Reports are coming in of a sharp clash on the Indo-Burmese border, between a company of the 1st Rutlands, under the command of Major T.J. "Bouncer" Ball and Captain Suzuki Yamashiro's 10th Company of the Imperial Japanese army's 301st Regiment. Ball had under command a troop of Lee tanks of the Jersey Yeomanry and a troop of 25 pounders of the 240th RHA. Suzuki had attached a half-battery of 75mm Howitzers and a pair of Type 97 light tanks, plus elements of the battalion support company.

The action was fought down the length of the Au rivulet valley, in heavily wooded terrain. Ball's forces took up postions at the western end of the valley. To his left the ground rose steeply, clothed with dense vegitation. To his right ran a low ridge, scattered here and there with clumps of trees. In front of him cultivated land had been cleared which provided a clear field of fire down to the stream. He deployed the RHA on his right wing, with Anstruther's platoon holding the woodland edge in front. The Yeomanry's tanks and his carrier platoon occupied the clear ground in the centre. On the left, Beauchamp's platoon held the left centre, suported by the mortars and, covering his left flank, the heavy machine-guns. Carruther's platoon was held back in reserve.








Suzuki, meanwhile, had decided on a double envelopment. He would send Lt Kawasaki's 1st Platoon down the ridge on his left, supported by the howitzers and light tanks. His 2nd PLatoon, under Lt Yamaha would push through the bad going on the right and come down on the enemy's left. Honda's 3rd Platoon was to infiltrate along the line of the stream and demonstrate against the British left-centre, whilst the support platoon would remain in reserve in the shelter of the high ground.








Ball cautiously pushed his armour out into the open ground, whilst Anstruther's platoon moved deeper in the woods. The appearance of the tanks provoked a storm of artillery and mortar fire. Shells and bombs from the howitzers, batallion guns and mortars lashed the vehicles, causing certain green crews to dive for cover. Actual damage however was trivial and as soon as the barrage let up the crews sheepishly re-mounted. Ball ordered the RHA to neutralise the Japanese howitzers, which they successfully did, knocking out two of the three pieces.


Kawasaki's advance through the woods was already well under way, with the light tanks in close attendance. Anstruther hurriedly called for assistance, which prompted the yeomanry to bulldoze their way into the woods. A sharp little action ensued, in which the British lost two of their precious Lees, whilst claiming a single Type 97, but which resulted in Kawasaki throwing in his infantry. With the help of the Lees  and a single carrier, the attack was repulse with heavy losses - which effectively finished Kawasaki as a fighting force.








Over on the Japanese right Yamaha had almost completed the passage of the high ground. His orders were to synchronise his attack with that of Honda to bring overwhelming pressure to bear on Beauchamp's platoon. He had reckoned without the presence of Ball's support platoon. As the Japanese descended the steep hill, Ball's mortars and Vickers machine-guns opened up, tearing great gaps in the Japanese ranks.





Honda fared no better. By a bitter twist of fate the Japanese artillery bombardment had driven Ball's carriers to swing towards the stream. So it was that they were on hand to meet Honda's attack across the stream. The Japanese charge drove back the carriers, but the intervention of Beauchamp's infantry settled the matter and the Japanese retired to lick their wounds.





This little action was played through in not much more than an hour and a half on a 4 x 4 ft table. Rules used were FOW (as amended). My thanks to Nigel-san for his participation and for voicing the obvious - I need more Japanese and equipment, particularly AT rifles!      

Nice report and pics.

You've re-awakened my dormant interest in the Burmese campaign; I've been toying with starting a Forgotten 14th/Japanese project for some time. Just wondering what rules you used for this?

Cheers

Very nice, thanks for posting!



PS, I've edited the pic links.

 

just realised what FOW means. Hangs head in shame

Nice report.

Great stuff 

Lovely report

Excellent !
Cheers - Phil.