Background:
The Battle of Palembang was a battle of the Pacific theatre of World War II. It occurred near Palembang, on Sumatra, on 13–15 February 1942. The Royal Dutch Shell oil refineries at nearby Pladju (or Pladjoe) were the major objectives for the Empire of Japan in the Pacific War, because of an oil embargo imposed on Japan by the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. With the area’s abundant fuel supply and airfield, Palembang offered significant potential as a military base to both the Allies and the Japanese.
While the Allied planes attacked the Japanese ships on 13 February, Kawasaki Ki-56 transport planes of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Chutai, Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF), dropped Teishin Shudan (Raiding Group) paratroopers over Pangkalan Benteng airfield. At the same time Mitsubishi Ki-21 bombers from the 98th Sentai dropped supplies for paratroopers. The formation was escorted by a large force of Nakajima Ki-43 fighters from the 59th and 64th Sentai.
As many as 180 men from the Japanese 2nd Parachute Regiment, under Colonel Seiichi Kume, dropped between Palembang and Pangkalan Benteng, and more than 90 men came down west of the refineries at Pladjoe. Although the Japanese paratroopers failed to capture the Pangkalan Benteng airfield, at the Pladjoe oil refinery they managed to gain possession of the entire complex, which was undamaged. A makeshift counter-attack by Landstorm troops and anti-aircraft gunners from Praboemoelih managed to retake the complex but took heavy losses. The planned demolition failed to do any serious damage to the refinery, but the oil stores were set ablaze. Two hours after the first drop, another 60 Japanese paratroopers were dropped near Pangkalan Benteng airfield.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Palembang)
Additional information on the battle can be found at: http://www.dutcheastindies.webs.com/palembang.html
The Game:
The scenario played was from: http://www.fireandfury.com/scenarios/palembangscenario.pdf
The Jungle consisted of partial Jungle which was considered to be impassible over half the table. The remainder was flat grass land with the air strip carved out. One major paved road ran from the southern edge of the table near the refineries down the table hooking around the Air Strip. Several paths also cut thru the Jungle and the grass land. The stream near the southern edge was considered to be very difficult for vehicles.
Scenario Special Rules:
- Play was along the entire length of the table.
- All forces were taken from the scenario OOB, with all units were built from the Banzai Book or the Early War Dutch PDF.
- The RAF and British units began on the table, the Dutch arrived starting on Turn Three.
- All the Japanese Paratroopers jumped onto the table, using the Early War Paradrop rules on Turn One.
- A preliminary air bombardment took place at the beginning of the game, targeting the AAA sites.
- The Japanese had a chance for another air attack on Turn Three.
- After Turn Three, the Allies rolled for Air Power; a ten on a ten sided die brought a Hurricane strafing attack.
- The Japanese received the first move.
Forces:
The Allies consisted of two 3.7 inch AAA, five 40mm Bofors AAA, two scratch Platoons of RAF infantry and one platoon of Indonesian Infantry. The 3.7 inch guns were dispersed on the board, whereas the Bofors were deployed around the Air Strip periphery. The Allies were rated as Confident Trained or worse.
The Japanese Paratrooper Company employed six infantry platoons (Hohei Infantry) with light mortars, several HMGs and a few AT rifles. All the Japanese were rated as Fearless Veteran.
Narrative:
During the Preliminary Air Bombardment phase of the First Turn, the Japanese air force managed to destroy one Bofors gun and pinned several others. The roll for the wind direction was across the board, allowing for the Paras to drop in several Jungle openings along the Air Strip and near the Stream.
On Turn One, the Paras landed near their objectives, suffering between 10 and 30 percent casualties (mostly the man packed gun teams). As the Japanese were trained by the Germans, the Japanese landed only with pistols and grenades. The rest of the weapons landed in separate canisters and had to be retrieved. Both landing zones included the 3.7 inch AAA guns which were assaulted directly from the drop. Both guns were taken out.
Historically, only two platoons dropped on the Air Strip and four up by the Refinery. However, in the game the Japanese split their forces more evenly. Three attacked the British defenses, two dug in along the Stream and the last moved towards the air strip.
On Turn Three, as the Japanese continued to clear the Air Strip defenses, The RAF truck convoy mobilized to exit the table, unaware that the Japanese had seized the only bridge over the Stream. The Dutch armored cars showed up next to the bridge and began to pepper the Japanese with cannon and machine gun fire.
On Turns Four and Five, the Japanese routed most of the organized resistance at the Air Strip and shot up several trucks of the RAF Truck Convoy attempting to flee. Meanwhile, Japanese at the Stream hunkered down in their foxholes while the Dutch employed heavy suppressive fire from the Armoured Cars. The Dutch infantry moved up towards the stream to get in position to support the armoured cars.
By Turn Six, the Air Strip was completely under Japanese control. The Dutch bravely waded across the Stream and assaulted the lead Japanese Platoon. After two turns of intense melee, the surviving outnumbered Japanese retreated behind the edge of the jungle behind the second platoon.
Over the next two turns, the Dutch continued their determined counter attack. Unfortunately, the casualties began to pile up on the infantry and even the armoured cars. The Dutch could no longer go forward and the relief force had run out of steam!
The game ended with a counter factual Japanese victory.
– Manteuffel