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DQ2004 -> RE: Vengeance: A Global War AAR (DQ2004 AAR#3) (3/8/2017 9:04:44 AM)
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May/Jun 1941
THE COLLAPSE OF THE COMMUNISTS
(super-GIF!)
In May 1941 the Japanese had managed to get sufficient forces to the Northern Chinese front, facing the Communists, to consider an assault. Both sides continued to shift units from one hex to another and then suddenly, it looked as though there was not one, but two possible attacks. Both were risky. But it was decided that both were worth that risk.
The first was just south of Yennan, crossing the Hwangho (Yellow) river, the second, south-east of Sian.
Whilst these attacks took place, Chunkging was also overwhelmed by a large Japanese force that surrounded it.
The attack on the Cavalry corps south of Sian required the commitment of the Umezu HQ. The risk being that he might be disorganized by the attempt - and so it was. The attackers of Chungking, whilst successful, were also disorganized, and both Terauchi and Yamamoto had to sort things out so that they could move again.
The results of that brought fear to the Communists. A new horde of Japanese units were now heading north! Even if the previous attacks had not been successful, they were soon going to be outflanked regardless. They retreated from Sian, hoping to make a last-ditch stand at the mountains around Lanchow.
But it would not be easy - the Japanese were already moving towards Lanchow as well. Initially it seemed as though their supply lines would not be up to the task - but then the Japanese High Command intervened.
A huge stock of supplies that had been built up some time ago was released to all three Headquarters units. Whilst some in the High Command wanted these supplies for a possible offensive against the Western Imperialist powers, it was decided that the chance to outflank the Communists' was too good. Thus re-energized, Terauchi moved north towards the mountains. Now back in supply, the leading Japanese armies were now able to continue to move - and enough were able to move quicker than the Chinese such that they ended up on the outskirts of Lanchow before the Chinese could.
For the China, May/Jun 1941 has been a disaster. The end is now inevitable, it is merely a matter of time. At the end of the turn, Chinese production was reduced to one - and even if they got the iniative, the Chinese could not now move into Lanchow before the Japanese did. There were no Communist reinforcements expected, so Lanchow was going to fall.
China would be reduced to just one factory in the south - Kunming.
[image]local://upfiles/46315/C63D4D09DADC4C019014D38D2C5A1DEF.gif[/image]
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