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")
This was a nail-biter, and one of the best ever ASLSK scenarios my buddy and I have ever played.
Americans pushed steadily forward, but the wily Japanese skulked and shot just enough to slow them down. The first turn saw the 8+1 leader set up on a flank to run behind the line and creep to the road get blasted into oblivion, completely changing the Japanese plan of attack.
After a back and forth that was exciting and had crazy moments for both sides, it came down to the final roll: an American 9-1 leader vs a crew and striped first line Japanese squad in hand to hand combat, no ambush. The Japanese rolled snake eyes, for a kill. Then the American rolled , but only a six was in the dice tower tray…the other die flew out an needed to be rolled over…which knocked the six and ended up with ANOTHER SNAKE EYES, which barely killed the the Japanese and prevented them from remaining by the road at the end of the game for the win!!!
This was one of the most fun and surprising scenarios of all time, super well balanced and fun up to the end despite early horrors.
Also, there are loads of options for how to approach the VC. This is truly one of the best ASL scenarios ever. AWESOME!!!
2023-09-24
(A) Bob McKenna
vs
Robert Kroczynski
Japanese win
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.
