Japanese Counterattack

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Armor, Artillery, Infantry, Jungle, Location: Pacific, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Pacific Theater, Scenario, Strategic, Theater: Pacific

Japanese Counterattack

The “Japanese Counter-Attack” phase refers to the counteroffensives launched by Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater. One notable example occurred during the Battle of Guadalcanal, from August 1942 to February 1943. After U.S. Marines secured a critical airfield on Guadalcanal, known as Henderson Field, the Japanese launched multiple counterattacks to reclaim it. These counteroffensives, involving intense jungle fighting and night assaults, aimed to dislodge the U.S. forces from their foothold. The Japanese committed significant naval and infantry resources, but despite their efforts, they struggled to overcome the U.S. defenses and secure sustained supply lines.

The Japs threw in ships, men, and everything they could float or march—but it didn’t matter. Our defenses held like a steel wall, and without solid supply lines, their fight was doomed from the start. They came in hard, but we broke them harder.

~~ General Howitzer

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 6

Axis – 5

Complexity:

Conditions:

Jungle

Location:

Guam

Year:

1944

Theater:

Pacific Theater

Campaign

Codename

Summary

The Japanese Counterattack takes place on the same battlefield as the Guam Landings, but the game mechanics are pretty much reversed.

Objectives:
Six VP’s, plus each side has a permanent Objective Medal hex which they can seek.

Battlefield:
Jungle with a V-shaped river cutting right through the map.

Troops:
Marines – 9 Infantry, 2 Armor, 2 Artillery.
Japanese – 12 Infantry.

🔥 Winning as Allies

1. With three artillery, and one armor, the Marines have more firepower than the Japanese. But the artillery is limited for much of the game by night visibility rules, which slowly improve throughout the game. So take your time to get your troops arranged, and your card management under control, to allow more daylight to help your attack and defense.

2. Your tank is stuck back in the left corner of the fight, so take advantage of the early turns to get it into play.

3. Remember that the Japanese practice the Seishin Kyoiku Doctrine. If they have all four units and are fighting at close combat, they role four! dice, not three. So during the game, one of the objectives the Marines need to practice is to take off at least one figure per hex. This will actually count as two in terms of reducing the Japanese firepower for subsequent attacks.

🔥 Winning as Axis

1. Big picture strategy for the Japanese forces is to quickly overwhelm a flank with infantry forces who are still fully intact so that you can use the Seishin Kyoiku Doctrine against the Marines. Because of the four! Allied artillery, the center section is kind of a kill box. So the best hope is to move down one of flanks as the cards dictate.

2. Night-time conditions are to your advantage because the Allies have so much firepower. Therefore your best attacks will be immediately, before the dice rolls enough stars to bring out the full ranged artillery attacks.

3. There are three Permanent Medal Objectives (HQ-Supply & Hospital hexes). These are deep in enemy territory, but should you get your hands on either Behind Enemy Lines or Infantry Assault cards, there is a possibility you could force your way in to them.

Battle Reports (percentage of Allied victories):

66%

(These are the historical records. For new stats, record your games in the poll to the right.)

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

Matanikau River (Guadalcanal)

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1942, Armor, Artillery, Infantry, Jungle, Location: Pacific, Memoir 44, Pacific Theater, Scenario, Strategic, Theater: Pacific

Matanikau River

The battle near the Matanikau River in 1942 was a key engagement during the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Pacific Theater of World War II. It involved several clashes between the United States Marines and Imperial Japanese forces as the Marines sought to secure their perimeter around Henderson Field, a critical airstrip on Guadalcanal.

Listen up. September to November ’42, the Matanikau was the hinge of Guadalcanal. The enemy tried to shove our Marines into the sea; our answer was simple—cross the river, hit hard, and keep hitting. We used infantry up front, artillery and naval guns on call, and fighters overhead to hammer every position that dared resist. Result: their strength bled away, our foothold stiffened, and the initiative swung to us. Lesson—seize the crossing, smash the flank, keep air on the target, and don’t stop until the island is yours.

~~ General Howitzer

5 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 6

Japanese – 6

Complexity:

Conditions

Location:

Guadalcanal

Year:

1942

Theater:

Pacific Theater

Campaign

Summary:

This scenario is pretty much an infantry battle with a bit of artillery support.

Objectives:

Five VP’s, plus Exit hexes

Battlefield:

The Matanikau River cuts across the battlefield and presents a challenge for both forces as they try to maneuver and attack one another. And there are series of beach hexes along one flank which provides a rapid transit path for attacks.

Troops:

Allies – Infantry 7, Artillery 3

Axis – 10 Infantry, 2 Armor, 2 Artillery

🔥 Winning as Allies

1. Your forces are outnumbered by the Japanese, so unless you have the cards for it, stay behind the sandbags.

2. You have three artillery, so use them whenever you can.

3. Protect the backrow from any Japanese forces that may try to escape.

4. Remember that as Marines, you get the ‘Gung Ho’ advantage, so every section card allows you to move one extra unit than the card states. Remember that advantage, and use it – you will need it.

🔥 Winning as Axis

1. You have a strong presence on the right flank. If you get the cards, you should push forward and take control.

2. If you are able to advance all the way across the battlefield, you may be able to help some troops escape.

3. You have armor and the Allies do not, so move them in and make them feel your firepower! Armor are good candidates for escape across the back line. So if you move in close, you may be able to attack and then escape.

4. You also have two artillery, so if you can move them forward, you will be able to throw 2D attacks across the river.

Battle Reports (percentage of Allied victories):

67%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

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