Chinese Civil War

[Cataphrak]

The skies over Taiwan were black with ash and smoke. Above the island's funeral pall, the air was criss-crossed with the contrails of strategic bombers. If there were any survivors below, it was doubtful any cared if they carried the black star of the RAPS or the white sunburst of the RoCAF. Either way, they rained death on the island. There was no attempt at subtlety, at discrimination, or at restraint. The entire island was burned and blasted from one end to the other, as if they were less bombing targets and more mowing a lawn.

In a week, the RoCAF dropped more incendiary devices by weight on the island of Taiwan than the USAAF did throughout the whole of the Second World War. By the time they were finished, they were doing little more than bouncing rubble, heating the slag of what had been homes and businesses and factories and people with one last spiteful burst of flame.

Before they were re-tasked to support the fighting in the north, they made one final pass, dropping a cargo not of napalm and phosphorus, but of leaflets, directed at anyone who still lived below. They were not the sort the Republic had dropped on Jiangxi, or Guangdong, or even the ones they had dropped during the last war.

This time, they only carried a single, succinct message.

"YOU BROUGHT THIS UPON YOURSELVES"

----

The situation in Guangdong was bad.

Despite the best efforts of the defenders, there seemed to be no end to the attacking forces. Some had penetrated as far as Guangzhou itself, though not for long. Air battles were an everyday occurrence, and even those who had remembered the terrifying days when Chongqing had laid supine under the Japanese bombers could only tell themselves that at least this time, the air force was fighting back.

The situation in Zhejiang was worse.

The defending forces had been all-but mauled by the PRC's opening attack, despite the NRA's best efforts and the personal presence of the Chief of the General Staff, the situation was increasingly grim. Only fragments of the defenders remained, General Li Zongren was missing, presumed dead.

Yet as the shattered remnants of the 4th and 12th Armies retreated south, they were passed along the road by fresh columns from Fujian, even as the air filled with the sound of jet engines as the RoCAF aircraft assigned to Taiwan now came thundering northwards to avenge their murdered kin.

The fight for Zhejiang wasn't over yet.

Troop movements:
From Fujian (235) to Zhejiang (234)
4 pts armour
5 pts artillery
4 pts mechanised infantry
2 pt motorised infantry
NOTE: (forgot to account for one of my armies in my last post, so I'm putting it in this reinforcements pile)

Aircraft Tasking:
All aircraft formerly assigned to bombing Taiwan (304) now re-tasked to close-air support in Zhejiang (234)

Casualties are assigned as follows:
Guangdong (236)
3 pts Light Infantry Lost
1 pt Mechanised Infantry Lost
2 pts artillery damaged
2 pts armour damaged
1 pt fighters lost
2 pts industry lost
2 pts industry damaged

Zhejiang(234)
2 pts armour lost
4 pts artillery lost
1 pt motorised infantry lost
1 pt motorised infantry double-damaged and thus, lost
2 pts mechanised infantry double-damaged and thus, lost
1 pt industry lost
3 pts industry damaged

[Cataphrak]

Soldiers of the Bandit Faction calling itself "The Republic of Zhejiang":

Your leaders have lied to you. They have manipulated you into attacking the rightful government of China without provocation. As a result of this terrible crime against the peace of humanity, the Republic of China and its friends and allies across the world have wrought a terrible vengeance upon them.

A choice now presents itself: you can choose to fight for a regime which sent you to your certain deaths against the massed firepower most of the world and die pointless deaths for leaders who no longer exist, or you can give up this futile struggle, and decide your own fate in peace.

The choice is yours. This offer will not stand indefinitely.

LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC.

[Alucard Tobor]

With Taiwan little more than cinders, two motorized infantry divisions and a wealth of humanitarian support elements were deployed to sweep the island for survivors. Temporary bases would be constructed to operate from, and construction battalions would begin assembling shelters for survivors of the firebombing. A hasty airbase would be assembled, to allow for supplies to be flown in, and for helicopters to operate from.

Out at sea, an offer to Zhejiang ships would be broadcast from patrolling aircraft, offering favourable terms of surrender should the crews turn themselves and their vessels in at Chinese or Korean ports.

A diplomatic missive was sent to the People's Republic of China, stating simply;

You were ill-advised to involve yourself in this conflict. Be aware, until you offer surrender to the Republic of China, a state of war exists between your own nation and the Republic of Korea.

2 units Motorized deployed to Taiwan (Territory 304).
East China Sea naval assets are re-tasked to supporting RoC forces in Zhejiang (Territory 234).
Fighter assets previously engaged in Taiwan are re-tasked to close air support in Zhejiang (Territory 234).

[Markus Wilding]

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, after transmitting to its soldiers, negotiates for safe passage back to Vietnam.

---

Soldiers of the Republic of Zhejiang do not surrender, and vow to fight to the death in order to link up with PRC troops.

---

The PRC sent the following message to the Republic of China:

We have both bloodied each other's noses this week.

Given the non-existence of the Republic of Zhejiang's government, the Politburo has elected to withdraw to prewar borders and restore status quo ante bellum. The people of China do not need further bloodshed this year.

[Sabriel]

A corps of Victorian light infantry was deployed to the island of Taiwan, along with significant numbers of engineers and supplies. This group cordoned off a large area in the ruins of Yilan city, and began to build.

[Cataphrak]

1400 China Standard Time, 28th November, 1962
From: Wei Anqi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China
To: The Standing Committee of the Politburo of the People's Republic of China

OFFER OF CEASE-FIRE ACCEPTABLE FOR THE MOMENT. PRC FORCES HAVE SAFE PASSAGE TO ZHEJIANG-JIANGSU BORDER.

----
With PRC forces in Zhejiang in full retreat, and the RoZ remnants in Guangdong now left suddenly isolated, the Republic of China suddenly found itself free to plan beyond the immediate future again.

With forces in Guangdong kept in place to mop up what was left of Zhejiang's army, the still-fresh 1st Guards Army was shipped to Taiwan, to assist the Korean forces already in place - and to keep an eye on their Victorian allies.

China is moving the following forces to Taiwan (304):
1 pt armour
2 pts artillery
1 pt mechanised infantry
1 pt motorised infantry

All air assets formerly tasked to Zhejiang (234) now redirected against RoZ remnants in Guangdong (236)

[Sabriel]

With the conclusion of major hostilities, Victoria's forces withdraw from the conflict zone, all save the 18th and 19th Light Divisions on Taiwan.

[Markus Wilding]

OOC: In their attacks, the Republic of China rolled an 8 for ground actions, and a 1 for air actions. This results in 3 units of ground losses, 4 units of ground damages, 5 units of air losses and 6 units of air damages for the Republic of Zhejiang. A bombing campaign resulted in 3 additional units of ground losses and 4 units of ground damages.

In their attacks, the Republic of Zhejiang rolled a 2 for ground actions and a 1 for air actions. This results in 3 units of ground losses, 4 units of ground damages, 2 units of air losses, and 3 units of air damages for the Republic of China.

The Republic of Zhejiang took 5 units of mechanized infantry and 1 unit of armor as ground losses.
The Republic of Zhejiang took 4 units of artillery as losses - double damage leads to loss.
The Republic of Zhejiang could not sustain all casualties on its remaining air points, and as such it no longer has a functional military outside of its naval points in the South China Sea. After witnessing the destruction of their home, they scuttle their ships and surrender to the SRA.

[Markus Wilding]

With the conclusion of active combat and with PACCOM seeing no further need for their presence, the Socialist Republic Navy set sail for home, their new friends in tow.

[Cataphrak]

Casualty Reports:
Guangdong (236):
3 pts of light infantry lost
4 pts artillery damaged
2 pts fighters lost
3 pts fighters damaged.

0900 China Standard Time, December 14th, 1962
From: Marshal Du Yuming, Premier of the Republic
To: C. Bellman, Ambassador (FoK-RoC), HM Catharine al Victoria, Queen of Victoria

ALL HOSTILE FORCES HAVE LEFT ROC TERRITORY. HOSTILITIES ARE OFFICIALLY AT AN END. WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND PERSONAL THANKS FOR VALUABLE ASSISTANCE OF KOREAN AND VICTORIAN FORCES DURING THIS CRISIS.

PARADE IS TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK IN GUANGZHOU TO CELEBRATE END OF HOSTILITIES. KOREAN AND VICTORIAN GOVERNMENTS INVITED TO SEND DELEGATIONS TO PARTICIPATE, AND DISCUSS POST-WAR STATUS OF TAIWAN.

-MARSHAL DU.

Soldiers of the Republic!

Twenty-five years ago, our Republic was attacked from the sea by an enemy coveting our rightful lands. In concert with their allies from the north, they pushed deep into our territory. Despite the bravery of the Republic's soldiers, and the gallantry of its officers, the Republic's armies were beaten back by superior firepower, superior numbers, and the superior cruelty of the enemy, who went on to inflict innumerable sorrows upon the people of China.

Only through great compromise and hardship were we able to survive such terrible times. Many of our fellows did not. I remember those darkest days, when our armies were shattered, our allies broken or turned traitor, when I sat around the camp stove with my staff and we vowed never to allow such a thing to happen again. Never again would the armies of the Republic be so badly humiliated. Never again would we entrust our safety to such unfaithful allies. Never again would we allow such atrocities to be visited upon China by a conquering army.

For years now, we have done our best to fulfil that vow. Over the past five weeks, our best has been put to the test. Once again, our Republic was attacked from the sea. Once again, they were aided by hanjian from the North. Once again, they tried to push deep into our territory through superior firepower, superior numbers, and superior cruelty.

But this time, you prevailed! Your skill overcame their firepower. Your courage broke their numbers. Your love of country and people ensured that their cruelty would not be visited again upon the people of China. Soldiers of the Republic! It was I who made that vow so many years ago, but it was your efforts, your bravery, your sacrifices, which have allowed me to keep it.

Soldiers of the Republic. I thank you.