Rising Sun, Falling Skies

Rising Sun, Falling Skies.

On 7^th July 1937, near the Lugouqiao Bridge (Marco Polo Bridge), outside Peking there was a border clash between the Japanese occupiers of Manchuria and the forces of the Kuomintang government, which soon escalated into full-scale war. The Japanese army (including air units) mobilised on 15^th July, on 28^th July Peking had fallen. On 30^th July Tientsin fell which was followed by Kalgan and other cities. So began the 2^nd Sino-Japanese War.

From the book of the same title this is an air campaign idea offering a rich choice of scenarios. Starting with the Sino-Japanese war and leading into the early Pacific War Campaign until mid 1943.

Using Wings of Glory rules with various aircraft miniatures available from different manufacturers I aim to show it is possible to fight an air campaign with limited resources to hand.  A fascinating period, much neglected, that can easily be adapted for solo and multi-player gaming.

For this (Solo) Campaign the Japanese and Chinese will start with the following:

Ryujo Air Group (RAG IJN) Japanese:

9 x A5M ‘Claude’

12 x D1A1 ‘Susie’

6 x B4Y ‘Jean’

Named pilots for missions for the above, plus supporting aircraft for bombing missions.

4^th Pursuit Group Chinese:

# HawkIIIc

# Fiat CR32

Named pilots for missions for the above, plus supporting aircraft for bombing missions.

Inspiration for the campaign:

Rising Sun, Falling Skies: Jeffrey R. Cox; Osprey

Sino-Japanese Air War: Hakan Gustavsson; Fonthill

Flying Tigers: 1942 WW2 film starring John Wayne