Umpire's Notes
A. Remember the visibility limitations at all times. One of the most important factors in the fighting was that troops could be within feet of each other and not know it.
B. While the Americans have unlimited mortar ammo, they need to have at least a suspected location to call fire down on. In other words, if they are shot at, but do not know the exact location, they can bring fire down on likely locations. However, they can not just start calling fire down in front of their line of march as they proceed southward.
C. The Japanese are not rated as fanatics because at this point they were more likely to bug off into the jungle than launch suicide attacks, especially when faced with artillery. Later on in the campaign the Japanese did launch mass wave attacks against defensive positions.
D. You can allow I Company to enter as soon as the Wire Party runs into the Japanese, or wait until they ask for reinforcements. The HQ troops were not sent until they were requested. The expectation was that only a little more effort was needed to break through to C Troop.
E. Both sides were physically worn down at this point, and their aggressiveness was often reduced. Fights were usually short and sharp, with one side quickly pulling back. The winning side would regroup and push on, or sometimes just turn around and go back. It required great amounts of energy just to move in the jungle, let alone to fight in it.
F. Do not give Americans the map. Only allow them to know that there are two trails and that they connect.
G. Do not put any moving units on the map unless someone can see them. Therefore, none of the American or Japanese units will be on the board until they contact an enemy unit. Thus, the Japanese will not know about the American reinforcements, nor the Americans about the other Japanese units.
Historical Outcome
The Wire Party ran into a Japanese trail block. They called for reinforcements. With the help of I Company they pushed the Japanese back about 100 meters. Their attack was then stalled when the Japanese received reinforcements. Thinking that just a little more effort was needed, General Cunningham sent the HQ troops. These men were ambushed before they got to the advanced party and retreated after both officers were wounded. With no help coming, Company I and the Wire Party fell back to protect the HQ during the night.
Map
Stream is 5cm wide. All terrain except for trails is jungle--treat as Wooded Area. Trail--treat as Cratered; Sandy and smooth.
Rescue of Troop C, 112th Cavalry New Guinea, 22 July 1944 A Battalions in Crisis Scenario
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