The orders were explicit, so, #3, Hold the line behind the river. Additionally, direct the forward forces to conduct a fighting retreat back down the road to the village. and there they will observe the enemy's line of advance. The clear ground before the village would be a good killing ground, but if the enemy avoids the village to go north or south, that intelligence would be vital. They would, from there, fall back to join the main force, avoiding their envelopment. Behind the river, the clear ground to the north should ideally be covered from the high ground that overlooks it.
@@UmpireLaFondiose I just watched the first AAR of Milne Bay. They did cover the high ground to the north, but, I think it was undermanned. Such a position should have been unassailable. I don't know what became of the forward units. I fear for them because I didn't know the Japanese had armor! lol
previous videos talked a lot about flexibility so i thought the first option (or something similar, i.e. keep most forces on the west side and send recon out) would be best. and especially in this situation where we don't know the enemy, recon needs to be sent out as eyes and hands. i did think the other battalions were sufficient screening tho, so I assumed recon along the road alone (or at least, without branching too far north or south) would be enough. plus the open plain seemed too dangerous of a crossing for the enemy and i wrongly assumed the battalion on the high ground could hold it off. good video!
It seems tempting until one considers that there's only one line of retreat. Fighting with a river to your back was always considered a dangerous position.
The orders were explicit, so, #3, Hold the line behind the river.
Additionally, direct the forward forces to conduct a fighting retreat back down the road to the village. and there they will observe the enemy's line of advance. The clear ground before the village would be a good killing ground, but if the enemy avoids the village to go north or south, that intelligence would be vital. They would, from there, fall back to join the main force, avoiding their envelopment.
Behind the river, the clear ground to the north should ideally be covered from the high ground that overlooks it.
How did you do?
@@UmpireLaFondiose I just watched the first AAR of Milne Bay. They did cover the high ground to the north, but, I think it was undermanned. Such a position should have been unassailable. I don't know what became of the forward units. I fear for them because I didn't know the Japanese had armor! lol
@@thomashazlewood4658 sadly the norther units were overwhelmed which is why the Japanese were able to attack from the north.
previous videos talked a lot about flexibility so i thought the first option (or something similar, i.e. keep most forces on the west side and send recon out) would be best. and especially in this situation where we don't know the enemy, recon needs to be sent out as eyes and hands. i did think the other battalions were sufficient screening tho, so I assumed recon along the road alone (or at least, without branching too far north or south) would be enough. plus the open plain seemed too dangerous of a crossing for the enemy and i wrongly assumed the battalion on the high ground could hold it off. good video!
Thank you! The patterns start to emerge as you look at more of the problems. Thanks for commenting!
Having seen the video, this was quite an easy answer. Clearly, having an entire division cross the river is not the best idea.
You would be surprised at how many times I’ve seen it happen our simulations!
It seems tempting until one considers that there's only one line of retreat. Fighting with a river to your back was always considered a dangerous position.
I'd order number 3
Many of the fellow units did that. The open ground to the northeast makes it more complicated.