candidgamera
06-24-2001, 11:07
In the spirit of Maltz's sagas, but sadly not up to his technicolor standards http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif . The campaign background will also look downright glacial next to the exploits of Maltz's "Panzer Armee Yoshimoto" http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/redface.gif . It's also based on a mirror image of his campaign: going West instead of staying "on monster island" in the East-have to try our colleague's swifter path next time. Hopefully others will post their generals' stories here, and this is just getting the ball rolling. Probably want to read this in a couple goes, its long for one sitting - don't want anyone's eyes bleeding http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif .
LIFE & TIMES OF KORIKI KIYONAGA IN THE SERVICE OF HOUSE IMAGAWA
EARLY YEARS (Autumn 1548 - Autumn 1551).
Autumn 1548:
*First recorded reference of Koriki Kiyonaga, Chikuzen Province garrison, 2nd Rank General with 2 victories, and Commander of Yari Samurai.
Other Events:
*House Imagawa allied with House Oda, House Hojo.
*Imagawa lands: all of Kyushu.
*House Mori neutral and inactive, large defensive Imagawa garrison required in Buzen Province opposite large Mori forces in Nagato.
1549-1550:
*Contact with the Portuguese, trading post established Hizen Province - arquebusiers
become available.
Winter 1550-Spring 1551:
Other Events:
*Fall of House Oda: Daimyo slain in battle without an heir fighting Hojo forces.
*Provinces Wakasa, Mino, Omi, Yamashiro, Kawachi, Iga, Yamato, and Kii swear allegiance to House Imagawa.
*3 former former-Oda armies swear alliegence to House Imagawa - a total of 2022 men, including 489 Naginata:
-4th Rank General, Hijikata Tatsuoki, Commander of Naginata, 876 men,
Omi Province.
-2nd Rank General, Rokkaku Munehisa, Commander of Cavalry Archers, 378 men, Kawachi Province.
-Mizuno Nagashige, Commander of Samurai Archers, 768 men, Wakasa Province.
*Emperor declares support for House Imagawa.
Spring 1551:
*Koriki Kiyonaga ordered to Hizen Province for embarkation, former House Oda provinces defense.
Other Events:
*War becomes imminent with House Hojo - spys indicate massive Hojo forces assembling, preparing for invasion House Imagawa lands.
*House Daimyo Imagawa Yoshimoto and Prince Imagawa Ujizane of Satsuma, in council with advisers at Nagasaki Castle, Hizen Province, plan general withdrawal, consolidation to defend Kawachi, Yamashiro provinces.
*House Hojo Daimyo Ujitsuna, 1st Heir Ujiyasu, establish forward field headquarters in Mikawa Province and hold council of war.
Autumn 1551:
*Koriki Kiyonaga arrives Kawachi Province, assigned command, Yamashiro Province defenses.
Other Events:
*House Imagawa at war with House Hojo. Wakasa and Mino provinces occupied by Hojo unopposed.
*House Imagawa defensive withdawal completed without loss, consolidated defense forces assembled in Yamashiro and Kawachi provinces.
*Hijikata Tatsuoki assigned command, Kawachi Province defenses with its vital port, Rokkaku Munehisa assigned command of reserves based in Kawachi Province.
THE GREAT DEFENSE OF YAMASHIRO (Winter 1551-Summer 1557).
Winter 1551:
*Koriki Kiyonaga arrives Yamashiro province to take command, hastily organizes defenses.
*First Battle of Yamashiro Province, Kiyonaga leads some 1200 men in repelling a probing force of some 700 Hojo.
Other Events:
*Large Hojo forces arrive on House Imagawa frontier in strength, occupy Omi, Ise provinces unopposed, Hojo Ujitsuna establishes forward field headquarters, Omi Province.
1552:
Other Events:
*Hojo occupy Kii, Iga, and Yamato provinces unopposed.
Summer 1553 - Winter 1553:
*In the 7-9th Battle of Yamashiro, 3 Hojo Attack Commanders fall.
Autumn 1553:
*House Hojo completes consolidation of offensive forces arrayed against Yamashiro, forming the Grand Army of Omi - roughly 9000 men. It will prove to be a grand army in size and name, but not execution: its strength never even marginally brought to bear, its frontal attacks unimaginative, and its ranks filled largely with conscript Ashigaru. Smaller forces 1000-2000 men support the Grand Army of Omi fromYamato, Iga, and Wakasa, and form the rest of the front. In contrast Kiyonaga will defend with never more than 800-1200 men throughout the Yamashiro Campaign.
Winter 1553:
*Kiyonaga has now thrown back the best Hojo generals, and they lead no more attacks - until 1555 the campaign becomes a contest of honor amongst the lesser generals in the Hojo camp.
1555:
*Prince and 2nd Heir, Hojo Ujimasa, fighting as a Commander of Ashigaru is defeated and flees the field in 4 successive battles, the 14th-17th Battles of Yamashiro. Humiliated, Ujimasa goes into seclusion in Nara Castle, Yamato Province. His father and Daimyo, Ujitsuna, forbids him to commit seppuku (Ujimasa's growing Christianity also stays his hand) - Ujitsuna has only one other heir. Ujitsuna takes personal command of offensive operations for the following year as crisis grows within House Hojo.
Spring 1556:
*Hojo Ujitsuna defeated and flees the field losing 711 men, and 5 of his Hatamoto in the 18th Battle of Yamashiro.
Summer 1556:
*Hojo Ujitsuna slain, along with 8 of his 9 man Hatamoto, and the army flees the field in the 19th Battle of Yamashiro. Hojo Ujiyasu becomes Daimyo at Ota Castle, Kii Province.
Autumn 1556:
*Ujimasa, now 1st Heir, returns from seclusion - he marches out a man damned, tormented by his earlier defeats, and how he brought on his father's death. Ujimasa slain fighting amongst his Ashigaru, and his army flees the field in the 20th Battle of Yamashiro. House Hojo is without adult heirs. Ujiyasu rarely leaves his chambers within Ota Castle.
Spring - Summer 1557:
*Dissension grows in the Hojo Grand Army of Omi, Hojo officer corps fights a losing battle to maintain morale and army cohesion. Some officers begin to question to themselves whether assaults should continue, especially when the new Daimyo fails to ride forth to lead them.
*In the spring, 22nd Battle of Yamashiro, the Hojo attack commander, 545 men killed.
*The last of Ujitsuna's Hatamoto, Nakamura Tadatsune, desperate to rally the army and regain Hojo honor, leads some 20,000 forth in the 23rd Battle of Yamashiro. Hojo army largely unengaged in direct action, Tadatsune killed and Hojo attack on Yamashiro repelled for the last time.
Autumn 1557:
*Exhausted Imagawa army in Yamashiro, amazed when no further attacks come, raise a great cheer from their ranks, said to be heard by the emperor himself miles away in Kyoto Castle.
*Amongst the Hojo Grand Army of Omi, troops organize themselves en-mass, with significant officer support and make clear to the command that they will not march any further against Yamashiro, and if ordered to do so: yaris will be lowered in new directions.
*Defeated Hojo Grand Army of Omi numbers 17,042.
*Two Samurai Archer contingents lead by Fukushima Tadakuni (73 men) and
Sakai Masamoto (53 men) have now reached the distinction of 4th Honor.
*Kiyonaga of 5th Rank with 25 battles won.
*Armed stand-off begins across the Yamashiro-Omi frontier.
Yamashiro Campaign losses, Winter 1551- Summer 1557:
Imagawa: 1308.
Hojo: 8006.
Hojo generals killed (including 1 Daimyo, 1 heir): 7.
Other Events, 1552-1560:
*House Imagawa agents in intense sedition campaigns, succeed in undermining, neutralizing House Mori, without war: by Autumn 1560, insurrection has occurred in Harima, Bitchu, Awaji, Mimasaka, Bizen, Aki, Izumo, and Hoki provinces. House Mori largely unable to put down rebellions - Aki Province being a notable exception.
*Shikoku stalemate: demands of Yamashiro Campaign, diplomatic considerations regarding the Mori, prevent action to secure the entire island. 3RG Nagai Ujisada and some 900 Imagawa secure Iyo, and Kyushu, against a large well-led rebel force of some 900-1200 in Tosa. Mori forces in Sanuki, and later Awa, also well led, number some 400.
*House Hojo does not attack almost non-existant House Mori defenses in Tajima, provinces. Significant Mori forces with large sohei contingents, hold Tamba and seems to deter Hojo attack.
Spring 1560:
*Tokugawa Ieyasu, the new 2nd heir for House Imagawa, assigned as Commander of Yari Cavalry in Yamashiro province with newly-formed unit.
Summer 1560:
*6RG Tokugawa Ieyasu, invades Kii province with 1026 men. Hojo Ujiyasu slain fighting alone, his army of 926 loses 793 men, the rest flee the field, and his personal guard is cut down to the last man. Ujiyasu's final stand will be immortalized in the painting "A Daimyo Meets His End". Hojo Ujiteru , Hojo Ujikuni are too young (15 and 12 respectively), and lack sufficient support or a champion to overcome internal clan divisions and mass dissension in the army over the carnage and failure in Yamashiro. Both are spirited to safety and obscurity by Hojo loyalists-never to be heard of again. House Hojo falls. Ieyasu storms Ota castle in following season, and Kii is secured for the Imagawa.
1561-Spring 1562:
*Yamato Province conquered by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Nara castle besieged. Front command structure, dispositions reorganized:
-Koriki Kiyonaga marches to Yamato Province, takes over and successfully concludes the siege of Nara castle, prepares for invasion Iga province.
-Tokugawa Ieyasu assumes command Yamashiro defenses.
-In act of comradeship and tribute to the young heir, Kiyonaga offers his best two archer units under Tadakuni and Masamoto to remain and aid Yamashiro's defense, Ieyasu accepts, cementing a friendship.
THE IGA CAMPAIGN (Summer 1562-Winter 1564).
Summer 1562:
*Kiyonaga attacks Iga Province with some 1500 men, beginning a series of defensive battles against reinforcing Ronin forces attempting to hold the province. In the First Battle of Iga roughly 600 attacking former-Hojo Ronin are repelled. Except for this first battle, Ronin attack with 9000-11,000 men, largely forces of the former Grand Army of Omi who seem to have learned nothing, attacking to no avail as before. Kiyonaga's forces range between 1000 -1500 men for these battles.
Winter 1563:
*Kiyonaga attains 6th Rank, following the 7th Battle of Iga.
Winter 1564:
*In a final 11th Battle of Iga, an attack by some 10,500 fails to dislodge Kiyonaga from the heights of south Iga. After the final attack on Iga, in spring 1565, the former Grand Army of Omi numbers 10,971.
Iga Campaign losses (not including castle siege):
Imagawa: 517.
Hojo: 3437.
Hojo generals killed: 5.
1565:
Iga-Ueno Castle falls by siege, Iga secured.
Other Events to 1563-1569:
1563 - 1565:
*Contact with the Dutch, trading post established Kawachi Province.
Autumn 1564:
*Harima annexed, former-Mori insurrectionists put up no resistance.
1565-1568:
*Rebellion incited against the Mori in Inaba, Tajima provinces.
*Ise conquered.
*Awaji conquered, former-Mori insurrectionists put down.
WAR WITH THE MORI, FALL OF HOUSE MORI, CONQUEST OF MORI LANDS,
CONSOLIDATION, PREPARATIONS (Spring 1569 - 1577).
*Ieyasu (Yamashiro), Kiyonaga (Iga) maintain watch on the remaining Ronin in Omi, still a sizeable force to be guarded against.
Spring 1569:
*War declared on House Mori, Sanuki annexed without opposition.
*Mori Motonari killed along with entire 10 man Hatamoto, leading assault on Buzen province.
Winter 1569:
*Significant losses incurred in forcing the Noshinogawa, and conquering Awa from the Mori.
Spring 1570:
*Mori Takamoto cut down along with entire 9 man Hatamoto, leading attack on Buzen province in the 5th (and final) Battle of Buzen. House Mori falls, for there are no adult heirs.
Summer 1570 - Winter 1570:
*Tosa conquered from independent rebel forces, Kochi Castle stormed after a short siege, Shikoku secured.
Winter 1574:
Only besieged Hagi Castle, Nagato Province and Iwakuni Castle, Suo Province remain untaken of former Mori lands. Iwakuni Castle siege lasts until Autumn 1576.
1575-1578:
*Although all are eventually assassinated, emissaries complete survey of former Hojo lands: picture emerges that the final campaigns will be long, for significant forces are found in most every province, along with impressive training and equipment facilities, and palaces.
1575-1577:
*New frontier established: Tajima-Tamba-Yamashiro-Iga-Ise. Assembly, strengthening of Armies for final conquest of former Hojo lands to the east.
Winter 1577:
*Imagawan field armies, total strength: 7524.
-Tajima: 4RG Nagai Ujisada, 719.
-Tamba: 4RG Hijikata Tatsuoki, 1135.
-Yamashiro: 6RG Tokugawa Ieyasu, 1099; 4RG Sakai Tadatsugu, 1092.
-Iga: 6RG Koriki Kiyonaga, 981.
-Ise: 3RG Shidara Shigetsugu, 931; 2RG Natsume Yoshinobu, 1118.
-Kii: 5RG Honda Tadakatsu, 449.
FINAL CAMPAIGNS AGAINST FORMER HOJO LAND (Spring 1578 - Spring 1587).
1578-1579:
*Omi Province encircled with the conquest of Wakasa, Mino, Owari.
1580-1581:
*Further assembly of forces: privately Kiyonaga and Ieyasu grouse at the slow pace the campaigns are being conducted - while his leadership has been competent, maybe Yoshimoto is getting old, maybe he should get out of his castle more. The two chief field commanders appreciate the lavish forces provided, but feel they have more than enough strength to proceed.
Autumn 1580:
*Strength Ronin forces, Omi Province: 12,491.
THE BATTLE OF OMI AND ISE PROVINCES, Summer 1583.
*Imagawa march on Omi province with 5660 men, led by 6RG Tokugawa Ieyasu:
-From Wakasa: 4RG Nagai Ujisada, 1204.
-From Yamashiro: 6RG Tokugawa Ieyasu, 1219.
-From Iga: 6RG Koriki Kiyonaga, 1120.
-From Ise: 5RG Honda Tadakatsu, 1038.
-From Owari: 3RG Rokkaku Munehisa, 1079.
*In a final demonstration of some operational ability, Mutsuura Shigekatsu leading 1381, mounts a spoiling attack into Ise Province intercepting 5RG Honda Tadakatsu and his 1038 men. Tadakatsu defeats Shigekatsu and 564 Ronin heads are taken, remaining Ronin, including Shigekatsu, disperse in the larger, general Ronin defeat that follows. Tadakatsu loses only 129.
*11,110 Ronin remain defending Omi.
*Tokugawa Ieyasu, directly commanding 1203 engages Ichijo Yukinaga and his 1195. Ronin force largely destroyed, losing 844. Many Ronin are cut down as they flee by enfilading archer and musket fire. Ieyasu loses only 179 men. The mass of remaining Ronin disperse, trying to make their way home - The former Grand Army of Omi is no more. 589 fanatics retreat to Hikone Castle, Omi Province.
Autumn 1583:
*Omi Province, after over 30 years of occupation by a large army, is a wasteland. The tiny remaining civilian population is starving, large numbers of the Omi have become refugees, wandering surrounding provinces in search of safety and food. It will take the Imagawa Shogunate years to restore the province when the War of National Unity ends.
Winter 1583:
*Imagawa field armies, total strength: 10,557 men.
-Kaga Province: 4RG Hijikata Tatsuoki, 712 (took heavy casualties: 423 men, invading Kaga)
Kanazawa Castle besieged, remaining garrison: 243 (strong force of mixed sohei and naginata).
-Hida Province:
6RG Koriki Kiyonaga, 1120; 5RG GEN Sakai Tadatsugu, 1117.
Takayama Castle besieged, remaining garrison: 320 No-Dachi Samurai.
-Omi Province:
3R GEN Rokkaku Munehisa, 1079 men, besiege Hikone Castle, remaining garrison: 295.
-Shinano Province: 3RG Natsume Yoshinobu, 1240.
(Completion of watchtowers Winter 1584 greatly aids overall intelligence gathering)
-Totomi Province: 6RG Tokugawa Ieyasu, 1219 men; 2RG Suganuma Sadamitsu, 960 men;
4RG Shidara Shigetsugu, 1182 men.
Hamamatsu Castle besieged, remaining garrison 143 archers.
-Owari Provinces: 5RG Honda Tadakatsu, 903; 4RG Nagai Ujisada, 1025.
General Note:
During the final campaign Ieyasu, Kiyonaga share command as army group commanders. Lesser generals do the bulk of the remaining fighting. Imagawa general officer corps developed to high proficiency. Most Ronin forces do not give battle in the open, each province's castle must be stormed, all with significant garrisons.
By Spring 1587 Imagawan field armies led by:
Two 6th Rank generals- Ieyasu, Kiyonaga.
Three 5th Rank generals- Sakai Tadatsugu, Hijikata Tatsuoki, Honda Tadakatsu.
Five 4th Rank generals-Nagai Ujisada, Natsume Yoshinobu, Shidara Shigetsugu,
Rokkaku Minehisa, and Suganuma Sadamitsu.
One 3rd Rank general-Toda Tadatsugu.
Autumn 1585:
*Only Shimosa, Kazusa provinces remain unconquered. Sendai Castle, Mutsu Province, Hitachi Castle, Hitachi Province besieged. Hitachi Castle's garrison is a 640 strong mixed force of naginata and arquebusier troops-most with legendary armor, and will be stormed in Ieyasu's last battle of the war.
KORIKI KIYONAGA'S FINAL BATTLES IN THE WAR OF NATIONAL UNITY
Spring 1584:
*The Storming of Takayama Castle, Hida Province. Ronin garrison force of 240 No-Dachi Samurai wiped out, garrison commander slain. Most are cut down by arrows before the final assault. Imagawa lose only 23 of 1117 in the assault.
Autumn 1584:
*The Battle of Musashi. Ronin force of 400, largely Ashigaru troops, offers no resistance and flees on sight of Kiyonaga's many-bannered army of 1087, which crosses the Sumida River largely unopposed. There is barely an engagement: Ronin losses: 39. Imagawa losses: 5.
Spring 1585:
*The Storming of Edo Castle, Musashi Province, garrison of 301 and its commander slain by Kiyonaga's 1082. The Imagawa lose only 46 men.
Winter 1585:
*The Battle of Shimosa - Kiyonaga forces the Tonegawa with 1192 men against an 880 strong army with large contingents of sohei and Yari Cavalry armed with legendary swords. The Ronin commander seals his defeat by retiring from the single bridge, his troops under deadly combined musket and archer fire from the slope overlooking the bridge. The Ronin commander flees the field. Konodai Castle will be taken by follow-on forces. The bridge crossing levies a grim toll: while the Ronin lose 735, Kiyonaga loses 246. Losses are extreme among the two assaulting sohei units: one takes over 50% losses, and the other is entirely wiped out. The elite Yari Samurai (Golden Shield, Famous Sword) of Katagiri Hidebaru lose 63 of 76 as well.
Winter 1586:
*The Battle of Kazusa, last organized resistance to House Imagawa in The War of National Unity. Kiyonaga's army of 1169 engages and all but wipes out a 960 man army and its general of largely arquebusiers and No-Dachi Samurai - the Ronin lose 927. It is a wild, rolling battle of maneuver, a separated Ronin enemy is defeated detail. Two heavy cavalry contingents ride down large numbers of matchlock men, and disrupt their ability to maintain firing positions. A yari cavalry unit also disrupts the Ronin, riding down many before, surrounded, it routs from the field from apparent danger. For Kiyonaga the battle ends on a note of personal tragedy: his faithful comrade soldier #2 of his unit, a warrior of 4th Honor, is among the 142 Imagawa fallen.
Spring 1587:
*The 33 beaten survivors of The Battle of Kazusa march out from Mifunedai Castle and pledge loyalty to House Imagawa, War of National Unity ends. Kiyonaga has won 41 battles.
*Imagawa strength of forces, field armies: 10,104 garrisons: 6937.
*Intelligence Directorate: 1 0R Ninja; Shinobi: 38 0R, one 1R, two 2R, five 3R, and five 4R.
POSTWAR EVENTS
Summer 1587
*House Imagawa capital remains at Nagasaki Castle, Hizen Province, Imagawa Yoshimoto begins reign as Shogun.
*Imagawa Ujizane becomes Shogunate Governor General for Kyushu and Shikoku, capital Kagoshima Castle, Satsuma Province.
*Ieyasu becomes Shogunate Governor General, Western Honshu, capital Edo Castle, Musashi Province.
*Kiyonaga receives large estate in Yamashiro, named Shogunate Governor General, Eastern Honshu, capital co-located with Emperor's palace at Kyoto Castle, Yamashiro Province. Imagawa Yoshimoto grants Kiyonaga title General Protector of Shogunate and Emperor, Supreme Commander of Armies, and makes Kiyonaga part of House Imagawa by designating him 3rd Heir.
Winter 1600
*Kiyonaga dies in sleep, Shogun Imagawa Ujizane decrees 41 days of mourning.
Campaign notes:
Hard, save-loading was done, with exceptions below, to maintain average or better harvests. Battles were played without time limit, and with unrestricted camera. Exceptions: game crashes around 1579 to do with large numbers of forces engaged in an Omi battle required save loading - also why Omi not reduced until summer 1582 - significantly after its encirclement - trying to avoid crashes. One battle in Echizen may have been refought once, but very secondary to the overall flow of the campaign. Of Kiyonaga's battles only the one in Shimosa had to be refought, along with two others of that season because of an AI stalemate: irresistible force (legendary sword YC/WM) meets immovable object (totally-exhausted legendary armored Ng of H3-4) in a heavy snow storm - nobody could kill anybody. Refighting, other battles remained unchanged in outcome, Shimosa attack occurred in light snow with a Kiyonaga victory.
LIFE & TIMES OF KORIKI KIYONAGA IN THE SERVICE OF HOUSE IMAGAWA
EARLY YEARS (Autumn 1548 - Autumn 1551).
Autumn 1548:
*First recorded reference of Koriki Kiyonaga, Chikuzen Province garrison, 2nd Rank General with 2 victories, and Commander of Yari Samurai.
Other Events:
*House Imagawa allied with House Oda, House Hojo.
*Imagawa lands: all of Kyushu.
*House Mori neutral and inactive, large defensive Imagawa garrison required in Buzen Province opposite large Mori forces in Nagato.
1549-1550:
*Contact with the Portuguese, trading post established Hizen Province - arquebusiers
become available.
Winter 1550-Spring 1551:
Other Events:
*Fall of House Oda: Daimyo slain in battle without an heir fighting Hojo forces.
*Provinces Wakasa, Mino, Omi, Yamashiro, Kawachi, Iga, Yamato, and Kii swear allegiance to House Imagawa.
*3 former former-Oda armies swear alliegence to House Imagawa - a total of 2022 men, including 489 Naginata:
-4th Rank General, Hijikata Tatsuoki, Commander of Naginata, 876 men,
Omi Province.
-2nd Rank General, Rokkaku Munehisa, Commander of Cavalry Archers, 378 men, Kawachi Province.
-Mizuno Nagashige, Commander of Samurai Archers, 768 men, Wakasa Province.
*Emperor declares support for House Imagawa.
Spring 1551:
*Koriki Kiyonaga ordered to Hizen Province for embarkation, former House Oda provinces defense.
Other Events:
*War becomes imminent with House Hojo - spys indicate massive Hojo forces assembling, preparing for invasion House Imagawa lands.
*House Daimyo Imagawa Yoshimoto and Prince Imagawa Ujizane of Satsuma, in council with advisers at Nagasaki Castle, Hizen Province, plan general withdrawal, consolidation to defend Kawachi, Yamashiro provinces.
*House Hojo Daimyo Ujitsuna, 1st Heir Ujiyasu, establish forward field headquarters in Mikawa Province and hold council of war.
Autumn 1551:
*Koriki Kiyonaga arrives Kawachi Province, assigned command, Yamashiro Province defenses.
Other Events:
*House Imagawa at war with House Hojo. Wakasa and Mino provinces occupied by Hojo unopposed.
*House Imagawa defensive withdawal completed without loss, consolidated defense forces assembled in Yamashiro and Kawachi provinces.
*Hijikata Tatsuoki assigned command, Kawachi Province defenses with its vital port, Rokkaku Munehisa assigned command of reserves based in Kawachi Province.
THE GREAT DEFENSE OF YAMASHIRO (Winter 1551-Summer 1557).
Winter 1551:
*Koriki Kiyonaga arrives Yamashiro province to take command, hastily organizes defenses.
*First Battle of Yamashiro Province, Kiyonaga leads some 1200 men in repelling a probing force of some 700 Hojo.
Other Events:
*Large Hojo forces arrive on House Imagawa frontier in strength, occupy Omi, Ise provinces unopposed, Hojo Ujitsuna establishes forward field headquarters, Omi Province.
1552:
Other Events:
*Hojo occupy Kii, Iga, and Yamato provinces unopposed.
Summer 1553 - Winter 1553:
*In the 7-9th Battle of Yamashiro, 3 Hojo Attack Commanders fall.
Autumn 1553:
*House Hojo completes consolidation of offensive forces arrayed against Yamashiro, forming the Grand Army of Omi - roughly 9000 men. It will prove to be a grand army in size and name, but not execution: its strength never even marginally brought to bear, its frontal attacks unimaginative, and its ranks filled largely with conscript Ashigaru. Smaller forces 1000-2000 men support the Grand Army of Omi fromYamato, Iga, and Wakasa, and form the rest of the front. In contrast Kiyonaga will defend with never more than 800-1200 men throughout the Yamashiro Campaign.
Winter 1553:
*Kiyonaga has now thrown back the best Hojo generals, and they lead no more attacks - until 1555 the campaign becomes a contest of honor amongst the lesser generals in the Hojo camp.
1555:
*Prince and 2nd Heir, Hojo Ujimasa, fighting as a Commander of Ashigaru is defeated and flees the field in 4 successive battles, the 14th-17th Battles of Yamashiro. Humiliated, Ujimasa goes into seclusion in Nara Castle, Yamato Province. His father and Daimyo, Ujitsuna, forbids him to commit seppuku (Ujimasa's growing Christianity also stays his hand) - Ujitsuna has only one other heir. Ujitsuna takes personal command of offensive operations for the following year as crisis grows within House Hojo.
Spring 1556:
*Hojo Ujitsuna defeated and flees the field losing 711 men, and 5 of his Hatamoto in the 18th Battle of Yamashiro.
Summer 1556:
*Hojo Ujitsuna slain, along with 8 of his 9 man Hatamoto, and the army flees the field in the 19th Battle of Yamashiro. Hojo Ujiyasu becomes Daimyo at Ota Castle, Kii Province.
Autumn 1556:
*Ujimasa, now 1st Heir, returns from seclusion - he marches out a man damned, tormented by his earlier defeats, and how he brought on his father's death. Ujimasa slain fighting amongst his Ashigaru, and his army flees the field in the 20th Battle of Yamashiro. House Hojo is without adult heirs. Ujiyasu rarely leaves his chambers within Ota Castle.
Spring - Summer 1557:
*Dissension grows in the Hojo Grand Army of Omi, Hojo officer corps fights a losing battle to maintain morale and army cohesion. Some officers begin to question to themselves whether assaults should continue, especially when the new Daimyo fails to ride forth to lead them.
*In the spring, 22nd Battle of Yamashiro, the Hojo attack commander, 545 men killed.
*The last of Ujitsuna's Hatamoto, Nakamura Tadatsune, desperate to rally the army and regain Hojo honor, leads some 20,000 forth in the 23rd Battle of Yamashiro. Hojo army largely unengaged in direct action, Tadatsune killed and Hojo attack on Yamashiro repelled for the last time.
Autumn 1557:
*Exhausted Imagawa army in Yamashiro, amazed when no further attacks come, raise a great cheer from their ranks, said to be heard by the emperor himself miles away in Kyoto Castle.
*Amongst the Hojo Grand Army of Omi, troops organize themselves en-mass, with significant officer support and make clear to the command that they will not march any further against Yamashiro, and if ordered to do so: yaris will be lowered in new directions.
*Defeated Hojo Grand Army of Omi numbers 17,042.
*Two Samurai Archer contingents lead by Fukushima Tadakuni (73 men) and
Sakai Masamoto (53 men) have now reached the distinction of 4th Honor.
*Kiyonaga of 5th Rank with 25 battles won.
*Armed stand-off begins across the Yamashiro-Omi frontier.
Yamashiro Campaign losses, Winter 1551- Summer 1557:
Imagawa: 1308.
Hojo: 8006.
Hojo generals killed (including 1 Daimyo, 1 heir): 7.
Other Events, 1552-1560:
*House Imagawa agents in intense sedition campaigns, succeed in undermining, neutralizing House Mori, without war: by Autumn 1560, insurrection has occurred in Harima, Bitchu, Awaji, Mimasaka, Bizen, Aki, Izumo, and Hoki provinces. House Mori largely unable to put down rebellions - Aki Province being a notable exception.
*Shikoku stalemate: demands of Yamashiro Campaign, diplomatic considerations regarding the Mori, prevent action to secure the entire island. 3RG Nagai Ujisada and some 900 Imagawa secure Iyo, and Kyushu, against a large well-led rebel force of some 900-1200 in Tosa. Mori forces in Sanuki, and later Awa, also well led, number some 400.
*House Hojo does not attack almost non-existant House Mori defenses in Tajima, provinces. Significant Mori forces with large sohei contingents, hold Tamba and seems to deter Hojo attack.
Spring 1560:
*Tokugawa Ieyasu, the new 2nd heir for House Imagawa, assigned as Commander of Yari Cavalry in Yamashiro province with newly-formed unit.
Summer 1560:
*6RG Tokugawa Ieyasu, invades Kii province with 1026 men. Hojo Ujiyasu slain fighting alone, his army of 926 loses 793 men, the rest flee the field, and his personal guard is cut down to the last man. Ujiyasu's final stand will be immortalized in the painting "A Daimyo Meets His End". Hojo Ujiteru , Hojo Ujikuni are too young (15 and 12 respectively), and lack sufficient support or a champion to overcome internal clan divisions and mass dissension in the army over the carnage and failure in Yamashiro. Both are spirited to safety and obscurity by Hojo loyalists-never to be heard of again. House Hojo falls. Ieyasu storms Ota castle in following season, and Kii is secured for the Imagawa.
1561-Spring 1562:
*Yamato Province conquered by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Nara castle besieged. Front command structure, dispositions reorganized:
-Koriki Kiyonaga marches to Yamato Province, takes over and successfully concludes the siege of Nara castle, prepares for invasion Iga province.
-Tokugawa Ieyasu assumes command Yamashiro defenses.
-In act of comradeship and tribute to the young heir, Kiyonaga offers his best two archer units under Tadakuni and Masamoto to remain and aid Yamashiro's defense, Ieyasu accepts, cementing a friendship.
THE IGA CAMPAIGN (Summer 1562-Winter 1564).
Summer 1562:
*Kiyonaga attacks Iga Province with some 1500 men, beginning a series of defensive battles against reinforcing Ronin forces attempting to hold the province. In the First Battle of Iga roughly 600 attacking former-Hojo Ronin are repelled. Except for this first battle, Ronin attack with 9000-11,000 men, largely forces of the former Grand Army of Omi who seem to have learned nothing, attacking to no avail as before. Kiyonaga's forces range between 1000 -1500 men for these battles.
Winter 1563:
*Kiyonaga attains 6th Rank, following the 7th Battle of Iga.
Winter 1564:
*In a final 11th Battle of Iga, an attack by some 10,500 fails to dislodge Kiyonaga from the heights of south Iga. After the final attack on Iga, in spring 1565, the former Grand Army of Omi numbers 10,971.
Iga Campaign losses (not including castle siege):
Imagawa: 517.
Hojo: 3437.
Hojo generals killed: 5.
1565:
Iga-Ueno Castle falls by siege, Iga secured.
Other Events to 1563-1569:
1563 - 1565:
*Contact with the Dutch, trading post established Kawachi Province.
Autumn 1564:
*Harima annexed, former-Mori insurrectionists put up no resistance.
1565-1568:
*Rebellion incited against the Mori in Inaba, Tajima provinces.
*Ise conquered.
*Awaji conquered, former-Mori insurrectionists put down.
WAR WITH THE MORI, FALL OF HOUSE MORI, CONQUEST OF MORI LANDS,
CONSOLIDATION, PREPARATIONS (Spring 1569 - 1577).
*Ieyasu (Yamashiro), Kiyonaga (Iga) maintain watch on the remaining Ronin in Omi, still a sizeable force to be guarded against.
Spring 1569:
*War declared on House Mori, Sanuki annexed without opposition.
*Mori Motonari killed along with entire 10 man Hatamoto, leading assault on Buzen province.
Winter 1569:
*Significant losses incurred in forcing the Noshinogawa, and conquering Awa from the Mori.
Spring 1570:
*Mori Takamoto cut down along with entire 9 man Hatamoto, leading attack on Buzen province in the 5th (and final) Battle of Buzen. House Mori falls, for there are no adult heirs.
Summer 1570 - Winter 1570:
*Tosa conquered from independent rebel forces, Kochi Castle stormed after a short siege, Shikoku secured.
Winter 1574:
Only besieged Hagi Castle, Nagato Province and Iwakuni Castle, Suo Province remain untaken of former Mori lands. Iwakuni Castle siege lasts until Autumn 1576.
1575-1578:
*Although all are eventually assassinated, emissaries complete survey of former Hojo lands: picture emerges that the final campaigns will be long, for significant forces are found in most every province, along with impressive training and equipment facilities, and palaces.
1575-1577:
*New frontier established: Tajima-Tamba-Yamashiro-Iga-Ise. Assembly, strengthening of Armies for final conquest of former Hojo lands to the east.
Winter 1577:
*Imagawan field armies, total strength: 7524.
-Tajima: 4RG Nagai Ujisada, 719.
-Tamba: 4RG Hijikata Tatsuoki, 1135.
-Yamashiro: 6RG Tokugawa Ieyasu, 1099; 4RG Sakai Tadatsugu, 1092.
-Iga: 6RG Koriki Kiyonaga, 981.
-Ise: 3RG Shidara Shigetsugu, 931; 2RG Natsume Yoshinobu, 1118.
-Kii: 5RG Honda Tadakatsu, 449.
FINAL CAMPAIGNS AGAINST FORMER HOJO LAND (Spring 1578 - Spring 1587).
1578-1579:
*Omi Province encircled with the conquest of Wakasa, Mino, Owari.
1580-1581:
*Further assembly of forces: privately Kiyonaga and Ieyasu grouse at the slow pace the campaigns are being conducted - while his leadership has been competent, maybe Yoshimoto is getting old, maybe he should get out of his castle more. The two chief field commanders appreciate the lavish forces provided, but feel they have more than enough strength to proceed.
Autumn 1580:
*Strength Ronin forces, Omi Province: 12,491.
THE BATTLE OF OMI AND ISE PROVINCES, Summer 1583.
*Imagawa march on Omi province with 5660 men, led by 6RG Tokugawa Ieyasu:
-From Wakasa: 4RG Nagai Ujisada, 1204.
-From Yamashiro: 6RG Tokugawa Ieyasu, 1219.
-From Iga: 6RG Koriki Kiyonaga, 1120.
-From Ise: 5RG Honda Tadakatsu, 1038.
-From Owari: 3RG Rokkaku Munehisa, 1079.
*In a final demonstration of some operational ability, Mutsuura Shigekatsu leading 1381, mounts a spoiling attack into Ise Province intercepting 5RG Honda Tadakatsu and his 1038 men. Tadakatsu defeats Shigekatsu and 564 Ronin heads are taken, remaining Ronin, including Shigekatsu, disperse in the larger, general Ronin defeat that follows. Tadakatsu loses only 129.
*11,110 Ronin remain defending Omi.
*Tokugawa Ieyasu, directly commanding 1203 engages Ichijo Yukinaga and his 1195. Ronin force largely destroyed, losing 844. Many Ronin are cut down as they flee by enfilading archer and musket fire. Ieyasu loses only 179 men. The mass of remaining Ronin disperse, trying to make their way home - The former Grand Army of Omi is no more. 589 fanatics retreat to Hikone Castle, Omi Province.
Autumn 1583:
*Omi Province, after over 30 years of occupation by a large army, is a wasteland. The tiny remaining civilian population is starving, large numbers of the Omi have become refugees, wandering surrounding provinces in search of safety and food. It will take the Imagawa Shogunate years to restore the province when the War of National Unity ends.
Winter 1583:
*Imagawa field armies, total strength: 10,557 men.
-Kaga Province: 4RG Hijikata Tatsuoki, 712 (took heavy casualties: 423 men, invading Kaga)
Kanazawa Castle besieged, remaining garrison: 243 (strong force of mixed sohei and naginata).
-Hida Province:
6RG Koriki Kiyonaga, 1120; 5RG GEN Sakai Tadatsugu, 1117.
Takayama Castle besieged, remaining garrison: 320 No-Dachi Samurai.
-Omi Province:
3R GEN Rokkaku Munehisa, 1079 men, besiege Hikone Castle, remaining garrison: 295.
-Shinano Province: 3RG Natsume Yoshinobu, 1240.
(Completion of watchtowers Winter 1584 greatly aids overall intelligence gathering)
-Totomi Province: 6RG Tokugawa Ieyasu, 1219 men; 2RG Suganuma Sadamitsu, 960 men;
4RG Shidara Shigetsugu, 1182 men.
Hamamatsu Castle besieged, remaining garrison 143 archers.
-Owari Provinces: 5RG Honda Tadakatsu, 903; 4RG Nagai Ujisada, 1025.
General Note:
During the final campaign Ieyasu, Kiyonaga share command as army group commanders. Lesser generals do the bulk of the remaining fighting. Imagawa general officer corps developed to high proficiency. Most Ronin forces do not give battle in the open, each province's castle must be stormed, all with significant garrisons.
By Spring 1587 Imagawan field armies led by:
Two 6th Rank generals- Ieyasu, Kiyonaga.
Three 5th Rank generals- Sakai Tadatsugu, Hijikata Tatsuoki, Honda Tadakatsu.
Five 4th Rank generals-Nagai Ujisada, Natsume Yoshinobu, Shidara Shigetsugu,
Rokkaku Minehisa, and Suganuma Sadamitsu.
One 3rd Rank general-Toda Tadatsugu.
Autumn 1585:
*Only Shimosa, Kazusa provinces remain unconquered. Sendai Castle, Mutsu Province, Hitachi Castle, Hitachi Province besieged. Hitachi Castle's garrison is a 640 strong mixed force of naginata and arquebusier troops-most with legendary armor, and will be stormed in Ieyasu's last battle of the war.
KORIKI KIYONAGA'S FINAL BATTLES IN THE WAR OF NATIONAL UNITY
Spring 1584:
*The Storming of Takayama Castle, Hida Province. Ronin garrison force of 240 No-Dachi Samurai wiped out, garrison commander slain. Most are cut down by arrows before the final assault. Imagawa lose only 23 of 1117 in the assault.
Autumn 1584:
*The Battle of Musashi. Ronin force of 400, largely Ashigaru troops, offers no resistance and flees on sight of Kiyonaga's many-bannered army of 1087, which crosses the Sumida River largely unopposed. There is barely an engagement: Ronin losses: 39. Imagawa losses: 5.
Spring 1585:
*The Storming of Edo Castle, Musashi Province, garrison of 301 and its commander slain by Kiyonaga's 1082. The Imagawa lose only 46 men.
Winter 1585:
*The Battle of Shimosa - Kiyonaga forces the Tonegawa with 1192 men against an 880 strong army with large contingents of sohei and Yari Cavalry armed with legendary swords. The Ronin commander seals his defeat by retiring from the single bridge, his troops under deadly combined musket and archer fire from the slope overlooking the bridge. The Ronin commander flees the field. Konodai Castle will be taken by follow-on forces. The bridge crossing levies a grim toll: while the Ronin lose 735, Kiyonaga loses 246. Losses are extreme among the two assaulting sohei units: one takes over 50% losses, and the other is entirely wiped out. The elite Yari Samurai (Golden Shield, Famous Sword) of Katagiri Hidebaru lose 63 of 76 as well.
Winter 1586:
*The Battle of Kazusa, last organized resistance to House Imagawa in The War of National Unity. Kiyonaga's army of 1169 engages and all but wipes out a 960 man army and its general of largely arquebusiers and No-Dachi Samurai - the Ronin lose 927. It is a wild, rolling battle of maneuver, a separated Ronin enemy is defeated detail. Two heavy cavalry contingents ride down large numbers of matchlock men, and disrupt their ability to maintain firing positions. A yari cavalry unit also disrupts the Ronin, riding down many before, surrounded, it routs from the field from apparent danger. For Kiyonaga the battle ends on a note of personal tragedy: his faithful comrade soldier #2 of his unit, a warrior of 4th Honor, is among the 142 Imagawa fallen.
Spring 1587:
*The 33 beaten survivors of The Battle of Kazusa march out from Mifunedai Castle and pledge loyalty to House Imagawa, War of National Unity ends. Kiyonaga has won 41 battles.
*Imagawa strength of forces, field armies: 10,104 garrisons: 6937.
*Intelligence Directorate: 1 0R Ninja; Shinobi: 38 0R, one 1R, two 2R, five 3R, and five 4R.
POSTWAR EVENTS
Summer 1587
*House Imagawa capital remains at Nagasaki Castle, Hizen Province, Imagawa Yoshimoto begins reign as Shogun.
*Imagawa Ujizane becomes Shogunate Governor General for Kyushu and Shikoku, capital Kagoshima Castle, Satsuma Province.
*Ieyasu becomes Shogunate Governor General, Western Honshu, capital Edo Castle, Musashi Province.
*Kiyonaga receives large estate in Yamashiro, named Shogunate Governor General, Eastern Honshu, capital co-located with Emperor's palace at Kyoto Castle, Yamashiro Province. Imagawa Yoshimoto grants Kiyonaga title General Protector of Shogunate and Emperor, Supreme Commander of Armies, and makes Kiyonaga part of House Imagawa by designating him 3rd Heir.
Winter 1600
*Kiyonaga dies in sleep, Shogun Imagawa Ujizane decrees 41 days of mourning.
Campaign notes:
Hard, save-loading was done, with exceptions below, to maintain average or better harvests. Battles were played without time limit, and with unrestricted camera. Exceptions: game crashes around 1579 to do with large numbers of forces engaged in an Omi battle required save loading - also why Omi not reduced until summer 1582 - significantly after its encirclement - trying to avoid crashes. One battle in Echizen may have been refought once, but very secondary to the overall flow of the campaign. Of Kiyonaga's battles only the one in Shimosa had to be refought, along with two others of that season because of an AI stalemate: irresistible force (legendary sword YC/WM) meets immovable object (totally-exhausted legendary armored Ng of H3-4) in a heavy snow storm - nobody could kill anybody. Refighting, other battles remained unchanged in outcome, Shimosa attack occurred in light snow with a Kiyonaga victory.