How the heck does the Japanese border war against the Soviets work?

[Pellucid]

I've been trying to play a non-aligned Japan game where you fight the Soviets, and I noticed they get a border war option against them. Twice now I've started from the beginning of the game in Ironman to try to win this border war, but it doesn't seem to make any sense whatsoever. I've read how border wars work in the Wiki and it doesn't seem to have any relation to what happens in my games. I'll consistently get a green bubble against the Soviets that's ticking upwards, and then suddenly after like two days the game declares I've lost the border war. The wiki claims that border wars are supposed to last a year if there's no clear winner, and in both cases I was CLEARLY winning. My units had not run out of ORG or strength. It just seems like it's randomly ending. How the heck does this work and how am I supposed to win?

 

[HugsAndSnuggles]

I'll consistently get a green bubble against the Soviets that's ticking upwards, and then suddenly after like two days the game declares I've lost the border war.

Did your divisions actually got into the battle?

 

[Pellucid]

Did your divisions actually got into the battle?

I'll double check next time I try it but I'm pretty sure they did since the percentage in the bubble was changing, which I don't think would happen if they weren't actually engaged.

 

[HugsAndSnuggles]

I'll double check next time I try it but I'm pretty sure they did since the percentage in the bubble was changing, which I don't think would happen if they weren't actually engaged.

I wouldn't count on bubble alone. I do know that during these conflicts divisions are initially placed in reinforcement queue; side that fails to reinforce the battle (with, at least, a single division) within a grace period (something like couple days you describe) loses the conflict. So having radio (or, at least, mass assault) is a must - even then chances of not reinforcing aren't 0.

 

[vermicious knid]

I've had it work a few times, but I think I used the sad Japanese armored units and a good general.

 

[Pellucid]

I think I've figured it out. If the Soviets reinforce to the battle before any of your units do, you lose the battle instantly without even fighting.

 

[SchwarzKatze]

I've had it work a few times, but I think I used the sad Japanese armored units and a good general.

You can place your armored units near the border but you can't control what general gets pulled in. When border war starts a new army containing the involved units is automatically formed with a random general.

I think I've figured it out. If the Soviets reinforce to the battle before any of your units do, you lose the battle instantly without even fighting.

If the grace period HugsAndSnuggles mentioned is already over, yes. Although I think it allows a minimum of 3? 4? hour battle like usual battles do.

 

[King Of Heroes]

Just make sure to place 6 divisions in the location the incident happens beforehand and you got it, planning bonus works too so have it ready.

 

[pdstanbridge]

Yeah, keep 6 - 7 divisions free for either side you play, then keep them on that border zone with North Korea. That's all you need to do. I win all the time, and it gives you a handy land doctrine bonus, for doing nothing much at all.