** Terror on Tarakan - The Matrix Games version of Rising Sun

Tarakan: [H2H] [HISB] [GD] Following three weeks of intensive air and naval attacks that destroyed all Japanese aircraft on Tarakan and forced the majority of the Japanese garrison forces to retreat inland, the Australian 2/23rd Battalion and 2/48th Battalion of the 26th Brigade Group, in the early morning hours of 1 May, supported by a heavy air and naval bombardment, made an amphibious landing near Roach. Encountering only light resistance, the Australians quickly advanced east into Tarakan Town and north towards the airstrip - securing both by 5 May. But, in order to secure the island and protect the airstrip from attack, the 26th Brigade Group was forced to clear the Japanese from Tarakan's heavily forested hills. The 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion, 2/4th Commando Squadron and support troops were assigned the responsibility of securing the south-eastern portion of Tarakan. On 7 May the Pioneers begain advancing east of Tarakan Town, but encountered unexpectedly strong Japanese resistance centered around two prominent hill features nicknamed "Helen" and "Sadie." Here, the remnants of the 455th Independent Infantry Battalion, 2nd Naval Garrison Force, and Japanese civilian oil workers, commanded by Major Tokoi, were dug into positions on either side of a trail known as John's Track. Securing the interior just got a lot harder! [All: N EA: N VV: Special rule - No Banzai] A special thanks to Curt Cabbage for use of his map. (Version 1.1 - Modified July 8, 2011)