The Australians managed to grab the initiative early, allowing them to hustle down the main N-S trail towards the objective crossroads hex. One HMG and one infantry squad started up the big hill on the north edge of the map to try and set up some overwatch, but with the heavy jungle, I'm not sure that was my best idea.

Still, the Aussies managed to get an HMG and two infantry squads into a good position just back of the crossroads before the Japanese could move in to stop them. At that point, a couple of intense firefights broke out. One over the crossroads, and one on the hill, as the Japanese sent out a team to intercept the Aussies on the hill.

Today, the rolls were with the Aussies, as the Japanese just couldn't close the distance on the big 16-attack Aussie kill stack fast enough to keep from getting mowed down. The two sides traded losses back and forth, but finally, the Aussies pulled a 12 out of the dice bag, sealing the doom of their opponents.

At the end of the day, the Aussies managed a 5-vp edge, earning them a minor victory. Now on to S2!