Description[]
The Return is the fifth scenario of the Pacific Campaign in Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest. It serves as a reenactment of the Sixth Army's conquest of the Philippine island of Leyte.
Briefing[]
FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT:
CINCPAC
Leyte Island
10 OCTOBER 1944
"Orders for Sixth Army, Leiut. General Kruger , Commanding.
General Kruger:
Your primary objective is to liberate the Island of Leyte. Air support for the landing will be provided by planes from the Escort Carriers of the Seventh Fleet. Your first objective should be capture of the Airfields near Tacloban.
Your final objective is the Naval base at Ormoc. Destroying it will end any chance of the enemy resupplying the island. Reach and destroy Ormoc by any means necessary.
Be on alert for the Japanese battleship Yamato. It has escaped from US forces engaging it to the North.
Japanese defenses on the island are expected to be entrenched.
Good Luck."
Objectives[]
° Capture the island of Leyte.
° Protect General Kruger.
° Capture Tacloban to the North. Move General Kruger to the town center to take the town.
° Repair the Airfields so you can protect your self from Japanese bombing raids.
° Clear the Japanese from the Northern Heights near Tacloban.
° The airfields have been repaired. Build fighters to defend your base.
° Build up your troops to advance north to Carigara.
° This road is too well defended. Try building transports and sending them to outflank the Japanese. Destroy the military buildings near the docks at Carigara.
° Clear Brakeneck Pass.
° Attack Ormoc from the North and the South simultaneously. Move General Kruger to Ormoc's center to capture the city.
History[]
When General Douglas MacArthur swore he would return to the Philippines, he set the United States upon a course which might have been militarily unwise, but politically necessary.
The fall of Corregidor and Bataan earlier in the war, and word of the conditions in POW camps in the Philippines, sent shock waves through the United States. MacArthur believed that his return to the island of Leyte, after more than 3 years was vital to US morale.
The Japanese Navy, realizing this might be their last chance to defend the security of their homeland, were willing to sacrifice everything to defeat the American Invasion. One of the three groups that was dispatched against the United States included the Yamato and the Musashi, the two largest battleships in history. Although the Musashi was destroyed by American dive bombers during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Yamato was very much a threat to the Philippine invasion force.
Lt. General Walter Kruger would lead the Sixth Army assaulting the island of Leyte. Carrier based American air power, which blanketed the island during the invasion, was pulled away for much needed rest, repair, and attacks on America's next target: the island of Luzon. An especially heavy monsoon season meant reconstructing air bases was impossible, and this meant the Japanese had temporary air superiority over the island during the initial stages of the campaign.
---
The following combat scenario is a fictionalized re-telling of the Sixth Army's conquest of the Philippine island of Leyte. Many of the Details of the actual missions and exploits of this famed Ranger regiment have been condensed in order to present a more liner series of events. This should not be taken as a slight to the heroics and sacrifices of the men who served, but rather as an homage of sorts.
Hints[]
° With US Naval air power tied up attacking the island of Luzon, establishing airbases is your first priority.
° Build a navy. The Battleship Yamato is in the area with its support fleet and threatens your beachhead at Tacloban.
° Build fighters to defend your base from the constant harassing attacks from Japanese bombers.
° Ormoc can be taken easiest if you can attack from the North and the South at the same time.
Walkthrough[]
|
"What?! The foundations are set, but the citizens have abandoned their duty!" This article or section is a stub. Please help the Empire Earth Wiki by expanding it. Thank you! |
Storyline[]
People of the Philippines: I have returned.... As the lines of battle roll forward...rise and strike! For future generations of your sons and daughters...strike! In the name of the sacred deed, strike! Let no heart be faint. Let every arm be steeled. -- General Douglas MacArthur. October 20 1944
Lt. General Krueger: Our orders are to establish airbases for fighter groups. Tacloban to the North is our target. Capture the airfields and as many buildings as you can.
Capture Tacloban to the North. Move General Krueger to the town center to take the town.
Lt. General Krueger and his men make their attack on Tacloban. Subsequently capturing the town.
Soldier: Sir! Resistance was lighter than expected! We've taken the city!
The Japanese troops head northwest.
Soldier: Sir! They've taken up defensive positions on the hike to the north of the city!
The Japanese have taken up defensive positions to the Northwest of the city.
The airfields have been repaired.
Lt. General Krueger: Well done boys. Now it's our job to take the Island. We will have to fight our way North towards Carigara along the coastal road.
More attacks on the Japanese troops are made.
Lt. General Krueger's forces receive a transmission.
...USS DASHER..USS DASHER...YAMATO SPOTTED...HEADING FOR TACLOBAN...WILL ATTEMPT TO INTERCEPT... USS DASHER...USS DASHER...
An attack is made on Carigara.
Radio Man: The Japanese consider this road to be impassible, sir!
Lt. General Krueger: Act like a Marine son! Show some audacity and clear that road!
A battle against that Yamato is made, and it is subsequently destroyed.
You have destroyed the Yamato!
The forces on the southern road are dealt with.
You have cleared the southern road.
Attack Ormoc from the North and South.
An attack is made on Ormoc.
Breakneck Ridge must be cleared to attack Ormoc.
The soldiers at the roadblock have abandoned their weapons,
Breakneck Ridge has been cleared.
The forces at Ormoc have been defeated.
Lt. General Krueger: Well done men. It's been a long battle. I know that you are tired and will soon be relieved. The battle for Luzon lies ahead. And after that, Japan.
