The Pacific War

> "Ladies and Gentlemen of America, today we begin war with another corrupt power. Japan and its imperialistic ambitions are nothing but shameless oppression, wanting nothing more than to shamelessly conquer! If we let them continue, then it will spell disaster for the Pacific and Asia! And not only that, but the Fascists dare to attack our great port at Pearl Harbour! The blood of Americans has been spilt, and in numbers too, merely to further Japan's greedy advancements! Together, with the aid of our allies in the Phillippines and Finland, we will destroy this hideous empire and their puppets, once and for all!"
>
>

The Pacific War was a large conflict between Japan and its allies Manchukuo and Mengkukuo, and the Communist States of America and its allies the Huk Phillippines and the Finnish Empire. It resulted in the American colonisation of the island of Japan, and the Finnish colonisation of Japanese-held China, Manchukuo and Mengkukuo. The Huk Phillippines also gained several islands across the Pacific.

### The build-up

The build-up began in 1937 with the conclusion of the American-Mexican war. Many American divisions had gained significant experience and President Carson and his advisors agreed that the CSA Armed Forces were ready to fight a major power. Japan was chosen as it was nearby and was also predating heavily on the Pacific and Asia, granting easy justification. Quickly, a pact was struck with the expanding Finnish Empire, whom Carson had kept friendly relations with. In return for Finnish help in the conquest of Japan, the Finns would be granted any Japanese-held China. The Finns agreed, and preparation began.

President Carson ordered for Japan to be embargoed - banning much of their trading in the region. This was closely followed by a build-up at the naval base of Pearl Harbour at Hawaii. However, this was a ploy - by intercepting Japanese codes the Americans knew that they had plans of conquest against them, and had pretended to harbour their fleet at the base.

Shortly afterwards, a Japanese fleet consisting of several aircraft carriers and their escorts launched multiple squadrons of aircraft that viciously bombed the base. However, the Americans had been prepared, and Anti-Aircraft guns opened fire on the planes and destroyed many of them. The Japanese fleet was driven off.

### The War

This gave President Carson an excuse to declare war on Japan, and much of the American population felt extremely angry at the loss of American life. The American fleet quickly mobilised and began search-and-destroy missions across the Pacific. Several major sea battles occurred, including the Battle of Midway, a great victory for the CSA.

As the Americans conducted assaults across the Pacific, the Finnish Army landed across Japanese-held China across the South China Sea Coast. The fighting was extremely bloody, and both sides suffered high casualties, yet the Finns continued to push through, capturing the island of Taiwan and the cities of Fuzhou and Macau.

### The Invasion of the Phillippines

With their armies on the back foot, the Japanese ordered a counterattack in the American puppet state of the Phillippines. Japanese forces, led by General Hisaichi Terauchi, landed in Luzon and attempted to push for Manila. At first, the Japanese assault was successful, with the Filipino troops not suspecting an invasion. The invading army managed to secure the cities of Laoag City and Tuguegarao before the surprised Filipinos called for aid. American forces landed further south and rushed to reinforce the native troops, pushing back the Japanese. After two months of exhausting fighting, the Japanese troops were captured.

### Fall of Japan

Whilst the Finns struggled through China, the Americans began a severe bombing campaign on mainland Japan. Several cities were largely destroyed by vengeful American Bombers, due to the American wish to 'give 'em their own Pearl Harbour!" Japanese aerial resistance was common at first, but the sheer weight of American planes and the presence of fighter ace Amelia Earhart meant that the Americans soon developed air superiority.

However, the Japanese were not going to give up just because of bombings, so the American high command decided that the only way to force a surrender was to invade Japan. For several months, American submarines cut off supply to the island. Then key, veteran Divisions were deployed. Knowing that Tokyo would be too well guarded, the first army would land at Sendai and the second at Nagoya, further cutting off Tokyo and surrounding multiple enemy divisions. Both groups met extremely high resistance, and high casualties were suffered on both sides. However, the armies were able to push for Tokyo, paying for every step in blood.

However, after several months of brutal combat, Tokyo fell, its government captured. With the capital gone, the campaigns in China were over, with Japanese troops surrendering in droves.

### Aftermath

In the aftermath, Japanese held-China and the puppet states of Manchukuo and Mengkukuo were ceded to Finland along with the island of Taiwan. Japan and many islands were left to the CSA. The war also served to pull the CSA out of the Great Depression, with the new resources boosting its economy. As such, the Pacific War, if extremely bloody, ensured the American economy was repaired, and granted Finland the beginning of a colonial empire.