Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Kokoda Campaign #18 - Over the Hills and Far Away Scenario 2: Templeton's Crossing, Day One

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Over the Hills and Far Away Scenario 2: Templeton's Crossing, Day One Kokoda Campaign #18
(Attacker) Australia	vs	Japan (Defender)

Formations Involved
Australia		25th Infantry Brigade
Japan		144th Infantry Regiment

	Total
Side 1	3
Draw	1
Side 2	1

Overall Rating, 6 votes
5 4 3 2 1 3.5
Scenario Rank: 436 of 958

Parent Game	Kokoda Campaign
Historicity	Historical
Date	1942-10-11
Start Time	08:00
Turn Count	20
Visibility	Day
Counters	68
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	0
Maps	1: 34
Layout Dimensions	43 x 28 cm 17 x 11 in
Play Bounty	147
AAR Bounty	160
Total Plays	5
Total AARs	2

Battle Types
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Urban Assault

Conditions
Reinforcements
Terrain Mods

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Kokoda Campaign	Base Game

Introduction
Three days after encountering the first Japanese outposts, the 25th Brigade had massed for an attack in force. Brigadier Eather ordered the 2/33rd Battalion to attack up the main track from Myola toward Templeton's Crossing while the 2/25th Battalion would also attack up a side track from Kagi to Templeton's Crossing. They would face I Battalion of the 144th Regiment which had begun receiving reinforcements from II Battalion.

Introduction

Three days after encountering the first Japanese outposts, the 25th Brigade had massed for an attack in force. Brigadier Eather ordered the 2/33rd Battalion to attack up the main track from Myola toward Templeton's Crossing while the 2/25th Battalion would also attack up a side track from Kagi to Templeton's Crossing. They would face I Battalion of the 144th Regiment which had begun receiving reinforcements from II Battalion.

Conclusion
Under pressure from Blamey to show results, Tubby Allen pressed his subordinates to attack with all possible speed and force. Despite these orders, the Australian attack quickly turned into more of a large patrolling action and failed to make any progress at all against a Japanese force that was numerically larger. Still suffering from a lack of supplies, the Australians had resorted to recruiting native Papuan carriers at gunpoint, and the unwilling conscripts tossed their loads into the bush (including, at times, Australian wounded) and bolted for freedom at the first opportunity. Nevertheless, the battle would continue the next day.

Conclusion

Under pressure from Blamey to show results, Tubby Allen pressed his subordinates to attack with all possible speed and force. Despite these orders, the Australian attack quickly turned into more of a large patrolling action and failed to make any progress at all against a Japanese force that was numerically larger. Still suffering from a lack of supplies, the Australians had resorted to recruiting native Papuan carriers at gunpoint, and the unwilling conscripts tossed their loads into the bush (including, at times, Australian wounded) and bolted for freedom at the first opportunity. Nevertheless, the battle would continue the next day.

Display Order of Battle

Australia Order of Battle

Army
Foot Leader

Army

Foot

Leader

Japan Order of Battle

Imperial Japanese Army
Foot Leader

Imperial Japanese Army

Foot

Leader

Display Errata (1)

1 Errata Item
Scen 18	The second Victory Condition for the Australians should Read: Minor Victory for Control of one village. (Juiceman on 2021 Sep 30)

Display AARs (2)

Templeton's Crossing, Day One

Author	Juiceman
Method	Solo
Victor	Australia
Play Date	2021-09-30
Language	English
Scenario	KoCa018

Same map and similar set up as the previous scenario, with the adding of hidden units for the Japanese. Control of the villages is key to winning for both sides with fighting concentrated along the southern trails 2 closest villages to the south edge of the map. The Aussies were able to gain control of one village to win a minor victory

0 Comments

Take More than One Village - If You Can!

Author	Tambu (Australia)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	Japan
Participants	treadasaurusrex
Play Date	2024-03-10
Language	English
Scenario	KoCa018

A 20-turn pitched battle with the aggressive T-Rex - him without tanks or nasty AFVs - as the Japanese side in the jungles of New Guinea. I crewed the Australian side. Both sides drew decent leaders in this 4-session play-through. We did not use the FOW until turn 10, but did use the excess initiative, hidden units and consolidation optional rules.

This scenario started out great for the Aussies with 3 village liberated, or contested, by my Diggers . . . then turn 12 happened and it was all downhill from there. In that turn, the senior Australian leader was captured in a close assault, and 2 other Allied leaders were killed, causing chaos and causing the up-'till-then fruitful Digger attack to come apart at the seams. Fierce and methodical Japanese counter attacks followed in the south half of the map, with Lady Luck favoring Axis die rolling in combat, morale recovery and initiative. It was ugly. By the end, the overstretched, Japanese were in control of every single hamlet on the battle map.

I give this not very good, probably untested, scenario a rating of 2, only because of the fun we had playing it. It is probably better played in shared mode, and does not really lend itself to solitaire play (hidden units).

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KoCa017

KoCa019

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