0815 – Marines land a Kokumbona.

0830 – Begin to move southwest through the jungle. They avoid a direct attack along the road.

0845- 0900 – They continue to move. Some hidden units are found but not “spotted”

0915 – The Japanese continue to let the Americans continue their advance, silently watching.

0930 – 0945 – The Marines continue their advance.

1000 – Americans advance near the Japanese line. Instead of opening fire (opportunity fire) the Japanese initiate an assault! “BANZAI!”

The Americans get off first fire (M2, M2) and cause complete disruption of the Japanese but the Japanese (rolling a “6”!) cause a step loss to the marines! (1)

Comment: This equates to a Japanese victory, but I (of course) decided to keep playing!

1015 – In one assault both sides recover. In the second assault the Japanese take losses trying to hit the marines again.

1030 – Japanese leave the second assault and the Americans pursue to eliminate the fleeing Japanese. In the first assault, the weakened Americans are set upon and lose another half platoon. (2)

Gameplay note: Perhaps the Americans should have focused on reinforcing their damaged platoon instead of chasing the fleeing Japanese?

1045 – Americans now try to consolidate their forces but are faced by screaming Japanese.

1100 – The Americans counterattack. They take another casualty (3), but rout the Japanese.

1115-1130 – The Japanese, demoralized, flee as the Americans pursue. Unable to inflict further casualties, the Japanese begin to recover.

1145-1200 – The Americans advance and the Japanese hit the Americans again. Although taking additional casualties, the Americans lose another half platoon (4).

The Americans decide to call it a day.

JAPANESE VICTORY!!!

Aftermath

A very quick and small scenario. The Americans are not having much luck facing the Japanese banzai. The initial attack, both American stacks rolled a “3” causing M2 in their first fire. It was a Japanese “gamble” which paid off.