BRACE UP! --- Pursued Into Darkness!

A General Pettygree Short Story

Welcome back to our first serialized dramatic short story, Brace Up! We return to Desperatu Island following Lieutenant Arthur's surprise attack on the enemy garrison posted at Pongolongo. Though automatic weapon's fire pinned down the lads for a time, our chaps were able to get away up the jungle trail in the moonlit darkness. Chapter 1 --- Night Attack appeared on 29 March 2020.

Naturally the enemy will pursue. But, when? A tough mission into the unknown I daresay. However, you will have it easier viewing two reconnaissance photographs taken during daylight hours. 

Centered is a ridge rising from left to right. It is bisected by the Turawa mountain stream descending from right to left. Lieutenant Arthur's detachment will arrive on the jungle trail in the upper left.

That rope bridge appears worse for wear. Arthur needs to cross it to reach his base camp off image in the lower right. 

This is as far as Express and I go for now my dear readers. 

Now let's return to our drama and Lt. Arthur due soon on this trail.

CHAPTER 2 --- PURSUED INTO DARKNESS

"Kuhla khana (Greetings) Kolamantu! We've been waiting."

"We heard explosions an' quick guns down in Pongolongo. Where are your white men?"  

"Walking best they can. --- Here Tenent Arthur comes."

"Kuhla khana Tenent Artur!"

 "Thank you. Glad to be here. May we rest till dawn?" 

"Not dawn. --- Enemy come before sun. For small time rest, drink, eat boar good cooked for you. Then take you up mountain."

"Alright lads, our Desperatuan allies have some fine boar for us to eat. Good eat'n. We'll rest here for an hour. Afterwards we'll get back on the trail and go up the mountain to our base camp."

Two Hours Later --- Crossing The Turawa Ford

"We've made excellent progress men. Steady on across the Turawa. A chance to cool off some."

"What about the enemy Lieutenant?"

"We shattered 'em good Bob. Chas'n us in the dark right away will be the last thing they can do."

Earlier At Pongolongo Village

"The enemy got away Captain Shimoda. Shall I prepare the company to move at daylight up the jungle trail?"

"No waiting Lieutenant Meada! Assemble those able to march now. Then chase the foe at the double. When they turn to face you, pin them in place. I will follow with the reserve flanking the enemy when I know where you and they are."

After bowing, "Sir. I beg your pardon."

"What is it, Tanizaki?" 

"Lieutenant Kymatsu requests the honor to pursue the Australians."

"Your section is ready?" 

Hai! (Yes!)  Sir, my officer readied us after our machine guns stopped firing. He is taking care of last minute details. To save time he asked me to rush here to report. He thought...."

"Very well. --- Lieutenant Meada go with this soldier giving Kymatsu my orders." 

Kymatsu Moved Out Almost Immediately

About Two Hours Later His Men Slowed Down

"Resume the pace at the double! At the double you laggards! Faster. Even faster!"

"Sir! Look!"

"Bayonets only! Don't shoot!" 

"Imbecile! Do you realize what you've done Private Yosujiro?"

"Hai. I...."

"Your shot warned the enemy we're approaching placing us and the entire mission in peril."

"I apologize Lieutenant Kymatsu."

"No good. --- Shut up and get back on the trail. --- At the front of the column. --- Run!"

After bowing low and bellowing, "Hai!," Yosujiro fled.

"Sir! A rifle shot behind us."

"Well, this is a fine muddle. Bob, set up a defensive line on the far bank. I'll be along directly."

"Very good Sir. --- Uh, how far back do you reckon that shot was fired? What I mean is, how much time might we have before the Japanese arrive?

"A mile maybe. Now get yourself across the stream. --- Kolamantu let's go."

"No tenent. I stay in the bush and ambush enemy when come. I join you after."

"Very well. Good hunting my friend. I'll see you on the other side." 

Lt. Kymatsu silently observed, "Here comes Yosujiro to report."

"Sir, a stream is just ahead with many fresh footprints imbedded into the muddy bank."

"Anything else Private?"

"No Sir. All quiet."

"Go back. Then cross to the other side to be sure. We'll cover you."

"Hai!"

"This is more punishment. --- No. --- An opportunity to restore family honor. The moonlight reveals nothing because the far bank is shrouded in hateful shade. We have pursued into darkness. I only hear the gurgle of the stream passing by. My heart is beating faster. My breathing is shallower. I'm no coward. Forward Yosujiro."

"A rifle shot from the right!"

The men abruptly commenced firing into the darkness at unknowable hidden targets.


CLOSING REMARKS

Don't miss the dramatic conclusion coming soon:
Chapter 3 --- Back To The Bridge

Meanwhile, "Brace Up!"

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BRACE UP --- by General Pettygree

A General Pettygree Short Story

Welcome to our first dramatic short story, Brace Up. This one occurs on Desperatu Island. You will not find it on any navigation chart nor within the archives of The Explorer's Club or National Geographic Society. I speculate its beaches ring the top of a volcanic mount somewhere within a triangle formed by New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Bismarck Sea. We can't be certain.

Behind me is the formerly idyllic Village of Pongolongo. You will understand why it no longer is a tropical paradise in a moment.

Suffice to say perseverance and the stubborn "can do spirit" of those soon to counterattack here are going to be severely  tested versus the successful juggernaut bent on conquering Oceania; in this case, Desperatu Island. Our serialized drama commences with....

CHAPTER 1 --- NIGHT ATTACK

"Tenent' Arthur,  my Pongolongo Village sleeps. Few guards."

"Alright Kolamantu."

"The entrance is just around this hedge to the left."

"Quiet Sir! --- Look."

"That sentry is coming our way and...."

"Now there are two guards. Worse and worse."

"Down men. Quietly."

"Freeze lads. They're looking our way."

Minutes later the two walked away in different directions.

"Kolamantu. Here's your chance. Take out that first bloke."  

"Kolamanatu ready. Avenge Pongolongo." 

"He got 'im Sir without a sound."

"Right. --- You know your individual jobs. Sticky bombs through the open windows. Then run back to the rendezvous point. --- Good hunting men. --- Rise up. --- In we go!"

Explosions promptly consumed two of the four huts with shocking violence.

"Well done men. Let's get out of here. Steady on."

"Lieutenant Arthur. Will the Japanese pursue?"
"What do you think Donald?"
"Well Sir, we couldn't get them all. Too many of 'em."

"Take cover. Machine gun fire com'n in! Crikey!"

CLOSING REMARKS

Coming soon:  Chapter 2 --- Pursued Into Darkness

Meanwhile, "Brace Up!"

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Australian Milne Bay, New Guinea Counterattack

New Guinea Campaign From The Studio of General Pettygree
Mission: Link air, naval and land action in a campaign and story context
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"The currency of friendship is time."   Dr. Mark Miravale.
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Game #8

February 1, 1942/2020

Australians Counterattack 
The Japanese Foothold at Milne Bay, New Guinea

Prelude Concludes (See previous story)

Joey Flight searching for the Japanese now gone to ground. 

Joey 1: Flight Officer Horne in the left-hand Gloster Gladiator.

Joey 2: Lt. Riley is to his right.

"Joey 2, this is Joey 1. We'll turn to the right passing along the hedgerow."

"Right Sir. --- Hell-loooh. --- I've spotted the enemy below at one o'clock."

I see them Joey 2. Well done. More are popping up like toast."

"Tracers com'n in." 

"Sir my engine and tail section are hit. Fire and smoke erupting forward."

Joey 2. Head for home immediately. These crates can't take much punishment.

"I'm too low to bail out, Sir."

"Joey 2, I know. I'll follow along and also radio mum."

"Mama Roo. This is Joey Flight. Are you there?"

Static.

"Repeat. --- Joey Flight for Mama Roo!"

"This is mum Joey Flight. What's your situation?"

"Mum, we're returning for breakfast. Joey 2 is smoking but able to fly.

"We spotted a few of  the enemy east of the village bush line. Send regards to dad."

"Well done Joey Flight. I will. Mum out."

Morning Attack Commenced Soon Thereafter

Australian Left Flank 

Colonel Ballard's regulars advanced out of  the village toward the same hedge line.

Resistance was light and overcome.

The right of the line was "refused" in case of trouble from that quarter and....

It came almost immediately. (Photo courtesy of Bill K.)

Mortar fire, infantry and the sole surviving Ha-Go tank....

Pushed into the refused wing which.... 

Initially stood its ground but withdrew before the onslaught.

To the left at the hedge, Ballard's regulars stood their ground but were soon fired upon by soldiers from the beach. The Australians pulled back deeper into cover and halted to trade fire. 

The Japanese attack was next supported by an ineffectual air attack.

The two Ha-Go tanks shown were destroyed in the battle of 25 January.

Ballard then counterattacked with three Stuart tanks.

This with stiffened resistance from the regulars stopped the enemy attack.

The front was restored but reorganizing would be needed.

Rule: The Australian called a halt or reset. Both sides were allowed to redeploy in logically controlled areas, recover stragglers, return lightly wounded comrades to their units and bring up reinforcements for our afternoon session. 

Afternoon Attack
Left Flank

This time Colonel Ballard led with three Stuart tanks preceded by smoke to obscure enemy fire.
The rear-most Stuart bogged down as a light rain started.

The leading tanks stopped on either side of the road covered by the hedge. 

Awaiting two universal carriers, a 37mm anti-tank gun in tow and the still bogged down Stuart.
The IJA Ha-Go tank was knocked out days ago.

Then Ballard ordered his regulars forward again.

When time was right....

 They crossed into the open area....

Toward the foe.

Awaiting them behind log breastworks....

Captured earlier on invasion day.

Farther back more of the foe patiently waited.

Right Flank --- Jepson's Bar

Australian militiamen advanced out of the bush toward the hedge.
Hidden Japanese held this flank near and within Jepson's Bar.

The Australians pushed through
out onto the beach under continuous rifle and mortar fire.

They secured the bar having influenced defenders to hastily leave.

The Japanese reestablished a line to the east on the beach.

The Australians reacted by bringing up Stuart tanks and a universal carrier.

Which deployed onto the beach firing upon the enemy.

 The Japanese Special Naval Landing Force rushed to counter the Australian thrust.

Some even charged out onto the beach causing a serious bother.

The Australians shown would pull back due to losses.

No photo of this.

Back To The Left Flank

Newly arrived Japanese infantry banzai charged the Australian Left Flank.

It did not work. After two turns of hand to hand combat the charge failed.
Something was up.

The End

"Crikey. Nothing backed up that banzai charge Collin."

 "Captain, I don't see anyone to our front now. --- Wait!"

They are boarding a landing barge and...

Setting up a blocking force to....

Cover....

A general retreat!


"Ballard. We did it!"
"The two last attacks by the Japanese on both our flanks covered a retreat."

While a lone Zero flew air cover.

Slowing the advance toward the embarkation area.

A new artillery position was established
with newly arrived Papuan New Guinea allies in reserve.

Closing Remarks

In our four sessions these companions participated:

Japanese: Dan E., Jim H., Dave G., Kurt D. and Todd B. 

Australians: Morgan E, Greg B., Bill K.,  and yours truly Bill P. 

Well-played by all participants. Japanese players were particularly startling in aggressiveness.

We used miniatures we like and have though some were not present historically. It works.

Thank you for looking in.

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