For the Tarakan operations, the three infantry battalions of the 26th Brigade were augmented by the 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion, engineers trained as infantry. During the second week of operations, they were tasked with clearing John's Track, running across the narrow southern end of the island. Optimistically envisioned as a three day walk to the coast, it soon turned into a nightmare of dense jungle, slippery muddy ridges and staunch Japanese defenders. After initial probes against the feature called Helen had been repulsed, the fresh D Company was brought forward. Following a pounding of the hill by artillery, the lead platoon began to struggle up through a slippery tangle of smashed branches. A second platoon began to work their way around to the left. . . .Four and a half Australian squads attempt to dig out 3 crew-served machine guns in a bunker complex.
Attacker: Australian (2/3rd Pioneer Regiment)
Defender: Japanese (Tokoi Force, Fudaki Detachment)
5.5 turns
Players: 2 OBA: None Night: No
Unit Counts:
Squads: A:4.5 D:0.0
AFVs: A:0
AFVs: D:0
Guns: A:0 D:0
Misc Rules:
PTO, DJ. Stream is shallow. Roads are jungle trails.
