Battlegroup Pacific – Battle Report. Intro + Turn 1

This is a platoon sized BG game, roughly 460pts or 28BR for each side. The infantry platoon is the core of both forces with assorted support elements. Table is a standard 4x6ft, with 15mm miniatures.

The Army Lists

USMC – 454pts/28br

Imperial Japanese Army – 468pts/28br


Scenario : Defense Line

Defense Line is a standard attacker/defender scenario from the main rulebook. IJA naturally being the defender in this game.

4x6ft table layout with deployment zones marked.


Starting the Game: IJA Deployment

IJA rolled well for number of initial defenders (2D6) with 7 in addition to their defenses (dug in tanks, artillery observation post). These are all placed within the center third of the table. IJA have used “well concealed” defense, which gives an extra -1 to spotting any defense units (dug in tanks, bunkers) for the entire game. As long as they stay in the bunkers. Thematic.

D3 units get to start on ambush, I chose the HMG dugout, Light howitzer, and one dug in Ha-Go tank.

IJA have off table 105mm howitzers which should chew up some marines. Downside to any IJA artillery is “rounds on the way” rule, which is theres no calling off the barrage, even if it deviates and will hit your own troops

USMC Deployments


USMC prep bombardment

USMC prep bombardment, Pins D3 random units. knee mortars, rifle team, and lmg team. Looking good for marines so far! Ready to start turn 1 for attacking marines


Turn 1: USMC

2D6 Rolled for orders (7+3 officers=10). Started with a Communications check and an off-table medium mortar barrage, called in by the Forward Observer.

The spotting round deviated, but still was in range to hit the LMG squad, so I proceeded with barrage. 4 dice rolled, one direct hit, two pin checks, one miss. The direct hit caused two wounds, light cover saves were passed. Pin checks were also passed. The unit was still pinned from the previous barrage though.

Open fire order for pack howitzer (2shots) HE area fire. 1 hit 1 miss. light cover save made.

Disembark order for the LVT4. It gets a 5″ move forward then 3 teams disembark within 4″. MMG and Bazooka into the jungle, BAR fire team around the side. This is a single order for the LVT4, the teams will still be able to be ordered afterwards.

MMG move & fire order. Moves thru jungle to the edge to lay down suppressing fire to the IJA rifle squad.

Bazooka team moves to the edge of the jungle to get a shot at the Ha-Go, triggering ambush fire. Team is successfully pinned from tanks MG’s fire.

Bazooka team will be unpinned at the end of the turn with USMC pulling a chit, (1 chit = D6 units unpinned)
both sides are 28BR. USMC will be at 27 after a chit pull of a 1.

Recon Jeep takes a top speed order (2x move) and zooms along jungle edge for a better spotting view

End of USMC Turn 1


Turn 1: IJA

IJA rolls up 8 orders. Artillery observation post fails a Comms check (4+) for the 105mm’s. Forward HQ gives a try and gets thru, calls in spotter round. Deviates Nicely, with two units in range.

If the Banzai token is drawn for the USMC, its discarded and not returned to bag. Another chit is drawn (4).

Ha-Go has another whack at the bazooka team, they narrowly escape

The other Ha-Go lays down some MG suppressing fire towards the fire team, pinning them.

Lastly, the LMG team moves up to the edge of the jungle, awaiting oncoming marines. I Had something interesting happen at the end of the turn rally for IJA. Having multiple units pinned, I decided they’d draw a chit to unpin (D6) units. Of course I roll a ONE!

I decide to unpin the IJA rifle unit nearest the bazooka and MMG team. The chit I draw is “beyond the call of duty” which basically gives a free order to any unit you choose (must pass a D6 roll that depends on veterancy, regulars are 4+).

Japanese special rule “glory to the emperor” gives an extra BTCOD counter to any special counter drawn (air strike, ammo low, booby trap, etc). So essentially I get two BTCOD chances! and…….I fail to roll a 4+ for two separate IJA units to activate. Could have been some bad news for USMC

END OF TURN 1 – USMC BR = 23 – IJA BR = 28

to be continued….

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