It aint half hot mum - The Imphal 1944

Another 34 degree day here in the Bay

Perfect conditions for the second game between me and Phil. He played the Japanese, I the British

Straight out attacker/defender scenario, using reinforced infantry battalion sized forces

Japanese mortar position, which couldn't offer the usual support it would owing to a lack of forward observation. For this jungle fighting game LOS was restricted to 5" in close terrain and 10" down the couple of open 'tracks'that we had on the board

The British had only six turns to secure the bridge, but could call for one more if they had at least three undamaged stands in good morale within 6"of it, so they had to keep moving forward 

The mounted company, tasked with securing the bridge, comes under grouped small arms fire from two flanks, but their morale holds and they simply dismount from their carriers and begin to return fire 

Matchbox Japanese

British HQ group

Another carrier is hit, and Phil moved his only uncommitted stands to try and finish this company off

But not quick enough. Here British reserves advance up the main track, supported by the armoured car (Matchbox)

Phil ordered this company to form up for a human wave assault to try and stop my lead companies getting too near the bridge, and thus being able to call for the additional turn if I needed it

However, their intended target received a 'dummy'order, stood fast and and made the most of the following Opportunity Fire Phase

Meanwhile the right flank keeps grinding forward, despite running firefights with the forward Japanese platoons. All British figures are by Airfix

Leaderless and demoralized. This reduced company was effectively out of the game by turn 4

The human wave assault comes to a grinding halt

And, on the right flank, the British draw enough undamaged stands close to the bridge to call for the extra turn

Final shot shows the British had really only advanced against one flank, and Phil never really moved enough of his forces to check this, content to just exchange fire where he could

A good couple of games, though ultimately quite boring affairs with little room for manoeuvre, owing to a small board and limited figures and kit availability.