From Wikipedia: "The Battle of Yalu River, (Japanese: 鴨緑江会戦, Ōryokkō Kaisen) 30 April to 1 May 1904, was the first major land battle during the Russo-Japanese War. It was fought near Wiju (modern village of Uiju,North Korea on the lower reaches of the Yalu River, at the border between Korea and China."
The simple Pz8 WW1 Divisional rules were designed for 1915-18 trench warfare, but I was encouraged by some scenarios designed by the French wargamer Pierre Laporte, to try them for open battles. I made a scenario for the Battle of the Yalu River and I played it solo, with my brand new 1904-05 Russian and Japanese armies, in the unusual 4mm scale. You can download the file, with order or battle, map and special "banzai" rule, in the Rules page.
The situation at the start of the battle. Usually in the WW1 Pz8 Rules, players deploy on the short sides of the map, within their half, but for this battle the two armies deployed on the longer sides.
The Russian rolled for Field Defences and they were really lucky: with 6 Trenches and 5 wires, they could hold the Yalu River banks very strongly. On the other side, the Japanese did not try to make a preliminary bombardment, preferring to hold their precious artillery round to support their assaults.
Japanese battalions prepare to attack the Russian centre. The bases with red counters are Guards (Elite). I will make small flags with the rising sun one day... promised.
First Japanese attacks were victorious but bloody, and the Russians managed to hold the centre, thanks to efficient artillery support and lethal machine guns. The Japanese crossed the Yalu River on the right and left wings, inflicting many casualties to the Russians too.
Cossacks regiments prudently watch the battle, in the rear area of the Russian defences.
Japanese Guards were ordered a Banzai charge, supported by concentrated artillery fire, but they were repulsed! Even if some Japanese battalions managed to take some sectors in the second line of the Russian defences, the centre and the hills were still in enemy's hands. Japanese last artillery rounds were spent but the situation did not change and the Russian even tried a counter attack, that failed.
Japanese infantry crossing the Yalu River and meeting the Russian defenders.
At the end of the fourth turn, the Japanese could not advance further and did not occupy at least all the first line of enemy defences, giving the victory to the Russians. Probably the battle would have been different, if the Russian could not count on all those Field Defences... I will play it again and see.
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