Japanese Long Campaign
 

I am 5 battles or so into my Japanese LC, which started in July 1937 (The Second Sino- Japanese War started in 7 July 1937 "7/7/37).

I relied on the following sources to build a Standard Infantry Battalion.

http://www.bayonetstrength.150m.com/..._battalion.htm

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/Japa...dex.html#index

These are my core units.

A0 Commander
B0 Cav Transport (for HMG Coy)
C0 Cav Transport (for HMG Coy)
D0 Cav Transport (for HMG Coy)
E0 Pack Mules (for Ammo Cannister)
F0 Pack Mules (for Ammo Cannister)
G0 Pack Mules (for Bn Inf Guns)
H0 Bn Inf Guns, Type 92, 70mm

I0 HMG Coy
J0 HMG Pl
K0 HMG Pl

L0 Ammo Cannister
M0 Ammo Cannister
N0 Ammo Cannister

O0 Inf Coy (Alpha Coy)
P0 Inf Pl (Alpha Coy Pl 1)
Q0 Inf Pl (Alpha Coy Pl 2)
R0 Inf Pl (Alpha Coy Pl 3)

S0 Inf Coy (Bravo Coy)
T0 Inf Pl (Bravo Coy Pl 4)
U0 Inf Pl (Bravo Coy Pl 5)
V0 Inf Pl (Bravo Coy Pl 6)

W0 Inf Coy (Charlie Coy)
X0 Inf Pl (Charlie Coy Pl 7)
Y0 Inf Pl (Charlie Coy Pl 8)
Z0 Inf Pl (Charlie Coy Pl 9)

AA0 Inf Coy (Delta Coy)
AB0 Inf Pl (Delta Coy Pl 10)
AC0 Inf Pl (Delta Coy Pl 11)
AD0 Inf Pl (Delta Coy Pl 12)

As you can see, I'm an infantry man, and I only purchase armour as support units, and I'll try and remain faithful and purchase what is available in theatre.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Mission
To conduct Delay operations in the China Villages Sector with Degawa Battalion for a period of 3 hours (roughly 64 turns)

Enemy
To expect Chinese KMT forces of 3x infantry battalions reinforced with 1x light armoured squadron, and up to 3x medium/ heavy artillery batteries.

Troops
Degawa Battalion will be supported by 1x 75mm Light Artillery Battery (off-board), 1x Medium Armour Pl of Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks, 1x Anti-tank Pl of Type 94 37mm ATGs and 1x Pl of AAMGs.

Terrain
China Villages Sector is a rather flat terrain with heights not more than 20metres at its highest. It is best described by the stream that runs roughly NW-SE across the centre of the Area of Operations (AO). There are 2 roads running almost parallel E-W, both roads bridge the stream. The road to the north is a metalled axis and the bridge is known as a Stone Bridge. The road to the south is a dirt axis and the bridge is known as a Wooden Bridge.

On our side of the AO, there is an additional road running N-S, that links to both roads, that allows us to quickly re-deploy reserves if necessary.

Between the 2 roads, and on our side of the stream, there's also a hilly feature that overlooks much of the opposite bank.

Battle Plan
To concentrate 3 inf coys up front to delay operations and 1 inf coy in reserve.

A coy will concentrate on the southern road, and defend infront of the Wooden Bridge. They'll be supported by 1x HMG pl and 1x ATG pl

B coy will concentrate on the northern road, and defend just behind the Stone Bridge. They'll be supported by 1x HMG pl and 1x Armour pl

C coy will concentrate on the hill between the 2 roads and defend behind the stream. They'll be supported by 1x HMG pl.

D coy will remain in reserve, nearer to the northern road, and at least 3 turns march from the N-S road to our rear.

The Bn Inf Gun Platoon will be positioned in the middle to provide support to both roads.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 9

A Coy is currently pulling behind into the trees, after successfully destroying a light enemy armour section. They will continue to delay infront of the Wooden Bridge. An enemy coy is observed to be headed its way and a motorcycle platoon on its flank to the south.

B Coy has successfully secured the treeline leading to the Stone Bridge. They are in close observation of the enemy armour squadron and at least an enemy infantry coy.

C Coy observes an enemy inf coy heading between the 2 roads. The HMG pl in support is taking the enemy under fire as it attempts to traverse the open ground leading to the stream.

D Coy is still in reserve.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Stone Bridge Turn 11

The enemy has massed something like a full battalion worth of infantry to secure the stone bridge.

Pl 4 is directly controlling the stone bridge and the road, with the armoured platoon.

Pl 5 is covering pl 4's flank to the south and Pl 6 is covering pl 4's flank to the north.

The enemy is fully intent on securing the stone bridge and has laid alot of artillery, ranging from 81mm mortars to 100mm guns.

B Coy will slowly give ground and not engage in any fixed defence fighting.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 22

A coy is facing mounting pressure but the enemy has not fully extended into battle line and thus, it is difficult to judge the size of enemy force. We believe it is at least a coy's worth of infantry. A coy is now pulling back behind the Wooden Bridge. At the same time, the HMG platoon that's supporting their lower flank has been suffering enemy artillery and is currently neutralised (Size 8, Damage 4). This HMG pl will pull back as well and re-supply from a nearby ammo cannister. Before pulling back, the HMG pl observed an enemy inf coy moving towards A coy sector.

B coy has given up the Stone Bridge and the immediate woods around it. We believe that the enemy Bn is severely handled and probably left with a coy's worth of combat power. The enemy armoured squadron is also destroyed. B coy has suffered casualties but mainly from enemy artillery.

C coy is hardly in the fight. The enemy has probed forward but are constantly thrown back by the HMG pl. C Coy has detached 1 pl towards B coy sector to help relieve some pressure.

D coy is in reserve but having observed some enemy moving through the woods to the north of B coy, they are now on the move to protect B coy's north flank.

So far, our 75mm (off-board) is doing very poorly in terms of counter battery work. And the enemy infantry can be handled by our ground guys, but their artillery is quite troubling.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 33

A coy has been on the backfoot. The enemy looks to be in battalion strength. They have fully given up the Wooden Bridge and the flank to their south. In fact, they are almost at risk of being split apart. Pl 2 is on the south side of the dirt road and the only force in direct defence of the victory locations. Pl 1 and 3 are holding the enemy in the hamlet and delaying for as long as possible, while support is coming elsewhere.

B coy's position has somewhat stabilised. The enemy is taking a long time to re-org before coming out from the woods. In the mean time, they have detached Pl 6 to march towards A coy's sector. Our Armour pl is also moving towards A coy's sector, after they complete their resupply.

C coy's position has hardly changed. Pl 7 is holding the enemy superbly. They have hardly taken any losses (lack of enemy artillery attention). Pl 8 is moving towards A coy to support, while Pl 9 remains in good support of B Coy.

D coy has battered the enemy inf coy and are pursuing routing units towards north of B coy. Similarly, they are detaching Pl 12 towards A coy's sector.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 43

I'll cover the action from South to North.

The enemy bn is finally stopped by my armoured platoon. My HMG coy (3 platoons) are in good LOS, overlooking the enemy battalion.

Pl 2 and 8 will support the armoured platoon attack on the enemy battalion.

Pl 6 will attack and attempt to recapture the hamlet, to cut off the enemy's line of retreat..

Pl 1 and 3 are resupplying. They are all shot out and will take another 10 turns before completing their resupply.

Pl 7 has fought the enemy to a standstill. They are also almost all shot out and half the platoon are cycling back to resupply, leaving the other half to delay the enemy.

Pl 9 was originally ordered to march towards A coy's sector but due to the developments up north in B coy's sector, they will march back towards B coy.

Pl 4 and 5 of B coy are almost all shot out and will delay long enough for Pl 9 to take over the firing line, before pulling back to resupply.

Pl 10 and 11 are in position to close on the enemy coy that's pushing along the north road.

Pl 12 is still marching towards A coy sector. I doubt they will be able to influence the fight in any way.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at End Battle

Soon after our armour pl began attack on the enemy bn along A Coy sector, they crumbled. From then on, it was just pursuit and we bagged alot of prisoners.

Overall body count was some 90+ (Japanese) to 1800+ (Chinese Nationalists).

After this battle, our timeline was July 1938 and we had a choice to either continue sticking to China or move on to the steppes of Manchuria, to fight the Soviets.

The choice was obvious. Time to fight in another forgotten battle in another un-important landmark.

Changkufeng http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lake_Khasan

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Mission
To Advance through Changkufeng and secure the area of operation within 3 hours (roughly 59 turns).

Enemy
To expect approx. 2x enemy inf battalion and 1x armoured squardron, and up to 2x light/ medium artillery batteries.

Troops
Degawa Battalion will be supported by 1x 105mm Medium Batt (off-board), 1x 75mm Light Batt (on-board), 1x Manchuko Cavalry Squadron, 1x Light Armour Coy (Type 95 Ha-Go), 1x Medium Armour Coy (Type 97 Chi-Ha). We will also be able to call on 1x Spotter Plane to support us in long-range recon.

Terrain
The Changkufeng AO has its usual mix of wooded areas and open ground. The main axis available for use E-W is along the southern flank of the map.

The centre of the AO is dominated by a imposing ridge-line that runs approx. SW-NE, topped by 3 knolls, highest elevation being 40metres. This ridge will allow full observation of the road along the southern flank, and the immediate open valley infront of our start line.

Close woods cover most of the area north of the ridge-line. It allows us to move un-noticed around the enemy flank, and access towards his rear.

Battle Plan
A Coy will advance from the centre of the map and though its movement appears to be a direct frontal assault. They will not carry it through, but demonstrate and remain as reserve.

B and D Coy will move along the road in the south and assault the ridge from the south. Once they capture the ridge, they will press on and push into the enemy rear, and link-up with our north flank. They will be supported by the Medium Armour Coy. This force will be named Hammer Force.

C Coy will move along the northern woods and attempt to go deep and prevent enemy units from fleeing the AO. C Coy will be supported by the Light Armour Coy and the Manchuko Cavalry Squadron. This force will be named Anvil Force.

Bn Inf Gun will push up along the road in the south and attempt to support Hammer Force where possible.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 5

My recon plane is paying dividends. We located what looks to be the enemy armour park in what looks to be C Coy's sector. This is a light armour unit, which doesn't mount any main guns that should be of danger to my light armour coy in the north.

As for the south, the recon plane has also managed to uncover enemy ATGs and HMGs on top of the ridge in B Coy's sector.

Based on spotting activity, I believe the enemy first line of defence is somewhere along the red line.

All units will continue as planned.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 16

Hammer Force has destroyed the enemy infantry coy directly opposing them and have captured the first knoll with almost no casualties (except for losses from enemy artillery). The enemy ATGs were destroyed by our artillery and most of the enemy infantry took to flight after taking the first 2 casualties.* Soviet morale is probably as low as the Chinese Nationalists units that I've fought previously. D Coy has extended into battle line, but B Coy has been delayed by enemy artillery and are about 3 turns away from full deployment.

Further north, the spotter plane has found another armour park and this time, its some of the early light and medium Soviet armour that is potentially dangerous to our own armour. This will be the artillery next priority to take out.

Anvil Force is slowed down by the terrain more than enemy activity. That said,, the Manchuko cavalry has finally encountered the enemy lines and fortunately, they are moving dismounted and clearing the enemy with welcoming swiftness.

*The yellow unit denotes destroyed enemy.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 26

Both B and D coys are deployed into line formation and advancing as planned. They will take approx. 10-12 turns to traverse the wooded area infront of them.

Having destroyed the enemy light armour platoon, A Coy is also on the move to close in with the enemy.

C coy and the Manchuko cavalry squadron moves deeper behind enemy lines and will set up a block force in approx. 5 turns.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 35

The Soviet medium armour takes awhile but momentum and numbers are firmly in our favour. Our armour coy lost about a platoon of tanks before destroying all enemy tanks.

The situation is stabilising fast. The enemy, having lost their victory locations, are launching counterattacks to re-capture them, but inadvertently run into my infantry units, who dispatch all comers with very little casualties.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at End Battle (turn 43)

By the end of the battle, there was only 1 medium armour platoon left. However, this force can hardly be expected to expel our entire force. The entire enemy units are wholly destroyed.

Body count was 80+ (Japanese) to 800+ (Soviets)

Next up, I was ordered to pursue the enemy without refitting and push on with a Advance mission into the enemy rear. Interestingly, the map provided was Czechoslovakia.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Which is a tiny error - perhaps generated by the pursuit mission using that batloc, but not overriding the name with a "local" one.

Batloc 41 Czechosolvakia is used with a local name override as a rare Manchoko "green and hilly" location as opposed to the usual batloc 20 reddish deserts. So the local name override seems not to have passed onto the special battle.

In which case - simply use the normal pre battle map edit functions to re-spin the map, or just ignore the name string which is merely flavour.

Andy

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Mission
To Advance through the Map and secure the area of operations within 3 hours (roughly 61 turns)

Enemy
To expect approx. 2x enemy inf battalion and 1x armoured squardron, and up to 2x light/ medium artillery batteries.

Troops
Degawa Battalion will be supported by 1x 105mm Medium Batt (off-board), 1x 10cm Light Batt (on-board), 1x Manchuko Cavalry Squadron, 1x Light Armour Coy (Type 95 Ha-Go), 1x Medium Armour Coy (Type 97 Chi-Ha).

Terrain
This particular AO is not much different from what we had fought through earlier in the Changkufeng AO or the much earlier Delay mission in China Villages. Not too difficult to see it as a continuation of the earlier action, even though the map name is Czechoslovakia.

There is a stream bisecting the map running N-S. Since this stream is close to my deploy line, it doesn't have any significant tactical importance.

Roadswise, there are 2 main roads running E-W, and both are along the north and south extremeties of the AO itself. Both roads run through quite a number of wooded areas and ambushes or road blocks should be anticipated.

While the VLs are themselves in wooded areas, the immediate rear of these VLs are relatively open grasslands.

Battle Plan
A and B Coy will move along the North axis and advance against the north most objective. They will be supported by the Medium Armor Coy.

C Coy will move along the South axis and advance against the south most objective. They will be supported by the Light Armour Coy and the Manchuko Cavalry Squadron.

D Coy (which has the most casualties amongst the inf coy) will be in reserve, and most likely support the Northern force, which is also the force nearest to the centre objectives.

Bn Inf Guns will be pushing up along the North axis in support..

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 10
First Contact erupted around turn 5. The medium armor along the north axis discovered enemy armour ontop of a knoll that nicely overlooks the road itself. As the first platoon of the armor deploys to engage the armour, it quickly turned out to be an uneven contest. at 900m. These were T26 M1933, and their 45mm guns are real AT weapons compared to my Type 97 Chi-Ha, where the 57mm are more HE than AP.

The first platoon quickly disengaged itself after suffering the first 2 losses. We pushed our infantry up to clear the immediate area and found another infantry platoon screening the armour. Destroyed the enemy infantry pretty quickly and dropped the first of our artillery into the enemy armour and luckily destroyed 1 of them with a direct hit. However, until we clear this knoll, we won't be able to continue along the road unobserved.

To that effect, we deploy B coy into line and order them to sweep the woods south of this knoll. If possible, they will attempt to close and destroy the enemy armour.

As for the road along the south. Our first contact was similarly a poor one. Our point tank was ambushed and destroyed by enemy infantry in the woods, approx. 600 metres after crossing the stream. As we push up our cavalry and infantry to sweep the woods, we suffered further enemy artillery dropping on us, stymieing our advance.

This fight is more challenging than previous encounters so far.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 17

On the northern road, we have neutralised the enemy armour and presence around the road. Our force can resume marching and moving along the road towards the north most objectives.

As for the southern road, we have managed to slide around the flank of the enemy infantry and cleared the road blocks, at the expense of 1 armour platoon. Similarly, our forces there will resume the march along the road towards the south most objectives.

The artillery situation has improved somewhat. The enemy mortars around the south VLs will soon find themselves under heavy bombardment by my artillery.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 27

The past 6-8 turns were relatively uneventful. We had passed the first line of resistance and there wasn't any further roadblocks to delay us.

On the North road, the point platoon (Pl 1/ A Coy) discovered the enemy armor parked along the main road and are now deployed to attack the enemy tanks. These are the same T26s that caused considerable havoc on my armour earlier on. They don't seem to realise that their front line has been penetrated.

The follow on platoons are from D Coy and they will begin to deploy into line, heading towards the first objectives in the north.

Elsewhere on the South road, our forces are deploying into line as well, and preparing to move towards their first objectives in the south.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 32

On the North sector, Pl 1 has destroyed the enemy armour platoon along the road. D Coy is deploying into battle line and B Coy is moving up as reserve. Most of my infantry casualties have been from enemy artillery, in fact, I've lost Pl 3 HQ section to enemy artillery and with that Pl 3 will not follow up into the attack for now.

As for the South sector, things are also relatively quiet, except for a HMG section on the VLs which has been neutralised. The cavalry will cover C Coy's left flank as they push up.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 38

Can't help feeling that our movement along the flanks meant that we've bypassed a large number of enemies in reaching the victory locations.

So far, we've only encountered 3 companies worth of enemy infantry. I expect at least another 3 companies worth and more enemy armour as well.

By this turn, we about to capture both the north and south objectives and are proceeding to link up on the central objectives. Noticed a enemy AT platoon covering the centre and I expect at least an infantry platoon screening those guns in the forest.s.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 53

We captured all objectives about 3 turns ago and re-organised for all-round defence.

We have just spotted enemy armour heading towards A and D Coy's lines. It's about 8 more turns before end of battle. I believe that the enemy infantry won't be able to reach our lines in time.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at End Battle (Turn 61)

By the end of the mission, we can see that my earlier thoughts are accurate. Enemy infantry are all streaming back from the front in an effort to reclaim their lost VLs.

Since this was a special mission, quite a number of my units have improved to Elite levels and my next mission is designated as a Delay in Manchuria.

I guess that's pretty historical. The border skirmishing between Japan and Soviet was often a Advance followed by Delay.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Mission
To conduct Delay operations in the Manchuko Sector with Degawa Battalion for a period of 3 hours (roughly 58 turns), during the dusk to early evening hours (visibility 8)

Enemy
To expect Soviet forces of 3x infantry battalions reinforced with 1x light armoured squadron, and up to 3x medium/ heavy artillery batteries.

Troops
Degawa Battalion will be supported by 1x 75mm Light Artillery Battery (off-board), 1x Medium Armour Pl of Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks, 1x Anti-tank Pl of Type 94 37mm ATGs and 1x Section of Armoured Cars.

Terrain
Our sector is a relatively low-rising, gentle sloping hill that is mostly tall grass and open fields, scattered with forests.

The only axis of interest is the road that runs E-W more or less centre of the sector itself.

Battle Plan
To concentrate 3 inf coys up front to delay operations and 1 inf coy in reserve.

B coy will concentrate on the main road, and defend the road.. They'll be supported by 1x Medium Armour platoon

C coy will concentrate on the northern flank, and delay. They'll be supported by 1x ATG platoon.

D coy will concentrate on the southern flank, and delay.

A coy will remain in reserve, near to the top of the hill. Due to low visibility, there is a high likelihood that enemies will infiltrate through our first line of defence.

The Bn Inf Gun Platoon will be positioned in the middle to provide support.

Due to extreme low visibility and lack of defensible terrain, a draw would be considered a reasonable achievement.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 7
Contacts erupted around turn 5 with the main enemy effort along the main road in B Coy's sector. We have destroyed/ immobilised 4 tanks in exchange for 1 of ours. The point platoon (Platoon 5) is also slowing down the enemy cavalry that's immediately behind the enemy armour.

Over in C Coy's sector, the point platoon (Platoon 9) has observed the enemy armoured cars approaching but abruptly stopped just 100 metres away from our forces, for the past 3 turns. If these armoured cars intend to wait for infantry to push up, Platoon 9 will have a difficult time to extract itself later on.

A Coy has been alerted to enemy armoured cars that has bypassed the both B and C coy.

All quiet on D Coy sector, though we should expect enemy soon. Heavy smoke covers the battlefield to the south.

Our armoured car section is still in reserve. They are mobile machine gun posts and lack AT weapons.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 13

A Coy has destroyed the first wave of armoured cars but now face a fresh platoon of light tanks.

B Coy's point platoon (Platoon 5) is overrun by the pace of enemy armour thrust. There's nothing else blocking the main road, unless Platoon 4 can get back in time.

C Coy also destroyed the first wave of armoured cars but not face a fresh platoon of light tanks as well as infantry pushing up. Platoon 9 has lost at least 1 section, and the ATG platoon is hurrying to place themselves before the enemy armour pops up.

D Coy is almost in danger of being overrun as well. They have destroyed the lighter tanks but the T-28 M1932 tanks are very tough to crack.

All in all, it doesn't look too good for the Battalion as a whole, and the next 5-8 turns could decide whether we will be totally overrun in all sectors.

I estimate at least 2 enemy armour squadrons at least.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

First of all,a very interesting ARR on a japanese campaign.
Like the situation maps,but would be better and cleaner if you maybe first turn off the hex grid?:)

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 20

A Coy sector remains pretty much the same. Pl 3, the point platoon is holding off the enemy armour splendidly.

B Coy has been split by the speed of enemy armour. About half of Platoon 5 remains, and I've decided to withdraw them if possible. Platoon 4 is now stranded and I decide that they should remain largely where they are.

C Coy's sector is somewhat stabilising. The ATGs have almost knocked out all enemy armour. However, Platoon 9 is no longer effective and they will be withdrawn. Platoon 7 and 8 will remain to frustrate the enemy infantry.

D Coy has been the most disastrous sector. Platoon 11 is almost completely dispersed by the enemy armour, and the enemy thrust is aimed directly at my soft underbelly, between B and D Coy. Platoon 12 will continue to delay while Platoon 10 hurry to set-up the next position.

I'm beginning to withdraw my HMG Coy. They have been very difficult to deploy and I hardly think its worth spending them needlessly in such an unfavourable terrain and mission.

The current plan for the next 5-8 turns is to deploy A Coy's reserve platoons (Pl 1 and 2) to prepare to meet the enemy armour that is thrusting from D Coy's sector. If that goes awry, it's pretty much a write-off for the entire battalion in this one.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 27

A Coy is attempting to conduct a fighting withdrawal to cover the remnants of C Coy that is in full retreat. A Coy will continue to keep the corridor open for Platoon 8 and 9.

B Coy may have to be entirely sacrificed. They are left stranded too far ahead and the safest course of action may be for Platoons 4 and 6 to remain in the forests and defend.

C Coy is in full retreat from the enemy infantry. Platoon 8 is the only remaining effective unit.

D Coy is also in full retreat and Platoon 10 remains the only effective unit.

The Battalion Infantry Guns have been over-run. Our Battalion HQ is moving towards the rear.

It is very unfortunate that the yellow units (destroyed) are wholly my own units in this mission.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn 37

A Coy is benefiting from the close terrain and making the enemy armour pay for each yard they gain. I estimate approx. 8 armoured wrecks around the first platoon's position, but the enemy reserves appears inexhaustible, and more keep advancing. Enemy artillery is beginning to find the range on our positions and though it feels natural to pull them back, it is perhaps much safer for them if they remain in cover. Their retreat route to the east is too open.

B Coy is also benefiting from the close terrain and fighting enemy infantry that attempts to close. Only enemy artillery will be able to dig these guys out.

C and D Coy's sector has been quiet and my intention is for them to remain on the battlefield till the end.

The ATG and Armoured Cars (AC) are combining well. The ATG has taken out another 5 enemy tanks while the AC is delaying the enemy infantry. However, I estimate they will most likely only be able to hold for the next 3 turns.

Nothing much positive to report. I may lose all VLs but I expect our guys to extract a terrible price on the enemy.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at End Battle (Turn 58)

A Coy stuck around till the end and repulsed numerous infantry advances, as well as subjected to constant artillery bombardment. The most upsetting issue has been the lack of accurate counter battery fire.

We managed to achieve a Draw for which I had set out at the start of the mission. And achieving that at the loss of 250+ loss while destroying more than 60 enemy tanks gave me a strong impression of how I should better use my infantry against armour next time.

Next battle, I decided to continue the campaign in Manchuria with the new sector being a Defend mission in Mongolia.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Thought I'll add a screenshot of A Coy's positions at the end of the battle.

This experience is going to heavily influence my planning in my upcoming Defend mission against the Russians.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Mission
To Defend in the Monglolia Sector with Degawa Battalion for a period of 3 hours (roughly 65 turns). The visibility is very good (53)

Enemy
To expect Soviet forces of 4x infantry battalions reinforced with 3x armoured squadrons, and up to 5x medium/ heavy artillery batteries.

Troops
Degawa Battalion will be supported by 1x 105mm Medium Artillery Battery (off-board), 1x 10cm Type 91 Field Battery (on-board), 1x Light Armour Coy of Type 95 Ha-Go tanks, 1x Anti-tank Pl of Type 94 37mm ATGs and 8x Bunkers.

Terrain
Our sector is bifurcated by a stream running approx. NW to SE, that evenly distributes the Victory Locations.

We will refer to the near side of the stream as TR sector and the far side as LL sector. TR sector is relatively open in comparison with LL sector which provides ample opportunities for close fighting with wooded areas.

The only axis of interest is a dirt road running W-E along the lower half of the map mostly in LL sector.

The stream can be crossed via a bridge from the dirt road, or numerous fording points.

Battle Plan
To concentrate 2 Coys in both TR and LL sectors.

A and B Coys will defend in TR sector, supported by the 1x Armoured Coy. Both Coys will take a 2 up formation, and harbour in and around forested VLs.

C and D Coys will defend in LL sector, supported by the 1x ATG Pl.. Similarly, both Coys will take a 2 up formation and harbour in and around forested VLs.

Bunkers are placed along both flanks and have their arcs adjusted to provide interlocking fields of fire. Bunkers are denoted by blue triangles, and their arcs of fires are denoted by the yellow lines.

All fording points have been blocked off by both barbwire and dragon's teeth, to reduce enemy mobility across the river.

The bridge is blocked by an anti-tank ditch (denoted by the green bar), it is further mined approx. 400 metres from our front bunkers (also denoted by the green bar)

The only fording point that cannot be blocked off by obstacles will be pre-targeted by our artillery. The pre-target hex is a yellow circle.

The Bn Inf Gun Platoon will be positioned in the middle to provide support.

Based on our earlier experiences, we intend for the enemy armour to bypass our forward bunkers, and penetrate into our layered infantry defenses in close terrain. The bunkers are intended to delay and separate the enemy infantry from the fast armour. Our own armour is intended to launch counter attacks to recapture TR sector once enemy armour is neutralised.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

Situation at Turn7

Our early spotting reports describe a large concentration of both armour and artillery. At least a battalion of armour is visible advancing towards TR sector, against our point platoon.

Re: Japanese Long Campaign
 

It's been awhile since I last updated. I'm still playing the Japanese LC, still stuck in Mongolia/ Manchuria against Soviets. Made the following notes.

a. Soviets early armour is highly dangerous. Their guns are good up to 800 metres against Jap armour
b. Japanese armour is highly fragile. Guns are good up to 400-500 metres against Soviet armour.
1. Try to manevure for approaches which reduce LOS. Reverse Slope armour vs armour defense is especially useful; Hull-down positions with long LOS are not.

a. Soviet experience and morale is poor
b. Japanese inf do not get pinned/ retreat/ rout easily
2. If enough enemy armour is destroyed, the rest will tend to rout when approaching friendly wrecks. Japanese Inf can then get in close and close assault enemy tanks. However, always use infantry against tanks in close terrain.

a. Soviet tanks have good front and side armour but weak top armour (1-2)
b. Japanese arty of 10cm and above have warhead of 5.
3. Use arty to destroy enemy tanks, especially on Advance missions, since the enemy tank are more static than usual.