Moving toward Portland and capturing it was the main new goal of general Bertorelli's forces. This was one of the largest cities in the area and the only major potential point of resistance in the Oregon state. As the right flank of advancing Axis forces was protected by the Cascade Range mountains and the left by the Pacific coast, the army really only had to worry about what was in front of them. Unfortunately, maneuvering was quite limited, as just two main roads allowed the movement of larger amounts of troops, while the rest of the terrain was covered in thick forests and unsuitable for vehicle use. Still, intelligence reports mentioned supply depots for the American army deep in the woodlands, and securing them could be beneficial for procuring fuel and other important resources. Also, the Japanese had an unusual request regarding their balloon bombing raids they tried out in the past over Oregon. They wanted Bertorelli to investigate the area for any traces of forest fires and other effects of the raids, if possible to track down such things in the intense battle to come. The nature of the terrain meant that general Bertorelli decided to use Finnish division to support the Japanese, as they were used to such conditions.
Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 33853
Starting Army Composition:
Infantry
Jalkaväkirykmentti 1 - FI - OS20 - FI Infantry 43 (Opel Blitz) - ***** - Lauri Törni
Pioneeripataljoona 1 - FI - FI Engineers 43 (Opel Blitz) - ****
Hohei dai 1 daitai - JA - OS17 - JP Infantry 43 (Type 94 Truck) - * - Kunio Nakagawa
Hohei dai 2 daitai - JA - JP HW Inf 43 (Type 1 Ho-Ki)
Kōhei dai 1 daitai - JA - JP Engineers 43 (Type 94 Truck) - *
Teishin dai 1 rentai - JA - JP Teishin Shudan 46 - *
Kaigun tokubetsu dai 1 rikusentai - JA - OS16 - JP Naval Paratroopers 46
Tank
I Panssaripataljoona - FI - OS13 - Panzer IVJ - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Reino Lehväslaiho
Sensha Senkan Yamato - JA - Meerschweinchen - **
Sensha dai 1 rentai - JA - Type 5 Chi-Ri - Steamroller
Sensha dai 2 rentai - JA - OS11 - Type 4 Chi-To
Anti-Tank
I Rynnäkkötykkipataljoona - FI - OS15 - Hetzer - **** - Erkki Halonen
II Rynnäkkötykkipataljoona - FI - SU-152 - **
Sokushahō dai 2 daitai - JA - OS15 - Type 3 Ho-Ni III - * - Takeichi Nishi
Artillery
Kenttätykistörykmentti 1 - FI - ISU-152 - **** - Skilled Support
Kenttätykistörykmentti 2 - FI - OS13 - 152mm M1938 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support, Paavo Palletvuori
Yahōhei dai 1 daitai - JA - Type 91 10cm (Type 94 Truck) - *
Jūhōhei dai 1 daitai - JA - Type 96 15cm (Type 94 Truck) - *
Jūhōhei dai 2 daitai - JA - Type 89 15cm (Type 94 Truck) - *
Anti-Aircraft
I. Ilmatorjuntapatteri - FI - OS12 - 2 cm FlaK 38 (Opel Blitz) - *
II. Ilmatorjuntapatteri - FI - OS12 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (Opel Blitz)
Kōsha-hō dai 3 daitai - JA - OS12 - Type 99 88mm (Type 94 Truck) - ** - Skilled Support, Shogo Watanabe
Kōsha-hō dai 4 daitai - JA - OS11 - Type 98 AA - *
Fighter
Hävittäjälentolaivue 1 - FI - OS15 - Bf 109K - ***** - Ilmari Juutilainen
Sentō dai 1 hikōtai - JA - J9N1 Kikka - *
Sentō dai 2 hikōtai - JA - OS15 - J7W Shinden - * - Saburō Sakai
Dai 1 hikō sentai - JA - Ki-45 KAIa
Tactical Bomber
Dai 2 hikō sentai - JA - OS13 - Ki-48-Ia - * - Jūzō Mori
Strategic Bomber
Pommituslentolaivue 2 - FI - OS11 - Ju 88A - ***
Kōgeki dai 1 hikōtai - JA - G10 N3 Fugaku F - *
Kōgeki dai 2 hikōtai - JA - G10 N3 Fugaku
Reserve
1º Reggimento Fanteria - IT - IT Infantry 43 (Truck) - ****
2º Reggimento Fanteria - IT - IT HW Inf 43 (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - Survivor
1º Reggimento Genio Guastatori - IT - IT Engineers 43 (Truck) - *** - Survivor
1º Reggimento Genio Pontieri - IT - OS17 - IT Bridge Eng (Truck)
1º Reggimento di Cavalleria - IT - OS16 - IT Cavalry - ***
1º Reggimento Alpini - IT - OS20 - Alpini 43 - **** - Survivor, Mario D'Adda
1º Reggimento Bersaglieri - IT - Bersaglieri 43 (Truck) - **** - Survivor
1º Reggimento Paracadutisti - IT - OS17 - IT Paratroops 43 - **** - Edorado Sala
1. Lövészzászlóalj - HU - OS20 - HU Infantry 43 (Opel Blitz) - ***** - László Duska
2. Lövészzászlóalj - HU - HU HW Inf 43 (SdKfz 251/1) - ***
1. Műszaki Ezred - HU - HU Engineers 43 (Opel Blitz) - **
1. Pontonos Hidász Ezred - HU - OS17 - HU Bridge Eng (Opel Blitz)
1. Lovassági Zászlóalj - HU - OS16 - HU Cavalry - * - Survivor
Batalionul 1 Infanterie - RO - OS20 - RO Infantry 43 (Opel Blitz) - ***** - Gheorghe Răscănescu
Batalionul 2 Infanterie - RO - RO HW Inf 43 (SdKfz 250/1) - ***
Batalionul 1 Geniu - RO - RO Engineers 43 (Opel Blitz) - ***
Batalionul 2 Geniu - RO - OS17 - RO Bridge Eng (Opel Blitz)
Batalionul 1 Roşiori - RO - OS16 - RO Cavalry - *
Batalionul 1 Vânători de Munte - RO - RO Mnt Inf 43 - ****
1 Pekhoten Batal’on - BG - BG Infantry 43 (Opel Blitz) - **
1 Konen Batal’on - BG - OS18 - BG Cavalry - **** - Survivor, Nikola Mutafchiev
I Batallón de Infantería - ES - OS18 - Azul Infanterie 43 (Opel Blitz) - ***** - Teodoro Palacios Cueto
II Batallón de Infantería - ES - OS17 - Regulares 43 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Armando Muñoz Calero
I Batallón de Caballería - ES - OS16 - ES Cavalry - *
1. pechotný prápor - SK - SK Infantry 43 (Opel Blitz) - *
1. ženijný prápor - SK - OS20 - SK Engineers 43 (Opel Blitz) - ** - Ján Veselý
Toka zairyō dai 1 chutai - JA - OS17 - JP Bridge Eng (Type 94 Truck)
1º Battaglione Carri - IT - OS15 - P26/40 - ***** - Steamroller, Luigi Arbib Pascucci
2º Battaglione Carri - IT - OS13 - Panzer IVJ - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Pietro Bruno
3º Battaglione Carri - IT - OS11 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Steamroller, Survivor
4º Battaglione Carri - IT - OS11 - Somua S35 - **** - Steamroller
5º Battaglione Carri - IT - Panther G - ***** - Steamroller
1. Harckocsi Zászlóalj - HU - OS13 - Panzer IVJ - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Erwin Tarczay
2. Harckocsi Zászlóalj - HU - Panther G - ***** - Steamroller
3. Harckocsi Zászlóalj - HU - OS13 - Tiger I - ***** - Steamroller, Zoltán Zsedényi
4. Harckocsi Zászlóalj - HU - OS11 - 42M Toldi IIa
5. Harckocsi Zászlóalj - HU - OS11 - 41M Turan II
Batalionul 1 de Tancuri - RO - OS13 - T-3 - **** - Steamroller, Ion S. Dumitru
Batalionul 2 de Tancuri - RO - OS11 - Vânătorul de Care R35 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
Batalionul 3 de Tancuri - RO - OS13 - Panzer IVJ - **** - Steamroller, Arcadie Duceac
Batalionul 4 de Tancuri - RO - OS11 - T-38
1 Tankov Batal’on - BG - OS15 - Panzer IVJ - **** - Steamroller, Survivor, Marin Dikov
2 Tankov Batal’on - BG - Panther G - ** - Steamroller
3 Tankov Batal’on - BG - OS11 - Panzer 38(t)
4 Tankov Batal’on - BG - OS11 - Panzer 35(t)
I Batallón de Carros de Combate - ES - Panzer IVJ - *** - Steamroller
II Batallón de Carros de Combate - ES - OS11 - Verdeja 3 - **** - Steamroller, Survivor
II Panssaripataljoona - FI - T-34-85 - ** - Steamroller
1. tankový prápor - SK - OS11 - Panzer IVJ - ** - Steamroller
2. tankový prápor - SK - OS11 - Panzer IIIN - **** - Steamroller
3. tankový prápor - SK - OS11 - Panzer IIC
1º Battaglione Autoblindo - IT - OS13 - AB 43 - ***** - Tommaso Lequio di Assaba
2º Battaglione Autoblindo - IT - Sahariana - *****
1. Felderítő Zászlóalj - HU - OS11 - 39M Csaba - *****
2. Felderítő Zászlóalj - HU - Panzer IIF - **
Batalionul 1 de Cavalerie Blindat - RO - OS13 - AB 43 - ***** - Steamroller, Survivor, Hercule Fortunescu
Batalionul 2 de Cavalerie Blindat - RO - OS11 - SdKfz 222 - **
1 Razuznavatelen Batal’on - BG - OS11 - SdKfz 222 - *****
I Batallón de Automóviles Blindados - ES - OS11 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Ratsuväkiprikaati 1 - FI - OS11 - BA-10 - ****
1. mechanizovaný prápor - SK - OS11 - SdKfz 222 - ****
Sōkōsha dai 1 chūtai - JA - Type 100 Te-Re
1º Battaglione Cannoni Controcarro - IT - OS11 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (Lancia Ro) - *
2º Battaglione Cannoni Controcarro - IT - Autocannone 90/53 - *** - Skilled Support
1º Battaglione Artiglieria Semovente - IT - OS11 - M42 da 75/34 - *** - Skilled Support
3º Battaglione Artiglieria Semovente - IT - M41M da 90/53 - ***
1. Páncéltörő Zászlóalj - HU - 8.8 cm cm Pak 43 (SdKfz 11)
2. Páncéltörő Zászlóalj - HU - OS11 - 7.5 cm Pak 43 (SdKfz 11
1. Rohamtüzér Osztály - HU - OS15 - Hetzer - ***** - Expert Support, János Törcsváry
2. Rohamtüzér Osztály - HU - OS12 - 43M Zirnyi II - * - Skilled Support, Josef Gundel
3. Rohamtüzér Osztály - HU - StuG IIIG
Batalionul 1 de Tunuri Anticar - RO - OS11 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (SdKfz 11)
Batalionul 1 de Tunuri de Asalt - RO - OS13 - Mareșal - * - Alexandru Velican
Batalionul 2 de Tunuri de Asalt - RO - TACAM R-2
Batalionul 3 de Tunuri de Asalt - RO - TACAM T-60
1 Protivotankov Batal’on - BG - OS11 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (Opel Blitz)
2 Protivotankov Batal’on - BG - StuG IV - **
3 Protivotankov Batal’on - BG - JagdPz IV/70
I Batallón de Antitanques - ES - OS11 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (Opel Blitz)
Panssarintorjuntakomppania 1 - FI - OS11 - 7.5 cm Pak 40 (Opel Blitz)
1. protitankový prápor - SK - OS15 - Hetzer - *** - Rudolf Pilfousek
Sokushahō dai 1 daitai - JA - 12.7 cm/40 Type 89 (Type 94 Truck)
1º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - OS15 - 149mm 149/19 (SdKfz 10) - ***** - Skilled Support, Lorenzo Matiotti
2º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - OS11 - 105mm 105/28 (Lancia 3Ro) - *** - Skilled Support
3º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - OS11 - 75/32 M37 (Truck) - *** - Skilled Support
4º Reggimento Artiglieria - IT - OS11 - 75mm 75/18
2º Battaglione Artiglieria Semovente - IT - M43 da 105/25 - ***** - Skilled Support
4º Battaglione Artiglieria Semovente - IT - Brummbär - ****
5º Battaglione Artiglieria Semovente - IT - OS13 - M42 da 149/40 - ***** - Skilled Support, Survivor, Giuseppe D'Amico
6º Battaglione Artiglieria Semovente - IT - M40 da 75/18
1. Tüzérosztály - HU - OS15 - 150mm Bofors (Opel Blitz) - ***** - Skilled Support, István Csöndes
2. Tüzérosztály - HU - 105mm 37M (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
3. Tüzérosztály - HU - OS11 - 80mm 18M (Opel Blitz) - ** - Skilled Support
1. Rakétaezred - HU - 15cm Nebelwerfer 41 (SdKfz 11) - ***
Batalionul 1 Artilerie - RO - 150mm model 1934 (SdKfz 7) - ***** - Skilled Support
Batalionul 2 Artilerie - RO - 105mm model 1913 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
Batalionul 3 Artilerie - RO - 122mm M1938 (SdKfz 11) - *** - Skilled Support
1 Artileriĭski Batal’on - BG - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - **** - Skilled Support
2 Artileriĭski Batal’on - BG - Hummel - **** - Skilled Support
3 Artileriĭski Batal’on - BG - StuH 42 - **
I Batallón de Artillería de Campaña - ES - 122mm M10/30 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
II Batallón de Artillería de Campaña - ES - 15 cm sFH 18 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
Kenttätykistörykmentti 3 - FI - SU-76
1. delostrelecký prápor - SK - 150mm vz.25 (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
2. delostrelecký prápor - SK - 100mm Škoda vz.14/19 (Opel Blitz) - **
3. delostrelecký prápor - SK - OS11 - 75mm vz.15 (Opel Blitz) - *
Jūhōhei dai 3 daitai - JA - Type 4 Ho-Ro
Dokuritsu jūhōhei dai 11 daitai - JA - V2 Atomic (V2 transport) - *****
Dokuritsu jūhōhei dai 12 daitai - JA - V2 Atomic (V2 transport) - *****
1º Battaglione Artiglieria Contraerea - IT - 90/53 M41C (SdKfz 7) - *** - Skilled Support
2º Battaglione Artiglieria Contraerea - IT - OS12 - * - Breda 20/65 M35 (Truck)
3º Battaglione Artiglieria Contraerea - IT - OS11 - * - 75/46 C.A. M34 (Lancia 3Ro)
4º Battaglione Artiglieria Contraerea - IT - OS11 - 20/70 quadruplo - ***** - Skilled Support
5º Battaglione Artiglieria Contraerea - IT - OS12 - CMP Ford 15A - **** - Skilled Support
1. Légvédelmi Zászlóalj - HU - 88mm 29/38M (Opel Blitz) - *** - Skilled Support
2. Légvédelmi Zászlóalj - HU - OS11 - 40M Nimrod - *** - Skilled Support
Batalionul 1 de Tunuri Antiaeriene - RO - OS12 - 25mm Hotchkiss (SdKfz 10) - *** - Skilled Support
Batalionul 2 de Tunuri Antiaeriene - RO - OS11 - 75mm Vickers/Resita (SdKfz 7) - ** - Skilled Support
Batalionul 3 de Tunuri Antiaeriene - RO - OS12 - 3.7 cm FlaK 37 (SdKfz 11) - * - Skilled Support
1 Protivovŭzdushna Batal’on - BG - OS12 - 2 cm FlaK 30 (Opel Blitz) - * - Skilled Support
2 Protivovŭzdushna Batal’on - BG - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - * - Skilled Support
I Batallón de Artillería Antiaérea - ES - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (Opel Blitz)
1. protilietadlový prápor - SK - OS12 - 20mm VKPL vz.36 (Opel Blitz) - *
2. protilietadlový prápor - SK - 83.5mm Škoda vz.22 (Opel Blitz)
Kōsha-hō dai 1 daitai - JA - OS12 - Type 98 20mm (Type 94 Truck)
Kōsha-hō dai 2 daitai - JA - OS12 - Type 88 75mm (Type 94 Truck)
1º Gruppo Caccia Sq 1 - IT - G.55 Centauro - ****
1º Gruppo Caccia Sq 2 - IT - OS12 - MC.205 Veltro - **** - Survivor, Skilled Support, Adriano Visconti
1º Gruppo Caccia Sq 3 - IT - OS12 - Bf 109K - ***** - Survivor, Mario Visintini
1º Gruppo Caccia Sq 4 - IT - OS20 - Me 163B - **** - Giuseppe Robetto
2º Gruppo Caccia Sq 1 - IT - Me 262A - *** - Skilled Support, Survivor
1/1. Vadászszázad - HU - OS12 - Bf 109K - ***** - Dezső Szentgyörgyi
1/2. Vadászszázad - HU - Re.2000 - **
1/1. Gyorsbombázó Század - HU - Me 210C - ***
Escadrila 1 Vanatoare - RO - OS12 - Fw 190D-9 - ***** - Survivor, Constantin Cantacuzino
Escadrila 2 Vanatoare - RO - OS12 - Bf 109K - **** - Skilled Support, Survivor, Ion Milu
Escadrila 3 Vanatoare - RO - OS11 - Bf 110C - **** - Survivor
Escadrila 4 Vanatoare - RO - IAR-80
1 Iztrebitelen Polk 1 Yato - BG - D.520 - ***
1 Iztrebitelen Polk 2 Yato - BG - OS12 - Bf 109K - *** - Stoyan Stoyanov
1º Grupo de Caza 1ª Escuadrilla - ES - OS15 - Bf 109K - ***** - Joaquin Garcia Morato
Hävittäjälentolaivue 2 - FI - Hurricane Mk.IIC - **
Hävittäjälentolaivue 3 - FI - M.S.406 - **
1. stíhačka letka - SK - OS15 - Bf 109K - *** - Ján Režňák
Sentō dai 3 hikōtai - JA - Shinryu II
1º Gruppo Bombardamento a Tuffo Sq 1 - IT - OS12 - Ju 87D - ***** - Giuseppe Cenni
1º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 1 - IT - OS15 - SM.79 - ***** - Survivor, Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia
1º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 2 - IT - Ca.135 - *** - Survivor
1º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 3 - IT - Hs 129 - **** - Survivor
1º Gruppo Ricognizione Sq 1 - IT - OS12 - IMAM Ro.37 - ***
1/1. Zuhanóbombázó Század - HU - Ju 87D - **** - Survivor
1/2. Gyorsbombázó Század - HU - OS15 - Fw 190G - *** - Horváth Sándor
1/1. Távolfelderítő Század - HU - OS12 - Fw 189 - *
Escadrila 1 Asalt - RO - Ju 87D - **** - Survivor
Escadrila 2 Asalt - RO - Hs 129B2 - **** - Survivor
1 Bombardirovŭchen Polk 1 Yato - BG - Ju 87D - ***
1 Bombardirovŭchen Polk 3 Yato - BG - Il-2M3 - *** - Survivor
1 Razuznavatelen Aviopolk 1 Yato - BG - OS12 - Fw 189 - *
1º Grupo de Asalto 1ª Escuadrilla - ES - OS11 - Hs 123a - *
1º Grupo de Apoyo 1ª Escuadrilla - ES - Ju 87D - **
Pommituslentolaivue 1 - FI - OS11 - Blenheim Mk.I - * - Survivor
Teisatsu dai 1 hikōtai - JA - OS12 - Kawanishi K8K1 - *
1º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 4 - IT - OS12 - Piaggio P.108 - ***** - Survivor, Gori Castellani
2º Gruppo Bombardiere Sq 1 - IT - OS11 - Do 217E - ***
1/1. Bombázószázad - HU - OS11 - He 111H - ***
1/2. Bombázószázad - HU - OS12 - Ju 88A - ** - Survivor
Escadrila 1 Bombardment - RO - OS11 - Ju 88A - ***
Escadrila 2 Bombardment - RO - OS11 - He 111H - **
1 Bombardirovŭchen Polk 2 Yato - BG - OS12 - Do 217E - **
1º Grupo de Bombardeo 1ª Escuadrilla - ES - OS11 - He 111H2 - **
Highlights
A few defenders got overwhelmed near Harrisburg, which allowed the Axis forces to secure a nearby airfield as well. Sentō dai 2 hikōtai was luring enemy fighters away from bombers, which helped while the enemy air presence was still significant.
As intelligence reports suggested, forests nearby were full of enemy supply depots. One such site in the west was quickly found by air recon and the secured using paratroopers.
Yet another site got located by Finnish forces. The defenders did not remain passive and moved to engage the Axis in the open, before infantry had the chance to block the approach.
Near Oregon City, the Canadian air force joined the fray and its British-built jet fighters proved to be formidable in battle against even the newest Japanese planes.
To the general's surprise, districts of Portland south of the Columbia River was very poorly defended. A mix of Japanese and Finnish troops secured this part of the city very quickly. There were more Americans on the other side, but as the Axis had the advantage in terms of artillery, they quickly overwhelmed these defenders also.
Finnish battle group discovered yet another supply depot and managed to deal with its defenders with little effort.
Kōgeki dai 1 hikōtai used the superior range of its rockets to destroy hangars built by Americans deep in local forests. Apparently they were constructed in places that were clearings due to fires after Japanese balloon bombing raids.
One such hangar was also destroyed thanks to paratroopers with some artillery and G10 N3 Fugaku F support. The general ordered airborne troops to immediately withdraw afterwards, as there were voluntary Canadian forces in the area equipped with heavy weapons that would clear out the infantry in fair combat.
One of the last hangars was discovered by the mobile Finnish forces and destroyed after vicious fighting with Canadians, who could not be ingnored this time.
Summary:
Final Prestige: 44582 (up 10729)
Overall:
Securing Portland opened the way towards Seattle and its massive industrial base. That would be the next target for general Bertorelli and securing that would allow his men to join up with the main direction of the attack towards Eastern area of the United States. Bertorelli assumed that if Portland was relatively light on defenses, it could only man that the main American army was waiting for them in Seattle, ready to fight down to the very last men. He could also not entirely rule out a much larger Canadian involvement, which already proved to be a challenging extra obstacle to deal with in previous battles.
