Chuang Shyue Chou - Mar 28, 2005 11:30 pm (#9416 Total: 9517) On the Table over the weekend: Strategy & Tactics issue 96: Singapore The map was colour-photocopied onto heavy card stock. This makes for a great playing surface. The map errata sheets were then pasted on two areas. My opponent, the Japanese player, started with a furious onslaughter at Jitra and landings at Kota Bahru. The historical first move. I refused to commit Force Z. Somehow, he faltered as I repulsed his attacks which was followed by a counterattack of more than a divison strength of units. I was able to established a line east of Penang. I rushed reinforcements north. Despite the ferocious attacks of the Japanese, my Commonwealth units were holding out, defending in depth. I had also managed to threaten the Japanese flank in the western advance down. In the east, my troops were dislodged as I retreated. I managed to save my units and established a line on a ridge in the midst of Peninsular Malaya. This line went on to hold for most of the game. Many furious attacks from both sides were launched to seize control of this ridge. I used the rivers as defence lines throughout and would abandon positions early if it were untenable. The Muar, Slim were used (not unlike the battles historically). I had anchored my flank to the highlands (Cameron or Genting) and was able to utilise those high ground in counterattacks, destroying one unit and causing the loss of another through attrition. By then, I had lost my Gurkha brigade and a few other units through armoured attacks. (DE results on plantation terrrains. I opponent rolled 'six' about three or four times.) He tried offering a draw at this point but I refused. Force Z was intact and I had held. By then, the central position was being outflanked as the Japanese linked up, again destroying a few units. Fortunately, my ridge line in the centre held and I was again able to cut off a substantial bit of the penetrating Japanese force. My opponent is extremely aggressive. At this point, Penang finally fell as my two units in their were lost to attrition (out of supply) but I managed to destroy the shipping. It was moot however as I was very far south. It was sometime in March 1942. The Japanese were seriously behind time. At this point, the Japanese attempted a determined drive south with the bulk of the forces leaving the flanks unguarded. Through the use of three units, I managed to cut the Japanese supply lines from the west, the central lines and the eastern port towns. Almost the entire Japanese army was now out of supply. At this point, my opponent conceded. On the other table, another game of Singapore was being played out. The Commonwealth player managed to hold out for 26 turns despite mistakes. Another decisive victory for the Commonwealth. On a related note, a naming error of 'Kuala Lumpur' on the map gave cause to no end of hilarity. It was spelt as 'Lumpar' rather than 'Lumpur'. 'Lumpar' in Hokkien (Fujian for those using Hanyu Pinyin) means 'testicles' and is objective used as an expletive, like 'BALLS'. Hokkien is a commonly used dialect by most Malayan-Chinese and is understood by most Malays and Indians in the region. Just don't say 'Lumpar' in KL if you were there or for that matter, anywhere in Malaysia or Singapore.