Historical Background: After the fall of Changsha in June 1944, during operation Ichi-go (Tairiku Datsu Sakusen), the 11th Japanese army had to capture Hengyang, in the Hunan province. This city was a strategic objective because of an important railway junction and the airfield used by famous USAAF "Flying Tigers" of general Chennault. 10th Chinese army corps was in charge of the defense of Hengyang and built a lot of fortified positions in the north part of the city. The Japanese troops attacked from the south in a marshes area on the 22nd of June. The battle lasted 48 days because of the heroic defense of the Chinese. But, exhausted by the battle, the Chinese troops surrendered on the 08th of August 1944. Japanese were victorious but for the first time in the war against China, they suffered in the battle more casualties than Chinese. The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Briefing: Axis player [Japanese Imperial Army] : 6 command cards, you move first. Allied player [China] : 5 command cards.
Conditions of Victory: Axis player : 7 medals including the medal token. The main hexagon of the airfield is a temporary medal objective for the Axis player. Allied player : 7 medals.
Special Rules: - Use "Japanese Imperial Army Command" rules (Nation 3). - Use "Fish Ponds" rules (Terrain 54). - Xiangyang river is impassable except by the bridges (Terrain 8). - Air rules are optional. If used, give an "Air Sortie" card to the Axis player and let the other in the pile. Put a P-40 aircraft on the main hexagon of the Airfield.
Scenario Bibliography: - Article Wikipedia - "Battle of Hengyang.
Official scenario of FFM44. Played during the tournament in Le Mans on the 28th of December 2009.
Warning: Please note that this scenario was not approved by Richard Borg or Days of Wonder, so you have to check yourself about playability, potential gaming issues, etc.
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