The U.S. 1st Cav
in the Admiralties

A Scenario for
Command Decision
(2nd Edition)

by Allen Raygarbee

In the Second World War the Southwest Pacific theater was the site of many bitter, hard fought campaigns by units of the United States Army and Marine Corps. The New Guinea campaign of 1942-1944, was the site of vicious battles fought at the end of a tenuous logistical network.

With the charismatic General Douglas MacArthur as the theater commander, the Southwest Pacific Operations Area (SWPAC) had high media visibility with the US public. the movements and battles of the troops of SWPAC were cons1stently headlines in US papers and reports. Unfortunately, SWPAC ranked near the bottom on the l1st of strategic priorities, behind North Africa, Italy, the Solomons, and the upcoming invasion of Europe. The SWPAC was near the bottom of the l1st in terms of equipment, reinforcements, and supplies. SWPAC got along on that which no one else could use or move.

For example, the US 1st Cavalry division, participated in the 1941 Louisiana war games, then languished in the US until shipped to Australia in 1943, and then spent five months training in jungle and amphibious operations. In November of 1943 long range operational plans began for the planning of the invasion of the Admiralty Islands (previously known as the German ruled Bismarck Archipelago) on or around 1 April 1944. Lt. General Walter Kruger (USA) commander of the US Sixth Army, was placed in overall command.

Intelligence Preparation

Over the next three months the SWPAC intelligence staff continually reevaluated their threat estimates, and reduced the size and capability of the islands Japanese Army garrison. Enemy shipping activities dwindled to nothing, aircraft were transferred to Rabaul or the Caroline Islands.

In the first week of February, SWPAC believed that Japanese strength in the Admiralties had reached a low, and that a pair of airfields would soon be operational. General MacArthur ordered the landing date be advanced to 29 February 1944. In light of the intelligence estimates and the short planning time, the operation shifted from a full scale invasion to a "reconnaissance in force" by elements of the 1st Brigade, 1st US Cavalry Division under Brigadier General Chase.

Initial Assault

The initial assault on 29 February by TASK FORCE BREWER was carried out by destroyers and APD's landing the 1st squadron, 5th US Cavalry Regiment. Gunfire support was provided by two US light cruisers. Initial opposition was light, prompting MacArthur to reinforce the troops on 2 March, with the remainder of the 5th Cav, the 105mm howitzers of the 99th Field Artillery, the 40th Construction Battalion, plus supporting units. Then Task Force steamed back to New Guinea to pick up additional forces.

On the morning of the 3rd, a Japanese patrol tried to land on beach from across Hyane harbor. The patrol was ambushed as it landed and all the members killed. Documents on the officers with the patrol indicated a major attack would be launched against the 5th Cav by all available troops. General Chase, conscious that he might be outnumbered 2 to 1, spent the day of the 3rd securing the airfield and digging in on the perimeter. At dusk, all US forces were emplaced in foxholes, trenches and captured Japanese bunkers.

At approximately 2015 hours the Japanese began probing attacks around the perimeter. These probes developed into two major attack from the North and the West. The attack by the 2nd battalion 1st Independent Infantry Regiment was repulsed by the 2nd squadron after a long vigilant night, and a large ammunition expenditure. Sporadic activity by the 51st Transportation Regiment and the 1st battalion, 229th Infantry Regiment, occurred on the southern flank of the 1st squadron. These minor attacks continued throughout the night but never amounted to more than occasional infiltration tactics.

The attack was a disaster for the Japanese Army. The northern attack was literally stopped dead. The southern attack, which never amounted to more than a nuisance, was driven off with ease. With their defeat went Japan's best chance of repelling the invasion. Never again would the Japanese mount a large scale attack in the Admiralties.

Sources

The Admiralties: Operations of the 1st Cavalry Division, 29 February-18 May 1944, Historical Division, War Department, Washington D.C. 1946.
Samuel E. Morision, History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, volume VI, Breaking the Bismarks Barrier, Little Brown Co. Boston 1990.
Frank Chadwick, Armies of the Second World War, volume 1, Game Designers Workshop, Bloomington IL, 1992.

Order of Battle

United States

Troop Quality: Experienced
Morale: 8

Elements, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division

Brigade Headquarters, with:

2 Antiaircraft batteries, each with:

40th Construction Battalion (Seabees), with:

3 Construction Companies, each with:

5th Cavalry Regiment, with:

1 command stand

1st Squadron, 5th Cavalry, with: 1 command stand

3 Troops, each with:

Weapons Troop, with:

2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, with:
Squadron Headquarters, with: 1 command stand

Weapons Troop, with:

99th Field Artillery, with:
1 command stand
1 FO stand

3 light batteries, each with:

NOTES

This organization deviates from the "book" TO&E. The changes are due to the limitations imposed by the "recon in force" nature of the operation. The initial landings by 2nd Sqdn. were constrained by the use of the DD's and APD'S. No equipment that could not be man-handled went with the 1st landing wave. On 2 March, the remainder of 5th Cav, still missing most of its heavy equipment was landed. Only the 99th Field Artillery and the 40th Seabee's-landing from LSTs-had close to all of their full TO&E.
Ammunition: The US has 5 tons of ammunition per artillery battery, and a reserve of 15 tons to supply the rest of the force.
The US has four bunkers available. The bunkers may be placed anywhere 6" or more from the front line positions.

Imperial Japanese Army

Troop quality: Experienced
Morale: 10

2nd (Iwakami) Battalion, 1st Independent Infantry Regiment, with:

Battalion Headquarters, with:

3 Infantry Companies, each with:

Weapons Company, with:

Labor Company, with:

4 porter stands

1st Battalion, 229 Infantry Regiment, with:

1 command stand

Infantry Gun Company, with:

3-5 Infantry Companies, each with:

Draft Company, with:

6 pack horse stands

Elements, Manus Garrison Unit (Colonel Ezaki):
Troop Quality: Experienced

51st Transportation Regiment, with:
<>Regimental Headquarters, with:

1 - 6 Infantry Companies, each with:

3 infantry stands

NOTES

The Japanese suffered from very poor coordination during this battle. To simulate this problem, no overall command or staff stands are given.
The primary defensive positions were to the west at Lorengau airfield. Most artillery and heavy equipment were concentrated there, at the expense of the Momote-Hyane harbor area.
The 51st Regiment is a composite formation of all available personnel, as such it does not follow the "normal" TO&E. Col. Ezaki, the regimental commander, was also the island garrison commander.

SCENARIO INFORMATION SETUP:

US forces are deployed first. The 5th Cavalry regiment is deployed along the perimeter of the airfields road. Starting in the South, set up the 2nd squadron, 5th Cav, then clockwise, the 1st Squadron, 5th Cav. All stands (except command, brigade headquarters company, and mortar) are on the line, with no reserve. The 40th Construction Bn. deploys behind the 1St squadron. All 81 mm mortars are grouped in the center of the beachhead. The 99th Field Artillery deploys at the east edge of the airfield, South of the peninsula. The 40mm AA guns are deployed on the west edge of the peninsula, while the AAMG stands are attached two to each squadron. All stands begin the game in entrenchment/weapons pits.

Japanese forces are deployed according to the attack arrows on the map. The 2nd/1st Independent Infantry along the north and west roads, the lst/229th Infantry and 51st Regiment along the south table edge.

Game Start: The game begins at 2015 hours. The game continues until either the Japanese suspend the attack or the 0600 hours turn occurs.

Victory Conditions: Marginal-the Japanese must capture the airfield, Major-recapture airfield and the village, Decisive-eliminate the 5th Cav. Any other result is a US victory.

Large Version of Map (slow: 144K)
Jumbo Version of Map (slow: 694K)

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The U.S. 1st Cavin the Admiralties

A Scenario forCommand Decision(2nd Edition)

Sources

Order of Battle

United States

NOTES

Imperial Japanese Army

NOTES

SCENARIO INFORMATION SETUP:

The U.S. 1st Cav
in the Admiralties

A Scenario for
Command Decision
(2nd Edition)