It's more fun in the Philippines

[Hardin]

This is a gameplay AAR for the Philippines featuring a complete 1936 to 1948 play-through with vanilla TFH.

I originally posted it to Reddit but a couple of people suggested I should cross post it here.

The Situation In 1936

Geography

The Philippines is a large chain of islands off the South East Coast of China. It stretches from the just south of Taiwan/Formosa all the way down to Indonesia/Borneo. While there are countless islands in general the country is divided into three distinct territories - Luzon (the largest island) in the North, The Visayas - a varied group of mid sized islands in the centre and Mindanao, the large island in the South of the archipelago - with a predominantly Muslim population. The main city, Manila, is located in Luzon, whilst the main city of the Visayas is Cebu and Mindanao's main city is Davao.

Technology

The Philippines in 1936 has many limitations - not least in the technological department.

As such specialisation is very important. In this case we concentrated on upgrading basic militia/infantry techs, artillery techs in order to be able to create some basic infantry divisions that were not completely outclassed - as well as some basic industrial skills to improve productivity.

Despite completely ignoring naval and air techs (as well as many land tech trees i.e. armour) it is still hard to gain or maintain even infantry parity with the other world powers who start in a much more enviable position technology wise.

Military

The Philippines starts out with one Garrison Division consisting of 3 Brigades - and that's it. With a huge coastline and at least 7 ports to cover that is clearly an inadequate defence force so immediately plans are laid out to expand the Philippines military. Of course such plans are highly restricted by the Philippines capacity to build and support new units and its limited manpower. With such limitations it was decided to build a series of additional garrison brigades with one artillery brigade produced for every 3 garrision brigades produced. The initial plan was to build at least six additional divisions to at least defend each port.

Governance

Sadly there is not many options to improve the Philippines at the outset and things do not improve very much as time progresses. Governance was therefore one of the most ignored elements of this play-through.

Industry

The Philippines starts out with an extremely poor industrial base. However, due to manpower limitations only a limited number of military units could be constructed at any one time, so the additional productivity was dedicated to slowly building up the Philippines industry - focusing on Manila and the neighbouring strategic province of Clark.

Espionage & Diplomacy

The need to catch up technologically - as well as equip new divisions with officers meant that very little cash could be spared for espionage and diplomacy. The intelligence services were instructed to utilise all of their limited resources domestically - hunting down foreign spies - and doing whatever they could to boost national unity.

1936 - 1942

As the world went to war the Philippines sat on the sidelines and watched. This all changed in late 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour. As a de-facto ally of the United States the Philippines was now at war with its northern (and much more powerful) neighbour. Despite fears on an immediate attack everything remained relatively peaceful for the Filipino people through until early 1942 - but things were about to change.

1942 Map:

Between 1936 and 1942 the Philippines successfully built an additional 6 Garrison divisions. These had been successfully upgraded to infantry divisions just prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. In addition investments in Filipino industry had enhanced the nation's ability to sustain its units.

February 1942 - The First Japanese Invasion (Luzon)

In February 1942 around 6 to 8 Japanese Marine divisions invade the Philippines just south of Manila. Luckily Manila is well garrisoned and other defence forces are rushed to defend the port. This included an Australian marine division that was generously contributed by the Australian government. Despite being outclassed by the elite Japanese divisions the Filipino and Australian forces manage to defend the city during a fierce battle.

Additional units are brought in to stabilise the front lines - albeit at the cost of exposing other sections of the Philippines to Japanese attack.

Despite being outnumbered and outgunned the Filipino defence forces hold on and after a couple of months the the Japanese landing force runs low on supplies without the benefit of a port to resupply. This allows the Filipino army goes onto the offensive - successfully destroying the starving invaders. It was not sure exactly how many Japanese divisions were lost in this debacle but estimates ranged between 5 and 8.

This first battle resulted in a clear victory for the Philippines defence forces.

The people celebrated.

But not for long.

 

[Baltasar]

Fascinating idea!

 

[Ikarases]

Wow, now I see why the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor first!

 

[sethlee75]

This is actually a good idea. Enjoyed the update, looking forward to the next.

 

[Einheit_elf]

Subbed!

 

[Hardin]

Thanks for the support and follows

The story now continues:

The Second Japanese Invasion (Mindanao) - May 1942

The joyous Filipino citizenry did not have long to celebrate. Within a few days of clearing the Japanese forces from Luzon, word came that the Japanese were assaulting the southern island of Mindanao.

The Philippines Army had used almost every division to defeat the initial invasion in Luzon and had not had time to redeploy. As a result Mindanao was completely undefended and the Japanese surged ashore seizing the critical port city of Davao.

The Filipino government immediately ordered its army south to do what it could to halt the latest Japanese invasion - and once again the Australians lend one of their marine divisions to the cause.

The Battle For Mindanao

Philippines forces rushed south and some units actually succeeded in reaching northern Mindanao ahead of the advancing Japanese.

US General Macarthur led an immediate counterattack which was successful in forcing a Japanese marine division to retreat - but that was the only victory.

It became clear that the Japanese had landed in force and did not face the same supply issues as their first campaign.

Despite bitter defence the better equipped, trained and numerous Japanese divisions pushed the Filipino and Aussie defenders backwards.

Eventually the order was given to abandon Mindanao and make a stand on the Visayan islands of Cebu and Tacloban.

Amazingly all of the allied divisions managed to cross the strait successfully - despite Japanese efforts to trap and destroy them.

The battered and disorganised defenders started to regroup - but it didn't look like the Japanese would give them a chance to recover - launching an immediate attack on Cebu.

What miracle could save the Philippines now?

 

[Ikarases]

I guess the worst thing that could've met you was that the AI actually uses marines to cross all the straits you have, leaving you without much of an advantage against them.

 

[Hardin]

In this particular game the Japanese loved their Marine divisions...

 

[Ikarases]

In this particular game the Japanese loved their Marine divisions...

I'm just pointing out the fact that when a "regular" strait occurs (Sicily, Denmark, Peloponese), AI just loves to throw units with +90% amphibious penalty across it. I guess nobody was able to spot it while testing back then, as AI doesn't use these actively (it doesn't know what defense in depth is) and while playing a major, one can bypass the situation, either with paratroopers or landing behind the force. You're in a sucky situation where there'll be always at least a few of the enemy marines, as you are on an island, so that's why the AI is doing it right now

 

[Hardin]

June 1943 - The Defence of the Visayas (Cebu & Tacloban)

Once it became clear that Mindanao was going to be lost the Philippines Government appealed to the Allies for help and they responded in three ways.

1) An Allied fleet entered the Mindanao Sea and halted the initial Japanese invasion of Cebu. This timely intervention was absolutely critical as it gave the Filipino units - heavily battered in the defence of Mindanao - an opportunity to recuperate and dig in. While the Japanese shortly followed up with fresh attacks on Cebu and Tacloban - the defenders were dug in on the beaches and the Japanese could not dislodge them - taking many, many thousands of casualties in repeated assaults.

2) The Philippine Government asked the US and UK to do what they could to recover Davao City - to cut the Japansese supply lines. The Allies launched numerous attempts to recapture Davao - all of which failed as the initial landings in neighbouring provinces were not backed up with additional troops. While these repeated attacks failed they did prevent the Japanese from concentrating all their estimated 15 to 20 divisions in Mindanao in an attack against the Visayas, as they were regularly having to send troops south to defend Davao.

3) In addition to the help listed above, the Allies also contributed to the Filipino cause with Lend Lease. Due to a lack of transports this support only trickled in very slowly initially - but as the Philippines Government built up its merchant navy (despite regular losses to the Japanese) the assistance really started flowing in. This helped the Philippines to reach 90 Industrial Capacity as the war continued. This assistance helped the Philippines Government to build an additional 3 infantry divisions. This brought the nations's total strength to 10 division (including the marine division on loan from the Australians). Even though they had the industrial capacity to build more divisions a lack of manpower meant that this was not possible without risking the reinforcement of existing units on the frontline in the Visayas. Nevertheless the additional Industrial Capacity was put to good use in other creative ways to assist the war effort against the Japanese.

All of these factors helped the Philippines to stalemate the war in the South with 6 Divisions guarding the straits and a further 4 Divisions guarding other areas of the Philippines.

By June 1943 the situation on the front lines looked like this:

Elsewhere in the world the situation looked bleak for the Allies.

Operation Barbarossa had been launched and looked to be making good headway versus the Soviets. Japan had held on to its Pacific islands and was expanding across Asia - including making progress towards India via Burma. Italy had succeeded in pushing British and Commonwealth forces back in North Africa - gaining much of Egypt - although the British still held the Suez Canal.

1943 Map

July 1944 - The Visayan Stalemate Continues

Throughout the course of 1943/1944 Filipino forces came under repeated attack in their new citadels of Cebu and Tacloban but the Japanese army - forced to invade against well dug in troops suffered horrendous losses. Meanwhile US/UK troops continued to make frequent attempts to try and retake Davao in Mindanao - which all failed - but succeeded in keeping the Japanese from dedicating all their forces to the invasion of the Visayas.

While the Philippines continued to enjoy excess Industrial Capacity due to Lend Lease, the country could not build any more infantry units due to manpower issues. The constant Japanese attacks on Cebu and Tacloban may have been costing them many more soldiers than the Philippines - but they were easily able to replace such losses - whereas the Philippines couldn't.

The one good thing that did come out of the Japanese attacks was that Filipino Generals were improving significantly as they gained in experience. This was crucial in maintaining the stalemate.

Less good news for the Allies though in the rest of the world.

The Germans had continued to make gains at the Soviet's expense - and that country was on the verge of collapse. The Japanese had pushed the British out of Burma and were making huge gains in lightly defended India. Despite its growing power the US had made no intervention of note in the war so far - and had still failed to recapture any of the islands captured by Japan in the early stages of the war. The only bright spot was the fact that the British and the rest of the allies had succeeded in completely wiping out the Italian presence in North Africa (note the Canadian foothold in North West Africa).

1944 Map

 

[Baltasar]

Any idea what the US AI is up to?

 

[Hardin]

Not much quite frankly... Their most useful contribution to the Philippines cause was lend lease and the very occasional appearance of their fleet.

 

[Ikarases]

You might want to set allied objectives elsewhere than Davao (wherever you control a port). You're be better of having those divisions at your disposal than have them suicided in such a passion.

 

[Hardin]

That's a good point - although I have already completed this play-through so cannot change what happened now. As it happens the Allied assaults on Davao did actually produce something constructive (eventually) - which I will probably cover in the next update...

 

[sebas379]

Interesting AAR here! Nice idea to play the Phillipines, don't think I've seen that before. Hopefully the USA can take care of some of the Japanese navy so you can attempt to retake our country.
I'll await the continuation of this story eagerly!

 

[Hardin]

August 1945 - Bringing The War To The Enemy

The stalemate continued into 1945. The Japanese launched persistent attacks which continued to wear away at Filipino manpower - but they could not breakthrough.

With Lend Lease aid continuing to flood into the country from the UK and the US the Philippines Government had to demonstrate that these resources were being useful utilised against the Japanese. As well as fortifying and improving industry in some key provinces the Philippines Government also embarked on two other major initiatives.

The first was a decision to build three wings of Naval Bombers on license from the US which were intended to focus on Japanese convoys to Mindanao - in an effort to deprieve the Japanese forces of supplies. Due to the expense of these wings their production was staggered with the final Wing only entering service in late 1945.

Although the Philippines had not conducted any research in the aeronautical field their newly formed naval bomber force was still successful in sinking Japanese ships on a reasonably regular basis - however this did not seem to have any effect on their troops in Mindanao.

In addition to their convoy hunting, the naval bombers were also deployed in a Ground Attack role on several occasions when Japanese breakthroughs appeared to be imminent. As they were not designed for this role their direct impact was limited - but their appearance certainly improved the morale of the Filipino defenders and in this way they did have a positive influence on the outcome of several battles. Domestically the naval bombers were also a useful propoganda tool in convincing the war weary Filipino population that the loss of Mindanao was not being ignored.

The second decision of the Philippines Government was to fully fund and equip insurgent and guerrilla forces in Mindanao. Government operatives sneaked onto the island and and a significant number of underground cells were created. Arms and ammunition flowed to these groups but they were instructed not to give themselves away until an opportune moment arrived.

Elsewhere things continued to go badly for the Allies. The broken Soviets were finally forced to the negotiating table and signed over vast swathes of their territory in a deal known as the 'Bitter Peace'. In Asia the Japanese had continued their relentless march through India and, apart from a few holdouts, had succeeded in driving the British out. In North Africa the Italians tried to regain some of their lost territories with an amphibious invasion of Algeria - but the odds still looked against them as the Germans had not committed themselves to the invasion.

1945 World Map

August 1946 - The Battle For Mindanao (Part II)

In July 1946 US forces made one more valiant attempt at capturing Davao. While this attack would ultimately fail - it was the trigger the Philippines Government was waiting for to unleash its underground cells in open revolt. Filipino militia divisions sprang up across Mindanao and these, combined with the American attempt to liberate Davao, cause the Japanese army to panic. It immediately withdrew several divisions from the Visayan/Mindanao strait to combat the uprisings and this finally gave the Philippines forces in the Visayas an opportunity to go on the offensive themselves.

After bitter fighting on the beaches the Philippines Army succeeded in crossing the strait. The delay in crossing almost proved the Philippines undoing though as the Japanese had by now crushed the American invasion force and the weak insurgent brigades.

Nevertheless the insurgents had dragged the Japanese army out of position and the Filipinos were able to take advantage of this to finally secure the port of Davao. Despite desperate Japanese counterattacks the Philippines Army maintained its grip on Davao and the Japanese forces (estimated to be between 10 and 15 division) gradually lost fighting power and cohesion as they ran out of supplies.

The liberation of Mindanao was at hand and once again Filipino citizens were in a celebratory mood...

...And then this happened...

October 1946 - The Japanese Empire Strikes Back - Invasion of Luzon (Part II)

Just as senior Philippines officials began to hope that they were finally on the point of evicting the Japanese from the archipelago word came of a new blow.

The Japanese had been gathering new Divisions to relive their beseiged forces in Mindanao - however when they realised that Davao was lost they decided to redirect these forces and instead opted for a wholescale invasion of Luzon - landing 5 marine divisions in the vicinity of Manila.

In its eagerness to finally crush the Japanese forces in Mindanao the Filipino army had left just 3 divisions to defend the main island of Luzon and these were significantly outnumbered and outmatched.

While Mindanao was on the point of being liberated - it seemed like everything else would be lost. Manila - the nation's capital and industrial hub was under threat.

Could the Filipinos fight back yet again?

 

[sebas379]

I fear this war is going to end in stalemate. With Japan controlling all of India and, as far as I can see, the important parts of the Dutch East Indies, they won't starve of resources or manpower anytime soon.
With the BP in Europe, I don't think the allies have the strenght to retake Europe, so all you can hope for is a massive US invasion of Japan I guess. And then an allied-German cold war....

Good luck fighting off yet another invasion though! I really like how the AI is really putting effort into taking you down, it's constantly tense yet not hopeless. Good luck.

 

[Hardin]

November 1946 - Manila in Peril - Mindanao Liberated

The Philippine Army scored its second great success of the war - successfully destroying an estimated 10 to 15 under-supplied and starving Japanese divisions in Mindanao - BUT all their hardwork was about to be undone. Japanese forces had captured Manila after a brief battle as well as the strategic Clark Airbase just to the North of the city. In addition the Japanese had also made an additional landing in the province of Palawan.

Filipino troops rushed North from Mindanao but all seemed to be lost. It was surprising that the Philippine Government did not simply surrender at this point - but after the two earlier victories in Luzon and Mindanao it is possible they expected another miracle.

February 1947 - The Second Battle For Manila

Filipino forces, aided by two Australian and one US division successfully recaptured Manila after a bloody and costly battle. Once again the fighting prowess of Filipino soldiers gave heart and hope to their countrymen.

However, Japanese forces were now flooding ashore in Northern Luzon and Palawan. The stretched defence forces could not cover every port and the Japanese - fresh from their victories across Asia - poured more and more troops into the Philippines - their primary active war-zone. The future looked bleak.

April 1947 - Clark Recaptured but Philippines Army Surrounded

Despite fighting a tough battle to recapture Manila the Philipinnes Army pushed on in an attempt to recapture the key airbase of Clark - located near the city of Angeles in Pampanga. By now the Japanese were consolidating their gains and reinforcing their front lines. However the quick assault on Clark took them by surprise and the Philippines Army succeeded in wresting the critical province back from the Japanese.

Elsewhere the news was all bad. The Japanese forces that had landed in Palawan had crossed through the Visayas and forced their way into Southern Luzon. This succeeded in splitting the Philippines Army in two with just three divisions maintaining a foothold in the Visayas at 'Fortress Cebu'. Would these three isolated divisions be able to resist the Japanese for long?

 

[Baltasar]

This does look grim. If only the US would get their act together...

 

[sebas379]

Well, it's taken them like 5 years but it looks like Japan is finally overpowering your defences... Which it really shouldn't due to the USA. But you'r putting up a good fight, well done! Do you think you can create some kind of redoute around Manilla and that port you still have? I think the best you can hope for now is to survive the game and pray for reinforcements from the States...