by Allen Ray Garbee
Intelligence: The majority of Japanese troop strength in the area is believed to be to the north and west. Enemy strength in the immediate vicinity of the beachhead is believed to number 300 personnel. Objective: MacKetchnie Force is tasked with seizing a beachhead on the shores of Nassau Bay. Terrain objectives include a line inland 1000 yards from the beach as well as securing the flanks to the Bitoi River to the north and the Tabali River to the south. Once these objectives have been achieved, defend the perimeter and await reinforcement. Deployment: The landing force is detailed in the order of battle. A landing plan must be developed assigning troops to specific craft and assigning craft to specific landing waves. A detachment of the 2/6th Australian Infantry will display marker lights defining the landing beaches. Allied Order of BattleElements, 2/6th Infantry, with;
MacKetchnie Force; (Experienced, Morale 8)
Company, 116th Engineer Combat Bn., with;
2 engineer stands Portable Surgical Hospital, with;
3 support stands C battery, 209th Coast Artillery, with;
2 AAMG stands Elements, 218th Field Artillery (- ), with;
1 155L20 howitzer 1 gun crew (ds) 1 light truck 1 light ammo truck A Co. Papuan Infantry Bn., with;
2 infantry stands 1/162nd Infantry, with;
1 jeep 1 gun crew 1 37L53 AT gun
1 weapons stand
1 jeep 2 jeeps with light ammo trailers 1 81 mm mortar stand (ds) 2 MMG stands 532nd EB&S Regiment , with;
7 LCVP 1 LCM
2 barges Notes: 1. Set up: The patrols of the 216th are placed along the beach, midway between the Bitoi and Tibali rivers, and no closer than 8" to each other. These stands are providing marker lights to the landing force and must remain stationary during night turns. If forced to move by enemy activity, add one (1) to the die rolls for damage from heavy surf (see environment and weather section in the referee's notes). MacKetchnie Force should be formed into at least two waves and begin the scenario with the 1st wave 10' from the shore. Subsequent waves are placed according to the landing plan. After all craft are deployed, roll 1d10 and 1d6 per wave. Consult the deviation table for direction and apply the 1d6 roll as distance. 2. TO&E changes: The above TO&Es deviate from the 'book' TO&Es for a number of reasons. The requirement to squeeze the troops onto the available landing craft meant the majority of the heavy vehicles were left behind. Point Break The Allied Landing at Nassau Bay June 30, 1943 Back to Table of Contents -- Command Post Quarterly # 13 To Command Post Quarterly List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1997 by Greg Novak. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com |