Historical Background:
In the same time that the strategic offensive in Mandchuria, troops of the 16th Soviet army was ordered to liberate the south part of the Sakhalin island, occupied by Japan as a result of the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-05. The operations began on the 11th of August, the objective was the city of Poronaïsk and the axis of attack was along the Poronaï River. Japanese command had made defensive positions with machine guns bunkers, mortars and artillery batteries. The Japanese division Karafuto was in charge of the defense. Fierce battles occurred during a week with heavy losses on each side. Landings of troops on the rear of the Japanese by the North Pacific Fleet, helped the ground forces to win the battle. Actually, on the 18th of August, the 16th Soviet army had broken the Japanese defense on the Sakhalin island.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:
Axis player [Japan] : 5 command cards.
Allied player [Soviet Union] : 6 command cards, you move first.

Conditions of Victory:
7 medals.
Exit markers are in effect on the central section of the Axis baseline, for the Allied forces (Action 23).

Special Rules:
- Use "Japanese Imperial Army" rules (Nation 3).
- Special Weapon Asset rules (SWAs 4 - Special Weapon Assets>1942) are in effect for units equipped with Mortars (SWAs 6) or Machine-guns (SWAs 7).

Scenario Bibliography:
- Internet article : "At war with Japan, History of Russia's Pacific Fleet".

Remember, the city of Koton is now called Pobedino.
Scenario played on the 4th tournament of Picardie ay Ravenel on the 12th of September 2015.

Warning:
Please note that this scenario was not approved by Richard Borg or Days of Wonder, so you have to check yourself about playability, potential gaming issues, etc.