"It Ain't Half Hot Phil!"

Despite the thermometer heading for the mid 30's here in GHQ Phil and I decided gamely to go ahead with this week's planned gaming session. Unfortunately William was poorly and couldn't join us but we decided to persevere with the Bolt Action Burma '43 game I had planned. The tabletop battlefield laid out thus in GHQ  ~

The objective for both sides is to seize and hold the bridge by the end of Turn 6. To spice up the unfolding action the entry point of each unit is diced for as its dice is drawn, 1 - 5 from left side to right, with a 6 being a no show. The whim of the 'dice gods' provided a challenging initial deployment for both sides in coordinating their struggle to achieve the objective. As you'd expect now, an anotated photomontage follows carrying you down into the unfolding drama of the action ~

The Vth Army Force sees its HQ, 3" Mortar and Gurkha PIAT enter the table on its far left and immediately advance towards the summit of the hills overlooking the bridge objective. 

The two sections of Gurkha infantry arrive on the far left and run along the road towards the bridge objective. 

In the centre their tank arrives along with three squads of British infantry. They make a Run move towards the ruined temple complex which overlooks the approach to the bridge objective. 

On their far right another squad and their HMG arrives and also make a Run move towards the other face of the temple ruin.

The Japanese on the other hand have the bulk of their force arrive towards the centre, handily placed to rush the bridge objective - if the 'dice gods' smile on them that is...

Rather less usefully their tankettes and light tank, accompanied by their anti-tank gun, arrive on their far right and advance mostly along the bank of the River.

In the set up I included a red dice which on being drawn conferred an optional double move on the unit whose dice proceeded it. The Vth Army's tank was the first beneficiary in Turn 2 using the bonus to reach the bend in the road to the front of the temple ruins.

The Japanese tankettes' advance is halted by a hit from the light howitzer hauled up onto the hill overlooking the approach to the bridge objective. This signalled the beginning of an artillery dual which lasted right through the game!

Meanwhile the first squads of Gurkhas has reached the approaches of the bridge objective. More Vth Army squads move along the river bank and along the road, someway behind the tank!

The Japanese leading squad reaches a wooded area beyond the temple ruin and takes up an Ambush position in Turn 3 to block the enemy movement around their flank. Other squads advance on the temple ruins in force. If they can beat the Vth Army to occupy the ruins that approach to the bridge objective will prove very costly.

The Japanese deploy their infantry gun and move their HQ into position to direct the attack. Two more squads are sent rushing forward to support the attack on the temple ruins.

The Japanese medium tank advances on the flank of that attack to engage the howitzer in support of its fellows on the opposite river bank.

On the Vth Army's left the support HMG and 3" mortar deploy to cover the Gurkha assault on the bridge while the PIAT moves into range to deter the Japanese armour's advance on the bridge objective. [Don't look for the PIAT, a MMG is playing the part!]

The Gurkha squad advancing on the bridge objective comes under fire from the Japanese infantry gun, loosing 2 men and picking up a Pin marker.

In the centre the Vth Army's squad is the lucky recipient of the Red Dice and its double move almost, but tellingly not quite, reaches the temple ruins. The tank is well placed to offer support.

In Turn 4 the Vth Army's HMG moves into position to cover an approach on the enemy's right while thec3" mortar puts down fire on the stalled tankettes.

One squad of Gurkhas take up position on the far side of the road while the second squad moves onto the bridge objective,  taking casualties and Pins in the process.

Japanese infantry emerge suddenly from the jungle and fire on the surprised Vth Army's leading squad! More casualties result, together with a Pin.

Despite the set back in the developing firefight around the temple ruins things look very promising for the Vth Army's cause as the tank crests the hill line overlooking the river and the bridge objective. It fires on the Unsuspecting Japanese medium tank, causing an adverse reaction. The tanknis immobilised! One threat to the Gurkha squads is effectively eliminated!

More Japanese infantry squads close on the enemy around the temple ruins. Banzai! The fighting in this area is intense but favours the bolder Japanese assault.

More Japanese infantry work their way around the Vth Army's flank. If they are successful they will sweep up on the unsuspecting centre and might yet win the game.

Despite the medium tank's demise Japanese infantry make a determined approach towards the bridge objective. The Gurkhas holding the far end of the bridge objective will be hard pressed to hold on.

The mixed body of Japanese armour on their left, along with the anti-tank gun are making slow headway on the Gurkhas defending their hold on the bridge objective and are coming under fire from front and flank. Their lack of infantry support is a further handicap. 

The PIAT opens fire on the lead tank in Turn 5. Boom!!! The tank is destroyed! It will be up to the tankettes now to sweep the Gurkhas away and support their infantry's attempt on the other side of the bridge objective. 

Banzai! The Japanese charge recklessly forward determined to halt the Vth Army's squads trying to occupy the temple ruins. The outcome is in their favour as the lead squad is wiped out!

More Japanes join the fighting around the temple ruins. Heavy firing continues from both sides around the bridge objective. The Gurkha squad on the bridge is driven back in Turn 5!

Turn 6 sees more intense combat around the temple ruins and an ultimately unsuccessful Japanese attack on the bridge objective. The tankettes are driven off and the Gurkha squad manages to get back onto the bridge. The result is a bloody win for the Vth Army.