Battle of Shanggao 2018

An wargame on the Battle of Shanggao in 1941 during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The game was originally planned to be released as part of WWII China Battlefield: A Magnificent War for the Nation (气壮山河), but was later released as a standalone game due to its smaller scale. It became the fifth game in Kilovolt Design’s “Mini War” series.

Although the game has only 60 counters and is relatively small in scale, it still includes some interesting mechanisms. For example, the Chinese NRA units use a **hidden combat strength** mechanism, while the Japanese IJA units have **campaign objectives** and **long-range fire support** mechanisms. These design choices give this small-scale wargame a reasonable degree of strategic depth and enjoyment.

From March 15 to April 5, 1941, two Japanese divisions and one independent mixed brigade launched an offensive from Nanchang toward the Shanggao area, aiming to destroy the main Chinese forces and capture Shanggao. The National Revolutionary Army deployed five corps, including the 74th Corps, and adopted tactics such as drawing the Japanese forces deep into the defensive area, isolating and encircling them, and launching coordinated counterattacks from multiple directions. After fierce fighting, the Chinese forces ultimately repulsed the Japanese offensive and achieved significant battlefield gains.

Game Components

1 Rulebook 1 A3-sized map 1 Combat Results Table 1 counter storage box 60 counters