User blog comment:Tybaltcapulet/Georgy Zhukov vs Yan Xishan/@comment-35680048-20181212213317/@comment-35680048-20181217180008

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'''Overall/X-factors: This is probably to me, the closest matchups that I have done, and both commanders have their advantages. Xishan clearly has the homefield advantage at the border of Shanxi, a little different than what Zhukov is used to. But known to pretty much everyone is that Georgy Zhukov is clearly the better commander and presence than Xishan. To me his weapons are also better and are better to assist him in his disadvantages.'''

'''If this comes down to an ambush, the machine guns will be the most helpful thing in the fight. And in an ambush where Zhukov will be on the defensive, the capacity of weaponry and the ability to maintain fire from a fixed position will be of utmost importance. For LMG's the DP-28 is better for this role, as it has a considerablely larger amount of ammo, and has a bipod ready to set up to get more accurate fire on the incoming guerrillas. Again the ZB isn't a horrible weapon, it's lighter and faster to reload, but as for sustained fire, the DP-28 will be the ultimately better weapon.'''

'''For HMG's again we see that the PM 1910 is better in my opinion for a defensive role and can even overcome the 1917 should things turn over for Zhukov. It's a lot more consistent in fire rate and is essentially a tiny fortress, with a pretty useful shield. And it's not like the other soldiers won't be covering them, as they will be the most useful group in the battle.'''

'''And Zhukov is a lot more of a cautious leader than your standard Soviet generals such as Vasily Chuikov, so he won't be just throwing his men into battle. This is Stalin's favorite general here, he has a vast amount of exprerience on multiple fronts and can bring quite a calm mind into this fight. Another point others here haven't mentioned is that the USSR  did have experience in advising Chinese generals like Kai-Shek, who was the Generalissimo of the NRA, so the Red Army and the general wouldn't be completely clueless on how the guerrilla force operated. Granted they aren't insanely experienced with the region but Zhukov probably at least has a rough idea of what type of territory he's dealing with. Since this is a planned invasion and not just a random encounter, he has time to plan before he makes his way over to the province.'''

'''To me, I believe that Xishan will have the edge in the beginning if he can get a good ambush and put Zhukov's men into a defensive. His knowledge of the land and his guerrilla tactics will be a valuable asset to the battle and provide a great challenge to Zhukov. But once Zhukov gets his bearings and establishes a solid defense, it's all over for Xishan. He's dealing with quite a competent general who isn't keen on just straight up charging at his enemy, and an equal force that has their own advantages against them. When men start to whittle down, it will allow Zhukov to start to push back and establish his dominance as the clearly superior commander.'''

'''Xishan will fight very, very hard, and I don't underestimate his tactical ability in any way. But Zhukov has the better weapons, is the better leader, and the better presence for his army than his counterpart.'''

Georgy Zhukov: 2550

Yan Xishan: 2450