We return to the island as the airfield has become the focal point of much unpleasantness.
A Marine infantry company (originally 6 figures, now 4!), mortar platoon and (in front) Assault Detachment.
Confused fighting was in full swing.
A messy close assault in the middle of the runway. Note the Jap battalion HQ skulking behind the hut.
The HQ emerged to direct the fire of the infantry gun battery. Close support indeed!
Banzai! Russell (for it is he) leads a charge across the airfield!
And gets stuck in to an already battered Marine company.
In the end we concluded that the Marines no longer had the strength to continue their attacks and that overnight they would pull back to the north while the Japs consolidated their grip on the airfield. That said, the US artillery would make life hazardous. What will tomorrow bring? Well, that's a tale - and possibly a game - for another day.
Oh, and neither side got their armour into action (the Yanks kept forgetting to move theirs!).
A very exciting battle Tim! It looked beautiful from beginning to end! Well done indeed!
ReplyDeleteObviously a mere reconnaissance, to develop the enemy strength. Carrying the airfield would simply have been a bonus. So no doubt the report to General MacArthur would run, I dare say....
ReplyDeleteThis whole interesting narrative reminds me of a Tarawa landing a friend (Evil Uncle Brian of 'A Fistful of Plastic') staged at the Student Union building of the local University. The whole thing was a frost, right from the start - well for the American's anyhow, of whom I ended up being two. A horror story for another occasion perhaps. Brian set up quite a few Pacific island landing games - a particular interest of his - with outcomes that did not favour the Americans, by and large.
Certainly challenging for both sides.
Cheers,
Ion
That look like a great game, sorry I missed it. At least my old Stuart made it onto the floor, even if the Americans forgot to move it!
ReplyDeleteBrad DeSantis
ReplyDeleteKind words - thanks!
Archduke Piccolo
ReplyDeleteI shall look on Brian's blog at once! Beach landings have a lot to offer but of course they require someone to own a load of landing craft. Oh, hang on...
Martin Rapier
ReplyDeleteYour Tamiya(?) Stuart was much admired - if only from afar!
Tim, lovely to see the collection in use, and to also see how the game played out over the three posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the upload.
Michael
MGB
ReplyDeleteThanks - it's always nice to get the toys out!