I remember playing SPI's "USN" and knowing that Menado (Celebes) was one of the most important first moves. Well here we are then. This is a scenario that beggars playing...a large map...and not a lot of Allied options. For the Axis...an airborne assault...se la guerre...
viz:
11 January 1942
Minhassa Peninsula, Northern Celebes: Between 0300 and 0400
hrs, the Japanese Eastern Force has put their SNLFs ashore, "almost
unopposed", on the northern Celebes and by 0500 are vying for control
of the main city and naval base of Menado and the surrounding
area on the eastern coast. On the west coast the port of Kema
has already fallen and the Japanese are poised to strike inland,
east and south, toward the Langoan area and it's large all weather
airfield. The Dutch forces in this area, made up, mostly, of
local levies and retired troops, hastily called up at the outbreak
of war, are terribly understrength and frankly, out of their
league. Given orders to defend the area, in order to deny the
Japanese the important airbases, especially Menado II, near Langoan,
to forstall their use against the main island of Java, Dutch
Major Schilmoller has his hands full and he knows it. By daylight,
the surprised Dutch troops are assembling and beginning to offer
some resistance. The Japanese have a big, mid-morning, surprise
planned for the Dutchmen.
...and again, for those who are interested...I hope you enjoy it.