Zero Hour (PBEM)

In 1941, as the powers of Europe were engaged in yet another war, Japan began to make moves to increase their influence in the Pacific. Two long-time colonial powers in the area, Holland and France, had been conquered by the Germans back at home. Another, the United Kingdom, was just hanging on. Japan, long with desires of building itself a empire out of the islands of the Pacific, saw an opportunity to strike while their enemies were weakened.

Japan's potential empire had even been given a name, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Mastery over the Dutch East Indies, Indo-China, Burma, Malay, and the Philippines would give Tokyo freedom from the Western powers. No longer would they have to rely on the will of the Europeans and Americans for their economic and political well being.

To bring about their empire the Japanese would have to first deal with the Soviet Union and the United States. The Soviets, in a colossal struggle for their very existence with Germany, decided to strike a deal with the Japanese. A non-aggression pact was signed between the two powers that allowed them to look to more important enemies.

No deal could be struck with the United States however. Besides refusing to agree to the conquest of the Dutch East Indies and Indo-China, the Americans had for years been meddling in the Sino-Japanese War. A group of American pilots, nicknamed the "Flying Tigers", had even volunteered to fight alongside the Chinese against the Japanese.

Japan begin making plans for war with the United States. The sinews of war were stored up, including steel, oil, coal, rubber, and tin. Soldiers, sailors, and pilots were trained and readied. Factory production of guns, tanks, ships, and airplanes was increased.

All that was left was to deal with the Americans...

This scenario attempts to recreate the Pacific War of World War II using the TOAW game engine. Although there are many flaws and errors in the game, it is the best attempt I could make to recreate the Pacific Theater using TOAW. The modified executable included in the zip package should be used for maximum performance. However, the scenario will still work with the normal TOAW exe file.

Thanks to all of the players who helped make Zero Hour (aka Pacific Strife) a better scenario:

• Guy Hawk who spend a lot of time as a play tester.
• Ming who won the first ever completed game as the Allies.
• SkyVon who offered several suggestions to improve Zero Hour.
• Laurent who played through a 'worst-case' scenario as the Allies.
• Easily Confused for playing testing the Japanese.