| BLOODY REEF TARAWA |
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| HASL |
| AAR Campaign Game III |
| Players : Japanese : Geert Van de Weyer 2/2 & 1/8 BLT Marines : Geert Van Loo 3/2, 2/8 & 1/6 BLT Marines : Hans Mielants |
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| AM 20/11/1943 |
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| Betio from the East. The American Navy is shelling the coastal defenses while the BLT's are about to enter play |
| The totally smoked Red Beach Three with some neat little breaches in the seawall |
| Red Beach Two is inviting the Americans to land... |
| Red Beach One with the northwestern edge filled with smoke |
| Set Up |
| End of Turn 2 |
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| The Marines are hitting the 3 Red Beaches with the first LVT's and tanks being sunk. |
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| RB3 with the first wave of 2/2 BLT about to land. The tanks and their pathfinders are moving slowly up the reef. |
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| RB2 with the first elements near the beach and on the pier. One daring Stuart tried the reef withouth a pathfinder, only to be mired.... |
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| RB1 hitting the beak of the bird. Heavy fire from several AA guns and HMG bunkers are taking a high toll on the first wave. |
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| End of Turn 4 |
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| First wave is breaking into the hinterland as second wave hits the beach. More and more coastal artillery pieces are turning silent... |
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| RB3 2/2 is having a lot of trouble getting off te beach |
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| RB2 First wave has breached the defense and is taking a toll on the Japanese defenders. |
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| RB1 Densly packed marines are still having trouble getting off the beach. |
| CVP's lost Turn : 1/20PM Marines : 239 Japanese : 301 |
| End of Turn 6 |
| Marines spreading over the island as the third wave approaches the beaches. |
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| RB3 2/2's left flank is under control but the Japanese are still controlling the eastern part. |
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| RB2 First and second wave are pushing the Japanese back. |
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| RB1 Finally most Marines poured through the breach and cleared the beak. |
| End of Turn 8 |
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| At the end of the first scenario the Marines control large parts of the island center and beak. A narrow but deserved Marine victory ! |
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| RB3 Japanese still control the eastern part of the beach but the BLT has expanded to the south. |
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| RB2 2/8 BLT has cut the island almost in half and created a large perimeter. |
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| RB1 Large expansion towards the Singapore guns and the ditches. |
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| After taking another 74 CVP in the first turn of 20 PM, the Japanese conceded and committed collective sepukku. The island is freed ! |
| End of Turn 1 |
| PM 20/11/1943 |
| MARINE VICTORY |
| Played November 2002-April 2003 |
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