Historical Background:
Reconnaissance by US patrols disclosed that Japanese troops occupied a hill north of the village called Evansville. A first US attack on this high ground had failed on the 9th of December and the hill was at that time named Hellzapoppin Ridge. Japanese troops of the 23rd Regiment were entrenched in caves camouflaged by the vegetation and on the reverse slope. From these caves, they were able to fire on the Marines with machine-guns or snipers. On the 18th of December, the 21st Marines attacked the ridge with a pincer movement, and destroyed all Japanese positions one by one. Although the Marines artillery and the embarked aviation had given their support in the battle, it was the Marines who cleared the caves with grenades. At the end of the day, Hellzapoppin Ridge was in the Marines hands for the price of about 12 killed and 23 wounded.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:
Axis player [Japan] : 4 command cards.
Allied player [US Marine Corps] : 6 command cards, you move first.

Conditions of Victory:
6 medals.
The hexagon caves on hill with a medal token is a temporary medal objective for the Allied player.

Special Rules:
- Use "Japanese Imperial Army" rules (Nations 3).
- Use "US Marine Corps" rules (Nations 4).
- Special Weapon Asset Rules (SWAs 4 - Special Weapon Assets>1942) are in effect for the units equipped with a mortar (SWAs 6) or a machine-gun (SWAs 7).
- Use "Sniper" rules (Troops 10) to the three Japanese infantry units with a single figure.
- Use "Cave on Hills" rules (Terrain 52).

Scenario Bibliography:
- Hyperwar USMC Monograph - Marines in the Northern Salomons.

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.