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Sharpe
05-23-2007, 08:36 PM
IJA Overruns Luzon

Half and Half; Japanese set up on objective side

General Yamashita’s war machine hit high gear today as his forces smashed a US position on the road to Manila.

The IJA:

1x Imp Sergeant 9 pts
2x Ha-Go 18 pts
2x Type 89 Mortar 18 pts
1x SNLF Captain 6 pts
3x MG 21 pts
1x H-BH 7 pts
3x SNLF Fanatics 21 pts
5x Chrysanthemum Div 25 pts


eschewed any tactical subtlety. The US set up first and the Japanese took full advantage. They established a strong fire base for their support weapons directly opposite the town and sent their infantry straight ahead screened by the objective woods. The Ha-Go’s guarded the extreme left flank.

The Americans:

1x Red Devil Cap 7 pts
1x Career Sgt 6 pts
2x 37mm M3 14 pts
1x Enraged Sgt 6 pts (Filipino Hero)
2x M3A1 Scout Car 12 pts
1x M2A4 11 pts
3x 26th Cav Reg 12 pts
10 x 57th Inf Reg 30 pts

were short on heavy weapons, but hoped that strong AT and more mobility would save the day. They deployed strongly around the town.

Events soon proved them wrong. Japanese mortars and MGs immediately took out both ACs and an ATG. The US tank died in an exchange with the Ha-Go’s, though it damaged one on its way out. The second ATG smashed one Ha-Go but it made cover, something the Japanese proved adept at all afternoon.

Both mortars died by the second turn, but the MGs continued to pound the beleaguered Scouts. Their medium-range return fire (only five dice) was ineffective. So, the squadron from the 26th moved into position. It demonstrated, then plunged in when initiative was favorable. The cavalry severely disrupted the Japanese heavy weapons with its attacks and its SA–> UNNERVING CHARGE. Still, the Japanese Hero bolstered the position and the threat was eliminated.

The Filipino Hero spawned with the last ATG and used his SA to give it CRACK SHOT. The artillery dispatched one tank and scared the other behind the hill.

Meanwhile, the Japanese infantry swept past the objective and stormed the town. Despite 8 dice at close range, poor rolls doomed the defenders. They went down in a flash of bayonets and kitanas. Reinforcements from the American left fared no better. Even the Filipino Hero fell in a last desperate charge at the Imperial Sergeant.

The Japanese lost 25% of their force, but the doughty Scouts proved little more than a speed bump on the road to Manila. The only enduring memory of the engagement will be of the last charge ever made by American mounted cavalry.

carl_brisgamer
05-25-2007, 10:04 AM
Battle Ticket 8 - Philippines - US Victory.

After Action Report from Lt. Col. T. Wickford CO 192nd Tank Battalion to HQ USAFFE

San Fernando, December 1941 – This morning a platoon of the 192nd supporting a rifle company of the 21st Division engaged advanced elements of the Japanese 48th Division including armour in the vicinity of San Fernando. The Japanese initially tried to bypass the town but were soundly rebuffed by the 192nd. During this action our Light Tank M3’s proved superior to the Type 95’s and other tanks fielded by the Japanese, with five enemy vehicles destroyed for the loss of one M3. Japanese infantry entered the town where they were attacked and forced back by the company of the 21st Division. After disposing of the enemy tank column the 192nd swung around behind the Japanese vanguard, cutting off their retreat and firing on enemy units seeking cover at the edge of the town. Despite losing mortar fire support to a Japanese aerial attack, the 21st Division soon eliminated all remaining Japanese forces in San Fernando, sustaining only light casualties.

Sharpe
05-25-2007, 04:13 PM
M3's? Wow, you must be buddies with Ol' Dugout Doug. We got stuck with M2's.

carl_brisgamer
05-25-2007, 06:38 PM
M3's? Wow, you must be buddies with Ol' Dugout Doug. We got stuck with M2's.

The US had two battalions of M3's in the Philippines, the 192nd and the 194th, both National Guard units. After encountering the M3 the Japanese rushed more of the newer Chi-ha tanks to the front, but they arrived too late to see action against the US armour. They also made use of captured M3's whenever possible. Check out this site on Japanese tanks to read more:

http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/develop.html

Sharpe
05-25-2007, 07:24 PM
I didn't mean to imply that they weren't there. I was just joking that you were getting better quality equipment than my guys. I figured you had connections.

carl_brisgamer
05-26-2007, 02:02 AM
I didn't mean to imply that they weren't there. I was just joking that you were getting better quality equipment than my guys. I figured you had connections.


Amazing what a couple of cases of scotch can get you in a war zone!!!!

;)