Rescue of American Prisoners: U.S. Military Operation The objective of this project is to carry out a rescue operation of 511 Americans and Allied forces from the Japanese POW (prisoner of war) camp very near the Cabanatuan. The six Ranger Battalion element, Alamo Scouts as well Filipino guerillas reinforced the operations in order to liberate 511 Americans prisoners held by the Japanese. Overview of the operation reveals that it was one of the difficult and successful operations ever carried out by the Rangers. This study evaluates the military decision process regarding the operation, and discusses the competent strategy Lt Col Mucci and the subordinate employed in competing for the operation[footnoteRef:1]. [1: Department of Army. FM 6-0 Commander and Staff Organizations and Operations. USA. 2015.]

Mission

The mission of Lt Col Mucci was to liberate 511 America prisoners held hostage by the Japanese forces.

Commander Intent

The purpose of the operation is to use the military assault to take the Japanese forces by surprise and evacuate the prisoners to the friendly zone. To carry out the operation, we need to annihilate the Japanese guards. The Ist Platoon would be directed to kill the Japanese found at different locations. Moreover, the task of the 2nd Platoon was to eliminate the guards stationed at the rear entrance in the compound occupied by the prisoners. The six-man bazooka team was chosen from the 2nd platoon to destroy the Japanese pillbox. The task of the Alamo Scouts was to play a critical role in the surveillance of the stockade before the attack. More importantly, the role the Filipino Guerrillas were to serve as guides and provide the helping hands during the rescue operations. The techniques and principles in the liberation operations were to use a total discretion to carry out the operations without being detected by the Japanese enemies. The intent was to use a complete surprise over...

We will use the Filipinos to achieve our mission by assisting in providing food, water, and helping hands for the wounded soldiers.
Liberation of the prisoners will also involve setting up the roadblocks on the Cabanatuan main highway to prevent Japanese from coming to the city. Guerillas under Captain Pajota direction would be ordered to set up the roadblock, and cut phones lines that link to the park. By using the Company F, the intent was to eliminate the guards stationed at the rear entrance, and prevent Japanese penetrating the area occupied by the prisoners. The Company C was to kill the Japanese forces at the gate to allow 1st and 2nd Cartoon penetrating the yard and liberate the prisoners.

Decisive Operation

Our decisive operation was to liberate the American prisoners using the tactical forces of the Company A, Company C and Company F. We will ensure that all the prisoners are liberated alive to demonstrate the success of the operation[footnoteRef:2]. Thus, we would need to wipe out the guards to facilitate easy penetration of the Rangers into the camp. After the liberation, we would lead the prisoner outside the camp to a concealed location and be asked to remain there until the 6th Army Platoon sent a signal to LCT Mucci.[footnoteRef:3] [2: Department of Army. ADP 1-02 & ADRP 1-02 Operational Terms and Military Symbols. USA. 2015.] [3: King, Michael .J. Chapter 6 Cabanatuan" of Leavenworth Papers in Rangers: Selected Combat Operations in World War II. Leavenworth Papers .Combat Studies Institute. 1985.]

Shaping Operations (SO).

We will use logical and methodical strategies to complete the operations. Captain Jason's guerilla will mount a roadblock at the major highways, within 800 yards to the compound in order to prevent any Japanese coming from Cabanatuan city. Staff Sergeant James are to form the six-man bazooka, and Company…