Guadalcanal 1942

[Poopyhead]

It's turn nine (of twenty four) and the only surprise so far was when an LVT took a direct hit from a 120 mm coastal gun and survived (LVT's yadda yadda yadda). My SF have destroyed a command bunker and a CP in the village, as well as four 75 mm howitzers. The amphibious landing went great and the eastern company has linked up with my tanks at the the hill SE of the trail junction. My scout patrols were able to find a path through the Japanese caves so that the tank force could get moving. For the price of five scouts in separate patrols about seven caves were rendered useless (I'll destroy them from behind at my leisure.). A Wolverine took out a Redoubt with two hits, so I guess they were a good buy. The western company is moving to link up with the SF in a couple of turns. There is also some 90 mm mortars that I believe they can take out on the way. The aux amphibious force in the center has cleared their objective and should secure it in two turns as well. The forces along the coast will then dig in and mine their VH areas against counterattack. The eastern company, supported by tanks, will continue to push south behind the Japanese lines and take as many VH's as possible. I may subdue the caves in the south with artillery so that the aux Marines on my southern flank can push through to the objectives furthest from my force. Also, I may use the artillery for a "Recon by fire" against the large jungle area to the west.

[Poopyhead]

Yet another Decisive Victory. I had the aux Marine force to the south attack and was able to rapidly capture the remaining VH's with only minor losses. There was one surprise though, my Commander tells me that this was not the last battle. I guess he was just totally dead wrong (I really appreciate the lengths that the designer went to in making this seem realistic!). Anyway, the next battle is a very long beach (approximately 100 hexes) with a trail running from my position in the east to a village in the west. An aux company has landed to the west of the village and I am to link up with them. The catch is that I only get 16 turns to do this. I bought about sixteen more SF units and infiltrated all of the SF force to the village. All three companies will move along the coast in LVT's (which are a gift from Crom) and make individual company landings to take and secure the road/VH's ahead of my main force of tanks and aux units form the east. The HQ engineers in LVT's will also land behind the Japanese lines to my immediate west and clear the way for my tanks. I'll probably "leap frog" the engineers along the coast to attack the Japanese caves from behind until I can link up with my companies. I will lay smoke along the coast to mask the landings. It sort of looks like "A Bridge Too Far", only with amphibious assaults, but I think that I can make it work.

[Poopyhead]

I'm halfway through and everything is clicking. The aux force in the west has broken through to the SF in the village area (it's actually two villages). The SF force was able to destroy three ammo dumps, two caves, two 90 mm mortars, two 75 mm guns, a CP, a command bunker and the Japanese A0 as well as take all the VH's in their area. I had arranged the LVT's in the amphibious assault group so that one was empty in each company to use as the point vehicle. The smoke screen doesn't always work perfect and I did not want to lose a lot of troops. This worked well as two were lost to shore fire. All three companies are ashore now and will storm the center VH's. The main force in the east has pushed through and made contact with the amphibious assault companies. I did lose two tanks to mines and a third was immobilised, even though I had infantry out in front to hunt for mines. Fortunately, engineers quickly cleared the mines and all of the crews were saved.

[Poopyhead]

All the VH's were taken by turn fourteen, the Japanese Morale broke and their force was nearly annihilated. Once again, the computer got twice the number of victory points so that I ended up with a Marginal Victory. I did get an overall Decisive Victory for the campaign, though. I would have to say that the LVT was absolutely crucial in each of the battles. The 1st Marine Division went to Guadalcanal with at least 400 LVT's, so I think my unit's use of 32 of them should be historically justifiable. The extra mobility and tactical advantage of the "amphibious tractor" were decisive. The SF also played a key role in several of the battles and 105 mm artillery is always useful. I wouldn't say that it was a particularly hard campaign, but it was very enjoyable. I don't think that I shall ever forget the first Henderson Field battle, when I destroyed two reinforced Japanese infantry companies in one turn.

[BruceAZ]

ORIGINAL: Poopyhead

I wouldn't say that it was a particularly hard campaign, but it was very enjoyable. I don't think that I shall ever forget the first Henderson Field battle, when I destroyed two reinforced Japanese infantry companies in one turn.

Glad you enjoyed it. This is the "easy" version as the orginal when released with 5.0 had only about half the opening points and little support. Good AAR and battle plan.

Recon
Semper Fi

[Poopyhead]

Thanks. I had never played the USMC before, so it was something of a tactical and organizational challenge. I see that there is a Tarawa scenario available. My uncle fought there and at Okinawa, so maybe I'll check it out.