For those interested, I will keep an after action review of my trials and tribulations with the WatchTower Megacampaign.
Mission 1. We select the Gavutu Option.
Mission 2. Gavutu -- A Mean Little Island.
Take the Island of Gavutu. Our Task Force is commanded by Col. Collins, and is composed of a core Marine infantry company reinforced with an auxiliary Parachute company. We are supported by 2 Destroyers.
The core force under Cpt. Dobbs is composed of 3 infantry platoons, an engineer platoon, and 2 mortar sections with an FO. The aux Para company has supporting mortars as well.
We start out in landing craft heading for the island of Gavutu. Our destroyers fire smoke and we land the parachute company minus one platoon on the seaplane slips, while Dobbs unloads his 1st, 2nd, and Engineer platoons on the Wharf.
Collins sets up shop with the mortars and FO while the platoons start moving toward their objectives, and the destroyer switches to a rolling barrage of HE. The landing craft withdraw along with 2 platoons composing a floating reserve. Heavy Jap mortars pound the troops right from the start and we draw some fire from the Hangers.
The plan is as follows. The paras will follow a rolling barrage through the Hangars and Repair shops seizing 2 VH's and halting at the road. They will avoid the Jungle to the south entirely. The core force will advance North to the Fishing wharf, then swing West taking 2 VH's and the Native Village, and also halting at the road.
This phase goes well. Both forces are able to advance on 2 platoon fronts and usually maintaining a reserve platoon nearby. We get good support from our mortars and the destroyer. Progress is slow, especially because we are under constant mortar fire, but the objectives ar seiezed without unit losses and all units halt at the road. The paras had quite a wait and are in cover when the core finished its long left hook.
We smoke the west side of the road and put across scouts, then start the rolling barrage again. Collins orders the floating reserve to attempt some landings in the enemy rear. The paras will land at the Freshwater Cistern, while the 3rd platoon will land on the West coast and take the Radio Tower. Along the way, several fake landings will be staged to draw attention to the South, while our combined Para and Core forces advance on a narrow front from the East.
This phase is tougher, we keep close to the rolling barrage, smoke caves, suppress MG bunkers, and generally advance slowly while minimizing our casualties. The paras take the two center VH's then form a defensive perimeter. We suspect a counterattack from the jungle to our south, and are not disappointed. For the rest of the battle the Paras will defend these two hexes against uncoordinated Jap attacks from the South. Depleted units exit to the East and defend the VH's there. Mortar units use up their ammo and move inland to help defend VH's. We lose our first unit, a MG squad with the Paras.
Meanwhile in the north, the core is advancing slowly, busting bunkers and dodging fire from caves. Col. Collins moves up to the front drawing fire and suffering several casualties. Cpt. Dobbs races from crisis to crisis. The Engineer platoon racks up 6 Jap squads in heavy fighting, miraculously without losing any squads themselves. Finally the core force takes its two VHs, but no serious counterattacks are experienced.
Now the battle hinges on the floating reserves. The paras land at the Cistern and take it on the first try. The push a defensive perimeter around the objective and take fire from all directions, but especially the Camp to the North. The main paras push through a platoon to clear out the Japs in the Camp. The 3rd platoon land and march to the Radio Tower, arriving just as 2 other platoons advance within site of the Tower from the North and East. In the 3 way cross-fire, the remaining Jap units are shredded.
All objectives taken, with 4 turns to spare, at the cost of only 1 squad. Decisive Victory <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> . The Engineer platoon leads on kills with 10 kills, top honors to Mizerak and Jenkins with 4 each. 8 squads have experience in the 90's.
The battle was much tougher than the final results indicate. The Jap counterattack nearly succeeded, and failed only because it was uncoordinated. The Jap mortars slowed our progress and caused the greatest casualties. Our light losses were a result of some luck, a good plan, and a policy to not risk depleted units. Depleted units had priority for artillary, to cover their withdrawal, and the CO's would race to units in trouble to lend their rallying and fresh numbers to the battle. Strong points were only taken if absolutely necessary to achieve an objective, and only when the situation favored us. Finally, the idea of a floating reserve and
landings in the South and West were good ones, and benefited from some really good timing. Those forces landed only when ground forces were nearby to assist. The landings served to put Jap forces in cross-fires and dilute their counterattacks.
Good scenerio, Redleg!
[ February 11, 2002: Message edited by: 11Bravo ]</p>:)
WatchTower AAR
Moderator: MOD_SPWaW
WatchTower AAR
Squatting in the bush and marking it on a map.
Hi after 5 missions my order of battle
A0 1st Lt Radford 4 kills (the Col was lost at the coconut plantation.)
B0 Capt Neer 13 kills(Capt Dobbs got sick on the ship and was replaced before first mission. This guy is crazy, runs from one firefight to the next kicking butt and swearing,turns the air blue for 200 yards in every direction but he keeps the company moving. Has hauled more then 1 squads butt out of a bad spot)
C0 2nd Lt Floyd
C1 2nd Lt Mizerak 1 kill
D0 2nd Lt Avery 5 kills
D1 Sgt Nettles 2kills
D2 Sgt Puller 4 kills
D3 Sgt Patton 6 kills
D4 Sgt Ahrens 3 kills
D5 2nd Lt Lazarine 4 kills (Elite)
E0 2nd Lt Wilder 4 kills
E1 Sgt Easter 3 kills(it seems all replacement Sgts are named Easter or Nettles)
E2 Sgt Russell 4 kills
E3 Sgt Hunter 3 kills
E4 Sgt Sprague 1 kill
E5 Sgt Ishim 4 kills
F0 2nd Lt Hodgman 1 kill (every outfit has a hard luck platoon, I think this is mine. Squads from this platoon get wiped out by single bursts from MG in every battle)
F1 Sgt Silva 7 kills
F2 Sgt Easter 5 kills (new but very busy)
F3 Sgt Nettles 5 kills (ditto)
F4 Sgt Baker (brand new I changed name from Easter)
F5 Sgt Moffett (recon he keeps out of trouble)
G0 2nd Lt Nelson 4 kills (Elite)
G1 Sgt Donovan 3 kills
G2 Sgt Mayer 6 kills
G3 Sgt Guzinski (this sqd was wiped out on Makin by a single shot from a 25mm AA gun, next battle it spent the entire fight wandering through empty jungle)
H0 2nd Lt Jenkins 2 kills (I don't like my FO getting into firefights but sometimes....last battle he killed the CO of 28th Regt in hand to hand now he walks around showing off his new Samurai sword... jeez)
Last Battle DV Ichiki Assault Ilu River things were pretty hairy for a long time. Marines pushed back but did not break, Company arrived in time to hold Victory hexes and wipe out forward Japanese Infantry. Hand to hand at both fords for several turns with both sides arty not caring who it landed on. Now orders are to make an attack to complete destruction of the Ichiki detachment.
Hi Ho Silver <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> (no post is complete without a eek)
[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]</p>
A0 1st Lt Radford 4 kills (the Col was lost at the coconut plantation.)
B0 Capt Neer 13 kills(Capt Dobbs got sick on the ship and was replaced before first mission. This guy is crazy, runs from one firefight to the next kicking butt and swearing,turns the air blue for 200 yards in every direction but he keeps the company moving. Has hauled more then 1 squads butt out of a bad spot)
C0 2nd Lt Floyd
C1 2nd Lt Mizerak 1 kill
D0 2nd Lt Avery 5 kills
D1 Sgt Nettles 2kills
D2 Sgt Puller 4 kills
D3 Sgt Patton 6 kills
D4 Sgt Ahrens 3 kills
D5 2nd Lt Lazarine 4 kills (Elite)
E0 2nd Lt Wilder 4 kills
E1 Sgt Easter 3 kills(it seems all replacement Sgts are named Easter or Nettles)
E2 Sgt Russell 4 kills
E3 Sgt Hunter 3 kills
E4 Sgt Sprague 1 kill
E5 Sgt Ishim 4 kills
F0 2nd Lt Hodgman 1 kill (every outfit has a hard luck platoon, I think this is mine. Squads from this platoon get wiped out by single bursts from MG in every battle)
F1 Sgt Silva 7 kills
F2 Sgt Easter 5 kills (new but very busy)
F3 Sgt Nettles 5 kills (ditto)
F4 Sgt Baker (brand new I changed name from Easter)
F5 Sgt Moffett (recon he keeps out of trouble)
G0 2nd Lt Nelson 4 kills (Elite)
G1 Sgt Donovan 3 kills
G2 Sgt Mayer 6 kills
G3 Sgt Guzinski (this sqd was wiped out on Makin by a single shot from a 25mm AA gun, next battle it spent the entire fight wandering through empty jungle)
H0 2nd Lt Jenkins 2 kills (I don't like my FO getting into firefights but sometimes....last battle he killed the CO of 28th Regt in hand to hand now he walks around showing off his new Samurai sword... jeez)
Last Battle DV Ichiki Assault Ilu River things were pretty hairy for a long time. Marines pushed back but did not break, Company arrived in time to hold Victory hexes and wipe out forward Japanese Infantry. Hand to hand at both fords for several turns with both sides arty not caring who it landed on. Now orders are to make an attack to complete destruction of the Ichiki detachment.
Hi Ho Silver <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> (no post is complete without a eek)
[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]</p>
I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!
-
BruceAZ_MatrixForum
- Posts: 613
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: California
LOL. Damn, that guy was probally my uncle. He was the blacksheep of the family... <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">Originally posted by Mogami:
F0 2nd Lt Hodgman 1 kill (every outfit has a hard luck platoon, I think this is mine. Squads from this platoon get wiped out by single bursts from MG in every battle)
[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]
Bruce
Semper Fi
<img src="eek.gif" border="0"> You make it sound like the squad was wiped out, but after that the ghosts of Guzinski's men continued to wander the 'empty jungle'G3 Sgt Guzinski (this sqd was wiped out on Makin by a single shot from a 25mm AA gun, next battle it spent the entire fight wandering through empty jungle)
LOL Sgt Guzinski and the present squad were not on Makin However the late Sgt Flemming and the others of the orginal G3 squad are presently haunting a hill there.Originally posted by mao:
<img src="eek.gif" border="0"> You make it sound like the squad was wiped out, but after that the ghosts of Guzinski's men continued to wander the 'empty jungle'
I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!
Our men are stirred into action by the legendary martial achievements of Mogami <img src="eek.gif" border="0">
Mission 3. Tanambago -- An Ugly Finish.
Col. Collins issues his always brief orders: "Take Tanambago from the Japs". The Task Force is composed of the Core Force and an Auxiliary Force of 3 Marine Infantry platoons, a section of 30cal MMG, a section of M3 Stuart light tanks, and 2 sections of M1897A2 75mm howitzers. The core and tanks must advance up the rock causeway linking the two islands, while the auxiliary squads are loaded in landing craft.
The plan is for the Core Force to advance up the rock causeway, then react to the situation as it develops. The Aux Force will land 2 platoons at the enemy camp on the east side of Tanambogo. A floating reserve of 1 platoon will feint landings down the east coast along with the remaining landing craft. 1 platoon will move west to the radar tower on the hill. The other aux platoon will move south to the native village. If everything works as planned, all the forces can converge on the VH's clustered around the repair shops.
The enemy camp is smoked and the main body of Aux Forces land without incident. Moving inland, they encounter fierce resistance from Jap infantry, knee mortars, and a well placed bunker guarding the advance to the radar tower. We pour on the 75mm artillary, and augment with the mortars. Gradually, the enemy camp is taken at the lost of a squad. The landing craft draw fire as they work their way south down the coast, then find a quiet beach to land the reserve. This platoon scouts the native village, avoids the VH to remain hidden, then suppresses an outpost and a few jap squads holding up the advance of the men coming from the enemy camp. The fight seesaws wildly, and the artillary keeps coming in. The men chew up knee mortar squads one per turn. At the half-way point, the Aux Force has linked up two squads in the Native Village, hold the enemy camp with the mortar and depleted squads, and have snuck a beat up platoon through the jungle north of the hill. The cost was high, 4 squads gone.
Meanwhile the Core Force enjoys a leisurely walk up the Rock Causeway. Scouts lead and find dug-in enemy units at a distance. These forces succumb grudgingly to tank and infantry assaults. One platoon peels off and tries to wade the shallow water to the beach, but are ripped up by hidden HMG's and caves. They are rescued by smoke and now useless for attacking. The slowly trudge to the rear to secure old VHs.
Now for the fun part. The Japs seem obsessed with counterattacking the main body of Aux troops in the Native Village. Through good luck, they bunch up and make easier targets for our massed artillary and MMG fire. The other aux platoon has the radar tower under observation, but they decide to pause until it takes some suppressing fire from the tardy Core Force. Times a wasting so Col. Collins pushes the scouts forward. Sgt. Moffett's squad earns the honor of the first core casualty as his scout patrol is ambushed by a Jap platoon in cover at the Warehouses. Cpt. Dobbs leads him men in a careful, methodical game of search and destroy that racks up kills but holds up the advance.
The Aux force presses on without help from the core and takes VHs while sustaining too many casualties for my comfort.
Col. Collins is disappointed with the Core Force's progress so he and Cpt. Dobbs take over the point. The Col. pulls a bamboo spear out of his thigh and uses it to point out enemy units for the tanks. The tanks make quick work out any unit they fire at, and leave a weak one for the Col. to pick up his first kill. Thanks to the Aux Force, we take all the VH's in our final push. Decisive Victory <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> at the cost of one core unit. Couldn't have done it without the Aux Force doing all the heavy lifting.
Here's how the core boys are fairing after 2 battles. Best unit is the Engineer platoon with 13 kills. Weakest is 1st Platoon (shredded in the shallow water) with none. Top Honors to Mizerak and Flemming from the Engineers with 5 kills each. 9 squads with 90+ experience. KIA are F5 Sgt. Moffett.
Next up is Fire on the Flanks -- Red Beach. In the meantime, the boys roast hotdogs on the beach with their new bamboo spears and wash them down with captured Sapporo. The Col. sums up the action, "It was an ugly finish alright, for the Japs".
[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: 11Bravo ]</p>
Mission 3. Tanambago -- An Ugly Finish.
Col. Collins issues his always brief orders: "Take Tanambago from the Japs". The Task Force is composed of the Core Force and an Auxiliary Force of 3 Marine Infantry platoons, a section of 30cal MMG, a section of M3 Stuart light tanks, and 2 sections of M1897A2 75mm howitzers. The core and tanks must advance up the rock causeway linking the two islands, while the auxiliary squads are loaded in landing craft.
The plan is for the Core Force to advance up the rock causeway, then react to the situation as it develops. The Aux Force will land 2 platoons at the enemy camp on the east side of Tanambogo. A floating reserve of 1 platoon will feint landings down the east coast along with the remaining landing craft. 1 platoon will move west to the radar tower on the hill. The other aux platoon will move south to the native village. If everything works as planned, all the forces can converge on the VH's clustered around the repair shops.
The enemy camp is smoked and the main body of Aux Forces land without incident. Moving inland, they encounter fierce resistance from Jap infantry, knee mortars, and a well placed bunker guarding the advance to the radar tower. We pour on the 75mm artillary, and augment with the mortars. Gradually, the enemy camp is taken at the lost of a squad. The landing craft draw fire as they work their way south down the coast, then find a quiet beach to land the reserve. This platoon scouts the native village, avoids the VH to remain hidden, then suppresses an outpost and a few jap squads holding up the advance of the men coming from the enemy camp. The fight seesaws wildly, and the artillary keeps coming in. The men chew up knee mortar squads one per turn. At the half-way point, the Aux Force has linked up two squads in the Native Village, hold the enemy camp with the mortar and depleted squads, and have snuck a beat up platoon through the jungle north of the hill. The cost was high, 4 squads gone.
Meanwhile the Core Force enjoys a leisurely walk up the Rock Causeway. Scouts lead and find dug-in enemy units at a distance. These forces succumb grudgingly to tank and infantry assaults. One platoon peels off and tries to wade the shallow water to the beach, but are ripped up by hidden HMG's and caves. They are rescued by smoke and now useless for attacking. The slowly trudge to the rear to secure old VHs.
Now for the fun part. The Japs seem obsessed with counterattacking the main body of Aux troops in the Native Village. Through good luck, they bunch up and make easier targets for our massed artillary and MMG fire. The other aux platoon has the radar tower under observation, but they decide to pause until it takes some suppressing fire from the tardy Core Force. Times a wasting so Col. Collins pushes the scouts forward. Sgt. Moffett's squad earns the honor of the first core casualty as his scout patrol is ambushed by a Jap platoon in cover at the Warehouses. Cpt. Dobbs leads him men in a careful, methodical game of search and destroy that racks up kills but holds up the advance.
The Aux force presses on without help from the core and takes VHs while sustaining too many casualties for my comfort.
Col. Collins is disappointed with the Core Force's progress so he and Cpt. Dobbs take over the point. The Col. pulls a bamboo spear out of his thigh and uses it to point out enemy units for the tanks. The tanks make quick work out any unit they fire at, and leave a weak one for the Col. to pick up his first kill. Thanks to the Aux Force, we take all the VH's in our final push. Decisive Victory <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> at the cost of one core unit. Couldn't have done it without the Aux Force doing all the heavy lifting.
Here's how the core boys are fairing after 2 battles. Best unit is the Engineer platoon with 13 kills. Weakest is 1st Platoon (shredded in the shallow water) with none. Top Honors to Mizerak and Flemming from the Engineers with 5 kills each. 9 squads with 90+ experience. KIA are F5 Sgt. Moffett.
Next up is Fire on the Flanks -- Red Beach. In the meantime, the boys roast hotdogs on the beach with their new bamboo spears and wash them down with captured Sapporo. The Col. sums up the action, "It was an ugly finish alright, for the Japs".
[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: 11Bravo ]</p>
Squatting in the bush and marking it on a map.
Superbly done, 11 Bravo! I'm really enjoying these reports, fellow fighters!
This is some great stuff. Keep it going. I'm following each battle report quite closely. I see Mogami is up to his usual evil ( <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> - You said it should be here <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0"> ).
It was probably best you did not go to Tulagi...did anyone else choose the Tulagi option?
Thanks for the reports, guys...WB
This is some great stuff. Keep it going. I'm following each battle report quite closely. I see Mogami is up to his usual evil ( <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> - You said it should be here <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0"> ).
It was probably best you did not go to Tulagi...did anyone else choose the Tulagi option?
Thanks for the reports, guys...WB
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant
Capt Neer on radio "A0 this is B0 come in over" (aside "damn his eyes whats that boot up to?") "A0 this is B0 come in, taking heavy fire from other side of river send H0 up here pronto"
2nd Lt Hodgman "Uh Capt, Radford and Jenkins were both right over there a second ago"
Capt Neer "Whats that? where?"
2nd Lt Hodgman "Right there sir, where the smoking crater is now, see the Samurai sword laying besides that pile of red goo" "Jap 150mm landed right on top of the HQ and Jenkins was squatting there beside Radford directing arty"
Capt Neer "Crap, OK I'll direct the arty, inform all Platoon and company comanders I'm leading this cluster F$%# now" "%$#^% son of a ^%$#%$# get off your &^%$%^#$ and get *&^% moving"
5 minutes later........
Capt Neer comes up on 2nd Lt Wilder "Well whats your major malfunction?"
2nd Lt Wilder "Sir there's a Jap squad 50 meters form here covering the ford, as soon as my other 2 squads get up here I'll move on it"
Capt Neer "Ok thats fine, hurry it up, Avery has his platoon across and is sweeping the right side try to keep up with him, I'm going to bring Hodgman in behind you, place him where you want"
2nd Lt Wilder "Aye Aye sir"
Capt Neer on radio "F0 this is BO get your scrawny butt up here pronto"
static.............
Capt Neer "Hodgman where are you boy?"
voice on radio "BO this is F1 (sgt Silva) be advised F0 is down, platoon down to 20 men, please advise..over"
Capt Neer "I advise you to get your platoon across that damn river get the &%$#@ out (*^&* those ^%# Jap &$##! mortars right %$#@*!!! now!!!"
do you understand?"
Sgt Silva "Aye sir moving out"
Capt Neer to radio operator "Get Lt Dale on the horn" to Lt Wilder "Don't wait on 3rd platoon"
to anyone in range "Has any one of you seen that &^%$#% goof off *&^&* colledge boy Nelson (2nd Lt Nelson engineer platoon leader)
Pvt "Hillbilly" Morris 1st Sqd 2nd plt "Sir I saw them thar fellows a hedin off that way" points into the jungle to the left
Capt Neer "ok Wilder you make it happen here, I'll go find Nelson and have him support your advance" looks at watch "&%#@!#@# it we were supposed to be alot further ^^%$#$ along we have 15 *&(^% objectives and as far as I can ^%#$ tell only 5 of them have marines on them"
Radio operator "Captain I have Lt Dale"
Capt Neer "Dale your doing fine send a tank over here to support 2nd Platoon he's going to take out the Jap infantry thats holding things up"
throws phone back to radio operator
"This is a $%&**#@ friggin nightmare a $%&**#@ nightmare"
Much later.....
Capt Neer sat leaning against a splintered tree not far from the ruins of what had intill guite recently been a Japanese field Hospital.
Helmet off he quietly smoked a cigarette and watched the remains of his company regroup. A jeep with Major Gen Vandergrift pulled up. Capt Neer started to rise but the General motioned for him to stay as he was...."Your men did some hard fighting but it's just not good enough" the General said as he surveyed the charred remains of a US Stuart tank (a 75mm hole through the turrent) A young 1st Lt climbed out of the back of the jeep when the General waved him over.
"This is 1st Lt Miles, he will be replacing Radford, this outfit is putting me in a bind, this better improve" the General turned jumped back in his jeep and sped away.
Capt Neer closed his eyes "15 objectives in 16 turns all captured by turn 8 then the s*&$ hit the fan, the infantry platoon on the right god knows what happened to it, nobody left to explain, those damn 150mm mortars making marine hamburgers. A good platoon leader dead, think I'll give Silva 3rd platoon now *&^&* *&#@ what next?")ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Order of Battle going into Operation KA
A0 1st Lt Miles
B0 Capt Neer 14 kills
C0 2nd Lt Floyd
C1 2nd Lt Mizerak 1 kill
D0 2nd Lt Avery 7 kills
D1 Sgt Nettles 3 kills
D2 Sgt Puller 7 kills
D3 Sgt Patton 6 kills
D4 Sgt Ahrens 3 kills
D5 2nd Lt Lazarine 6 kills (Elite)
E0 2nd Lt Wilder 4 kills
E1 Sgt Easter 5 kills
E2 Sgt Russell 5 kills
E3 Sgt Hunter 3 kills
E4 Sgt Sprague 1 kill
E5 Sgt Ishim 6 kills
F0 2nd Lt Silva 7 kills
F1 Sgt Case (changed from Easter)
F2 Sgt Easter 5 kills
F3 Sgt Nettles 5 kills
F4 Sgt Baker
F5 Sgt Moffett
G0 2nd Lt Nelson 4 kills (Elite)
G1 Sgt Donovan 3 kills
G2 Sgt Mayer 6 kills
G3 Sgt Guzinski (known as "the wanderer")
HO Capt Thomas
Score USMC 7191 IJA 3973 Draw. Camp score now 17(those 14 50 pt per turn VH made it a very tough fight as the Marines were compelled to move quickly and pay the price)
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]</p>
2nd Lt Hodgman "Uh Capt, Radford and Jenkins were both right over there a second ago"
Capt Neer "Whats that? where?"
2nd Lt Hodgman "Right there sir, where the smoking crater is now, see the Samurai sword laying besides that pile of red goo" "Jap 150mm landed right on top of the HQ and Jenkins was squatting there beside Radford directing arty"
Capt Neer "Crap, OK I'll direct the arty, inform all Platoon and company comanders I'm leading this cluster F$%# now" "%$#^% son of a ^%$#%$# get off your &^%$%^#$ and get *&^% moving"
5 minutes later........
Capt Neer comes up on 2nd Lt Wilder "Well whats your major malfunction?"
2nd Lt Wilder "Sir there's a Jap squad 50 meters form here covering the ford, as soon as my other 2 squads get up here I'll move on it"
Capt Neer "Ok thats fine, hurry it up, Avery has his platoon across and is sweeping the right side try to keep up with him, I'm going to bring Hodgman in behind you, place him where you want"
2nd Lt Wilder "Aye Aye sir"
Capt Neer on radio "F0 this is BO get your scrawny butt up here pronto"
static.............
Capt Neer "Hodgman where are you boy?"
voice on radio "BO this is F1 (sgt Silva) be advised F0 is down, platoon down to 20 men, please advise..over"
Capt Neer "I advise you to get your platoon across that damn river get the &%$#@ out (*^&* those ^%# Jap &$##! mortars right %$#@*!!! now!!!"
do you understand?"
Sgt Silva "Aye sir moving out"
Capt Neer to radio operator "Get Lt Dale on the horn" to Lt Wilder "Don't wait on 3rd platoon"
to anyone in range "Has any one of you seen that &^%$#% goof off *&^&* colledge boy Nelson (2nd Lt Nelson engineer platoon leader)
Pvt "Hillbilly" Morris 1st Sqd 2nd plt "Sir I saw them thar fellows a hedin off that way" points into the jungle to the left
Capt Neer "ok Wilder you make it happen here, I'll go find Nelson and have him support your advance" looks at watch "&%#@!#@# it we were supposed to be alot further ^^%$#$ along we have 15 *&(^% objectives and as far as I can ^%#$ tell only 5 of them have marines on them"
Radio operator "Captain I have Lt Dale"
Capt Neer "Dale your doing fine send a tank over here to support 2nd Platoon he's going to take out the Jap infantry thats holding things up"
throws phone back to radio operator
"This is a $%&**#@ friggin nightmare a $%&**#@ nightmare"
Much later.....
Capt Neer sat leaning against a splintered tree not far from the ruins of what had intill guite recently been a Japanese field Hospital.
Helmet off he quietly smoked a cigarette and watched the remains of his company regroup. A jeep with Major Gen Vandergrift pulled up. Capt Neer started to rise but the General motioned for him to stay as he was...."Your men did some hard fighting but it's just not good enough" the General said as he surveyed the charred remains of a US Stuart tank (a 75mm hole through the turrent) A young 1st Lt climbed out of the back of the jeep when the General waved him over.
"This is 1st Lt Miles, he will be replacing Radford, this outfit is putting me in a bind, this better improve" the General turned jumped back in his jeep and sped away.
Capt Neer closed his eyes "15 objectives in 16 turns all captured by turn 8 then the s*&$ hit the fan, the infantry platoon on the right god knows what happened to it, nobody left to explain, those damn 150mm mortars making marine hamburgers. A good platoon leader dead, think I'll give Silva 3rd platoon now *&^&* *&#@ what next?")ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Order of Battle going into Operation KA
A0 1st Lt Miles
B0 Capt Neer 14 kills
C0 2nd Lt Floyd
C1 2nd Lt Mizerak 1 kill
D0 2nd Lt Avery 7 kills
D1 Sgt Nettles 3 kills
D2 Sgt Puller 7 kills
D3 Sgt Patton 6 kills
D4 Sgt Ahrens 3 kills
D5 2nd Lt Lazarine 6 kills (Elite)
E0 2nd Lt Wilder 4 kills
E1 Sgt Easter 5 kills
E2 Sgt Russell 5 kills
E3 Sgt Hunter 3 kills
E4 Sgt Sprague 1 kill
E5 Sgt Ishim 6 kills
F0 2nd Lt Silva 7 kills
F1 Sgt Case (changed from Easter)
F2 Sgt Easter 5 kills
F3 Sgt Nettles 5 kills
F4 Sgt Baker
F5 Sgt Moffett
G0 2nd Lt Nelson 4 kills (Elite)
G1 Sgt Donovan 3 kills
G2 Sgt Mayer 6 kills
G3 Sgt Guzinski (known as "the wanderer")
HO Capt Thomas
Score USMC 7191 IJA 3973 Draw. Camp score now 17(those 14 50 pt per turn VH made it a very tough fight as the Marines were compelled to move quickly and pay the price)
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]</p>
I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!
"Another lackluster performance" Vandergrift droned on 1st Lt Miles stood at attention
"What happened?" the General suddenly snapped
Lt Miles looked at the General "Permission to speak freely sir"
Vandy "Of course man speak"
Lt Miles "Well sir the landings went fine, we moved through the village as fast as possible knocking out all the japs we encountered. There was a lot of shooting going on way to the south but not much where I was. I sent 3rd platoon to capture the 2 northern most objectives which they did no problem, meanwhile the rest of the company advanced on a two platoon front with the engineers in support. We took the next 2 objectives and then we were out of time. The other company failed to hold the objective near the bridge Marines held all the others." "I don't see what more we could have done....sir"
USMC 2068 IJA 751 Campaign Total 20
A0 1st Lt Miles 4 kills
B0 Capt Neer 15 kills
C0 2nd Lt Floyd
C1 2nd Lt Mizerak 1 kill
D0 2nd Lt Avery 8 kills
D1 Sgt Nettles 3 kills
D2 Sgt Puller 9 kills
D3 Sgt Patton 6 kills
D4 Sgt Ahrens 3 kills
D5 2nd Lt Lazarine 6 kills (Elite)
E0 2nd Lt Wilder 4 kills
E1 Sgt Easter 5 kills
E2 Sgt Russell 7 kills
E3 Sgt Hunter 5 kills
E4 Sgt Sprague 1 kill
E5 Sgt Ishim 8 kills (Elite)
F0 2nd Lt Silva 7 kills
F1 Sgt Case 1 kill
F2 Sgt Easter 5 kills
F3 Sgt Nettles 5 kills
F4 Sgt Baker
F5 Sgt Moffett
G0 2nd Lt Nelson 4 kills (Elite)
G1 Sgt Donovan 3 kills
G2 Sgt Mayer 6 kills
G3 Sgt Guzinski (known as "the wanderer")
HO Capt Thomas 2kills
funny how my recon are becoming Elite and my FO keeps stepping on snipers/mortars
3rd platoons low kill total reflects 2 things
first squads keep getting whacked and now I have been keeping it in reserve (trying to get it's morale up)
Next Hospital Heros!!!
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]</p>
"What happened?" the General suddenly snapped
Lt Miles looked at the General "Permission to speak freely sir"
Vandy "Of course man speak"
Lt Miles "Well sir the landings went fine, we moved through the village as fast as possible knocking out all the japs we encountered. There was a lot of shooting going on way to the south but not much where I was. I sent 3rd platoon to capture the 2 northern most objectives which they did no problem, meanwhile the rest of the company advanced on a two platoon front with the engineers in support. We took the next 2 objectives and then we were out of time. The other company failed to hold the objective near the bridge Marines held all the others." "I don't see what more we could have done....sir"
USMC 2068 IJA 751 Campaign Total 20
A0 1st Lt Miles 4 kills
B0 Capt Neer 15 kills
C0 2nd Lt Floyd
C1 2nd Lt Mizerak 1 kill
D0 2nd Lt Avery 8 kills
D1 Sgt Nettles 3 kills
D2 Sgt Puller 9 kills
D3 Sgt Patton 6 kills
D4 Sgt Ahrens 3 kills
D5 2nd Lt Lazarine 6 kills (Elite)
E0 2nd Lt Wilder 4 kills
E1 Sgt Easter 5 kills
E2 Sgt Russell 7 kills
E3 Sgt Hunter 5 kills
E4 Sgt Sprague 1 kill
E5 Sgt Ishim 8 kills (Elite)
F0 2nd Lt Silva 7 kills
F1 Sgt Case 1 kill
F2 Sgt Easter 5 kills
F3 Sgt Nettles 5 kills
F4 Sgt Baker
F5 Sgt Moffett
G0 2nd Lt Nelson 4 kills (Elite)
G1 Sgt Donovan 3 kills
G2 Sgt Mayer 6 kills
G3 Sgt Guzinski (known as "the wanderer")
HO Capt Thomas 2kills
funny how my recon are becoming Elite and my FO keeps stepping on snipers/mortars
3rd platoons low kill total reflects 2 things
first squads keep getting whacked and now I have been keeping it in reserve (trying to get it's morale up)
Next Hospital Heros!!!
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]</p>
I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!
Mission 4. Fire on the Flanks -- Red Beach
1000 Hours August 8, 1942. Clear weather. Visibility 27.
Area of operations is 44x44 hexes. Duration is 20 turns.
The Core Force is transported to Guadalcanal under cover of darkness and deposited on Red Beach. Col. Collins comes back from showing off his Bronze Star, Silver Star, Navy & Marine Corps Medal, and George Medal to the regimental CO. Before he can issue his orders, he meets the "replacement" Recon Patrol for 3rd Platoon, Sgt. Moffet. "Thought you died at the Warehouse on Tanambogo. Glad you made it back, rejoin your unit son."
"Gather around people. While we were kicking Jap butt on Gavutu and Tanambogo, the rest of the regiment was getting their beauty rest. We now get to cover their left flank, while they sleepwalk toward Henderson Field. Here's the plan: Advance, Kill, Secure VH's. Take care of the boys. Avery and Hodgeman, take your 1st and 3rd platoon and sweep West through the Cattle Grazing area to the South. You will be supported by some recon jeeps, an Engineer team, and a Scout Team detachment. Wilder and Mizerak, take your 2nd and Engineer platoons and sweep West through the Coconut Plantation and the Manager's House. You will be supported by a scout team detachment also. Cpt. Dobbs and I will follow with the mortars and bale you out if things get too rough. They say we get a couple of tanks and the use of some 81mm mortars too. "
Turns 1-5.
Hodgeman orders his attached scout teams to glide west through the open country toward the cattle grazing area. They creep up into good positions watching 2 of the 3 VH's in that sector. From these positions they observe a platoon of Japs emerge from the Jungle surrounding the Coconut Plantation and move up a trail toward the Grazing Area. They are unable to capitalize on this because no forces are nearby to engage and the FO can not be reached. They observe quietly. Meanwhile, Hodgeman and Avery decide to advance alongside the same trail but on the north side under cover of the jungle. Maybe they can get close enough and attack those units from the flank.
Wilder leads his 2nd Platoon slowly up to the first VH. He wants to wait until Mizerak arrives with his engineers, but one of his scout teams bumps into the enemy and withdraws without loss. 81mm mortar fire is called in and two squads assault the unsupported and suppressed Jap squad. Wilder moves up and gets his first kill. Wilder then sends his attached scouts to link up with the engineers and guide them around his right flank.
The FO, Lt. Jenkins, takes advantage of the lull and moves his attached 81mm mortar platoon across the trail into good defensible positions. (never trust those crafty scenerio designers).
Our recon jeeps arrive and deploy in between Hodeman's and Avery's platoons. We are pleased to see one armed with a .50cal MG.
Turns 6-7.
Wilder's attached scout teams make contact with the Engineer Platoon and guide them to the right flank. Wilder shifts his platoon left and advances. A knee mortar squad is routed then killed. He calls for the MG to move up and it runs into a Jap squad, killing a man. 60mm mortar fire is called in and Cpt. Dobbs and Col. Collins move up to help the MG unit.
In the south, Hodgeman's attached scouts finally get their radios to work and request 81mm mortar fire on a Jap HQ and infantry squad guarding their first objective. No infantry platoons are close enough yet, but the Jeeps can be brought up. The jeeps start to deploy and draw LMG and ATR fire -- no hits! Word flashes over the net that the tanks have arrived. Col. Collins directs them to travel in his wake, they race down the trail and prepare to turn into the plantation.
Collins watches expertly fired 60mm mortar fire from Floyd cause 4 casualties and much suppression to the Jap unit. "Damn, that boy is good".
Hodgeman's scouts groan as their poorly fired 81 mm misses its massed target, scattering the Japs harmlessly away from that VH. The attack in that sector is reluctantly postponed.
Turn 8.
Wilder's MG barks fire at the Jap squad and each side loses a man. Collins moves his HQ up and gains his second kill. Wilders left flank stumbles into the Jap platoon HQ and is heavily suppressed by a satchel charge. Other squads close in and trade fire and the VH is taken. Finally, Cpt. Dobbs enters the fray and earns his third kill. One of Wilder's scout teams survives a satchel charge attack and points out what should be the last Jap squad defending that VH. 60mm mortars are called in and the Engineer Platoon maneuvers closer, followed by the 2 Stuart tanks.
Hodgeman's and Avery's platoons advance through the jungle while the scout teams continue to watch their flank and the objectives.
Floyd's burns up the rest of his mortar shells and extracts 7 casualties from his victim.
Turn 9.
Sgt. Fleming from Engineer platoon moves up and tosses a satchel charge into the smoking Jap position, bagging his 6th kill. Wilder shifts his platoon further left so it can approach the south side of the next objectives.
Hodgeman and Avery move their MG's unseen to the trail and cover their first two VH's. The scouts again lose site of the Japanese units guarding the objective.
Collins sends the tanks off to support Hodgemans attack, "less than useless in this darn plantation." <> One of the MG units fires at a moving Jap squad without effect. The attack for the southern group of objectives begins!
Turn 10.
Avery's MG let's loose against a surprised Jap Plt HQ squad. The initial volley misses and they take LMG fire in return. After rallying, they inflict a few casualties. After a long journey, the first tank pops out of the Jungle onto the trail and takes an ATR hit which damages the turret. The section leaders tank pulls along side and pours on 37mm fire which surpresses the HQ. Now the jeeps pop out behind the tanks and pass them while inflicting casualties on two additional Jap infantry squads. Hodgeman's platoon emerges from the jungle right on top of the panicking Japanese platoons flank. In a roar of BAR and SMG fire, two Japanese squads fall. Avery's platoon begins a long bound through the jungle to emerge on the flank of the second objective. We will take the first objective next turn. 81mm mortar and smoke is called to screen the advance.
Back north, Wilder and Mizerak continue their maneuvers. The attached scout teams can observe some drying sheds near the Managers House complex.
Turn 11 and 12.
In the south again, the mortar fire and smoke arrive, with better accuracy than last time, but with no casualties. The tanks creep up and deliver suppressing fire while Hodgeman's platoon sweeps across the objective, wiping out the last enemy squad and seizing the VH. The smoke conceals them from any units defending the next objective. Avery continuous the right hook through the jungle.
Wilder and Mizerak continue advance within 100 meters of their second objective in the Coconut Plantation.
Turn 13 and 14.
Battles raging in the north and south zones. Avery's platoon and attached engineer section race to the edge of the jungle and fire on an enemy squad. A knee mortar starts shelling Hodgemans platoon, which advances, but can not find the offending unit. 81mm is called in on the suspected Japanese positions, while both platoons MG units maneuver for clear fields of fire. Tanks and jeeps hang back until needed.
Half of an engineer squad is wiped out by a satchel charge tossed on them by a huge Japanese labor squad. Another engineer squad captures the middle VH and helps out. Together they reduce the enemy squad by 19 men, with many of the casualties caused by grenades and satchel charges. Wilder's squad decides not to engage and continues to creep toward the Manager's House. His attached scout team guards a road leading from the Drying Sheds. <> Two more labor squads counterattack and are stopped. The first is destroyed.
In the south, knee mortars fall on empty land as Hodgemans platoon rushes the suspected enemies position. They find the knee mortar but one of the squads is ambushed by a well covered infantry squad. Avery's men give up better targets to pour fire on the ambushing enemy, adding suppression but no casualties. The engineers guarding Avery's flank move up and draw HMG fire from a concealed position. The tanks see the HMG and the knee mortar and start firing 37mm and 30cal. but causing no casualties. A jeep dashes up to rescue the depleted squad, which rallies and loads. It hightails for concealment. The HQ platoon is spotted and mortar fire is called in. Once that ATR is suppressed the tanks can be brought into more effective range. <> More knee mortars fall, pinning Avery. Our mortars fall around the Jap platoon HQ unit which dances away from danger. More accurate mortar fire pummels the HMG position, setting it ablaze and causing a casualty. Much fire on both sides, but with little effect.
Turn 15.
Avery's platoon is stuck. At 250 meters from the main enemy body guarding the second VH, it is too far away to be effective. It can't close the gap, because of the HMG and the platoon HQ keep it suppressed. Meanwhile the casualties are starting to add up. Avery sends his attached engineers to attack the HMG position. One squad closes to 100 meters while the other springs into the open, tossing smoke and taking casualties. Even so, Avery's platoon is rendered useless from suppression. Hodgeman's platoon will have to take the initiative. Sgt. Usher rushes one too many hexes and is reduced to 4 men by the displaced crewman of a knee mortar squad. They rally but can't risk an assault. Sgt. Silva rushes up to help and his squad is reduced to a single man by the same crewmen! Two squads in peril. Hodgeman rushes out to help his men rally. He calls up armor which pours fire on the fanatical crewmen with no effect. A second tank risks close assault and extracts Usher's squad. It can only back up 100 meters. The jeep dashes in again and rescues Silva, and rushes back to the rear. This leaves the armor deployed forward with no support except Hodgeman, the leader of a decimated platoon. He calls in more mortars. Maybe the tide will turn next turn. Sgt. Nichol's depleted squad, rescued only minutes before, crawls forward and gives weak covering fire.
In the north, Wilder's and Mizerak's platoons are now on a line and start sweeping the buildings of the Manager's House, their final objective. A squad is halved by another satchel charge wielding labor squad. They rally, pour it on, and are rewarded with another casualty. An engineer unit moves up and takes a bite out of labor squad. 60mm is called on and all the units maneuver closer for the next push. <> Donovan's mortars drop onto the labor squad causing 4 casualties. Our depleted squad attempts to flee but is trapped in the burning building. Over in the Cattle Grazing Grounds, 81mm falls haphazardly and without effect.
Turn 16-20.
The tide begins to turn. Avery's scout patrol leads an engineer squad to the hidden HMG and it is finally silenced. Avery's platoon becomes unstuck and moves forward 100 meters, under continuous harassment from the enemy platoon HQ. It racks up its first two kills. The tanks begin to duel with the HQ unit despite its ATR reach. Some casualties are noticed with no return fire. The tanks withdraw.
In the north, Mizerak's men take the final VH in the Manager's House and deploy defensively there and in the Coconut Plantation. Wilder's men begin a trek south to assist what's left of Avery and Hodgeman's platoons. They know its too late too help.
Avery's men advance another 50 meters and take tremendous casualties from the same crewmen which decimated Hodgeman's platoon. One tank is called in to blast them into deep suppression while a second tank overruns them. A cheer rises up as the knee mortar crewman cower under the attack and flee. The advance continues. Three turns left.
The Japanese Defense HQ makes itself known by bouncing an ATR off a tank. Nobody can spot it so the vehicles pour fire on another knee mortar crew while they rumble west looking for an unguarded route into the objective. Avery's attached engineer squad rushes the pesky platoon HQ and dispatches it. A HMG opens up on what's left of Hodgemans platoon, pinning it down. Hodgeman gives up, his advance to the final objective blocked. The last 60mm mortar rounds are ordered up. Avery's men are too far away to get the last objective. Its up to the scouts, tanks, and jeeps. Two turns left.
The tanks and jeeps hook around the objective and find the western approach unguarded. They advance within 100 meters and find the Japanese HQ. The engineer unit rushes in and everyone blazes away. A hidden jap infantry unit joins the fray. The Jap HQ is reduced and the other unit suppressed. 100 meters and 1 turn left. 81mm mortars are available and called in. Avery's men pinned down and being whittled away by fanatic knee mortar crewmen.
The mortars offer supression but no casualties. Even worse, a hidden Japanese squad armed with an ATR emerges. The jeep with the .50cal goes up in flames. Much shooting by everyone, but no obvious effect. One tank fires and its 37mm gun malfunctions. It leaps forward and captures the VH, grinding the Jap HQ under its treads. The second tank remains in place and fires its MG's, no more HE for the main gun. The engineer unit moves up and is stopped short by the remaining two Jap squads. We have the hex, but can we hold it? 81mm is called in on our position.
Yes! Decisive Victory <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> No unit casualties except one vehicle, the crew survived. Col. Collin ambles up. "We got coconuts for lunch, fall out."
Engineers still take best platoon honors with 16 kills, with Sgt. Flemming leading with 6. Avery's platoon finally got on the board with 3 kills. 11 men with experience 90+. Next up is Ambush! Matinakau River. We take the rescue mission option.
This scenerio was a cliff-hanger! <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">
1000 Hours August 8, 1942. Clear weather. Visibility 27.
Area of operations is 44x44 hexes. Duration is 20 turns.
The Core Force is transported to Guadalcanal under cover of darkness and deposited on Red Beach. Col. Collins comes back from showing off his Bronze Star, Silver Star, Navy & Marine Corps Medal, and George Medal to the regimental CO. Before he can issue his orders, he meets the "replacement" Recon Patrol for 3rd Platoon, Sgt. Moffet. "Thought you died at the Warehouse on Tanambogo. Glad you made it back, rejoin your unit son."
"Gather around people. While we were kicking Jap butt on Gavutu and Tanambogo, the rest of the regiment was getting their beauty rest. We now get to cover their left flank, while they sleepwalk toward Henderson Field. Here's the plan: Advance, Kill, Secure VH's. Take care of the boys. Avery and Hodgeman, take your 1st and 3rd platoon and sweep West through the Cattle Grazing area to the South. You will be supported by some recon jeeps, an Engineer team, and a Scout Team detachment. Wilder and Mizerak, take your 2nd and Engineer platoons and sweep West through the Coconut Plantation and the Manager's House. You will be supported by a scout team detachment also. Cpt. Dobbs and I will follow with the mortars and bale you out if things get too rough. They say we get a couple of tanks and the use of some 81mm mortars too. "
Turns 1-5.
Hodgeman orders his attached scout teams to glide west through the open country toward the cattle grazing area. They creep up into good positions watching 2 of the 3 VH's in that sector. From these positions they observe a platoon of Japs emerge from the Jungle surrounding the Coconut Plantation and move up a trail toward the Grazing Area. They are unable to capitalize on this because no forces are nearby to engage and the FO can not be reached. They observe quietly. Meanwhile, Hodgeman and Avery decide to advance alongside the same trail but on the north side under cover of the jungle. Maybe they can get close enough and attack those units from the flank.
Wilder leads his 2nd Platoon slowly up to the first VH. He wants to wait until Mizerak arrives with his engineers, but one of his scout teams bumps into the enemy and withdraws without loss. 81mm mortar fire is called in and two squads assault the unsupported and suppressed Jap squad. Wilder moves up and gets his first kill. Wilder then sends his attached scouts to link up with the engineers and guide them around his right flank.
The FO, Lt. Jenkins, takes advantage of the lull and moves his attached 81mm mortar platoon across the trail into good defensible positions. (never trust those crafty scenerio designers).
Our recon jeeps arrive and deploy in between Hodeman's and Avery's platoons. We are pleased to see one armed with a .50cal MG.
Turns 6-7.
Wilder's attached scout teams make contact with the Engineer Platoon and guide them to the right flank. Wilder shifts his platoon left and advances. A knee mortar squad is routed then killed. He calls for the MG to move up and it runs into a Jap squad, killing a man. 60mm mortar fire is called in and Cpt. Dobbs and Col. Collins move up to help the MG unit.
In the south, Hodgeman's attached scouts finally get their radios to work and request 81mm mortar fire on a Jap HQ and infantry squad guarding their first objective. No infantry platoons are close enough yet, but the Jeeps can be brought up. The jeeps start to deploy and draw LMG and ATR fire -- no hits! Word flashes over the net that the tanks have arrived. Col. Collins directs them to travel in his wake, they race down the trail and prepare to turn into the plantation.
Collins watches expertly fired 60mm mortar fire from Floyd cause 4 casualties and much suppression to the Jap unit. "Damn, that boy is good".
Hodgeman's scouts groan as their poorly fired 81 mm misses its massed target, scattering the Japs harmlessly away from that VH. The attack in that sector is reluctantly postponed.
Turn 8.
Wilder's MG barks fire at the Jap squad and each side loses a man. Collins moves his HQ up and gains his second kill. Wilders left flank stumbles into the Jap platoon HQ and is heavily suppressed by a satchel charge. Other squads close in and trade fire and the VH is taken. Finally, Cpt. Dobbs enters the fray and earns his third kill. One of Wilder's scout teams survives a satchel charge attack and points out what should be the last Jap squad defending that VH. 60mm mortars are called in and the Engineer Platoon maneuvers closer, followed by the 2 Stuart tanks.
Hodgeman's and Avery's platoons advance through the jungle while the scout teams continue to watch their flank and the objectives.
Floyd's burns up the rest of his mortar shells and extracts 7 casualties from his victim.
Turn 9.
Sgt. Fleming from Engineer platoon moves up and tosses a satchel charge into the smoking Jap position, bagging his 6th kill. Wilder shifts his platoon further left so it can approach the south side of the next objectives.
Hodgeman and Avery move their MG's unseen to the trail and cover their first two VH's. The scouts again lose site of the Japanese units guarding the objective.
Collins sends the tanks off to support Hodgemans attack, "less than useless in this darn plantation." <> One of the MG units fires at a moving Jap squad without effect. The attack for the southern group of objectives begins!
Turn 10.
Avery's MG let's loose against a surprised Jap Plt HQ squad. The initial volley misses and they take LMG fire in return. After rallying, they inflict a few casualties. After a long journey, the first tank pops out of the Jungle onto the trail and takes an ATR hit which damages the turret. The section leaders tank pulls along side and pours on 37mm fire which surpresses the HQ. Now the jeeps pop out behind the tanks and pass them while inflicting casualties on two additional Jap infantry squads. Hodgeman's platoon emerges from the jungle right on top of the panicking Japanese platoons flank. In a roar of BAR and SMG fire, two Japanese squads fall. Avery's platoon begins a long bound through the jungle to emerge on the flank of the second objective. We will take the first objective next turn. 81mm mortar and smoke is called to screen the advance.
Back north, Wilder and Mizerak continue their maneuvers. The attached scout teams can observe some drying sheds near the Managers House complex.
Turn 11 and 12.
In the south again, the mortar fire and smoke arrive, with better accuracy than last time, but with no casualties. The tanks creep up and deliver suppressing fire while Hodgeman's platoon sweeps across the objective, wiping out the last enemy squad and seizing the VH. The smoke conceals them from any units defending the next objective. Avery continuous the right hook through the jungle.
Wilder and Mizerak continue advance within 100 meters of their second objective in the Coconut Plantation.
Turn 13 and 14.
Battles raging in the north and south zones. Avery's platoon and attached engineer section race to the edge of the jungle and fire on an enemy squad. A knee mortar starts shelling Hodgemans platoon, which advances, but can not find the offending unit. 81mm is called in on the suspected Japanese positions, while both platoons MG units maneuver for clear fields of fire. Tanks and jeeps hang back until needed.
Half of an engineer squad is wiped out by a satchel charge tossed on them by a huge Japanese labor squad. Another engineer squad captures the middle VH and helps out. Together they reduce the enemy squad by 19 men, with many of the casualties caused by grenades and satchel charges. Wilder's squad decides not to engage and continues to creep toward the Manager's House. His attached scout team guards a road leading from the Drying Sheds. <> Two more labor squads counterattack and are stopped. The first is destroyed.
In the south, knee mortars fall on empty land as Hodgemans platoon rushes the suspected enemies position. They find the knee mortar but one of the squads is ambushed by a well covered infantry squad. Avery's men give up better targets to pour fire on the ambushing enemy, adding suppression but no casualties. The engineers guarding Avery's flank move up and draw HMG fire from a concealed position. The tanks see the HMG and the knee mortar and start firing 37mm and 30cal. but causing no casualties. A jeep dashes up to rescue the depleted squad, which rallies and loads. It hightails for concealment. The HQ platoon is spotted and mortar fire is called in. Once that ATR is suppressed the tanks can be brought into more effective range. <> More knee mortars fall, pinning Avery. Our mortars fall around the Jap platoon HQ unit which dances away from danger. More accurate mortar fire pummels the HMG position, setting it ablaze and causing a casualty. Much fire on both sides, but with little effect.
Turn 15.
Avery's platoon is stuck. At 250 meters from the main enemy body guarding the second VH, it is too far away to be effective. It can't close the gap, because of the HMG and the platoon HQ keep it suppressed. Meanwhile the casualties are starting to add up. Avery sends his attached engineers to attack the HMG position. One squad closes to 100 meters while the other springs into the open, tossing smoke and taking casualties. Even so, Avery's platoon is rendered useless from suppression. Hodgeman's platoon will have to take the initiative. Sgt. Usher rushes one too many hexes and is reduced to 4 men by the displaced crewman of a knee mortar squad. They rally but can't risk an assault. Sgt. Silva rushes up to help and his squad is reduced to a single man by the same crewmen! Two squads in peril. Hodgeman rushes out to help his men rally. He calls up armor which pours fire on the fanatical crewmen with no effect. A second tank risks close assault and extracts Usher's squad. It can only back up 100 meters. The jeep dashes in again and rescues Silva, and rushes back to the rear. This leaves the armor deployed forward with no support except Hodgeman, the leader of a decimated platoon. He calls in more mortars. Maybe the tide will turn next turn. Sgt. Nichol's depleted squad, rescued only minutes before, crawls forward and gives weak covering fire.
In the north, Wilder's and Mizerak's platoons are now on a line and start sweeping the buildings of the Manager's House, their final objective. A squad is halved by another satchel charge wielding labor squad. They rally, pour it on, and are rewarded with another casualty. An engineer unit moves up and takes a bite out of labor squad. 60mm is called on and all the units maneuver closer for the next push. <> Donovan's mortars drop onto the labor squad causing 4 casualties. Our depleted squad attempts to flee but is trapped in the burning building. Over in the Cattle Grazing Grounds, 81mm falls haphazardly and without effect.
Turn 16-20.
The tide begins to turn. Avery's scout patrol leads an engineer squad to the hidden HMG and it is finally silenced. Avery's platoon becomes unstuck and moves forward 100 meters, under continuous harassment from the enemy platoon HQ. It racks up its first two kills. The tanks begin to duel with the HQ unit despite its ATR reach. Some casualties are noticed with no return fire. The tanks withdraw.
In the north, Mizerak's men take the final VH in the Manager's House and deploy defensively there and in the Coconut Plantation. Wilder's men begin a trek south to assist what's left of Avery and Hodgeman's platoons. They know its too late too help.
Avery's men advance another 50 meters and take tremendous casualties from the same crewmen which decimated Hodgeman's platoon. One tank is called in to blast them into deep suppression while a second tank overruns them. A cheer rises up as the knee mortar crewman cower under the attack and flee. The advance continues. Three turns left.
The Japanese Defense HQ makes itself known by bouncing an ATR off a tank. Nobody can spot it so the vehicles pour fire on another knee mortar crew while they rumble west looking for an unguarded route into the objective. Avery's attached engineer squad rushes the pesky platoon HQ and dispatches it. A HMG opens up on what's left of Hodgemans platoon, pinning it down. Hodgeman gives up, his advance to the final objective blocked. The last 60mm mortar rounds are ordered up. Avery's men are too far away to get the last objective. Its up to the scouts, tanks, and jeeps. Two turns left.
The tanks and jeeps hook around the objective and find the western approach unguarded. They advance within 100 meters and find the Japanese HQ. The engineer unit rushes in and everyone blazes away. A hidden jap infantry unit joins the fray. The Jap HQ is reduced and the other unit suppressed. 100 meters and 1 turn left. 81mm mortars are available and called in. Avery's men pinned down and being whittled away by fanatic knee mortar crewmen.
The mortars offer supression but no casualties. Even worse, a hidden Japanese squad armed with an ATR emerges. The jeep with the .50cal goes up in flames. Much shooting by everyone, but no obvious effect. One tank fires and its 37mm gun malfunctions. It leaps forward and captures the VH, grinding the Jap HQ under its treads. The second tank remains in place and fires its MG's, no more HE for the main gun. The engineer unit moves up and is stopped short by the remaining two Jap squads. We have the hex, but can we hold it? 81mm is called in on our position.
Yes! Decisive Victory <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> No unit casualties except one vehicle, the crew survived. Col. Collin ambles up. "We got coconuts for lunch, fall out."
Engineers still take best platoon honors with 16 kills, with Sgt. Flemming leading with 6. Avery's platoon finally got on the board with 3 kills. 11 men with experience 90+. Next up is Ambush! Matinakau River. We take the rescue mission option.
This scenerio was a cliff-hanger! <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">
Squatting in the bush and marking it on a map.
3 MCOW Battles completed and I have some observations.
First the kudos. So far I have found the scenerios are excellent, challenging, surprising, fun, not too easy, not too hard (yet) <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> . The material is fun to read also. For those wanting to go much further, try "Guadalcanal, The Definitive Account of the Landmark Battle" by Richard B. Frank.
Good core force for this campaign in both size and composition. The enemy is interesting and varied so far, with bamboo spears, armed civilians, labor battalions, knee mortar squads, the always surprising HQ squads. Lot's of fun there.
Now some of my lessons learned.
Use recon only where there is visibility. If the visibility is only 1 hex like in jungle or the coconut plantation, move them out to the flanks to warn against counterattacks or take long walks with them by roundabout paths to watch distant VH's. Their high cost and low survivability don't warrant combat. Even so, several of mine do have kills.
Don't advance down the obvious routes. Trails are for walking alongside, not on. Another good use for recon is to patrol your rear, so those trails and roads can be used safely to rush reinforcements up front.
Advance on a 3 fresh squad front with recon and MG to the flanks and leaders directly behind. Move 2 spaces max when contact is expected.
Use your leaders to rally your troops. Use them to finish off a weak enemy, or to rescue a squad in trouble if his mates can't do the job.
Try to engage one enemy unit at at time and finish him off. Using a leader to kill a weakened unit allows fresh squads to continue the advance with all their movements, shots, and low suppression.
Consider keeping your 60mm mortars forward, with the leaders. Their accuracy is uncanny from 150 meters, racking up casualties.
My infantry eviscerate knee mortars from ranges of 0 to 100 meters when they serve their weapons. When they abandon their weapons, the crewman eviscerate my men.
When your mortars run out of HE, use them as infantry to guard VH's. You can even abandon their tubes to give them some more mobility (I think).
Use jeeps, tanks, whatever as ambulances, and have a well concealed or covered rallying point in the rear for basket cases. Depleted squads with some defensive punch can defend VH's or occupy positions with good fields of fire about 300 meters from the action. From there they can still spot, and dish out suppressive fire once in cover.
Manage your ammo. Use suppressive weapons like satchel charges, grenades, rifle grenades on the first rounds, then consider letting the rifles and SMG's do the rest. Just don't forget to turn them back on later.
Learn the ranges at which your units are effective. I have learned that 150 meters gives me plenty of punch. Anything further out and I am just suppressing them, which is fine when that is what your want to do.
And just keep laughing. This game is a lot of fun, even when Collins is being attacked by spears. Try a little "friendly fire". Watch which way the wind blows, then start a controlled fire with mortars or artillary. I have never intentionally done this but I don't see any reason why you can't have that final VH cluster in a raging inferno by 15 turns. You could also use it as a smoke generator to screen off an area of the map. I know what my men do in fire -- break out the marshmallows!
Think like a scenerio designer. When he gives you tanks, he probably gave them AT. When he gives you boats, you probably will need them. When he points you down a path, you probably shouldn't go there. When a region of the map is labeled, it is probably inhabited. That nearly invisible rise blocking your vision means there is something behind it that you should care about.
Use the MapThing utility, and the Campaing Watcher for added enjoyment.
And finally, a question. How can I get better use of my MG's? I mean the .30cal attached to each platoon? They get depleted rapidly on the advance and end up eating their beans and weanies on the rear VHs. What should I do?
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: 11Bravo ]</p>
First the kudos. So far I have found the scenerios are excellent, challenging, surprising, fun, not too easy, not too hard (yet) <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> . The material is fun to read also. For those wanting to go much further, try "Guadalcanal, The Definitive Account of the Landmark Battle" by Richard B. Frank.
Good core force for this campaign in both size and composition. The enemy is interesting and varied so far, with bamboo spears, armed civilians, labor battalions, knee mortar squads, the always surprising HQ squads. Lot's of fun there.
Now some of my lessons learned.
Use recon only where there is visibility. If the visibility is only 1 hex like in jungle or the coconut plantation, move them out to the flanks to warn against counterattacks or take long walks with them by roundabout paths to watch distant VH's. Their high cost and low survivability don't warrant combat. Even so, several of mine do have kills.
Don't advance down the obvious routes. Trails are for walking alongside, not on. Another good use for recon is to patrol your rear, so those trails and roads can be used safely to rush reinforcements up front.
Advance on a 3 fresh squad front with recon and MG to the flanks and leaders directly behind. Move 2 spaces max when contact is expected.
Use your leaders to rally your troops. Use them to finish off a weak enemy, or to rescue a squad in trouble if his mates can't do the job.
Try to engage one enemy unit at at time and finish him off. Using a leader to kill a weakened unit allows fresh squads to continue the advance with all their movements, shots, and low suppression.
Consider keeping your 60mm mortars forward, with the leaders. Their accuracy is uncanny from 150 meters, racking up casualties.
My infantry eviscerate knee mortars from ranges of 0 to 100 meters when they serve their weapons. When they abandon their weapons, the crewman eviscerate my men.
When your mortars run out of HE, use them as infantry to guard VH's. You can even abandon their tubes to give them some more mobility (I think).
Use jeeps, tanks, whatever as ambulances, and have a well concealed or covered rallying point in the rear for basket cases. Depleted squads with some defensive punch can defend VH's or occupy positions with good fields of fire about 300 meters from the action. From there they can still spot, and dish out suppressive fire once in cover.
Manage your ammo. Use suppressive weapons like satchel charges, grenades, rifle grenades on the first rounds, then consider letting the rifles and SMG's do the rest. Just don't forget to turn them back on later.
Learn the ranges at which your units are effective. I have learned that 150 meters gives me plenty of punch. Anything further out and I am just suppressing them, which is fine when that is what your want to do.
And just keep laughing. This game is a lot of fun, even when Collins is being attacked by spears. Try a little "friendly fire". Watch which way the wind blows, then start a controlled fire with mortars or artillary. I have never intentionally done this but I don't see any reason why you can't have that final VH cluster in a raging inferno by 15 turns. You could also use it as a smoke generator to screen off an area of the map. I know what my men do in fire -- break out the marshmallows!
Think like a scenerio designer. When he gives you tanks, he probably gave them AT. When he gives you boats, you probably will need them. When he points you down a path, you probably shouldn't go there. When a region of the map is labeled, it is probably inhabited. That nearly invisible rise blocking your vision means there is something behind it that you should care about.
Use the MapThing utility, and the Campaing Watcher for added enjoyment.
And finally, a question. How can I get better use of my MG's? I mean the .30cal attached to each platoon? They get depleted rapidly on the advance and end up eating their beans and weanies on the rear VHs. What should I do?
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: 11Bravo ]</p>
Squatting in the bush and marking it on a map.
But, they are usful... in a recent scenario (one by Mogami) two of my recon squads got behind enemy lines and destroyed 5 (or 6?) 75mm artillery pieces in 2 turns - it was a beautiful thing to see... with some stealth and luck, recon squads can be very useful.Use recon only where there is visibility... their high cost and low survivability don't warrant combat. Even so, several of mine do have kills.
...and take advantage of the fact that the Japanese never retreat (at least, I have never seen it). They will stay in the same position and let themselves be massacred, it is nice to see those squads go from 15-12-9-6-4-2-1-0 without retreating <img src="smile.gif" border="0">Try to engage one enemy unit at at time and finish him off. Using a leader to kill a weakened unit allows fresh squads to continue the advance with all their movements, shots, and low suppression.
How do you (or can you) intentionally create a fire? I assume it is a matter of luck.And just keep laughing. This game is a lot of fun, even when Collins is being attacked by spears. Try a little "friendly fire". Watch which way the wind blows, then start a controlled fire with mortars or artillary.
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: mao ]</p>
Major General Vandergrift spoke at 1st Lt Miles Funeral "He led his men magnificently, the defense of the division hospital will be recorded as a decisive victory for the United States Marine Corps."
1st Lt Miles had sent 3rd platoon to watch the southern approaches while he and the remaing 2 raced to the hospital, getting there just as Japanese infantry were bursting into the wards, the marines had quickly killed all the enemy in the hospital area and were moving to the east when 3rd platoon had called for help,they were engaged by at least a company sized force and were being pushed back. Miles had sent the engineers while he finished up. When all looked secure he had Capt Neer continue to attack towards the east while he raced to direct 2nd Lt Silva's and Nelson, unfortunaly as he made his way south he ran into a stray Japanese infantry squad USMC 4430 IJA & IJN 624 DV (My campaign score was 20 going into this battle, after the DV it stands at 19?)
Defending the Airfield is next
A0 1st Lt Guiterez (he has seen how long A0's survive, last seen packing his belongings and preparing his will)
B0 Capt Neer 16 kills (Elite)
C0 2nd Lt Floyd
C1 2nd Lt Mizerak 1 kill
D0 2nd Lt Avery 10 kills
D1 Sgt Nettles 4 kills
D2 Sgt Puller 11 kills
D3 Sgt Patton 7 kills
D4 Sgt Ahrens 3 kills
D5 2nd Lt Lazarine 7 kills (Elite)
E0 2nd Lt Wilder 7 kills
E1 Sgt Easter 10 kills
E2 Sgt Russell 9 kills
E3 Sgt Hunter 6 kills
E4 Sgt Sprague 1 kill
E5 Sgt Ishim 9 kills (Elite)
F0 2nd Lt Silva 8 kills
F1 Sgt Case 5 kill
F2 Sgt Easter 7 kills
F3 Sgt Nettles 5 kills
F4 Sgt Baker 1 kill
F5 Sgt Moffett 2 kills
G0 2nd Lt Nelson 4 kills (Elite)
G1 Sgt Donovan 5 kills
G2 Sgt Mayer 12 kills
G3 Sgt Guzinski 1 kill
HO Capt Thomas 2kills
I don't know about not using recon, mine tear up Jap squads. (except for those nutty officers A0 and B0 no squad goes where their platoon recon has not already checked out)(the engineer platoon wishes it had a platoon recon team-it's squads get zapped <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> )(thought I was going to forget huh?)
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]</p>
1st Lt Miles had sent 3rd platoon to watch the southern approaches while he and the remaing 2 raced to the hospital, getting there just as Japanese infantry were bursting into the wards, the marines had quickly killed all the enemy in the hospital area and were moving to the east when 3rd platoon had called for help,they were engaged by at least a company sized force and were being pushed back. Miles had sent the engineers while he finished up. When all looked secure he had Capt Neer continue to attack towards the east while he raced to direct 2nd Lt Silva's and Nelson, unfortunaly as he made his way south he ran into a stray Japanese infantry squad USMC 4430 IJA & IJN 624 DV (My campaign score was 20 going into this battle, after the DV it stands at 19?)
Defending the Airfield is next
A0 1st Lt Guiterez (he has seen how long A0's survive, last seen packing his belongings and preparing his will)
B0 Capt Neer 16 kills (Elite)
C0 2nd Lt Floyd
C1 2nd Lt Mizerak 1 kill
D0 2nd Lt Avery 10 kills
D1 Sgt Nettles 4 kills
D2 Sgt Puller 11 kills
D3 Sgt Patton 7 kills
D4 Sgt Ahrens 3 kills
D5 2nd Lt Lazarine 7 kills (Elite)
E0 2nd Lt Wilder 7 kills
E1 Sgt Easter 10 kills
E2 Sgt Russell 9 kills
E3 Sgt Hunter 6 kills
E4 Sgt Sprague 1 kill
E5 Sgt Ishim 9 kills (Elite)
F0 2nd Lt Silva 8 kills
F1 Sgt Case 5 kill
F2 Sgt Easter 7 kills
F3 Sgt Nettles 5 kills
F4 Sgt Baker 1 kill
F5 Sgt Moffett 2 kills
G0 2nd Lt Nelson 4 kills (Elite)
G1 Sgt Donovan 5 kills
G2 Sgt Mayer 12 kills
G3 Sgt Guzinski 1 kill
HO Capt Thomas 2kills
I don't know about not using recon, mine tear up Jap squads. (except for those nutty officers A0 and B0 no squad goes where their platoon recon has not already checked out)(the engineer platoon wishes it had a platoon recon team-it's squads get zapped <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> )(thought I was going to forget huh?)
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]</p>
I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!
Col. Collins to his Recon Patrols, "You guys carry those rifles for a reason. Those other companies out there are getting it done, now go on, make me proud!" <img src="eek.gif" border="0">
Now someone tell me how to get better use out of those MG squads. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
Regarding fires, never set one intentionally for a tactical purpose, but I had much of the east end of Gavutu on fire at the end. Several squads got caught in the flames and retreated to the rear. Made me think of trying it sometime, tactically.
Now someone tell me how to get better use out of those MG squads. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
Regarding fires, never set one intentionally for a tactical purpose, but I had much of the east end of Gavutu on fire at the end. Several squads got caught in the flames and retreated to the rear. Made me think of trying it sometime, tactically.
Squatting in the bush and marking it on a map.
Hi 11 Bravo, my MGs only have 5 kills, this is because they usally are 1. farther back and 2. they fire first. I suppress with the .30's and then move as close as I can (to get the best out of my Thompsons) The .30's do not move as often, although the platoon tend to move slow intill a good overwatch position for the .30's is reached. Then my recon jumps out 3-4 hexes in front of the platoon (I use a platoon wedge formation mostly)
next turn I move the recon 1 hex at a time in a zig zag. If all clear the platoon moves it's full allowance forward, when it gets to where the .30 can not cover it's front it stops while the .30 moves forward (the recon kind of just snoops around for a turn or two) if the recon encounters the enemy the .30 fires all it can then the recon fires (often this is enough since my recon fires 7 times) if the return fire suppressess my recon they rally and stop shooting while the platoon squads come up (don't stack) and engage. If it is a company advance I have 2 platoon wedges backed up by the third platoon and then the engineers (I try not to let my engineers get into firefights, I have other jobs fors them) Often when being engaged the platoons will back up rather then wait for the .30's this brings them into the fight faster (the Japs always follow)
next turn I move the recon 1 hex at a time in a zig zag. If all clear the platoon moves it's full allowance forward, when it gets to where the .30 can not cover it's front it stops while the .30 moves forward (the recon kind of just snoops around for a turn or two) if the recon encounters the enemy the .30 fires all it can then the recon fires (often this is enough since my recon fires 7 times) if the return fire suppressess my recon they rally and stop shooting while the platoon squads come up (don't stack) and engage. If it is a company advance I have 2 platoon wedges backed up by the third platoon and then the engineers (I try not to let my engineers get into firefights, I have other jobs fors them) Often when being engaged the platoons will back up rather then wait for the .30's this brings them into the fight faster (the Japs always follow)
I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!
My Mogami-Style OOB <img src="eek.gif" border="0">
After 3 shooting battles (4 missions)
# Rank Leader Kills Exp
A0 Col Collins 2 94
B0 Cpt Dobbs 3 93
C0 2Lt Floyd 0 82
C1 Sgt Donovan 0 82
D0 2Lt Avery 1 74
D1 Sgt Nettles 1 81
D2 Sgt Puller 0 82
D3 Sgt Patton 0 82
D4 Sgt Ahrens 0 77
D5 Sgt Lazarine 1 98
E0 2Lt Wilder 1 76
E1 Sgt Phillips 4 82
E2 Sgt Russell 1 81
E3 Sgt Hunter 2 84
E4 Sgt Sprague 0 88
E5 Sgt Ishim 1 96
F0 2Lt Hodgman 1 90
F1 Sgt Silva 2 90
F2 Sgt Nicholas 1 83
F3 Sgt Usher 3 85
F4 Sgt Perez 0 83
F5 Sgt Moffett 0 92 (rep)
G0 2Lt Mizerak 5 100
G1 Sgt Nelson 4 95
G2 Sgt Mayer 1 91
G3 Sgt Flemming 6 95
H0 2Lt Jenkins 0 80
KIA
F5 Moffet, Tanambogo, ambushed on recon
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: 11Bravo ]</p>
After 3 shooting battles (4 missions)
# Rank Leader Kills Exp
A0 Col Collins 2 94
B0 Cpt Dobbs 3 93
C0 2Lt Floyd 0 82
C1 Sgt Donovan 0 82
D0 2Lt Avery 1 74
D1 Sgt Nettles 1 81
D2 Sgt Puller 0 82
D3 Sgt Patton 0 82
D4 Sgt Ahrens 0 77
D5 Sgt Lazarine 1 98
E0 2Lt Wilder 1 76
E1 Sgt Phillips 4 82
E2 Sgt Russell 1 81
E3 Sgt Hunter 2 84
E4 Sgt Sprague 0 88
E5 Sgt Ishim 1 96
F0 2Lt Hodgman 1 90
F1 Sgt Silva 2 90
F2 Sgt Nicholas 1 83
F3 Sgt Usher 3 85
F4 Sgt Perez 0 83
F5 Sgt Moffett 0 92 (rep)
G0 2Lt Mizerak 5 100
G1 Sgt Nelson 4 95
G2 Sgt Mayer 1 91
G3 Sgt Flemming 6 95
H0 2Lt Jenkins 0 80
KIA
F5 Moffet, Tanambogo, ambushed on recon
[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: 11Bravo ]</p>
Squatting in the bush and marking it on a map.
The early morning sun rise resembled a Japanese flag, reddish sun rays streaming from behind the cotton like clouds. Major General Vandegrift walked down the length of Henderson Field conducting a morning damage inspection. Fires still burned in the jungle around the airfield and smoke still rose from the bodies scattered over the entire area.
Heaps of Japanese dead surrounded the stone building the late engineer Capt Landry had occupied. The eastern edge of the airfield was carpeted with more. Clean up details had already piled Japanese small arm and mortars in an ever growing mound. General Vandegrift saw 1st Lt Guiterez and Capt Neer sitting in a gun emplacement drinking bottles of Japanese Beer.
The General strolled over after motioning for his staff to keep going. He sat down on the sandbag emplacement
" You came through, shining through Lt. Col Cates has reported on the fine job. Every Marine on this hell-hole appreciates what you and your men did last night during the moment of crisis"
Lt Guiterez, black face streaked and grimey, tattered and in parts still smolding uniform smiled slightly and waved his beer bottle.
"Thank you sir, my men and I certainly appreciate the praise"
"Where in hell did you find beer?" the General inquired
"Sir it was found in the remains of a Japanese gun carrier (37mm AT gun) we knocked out last night, It also helps explain why the Japanese infantry was so happy last night" "Scouts report finding empty beer and Saki bottles all around our peremiter this morning."
"Well take it easy, I've got something for you and your men later on, report to my CP at 1030 hours" with that the General resumed his inspection.
Capt Neer opened another bottle of Kirin "This stuffs not too bad"
"Be even better cold" replied Guitierez "It's not Dos Equis but I'm feeling better"
Capt Neer sat watching the sun rise, his ears still ringing from the terrific up roar of last nights battle. His eyes shifted to the South West corner of the airfield as he recalled it was from this direction the first shots had came. He had been preparing to sack out for the night several hundred meters from where Wilders platoon had just started to dig in. Out beyond the wire, in the direction Sgt Ishim and his recon team prowled a star shell fired by a mortar had suddenly lit the night. Then the stillness had been broken by dozens of Japanese bugles blaring. Impacts of many mortar rounds falling in 2nd platoons positions and the sound of Sgt Spragues .30cal. He had raced forward to get an idea of what was going on, along the way he encountered Lt Guiterez.
"OK here they come" Guiterez had yelled over the racket 2nd Lt Wilder could be seen directing the what was left of 2nd platoon into a new line.
3rd platoon was also busy, the sound of heavy firing coming from north of where 2nd platoon had been placed. 2nd Platoon had not been dug in. (they had just been moved to that position) 3rd Platoon was well entrenched and putting up quite a fight. To the south and east the engineer platoon of 2nd Lt Nelson became engaged. Capt Neer had moved forward and saw large numbers of Japanese infantry moving through the cattle grazing area (at least a company) Moving up beside Sgt Hunter (Wilders one remaining combat worthy squad) He had helped fight off this first assault. Meanwhile Lt Guitierez had found a jeep mounting a .30cal a stuart and directed them into the gap caused by 2nd platoons being pushed back.
The line began to stabilize but heavy firing could now be heard further south where the seabees and engineers were housed. 1st platoons (extream north west corner of line).30 also began firing. The Japanese came in waves singing and yelling obscene epithets at the Marines. Loud speakers behind the Japanese attack blared military marches and it appeared to Capt Neer that the Japanese were having a good time. After stabilizing the situation he again found Lt Guitierez now over behind the engineer platoon. He had been busy moving several .50cal AA guns to extend the line across the southern edge of the airstrip. Floyd and Mizerak were also here working their mortars as quickly as possible laying down a barrage in support of the beleagured Seabees and Engineers to the south. A second Stuart was in position firing rapidly. The illumination lighting the darkness and revealing hundreds of swarming Japanese. Capt Neer had picked up 2nd Lt Lazaire (1st platoon recon) and ordered him to follow.
"It's pretty bad down by the Seabees" Guitierez yelled "Capt Landry has been calling for help, what can you spare?"
"Right now? Myself, Lazarine and maybe a squad from 3rd platoon, I'll join Nelson and try to fight our way down there"
Guitierez had nodded agreement and went off to extend his makeshift line a bit further. Capt Neer had called 2nd Lt Silva and gotten Sgt Easter's squad Silva had sent his recon team (Sgt Moffet) as well. This force moved into line with the engineer platoon and began slowly fighting towards the surrounded and out gunned Seabee's.
The attack developed into a charge of the Marines colliding with a charge of the Japanese. Hand to hand combat lasting many minutes. Sgt Guzinski's entire squad was crushed by a tidel wave of Japanese that in turn was broken by the combined fire of 2 squads, a Stuart, a jeep .30 and several 37mm AT guns being wheeled forward.
Floyds mortar had ran out of ammo and had to be resupplied, but they now commencing firing anew from positions right in the middle of the airfield while fresh ammo was unloaded.
Capt Landry had ceased radio communication, a large fire burned directly next to the stone building (Plantation managers house) The Marines used this as a beacon to guide their assault. Firing to the east confirmed that comrades were still battling and in need of help.
At last the Japanese attack ended, the loud speakers were turned off and the firing faded away. Capt Neer had went to all his platoons positions and found Sgt Sprague had been lost in the opening moments, Sgt Guzinski, well he knew what happened to him, but he could not locate 2nd Lt Lazarine or any member of 1st platoons recon team. He was found shortly before daylight amoung the remains of several Japanese mortar teams. Bayoneted not far from this scene the bodies of a Japanese SNLF squad lay. Lazarine had gotten too far afield in his quest to silence the enemy mortars and had ran afoul a large body of infantry. He was not the kind of Marine to retreat.
"Hey hand me another beer, time for one more"
Hey Captain wake up"
Lt Guitierez brought the Capt out of his rememberence, He tossed the Lt another beer.
This was an outstanding battle (as are they all)
USMC 3624 Japanese 545 DV Camp Score going backwards now 18
Next Tasmboko Raid
Order of Battle
A0 1st Lt Guiterez 1kill /94
B0 Capt Neer 22 kills /102
C0 2nd Lt Floyd 0/85
C1 2nd Lt Mizerak 1 kill/86
D0 2nd Lt Avery 11 kills/93
D1 Sgt Nettles 8 kills/99
D2 Sgt Puller 11 kills/99
D3 Sgt Patton 12 kills/98
D4 Sgt Ahrens 5 kills/92
D5 Sgt Collins 0/103
E0 2nd Lt Wilder 8 kills/97
E1 Sgt Easter 10 kills/95
E2 Sgt Russell 9 kills/98
E3 Sgt Hunter 13 kills/95
E4 Sgt Lamantia 0/91
E5 Sgt Ishim 10 kills/101
F0 2nd Lt Silva 9 kills/91
F1 Sgt Case 6 kills/95
F2 Sgt Easter 17 kills/96
F3 Sgt Nettles 7 kills/94
F4 Sgt Baker 2 kills/93
F5 Sgt Moffett 3 kills/95
G0 2nd Lt Nelson 7 kills/102
G1 Sgt Donovan 8 kills/94
G2 Sgt Mayer 18 kills/102
G3 Sgt Edwards 0/95
HO Capt Thomas 2 kills/90
[ February 14, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]</p>
Heaps of Japanese dead surrounded the stone building the late engineer Capt Landry had occupied. The eastern edge of the airfield was carpeted with more. Clean up details had already piled Japanese small arm and mortars in an ever growing mound. General Vandegrift saw 1st Lt Guiterez and Capt Neer sitting in a gun emplacement drinking bottles of Japanese Beer.
The General strolled over after motioning for his staff to keep going. He sat down on the sandbag emplacement
" You came through, shining through Lt. Col Cates has reported on the fine job. Every Marine on this hell-hole appreciates what you and your men did last night during the moment of crisis"
Lt Guiterez, black face streaked and grimey, tattered and in parts still smolding uniform smiled slightly and waved his beer bottle.
"Thank you sir, my men and I certainly appreciate the praise"
"Where in hell did you find beer?" the General inquired
"Sir it was found in the remains of a Japanese gun carrier (37mm AT gun) we knocked out last night, It also helps explain why the Japanese infantry was so happy last night" "Scouts report finding empty beer and Saki bottles all around our peremiter this morning."
"Well take it easy, I've got something for you and your men later on, report to my CP at 1030 hours" with that the General resumed his inspection.
Capt Neer opened another bottle of Kirin "This stuffs not too bad"
"Be even better cold" replied Guitierez "It's not Dos Equis but I'm feeling better"
Capt Neer sat watching the sun rise, his ears still ringing from the terrific up roar of last nights battle. His eyes shifted to the South West corner of the airfield as he recalled it was from this direction the first shots had came. He had been preparing to sack out for the night several hundred meters from where Wilders platoon had just started to dig in. Out beyond the wire, in the direction Sgt Ishim and his recon team prowled a star shell fired by a mortar had suddenly lit the night. Then the stillness had been broken by dozens of Japanese bugles blaring. Impacts of many mortar rounds falling in 2nd platoons positions and the sound of Sgt Spragues .30cal. He had raced forward to get an idea of what was going on, along the way he encountered Lt Guiterez.
"OK here they come" Guiterez had yelled over the racket 2nd Lt Wilder could be seen directing the what was left of 2nd platoon into a new line.
3rd platoon was also busy, the sound of heavy firing coming from north of where 2nd platoon had been placed. 2nd Platoon had not been dug in. (they had just been moved to that position) 3rd Platoon was well entrenched and putting up quite a fight. To the south and east the engineer platoon of 2nd Lt Nelson became engaged. Capt Neer had moved forward and saw large numbers of Japanese infantry moving through the cattle grazing area (at least a company) Moving up beside Sgt Hunter (Wilders one remaining combat worthy squad) He had helped fight off this first assault. Meanwhile Lt Guitierez had found a jeep mounting a .30cal a stuart and directed them into the gap caused by 2nd platoons being pushed back.
The line began to stabilize but heavy firing could now be heard further south where the seabees and engineers were housed. 1st platoons (extream north west corner of line).30 also began firing. The Japanese came in waves singing and yelling obscene epithets at the Marines. Loud speakers behind the Japanese attack blared military marches and it appeared to Capt Neer that the Japanese were having a good time. After stabilizing the situation he again found Lt Guitierez now over behind the engineer platoon. He had been busy moving several .50cal AA guns to extend the line across the southern edge of the airstrip. Floyd and Mizerak were also here working their mortars as quickly as possible laying down a barrage in support of the beleagured Seabees and Engineers to the south. A second Stuart was in position firing rapidly. The illumination lighting the darkness and revealing hundreds of swarming Japanese. Capt Neer had picked up 2nd Lt Lazaire (1st platoon recon) and ordered him to follow.
"It's pretty bad down by the Seabees" Guitierez yelled "Capt Landry has been calling for help, what can you spare?"
"Right now? Myself, Lazarine and maybe a squad from 3rd platoon, I'll join Nelson and try to fight our way down there"
Guitierez had nodded agreement and went off to extend his makeshift line a bit further. Capt Neer had called 2nd Lt Silva and gotten Sgt Easter's squad Silva had sent his recon team (Sgt Moffet) as well. This force moved into line with the engineer platoon and began slowly fighting towards the surrounded and out gunned Seabee's.
The attack developed into a charge of the Marines colliding with a charge of the Japanese. Hand to hand combat lasting many minutes. Sgt Guzinski's entire squad was crushed by a tidel wave of Japanese that in turn was broken by the combined fire of 2 squads, a Stuart, a jeep .30 and several 37mm AT guns being wheeled forward.
Floyds mortar had ran out of ammo and had to be resupplied, but they now commencing firing anew from positions right in the middle of the airfield while fresh ammo was unloaded.
Capt Landry had ceased radio communication, a large fire burned directly next to the stone building (Plantation managers house) The Marines used this as a beacon to guide their assault. Firing to the east confirmed that comrades were still battling and in need of help.
At last the Japanese attack ended, the loud speakers were turned off and the firing faded away. Capt Neer had went to all his platoons positions and found Sgt Sprague had been lost in the opening moments, Sgt Guzinski, well he knew what happened to him, but he could not locate 2nd Lt Lazarine or any member of 1st platoons recon team. He was found shortly before daylight amoung the remains of several Japanese mortar teams. Bayoneted not far from this scene the bodies of a Japanese SNLF squad lay. Lazarine had gotten too far afield in his quest to silence the enemy mortars and had ran afoul a large body of infantry. He was not the kind of Marine to retreat.
"Hey hand me another beer, time for one more"
Hey Captain wake up"
Lt Guitierez brought the Capt out of his rememberence, He tossed the Lt another beer.
This was an outstanding battle (as are they all)
USMC 3624 Japanese 545 DV Camp Score going backwards now 18
Next Tasmboko Raid
Order of Battle
A0 1st Lt Guiterez 1kill /94
B0 Capt Neer 22 kills /102
C0 2nd Lt Floyd 0/85
C1 2nd Lt Mizerak 1 kill/86
D0 2nd Lt Avery 11 kills/93
D1 Sgt Nettles 8 kills/99
D2 Sgt Puller 11 kills/99
D3 Sgt Patton 12 kills/98
D4 Sgt Ahrens 5 kills/92
D5 Sgt Collins 0/103
E0 2nd Lt Wilder 8 kills/97
E1 Sgt Easter 10 kills/95
E2 Sgt Russell 9 kills/98
E3 Sgt Hunter 13 kills/95
E4 Sgt Lamantia 0/91
E5 Sgt Ishim 10 kills/101
F0 2nd Lt Silva 9 kills/91
F1 Sgt Case 6 kills/95
F2 Sgt Easter 17 kills/96
F3 Sgt Nettles 7 kills/94
F4 Sgt Baker 2 kills/93
F5 Sgt Moffett 3 kills/95
G0 2nd Lt Nelson 7 kills/102
G1 Sgt Donovan 8 kills/94
G2 Sgt Mayer 18 kills/102
G3 Sgt Edwards 0/95
HO Capt Thomas 2 kills/90
[ February 14, 2002: Message edited by: Mogami ]</p>
I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!