Japanese Model 98 (1938) 20mm anti-aircraft/anti-tank automatic cannon. Gas operated semi- or full-automatic all-purpose weapon similar in mechanism, but larger and heavier, than the Model 97 20mm anti-tank rifle. The carriage permitted firing from its wheels. Supported on outriggers with the wheels removed it had a fast 360-degree traverse.
1. SITUATION: You are defending a series of well prepared positions in a steep gulch blocking the American advance. Fire from Japanese troops to your west interdicts American units attacking along the coastal plain. Yesterday and this morning American units attacked up the western end of the gulch and were repulsed. You command the remains of 2 companies of infantry. You have only small arms and light machine guns. Food and ammo are low. Medical facilities are non-existent.
2.OBJECTIVE: You and your men are determined to hold your position at all costs.
3. TROOPS:
- Force HQ:
- Officer with sword and
pistol
3 runners with rifles
First Platoon HQ:
- Officer with sword and pistol
2 runners with rifles
1 MMG with 2 crew
Three Squads: each with 10 men armed with rifles
Second Platoon: same as first platoon
Third Platoon: 30 riflemen dispersed evenly among grass huts, condition unknown
Fourth Platoon HQ:
- Officer with sword and pistol
2 runners with rifles
Three Squads: each with 10 men armed with rifles
4.SETUP: First platoon is in trench number 2 on the north side of Harakiri Gulch. Second platoon is in trench number 1 that is just below the crest line of the southern side of the gulch. Third platoon is evenly distributed between the grass huts on the southem plateau. You have lost communication with them and do not know their status. Fourth platoon is in position on the plateau in spider holes and as snipers in the trees. Spider holes and snipers are set up in the area south of the trail on top of the plateau on the south side of the gulch. You can have a maximum of two men to a spider hole. Only the largest trees in the woods provide enough cover for snipers.
5. ARTILLERY SUPPORT: None.
6. MORALE: Regular 3, Old 1, Regular 4, Battle Weary Fanatic 5, for a total of 15. Any Japanese getting a morale result worse than Halt must commit Harakiri.
More Saipan, 6 July 1944 Harakiri Gulch: A Battalions In Crisis! Scenario
Back to Table of Contents -- Combat Simulation Vol 1 No. 2
Back to Combat Simulation List of Issues
Back to MagWeb Magazine List
© Copyright 1994 by Mike Vogell and Phoenix Military Simulations.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com