A Flood of Violence is the third mission in the Chinese campaign of Generals. The operation proved to be a pyrrhic Chinese victory - the destruction of the Three Gorges Dam led to a critical loss of power for the region and harmed the Chinese war economy.[1]
Background[]
The Hong Kong Crisis came to an end when China eradicated the GLA terror cell and toxin facility from one of China's economic centres. However reports came afterwards that the Three Gorges Dam was under heavy attack from the GLA and the commander was put in charge of the surviving forces.
Key units[]
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Events[]
Initial GLA Assault[]
Early in the morning, GLA forces of troops and tanks staged a preemptive strike on the PLA Three Gorges Dam garrison, destroying the base and killing whatever troops were left who resisted. Quickly gathering whoever was left from the garrison, Black Lotus decided quickly that the only way to stop the GLA was to destroy the Three Gorges Dam and flood the valley below, eliminating the GLA forces and buildings below the flood plain. Not bothering to wait for her high command or the Politiburo to decide, she immediately ordered the armor present to set about destroying the dam, while a platoon of infantry took up positions in a nearby bunker and guard tower, repelling any GLA survivors who came too close. It was then that Black Lotus noticed a GLA tank also attempting to destroy the dam on the other side.
In minutes, the dam was weakened enough for the water to break the dam, the full force of the Yangtze River bearing down on the GLA and anyone unfortunate enough to be in the area. It was then that the true intent of the GLA had been revealed. By destroying the dam, the water level of the river was dropping drastically. The GLA had planned to cross the river this way from the beginning.
Repelling the Assault[]
Having to establish a base, the Chinese commander ordered defenses set up along the bank, as well as ordering his two Dragon Tanks to set fire to the most likely area the GLA would use to cross. Ordering an artillery barrage along the opposite bank, he only partially weakened the assault force, though the combination of Scorpion tanks and rebels was quickly destroyed.
Building an airfield, the PLA commander ordered his MiGs to make a sweep of the area and scout out the situation. Flying low over the city nearby, the MiG pilots reported back that they had sighted no civilians in the streets, and reported that the GLA had killed everybody. Angered, the commander gave clearance for the MiGs to unleash their ordnance.
By this time, the Chinese force had grown considerably, and the commander ordered his forces across. The GLA had time to prepare, however, and much of the city was either damaged or destroyed by the ensuing battle. Despite this, the Chinese force advanced through the wrecked city, with MiG air support.
Sending Black Lotus ahead to act as both an artillery spotter and scout, she discovered the main GLA base just to the south of the Chinese positions in an industrial area, with two stinger sites to the west of the base, away from the Chinese forces. Giving the order, the Chinese commander ordered that his forces move in on all essential GLA buildings, staying clear of the stinger sites. The base was quickly annihilated soon after.
Aftermath[]
Despite repelling the GLA, Chinese losses were severe. The loss of the Three Gorges Dam garrison, the deaths of hundreds of civilians and cleansing a village of its inhabitants, as well as the destruction of the Three Gorges Dam itself, led to a massive loss of power over much of China. It would take months for the damage to be undone and the dam to be rebuilt while the GLA attempted to force a secession of Tibet through their capture of a bio-toxin facility.
Walkthrough[]
Protect Black Lotus at all costs, as she cannot be replaced if lost.
Build a Reactor, a Command Center, and the Supply Center.
Send Black Lotus to the west and capture an Oil Refinery (10% vehicle cost discount), as well as the Oil Derrick. The neutral Dozer will become available for use once a friendly unit gets close.
Garrison the Tank Hunters inside the Watchtower, and Red Guards everywhere else. Use the Battlemasters and Dragon Tanks to destroy the Dam, as otherwise you'll face a few waves of enemy units. If you don't, the GLA AI will eventually do it themselves with Scorpions.
Once the water level rises, build a Barracks and maybe a War Factory. Air power is essential in this mission (the only enemy AA in the entire mission is a Stinger Site placed deep within the base), so place an Air Field in the back.
As Scorpions will gain their Rocket upgrade shortly into the mission, vehicles fare poorly in the mission. Instead, take literal advantage of China's strength in numbers with their infantry units. Train additional Tank Hunters and Red Guards as you see fit - Five of each alongside a Dozer must be positioned near the temple and move in as soon as possible. Garrison the infantry inside the temple and build a Gattling Cannon, then keep the Dozer behind the temple. As Toxin Tractors are not available in this mission, the GLA AI will be forced to throw endless waves of units in hopes of breaking through. Black Lotus can be used liberally to provide forward recon, since the AI won't produce any Radar Vans.
There will be a couple of structures with enemy units inside. Dragon Tanks will fall quickly to Scorpions, so use MiGs. Place them on Guard mode so they could patrol the area and blunt enemy offenses. Build extra Air Fields if necessary, and remember there's a supply dock to the south. Load up Troop Crawlers with 4 Red Guards and 4 Tank Hunters each, then send them a bit closer alongside extra Dozers Once the area is secure, the Troop Crawler can drop off its payload and withdraw. The infantry will easily fend off any GLA forces as long as the Dozer keeps their garrisoned structure repaired. Repeat this multiple times with several structures.
The GLA base isn't impenetrable, but the lack of artillery units can be a significant issue. Infantry will seriously struggle to break in, and vehicles aren't much better either. Black Lotus can be used to remove all fog of war, but avoid capturing them as she breaks stealth when using her abilities. The best approach here is to ensure a proper line of defense with infantry while using the MiGs to slowly whittle away the structures. The AI won't build any workers from the Command Center, so target the Supply Stash first. Eventually, the AI will run out of Workers.
Use the level 2 artillery barrage ability once the Stinger Site can be located. This ensures the MiGs can operate more effectively. Move infantry and Dozers closer as the situation asks for it and suppress anything they produce. Eventually, use the MiGs to destroy the Arms Dealer and Barracks. The AI will no longer be able to produce anything, and whatever that's left can be mopped up by infantry.
Trivia[]
- Preventing the dam's destruction is extremely difficult, but possible, through clever use of Black Lotus and Artillery Barrages.
- The Arms Dealer can produce Technicals, Radar Vans and Scorpions. The Rocket Buggy is included, but cannot be produced, as the Palace is not available during this mission.
- The Tunnel Network is in the Workers' command set, but isn't used by the AI.
- One may use the Mig planes to attack the GLA base, destroy the chemical factory to choke up GLA Rebel soldiers at the GLA base.
- The temple does not exist in real life.
- The real Three Gorges Dam is guarded by a military installation due to its importance, and would not be actually vulnerable terrorism.
Controversy[]
- The mission involves China using scorched earth tactics, including the napalm missiles on its MiGs, and the destruction of the Three Gorges Dam.
Gallery[]
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ Electronic Arts Pacific, Command & Conquer: Generals. China mission 3: "A Flood of Violence".
