This is an interesting scenario as the Japanese have an overwhelming force but will have great difficulty getting into place to attack as a whole.

I planned for the Japanese to move due north and hit the entire marine line as much as it could and then to exploit any break through when gained. At first I planned that if the was success on any flank to turn into the ridge and try to support the main effort at the tip of the ridge. if a breakthrough is achieved on the ridge, the Japanese could then scurry off the board with out suffering disorientation.

The set-up rolls to see where how far forward Japanese units could be were mediocre with the center getting close as well as part of the right flank; but only a few units ion the left got close to the Marines.

Without having much firepower available, I decided to assault whenever and wherever I could and hope the superior Japanese assault modifier would help. At the tip of the ridge, the Japanese assaults stalled and then stalemated (mainly due to inaction due to FoW rolls). But on the right flank the Japanese destroyed the marine company defending that sector and broke through. Seeing that only half the game was left, I decided to not go for the ridge (The Marines had reinforced that part of the ridge) but fight the Jungle and try to get four units off the north (by now the Japanese had eliminated six USMC steps and thus achieved their VC; now they had to prevent the Marines form achieving theirs).

Two units threatened to break through with a few more following. The Japanese had a chance to win this one. But LtCol Edson sent his reserve company over to that flank and they intercepted the two Japanese platoons beating through the jungle and the rest of the marine line adjusted to seal off the flank from any following units. One reduced platoon and a captain made it to Henderson Field but no one else did. the marine mechanics and cooks dispatched them by morning. The rest of the Japanese fell back into the jungle to regroup to try again.

This is a good scenario; especially for solitaire play. It is tough on both sides and I can see that draw is the likely outcome; but it is fun to try. It seems to replicate the Japanese desperate situation of becoming fully disorganized trying to slog through the jungle to be met by withering USMC firepower.

(If you are member of Consimworld Forums, there are turn by turn pictures of this playing on my CSW Blog: Blackcloud's Military Analysis Blog.)