The Forgotten Army?

Recently Phil and I have been discussing our various lesser used collections and when they last saw any action on the tabletop battlefield. Checking back via my and Phil's blogs we found that somehow collections had not emerged for five years or more! Subconsciously serendipity was perhaps therefore in play when I chose a Burma 1943 game using Bolt Action Mk3 for our next encounter here in GHQ. Phil as 'Orde Robinson' commanded the British and Imperial force in a counter attack against a hastily prepared Japanese defence. To further complicate matters 'Ono Onomoro', my Japanese alter-ego,has fewer dice than units in his command, only 12 matching those of the British-Imperials. As ever now the blathering is over, an annotated photomontage carrying you down into the action ~

Gurkhas guided by Burmese Scouts enjoy no terrain penalties and form the right of Orde Robinson's attack.

British troops from The Forgotten Army advance cautiously either side of the jungle roadway.

One squad comes under fire from a Japanese sniper team. The shot misses and they charge in! The outcome is inevitable...first dice lost!

Ono Onomoro's defence line is stretched taught. This squad, supported by a HMG, must cover two possible avenues of attack in his centre.

A second squad covers the main approach along the jungle roadway. In relative terms they proved the most valiant of Onomoro's troops.

In contrast his extreme left comprising his sole infantry gun never fired a shot in anger!

Having dispensed with the sniper team and the entrenched anti-tank gun the Flamethrower team clears the courtyard of Japanese troops! Three dice down now!

Just for the record: lost in action without firing a shot in anger. Wiped out by mortar fire!

"Banzai!" A desperate charge is initiated to take the attacking British squad in the flank. If successful the initiative will swing back to Onomoro.

Almost too late the third squad is moved onto the right flank where another British squad has been advancing unopposed. A brisk firefight ensues!

"Banzai!" Vicious hand to hand fighting takes place in jungle so thick one man can barely see another!

Onomoro's heroes are triumphant, the British squad is destroyed, but his losses cannot be sustained in a second combat.

The remnants are overwhelmed and the Japanese line split wide open!

One light tank makes a Kamikazi charge to fill the gap but is destroyed by anti-tank rifle fire! It's all up for Onomoro, who falls on his sword to minimise his disgrace!

Well, there you have it, that's a little seen collection given a run out. No idea when its turn might come around again. Time now to get ready for the next game with Paul...