Month: December 1998 (Page 2 of 3)

Nov II 37

(Clear zone 12)

Japanese Player Turn

As expected a landing occurred at Yungkin in Chekiang by SNLF forces, pushing back the defending MSF XX’s in the port city into the surrounding mountains. Further to the north in Shanghai, another attack on the Northern hex of the city fails (AS). In Shangtung massive attacks are undertaken by Japanese forces to clear CA and Man XX’s south of Weihsien. Results are mixed, with some exchange results occurring but the balance being in the favour of the Japanese. In Hopei attacks on the Ting river line result in a number of AS results, but eastward several MNF and Hopei XX’s are destroyed in the canals and swamps. In Shansi the forces of the 10th Army rest, receiving reinforcements and replacements.

Chinese Player Turn

MNF units are flung into the line at Hopei, while in Shangtung assorted divisions and battlegroups are gathered together to try and stand up to the overwhelming force of the Japanese army. Elsewhere the Chinese remained on standby.

Commentary

Analysis to date: Japanese forces should have been more aggressive early, especially getting over the river lines south of Peking in the first couple of turns. Shanghai is going to be a meat grinder for both sides, but with the losses to CA XX’s in the north, it is likely to hurt the Chinese more. The SNLF Landing at Yungkin seems to be a waste of time, and the forces there are now stranded with few options other than reinforce and fight across extensive mountains or withdraw. Shansi has been bloody to date for the Japanese Army, again testimony to the defensive nature of the terrain. Shangtung looks ready to be blown wide open in the new year, the only limiting factor being repairs to rail lines and coordination with the 2nd Army. For the Chinese, the first few months could have been a lot worse, but some stubborn defence by CA Supported XX’s and careful use of Artillery regiments on the numerous river lines of Hopei has delayed the japanese. The only downside is the current staus of Hopei forces (the loss of 15 and a half REs in one turn was a real killer, it weakened the defence line at a critical period). Kwangtung remains uncooperative. As usual, the fall of the dice in factional rolls is playing an important part in the game.

Nov I 37

(Frost Zones 3,4 & 7, Mud 12, Clear elsewhere)

Political Events

Through favaourable explanations in the press, the KMT Government explain the grevious losses in October as ‘necessary for national survival’, and political protests over the governments management of the war to date ‘bad for the yang’. The country remains calm and maintains faith in its political leadership. In Tokyo, chuffed by the success of October operations, opens the remainder of Central China for operations, confident a swift end to the conflict can be brought about. (Rolled 11)

Japanese Player Turn

Attacks by the 1st Lt XX, 1 DK Lt X, Senda on MNF Forces in the mountains results in 5:1 odds (Great wall actually worked in favour of defenders). Attack results in EX. Further to the east the 6th Lt XX and support units attacks the CA 1Ls Cav and two Shansi Cav XX’s for a HX. Lots of losses by Japanese forces in the region leads to the local commander committing Seppuku. In Hopei, the new defence lines of the Chinese result in mixed results for Japanese attacks (DRs, AS and AR’s) The defence line is buckled, but not broken. In Shangtung, three Szechuan XX’s and the 3rd Art III are destroyed by a large Japanese attack. Units begin to advance into the rough terrain east of Tsingtao, crossing below the main defences set up by the Chinese to face the 2nd Army on the Yalu River. In Shanghai, and attack by four Lt XX’s and several seige units fails to take the northern hex of Shanghai. generally a disappointing result following the heady days of October

Chinese Player Turn

Chekiang is reinforced with MSF units in case of amphibious landing (the IJN Marine units having long since been returned to Japan since the success at Wosung). In Shangtung and Hopei, the Chinese scramble desperately for more troops to form a defence line. Only in Shansi is there some satisfaction that the Japanese can be held with the available forces. The Shansi warlord has a full complement of forces with numerous forts and defence lines. Oh bitter hubris!!!

Oct II 37

(Clear all zones)

Japanese Player Turn

In Shanghai, the emphasis on operations moved south of the Whangpoo, with a taskforce based on the 3rd and 11th Res [XX]’s attacking and seizing the eastern hex of Shanghai for a HX result against the defending CA forces. In Shansi, units advanced slowly as engineers in the rear worked feverishly to provide reliable supply lines to the front line forces. In Hopei, a sweeping pincer movement attacked the eastern flank of the 1st War Front with several divisions along the Wei and Laiochang Rivers. It was intended the Mot. 9/5th Mtn X, 4D Mtn Art III and assorted tank units would then sweep into the rear of the pinned CA XX’s along the Chema and Ting Rivers. Numerous attacks were launched, and a 4 hex wide gap blown into the 1st War Front’s flank. The scene is set for a blitzkrieg – oriental style! In Shangtung, the 14th Lt XX attacks the Manchurian garrison of Tsingtao, eager for revenge for its earlier humilation in Sep II and forces the Manchurian divisions to retreat across the straits. The DCTF is forced to sea where it falls prey to the waiting Japanese fleet.

Chinese Reaction Movement

In something akin to the miracle of the Marne, the 1st War Front makes its reaction roll, allowing the movement of the MNF 30th XX and CA 2nd Art III to take up positions behind a convenient bend in the Hoto River, blocking any exploitation movement by the Japanese to Shihkiachuang! Chinese public opinion goes wild, and the press lauds the hero of Hoto River as a great warrior and future hope for China. The War Front Commanding General is presented the highest decorations available to Chinese forces by Chiang Kai Shek himself in a ceremony at the front line before being posted to supervise railway construction in Yunnan.

Japanese exploitation movement

The Mech/Motorised force based on the 9/5th Mtn X advances to contact the MNF 30th XX, accompanied by much swearing and cursing.

Chinese Player Turn

In Hopei the CA and MNF forces flee from the Chama river positions to occupy forts prepared behind the Ting River. the MNF 30th/CA 2nd Art III is reinforced and Hopei worlord units sent to eastern Hopei to try and slow the 2nd Army. In Shansi the critical Ladies Pass is fortified in anticipation of Hopei falling. North of Yangku forts are built – soon Shansi will be a ring of steel. In Shangtung, a mighty offensive is launched against a solitary Japanese regiment of the 26th XX, but it fails horribly and Chinese forces flee from battle (2:1, AR).

Japanese Reaction Movement

The 1st Army makes its roll and Tsingyuan falls. An attack on the CA New 2nd XX causes a ZOC DR result and Hokien is seized. In October a total of 11 cities have fallen to the japanese and numerous CA XX’s have been lost – some permanently.

Oct I 37

(Clear all zones)

Political Events

All quiet in the political spectrum. Rumors in the press of a joint KMT/Communist war council being set up are scoffed at by KMT Government sources, who claim that bandits are not accorded the rights of legitimate government.

Japanese Player Turn

In Shangtung the advance continues to the Wei River by the 101st and 108th Lt XX. Other units manouver for future turns. In Shansi the Senda, 6th Lt XX and Mot 1DK Lt X destroy a Shansi Corp with supporting MNF X’s defending Pingsingkwan. others units are held up in their attacks by dogged Chinses defenders. In Hopei the defenders of Ihsien are totally destroyed by a task force based around the 27th Lt XX and 10th Res [XX]. Towards the coast, Chinese defences are blown wide open by a number of DE result attacks along the Pohai Wan coast. Numerous units are lost by the Chinese, including a number of valuable supported divisions. In Shanghai, the SEF begins to advance along the coast, keeping clear of the city hexes in order to gain the best positioning for assaulting the city. (Basically an advance to the north of the city to get optimum forces from three hexes onto one urban hex). CA forces defending Piamoukou are forced back. Chinese 1st War Front makes reaction roll: Units moved to strengthen defences of Tsingyuan.

Japanese exploitation movement: In Shansi, Senda mechanised and Mot. 1DK Lt X over run numerous unmanned forts, the Shansi construction X and the HQ of the 2nd War Front. China is devastated by the loss of it’s “Maginot” of the far east! In Hopei, the Mot. 9/5th Mnt X and attached Tank/Lt tank units overun a handful of MNF Cavalry units and a CA RR Engineer. The Tsinpu RR to Tehsien is now japanese owned with only six unsupported Honan Divisions between the 2nd Army and the heartland of Shangtung.

Chinese Player Turn

The northern front has become three seperate campaigns – Shansi, seperated by mountains from Hopei, seperated by swamp and canals from Shangtung. In Shansi, the Chinese units flee in terror from Yieghsien, fearful of being cut off by the mechanised forces in their rear. They begin to occupy the rough terrain along the upper Hoto River. Japanese forces would be out of supply if they advanced to this area without the Peking-Suiyan railway being operational. In Hopei, Hopei units were fed carefully back into the front line to face the Japanese, but without being able to stack with the CA XX’s were vulnerable. In Shangtung, troops from Central China were railed into help form a defence line based on the Yellow River. Large amounts of ground was abandoned to the Japanese and numerous gaps remained in the line facing the 2nd Army. In Shanghai, more troops were sent into the front line.

Sep II 37

(Mud Zone 12, clear elsewhere)

Japanese Player Turn

Large quantities of reinforcements arrive in North China, with the government recognising the need to answer the China question once and for all. In Central China, units are built up and landed to begin formation of a battering ram that will take the city of Shanghai in the future weeks. A single 2:1 by the units of the SEF results in a DR and the city hex is snapped up. The Chahar Expeditionary Force sends a Jehol cavalry XX and artillery II to take Suiyan. Attacks by Japanese and Manchukou units seize Kweiwatung and advances towards Paotao.

The 6th Lt XX encircles three MNF Cavalry units in rough ground near Yuhsien destroying them all in a ZOC retreat scam. The subsequent advance after combat blocks the retreat of a mixed Shansi/MNF force defending the junction of the Yang/Sangkan Rivers who are attacked by the armoured might of the Senda, Mot. 1DK Lt X and NCG [XX]. The result is a DR and the units are defenders are destoryed, tearing a gap in the Shansi defence line. Further south, Japanese units advance to the Chema River, with no attacks occurring (especially the 20th Lt XX which is awaiting a new commander). Towards the coast, a task force based on the 16th Lt XX destroys two Manchurian XX in the swampy ground at the junction of the Tzuya and Liaochang Rivers.

South of the Machang, the 10th Lt XX, 5th Mnt XX and assorted units attack the CA 41st and Manchurian 73rd XX, expecting an easy victory. The result is less than satisfactory (DR) and the chinese retreat in a manner that makes exploitation risky. A concurrent attack launched into the wooded intermittent lake ground across the Machang by the 9th and 109th Lt XX’s fails (AS), despite heavy artillery and air support. The victorious CA 32nd and Manchurian 101st and 108th XX’s taunt the Japanese soldiers as they swim back to the japanese side of the river. In Shangtung a large number of overruns occur, and in a bold move, the 27/4th Lt X marches across the peninsular to attack the Manchurian units (2nd and 130th) holding Tsingtao, but bitter defence of the urban hex holds off the attacking force. The 28/4th X also suffers embarrassment SE of Chengfoo when it is forced to retreat in its attack against Shangtung Warlord forces defending wooded rough terrain.

Chinese Player Turn

Hopei divisions are rebuilt, but placement is limited to cities free from other Chinese units. Honan and Szechuan forces, for weeks on the march from their homelands, are railed into Hopei and Shangtung to help take the burden of defence. In Shanghai, the defences are reorganised. In Shansi, withdrawals continue to forts along the railway and in the hills.

Sep I 37

(Mud Zone 12, clear elsewhere)

Political Events

The political stability roll for China is good and remains at level four. An internal assasination attempt on the warlord of Hopei is successful and a pro-japanese clique seizes power! The local KMT/CA general unsuccessfully attempts to bargain with the new ruling elite of the Hopei administraion, but supplies of weapons and precious stones go unrewarded (bribes fail) and Hopei becomes uncooperative. 13 infantry XX, 1 cavalry XX and assorted brigades are scrapped rather than the valuable CA XX’s they are stacked with.

Japanese Player Turn

Kalgan is taken in a bitter exchange of forces, but the north is now freed up for further attacks. Numerous attacks occur along the Yang and Muchang Rivers. All attacks along the Yang river result in AS results, much to the frustration of the Japanese, who wonder whether the spirit of Bushido has been transferred to the defending Chinese. The only exceptions to the failed attacks are a 1:1 attack by a scratch group of MG and Engineer units and artillery forces against a CA and Hopei XX’s which results in a DR, an attack along the Machang River by the 5th Mnt and 10th Lt XX’s which results in a DR and an attck by a mixed group of units based around the 16th Lt XX at the junction of the Chema and Tang Rivers. This destroys the defending Manchurians and advances. In other good news, the 20th Lt does not run from battle (AS).

In Shantung, an amphibious landing by the brigades of the 14th Lt XX at Chefoo results in a HX against the Shantung 22nd XX. The Provincial ruler is quoted as being shocked and saddened by this turn of events. The Japanese consul points out he should have taken the Japanese bribe in July. Follow up units exploit into the port. At Wosung, Japanese marines and units of the 11th Lt XX and engineer forces, supported by the big guns of the IJN hammer at the CA 46th XX. Air cover is provided by carrier units and the CA unit is forced back, to the great relief of the Japanese command who feared facing a wall of supported divisions along the coast. Units are landed to bolster the Wosung defences. Medals are awarded to all successful commanders (except the 20th Lt).

Chinese Player Turn

CA XX’s fall back to behind the Chema Riverwhile the Japanese bridgehead over the Machang is blocked in. Shangtung units advance to Chefoo to limit the potential for japanese advances with the 5th and 3rd Warfronts moving to Weisien. In Central China, CA forces ready themselves to defend Shanghai. In Shansi, retreating units tear up rail lines and ready themselves for the defence of their prepared positions.

Aug II 37

(Mud Zone 12, clear elsewhere)

Japanese Player Turn

Formation of the 1st and 2nd XXXX’s occurs, and attacks are agin put in across the river defences, but attacks by the Senda, 10th Lt, NCG Lt [XX] result in stalled attacks. Again the 20th Lt XX disgraces itself in battle against the rag-tag Hopei infantry and flees from battle. The 5th Mnt XX attacks Manchurian/MNF forces across the Yang River and, despite losses (HX) advance across the river. North of Peking, the 6th XX destroys a MNF force in wooded rough terrain and frees up the advance route to link with Jehol and Manchukuo forces who advance to surround Kalgan with interlocking ZOCs. Air attacks on the rail system result in a break on the Tsinpu RR north of Tehsien. Generally a disappointing period for the Japanese High command who expected greater results and less resistance from the Chinese. Two amphibious landings planned for the next month.

Chinese Player Turn

Within Shansi, units begin to fall back from Kalgan, bidding farewell to the surrounded garrison and burning joss sticks in their memory. Along the Yang River, Manchurian forces fall back to the Machang River to join the supported CA XX’s. Hopei units also fall back from the Yang River south of Peking with CA XX’s but a gap of two swamp hexes is opened between the CA XX’s. Around Shanghai the CA waits patiently for the command from Chiang Kai Shek, which is ‘attack, attack, attack!’. massive dogfights erupt in the skies above the city as IJN and CAF pilots test their skills. Both available IJN units are returned to base, but the CAF lose their Mixed Fighter unit. Calculation of odds reveals odds of 3:2, totally inadequate planning by the General Staff, who blame their faults on the easy accessibilty of opium around the International Cantonment. Cursing his lick, Chiang rolls a 6 which modifys to an EX…. very lucky. Celebrations are heard throughout the city on news of its liberation from the threat of Japanese troops. All IJN air, ground and naval forces are lost. A black day for the pride of the navy. As part of the exploitation, Wosung is occupied by a 4-6 XX.

Aug I 37

(Mud Zone 7,1,2,9 – clear elsewhere)

Political Developments

KMT diplomats sign a treaty with the Regional government of Shangtung, promising greater development and investment in the province over the next few years, sweetened with an immediate boost to the provincial treasury and a personal ‘salary’ to the ruling warlord. A warm and ongoing relationship between provincial and national governments is predicted. (Bribes help to bring Shangtung into cooperation with the KMT). Dissappointment further south as the Kwangtung Provincial Governemnt cite ongoing displeasure with national policy and its concentration on ‘northern affairs’ to the detriment of the south’s economic development. An immediate grant of government treasury bonds fails to sway local opinion (Kwangtung goes uncooperative!)

Japanese Player Turn

Reinforcements begin to arrive from Manchukuo and Japan and local commanders begin attacking Chinese forces to quickly break the line and begin the expected sweep across northern China. wading through the mud, the Senda Mechanised XX and newly motorised 1DK Lt X attack across the Yang River a Hopei infantry corp (Three Inf XX) but (un)surpringly meet with little success (AS). Of greater concern was the failure of a much vaunted attack by the 20th Lt XX across the river defence line on Hopei units, but as troops were disembarking from loaclly commandeered junks and fishing craft used to cross the river, spirited defence panicked the attackers who fled in disorder and could only be rallied by their distraught officers some 16 miles from their start line (AR).

In Tsientsin, the 5th Mountain XX takes the last hex held by a lone Ho Pol X. In the air, Japanese bombs rain down on the transportation network. In defence of their homeland, the pilots of the Hawk II, specially trained and awaiting this oppurtunity attempt to intercept the attacking waves of Ki-2-1 bombers, only to be shot from the skies in suffcient numbers to send the counter to the aborted box. Obviously non-plussed by the brave showing of the chinese, the bomb aimers miss their runs and the bombs fall wide, and all rail lines north remain open. Amphibios operations planned against Wosung (and are planned each turn until needed)

Chinese Player Turn

CA XX’s deployed behind the Yang and Machang Rivers, bolstered by Hopei, MNF and Manchurian units. In Shansi, local Warlord cavalry units with help from MNF and CA units advance to the hills around Kalgan, putting forward and aggresive defence. Behind them, construction begins of fortifications along selected ‘choke’ points along the Shansi railway. Around Shanghai, the CA XX’s are finally emplaced in positions ready to get revenge on the Japanese Marines for 1932. CA units in Canton are redeployed to Fukien.