Welcome to Those Ragged Bloody Heroes The Battle of Gona...

THOSE RAGGED BLOODY HEROES depicts the bloody Pacific Island fighting on the northern coast of New Guinea. Here the Australian 7th Division has pushed the Japanese invader north in the long and bloody Kokoda Trail campaign. During the weeks prior to the battle for Gona, General Horii's defenders toiled long and hard to prepare a defensive ‘death-trap’ that awaited the oncoming—and unsuspecting Australian soldiers. Cleared fire-lanes, log bunkers and Japanese snipers await your men of the Australian 7th Division as you re-fight this tragic and controversial battle.

Small Unit Action...

GONA VILLAGE, NEW GUINEA, 9 December 1942: The Australians began their assault on Gona village on November 18. It was Gona from which the Japanese invaders had launched their disastrous campaign aimed at Port Moseby. After their setback in the south, the Japanese were pushed back across the mountainous terrain until their backs were against the sea at Gona. Twenty-one days after launching their offensive, the Australian soldiers of the 7th Division managed to compress their foes into a tight defensive perimeter centered around the village. While the cost had been high for the attackers, the Japanese had been whittled down to some 100 effectives, most of whom belied such a status in the enemy camp due to suffering from starvation and a variety of tropical diseases. The enemy resolve remained intact as the weary men of the Australian 21st Brigade and 39th Battalion pressed on into a hand-to-hand fight for the bomb devastated village. By 1330 hours the last Japanese soldiers had been dispatched. Lieutenant Colonel Honner of the 39th was able to report to Southwest Pacific HQ, “Gona’s Gone”...

This is THOSE RAGGED BLOODY HEROES The Battle of Gona, the game that depicts the fighting by the Australian 7th Division for the Gona Mission.

Putting together the BIG PICTURE ...

Above is a battle-map of the New Guinea coast, the scene of the 1942 battles against the Japanese by Australian and American forces.

Ongoing SUPPORT ...

CH provides ongoing support in the form of clarifications and CH ONLINE free to its customers. Check the new "The Word from Down Under" column in CH ONLINE for notes of interest to fans of Australian forces in WW II.

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A unique Pacific Theater of Operations game is here...

Critical Hit!, Inc. is proud to announce an important new game release!

Fighting in the JUNGLE OF NEW GUINEA...

The Kokoda Trail will forever remain part of military folklore. The battles of the Kokoda and Gona campaigns ended at the beachheads as the former members of Maroubra Force captured Gona after heavy fighting—but after the Japanese defenders extracted a heavy toll in human life. Recreate the fighting at Gona on the level of the individual squads and leaders that fought there. From the steaming jungles and among the razor sharp grasses known as kunai, your Australian soldiers must push the invaders from New Guinea in this tragic and controversial battle!

What You Get...

THOSE RAGGED BLOODY HEROES includes a historical game map of the coastline of New Guinea, special rules, six new scenarios and a Platoon Leader campaign game. Everything is included to play using your existing ASLRB* and game pieces.

*Ownership of the ASLRB, WOA and COB are necessary to play this game.

What about your battle?

No other company delivers this kind of detailed, widely-distributed presentation of your game idea in the realm of Historical SQUADS & LEADERS. Our professional design, distribution and production capabilities enable CH to bring your idea to fruition. If you have a game idea that is well-documented and designed we want to hear from you! Just send a note to Submissions and we'll begin a prompt dialogue about the details.

If you love the game you'll not be able to do without Peter Brune's book THOSE RAGGED BLOODY HEROES From the Kokoda Trail to Gona Beach 1942! They call it, '...a book for all Australians.' William Noonan The Australian and 'This book is a ...valuable contribution to the record of Australian military history.' Sir Donald Dunstan. We just call it a damn fascinating read with great maps and photos. Contact the publishers Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd., 9 Atchison Street, St. Leonards, NSW 2065 Australia. Phone (61 2) 9901 4088; Fax (61 2) 9906 2218; E-mail: 100252.103@compuserve.com. Our thanks to Angela and her folks at Allen & Unwin for letting us use this stirring title for our game!