This one has been on the burners for a long time and hopefully is not too much burned. The battle of Moulmein, I felt, is one that cries out to be made into a scenario...but it is almost impossible to do, using the available simulation vehicles. Nevertheless, I have tried.
To our Commonwealth and UK members, I dedicate this scenario.
Much like our American Corregidor and Philippine survivors, and , very much, our Dutch neighbors...this period of history is one that is beyond comprehension. The map, I have taken only a very few liberties with. The OOB's are accurate, I only fleshed out the Allies, so that there will be some of that "wild men running in the streets" effect, that was so prevalent all over the Pacific in those early days. The Allies are the "first" player and they will have to be controlling the VPs...however they can do it...by fighting...or by evacuating. The Allies will win with a "negative" VP count.
Consequently, I would like to thank the following:
1) the Burma Star Association - for their published and unpublished materials. For those of you who insist to be unnamed...I thank you, but am still wondering why...
2) to George Smithson whose undying enthusiasm has brought me back to this place...and shrewdly suggested using Chinese junks and sampans to solve a very big problem.
3) to Huib who has taught me a lot about scenarios...and still lectures me...
4) to Jason Petho who has taken the flak, publically, for what this simulation is and is not...Thanx to you...
So here we are..."Moulmein"
viz:
30 January, 1942
Moulmein, Burma: The Japanese advance into Burma continues.
The British high command is still convinced the Japanese are
operating into Burma with only small detachments and the loss
of Kawkareik, on January 22nd, and the airfields on the Kra Peninsula,
was due to a lack of fighting spirit in the Commonwealth troops
and command errors in the field. The commanders in the field
know they are facing more than small Japanese detachments. Beginning on January 26 through the 29th, elements of the Japanese 55th Division arrive at Moulmein, advancing from the south, from Mergui, on the Kra Peninsula, via Three Pagoda Pass and the southeast, from Kawkareik, "straight across the Dawna Hills". The Japanese arrive in small groups and immediately begin probing the Allied
lines, looking for weak spots and infiltrating around the position.
The British commander at Moulmein, BGen Bourke, does not believe
that Moulmein can be held, or even that it is the place to make
a stand against the Japanese, with the Salween River at his back,
across the retreat route to Martaban. British BGen R. Ekin is
sent by 17th Indian Division HQ to assume command, from Gen Bourke,
of the troops at Moulmein, the 2nd Burma Brigade Group and assorted
remnants and stragglers from Mergui and Tavoy. It is true that
some of the Commonwealth troops have had their morale shaken
by the swift advances of the Japanese, both in Burma and throughout
southeast Asia. Around 0930 hrs, on the 30th, the Japanese begin
their move to take Moulmein, from the east, and begin shelling
the Moulmein Pagoda hill. The Commonwealth troops hold and by
noon a lull occurs. At 1600 hrs the Japanese again begin an
attack from the east and the Allied troops withdraw closer toward
Moulmein, shortening their lines, and form a "defensive box",
leaving a garrison of Sikhs at the airfield. It becomes obvious
to all on the ground that Moulmein must be evacuated and the
only route is by ferry and boat, west across the Salween. The
line must hold until dark.
...and in ending...Thanx to that unnamed "Burma Star" who insisted to me that this event has never been accurately portrayed. Hopefully I have gone some way in portraying it somewhat.
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