Dear developers and fellow commanders,
this (large) comment refers to the need for new maps for the Pacific campaign.
In my opinion, Gavutu and Guadacanal are not enough to represent the Pacific War. First of all, I know we recently got a new map (“New Georgia: Munda Point”), which was the battleground of Operation Toenails as part of Operation Cartwheel in 1943. I really like it, especially the cave complex is a cool feature. Also, I know that there is the new Argon campaign project that needs time to develop. But still, I think we need some more maps to complete the Pacific Arc: even though Enlisted announced at the beginning of the Pacific campaign that it would not focus on the well-known classic battlefields, but rather on more remote and unknown locations, it will probably be necessary to include the map of the well-known battlefields as well.
A). The battles (1. INFORMATION/2. ENLISTED)
1: Midway (info/enlist)
2: Saipan (info/enlist)
3: Guam (info/enlist)
4: Leyte (info/enlist)
5: Burma (info/enlist)
6: Battle of Luzone, Battle of Manila (info/enlist)
… (Part two → extra topic, 'cause 32.000 characters max and I had 64.000^^)
7: Iwo Jima (info/enlist)
8: Okinawa (info/enlist)[/floatl]9: Borneo/Operation Downfall (info)
B). Conclusion (Nr. 1–7)
From my point of view, a depiction of the course of the Pacific War from Midway 1942 onwards is necessary to improve the “feeling” of the missing atmosphere. But if you don’t want to read the historical part of the battles, you can skip it by going directly to the suggestions under the keyword “ENLISTED” or going to “B). Conclusion”. [HINT: This comment has a lot of pictures, some of them are showing battles or ruins]
I would like to point out some features with a chronological review of the Pacific War, starting with the Battle of Widway.
A). The battles
1). Midway (1942)
INFORMATION: The Battle of Midway Atoll was one of the first turning points in the Pacific War. In June 1942, Midway was the westernmost U.S. outpost in the Central Pacific. The strategic value of the islands was low due to their small size, which is why Japan initially avoided an invasion. However, it was suitable for refueling submarines, and because of its proximity to Pearl Harbor, the Americans had to defend the island. In preparation for its future operations, in retaliation for the Doolittle Raid (April 1942), and as an argument to force the U.S. to sign a peace treaty, Japan tried to force the U.S. into a decisive battle.
The result was different: the IJN lost 4 of its 6 large aircraft carriers with 250 aircraft, as well as many pilot trainers gathered for the operation. As a result of these heavy losses, both sides were roughly equal in strength, with the U.S. being significantly stronger economically. As a result, Japan was forced on the defensive for the first time: 2 months later, the U.S.A. attacked Guadalcanal, the IJN could only try to prevent the defeat of the Japanese Empire.
Because of this development, the U.S. was able to implement its “Germany First” strategy sooner than planned, thus ending the Nazi terror in Europe sooner.
ENLISTED: True, there was no ground battle (as far as I know). However, this battle had great significance and would be the perfect segue into the existing Guadalcanal campaign. In addition, the small size of the islands lends itself to a close battle. In this respect, Midway can be seen as a substitute for other small islands where battles have been fought. Furthermore, the landscape is very beautiful and reminds a bit of one of the BF-V Pacific maps. Therefore, the historical fact should not prevent the inclusion of Midway – or at least a map similar to this island – in the collection.
2). Saipan (1944)
INFORMATION: The U.S. wanted to conquer Saipan in order to use the island for air raids on Japan with B29 bombers; the attack took place in 1944. However, Japan ordered the islands to be fortified in 1940, including Saipan in 1941. The terrain is characterized by cliffs and jungle; defensive structures were built along the coast to destroy enemy landing troops on the beach. As a result, the battle began with intense bombing by aircraft and ships, followed by an amphibious landing. In contrast, the hinterland was not as heavily developed by the IJA, but there were still several concrete bunkers. These defensive positions in the jungle hindered the advance of the US troops. After several days of air raids and bombing, most of the Japanese defenses were destroyed. As a result, Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saitō was forced to retreat to the northern tip of the island on 05.07.1944 with about 5.000 troops. This left the IJA with only 2 options: Retreat or launch a final banzai attack. Saitō insisted on the banzai counterattack and gave the order on the morning of 06.07.1944; he himself committed seppuku. Although the Japanese were able to defeat the U.S. forces briefly, they were stopped and the area was retaken by the evening. Of the 26.000 IJA soldiers and 6.000 IJN soldiers, 26.000 died and 5.000 were captured. Another 5.000 were MIA, most likely having committed suicide. In addition, about 22.000 civilians died who, partly due to Japanese propaganda, jumped to their deaths from the northern tip in fear of the Americans (“Suicide Cliff”).
This victory was another turning point in the war in the Pacific. The Americans used Saipan for their B29 air raids on Japan, and the IJA troops on the neighboring islands of Tinian and Guam were demoralized, which were conquered shortly thereafter.
ENLISTED: Battleships firing on the battlefield and denser jungle maps with hidden bunkers.
3). Second Battle of Guam (1944)
INFORMATION: After the Japanese conquered the island from the U.S. shortly after the start of the war in 1941, orders were given in 1943 to turn Guam into a fortress because of its size, reefs, cliffs and airfields. On 21.07.1944, a heavy bombardment by the fleet and bombers destroyed every visible building and burned all the palm trees on the beach. However, the shelling did little damage to the caves and trenches, which were more than 4 km (2.5 miles) from the coast. This left fierce Japanese defensive nests and the landing U.S.M.C. and U.S. Army engaged in heavy fighting. They were pinned down on both beaches and supplies were difficult to organize. On 28.07.1944 both beachheads could be connected. The Japanese had few tanks, ammunition and rations left. Rain and jungle made it difficult for the Americans, but they attacked the main IJA defense line around Mount Barrigada. The line collapsed and a few Japanese soldiers held out in the jungle (On 24.01.1972, Sgt. Shoichi Yokoi was discovered by hunters. He lived alone in a cave for 28 years!). Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata withdrew his troops from the south to make a stand in the mountainous central or northern part of the island – he committed suicide on 11.08.1944. After the battle, 5 large airfields were built on Guam to support other operations.
Meanwhile, Tinian was taken and its 8.000-man garrison eliminated. Japanese remnants made a last stand in the caves and ravines of a limestone ridge on the southern part of the island. Later, the atomic bomb planes took off from Tinian.
ENLISTED:
aa) Map
As with Saipan, the setting for Guam would have to be a mountainous area with dense rainforest. In addition, a heavily bombed beach with a lot of scorched earth and plants.
One aspect that is almost completely missing from the game so far is destructible buildings. In the course of the Pacific campaign, this game mechanic was added in a toned-down version: straw huts whose side walls and roof can be destroyed, or the hut itself can be destroyed. Leaving these huts standing or destroying them results in different tactical starting positions, mainly characterized by more or less cover.
This feature is almost completely absent in the other campaigns - only temporary buildings made of sandbags (Berlin/Normandy) and simple wooden structures (e.g. shutters and balconies in Tunisia; simple wooden pergolas in Berlin) can be destroyed. Also light brick walls in Berlin.
Of course, the destructibility of buildings raises the problem that this feature can be abused by players. On the other hand, this allows tanks and planes, but also simple infantry with TNT and explosives, to adapt the environment to their needs. Bombing would also regain a bit of relevance after its original damage effect has been massively reduced, and is currently more of a hindrance than an advantage.
For this reason, you should proceed in several steps.
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- The first step is to examine the existing maps to see which buildings can be removed without causing significant strategic deterioration. Such buildings should then be made fully destructible, so that instead of a multi-story building, there is just a big pile of rubble at the end.
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- Then you should consider which buildings that have been important to the game experience so far can be made destructible in certain places (e.g. make certain walls that are only decorative destructible).
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- Once these steps have been taken, you should see which previously open entrances can be blocked, with these newly added walls being destructible. This would not change the tactical situation much, but the player would have to create them first (e.g: D-Day with the thick concrete walls that are destructible in some places).
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- Finally, you should consider making some structures within the buildings destructible. Again, it makes sense to use destructible walls to close open holes in the walls.
Finally, there is the question of how to display the destructibility. For tanks, you could consider adding a new color marker when they aim at such a wall (blue crosshairs instead of green). This is not necessary for planes; either the bombs/missiles hit something or they don’t - just like now.
For infantry, destructibility can be easily indicated by drawing small cracks on the surface (e.g. D-Day wall breakthrough).
A special feature would be to introduce a point for a map that can be conquered, but can be destroyed or at least broken open by massive use of explosives (this possibility existed in BF-4: “Siege of Shanghai” collapse of the tower). This is conceivable for a bunker on the D-Day map, for example, where a wall or ceiling section gives way after constant bombardment (e.g. the existing opening on the ceiling side of the German bunkers is only created after artillery fire and bombing).
There are also different degrees of destruction - from the total destruction of a building to a mere pile of rubble - and from the complete destructibility of a wall to only small holes in the wall, which only affect the game ambience rather than being really useful tactically.
In addition, as mentioned, destruction does not have to be uno acta, but can also take place through repeated attacks, with each attack leaving visible traces.
This aspect of the destructibility of the environment is particularly important for “Battle of Manila”.
- Finally, you should consider making some structures within the buildings destructible. Again, it makes sense to use destructible walls to close open holes in the walls.
4). Leyte
INFORMATION: The Battle of Leyte was the largest naval battle of WWII, and in history it saw the first kamikaze attacks of the Pacific War against the escort carrier Santee and HMAS Australia. During the battle, the IJN suffered its greatest loss of ships and crew ever. This battle secured the beachheads against attack from the sea. Meanwhile, underwater demolition teams swept mines and cleared beaches for troops.
Within an hour, the soldiers had secured the beachheads to receive heavy vehicles and supplies. As a result, General Shiro Makino moved his command post to the town of Dagami. A Japanese counterattack was repulsed; the IJA’s uncoordinated resistance was crushed and the U.S. troops pushed forward, later encountering heavy enemy resistance.
Under cover of artillery and naval gunfire, the soldiers advanced through the swamps south and west of the high ground at Labiranan Head, capturing an important IJA supply base. At the same time, soldiers reached the opposite side of Catmon Hill and fought the IJA. In the end, U.S. troops cleared 53 pillboxes, 17 caves and several heavy artillery positions. They also engaged spider holes with fanatical resistance. After the liberation of Dagami, Makino had to move his command post again, and the Allies prepared for battle in the mountains on the western side of Leyte. They were confronted with a nest of defensive positions with connecting trenches and many spider holes, the so-called “Breakneck Ridge”. In addition, the heavy rains of a typhoon and the resulting mud were an obstacle on the way up Kilay Ridge - on 14.12.1944, the area of Breakneck-Kilay Ridge was liberated.
As U.S. troops closed in on Ormoc City, IJAAS paratroopers launched a surprise attack on Buri Airfield, which was pushed back. The IJA defenders of Ormoc were quickly defeated the next day.
ENLISTED: The Pacific battlefields lack what are known as “spider holes.” These are trenches that are camouflaged with leaves and undergrowth so that soldiers can hide in them. In-game, this camouflage feature could be implemented by making it harder for players and AI bots in a spider hole to be detected by other real players and enemy AI. This defense system was also used on some other Pacific battlefields.
There are also few water and swamp areas on the previous maps, which soldiers can only advance through slowly. While this gives the defenders a bonus, it would be nice to have an area that is not easily accessible on at least one or two maps.
Another point I would like to mention is that there is very little cover against tanks and artillery on the maps so far. While this is not a problem in itself, the IJA often had fortified positions where they could survive these attacks unharmed. It would therefore be desirable, at least for new maps, to include some fortified positions that offer sufficient protection (i.e. are not just made of wood and straw).
In addition, there are few bunkers and no trenches for the Japanese. The solution to this problem is questionable. Either you recreate a historically accurate map, but there are few plans, or the developers create a fictional map that contains many of the elements (pillboxes/caves/tunnels/trenches/spider holes/heavy artillery positions).
I also feel that there are not enough dynamic weather effects in the Pacific maps. Allied attacks were often complicated by heavy rain and strong wind gusts. The (heavy) rain in the game does not necessarily have to impair visibility, but it does make aiming more difficult. As a dynamic effect, it is conceivable that the map could be played under different weather conditions:
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- no rain
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- no rain at the beginning, but it comes later
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- Rain at the beginning, but it stops later
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- Rain all the time
Different (dynamically evolving) times of day are also conceivable (morning/afternoon/evening) - and: at night (see Iwo Jima).
- Rain all the time
In addition: Ships off the island fighting each other - similar to Normandy, except that the ships aim at each other (possibly AI-controlled planes, but protected by strong air defenses, so that no farming is possible - as with the existing aircraft carrier).
The US Army could use a Ranger Battalion (6th Ranger Battalion) (England could also use an SBS to complement the SAS).
5). Burma
INFORMATION: The Allied attack on Burma was hampered by monsoon rains that limited the attack options. Although the main Japanese army was defeated in central Burma, it was crucial to capture the capital city of Rangoon and its port before the next monsoon rains to ensure supplies. It was feared that the Japanese would defend the city to the last man. As a result, paratroopers were used to facilitate the capture. However, General Kimura had already ordered a retreat, so the city was taken undefended. In a last attempt, the Japanese tried to free themselves in southern Burma, but suffered massive losses (14.000 soldiers). In all, 150.000 Japanese lost their lives and 1.700 became prisoners of war.
ENLISTED: As mentioned, you could add changing weather effects for the Pacific maps. Gray clouds with strong winds or heavy rain.
You could also add a special unit (event/premium) on the Japanese side: The Indian National Army (INA), made up of volunteers from Indian communities in Malaya and Burma.
6). Battle of Luzone, Battle of Manila
INFORMATION: The island of Leyte was the first objective of the campaign to recapture the Philippines; This was followed by the amphibious attack on Mindoro (13.12.-16.12.1945: no significant resistance with the exception of kamikaze-attacks) and later the Battle of Luzon.
aa) Battle of Luzone (I)
In preparation for “Operation S-Day”, deceptive maneuvers were carried out (e.g: Air raids on Southern Luzon; dropping of “paratrooper” dummies with parachutes; minesweepers on Southern Luzon), but General Tomoyuki Yamashita stuck to his - correct - tactical assessment that the attack would be on Northern Luzon, so he had fortifications and defense lines built around the Gulf. This northern region is characterized by a flat area from the coast to the Cordillera Central mountains, with a mixture of pine forest and tropical rain forest, with the IJA main army defending the Cordillera Mountains (152.000 troops). In the northeast, a long mountain range (Sierra Madre) rises a few kilometers from the coast and was defended by 3.000 IJA soldiers. The Caraballo Mountains in the south connect the Cordillera Central Mountains with the Sierra Madre, separating the Cagayan Valley from the flat terrain of central Luzon (Central Luzon Plain): 11.000 square kilometers (4.200 sq mi)). 30,000 IJA soldiers defended the Zambales Mountains.
On 09.01.1945, 70 battleships opened fire on the Japanese coastal positions, but were attacked by many kamikaze planes (47 ships damaged, 4 sunk). The landing troops received air support and in the first few days 175.000 soldiers landed on the 32 km (20 mi) long beachhead. On 15.01.1945, another landing took place 72 km (45 mi) southwest of the town of Malina. Meanwhile, the first assault troops were able to advance inland and did not encounter major resistance until 23.01.1945, when they reached Clark Air Base; after capturing it, these soldiers also advanced toward the city of Manila. MacArthur had limited the use of artillery and aircraft to avoid endangering civilians and buildings.
bb) Battle of Manila
Maps:
Pictures BEFORE 1945
Pictures during/after 1945
Malacañang Palace
The city of Manila - the capital of the Philippines - was captured by the IJA on 02.01.1942, after General MacArthur declared it an Open City to protect the inhabitants and buildings from destruction. In February 1945, the U.S. and the Philippines launched an attack to retake the city. This led to the Battle of Malina, which became the fiercest urban battle of the Pacific War; in all of WWII, only Berlin and Warsaw were more devastated.
General Yamashita had already withdrawn most of the IJA (270.000 troops) to Baguio, as he considered the defense of the big city strategically impossible (many civilians; large number of flammable buildings [e.g. bombardment of Tokyo in the night of 09-10.03.1945]) and tried to keep his army together by retreating from Manila to the Sierra Madre and Cordillera Central mountains. He therefore ordered all troops to withdraw, leaving only IJA security personnel (3.700) to destroy remaining bridges and key infrastructure to slow the Allied advance, but to withdraw when the Allies arrived. However, unlike MacArthur, he did not declare the city as an Open City. After Yamashita’s withdrawal, Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi (IJN) occupied the city with 16.000 soldiers, took command of the 3.700 IJA soldiers, and began destroying the infrastructure. Yamashita then demanded that Iwabuchi withdraw. However, Admiral Iwabuchi - although technically under General Tomoyuki Yamashita - insisted on a fierce defense of the city, so he ignored the retreat order several times. Instead, he obtained permission from Tokyo to defend the city to the last man, which greatly frustrated General Yamashita and complicated his planning. In preparation for the defense, trees were cut down to block roads, trenches and large obstacles were built on major streets, and even an airstrip was prepared for planes.
On 31.01.1945, 8.000 American paratroopers landed in Nasugbu and quickly marched on Manila. With about 12.000 Japanese defending the south of Manila with artillery, the attackers were stopped on the hills of Tagaytay. Two banzai attacks were launched, easily stopped by heavy defensive fire, but the Japanese tanks continued to push the Americans back until they were forced to retreat by heavy machine gun fire. On 03.02.1945, the first American soldiers reached the northern outskirts of the city. They captured a strategic bridge over the Tullahan River and the Malacañang Palace (seat of the “Japanese” government). Late on 04.02.1945, the U.S. Army attempted to capture the Quezon Bridge (the only bridge over the Pasig River that wasn’t destroyed). However, the Japanese defenders had built up strong defenses, and the attackers were driven back by machine-gun fire and Japanese tanks in the streets, whereupon the defenders blew up the bridge.
By 05.02.1945, there were about 38.000 Allied troops in the city. Although MacArthur had initially ruled out the use of artillery and aircraft (B-29/P-51), the defenders were so entrenched that they were forced to use them. The Japanese also used women and children as shields for the defense lines. The Novaliches Reservoir, 16 km from Manila, was captured on 06.02.1945, but IJA soldiers attempted to sabotage the water supply and were defeated the next day.
On 07.02., the IJN began a slow retreat toward the city center, and the U.S. Army captured district after district, securing the Paco and Pandacan districts from the Pasig River. The attack on the steam power plant on Provisor Island was the most costly. On 08.02.1945, most of the defenders were driven out of their sector with their defensive positions, but the damage to the infrastructure was very extensive, partly due to the attack of the U.S. forces and partly due to the destruction of the buildings by the IJN during their retreat. On 11.02.1945, the last of the Japanese outer defenses were secured, encircling the Japanese defenders in the city and repulsing a counterattack at the Novaliches Reservoir. On 12.02.1945 all communications of the defenders were cut.
To free the IJN, General Shizuo Yokoyama ordered Admiral Iwabuchi to retreat during an IJA counterattack on the night of 17.02.1945; however, the counterattack failed, leaving the IJN (6.000 troops) trapped in West Manila. The defenders retreated on 19.02.1945 to the 0.67 square kilometer (0.26 sq mi) “Intramuros” district, which was surrounded by walls and defenses. As a result, the Allies had liberated the New Police Station, City Hall and the General Post Office on 20.02.1945; the Manila Hotel was liberated on 22.02.1945. Only Intramuros and the legislative, financial, and agricultural buildings remained in Japanese hands. With the near-complete conquest of Manila, the city’s vital water supply was secured. On 20.02.1945, the Marikina River was crossed at Taytay and the soldiers reached the Sierra Madres mountain range, which had been developed into a strong fortification (e.g. retractable 105/155mm artillery pieces; MG nests) with a large number of tunnels and caves. To eliminate these nests as effectively as possible, the USAAF used low-level air strikes to drop napalm bombs into the cave entrances, after which the infantry fired HE shells and white phosphorus until they could penetrate with portable flamethrowers.
On the morning of 23.02.1945, the American assault on Intramuros began with 140 artillery pieces firing to create holes in the defenses through which the infantry advanced. The battle continued until 26.02.1945, when Admiral Iwabuchi and the other officers committed suicide. Houses, universities, churches and administrative buildings were destroyed – only the church of San Agustín survived.
In the following days, the last scattered Japanese defenders were eliminated, the Legislative Building was taken on 28.02.1945, the Agricultural Building on 01.03.1945, and the Treasury Building on 03.03.1945. MacArthur convened a provisional assembly of prominent Filipinos at Malacañan Palace and proclaimed the restoration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
The Intramuros district was completely captured on 04.03.1945.
(PART TWO)