Lang Son Eastern Advance - The Matrix Games version of Rising Sun

The Southern Column of General Nakamura's division-sized incursion into Indochina crossed the border at Chima, attacked Loc Bihn, and pushed its way northward up Highway 4 to support the Japanese main effort at Lang Son. Seeking to tie down as many French troops as possible and cut the main rail line leading south to Hanoi, the southern force moved steadily until the afternoon of 23 September when it encountered the forward edge of Lang Son's defenses. General Mennerat, commanding the French 2nd Brigade, had posted three of his five battalions across what he hoped was the most likely Japanese avenue of approach, and like the 5th REI to the north had ordered them to hold out as long as possible. Unfortunately, unlike the northern approach, Mennerat was forced to defend a much larger frontage, and with the confused state of his communications, his troops would be unable to react as quickly as needed once the Japanese axis of attack was discovered. Whatever the outcome, the eventual fate of the Lang Son garrison would soon be decided by how well the Vichy troops reacted to the Japanese assault.