Chapter Summaries

Germany demanded that the Island Nation return its Pacific colonies and withdraw from Southeast Asia, threatening further attacks if it refused. The Island Nation’s leaders considered the ultimatum, but Yamagata Aritomo and the Army opposed giving up Southeast Asia.

• Jacob told Uchida Kosai that Germany demanded the return of its Pacific colonies and the withdrawal of Island Nation troops from Southeast Asia.
• Uchida Kosai challenged Germany over its attacks on civilians, but Jacob dismissed his objections and warned that refusing would bring greater losses.
• Uchida Kosai reported Germany’s demands, and Kato Takaaki informed Okuma Shigenobu that the attacks might continue.
• Okuma Shigenobu and Kato Takaaki visited Yamagata Aritomo, where Oka Ichinosuke insisted that the Island Nation must not withdraw from Southeast Asia.
• Yamagata Aritomo agreed that Southeast Asia was vital and said the Island Nation should do everything possible to keep control of it.

Japan’s leaders debated whether to accept Germany’s demands or risk further attacks, while trying to preserve its hold on Southeast Asia and plunder resources in case of retreat. They decided to seek support from the United States and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Japan began evacuating coastal residents and mobilizing its diplomats.

• Kato Takaaki warned that rejecting Germany’s terms could bring more destruction, while Oka Ichinosuke argued that Japan should endure losses to secure Southeast Asia’s resources.
• Okuma Shigenobu and Kato Takaaki acknowledged the danger to Japan’s cities, and Oka Ichinosuke proposed evacuations and secretly shipping plundered wealth home.
• Yamagata Aritomo suggested bargaining with Germany or surrendering some Pacific colonies, but Kato Takaaki said Germany had left no room for negotiation.
• Yamagata Aritomo urged Japan to seek foreign support, and Kato Takaaki identified the United States and the Austro-Hungarian Empire as possible allies.
• Japan ordered coastal residents to evacuate, while its ambassador in the United States and envoy in Switzerland began seeking support.

The United States assessed the shifting wars and considered how to use Island Nation against Germany while advancing its own military buildup. President Woodrow Wilson agreed to support Island Nation if America could keep it under control.

• The United States expanded its military and pursued secret cooperation with Britain to develop advanced military technology and stimulate its economy.
• The US government viewed a break between Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire as advantageous, while it doubted Island Nation after Germany destroyed its navy.
• The Island Nation Ambassador met secretly with Secretary of State Bryan and asked the United States to condemn Germany and provide support.
• Bryan told President Woodrow Wilson that Island Nation could supply soldiers, challenge Germany, and offer a valuable market.
• Woodrow Wilson agreed that the United States should raise Island Nation like a dog to fight Germany, and Bryan said American strength would keep it obedient.

President Woodrow Wilson persuaded his Cabinet to support Island Nation against Germany and arrange a loan to help rebuild its civilian life and military. The chapter ended with the United States secretly offering Island Nation a $200 million loan at 11 percent interest, paid over two years.

• President Woodrow Wilson argued that the United States should oppose Germany's attacks on Island Nation, despite objections from Secretary of the Navy Daniels and Secretary of War Garrison.
• Wilson convinced Daniels and Garrison that Germany was too stretched to retaliate and that Island Nation was now a potential ally against Germany.
• Wilson proposed lending Island Nation money to rebuild, and Secretary of State Bryan suggested using the government's credit to secure loans from American financial groups.
• The Cabinet approved the plan, seeing it as a way to profit and help create another enemy for Germany.
• The US government secretly offered Island Nation a $200 million loan, paid in installments over two years at 11 percent interest.

Kato Takaaki told Okuma Shigenobu that the United States would condemn Germany and lend the Island Nation 200 million dollars, provided it opened its domestic market to American goods. The Cabinet debated the condition, and the military leaders backed taking the loan to rebuild the fleet and strengthen the army.

• Kato Takaaki informed Okuma Shigenobu that the United States would condemn Germany and provide a 200-million-dollar loan at eleven percent interest.
• Okuma Shigenobu welcomed the loan, while Kato Takaaki warned that the Americans likely had their own motives.
• Kato Takaaki told Okuma Shigenobu that the United States required the Island Nation to open its domestic market in exchange for the loan and possible future support.
• Okuma Shigenobu brought the American offer and its condition before the Cabinet for discussion.
• Oura Kanetake opposed opening the market, but Yashiro Rokuro and Oka Ichinosuke supported accepting the loan to rebuild the navy and strengthen the army.

The Island Nation accepted an American loan, and Navy leaders planned to use much of it to rebuild the fleet and prepare for future wars against Germany. Yamamoto Gonnohyōe and the admirals left the meeting determined to accelerate battleship construction and develop ships with 410mm guns.

• Okuma Shigenobu accepted the American loan terms after the Cabinet Ministers raised no objections.
• Yashiro Rokuro told Yamamoto Gonnohyōe that the Navy could claim a substantial share of the loan and rebuild its strength.
• Yamamoto Gonnohyōe, Tōgō Heihachirō, and Shimamura Hayao discussed allocating 150 million dollars to the Navy and accelerating battleship construction.
• Yamamoto Gonnohyōe ordered the Navy to speed up construction of Fusō-class Battleships, and Yashiro Rokuro and Shimamura Hayao agreed to press the shipyards.
• Yashiro Rokuro proposed building Ise-class Battleships and a new class armed with 410mm Main Guns, totaling twelve powerful Battleships with the existing classes.

Oka Ichinosuke sought to direct the American loan toward expanding the Army, while Yamamoto Gonnohyōe and Tōgō Heihachirō pressed the Army’s leaders to fund the Navy’s rebuilding. Yamagata Aritomo agreed to support the Navy’s shipbuilding demands in exchange for its backing of the Empire’s expansion toward the South Seas, Australia, and India.

• Oka Ichinosuke urged Yamagata Aritomo and Oyama Iwao to use the loan to expand the Army to thirty divisions.
• Yamagata Aritomo and Oyama Iwao acknowledged that the Navy needed rebuilding despite tensions between the services.
• Yamamoto Gonnohyōe and Tōgō Heihachirō asked the Army’s leaders to fund new battleships, cruisers, and destroyers.
• Yamamoto Gonnohyōe promised the Navy’s support for expansion toward the South Seas, Australia, and India if its demands were met.
• Yamagata Aritomo agreed to meet the Navy’s demands, clearing the way for its large-scale shipbuilding plan once the American loan arrived.

After the Island Nation refused to yield despite losing its Combined Fleet, Vice Admiral Spee led the German Expeditionary Fleet to Osaka Bay to continue the attacks. The fleet began bombarding Osaka, leaving the city's civilians caught in the assault.

• Vice Admiral Spee ordered the fleet to resume attacks after a telegram from home confirmed that the Island Nation had not surrendered.
• Vice Admiral Spee chose to target Osaka and Kobe first, postponing a risky attempt to enter Tokyo Bay.
• On August 15, the German Expeditionary Fleet entered Osaka Bay through Kii Channel and destroyed the Island Nation's coastal artillery batteries.
• Residents of Osaka and Kobe rushed to flee, clogging the roads as the German fleet approached Osaka.
• Vice Admiral Spee ordered the eight battlecruisers to fire on Osaka's urban district.

The German Expeditionary Fleet bombarded Osaka, Kobe, and other Island Nation cities, causing heavy civilian casualties and industrial destruction. Okuma Shigenobu could only watch as the attacks continued, while Island Nation faced mounting displacement and food shortages.

• Rear Admiral Mauff and Vice Admiral Spee watched the German fleet’s shells devastate Osaka.
• The German Expeditionary Fleet destroyed Osaka and Kobe, then sailed south after joining its supply convoy.
• Okuma Shigenobu learned that the bombardments had killed at least thirty thousand people in Osaka and thousands more in Kobe.
• The fleet bombarded Kumamoto on August 16, then destroyed Fukuoka and Kitakyushu on August 17.
• Island Nation civilians fled inland, worsening fears of food shortages as the bombardments damaged cities and factories.

Island Nation’s Cabinet debated whether to abandon its effort to hold Southeast Asia as German bombardments devastated its cities and threatened its industrial base. Oka Ichinosuke and Yashiro Rokuro refused to give up, leaving the other ministers worried and powerless against the united military.

• Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu warned the Cabinet that German attacks had destroyed eight cities, displaced millions, and threatened the Island Nation with famine and ruin.
• Kato Takaaki and Oura Kanetake urged an end to the war, while Oka Ichinosuke and Yashiro Rokuro defended the occupation of Southeast Asia.
• Okuma argued that continued German attacks could destroy the homeland’s industrial foundation, but Oka and Yashiro insisted on waiting for the United States to condemn Germany.
• After Oka and Yashiro left, Oura and the other ministers lamented that the army and navy’s alliance had left the Cabinet unable to oppose them.
• Okuma, Kato, and Wakatsuki Reijiro voiced fears that the military’s stubbornness would bring disaster to the Island Nation.

President Wilson and his cabinet decided to condemn Germany for its attacks on Island Nation, despite the risk of worsening relations. Their diplomatic pressure was rebuffed, while criticism from Britain and Crown Prince Karl exposed Germany’s growing isolation and the breakdown of its alliance with Austria-Hungary.

• President Wilson persuaded Bryan, Garrison, and Daniels to support an official condemnation of Germany and discussed the eventual conflict between the United States and Germany.
• On August 17, the US government issued a statement condemning Germany, and Bryan formally protested to the German Ambassador.
• The German Ambassador dismissed the protest and said the United States could declare war if it wanted to interfere.
• Churchill denounced Germany and called for nations to unite against it, but no country agreed to fight Germany.
• Crown Prince Karl criticized Germany’s actions at a banquet, while Emperor Franz Joseph I’s authority prevented Karl from changing Austria-Hungary’s policy yet.

Oscar convened his ministers to respond to protests and foreign condemnation of the German Empire’s military actions. He ordered a public counterattack against the United States and Britain and a formal warning to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, while dismissing concerns about international opinion.

• Protesters outside the palace demanded that Oscar recall the Expeditionary Fleet, and he summoned his ministers to discuss a response.
• Foreign Minister Wachth and Prime Minister Bülow described the international criticism, while Tirpitz and Falkenhayn cautioned against targeting private citizens or going to war with the United States.
• Oscar ordered the Empire to expose American atrocities against Native Americans and British crimes in their colonies as a public-opinion counterattack.
• Wachth reported Crown Prince Karl’s criticism, and Oscar ordered the German ambassador to lodge a stern protest with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
• The German Empire and its critics exchanged accusations, and German citizens who had opposed the Empire’s actions fell silent.

Oscar approved the German Expeditionary Fleet’s plan to force its way through the Uraga Channel and bombard Tokyo in an effort to make the Island Nation surrender. Vice Admiral Spee’s fleet departed Sagami Bay before dawn to begin the dangerous operation.

• Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz reported that the Island Nation still refused to compromise despite the destruction of eight major cities, while Prime Minister Bülow warned that it was stripping resources from its Southeast Asian colonies to prepare for flight.
• Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz proposed the Expeditionary Fleet’s plan to enter Tokyo Bay and bombard the capital, and Oscar approved it while ordering the fleet to limit its losses.
• At Sagami Bay, Vice Admiral Spee and Rear Admiral Mauff discussed the mines, coastal artillery, and possible destroyer attacks threatening the passage through the Uraga Channel.
• Vice Admiral Spee ordered the fleet to launch the next morning and force its way into Tokyo Bay.
• At 4:00 a.m. on August 19, the German Expeditionary Fleet set out toward the Uraga Channel.

The German Expeditionary Fleet began forcing its way through the Uraga Channel toward Tokyo Bay, hoping to evade the Island Nation’s defenses and minefield. SMS Friedrich der Grosse struck a drifting Naval Mine, leaving the fleet’s passage exposed as Vice Admiral Spee ordered it to prepare for battle.

• At 4:55, Vice Admiral Spee ordered the German Expeditionary Fleet to enter the Uraga Channel, with SMS Friedrich der Grosse leading.
• The German warships navigated the poorly charted minefield while preparing to return fire if the Island Nation’s coastal fortifications opened fire.
• A Naval Mine drifting into the channel exploded against the bow of SMS Friedrich der Grosse and damaged its underwater armor.
• The captain of SMS Friedrich der Grosse learned that the breach was small and could soon be sealed, then reported the damage to the flagship.
• Vice Admiral Spee realized the explosion had ended any chance of a secret passage and ordered the fleet to prepare for battle.

The German Expeditionary Fleet forced its way through Uraga Channel under heavy fire from the Island Nation Coastal Defense Force. The five German Battlecruisers entered Tokyo Bay with little serious damage, and Vice Admiral Spee ordered the Light Cruisers and destroyers to follow at maximum speed.

• The Island Nation Coastal Defense Force sounded the alarm and opened fire as the German fleet bombarded its positions.
• The Coastal Defense Force Commander ordered the gun emplacements to fire and requested Navy support and preparations in Tokyo.
• German Battlecruisers endured hits while their return fire destroyed many Island Nation coastal guns and fortifications.
• SMS Friedrich der Grosse entered Tokyo Bay, followed by SMS Friedrich Karl, Derfflinger, SMS Lützow, and Hindenburg.
• Rear Admiral Mauff reported that all five Battlecruisers had passed through, and Vice Admiral Spee ordered the Light Cruisers and destroyers to cross at maximum speed.

The German Expeditionary Fleet overcame the Uraga Channel’s defenses and entered Tokyo Bay, leaving the Island Nation government fearing Tokyo’s imminent destruction. Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu ordered the city evacuated and the Emperor and senior officials moved to safety.

• A coastal artillery shell struck and sank German Destroyer V40 as the fleet passed through the Uraga Channel.
• Vice Admiral Spee led the German light cruisers and destroyers into Tokyo Bay, confident the fleet had cleared its final obstacle.
• Admiral Yashiro Rokuro learned that the Germans had entered the channel and ordered Yokosuka to send out all destroyers to attack.
• Admiral Yashiro Rokuro warned Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu that the German fleet was approaching Tokyo Bay.
• Okuma Shigenobu ordered Tokyo’s residents to evacuate, Emperor Taisho to shelter in the Imperial Palace bunker, and senior officials to assemble at his residence.

After German warships broke into Tokyo Bay, Japan’s Cabinet argued over whether to surrender its Pacific and Southeast Asian territories, while the Army refused to yield. Japan’s remaining destroyers then charged the German fleet, despite facing overwhelming firepower.

• Admiral Yashiro Rokuro explained that mines and coastal guns had failed to stop the German warship from forcing its way through the Uraga Channel.
• Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu asked Army Minister Oka Ichinosuke to consider accepting Germany’s terms, but Oka refused to give up Southeast Asia.
• Admiral Yashiro Rokuro ordered the remaining destroyers to attack the German fleet, and an officer at Yokosuka Naval Base rallied the sailors to defend Tokyo and their families.
• A dozen or so Japanese destroyers sailed toward the Uraga Channel, where they found that the German battlecruisers and several light cruisers had already passed through.
• The Japanese destroyers charged the German Expeditionary Fleet despite the danger from its superior firepower.

The Island Nation Navy’s destroyers launched a desperate attack on the German Expeditionary Fleet but were all destroyed before they could threaten its capital ships. Vice Admiral Spee’s fleet reached waters near Tokyo and began bombarding the city.

• Captain Tsukamoto Katsukuma ordered Swift Wind to charge as the Island Nation Navy destroyers attacked the German fleet near the Uraga Channel.
• The German ships opened fire, and Swift Wind was struck, set ablaze, and sunk before its torpedoes could be launched.
• The German Expeditionary Fleet destroyed all the attacking destroyers, while the few torpedoes they fired failed to threaten its capital ships.
• Vice Admiral Spee ordered the fleet to advance on Tokyo, and Rear Admiral Mauff relayed the order.
• Admiral Yashiro Rokuro told the Cabinet that the destroyer squadron had been wiped out, while Oka Ichinosuke urged the ministers to find shelter.
• At seven in the morning, Vice Admiral Spee’s fleet reached waters less than ten kilometers from Tokyo and began bombarding the city.

The German Expeditionary Fleet bombarded Tokyo, killing fleeing residents and setting the city ablaze. As Cabinet leaders discussed ending the conflict, Emperor Taisho cowered in a shelter, powerless and terrified.

• Mackensen and the other German warships began shelling Tokyo, destroying buildings and killing residents who fled along crowded roads.
• Army Minister Okashi no Suke vowed revenge, while Yamagata Aritomo and Oyama Iwao regretted the decision that had brought the bombardment upon Tokyo.
• Yamagata Aritomo urged an end to the disaster, and Okuma Shigenobu sought support from Matsukata Masayoshi and Inoue Kaoru to oppose the army's occupation of Southeast Asia.
• Emperor Taisho was taken to a bomb shelter, where he panicked over the Germans reaching Tokyo Bay and blamed the Cabinet, though he had no power to act.

German warships devastated Tokyo and then bombarded the Imperial Palace, convincing Emperor Taisho and the Island Nation’s leaders that they could not continue the war. The chapter ended with Okuma Shigenobu and other officials accepting that defeat was necessary, even if they hoped to seek revenge later.

• Vice Admiral Spee ordered the fleet to destroy more of Tokyo and threatened to bombard the Island Nation’s coastal cities if its government refused Germany’s conditions.
• Rear Admiral Mauff suggested targeting the Imperial Palace, and Spee ordered the fleet to bombard Chiyoda Ward.
• German shells struck the Imperial Palace, killing several people and destroying its buildings while Emperor Taisho sheltered in a bomb shelter.
• Emperor Taisho demanded that the Cabinet negotiate peace and admit defeat, but his attendants reported his words to Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu.
• Yamagata Aritomo and Oyama Iwao agreed that the Island Nation could not continue fighting, while Okuma Shigenobu said it should wait until it was stronger before seeking revenge.