Jade Typhoon is an unofficial narrative campaign documenting the events of the conflict between the Empire and the Crown preceding the attack on Singapore city. Read about the background, key people and events of the Jade Typhoon campaign in the overview.
In the last instalment… the Empire managed to secure critical intelligence revealing their invasion plans before the Crown could recover it from their downed aircraft. Crown Commander, Colonel Flanker, was slain in the attempt. Widely reported in Singapore papers as a glorious (if doomed) final stand against overwhelming numbers of enemy troops, amongst Crown forces, the incident is dubbed ‘Falkner’s Folly’. Now, the Crown launch Operation Matador, a desperate attempt to slow the invasion of Singapore by destroying large concentrations of boats that the Empire have assembled along the road to the Johor Straits, in preparation for an amphibious assault on Singapore island.
Background and Clash
Clash: Pitched Battle
Objectives: Three objectives represent collections of boats
that are needed for the invasion force.
Each round that an objective is held means that more boats are destroyed
(if the Cown holds it) or recovered for use in the invasion (if the Empire
holds it).
The boat stockpile objectives are located at regular intervals along the main road in the centre of the battlefield. The Objectives on the left flank and centre are in the open, while the third is shrouded on either side by thick jungle, next to a fast-flowing river.
Game size: 2,000 Points (Battle)
Forces
Brigadier Gordon takes command of the Crown Attack Force for
Operation Matador. Gordon is a sober
traditionalist, and views Falkner’s untimely demise as due to a failure to
adhere to the orthodox. Gordon has
assembled a much more traditional Crown attack force, focussing on firepower in
the form of reinforced units of Mordred and Bors Heavy Artillery and Drake
Field Guns. This is backed by a
reinforced Squadron of Galahad tanks, a reinforced rifle company mounted in
Stirling Heavy Transports and reinforced Engineer Sappers mounted in Tristan
Assault Transports.
Gordon hopes to wrest control of the Objectives using these troops, backed by a reinforced unit of Assault Dragoons and supported by fire from two reinforced units of Sharp rifles (who proved their value against Empire infantry in the last battle). Gordon has also included a unit of newly arrived Engineer Dragoons, which have been rushed to Singapore in an effort to counter the terrifying Empire automata that savaged Falkner’s troops. Two reinforced units of Horse Guards provide another fast-moving attack option, while air cover is provided by a unit of Heavy Dragoons and reinforced squadron of Defiance Fighters.
Commander Feng’s star is rising. Following the initial victory over Crown
Forces, Feng received a personal commendation from General Chakri and hopes to
build on this success to build a larger command and play a major role in the
wider invasion. So, when initial reports
are received of a large Crown force advancing toward the stockpile of invasion
boats, Feng doesn’t wait for orders and deploys the elite Striking Tiger Force
to counter-attack immediately. The force is spearheaded by Feng’s personal
pride, a full squadron of Fangun Medium Tanks with a detachment of Yan Shou
Flame Tanks in support. This armoured
punch has significant fire-support, in the form of a reinforced unit of Fengbao
Heavy Launchers, both full-size and reinforced size units Green Banner Rocket
Troops, reinforced units of Tanshe Artillery Chariots and a basic battery of
San Lai Heavy Artillery.
The rest of Feng’s troops are the same units from the
previous encounter with the Crown (now reinforced and resupplied). For the initial assault wave, two reinforced
units of Bulnabang flying infantry lead the way, with a reinforced unit of
Jianhuren Terracotta Warriors and basic unit Tongshi Lion Automata following
closely behind. The next wave are two
large units of Green Banner Guards (one full-size and one reinforced) supported
by a basic Flame team. After seeing the
impact of the Crown’s aircraft, Feng also includes both a unit of Ruishi
Automoata and Bao flak launchers for air defence. Feng also manages to secure a squadron of
Doksuri Fighters, tasked from a nearby Malay airfield, to target the Crown’s
armoured vehicles.
Deployment
Brigadier Gordon splits the Crown force to try and seize all
three stockpiles of boats at once. The
plan is to use the speed of the Crown’s mechanised troops to get troops onto
the objectives quickly, destroying as many boats as possible and then weaken the
Empire advance with concentrated fire as they approach so that they cannot
challenge for the Objectives. On the
left flank are the mighty Galahad medium tanks are accompanied by Engineer
Dragoons for support with Spitfires flying infantry scouting the way. The bulk of the Crown force deploys in the
centre, including Tristan Assault Transports (with Engineer Sappers on board)
and Stirling Armoured Transports (transporting Crown Rifles). The Assault Dragoons move through the thick
jungle to challenge the stockpile on the road near the river.
Meanwhile, on the far side of the river, a unit of Horse
Guard supported by Sharp Rifles hope to use the open ground to flank the
enemy. The Crown gunline made up of the
Drake Field Guns, second unit of Sharp Rifles and fearsome Mordred’s and Bors
Heavy Artillery are set-back, covering the approach to all three objectives,
while the Heavy Dragoons remain nearby, scanning the skies. The second unit of Horse Guards are deployed
in Reserve, hoping to spring a surprise attack behind enemy lines later in the
battle.
Commander Feng’s plan is to use indirect fire (rockets and artillery) to destroy Crown units on Objectives before overwhelming them with successive waves of troops. On the left flank a unit of Bulnabang flying infantry, supported by Tongshi Lion Automata, San Lai Heavy Artillery and Tanshe Artillery Chariots square off against the Crown armour. In the centre, the large blocks of Green Banner Guards march forward, screened by Jianhuren Terracotta Warriors. For the jungle road objective, Feng deploys the prized Fangun and Yan Shou tanks, supported by the second unit of Bulnabang.
The Empire backline is
extensive, and the Fengbao Heavy Launchers and Rocket troops are deployed
behind cover of the thick jungle, but within range of all 3 Objectives for
indirect fire. The Ruishi Lions, Bao
Flak Chariots and a flame team are held back to protect the line from
unexpected Crown flanking, or air assault.
Battle Report
As the two sides begin to close, a unit of Sharp Rifles on
the right flank scramble to the top of a hill, giving them a clear field of
fire down the road covering several objectives.
However, before they can dig-in, a unit of Jindouyun Steambikes sweep
forward and rake them with fire, inflicting heavy casualties among the colonial
troops. The nearby Crown Horse Guard
respond by pouncing on the Steambikes, riding them down and annihilating the
unit before they can flee.
As the Empire battleline begins to advance, the Crown’s Mordred Heavy Artillery opens-up on the approaching Terracotta Warriors, smashing many of the automata into pieces with concentrated fire. Enraged by this loss and determined to remove the Mordred’s as a threat to the prized Empire tanks, Feng orders the Doksuri fighters to make an attack-run on the Crown guns. As the Empire aircraft approach, Crown Defiance fighters, who had been on ready standby, are scrambled and in the ensuing dogfight the Crown pilots manage to shoot down one of the Doksuri, with the stricken plane careening away into the jungle. The other Doksuri fighter stays on target and draws a bead on the Mordred’s, destroying two of the guns with a devastating salvo of armour-piercing rounds.
The Crown’s Galahad tanks now rumble forward and fire on the Jianhuren Terracotta Warriors. When the smoke clears, only a few remain intact, their terracotta coverings scorched and cracked. Despite the damage, the remaining automata continue their relentless advance. Knowing they are well within enemy range, the Spitfire Flying Infantry land amongst the boats, and prepare grenade bundles to destroy them. But no sooner have they landed, they are pelted with poison gas from the Fengbao Heavy Launchers.
Most of the gallant infantry succumb to the choking green mist, but the Spitfires commander resists the fumes and retains control of the Objective. This reprieve is short-lived however, as the Tongshi Lion Automata emerge from the nearby bamboo thicket and unleash a devastating jet of fire, killing the survivors. With the Objective clear, the Bunabang Flying infantry stake their claim, arriving amidst the smouldering remains, but they are immediately cut down by barrage of accurate fire from nearby Sharp Rifles and Gordon’s own personal infantry escort.
In the centre of the battlefield, both sides advance toward the objectives. The Tristan Assault Transports reach the objective first and weather a hail of rocket fire, convincing the Engineer Sappers to remain within their armoured protection for now. The Striling transports also advance, and the Rifle company scramble out, and take up firing positions within range of the jungle road objective, ready to repel the fast-moving Bulnabang Flying Infantry.
The jungle is alive with movement. On one side, the Crown’s Assault Dragoons
stomp toward the Objective, while on the other side, Fangun Medium Tanks, led
by the Yan Shou Flame Tank detachment, surge forward toward the same
destination. The Empire Bulnabang Flying
Infantry consider seizing the objective, but after receiving scouting report of
Crown troops waiting, they decide to bide their time and wait for the right
moment to leap forward.
The massed ranks of the Green Banner Guards march forward
and the jungle-floor trembles beneath their feet. With such a densely packed target, the Crown
gunners can hardly miss, and the Bors and Drake field guns inflict heavy
casualties. Suddenly, a unit of Crown
Horse Guard emerge from the jungle, emerging behind enemy ranks! The Ruishi Lion Automata have been programmed
for this eventuality, and they rapidly reposition, protecting the Empire Heavy
Launchers and Rocket troops with their mechanical bodies.
Denied their intended prize, the Horse Guard spot Fengbao’s
personal standard, and plunge forward brandishing their sabres, charging into
the massed ranks of surprised Green Banner infantry. The carnage is terrible as the Horse Guard
cut down swathes of Green Banner infantry, and once they’ve passed through,
wheel-around and charge again for a fresh attack. Despite suffering massive
casualties, the Green Banner Guard fight valiantly, forming a protective wall
around Commander Feng, shielding their commander with their bodies. Finally, the Horse Guards are defeated by
sheer mass of numbers, but not before the Green Banner Guards have been reduced
to just a handful of survivors crouching behind their heavy metal shields. Rounds from the Bors Heavy Artillery now land
amongst them, destroying the remaining guards and severely wounding Feng.
Realising the threat of the advancing automata, who have now
almost reached the Crown battleline, Gordon now orders his troops to focus
their fire. The Tongshi Lion Automata
are badly damaged by accurate fire from the surviving Mordred Heavy Artillery,
then the Galahad tanks finish the job, blasting the mechanical lions into
pieces as they move over the Objective, destroying many of the boats beneath
their tracks. The Engineer Sappers
disembark their Tristan Armoured Transports and attach sticky bombs to the
Jianhuren Terracotta Warriors, finishing the remaining automata in exchange for
light casualties.
Meanwhile, on the other flank, the Assault Dragoons emerge from the jungle to claim the nearby objective. Almost immediately they come under heavy rocket and gas attack causing several casualties. Then the Yan Shou Flame Tanks emerge from the opposite side of the road and bathe them in fire. More of the Assault Dragoons are killed, but the survivors grimly hold their positions. The Empire Bulnabang Flying infantry swoop in as part of as final attempt to dislodge the Dragoons from their position, and while they manage to eliminate all but the very last Dragoon, who refuses to break, they are then subject to a devastating barrage which destroys all of the Bulnabang, except their commander.
The situation looks dire for the Empire – the Crown now
control all three Objectives and destroy many of the boats. Feng is gravely injured and carried from the
battlefield. While much of the Empire
support, including artillery and rockets remain intact, they have few units
left with which to contest objectives, with the bodies of the green banner
guards and automata parts littering the battlefield. The bleakness of their situation is
highlighted when the San Lai Heavy Artillery draw a bead on the Galahad tanks
and inflict minor damage on the leading vehicle, only for this to be repaired
moments later by the nearby Engineer Dragoons.
In reply, the Galahad Taks destroy the San Lai battery.
The Empire are forced to concede the objectives on the left flank and centre of the battlefield, but they maintain pressure on the jungle road objective. The Yan Shou Flame tanks finally overwhelm the last Assault Dragoon, but in response the Crown’s remaining Horse Guard unit gallop across the bridge onto the Objective. The riders are subject to concentrated fire, including being surrounded by Fangun tanks who fire mercilessly at point-blank range, but somehow, they manage to whether the storm with a handful of riders retaining control of the objective.
With the boats destroyed, and their commander carried from
the battlefield, the Empire troops sound a general retreat – the invasion plans
now in disarray. As the Empire quit the
battlefield, Brigadier Gordon pulls the Crown Attack Force back in good order,
crossing the causeway to Singapore island and blowing it once the troops are
safely across. The siege of Singapore is
about the begin…
Summary:
Turn One Victory Points: 12 (Crown) 2 (Empire)
Turn Two Victory Points: 50 (Crown) 5 (Empire)
Turn Three Victory Points: 73 (Crown) 18
(Empire)
Outcome: Devastating Crown Victory.
