Pacific Airborne Units

[Jack59]

I haven’t played the allies yet, but I was curious about what was available for paratrooper builds. The Tenth Airbourne Division was available and did see combat in the Philippines and would likely have been used in the invasion of Japan. The First Marine (Airborne Division) was also a possible build, but never existed. There was a First Parramarine Battalion that dropped on Gavutu, in the Solomons. The remnants then reinforced units holding Henderson Field. The First Parramarine Battalion was later reinforced and combined with the newly arrived second and third Parramarine Battalions; forming the First Marine Parachute Regiment which fought in Bougainville, being its last engagement of the war.

In SC divisional units are represented as divisional size paratrooper or special forces counters. At this scale the First Marine Parachute Regiment could be represented as a half strength counter. Another independent Army Parachute Regiment did exist, the 503rd Parachute Regiment Combat Team. This became one of General McArthur's elite units. It saw heavy combat in the In the New Guinea and Western New Guinea Island hoping campaign. Their job was to capture poorly defended airfields that were later to be used to bomb the West Indies oil fields. Later in the Philippines Campaign they dropped on Corregidor as part of the Rock Force, while the US Army was approaching Manilla. They thought they were attacking 650 Japanese marines and sailors, but it turned out to be over 6,000 fanatical troops! The 503rd could be represented as a half strength counter in the game. This could make New Guinea less of a side show, especially if one made Aitape and Hollandia objectives and added an airfield that could bomb the oil fields. For the most part these regiments would be fancy airborne garrison units.

[Platoonist]

I haven’t played the allies yet, but I was curious about what was available for paratrooper builds. The Tenth Airbourne Division was available and did see combat in the Philippines and would likely have been used in the invasion of Japan. The First Marine (Airborne Division) was also a possible build, but never existed.

The US can build two, the 11th Airborne and 1st Marine Airborne Divisions. The British can build one, either the 44th or the Chindits. However, the Chindits can also enter the game through a decision event. The Soviet Union both the 128th and 1st Guards Airborne. Japan can only build one.

I must admit I've yet to drop any paratroopers in this game. During the Pacific War it seems like paratroopers were more often employed as elite infantry such as when the bulk of the 11th Airborne Division made a conventional amphibious landing at Nasugbu southwest of Manila during the Luzon campaign. However, I imagine large numbers of paratroops would have been used if the planned invasion of Japan had taken place.

[Jack59]

Oops, in my original text I typed the Tenth Airborne were it should have been the eleventh. Yes, the two 11th Division glider regiments landed amphibiously on Luzon. The third, 511th regiment made an air drop a few days later on a ridge- line trapping Japanese forces between high ground and the approaching glider regiments working their way by land to the north. After consolidating they were the first units to attack the Manila defenses. Later the 511th dropped on the Las Banjos interment camp and rescued the civilian prisoners. Finally the 511th Regiment dropped on the north coast of Luzon preventing any Japanese forces from retreating off the Island. It appears there was a lack of air transports to drop an entire division in the Pacific, up till the end of the war. The 11th was the first occupying force in Japan. Looks like the air drops in the Pacific were all regiment size teams. Often, they were diverting enemy troops away from joint amphibious landings. They were a threat to the Japanese by just knowing they were available, keeping the enemy off guard.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

They were a threat to the Japanese by just knowing they were available, keeping the enemy off guard.

Yes...this is what was called by Axis planners in Europe as Fallschirmjagerangst. Paratrooper Paranoia.

[epower]

Finally the 511th Regiment dropped on the north coast of Luzon preventing any Japanese forces from retreating off the Island. It appears there was a lack of air transports to drop an entire division in the Pacific, up till the end of the war. The 11th was the first occupying force in Japan.

Yep, and one of those young Lieutenants dropping on Aparri on 23 June 1945 was my Dad. Hence the 11th AB counter in my FrankenCounter mod. After that, they prepared for the big jump into Japan, which thankfully never happened. None of those men had any illusions that they would survive that experience.

The 511th were some badass dudes. Prevailed in countless fights. Two Medals of Honor in the Regiment: Elmer Fryer and Manuel Perez, jr - both posthumous.
When the 511th asked MacArthur why they got zero press, unlike like the 82nd and 101st guys lionized in Europe, he responded something to the effect that he didn't want the Japanese to know it was just one Regiment causing all the trouble. (with all due respect to their bother regiments, the 187th and 188th Glider Infantry.)

The 511th were the first Allied unit into Tokyo. Dad kept a diary narrative of that experience, written on Red Cross stationary, which I still have.

[Jack59]

My regards to your Dads service. I was wondering why you built a counter for the 11th Airborne Division. When I play these games I get out historical references and spend most of my time reading. Is there any particular books on the 11th do you recommend? I read the book "Corridor, The Rock Force Assault, by Flanagan, 1988". The book talked briefly about the 11th in reference to its advance to Manila. Then I looked on Google Earth and realized the terrain they traversed, would have been treacherous even if with today's modern roads. We play these games and they are not close to reality. If it was not for the atomic bombs many of us would not even exist. My Uncle (a sailor) had a story about walking the streets of Tokyo, while the surrender ceremony was taking place on the Missouri. I bet your father's diary is fascinating!

I noted you made a special counter for the BR/Indian special forces. Any reason for that?

[epower]

Jack,
I know of two major sources on the 11th Airborne.
The Angels, by Gen. E. M. Flanagan, Jr.

Also, a history of the 511th, When Angels Fall: From Toccoa to Tokyo, by Jeremy C. Holm. His Grandfather served in the regiment.

As to the custom SF counter for the British Empire, that is the unit flash of the Commandos. I created special counters for those nations with dedicated Special Forces - SNLF, USMC, and in this case, the British. The Dare to Die patch for the Nationalist Chinese looked too much out of place so I went with the stock IronX Counter there.