Europa Games and Military History

Category: War of Resistance AAR 2 (Page 1 of 3)

Robert S. Williams´s report from a fierce game of War of Resistance played in 1999

Dec 38

Dec 38

Political Events

Faced by the loss of the northern province, the various Warlord leaders of the MSF recognise their mistake of breaking with the KMT and announce their desire for a united front in the face of ongoing Japanese aggression. The announcement is warmly received in Hankow, with the curt message “We told you so” being sent to the MSF leaders huddling in the damp mountains in western Chekiang.

Japanese Player Turn

Cursed and thrice damned Rain continues throughout the month, showing the gods surely favour the Chinese, obviously must be something about Yang and Feng Shu! The weather frustrates the offensive south of the Yangtze, but the Rough hex behind Hangpu and bordering the Yangtze is seized, breaking the defence line once and for all. Finally the last city in Chekiang falls (Chuchow), allowing the setting up of a puppet regime, with Anhwei hopefully due to fall in the next month or so, this should see a puppet natioanl government being established by the beginning of 1940.

Chinese Player Turn

North of the Yangtze CA forces pull back to Anking and a major construction program begins of building forts behind every tributary river running from the north to the Yangtze. A mass of CCP Guerillas go active around the Tapieh Shan, inflicting annoying mosquito bite attacks on rear echelon units, unfortunately IJA units refuse to respond. At the Wuhu line CA forces fall back towards Chinchow and rough ground north of Hweichow. The 6th War Front becomes active at Shangjao with armoured units and spted XX’s sent into the line here to bolster the defence and the approach to Anhwei and Kiangsi from this area

Commentary

The action in the north died down early in the year once Shangtung and Hopei had fallen, but the rapid changeover of Shansi forces to the Japanese kept action going in this region longer than was expected and caught the Chinese on the hop (and the IJA who were busy winding down troop numbers to commit further south). The Shansi switch was potentially disasterous for the Chinese, with the loss of a lot of units and territory. Luckily a line was reestablished fairly quickly using MNF troops and some arty IIIs. The inevitable diversion of the Hwang Ho river also significantly contributed to a slow down in activity in the region, protecting the MNF province of Honan for the immediate future (and the fact the IJA saw no value in advancing in this direction while the CA heartland along the Yangtze remained intact).

Along the Yangtze, the battle for Shanghai and the advance to Nanking was bloody for both sides. The IJA enters 1939 on a shoestring budget of RPs and every EX and HX result hurts the cause. Although it is easy to gather the big XX’s together to over run or ensure high odds results, the subsequent weakening of other positions meant the CA could attack the flanks and isolated garrisons. Although Chekiang and Kiangsu eventually fell, it wasn’t as rapidly as planned, hampered by the rice growing season and unexpected rain at the end of the year, which broke the offensive at critical times. Added to this was the withdrawal of several light divisions at crucial periods in time that required shuffling of remaining forces to maintain the offensive. For the Chinese in this area, the battles could be judged a Phyrric victory, although the CA stood toe to toe for over a year only grudgingly giving up terrain, it is now a shadow of its former self. A handful of Spted XX’s remain, and a breakout by IJA forces into favourable terrain will mean the CA will be gobbled up. Able only to replace six divisions a year to supported status means a long careful defensive campaign in this region, hoping the IJA will wear itself out like it did around Shanghai and on the road to Nanking. Alas the terrain ahead does not look promising, and the Southern region will soon be opening up, putting greater pressure on the stretched Chinese resources.

Coming up in 1939:

  • Guerillas in the Mist, or “Where the hell did you come from?”
  • The White Russians March!
  • The Great 6th War Front Offensive, or “The Charge of the Light Tank Brigade(s)”
  • The Empire Strikes Back!
  • A horse riders guide to the coastal ports of Fukien.
  • A Bargain Hunters Paradise – the top places to visit in Kwangtung Province in a Landing Craft
  • Shanghai Mk II – Canton Cantonment

[Editors Note: As nearly three years have passed, we have to assume the game was unfortunately broken off at this point, which is especially sad as I personally find few game reports so readable and interesting as Bobs.]

Nov 38

Nov 38

Political Events

Nothing significant happens and political reporters are hard pressed to justify their expenses to editorial staff for this month.

Japanese Player Turn

Kinwha falls in Chekiang to Lt XX’s advancing as part of the CCA Army while in Anhwei Ningkwo is taken. Disaster comes to the IJA in the form of Rain tumbling from the heavens, bringing a screeching halt to plans for a rapid series of attacks and advances south of the Yangtze, the die roll modifier makes it risky for low odds attacks, and the IJA is starting to become stretched in this region as it trys to cover CCP guerillas in their rear and the multitude of CA XX’s on their flanks.

Chinese Player Turn

Again troops are sent to back up the defence lines and RPs are lent from Szechuan to provide more troops for the CA. The rains of late November are welcome to give the CA breathing space froom the enemy.

Oct 38

Oct 38

Political Events

After exhausting negotiations between Kwangtung authorities and KMT officials, the renegade warlord of the region agrees it is in the nations best interests to return to a cooperative relationship, allowing overseas supplies to once again flood up the railway to Central China and the remaining Chinese naval units to seek refuge in Canton.

Japanese Player Turn

Newly arrived light divisions (welcome additional strength points at last!) are sent to Chekiang to snap up Ningpo and Shaohsing. The Formosa Mtn XX is sent to Yungkia and breaks out of the long established perimeter to drive the defending MSF units out of the mountains surrounding the city and begin a drive to link up with northern units, led by the KS Cav XX. In Anhwei, a major drive is launched on the No Name river line, and a bridgehead across is achieved, but again at terrible cost (EX).

Chinese Player Turn

Reinforcements (again trashy unsptd 1-4 XX’s) are rushed to the No Name River, but the added difficulty of supplying these forces hampers a defence in this region. In Chekiang, MSF units try to flee the Lt XX’s and the onrusing Form Mtn XX, but are caught short of reasonable defensive positions.

August and September 1938

August and September 1938

Political Events

China is rocked as the fabric of its society continues to unravel as the barbarous Japanese advance continues. With the govt moved from Nanking, people continue to lose faith in the KMT rule and the Level drops to 2. In September this is compounded by the MSF succumbing to internal agitation and becoming uncooperative, obviously due to the remoteness of the KMT govt in far off Hankow.

Japanese Player Turn

Nanking falls early in August, a triumphant march through the city by the conquering forces is tempered by the fact many lives have been lost wading through the rice paddies in atrocious weather. Hofei and Hangchow fall soon after and there is a pause in operations as units are brought up to strength, unfortunately there are not enough RPs available and the recruitment pool in Japan is exhausted. Any losses from this period on will not be easily replaced. A Puppet administration is set up in Nanking. In Chekiang, the unhorsed 9/5 Mtn X and KS Cav XX are brought in to help a small force of brigades and regiments take the remaining MSF cities in the province.

Chinese Player Turn

CA forces are railed in to Kinhwa in Chekiang and retreating MSF forces tear up rail lines around Shaohsing and Ningpo before taking up positions around and behind defensive terrain, again emphasis is on the defence. At the Hangpu River and the No Name River line, forts are dug and units placed behind in reserves, protecting the last line before the easy terrain to the south of the Yangtze is available for operations by the Japanese.

June and July 1938

June and July 1938

Political Events

China remains at level 3 for these months. The MNF forces are briefly flirt with Japanese agent provocateurs and threaten to forbid local militias and units operating in the same areas as CA forces but a personal appeal by CKC and a supply of agricultural and pharmaceutical supplies proves to appealing to the warlords and they remain committed to the War of Resistance. (Uncoop rolled, bribes succeed).

Japanese Player Turn

During these months, the Shansi and Honan fronts are stripped down of powerful units and go onto the defensive. The freed up units are sent down to Kiangsu where the rice growing season makes the advance slow, luckily most enemy units now are unsupported trash with the CA husbanding its last handful of CA 4-6 and 3-5 XX’s back from the front to prevent a rapid breakthrough. At Kiangfu a breakthrough is made and the mot 9/5 Mtn X unhinges the defence of Pengpu which falls in July. The Rail ferry across the river from Nanking is taken. On the opposite bank, the advance continues towards Nanking, and in the last attack of July, a one hex attack with lots of air and naval gun support just fails to take the capital. Around Hangchow, the Japanese army swarms around MSF units supported by an arty unit from Foochow. In the last attack of July, IJA units launch a one hex attack on Nanking, but fail to break into the city and are repulsed (AS).

Chinese Player Turn

Throughout his period, ground is grudgingly given up in Kiangsu. RPs are transfered to Anhwei and Hupei and the KMT Govt is transferred down the river to Hankow. Only 9 supported divisions remain in Central China, scattered about the warfronts with a few lonely looking arty regts placed in key hexes. The only consolation to the sorry state of the CA is the number of cadred and remnant IJA units. Defence works are constructed behind the Hangpu river and the river near Wuhu (The No Name river line!) Basically Wuhu, Tangfua and Hofei are given up by the Chinese, any defence of these is doomed to cost units needed for the defence line. A KMT Guerilla base is set up in the Tienmu Shan. Elsewhere in China a few half hearted guerilla attacks occur in the north on rail lines, but generally the chinese are on the defensive – any movement out of their current positions would result in certain destruction.

May 38

May 38

Political Events

The KMT continues to convince the population that their management of the conflict to date has been succesful and the political index remains the same.

Japanese Player Turn

The 2nd Army lurches over the Kwo river line and seizes Kaiteng. The mechanised force attacks across the river at Pengpu, but dug in Chinese soldiers foil the advance. At Kaingtu the same happens as the 9/5 Mtn X and KS Cavalry are prevented from breaking the Chinese defences. The subsequent blowing of the Hwang Ho dams diverts the river and prevents further serious Japanese movements around Pengpu. Late in the month, the 2nd Army troops scuttle across the Kwo river and destroy numerous Chinese units caught in the open trying to flee to the sanctuary of the swamp bordering the new river line. In Kiangsu and North Chekiang, a series of bloody battles occur, again lots of EX and HX results cost the Japanese a lot of lives.

Chinese Player Turn

The Hwang Ho dams are blown and troops on the Kwo River flee towards the new line, most are lost when the Japanese catch them in the open. North of the Hwang Ho CA sptd XX’s and MNF XX’s and X’s occupy forts in rough/irrigation hexes to prevent a Japanese advance along the north bank. In Shansi the advance halts as it comes against numerous traitor and puppet units and their Japanese masters. In Kiangsu more unsptd CA XX’s are flung into the battle line to provide a speed bump for the Japs.

April 38

April 38

Political Events

Confidence in the government falls and the national will goes to level 3, the loss of Shanghai obviously having a great psychological impact on the chinese people.

Japanese Player Turn

Numerous attacks occur along the Kwo River front, but low density of units results in nothing significant occurring (any advance on this avenue seen as really leading no where strategically) In Kaingsu, SNLF units land at Nantung and assualt the fortress at Chaingyin, both fall due to the superior IJN NGS. A handful of EX and HX attacks occur in the region, bringing the Japanese to the Grand Canal line and past Tai Hu. Tungshan falls and motorised/mechanised units sprint towards Pengpu to try and cross the river before the dams in the north are blown.

Chinese Player Turn

A 3-5 XX and assorted trash (including the CA armoured units) are rushed to Pengpu to block the Japanese thrust. Eastern Kiangsu is abandoned north of the Yangtze as CA forces fall back to Kiangfu and the favourable river/irrigation intensive terrain. Taihsien and Jukao are abandoned, with troops pulling out to the curses and cries of local residents. Unfavourable press coverage reports the retreat as a rout. Further north, MNF, Hunan, Kweichow and Szechuan troops position themselves ready to be in perfect positions to advance to the new Hwang Ho river line when the dams are destroyed. At the Kwo river, MNF/CA forces remain stoically in position.

March 38

March 38

Political Events

Despite the defection of bandits to the Japanese invaders, the country retains confidence in the existing adminstrations handling of affairs to date and the country remains at level 4. In Shansi, the newly appointed Peace Preservation Administration of Shansi survives the crisis of loosing two cities in its south and the reports of widespread execution of Loyal Shansi Military Officers and Government officials which threatens recruitment of troops to the newly planned Shansi Peace Preservation Army.

Japanese Player Turn

In Kiangsu, the last hex of Shanghai falls as the Japanese steam roller also seizes Soochow, Chaihsing and Sieng Chiang. Divisional units of the 2nd Army are sent to take Tungshan and drive south towards Pengpu. During the month a lot of Chinese units are destroyed.

Chinese Player Turn

In Shansi Luifen is taken from the treacherous dog soldiers of the bandit warlord, elsewhere reinforcements are fed into the frontline. Units are manouvered to prepare for the destruction of the Hwang Ho dams (Kwo River line and hexes just back from expected path of the new river are filled with troops. Around Nanking lots of CA units (unfortunately many no better than rifle armed rabble) are entrenched in forts, awaiting the coming Japanese. The plan is to hold out until the rice growing season begins.

Feb II 38

Feb II 38

Japanese Player Turn

Shansi and Hopei Puppet govts established, which with Shantung allows North China Govt to be established in Peking. (Inner Mongolian Govt is already established) In Kiangsu, the 9/5 Mtn and KS Cav XX are stuck in the rice paddies around Kaoyou and west of Tasung Hu. This situation will last for several weeks as a lot of AS and AR results are rolled due to the favourable CA terrain. Around Anyang, the 1st and 2nd XXXX’s crush a lot of Chinese units but more remain behind them, and local Japanese forces are becoming demoralised with the lack of progress compared to the advances of late 1937. Around Shanghai, the last CA held urban hex is nearly surrounded, Japanese calls for the defenders to surrender peacefully are ignored as the German trained units recognise that holding the SEF for as long as possible will delay the inevitable march to Nanking and beyond.

Chinese Player Turn

Puchow and Luan are taken from Bandit forces, local MNF commanders behead and shoot many captured bandits in the two cities as a warning to all of the consequences of treachery against Sun Yat Sen’s three principles and the nation that enshrined it. Elsewhere little happens as reinforcements are marched into existing defence lines

Feb I 38

Feb I 38

Political Events

The nation is rocked by news of the Shansi warlord declaring openly for the Japanese with a coup by warlord forces overpowering local KMT officials in the captial. Rumors indicate that Japanese agents have long been busy in the province, sowing the seeds of sedition amongst local militia and bandit groups which led to 75% of warlord soldiers turning their coats and joining the Japanese invaders. Again substantial inducements delivered to the warlord fail to impress the avaricious warlord, who has obviously been promised a high position in Japan’s post-war future vision for China. CKC is heard swearing about the impossibility of fighting a campaign in such conditions. Mao Tse Tung cites the event as an example of the ongoing decadence of capatilist philosophy and proves the inevibility of the marxist doctrine in the march of history. CA secret agents in Shansi dig up the warlord’s ancestral tomb and scatter the bones in the sewers of the provincial capital’s poor quarter in revenge. In North China Area Army High Command, many bottles of saki are drunk and toasts made to the everlasting emperor in celebration of this magnificant imperial victory. The night ends with C-in-C 10th Army doing a karaoke number of Al Jolson’s ‘Mammie’ before being escorted home by Kempai police.

Japanese Player Turn

In Shansi local patriotic forces aided by Japanese and Jehol units surround and destroy isolated CA and MNF units, except for two stacks of MNF XX’s spted by CA Arty III’s, located north of Luan. All cities in Shansi are now Japanese/puppet occupied. In Kiangsu, Yenchang and Hwaiyin fall to the 9/5 Mtn X (Mot) and KS Cav XX while the western hex of Shanghai fall, leaving the CA an enclave across the Whangpoo in the citys southern outskirts. Other CA forces are forced back from the north shore of Yangcheng lake. In Shantung the 2nd Army crosses the Weishun Hu canal, however the majority of units are weak static brigades and Manchukuo puppet formations with limited arty spt. The 1st Army pins the CA/MNF forces around Anyang to prevent reinforcements being sent to Shansi.

Chinese Player Turn

Weak MNF forces attempt to take Puchow in Shansi, but the river crossing fails in the face of opposition by a single bandit brigade. The local MNF chief curses the CA forces in Shensi who refuse to help retake Shansi due to important “training requirements” that demand the spted CA XX’s remain in close contact and observation of CCP units to the north. A mixed force of MNF/CA units march towards Luan to try and link up with the remaining Chinese units in Shansi, but cannot make the distance. As the MNF no longer need to garrison Honan, large amounts of forces are sent to strengthen the Kwo River and and the broiling mass of units around Anyang/north of the Hwang HoYellow River. Around Shanghai, a two valuable 4-6 XX’s are withdrawn from the battle to reserve at Ihsing to react North or South as needed. Most CA stacks around Shanghai are based on a single 3-5 XX and a couple of CA 1-4 XX with the odd brigade thrown in.

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