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Old December 12th, 2008, 11:12 AM
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Default What if MacArthur goes on the offensive in the PI?

An interesting scenario but if it went wrong it could have hastened the defeat of US forces in the PI. Going over to the offensive uses much more men and material, much more the static defence. Also breaks in a static defensive line can be plugged quickly but in mobile warfare smaller tactical reverses can soon spiral out of control.
The best MacArthur could hope for would be a big smash-and-grab raid aimed at disrupting Japanese preparations for a Bataan attack by destroying bridges, roads, airfields, assembly areas etc and also collecting as much food as possible to bring back to Bataan. The raid could also be used to insert troops and supplies into the mountains of Luzon to run a guerrilla war.