-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
THE GREAT GAMBLE
1939, September 22nd
1939, September 22nd
Chiang Kai-shek is worried about the Japanese presence in the areas surrounding Pingxiang. Afraid of being outsmarted and defeated again, he orders his officers to throw everything at the enemy. The unsuspecting IJA soldiers are shocked when they hear the mountain shaking Chinese battle cries. Almost half a million of Nationalist troops pour from the mountain valleys and gorges. General Ishiwara, despite being a brave and loyal commander, quickly retreats from Pingxiang ignoring Kotohitos commands to “Hold the city and die
with honor!”. There is no honor in being slaughtered by four times larger enemy forces…
A Blow from Below
1939, September – October
On September 28th, Japanese marines reach the shores of Hainan – the next IJN target. Early next morning, China Theater fleet blocks the water ways between the island and mainland China, while Reserve and Special Task fleets provide support for the SNLF. Osumi excluded three targets – the cities of Haikou, Dongfang and Sanya. All of these coastal cities are attacked simultaneously in order to minimize the enemy resistance and split their forces apart.
Almost the entire IJN is participating in this mission. However, Nagano’s battleship fleet is doing most of the work – it is bombarding
the enemy positions deep in the island and covering the landing craft close to the shore. Since IJAAF are too far away to help, the entire success of the invasion depends on IJN performance. So far it is very satisfying.
But, despite the overwhelming Navy support, marines encounter fierce resistance from day one of the invasion. Nationalist forces in the island were underestimated by the Japanese intelligence. It seems, that they are better armed than SNLF and some of their defensive positions in the jungle are immune to IJN bombardment. The coastal cities are captured relatively fast, but the Chinese fall back to the interior and continue their desperate resistance. Finally, on October 8th, Japanese sweep the entire island far and wide, capturing or killing the last Chinese soldiers – the staging base for further operations in the South is captured!
On October 9th, Osumi meets Kotohito in Fuzhou and reveals his plan: “My ships scouted the Southern Chinese coast yesterday and the day before. They reported minor enemy movement along the shoreline, mostly to the North. Chiang is moving his men to counter your latest advance, leaving his coastal cities lightly defended. For example, Guangzhou – the heart of Southern China, is defended only by 20 000 soldiers”. “That is more then enough to defeat SNLF” – replies Kotohito. “Well, you are obviously right - SNLF will have little chances of succeeding without IJA help. That’s why I propose a synchronized amphibious invasion in the South and a land offensive in the center. All we need to do is wait for the enemy to abandon their positions in Guangzhou!” Both commanders discuss the plan for few more hours and agree to carry it out as soon as the opportunity arises. This will be one of those “plan-along-the-way” operations. Fortunately, they don’t have to wait for long. On October 12th, two Guomindang divisions leave Guongzhou for Zhanjiang – the operation begins five hours later.
Guomindang officers make a series of vital mistakes. Firstly, expecting a Japanese counterattack, they concentrate their armies in Pingxiang and virtually abandon Ganzhou – the key city in the region. Secondly, they move their divisions to Zhanjiang to face a non-existent threat of Japanese breakthrough from Hainan. IJA and IJN will make sure, that these two mistakes will haunt Chiang Kai-shek for years! Ishiwara’s attack on Ganzhou succeeds immediately and IJA tanks and cavalry enter the city six days later. Meanwhile, SNLF holds their attack until the victory in Ganzhou is 100% sure and then they land in multiple places around Guangzhou, capturing the large Chinese city by the end of the day. Chinese retaliate instantly and strike the weak Japanese defenses in the recently captured Ganzhou. General Higashikuni is ordered to support the defenders, while Nakagawa leads the Imperial Guard divisions to battle in Nanping.
On October 23rd, a much anticipated victory is achieved after a long exhausting battle in the mountains. Higashikuni’s arrival and
24/7 IJAAF support ensures temporary peace in Ganzhou. But Kotohito knows that it is early to celebrate. The encircled Chinese have to be pushed away from Ganzhou, since now it can be attacked from six directions!
With IJA moving deeper and deeper into China, the occupied lands are exposed to rebellion, looting, crime and corruption. The local
police forces and the Chinese allies can’t be trusted entirely, that’s why the Minister of Security initiates the expansion of Kempeitai. They will be attached to new garrison divisions and placed in all over China. Resource and IC rich cities will be the first to receive the Japanese garrisons, since they are ideal targets for partisan.
Meanwhile, the Japanese scientists and engineers are working hard to keep up with the government deadlines. Currently the research is concentrated on land, air and naval doctrines. Japan can’t afford to lose its advantage over the enemy! One of the other projects is the second stage of Yamamoto’s IJNAF parachutist vision. Japan already has the equipment required for airborne divisions, but it still lacks proper airplanes. However, Mitsubishi Hikoki is working on it.
At the end of October, some interesting news from Europe reach the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. On October 25th, after a few failed
attempts to capture Warsaw, the Germans finally overwhelm the Polish defenders. Hitler loudly claims the victory, but now his armies face the Allies in the West and the Soviets in the East. Hirohito can’t understand why did Hitler willingly destroy the last barrier between Germany and the Soviet Union. It’s like willingly opening the door for your murderer… But Hirohito, and the rest of the world, is unaware of the secret deals between Hitler and Stalin that were signed shortly before the war.
Last edited:
A very daring move. *applause* *applause* *applause*
I'm eagerly looking forward seeing you reduce that pocket while keeping the rest of the Chinese Army out.
I'm eagerly looking forward seeing you reduce that pocket while keeping the rest of the Chinese Army out.
That’s a wonderful pocket, though you don’t seem to have the military resources on hand to destroy it.
Ah, the southern coastal pocket. A classic! Soon all those GMD divisions will be trapped under the guns of the IJN 
Well, though only a minority of the provinces you conquered have any substantial IC, you have currently encircled 17 Chinese divisions, something that should make a difference.
General Jac said:
It should. That would be 17 less Chinese divisions Klaipedietis will have to face. Hopefully, things will continue to go Japan's way.
By the way, Klaipedietis, I want to point out that I noticed a swastika in your Germany pic.
To General Jac:
I see only 16 Chinese divisions, but yes, they will make a difference. The remaining enemy troops will spread
thinner and I will have an easier time in the future.
To Nathan Madien:
I wanted to secretly slip one in, but my evil plan didn't work. I edited it away now :[
I see only 16 Chinese divisions, but yes, they will make a difference. The remaining enemy troops will spread
thinner and I will have an easier time in the future.
To Nathan Madien:
I wanted to secretly slip one in, but my evil plan didn't work. I edited it away now :[
NEW YEAR, OLD WAR
The Struggle in the South
1939, October 24th – November 1st
The Struggle in the South
1939, October 24th – November 1st
IJA continues reinforcing Ganzhou and Chiang Kai-shek begins looking for another place to brake the encirclement. The lightly defended Guangzhou seems to be the only available option. So, on October 24th, the trapped Chinese begin their chaotic advance on the city, but they are quickly stopped by the SNLF. The outskirts of the city turn in to a bloody battlefield as the Chinese fight desperately for their survival. Seeing this massacre, Chiang orders support from the outside of the pocket. Two days in to the battle, two Guomindang divisions attack the SNLF from West. The tables turn and now the Japanese are on the run. Osumi immediately requests IJAAF support and orders his marines in Shantou to assist the Guangzhou defenders.
IJAAF is quick to react and, after three days of intense bombardment, forces the new Chinese reinforcements to abandon the battlefield. The encircled Guomindang forces lose all hopes to brake through, but they continue their attack until one of their divisions surrender in Bao’an. After the news of victory reach Kotohito’s HQ, he begins praising SNLF and the Navy. IJA did most of the work, but without Osumi’s men it would have never been possible to achieve something even remotely similar to this. The stalemate is broken, a bulk of Nationalist divisions is encircled and Guangzhou is secured!
IJA reinforces Guangzhou with armored divisions and IJN transports ship in the first newly deployed garrison divisions to completely seal the pocket. Meanwhile, General Tokuno’s SNLF division continues its advance along the coast to the North. Now Japanese have all the time in the world to destroy the pocketed Nationalist divisions.
1939, November
of November, the pocket is reduced only to the city of Longyan and the surrounding villages. Arrogant Chinese leaders refuse to surrender and order their exhausted soldiers to fight to the death.
David versus Goliath
1939, November 14th
After a very suspicious border incident, Soviet Union declares war on Finland. The communist aggression against Poland was widely ignored, but the invasion of Finland is condemned immediately. Finns receive material and political support from all over the world, including Japan. Although Japan has no close political ties with Finland, Hirohito is more than eager to support them in heir fight against the expansion of communism. 500 tons of ammunition, food rations, clothes and a symbolic sum of money is sent to Finland via Sweden. This is a small contribution, but it sends a clear message to Moscow – their actions in the West are being observed closely from the East.
1939, December 26th
The quick and successful siege of Longyan frees up a decent amount of IJA divisions. Most of them are deployed to the South to participate in the newly planned offensive against Maoming. This offensive should be the last major offensive this year, but it turns out to be a major failure. IJA armored divisions defeat the lightly armed Chinese troops and capture Maoming in a matter of days, but they are counterattacked by a large bulk of Nationalist forces, that travel here all the way from Pingxian.
The battle is extremely one sided, but Kotohito hesitates to give the order to retreat. This is a perfect opportunity to see the IJA armor in action. Chinese infantry and cavalry attack the concentrated Japanese tanks in waves, but they are repelled one after another. This continues for two more days, until Kotohito orders the retreat. IJA armor losses are virtually non-existing and they were exposed to a massive enemy attack for more than 48 hours! Although the Japanese offensive fails, a great Chinese weakness to armor is exposed.
1940, January
Despite the new garrison divisions, the partisan situation in China is slowly getting worse. Hundreds of self proclaimed and dozens of official resistance organizations are operating behind the Japanese frontlines. It is up to Kempeitai to eradicate them, but it is almost impossible to do so. The worst resistance is in Northeast China, where the communist funded partisans are doing everything to disrupt the Japanese new world order.
On January 1st, during the meeting in Tokyo, it is decided that from now on Japan has a fully standing army. The training period is prolonged, the recruitment demands are raised and a radical change in Japanese Army doctrines is made. Now all soldiers are thought to preserve their lives, rather than throw themselves against all odds and “die for the Emperor”. Hirohito is ensured that this won’t result in mass desertions from the battlefield, but instead will minimize casualties and increase soldier life expectancy.
Last edited:
Congrats with a succesful demonstration of the strategical worth of Japanese marines this surrounding in Guangzhou
But your lines seems still somehow thinner than before, and the lack of garrisons are nasty indeed But of course this will all be solved, eyh?
But your lines seems still somehow thinner than before, and the lack of garrisons are nasty indeed
But of course this will all be solved, eyh?
Fulcrumvale said:
Well he gives bonuses to carriers I believe.
Another offensive ended then and 15 chinese divisions gone, victory creeps a bit closer but your TC looks awful, and you the Nationalists still got at least 50% of their territory left.
Fulcrumvale said:
Because he can do everything! Leap tall buildings with a single bound, breathe fire etc etc.
I assume that in WIF you can't get garrisons from your island possessions in the Pacific (one of my favourite exploits in the 'vanilla' game)...
Jon Young said:
Well, every superhero has some sort of weakness. In Yamamoto's case, it is American P-38 Lightning fighter planes.
Klaipedietis said:
This is a good idea, to reserve manpower instead of just telling soldiers to get themselves killed. However, it is also a radical change as you said because it seems so un-Japanese. I wonder how this will play out in the event of a Pacific war.
Last edited:
To Hannibal Barca2:
I'm afraid that partisans aren't the only ones responsible for the TC overload - Japanese industry can't handle
the strains caused by the expanding Imperial Army. The tanks, for example, have to be transported by railroad as much
as possible.
To Fulcrumvale:
Yamamoto is in charge of the Imperial Air Force for four years now. Anami, Tojo or Hata would be better replacements for the moment, since they specialize in tactical bombers and CAS, but Yamamoto is here to stay. After all, he was the leader of the Fist Air Fleet and a big man in the Japanese Naval Aviation.
To Jon Young:
I forgot to mention this at the beginning of my AAR, but I unlocked all those divisions, transported them to Tokyo, equipped them with AA guns and returned them back to their islands ;]
To Nathan Madien:
Yes, this is very un-Japanese, but hey - I don't want repeat their mistakes. However, war in the Pacific will be a different story. It's hard to preserve your soldiers when there's nowhere to retreat and surrendering is not an option. In that case,
a good banzai attack will be the only choice available.
I'm afraid that partisans aren't the only ones responsible for the TC overload - Japanese industry can't handle
the strains caused by the expanding Imperial Army. The tanks, for example, have to be transported by railroad as much
as possible.
To Fulcrumvale:
Yamamoto is in charge of the Imperial Air Force for four years now. Anami, Tojo or Hata would be better replacements for the moment, since they specialize in tactical bombers and CAS, but Yamamoto is here to stay. After all, he was the leader of the Fist Air Fleet and a big man in the Japanese Naval Aviation.
To Jon Young:
I forgot to mention this at the beginning of my AAR, but I unlocked all those divisions, transported them to Tokyo, equipped them with AA guns and returned them back to their islands ;]
To Nathan Madien:
Yes, this is very un-Japanese, but hey - I don't want repeat their mistakes. However, war in the Pacific will be a different story. It's hard to preserve your soldiers when there's nowhere to retreat and surrendering is not an option. In that case,
a good banzai attack will be the only choice available.
Klaipedietis said:
It's nice to see humorous passages like this added to your otherwise very serious AAR. As I've stated before: I like your style.
Why that? It is possible to equip divisions with brigades as long as there are convois getting to that island. But you have to use the "Attach Brigade".Klaipedietis said:
I did not build any new AA brigades. I used the ones that I had. I detached them from one units
and attached them to the others. Since they were detached on the Japanese home island territory,
I had to ship "the other" divisions to Tokyo in order to reattach them ;]
and attached them to the others. Since they were detached on the Japanese home island territory,
I had to ship "the other" divisions to Tokyo in order to reattach them ;]