I enjoyed Paddy Griffith's write-up for the Calais, 1940, role-playing scenario a few issues back. Shortly after that, I read an article about Japanese soldiers left behind on Pacific islands after WW II, some who managed to stay hidden until the 1970's. I decided to combine the two thoughts and create my own role-playing idea. The scenario is slightly tongue in cheek, but is probably a fair representation of what the survivors faced. I hope it provides an interesting diversion for someone. You are a Japanese soldier on Saipan shortly after the greater part of the fighting following the U.S. invasion has stopped. You know the enemy has defeated your forces, but you are confident of final victory and have decided to remain in hiding until your own troops reconquer the island. In the meantime, you will do all you can in your own way to aid the war effort. With this in mind you begin to take stock of the advantages and disadvantages facing you. Fortunately, you have a secure place to hide, deep in one of the many caves scattered about the island - Unfortunately, it is also occupied by rats, bats, snakes, and other such dwellers of the dark, and is prone to flooding during tropical storms. Fortunately, you have a plentiful and varied supply of weapons and ammunition inside the cave - Unfortunately, you are a company clerk whose comprehension of military matters involves payroll records and reports, not battle plans. Basic training was long ago and your knowledge of weapons is superficial at best (something about wondering from which end of the weapon the shell emerges...) Fortunately, you are surrounded by dozens of your comrades - Unfortunately, they've all gone to join their ancestors, except ONE, who is - Fortunately, a much-vaunted Imperial Marine, the elite of the Japanese military machine - Unfortunately, he's a company clerk too, not to mention he's also a blithering idiot and you already can't stand him (you'd hate to have to spend too long with this guy) Fortunately, you have plenty of food - Unfortunately, it consists entirely of large sacks of rice, for which the cave's rats have shown a marked preference compared to other food sources, like you departed comrades. Fortunately, you have an excellent water source in a Spring-fed cave pond - Unfortunately, one of your departed comrades is floating in it. Fortunately, the US soldiers seem to have ceased their mopping up operations, searching for stragglers like yourself - Unfortunately, the yankee dogs now seem to be busying themselves with sealing caves like the one you're in with dynamite and bulldozers. Fortunately, you have a radio - Unfortunately, it only receives, it doesn't send, and lately it's been full of barbaric western music, mostly by some woman named Betty Glaber. Good luck surviving. If you make it to 1970, consider yourself a winner. Back to MWAN # 38 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1989 Hal Thinglum 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