Sunday, January 15, 2012

Tarawa, the game, part 1

The first few hours of the invasion


Japanese fortifications 


One of the Japanese battalions is reduced to 50% strength as a result of the naval bombardment


First moves


Several US transport vehicles took hits on the run into shore


Japanese bunkers hold up early attempts to establish a foothold on the beach area around the pier. Figures are Italieri, Buffaloes are Airfix


Second wave. Higgins Boats finally able to cross the reef move to reinforce the Marines already ashore


A couple of turns later, heavy landing vessels are also able to contribute


The arrival of some light armour allowed Paul to move his Marines onto their first objective, which was a small village about a 1000 yards inland


Despite being bypassed a few Japanese pillboxes continued to hold up the Marines trying to move ashore, and air support was called in to solve this problem


Japanese armour attempting a counter attack, though without reasonable infantry support it was doomed to failure. Airfix Chi-Ha


Suicide anti-tank stands had more luck, despite being wiped out to a man destroyed a Sherman and a Buffalo 


Early moves against the out airfield defences. Japanese figures are Esci.

Part 2 when I get some more time:)



7 comments:

  1. Nice game, I'm looking forward to seeing more.

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  2. Nice AAR, and for a change quite accurate! Good use of the camera as well.

    You Japanese were tough blighters to dislodge.

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  3. Gripping Stuff Al
    Really interesting to hear and see both sides

    50% casualties from a naval bombardment sounds (and is) horrific

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  4. all the work was well worth it ...absolutely breathtaking!

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  5. Awesome looking game Al. Great photos and report.

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  6. Thanks as always lads.
    We all chip in where we can but David gets the big thumbs up from me. Playing games on terrain like that is very cool, especially knowing the scale fits the scenario as good as it can.

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  7. Great to see the terrain in use - looking forward to part two!

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