The Old Breed

[Morton]

This is a on going game I have been playing in Arsenal of Democracy. It is the story of the 1st Marine Division's campaign in the Pacific. [Note: This is not historical] [To be funny I will use some names from our unit. Or not if you don't want me too. Just pm me and I'll add or remove your name.]

"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, January 18th, 1942 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan..." -President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on Jan. 19th declaration of war.

The war started so unexpectedly. I mean one day I was laughing with the guys and smoking cigarettes and then the next we were summoned to a Battalion wide address by Maj. Parker. It was a real surprise.

"Gentleman I have some grave news. As of yesterday we were attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy. This means we are at war..." He paused to let that sink in. "We have received orders to assemble and ship out form San Diego Port. The destination will be told to you en route. The road ahead of us is long and rocky. But I have faith in you men. See you on broad and God speed."

The next week we spent packing up equipment and stewing in our anger. How dare they attack us. Roberts boasted that he would be the one to put a bullet in Togo's head. Crack shot that Roberts. It was a rough week. But the voyage was worst. It was cramped and smelled like vomit and sweat. And Fear. None of us wanted to die on a stupid transport ship, or worst slowly die of exposure in the ocean. The crowding was so bad the bunks were stacked 6 high. 1stSgt Swartz tried to start calisthenics sessions up but there was no room to exercise so it didn't catch on. we

We found out we were going to reinforce the garrison on Guam. A suicide run in my books but we were assured the Navy that the waters were clear of Togos but with the navy you could never tell...

We arrived at Guam without incident and started to off load equipment. The Togos must have made a mistake not taking the island when they had the chance. We settled in and fortified our position and waited for the Japanese assault.

NEXT THE 1st BATTLE OF GUAM! [As soon as I get a chance to write it up]

[Morton]

February 2nd 1942: Its winter back home. Probably snowing right now and I'm sweating my ass off on the lovely tropical Island of Guam. Its been a rough week. The Togos have been bombarding the island for days. On January 29th the Navy's Task force Pacific took a beating form the IJN. Scuttlebutt says we lost the Ranger and the Battleships Arkansas and Maine It was a real blow to moral. A lot of the guys have come down with some sort of island sickness, including the Major, most got moved over to the hospital ship, but now with the Navy steaming towards Pearl, the other guys are crowding the infirmary. General MacArthur has us putting up defenses and generally fortifying the island. Hopefully it will stop them. Just long enough for us to put a bullet in them. The boys are getting restless, somethings going to happen soon, you can fell it on the air, their coming for us and we'll be ready.

February 10th 1942: The Togos started the attack the morning of the 3rd. An intense barrage of artillery, which lasted for 3 hours. I took shelter in the trenches we had built, and waited. I could hear some one sobbing. I Didn't care either for it could just have easily been me. The artillery stopped suddenly... A few of the sergeants had fought in the Great War and knew what happened next. We stood up and ready ourselves. I was next to the machine gun and took comfort in that. I know it was selfish but I felt that they would shoot at it before they shot at me. Their were transports in the water out in the bay, planes were flying overhead, luckily we had some Naval Bombers and Some Interceptors station here, as well as some dive bombers. An explosion shook the bay, a transport had been hit, the beach went up with a cheer. Then some mortars to my left, sent off a barrage. Then a lander took a direct hit and sunk, but by then we were too busy trying to stay alive to cheer. I raised my rifle to my shoulder and started firing on the enemy. So far we had them pinned on the beach.

Intelligence later reported that 4 divisions of IJN Naval Infantry were assaulting the island. Which made sense, the beaches were full of them, just swarming over the beach. It took them over a day but they finally took the beach, pushing us back to the airfield, God bless the 205th C.A.S. for all the support they laid down. We hunkered down and waited for the next attack.

Next Part Two of the Battle of Guam.