Battle of Hiamo Castle (Alexander Goes West)

Prelude
Battle of Hiamo Castle was begin of second Alexander campaign against Japanese. It was massive coordinated action of Hellenistic Empire (Successor of Macedonian Empire) and Chinese nationalist rebels. United actions of veterans, volunteers, rebels, with sabotage, famine and creating "Rifle Divisions" led to total strategic victory of Hellenistic Empire, death of shogun Akimata and collapse of Japanese Imperial Army in south China. Victory in this action for Hellenistic forces was victory of technologies. Same as on River Han, but now in favor for Hellens.

During spring 334 BC, great successes in Hellenistic science led to create two critical factors for Hellenistic Empire:

1. Rifle Troops, formations of soldiers trained and equiped by rifles, "Fire Bottles" and other cutting-edge technologies.

2. Creating principles of steam engine, led to invention of steam engine vehicles used for trade, supplies, transport etc., and also armoured vehicles with artillery. With rifles and armoured steam-engine vehicles, Alexander ordered to create new military formations: Rifle Divisions and Armoured Squads.

Both technologies were used during siege of Hiamo Castle and destroying Japanese Imperial Army. Both were strategic and critical advantage for Hellenistic Army.

Hellens
41 infantry lines / 25 Rifle Divisions - Alexandr and Eumenes

5 Roxana Warrior battle regiments - Queen Roxana

3 elite Rifle Guard Troops squads - Pandeios

1 elite Sniper Guard Troops squad - Artidios

125 artillery batteries - Antipater

8 war-elephants units - Antipater

2 armoured vehicles squads - Antipater

5 siege weapons groups - Antipater

666 Cavalry companions - Pandeios and Alexander

16 mercenaries phalanxes - Artidios

Chinese rebels

20 support units (medics, suppliers...) - no one

Japanese Imperial Army

Garrison - 600,000 regular troops - unknown

Local support base - 20 infantry lines - general Arimata

Akimata guard troops - Akimata

50 artillery batteries - no one

500 cavalry companions - no one

50 elite archers walls units - no one

Battle
Battle began day after begin of "Chinese Revolution" - massive farmers and resistance action in whole China to destroy or weaken Japanese Imperial Army units. Because of rebels attacks, supply routes collapsed, many cities occupied by Japanese were isolated and encirceled or captured, whole west China was captured by rebels who destroyed shocked Japanese units, after many months of peace and stability.

Battle synchronization was top of brilliant military strategy invented by Alexander and Eumenes. Alexander Army divided in to two groups. Philotas and large group of infantry supported by all armoured vehicles arrived to enemy local support base and attacked base. Japanese troops, shocked by armoured vehicles retreated or died during battle. Commander, general Arimata was captured in his commanding tent. Second group under commanding of Alexander, Eumenes and Antipater besieged castle and start artillery barrage against castle walls. Alexander personaly commanded his elite guard unit and led sniper unit. However, because of primitive rifles, group of 100 snipers killed only 20 japanese officers.

Japanese artillery successfully destroyed mercenaries phalanxes and forced mercenaries to retreat. Also successfully destroyed few artillery positions of Hellenistic Army.

Philotas attack on local support base effective cut-off all reinforcements from western territories. However, rebels failed in destroying all reinforcements and supply bridges - one stand intact by rebel attack and 120,000 enemy troops moved from north, to support garrison. However, Philotas and Eumenes fortified northern positions and stopped their attack with much less rifle troops units. Meanwhile, artillery units destroyed first main gate and attacked against Japanese defenders against gates. Alexander, Roxana and Eumenes led their troops to exterior sector of castle, where still was strong enemy presence. Fight was bloody and long, but Hellenistic troops won because of good commanding, technological advantage and capture of walls by elite guard troops.

When Alexander Army destroyed interior main gate and attacked on interiors of castle, they were stopped by bomb attacks. Japanese troops created gunpowder grenades and start attacking against advancing Alexander units. Alexander split from his troops and climb over wall to top floor of Hiamo Castle. He got to military intelligence commanding room, which was destroyed by his army artillery fire. But in neighbour room was Akimata and watching his defeated forces retreating from castle or fighting to death.

After short talk, Alexander and Akimata start man-to-man fight which led to wounding Alexander (he lost his right palm and nose). Alexander dropped his sword with his right palm, but he still had shield with sharp edges and when Akimata with long swords goes to smash Alexander, Alexander attacked on Akimata and cut-off his legs by shield. Akimata fall on floor and Alexander knock out his swords. Then he toss his shield against Akimata neck and beheaded him. Battle ended.

Aftermath
Victory in this battle meaned end of Japanese domination in China and encouraged Chinese Rebel Armies to new attacks and offensives. Japanese forces retreated first to north states of China, then they were destroyed in north Korea and their last clash in Pusan perimeter, where Alexander armies defeated both - ground and navy forces of Japan Imperial Army and Imperial Navy. Artillery ships destroyed Japanese ships and encirceled korean ports, then Alexander armies smashed last resistance. Japan became isolationist country and without resources from Asia, became poor agricultural country.

In year 74 BC, militarist and nationalist Yogan clique in Japan collapsed because of farmers revolt and society collapse. Power took peacefull and open-minded Shator. Shator Empiror started trades with Hellenistic Empire and promised stop of all agressive actions against Hellenistic Empire and other countries.

Battle of Hiamo Castle became top of Alexander career and it was decisive total victory of Hellenistic Empire.