.Battle of Timor 1942 or Japanese Invasion of Timor
In February 1942 Japanese forces subsequently invaded Dutch and Portuguese Timor despite clear neutrality, the Japanese shot at all occupiers forcing them to take up arms which led to one of the most stubborn defences of the war bringing Dutch, Portuguese, American, British and Australian forces together in an effort to hold out. The battle lasted until February 1943 and tied up an entire Japanese division for six months. Despite the defenders only being a mix match of 3,000 allied troops including some commandos they managed to defy a Japanese Invasion force of about 10,000-12,000 men for over a year until evacuating and surrendering the island. Abound 50,000 civilians were mercilessly killed by the Japanese invasion force, even after the occupation many Timorese resistance groups tried to fight back but this mostly resulted in reprisal by the Japanese.
This is the perfect scenario for a solid mission, most likely it will be better to play as the allies, and obviously neutral men can be used to represent the outlying factions, due to the fact this requires the Japanese making the mission in RWG is you're best bet I am also sure they have some nice pre-set maps too.
Battle of Madagascar 1942 or Operation Iron Clad
In May of 1942 the British forces prepared to invade Madagascar because the occupying troops were loyal to the pro German Vichy France therefore its position threatened shipping of war material (tea
) into the Indian ocean, this move was also made to also prevent the Japanese from using the Island to dock submarines. The British assembled a joint force of British Indian Rhodesian and South African infantry, as well as naval support backed by Polish Australian and Dutch Sailors in addition 2 battleships and 22 destroyers as well as 85 aircraft. In comparison the French forces on the Island were 8,000 strong 6,000 were Malagasy tirailleurs and a large proportion of the rest were Senegalese, with around 30 aircraft of several models. 8,000 troops is very few considering that the Island is just as big as France, additionally the French had support from 4 Submarines, and a Recon plane of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Naval and air defences were relatively light, allowing most beach landings to be met with virtually no resistance, this let the 17th Infantry Brigade to reach an airfield 21 miles inland with support from Valentine and Tetrarch tanks. However inland the French had a defence line which they dubbed the "Joffre line", which temporarily halted the advance. British attacks on the 6th of may resulted in the destruction of 10 of the 12 tanks the British had brought to Madagascar, only the South Lancashire's regiment were able to flank the Vichy lines through the forests and swamps in order to capture a barracks and also 200 prisoners however a faulty radio meant they had to return to their lines. This ultimately resulted in a deadlock until at one point in the battle a damaged ship, HMS Anthony was able to sail directly past the coastal defences and make it to the enemy's rear where alone 50 Royal marines, 50! managed to capture the French artillery command post along with its barracks and the naval depot. At the same time the troops of the 17th Infantry Brigade had broken through the defences and were soon marching in the town. The Vichy defence was broken and the Antisarane airfield was surrendered that evening, substantial Vichy forces withdrew to the south, the battle is still far from over.And that is just the start of the battle ! , as you can see there is a lot to work with there it would make for a very nice mission indeed because I do not think many people know of it, or would believe that the French and Japanese teamed up. Those are just two, of many yet to come
