Matrix Games Forums

gamer78 wrote: Fri Jul 18, 2025 9:49 pm Thanks. 2 good players. I've recently watched Lions of Africa WW'1. This is more complicated scenario it seems with parachute drop. NATO counters are more easier to see at first glance. But sprites also more esthetic. I like default map but major river hexes is difficult see. Explaining scenario in 0 turn is good. Good luck both of you.

Tanaka wrote: Sat Jul 19, 2025 2:55 am Game on against my favorite opponent! Banzai!

OldCrowBalthazor wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 6:32 pm Ep 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZCGrWfdsNQ

"Wingate orders forces from the Arakan sector to Manipur as the Japanese push up the 'Chocolate Staircase' towards Imphal. The Japanese also put pressure in Arakan. Burmese troops block Wingate's Chindits' "

Tanaka wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:21 pm

OldCrowBalthazor wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 6:32 pm Ep 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZCGrWfdsNQ

"Wingate orders forces from the Arakan sector to Manipur as the Japanese push up the 'Chocolate Staircase' towards Imphal. The Japanese also put pressure in Arakan. Burmese troops block Wingate's Chindits' "

I had to look it up:

What Was the Chocolate Staircase?
• The Tiddim Road, used by British and Indian forces during the Burma campaign (later also by the Japanese), was known for its extremely rough terrain through the Chin Hills, reaching elevations around 3,000‑foot gain across roughly 11 km.
• A particularly treacherous stretch of this route featured 40 hairpin bends, and the dirt turned reddish and slippery with monsoon rains—earning it the grim nickname “the Chocolate Staircase.” It was infamous for being nearly impassable terrain, a logistical and physical nightmare for men, vehicles, and animals alike.
• The 5th Indian Division, advancing from Imphal toward Tiddim in mid‑1944, had to “inch its way up the ‘Chocolate Staircase’,” a punning description of the ascent through the red clay bends on the ascent to Tiddim.

Why “Chocolate”?
• The term “chocolate” was darkly ironic—a reference to the reddish‑brown clay that coated the road like melting chocolate when wet. It highlights the terrible slipperiness and difficulty of the climb during rainy conditions.
• It was not meant to be sweet or pleasant—far from it—a grim nod to the brutal terrain under monsoon conditions, rather than anything edible or enjoyable.

OldCrowBalthazor wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 9:52 pm

Tanaka wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:21 pm

OldCrowBalthazor wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 6:32 pm Ep 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZCGrWfdsNQ

"Wingate orders forces from the Arakan sector to Manipur as the Japanese push up the 'Chocolate Staircase' towards Imphal. The Japanese also put pressure in Arakan. Burmese troops block Wingate's Chindits' "

I had to look it up:

What Was the Chocolate Staircase?
• The Tiddim Road, used by British and Indian forces during the Burma campaign (later also by the Japanese), was known for its extremely rough terrain through the Chin Hills, reaching elevations around 3,000‑foot gain across roughly 11 km.
• A particularly treacherous stretch of this route featured 40 hairpin bends, and the dirt turned reddish and slippery with monsoon rains—earning it the grim nickname “the Chocolate Staircase.” It was infamous for being nearly impassable terrain, a logistical and physical nightmare for men, vehicles, and animals alike.
• The 5th Indian Division, advancing from Imphal toward Tiddim in mid‑1944, had to “inch its way up the ‘Chocolate Staircase’,” a punning description of the ascent through the red clay bends on the ascent to Tiddim.

Why “Chocolate”?
• The term “chocolate” was darkly ironic—a reference to the reddish‑brown clay that coated the road like melting chocolate when wet. It highlights the terrible slipperiness and difficulty of the climb during rainy conditions.
• It was not meant to be sweet or pleasant—far from it—a grim nod to the brutal terrain under monsoon conditions, rather than anything edible or enjoyable.

Tiddum Road aka 'The Chocolate Staircase'

Tanaka wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:21 pm
Wow incredible picture. I understand the name now!

OldCrowBalthazor wrote: Tue Aug 05, 2025 9:18 pm

Tanaka wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:21 pm
Wow incredible picture. I understand the name now!

Imagine this road in the monsoon season....
Even in the dry season, the humidity would turn the dirt to mush if churned enough...like at Wonkas Chocolate Factory.

OldCrowBalthazor wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 7:51 pm Ep 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRmUYKNvuug&t=4s

SC-Pacific: Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 4, March 17, 1944. "The Japanese attempt an end-run down on the Arakan sector and north towards Kohima. The Indian Tank Brigade and RAF maul the Japan puppet Indian 'Indira Gandhi' Brigade.

Tanaka wrote: Fri Aug 08, 2025 5:13 pm

OldCrowBalthazor wrote: Thu Aug 07, 2025 7:51 pm Ep 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRmUYKNvuug&t=4s

SC-Pacific: Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 4, March 17, 1944. "The Japanese attempt an end-run down on the Arakan sector and north towards Kohima. The Indian Tank Brigade and RAF maul the Japan puppet Indian 'Indira Gandhi' Brigade.

Wow loving the photos very cool!

OldCrowBalthazor wrote: Sat Aug 09, 2025 6:09 pm Ep 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4G2jc7UKE0

Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 5, March 20, 1944. "The Indians with RAF help repel the Japanese east of Imphal. The situation on the Arakan Front becomes dangerous. The Chindits and Merril's Marauders are mauled"

Tanaka wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2025 7:25 pm

OldCrowBalthazor wrote: Sat Aug 09, 2025 6:09 pm Ep 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4G2jc7UKE0

Imphal-Kohima 1944 Ep 5, March 20, 1944. "The Indians with RAF help repel the Japanese east of Imphal. The situation on the Arakan Front becomes dangerous. The Chindits and Merril's Marauders are mauled"

Donkeys flown in on gliders? Woah

Send them to the Mule Track!