new RSME scenario- Forgotten - Printable Version +- Forums (https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards) +-- Forum: The Firing Line (https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/forumdisplay.php?fid=1) +--- Forum: Campaign Series (https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/forumdisplay.php?fid=8) +--- Thread: new RSME scenario- Forgotten (/showthread.php?tid=51905)

new RSME scenario- Forgotten - Mr. Guberman - 06-25-2009 ...and another one 15 March, 1942 "The Abandoned Army" viz: Padangsidempuan, Sumatra: The major portion of the Dutch East Indies Army was surrendered on Java on March 8th. Still holding out on the northern half of Sumatra was a sizable force of Dutch units, most of which had not yet come to grips with the Japanese who had already conquered the southern half of the large island. Which set of orders to follow? The commander of the Dutch East Indies Army, General terPoorten had issued two sets of orders to his island garrisons. First, to ignore any order to surrender, emanating from Java as that order would probably be given under duress and second, on March 8th, to surrender. The issue of continuing to fight outside of the articles of war caused some doubt in the minds of the Dutch troops, but they knew, also, of the many atrocities perpetrated on surrendering Dutch forces by the Japanese. They opted to continue the struggle. On March 7th, after holding off the Japanese southern advance forces at Muaratebo, Dutch Major Hazenburg's force retreated north to link up with the forces holding out along the north shore of Lake Toba. The route chosen would have them pass through the city of Padangsidempuan with the Japanese forces in pusuit. On March 14th, the Dutch forces defending the south shore of the lake, in the area Balige-Siborongborong, were defeated by the Kokushi Detachment, of the Japanese Imperial Guards Division, which was advancing west and south from Medan. This force arrived at Padangsidempuan from the north, on the 14th, just ahead of Major Hazenburg's tired force. Was there any more fight left in the worn out Allied troops and if so, could they break through this Japanese roadblock? enjoy Curt