The Battle of Imphal-Kohima 1944 - AAR

[Bill101]

The setting is Burma, March 1944, and the Japanese are poised to invade India. Moving through the jungle to the south and east of Imphal are thousands of battle hardened Japanese soldiers, hoping to catch the British and Indian garrisons by surprise.

This scenario depicts the hard fought actions of General Slim’s Fourteenth Army as it defended its positions against this Japanese attack. Further east we have Orde Wingate’s Chindits landing behind enemy lines, and Merrill’s Marauders (aka Mars Force) advancing down the Hukawng valley on Myitkyina in an attempt to open up the Burma Road to China.

This campaign saw some really tough fighting, and by the end of it the Japanese army was in ruins, with thousands of their soldiers literally starving to death. Casualties on the allied side were not light either, but the Japanese defeat opened up an opportunity for the allies to advance into Burma, and the following year (as depicted in the second Burma scenario included with the game, The Road to Mandalay) they liberated the remainder of the country.

Captain Andrew and I have been playing this over the last week, and we thought that we’d like to share a report of our game with you all. What follows is part one, more will follow in due course as we continue playing. I am Japanese.

For anyone wishing to get a better understanding of the Burma campaign, or merely wanting to read an excellent book on the fighting in South East Asia during WWII, I cannot recommend highly enough General Slim’s Defeat Into Victory. It’s one of my favourite WWII books, and provided the inspiration to make both Burma campaign scenarios.

[Bill101]

The scene:

There are four main areas of operations:

A – The Arakan front on the west coast.

B- The area around Imphal-Kohima. Along with Dimapur, these two places are key Japanese objectives.

C- The Hukawng valley. Here a mixture of Chinese and US forces face a weak Japanese garrison, and further south Wingate’s Chindits will soon be landing behind enemy lines.

D – The city of Wanting in China, this is occupied by the Japanese, but there is a Chinese army to their north east.

[Bill101]

Japanese Turn, 8th March 1944

Our invasion of India begins as our troops advance through the jungle in the direction of Imphal. We meet no resistance in the north but further south we engage and batter the 48th Indian Brigade near Tiddim.

Bad news is received at the end of our turn, as we learn that Orde Wingate’s Chindits have landed behind our lines in the north east, but they are no threat and we will soon teach them a sharp lesson that they will never forget.

Allied Turn, 8th March 1944

The massive assault by the Japanese has forced us to strategically place units near roads leading to Imphal, Kohima and other important key locations. We're hoping to slow them down and force the Japanese to abandon the muddy trails - hindering their advances while we await more reinforcements! We have been forced to withdraw to the town limits of Tiddim due to Japanese tanks shattering our light infantry soldiers.

British Chindits land behind enemy forces at Chowringhee and Broadway. South of Chittagong, the British skirmish with the Japanese in Ngakyedauk Pass with minimal casualties on both sides. The Americans and Chinese advance in the Hukawng Valley south of Ledo in hopes to clog the roads north.

Japanese Turn, 11th March 1944

The assault on Tiddim has begun, and British and Indian troops are in full retreat in the wake of our attack. Further north, our main attack forces are making good progress towards Imphal.

Further east, we hold our ground against the US Mars Forces and their Chinese allies, destroying one Chinese division that recklessly attacked our lines near Wanting.

Allied Turn, 11th March 1944

British brigades begin to counter attack. Learning from the "Scorpion" tactics used so well against Singapore Brit units in 1942, the Brits begin an attempt to outflank the Japanese along the coast. The real counter-attacking occurs in our softened middle flank near Tiddim and Tamu.

At Tamu, the collaborationist Indian National Army’s Gandhi Brigade is punished for their serving against the British Empire, and is almost completely routed (strength 1). After air support strafes the Japanese 14th armored brigade, the defenders of Tiddim likely launch their last attack against the tanks. Unfortunately, the Japanese armor unit survives (strength 2).

Japanese Turn, 14th March 1944

The enemy were a little too ambitious in launching an offensive in the Arakan, as we have cut off two of their brigades leaving them with no source of supply.

We are making good progress towards our main objectives, as Tiddim has fallen and both Imphal and Kohima are now just a short march away.

Allied Turn, 14th March 1944

We're withdrawing towards Imphal and Kohima as the massive Japanese front is overwhelming us.

In the Arakan the Japanese were able to momentarily cut off our advance brigades along the coast, but it came at a cost to them. The village of Taung Bazar was recaptured as Japanese soldiers withdrew along the front. The 2 brigades were reconnected and a Japanese regiment was destroyed. American and Chinese units in the Hukawng Valley attempt to cut off the IJA’s General Tanaka, an Anti-Aircraft unit, and the Imperial 55th Regiment.

[Bill101]

Japanese Turn, 17th March 1944

Tamu is captured as another Indian brigade is destroyed, so we are now very close to both Imphal and Kohima. In fact, our leading patrols have reached the outskirts of both. Victory is within our grasp.

The 50th Indian parachute brigade are putting up a brave fight in Sangshak to the north east of Imphal, but their sacrifices will all be in vain as they struggle against our mighty warriors.

In north eastern Burma we retire in the face of the Chinese and US advance down the Hukawng valley, but only so that we can batter the Chindits in our rear to greater effect.

Allied Turn, 17th March 1944

Brits are rallying to Imphal, but Kohima is in danger. American aircraft strafe the advance IJA HQ command posts in an effort to dampen enemy morale. Royal Air Force pilots, ignoring the dangerously close position of the front line, join in on the attacks. A lone British armored unit is now fully entrenched in the city of Imphal, while ground troops scramble to cut off the clear route to Kohima. During the cover of night, British reinforcements arrive on the outskirts of Imphal to strengthen the front line.

On the Arakan front, the Japanese are nearly routed as the Brits destroy yet another Regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army and advance on captured bicycles to the port city of Akyab - occupied by a lone squadron of Zero's. While Brit unit strength is suffering, the push to advance and eliminate the Japanese front keeps morale up and fighting strength manageable for now.

Japanese Turn, 20th March 1944

The net is closing in around British and Indian forces north east of Imphal, and they are being forced to fall back as our lead elements are now attacking their airbases.

Our soldiers in the Hukawng valley are heavily engaged with both the Chinese and US forces to our front, and the Chindits in our rear. Fortunately the latter appear to be exhausted and near the end of their tether.

We have no news that we wish to report from the Arakan Front.

Allied Turn, 20th March 1944

British counter-attacks at the outskirts of Imphal destroy a nearly full strength Japanese Regiment and damage flanking units before pulling back behind the river. American air strikes help weaken supply routes to the front lines as reinforcements are flown into the area. Chindits also land behind enemy lines - a nuisance to the Japanese as the landings are nowhere near any critical objectives, and in the long run they will be forced to send troops to deal with them.

The Arakan area near the port city of Akyab begins to turn into a rout as only one Japanese infantry unit is at a fighting strength worth worrying about.

In the Hukawng valley, Chinese ground units throw themselves at the 55th Regiment holed up in Shaduzup. Hopefully, we'll be able to grind them down through attrition as the Imperial Army really needs to pour reinforcements into more critical areas than this one.

Japanese Turn, 23rd March 1944

Our troops are still attacking the enemy paratroops holding Sangshak, while we are closing in for an attack on Bishenpur which is to the south west of Imphal.

At the same time we’re also launching wholesale attacks on enemy forces in the Hukawng valley, inflicting heavy casualties on the US Mars Force, and further south we recapture the Chindit base at Chowringhee and attack Broadway.

Some Chinese units making a rather foolhardy advance north of Wanting are brought to heel and battered. Evidently they haven’t read their Sun Tzu!

We are making some minor adjustments to our front line in the Arakan.

Allied Turn, 23rd March 1944

In the Hukawng Valley, the Japanese unit in Shaduzup is separated from its HQ, General Tanaka - who also takes some small arms fire from the front line. The vacated village of Sumprabum is also liberated.

Reinforcements arrive for the battered 50th Indian Parachute Brigade holed up in Sangshak, just east of Imphal. And just in time too! Scouts are reporting Japanese troops flooding into the area on bicycles as far as the eye can see. The southern roads to Imphal get some relief as the IJA 215th Regiment is obliterated. Quite a boon for the good guys as this was a seasoned and battle tested Japanese unit. Just east of Kohima, the IJA 15th Engineer Brigade takes heavy damage, neutralizing the northern front to Imphal as well (for now). If Sangshak can only hold out for a week more, we may be able to give the good news to Churchill that he so eagerly awaits!

To the far east, the Chinese learn some valuable combat lessons as they beat a retreat back to safer grounds!

Here's a view of the main war map at this stage:

[Bill101]

Japanese Turn, 26th March 1944

We are close to retaking Sumprabum in the Hukawng valley as the Chindit defenders are exhausted and close to being wiped out.

North of Wanting we discover a Chinese air base and capture it, destroying all their aircraft. Their US paymasters will not be pleased!!

Attacks continue against the paratroops in Sangshak. It is a tough battle, but our soldiers know their duty.

Allied Turn, 26th March 1944

Sumprabum couldn't get the needed reinforcements they needed, so they may face elimination as the sun rises tomorrow. During the night, British, Chinese, and American forces assault the seiged village of Shaduzup, destroying the unit as we continue to advance towards insignificant targets in the NE. Speaking of insignificant, the Chinese are hard pressed after losing their only air cover as the Japs lost Kutang - periously close to the Chinese "capital" of Paoshan. (Fortunately, losing this major city will not help the Japs towards any of the victory conditions, but the loss of Chinese units would smart a bit!)

The British forces fight back along the Imphal/river front line, destroying the 51st IJA Regiment. The 254th Indian Armor Brigade finally fires their guns and are able to completely annhilate the 213th Japanese Regiment. Both were experienced and vital units to the Japs, so their loss may slow down their spearhead towards Imphal and Kohima!

Reinforcements are flown in under the cover of night, arriving at both Imphal and Dimapur.

Japanese Turn, 29th March 1944

A Chinese division is destroyed north of Wanting, ending the rather premature Chinese offensive in this area. Further west we batter the Chindits, destroying one brigade and reducing another to almost nothing. Good news is that Orde Wingate, leader of the Chindits, is rumoured to have died in a plane crash.

The battering of the Indian paratroops in Sangshak continues, while in the Arakan we are conducting a tactical withdrawal.

Allied Turn, 29th March 1944

Trying to take advantage of recent successful counter-attacks near Imphal, the Brits press forward - leaving their entrenched fox holes on the other side of the river. The gutsy move pays off as the 124th Regiment is destroyed and a flank to the Japs is exposed. RAF units flying ground support report Zero's operating out of farm field in a nearby village. US P-40s descend on the air field, wiping out the Jap fighter wing!

In other fighting, The British HQ Roberts advances and liberates the village closest to Kohima, Karasom. To the east, another IJA Regiment is destroyed and one battered severely. Those successes are offset by Allied Command Staff's fatal mistake in planning and thier failure to reinforce a lone Brit brigade holding the village of Bhamo.

In the Arakan Valley, Brits continue to hammer away at the Zero's holding the port city of Akyab. The 55th Imperial Artillery Regiment is caught lagging in the Japanese retreat and is put out of commission. The April showers appear on the horizon just as more reinforcements arrive at Dimapur.

Japanese Turn, 1st April 1944

Our tactical realignment continues in the Arakan, but further east things are going much better for the Emperor as a Chindit brigade is destroyed and we manage to prevent a sneaky attack on Myitkyina by the enemy’s Burma Rifles.

Our troops are holding their positions near Imphal as until fresh supplies come up we will not be able to resume our offensive.

Allied Turn, 1st April 1944

The rains let up long enough for the RAF and the American's to launch some air raids. Our focus is to take advantage of the loss of the Japs air cover from March 29th. Allied air strikes shred a strategic bomber wing based in Tamu (just south of Sangshak, SE of Imphal), as well as a tactical bomber unit nearby. All pilots return safely and announce the complete destruction of the Japanese air fields and planes! The Brits instantly take advantage of the air superiority and advance into the now deserted village of Tamu while destroying the IJA 15th Artillery.

Brits continue to give chase to the Japs in the Arakan, and are able to score some serious hits on the Imperial 5th HQ Air Fighter Force stubborningly holding on to Akyab (it's down to 3 strength now). Major Grover is airlifted straight to Imphal, and he brings some fresh artillery reinforcements. If the brave paratroopers hold out at Sangshak for just a little longer, we just may be able to capitalize on our air cover!

[Bill101]

Japanese Turn, 4th April 1944

We withdraw to better positions in the Imphal-Kohima area, hoping that the unsuspecting enemy will be lured into our trap.

The British 16th Long Range Penetration Brigade is destroyed in the Hukawng valley, and reinforcements are arriving from the south to complete the destruction of the remaining Chindits.

Allied Turn, 4th April 1944

The Brits pour across the river at Imphal and attempt to bottle in the Japanese to prevent another flanking push like they did on the onset of the campaign. Just south of Imphal at Bishenpur, British air and ground attacks destroy the 214th Regiment. At dusk, the 3rd Chindits Brigade lands at Broadway.

Japanese Turn, 7th April 1944

The Burma Rifles are destroyed near Myitkyina, and General Lentaigne’s headquarters at Broadway are under attack.

Our withdrawal in the Imphal-Kohima area seems to have succeeded in luring the enemy out into the jungle to fight.

Allied Turn, 7th April 1944

The Imperial 58th Regiment is completely routed at Sangshak as the Brits continue to push eastward from Imphal. Slightly to the north, the Imperial 15th Engineers are nearly destroyed by combined aerial and ground attacks as well.

To the east, the Chinese manage to retake Tenchung while on the Arakan Front the Japanese are in full retreat and have moved completely out of range. The Brits, of course, are in full pursuit. Evidently, the Japanese are riding brand new 2 speed bicycles because they’re nowhere to be seen! Just before nightfall, the Brits 6th Brigade lands in Imphal to ensure more reinforcements are available to add to the mix!

Japanese Turn, 10th April 1944

Our tactical withdrawal east of Imphal is paying off as our defensive actions in the jungle are weakening our pursuers, especially when they run into well-prepared ambushes with out having conducted any reconnaissance first.

In the Hukawng, we deliver a general all-round beating to the Chinese, Chindits and even Frank Merrill himself.

Allied Turn, 10th April 1944

Brits score major successes in their offensive near Imphal. The Indian Gandhi Brigade is destroyed in Tonhe, and the village is retaken. Advance recon forces blaze a trail through the jungle and liberate the town (supply: 8) of Sittaung. This will help greatly in improving front line supply to the combat troops and further hamper any more Tojo advances in the area.

The Chinese retake the abandoned village of Kutung. Otherwise, the joint Chinese/American/Chindit offensive in the east has completely stalled as Japanese reinforcements continue to pour into the area. Allied air is heading to the area to help turn the tide. The British 23rd L.H.P reinforcements land at Jorhat.

Japanese Turn, 13th April 1944

In the Hukawng, Merrill’s Marauders receive a beating they will never forget, and we have definitely held the enemy’s advance in this area. We have just deployed a new unit here, Take Force, and this should enable us to finish off the last remnants of the Chindits.

Our plans to capture Imphal and Kohima are temporarily on hold, but our troops are fighting well in the jungle and enemy losses are high, so with time we intend to return to the offensive.

Allied Turn, 13th April 1944

The torrid pace of our counter-attacks and offensives is beginning to wear down the troops. Key units receive maximum reinforcements, added by the added supply and resources coming in from our successful liberations. Speaking of liberation, the villages of Myebon and Ruywa are retaken to east of Arakan - and the village of Imyaungtha is occupied to the east of Imphal. (No sight of the Japanese yet, they really have high tailed it out of there!)

The 254th armored brigade moves into Tonhe to help form a pincer around the Japanese forward Imphal assault units. Making this more difficult, Tojo is dedicating massive reinforcements to this area, bringing their ground units to full supply. We try to keep them spending money (and not attacking) by battering both the 13th and 15th IJA Engineer Regiments east of Imphal.

Japanese Turn, 16th April 1944

We remain on the defensive east of Imphal, and reinforcements are on the way at top speed. Of far more importance is our great success in the Hukawng as Merrill’s Marauders are totally defeated with no survivors. This is a resounding victory!

Allied Turn, 16th April 1944

More pounding of units around Imphal. We pound them, they reinforce, rinse and repeat. No units destroyed this turn though and due to rain throughout the region, we take the opportunity to reinforce our air wings.

[Bill101]

Japanese Turn, 19th April 1944

The Monsoon has arrived! It will at least protect us from the enemy’s air attacks. Meanwhile our forces around Imphal are holding well, and the British and Indian troops are suffering very badly every time they attack us. Please keep it up, General Slim!

In the Hukawng, now that Mars Force has been destroyed we are changing the focus to batter the remaining Chinese and Chindit units. There is very little they can do here, especially as some of their US air support was sent to the west to help defend Imphal.

Allied Turn, 19th April 1944

The loss of Merrill's Mars Force is truly felt in the Hukawng Valley. Despite their absence, the Chinese pour everything they have into dislodging the IJA’s 114th Regiment in the village of Kamaing. With the rains letting up, the Americans are able to add some heavy bomber support. Nevertheless, the enemy are dug in like ticks and we are unable to dislodge them.

Our Brits in the Arakan have moved east into Taungup and the An Pass, discovering a lone Zero squadron. Artillery and some RAF fighters mix it up with them to no avail.

Our massive pushback near Imphal does have some success with the additional air support and the Japanese 15th Engineers take yet another beating. The 31st Imperial Engineers were dug in to a fortification next to the village of Tonhe...but no longer! Their destruction will help as we begin to pull the noose tighter around the Japanese units stubbornly holding on to their meagre gains there. While they are tied up, Brits also race south and capture the village of Kalewa. Time is starting to run out on Tojo...

Japanese Turn, 22nd April 1944

Our redeployment from the Arakan to the Imphal front has so far been successful, and our lead elements are now engaging Indian troops between Fort White and Kalewa.

Another Chindit formation is wiped out in the Hukawng, and the Chinese are rather rashly advancing on our positions at Wanting. The fools!

Allied Turn, 22nd April 1944

Some more successes this turn - hopefully ending the threat against Imphal for good. First, we were able to destroy Yamamoto's Special Forces in a fortification near Sangshak to the east of Imphal.

Several miles to the south, our Brits took Fort White. Another British Regiment moved in to the crossroads between Fort White and Kalewa, destroying the Kubo Special Forces unit moving up from the Arakan - effectively cutting them off from the southern front to Imphal.

In the An Pass, British units advance to the Irrawaddy river, and take the village of Sandoway.

Japanese Turn, 25th April 1944

Contrary to what the enemy might be saying, he has not yet cut off all the routes that our troops moving from the Arakan to the Imphal front could use.

Alas we destroyed no enemy units this turn, but we are holding out east of Imphal and still hold the upper hand in the Hukawng as we unleash an unrelenting rain of attacks on the few surviving Chindits.

Allied Turn, 25th April 1944

The Brits have finally managed to dislodge the 15th Engineers out of their fortification near Imphal. That leaves a Japanese Regiment, Artillery, and 2 HQ's left from the original frontal assault we faced. HQ Yamamoto is on the run east towards Homalin. Our Indian armored brigade and an infantry brigade pursue him and manage to knock him down to half strength.

After an intelligence report shows a Japanese HQ in Tiddim, our British Brigade in Fort White races to attack them from behind, encircling their small frontal force of a tank, artillery, HQ, and Zero fighter plane. We're holding on by our fingernails in the Hukawng Valley, but help is on the way. General Slim isn't too concerned, since time is starting to run out on Tojo's last ditch effort to stall the Allies in SE Asia.

In the An Pass, our British Expeditionary Force has waded the widest part of the Irrawaddy River, capturing the village of Pagan on the other side. A cluster of towns and oil rigs vital to the Japanese lie empty and ours for the taking!

Japanese Turn, 28th April 1944

We launch our counterattack near Fort White, smashing the 9th Indian Brigade and cutting the 33rd off from its source of supply, while in the Hukawng Valley we are closing in on the remaining Chindits.

The loss of the oil wells at Yenanyaung is of no major concern, as time is running out and with so few troops left in the field, we don’t need the income!

Allied Turn, 28th April 1944

Near Fort White, we manage to fully resupply the 9th Indian Brigade. Despite enemy propaganda that the 33rd Brigade was cut off, they manage to retreat to the village of Kalewa and fire a few shots at an advancing enemy AA unit. Our Brits advance across the river and engage the Japanese armor, knocking it down in strength with devastating air attacks.

In the Hukawng Valley, we manage to knock the 114th IJA Regiment down to half strength with the help of additional British reinforcements coming from the north. Our Chindits, pinned down and counting ammunition, receive some needed reinforcements.

Our main successes on this day were in the form of advances across the Irrawaddy River. Both oil fields and the village of Yenangyaung, as well as the village of Meiktila are taken. Looks like more monsoon rains coming...

Total losses to date:

• Japan: 18 land units, 3 air units

• UK: 8 land units

• China: 3 land units, 1 air unit

• USA: 1 land unit

[Bill101]

Japanese Turn, 1st May 1944

Things are taking a turn not necessarily to our advantage, so we have withdrawn our forces from Tiddim to the south of Imphal. Our forces east of Imphal are also retiring to better positions as they move towards the Hukawng Valley.

Here in the Hukawng Valley the situation is far more favourable to us, and we hope to be able to hold up the enemy’s advance here for some time to come.

Allied Turn, 1st May 1944

Rain has grounded our air units, hampering our attacks and our ability to take advantage of the air superiority in the Imphal/Fort White area. Despite the monsoon mud, we chased and harried both the remaining wings of the Japanese presence as they withdrew. We were able to destroy the 4th Brigade Zero Fighter Wing and take Tiddim. Near Imphal, we finally reoccupied two more villages. We're trying to prevent any connection to the massive Japanese assembly in the Hukawng Valley and prevent a last minute regrouping and assault back towards Imphal and Kohima.

Intel reports identify a remaining Zero fighter wing based in Gangaw. 3 Chinese Divisions arrive, although it's unlikely they will be able to assist much. The rain continues to pour down, and in the south we continue to creep warily towards Mandalay.

Japanese Turn, 4th May 1944

If the Chinese are getting some new units then we’d better destroy some of their old ones! A Chinese division is swiftly dispatched in the Hukawng Valley, and our survivors from the fighting around Imphal are now arriving in the area, so we should be able to put up a tough fight in the remaining nine turns.

Allied Turn, 4th May 1944

Rain again hampers our ability to launch air strikes. Our units continue to chase Tojo south from Imphal and east towards the Hukawng Valley. In the Valley, our Chindits, Chinese, and British reinforcements all hunker down and rest in an attempt to wait out the rain.

Japanese Turn, 7th May 1944

The survivors of our Imphal offensive are doing a good job in holding up the British advance, while in the Hukawng our soldiers are having a great time battering enemy units. We are not going to be defeated here anytime soon!

Allied Turn, 7th May 1944

The monsoon rains won't let up. However, we continue to harry the retreating Japanese, pushing them farther and farther away from their objective. Two more Chinese infantry Divisions arrive and any successes in the Hukawng Valley will be met with a reinforced (but poorly equipped) sea of Chinamen!

Our successes this day revolve around our spearhead in the south. Our British units, freshly supplied after crossing the raging Irrawaddy River, have captured Mandalay and Fort Dufferin! This was a milestone for the Brits, as General Slim had demanded both the unenviable tasks of defending Kohima and Imphal AND capturing Mandalay! As time was running out, we succeeded in doing just that. General Slim wired Sir Winston Churchill to let him know to fire up another cigar... the Japanese threat has been completely quashed! A rounding Huzzah rings out from the British, American, and Chinese command tents.

The result: Allies Major Victory!

Here's the war map showing our final dispositions. As you can see my Japanese were pretty outnumbered and also outmanoeuvred by the end:

[Bill101]

Reflections on the campaign:

I really enjoyed the game but I made a few very important mistakes early on, which cost me the victory as the Japanese need to do really well in the first part of the game. The key being to take Bishenpur to the south west of Imphal as that will cut Imphal’s supply, and also to hit Kohima much harder than I did.

I spent too much time trying to batter enemy forces rather than taking these key points, and divided my attacks between multiple targets rather than combining them. On the other hand after my offensive had stalled I managed to extract more forces from the area than the Japanese did in real life!

Another mistake was attacking in the Arakan Front on the coast. Leaving my fortified positions to encircle some enemy units backfired massively as he then destroyed one of my units while it lacked entrenchment, and any weakening of Japanese numbers here meant that I wouldn’t have enough units to hold the line.

Not leaving a garrison in Mandalay did result in a quicker allied victory than might have been the case, but I neglected to do this because I was striving for a victory, not a draw, and the real mistake was in the Arakan Front as the enemy would not have been able to reach Mandalay if that front had held.

Playing this scenario has really put me in the mood to play the sequel, The Road to Mandalay, which covers the allied liberation of Burma in 1945. This time the Japanese have the advantage of being the defenders, while the allies have to cross the Irrawaddy river, crush the Japanese forces around Mandalay and then drive on Rangoon.

Thanks for the great game Andy!

[Capt Andrew]

I enjoyed the game too Bill!

Allied reflections on the game:

This was my first venture into a PvP with this mini-campaign. I enjoyed it, and it really renewed my interest in the full campaign. I recommend this (and the other mini scenarios) for anyone feeling a little "burned out" from Operation Z... although it's hard to get burned out on that one!

Without a doubt, my success in this match was due to three factors. First, the Japs were aggressive in the Arakan. Matching that aggression and inflicting any losses there for the Japs meant they wouldn't be able to send needed reinforcements to critical units pushing towards Imphal or Kohima. When this southern front collapsed, I was able to chase the Japs east towards Mandalay (ensuring an Allied Major Victory!). In addition, I was able to slide units back north and operate them to Dimapur and to the Hukawng Valley. As soon as the Arakan began to crumble for Tojo, I was also able to start leapfrogging my RAF units north towards Imphal.

Second, my decision reinforcements. You have to decide on Imphal or Dimapur for where you want your British units to arrive. Imphal may be the tempting target, but Dimapur allows you to get units to Kohima faster. I was able to get the right units into the right areas at the right time. The AAR may not reflect it, but I was EXTREMELY concerned I was going to lose Kohima for sure. I felt good about Imphal being saved. With the Japs being ultra aggressive here, I was able to really concentrate on units one or two at a time and destroy them - rather than wounding them.

Third, my air superiority. Since the Hukawng Valley is virtually worthless in terms of victory conditions, there wasn't a need to maintain my USAF units in the area. Yes, my advance was stalled (the Chinese are about worthless), but I just needed to prevent the Japs from pushing north towards the USA "capital". By sending my American fighter, bomber, and tac bomber west and my RAF Arakan tac bomber north, I was able to establish massive air superiority. This really allowed me to punish the advancing Japanese infantry units. When the monsoon rains hit, they were all useless - but the tide had already been turned.

A great match (all my games with Bill come down to chess matches!), and I'm glad we did an AAR for this. I am curious if people enjoyed the AAR posting method (posting in blocks with plenty of screen shots). I don't think this style favors the full campaign scenario since subterfuge is needed there - but here, it wasn't a big deal. Thanks for the fun match Emporer Bill!

[Timskorn]

I was about to say, I've definitely been following this thread and really enjoyed it and liked the style in how you guys posted. Screenshots really go a long way especially if you haven't played the scenario. I've only played a couple mini-campaigns but this reminds me to continue playing more of them, as these really set themselves apart from what was in SC2 and PDE. For those people who normally skip these scenarios, they are the hidden gems of SC2 Pacific that are waiting for you to try out.