1275psi
Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005
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3/10/43
It is undoubtedly the most dangerous period of the week.
At precisely 0900 hours every Friday, a small group of officers, and very senior ministers gathers in a small office deep inside the deit.
Mr Iwaya dreads this part of the week –it has a simple name –Weekly economic briefing to the Supreme commander.
For his entire career Mr Iwaya has sought to support and serve his political masters in the gigantic bureaucracy of the Imperial system , keeping a low profile, grafting as needed, quietly shaping Japans production and economy–his un expected promotion to a seat of power during Herr Herbiesans coup had been both unwanted, and non negotiable.
Now, once a week, he had to meet the dictator –and answer to him, and him alone.
Unlike Hilter on the other side of the world, Herbiesan ran a hands off approach to the daily grind of the war –he set targets, grand strategy, appointed commanders.
His Admirals, Generals ran the war, and Iwaya fed it.
But herbiesan ran a more effective war than Hitler – here failure consistently meant just one thing.
A bullet in the back of the head.
With great powers, comes great responsibilities.
But for the fact herbiesan was as blindly fanatic to the concept of a divine ruler, of a divine empire as the rest of them, Iwaya could easily hate the man.
But the man was in power –and that’s simply all there was to it
The meeting began, as always, with a quick summary of the weeks events, losses, losses inflicted.
Then the “intelligence” briefing – usually consisting of more wild guesses at the enemies intentions, and the where abouts of the carriers. This weeks latest flap –the gathering of ships at broome.
Then it was Iwaya’s turn – a dry explanation of production, future plans, what ever shortages there were. For nearly 2 years now the news has been mostly good –heavens knows what happens if it turns bad.
Today, today the news is very good. Another carrier joins the fleet –making 4 CV, 2 CVL in the last month, with 3 more CV within 12 days.
The Jack is coming online, oil stocks climb, resource stocks remain steady, aircraft production still exceeds losses.
Herbiesan, as always, listens closely, asks few questions.
But then he breaks routine
He turns to Yamamoto
“I understand we have 2 divisions kicking their heels at Davao- another 2 at sea?”
“That is correct sir”
“Admiral, I understand your plans for SHO GO 1 – enmesh the enemy somewhere on the northern PNG coast, and then crush him –is that correct?”
“Basically, yes”
“But at this rate the enemy will be way short of there by next month –and by the time he does reach there –Carrier numbers for him will be vastly better?”
“Again –a fair appraisal sir”
The dictator ponders the map for a moment
“He mutters – 13CV, 9 CVL, against?’
Then loudly, voice full of passion and deadly intent –a finger slamming firmly into a point on the great map
“I have made a great decision –the empire shall attack”
Later, as Iwaya, and Yamamoto both make their way out of the room –both literally shaken to the core –Iwaya cannot but help think yet again – the most dangerous moment of the week……………
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RE: herbiesan vs Cantona!!! - 
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