Gavutu-Tanambogo Assault 1 turn 6.5 - Trial and mostly error

Turn 5.5 to 6.5 was a hard one for both sides. Japan's counterattack was scattered by 200mm NOBA and sent the infantry running for trenches as close as possible to Marines positions. The cruiser offshore ceased fire since the island started to look like a mess of friends and foes.

The poor squad that escaped death and swam to shore got intercepted by a HS and reduced to a HS itself. Fortunately, heavy fire from the hill pinned the IJA before they could engage the disarmed marines in CC.

The swimmers gets to shore only to be met with the sniper's
crosshair, and a squad of demented Japanese conscripts with
TWO DCs.

On bloody beach, marksmen from a cave made short order of two crews attempting to place DCs in their midst.

Around the corner, Marines from up above dropped a smoke grenade in the other cave. The Japanese MMC down there was berserk and as it was about to get out of the cave, realized that a Marine crew had shoved a DC at the mouth of the cave. Many Japanese soldiers died, but not enough of them as far as the Marines are concenred.

The unarmed marines kept on wading away from the japanese conscripts, fearing CC or even a DC attack. As they reached the shore, punishing mortar fire from the far end of Gavutu wiped 3 broken HS stuck on the beach.

Overhead, the USN bombers were swerving back home. The sound of NOBA on Tanambogo can be heard. The marines are now trapped on Hill 148, alone, with dwindling stocks of DC and little collapsed caves to show for.

Last glimpse from the USN planes on the way back to the flat-top

Bloody beach in the sunlight. Capturing the pillbox on the left is, hopefully, next.