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Buckley's Block PTO (id:#62916)
(ASL Journal #12 ID: J189)   [next]   [previous]
Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island 1944-01-13 (0 others)
Designer: Darrell Anderson
Starter kit scenario?:    Deluxe scenario?:
 
Balance:
JapaneseAmerican (USMC)
47.014925373134%

Overview:

The Marines had solidly established their presence on Cape Glouchester, secured their initial objectives, and continued to push south and east. A major campaign objective was Hill 660. Confident that Hill 660 would be taken a detachment from the Weapons Company of 7th Marines was sent to cut off any Japanese retreat along a coastal trail. Soon after the sounds of battle died down from Hill 660, the first Japanese scouts were sighted as they tried to rejoin their comrades to the east.
Attacker: Japanese (141st Infantry Regiment, 51st Division)
Defender: American (USMC) (Weapons Company, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division)  
6 turns
    Players: 2     OBA: None     Night: No
Unit Counts:
Squads: A:12.0 D:6.0
AFVs: A:0
AFVs: D:1
M3 GMC

Guns: A:0
Type 89 Heavy Grenade-Launcher x 2
D:1
M3A1 37mm AT Gun

Victory Conditions:

Exit VP: Building Control VC: Area Control VC:
Unit Based VC: LOS Style VC: CVP Cap:
Misc Rules: PTO (G.1), Wet EC (B25.5), Mud (E3.6), Falling Rain (E3.51), NQ (A20.3)
Map Board(s):
7 37 Show/hide map dependencies
PublicationBoard
ASL 5a - For King and Country7
ASL 13 - Rising Sun37
ASL 13 - Rising Sun (2021)37
ASL 8 - Code of Bushido37
Overlays: NONE
Errata (source)
Players wanting to play this game/Request a match:

Scenario info

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Last Played:
DateReporterOpponentBal.ResultTimeComments
2025-06-10(A) Rob Schmitt vs Mitch Davis American (USMC) winClose game till last two turns when USMC dice got hot as Japanese were running for the board exit.
2025-04-10(A) Andy Beaton vs Bruce StevensonD Japanese win3 hrsDice were in favour of the US, except for one roll where a Japanese LMG took out the American halftrack. Without that lucky shot, the US would have won.
2025-03-13(D) rene cote vs mrosberg American (USMC) win
2025-02-08(A) Mark Thompson vs Herbert Heyman American (USMC) win
2025-02-07(A) Peter Palmer vs Dan LeporeD Japanese winFriday Night Fights Game 4
This was very enjoyable. we took it easy pace wise but still got through it in a single session. Mud is the great leveller for the Japanese love of manoeuvre and the first two turns were trying to get into position for the mid game.
Unfortunately I completely muffed my positioning of my leaders and had units out of position and couldn't buy a deploy roll to save myself . Dan was mounting a great fall back defense and I just couldn't get momentum. Rain went heavy on Turn 2 and I was able to get into a pivotal yet inconclusive HTH CC - and then the US HMG malfing allowed me to start threatening the southern route.
The game really turned on Turn 4 when my CCs went in my favour apart from one. The ATG Canister only got one shot before I CCed the crew and that was only versus an adjacent unit so much less effective than normal. I really started to put some hurt on the US with casualty CVP, and then I captured the gun, blew it it up firing it, and was able to force a late redeployment from the TD.

Mistakes were made by both sides, I forgot to attempt two TH heroes in the movement phase and so DFF pinned both units. Dan was in a way too disciplined D1F wise and missed an great opportunity to lay a firelane down the exit hexrow. I did manage to keep some squads intact for the late game which mean striping finally helped. while I accumulated 22 VP, it was very tight right up until that last turn, especially with both Halftrack hunting half squads getting pinned right next to the M3 GMC in DFF (see missed TH opportunities.)

Enjoyable game, awesome opponent, great ASL session.
2025-02-07(A) David Garvin vs Rich Domovic American (USMC) winAs part of FNF. I ended up only amassing 11 VP out of the required 20. That said, was a fun game and I'd play this one again. Either side!
2024-05-07(D) Kevin Sanders vs Robert Brown American (USMC) winRain became hvy (extra LV) and things got tight. Japanese did not get a lot of banzai opportunities. Americans luckier in later rounds with wounds to 2 of 3 leaders and a few CC wins. Tight game
2024-04-25(A) Kevin Sanders vs Jason Littleton Japanese win Bit of a steamroll by the Japanese, Good use of the Banzai and HtH vs. the Armored Truck. Was over by T3.
2024-04-01(A) Alex Ashton vs Martin Barker American (USMC) winGreat learning scenario for the Japanese.
Conducted my first ever Banzai which saw the Japanese decimated. However I had better luck with my DC Hero who DMed an American squad.
In the end I couldn’t break through Martin’s defences .
I resigned at the end of turn 4 as I has suffered too many casualties to fulfil victory conditions.
2023-11-16(D) Paul Legg vs Craig BennD Japanese winBounding Fire Tournament PTO Mini - Round 1
2022-02-07(A) Rob MacGinley vs James Short Japanese winThe IJA push forward in force - the American need to use their Firepower - I was able to swarm and destroy
2021-12-12(A) John Garlic vs Matthew Romey American (USMC) win[Imported from ROAR]
2020-10-18(D) walter mcwilliams vs Tom Kerney Japanese winRound two found Tom with the Japs attack my Marines. First time I am aware I played the Marines, seems I'm always the Japanese. This also went to the last turn, and the Marines did a great job withdrawing. However, no canister spelled and early end for the ATG and from turn 4 on I failed every NMC and 1MC I was required to make. Tom mass banzied to make up some ground and with only 1.5 squads left I threw in the towel with no chance of denying him the CVP/exit VP to win. A good scenario and think pretty even for both sides as is. Also, rain ended on the first WC DR and never returned.
2020-10-18(A) Tom Kearney vs Walt McWilliams Japanese winMassive Banzai charge for the win.
2020-06-29(A) Dave Mareske vs Dennis Dowd Japanese winThe Japanese walked into both the 37L and the halftrack, but both got off only one shot before breaking. Splitting the swamp in the center of the board the attacker was able to pressure the USMC into retreating or breaking from their positions. Plenty of CVP for the win, especially after the halftrack went down in CC. Thanks for the game Dennis as I continue my learning curve on VASL.
2020-05-10(A) Peter Palmer vs John Knowles American (USMC) win[Imported from ROAR]
2020-04-29(A) Ron Garcia vs Darryl M. Japanese win
2019-12-28(D) Dave Mareske vs Dan Best American (USMC) winA fun fast play that came down to the last turn with an American leader and full MMC taking out a Japanese crew in CC on the edge of the board to seal the victory. Lots happening in close tight movement quarters.
2019-12-28(A) Dan Best vs Dave Mareske American (USMC) win
2019-10-11(D) Andy Beaton vs Steve Tinsley Japanese winASLOK 2019
2019-03-11(A) Simon Staniforth vs American (USMC) win
2019-02-09(D) Ian Morris vs Gerard Burton Japanese win
2018-06-09(A) Andy Hershey vs Dave Johannsen Japanese win[Imported from ROAR]
2018-04-28(D) Stephen dedier vs Shipley, Eric American (USMC) winThis is a pretty quick playing scenario. Neither of us have played much PTO so we were doing a lot of rule consulting as we went thought but I feel like we got most things right and enjoyed it a lot.
My marines spread the defense and conducted a fighting withdrawal pretty well. My HMG malfed on turn 1 and then the manning squad went berserk and dropped the gun charging to their demise. I was able to recover the gun, repair it and use it in fallback.
Fighting against the Japanese is relentless. You keep trying to hammer on them and keep them from getting into CC with you or at least getting into CC with limited numbers. I was very lucky in that 2 times I won the ambush and was able to withdraw from the CC preserving my units.
The terrain is a real enemy of both sides. Japanese just can't move very fast but USMC get very few down X shots at them.
My opponent managed to maneuver so that my 37mm played no part in the battle (of course it was HIP) but the GMC did take it's toll on some infantry with the MG and 75 before I malfed the 75 and disabled the AAMG.
It came down to the last turn with my 3 squads trying to cover the exits and the Japanese trying to get off. Japanese just didn't quite make it with around 17 VP.
I think the Japanese need to Banzai at least once to try and cover the ground and just see if they can take the casualties and possibly overrun the marines. Although it doesn't seem far, the mud and jungle really limit the distance you can move.
2018-03-24(A) C. Scott Kippen vs Chuck Anderson American (USMC) win
2018-02-11(A) Richard Jenulis vs Rob Wirthlin American (USMC) winNWASL Championship 2018 - Rolled 2 x 12 on rally attempts giving Rob 2 points. Rob was able to exit final HS off board for 20 points and win.
2017-12-01(A) Michael Rodgers vs Mike Puccio Japanese winI won on the last turn by CVP and EVP.
2017-11-04(D) X von Marwitz vs Lars-Peder Jensen Japanese winFeeling that the alternative scenarios for this round were somewhat precarious for their balance (SP263 Snova Snare and ESG#21 Dying to Kill), we played J189 Buckley's Block with me defending as the Marines.

With Rain falling and Mud in effect, this scenario reflects some of the misery that soldiers fighting in PTO had to endure. A Japanese force of 12 squads, 7 of them Elite and well equipped with SW need to push 6 Marine squads out of the way that are supported by a 37mm ATG and an M3 GMC 75mm Gun-halftrack. CVP are gained either by killing Marines or exiting the board.

The problem for the Marines in this one is that they must not let the Japanese get close and personal because they cannot trade squads one on one with the attackers. As the terrain has a lot of Kunai between the Jungle, the Marines need to carefully consider their setup to inhibit the movement of the Japanese as much as possible.

My plan was to appear strongest on the southern side of board 37 to lure the Japanese to attacking into the teeth of my defence closer to the sea. Whether by my malicious subterfuge or his own volition, the Japanese schwerpunkt of the attack came where I wanted it.

The first two Japanese movement phases were mainly taken up with approach and some feeling out my defences. I was holding back most of my fire where possible, redeployed a bit in the south and kept the scouts at bay with a FL. I believe it was the Japanese Turn 3 when the fighting began in earnest. I had all MGs and 4 squads on my northern flank and was getting the lead out foiling most Japanese approach attempts. In the return fire, one of my Marine squads with MMG broke, though.

This is when things become difficult for the Marines: With only 6 squads, not all of which will be found on one flank, the breaking of any one of them will be sorely felt – especially if it carries one of the MGs. Falling back to a spot where they can find enough time to rally before the Japanese close in to re-DM them is not easy.

It became apparent, that the Japanese would attempt to break through in the North close to the river. Despite my left southern flank was significantly weaker and there were some Japanese lurking there, my M3 GMC Gun-ht and the ATG could hold them in check.

What some players may overlook but what makes a huge difference in this scenario -per US Multi Applicable Ordnance Note C:

„Printed canister Depletion numbers are increased by three for use in the PTO unless the superscript "P" is present to indicate that canister is available only in the PTO; e.g., "C7" becomes "C10" when used in the PTO, but "C7P" is used as "C7" and only in the PTO.“

Furthermore, Marines are an Elite formation upping Special Ammo by one. This means the ATG has a Canister depletion number of 11. Or in other words unlimited Canister unless the Gun breaks.
With no TH roll required to potentially apply 12 FP into three hexes in one shot and the capability to keep ROF, this seemingly little 37mm AT-Gun is in reality a deadly killer in this scenario.

My Marines fell back parallel to the Japanese to take up positions infesting the exit area with Fire Lane opportunities and at the same time threatening to do the same in the direction of the advancing Japanese behind the Marines.

I had also in mind, chancing Bog in the Mud conditions, to fall back with the Gun-ht and have it thrash into the Jungle to gain LOS over the exit area towards the river. Good to note: If its crew Abandons the halftrack, it can remove the AAMG as a dm .50 Cal heavy MG. Might require some time to get it out and assemble it, to pass it on to another unit and for the crew maybe even to re-occupy the ht, but it is worth to keep in mind.

Unfortunately, we were running short of time to get the scenario finished before the deadline. Though my position might have been a bit favorable with regard to the outcome, we decided to avoid having the scenario judged and rolled for it. The lower dr would win, a tie would result in a draw. The outcome was a Japanese win and a loss for me.

A good PTO scenario that we both found entertaining and exciting.
2017-10-25(D) Jeremy Busby vs Jason Wert American (USMC) win
2017-10-24(A) Jason Wert vs Jeremy Busby American (USMC) winReally great game with Jeremy. Conducted a few banzais as the IJA but was able to make good headway across the board as the USMC steadily readjusted to our overload near the ocean edge. In the end managed 15 VP, but couldnt get a few off due to intense residual by USMC from jungle firebase. Great scenario
2017-10-13(A) Christian Knudsen vs Neil Andrews Japanese winThis was a fun one, with lots of banzai, some exciting TH-Heroism, and so on. I do think, however, that the US should be given the balance on this one, as the Japanese won both our playings, even after I attacked right where Neil thought I would. The Amis need one more squad to offset the Japanese ability to pile down one side or the other.
2017-09-29(D) Christian Knudsen vs Neil Andrews Japanese winSee my playing above - this one is fun, but I think the Americans need the balance.
2017-08-15(D) Lawrence Spangler vs Diane Spangler American (USMC) win
2017-08-15(A) Diane Spangler vs Lawrence SpanglerA American (USMC) win
2017-07-12(D) Jeff B vs Scott Sherer American (USMC) win5.25 hrsA fun, fast-playing scenario. I think the Japanese must conduct banzai after banzai in this one to stand a chance. If not, the mud will hamper their movement to a very large extent. We also had heavy rain for a good part of the game which I would've thought would be to their advantage, but I really think it worked to the Marines' advantage with their higher firepower bases. We actually had very few CCs in this as the Marines tried to always keep an arm's length away.
2017-07-12(A) Scott Sherer vs Jeff B American (USMC) win
2017-06-16(D) X von Marwitz vs Michael Koch Japanese winSmall PTO scenario that is designed to be pretty intense. I had the USMC in this one. Even with hindsight, I was pretty content with my defensive setup. There were, however some few key occurrences that turned the game in favor to the Japanese who came out with a clear win. A rather lucky shot broke a USMC breakwater squad early. This in itself would not have been crucial. Closely thereafter, a 668+MMG broke too on the same flank. The gap this opened allowed the Japanese to get closer vs. less defensive FP and ADJACENT to a stack of 2x348 with the HMG plus 8-1 and the broken 668+MMG which had routed back. USMC PBF generated HoB vs. a Japanese 448+DC turning it Berserk and providing it with enough MF to enter the hex of the stack, where it blew up the DC and screwed up the USMC. At last in the same turn, a DC hero could not be affected by a 20-1 and 2x 15-1 attacks, thus blowing up the last 668+MMG key defender. This mess left me losing all three US MGs in one turn and pretty much the game. I tried to fight on, and the ATG did very well with Canister. But when I lost my 8-1 to fate, a HS stacked with him to LLMC and another HS also to fate in the next RPh, the 'fate' of the USMC was sealed.
2017-06-10(A) Rich Weiley vs Dave Wilson Japanese winJunoBear 2017 - Round one
2017-06-10(D) Peter Palmer vs Andrew Rogers Japanese win[Imported from ROAR]
2017-06-09(D) Andy Beaton vs Jonathan Kay Japanese winHeavy rain from turn 1 impeded American fire and let Japanese get close enough for CC. Killed lots of them but they're lives meant nothing. Next time will try retreating more - not enough Americans to stand still and fight.
2017-04-07(A) Eric Partizan Eric vs American (USMC) win
2017-02-25(A) Allen Evenson vs Steve Buckley American (USMC) winMy first PTO terrain game. Steve's US forces worked me over pretty badly. I never had much luck, starting with first weather roll going to Heavy rain = no quality shots for Japanese (7 +2 about the best I could do). Had several CC rolls go bad as well. Fun game though that I would like to try again.
2017-01-14(A) Andy Hershey vs Keith Spurlock Japanese win[Imported from ROAR]
2017-01-14(D) keith Spurlock vs Andy Hershey Japanese win[Imported from ROAR]
View all or balance report
ActionDate
Robert7721 Added a playing2025-06-11 01:04:14
aiabx Added a playing2025-04-11 04:48:04
Thompsonmg(MGT) Added a playing2025-03-21 14:13:22
Hutch Modified the misc. rules2025-03-13 11:16:31
rangercote Added a playing2025-03-13 01:51:48
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(J189 Buckley's Block.vsav)VASL Setupmikegrogan436711
VASL Scenario Setup (J189 Buckley's Block v667.vsav)VASL SetupTuruk379
(jap-usmc.png)Imagehoxson11288
(J189 Buckley's Block Scenario Archive.jpg)Map Imagevon Marwitz1349
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Statistics:
Avg Rating: 6.96Votes: 46
Views: 5462
To-Play list count: 4
Estimated Play time: 2.8 hours
Recorded Games: 40
Archive recorded plays:
Japanese22
American (USMC)18
Drawn:0

ROAR Data: (as of today)
Buckley's Block [Confirmed]
[A] American 41
[D] Japanese 53
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