Sorrow on Saipan - The Matrix Games version of Rising Sun

<span style="font-size: medium;">[Saipan, Marianna Islands]: [H2H] [HISB] [GD]: By the summer of 1944, the Allied counter offensive in the Pacific was in full swing. The Solomon, Bismarck, Gilbert, and Marshalls Islands had all been secured as had eastern New Guinea by Allied forces. Now, the Allied Command turned its attention to securing forward island bases, within flying range of Japan, for the planned bombing and proposed invasion of the Japanese homeland. Airbases in the Marianas would place Japan within range of the Air Force's new long-range bomber, the B-29, and could be easily supplied by ships direct from the United States. Allied Command decided that Saipan, the second largest and strongest Japanese island stronghold in the Marianas, would be the first target. The U.S. 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions and 27th Infantry Division, commanded by Lt. General Holland Smith, were tasked with capturing Saipan. Defending Saipan, was the 43rd Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, commanded by Lt. General Yoshitsugu Saito. On June 15, 1944, after an intensive two day bombardment of the island, more than 300 LVT's landed 8,000 Marines on the west coast of Saipan. Initial U.S. casualties were high due to Japanese pre-sighted artillery and strategically placed barbed wire, machine gun emplacements, and trenches. But, a foot hold was established and expanded. By June 19, organized Japanese resistance near the shoreline and beaches had collapsed, with the stragglers and remnants of units retreating into the hilly interior of the island. On June 20, the 8th Marine Regiment was ordered to clear Hill 500, a large ridge that dominated the coastal plain, and provided the Japanese a commanding view for observers to direct artillery bombardments and launch raids against the Allied forces. Defending Hill 500 were the remnants of the 47th Independent Mixed Brigade, commanded by Col. Yoshiro Oka. The 47th had suffered nearly 50% casualties from the previous days' fighting, and had been reduced to essentially an over strength battalion, with various attached straggler units. Col Oka knew his troops faced near impossible odds against the over whelming American forces. But, the 47th's morale was high, with units entrenched in hilly and dense jungle terrain and Col Oka's troops were determined to fight to the last man! At 09:00 on June 20, 1944, the 8th Marine Regiment began their assault on Hill 500. Before the day ended, both American and Japanese troops would see much sorrow on Saipan. [N EA] [N VV] [Special rule - No Banzai] [Note - scenario has been extensively tested, but recommendation is for the higher skilled player to take the Japanese forces.]</span>