WAKDE ISLAND - May 17, 1944

Strategic Situation:
Japanese forces around Wewak have been effectively isolated, although there is still a lot of fighting in the Aitape area (between Hollandia amd Wewak) - but the campaign will continue. The next operations are intended to isolate remaining Japanese units in the western part of New Guinea and capture bases needed for the advance on the Philippines. In late May 1944 the two planned operations are Operation Straightline (the area around Sarmi, on the coast west of Hollandia), and Operation Horlicks (Biak Island, even further to the west).

Tactical Briefing:
You command the land portion of Operation Straightline. The landings are in the area around the villages of Arare and Toem; the initial landings are unopposed. Your orders are to capture the port facilities at Maffin and assault the island of Wakde, which is a particularly important objective because the airfield is suitable as a bomber base. The Japanese 36th Division, veterans of fighting in China, are stationed in this area, so you should prepare a defensive perimeter in expectation of a counterattack.

NOTE:
You can embark units by sea from the "Port" of Maffin. You own the hex at the start but can only deploy in the ocean once you have moved the unit to the hex - no matter what flag is shown. You cannot deploy units from this hex like a regular port.