Breaking Heartstrings Update: Scenario 1 - End Turn 5
The tsunami that is the USMC seaborne landing has crashed upon the shores of the small island of the Eniwetok Atoll, but the tidal wave of Marine amtracs was fettered somewhat by the Japanese MG and Anti-tank gun fire, resulting in nearly 60% losses on Green Beach 2 and about 15% losses on Green Beach 3. Green Beach 2 landing has practically being repulsed with few amtracs carrying Marines left. The landings on Green Beach 3 has proved more successfully with amtracs crowding the shoreline disgorging their troop loads on the beach. A light tank amtrac has even penetrated deep into the middle of the island, with a few Marine carrying close behind, but these are now somewhat isolated with Japanese appearing all around them, even falling out of the palm tree, attempting to launching Tank-Hunting Hero at them.
The Japanese they are light on infantry, but heavy on crew served weapons, having a plethora of twin 12.7mm MG, 37mm A-T Guns, .50-cal HMG that have been making Swiss-cheese out the Amtracs.
Now that the Marine on the ground and bringing their guns to bear, it is frightening the amount of firepower they have; the amtracs are firing with 14FP and two at point blank vs. a squad in 1+3+5 pillbox 28+3 resulted in the 4-4-7, ELRing, then striping, and finally Half Squading; after which the Marines pilled on the pillbox and took it out in CC (5:1 odds). The light tank amtracs are bringing their guns about and starting to fire Canister, but the Japanese are either entrenched or in pillboxes. The Marines of Green Beach 3, will have help out the troops on Green Beach 2, while at the same time spreading out and secure a beachhead.
Air Support has being somewhat sporadic, with a 50% chance of it arriving each turn, it has only showed 3 time in the 5 turns; and last time it showed up it was chased away by heavy AA fire from the island AA Defences (4x 75mm AA Guns); and of the two other times it arrived, it did little against the entrenched Japanese.
The two batteries of 5-in (127mm) Naval OBA have switched from HE to WP in order to cover the vulnerable amtracs during their run into the beaches. Green Beach 2 has had more success with the NOBA landing every turn, while Green Beach 3 it has landed twice of the possible 5 times. Luckily, with a shorter distance to the beach it didn't prove detrimental to the landing.
Next session will be Friday 14 September, starting with Turn 6.
Boundary between Green 2 & 3
Green Beach 2 (foreground) & Green Beach 3
Green Beach 3 Beachhead
Green Beach 2 toehold