Victory off Taipei
December 25, 2022
Time: 2:00 JST

While the cities of Nippon sleep beneath blackout curtains and the scent of Christmas fried chicken begins to waft from corner convenience stores, news arrives that may mark a turning point in the war.

Off the coast of northern Taiwan, the Battle of Taipei has concluded in a decisive Nipponese naval victory--the first of its kind in over a century.

At approximately 20:00 JST on December 24th, elements of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) attempted to push a surface strike group into the Taiwan Strait to reinforce land operations near Tamsui and Keelung. However, Nipponese forces, guided by early warning aircraft and forward-deployed submarines, were waiting.

In the ensuing naval battle, Shina lost 22 Type 056 Jiangdao-class corvettes, 4 Type 052D Luyang III-class destroyers, and 1 Type 054A Jiangkai II-class light frigate. Nippon lost 1 submarine.

Nippon's carrier doctrine has had a stunning success. Her aircraft played a decisive role in the battle, demonstrating once again the strength of airpower in modern naval engagements.

Admiral Akira Saito reported in a post-battle communique:
>"This battle was not won by steel alone, but by doctrine, by readiness, and by the pilots who turned flight decks into firestorms."

The Pacific has not yet been won, but tonight, it leans toward Nippon.