Cattern's Position PTO (id:#56368)

Avalon Hill (AH:ASL Annual `97 ID: A 111)   [next]   [previous]

Soupta, New Guinea 1942-11-20 (4 others)

Overview:

After their rout at Oviv-Gorai, the Japanese continued their retreat along the Kokoda Trail. The Australians pursued them on two parallel axis of advance, hoping to reach the coast at Sananada before Japanese reinforcements could be landed. For days, only small rearguards were encountered until the Australian 16th Brigade, with the 2/1st Battalion in the lead, found a strongpoint backed up by artillery astride the trail. A plan was worked out in which two companies, led by Captain Cattern, would swing to the left, clear a patch of Kunai grass and prepare to exploit the Japanese rear. They would then occupy a position across the main Japanese position that was confronting the rest of the battalion. Using the sounds of guns and mortars firing from the main Japanese positions, the Australians slipped behind the enemy’s lines. As they worked to get closer to the trail, some huts were spotted with Japanese cooking their evening meal nearby. Moving to within 50 yards, Cattern’s men fired a shattering volley into the Japanese before closing further. The surprised defenders rallied from gunpits, but many had died in the first few minutes of the assault. Digging in to either side of the track, Cattern’s men awaited a Japanese counterattack.

Defender: Japanese (144th Infantry Regiment)  

Errata (source)