A New Strategy - The Matrix Games version of Rising Sun

Wau, 75km SSW of Lae, New Guinea: [Best played as Axis] With the failed Guadalcanal and Papuan Campaigns coming to an end in early 1943, Japanese Imperial Headquarters decided on a new strategy in the southwest Pacific. While an active defense was maintained in the Solomons, reinforcements would be sent to strengthen the 18th Army forces in New Guinea for an "aggressive offense/defense" there. Most important was blocking any Allied attempt to advance along the New Guinea coast to gain an operational route for the proclaimed "Return to the Philippines." The first offensive effort under the revised strategy was undertaken by the 51st Division's 102nd Infantry Regiment from Salamaua directed against Wau in the Bulolo Valley, southeast of the Huon Peninsula. Once Wau and its airfield were in Japanese hands, aircraft could be staged against the Allied forces gathering at Port Moresby. The Commonwealth's New Guinea Force was determined to prevent the enemy from capturing Wau and on 22 January the first elements of the 17th Australian Brigade began airlifting into the small airfield to reinforce Kanga Force garrisoning the area. The Australians were just in time to face the first vicious Japanese attack near dusk on the 28th.