Description[]
Tooth and Nail is the third scenario of the Pacific Campaign in Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest. It serves as a reenactment of the Island Hopping campaign in the South Pacific.
Briefing[]
From: United States Department of Defense.
To: Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet.
Subject: New Strategy.
15 NOVEMBER 1943
We are aware that our country's 'Europe First' policy is having significant repercussions in the Pacific Theater. Men and materials are at a premium, and we have to economize. Without the manpower in the Pacific to retake every position held by the Japanese, we have come up with an 'island hopping' strategy whereby only some targets will be recaptured.
Instead of getting bogged down in protracted island sieges, the plan is to leapfrog some of the Japanese positions. Men and resources could then be applied to acquiring more strategic targets. This will leave the remaining Japanese strongholds isolated and left to ' die on the vine.' Then the Third Fleet can make the push up through the Philippines and force the Japanese to their own soil.
Objectives[]
° Secure the area by capturing Japanese-occupied islands.
° Eliminate the presence of all enemy units and structures on an island in order to capture it. Beware of destroyer and sub patrols lurking among the islands.
° Build Naval Yards on captured islands to construct Catalinas. Use Catalinas to spot enemy patrols and to locate new islands. Catalinas can also be used to sink submarines.
° Build a radar station on an island unobstructed by islands.
° Use Corsairs from USS Hornet to repel the air attack.
° Donate any amount of food to the native village, using the Alliances and Tributes Screen.
° Recover the lost pilot before he is picked up by an enemy patrol, or the mission will fail.
° Click on the Raft and follow it to the back of enemy base.
° Locate and capture an island that can accommodate an island.
° Build an airfield.
° Build some P-38s.
° Intercept and shoot down Yamamoto's plane before it leaves the area, or the mission will fail. Use Catalinas to aid in the search.
History[]
Without the proper manpower in the Pacific to retake every position held by the Japanese, the United States adopted the 'island hopping' strategy whereby only a few isolated targets would be captured. Instead of getting slowed down by retaking the South Pacific island by island, McArthur's plan was to bypass certain Japanese strongholds. By severing enemy supply lines, these bases would soon weaken and atrophy.
In 1943 US forces intercepted and decoded a message revealing that Admiral Yamamoto was approaching these front lines for inspection. Using this information, a surprise raid was launched which succeeded in bringing down the Admiral's plane.
The following combat scenario is a fictionalized re-telling of the Island Hopping campaign in the South Pacific. Though not based on specific events, this should not be taken as a trivialization of the sacrifices that soldiers endured during this arduous conflict. Rather, this scenario us inspired by the fortitude of the men who helped liberate the Solomon Islands.
Hints[]
Not every island needs to be captured. But, as more islands are captured, more destroyers will retreat from the area. Set up rally points for Catalinas to circle over enemy patrol lanes. Catalinas can also be used to sink enemy submarines. Once waters are clear, slip your transports across the straits to the next island.
Larger islands afford more room, but it is likely they will be more heavily fortified. Your ability to replace troops is limited, and certain troop types cannot be replaced at all, so make them count. Do not spread them too thin or you won't have enough troops to secure the area. Instead, try consolidating your forces, taking one island at a time.
Protect your citizens at all costs. They cannot be replaced, and the mission cannot be completed without them.
Watch out for storms in the area. They can damage or even sink your ships.
Storyline[]
May 15, 1943. 0800 hours.
Somewhere in the Solomon Islands...
The first portion of island hopping commences.
After an island has been secured.
This island has been secured.
The Japanese defenses on the first island are destroyed.
If a transport gets storm damaged.
One of our transports has been damaged in a storm!
The second portion of island hopping takes place.
The Japanese defenses on the second island are destroyed.
The third portion of island hopping takes place.
The Japanese defenses on the third island are destroyed.
The fourth portion of island hopping takes place.
The Japanese defenses on the fourth island are destroyed.
Trooper: A Corsair out of Guadalcanal was on a photo reconnaissance patrol this morning...
A Japanese fighter plane is seen in pursuit of the Corsair.
Trooper: He was jumped by a bandit who was stalking him just above sea level - used the Corsair's blind spot to get the jump on him.
The Corsair is seen trying to evade it.
Trooper: Our pilot tried evasive action, but the damage had already been done.
The Corsair presses on.
Trooper: He had to ditch before he could give us his coordinates. The best we can figure is that he splashed down somewhere southwest of here.
The pilot of the ditched Corsair is seen out at sea.
Trooper: We're the only ones in the area. He's probably exhausted, waterlogged, and running out of time...it's up to us to pull him out of the drink before the Japanese do.
The pilot of the ditched Corsair is rescued.
Trooper: Just got off the wire with HQ. They want us to find and capture an island with enough flat land to build an airstrip.
The attack on the fifth island commences.
The Japanese defenses on the fifth island are destroyed.
The troops find a native village and speak with the chief.
Village Chief: Hello, my friends. We were driven from our village by the Japanese and forced to make do on this tiny island. We would be happy to help you in any way we can. I can lead you to the largest of the Japanese bases in the area. I know of an unguarded passage that will allow you to take the enemy by surprise. All I ask in return is some food for my people, as there is very little to be found on this tiny island.
A tribute of food is made to the native village.
Village Chief: Thank you! That food will be of great help. Now follow me, I will lead you past the Japanese naval patrols to the passage.
The troops make their attack on the final island.
The Japanese defenses on the final island are destroyed.
The enemy base has been eliminated!
Trooper: This looks like as good a place as any...we better get cracking on that airfield...
The airfield is constructed.
HQ: Radar Control, this is HQ. We have intercepted a message that says Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto will be personally inspecting his troops' front lines. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, gents. Alert our forward airfield immediately to get some P-38s in the air and take Yamamoto's plane down!
Radar Control: We read you, HQ. We'll let our fly-boys know right away. Let's just hope they can scramble in time!
A transmission is made to the airfield.
Radar Control: Forward airfield, this is Radar Control. Get some P-38s in the air as soon as you can, Yamamoto's in the area and this is our chance to take him out. We'll let you know as soon as we spot him.
A transmission is made regarding the spotting of Yamamoto's plane.
Radar Control: Forward airfield, this is Radar Control. We just got word from a coast watcher that Admiral Yamamoto's plane is in the air. If your birds aren't in the air already, you better scramble them now!
Yamamoto's plane is shot down.
P-38 Pilot: Yamamoto's plane has been shot down!
With the advance of the Third Fleet through the Solomons, the United States is poised to retake the Philippines. By taking only key positions and avoiding prolonged island battles, men and materials have been preserved for the long haul that lies ahead. The death of Yamamoto will be a crushing blow to Japanese morale. But not only have they lost a revered national icon, they have also lost a daring military strategist. Without Yamamoto's knowledge and tactics, the Japanese Imperial Navy will have its work cut out in trying to stop the U.S. advance.
Walkthrough[]
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