Rebirth of the Japanese Empire: A Japan MDS 1.6 AAR

[Razgriz 2K9]

It seems the hammer and anvil tactic is faltering with the PLA focusing their efforts on the Tokyo Pact forces in Siamese Indochina and the Siamese mainland itself. Do you have a strategy should the Southern front collapses in on itself?

[Kaiser_Mobius]

@Razgriz 2K9: I guess the fall back strategy is to hold Bangkok and the Malay peninsula and hope those lines hold until the Chinese are forced to sue for peace. Even if they conquer most of Southeast Asia, it will mean little if the vast majority of their homeland is occupied by Japanese forces. The main thing however will be whether Japan can demand China to withdraw fully from southeast Asia. If the Chinese completely occupy Burma for example, then its hard to force them to leave in a final diplomatic settlement. In that case, the best Japan could hope for would probably be a return to prewar borders with some changes here and there.

@Everyone else: Thanks for the comments! Also, I hope the war with the SCO is living up to expectations. It looks like commenting is slowing down, and I hope that isn't due to some mistake on my part.

As fighting continues to rage in mainland Asia between Japanese/Allied forces against the armies of the SCO, more signs are appearing that the enemy may finally be falling apart. In the last several months of fighting for places like Mongolia, Japanese forces have had to tactically withdraw in the face of large enemy counterattacks lest they suffer unbearable casualties. This time however, Japanese and Allied troops are managing to hold their ground against large enemy counteroffensives, even resulting in the destruction of many of the enemy's attacking formations. The enemy is now clearly becoming exhausted after countless intense battles with Japanese and allied forces.


In Southeast Asia, the first painful test comes for Japan's fresh forces that have been deployed in the Malay peninsula. 6 entire enemy mechanized/motor rifle divisions, some 90,000 strong with helicopter gunship support, attempt to push down the peninsula for a drive on Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Japanese infantry, with the aid of an RSA tank brigade, despite being vastly outgunned, are able to hold their ground in the forests and hills and make sure the enemy attack is halted. Malaya has held, and efforts can finally begin for a full scale counterattack.


Back in China, Japanese forces launch a new major offensive. This time, the target is the Chinese occupied island of Taiwan. Japanese special forces, paratroopers, and airmobile brigades cross the Taiwan strait by air and sea towards the island. To reach Taiwan however, Japanese forces will have to neutralize the substantial enemy defenses on Kinmen, which effectively bars entry to the island. The Chinese forces, eager to defend their prize, fight ferociously to hold their ground, resulting in very heavy Japanese casualties.


By October 20th, Kinmen has fallen, but the losses accumulated in taking the island have greatly weakened the Japanese attackers. After meeting equally heavy resistance on Taiwan itself, the attack is called off.


Now, the Japanese Air Force is called in to join the fray. After having many of its formations grounded due to heavy losses from enemy anti-aircraft fire during battles in mainland China, the Japanese air force is replenished and ready to fight once more. Japanese F-15EJ strike fighters are ordered to pound enemy defenses on Taiwan to soften them up for another push. In response, the PLAAF starts throwing everything it has that can fly into the air to stop them, resulting in pitched airbattles with Japanese air superiority fighters. In these engagements, the Japanese have the upper hand, shooting down dozens of enemy fighters for only minimal losses in return. With the skies largely secure, bombing attacks on Taiwan continue.


Back on the mainland, Japanese and Korean troops are launching limited offensives to destroy or disrupt growing concentrations of enemy forces north of Manchuria. These attacks are highly successful, resulting in huge enemy casualties and preventing any new SCO offensives against the northern limit line.


Over Taiwan, huge airbattles continue to rage. This time however, the PLAAF is in for a rather nasty surprise. Expecting to face F-15's, the Chinese fighters instead run into brand new elite wings of Japanese F-22J air supremacy fighters. The stealthy long range F-22J's fight with great strength and power, scoring very large numbers of kills on the PLAAF's formations for no losses of their own. Some of the Japanese fighter pilots even become aces after this battle, having shot down 5 or more aircraft each. The Chinese quickly realize they are fighting out of their league here, and flee to their bases.



Back on the main frontline, Japanese troops begin to steadily march forwards, with the goal of closing in on one of the Chinese government's final remaining strongholds, the city of Chongqing. The battle goes very well, and results in heavy enemy casualties and yet more territory under Japanese control.


Another target of new Japanese advances is the major city of Changsha. After several hours of heavy fighting, its defenses fall apart and the city falls to the Korean Army.


Finally, in the Middle East, the Americans, desperate to break the stalemate in the region launch a very ambitious invasion of eastern Iran. However, the Americans only land by sea a mere two mechanized infantry divisions, rather than a larger more capable force. Nevertheless, taking advantage of a lack of opposing forces, the American's blitz into the countryside, marching through Iran and into Turkmenistan. In Turkmenistan, the American's capture the country's capital, as well as its political leadership and defeat the country's local defending units. Turkmenistan is forced to capitulate due to this move. Although a very bold attack, the American adventure into central Asia does not last long, as Iranian and SCO reinforcements quickly arrive to the region and wipe out all of the American gains. If this is how the American's are trying to win the war, they are not going to achieve permanent victories.

[Aliasing]

Aha! I see some landings in Saudi Arab-Oh, Those are Static, Aren't they?

GO RECREATE ISRAEL ALREADY YOU STUPID AMERICANS!

[Sumeragi]

What on earth is that red blob in Afghanistan?

[Zzzzz...]

What on earth is that red blob in Afghanistan?

China?

[Razgriz 2K9]

As long as your forces can hold on to Malaya, you should be able to mount a counterattack to reclaim Western Siam, right?

[CylonAndrew]

Man, the American are doing a very horrible job. They are sure to loose their international presteige and become diplomaticly isolated in light of their incompitense. They let Europe fall because of foolish decisions.

[SovietAmerika]

Wow, the Americans must be REALLY angry at Obama and the military at the moment with all of these failures. If I were him, I'd make strategies to trick the Middle Easterners with several sneaky surprises where they least expect them rather than send half assed forces for an open assult. Perhaps Japan will be the nation to liberate Israel?

[Aliasing]

Liberate ALL THE COUNTRIES

[Fenrir 1576]

Conquer ALL THE COUNTRIES

I fixed that for you.

[KcindX]

Looks like China will soon be forced to negotiate a peace treaty if this keeps up.
But on the subject of the United States, I'm rather disappointed to be honest. I thought they'd do far better then this.

[Nathan Madien]

I have to admit: I never noticed Kinmen on the map before.

But on the subject of the United States, I'm rather disappointed to be honest. I thought they'd do far better then this.

What can I say? We're Americans. Addressing major problems with half-way measures is what we do.

[History_Buff]

What are the Chinese doing in Southeast Asia anyway. Don't they realize their own homeland is now in serious danger of falling. You'd think they would have more important things to do then invade Burma and Siam with their own homeland in jeopardy. Also, I say keep this war going for as long as you can. If you can completely own China, then go for it. So far you look to be doing good. I would laugh so hard if you got the war to the point where you could hit the annex button on China.

[Kaiser_Mobius]

@Sumeragi: The red is Chinese occupied Afghanistan. Also note that a part of southern Afghanistan, the Kandahar province, is occupied by the Iranians.

@Razgriz 2K9: Hopefully, but that could still prove difficult, as the terrain is mountainous and thus making attacks very costly.

@SovietAmerika: Well, Japan does not really have ambitions of invading large parts of the middle east, so a Japanese march on Israel is not likely. Even if Japan did, the chances of Israel being recreated as it was pre war are very low.

@KcindX: I have similar sentiments about the USA's performance in this war. It actually could be worse, as by default the Americans do not put much effort into building a big ground army but rather spend lots of time building warships and airplanes. However, they have performed very well in places like Latin America and Africa, where lots of American troops have been spearheading coalition advances.

@Nathan Madien: Kinmen is very hard to spot. It was put in to allow the Chinese AI an easier ability to invade Taiwan by the looks of it.

@History_Buff: Chinese priorities do seem to be very odd aren't they. Oh well, if they really want to make the mistake of sending so many of their precious forces to southeast Asia, Japan will be happy to punish them for it.

@Everyone else: Thanks for the comments!

The battle for Taiwan continues even while Japanese forces regroup and wait for reinforcements. The Chinese, feeling confident after forcing the Japanese invasion of the island to be called off, launch a limited counterattack to drive the Japanese forces back onto the mainland. However, Japanese forces are able to hold their ground and keep the enemy from holding any beach heads on Kinmen island. When word arrives to the Chinese of Japanese ships approaching the area with carrier aircraft, the Chinese attack falls apart.


In the United States, congressional/senatorial elections result in a surprising victory for the democratic party. Due to the sub-par performance of the United States in this war, many had expected (including myself) to see a massive Republican party landslide. However, the democratic party was able to capitalize on a very important factor to win votes, that factor being the nearly universal employment created by the USA's massive war economy. The 2008 financial crisis, which was largely blamed on massive economic deregulations imposed by the republican party during the George W Bush years, had resulted in a massive spike in unemployment. Since the start of WW3 however, that situation changed with the implementation of Barack Obama's wartime economic strategy, which has in one fell swoop rebuilt once vanished factories in the so called "rust belt" states and has put to work for war production many millions of Americans. This factor was able to secure democratic victories, but whether Obama himself can win an election in 2012 on pure economics alone is another matter. The USA will need to rack up some military victories as well if Obama has any chance of being re-elected president in 2012.


Back on the Japanese home front, new military forces are now ready for combat. New wings of strike fighters are ready for deployment, as well as another 6 airmobile brigades.


In Taiwan, Japanese forces are ready for another push onto the island. This time, the army has brought in the heavy artillery, in the form of the entire Japanese 1st Army Group, manned by thousands of elite combat veterans and equipped with an entire divisions worth of tanks. Supported by marines and air cavalry brigades, Japanese forces fight their way through Chinese defenses and gain a foothold on the island.


With Chinese forces in disarray, the Japanese air force pounces on them. Through large scale bombing attacks, enemy divisions retreating for Taipei are dismantled before they reach their destinations. The roads leading to Taipei turn into a giant shooting range, littered with the hulks of destroyed tanks, trucks, personnel carriers, and other military vehicles. Barely any Chinese forces make it to Taipei, while Japanese troops begin to encircle the city.


On the mainland, new offensives unfold against Chinese forces in the vicinity of the city of Guangzhou. First, Japanese marines in Hong Kong coordinate with ground forces on the mainland to take control of Shenzhen.


Then, Guangzhou itself comes under siege from Japanese forces. Enemy resistance is heavy, and some Japanese formations report higher than expected losses, but eventually the enemy forces are put to flight and the city falls under Japanese control.


On Taiwan, the final assault takes place on Taipei. Japanese forces attack the city with overwhelming force, hoping to end this battle quickly. The depleted Chinese forces, including their HQ and a marine infantry division, are quickly overwhelmed.


After several hours, all enemy forces in Taipei lower their weapons and surrender. The Rising sun flies high and proud from the heavily damaged Taipei 101 tower, signaling final victory for the island. After many decades, Taiwan is now once again under Japanese control!


Meanwhile, it appears that Japan is not the only country invading an island. In Europe, the Russian military launches a very bold offensive, aimed at the United Kingdom, the only European country still at war with Russia. A Russian naval taskforce is able to move into the English Channel, escorting a small landing force of about 15,000 Russian troops. Under cover of darkness, the Russians land in Cornwall, and march northeast straight for London. British Territorial Army forces are unable to stop them, and London falls into Russian hands. The British Royal Family evacuates to Scotland, while the British government flees to Birmingham, vowing to throw back the Russian invasion. The Russian flag flies high over the British Parliament buildings while Russian soldiers occupy No.10 Downing Street, as British reinforcements mass in East Anglia in preparation for a counterattack.


Finally, in Africa, long time SCO ally Angola surrenders to South African forces. Coalition troops are now able to invade the Congo with massive force, smashing what resistance is offered by the Congolese Army. It seems nothing can stop the Coalitions advance in Africa now.

[Aliasing]

Things seem to be working out favorably for the Americans (Domestically) and American Allies (Not the UK)

[Sethanon]

Very interesting updates. I hope the war with China and Russia can be concluded soon. Japan has more important matters to attend to than running over minors. (Do they really?)
It will be very interesting to see the story develop beyond China.

[Sumeragi]

Can we have an overview map of the Chinese Front? I'm afraid I've lost track of what's going on.

[Razgriz 2K9]

looks like another NATO member shall fall to Russian influence in just a moment.

So with victory in Taiwan and we're moving into the South, I assume that we should be able to assist our beleaguered allies to our south now.

[Barvinok]

Japan is rolling along, not stopped by anything. But Russians are going bravely into a new invasion. I hope UK goes down, would spice things up a lot.

[TemplarComander]

With only one division in Britannia, I doubt the Russian Invasion will amount to much.
I wonder though how historians would look on it. The first time the United Kingdom was invaded since 1066 by a force not invited into the Isles (William of Orange was kind of invited so I don't really count him as an invader.)