To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations, as well as the security and well-being of our subjects, is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by our imperial ancestors, and which we lay close to the heart.
Indeed, we declared war on America and Britain out of our sincere desire to insure Japan’s self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement.
But now the war has lasted for over five years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone—the gallant fighting of our military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of out servants of the State and the devoted service of our 100,000,000 people—the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan’s advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.
Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ new and most cruel bombs, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, it would not only result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
Such being the case, how are we to save the millions of our subjects, or to atone ourselves before the hallowed spirits of our imperial ancestors? This is the reason why we have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the joint declaration of the powers.
We cannot but express the deepest sense of regret to our allied nations of East Asia, who have consistently cooperated with the Empire toward the emancipation of East Asia.
We also thank the Soviet Union for its most recent support and friendship.
The thought of those officers and men as well as others who have fallen in the fields of battle, those who died at their posts of duty, or those who met death in other ways, and all their bereaved families, pains our heart night and day.
The welfare of the wounded and the war sufferers and of those who lost their homes and livelihood is the object of our profound solicitude. The hardships and sufferings to which our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great.
We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that we have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable, and suffering what is insufferable. Having been able to save and maintain the structure of the Imperial State, we are always with you, our good and loyal subjects, relying upon your sincerity and integrity.
Beware most strictly of any outbursts of emotion that may engender needless complications, of any fraternal contention and strife that may create confusion, lead you astray, and cause you to lose the confidence of the world.
Let the entire nation continue as one family from generation to generation, ever firm in its faith of the imperishableness of its divine land, and mindful of its heavy burden of responsibilities, and the long road before it. Unite your total strength to be devoted to the construction for the future. Cultivate the ways of rectitude, nobility of spirit, and work with resolution so that you may enhance the innate glory of the Imperial State and keep pace with the progress of the world.”
‘Kimigayo’ resurfaced, stronger in tone and volume, the choral version seemingly carrying with it the sorrow and indignation of a nation.
President Truman opened his eyes and looked around him.
Many of his closest aides showed the tracks of tears on their faces; others showed huge relief.
All had relaxed as the tension had drained away with each word from the Emperor’s mouth.
“Thank God for that.”
The murmurs rose quickly and died away, as they all realised that Truman had something to say.
“Now, send orders to our Pacific and Asian units to stand fast. Act in self-defence only. Cancel all offensive operations across the board. Remain vigilant and accept no risks. You all know what we’ve discussed, so put it into action.”
Most rose or moved to go, but Truman raised his voice, giving each man a moment’s pause.
“None the less, let no man under your control drop his guard, and do not think that we are victorious, for we are not. One great evil has fallen, but one, the greater one, remains.”
He stood and tugged his jacket into place.
“Remember this. Our victory over Japan will grant us some leeway with our public. Let’s use it to the best of our ability, gentlemen.”
The assembly spilt up as Truman sat at his desk, and prepared himself for the call to Churchill.
Chapter 153 – THE RONIN
They tell us that suicide is the greatest piece of cowardice… that suicide is wrong, when it is quite obvious that there is nothing in the world to which every man has a more unassailable right than to his own life and person.
What was left of the Rainbow Brigade was gathered in defence of Routes 4 and 107, and the crossing of the Baisha River, protecting the approaches to Chenzhou.
Such as they could.
The Special Obligation Units were comprised of men who had given their all, and who had almost nothing left to give.
Four tanks were in camouflaged positions, overseeing the bridge south of Zhujiawan, one Panther on each flank, each with a small security force to protect it from stalking AT teams.
A Soviet T34m44, found abandoned during the great retreat, had been pressed into service, and formed the mobile reserve, complete with its own grape of infantry.
Centrally, the last surviving Shinhoto Chi-Ha supported the main infantry force, dug-in to oppose use of the bridge.
There was no explosive with which to destroy the structure, in fact, there was little of anything.
The three mortars had seven rounds between them.
Infantry weapons had one or two magazines available; those men with an extra clip or magazine said nothing, hoarding the means of self-protection.
The two Panthers had no machine-gun ammunition at all, and none of the best AP rounds.
It was a total miracle that the Panthers were still running at all, the German workshop engineers long-since departed into the next world. The remaining spare parts would barely fill a large suitcase, and no one was under any illusions that any breakdown would be terminal for the two remaining vehicles.
Cannibalism of wrecks and excellent work by the brigade’s Japanese mechanics had kept the two Panzer Vs going, all be it the engine performance was a shadow of that it had been when the vehicles arrived with the Rainbow brigade.
Nomori Hamuda, long since promoted to Major and commander of 1st Tank Battalion, gave up Panther ‘Masami’, placing it in the capable hands of Captain, the Marquis Hirohata, whose own Panther had been lost the previous New Year’s Eve.
Masami took the right flank, at the very western end of the defensive position.
Panther ‘Ashita’ and her commander, Sergeant Major Kagamutsu, took the left end of the line, the heavily camouflaged tank barely discernible from ten feet away, let alone to the enemy ground attack aircraft that constantly savaged the Japanese and Soviet troops in China.
Forty-seven kill rings adorned Ashita’s barrel, a testament to Kagamutsu’s command capabilities, as well as to the skill of her gunner.
Both Panthers had been topped off with as much fuel as they could take, which left less than one hundred litres available.