COA Statement and Sketch Pajota's Guerillas' mission is to block off a mile of road through the use of road blocks on both sides of the highway bridge cross over Cabu Creek of an estimated 300 yards northeast from compound. In order to keep communication at a standstill, phone lines are cut connecting the outside to the camp before the attack. Guerillas will act as support troops, providing flank and rear security after withdrawal for the column. To start the attack, the Rangers attack the compound first, followed by Pajota's Guerillas and their attack on the Japanese batallion situated less than 300 yards in Bivouac beyong Cabu Creek..

Intent:

This is a rescue mission. Over 500 Allied and American prisoners have been held captive in a Japanese Prisoner of War compound and require rescue. The compound is located near Cabanatuan. For successful infilitration of the compound, the Rangers must begin infiltration approximately 30 miles behind enemy territory, launch a surprise attack, destroy enemy forces, and then rescue and liberate existing POW's in the compound, returning them safely behind U.S. lines before a counterattack can be mounted by the enemy.

The intent requires the following tasks in order to be successful:

Surveillance of nearby areas followed by discrete marching, surprise attack, neutralization of enemy, liberation of POW's and the safe return of POW's to base camp. Securing the help of Filipino guerrillas as well as any locals within the area provide the majority of implied tasks.

There are dozens of enemies guarding the camp, 73 Japanese army men in total and at least 150 enemy soldiers that pass the night within the compound. As with any mission, there is a possibility of outside threats that could hinder the success of the mission. Near the compound, there approximately 800 hundred soldiers equipped with trucks and tanks in Cabu.

The terrain near the compound is flat and barren. The Japanese made sure to remove any vegetation so as to spot anyone coming or escaping from the prison. With the weather being dry as well, and only one hour of complete darkness, troops cannot simply march into the compound without being detected. The guard posts that exist next to the compound are twelve feet high. Movement a mle away can easily be detected.

The troops are Rangers and are among the best trained and available for the mission. They will receive help from guerrilla fighters that know the terrain.

Time is limited in this kind of mission. A majority of the POWs were moved from camp and many will be killed in a week or less. The Rangers must carry out the mission within this time frame. They must also return quickly as the POW's rescued will be in dire condition, having been tortured and malnourished for a long time. Some are also wounded.

Civilians will receive instructions...

This must be done until all prisoners are freed. All animals civilians have must be penned and dogs muzzled so as to reduce any possibility of additional noises as the Rangers passed through the area.
Decisive Operation:

The mission will take place January 30th 1945. The Rangers have been instructed to begin their surprise attack during dust time on enemy compound. The 2nd platoon company F has mission instructions to eliminate guards located at the rear entrace of the compound/stockage, preventing enemies from being able to move into the area where the enemy placed the prisoners of war . The 1st Platoon, Company C's mission is to force open the compound's front gate, killing any spotted enemies in various location. The 1st Section's instruction are to attack and kill guards at the gate as well as any nearby guardhouses across the highway, gaining entrance to the compound. The 2nd Section's instruction are to cross the highway and position themselves to the right of 1st Section, plus have the duty of supporting the 1st Section via the gate, moving to the right of 1st Section, aimed for destruction of enemy structures with bazooka fire, one in particular being the building that houses trucks and tanks. The 2nd Section has instructions to lift its fire when the weapons Section comes in, passing through the gate, moving to the right edge of the existing stockade. This manuver will also prevention enemies from escaping.

Shaping Operations:

The 2nd Platoon Compancy C has the mission to follow 1st Platoon as the enter the compound and open access to the POW section. There they must start the evacuation process and provide close fire support.

The 1st Section's mission requires entrance of the compound subsequent 1st Platoon's entrance, forcing entrance to the prisoner's location. From there they will provide support for the 2nd Platoon Company F and fire on the pillbox. The mission of the 2nd Section is support for and to follow 1st Section, moving to the right flank of POW enclosure to keep enemies from entering in the direction.

The weapon Section's mission is to remain reserve in the beginning and after, direct POW's through the main gate, beginning the march back to friendly territory to the north.

The Pajota's Guerillas are t establish roadblocks over Cabu Creek at the highway bridge just 300 years northeast of the compound, attacking any reinforcement from the enemy coming out of Cabu. When withdrawal commences, guerillas will provide flank and rear security and support for the Rangers column.

BCT Fires:

3/4 of an hour prior to the start of the attack, at 1840, a single P61 Black Widow may be spoted approaching objective area. They will be there to scare enemy troops, providing a distraction…