WesWorld

OOC only, summary

October-November 1943, Combat Report Mexican Volunteer Group

Ground:

Due to the losses the Chosen Military has sustained to date and the
power of the Chinese offensive, combat against Chosenian armored forces has
been limited to one minor engagement and two skirmishes. In one engagement 5
AT-40’s ran into a retreating Chosen column. One Chosen tank, 3 trucks, and two
armored cars were destroyed in exchange for minor damage to 3 Mexican tanks. In
two separate skirmishes, Mexican LT-15’s engaged Chosen scouts, one Chosen tank
and one scout car where destroyed in exchange for one LT-15.

The primary focus of the armored squadron has been support of the
infantry battalions against mainly infantry rearguard forces. The 5 AT-40’s
armed with the short-barrel 75mm cannon have seen the most work, being quite
useful in suppressing and destroying machinegun nests and dug-in infantry.
Unfortunately the 47mm cannon on the other AT-40’s is not very useful against
infantry. The LT-15’s have been very useful scouts, with an additional 5 being
added to the squadron.

Losses have been light with a total of 1 AT-40, and 2 LT-15’s being
complete losses. However, most of the tanks have accumulated considerable
amounts of damage, especially to the track and suspension area. Commonality
between the AT-40 and the LT-15 has allowed repairs to be conducted using
Chinese parts.

Despite battle damage and a significantly fast rate of advance the
suspension and drivetrain of the AT-40 and LT-15’s has proven quite reliable. Maneuverability
and speed of the tanks in all conditions has exceeded expectations.

Reports of heavy Japanese tanks have been confirmed. As such we
recommend that the current AT-40 Mk I’s be replaced as soon as possible with
new Mk III’s, as Chinese AT guns have had trouble penetrating the heavier armor
on them.

Air:

The Chosenian Air Force has been nearly nonexistent, as such the
aircraft attached to the MVG have been primarily used in support of the ground
forces. A total of 3 kills have been claimed, 2 by C-10 Aguilas, and one by a
Fw-187.

The C-10 Aguilas have seen very limited action, due to the combination of lack
or aerial targets, lack of range, inability to carry bombs, and bad weather.
The Aguilas have also been tied down to the major Chinese air bases, as they
are not capable of operating safely from unimproved forward airstrips. Two have
been lost, one on a landing accident, the other written off after landing with
significant battle damage from AA fire.

The Fw-187, has therefore seen the majority of air cover sorties, as
while they are also tied down to major air bases, their longer range allows
them to reach the frontlines and skirt bad weather areas.

The A-1 Mapaches, have seen the brunt of combat operations, capable of
operating from nearly any suitable flat piece of ground and in nearly any
weather. They have been praised by the infantry for being able to deliver their
ordnance swiftly and accurately as close as 100 yds from friendly forces. Three
have suffered heavy battle damage from AA fire, one being completely written
off. The 23 mm cannon has proven to be a deadly anti-tank gun, with 2 Chosen
tanks destroyed.

The C-9 has proven useful, being able to operate closer to the front
than the two other fighters, though not to the extent of the A-1. However, it
cannot carry as great a load as the A-1 and is not as accurate, and while it is
capable of holding its own against Chosen fighters, it is expected to be
outclassed by Japanese fighters now reaching the front.

The O-2 Toucan, has proven to be an excellent observation platform, being
steady and having a long loiter time. However, it is slow, unmaneuverable and
relatively large in size. As a result it has proven vulnerable to AA fire, with
two of the five being lost.

The O-3 have seen the most use and the greatest losses, a total of 5
being lost to a combination of accidents and enemy action. Apart from their
observation roles, they have been used extensively in liaison, transportation,
and casualty evacuation roles. Being much smaller and more maneuverable than
the O-2, the O-3’s have proven to be less vulnerable. Their capability to
operate from any flat piece of ground of at least 300 yds is invaluable.

We recommend additional shipments of Fw-187s, A-1s, O-2’s and O-3s, as
many as can be spared. With winter approaching the C-10’s will not be very
useful and will be grounded.