Erwin's Raiders

[KG Erwin]

Prologue: The scenes will be familiar, but I'm taking a different core force. The basis will be the 1st Raider Battalion (reinforced), starting with Guadalcanal 1942 and continuing (hopefully) until 1944. Since the Raiders were commonly used as line infantry, this doesn't seem unreasonable. In early 1944 the Raiders were disbanded and converted into "conventional" Marines. I plan on doing the same.

Another difference from my "standard" USMC core is that I will not have any AFVs as integrated attachments. All armor and artillery (other than light mortars) will have to purchased with support points.

Organization: The 1st Raider Battalion was formed on Feb 1, 1942, and placed under the direct command of the 1st MarDiv CO, General Vandegrift. I was given free rein in establishing the T/O/E, so I envisaged three self-contained Raider Teams. Mobility was the key, but I also desired as much firepower as could be quickly moved. Therefore, I eschewed 81mm mortars or AT guns.

The Platoon was of three squads, each armed with standard equipment available to other conventional units: M1903 rifles, BARs, Reising SMGs. Budget constraints kept us from acquiring M1 Garands or Thompson SMGs, which I'd originally requested.

The Raider Team (Company) had three platoons, supported by three air-cooled MG sections, a 60mm mortar platoon, a Demolitions Section, and a platoon of Boys ATRs. The ATRs gave us some modicum of AT protection, though they were ineffective against most modern tanks.

Mission: At this point, I consulted with other officers and concluded that we would either be deployed in a raid against the Azores or committed somewhere in the Pacific theater.

[KG Erwin]

August 1942: As it turns out, the 1st MarDiv was tasked with performing the first American offensive of the war, against some South Pacific island no one had ever heard of. The 1st Raider Battalion is now being deployed as regular infantry, and we are tasked with holding a 3000-yard front against an expected Japanese counterattack. Needless to say, we are stretched terribly thin, and our only immediate fire support is six 75mm howitzers detached from the 11th Marines. Gen Vandegrift simply said, "Hold until relieved." My God. I have no armor support whatsoever. As one wag on my staff put it, "Wanna know how Custer felt? Well, we are alone in Indian country now, and they don't want us to be here."

I manage to cover the front, and here and there we have the advantage of high ground, but it is nothing more than an outpost line. I order the men to dig in deep and hold for as long as they can. The few reserves I hold are the Demo Squads and the ATR teams.

My team commanders are Lew Walt (A), Lloyd Nickerson (B) and Ken Bailey (C).

[KG Erwin]

It is raining, with limited visibility. Without warning an artillery barrage comes down on our heads. Fortunately, most of it is inaccurate, so we suffer few casualties. A surprise was the introduction of a heavy 150mm mortar by the enemy. This caused a bit of discomfort in our lines.

We expect the enemy to come swarming out of the jungle at any moment. We shake the dirt off our heads, treat the wounded, and peer into the mist.

To General Vandegrift: "the enemy is conducting uncoordinated attacks against Companies B and C. A squad of B Co has been assaulted in platoon strength. B Co's Demolition Squad has moved up in support. Our mortars and attached howitzers are targeting the enemy's infantry. The enemy's artillery support is considerable. Casualties are minimal. We are holding."

The Japanese attack increases in intensity, as units regain their cohesion and attempt to overwhelm us. Attrition begins to take its toll as a few Raider squads, reduced to 2 or 3 men, start to fall back. Our reserves, such as they are, move forward.

We are approaching a crisis point. I get on the radio and tell every Team CO, "You gotta hold! There's nothing between us and the airfield except a few cooks and clerks. Fire every weapon, g*ddamnit! Do whatever you have to do -- fix bayonets! Hell, throw rocks if you have to! Those sonsab*tches CAN-NOT get through. You understand?"

One incident: a lone Japanese infiltrated into a platoon HQ in Able Company's line. Pvt Young saw the man, bayonet drawn, and shot him down just before he could stab the platoon leader.