Japanese Long Campaign

[sigeena]

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.

[sigeena]

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.

[sigeena]

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.

[sigeena]

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.

[sigeena]

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.

[gila]

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?

[sigeena]

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.