The 1st Raiders Long Campaign

[KG Erwin]

Here's something a little different for me: I've taken command of a full Raider battalion, and will see how far along I can get with them.

This is a light infantry force, well equipped with .30 cal air-cooled MMGs and light 60mm mortars, plus some Boys ATRs. The riflemen have Springfields, BARs and Reising SMGs. Four rifle companies and one weapons company. However, there's a catch -- I have no heavy weapons of any sort, no tanks or any other vehicles. I do have a section of demolitions men in each rifle company, which will help. They have satchel charges, but no flamethrowers are available.

For my first battle in August 1942 I've been given a delay mission -- with the shortage of regular Marines, Gen Vandegrift has chosen to use my men as line infantry. I do have the support of two battalions of 105s, but otherwise I'm on my own. I'm defending a 3000-yard front, and it's thick jungle with a few ridges scattered haphazardly.

Many of my squads are reduced by sickness or other duties, so they average only 7 men each. Everyone is on the line, with the exception of the mortars and ATRs. I anticipate no threat from Japanese tanks in this difficult terrain.

Historical note 1: early on, I'm noticing that the elite Raiders are excellent shooters. This is no accident, as Merritt Edson was the captain of the 1936 Marine Rifle & Pistol team that won a national shooting championship. In a service that embraced the "cult of the rifle", the Raiders are proving to be exceptionally gifted.

Historical note 2: eventually, I will convert these men into "conventional" Marines, as was done in early 1944. The Boys ATRs will also be turned in and exchanged for bazookas.

I have a feeling that playing as the "Do or Die Men" will be a rewarding experience.

[KG Erwin]

Turn 5, August 18, 1942:  I'm being swarmed by masses of Japanese infantry, but so far the Raiders are just mowing them down.  I haven't received much enemy artillery fire, yet, but I know it's coming soon. 

It seems that the enemy will be attempting to overwhelm me with human wave attacks.  I can't allow them to get too close.  My reduced squads are susceptible to close assaults, so I gotta maximize use of firepower to keep them at a distance.  

So far, this is like the trench warfare of the First World War. My machine guns and mortars are just shredding the enemy infantry.

[KG Erwin]

Turn 6: It's hitting the fan, now. Note that I have Easy (Weapons) Company (commanded by Capt George Herring) in front of the northern VHs, and they, along with part of Baker (Capt Lloyd Nickerson) covering them, just got pounded by a vicious barrage.

In the far south is Dog Company (CO Capt Justice Chambers). They are as yet unengaged, so I may start moving them forward in a counterattack.

My other company commanders are Captains Lew Walt (Able) and Kenneth Bailey (Charlie). *

* I got the actual command list from "The Do-or-Die Men", by George W. Smith (Pocket Books, 2003). The ranks reflect the conventions of the game. Many of these COs were actually Majors.

[Riun T]

So gunny how many buy points to start your raiders camp.and whats the vis??

[KG Erwin]

ORIGINAL: Riun T

So gunny how many buy points to start your raiders camp.and whats the vis??

With true troop ON, my core force cost me approx 2400 points. Remember, I have NO tanks or vehicles of any sort. Visibility in this battle is 14 hexes -- the weather is clear. I have some of my men on ridge hexes, but others are on low-level jungle hexes. I have 50-yard gaps between my platoons on the northern & central parts of the map.

Dog Company occupies a solid line in the south. As I mentioned, this company will soon execute a sweep and wheel to the north. I won't just sit and absorb punishment. Screw this delay stuff. The Raiders aren't meant to lollygag in foxholes. I will take the battle to the enemy.

[KG Erwin]

Uh-oh. This squad is outnumbered 10-1, and on the verge of being overrun. I've zeroed in mortars for support. There's little more I can do for them at this point.

[Riun T]

Aug/42, and whats the location buddy, I just finished the Tenaru battle to a MV in my flashfyre effort and am tryin an airborne drop on guatalcanals "bloody ridge" with a vis of 11 for an advance vs delay, it should be intence! I've got to catch up on my posts and shots from the java finish but was disappointed that everyone stopped remarking after VA decided to call no joy!![8|] but keep in touch EH!
One thing that replaying the pacific is relearning me,,, is how much" pucker factor" fighting in close jungle conditions causes the COLONEL,, no matter what your throw'n at them!! I lose track of time,,, I chew all my fingernails off<<<and stay up way too late,,, but thats another battle [:'(]  

[KG Erwin]

Riun, every Marine battle in Aug 42 is called the Tenaru, even if no rivers are present.  Battle number 2 (September) is inevitably Bloody Ridge.   After that, the names vary.   The first five battles (Aug -Dec 42) are all in jungle terrain.

Your first amphibious assault occurs sometime in 1943. From here on, the character of your war changes. Expect many D-Days, with a few surprises here and there.

[Riun T]

Do me a favor buddy and post what the japs actually had for the tenaru battle area in real life,like the real troop formations and armour that was historically posted there?Its probably in one of your referances of how many companies were stationed there and dispertions??and I'd for my own knowledge would like to know how they where rated at the time{if they were fed or starving?}and what was the majority of the japs unit type for the region??infantry? engineers? korean conscript labourers? naval troops??and how much did the japs historically use cavalry???
P.S. I've read the book "Angels at Dawn" previously published as "The Los Banos Raid:the 11th Airborne jumps at dawn" by Lt.Gen. Edward M. Flanagan,Jr.,USA[Ret.]
and suggest u get it if u haven't, excellant reading on how the americans used large phillipino raiding and recon parties to brilliant coordination over long distance and have played the SPWAW wild bills scenario many times using this book.