Eisenhower in the Pacific: Part 1 The Shoestring Warriors of Luzon

[marathag]

Tommy guns and trench guns are just the right tools that a jungle based insurgency is going to need. The Japanese are in for a miserable occupation.

Except Thompsons were very expensive prewar, you could almost buy two Model 70s for a single SMG, though the Model 70 wasn't cheap, either, $120 each

While many Remington Enfields were in storage, many were also surplussed out to the NRA and other companies.

Remington made a civilian version of that Rifle, the Model 30 until 1940, when it was modified to the Model 720. They sold for around $90. With so many surplus guns around, it wasn't a hot seller for Remington till postwar, where after a few more models, became the Model 700, that was very successful.

 

[galveston bay]

Except Thompsons were very expensive prewar, you could almost buy two Model 70s for a single SMG, though the Model 70 wasn't cheap, either, $120 each

While many Remington Enfields were in storage, many were also surplussed out to the NRA and other companies.

Remington made a civilian version of that Rifle, the Model 30 until 1940, when it was modified to the Model 720. They sold for around $90. With so many surplus guns around, it wasn't a hot seller for Remington till postwar, where after a few more models, became the Model 700, that was very successful.

hence only 1,000 Thompsons

 

[NHBL]

hence only 1,000 Thompsons

Did they get the military version of the Tommy Gun, that could only take the stick magazine, or did they end up with ones that took drums also?

 

[Driftless]

Except Thompsons were very expensive prewar, you could almost buy two Model 70s for a single SMG, though the Model 70 wasn't cheap, .

By mid to late 1942, if the Philippine resistance is full on, you might see an earlier appearance of the M3, or a .45 caliber Austin? But that's rushing the story...

 

[Oldbill]

I'm going to disagree on the wisdom of purchasing the Model 70. It is a civilian arm, however well made, and I have doubts it will be as durable as a rifle made for military use. You will also need to have a bayonet lug attached, a stripper clip feed installed, and a longer fore end stock, sling swivels and military types sights. With the changes in TTL so far, I think the US Army may be arm twisted into providing the Enfields.
Should they not do so, I'd attempt to use Winchester M1895's instead. These have been proven in combat, and are still in production by Winchester. The caliber change from 7.62x54 to 30.06 is a small one, as is the milling of the charger guides and installation of US type bayonet lugs and other items.

 

[Oldbill]

Thompson's are an excellent weapon (have yet to fire one, damnit...) but expensive to make, and I wonder how many you can get in time. As an alternative, contract with the Spanish Astra company to produce a version of their "Broom Handle Mauser" copy in .45. The Chinese did so, so this isn't that hard. Smaller magazine, but the basic design was widely used. As to regular sidearms, again, stick with what you can easily get. I'd suggest S&W Model 10's in .38 spcl., or the M1917 in .45. Either are readily available. By sticking primarily with US made weapons, your showing your serious, and you've become a market for US manf. By contracting with Astra, your showing your willing to go elsewhere. (Not to mention the cool factor of seeing Filipino troops with .45 Broomhandles..)
Your artillery is going to be problematic. My unsolicited suggestion is to take a page from the Chinese and the Soviets and invest heavily in mortars. These are simple to manf. (you may well be able to set up local production in the P.I) just as the Chinese did. Ammunition is dead simple to make, cast iron bodies with a contact type fuze, again, within the capabilities of the PI if an investment is made. The Chinese made such weapons up to 6", on wheeled carriages. The advantages of such weaponry are that they are considerably cheaper to make (or buy) easier to use and easier to shag ass with. You need several draft animals to haul a 75mm gun, limber and carriage. For a mortar of 60- 81mm, you need a bunch of motivated guys, ie, they are the ideal weapon if you need to go from regular ops to guerilla warfare.

Not sure about automatic weapons yet, you may well be short on these, such as BAR's and MG.s
The PI have a very, very long tradition of Martial Arts, often centered around the use of the Bolo. To promote a sense of accomplishment and national pride, every recruit should receive one on his graduation from Basic. This is a mark of pride, like the Gurkhas, it sets them apart from all other militaries, and if used half as well as they were during the "Pacification" period, the IJA will learn to fear them.

 

[galveston bay]

Thompson's are an excellent weapon (have yet to fire one, damnit...) but expensive to make, and I wonder how many you can get in time. As an alternative, contract with the Spanish Astra company to produce a version of their "Broom Handle Mauser" copy in .45. The Chinese did so, so this isn't that hard. Smaller magazine, but the basic design was widely used. As to regular sidearms, again, stick with what you can easily get. I'd suggest S&W Model 10's in .38 spcl., or the M1917 in .45. Either are readily available. By sticking primarily with US made weapons, your showing your serious, and you've become a market for US manf. By contracting with Astra, your showing your willing to go elsewhere. (Not to mention the cool factor of seeing Filipino troops with .45 Broomhandles..)
Your artillery is going to be problematic. My unsolicited suggestion is to take a page from the Chinese and the Soviets and invest heavily in mortars. These are simple to manf. (you may well be able to set up local production in the P.I) just as the Chinese did. Ammunition is dead simple to make, cast iron bodies with a contact type fuze, again, within the capabilities of the PI if an investment is made. The Chinese made such weapons up to 6", on wheeled carriages. The advantages of such weaponry are that they are considerably cheaper to make (or buy) easier to use and easier to shag ass with. You need several draft animals to haul a 75mm gun, limber and carriage. For a mortar of 60- 81mm, you need a bunch of motivated guys, ie, they are the ideal weapon if you need to go from regular ops to guerilla warfare.

Not sure about automatic weapons yet, you may well be short on these, such as BAR's and MG.s
The PI have a very, very long tradition of Martial Arts, often centered around the use of the Bolo. To promote a sense of accomplishment and national pride, every recruit should receive one on his graduation from Basic. This is a mark of pride, like the Gurkhas, it sets them apart from all other militaries, and if used half as well as they were during the "Pacification" period, the IJA will learn to fear them.

there is a definite requirement to buy American as far as the Commonwealth government is concerned, which definitely limits things.

Otherwise, the Nationalist Chinese weapons would be pretty good choices for the Commonwealth

 

[galveston bay]

I'm going to disagree on the wisdom of purchasing the Model 70. It is a civilian arm, however well made, and I have doubts it will be as durable as a rifle made for military use. You will also need to have a bayonet lug attached, a stripper clip feed installed, and a longer fore end stock, sling swivels and military types sights. With the changes in TTL so far, I think the US Army may be arm twisted into providing the Enfields.
Should they not do so, I'd attempt to use Winchester M1895's instead. These have been proven in combat, and are still in production by Winchester. The caliber change from 7.62x54 to 30.06 is a small one, as is the milling of the charger guides and installation of US type bayonet lugs and other items.View attachment 307807

the Winchester model was picked because of that commonality of ammunition and because it is bolt action instead of lever action and has a high reputation in the civilian market (hunting)

as it is going to be issued to combat support and general support troops the issue of durability and the bayonet are less of an issue than otherwise.

The ideal weapon for the Philippine Army is the M1 Carbine and the Johnson Rifle, but neither are available yet (now being available until 1942, while the arms choices were made 1937-38)

 

[StephenColbert27]

Thompson's are an excellent weapon (have yet to fire one, damnit...) but expensive to make, and I wonder how many you can get in time. As an alternative, contract with the Spanish Astra company to produce a version of their "Broom Handle Mauser" copy in .45. The Chinese did so, so this isn't that hard. Smaller magazine, but the basic design was widely used. As to regular sidearms, again, stick with what you can easily get. I'd suggest S&W Model 10's in .38 spcl., or the M1917 in .45. Either are readily available. By sticking primarily with US made weapons, your showing your serious, and you've become a market for US manf. By contracting with Astra, your showing your willing to go elsewhere. (Not to mention the cool factor of seeing Filipino troops with .45 Broomhandles..)
Your artillery is going to be problematic. My unsolicited suggestion is to take a page from the Chinese and the Soviets and invest heavily in mortars. These are simple to manf. (you may well be able to set up local production in the P.I) just as the Chinese did. Ammunition is dead simple to make, cast iron bodies with a contact type fuze, again, within the capabilities of the PI if an investment is made. The Chinese made such weapons up to 6", on wheeled carriages. The advantages of such weaponry are that they are considerably cheaper to make (or buy) easier to use and easier to shag ass with. You need several draft animals to haul a 75mm gun, limber and carriage. For a mortar of 60- 81mm, you need a bunch of motivated guys, ie, they are the ideal weapon if you need to go from regular ops to guerilla warfare.

Not sure about automatic weapons yet, you may well be short on these, such as BAR's and MG.s
The PI have a very, very long tradition of Martial Arts, often centered around the use of the Bolo. To promote a sense of accomplishment and national pride, every recruit should receive one on his graduation from Basic. This is a mark of pride, like the Gurkhas, it sets them apart from all other militaries, and if used half as well as they were during the "Pacification" period, the IJA will learn to fear them.

This wouldn't be too far from OTL, actually. According to Wikipedia, the 1st Fillipino Regiment used Bolos as close quarters weapons during World War II. Going from there to a standard issue weapon/weapon of national pride wouldn't be such a leap.

 

[kclcmdr]

Pity there is no way for Ike to inquire about ordering Jeeps early on.

Those vehicles would be able to tow the 37mm cannons plus carry the 30cal and 50cal. MGs plus the 81mm mortar and ferry supplies, troops and retrieve wounded front the fluid front lines...

 

[SwampTiger]

Instead of the Thompson, request Winchester to update the 1907 SL by starting with the police model, change the charging rod to a short handle from the action, lightening the gun and utilizing the select fire mechanism from WW I. The police and eastern deer hunters bought thousands in the '20's and '30's. The round was 180 gr @ 1850 fps for 1370 ft lbs (18g @ 570 mps for 1900J). It would require a shorter length of pull and heavier recoil springs to slow the rate of fire from the nominal 600-700 rpm. Gangsters added front grips and compensators in the USA.

 

[SwampTiger]

Oops, the military version sold to France was full auto, select fire during WW I. It used 15 and 20 round magazines.

 

[marathag]

Pity there is no way for Ike to inquire about ordering Jeeps early on.

Those vehicles would be able to tow the 37mm cannons plus carry the 30cal and 50cal. MGs plus the 81mm mortar and ferry supplies, troops and retrieve wounded front the fluid front lines...

Dodge was making the 1/2 ton 4x4 TC model in truck and car forms

OTL, the Army ordered the WC in large numbers the next year, and those were later known as 'Beeps', Big Jeep

 

[RyderWest]

Can the TC truck mount machine guns too?

.50 cal armed jeeps will be very good at fire suppression as well as the destruction of fortifications, light vehicles and armoured cars. Something the IJA have a lot of.

 

[marathag]

Can the TC truck mount machine guns too?

.50 cal armed jeeps will be very good at fire suppression as well as the destruction of fortifications, light vehicles and armoured cars. Something the IJA have a lot of.

Anything put on a Jeep, could be done with these

 

[RyderWest]

Anything put on a Jeep, could be done with these

That's great.

Now Ike needs to get the .50 cal machine guns and the TC jeeps to the Philippines and it will be all good.

 

[Oldbill]

the Winchester model was picked because of that commonality of ammunition and because it is bolt action instead of lever action and has a high reputation in the civilian market (hunting)

as it is going to be issued to combat support and general support troops the issue of durability and the bayonet are less of an issue than otherwise.

The ideal weapon for the Philippine Army is the M1 Carbine and the Johnson Rifle, but neither are available yet (now being available until 1942, while the arms choices were made 1937-38)

This will still require redesign of the receiver to take a charger guide. I honestly don't know that any military would, at that time, accept a rifle without the ability to affix a bayonet to it. As to the reliability issue, the M1895 was as good as many of the bolt action types that fought in WWI.
Or, you could contract to have surplus arms from WWI re barreled to 30.06. Not sure you could get enough of any one type however so that may not work, but most (such as the Moisin's and Mauser types) will have sufficiently robust receivers to take the extra mv.

 

[galveston bay]

This will still require redesign of the receiver to take a charger guide. I honestly don't know that any military would, at that time, accept a rifle without the ability to affix a bayonet to it. As to the reliability issue, the M1895 was as good as many of the bolt action types that fought in WWI.
Or, you could contract to have surplus arms from WWI re barreled to 30.06. Not sure you could get enough of any one type however so that may not work, but most (such as the Moisin's and Mauser types) will have sufficiently robust receivers to take the extra mv.

not being a firearms expert I am inclined to accept your word. Suffice to say the Filipinos manage to get 13,000 civilian rifles to add to the limited stock of Enfield's (about a quarter of which have faulty receivers and no replacements for them)

 

[galveston bay]

1940 A Gallant Stand or Fight them at the Beaches: Debate over War Plan Orange 3
Reports reach Parsons over the effectiveness of Japanese tanks against the Chinese Army as well as the reports of the effectiveness of the German panzers in Poland. He and Eisenhower had several deep discussions over the previous year, and Eisenhower is convinced, with tank support, and the formation of 3 infantry divisions with the trucks to move them, that a mobile force could attack the Japanese when they inevitably land at Lingayen Gulf (the assumed Japanese landing site for over 37 years) then there is a chance that the Japanese might be pushed back into the sea and valuable time purchased for the Philippines and the US Navy to fight its way to the rescue. The other choice, retreat to Bataan and hold out for six months will definitely delay the Japanese, but also will almost certainly not delay them long enough for rescue.

It is a risky strategy but if it fails, the mobile force should be able to retire to Bataan, where as a safety measure, the Philippine Army will be digging in and preparing the defense. If nothing else it will buy time to move everything useful to the final bastion defense and it will increase the Japanese casualties.

Parsons sends his recommendations to General Marshall in March 1940, where they are examined closely but Marshall simply has nothing to send him until September 1940, when the Selective Service Act is passed, the National Guard is federalized and massive defense spending is approved.

Parsons has actually asked for relatively small amount of reinforcement. The 65th Infantry Regiment (with its high number of Spanish speaking Puerto Ricans), a tank brigade, another cavalry regiment or the funds and equipment to raise one, permission to form two divisions out of the Philippine Scouts and US infantry (plus the reinforcing infantry regiment requested) to be designated the 12th and 23rd Infantry Divisions. He also requests sufficient artillery, vehicles and other equipment to form the planned Philippine Army 1st Division earlier than planned as well as some corps artillery and heavy equipment for his engineers. Parsons also wants some modern fighters and bombers, at least a group of each and Marshall begins talking to Hap Arnold about what can be provided and who can be sent to command it. The most urgent thing that Parsons asks for is a signals regiment, or at least a battalion as he is critically short on such support.

The main issue is that Marshall has only what can be spared after Lend Lease, US Army expansion, Hawaii, Panama and Alaska, leaving the Philippines far down the list in terms of what can be found to send them. For the rest of 1940 this will not be much, but he does order the 65th Infantry sent in September, authorizes the formation of the two divisions, and sends General Grunnert to assume command of the US I Corps, which will consist initially of only a headquarter but eventually, if Marshall can scrape some up, will have additional support and combat support units. While small arms can be found for the Philippine 1st Infantry Division, and extra machine guns and even the trucks, the problem of artillery units remains one of shortage. Marshall does persuade Roosevelt to part with some discretionary funds however, matching dollar for dollar what the Commonwealth spends, and thus doubles the available budget for the Philippine Army. He also manages to increase funds for the Philippine Department by 20% and finds a National Guard Signals Battalion to send. Additional reinforcements will have to wait until 1941 however.

General Marshall and Secretary of War Stimson (who takes office in 1940) are able to persuade to Navy to release any spare artillery in the Philippine Islands to the US Army, which is in dire need of artillery for the expanded Filipino coast artillery branch. Mines for use in Lingayen Gulf are also found from Navy and Army stocks and ordered sent urgently. However in spite of their best efforts Stimson and Marshall are not able to persuade Roosevelt to order the Philippine Army into federal service as he is concerned that this will further antagonize Japan and he is trying to buy time.

However Parsons and new High Commissioner Sayre manages to persuade Quezon that a formal request from him might do the trick, particularly when in Japanese move into French Indochina in September 1940 and also signs the Tripartite Pact. In November 1940 Roosevelt is forced to accept Quezon's request, particularly in light of the fact he has already federalized the US National Guard.



The Philippine Department US Army January 1941
Headquarters US Army Philippines (Parsons)
Mobile Force
US I Corps (Major General Grunnart)

26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts)
12th Infantry Division - 31st US Infantry regiment, 43rd Philippines Scouts (PS) infantry regiment, 57th PS infantry regiment, 86th Field Artillery regiment (PS), plus support (10,000 men)
23rd Infantry Division - 65th US Infantry regiment, 45th PS infantry regiment, 47th PS infantry regiment, 88th field artillery regiment (PS) plus support (10,000 men)

attached
Philippine Army (PA) 1st MP regiment
PA 1st Engineer brigade

Lingayen Gulf defense area (Ord)
2nd PA Engineer brigade
11th PA Division (provisional) w 1st PA Coast Defense regiment (lacks artillery)(1,600 men) 2nd PA MP regiment (1,200 men)
21st PA Division (provisional) w 2nd PA Coast Defense regiment (lacks artillery)(1,600 men) 3rd PA MP regiment (1,200 men)


Bataan defense area
4th PA MP regiment (1,200 men)
3rd PA Engineer brigade, 5th PA engineer brigade


Airfield construction central Luzon

4th PA engineer brigade, 6th PA engineer brigade

Manila
6th, 11th, 12th PA MP regiments
1st PA Infantry Division (forming)

Harbor Defense Command (Subic and Manila Bays)
59th US coast artillery regiment, 60th US coast artillery regiment (antiaircraft)
91st PS coast artillery regiment, 92nd PS coast artillery regiment
Marine Corps detachment Subic Bay (a small battalion in size)
5th PA MP regiment

outside of Luzon
7th and 8th PA engineer brigades
7th, 8th, 9th, 10th PA MP regiments

 

[Alamo]

About half way down the site listed above is a photo of a group of P-26 Peashooters, some airmen and up in the corner of the grainy photo, a lone twin engine plane that could be a Beech

The Philippine military received several donated civilian airplanes in its early years from private individuals. It's possible that's one of them.