A clear the map of undemoralized Japanese units scenario but with a twist of having the SER unit as a Japanese spotter for off board artillery. If I known how the final maps looked, I would had the SER unit setup in hex 0609, as it looks like the smokestacks hex but it doesn’t really matter where, as it has the same effect.

I setup the Japanese in four areas to try an spread out the Americans and their strength, putting units in two villages, the jungle cover hill and one 81mm mortar in the middle of no-where! The Americans setup on the three main roads or trails so as not to waste time in hunting down the Japanese. The whole thing is a puzzle but timed with only 12 turns. The Marines took out the SER unit on turn 6, so no more off board artillery for the Japanese and late in the game took out all the Japanese units but the 81mm mortar unit and two, now, not important leaders counters. On turn 11, surrounded and pounded, then assaulted the last Japanese unit was eliminated and in the process the Marines only lost one step, so the Americans won this scenario. A very fun scenario, as a good one to learn a lot of game mechanics and new terrain types for newer players. A few dice rolls either way, and I could see this playing out differently either way.

I set up the defending Japanese in the spread out method discussed in other AARs, forcing the Marines to spread out in order to get them all. The Service/FO element went in the light jungle at the foot of the southern hill, everything else in heavy jungle forcing the Marines to get in close before being able to use their firepower. For the first few turns, it looked like the Japanese might hold out, as USMC rolls were pretty horrible. The off-table arty did little but disrupt some Marine companies for a bit and the Japanese troops, even with the increases in assault for being Japanese infantry, didn't help them much but initial assaults by the Marines just rolled badly. Taking a turn or two of direct fire first did little. But by turn 6, Marine luck was turning around, and although they didn't kill anything outright, there were demoralized reduced platoons fleeing in 3 areas leaving disrupted platoons trying to hold on. Finally the Marines started rolling well and Japanese defenders started to drop away at both north and south edges, leaving small Marine forces to try to catch the Japanese HMG, Mortar and Ser elements in the middle. The Ser element was a slippery one but finally found himself caught between 4 small stacks, and as the Mortar and HMG elements died in assaults, the Ser unit decided he would at least go out trying to take somebody with him. No such luck, the Marines rolled snakeyes and the Ser rolled a 5. At the end of 10 turns, there were no Japanese troops or leaders left on the board and the Marines had taken no losses.

The Axis set up on the hill in the southeast corner with two half platoons in the nearby village. The Allies drove forward in a frontal assault. In addition one company including Engineers used the road to curl around the Axis right flank. This attack went well versus the low morale Axis units. But just when the Allies were closing for the kill they lost a step in the assault on the Axis artillery observer and support units. Then with the Allies still assaulting the Axis called their own artillery down on their own position. This caused another Allied step loss.

The Allies were not intimidated. They brought up a fresh platoon and continued the attack. By scenario end all Axis steps were eliminated except two which were demoralized. This produced a draw. This was really fun. Not too many times you see friendly artillery called down on a friendly position but it saved the loss. This is a solid 3.

Played solo in 60 minutes.

The Japanese set up in the southeast corner. The basic idea was to use troop concentration to cause the 2 step losses which would mean the Japanese could not lose.

The American marines split off in 4 groups. Two groups of one officer and 2 x INF to flank the Japanese and make it impossible for them to bolt away. A frontal attack group with 3 officers and 2 x INF and 2 x HMG. The remaining units stay in town out of harm's way and within bombardment distance.

The Americans move into position in the first thirty minutes and assault the village on turn 3 and eliminate 1 Japanese step and demoralized another. They continued their assault on turn 4 and take over the village. The Japanese take revenge by directing their OBA on the frontal attack group and scoring a hit!

The Americans form two powerful fire group and eliminate one more step. A Japanese unit tries to run away but it is eliminated by a lucky opportunity fire. The Americans spend two more turns firing at the remaining Japanese and then moved in for the final assault.

Two more turns and it's all over, all Japanese units are eliminated.

American major victory!

I rated this scenario a "3" as it is a good, small puzzle. I think the scenario favors the Americans but the Japanese having a good chance at a draw. That is, if you don't play with hidden units. I believe this one plays better ftf if you use hidden units, in which case the Americans will have a much harder time eliminating all units.

On the second die roll of the game my Japanese had reached their victory condition. This seems somewhat of a downer for the Americans. Daniel fought through and was able to eliminate my entire force eventually despite my leading him on a merry chase across the board.

There were some interesting things in the scenario but it felt more like a puzzle and less like a simulation of combat of any sort. Both Daniel and I were left feeling a little dissatisfied by the play. With apologies (belated) to Gertrude Stein, there is very little there there as we played it..

Again, with the possibility of hidden units this scenario would become a very tense affair and a much more reasonable play. I could even see a draw where neither player meets their victory conditions. It is our mistake to have played without them. I strongly suggest that the scenario be played with hidden units face to face. If not, it has potential value as a puzzle piece in solo play (comparing a compact defense to a spread out one).

Played face-to-face against Matt W in 75 minutes.

I played this scenario solo a month ago but had forgotten I recommended using hidden units if playing against someone.

The Japanese commanders spread out his units to force me to do the same. The Americans suffer an immediate shocker when the Japanese spotter calls in artillery and vaporizes a marine platoon. All the Americans can hope for now now is a draw if they can eliminate all the Japanese units.

With no longer have to worry about casualties, the Americans moved forward very aggressively in order to engage the Japanese in assault as quickly as possible. The Americans lose two more platoons but managed to corner all but one company. The Japanese decide to break out at this point to lead the Americans on a merry chase but two of the platoons are stopped cold by the M3/75 opportunity fire. The Americans quickly overwhelm the two platoons and have 5 turns to track down the lone Japanese unit left, which they did on the next to last turn.

Draw.

I gave it a "2" this time because I felt the play is too straightforward. I do believe this is a good introductory scenario because it does illustrative very well the difficulties of chasing units in difficult terrain. I also kick myself for not remembering to play with hidden units, as I had previously suggested.