Monday, October 25, 2010

The Kokoda Campaign - the first round

The first battle got off to a rattling start.  Our group organiser, Kokoda historian and supplier of most of the figures and terrain, Andrew (one of who's ancestors also fought at Kokoda!) devised the initial encounter scenario that differed very little from what actually happened at Wairopi.   Templeton and his 'B' Company of the 39th Bttn. were the first over the Owen Stanleys and arrived in Buna on the coast just two days before the Japs landed!

 Just an example of Andrew's great scenery - that's some real jungle!

In our scenario Templeton kept half his tiny force together and ordered Seekamp's platoon (me) forward to set up on the slope of a hill facing down the track.  The Australians have three platoons (one of them local Papuan Infantry Bttn) supported by a heavy weapons section of a mortar and a Vickers MG.  We decided to site the MG up the slope pointing directly down the main approach.  There's one Bren and three clapped out Lewis guns for the four 9-man sections (2 sections per platoon).  The NCO's also carry SMG's - mostly Stens at this stage of the campaign - so at least one of those per squad too.


                                          

 After rapidly digging in, my 1st squad awaits the Japanese

We also kept the Papuan platoon hidden in the jungle at the head of the track.  The positions are just foxholes - nothing fortified or reinforced as there wasn't time.  Siting of the Vickers proved crucial as it enabled us to bring support fire down on them as they attempted to close with our advance position.


It wouldn't fit into the foxhole created for it - but it didn't look to bad sitting on top.  Although it stands out like dog's whatsits. it is in fact a concealed position!


This is what was coming directly at me - half a company of Japanese.  Their squads are roughly 15 men each, so their platoons are 1/3rd again the size of ours.  They are supported by a heavy MG, two mortars and a mountain gun!  And this was just the first lot - Gawd'elp us!
 
As soon as they came into sight we let them have it.  I was feeling quite chuffed as I easily wiped out the first two squads to a man, but about half of the second got as far as the creek in front.  Here I got my first lesson in being very aware of attacking Japs!  After nearly wiping them out, they did their 'gut check' (morale in Disposable Heroes rules) and they failed which meant...  they either 'Seppuku' and disappear OR ...  BANZAI!!!! 

These guys rush at right you and you've got just one opportunity to pour on the fire and wipe them out because, as my amused Jap commander Andrew helpfully pointed out: 'you really don't want Japanese in your trenches'.  They are quite deadly in hand-to-hand.

The blurry picture is the result of the photographer jumping out of his skin when one of them suddenly gets through!  Fortunately two bayonets were better than one sword on this occasion but bit too close for comfort!

And that was just the left flank.  Same again was advancing rapidly on the right.


That was just the first round of fighting.  My squad soon came under sustained mortar and heavy MG fire, were literally pinned in their foxholes and started to suffer casualties.

The story continues in the next posting!

Cheers,
         Doc


13 comments:

  1. Great report,
    Like the blurry picture explanation! I do the same myself with our club blog :-)
    regards
    Paul

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  2. Keep up the great work Doc. I'm cheering for you!
    The table looks great. Really looking forward to your next post.

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  3. Now this is wargaming. I like everything.

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  4. Agree with Beccas-proper fun wargaming!

    Matt

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  5. Thanks guys - it was a really fun afternoon. Its all the work of my mate Andrew who devised the scenario as well. Its amazing how well the game matched what actually happened with the combination of scenario and a good rule set.

    We were outnumbered nearly 10 to 1 and we always had to remember this was just the first encounter of a campaign!

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  6. Very cool game! The terrain is truly exceptional. Dean

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  7. What I enjoy about recreating real battles is that it really makes you appreciate the decisions made by the real soldiers involved and how terrain and other conditions affected the outcome. So much more interesting than just reading about it!

    You've really done a great job on an iconic Australian battle.

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  8. Great report, thank you. I look forward in seeing the next instalment. Michael an I game the South-West Pacific, but mainly in Bougainville. My Japanese against his Aussies.

    Thanks again,

    Helen

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  9. RIGHT!!! thats it!!, who produces miniatures for Aussies. I need some NOW!
    Great report and the terrain looks fantastic. I always kept away from jungle boards because I envisaged that reproducing it would be too difficult. Do you have any full shots of the table?
    Great stuff once again.

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  10. Hi Guidowg

    Australian are produced by Brigade games, Artizan and Battale Honours

    Andrew

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  11. Thanks Andrew - your collection is fantastic.

    Guido - I think my humble contribution of the Bren squad may be Battle Honours (but not sure) - I'm told they make Papuans with rifles too. I'm also looking at Castaway Arts - an Aussie company (see the link in Reference Sites on the left) - to see if they produce anything that'll fit the bill as PIB.

    Helen - this is my 1st time gaming it but my father was commissioned into PIR and I spent many years growing up in PNG and exploring alot of the areas where the battles took place. Got me started in my interest in military history and wargaming!

    Cheers,
    Doc

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  12. Hi Doc

    I have PIB figures they are produced by Brigade games. They were unfortunately not ready - only arriving on friday before the game but you will indeed see then at the Kokoda game.

    Yes your figures are battle honours,

    Andrew

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  13. Thanks Doc, by the way Warlords is planning on releasing Australians too at some point.

    I'm just finishing off some additional Japanese reinforcements including an anti-tank rifle.

    Cheers,

    Helen

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