Banzai! Blitz!

Players: 2–4 players
Play time: 60–400 min
BGG rating: 7.0

The last of the big variants, this one depicts warfare in the Pacific jungles. Included are eight mapsheets which could be used in conjunction with the regular mapsheets in the Panzerblitz game, two counter sheets of American and Japanese units, eight scenarios, and the usual set of extensive rules and tables. While not quite as popular as the earlier articles, it is still very good. The campaign in the Pacific in World War II took on a very fluid nature not previously experienced in warfare. Land forces depended on the sea forces for supplies and protection from the enemy, the sea forces depended on air units for protection, and the air units largely dependent on the ground units for secure bases. This vicious circle led to the famous leapfrogging campaigns which the allied forces used to push the Japanese back to their own islands. The object in the various campaigns was to eliminate one part of the enemies circle. By knocking out a key airbase, the allied navy could land ground units under protection of friendly cover, securing another land air base and extending the allied influence one step farther. At the same time, Japanese bases behind the allied "lines" of air and sea power would lose air and sea support, and thus become ineffective. By using this plan of attack the Allies needed fewer ground forces than the enemy, and did not have to attack and capture every enemy stronghold. Key struggles on the land included landings, counterattacks on beachheads, and struggles over physical possession of airfields. Those types of battles are included in this kit. Most situations come from key campaigns in the middle years of the war.