In late July, the Japanese South Seas Detachment landed on the east coast of New Guinea attempting to secure an overland route to the capital of Port Moresby. A mixture of Australian militia and local militia were sent to delay this landing force. One such unit was led by Captain Sam Templeton who had a unique background. Reputedly starting his military career as a submariner in the Great War. the Irish-born veteran of the Spanish Civil War, he commanded a company of Australian militia in the opening of the Kokoda Trail campaign. At Oivi, Templeton fought a rearguard action which pitted the Australian militia troops, often derisively referred to as "chocolate soldiers" or "chocos", against veteran Japanese infantry.
Attacker: Japanese (144th Infantry Regiment, South Seas Detachment)
Defender: Australian (B Company, 39th Battalion, Maroubra Force)
The Japanese Schwerpunkt focused on the Northern approach and reached the outskirts of the village relatively unscathed, aided by one successful Banzai charge.. The flanking force, including mortars, made middling progress in the center, biding their time to charge in combination with the Northern force. The Japanese reinforcements entered from the North and reached the Western outskirts of the village intact. A combination of successful Banzai's and Advancing Fire then gave the Japanese possession of most of the village and they captured the remainder in their last turn. The game did come down to the last CC roles, but the scenario seems a bit tilted toward the Japanese with the inability of the Australians to set-up in the village and the Japanese reinforcements (a fairly strong force) having a wide range of entry options that place them near the village in one MPh. Nonetheless, good fun.
2023-07-28
(A) Dan Best
vs
Gary Bradley
Japanese win
St. Louis ASL Tournament 2023.
2023-07-04
(D) M van Houte
vs
S.H.
Japanese win
Nice small scenario with options both wrt where to attack (and when to Banzai) and wrt where to defend (and where to fake a defense); the Japanese reinforcements add a lot to the game, as they make a timely fall-back a must for the Aussies. I set up my defense with a lot of dummies up north, and a lot of FP south, incl. a HIP squad with 8-1 and LMG; the idea was to lure the Japanese in that direction: it worked to perfection, as the Japanese immediately Banzaied, without use of Smoke no less. Unfortunately, my dice were absolutely abysmal all game (probably my worst ever), so basically nothing worked and the game was technically over at the end of turn 2. A shame, since the scenario actually does feel balanced and should end with nail-biting threadbare Banzais in the last turn, where every HS or leader can make a difference.
2021-12-18
(D) Neal Ulen
vs
Scott Rowland
Japanese win
2021-08-13
(A) S. Slunt
vs
Brad Hunter
Japanese win
the key to the Japanese victory in one word BANZAI !!!!!!!
2021-08-05
(D) Vilis Pavulans
vs
Matias Dahlbäck
Australian win
Really no mistakes from Matias and the japanese. The crucial rolls where on the aussie side though. Good japanese progress in the first turn and the second was a banzai. Some casualties for the japanese but things looked really bleak for the commonwealth troops. The next two turns where retreat in an orderly fasion. Gathering troops up at the hill and then came the second banzai against the huts. This time the fire ate away japanese soldiers but a few got the whole way and defeat seemed sure for the aussies but a heroic squad managed to kill a stack of japanese and the chances to get that last hut in the final japanese turn withered away. Awesome game, even and exciting but the dice where from down under.
2021-06-26
(D) Eric Topp
vs
Kalle Widell
Australian win
Kalle conceded on turn 4 when it seemed likely that the Aussies would "wall up" around the last hut hexes
2021-05-18
(A) Eric Topp
vs
Al Palazzo
Japanese win
The Japanese launched multiple Banzai Charges against the Aussies who couldn't inflict any casualties
2021-04-19
(A) Dave Mareske
vs
Dennis Dowd
Japanese win
The Aussies broke and ran avoiding CC with the Japanese, but then they were never able to Rally. The Japanese were able to pull off a two-prong attack getting a couple of encirclements and preventing the Aussies from getting fully back into the huts. Gave the Allies the balance.