Pajotas Guerillas POW Operation

Mission Statement
Pajota’s Guerillas mission was to promote the success of the 6th Ranger Battalion operation through preventing counter-attack by the Japanese infantry from Cabu. This would entail sealing off a mile of the road and holding it for 24 hours for the Rangers to have adequate time to attack the Pajota POW Camp and safely rescue of the US prisoners of war before being engaged by Japanese reinforcements. The guerrillas will also work with Alamo Squadron to offer necessary reinforcements to the Battalion to enhance the efficiency of the operation.
Commander’s Intent
The purpose of the 6th Ranger Battalion operation is to seal off a mile of the road in order for U.S. prisoners of war to be safely rescued before being engaged by Japanese Dokuho 359 forces. In this regard, Pajota guerrillas comprising five infantry squadrons will be deployed to establish a roadblock near the wooden bridge across the Cabu river. The establishment of the roadblock will be coordinated by Captain Pajota and the guerrillas. The coordinated operation will extract the POWs, destabilize the Japanese troops in and around the camp, and extract the POWs safely from the camp with as little impact to civilians as possible. The coordination of the Rangers, the Alamo Scouts, and the Pajota guerrillas will determine the success of the operation by acting as the first line of defense against Japanese Dokuho 359 forces[footnoteRef:1]. The guerrillas will hold the bridge and approaching roads and defend against Japanese reinforcements until the Rangers have successfully moved the POW’s to safety and ensuring the operation’s success[footnoteRef:2]. The operation will be considered a success by preventing Japanese reinforcements, achieving successful rescue of the POW’s, and destabilizing Japanese troops through little to no impacts on civilians. [1: King, Michael J. Rescue at Cabanatuan. 2016. http://www.4point2.org/cabanatuan.htm (accessed March 11, 2017).] [2: Menter, John M. The sustainment battle staff & military decision making process (MDMP) guide : for Brigade Support Battalions (BSB), Sustainment Brigades (Sus Bdes), and Combat Sustainment Support Battalions (CSSB). Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2009.]

Decisive Operation
Two guerrilla squadrons will ensure the success of the Rangers in rescuing the POWs by holding and preventing Japanese squadrons from crossing Cabu River and reinforcing their team in the camp during the operation. These squadrons will focus on destroying the bridge using explosives and prevent the Japanese tanks and infantry troops from crossing to the camp.
Shaping Operations
The operation includes five guerrilla squadrons and the Rangers. Squadron A and B will prevent the reinforcement of the Japanese military in the camp during the operation by securing and holding them at Cabu River. Squadron C and D will enhance efficiency of the operation through observation posts in which they will observe, pass intelligence, and react to any oncoming enemy squadrons from different locations. The other squadron, Squadron E, will assist the rescued POWs to safety. Through this process, Squadron A and B will successfully use explosive devices and anti-tank mines to counterattack the Japanese forces and eventually destroy the bridge, which will delay that advancement of the Japanese Dokuho 359 towards the Pajota camp.
Fires
Squadrons A and B will establish a roadblock and hold Japanese forces at Cabu River to prevent the reinforcement of these forces. During this time, the guerrillas will extract and secure American prisoners of war to safety in coordination with Squadrons C and D. Once the POW’s are successfully rescued, the squadrons will destroy the bridge using explosives.
Intelligence
Will establishing a roadblock and holding Japanese Dakuho 359 at Cabu River help prevent their reinforcement and promote successful rescue of POW’s during the 6th Ranger Battalion operation? The observation Squadrons C and D are stationed to collect intelligence for the Rangers operation and any oncoming Japanese reinforcements. The Squadrons will need to report to the Rangers’ operation any indications of Japanese reinforcement and how the establishment of the roadblock is helping prevent such reinforcements. Additionally, the observation teams need to report to Squadron E of any threats in getting the POWs to safety. The information will help the commander make a decision regarding the success of the plan in safe rescue of POW’s and destabilizing Japanese forces.
Sustainment
The efficiency of the operation depends of the squadrons’ ability to secure Cabu River, hold possible Japanese reinforcement, and offer any required reinforcement to the Rangers in the Camp. The coordination of the different teams will ensure efficiency in all processes[footnoteRef:3]. The coordination will also need to be made with the local civilians for caraboa cart support and food and water re-supply. Efforts will be supported for casualties both of the POWs and coalition elements. [3: King, Michael J. Rescue at Cabanatuan. 2016. http://www.4point2.org/cabanatuan.htm (accessed March 11, 2017).]

Risk
The most significant risk that is likely to be encountered based on this current plan is probable attacks by the Japanese forces, which will result in greater casualties through the element of surprise. This is a significant risk because the Japanese forces are likely to develop a counterattack against being held at Cabu river as part of enhancing their reinforcements. This potential risk will be mitigated through gathering intelligence regarding probable reinforcements and strategies by the Japanese forces. The intelligence will then be utilized to coordinate the attacks against the Japanese Dakuho 359.
Explanation of the Sketch
Guerrilla Squadrons A and B are strategically situated across River Cabu are equipped with combined arms to hold and prevent the Japanese Infantry Battalion from reinforcing their team in the camp. Two squadrons offer coordinated supporting attack to the Rangers to disempower the Japanese team at the observation tower and the armory. Squadrons C and D, each observe and communicate intelligence to the Rangers and the other squadrons in case support is required. Further, C and D squadrons are equipped with combined arms to counterattack in case of unforeseen attacks.
The Rangers are divided into three teams that attack the camp (with combined arms) from two strategic positions destabilizing the Japanese teams there and rescuing the POWs. Rangers of 2nd PLT C CO. attack the camp directly into the main entrance, while 2nd PLT F CO. eliminates guards and the pillbox at the rear entrance (with the Bazooka team) as well as attack the other observation tower and the armory respectively. All the Rangers teams meet with guerilla Squadron E and extract the POWs out of the Camp.

References
King, M. J. (2016). Rescue at Cabanatuan. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from http://www.4point2.org/cabanatuan.htm
Menter, J. M. (2009). The sustainment battle staff & military decision making process (MDMP) guide : for Brigade Support Battalions (BSB), Sustainment Brigades (Sus Bdes), and Combat Sustainment Support Battalions (CSSB). Bloomington: AuthorHouse.