So we eventually got our mats and the Pacific game out for the first time - all in one layout. A tactical battle all on its own! Where is that box again....LOL
The idea was to test-out what works (rules and terrain wise) for the game. This is for our Tarawa Pacific game and we all thought it was impressive!.
So its planned for the Red Beach 1+2 area (where the large yellow arrow is below).
So we are using 3 deep cut mats (one sea, one beach, one jungle).12 foot x 6 foot in total.
You can see our full video by clicking here...
The mats looked great as our Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT1's) roll in at Tarawa.
Men and machines race to the "palm tree" sea wall for cover. The Japanese now start shelling the beach.
Soon everyone is trying to find space! We made up some 3d printed LVT1s with the tracks submerged into the water. the third one back you can just see the troops disembarking. The LVT white numbers are not stenciled because the actual photos show the USMC had a crude approach painting the actual numbers...
The wading Marines are green stuff and spares on clear bases. With white water splashed around the bases.
At the top end some Marines charge over the wall to the Japanese positions and it goes hand to hand.
Centre of the board is looking ok but Marines are awaiting more troops. Centre shows a mortar being deployed and a Bangalores get prepared for the sea wall.
The LVT have the troop inserts removed...as the troops have disembarked.
Which is just as well as these guys at the top of the picture (Centre other side) are just waiting for the underside of the LVT! to show over the sea wall.
Some guys bail out at the shallow water.
More troops wade ashore under fire. Movement is restricted in the sea.
There is a lot of action in the sea...with Landing Craft (Higgins) are running aground...
its then a long wet walk to the beach under fire.
Its now all GO !
I like this shot as it shows the blurred guys in the background.
The guys disembarking look cool...(we can then replace this LVT with an empty!)
More troops unload onto the beach.
Casualties on the beach (on stretchers). Two guys next to them look at a map to try to locate where they are
"Pass me that canteen would you!"
Numbers pile up at the lower end of the sea wall.
Below: the centre a break in the sea wall. The top is taking a pounding from jap artillery.
The Sherman (M4a2) in the centre makes it to the beach and starts to move inward.
There are no Army white stars on the tanks - because they belong to the Navy!
Note the "prancing elephant" image on the side of China Girl (Sherman tank)!
These were particular to the unit on this beach.
We have made up six 3d printed Sherman's in total all with the correct unit badges and tank names.
The elephant decals took ages to get right. They were drawn at 4 times the scale, then transferred onto decal paper, each tanks decal is unique.
The Sherman M4a2 breaks through and takes on a bunker.. We had made up 2 sections of broken beach wall for such a task.
You can just make out two Japanese spider holes to the left of the steel bunker.
This is from the Japanese viewpoint. You can see a spider hole trench at the steel bunker (bottom -centre of the picture).
More LVTs now move forward over the blown up sea wall. Over the top...
This is "classsic" Tarawa if you google Tarawa pictures you will see an LVT in this position.
Notice the palm tress in the picture above...
these have magnets on the bases and a tin placed under our mat so that the trees appear to stand up on their own...
A flamethrower is used on bunker by a Marine
By the end of the day the Marines are over some of the wall and moving forward.
More and more plough forward.
More cross the sea wall.
Again notice the palm tree - magnets placed on the base and a tin underneath the gaming mat
Wrecked Landing Vehicle Tracked LVT 1 are everywhere.
A good gaming day was had by all with some good pictures.
We have some improvements to make...but it's starting to look good.
I am going to wash the trees again and gloss the water effects again plus a little more foliage on some of the bunkers, we also have a deep cut road /track for the centre area leading to the the coastal gun, a Japanese mule train, more SNLF troops, a kamikaze lorry - strange but true (its a Japanese truck with oil drum on the front), more shell effects, more jap casualty markers and some more Marines in water effects in shell holes...
p.s. If you haven't seen it …you might like our 28mm Stalingrad game on this blog.
But I cannot wait for round two of our Pacific game!
