Kawaguchi's Gamble: Edson's Ridge

The Area Movement Series (AMS) updates and modernizes the rules system made popular by the now-classic Breakout: Normandy.

September 1942: Henderson Field was crucial to the American's ability to control the shipping lanes around Guadalcanal and keep a lifeline open to Australia. The airfield could not be controlled if the ridge above it fell. Lieutenant Colonel Merritt A. Edson, commanding a compose battalion of Marine Raiders and Paratroopers, positioned his troops on the treeless ridge as if he had foreknowledge of an impending attack. Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi, commanding the Japanese 35th Infantry Brigade, ordered units of the 4th and 124th Regiments to cut a path across the island through the trackless jungle towards the airfield — actions that would propel the Japanese into direct confrontation with the Marines. The Battle of Bloody Ridge, as it came to be known, represented the best chance the Japanese had at retaking the island before reinforcements could arrive, but the resolute defense of Edson's Marines prevented a breakthrough and was a turning point of the war in the Pacific.

Kawaguchi's Gamble: Edson's Ridge is simulation of the Japanese attack to recapture Henderson Field on the Southwest Pacific island of Guadalcanal. The Japanese must take the ridge and break through to Henderson Field, while the Americans attempt to prevent them from doing so. Kawaguchi's Gamble: Edson's Ridge features a semi-simultaneous movement system which provides maximum interaction and requires players to continually make tough choices, as every move may be countered by their opponent. Both players will have multiple, pressing needs, but may only address one at a time—hopefully before the variable-length turn comes to an end!

• One 22" x 34" mapsheet
• 2 sheets of 5/8" counters
  
• Rulebook with examples
  
• 4 six-sided dice