The Hoss is Here!

[Wild Bill]

HERE COMES THE HOSS!**
April 9th, 1945*
Kakazu West, Okinawa*

http://www.wargamer.com/gamesdepot/details.asp?sid=4264

Campaign-Coordinator: Wild Bill Wilder**

Testing Team: Bruce "Recon" Hodgman, Roland Rahn, Jack Withrow, Sherman "Trip" Triplett, Massimo "Mad Italian" Rocca**

My special thanks to these fine men for the generous use of their talents and tenacity**

Note: When reading the text, do not click on -Go On-, but instead the little arrow at the bottom right of the screen you see here to read the entire text. Then you are ready to begin the campaign.**

This campaign is based on the historical attack headed up by Company L, 3rd Battalion, 383rd Regiment of the US Army 96th Division.**

It consists of two battles. The first is the assault on Kakazu West. If you are successful (a minor or decisive victory), then you will proceed to the second battle, which can be a fighting withdrawal or a hold your ground battle.**

This was what actually transpired on that fateful day. It was the beginning of a long and bloody struggle to break the Japanese Shuri Defense Line that led to the southern tip of Okinawa.**

As for units, you should pick 3 US Army rifle platoons and what support units you can add. Of course the choices are up to you.**

Can you take the "Hoss's" role as Company Commander and do as well? Whatever you have left at the end of the first fight is about all you'll have for the second one. Mitchell received no reinforcements. Japanese artillery created a wall of steel that isolated and badly hurt Company L.**

So remember to try not to lose too much of your force in the first fight or you won't have much of a chance in the second one.**

Historical Background**

On April 9th most of the United States Army's 383rd Regiment of the 96th Division was poised to attack. The 1st Battalion would tackle Kakazu Ridge, the 3rd, led by Company L, would take on a smaller rise to the northwest known as Kakazu (pronounced "Cock-a-zoo") West.**

Company L scurried quickly up the smaller height without incident. 1 Lt. Willard F. Mitchell, a bulky, muscular man known as "the Hoss", led the company.**

With fixed bayonets and his hoarse voice thundering his favorite battle cry, "Here comes the 'Hoss,' and God's on the Hoss's side!" his men took over the top of Kakazu West.**
It was only a moment, however, until the hill came to life with enemy small-arms fire and charging Japanese. All of Company L became involved in a series of close combat encounters.**

The fighting continued all morning, while Lieutenant Mitchell, with his booming shouts and presence everywhere, continued to encourage his men. To the GIs of Company L, it was quickly becoming a nightmare without end. But they held their ground.*

[junk2drive]

"As for units, you should pick 3 US Army rifle platoons and what support units you can add. Of course the choices are up to you.** "

In 8.403 I get 268 points and a rifle platoon cost about 140. How do I buy 3 platoons?

[Wild Bill]

There are various rifle platoons. CUrrently I don't have 8403 installed. If you can't get a complete one, do the best you can. I can't imagine why the price of a rifle platoon would have doubled from one version to another. That seems strange.

WB

[Major Destruction]

The points allowed are sufficient. I got enough to buy a Rifle Company less the mortars. My bazookas were a help in battle 1 for destroying the bunkers but not much use in the second battle.

The fighting is intense. I was a little disappointed that it all ended after only two battles. I would have preferred to see a short second battle that did not have such a strong Japanese assault (but perhaps with more artillery fire) and no exit hexes; this could lead to the final battle - the fighting withdrawal - if you succeed in holding the line in the second.

[junk2drive]

I loaded this into my H2Hfr 7.1. Rifle platoons are in the 80+ to 100+ range.

In 8.403 with the Depot mod, they are all over 100. USMC plt were less than 100 each.