Help with Battle Start

[Japlmg]

I've been away from the game for about 5 months (long business trip with only a laptop), and just got back into the game after Christmas. Lots has changed!

I loaded version 1.7.0.0, and started a new campaign about a week ago. After years of game time, I finally got into a war, and got into position for my first battle.

I hit "Fight" and the game goes into the battle preparation screen, with the "Loading Level" and the Hourglass. After less than a minute, the hourglass goes away, and it just keeps blinking the Loading Level, and it appears to be hug up. I have waited well over an hour (while preparing dinner) for it to finish, and it is still Loading Level. I've exited and restarted, and it keeps doing the same thing.

On Port Raids, the game goes about it's thing, and reports results.

But with a battle, it always hangs up ay Loading Level.

Anyone else seeing this issue? Anyone have any idea what is going on?