Pacific Armor, scenario #4: First Probe at San Manuel

This scenario is a pretty even matchup, at least in my gameplay. The Armor is pretty even with three M5 Stuart platoons vs. three Shinhoto & one Type 95 platoons and the Infantry and support weapons are also pretty even. With that said, in the early going, I was ready to give up as the American and Philippines Guerrilla player, as they were taking a lot of early lumps but I was glad I stuck it out, the fighting was tough but the American side managed to overcome their casualty deficit and the Japanese lost 17 to the American 13 step loses. What really helped, was the Philippines casualties don’t count and you can take more risk with these Guerrilla units. The Americans cleared the east-west road but after heavy assaults one town hex was still contested but giving the Americans a minor victory, achieving 2 out of 3 objectives.

This was a very close contested scenario the Americans need the Philippines units to win this one, it could go either way in repeat plays.

Side notes:

The Japanese tank gunners held their fire until close range and then let loose knocking out the two lead M5 Stuart tanks and killing or wounding all the Infantry riding on those tanks. The American forces pulled back out of the hornet nest and decided it was better to have San Manuel and approaching area bombarded with artillery and bombed with air strikes for 5 days, while the Infantry surrounded the area. The Philippine Guerrillas were of great assistance to the Americans throughout the war including their intelligence, sabotage and reconnaissance but also their fighting ability and tying down Japanese forces.