This battle turned very ugly, very fast for the Americans and right before nightfall, 19:45/turn 36, the Japanese had already eliminated the 9 required steps to meet their VCs. The Americans would be desperately fighting for a draw the remainder of the scenario, hoping that in the course of 84 turns left to go that they would be able to eliminate 16 Japanese steps.

The Japanese begin deployed in ideal locations, mostly together and most units already dug-in. Though the disorientation rule applies to both sides it only really affects the marines as the Japanese have no need of manuevering around, just standing their ground. The bulk of the marine forces go head-on against Japanese army units by the Matanikau while the other half of the force mostly gets lost in the jungle, never really able to pose a serious threat to the SNLF or Edson's Ridge survivors located further west. American air-support was a real disappointment and many times lost because of the fog of war as many marine and raider units were in critical condition that rallying became the priority.

The first night passed with more American losses and no assaults were attempted by either side due to the nightime disruption rule for moving units. Things just kept getting worse and worse for the Americans until the next morning. It was not until 06:30/Turn 79, the second day that the Japanese finally took a step loss while American losses were already in the teens. The Japanese lines by the Matanikau had barely been damaged and only two positions lost. All hope was placed in the reinforcements and that they would arrive in time to make a difference. This however would not happen until 13:00/turn 105, with just 15 turns left to go. The newly landed marines actually found their way in the jungle to the weaker Edson's Ridge survivors and achieved more in the last remaining hours/turns than the larger combined marine and raider force had managed after over 24 hours. It was all too little too late though. The fresh marine assaults began well and managed a good deal of enemy losses but soon became repulsed after the defenders reinforced the assault hexes and bit back. By 16:30/Turn 119 there was no way the Americans could inflict 6 more Japanese step losses to force a draw; not even with air-support (if available); a destroyer or with what capable ground forces that remained in good order. This one ended very much as the historical outcome had depicted as a failure for the marines and losses double than that of the Japanese.

Not a bad scenario though, just rather long. It's hard to say whether it was unbalanced but both sides probably have more of a chance at a draw than winning. I'm still in disbelief that in the course of 119 turns that the Americans could not inflict 16 Japanese step losses for the draw. There were very few uneventful turns and it was indeed an epic battle though fortune continued to favor the Japanese. Things could of actually have gone worse for the marines as there is a chance that they may not even get their reinforcements before the scenario's end. The landing forces just barely showed up having to roll a 6/D6 to arrive only every hourly turn and then not until or after 10:00/turn 93.