1700 September 26th 1944.
North China Army Headquarters. Anshun, China.
Progress was still good in China with almost no counter attacks from the Chinese forces in the area. This allowed Higashikuni to advance almost anywhere without fear of enemy activity.
Hoshinato's armour had arrived in Tianshui but would require several days rest before it could be used offensively. Mitsuru's infantry division was moving in to Ya'an behind the armour to occupy the province and maintain a solid line after it had captured Chengdu.
Higashikuni was watching for an opportunity to attack the new Chinese capital of Luoyang in the north east of the central Chinese pocket.
Communist Chinese troops had occupied Datong and were now going to suffer at the hands of Japan's Tactical bombers led by Air General Ichimaru. Their occupation of Datong would not last long as there were no other troops moving to reinforce the single division that had advanced.
The attack began as soon as the bombers were over the target area. Four divisions led by Mj. General Hederich would force the enemy troops to retreat in short order.
2300 September 26th 1944.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, Bangka Strait.
Lt. General Hasebe did not get much chance to rest his troops before he came under renewed attack from American forces.
Four of the original six divisions had returned to try again. Triye was waiting for them this time and intercepted the enemy fleet as soon as the invasion began.
Four hours later the American fleet withdrew without any losses, although several ships were badly damaged.
They returned on the 28th for another attempt, hoping that the Japanese defences had weakened. They had not. 12 Sensuikantai would sink the 92nd Transport Division during this latest attack and would hopefully ensure that no further attempts were made without significantly more naval support.
2200 Septmeber 28th 1944.
North China Army Headquarters. Anshun, China.
General Itagaki's korp had rested for several days and was now capable of supporting an assault. The target was fairly obvious as it was the weak point in the Chinese defences.
Seven Japanese divisions, led by General Fujie from Enshi, attacked the three Chinese divisions in Yichang province. The capture of this province would allow Japanese forces to isolate almost any Chinese nationalist army still alive in the area with only one further attack. The battle would last for seven hours before a Japanese victory. Close Air Support aircraft would harass the defenders during the attack and for days afterwards.
One further advance occured before the end of September as General Yamada arrived in Lanzhou province in the north. He was ordered to continue his march north east towards Guyuan. Capturing this province would complete the encirclement of both Communist and Nationalist troops. Yamada's troops were tiring quickly but would march on regardless, some spoiling attacks would be required to prevent them being forced from Guyuan as soon as they arrived.
1000 September 29th 1944.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, Gaspar Strait.
Aerial reconnassance had detected a Transport fleet moving through the Gaspar Strait and Yamamoto ordered his fleet to intercept.
Two of the three British Transport Flotillas would be sunk during the encounter. The Battlecruiser IJN Kongo would sink one and the Battleship IJN Yamashiro the other. Yamamoto needed a third fleet operational but this could not happen until production became available to repair his damaged ships. Once the ships had been repaired Carrier Group C could be used to defend the Marianas in addition to BB Division 2.