Leyte 1944, Scenario Five: Finnegan’s Wake

On paper this looks to be a simple enough scenario, with a very small unit count and 15 turns but it proved to be a complicated puzzle to solve. The victory conditions certainly changed in development from design. After battling this one out for 15 turns the Americans lost two steps, one Infantry step in an ill-advised assault and one 57mm gun which could recover from demoralization and the crew abandon their guns, also losing their jeeps a turn before. The Japanese lost a step of infantry after leaving their secured defensive position to help out other units. Both sides had demoralized and disrupted units on the map but neither side could control 6 or more 60-meter hill hexes and neither side could obtain enough points to achieve a victory level. This scenario ends in a Draw. I would think this scenario would have favored the Americans a bit but it’s fun enough to try out for a fast playing scenario and the results are anyone guess.