Munda

2.7.1943 - 5.8.1943

PacPG: 3.7.1943 - 1.9.1943

Scenario Map:

When you move the mouse pointer over the map, unit name, strength and coordinates are displayed as a label. When you press terrain button object name is displayed (city, river, sea, ...)

Changes and corrections of map:

Historic overview:

Operation codename: Toenails In order to prevent the Allies in the process of Solomon Islands farther to the northwest, the Japanese mainly focused on maintaining their positions in the central part, a group of islands known as the greatest of them New Georgia. Main target were the Munda airbases on the southern coast of New Georgia... (Miloš Hubáček - Ofenziva v Pacifiku, Mladá fronta, 2000) Article on English Wikipedia Scenario in dates: January 4, 1943: In New Georgia - US Task Force 67, commanded by Admiral Ainsworth, bombards the Japanese base at Munda. A second group of cruisers and destroyers is in support of the effort. During attack of Japanese aircrafts on returning vessels, the American light cruiser USS Helena (CL-50) uses proximity fuses for antiaircraft ammunition for the first time. June 16, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - US fighters from Henderson Field claim to have shot down 93 Japanese aircraft from a force attacking shipping assembled for operations against New Georgia Island. June 21, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - On New Georgia, the 4th Marine Raider Battalion lands at Segi Point in the south. There is no Japanese garrison there. June 22, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - On New Georgia, American reinforcements arrive without incident. July 3, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - On New Georgia, American forces land at Zanana, about 8 miles east of Munda. There is no Japanese resistance and the beachhead is quickly consolidated. July 4, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - On New Georgia, US forces advancing from Zanana to Munda encounter heavy Japanese resistance. The Japanese land 1200 troops from 3 destroyers at Vila on Kolombangara. July 5, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - On New Georgia, American force of regimental strength lands in the north at Rice Anchorage. Fighting on the Zanana-Munda track continues. During the night (July 5-6) Japanese destroyers bring nearly 3000 more troops to Vila. Admiral Ainsworth, with 3 cruisers and 4 destroyers, engages elements of the Japanese force and sinks destroyer Niizuki and demages heavily destroyer Nagatsuki while losing light cruiser USS Helena (CL-50). July 6, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - The beached and abandoned Japanese destroyer Nagatsuki, from the force that delivered troops to New Georgia, is bombed and destroyed by air attack. The fighting on New Georgia continues along the Barike River. July 8, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - On New Georgia, US forces make some gains near the Barike River. July 9, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - On New Georgia American forces attack toward Munda. Heavy Japanese resistance limits the advance. Meanwhile, Americans send reinforcements to Rendova and the Japanese send reinforcements to Kolombangara. July 10, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - The American attack on New Georgia is held by the Japanese. American troops are having difficulty receiving supplies. July 13, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - American reinforcements arrive on Rendova and New Georgia. The attack on New Georgia makes more progress against, continued, heavy Japanese resistance. July 15, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - General Griswold replaces General Hester in command of operation in New Georgia. There is an air battle over Rendova in which the Americans lose 3 aircraft and claim to shoot down more than 40 Japanese planes. July 20, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - New American forces take over the front on New Georgia. New road construction alleviates the supply problem. Americans are losing Battle of Bairoko, the day-long assault on well-prepared Japanese defensive positions of garrison guarding the port of Bairoko is unsuccessful. The Japanese supply destroyers Kiyonami and Yūgure are bombed and sunk northwest of Kolombangara by U.S. aircraft, with only one survivor from Kiyonami. July 21, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - A small American force lands on Vella Lavella to determine whether significant forces can be landed there, by-passing the Japanese stronghold of Kolombangara. On New Georgia, Griswald plans an new offensive. August 2, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - On New Georgia, American forces have advanced to the edge of Munda airfield. The Japanese have decided not to reinforce the garrison on New Georgia. Some of its garrison are withdrawn to Kolombangara where the Japanese intend to make their next stand. August 4, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - On New Georgia, Americans capture Munda and the air field. August 6, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - In Vela Gulf there is an encounter engagement between 6 American destroyers and 4 Japanese destoyers carrying troops and supplies to Kolombangara. Three of the Japanese vessels are sunk, Arashi, Hagikaze and Kawakaze. Arashi is most famous for its involvement in the Battle of Midway when after attack to submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) she in an attempt to catch up with the main Japanese force created a long wake, which acted as a direction arrow to the American aviators, guiding them to the Japanese carriers. August 8, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - On New Georgia fighting continues. US forces are attempting to prevent further Japanese evacuations to Kolombangara. August 17, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - A small number of Japanese reinforcements land on Vella Lavella. There is an inconclusive battle between American destroyers and the Japanese transport force. August 25, 1943: In the Solomon Islands - The last Japanese resistance on New Georgia is eliminated, around Bairoko. Many Japanese troops have been evacuated to Arundel or Kolombangara. Literature sources: Moskin, J. Robert: The U.S. marine corps story,   Laser - books, 1997, Plzeň . Swanston, Alexander & Malcolm: The Historical Atlas of World War II,   Columbus, 2007, Praha Hammel, Eric: Munda trail,   Naše vojsko, 2009, Praha Hrbek, Jaroslav, Hrbek Ivan: Námořní válka vrcholí (War at sea culminates),   Naše vojsko, 1995, Praha Hubáček, Miloš: Ofenzíva v Pacifiku (Offensive in Pacific),   Mladá fronta, 2000, Praha Kolektiv, : War in the Pacific,   Naše vojsko, 2006, Praha

Game play matters:

Scenario data:

Map size: 36 x 44 hexes 21 turns, 3 days per turn Version: PacPG 1, Starting side: Axis, Campaign: Japanese campaign, Order in campaign: 13.
Axis states:     Japan Allied states:     USA, Australia & New Zealand Neutral states:     -
Axis:     defend Allies:     attack
Experience of Axis purchased units:     Experience of Allied purchased units:
Climate region:      Oceania, tropics Weather character in region:      Rain regularly all year round.
Game time costingness of scenario:    24.62 % (product of units and turns numbers divided by difference between the most long and the most short scenario)
Number of Axis units: 53 units, from them are 23 core units and 30 auxiliary units 6 air units, 3 naval units and 44 ground units 0 of units are loaded to air transport and 0 to naval transport	Transports Air/Naval: Axis - Allies 0/4 - 1/16
Number of Allied units: 54 units 9 air units, 5 naval units and 40 ground units 0 of units are loaded to air transport and 14 to naval transport	Initial prestige + every turn donation: Axis / Allies 364 + 57 / 400 + 0
Max number of Axis units: 57 units, from them are 26 core units and 31 auxiliary units - on start of scenario is possible to purchase 4 unit    (3 core + 1 auxiliary)
Max number of Allied units: 57 units - on start of scenario is possible to purchase 3 unit
Transport units: Axis - air:     not available Allies - air:     C-47 Dakota Axis - naval:     Transport Allies - naval:     AF Transport

The same time period scenarios:

Map names list:

Tactical map (large & detail):

	Basic map
	Map with unloaded transports and order numbers of units

Battlefield map: