Briefing
IWO JIMA Doorstep To Hell! 1. UNIT COLORS 1.1. AMERICAN USMC Forces: Blue on Dark Green (variations show Division) Navy Ships: Light Blue on Blue Navy Air and CBs: White on Blue 1.2. JAPANESE Red on Brown 2. REVISION NOTES This scenario has been heavily revised but is still based largely on Wild Bill Wilder's initial research and design work . The changes were made to better represent the difficulty the Marines faced in fighting through the tenacious and brilliantly executed defenses that Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kurabayashi commanded. In this version of the scenario, the Marines will find themselves suffering heavier losses, advancing more slowly and experiencing much more combat fatigue through readiness and supply reductions than in the original design. Adjustments have been made to the map, the TOE, replacement rates, supply stockpiles and available sea transport to better reflect my vision of Iwo Jima. Also, because Bill had to originally stretch the scale of TOAW to represent Iwo Jima, the changes here also include longer range artillery substituted for the historical pieces in order to minimize the effects of the "scale fudge" on ranged fire support. Thanks again to Bill Wilder for covering this terrible and valiant chapter in USMC history. "You know, if I knew the name of the man on the extreme right of the right-hand squad of the right-hand company of the right-hand battalion, I'd recommend him for a medal before we go in." -- Maj. Gen. Clifton Cates, 4th Marine Division, Commanding, before the Battle of Iwo Jima 3. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS The US forces have a distinct edge in numbers, but a number of factors built into the game still make it difficult to win as the US. Part of the US fleet is withdrawn on turn 6 for the invasion of Okinawa. US Sea Transport is replaced on Turn 4 by an increase in US force supply. USMC regiments will run low on supplies and men, leading to tough decisions on how long to sustain the attack and with which units. Time is a factor. If the island is not taken by turn 8, fatigue will set in on USMC forces, lowering their fighting abilities (Shock Value). If the island is not taken by the end of turn 9 (all enemy forces destroyed) the stand on Iwo Jima will force a reevaluation of US amphibious strategy (+12 VPs for the Japanese Player). The 3rd Marine Division begins in "floating reserve". Starting with Turn 1, the USMC player may choose to release the 3rd from reserve for deployment on Iwo Jima. This is done through a Theater Option (View Menu, Theater Options). By choosing this option, the USMC player will gain full control over the 3rd Marine Division on the following turn in exchange for giving +10 VPs to the Japanese player. 4. Background Iwo Jima is nestled near the very heart of the Japanese Islands. Its strategic positioning allows early warning radar to advise the home islands of approaching B-29 airraids. In addition, Japanese fighters relentlessly attack the big birds both coming and going. It would be an ideal emergency landing spot for American crippled aircraft unable to make the long flight back to the Mariana Islands. The Joint Chiefs of Staff accept Admiral Nimitz' proposal to forego an invasion of Formosa in order to set up staging bases in the islands surrounding Japan. Iwo will have to be taken. Three U.S. Marine divisions prepare to launch a massive amphibious assault on the island. It is a miserable place. The island is called the "Doorstep to Japan." For thousands of combatants, it will be the "doorstep to hell." More Marines will die here than in any other single engagement in their history. Its name, Iwo Jima, means "sulfur Island." The air is sick with putrid odor from the bubbling sulfur deposits. Its ground is either covered with dark grey volcanic ash or composed of rocky terrain. It is wide open. There is no cover for the Marines. The Japanese have worked long and hard to prepare their defenses. Over 50,000 Marines will go toe to toe with over 20,000 die-hard Japanese defenders. B-24 bomber flights and days of naval shelling have prepared the way. The "gyrenes" are headed to the beaches. The Japanses are waiting. Erik Rutins

Briefing

IWO JIMA

Doorstep To Hell!

1. UNIT COLORS

1.1. AMERICAN

USMC Forces: Blue on Dark Green (variations show Division)
Navy Ships: Light Blue on Blue
Navy Air and CBs: White on Blue

1.2. JAPANESE

Red on Brown

2. REVISION NOTES

This scenario has been heavily revised but is still based largely on Wild Bill Wilder's initial research and design work . The changes were made to better represent the difficulty the Marines faced in fighting through the tenacious and brilliantly executed defenses that Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kurabayashi commanded.

In this version of the scenario, the Marines will find themselves suffering heavier losses, advancing more slowly and experiencing much more combat fatigue through readiness and supply reductions than in the original design. Adjustments have been made to the map, the TOE, replacement rates, supply stockpiles and available sea transport to better reflect my vision of Iwo Jima. Also, because Bill had to originally stretch the scale of TOAW to represent Iwo Jima, the changes here also include longer range artillery substituted for the historical pieces in order to minimize the effects of the "scale fudge" on ranged fire support.

Thanks again to Bill Wilder for covering this terrible and valiant chapter in USMC history.

"You know, if I knew the name of the man on the extreme right of the right-hand squad of the right-hand company of the right-hand battalion, I'd recommend him for a medal before we go in."

-- Maj. Gen. Clifton Cates, 4th Marine Division, Commanding, before the Battle of Iwo Jima

3. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

The US forces have a distinct edge in numbers, but a number of factors built into the game still make it difficult to win as the US.
Part of the US fleet is withdrawn on turn 6 for the invasion of Okinawa.
US Sea Transport is replaced on Turn 4 by an increase in US force supply.
USMC regiments will run low on supplies and men, leading to tough decisions on how long to sustain the attack and with which units.
Time is a factor. If the island is not taken by turn 8, fatigue will set in on USMC forces, lowering their fighting abilities (Shock Value). If the island is not taken by the end of turn 9 (all enemy forces destroyed) the stand on Iwo Jima will force a reevaluation of US amphibious strategy (+12 VPs for the Japanese Player).
The 3rd Marine Division begins in "floating reserve". Starting with Turn 1, the USMC player may choose to release the 3rd from reserve for deployment on Iwo Jima. This is done through a Theater Option (View Menu, Theater Options). By choosing this option, the USMC player will gain full control over the 3rd Marine Division on the following turn in exchange for giving +10 VPs to the Japanese player.

4. Background

Iwo Jima is nestled near the very heart of the Japanese Islands. Its strategic positioning allows early warning radar to advise the home islands of approaching B-29 airraids.

In addition, Japanese fighters relentlessly attack the big birds both coming and going. It would be an ideal emergency landing spot for American crippled aircraft unable to make the long flight
back to the Mariana Islands.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff accept Admiral Nimitz' proposal to forego an invasion of Formosa in order to set up staging bases in the islands surrounding Japan. Iwo will have to be taken.

Three U.S. Marine divisions prepare to launch a massive amphibious assault on the island. It is a miserable place. The island is called the "Doorstep to Japan." For thousands of combatants, it will be the "doorstep to hell." More Marines will die here than in any other single engagement in their history.

Its name, Iwo Jima, means "sulfur Island." The air is sick with putrid odor from the bubbling sulfur deposits. Its ground is either covered with dark grey volcanic ash or composed of rocky terrain. It is wide open. There is no cover for the Marines.

The Japanese have worked long and hard to prepare their defenses. Over 50,000 Marines will go toe to toe with over 20,000 die-hard Japanese defenders. B-24 bomber flights and days of naval shelling have prepared the way. The "gyrenes" are headed to the beaches. The Japanses are waiting.

Erik Rutins