The Tigers of Chi-Ha-Tan ReRise Volume 4: The Scars of a Warriors Past

by Nazz11

With Miho leading the charge, the Tigress Corps have shown how deadly their fangs and claws are, as their roars of defiance echo across the land. Yet, while they rise, the Nishizumi family falls into disgrace, leaving Miho with a difficult choice. While a group of forgotten warriors returns to exact their revenge, and their target is the Tigress herself no matter what the cost.

20. Second Round Report

Authors Thought:

Hello dear readers, here for a small chapter as we get an overview of how the matches played out for the tournament, though we know the results due to me actually writing out the battles unlike previous volumes where I glossed over it, I still like the idea of this being in the story, giving some life to the GUP world, while also getting an outside view of the tournament.

Keeping it short, thanks for coming by to read, as this story is reaching its final act now after an entire year of writing and you have been so very patient with me I can't thank you enough. I will see you again very soon as we try to wrap things up before the big battle.

Till the next Author Thought, be well and be safe!

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63rd National Sensha-do High School Second Round Report

Hello and welcome back Sensha-do enthusiast! This you're leading correspondent Soseki Morita, coming at you like an armor-piercing shell with the results of our matches in the 2nd round of the 63rd National Tournament. The smell of gunpowder has finally faded, the smoke clearing and the guns have finally fallen silent after a round of intense matches that has left 4 teams who are heading into the Semi-Final, each of them one step closer to claiming that golden ticket for the Final and a chance to bring home the scarlet Victory Flag home. Yet we cannot forget those who brought their all to the match field, as even in defeat, the actions of these young girls cannot be overlooked.

A special thank you must be said to the female fighter pilots of the 54th Wing Division and to the female 203rd Artillery Battalion, who has been a welcome addition to Sensha-do, and their contribution to our new era has been lauded with immense praise from every fan, even gather fan clubs, and becoming social media stars as well.

Yet, we must press on, to visit the results of the matches of the 2nd Round, and learn who won and who went home. While also previewing the Semi-Final, while offering my predictions of who I believe will be fighting for the Final.

Bracket A

1. Oarai Girls Academy vs 4. Chi-Ha-Tan Academy

Oarai Tank Force

Panzer 4 Ausf.H

Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer(Flag Tank)

Type 89 I-Go

StuG 3 (Operator Tank)

M3 Lee

Char B1 Bis

Type 3 Chi-Nu

Porsche Tiger

A43 Black Prince

AC 1 Sentinel

Type 5 Chi-Ri

Oarai Allied Reinforcements: Wolverton Academy

1 x M4 Sherman

1 x M18 Hellcat

1 x M36B2

1x M4A3E8

Chi-Ha-Tan Tank Force

1 x Tiger 1

1x M4A3E2 Jumbo (76mm)

1 x Type 4 Chi-To

3 x Type 1 Chi-He

3 x Type 97 Shinhoto

1 x Type 5 Na-To

2 x Type 3 Ho-Ni 3

1 x Type 97 Short Gun

1 x Type 4 Ke-Nu

1 x Valentine Mk 4

Winner: Chi-Ha-Tan Academy

Capture Reward: Type 5 Chi-Ri

Match Report

Arguably one of the most anticipated matches of the entire round, even being named the Match of the Round by the Federation and it live up to the hype. As both teams were not slated to even be at this point in the tournament, each riding on a Cinderella story, but for one team it was time for the clock to strike midnight on their journey.

With Chi-Ha-Tan Academy, coming off an upset victory against bitter rivals Saunders and avenging their previous year's humiliating defeat handed down to them, now go head to head with Oarai Girls Academy. A team that has only recently picked up Sensha-do after a 20-year absence, but has so far wowed in their return back to the big stage. Defeating Kola Forrest High in spectacular fashion and looking for more of the same against a fellow underdog in a grueling match.

The match was fought over a large open landscape, with a smattering of small woods. There were also a few small farmlands with haystack fields and a small cottage village. Though the main attraction for the match field was the large city that dominated a large portion of the battlegrounds that was to be a prime spot for the confrontation between the two sides.

However, something odd occur, as when the match started Oarai and their allies stormed the city with no opposition and took up defensive positions. Then they were subjected to waiting for over 3 hours, as Chi-Ha-Tan were content with allowing the foe to hold the city, while they waited for them to make their move, a tactic reminiscent of the Viggen High School, which prove to be an ingenious idea.

As the name of the game was patience and Oarai's ran out sending a scout force out to find their enemy, which they did in the form of a single tank in the Type 4 Ke-Nu, commanded by first-year tanker Fukuda, who was waiting for them in a haystack field, ambushing the Oarai scout force alone before retreating away.

From there the Oarai scout force turn back to link up with their commander as the Tiger 1, marked as the flag tank had been spotted by their scout plane. However, once more this was a ruse as the Oarai scout force was ambushed by Chi-Ha-Tan around a cottage village and pin them in, forcing Oarai's commander Yukari Akiyama to reroute a portion of her tanks to break her scout force out.

From here the battle divulged into small tank battles all over the match field that made it hard for even audiences at home to keep up with. As once Oarai's relief force left the city, a small force of Chi-Ha-Tan tanks led by 2nd Year tanker Tamada, rush into the city to find the enemy flag tank, but face stiff resistance from Oarai's newest tank in the once thought lost Type 5 Chi-Ri, a prototype Japanese Heavy tank that somehow Oarai got a hold of, once more proving that the rumor of just tanks lying around their carrier most likely true.

The Type 5 Chi-Ri was able to hold off Tamada's attack force and force them back till artillery was called in to cover up the Chi-Ha-Tan attackers in the rubble.

Then we were taken to Commander Akiyama herself and her small platoon, who were desperately trying to reach their beleaguered comrades, but stopped as her platoon was ambushed by a single Chi-Ha-Tan tank in the Type 5 Na-To, another prototype Japanese tank destroyer, taking out its sister Japanese tank in Oarai's Type 3 Chi-Nu. However, Commander Akiyama herself didn't stick around and left the job of taking out the foe to her team's heaviest tank in the imposing British heavy tank, the A43 Black Prince. The duel between the two went back and forth, but eventually, armor prove to be the deciding factor as the Black Prince shrugged shells off till it could finally put the Type 5 Na-To down for the count.

While on the other end of the battlefield, 2nd year Vice Commander, Kikuyo Nishi who was leading the Chi-Ha-Tan ambush of the Oarai scout force, was soon subjected to being the one ambush as the Wolverton Allied tank forces had found a hidden path through a dense woodland that put them on the rear of the ambushing force, while Oarai called in its air force to pin the ambushers in and add in the scout force breaking out from being siege, place the carefully laid plans of Chi-Ha-Tan into jeopardy.

However, Vice commander Nishi didn't waste time, as she cover the retreat of her comrades with smoke shells, but had to stay behind as her Type 4 Chi-To had lost a track from air support and had no time to repair. Staying behind, the lone Japanese tank held on till eventually, Wolverton's M36B2 put the defiant tank down for good, while making history as the first foreign school participant to earn a tank kill.

From here the match seem to be totally in favor of Oarai, as Chi-Ha-Tan's force was spread out all over the map, with a portion of them running from Oarai and Wolverton.

Yet, when the match seem to be spinning out of control, once more the Tigress of Chi-Ha-Tan came roaring into the spotlight. As Miho Nishizumi, commanding the dreaded Tiger 1, gave her team some respite as she took out an M18 on the move from a new record distance of over 1500 meters, but she and crew weren't given long to celebrate as Wolverton's M4A3E8 and M36B2 gave chase to avenge their fallen sister tank, that divulge into a run and shoot duel, as Miho had to keep her Tiger 1 in the fight, but isolated from her comrades.

Things were made even direr as Yukari and her Panzer 4 show up to join the fray.

From here, it was once more broken down into a mix of duels all across the map, as Miho's Tiger 1 held off Oaria's Panzer 4, who even saw them trade shells that bounce off one another, the first time that has ever happen in Sensha-Do.

While what was left of the Chi-Ha-Tan ambush force held off Wolverton's M4 Sherman and accompany Oarai tanks in the Type 89 and M3 Lee. Each side lost more and more tanks, as they weren't letting up till finally the match was put to a halt due to Wolverton's M4A3E8 tank commander having fallen into the river with Miho herself going to rescue her.

Now for a small note, the situation and horrendous act that follow after Miho had saved her now-known half-sister, Fukushu Nishizumi has been talked about in great detail by the Sensha-do battle network and since were mostly concerned with the battle, we will leave this out of the report.

Then came the final act of the battle, as Tamada herself having been spared the worse of the artillery strike, came forward with her M4A3E2 Jumbo to take on the Type 5 Chi-Ri and Porsche Tiger, being a distraction to allow the rest of her platoon to sneak away. It was a desperate act, but through the perseverance of the American Heavy tank, Tamada was able to close the gap and take out the Porsche Tiger but would be taken out by the smallest tank in the StuG 3 who waited inside a building along the street.

This action allow the Type 1 Chi-He's to freely make their way to the city center taking out Oarai's Char B1 Bis along the way, then hooked up with their operator tank Mk 4 Valentine for the final push.

While this was happening, Commander Miho herself, took on the remaining Oarai and allied forces outside the city.

The vaunted Tiger 1 against the Panzer 4, A43 Black Prince, M4 Sherman, and M36B2.

With even with these long odds, the Tiger 1 clawed its way to survival, dodging the American tanks who were flanking it, then using an insane drift move to pull out of the way of the A43 Black Prince's gun and deliver a knockout shot on the move, then using the fallen tank as a shield, took down both American tanks to leave another one and one with Commander Akiyama's Panzer 4.

It became another dance, as both crews and their tanks gave everything in this last ferocious fight. As this was going on, the Mk 4 Valentine commanded by 2nd year Maita, led an attack on the city center with the platoon of Type 1 Chi-He's as their air support force the Oarai Hetzer, marked as the flag tank, from its cover. Taking down its escort Type 5 Chi-Ri and blunting the StuG 3 from helping the distress flag tank as it ran from the Mk 4 Valentine.

Then it all came down to just a moment of who could take down the flag tank faster, but Miho's Tiger 1 making another bold maneuver was able to take out the Panzer 4, but after so much strain on the tracks, they snapped causing the exposed wheels to dig into the ground that sent the Tiger 1 into a roll destroying it's 88mm gun and knocking it out, just as the Hetzer was taken out the same time

Then for the first time in the history of Sensha-do, referees had to review the footage of who's kill flag popped first on the defeated tank and after a long deliberation, it was determined that the Hetzer's was first by only mere seconds making Chi-Ha-Tan the winner.

This match was everything we could hope for, the constant back and forth, tank duels, great aerial battles, and an ending that probably gave both fans of the club a near heart attack. Yet in the end, it is Chi-Ha-Tan Academy, a school that has been nothing but a running joke, is now going to the Semi-Final with a chance to go to a place no other team in its history has gone since its opening, the Final and a chance to grab the coveted Victory Flag.

For Oarai, it was a match that was there for them to win at times, with their American reinforcements and already veteran team, add on Chi-Ha-Tan had been relying on their first years to win the match, they had a lot of chances to snatch this away but just came up short against the tenacity of Chi-Ha-Tan.

Nothing though can take away from what Oarai has achieved in just their first year against arguably all odds since the qualifier. They have captured the hearts of many fans across the nation and the world for their ability to not let the word impossible ever be coupled with them. These young ladies have only inspire the next generation of tankers to push even harder in Sensha-do and have no doubt they may one day be a powerhouse school.

6. Maginot Girls Academy vs 8. Pravda Girls High School

Maginot Girls Academy Tank Force

1 x Carro Armato P26/40(Flag tank)

4 x Char B1 bis

6 x SOMUA S35

4 x Renault 39 (1 marked as Operator tank.

Pravda Girls High School Tank Force

12 x T-34/76 (1 marked as Flag Tank, 1 marked as an Operator Tank)

3 x BT-7M

Winner: Pravda Girls High School

Capture Reward: None

Match Report

Maginot Girls Academy, fresh off their upset victory against Anzio High look to play spoilers once again. Standing in their way were the ferocious girls of Pravda, who had already made a statement victory against Jakostota High and were looking to do the same against this upstart school, in a battle for the Semi-Final.

The match was played in an environment that both teams were not accustomed to, as it came in the form of a dense jungle. Making matters worse for both sides was a sudden rain shower that fell on the field in the early parts of the match, making the already tough terrain into a muddy soup that plague both teams. In retrospect, this might have been the very thing that could have given Maginot's lighter tank force the chance to gain the edge over what people thought was going to be Pravda's mostly heavy tanks deployed, but everyone, including me, was in for a shock.

As Pravda dug deep into their large tank reserves and brought out their highly mobile BT-7M that prove the jungle environment to be no deterrence, with the rest of the Pravda tank force consisting of the T-34/76 tanks, who lighter frames and smaller gun barrels help gain the edge over Maginot. It's to be said that Commander Katyusha is a brilliant tactician, knowing the environment would play against heavier tanks and therefore employing the correct tanks to meet the situation shows level-headed thinking that is making this already dangerous hunter even more hazardous for any who cross her path.

The match turn into a one-sided affair early on, as Katyusha, whether by arrogance or just plain faith in her tankers, sent her 3 BT-7M tanks against the entire Maginot force, ambushing them. Using the heavy brush of the jungle, they were able to draw close and score a takedown on a Renault 39 that was marked as an operator tank, taking away all of Maginot's perks so early in the match.

With such a shocking loss, it might have factored into Maginot's commander Éclair to want to get some revenge and order her entire tank force after the Pravda light tanks but proved to be another ploy by her foe. As Maginot was to run headlong into the firing line of T-34/76 tanks, who open up a horrendous fire on Maginot, shattering their tanks and taking out 1 Somu 35, with the second volley fired with better accuracy, even under return fire from Maginot, taking out 1 Char B1 bis and 2 SOMUA S35 tanks, giving Maginot a bloody nose and sent them reeling in retreat.

In only the first hour of the match, the writing was on the wall for Maginot who had no perks, running low on ammunition and fuel could not sustain a long drawn out match. Yet, Commander Éclair didn't have any quit in her even as the situation grew desperate. Commanding an effective fighting retreat, destroying bridges as they cross deep rivers to keep their foe back. Then had her finest moment as she order a swift counter-attack against the same platoon of BT-7M that had shocked her force at the start of the match.

Taking all three of them out, but Éclair was to pay for the attack as Pravda dropped artillery on them and then launch the feared counter-attack that was only stifled by the heroic actions of Maginot's 3rd-year platoon commander Galette and her remaining Char 1 Bis tanks, who held out long enough for the rest of her team to get away.

Even after such losses and running on fumes both on tanks and physically, Maginot looked to make one final stand as they forded a river and look to use it to draw Pravda into a firefight over it. Yet, Maginot was to be subjected to another devastating ambush, but from the air.

As Pravda's A6M5 Zero's descended on them like a pack of wolves, with a barrage of Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets that batter the Maginot girls from advancing and leaving the dead in the water.

It was after this barrage that Commander Éclair realize that she had played into Commander Katyusha's hand. As Maginot tank force stranded in the middle of the river were surrounded, as both banks were adorned with Russian tanks, with their guns trained on their foe for the final takedown. Maginot ask for no mercy as they bravely charged forward to meet their enemy, but it was over in an instant, as the Pravda girls answer these courageous tankers with a fusillade of iron and ended the match in total victory for Prada.

Once more Pravda under Katyusha's leadership proves to be unstoppable. Completely wiping out the opposing force and leaving them devastated in the wake of their power. However, we must make note that Pravda isn't a team who isn't above not using their most powerful tanks to achieve victory, their flexible nature to correctly judge what tanks are most effective base on their match fields again proves why they are so deadly.

Now add on that they are about to field over 23 tanks in the Semi-Final and if the environment plays to their true strength then I fear what devastation they will bring down, as the champions aren't letting the chance to win back-to-back championships out of their sight.

For Maginot, it was a good run, no, a brilliant run by them. Having to overcome a sudden shift from a defensive team for so long to an offensive team cannot be overlooked, while many from the previous regime of Maginot left after Éclair took over. While disappointing for them to have come so far from the qualifier match till now, Éclair herself can keep her head held up high, for she has shown all the traits that makes a great commander and will only get better over time since she's only a 2nd year. I look forward to seeing these lighting attackers the next year and maybe just maybe shocking the Sensha-do world.

Bracket B

9. Kuromorimine Girls Academy vs.12. BC Freedom Academy

Kuromorimine Girls Academy Tank Force

1 x Tiger 2(Flag Tank)

2 x Jagdpanthers

7 x Panther Ausf.G

3 x Panzer 4 Ausf.F2

2 x Panzer 3 Ausf.J

BC Freedom Academy Tank Force

1 x FT-17(Flag Tank)

2 x Mk 3 Crusaders

1 x M4 Sherman

1 x M4A1 Sherman (76mm)

2 x M10 Wolverines

3 x M4A3E2 Jumbos

3 x ARL 44

2 x M5 Sturats

1 x SOMUA S355 (Operator Tank)

Winner: Kuromorimine Girls Academy

Capture Reward: None

Match Report

Kuromorimine Girls Academy, fresh off an impressive defeat of Bellwall, look to continue their climb back to the Final and retain their lost Victory Flag.

Standing in their way were the revamped girls of BC Freedom Academy, who had finally put away with their archaic class system and were fighting as a whole for each other and the goal to bring their school which once was a Top 4 long ago, back to glory.

Now before we begin, I will be leaving out the controversy that has surrounded Maho Nishizumi who has been suspended from the team. Again, this situation has already been talked about at length in news outlets, while this report is based on the battle and that's it, so I won't be bringing it any more attention than this.

The match field was fought on a Russian own island by the name of Sakhalin located along the 50th parallel of the Earth's equatorial plane. This very site is one of the few neutral match grounds around the world that host Japanese Sensha-do matches in the Agreement of Nations pact made in 1994, which allow Japan to ask for permission from other nations to host their matches.

It was a winter wonderland for both teams to fight over, complete with small smatterings of woods that trees were covered in snow. Various prop-built villages were spread throughout the land, with the occasional farmland located in random spots. Though the chill in the air could make anyone shiver, both sides were warmed by their competitive fury to win this match and secure their ticket to the Semi-Final.

The battle itself was a like a sword duel, once side thrusting, parrying, then backing off to measure the next move. As BC Freedom launch small hit and run attacks, bogging down Kuromorimine's advance, while the uneven terrain played havoc on the Panzers formations, to the point Commander Erika Itsumi settle herself into a defensive position while placing an advance guard which I guess was to entice the enemy to attack. Then Kuromorimine would move reinforcements to counter, like a defensive blitzkrieg if you will.

However, like any tactical plan, it never survives contact. As the advance guard of Kuromorimine were given a shock as BC Freedom employed a creeping artillery barrage that stunned them, then gave them another surprise as BC Freedom deployed its M4A3E2 Jumbo tanks to absorb enemy fire off their hulls, then gave them one last devastating shock as BC Freedom unveil their newest tank the ARL 44, an experimental French tank that met the criteria to be allowed into Sensha-do since its design was made before the end of the war, which made it eligible for use.

The ARL 44's 90mm SA45 main cannon can defeat most of Kuromorimine's tanks with ease due to its high penetration power. Which was proven when the very tank knocked out a Panther G under the command of rising star Koume Akaboshi with a shot into the mantlet. From there the BC Freedom attack was on, taking out the rest of the advance guard and pushing forward.

A Kuromorimine relief column was sent to help stymie the push in the form of 2 Jagdpanthers and a Panther G under the command of Emi Kojima, but was stopped in their tracks by an ambush by BC Freedom's Vice commander Oshida, who deliver a torrent of shells from her 2 ARL 44 tanks and M4 Shermans. Once they push the Kuromorimine into a dense wood, their M10 tank destroyers made use of their small profiles to flank the sides of the German cats and cut them down with their 76mm guns.

Thus, all expectations any analyst, including myself, had of an easy Kuromorimine victory were dashed. As BC Freedom lost no tanks while dealing a total of 7 takedowns of Kuromorimine tanks. At this point, most people had written off the powerhouse school, with many most likely whispering that this was because of the sudden leadership change that had thrown the team off.

However, Commander Erika was not to back down. Ordering a counter-offensive with her remaining Panthers that threw themselves against Oshida's Force, with their A6M5 Zero fighters. Trying to possibly make a breakthrough that would allow them to link back up with their commander, which in turn made BC Freedom launch their air force to counter Kuromorimine's, effectively pulling away much-needed support.

The final act proved to be a race for the win, as Commander Erika herself attacked on her own against the rest of BC Freedom tanks under the command of Vice Commander Andou, with Commander Marie at the rear as she was the flag tank. It seem to be a desperate act for the Kuromorimine commander, even in a Tiger 2, to attack alone against the horde of BC Freedom tanks that could batter her into submission, but that was all part of the plan as she was the bait.

As 2 Panzer 3 tanks had covered themselves in a mountain of snow to blend in, letting the attacking BC Freedom tanks go after their Tiger 2, then use the momentum to now go after the enemy flag tank. Commander Marie flee as the Panzer 3 tanks gave chase, having to deal with the BC Freedom Mk 3 Crusaders first, taking both out, but paying the price as one Panzer 3 was knocked out. Which left it all down to 1st-year tanker Sheska, a German-born transfer student, to make the winning shot, and what a shot it was hitting the small FT-17 from a long range and ending the fight as a comeback win for the girls of Kuromorimine and securing their 10th straight trip to a Semi-Final.

Now, this match prove many pundits wrong, as many had thought Kuromorimine would walk all over the BC Freedom, but it turned out to be a close run thing, with all it took was just the right moment to claim victory from both sides.

For Kuromorimine, it's another year in the Semi-Final, but not with the same dominant flair were accustomed to seeing. This match showed that there is a chink in the once thought impenetrable armor of the big cats of this team.

However, there is also some more fear to be added to Kuromorimine's reputation, as they didn't rely on their heavy panzers just to push forward and break the enemy lines with sheer might. Commander Erika demonstrated she can be cunning with her tactics, such as covering up her escort's tanks in the snow to fool the enemy and launch a surprise attack.

If this kind of planning is expanded upon, I think we might be seeing a Kuromorimine unlike any we ever watched in years prior and that is not such a bad thing.

BC Freedom has nothing to be ashamed of with this loss. They met an enemy that had every right to completely trounce them, but they didn't back down for even an instant. Though it helps to have such heavy tank destroyers in the ARL 44 helping out and also Sherman Jumbos that can eat most high-velocity shells of the Panzers of Kuromorimine, we cannot overlook the tactics and tenacity of this school. Having suffered so long from infighting due to their class system within their academy, they have overcome that huge hurdle to finally be an effective team.

With their differences aside, BC Freedom is a force to be reckoned with and a reminder to us of the reason they once were a Top 4 team not so long ago under legendary Commander Azumi. If things progress as they will, I have no doubt BC Freedom will obtain that title in due time under the Command of Lady Marie who has proven herself to be a commander to be respected and feared.

14. Viking Fisheries High School vs 16. St. Gloriana Girls College

Viking Fisheries High School Tank Force

7 x Panzer 3 Ausf.J

1 x Neubaufahrzeug(Flag Tank)

2 x M24 Chaffee(Operator Tank)

3 x Somua S35

2 x Hotchkiss H35

St. Gloriana Girls College Tank Force

1 x Churchill Mk 7(Flag Tank)

3 x Matilda Mk 3 (1 Marked as Operator Tank)

4 x Cromwell Mk 7(1 mark as Operator Tank)

3 x Mk 3 Crusaders

3 x A30 Challengers

1 x Jagdpanzer 4

Winner: St. Gloriana Girls College

Capture Reward: M24 Chaffee

Match Report

Viking Fisheries came into the match after an impressive and complete victory over Viggen High School, beating them with their clockwork tactics that too prove too much to contain, as they looked to continue this winning formula to punch their ticket into the Semi-Final for the first time in school history.

While waiting to meet them, are the elegant and refined girls of St. Gloriana who had utterly dominated Yogurt Academy in the opening round, and now are looking to progress back to the Semi-Final as they had done last year, in a matchup of teams who are almost complete opposites of each other.

The match was fought over an open countryside setting, with various rivers and woodlands. Though the landscape was mostly dominated by large swaths of open grass fields, making for a match that might have seen many long-range engagements due to little to no cover. Which suited St. Gloriana just fine, as they carried tanks with the armor and guns to do that, as well as their capture tank in the Jagpanzer 4 that was well suited for long-range engagements.

Things were to start with a bang, as St. Gloriana launched a heavy attack from the get-go, with only Darjeeling and her escort tanks left in reserve. They were to meet Viking Fisheries in quick time, divulging into a slugfest as both sides traded shells along a long battle line. Though St. Gloriana's gunnery prove too much for their foes, forcing Viking Fisheries to begin to give ground steadily and then turning into a hasty retreat.

As expected, St. Gloriana's sensational rookie, who has been dubbed by fans as the Queen of Speed, Rosehip gave chase with her Mk 3 Crusaders.

With this sensation of seeing their enemy run, must have prompted the rest of St. Gloriana to join their speed queen in pursuit, while Darjeeling stayed behind, most likely because the Churchill Mk 7 is too slow to keep up and would be better served as a reserve.

As once more St. Gloriana wasn't using their usual style of slow advanced with precision firing, but a more open and hard-hitting formula that was present in their opening round match.

However, this seem to be the ploy of Viking Fisheries, working on timing their retreat while a portion of their force had broken off and worked their way undetected to the rear of St. Gloriana's lines to attack the isolated flag tank. At first glance that seem to be the winning formula, as the Viking Fisheries force attacked and took out Darjeeling's escort Matilda's, then focus on the flag tank for the final takedown and complete the upset. However, we were to learn later, that this was all part of Darjeeling's plan, who had her own strategy to use great timing to defeat her enemy.

The first part was drawing the Viking Fisheries air force into battle, as the mounting pressure by Rosehip's platoon cause them to deploy their air force to slow her down, which was an ambush as St. Gloriana countered at the right time with their own Zero fighters that bore down on the enemy fighters and wipe them out, leaving air superiority in St. Gloriana's hand, that then rain down rockets on Viking Fisheries flag tank and its escorts giving time for the rest of the Rosehip's attacking force to bear down.

Then came the moment of truth for Darjeeling, as just as she was about to feel the bite of Viking Fisheries ambushers, a volley of 17 Pounder guns roar through the air, cutting down the ambushers to just one lone tank. As St. Gloriana's newest tanks made their presence known in the feared British tank destroyer the A30 Challenger made its debut for the Sensha-do world to see.

From there the match was a sure thing for St. Gloriana, as Rosehip who had flank around the Neubaufahrzeug, Viking Fisheries flag tank, disable its track leaving the tank expose and was to be subjected to fire from St. Gloriana's capture tank the Jagdpanzer 4, that promptly put the heavy tank down and secure the match.

Once more, St. Gloriana prove that their new tactics aren't to be overlooked. Their speed has taken now two opponents by surprise, while they now have heavy punch with their newest tanks in the A30 Challenger and their Jagdpanzer 4, and add on an impressive M24 Chaffee to the team and your left wondering what else they're going to reveal going forward.

Though I know most analysts won't be impressed by St. Gloriana, who are supposed to be beating teams like this, and would only be wowed if they manage to beat Pravda or Kuromorimine, both schools they haven't beaten very many times in their school's history as of late. I know that right now this St. Gloriana is the deadliest one to grace the field in years and will not let themselves just be referred to as just a Top 4 team, they want to be thee top team in the league.

Everything had seem to be playing to the right tune for Viking Fisheries in the match, but alas as I said before the tournament, that if their master plan doesn't go all to schedule they have always struggled to make adjustments on the fly which is important in today's Sensha-do. Though that isn't to dissuade their fighting spirit, having been able to advance past the first round 2 straight years, seem to be making improvements as they go along and learning from past mistakes. If they ever learn to make backup plans, I believe Viking Fisheries will soon start pressing to be more than just a minor team in the years to come.

Semi-Finals Preview and My Thoughts:

Now we're finally here! The Semi-Finals and the chance for two teams to punch their tickets to reach the Final and a chance to take home the Victory Flag. The stakes of these matches are just as high as the Finals match, as these 4 teams have fought tooth and nail to be here, train till their bones and muscles ache, endure long hours of shells screaming at them, and shown immense courage in the heat of battle. These young ladies now put everything on the line and it all comes down to one simple question to determine who goes to that promised land.

It's quite simple and yet complex at the same time.

For the question is this.

Who wants it more?

Which we will be answering as the matches aren't far away, so allow me to offer my own thoughts on this question, as we look at each matchup and who I think will come out in the end.

Bracket A

4. Chi-Ha-Tan Academy vs 8. Pravda Girls High School

Preview:

Had you told me before the tournament that Chi-Ha-Tan, a team who hadn't won a match in a decade, had not taken a single tank down in all that time, who unfortunately has been a punching bag for many teams, and who is constantly snicker at by every team in the league would make it to the Semi-Final for the first time in 15 years.

I simply tell you that makes for a good underdog movie.

Now here we are, a nice idea for a movie that is reality, as Chi-Ha-Tan Academy is at the doorstep of history for their club. The final, a place they have never been before, which is something to think about when Chi-Ha-Tan was one of the original schools that opened when Sensha-do first began, making them the only one from the group of that time to not make the Final in their school's history, something I'm sure is a talking point for motivation for the team.

Their journey has been a long one for sure for Chi-Ha-Tan's Sensha-do team, having the year prior been humiliated by Saunders, and having to put themselves together to just qualify for the tournament which look like a momentous task. Yet transfer student and now Sensha-do's most adored tanker, Miho Nishizumi has whipped this team into an effective fighting unit from top to bottom. Earning themselves a reputation for having no fear and tenacity to resolve themselves to fight their enemies to the last tank, which also earn them the nickname Tigress Corps.

Having suffered many trials up to this point, I have to simply applaud these young ladies who keep meeting them with no despair in their hearts, just the resolve to fight harder and for each other. They seem more than just a team at times and more like family, which might explain their fierce nature they have to protect one another and why their coordination is on point.

While on the other end of the spectrum, we have the mighty Pravda Girls High School, a powerhouse school in every respect, but over its long history, it's been given the nickname 2nd Best. For that is what they were, 2nd best to other Top 4 schools, recently it had been Kuromorimine, but even before that, they were subjected to being beaten by the likes of Saunders and St. Gloria's on occasion, while they have suffered a host of upsets by minor teams that had shocked the Sensha-do world, like the triple trouncing they once received by BC Freedom in 2002, 2003, and 2007 in the national tournaments.

Yet something changed just before the 62nd National tournament, as unknown 2nd-year tank commander Katyusha took over the reins of command. She was not fine with the standard Pravda was at and completely changed the culture. Going from a rigid team that was stuck with using outdated tactics, to a flexible team that sought to overwhelm with power, speed, deceptiveness, and boldness. In only one year, the girls of Pravda weren't ok with just being 2nd best, they storm to the front and challenge the mighty Kuromorimine, daring to bare their fangs at the Tigers in defiance, done with being the hunted and wanted the be the hunter.

Though their victory in the Final of the 62nd Tournament has been shrouded with some controversy, as some have questioned why the match wasn't stopped when the Panzer 3 fell into the river, whatever the case was, Pravda claim their victory. They topple the standard of being 2nd best and grab the Victory Flag, they are the reigning champions, and this year they have stormed into the tournament with a single goal to keep the Victory Flag in their school and perhaps create their dynasty.

Now for some stats that some might find interesting and probably the reason I base my thoughts on. In an all-time matchup record, Pravda is 46-4 all-time against Chi-Ha-Tan in official sanction matches outside of practice matches. Riding on a 23-game win streak against the club, though maybe it's time for a change.

My Predicted Winner: Pravda Girls High School

I'm probably going to end up being a wanted man and banned from ever entering the port city of, Narashino Chi-Ha-Tan's base port since once more I'm picking against them. Now I've really thought this out, trying to weigh reality with what might happen. However the more and more I go over the charts all I see is Pravda with every advantage they need to finally be the ones to trounce the Tigress Corps.

One factor playing into my decision is that rumors are swirling that Chi-Ha-Tan cannot repair their Tiger 1, due to budget and spare part shortages, whether this is true or not is up for debate. Though if this turns out to be true, will severely hamper Chi-Ha-Tan's chances since it's the one tank that can duel with all of Pravda's tanks from extreme distances, with only the Type 4 Chi-To and Type 4 Na-To as other viable options but at shorter ranges.

While Pravda can sit back and snipe at the Chi-Ha-Tan tanks who will have to be at point-blank range to do any damage. A problem that they have overcome under Commander Miho's leadership, but there comes a limit, especially when now face with over 23 tanks of Pravda arsenal. Add on the factor that over half the members of that team are from the championship team a year prior, which gives them an advantage in experience at this level and working with large numbers of tanks as a team.

There are advantages that Chi-Ha-Tan can exploit against Pravda, as no team is completely invincible, but we're asking a lot from a team who don't have the firepower to duel with the reigning champs. Which makes the match field they are to play on that much more significant when it's decided. If it's an open map that has little to no cover, the Pravda tanks will likely use speed to get into advance positions and snipe at Chi-Ha-Tan as they come on. However, if the match field is played in a mountain or hilly terrain, the advantage could go to Chi-Ha-Tan, who can use the uneven ground to play havoc on Pravda who have to be mindful that most of their tanks have terrible gun depression that could expose them if they get caught on an incline.

Yet in the grand view of all these facts, it's irrefutable that Pravda has all the advantages over Chi-Ha-Tan. They aren't a team that's too proud to match their opponent with lighter tanks if need be, they are well trained at all crew positions, and if they do have the chance to unleash their firepower, Chi-Ha-Tan well have to contend with Sensha-do Ace sniper in Vice Commander Nonna who boast a 95% hit rate at ranges of 1000 meters and has more than once taken out flag tanks without the enemy even having a chance to react.

While another part of me, though I wish not to make light of someone's family going through a difficult time, but I will say this gently as I can, Miho Nishizumi is dealing with the fact that her family name is in a distraught state over recent events and we know that off the field issues can play a factor in keeping your calm on the field, especially in a young girl like herself who's probably feeling like the weight of the world is on her shoulders.

I hope that both sides give us a show to remember in the end no matter the result, and leave everything on the field.

Bracket A

9. Kuromorimine Girls Academy vs 16. St. Gloriana Girls College

Preview:

A matchup that has been seen countless times, seen some of the greatest generations of tankers duke it out, and at sometimes feels like a Finals match even in a practice match, as both sides boast being part of the original school's birth when Sensha-do came to be. Though as times have changed and so far Kuromorimine has the edge in terms of success, St. Gloriana can boast that they were the 1st National Champions in Sensha-do, beating Kuromorimine to boast too. Those earlier years had seen them go at one another in desperate matches, fighting for every inch, unloading a point blank range, and neither side backing down.

The rivalry pitted some of the greatest generations of tankers to grace our sport, the most notable was the close duels between Shiho Nishizumi and Chiyo Shimada, whose matches always came down to a final desperate duel between the two women. I had fond memories of those battles, as my older sister was a huge fan of Sensha-do, so we watch the matches together, and was probably the first step in my want to be a reporter for the Sensha-do Federation.

However, let's not get distracted, for this legendary and longstanding rivalry is set to take place in the here and now, with all the heightened tension you can ask for, with both teams reaching for the ticket to the Final, but only one school can go. Means we're in for a match that will come down to the wire as it always does when they meet, but who has the edge here, is the question.

Kuromorimine would be a good guess for sure at first glance, push out the drama facing the team at the moment. They enter this tournament with more fire than they were used to seeing, which can be attributed to the fact they are coming off a loss in the Final the previous year that could have completed a 10-year win streak but fell short. Meaning there was a debt to settle and after the first round thumbing of Bellwall, many assume they are right on track to get back to the Final.

However, Kuromorimine has shown in their recent match with BC Freedom there is a blueprint for success to beat their mighty cats. I'm sure St. Gloriana will be analyzing with a magnifying glass to discover a formula to finally break through the iron wall of their rivals. Though while we might scrutinize that match for Kuromorimine for how close it was to them losing, we also must look at how their new commander Erika Itsumi shows that when her back is against the wall, she can think outside the box to obtain victory, something that can be the difference between winning and losing for a Sensha-do team.

If Commander Erika can keep progressing as she has done, and find more ways for Kuromorimine to make full use of their arsenal, then I believe they have a very good chance to make their way back to the final. Though in terms of this match, I believe they have an edge as they can unleash such a large tank force that will have heavy firepower that can overwhelm St. Gloriana from great distances.

For St. Gloriana, they must be seeing a huge golden opportunity to get back to the final for the first time in 5 years, while also avenging their school's loss in that last final where they were to be beaten by Kuromorimine, who were enjoying their win streak at the time.

This St. Gloriana team has all the tools they need to make that happen, as the capture reward for tanks has seen them add some nice additions to their roster. Not to mention the debut of the A30 Challenger tank, with its 17 Pounder gun that can crack a lot of the tough German panzers at distance as well, has leveled the playing field for Commander Darjeeling enough to take advantage of and help bring her team to glory. While also their team is no longer relying on their old tactics of slow advance and sharp volleys entirely. Making use of their speedy Mk 3 Crusaders, they have added a quick jab in their playbook, and now the Challengers, Churchill, and Jagpanzer 4 are the heavy uppercut to separate the foe from their equilibrium to win the match.

With both sides prime for a 12-round fight, but who can come out on top is the question.

My Predicted Winner: Kuromorimine Girls Academy

Probably the toughest prediction I have to make this entire tournament so far, but even with their team adjusting to life without a Nishizumi and also the close run match against BC Freedom, I still firmly believe in Kuromorimine to find the answer to win in the end. The main reason that makes me believe they have the edge is just better longer-range weaponry, as their force of Panthers, King Tiger, Jagdpanthers, and various other tanks in their roster can engage enemies at extreme distance. Add on that their overall gunnery can see them hit their target first time 83% of the time which is higher by a large margin compared to other schools.

St. Gloriana on the other hand has only the Challenger tanks that can duel at extreme distances, while the rest have to close the gap significantly before they have any effect. A troubling problem to have when a lot of your tanks were in fact designed to be infantry tanks like in the Matilda and Churchill, that move slowly even at the highest gear, which is why the Crusader tanks were deployed to be able to get at the enemy first to either stifle their advance till their main body catches up, that is their team's speed jab to throw the opponent off balance.

That won't be the case with Kuromorimine, whose Panthers are built with a speed that will be able to meet the Queen of Speed Rosehip. Bringing to bear better armor and guns that can wipe out a platoon in seconds before they know what hit them. It leaves a lot to be desired for St. Gloriana to match up with in the end. While at the same time, Kuromorimine boasts a large and veteran tank force that has been in these types of situations before, giving a slight advantage over the reserve crews of St. Gloriana who are being thrust into the spotlight with a large number of tanks needed to be deployed.

With these factors, is why I believe Kuromorimine will overcome St. Gloriana, in the end, to return to the final for a chance to regain their lost Victory Flag. Though at the end of the day, these two teams will be giving everything they have for just that chance, and the outcome is not set in stone for anyone.

Ending thoughts:

Well there we have it, we know the winners and losers in the 2nd round, as well as the preview of the upcoming matches that will determine who heads to the final. Audiences around Japan and the world are holding their breath with great anticipation to see these matches play out finally, knowing all it takes is one shell to change the course of history.

That's all from me, thanks for reading this report, and will see you again when the dust settles, the cannons go quiet, and the remaining team's left standing ready to face off for the Victory Flag once and for all.

Till then, this is your leading correspondent Soseki Morita sighing off.