Hell or High Water

The obvious invasion sites on Bougainville were avoided in favor of a landing around Cape Torokina in Empress Augusta Bay. The usual prolonged naval bombardment was rejected in order to maximize the element of surprise. At 0710 the first wave of LCVPs, carrying some 7500 Marines …

1943-11-01

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The obvious invasion sites on Bougainville were avoided in favor of a landing around Cape Torokina in Empress Augusta Bay. The usual prolonged naval bombardment was rejected in order to maximize the element of surprise. At 0710 the first wave of LCVPs, carrying some 7500 Marines began the 5000-yard run to shore. Opposing them was a single reinforced company of the Japanese 6th Infantry Division. After recovering from their initial shock, the Japanese calmly donned their best uniforms and prepared to fight to the death.

Cape Torokina, Bougainville

The Landings at Cape Torokina, also known as Operation Cherryblossom, took place at the beginning of the Bougainville campaign in World War II. The amphibious landings were carried out by elements of the United States Marine Corps in November 1943 on Bougainville Island in the South Pacific, as part of Allied efforts to advance towards the main Japanese base around Rabaul under Operation Cartwheel. Coming in the wake of Allied successes at Guadalcanal and in the central Solomons, the landings were intended to secure a beachhead with the purpose of establishing several bases from which to project air and naval power closer towards Rabaul, in an effort to neutralize the large Japanese force that had been established there.

American

Japanese

Scenario Type = Standard