Awara

**Awara** (あわら市, *Awara-shi*) is a city located in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2021, the city had an estimated population of 27,107 in 10,140 households and the population density of 232 persons per km². The total area of the city was 116.98 square kilometres (45.17 sq mi).

## Overview

Awara is part of ancient Echizen Province. During the Edo period, the area was divided between the holdings of Fukui Domain, Maruoka Domain and Nishio Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, it was organized into part of Sakai District in Fukui Prefecture. Awara Onsen was developed from June 1884. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the town of Kanazu and villages of Awara, Ii, Tsuboe, Hosorogi, Yoshizaki, Kitagata and Honjō were established. Awara was raised to town status in February 1935. The villages of Ii, Tsuboe, Hosoroe, and Yoshizaki merged into Kanazu in October 1954, and Kitagata and Honsho were merged into Awara in March 1955. Most of Awara Onsen burned down in a fire in April 1956. Awara and Kanazu merged to form the city of Awara on March 1, 2004.

## Chronology

### New World War Arc

As part of the Great Naval Invasion of Japan, the Special Extermination Operations Division of the Gra Valkas Empire's Army Air Corps, led by General Kaizal, the Division is given its first mission during the New World War. After the disastrous and failed invasions of the First and Second Advanced Fleets, the bomber crews are ordered to begin attacking Japanese cities, with their first target is the city of Nagoya.

After re-fueling at the air base in Riem, the bombers are loaded with incendiary bombs, and are led by Guti Maun Super Heavy Bombing Regiment Operation Director Arley Tolliger. The plan is to let a formation of 348 Antares fighters precede the greater than 200 Guti Maun Heavy Bombers in a low-level assault on the city of Awara. In addition to attacking the Japanese mainland, the fighters are to act as decoys to draw away any anti-aircraft defenses and intercepting aircraft. While the Japanese are distracted, the Guti Maun formation would reduce Nagoya to ashes from high-altitude. In addition, the 44th Task Force would form a radio blockade to disrupt Japanese communications and assist in the bombardment of Awara if possible.

However, this plan was doomed to fail from the start. Just after launching from Riem, both formations were immediately detected and the JASDF launched a massive wave of F-15J and F-2 fighters to intercept them. A few minutes before that, a flight of fifteen F-2 fighters launched an anti-ship missile strike against the 44th Task Force, sinking all 52 warships. The low-level formation of fighters was destroyed first, then the Guti Maun formation was then attacked by radar-guided missiles from beyond visual range. 120 bombers were shot down in a matter of minutes. Seeing that he had lost more than 50% of his formation, Tolliger ordered the remaining 83 bombers to turn back, seeing that it was a tactical defeat. Unfortunately, he and the remaining planes would not make it back to Riem as the F-15J fighters came within visual range to finish them off. The jets easily outperformed the bombers and the defensive firepower of the Guti Maun was could not shoot down a single Japanese fighter. Tolliger would be killed in action as his bomber was hit by a heat-seeking missile. The remaining bombers would also perish.

## Lay-out and Features

It is one of the few Hiragana cities in Japan. Awara is a city famous for its onsen resorts and natural hotwater springs.