A Japanese infantry regiment attacks a village held by Commonwealth infantry and armor. This battle is representative of the battles fought at this time and place. The battle was fought by the Gourmet Wargaming Club with 15mm figures, using our homebrew Hail of Lead rule set. Click here to download a PDF containing the order of battle and scenario rules.

Our chef begins the preparation of the midday meal.	Her sous-chef springs into action with a fruit salad.	Meet the meat.	The battlefield. The village of Ba Chit occupies the geographic center of the table. Somewhere in the lines of palm trees and clumps of buildings the Commonwealth waits for the Japanese attack from off the right table edge.	A special cyberguest joins us in our quest for simulated carnage. (Pay no attention to the man in the screen...)
A closer look at the lines of opposing numbered markers. These could represent the locations of real or imagined units. The Yung River separates the two; Japanese forces are on the right bank.	Commonwealth Indian troops open fire as Japanese forces are spotted moving up. The recce carriers provide a surprising amount of support, even with their weak armor.	A Japanese infantry company comes under fire.	The next thing you know, a conflagration has broken out along half the table. Bullets and shells rain down from both sides of the woods flanking the Yung River.	More Japanese companies move up and trade shots with the enemy.
Elements of another couple of battalions of Japanese infantry ford the Yung and begin to cross open ground to engage the enemy center-left.	A recce carrier comes under artillery fire, but holds tight.	The Japanese are pounded by 25-pounder artillery fire.	Japanese commanders move their troops forward under the watchful eyes of the Commonwealth CO (left).	These British officers are very cool under fire. It's good to catch up on your reading whenever possible.
Elements of a third Japanese battalion--rounding out the full Regiment--attacks on the right flank to clear the woods.	Anyone have a can opener? Japanese Type 94 Te-Ke tankettes drive right into the Boys antitank rifle fire from recce carriers.	The meat of the Japanese attack is falling on the center-left of the Commonwealth positions. Are there any forces between the attackers and the village, beyond?	Japanese heavy weapons move up behind the forward companies.	One of those huge Japanese companies attacks across the Yung after the surrounding Indian infantry was forced back by fire. Only one lone recce carrier holds on.
A Japanese 70mm infantry gun (top) and a 20mm antitank rifle (bottom) blast away at anything that moves.	A couple of companies of Indian troops trade fire with the enemy.	Events on the ground are momentarily overtaken by an aerial drama: Zero versus Warhawk. The elite American pilot is more than a match for his opposite number.	After the fighters have bashed each other a bit, a Val dive bomber flits in for a quick bomb on Ba Chit.	The Japanese left flank is crossing the Yung River after forcing the Indians to withdraw.
Against the odds! The recce carrier blasts away at the enemy company and manages to survive waves of infantry assaults.	The fight is on in the center. One Japanese infantry battalion has discovered one British battalion. The British are outnumbered two-to-one, but they have the advantage of the defensive.	The third Japanese battalion launches infantry assaults against the recce carries on the right flank.	The Japanese tankettes fell back after their encounter with enemy armor.	Elderly medium Type 89 Yi-Go tanks motor up to support the Japanese center.
An overview of the battle. The Japanese attacks are all hitting home.	Lunch time! A quick consultation in the kitchen as the food is served. Todays theme: British cuisine.	A very merry band of warriors indeed!	The kitchen staff find a secluded spot to eat and enjoy a bottle (or three) of hard cider (at left).	Getting back to the action, we see Indian troops (bottom left) counter-attacking through the woods.
Japanese artillery and infantry continue to try to dislodge that pesky recce carrier--but to no avail.	All hell breaks loose in the center. Both sides call in artillery and fight at close quarters.	Japanese tankettes zoom forward to see what may or may not lurk in the woods to the front.	Another British company flooded by Japanese attackers, including the Yi-Go medium tanks.	Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tanks (lower left) move to the road to flank the enemy infantry positions in the center.
The Japanese right moves forward after having dealt with the carriers (seen burning at left).	Enter the cavalry: M3 Stuart light tanks counter-attack the Japanese armor from hiding places in the woods. The 7th Armoured Brigade is in the fray.	The unfortunate tankettes have discovered a battery of towed 2-pounder antitank guns (represented here by a 6-pounder model) and have attracted the attention of a platoon of Stuarts. This may not go well.	Another Stuart squadron moves to flank the Chi-Ha tanks.	Meanwhile, Ba Chit is attacked by medium bombers. A Ki-49 Helen (left) and a Ki-21 Sally drop their bombs with very little effect, except to inflict worry.
Japanese heavy weapons engage Indian troops in front of Ba Chit.	After heavy fighting in the center, some Japanese troops (unit 93) have broken through to face the village.	37mm cannon fire rips into the Yi-Go tanks and blows them sky high.	The Japanese right flank deploys as many heavy weapons as are available to counter the enemy armor.	A plucky infantry assault against one Stuart squadron! A desperate maneuver that causes some damage.
The Japanese 37mm antitank gun is brazenly wheeled up behind one Stuart. It would not survive this move, however.	Japanese artillery is directed onto Ba Chit to soften it up a bit before the inevitable attack.	The Commonwealth right flank is still holding. Indian infantry continue their counter-attacks.	One last recce carrier continues to stop more Japanese from crossing the Yung.	The Stuarts have lost one of their number, but have wiped out all Japanese armor within reach. Japanese heavy weapons continue to hammer the enemy tanks, but don't have the firepower to cause much damage. Japanese hopes for assaulting the village are dashed, and a general retreat is called.