Game of the Week, Oct 28 to Nov 3
Hi everyone,
It’s time for Game of the Week!
This week’s Game of the Week is Panzer Campaigns: Japan ‘45.
November 1st, 1945 - 79 years ago this week was the planned launch of Operation Olympic, the initial invasion of the Japanese Home Islands.
Panzer Campaigns: Japan ‘45 is the brand new 4.05.1 version, and our product description encapsulates this campaign well:
With the capture of Okinawa and the Philippines in 1945, the Allies had captured important territory in the western Pacific from which to base air, sea, and land assets with which to engage in an invasion of the Japanese main islands. They called the entire project "Operation Downfall" and the first part of this colossal undertaking was called "Operation Olympic." The goal of Olympic was to capture airfields and ports in the southern half of the island of Kyushu from which they could use for the next phase of Downfall which was called "Operation Coronet," the invasion of the island of Honshu.
There are 44 Scenarios included. All use the historical forces that had been allocated to the Kyushu invasion, only to be cancelled due to the surrender of Japan on September 2nd, 1945. This followed the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet invasion of Manchuria in August 1945.
The longest campaign scenario is 285 turns, with most scenarios a very playable sub-50 turns.
The master map (87,720 hexes) covering the island of Kyushu, from Yahata in the north to Kagoshima in the south. Major cities such as Fukuoka and Sendai are included.
Panzer Campaigns: Japan ‘45 includes the aforementioned playable scenarios and campaigns, as well as a Getting Started scenario to introduce new players to the game system. The included scenarios are a good mix of small (company), medium (battalion) and large (regimental) engagements.
The Order of Battle has over 3,700 units from the US, British, Commonwealth and Japanese forces that were planned to participate in the campaign.
We included a lot of historical documentation and notes with this title, you can review each by clicking on the links below.
There has been a range of books covering Operation Downfall. Following are some representative books for anyone that would like some more background on the campaign. You can click on the book images below to be taken to the publisher or Amazon, if applicable.
Informational
“Hell to Pay: Operation Downfall and the Invasion of Japan, 1945-1947” by D. M. Giangreco has been updated from the original 2009 version and is considered one of the best works on what would have been an unprecedented conflict.
"Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire" by Richard B. Frank - This book provides insight into Japan's surrender and the planned invasions, including Operation Olympic and its significance.
"The War in the Pacific: From Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay" by Harry Gailey - This book offers a detailed look at the Pacific campaign and discusses the strategic plans for invading Japan.
"With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa" by Eugene B. Sledge - While focused on the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa, Sledge’s memoir provides context for the brutal fighting that influenced Operation Olympics’ planning.
"Codename Downfall: The Secret Plan To Invade Japan" by Thomas B. Allen - This book explores both the Allied and Japan's military strategy and the considerations that led to the decision not to proceed with Operation Olympic.
Now for video content:
Smart Wargames has a content review of Japan ‘45 here:
Real & Simulated Wars Blog introduced Japan ‘45 here:
XTRG also streamed some gameplay:
Following are some in-game screen shots of what to expect. Each image can be clicked for a full-sized view.
As mentioned, the build we are making available today is a the new 4.05.1. A range of new features were included, and you can read the Changelog here. All new purchases will be this latest version.
If you don’t already own this title, what are you waiting for? You can buy it directly from the dedicated product page.
We hope you enjoy this week’s Game of the Week. Like all WDS titles, there is a lot of gameplay included at a very attractive price.
I can vouch for both Japan ‘45 & Japan ’46, they’re excellent games. The landings are absolutely brutal. It’s a case of the immoveable object vs. the unstoppable force. The massed naval gunfire alone is not enough, it will take all the U.S. has to pry the Japanese out. Once you do get inland, avenues of approach are super challenging as the terrain is conducive to the defense not to maneuver.
I’ve read both Hell to Pay and Downfall and they do an excellent job of illustrating why/how the battles would have played out. Well written, researched and readable. As a fiction option I’d recommend Death is Lighter Than a Feather by David Westheimer (author of Von Ryan’s Express). It follows characters on both the American and Japanese side during the invasion and subsequent fighting that never was. It was published in 1971, so you’ll need to search a bit to find it.
I do like a good hypothetical “what if” from time to time. PzC Sealion 40 is a favourite, so I’m looking forward to giving Japan 45 a crack. Also, thanks for the previous “heads up” about changing to my local currency at checkout!
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