Leyte 1944, Scenario One: The Return Begins

A small amphibious landing scenario and good practice one, for when you take on a larger ones, like scenario two. You get to practice your skills and get your feet wet sort of speak.

The Americans have three objectives to win a major victory and the Japanese simply have to defend against them as the victory levels are progressive in that the more or less achieved determines the victory level for each side. The Japanese major part in this scenario besides defending, is their setup of units and minefields and barbwire counters.

The Americans entered the map on turn one from the ocean and spent two turns softening up Japanese beach positions with their LCI (G), LCI (Rocket) and LVT (A)-4 units as well as some off map naval fire. The Japanese don’t have any major guns to fire back with, so all they can do is bunker in and await the assault and take some potshots with their tiny 20mm gun and small off board artillery support.

Good thing I didn’t hide the minefield counters as both turned out to be the 3 value type, which could have put a lot of hurt on the Americans. It took the Americans just 14 turns to secure all three of their objectives for the loss of only three units, all lost in assault combat, two Infantry steps and one LVT-4. While the Japanese lost all their units but one Infantry step, one HMG step and two leaders that scatter back into the Jungle.

It was good to get the Airfield counter back out on the playing map again and this scenario does favor the Americans, unless you would hide the mines and step up your Japanese units better than I did, as I had too many setup close to the beach, where they can be hammer away. Next time I’ll try a different strategy.

Leyte has a lot more fun looking scenarios to play of all types. I am looking forward to trying out the Japanese parachute drops again after all these years to name a few. All kind of actions and situations are in Leyte and don’t forget the caves! It great to see Panzer Grenadier return to the Pacific again.