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Wild Bill -> The Hoss has Arrived! (3/18/2006 6:08:09 PM)
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HERE COMES THE HOSS!**
April 9th, 1945*
Kakazu West, Okinawa*
http://www.wargamer.com/gamesdepot/details.asp?sid=4264
Campaign-Coordinator: Wild Bill Wilder**
Testing Team: Bruce "Recon" Hodgman, Roland Rahn, Jack Withrow, Sherman "Trip" Triplett, Massimo "Mad Italian" Rocca**
My special thanks to these fine men for the generous use of their talents and tenacity**
Note: When reading the text, do not click on -Go On-, but instead the little arrow at the bottom right of the screen you see here to read the entire text. Then you are ready to begin the campaign.**
This campaign is based on the historical attack headed up by Company L, 3rd Battalion, 383rd Regiment of the US Army 96th Division.**
It consists of two battles. The first is the assault on Kakazu West. If you are successful (a minor or decisive victory), then you will proceed to the second battle, which can be a fighting withdrawal or a hold your ground battle.**
This was what actually transpired on that fateful day. It was the beginning of a long and bloody struggle to break the Japanese Shuri Defense Line that led to the southern tip of Okinawa.**
As for units, you should pick 3 US Army rifle platoons and what support units you can add. Of course the choices are up to you.**
Can you take the "Hoss's" role as Company Commander and do as well? Whatever you have left at the end of the first fight is about all you'll have for the second one. Mitchell received no reinforcements. Japanese artillery created a wall of steel that isolated and badly hurt Company L.**
So remember to try not to lose too much of your force in the first fight or you won't have much of a chance in the second one.**
Historical Background**
On April 9th most of the United States Army's 383rd Regiment of the 96th Division was poised to attack. The 1st Battalion would tackle Kakazu Ridge, the 3rd, led by Company L, would take on a smaller rise to the northwest known as Kakazu (pronounced "Cock-a-zoo") West.**
Company L scurried quickly up the smaller height without incident. 1 Lt. Willard F. Mitchell, a bulky, muscular man known as "the Hoss", led the company.**
With fixed bayonets and his hoarse voice thundering his favorite battle cry, "Here comes the 'Hoss,' and God's on the Hoss's side!" his men took over the top of Kakazu West.**
It was only a moment, however, until the hill came to life with enemy small-arms fire and charging Japanese. All of Company L became involved in a series of close combat encounters.**
The fighting continued all morning, while Lieutenant Mitchell, with his booming shouts and presence everywhere, continued to encourage his men. To the GIs of Company L, it was quickly becoming a nightmare without end. But they held their ground.*
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