Toaw Scenario: Attu Island 43

Aleutians,
May 11, 1943,

USA army of 84 units opposed to Japanese army of 69 units
for a battle of complexity 0.73 at Company(I) level
on a 2.5 Km/Hex map
for 20 turns of Full Day each.

by John E Cross submited on 06-12-2002

Rugged-Defense Playing Statistics

Download (current version (total) )
Links	Vol I	Vol II	WotY	CoW (26 KB)	Vol III
Downloaded	( 0 )	( 0 )	( 0 )	( 113 )	0 ( 0 )

If you like this scenario, vote for it:

Briefing
OPERATION SANDCRAB Campaign in Frustration The invasion of Attu Location: The Aleutian Islands 11 May 43 - 30 May 43 (20 turns) Scale: 2.5 km per location One day turns Company/Platoon Allied (US) Supply Points Seal Kill Cove (3,6) Sandy Cove (19,19) Between Massacre Bay & Sandy Cove (24,20) Massacre Bay (25,18) Allied supply distance 2 locations (5km) Allied (US) Reentry Point Massacre Bay beach (25,18) Axis (IJN/A) Seal Kill Cove (3,6) Attu Field (21,14) Attu City (24,11) Axis Supply Distance 6 locations (15km) Axis (IJN/A) Reentry Point SNLF Barracks (25,11) Created 22 Jun 98 Last updated 0000 08 Jan 99 (Ver 1.05.31.01) Designers Comments This scenario is best played by two human opponents or Human vs PO controls Axis/IJN/A. Historical scenario (with some very feasible variants using the event editor) This scenario will require the player(s) to read the list of possible events (listed below) and CAREFULLY watch the Recent News each turn. Some events can have a dramatic effect on play and events TOTALLY out of your hands may require drastic alterations in your plans. Pay very close attention to your supply locations and to the effects of events. Most events will have a very common sense effect when/if activated. It is my hope that these events will give you some of the feel an operational commander has in dealing with prosecution of his/her assigned task. Special Events: IJN Submarines may make their presence known! There is a small chance that major ships may be sunk or damaged. This will result in loss of naval fire power and/or naval air support for the allies plus the addition of a large and varible number of VPs for the IJN/A. There is a larger (still small) chance that IJN subs may sink supply or troop ships. This will result in reducing the US supply level or loss of entire Allied/US units in the icy waters of the Arctic! There is a small chance that the IJN will intervene in the assault on Attu. If this happens the USN forces will be detached. Sometime later an off-board naval battle will ensue. If the IJN win, they will have a small naval presence show up around Attu shortly thereafter. This will also DRASTICALLY cut the US supply level! If the IJN win the naval battle off Attu, there will then be a large probablitity the the IJN will embark portions of the 5th Special Naval Landing Force aboard submarines and insert them onto the western half of Attu. If this happens, the IJN Subs run a risk of being sunk by the USN screening force well west of Attu with the loss of the embarked Landing force. There is a chance of changing weather patterns that will have varying degrees of negative effects on the US supply system. As the scenario progress, USN SeaBeas will improve the beach landing areas which may improve the US supply situation. The USN will attempt to sink four old scows (gooseberrys) near the main landing site around Massacre Bay. If successful, this will dramaticlly increase the flow of supplies for the Allies. Occupation of Sandy Cove by the US will allow the SeaBees to start preparation of an additional landing site for vital supplies. Occupation of the beach between Sandy Cove and Massacre Bay MAY allow more supplies to be landed for the allies. Allied naval support forces will be withdrawn sometime between the 15th and 20th of May. They may also be withdrawn earlier if the IJN sorties her fleet to aid the defenders of Attu. If the Allies (US) take AND hold Attu City for 2-3 turns the game will end. Although this will be an Allied (US) victory, pay attention to your losses. If the US have suffered VERY heavy losses you may indeed consider this a hollow victory. Background In June of 42 the IJN/A embarked on its most fateful campaign. The reduction, invasion and occupation of Midway Island. Admiral Yamamoto and his staff devised an exceptionally complicated plan AND diversion to achieve Midway. Midway is in the annals of history. The IJN lost four of its valuable flattops and the cream of its naval aviators plus other naval vessels. Midway was the turning point of the Pacific war in the Central Pacific. But Midway had two parts. A diversionary attack was made toward Alaska. Dutch Harbor was bombed, Attu and Kiska were taken. (each had a three - five man weather team and these brave souls did resist!, the longest held out for 27 days until finally surrendering to IJN construction forces) If Midway had been taken, Attu and Kiska (the larger of the two) would act as remote weather stations, naval air recon stations, sub fueling stations and as links in a northern supply route for Midway. After the failure of the Midway operation the importance of these islands were reduced to outposts against a northern invasion route of the Home Islands and as a Propaganda tool as these Islands were US Territories. It also required the US Army, Canadian Army, US Navy and USAAFs to devote nearly 200,000 women and men to the defense of Alaska and to building roads from Washington State to western Alaska. The propaganda threat (in retrospect) was the most serious threat; and this was no small matter on the home front. Intial plans were for the recapture of Kiska first and to let Attu wither. But hard lessons from Operation Torch, very limited resources and intel estimates (of Attu and Kiska) changed the plans to make Attu the first objectives. Attu is shrouded in fog and mist almost year round. Even the best of weather is often bad and the terrain is often 8-12 feet deep mud/swamp (called Muskeg by the Aleuts). This Muskeg very seldom freezes thanks to the very warm currents of the Japanesse North Current. Attu is pounded by freakish winds (called Williwaws by the Aluts) that can gust up to 165 kph with sustained winds of nearly 100 kph. In summer the tempertures are cooler due to the migration of the Japanese current and thus, at times, "summer" can be colder than winter. After 10 months of planning and preparation the invasion was set. The 7th US Infantry would land on Attu against what Intel estimated to be from 800-1100 construction workers along with a few IJN troops. The plan allowed 3-5 days to take Attu. The invasion occured on 11 May 43. Due to high seas and HEAVY fog landing was severely hampered. This also kept the IJN/A unaware of the invasion until almost 10 hours later. Even unopposed, the US forces were only able to gain 3-4 km inland during the first 10 hours due to the muskeg. The thick fog caused many units to land off mark and, just keeping units separated was a major undertaking. In the late hours of 11 May the US forces started meeting resistance. Although sporadic it was effective because the Japanese held all of the high ground and the US units had to advance in muskeg that was above their knees (and waist at times). The morning of the 12th brought heavy fighting in and around Clavessy Pass, Jarmin Pass and on the approach to Cold Mtn. Over the next few days advances were measured in 100's of yards. Progress remained slow through the 16th. In frustration the commanding General of 7th Infantry was relieved 'IN' combat and replaced. Starting on 17/18 the first line of Japanese defenses fell. The remaining IJN/A forces fell back in good order to the caves in the mountains to the south of Attu City. Here again the operation stalemated. For 8 more days losses were high (mostly due to the weather and terrain) and little progress was made. On 29 May the IJN/A forces mounted a MASSIVE suicide assault in every direction. All US lines were breached and bloody hand to hand fighting ensued. Then, for reasons still unkown, the IJN/A force, almost in unison, stopped the charge and started wildly shooting each other. During this final action, two US soldiers earned the CMH for their actions. Attu is rated as the second highest loss ratio invasion of WW II. For every 100 Japanesse casulaties there were 71 on the US side. Scenario Design by: John E Cross JCWargamer@aol.com (any and all comments welcomed) w/ thanks to Lin Parkh

Briefing

OPERATION SANDCRAB
Campaign in Frustration
The invasion of Attu

Location: The Aleutian Islands
11 May 43 - 30 May 43
(20 turns)

Scale:
2.5 km per location
One day turns
Company/Platoon

Allied (US) Supply Points
Seal Kill Cove (3,6)
Sandy Cove (19,19)
Between Massacre Bay & Sandy Cove (24,20)
Massacre Bay (25,18)

Allied supply distance
2 locations (5km)
Allied (US) Reentry Point
Massacre Bay beach (25,18)

Axis (IJN/A)
Seal Kill Cove (3,6)
Attu Field (21,14)
Attu City (24,11)

Axis Supply Distance
6 locations (15km)
Axis (IJN/A) Reentry Point
SNLF Barracks (25,11)

Created 22 Jun 98
Last updated 0000 08 Jan 99
(Ver 1.05.31.01)

Designers Comments
This scenario is best played by two human opponents or Human vs PO controls Axis/IJN/A.
Historical scenario (with some very feasible variants using the event editor) This scenario will require the player(s) to read the list of possible events (listed below) and CAREFULLY watch the Recent News each turn. Some events can have a dramatic effect on play and events TOTALLY out of your hands may require drastic alterations in your plans. Pay very close attention to your supply locations and to the effects of events. Most events will have a very common sense effect when/if activated. It is my hope that these events will give you some of the feel an operational commander has in dealing with prosecution of his/her assigned task.

Special Events:
IJN Submarines may make their presence known! There is a small chance that major ships may be sunk or damaged. This will result in loss of naval fire power and/or naval air support for the allies plus the addition of a large and varible number of VPs for the IJN/A.
There is a larger (still small) chance that IJN subs may sink supply or troop ships. This will result in reducing the US supply level or loss of entire Allied/US units in the icy waters of the Arctic!
There is a small chance that the IJN will intervene in the assault on Attu. If this happens the USN forces will be detached. Sometime later an off-board naval battle will ensue. If the IJN win, they will have a small naval presence show up around Attu shortly thereafter. This will also DRASTICALLY cut the US supply level!
If the IJN win the naval battle off Attu, there will then be a large probablitity the the IJN will embark portions of the 5th Special Naval Landing Force aboard submarines and insert them onto the western half of Attu. If this happens, the IJN Subs run a risk of being sunk by the USN screening force well west of Attu with the loss of the embarked Landing force.
There is a chance of changing weather patterns that will have varying degrees of negative effects on the US supply system.
As the scenario progress, USN SeaBeas will improve the beach landing areas which may improve the US supply situation.
The USN will attempt to sink four old scows (gooseberrys) near the main landing site around Massacre Bay. If successful, this will dramaticlly increase the flow of supplies for the Allies.
Occupation of Sandy Cove by the US will allow the SeaBees to start preparation of an additional landing site for vital supplies.
Occupation of the beach between Sandy Cove and Massacre Bay MAY allow more supplies to be landed for the allies.
Allied naval support forces will be withdrawn sometime between the 15th and 20th of May. They may also be withdrawn earlier if the IJN sorties her fleet to aid the defenders of Attu.
If the Allies (US) take AND hold Attu City for 2-3 turns the game will end. Although this will be an Allied (US) victory, pay attention to your losses. If the US have suffered VERY heavy losses you may indeed consider this a hollow victory.

Background
In June of 42 the IJN/A embarked on its most fateful campaign. The reduction, invasion and occupation of Midway Island. Admiral Yamamoto and his staff devised an exceptionally complicated plan AND diversion to achieve Midway. Midway is in the annals of history. The IJN lost four of its valuable flattops and the cream of its naval aviators plus other naval vessels. Midway was the turning point of the Pacific war in the Central Pacific.
But Midway had two parts. A diversionary attack was made toward Alaska. Dutch Harbor was bombed, Attu and Kiska were taken. (each had a three - five man weather team and these brave souls did resist!, the longest held out for 27 days until finally surrendering to IJN construction forces)
If Midway had been taken, Attu and Kiska (the larger of the two) would act as remote weather stations, naval air recon stations, sub fueling stations and as links in a northern supply route for Midway.
After the failure of the Midway operation the importance of these islands were reduced to outposts against a northern invasion route of the Home Islands and as a Propaganda tool as these Islands were US Territories. It also required the US Army, Canadian Army, US Navy and USAAFs to devote nearly 200,000 women and men to the defense of Alaska and to building roads from Washington State to western Alaska. The propaganda threat (in retrospect) was the most serious threat; and this was no small matter on the home front.
Intial plans were for the recapture of Kiska first and to let Attu wither. But hard lessons from Operation Torch, very limited resources and intel estimates (of Attu and Kiska) changed the plans to make Attu the first objectives.
Attu is shrouded in fog and mist almost year round. Even the best of weather is often bad and the terrain is often 8-12 feet deep mud/swamp (called Muskeg by the Aleuts). This Muskeg very seldom freezes thanks to the very warm currents of the Japanesse North Current. Attu is pounded by freakish winds (called Williwaws by the Aluts) that can gust up to 165 kph with sustained winds of nearly 100 kph. In summer the tempertures are cooler due to the migration of the Japanese current and thus, at times, "summer" can be colder than winter.
After 10 months of planning and preparation the invasion was set. The 7th US Infantry would land on Attu against what Intel estimated to be from 800-1100 construction workers along with a few IJN troops. The plan allowed 3-5 days to take Attu.
The invasion occured on 11 May 43. Due to high seas and HEAVY fog landing was severely hampered. This also kept the IJN/A unaware of the invasion until almost 10 hours later.
Even unopposed, the US forces were only able to gain 3-4 km inland during the first 10 hours due to the muskeg. The thick fog caused many units to land off mark and, just keeping units separated was a major undertaking.
In the late hours of 11 May the US forces started meeting resistance. Although sporadic it was effective because the Japanese held all of the high ground and the US units had to advance in muskeg that was above their knees (and waist at times).
The morning of the 12th brought heavy fighting in and around Clavessy Pass, Jarmin Pass and on the approach to Cold Mtn. Over the next few days advances were measured in 100's of yards. Progress remained slow through the 16th. In frustration the commanding General of 7th Infantry was relieved 'IN' combat and replaced. Starting on 17/18 the first line of Japanese defenses fell. The remaining IJN/A forces fell back in good order to the caves in the mountains to the south of Attu City. Here again the operation stalemated. For 8 more days losses were high (mostly due to the weather and terrain) and little progress was made. On 29 May the IJN/A forces mounted a MASSIVE suicide assault in every direction. All US lines were breached and bloody hand to hand fighting ensued.
Then, for reasons still unkown, the IJN/A force, almost in unison, stopped the charge and started wildly shooting each other. During this final action, two US soldiers earned the CMH for their actions.
Attu is rated as the second highest loss ratio invasion of WW II. For every 100 Japanesse casulaties there were 71 on the US side.

Scenario Design by:
John E Cross
JCWargamer@aol.com
(any and all comments welcomed)

w/ thanks to Lin Parkh