The Slow Build-Up

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front, August 31st - September 16th

August 31st

After being defeated by the resurgent Union force at Hillsboro, Withers withdraws his division south-westwards towards Decherd.

Over towards Loudon, Hascall advances 1st Division of the XXIII Corps up to the Tennessee.

September 1st

Withers continues his retreat to Winchester.

September 2nd

Under increasing pressure from Burnside's Corps, Buckner makes it across the Tennessee, where Jackson's Brigade hold the fortifications around Loudon.

September 3rd

Negley advances towards Tullahoma. Will Cleburne feel the brunt of the Union assault at the Confederate advance base of operations?
Cleburne scouts out the nearby division commanded by Sheridan, finding it somewhat below strength.

September 5th

With the Confederate garrison gone, Carter's division marches into Knoxville.

September 6th

Mitchell's division occupies Beech Grove, helping to secure the Union's line of supply.

Further to the east, McLaw's recently arrived division arrives in Cleveland, beginning the long march northwards to Loudon.
Pegram trails behind, marching to Harrison

September 8th

Hascall scouts across the Tennessee, and discovers that Buckner's division is quite strong.

Palmer, out of supply and somewhat isolated digs in at Hillsboro to await resupply or reinforcements before he advances.

September 9th

Longstreet gains some major boons from the highest command, as significant railway stock is put at his disposal. A large mass of supplies is moved northwards along the line to Athens, within easy reach of Loudon (but under no threat from Burnside's forces)
Wharton's Cavalry Division is put under Longstreet's temporary control, in order to effect some raiding on Union lines, while Polk concentrates on fortifying his positions.

September 10th

Scouting on Davis' division shows it to be a mere scratch force; obviously regiments are being concentrated elsewhere.

September 11th

Sheridan's division moves into Bell Buckle, strengthening the inevitable move towards Tullahoma

At Loudon, Buckner takes command of Jackson's Brigade in the defence of the strong fortifications there.

September 15th

Withers fortifies Winchester.
Wood's division moves towards Murfressboro, obviously Crittenden is still very worried about Forrest's raiding in the vicinity.

September 16th

Rousseau's division is examined closely by scouting forces: are the Confederates planning a counterattack?
Near Murfressboro, an attempt is made to bring Forrest to battle, but the wizard of guerrilla warfare escapes once more!

Reinforcements arrive in Tennessee

Tennessee Campaign, 1863,
News from the Front, August 26th - August 30th

August 26th

The reinforcements Bragg has been promising to Generals Polk and Hardee finally arrives by rail to Chattanooga. Breckinridge’s and Walker’s divisions join Polk’s and Hardee’s Corps respectively. A huge fillip to the Confederate cause is the arrival of Longstreet’s Corps (of McLaw’s and Hood’s divisions). Much to the chagrin of General Buckner, whose forces are placed under Longstreet’s command.

This is counterbalanced by the long-feared arrival of General Burnside out of the Cumberland Gap, north of Knoxville.

August 27th

Sheridan builds a supply depot right outside Tullahoma. Is the Union preparing an assault on the Confederates advanced base of operations?

Cheatham moves back to Pelham, Buckner’s previous orders holding little weight with Polk.
Buckner himself loses his nerve in front of Burnside’s newly arrived divisions, abandoning Knoxville and retreating towards Loudon.

McLaw starts his division up the rail line towards Loudon; it seems like Longstreet’s intention is to defend against a crossing over the Tennessee River by Burnside.

Walker’s Division leaves Chattanooga and moves into Wauhatchie. Meanwhile Wood’s Division marches towards McMinnville.

Burnside whips his Corps into action; Ferrero moves towards Knoxville, eager to capture the town and the abundant supplies built up there by the Confederates. Hascall and Hartranft advance towards Loudon; will they be able to cut off Buckner?

August 28th

DeCourcy converges with Hartranft. Hascall continues his advance towards Loudon; will he be able to cut off Buckner from safety?

Somehow Forrest manages to supply his tired cavalry division, and skirts around Union defences to arrive at the outskirts of Murfressboro.

August 29th

Buckner’s Division reaches the Tennessee before the Union. Just in time, Hascall arrives only hours later, but Buckner will be able to cross the bridge there safely.

Despite Forrest’s interception of Union supply wagons, no real harm is done to the Union, with massive supplies having been built up close to Wartrace and Tullahoma.

Withers advances on the previously defeated Palmer, but Palmer was waiting for him and springs an attack on Withers before he can gather his strength properly.

Battle of Angaur

Last March, while the Battle of Peleliu was on my mind for a convention big-battle of Memoir '44 I came across the 81st Infantry Division's (so that's the US Army not Marines) parallel landing on the island of Angaur. The battle got a page or so in the book I was reading as research for Peleliu. Peleliu 1944: The Forgotten Corner of Hell Surely they deserve more than this?

With Steve's and my birthdays swiftly approaching I put together a small wargames campaign to play over the weekend. Using Piquet's Theatre of War to generate the battles, which would be played out using single-board Memoir '44 we recruited Eamon and Loughlin to play the Americans while we undertook the arduous task of defending the island...

At the beginning of the campaign, the Americans are already deployed on their landing beaches, with the Japanese deployed near what they had thought the likeliest (and heavily fortified) landing spots and also near the major town of Saipan itself.

Campaign units represent battalions, and tactical units represent platoons. So with sixteen figures representing a platoon of 39, the game of Memoir '44 would almost be at skirmish level!



A gentle valley rose from the coastline up towards Saipan through the crossroad Middle Village.



Battle for Middle Village

The Americans have the advantage of numbers but must contend with the deadly killing ground in front of the well-chosen Japanese positions.



The Americans secure their right flank before committing to an advance.



Despite the Americans' caution a surprise Japanese attack by unsupported armour crushes their left flank.



The rattled American commander is left clinging to a defence line in the jungle against the rampant Japanese assault.



Japanese artillery sweeps the battlefield of remaining American resistance.



Battle West of Lake Aztec

Pushed back in the centre of the island, the American try an alternate line of advance, sweeping around Lake Aztec. Their they find a surprisingly strong Japanese defence.



The Japanese are aggressive with their strategic reserve of armour, and attack to cut off the American right flank.



Exploiting that success, the Japanese infantry charge through the American centre to crush the American battalion's resistance.



Battle near Beach Green 3

With a cunning flanking move American come up behind the Japanese still concentrating on Beach Green 3. With open and marshy terrain, the American strategic reserve's firepower should prove decisive.



Steeling themselves for the murderous crossfire, the Japanese left flank advances.



Although the Japanese advance is moderatetly successful on their left flank it is pushed back with horrendous casualties and elsewhere on the battlefield their advance is fatally slowed by the marshy area they expected to trap the American beachhead.



[A new American tactical commander was in charge, and Lt. Col. Lloyd's influence on the battle was nothing short of miraculous]

Battle for the Pacific Railroad

In a bid to turn the Battle for Angaur the Japanese advance towards the American base of operations at the end of the Pacific Railroad. They have been caught out of position by the American deployment for a flank attack, but the midnight timing should negate many of the Americans' advantages.



So close to their landing area, the American have brought up halftracks and combat engineers to aid what will be a fevered defence.



Yet again the Japanese make ready for an all-out bayonet charge across the paddy fields.



Japanese mobile guns await the lifting of dawn to bring their firepower to bear on enemy units weakened by the infantry assault.



Somehow the American have held the hill against the fearsome banzai charge. The Japanese are broken and flee back away from the American-held beach.



The Americans have held the beaches and swept away the rest of the Japanese defences. They advance on Saipan itself and the main outlying defences of the Phosphate Plant.



While they have superior numbers and a reinforced company of tanks, the Japanese were firmly ensconced in the urban areas on the eastern outskirtes of the Phosphate Plant.



On their right flank the American armour is in a good position to severly punish the japanese infantry.



In the centre the Japanese surge forward to take control of the ridge line overlooking the town, before the American artillery can dominate.



An entire infantry company supports the imminent American armour assault.



That assault is spectacularly successful, but somehow a squad of infantry hold out against massed firepower in a warehouse.



The last Japanese tank on the island inflicts heavy casualties on the American taking the ridge line in the centre but is finally left stranded and helpless.



A great campaign game, with some tense battles. Everything came down to the last battle (a case of "next score wins"). And it looks like the 81st will be able to reinforce the Marines on Peleliu after all...

Wartrace becomes central in Union advance

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front, August 15th - August 24th

August 15th

Withers advances to PelhamForrest escapes from the clutches of Baird's division just when the frustrated McCook thought he had him at last.

Meanwhile Bragg concentrates on General Polk, giving him the aid of several gifted staff officers, and to increase efficiency further temporarily transfers command of Cheatham's Division to Buckner.

August 16th

Forrest retires southwest-wards out of Baird's reach. At Buckner's urging, Cheatham fortifies his position at Hillsboro.

August 17th

Baird pursues Forrest Withers follows Cheatham's suit and fortifies Pelham. Cheatham advances to Tracy City

August 18th

Withers scouts out Palmer's Division in front of him, to discover it is a strong force.

August 19th

A huge Union supply effort takes place, with Davis and Sheridan creating supply depots and Johnson's Division being brought back into supply. Brannan's Division advances at the Confederates, at the behest of Thomas. Some progress must be made.

August 20th

Mitchell scouts out Cleburne at Tullahoma to discover he has had an influx of troops from Stewart. With Mitchell so close to the advance base of operations, supply is becoming a more difficult matter for the Confederates, with Forrest and Wharton out of supply.
Buckner is finding coordinating divisions at both ends of the theatre difficult, and has a bout of indecision.

August 21st

Cleburne scouts out Mitchell's Division nearby and discovers it to be cavalry only. The threat to Tullahoma was an empty one. Nonetheless (but maybe thinking of advancing) Stewart moves westwards into Tullahoma itself.

Rosecrans sees an opportunity, with McCook's staff working exceptionally, he passes temporary control of Negley and places railway stock at his service. Garrisoning Wartrace with an unattached Brigade he creates a forward base of operations at that railway town.

August 22nd

Davis' Division moves south along the railway towards Manchester. Palmer's Division advances into Pelham and builds up his strength for an assault on Wither's lines there.

August 24th

Sheridan advances into Wartrace, protecting the new base of operations. Martin's Division moves to Estill Spring, ready to plug the lines if necessary.
Palmer's attack on Withers is delayed but goes ahead against strong opposition.

Sides jockey for position near Tullahoma

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front July 25th - August 1st

July 25th

Wither's attack across the forces the Union to fall back from Beech Grove. The Confederates use the victory as an opportunity to resupply themselves; General Hardee bringing his Corp back into supply with General Forrest setting up a supply depot in Shelbyville.
Pegram and Preston continue their long journey southwest from Knoxville to Chattanooga.

July 26th

Buoyed up by the victory, the Confederates are as confident as ever. The Union conversely are unused to defeat so far, and both Thomas' and McCook's entire Corps are low on supplies.

July 27th

Pegram and Preston continue their journey to Chattanooga, reaching Cleveland

July 28th

Polk's Corps strives to get back into supply utilizing the supply depot at Shelbyville.Palmer's Division (2nd of Crittenden's XXI Corps) resupply itself despite raiding from cavalry at McMinnsville.

July 29th

In an action that draws cries of derision from colleagues and thepress, Sheridan fortifies his position at Wartrace. Mustering up all his forces for the attack which failed to materialise a week before, Palmer attacked McMinnville to find that the garrison (Martin's Cavalry Division) has faded away to reform back at Polk's HQ.

Stewart sets up a new supply depot at Ethel Springs, and as Cheatham withdraws his Division towards Pelham. A new Confederate defensive position around Tullahoma and on The Barrens begins to suggest itself.

July 30th

Johnson's Division (2nd of McCook's XX Corps) advances up the railway toward Tullahoma, perhaps in an attempt to cut off Confederate forces.

July 31st

Withers withdraws towards Hillsboro, escaping the pocket threatening to be created by Union flankers. Preston moves towards Rossville, now within close distance of Chattanooga.

August 1st

Brannan's Division (3rd of Thomas' XIV Corps) sets up a supply depot on the Highland Ridge, a major Union re-supply effort will be required before they can again threaten the Confederate lines.

News from the Front August 2nd - August 14th

August 2nd

Cleburne fortifies Tullahoma: this position will not be turned! Forrest meanwhile on a daring raid behind enemy lines rides into Bell Buckle.This feat achieves easy fame in the newspapers, and Confederate confidence is sky-high. Forrest's interdiction attempts are only partially successful, forcing Johnson's Division to stop, but nearby Divisions of Rousseau and Davis regain their supply lines.

August 3rd

Bragg takes a hand in Confederate affairs, spurred on by Davis backin Richmond, his interference slows down the decision-making process somewhat.However, he does manage to get considerable rolling-stock in place for Polk's Corps, which would allow a quick movement from his exposed position near Manchester southwards towards Tullahoma. To stiffen their strong position north of the Elk River, Bragg has organised a huge supply effort, making Tullahoma a base of operations in advance of Chattanooga. Cleburne's Division benefits also replacing troops and guns lost at Wartrace.

Negley's Division (2nd of Thomas' XIV Corps) sets up a supply depot, surely this is enough to re-supply and advance?

August 4th

Cheatham reaches Pelham

August 5th

Forrest continues his raid behind enemy lines, setting up a supply depot in between the Highland Ridge and Murfreesboro. Given the danger that Forrest could pose to the Union base of operations, Morgan's Division (2nd of Granger's Reserve Corps) scouts out Forrest's Division, finding it to be cavalry only, with no great staying power.

The great Union re-supply effort continues, with Rousseau's Division (1st of Thomas' XIV Corps) sets up a new supply depot, and Negley and Brannan's Division's get back into supply.

August 7th

Meanwhile towards McMinnville Wood's and Turchin's Divisions (1st of Crittenden's XXI Corps and 2nd of the Cavalry Corps) move together and merge. Johnson's Division, on the railway and despite Forrest's raiding is able to set up a supply depot

August 8th

Rousseau's Division fortifies Beech Grove, the supply lines must be kept secure!

August 9th

Morgan's Division brings itself back into supply. Van Cleve`s Division is reformed out of the consolidated divisions under Palmer at McMinnville. Sheridan's and Negley's Divisions are brought into supply by the exhaustion of the supply depot previously set up by Rousseau. Is the Union war machine ready to move at last?

August 10th

Mitchell's Division advances up to the gates of Tullahoma. Palmer's Division advances swiftly down the railway from McMinnville towards Manchester.

August 11th

Baird's Division (1st of Granger's Reserve Corps) advances past Murfressboro and towards Forrest's Division, eager to destroy this threat to the Union's supply lines.
Meanwhile to the south, Preston marches into Chattanooga, while Pegram stations his command at Rossville just to the south-east.

August 13th

Forrest scouts Morgan's Division (2nd of Granger's Reserve Corps) finding it to be of average size, certainly adequate to garrisoning Murfreesboro.Wither's Division moves into Hillsboro.

August 14th

Morgan's Division moves into Tullahoma. Baird's Division advances into contact with Forrest and attempts to bring him to battle, but Forrest retires. Again Baird forms line to squash Forrest, but the man who escaped with his command out of Fort Donelson refuses to play by the Union rules and evades contact.

Rousseau advances against Withers at Beach Grove

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front - July 15th - July 24th

July 15th

Cleburne's Division is forced out of Wartrace, but he is able to break contact with Sheridan after inflicting heavy casualties on the Union force. Baird's Cavalry Division continues his strike southeast towards Tullahoma increasing the distance between them and Forrest in Shelbyville. After several hard battles, almost all of the Confederate forces lack the supplies to hold on, and even moving back out of their advance positions will be difficult.

July 16th

Cleburne and Stewart begin their painful withdrawal to a line on the Duck River.Roussau's Division, XIV Corps clash with the rear-guard of Withers' Division discovering that Withers is strong despite his supply predicament.

July 17th

Meanwhile, Pegram and Preston continue their journey southwest fromKnoxville to Chattanooga.

July 18th

With the continued retreat of Hardee's Corps, Polk has no choice but to straighten the line and withdraw Withers and Cheatham's Divisions also.

July 19th

Crittenden advances towards McMinnville merging Palmer's and VanCleve's Divisions as he slogs through the mud. A planned scouting attempt fails due to lack of clear orders, General Minty defends his Cavalry Division's performance, they have been left to fend for themselves at the rear of the Union column.

July 20th

Jackson, acting cautiously but following Buckner's lead, fortifies Loudon.

July 21st

Thomas directs Rousseau to form a supply depot at Bradyville. With this clear signal of intent, both Hardee and Polk are caught in a quandary; but their indecision in soon broken by Union advances.

July 22nd

Palmer's reinforced 2nd Division, XXI Corps advances into McMinnville to bring Martin's Division, Polk's Corps to battle and force them out of the vital rail spur. Martin runs rings around the advancing Union force and retires in good order, but still in control of the town.

July 23rd

Crittenden seems paralysed by the failure of his subordinates and looks for explanations, not action! This is compounded by the failure of his supply train to keep up with his advance and Palmer is out of supply.

July 24th

Rousseau advances into Beach Grove and eager to bring Withers to battle finds himself a tougher battle than expected

Sheridan pursues Cleburne to Wartrace

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front - July 8th - July 14th

July 8th

Cleburne's Division, defeated at Bell Buckle and thrown out of theirfieldworks, retreats off the Highland Rim and towards Wartrace,staying in touch with Stewart's Division to their left. Meanwhile, atLoudon, Brigades under Jackson and Pegram start moving southwards.Mitchell's Cavalry Division continues to move south, past the westernoutskirts of Shelbyville.

July 9th

The need to replenish supplies after the recent battles depletes theConfederate supply depot at Wartrace. Mitchell moves southwest ofShelbyville threatening communications back to Tullahoma.As both sides take stock of their position, the loss of the passesthrough the Highland Rim have obviously dented the Confederates,though some advantage is still to be had.

July 10th

The desire of the Confederates to hold the advance line now thatthey've been thrown off the Highland Rim seems unwavering, as theybring in even more supplies to Wartrace by rail.Sheridan's Division begins following up on its success at Bell Buckleand moves southwards. It stays on Cleburne's scent as that woundeddivision retreats back to Wartrace.

July 11th

Van Cleve's 3rd Division of Crittenden's Corps sends scouts out toMcMinnville to discover that it's garrisoned by Morgan's CavalryDivision. It's advance has so far been slow, muddy tracks masqueringas roads on the maps are blamed.Cleburne's and Stewart's Divisions meet at Wartrace and some movementof troops between the two divisions is detected.

July 12th

Union forces at Liberty Gap bring down supplies from Murfressboro, inanticpation of further advances in the area. Jackson and Pegramcontinue down the railway towards Chattanooga.Meanwhile Stewart's Division begins to retreat southwards fromWartrace.

July 13th

Sheridan is obvious in his attempts to bring Cleburne to battle buthe cannot get his brigades moving.

July 14th

Sheridan finally brings Cleburne to battle at Wartrace.

Sheridan assaults Cleburne at Bell Buckle

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front - July 2nd to July 7th

July 2nd

Stewart's Division, defeated at Liberty Gap, retreats back up the Highland Rim, to connect with Cleburne's right flank.

July 3rd

McCook merges the 3rd Division, XX Corps under Sheridan with the 1st Division, Reserve Corps under Baird. Taking advice from McCook,Thomas sends the 3rd Division, XIV Corps rearwards to secure the supply lines out of Murfressboro.

July 4th

Having straightened their lines, and taken stock of their opposition,the Confederates are still confident of victory, without the heady delight of 30th June. The extended combat, and the even pressure from Rosecrans uses up most of the supplies moved in at great expense toWartrace.
Scouting out the Confederate forces at Shelbyville, McCook discovers the garrison to be a scratch division of cavalry under Forrest.

July 5th

More skirmishing along the front lines quickly uses up the Confederates supplies located at Shelbyville also, although Wharton's division at Wartrace is now clamouring for resupply andreinforcements.
1st Division of the XIV under Rousseau advances to Highland Rim to connect with Negley's left flank. Meanwhile to the east, Crittenden gets his divisions moving over the muddy roads towards McMinnville, with 1st and 2nd Divisions under Wood and Palmer taking the lead.

July 6th

In response to this general advance, Cheatham's Division counters to shore up the eastern part of the Highland Rim

July 7th

Sheridan's 3rd Division of XX Corps advances to Bell Buckle, advancing into contact with Cleburne's Division, which has been digging in for a week. Despite second thoughts from McCook, Sheridan keeps his nerve and makes an all-out attack on Cleburne's lines.

Negley Attempts to Force Liberty Gap

Tennessee Campaign, 1863
News from the Front: June 24th to July 1st

June 24th
The Army of the Cumberland under Major-General William Starke Rosecrans advances out of Murfreesboro. Standing between them and the Confederate heartland of Atlanta is General Braxton Bragg's Army ofTennessee. It is arrayed on and behind Highland Ridge, just north of Tullahoma.
Major-General George Henry Thomas' XIV Corps, in the centre of the Union advance consolidates his divisions into two large divisions, under Brigadier-Generals Rousseau and Negley.
Arrayed along the Highland Ridge and towards McMinnville, General Leonidas Polk's Corps sets up a supply depot in Wartrace.

June 25th
Meanwhile Major-General Simon Bolivar Buckner, in command of the Department of East Tennessee fortifies Knoxville. Whenever Burnside's Army of the Ohio moves against him, he intends to be ready.
Arrayed near the western edge of the Highland Ridge, Lieutenant General William J. Hardee's Corps sets up a supply depot in Shelbyville.

June 26th
Thomas's XIV Corps continues its advance towards the advance guard of Hardee's Corps: Stewart's Division

June 27th
Stewart, sensing an opportunity advances off its position on the ridge and hits Reynold's Division hard. The 4th Division of XIV Corps is shown to be only a regiment, with a company of Cavalry and is swept aside.It has done its job though and now Thomas is sure of Stewart'sstrength.

June 28th
Wanting to assure himself of his enemy's strength Hardee scouts out the 2nd Division of XIV Corps and discovers it to contain most units from both Negley's 2nd and Reynold's 4th Divisions.

June 29th
Withers' Division at Beech Grove and Cleburne's Division at Bell Buckle are scouted out by Mitchell's southward-bound Cavalry Division, in advance of Major-General Alexander D. McCook's XX Corps.
Given the obvious strength against him and the failure of nearby Confederate Divisions to back him up, Stewart withdraws back to his original position on the Ridge, near Liberty Gap.
In the vicinity of Knoxville, Buckner has moved his Brigades underJackson and Preston and his Cavalry Division under Pegram southwards to Loudon. Is this a move to reinforce the Tullahoma front?

June 30th
Major-General Thomas Crittenden's XXI Corps finally begins to move, sidling towards McMinnville.
Buckner sets up a supply depot in Knoxville, surely his previous move looks now more like the simple securing of a fallback position south of Knoxville?
With no retreat from the strong defensive line north of Tullahoma, Southern morale flies high. Is Davis' faith in Bragg justified?
The 3rd Division of XIV Corps under Brannan is short of supplies, even though it's so close to the Union-controlled railheads at Murfressboro. Can Rosecrans manage this army?
Cleburne, sensing a big Union push coming, fortifies Bell Buckle.

July 1st
Negley's command advances up Liberty Gap and Stewart's daring flank attack on him is undone by Negley's brave attack. Everything should favour Stewart but when battle is joined, his centre and right haven't made it from their positions further up the ridge and only his artillery batteries hold the centre!

The Battle for Guam

in celebration of Steve and my birthdays I ran a wargames campaign over the weekend, using Piquet's Theatre of War and Richard Borg's Memoir '44 to run the Guam Campaign of 1944


The Set-Up

When writing this scenario I undertook to allow a broad range of actions and intentions by both sides. Obviously, the best chance of the Japanese stopping the US Marines cold was on the beaches. But would they be able to get enough forces to those beaches in time? Would a delaying and guerrilla strategy in the interior of the island, far from the supply dumps on the beaches, give better return?


The US Marines had certain powerful advantages, namely quantity and quality. But given the circumstances any real setback inflicted on them by the Japanese was going to be more damaging to the Marine Corps’ ability to take the island. A victory by the Japanese might not mean that the island wasn’t taken, but it might mean that the army had to be called in, and several Marine regiments sent back to Australia/Hawaii for rest etc.
Imagine it, the ignominy of having the Army take an island that the Marines could not!


The main resources I used were online versions of US armed forces histories
The Recapture of Guam by Major O.R. Lodge, USMC and
Liberation: Marines in the Recapture of Guam (Marines in World War II Commemorative Series) by Cyril J. O'Brien

Background to the Guam Campaign

To most American planners the islands of the Southern Marianas were essential in the drive to shorten the war. They occupy a central position dominating the Western Pacific on an arc from Tokyo through the Ryukus to Formosa, the Philippines, and northern New Guinea.
Their capture would cut the strategic line of communication from Japan to its island holdings in the South Pacific and effectively isolate the garrisons there and would, for the first time during the war, permit Americans to operate on interior rather than exterior lines.In addition, enemy planes could no longer stage through the airfields of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam to attack American forces hammering at the Japanese bases in the South and Central Pacific.

But uppermost in the minds of the high-level strategists were three further considerations that made the target even more attractive. First, from the same airfields now being used by enemy planes and other sites selected for early development, B-29's of the Army Air Forces could initiate raids on Japan itself. Secondly, capture of Guam would permit the establishment of a submarine refuelling point much closer to enemy areas. And finally, Apra Harbour offered a good anchorage for an advance naval base. 21st July, 1944

Major General Roy S. Geiger decided to send in Colonel Merlin F. Schneider leading the 22nd Marines in to take Agat Beach. The Regiment is met by Colonel Tsunetaro Suenaga’s 38th Regiment, and delay in getting the Marine attack underway led to Suenaga bringing up reserves to meet it head-on and with maximum firepower…

Japanese hold Town against Armour flanking attack [Battle for Agat Beach]

The Marines attempt to get as many as possible up the beaches, to avoid being pushed back into the water, this proves to be difficult given the lack of armoured support for the advance. The Japanese are cautious with pushing forward and only do so in order to grab defensive terrain features.

US Marines race through artillery fire from LCVPs to town [Battle for Agat Beach]

In the centre the Marine advance is slower, with fewer companies making it off the landing craft, and those that do are in danger of being split by the small rivers running down the beach.

Japanese advance on US Marines before more can disembark [Battle for Agat Beach]

Covered by artillery support the Marine advance on their right goes well, but the Japanese with artillery on both flanking hills give as good as they get.

US Marines reach ridge overlooking beach [Battle for Agat Beach]

The 22nd Marines are beaten, but the Japanese forces are no better off. Schneider’s regiment has avoided the disaster of being pushed off the beach, but only just…

23rd July, 1944

As the US Marines prepare to take Agat Beach on a second attempt, the Japanese commander ordered a night attack. Again the Japanese are extremely lucky in getting all their available companies into the fight, and their numbers almost match the Marines huddled around their landing craft.

Japanese wipe out US Marines right flank [Night Attack at Agat Beach]

The Japanese night attack was launched very early, and the Marines are praying for dawn as visibility remains very bad for the entire battle. Conversely they know that the Japanese artillery is zeroed in on some of their positions and that daylight will only bring a torrent of fire.

Japanese Banzai charge reached the landing craft [Night Attack at Agat Beach]

The night-fighting is especially fierce around Agat town, where the Japanese artillery pushed back dangerous advances made by the Marines. The Marines do make headway and slowly they take the blocks despite the frenzied counter-attacks by the Japanese battalion.


Japanese hold town against advance by US Marines left flank [Night Attack at Agat Beach]
As the Japanese victory seems inevitable; the Marines right flank is being crushed and their centre is in danger of annihilation; the Marines live up to the grandest traditions of the Corps – Bladensburg, Beallau Wood, Tarawa – and break the Japanese Regiment at the cusp of their triumph!

[The Marines drew three ‘Their Finest Hour’ cards in four turns! Turning a decisive defeat into another bloody draw]

24th July, 1944

Geiger lands Lt. Colonel Alan Shapley’s 4th Marines on Agat Beach, in an attempt to join up with the 22nd Marines and establish a serious force superiority over the Japanese defenders.
As that is about to happen, the Japanese attempt to push the US Marines 22nd Regiment off their beachhead again.

This time however, the Marines are outnumbered and without any artillery assets, as well as being stuck around their landing craft. The tiring Marines recognise their dire situation, and attempt to make the Japanese pay the cost in another mauling.

The 4th Marines are withdrawn from the beaches in disarray.


25th July, 1944

Geiger, eager to open up the battle for Guam to a region where the Japanese do not have such an advantage quickly lands the 21st Marines under Colonel Arthur H. Butler and the 9th Marines under Colonel Edward A. Craig on Asan Beach.

Moving inland from Asan Beach, the combined 21st and 9th Marines moves to Mount Tenjo where the Japanese 48th Independent Mixed Brigade under Major Hamada is stationed, overlooking Agat Beach.
The 48th avoids battle, despite the favourable terrain.

Although the Japanese 38th have withdrawn from the beach to lick their wounds they are obviously preparing to push the new Marine arrivals off Guam to join their comrades.

The 4th Marines decide to move before they have a chance to complete their plans, and advances past Agat town to clear the beachhead.

This battle does not go well for the Marines, although several sections of the battlefield hold their own, the Japanese slowly squeeze the life out of them, and forcing the Marines back to their start line.


26th July, 1944

Sensing an opportunity Shapely orders the 4th Marines south of Agat towards Mount Alifan, where any attempt by the Japanese to finish his unit off will occur in the defensive foothills. This leaves behind any chance of his taking a base of operations for the amphibious corps and is extremely dangerous.

Butler quickly ordered the 21st and 9th to engage the opposing 48th: “They can’t avoid battle again and still hold onto these hills!” This time the Japanese cannot avoid the battle and are flanked by the superior numbers Butler has brought to bear. The flank march takes control of the vital summit of Mount Tenjo itself and with his big guns brought to bear on those defensive positions the Japanese do control, the battle is over almost before it can begin!

Now Geiger sees the opportunity to sweep in behind the 38th holding Agat, but instead Butler orders his units to follow up and harry the 48th down towards the Pago River.


27th July, 1944

Following up, the Xth Marines catches the Japanese 48th at Pago River.

Massed US Armour prepares to advance [Battle of Pago River]

The disparity in numbers is dreadfully apparent, and given that the Marines have also succeeded in bringing a strategic reserve of halftracks for their infantry, mobile howitzers and heavy tanks the Japanese can only hope to sell their lives dearly.

Japanese defend hill despite the fearful odds [Battle of Pago River]

Initial pushes from armour units find the main strength on the Japanese side. They have refused their left flank and are trusting on the Pago River to slow down the Marine advance on that side.

US Marines centre backed up by mobile howitzers [Battle of Pago River]

The Marine attack on their left meets with some serious resistance, the Japanese have several batteries dug in on a hill, supported by several infantry companies. Meanwhile in their centre they begun to move units (including some armour) around a hill and some jungle to take advantage of a sloppy Marine advance.

Japanese lurk in elephant grass [Battle of Pago River]

Japanese defensive formation in the expanse of elephant grass is smoked out and destroyed with the help of a seriously effective air strike by the Marine flyers, and the last remnant s of the Japanese force charges out to attempt to drive one Marine unit into the river.

Cut off, the last Japanese platoon charges [Battle of Pago River]

On the Marine left the stiff resistance on the hill is crushed by an armoured spearhead, backed up by mechanised infantry. The Japanese are wiped out to the last man!

US Marines left takes vital hill after destroying massed batteries there [Battle of Pago River]

Aftermath
Unfortunately we didn’t get the chance to run the final battle of the campaign, but I hope to have it run at the next Thursday night available for the group…
Given the beating both sides have taken in the campaign so far – it will definitely be the decisive battle.