Ministry was the Technocrat bureaucrat Tanaka-san..."

"Fortunately, he seems to be quite sociable and not the type to make snide remarks about us military folks. He even expressed a desire to actively engage in negotiations with local factions."

"Then, it seems our... no, Japan's fate will be determined by our actions from now on."

"That's right. We must be prepared, keeping in mind that this is already a battlefield. Reiterate to each soldier the need to enhance vigilance."

"Yes, sir!"

The news of the Army reconnaissance plane being shot down had already been relayed not only to Itō but also to various ships and Tanaka of the Foreign Ministry. If a crisis were to erupt at sea, it would likely trigger a simultaneous attack by the warships of the First Fleet, including the Yamato.

In the solemn atmosphere, contact with the local faction, represented by the sailing vessels, was about to commence.

Encounter with the unknown.

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Notes

*1: He was a naval officer and was engaged as the Commander of the Second Fleet in Operation Ten-Go, a suicide mission of the battleship Yamato in OTL. In the TNO universe, he is still alive as the commander of the fleet.