Imphal-Kohima 1944 MP Match

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Hi, I happy to announce that Tanaka and I are producing a multiplayer match of the Imphal-Kohima 1944 (Burma) scenario that comes with the new DLC 'Rise and Fall of an Empire'.
Episode 0 is an announcement of the match and an overview of the scenario.

I will playing the Allies and Tanaka plays Japan.
Episode 1 goes up 10am Pacific TZ [5pm UTC] on Aug 1 and the Allies turns will go up daily.

This will be intense I can guarantee as Tanaka will throw his signature Nipponese rampage upon us!

YT link to Ep 0: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF8I8xwtC6A&t=6s

[gamer78]

Thanks. 2 good players. I've recently watched Lions of Africa WW'1. This is more complicated scenario it seems with parachute drop. NATO counters are more easier to see at first glance. But sprites also more esthetic. I like default map but major river hexes is difficult see. Explaining scenario in 0 turn is good. Good luck both of you.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Thanks. 2 good players. I've recently watched Lions of Africa WW'1. This is more complicated scenario it seems with parachute drop. NATO counters are more easier to see at first glance. But sprites also more esthetic. I like default map but major river hexes is difficult see. Explaining scenario in 0 turn is good. Good luck both of you.

Thanks man. Much appreciated.

[Tanaka]

Game on against my favorite opponent! Banzai!

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Game on against my favorite opponent! Banzai!

Chindits: 'We are waiting. Bring it on Nippon!

[OldCrowBalthazor]

So it begins........https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejc1MgnhHVA&t=438s
SC-Pacific: Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 1, March 8, 1944. "The Japanese invade India. General Wingate orders units off the Arakan Front to make their way to Kohima and Imphal in Manipur to stop the Japanese push. The Chindits airdrop behind Japanese lines. China's 'Y' Force strengthens the border positions. Vinegar Joe's forces move south".

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Ep 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZCGrWfdsNQ

"General Slim orders forces from the Arakan sector to Manipur as the Japanese push up the 'Chocolate Staircase' towards Imphal. The Japanese also put pressure in Arakan. Burmese troops block Wingate's Chindits' "

[Tanaka]

Ep 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZCGrWfdsNQ

"Wingate orders forces from the Arakan sector to Manipur as the Japanese push up the 'Chocolate Staircase' towards Imphal. The Japanese also put pressure in Arakan. Burmese troops block Wingate's Chindits' "

I had to look it up:

What Was the Chocolate Staircase?
• The Tiddim Road, used by British and Indian forces during the Burma campaign (later also by the Japanese), was known for its extremely rough terrain through the Chin Hills, reaching elevations around 3,000‑foot gain across roughly 11 km.
• A particularly treacherous stretch of this route featured 40 hairpin bends, and the dirt turned reddish and slippery with monsoon rains—earning it the grim nickname “the Chocolate Staircase.” It was infamous for being nearly impassable terrain, a logistical and physical nightmare for men, vehicles, and animals alike.
• The 5th Indian Division, advancing from Imphal toward Tiddim in mid‑1944, had to “inch its way up the ‘Chocolate Staircase’,” a punning description of the ascent through the red clay bends on the ascent to Tiddim.

Why “Chocolate”?
• The term “chocolate” was darkly ironic—a reference to the reddish‑brown clay that coated the road like melting chocolate when wet. It highlights the terrible slipperiness and difficulty of the climb during rainy conditions.
• It was not meant to be sweet or pleasant—far from it—a grim nod to the brutal terrain under monsoon conditions, rather than anything edible or enjoyable.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Ep 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZCGrWfdsNQ

"Wingate orders forces from the Arakan sector to Manipur as the Japanese push up the 'Chocolate Staircase' towards Imphal. The Japanese also put pressure in Arakan. Burmese troops block Wingate's Chindits' "

I had to look it up:

What Was the Chocolate Staircase?
• The Tiddim Road, used by British and Indian forces during the Burma campaign (later also by the Japanese), was known for its extremely rough terrain through the Chin Hills, reaching elevations around 3,000‑foot gain across roughly 11 km.
• A particularly treacherous stretch of this route featured 40 hairpin bends, and the dirt turned reddish and slippery with monsoon rains—earning it the grim nickname “the Chocolate Staircase.” It was infamous for being nearly impassable terrain, a logistical and physical nightmare for men, vehicles, and animals alike.
• The 5th Indian Division, advancing from Imphal toward Tiddim in mid‑1944, had to “inch its way up the ‘Chocolate Staircase’,” a punning description of the ascent through the red clay bends on the ascent to Tiddim.

Why “Chocolate”?
• The term “chocolate” was darkly ironic—a reference to the reddish‑brown clay that coated the road like melting chocolate when wet. It highlights the terrible slipperiness and difficulty of the climb during rainy conditions.
• It was not meant to be sweet or pleasant—far from it—a grim nod to the brutal terrain under monsoon conditions, rather than anything edible or enjoyable.

Tiddum Road aka 'The Chocolate Staircase'

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Ep 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugbe1VZHWG4

SC-Pacific: Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 3, March 14, 1944. "The Indians and RAF attack the advancing Japanese south-east of Imphal. The Chindits and Stilwell's Northern Force are stymied by Japanese reinforcements in the area"

[Tanaka]

Ep 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZCGrWfdsNQ

"Wingate orders forces from the Arakan sector to Manipur as the Japanese push up the 'Chocolate Staircase' towards Imphal. The Japanese also put pressure in Arakan. Burmese troops block Wingate's Chindits' "

I had to look it up:

What Was the Chocolate Staircase?
• The Tiddim Road, used by British and Indian forces during the Burma campaign (later also by the Japanese), was known for its extremely rough terrain through the Chin Hills, reaching elevations around 3,000‑foot gain across roughly 11 km.
• A particularly treacherous stretch of this route featured 40 hairpin bends, and the dirt turned reddish and slippery with monsoon rains—earning it the grim nickname “the Chocolate Staircase.” It was infamous for being nearly impassable terrain, a logistical and physical nightmare for men, vehicles, and animals alike.
• The 5th Indian Division, advancing from Imphal toward Tiddim in mid‑1944, had to “inch its way up the ‘Chocolate Staircase’,” a punning description of the ascent through the red clay bends on the ascent to Tiddim.

Why “Chocolate”?
• The term “chocolate” was darkly ironic—a reference to the reddish‑brown clay that coated the road like melting chocolate when wet. It highlights the terrible slipperiness and difficulty of the climb during rainy conditions.
• It was not meant to be sweet or pleasant—far from it—a grim nod to the brutal terrain under monsoon conditions, rather than anything edible or enjoyable.

Tiddum Road aka 'The Chocolate Staircase'

Wow incredible picture. I understand the name now!

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Wow incredible picture. I understand the name now!

Imagine this road in the monsoon season....
Even in the dry season, the humidity would turn the dirt to mush if churned enough...like at Wonkas Chocolate Factory.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Wow incredible picture. I understand the name now!

Imagine this road in the monsoon season....
Even in the dry season, the humidity would turn the dirt to mush if churned enough...like at Wonkas Chocolate Factory.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Ep 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRmUYKNvuug&t=4s

SC-Pacific: Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 4, March 17, 1944. "The Japanese attempt an end-run down on the Arakan sector and north towards Kohima. The Indian Tank Brigade and RAF maul the Japan puppet Indian 'Indira Gandhi' Brigade.

[Tanaka]

Ep 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRmUYKNvuug&t=4s

SC-Pacific: Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 4, March 17, 1944. "The Japanese attempt an end-run down on the Arakan sector and north towards Kohima. The Indian Tank Brigade and RAF maul the Japan puppet Indian 'Indira Gandhi' Brigade.

Wow loving the photos very cool!

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Ep 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRmUYKNvuug&t=4s

SC-Pacific: Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 4, March 17, 1944. "The Japanese attempt an end-run down on the Arakan sector and north towards Kohima. The Indian Tank Brigade and RAF maul the Japan puppet Indian 'Indira Gandhi' Brigade.

Wow loving the photos very cool!

Here's some rare ones. Elephant transport used by both side in Burma........

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Ep 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4G2jc7UKE0

Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 5, March 20, 1944. "The Indians with RAF help repel the Japanese east of Imphal. The situation on the Arakan Front becomes dangerous. The Chindits and Merril's Marauders are mauled"

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Ep 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxG5xhhkHtc&t=207s

SC-Pacific: Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 6, March 23, 1944. "The Indians again maul the Japanese east of Imphal. The enemy attempts to flank the Arakan Front via the 'African Way'"

[Tanaka]

Ep 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4G2jc7UKE0

Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 5, March 20, 1944. "The Indians with RAF help repel the Japanese east of Imphal. The situation on the Arakan Front becomes dangerous. The Chindits and Merril's Marauders are mauled"

Donkeys flown in on gliders? Woah

Send them to the Mule Track!

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Ep 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4G2jc7UKE0

Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 5, March 20, 1944. "The Indians with RAF help repel the Japanese east of Imphal. The situation on the Arakan Front becomes dangerous. The Chindits and Merril's Marauders are mauled"

Donkeys flown in on gliders? Woah

Send them to the Mule Track!

Mule Tracks and Rat Trails are everywhere in North Burma!