Vulturedoodle
10-06-2005, 04:58 AM
Battle for Saipan: Tanapag Plain, 6 July 1944
The Fifth Amphibious Corps had been in almost continuous action since the initial landings on Saipan on 15 June. Losses had been high among the troops of the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions and the 27th Infantry Division, but the end was in sight. Japanese forces estimated at 5,000 to 7,000 men, supported by a battalion of 77mm guns and perhaps 20 tanks, were penned in the northern end of the island.
Tanapag Plain, more than a mile wide, was assigned to the 27th Division. Along with the considerable open ground, a coastal road ran along the left flank of the division toward the northern end of the island. This was paralleled by a narrow-guage railroad, single tracked, which served a sugar plantation. A coconut grove was scattered across the plain, leading up to a series of small hills on the right. These hills, and the northern fringe of the coconut grove, were occupied by the Japanese.
2nd and 3rd Battalions, 105th Infantry, supported by a platoon of light tanks, were given the task of clearing the grove and forcing the Japanese from the hills beyond. Only after these objectives were taken could the main effort to secure the northern part of Saipan begin.
Map Configuration 2: Knife Fight
(South is toward the bottom of the picture)
Objectives:
--Southernmost woods/road hex on Dog-2
--Northernmost town hex on Charlie-1
Victory Conditions: Either player wins if in sole possession of both objective hexes (no enemy units adjacent) at the end of any turn beginning turn seven. Otherwise, game ends at the conclusion of turn ten with victory determined by point value of enemy units destroyed.
Axis Forces (95 points):
--47mm Type I AT Gun (x2)
--Arisaka Rifle (x5)
--Imperial Sergeant (x2)
--Type 89 Mortar (x3)
--Type 92 MG (x3)
Set up first anywhere on Dog-2/Charlie-1 (north end)
Allied Forces (100 points):
--Vickers MG (x2)
--M3 Stuart (x2)
--M1 Garand Rifle (x7)
--Mortar M2 (x2)
--“Red Devil” Captain (x2)
Set up second within 5 hexes of edge of Baker-2/Able-2 (south end)
The Fifth Amphibious Corps had been in almost continuous action since the initial landings on Saipan on 15 June. Losses had been high among the troops of the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions and the 27th Infantry Division, but the end was in sight. Japanese forces estimated at 5,000 to 7,000 men, supported by a battalion of 77mm guns and perhaps 20 tanks, were penned in the northern end of the island.
Tanapag Plain, more than a mile wide, was assigned to the 27th Division. Along with the considerable open ground, a coastal road ran along the left flank of the division toward the northern end of the island. This was paralleled by a narrow-guage railroad, single tracked, which served a sugar plantation. A coconut grove was scattered across the plain, leading up to a series of small hills on the right. These hills, and the northern fringe of the coconut grove, were occupied by the Japanese.
2nd and 3rd Battalions, 105th Infantry, supported by a platoon of light tanks, were given the task of clearing the grove and forcing the Japanese from the hills beyond. Only after these objectives were taken could the main effort to secure the northern part of Saipan begin.
Map Configuration 2: Knife Fight
(South is toward the bottom of the picture)
Objectives:
--Southernmost woods/road hex on Dog-2
--Northernmost town hex on Charlie-1
Victory Conditions: Either player wins if in sole possession of both objective hexes (no enemy units adjacent) at the end of any turn beginning turn seven. Otherwise, game ends at the conclusion of turn ten with victory determined by point value of enemy units destroyed.
Axis Forces (95 points):
--47mm Type I AT Gun (x2)
--Arisaka Rifle (x5)
--Imperial Sergeant (x2)
--Type 89 Mortar (x3)
--Type 92 MG (x3)
Set up first anywhere on Dog-2/Charlie-1 (north end)
Allied Forces (100 points):
--Vickers MG (x2)
--M3 Stuart (x2)
--M1 Garand Rifle (x7)
--Mortar M2 (x2)
--“Red Devil” Captain (x2)
Set up second within 5 hexes of edge of Baker-2/Able-2 (south end)