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After experiencing a fierce fire fight at Oivi between your forces and those of the Australian defenders they have withdrawn their surviving troops and regrouped at the village of Kokoda.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.