Moulmein - The Matrix Games version of Rising Sun

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 Megui 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.