"Bataan scenarios" Topic

I have just started reading Bataan Uncensored by Miller as reccommended in an earlier thread. So far have found the makings of a good scenario with a unit of M3 Stuarts(unfortunately no strengths are listed) supported by halftracks mounting 75mm guns and Bren carriers(supposed to have been sent to Singapore)mounting .30 cals with 3 halftrack crews dismounted as infantry outposts. The position was located on a dry creek bed along the highway into Bataan. Japanese seemed to be of battalion strenth?(estimated 500 men)with Filipino prisoners as quides/decoys/sitting ducks. The action ocurred on or about January 1, 1942. The Japanese advance was halted and the US troops continued their retreat into Bataan. Now after saying all that, what scenarios have TMPers played, have links to, about the 1942 campaign.

Off the top of my head there were about two battalions of Stuart light tanks, just about 100 on them on Battaan.

They would have been organized the same as later in the war, platoons of five tanks, company was three platoons and an HQ platoon of two, for a total of 17 per company.

Bataan is neat because the Japanese have air superiority and generally more tanks and artillery than the Americans. The US has infantry parity much of the time and even horse cavalry.

Good gaming stuff.

Mike "Bunkermeister" Creek
bunkermeister.blogspot.com

Yeah, it's good stuff. I've been meaning to get "Bataan Uncensored" because it sounds like a good book. The Philippines "Green book" uses it pretty heavily as a source.

With that said, I have to say that "Bataan: Our Last Ditch" is an awesome book. It runs parallel to the "Green Book" and tells that same basic story but it pulls in tons of small details to bulk out that basic narrative. It is just chalked full of scenario fodder goodness! Why didn't I buy this book ten years ago??? Oh the wasted time….

Anyway, I'm planning a 15mm game for my game club on November 1. The scenario is called "The Last Ride of the 26th". It is based around the meeting engagement that occured between the 1st Corps and the Japanese 122d Infantry in the town of Morong. The center piece of the battle was a sudden charge by G Troop of the 26th Cav. The Scouts rode into the village and discovered that elements of the 122d had pierced the 1st Infantry's (PA) screening line. Lt. Ramsey's men were mounted and they would have suffered heavy losses if they tried to dismount on the spot. So Lt. Ramsey order his troopers to charge! The Scouts suprised the Japanese infantry and drove them out of town and thus bought time and space for the remainder of the 26th Cav and 1st Infantry (PA) to move into position in Morong.

It should be a blast!

I know a gentleman who is doing some research as well. I'll point him to this thread and see what he can add.

Cool, the more the merrier.

There is another action I'm planning to do. One of the last delaying actions above Bataan involved the 21st Infantry Division (PA). The Japanese blitzed the poorly prepared infantry and plowed them out the way. Their advance brought them face-to-face to the 21st Field Artillery Regiment (PA). This regiment was blessed by having nearly a full compliment of 75mm field guns and some really cool heads in charge. These PA redlegs weren't fully trained and this was the first time they had been face-to-face with the Japanese. These guys cooly served their guns and engaged the Japanese grunts at very short range ("they were where outfielders would be if it wasn't for the outfield wall AND they were up against Babe Ruth!!!). These redlegs cooly poured direct fire into the onrushing Japanese infantry. They broke the attack and held the 21st Infantry's line until they were ordered to fall back. Quite a feat of arms for a bunch of recruits!

What 28mm figures can you use for the American Army for the "Early War??"

I've seen some figures done for "Pulp Fiction" in 28mm of US Marines -- the 4th Marine Regt. had come to the PI from China just before Pearl Harbor, and garrisoned Corregidor… But I need figures for the Army!

I do see where SGMM has 20mm figures, described as wearing

hot weather khaki uniform, light order webbing, and early style M1917A1 doughboy helmet. Suitable for Wake Island, Corregidor, Manilla, and other early war battles throughout the Pacific Theater. Also suitable for interwar period scenarios in China and the Far East.

I'd even say with proper vehicles, and some CAVALRY, "Early War" or actually "Inter-War" US Army figures would be suitable for some what-ifs on the Mexican Border, too!! E.G., in 1929, a brigade was hastily assembled along the line between Fort Huachuca and Nogales, when some fraca in Mexico threatened to spill over the line…

Need some help!???