[DataKing]

After-Action Report

On the morning of the December 12th, 1941, the Marines of the FOFC Brigade are relieved by fresh troops coming up from the south. As a result of the pitched battle and the casualties sustained by the Brigade, they are withdrawn to the rear for some well-deserved rest. Gradually, replacements are drawn from other units, as some other formations have been so badly bloodied that they have been disbanded, the survivors dispersed amongst the rest to act as replacements.

The final count for the Brigade is 59 killed, 74 seriously wounded, and 7 listed as “missing in action.” Two of the Brigade’s Stuart tanks were also lost, along with their crews of four.

Exact numbers of Japanese killed and wounded are impossible to determine, but after speaking with all of his officers, Colonel DataKing estimates the number to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 800-1,000. Some hold that this is an optimistic number, while others maintain that the real number was well over 1,000. It is likely that the true numbers will never be known.

The Brigade is commended for holding the line, despite superior Japanese numbers and poor fighting conditions.

FOFC Brigade Losses by Unit

Armor Company A (total losses: none)
-Command Group (Captain WSUCougar): none
-1st Platoon (Lieutenant icjjdnh): none
-2nd Platoon (Lieutenant jfbbis): none
-3rd Platoon (Lieutenant Tasan): none

Armor Company B (total losses: 2 M3 Stuarts, 8 men)
-Command Group (Captain sachmo71): none
-1st Platoon (Lieutenant bertogarce): 1 M3 Stuart, 4 men
-2nd Platoon (Lieutenant Superman=#54): none
-3rd Platoon (Lieutenant sterlingice): 1 M3 Stuart, 4 men

Infantry Company A (total losses: 17 men)
-Command Squad (Captain ardent enthusiast): 1 man
-1st Platoon (Lieutenant samifan24): 4 men
-2nd Platoon (Lieutenant damnMikeBrown): 2 men
-3rd Platoon (Lieutenant Marino): 1 man
-Machinegun Platoon (Lieutenant O’Hern): 9 men
-Mortar Platoon (Lieutenant Silva): none

Infantry Company B )(total losses: 18 men)
-Command Squad (Captain RainRaven): none
-1st Platoon (Lieutenant The Afoci): 10 men
-2nd Platoon (Lieutenant Blade): none
-3rd Platoon (Lieutenant Jennings): none
-Machinegun Platoon (Lieutenant Ortega): 8 men
-Mortar Platoon (Lieutenant Sprague): none

Infantry Company C (total losses: 41 men)
-Command Squad (Captain Blade6119): none
-1st Platoon (Lieutenant tucker342): 12 men
-2nd Platoon (Lieutenant Qwikshot): 8 men
-3rd Platoon (Lieutenant Katon): 10 men
-Machinegun Platoon (Lieutenant Gates): 10 men
-Mortar Platoon (Lieutenant Jackson): 1 man

Infantry Company D (total losses: 42 men)
-Command Squad (Captain Coffee Warlord): 2 men
-1st Platoon (Lieutenant Breeze): 11 men
-2nd Platoon (Lieutenant Aesyrqwe): 13 men
-3rd Platoon (Lieutenant JeffNights): 11 men
-Machinegun Platoon (Lieutenant Easter): 4 men
-Mortar Platoon (Lieutenant Ellis): 1 man

The rest of the Brigade’s losses were sustained by our support troops.


Timeline

December 13th, 1941

A U.S. naval task force under Rear-Admiral Frank J. Fletcher sets sail from Pearl Harbor with orders to relieve Wake Island.

December 14th, 1941

Japanese troops continue to land throughout the Philippines.

December 22nd, 1941

The Japanese land 43,000 troops of General Homma’s 14th Army in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, 150 miles north of Manila.

December 23rd, 1941

The Japanese launch another attack against Wake Island, overwhelming the small U.S. garrison. Immediately after its capture, the Japanese rename the island as Bird Island. Rear-Admiral Frank J. Fletcher’s task force is still more than 400 miles away and so is diverted to Midway.

American and Filipino troops of the North Luzon Force begin to fall back towards the River Agno under heavy pressure from the Japanese.

December 24th, 1941

Japanese troops make further landings on Luzon to the southeast of Manila in Lamon Bay.

The Japanese 16th Division starts its drive north towards Manila.

General MacArthur announces his decision to withdraw his forces to Bataan. A supply base is to be set up on Corregidor with sufficient stock to carry on the fight for six months.

December 26th, 1941

The Philippine capital of Manila is declared an open city by the Americans.

December 27th, 1941

The Australian Prime Minister, Curtin, announces “Australia looks to America.”

December 31st, 1941

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz is appointed to command the U.S. Asiatic Fleet, while Lieutenant General George H. Brett takes command of U.S. forces in Australia.


While all of this is going on, the FOFC Brigade is not sitting idly by. They are engaged in small holding actions, skirmishes, and patrols against the Japanese, but are not involved in any major entanglements.


Unit Upgrades

American has been at war for mere weeks, and it is unlikely that any new equipment would be sent as far as the Philippines. However, we can make some small improvements with what is on hand. We don’t have that much leeway, but can make some requests. Our two lost tanks have been replaced, but there is nothing more advanced than the M3 Stuart available for our armored troops. In truth, it will probably be some time before a replacement for the M3 is brought into service. We can, however, make some changes to the infantry.

We cannot add to the size of the Brigade, but can change the armament to a small degree. I would like to hear the opinions of our officers regarding what we should seek. Here is what is available:

Infantry

BAR Squad: Replaces a standard Marine infantry squad with a BAR squad. BAR squads have one less man than a standard infantry squad (8 men instead of 9), but have slightly improved firepower, adding a second BAR to the squad’s armament.

Engineer Squad: Engineer squads add one man to the standard infantry squad (10 men instead of 9), and also give access to a few satchel charges. The downside is that the satchel charges are heavy, slowing the squad down by about 10%.

Machineguns

.30 cal HMG: Enhances the standard .30 caliber machinegun with an improved tripod and better cooling system. Better accuracy and rate of fire than our standard .30 caliber medium machineguns (MMGs).

.50 cal HMG: Obviously, the .50 caliber has significantly better killing power than the .30 caliber, and is even capable of penetrating light armor. The weapon and ammunition are considerably heavier, however, slowing the unit down by 25% and carrying 25% less ammunition.


Depending on the decisions we make, we can make improvements to between 15 and 30 squads in the Brigade. If you have an opinion as to where we should place our priorities, let me know and it will be taken into consideration.

Semper Fi!