By the fourth day of fighting at Nhpum Ga, the Japanese had completely surrounded the 2nd Battalion of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) -- popularly known as "Merrill's Marauders". The 3rd Battalion's morning patrol from Hsamshingyang encountered a strong Japanese trail block about 400 yards north of the 2nd Battalion's perimeter at Nhpum Ga. The patrol tried to break through but finally had to withdraw back to Hsamshingyang. Colonel George McGee then decided to break the trail block from Nhpum Ga and carefully thinned out his perimeter to form a strike force.
Attacker: American (2nd Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) "Merrill's Marauders")
Raiders drove through the jungle, driving IJA back. Raiders exited 3 squads and leader. But IJA held two hexes of road, locked in CC with reinforcements. Played with IJA HIP, made it more real. Now as as "Diaper and Spoon' scenario, rIJA refuse to give up..
2023-02-08
(A) Jack Wilson
vs
Bob T.
American win
Fun scenario. The Japanese have two ways to win: 1. keep the Americans from exiting the 4 VP or have a unit on or within one hex of the "road" that runs the length of the board. The first one is a tall order given the American superiority in numbers and the Japanese anemic OB. But the second condition is what the American player has to worry about. The VC state any unit (even a broken 8+1 leader) near the road at game end is enough to win.
Thus, the Americans need to drive relentlessly forward toward the VC exit hexes, while being careful not to let any strays slip around either flank and threaten the security of the road.
Bob elected to hold the line on the advancing Americans. A tactic that might have succeeded if he had gotten some better DRs. In the event, the Americans won every single CC. We both agreed it might have been better to send that pesky 8+1 leader on a flanking raid into the American backfield. This would have required a couple of MMCs to chase it down thereby diluting the attacking force driving up the road.
Still, the game came down to the last turn with the Japanese almost being able to interdict the road and pull off the victory.
Fairly fast playing SK PTO fun.
2022-12-31
(A) Craig Renier
vs
Bob W
Japanese win
The Americans pushed hard on the right with a feint up the center. The Japanese pulled back gradually preventing any American Def Fire and maintaining concealment. On Turn 2 in the center a Japanese squad with MMG revealed itself and fired on a concealed American stack with a 9-2 leader, 2 MMCs and the MMG. The Japanese attack resulted in a MC. The leader broke and the MMCs CR'd. This setback was difficult to recover from. The American pressed the attack on the right side. The 10-2 leader moved to rally the broken leader and HS's, but they were slow to rally. The Americans drove on despite repeatedly breaking under fire. The Japanese mortar came into action, firing WP, keeping rate, and breaking more American squads. The Japanese did take some loses allowing the Americans to enter CC with favorable odds. On the final turn, the Americans moved 4 VP of MMC and leader off board and surrounded and entered into CC with two Japanese MMCs on the board edge while one Japanese MMC hovered on the American left ready to move in to the road. On the Japanese last turn, the MMC on the left moved towards the road taking PBF twice. They were reduced to a HS, but were able to maneuver adjacent to the road. The Marines won the final CC, but the Japanese had already won the game.
2021-05-18
(D) O Ramaille
vs
Loïc Gourdon
Japanese win
The Americans attacked hard on the Japanese at first. The Japanese skillfully withdrew in the Jungle waiting for them along the path. The Americans advanced cautiously, perhaps too cautiously, without deploying. They ran out of time and rushed in the last turn to the exit area. But the Japanese were still numerous enough to defend the area. Only an American leader managed to exit the map for 1 VP, not sufficient for the win.
A Japanese victory.
