Japanese advance to date

Hi all

A quick update on where the Campaign is up to

Below is a map detailing the areas held by the Japanese including their most advanced position

The Japanese held areas and limits of advance are in red. The Australian Held areas and concentrated areas of defence are in green

   

Japanese OOB for Kokoda West

Scenario 1 – Defence of Kokoda 29^th July 1942

Closing the Net on Kokoda

After experiencing a fierce fire fight at Oivi between your forces and those of the Australian defenders they have withdrawn their surviving troops and regrouped at the village of Kokoda. You have decided not to pursue the retreating enemy forces but instead await your reinforcements the 4^th Company of 1^st Battalion 144^th Regiment and the 1^st Company of the elite 5^th Sasebo Special Naval Landing Forces (SNLF) and your 4^th Grenadier sections for 1^st and 2^nd Platoons

Kokoda is a vital strategic position located on a spur at the foot hills of the Owen Stanley Ranges. It comprises a small village, surrounding plantations and an all important small airstrip.

During the night of the 28^th July, Your mortar and mountain gun observers have moved close to the Australian positions within sight of the village and have begun a bombardment that lasts all night and into the next morning hoping that the constant bombing will cause the Australian to once again leave their positions handing Kokoda to the Japanese.

Japanese Briefing for 29^th July 1942

Strategic Considerations

Strategic Options	Availability
Outflanking Option	Yes
Hold Option	Yes
Reserve Options	Yes
Patrol Options	Yes
Ambush Options	Yes
Aircraft Support	No

You play the Japanese commander, Lt – Colonel Yokoyama. You command the now complete deployment of the Yokoyama Advance Force tasked to establish a forward base at Kokoda, destroying all opposition to your forces. Your attack will begin at 0230 hours in the dark with a heavy mist rolling over the plateau.

Intel

Facing you is a force estimated to be around a company size in strength, made up of poorly trained Australian militiamen and poorly trained and equipped local Papuan volunteers this should be no problem for your very experienced forces. At 0230 hours you forces are assembled in a start position that is in the East 15 inches form the enemy lines of defence and in the jungle perimeter in the West.

Troop Deployment – This scenario comprises two games in one, both must be played simultaneously and no cross over of troops or support may occur unless both battles have been halted and the games are complete.

Forces committed to Kokoda West Battle

– by order of C-in-C Lt – Colonel Yokoyama,Yokoyama Advance Force

1^st Battalion 144^th Regiment HQ Formations

1^st Battalion Medium Mortar section x 2 + spotter team – Veteran

1^st Battalion 70mm Battalion Gun Section x 2 – Veteran

2^nd Company, I Battalion, 144^th Infantry Regiment (Type B)

2^nd Company, I Battalion, 144^th Infantry Regiment HQ - 7 men Veteran/Spirited Reactions

2^nd Company, I Battalion, 144^th - Infantry Regiment Snipers x 3 Veteran

1^st Rifle Platoon, 2/I/144^th 39 men + 7 men Pl HQ - Veteran/Spirited Reactions

2^nd Rifle Platoon, 2/I/144^th 39 men + 7 men Pl HQ - Veteran/Spirited Reactions

3^rd Rifle Platoon, 2/I/144^th 39 men + 7 men Pl HQ - Veteran/Spirited Reactions

4^th Grenadier Platoon, 2/I/144^th 16 men Veteran

Kokoda West Battle Reserve Formations

1^st Company, I Battalion, 144^th Infantry Regiment (Type B)

1^st Company, I Battalion, 144^th Infantry Regiment HQ - 7 men Veteran/Spirited Reactions

1^st Company, I Battalion, 144^th - Infantry Regiment Snipers x 3 Veteran

1^st Rifle Platoon, 1/I/144^th 39 men + 7 men Pl HQ - Veteran/Spirited Reactions

2^nd Rifle Platoon, 1/I/144^th 39 men + 7 men Pl HQ - Veteran/Spirited Reactions

3^rd Rifle Platoon, 1/I/144^th 39 men + 7 men Pl HQ - Veteran/Spirited Reactions

4^th Grenadier Platoon, 1/I/144^th 16 men Veteran

Deployment

2^nd /I/144^th Regiment, 1^st Battalion Support Formations on board within jungle fringes

1^st /I/144^th Regiment off Board in reserve

Japanese Objectives

Take the Australian positions at Kokoda at all costs. This may involve several attempts to take this position including the possibility of fighting on into the day of the 29^th July.

Save as many troops as you can – remember these troops will be needed in the days to come.

Strategic Considerations

Ammunition is still limited so each weapon only has 8 rounds. The mountain gun and medium mortars have an attached forward observer team but the 70mm guns are direct fire only.

Australian OOB for Kokoda West

Scenario 1 – Defence of Kokoda 29^th July 1942

Maroubra Forces First Blooding

After experiencing a fierce fire fight at Oivi the Australian commander Captain Templeton has withdrawn his surviving troops and regrouped with other elements of the 39^th Battalion and Papuan Infantry Battalion at the village of Kokoda arriving there on the night of the 27^th July.

Initially fearing that the Japanese forces would be hot on their tails the commander of the 39^th Battalion, Lt Col Owen orders a withdrawal of all his available troops to the village of Deniki where he expects to set up another defensive position to hold the Japanese advance.

On the morning of the 28^th when the expected Japanese attack did not occur, Owen moves his forces back to Kokoda re-establishing his positions in the village and at the airfield. He radios’ Port Moresby for urgent reinforcements to be sent. Later that day the surviving air transports from Port Moresby were observed to circle the village but left the area without landing the promised troops they were carrying and returned to Port Moresby.  Lt Col Owen and the surviving elements of the 39^th are now left alone to defend Kokoda.

Kokoda is a vital strategic position located on a spur at the foot hills of the Owen Stanley Ranges. It comprises a small village, surrounding plantations and an all important small airstrip.

During the night of the 28^th July, Japanese mortar team observers move close to the Australian positions within sight of the village and begin a bombardment that lasts all night and into the next morning hoping that the constant bombing will cause the Australian to once again leave their positions handing Kokoda to the Japanese.

Australian Briefing for 29^th July 1942

Strategic Considerations

Strategic Options	Availability
Outflanking Option	No
Hold Option	Yes
Reserve Options	No
Patrol Options	Yes
Ambush Options	Yes
Aircraft Support	No

You play Lt-Col Owen commanding elements of the 39^th battalion as well as a cobbled together force of the Papuan Infantry Battalion. Your force is now known as Maroubra Force.

You have under your command the survivors of B Company 39^th Battalion, part of D Company 39^th Battalion and a small group of three undersized sections of the PIB as well as the 39^th Company medium mortar and 2 HMG’s from the 39^th support.

The Japanese begin their attack at 0230 hours in the dark with a heavy mist rolling over the plateau.

Intel

Despite suffering heavy bombardment you have been made aware that throughout the night enemy forces have been gathering near your position to the East and South East.

From what your forces have experienced at Oivi and from what you have personally observed, you estimate that you are facing a battalion sized force, may be more in the battle to come.

Weighing on your mind is the importance of holding kokoda. This war is about maintaining the ability to fight the war in the air and holding Kokoda is vital in being able to wage that air war.

Troop Deployment

You have two battles combined into one to play within this scenario. The two battle areas are (1) Kokoda village which is situated to over look the airstrip on a plateau and (2) the air strip its self. You must announce what forces are being deployed to each area prior to the battle commencing. Each areas of conflict will be played simultaneously. No forces may be swapped between the two areas unless both battles are called to a halt. Likewise as you only have 1 mortar it must assign its support to one of the battles. No cross over support is allowed.

Deployment Considerations

Your B company troops have had their losses from the previous battle distributed so that your three platoons are now smaller and similar in size. Remember that one platoon is now lacking an LMG. Your remaining platoons are equipped with Lewis only, except for the surviving Bren.

·        Your “D” company platoons both have only Lewis guns.

·        Your Papuans do not have LMG’s but all NCOs are now equipped with SMG’s.

·        HMG’s can be distributed as a team of two to one scenario or one to each battle.

·        You men have now experienced no rest form the Japanese attack, they are tired, week and have not been able to stop and eat.

Entrenchments

Australian forces start the game entrenched. The entrenchments are not placed on the field of play unless they open fire or enemy troops come within 8 inches of them. Entrenchments are classed as hard cover.

Reinforcements – There are none available

Kokoda Battle - Force Structure by Orders Of Australian Commander

Troops dedicated to hold Airstrip – West Kokoda
ADC C-in-C Captain Templeton, (Present)

39th Battalion HQ Section
39^th Battalion HMG Support, Section 2 – 1 x Vickers HMG’s

39th Battalion Medium Mortar Section – 1 Tube + Observer Team
 Plus 1 HMG team detached from HMG support
 D Company 39th Battalion - all forces Tired/Green
 C-in-C Captain Bistrap
 D Company 39th Battalion HQ Section
 16th Platoon - 3 sections of 9, 3 x LMG’s (Lewis)
 17th Platoon - 3 sections of 9, 3 x LMG’s (Lewis)
 Papuan Infantry Battalion - all forces Tired/Green
 C-in-C Major Watson (Present)
 Papuan Infantry Battalion HQ Section 5 men
 1st Section – 4 Papuans, 1 x Australian SMG, 1 x Papuan SMG, 1 x Papuan Lewis LMG
 2nd Section - 4 Papuans, 1 x Australian SMG
 3rd Section - 4 Papuans, 1 x Australian SMG

Objectives

1.      Hold the position knowing that you will not be receiving any further support.

2.      Where you are not able to hold the position escape off your base line end of the board with as many troops in tact as you can rescue – remember these troops will be needed in the days to come.

Battle for Kokoda West AAR 2.30am 29th July 1942

After Action Report Kokoda West – 29^th July 1942

Part 1 of 2 Kokoda is played as two separate games, West and East

Game 1 - Kokoda West

(Photos from Greg Blake)

 

Historical and Campaign setting

The battle for Kokoda begans at 0230 hours 29^th July in the early morning with mist rolling over the escarpment of the Village.

The Australian forced had returned from Deniki in the late afternoon of the 28^th after deserting the Village of Kokoda that morning and after fighting a patrol action to the east of the village against numerically superior Japanese forces.

The Japanese Commander Yokoyama on the night of the 28^th orders his forces to move close to the Kokoda village perimeter to await attack orders. Yokoyama commits the 2^nd Company, 144^th Battalion to led the attack supported by the two medium mortars of 1^st Battalion 144^th and two 70mm Infantry Guns 1/144^th battalion. In reserve he places the 1^st Company 144^th Regt setting up behind the jungle line to the West of Kokoda. A savage mortar and artillery bombardment begins.

Facing the Japanese is a mixed defence force of Australian Militia troops and local Papuans. The Australian Order of Battle comprising 16^th and 17^th Platoons,  D Company 39^th Battalion –under Captain Bistrap, one Vickers MG, 39^th Battalion MG Section, one 81mm Mortar from 39^th Battalion HQ and three small sections of Papuan Infantry (Papuan Infantry Battalion) under the local area commander Major Watson. Command for this part of the battle fell to Captain Templeton, acting as the ADC to Lt Colonel Owen 39^th Battalion who is deployed to East Kokoda.

The game

The Japanese forces had their artillery and Mortars set up in open terrain facing west Kokoda. The 2^nd Company moved onto the table as two forces, the first group comprising two platoons with by knee mortars moving towards the village from the North and the second group the third company with attached mortars moving on from the North West. Snipers from the 2^nd company deploying in the jungle line far to the west of the village looking for viable targets.

At first the Australians were outside 12” and therefore were not placed on the field of play until they reveal their positions by firing or by the Japanese came within 12”.  

Initiative feel to the Japanese but due to the Australians hidden force option not much happened. The Australians made many attempts to acquire targets with one section managing this in the end causing light Japanese casualties.

(Photos from Greg Blake)

For several turns the same situation was repeated, one by one the Australians did however acquire targets and firing became steadily heavier and Japanese troops began to fall. The Japanese players stop their grenadier sections and the knee mortars now came into play. By the end of turn three the Japanese medium mortars fired star shells on the front of the Australian entrenchments and the battle began to turn in the favour of the Japanese attackers.

Japanese snipers hiding in the jungle fringes to the west of Kokoda also started to worry the Australian positions. By the end of turn four, they started to pick of NCO’s all the time seeking to locate and take out the Australian commanders. In response to this one section of Papuan Infantry was sent out from their trenches with the mission of hunting down the snipers. Unfortunately within two turns their Australian Corporal was killed and the section initially retreated back to seek shelter but through further casualties began to rout.

By turn five Japanese casualties were becoming heavy 40 men had now been killed for a total of only five Australians and the first of the banzai charges had failed.

Turn six saw the all out bombardment of kokoda begin to take its toll, a second star shell was fired over kokoda and the Australian positions to the north were now in full light. The casualties within the Australian positions became heavy.

Continuing to apply the pressure the Japanese platoon that had been deployed to the North West had moved South and now swung back toward the airfield.

The Australian command realising that the defensive position was now under in trouble with many units suppressed moved Captain Bidstrap into a position where he could use his superior gut check to their advantage. As he turned his back to move towards a group of Australian that were in need of his guidance a lone sniper “Hajimoto” sighted the officer squeezed off a carefully aimed shot and the officer fell dead.

The command situation worsened with Captain Templeton becoming suppressed through mortar fire leaving the local area commander Major Watson in charge of the whole position.

The Australian support weapons feared little better, within three turns the HMG had been firstly suppressed was then taken out and the Mortar Section was experiencing heavy fire and had become suppressed.

Meanwhile the Japanese had lost 5 sections out of their 12 available amounting to 65 casualties. The Japanese commander gave the order for the reserves that had been hidden behind the jungle line to the west of the village to now move on. These new troops moved quickly from their start positions towards the crumbling Papuan positions to the west crossing the airfield and bringing fresh fire on the remaining Australian positions on the escarpment.

(Photos from Greg Blake)

Captain Templeton while attempting to recover from his suppression feel to Hajimoto, sniped from long rang. Full command truly fell to Major Watson.

The situation was serious, from the north Japanese troops had eliminated all resistance on the escarpment and two sections now moved fast threatened the centre of the village. As the mortar team retreated from their position the crews were cut down. Scattered small sections of surviving Australian troops had rallied near a forward hut, while an Australian sergeant and Major Watson argued about when to pulling out. The Major gave into the sergeant sealing their fate, Watson to Hajimoto’s sniper rifle and the others on the points of Japanese bayonet’s.

The remaining Papuan and Australian troops that had survived the onslaught began to flee down the track through the rubber plantation to the safety of Deniki.

West Kokoda had fallen.

To be continued – East Kokoda still to be played.

Outcome – The Australian casualties were 54 men, 1 HMG and 1 8Imm Mortar plus observers. The Japanese casualties were 94 men from 2^nd Company, 1^st Bn 144^th Regt and 13men from 1^st  Company, 1^st Bn 144^th Regt, a total of 108 casualties.

The surviving Australians amounting to 9 Papuan Infantry – 1 Rifle, 2 Smgs, 2 LMG’s and 2 Australian NCO’s SMG armed and a small section of HQ staff 5 men plus Surgeon Vernon withdrew back to Deniki to await orders. 

(Photos from Greg Blake)

Battle of Kokoda West July 29th 1942

Hi All

This weekend coming the group is about to play the battle for Kokoda.

As the battle is large and involves many units it will be divided into a battle for the West of Kokoda including the village of Kokoda and the Airstrip and the second the battle will be for Kokoda East. Both games although played separately will be deemed to be played simultaneously as they are part of the same battle.

I am not able to post anything as yet as the OOBs are not for general viewing - but will do after the battle has been played.

Japanese OOB Kokoda Patrol 28th July 1942



Patrolling Action 28^th July 1942

Your Commander Lt – Colonel Yokoyama has ordered his troops to reform for the big fight for the strategic position of Kokoda Village. As Yokoyama  is not aware of the full Australian strength in Kokoda he has ordered your patrol forward to seek out the Australian positions and to get an idea of their defences and location.

Yokoyama has ordered a patrol by the entire 1^st Platoon, 4^th Company, 1^st Battalion, 144^th Regiment a fresh and spirited group of men eager to close on the Australian positions.

At 10.00 am as the patrol moves forward you see up ahead what appears to be troops moving down the track from Kokoda but as it is raining and you are unable to ascertain if these are other Japanese troops or Australian Militia patrolling.

Your patrol moves forward with caution.

Deployment

Japanese troops deploy on the eastern end of the track map – marked Oivi Village

You set up 12 inches in form your end of the board into any terrain type.

Troop OOB - No 1 platoon, 4^th Company 1^st Battalion, 144^th Regiment.

Your forces consist of sections 1, 2 and 3 plus the HQ Section a total of  52 men

Australian OOB for Kokoda patroll action

Patrolling Action 28^th July 1942

The Commander of 39^th Battalion Lt Colonel (Dougy) Owen has ordered his troops to reform in Kokoda and prepare for the Japanese to attack, which is expected to come later today or tomorrow.

To accretion the strength and the intentions of the Japanese (Dougy) Owen has ordered a patrol by No 1 Section, 10^th platoon, B Company 39^th Battalion, comprising 7 men including a Lewis gun to patrol to the east of Kokoda on the road between Kokoda Village and Oivi.

At 10.00 am as the patrol moves forward they see up ahead what appears to be troops moving down the track towards Kokoda but as it is raining they are unable to ascertain if these are Japanese troops or further Australian troops, either Militia of PNB troops coming back to the main body after the previous three days actions.

The patrol moves forward with caution.

Deployment

Australian troops deploy on the western end of the track map – marked Kokoda Village

Your troops start 12inches in from your end of the board and may deploy into any terrain

Troop OOB - No 1 Section, 10^th platoon, B Company 39^th Battalion

1 x Senior NCO (Corporal)  – SMG armed

4 x Privates – Rifle armed

1 x Junior NCO (Lance Corporal) LMG Section  – SMG armed

1 x LMG Gunner – Lewis LMG

Reinforcements – 1^st Section Papuan Infantry Battalion – These forces arrive once the first shots are fired on a roll of 1 (D10) increasing in chance by 1 each turn

1 x Senior NCO (Corporal)  – SMG armed

4 x Privates – Rifle armed

Kokoda Patrol Action 28th July 1942

Hi all

Following is the after action report from the last game - unfortunately there are no pics, no one had a camera on the day

AAR 28^th July 1942 – Kokoda track east leading to Kokoda

At 10.00 an Australian patrol comprising a section of 7 men including an LMG moves slowly along the track east of the village Kokoda. The track is a small badly maintained foot road that is surrounded either side by jungle.

In the rain that has been falling on the patrol since it left kokoda the lead scouts spot what appears to be a small group of men heading toward them from the direction of Oivi. The senior NCO Corporal Walsh not sure weather these men are friends or foe moves forward with caution.

When the patrol is within 150 yards of the approaching group it becomes apparent that this is a Japanese patrol of around 1 section (15men) in strength.

Cpl Walsh orders his LMG to open fire cutting down two of the assistants on the Japanese MG team. The entire Japanese section returns fire instantly killing the Australian LMG team.  The Japanese now advance towards the remaining Australians with haste. Cpl Walsh orders two of his rifle men to go to the position of the fallen gun team and take up the weapon while his remaining riflemen provide coving fire.

Not to far away a second Australian patrol comprising troops of the PIB under an Australian corporal (6 men in total) hear the firing and decide to move to their comrade’s position to give assistance making all haste through the thick jungle.

Back on the track the Japanese now charge at the Australian position coming under renewed fire that begins to cut them down. They stop just short of the position.

From the left hand side of the track a second section of Japanese appear supported by the fire of a second LMG that cutts down two more Australians. On the right hand side of the track there is the sound of fast moving troops approaching the besieged Australian position.

Cpl Walsh now realises he has a major situation on his hands which is lessened a little a minute or so later as the PIB troops arrive, but not in time to sway the battle. Weighing up his situation he surmises he is facing a full Japanese Platoon of around 50 or so enemy infantry. He decides to hold the position for one more turn but this decision costs the Australians as their LMG team is once more taken out of action and Cpl Walsh is killed firing his SMG as he goes down.

The Australian Cpl with the PIB moves forward instructing his troops to provide covering fire as his troops grab the LMG and beat a hasty retreat from the battlefield.

Outcome – The Australian casualties were 1 section, 7 men. The Japanese casualties were 1 section 15 men. The Japanese patrol withdraws back to Oivi after seeing off the PIB moving back to their main base at Oivi. However during the night a second Japanese patrol moves out towards Kokoda unopposed they scout the perimeter position of the village and airfield returning back to their HQ with vital intelligence.

Additional Photos of game

Australians under sustained mortar fire

Japanese Banzai Charge

Japanese move through light jungle

Australians await the Japanese attack

 



Battle of Oivi Action Report

First battle of the Campaign for Kokoda 1942. The battle represents Capitan Templeton’s attempt to hold his position at Oivi against the advancing forces of the Yokoyama Advance Force striking inland towards Kokoda.

The battle began with the Japanese deploying two companies from the 1^st Battalion 144^th Regiment, 12 inches in on the southern end of the battle field. One company was deployed to the left in open terrain and the second in heavy jungle to the right. Behind these forces was one 75mm Mountain gun from the 55^th Artillery Regiment and two company mortars from 1^st Battalion. The Japanese commander had a choice of troops which he chose to deploy his “A” formation troops these are 15 man sections with knee mortar support. The third company was held in reserve.

The Australians were placed on a map in defensive trenches to await the advance of the Japanese.

The second turn saw the Japanese advancing closer (moving quickly at 9”) when the Australians of No 1 & 2 sections open fire they only inflicted light casualties. By the third turn that situation had changed, the  Japanese left flank was now in serious trouble through high casualty loss, forcing the Japanese players to commit their third company to the field.

Japanese Troops clear the jungle



By the forth turn the Japanese knee and company mortars had ranged in on the Australian trenches and were bringing down a rain of shells that continued to suppress the Australian and creating a great deal of work for the Australian officers who worked hard to keep the suppressed troops operational.

On the fifth turn the battle turned against the Australian positions, the first and second squads were at half strength and the Japanese 2^nd company was now clearing the jungle putting real pressure on those positions through Banzai charges on the Australian left (Japanese right flank). Vicious hand to hand combat ensued.

By the sixth turn the Australian 1^st and 2^nd squads had began to break through casualty loss. They were now attempting to retire back to their rear positions that were being held by the troops of the Papuan infantry. On this turn the 2^nd section had the worst luck of the day. They suffered a ferocious Banzai chare from close range, in their response to this charge, the sections Lewis gun jammed and all closing fire missed. They were cut down to one man, the LMG gunner who began to run for cover and was shot in the back by a Japanese snipper.

Despite this success, the Japanese could not press home their attacks and called a hold to the game. The Japanese announced that they would reform for another attack using the 3^rd Company and would send their 2^nd company to the right to outflank the Australian position to attack from the rear once in position.

Results of the battle

The Australian Captain Templeton did leave the battle field to look for his re-enforcements and unlike in real life did survive the battle. A big effect on the ability of the Australian to fight was their possession WW1 of Lewis guns in their LMG sections. These weapons are prone to jam and did so on a natural 10 roll – This is a house rules adopted to represent this weapons un-reliability in the field by 1942.

The Australian commanders weighed up their losses against conducting a hold action and decided that a withdrawal to Kokoda was a better option. As night feel the Australian forces withdrew in good order. The Japanese did not advance opting to regroup and reinforce.

Japanese Banzai charge goes home



Battle Casualties

Australian Platoons – 17 men, with the additional loss of 1 Lewis gun

Papuan Infantry 1 man

Japanese Infantry 1^st Company 144^th 1^st Battalion – 97 men

Gunners 55^th mountain Artillery - 3 men

Pre-battle posting

One of the members of the group has posted a pre-battle blog of the game scheduled for sunday with a little back ground information on it. I have posted a link to Docs blog for all those intetested

http://docsartofwar.blogspot.com/

First battle in the Campaign

The first battle of the Campaign is to be played Sunday 24th October - The battle for Oivi 26th July 1942. The battle is one of the smaller scenarios in the Campaign. The game will involve the advance forces of the Japanese South Seas Detachment striking inland towards the village of Kokoda on the Kokoda track.

After the game has been played OOB's and scenario information will be posted to the site, with many pictures of the Action as well.

Kokoda Campaign 1942

This page is for use by the gamers and followers of the Kokoda Campaign 1942.

The game is to be played over 35 or so linked scenarios, using 28mm miniatures supplied by the participants using the Iron Ivan rules set with some house rules that will cover the issues that are specific to this campaign and theatre.

The blog will only have post items as actions are fought or as options become available to participants