The Muaratebo Defence - The Matrix Games version of Rising Sun

6 March, 1942
Muaratebo, Sumatra: After the fall of Palembang, to the Japanese, and the evacuation of most of the Allied units in southern Sumatra to Java, elements of the Japanese 38th Division pursued some remaining elements of the Dutch KNIL forces north into central Sumatra. This area was almost completely undeveloped and in places had never been expolored by the outside world. In addition to the thick jungle, the seasonal monsoon had brought all of the rivers into severe flood stage. The Dutch remnants, from southern Sumatra, under the command of Maj C.F. Hazenburg fought harrassing delaying actions against the Japanese who pursued them to the town of Muaratebo, on the Hari River. Here, beginning on March 3rd, the Dutch made a stand along the flooded river. Additional Dutch units were able to make their way to the area from the middle provinces. On 6 March, the Japanese made a determined effort to get across the river.