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They might have a considerable number of carriers, but if they've pushed all their CAGs into the sea, then it doesn't matter...
Quick response:

I briefly checked that too - they still have CAGs, part of around 60 wings of different types they still field. The same ones that started sinking all my subs a few months back and made me cease merchant raiding ops. :(
 
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Quick response:

I briefly checked that too - they still have CAGs, part of around 60 wings of different types they still field. The same ones that started sinking all my subs a few months back and made me cease merchant raiding ops. :(
Which is odd, because, historically, the Japanese were loathe to even bother with ASW, or convoy raiding of their own... not "honourable" or some such.
 
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Which is odd, because, historically, the Japanese were loathe to even bother with ASW, or convoy raiding of their own... not "honourable" or some such.
Ah, yes, "honour"...also known as "consolation prize" to us dishonorable war-winning sorts. :D
 
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A brief lull in the war, as everything has become frozen. Only a little over 3.000 casualties in a month is great, and the Soviet Union now finally has a half-decent Pacific port again with Nikolaevsk na Amure. That should really help with supply issues. Even if the front stalls everywhere else, the unguarded Far Eastern flank of the Japanese line is ripe for the picking, and with this weather, I think the Japanese will have significantly more trouble redeploying troops to plug the hole.

Of course, maybe it all doesn't matter if the Soviet Union gets it's nukes and it simply forces a Japanese surrender that way.

Interesting choice using a Guards regiment and a regular rifle regiment in conjunction. I've always been one for concentrating one's special troops in crack units, but this does look like a very strong unit regardless. I'm eagerly anticipating a later conflagration between the Soviet Union and the Allies. Just to see what those new Divisions you're fielding can really do.
 
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Which is odd, because, historically, the Japanese were loathe to even bother with ASW, or convoy raiding of their own... not "honourable" or some such.
Ah, yes, "honour"...also known as "consolation prize" to us dishonorable war-winning sorts. :D
To be fair to the IJN (not that they deserve it) I understand they ignored ASW and convoy raiding because they knew it would make no difference. Japan could not lose enough shipping in the short term to derail their plans and the Admirals knew Japan would lose a long war with the US regardless of what happened to the convoys. Hence the IJN put all their effort into the Combined Fleet that would win the "decisive battle" and so the war. I'm not saying it was a good plan, or even that it ever could work, but it was their plan and it wasn't entirely stupid.

This attitude continued even after it became apparent Japan would be fighting a long war, the slow bleeding from convoy losses was recognised but the priority was always carriers and capital ships. Because they had a shot at winning, where as ASW could at best delay defeat. Sure by the end the lack of convoys got painful, but it's hard to argue that a bit more shipping and more secure supply routes would have changed the final outcome.


Interesting choice using a Guards regiment and a regular rifle regiment in conjunction.
I too noticed that, a departure from Soviet practice where a division is either Guards or it is not. Given the tendency of Guards units to get the proper equipment, more leave, actual training, accommodation that is not on fire, that sort of thing, I like to imagine this new Division as being riven with jealously and dispute, the Guards unit swanking around with the best gear in a luxurious 5 Star barracks, while the regular rifles shiver in huts and are equipped with sticks that have the word "Bang-ski" written on the side in crayon.
 
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Another quick response re the guards unit: I was limited to building only one new guards brigade and wanted a five-brigade division, so decided to throw in an ordinary one with it. A bit of an improvisation, but we shall perhaps one day find out how it goes in the deliberate attacking role.
 
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Will be doing comment responses soon, have played the next month and am starting the next update.

Hailstorms in Queensland (Australian state) today - where it’s the state Election Day. When they say ‘hail the size of cricket balls’, they’re not joking! :eek:

1171A02A-EF57-4BCA-97B7-D2F18A223544.jpeg
 
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I see the Australian cricket team are preparing for their next illegal ball tampering scheme.

Stay safe in the hail, looks nasty.
 
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I see the Australian cricket team are preparing for their next illegal ball tampering scheme.

Stay safe in the hail, looks nasty.
That’s what we have helmets for. :D
That was well north of us fortunately, but we had heavy rain here that washed out all games this weekend. More time for AARs, though ;)
 
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those of us that don't know how big is a cricket ball are somewhat not sure about the exact size of the calamity, but sounds scary in any case!
 
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those of us that don't know how big is a cricket ball are somewhat not sure about the exact size of the calamity, but sounds scary in any case!
Ah right, slightly bigger than a baseball or tennis ball, if that helps. Some were measured today at up to 14cm across. They smashed roof tiles in many places.
 
Ah right, slightly bigger than a baseball or tennis ball, if that helps. Some were measured today at up to 14cm across. They smashed roof tiles in many places.
we (human beings) shouldn't have screwed up the climate this much. Events like this is becoming more common every year. Spring and autumn is disappearing in every country that traditionally experienced 4 seasons. I don't have kids yet, but I woe the world that one day my grandchildren will live.
 
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Will be doing comment responses soon, have played the next month and am starting the next update.

Hailstorms in Queensland (Australian state) today - where it’s the state Election Day. When they say ‘hail the size of cricket balls’, they’re not joking!
I take this as (a) proof God exists and is very angry about the state of modern politics, and (b) proof that I would be wise to rent out a bunker this Tuesday here in the States. :eek:
 
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As mentioned, the next month - January 1946 - has been played through and I've now done all the image preparation. Next, after these responses, I'll do the (now more abbreviated, quick and dirty) write up. But first ...
Winter weather makes the going slow, but we're surely going steady. Allies in Malaya are still going without a brain, but the Allies bright spot is, Australia is about to become Axis-free. Nice update!
It does, as will be in evidence in January too, of course. It doesn't stop everything, but it demonstrably makes attacking more difficult and drastically slows movement, in a region where the distances are great , terrain is often difficult and infrastructure low.

Malaya? :rolleyes::eek::mad:
It seems like the fetial prie.. ee commissioners were of the populist faction this month, they fed the chicken with the good stuff apparently
:D But the poultry can be tricksy and fickle ... ;)
Another month another exciting...well, intriguing...erm, ah, well, stuff happened. :p Can't expect too much in the winter, I suppose, and hey, at least we can build nukes now!
Exactly. General Winter is not necessarily on our side in the east. On nukes: well, we are now working on the technology that will finally allow us to build nukes, at least. And it's due to finish in mid-February! <Rubs hands avariciously and gives a hearty Dr Strangelove evil cackle "Mwahahaha"!>
I'm starting an office pool on how long before Bullfilter AARs slide into Pippian temporal mechanics. Any takers?
Can I buy a ticket in that? ;) But I will keep things going along on all four, even while RL and the mod compete.
That's a damn beefy division that ought to do quite a lot of damage once it hits the field. Shouldn't be as fuel-hungry as our mobile divisions either. Of course, by mid-1946, will leg infantry still be relevant or will the world have moved on to motor and mechanized line divisions?
I see you trying to sneak this past your eagle-eyed readAARs. Thought you could just mention our new nuclear capabilities in a throwaway sentence and no one would notice, didn't you? Yeah, well, I noticed. Let the thread now become appropriately hyped. :D
As above: Mwhahaha!
A slow month overall, but it seems as though the developments behind the curtain are about to really steal the show soon.
We simultaneously pursue both operational and strategic options. I think both will need to operate in tandem when the time comes.
Going to be quite quiet for a couple of months I presume as the winter really bites.
Spot on there.
Maybe there is something in the water of Malaya that makes everyone sleepy?
Too true - maybe someone is doing one of those early LSD experiments on what passes for Allied leadership there. Then again, with France dominating things, perhaps they are deliberately sabotaging British imperial interests ...
The Japanese may have a considerable number of carriers - but surely all that means is that allied submarines have more targets? I mean, we all know there are only two types of vessel, right? :)
They might have a considerable number of carriers, but if they've pushed all their CAGs into the sea, then it doesn't matter...​
Quick response:​
I briefly checked that too - they still have CAGs, part of around 60 wings of different types they still field. The same ones that started sinking all my subs a few months back and made me cease merchant raiding ops. :(
Which is odd, because, historically, the Japanese were loathe to even bother with ASW, or convoy raiding of their own... not "honourable" or some such.​
Ah, yes, "honour"...also known as "consolation prize" to us dishonorable war-winning sorts. :D
To be fair to the IJN (not that they deserve it) I understand they ignored ASW and convoy raiding because they knew it would make no difference. Japan could not lose enough shipping in the short term to derail their plans and the Admirals knew Japan would lose a long war with the US regardless of what happened to the convoys. Hence the IJN put all their effort into the Combined Fleet that would win the "decisive battle" and so the war. I'm not saying it was a good plan, or even that it ever could work, but it was their plan and it wasn't entirely stupid.​
This attitude continued even after it became apparent Japan would be fighting a long war, the slow bleeding from convoy losses was recognised but the priority was always carriers and capital ships. Because they had a shot at winning, where as ASW could at best delay defeat. Sure by the end the lack of convoys got painful, but it's hard to argue that a bit more shipping and more secure supply routes would have changed the final outcome.​
It will be interesting to see how Japan deploys its air and naval power as we start to get closer to the Home Islands from the north and west. The next chapter will give a few initial indicators of that.​
A brief lull in the war, as everything has become frozen. Only a little over 3.000 casualties in a month is great, and the Soviet Union now finally has a half-decent Pacific port again with Nikolaevsk na Amure. That should really help with supply issues. Even if the front stalls everywhere else, the unguarded Far Eastern flank of the Japanese line is ripe for the picking, and with this weather, I think the Japanese will have significantly more trouble redeploying troops to plug the hole.
Weather and supply remaim big factors in January. As does our getting nearer to Japanese air bases, while getting further from our own recently developed air bases, which are now becoming further out of range of the front line in the east. Where things go there will soon be revealed.
Of course, maybe it all doesn't matter if the Soviet Union gets it's nukes and it simply forces a Japanese surrender that way.
I think we'll still need to put some boots on the ground to force it all, as well. But I've never done a nuclear campaign in HOI3 so it will be an experiment for me in that sense. And actual bomb production seems to be a long and tortuous process. Then I need to deliver them.
Interesting choice using a Guards regiment and a regular rifle regiment in conjunction. I've always been one for concentrating one's special troops in crack units, but this does look like a very strong unit regardless. I'm eagerly anticipating a later conflagration between the Soviet Union and the Allies. Just to see what those new Divisions you're fielding can really do.
I too noticed that, a departure from Soviet practice where a division is either Guards or it is not. Given the tendency of Guards units to get the proper equipment, more leave, actual training, accommodation that is not on fire, that sort of thing, I like to imagine this new Division as being riven with jealously and dispute, the Guards unit swanking around with the best gear in a luxurious 5 Star barracks, while the regular rifles shiver in huts and are equipped with sticks that have the word "Bang-ski" written on the side in crayon.​
Another quick response re the guards unit: I was limited to building only one new guards brigade and wanted a five-brigade division, so decided to throw in an ordinary one with it. A bit of an improvisation, but we shall perhaps one day find out how it goes in the deliberate attacking role.​
we (human beings) shouldn't have screwed up the climate this much. Events like this is becoming more common every year. Spring and autumn is disappearing in every country that traditionally experienced 4 seasons. I don't have kids yet, but I woe the world that one day my grandchildren will live.
Yes, we really need to do something, but to stick it's going to need to be done without collapsing economies too - oh, for some determination, competence and enlightened self-interest, all over the world. Not much to ask ... er, um, right. :eek:
I take this as (a) proof God exists and is very angry about the state of modern politics, and (b) proof that I would be wise to rent out a bunker this Tuesday here in the States. :eek:
Interesting it came on QLD's election day, but it didn't really have much impact as far as I can tell. We tend to shrug these things off and keep going.

Re Tuesday: Good luck with that, my friend (and all other US residents). I've never seen a US election so closely and minutely followed in this country, and I dimly recall the considerable coverage following "all the way with LBJ", where LBJ posters went up when he visited here in the mid-60s. I know many people who are cancelling all other engagements on Wednesday (our time, Tuesday evening US east coast time) to follow the continuous coverage being provided on a number of our major TV networks. It is of course very consequential for many other countries - including very good long-term friends and allies of the US, such as Australia (who tend to cleave very close despite different parties of centre-left or -right in charge here or there).

Though I won't delve here into any partisan aspect, out of deference and respect to those for whom this is directly applicable. Just good luck, God's speed and hoping people can dodge both COVID and unrest next week ...
Yikes! Glad to hear you were safe, but still...
Over here, we're used to extreme weather events and big storms this time of year in Queensland (think a bit like Florida or the US Gulf Coast in hurricane season, perhaps). It was more of a novelty story here - unless it was happening to you, in which case it was a dangerous inconvenience and an indicator that hailstones seem to be getting a bit bigger than usual. o_O

All: thanks once more for your continuing support. The next update should be up in the next day or so, as this difficult war grinds into 1946.
 
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I'm just glad that my shift is off duty on Election Day...
 
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I'm just glad that my shift is off duty on Election Day...
Amen to that! Hope it stays nice quiet where you are (indeed everywhere) and there's no call up ...

All: next episode all done and will be up soon!
 
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Chapter 23 – January 1946
Chapter 23 – January 1946

AuthAAR’s Note: Welcome back to the front, dear readAARs! We continue the grim War in the Far East, with the snows of winter. And my current 'quick and dirty' presentation format to keep things going along, even if the update rate is slowed a little (noting this is one of four AARs I’ve got going on rotation).

******

1. Eastern Sector

As the new year of 1946 opens, winter continues to exert a firm grip. The latest Soviet attack on Ushumun, which began on 30 December, goes on, while a major new Soviet attack began on Chegdomyn on 1 January: it would prove to be one of the biggest battles of the campaign so far, with the air forces of both sides weighing in. For example, the poor weather in Chegdomyn lowers the effectiveness of the Soviet attack by an estimated -21.9%.

Japanese air attacks - by at least six different TAC wings, some with escorts - on Soviet troops attacking Chegdomyn from Imeni Poliny Osipenko, Solnechny and Sofiysk on 2 and 3 January caused a total of 2,886 Soviet casualties, while strikes by the VVS on Chegdomyn itself killed 556 defenders from 1-3 January.

juGQQZ.jpg

With no effective Soviet fighter cover nearby, a brand new air base (one was being held ready) was built in Nikolayevsk na Amure. A base upgrade to level 2 facilities was started the next day, as hardly any repairs were yet possible in the bare-bones base.

4NbAQo.jpg

Five INT wings in two groups from Mutina were transferred, to start providing interception cover. Despite still being low on organisation after re-basing, they were soon in action to good effect, first over Imeni Poliny Osipenko.

vYVejf.jpg

The battle for Chegdomyn ended in Soviet victory on 3 January and (whether from the interceptions or the battle ending) the enemy bombing raids also ceased.

On the morning of 5 January, the last of the northern pocket was eliminated in Susuman.

PsooDN.jpg

After skirmishes that saw Mordaga lost on 5 January but then regained the next day, the next major battle was a renewed Soviet attack on Ushumun from 8-12 January against newly arrived Japanese reinforcements, won again by the Soviets. Weather continued to hamper the attack (-20.3%) and slow down movement. This dose was repeated from 15-17 January, after which the Soviets finally occupied Ushumun on 28 January: then having to defend it against a Japanese counter-attack from 28-30 January.

Early on 8 January, all the transports in Ulya were merged into the Red Banner Pacific Fleets, the 1st Marine Division was loaded up, and they all sailed south for the first Soviet amphibious operation of the war. Their destination was Okha in northern Sakhalin, opposite Nikolayevsk na Amure, which was now crucially able to offer air cover for the invasion fleet.

Wec8Ay.jpg

They were offshore by 1800hr the same evening, discovering no Japanese garrison in place. The 1st Marines would continue to operate under the direct (ie human) control of HQ Far Eastern Theatre.

WWbcBV.jpg

Okha was liberated early on 10 January, with the marines ordered to advance the length of the island, if possible – but the weather meant it would be slow progress. Interestingly, there had been no Japanese opposition on the ground, in the air or at sea. Having done its job, the fleet re-based to nearby Nikolayevsk na Amure.

MTmqHi.jpg

From 11 January onwards, the Japanese heavily bombed Soviet forces in the east and caused very heavy casualties, clearly using new bases that were now in range, while Soviet air support continued, but was more stretched.

F5yRdP.jpg

At first, VVS interception from the new forward air base would contest these raids and largely suppressed them until mid-month. But by 14 January, with little ability to rest and repair, the VVS’s ability to stop the raids had begun to falter. This would eventually lead to very high casualties, and enemy air support for some significant Japanese counter-attacks by the end of the month.

Kw7Tp0.jpg

A major action was fought to take De Kastri, on the Pacific coast from 18-24 January, ending in another Soviet victory, despite atrocious weather (-34.7% attack) and difficult terrain (-35% attack). Japanese air raids on Bogordskoye also attempted to disrupt the attack but were contested by nearby INT from Nikolayevsk na Amure, though many were still able to get through.

Lz9s5d.jpg

The Japanese launched a major attack on Solnechny, with heavy air support, on 21 January. The Soviets were forced to retreat on 26 January, after losing 3,587 men to air attacks, in addition to over 800 from ground combat. The VVS was unable to stop them, though Tyndinsky-based aircraft were still able to conduct ground support missions against the Japanese throughout this period.

A concurrent large Japanese attack on Sofiysk was also going on around this time, lasting from 25 to 30 January, but this one was ultimately repulsed. However, another 2,664 men were lost there to Japanese air attacks. This time, the weather (-25.9% attack) was working against the enemy.

The Japanese occupied Obluchye (after a previous victory there) on 25 January.

ss9a2p.jpg

But despite local supply problems, the Soviets counter-attacked soon after. The battle was fought and won between 26-29 January, with active VVS support (644 enemy killed in air raids).

4beyB3.jpg

Eastern Sector Operations – January 1946.

The lion’s share of fighting on the ground, and all the combat in the air, had been fought in the Eastern Sector this month. A clear Soviet superiority in ground fighting had been balanced almost exactly by the new-found preponderance of Japanese air power, with total casualties on both sides almost exactly even. Despite this, the Soviets had still managed to push forward on balance, with Obluchye likely to be reclaimed in February, though the earlier gain of Chegdomyn was now under threat after a loss there late in the month.

GxyOfy.jpg

A summary of battles and advances.

******

2. Central Sector

Very little of note occurred in the Central Sector during January, with neither side willing or able to attack much. Mogucha was reoccupied on 1 January, after a successful Soviet attack there the month before. On the boundary with the Eastern Sector, a Japanese attack on Aksenovo Zilovskoye was beaten back from 1-3 January. It would be the only battle fought in the sector for the rest of the month.

The main reason for this inaction, on the Soviet side at least, was clearly recurrent supply problems.

O7THO5.jpg

By the end of the month, there had been a wholesale pull-back from the front line, including the abandonment of Mildigun, despite it being an assigned objective of both 1st and 7th Armies.

8nxUbY.jpg


fUcb6K.jpg

Central Sector Operations – January 1946.

WQVcN0.jpg

A summary of battles and advances.

******

3. Western Sector

The Western Sector at least had reasonable supply, though no VVS air missions were flown there for the month, probably due to issues of range and poor supply in Irkutsk. A limited series of offensive and defensive battles were prosecuted.

An evenly contested battle for Ulaanbaatar was fought between 4-11 January and ended in a Soviet victory. It was liberated soon after Japanese resistance ended. The old Mongolian capital had been liberated – only a few months after their surrender had appeared imminent!

qYI3If.jpg

A few small battles were enough to see Sharangad secured by 14 January, after which a couple of more determined Japanese attempts to retake it were defeated (14-20 and 29-31 January).

Of interest, the (AI-controlled) Archangelsk and Lwow Theatre HQs each transferred a group (four wings total) of CAS into the liberated air base in Ulaanbaatar early on 27 January. Though not sought by HQ Far East, they were accepted and allocated to 7th Army.

wH0Vpz.jpg

Western Sector Operations – January 1946.

MFC8Ke.jpg

A summary of battles and advances.

******

4. Production and Logistics

Level 3 radar station upgrades were completed in Kaunas, Lwow and Brzesc Litewski on 15 and 16 January, part of the growing radar network on the Western Front. Improvement of each to the next level was started immediately and given the highest production priority.

As January drew to a close, the supply position across the Far Eastern Front remained poor, especially in the centre, but also now in places further east. [Question: apart from infrastructure, does anyone know if poor weather also affects supply distribution/throughput, noting it affects ordinary ground movement?]

AA46BW.jpg

By the end of the month, over 45% (180 IC) of industrial capacity was being devoted to supply production, just to keep the stockpile around its minimum preferred 30,000 benchmark.

******

5. Research

The first week of the new year saw advances in fighter ground crew training and navigation radars for medium sized aircraft. The VVS modernisation program continued with the new projects started on better TAC ground crew training and also NAV pilot training – the latter being the first such program in the Soviet Union.

1GyLyT.jpg

With a now massive pool of trained agents in reserve, on 13 January the KGB and GRU spy schools were mothballed, with the freed leadership effort split between starting a new research project (to improve small air search radars) and increased officer training.

mHaTDa.jpg

The next two projects completed boosted the submarine program: both engine and torpedo research was continued.

wkZQSA.jpg

And as January 1946 ended, Stalin was apprised of progress in three core and highly classified areas of strategic research. In mid-February – just a few weeks away – Soviet scientists were confident they would be able to start building the first nuclear device. Theoretical jet engine design was also due to advance at around the same time. And in another area of strategic warfare, the first flying bomb design should allow construction of this first level of unguided devices from early May 1946, paving the way for more advanced rocket engine research.

ofHkHw.jpg


******

6. Espionage

With little undue attention on Soviet agents overseas and a large reserve of agents, on 24 January the effort in Spain (down to only one domestic agent after losing two to that point in January) was reset to 50% counter-espionage and 50% political influence, as the local Communist party had been losing ground. Other missions were left unchanged.

By the end of the month, a 29 enemy spies had been neutralised in the USSR or in the four foreign missions (11 fewer than in December 1945). Only one Soviet agent had been lost (in Japan) but four trained up to 13 January, so overall strength rose to 70 Soviet agents in the field or in reserve.

In terms of political results, NU in Japan and Manchuria had been eroded a little more. Communist Party support in Spain was down, but up a little in Turkey (where the political influence mission had been in operation all month).

kwUTMJ.jpg


******

7. Theatre Summaries

As noted above, fighting was intense in the Eastern Sector of the Far East as the fierce winter was endured and the Northern Pocket had been eliminated. Total casualty rates were higher again, but especially from a massive increase in Japanese air attacks.

7vopIa.jpg


******

South East Asia was again largely static, though the US had secured Guam from Japanese occupation.

caOWQg.jpg

And the Allies had now completely occupied Hong Kong and the surrounding Japanese enclave in southern China.

x1yUal.jpg

Malaya had been treated with its usual neglect: a single US Marine division under British command seemed to be the only assigned force, doing ‘picket duty’ on Kuala Lumpur.

1b6KNu.jpg

The campaign in Australia had been successfully wrapped up, however [giving your humble authAAR a warm inner glow, at least ;)].

sZajxs.jpg

And in New Britain (an island province of New Guinea) a heavy build-up of HQs (!) and aircraft was spotted, though it seemed only a single airborne division was present and seemed to only have a Japanese theatre HQ in opposition.

2bcBza.jpg
 
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Much hard fighting still ahead, but still the pressure remains on. Whatever local successes the Japanese have are quickly reversed and new gains made.
 
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Missed this AAR as well! Thanks for the new episode. On the tech front, much exciting progress is just at our doorstep!

They were offshore by 1800hr the same evening, discovering no Japanese garrison in place. The 1st Marines would continue to operate under the direct (ie human) control of HQ Far Eastern Theatre.
Difficult to resist the temptation of hands-on operations, isn't it :D

But despite local supply problems, the Soviets counter-attacked soon after. The battle was fought and won between 26-29 January, with active VVS support (644 enemy killed in air raids).
it seems we need to prioritize taking the airbase provinces first if that's possible

By the end of the month, there had been a wholesale pull-back from the front line, including the abandonment of Mildigun, despite it being an assigned objective of both 1st and 7th Armies.
facepalm
 
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