Historical Background:
On the 20th of August 1945, in the early morning, several battalions on the 113th Soviet Rifle Brigade and one battalion of Marines landed on the port of Maoka, in the south of Sakhalin Island. Docks were quickly occupied but the resistance made by two battalions of the 25th Japanese Infantry Regiment hardened in the city and on the hills overhanging the port. Japanese artillery made some damages on several ships of the Soviet Pacific Fleet which retaliated by an heavy naval bombardment. At the Maoka Post Office, nine young female switchboard operators stayed at post and communicated to the main land. Their last message was that the Soviet soldiers entered in the building and they will committed suicide rather than surrender. The last words were : "Naïchi, Sayonara, Sayonara !" (Main land, farewell, farewell !) .
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.
The city hexagon of Maoka (with the mortar unit) is a temporary medal objective for the Allied player.

Special Rules:
- Use "Japanese Imperial Army" rules (Nations 3).
- Use "Specialized Units" rules (Troops 2) to the four Marines units.
- Use "Destroyer" rules (Troops 12) to the two ships of the Soviet Pacific Fleet.
- Special Weapon Asset >1942 rules (SWAs 4) are in effect for units equipped with Mortars (SWAs 6).

Scenario Bibliography:
- "August Storm, The Soviet 1945 Strategic Offensive in Manchuria" - David Glantz.
- Soviet assault on Maoka.

Remember, see the "9 Maidens Monument" at Wakkanai Park (Hokkaido).
Maoka is called now Kholmsk.

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.