War of Attrition: The Grind of Guerrilla Warfare in Samar

The sun was setting slowly in the horizon, its orange hue painting the sky with glorious colors and marking the beginning of the evening.

Upon the water, the U.S. Navy fleet led by the USS Olympia was making its way across the ocean, carrying aboard 10,500 infantry soldiers from the 4th, 9th, 21st, 22nd and 33rd Infantry Regiments, along with 500 from the Asiatic Squadron and 1,000 from Commodore Reigelman's squadron.

As the ships continue their journey to the port of Catbalogan in Samar, the crew spotted a small fishing boat in the near distance.

The officers paid it no mind and decided to move on, focusing all their attention on the route ahead.

However, as the fleet goes past the fishing boat, The fisherman began to swiftly write down a message onto a piece of paper, rolled it up, secured it with a string and tied it to a pigeon in a cage on the boat before releasing it.

The bird quickly flew off without delay, heading towards Samar Island that was not too far off in the distance.

The message delivered to the revolutionaries on the outposts of Samar carried news of the impending attack by the American forces and instructions to assemble fighters from the nearby region, such as the Maradona Revolutionaries, Katipunan, Magdiwang Revolutionary Groups, Cavite Mutiny and the numerous minor Revolutionary Groups staying in Samar to gather and prepare at Catbalogan.

Rico Maradona, the leader of the Maradona Revolutionaries, quickly took control over operations and directed his followers to the Catbalogan port where the U.S. fleet was heading.

As the hours went by, more and more revolutionaries gathered at the site, amassing an army of 6,000 revolutionaries in total with more travelling towards Catbalogan as time goes on.

The night was now fully upon them as the two forces prepared for battle. Unexpectedly, a peculiar sense of uneasiness seemed to fill the air.

The Americans, unaware of their adversaries, continued with the voyage. The fog of anticipation had become heavy, making it difficult to properly prepare for the inevitable clash that was to take place within the next few hours.

-

(POV - American Soldier)

As we set sail for Samar, I can already feel the tension in the air among the soldiers and sailors. We all know that we're heading into a dangerous situation, and everyone is on edge. I'm part of the 4th Infantry Regiment, and I'm standing near a group of officers who are deep in conversation.

"General Smith has given us a clear mission," one of the officers say. "We need to take control of the Samar island and put an end to these rebels once and for all."

Another officer nods in agreement.

I can see the determination in their eyes, and I know that they're committed to the task ahead. As we continue sailing, I hear snippets of conversations from the other regiments.

"The 9th Infantry's ready to go! We've been ready for this for months."

"The 21st and 22nd Infantry's eager to get on land and show 'em what we're made of."

I know that I'm just a small part of this massive assault, but I feel honored to be a part of it. As the days pass, we all try to keep our spirits up, even though we know that the fighting will be tough.

One evening, I overhear two sailors talking near the bow of the ship.

"I heard that Commodore Reigelman's squadron is joining us for this assault," one of them says, a smile on his face as he talks.

The other nods. "Yeah, they've got 1,000 men. It's good to have some extra firepower on our side."

I can see the relief on their faces, and I feel a sense of camaraderie with these sailors who are putting their lives on the line just like we are.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we see Samar on the horizon. The excitement and nervousness among the soldiers and sailors is palpable. We know that this'll be a tough battle, but we're ready.

-

The American fleet had finally reached the port of Catbalogan in Samar. As the ships anchored on the port, the soldiers began to prepare for the large-scale assault that they had been waiting for.

They were ready to face the revolutionaries head-on and take back the control of Samar island, and to pay them back for Olango Island.

Little did they know, the revolutionaries were lying in wait, ready to strike at any given moment. Over 6,000 fighters had gathered in the edges of the port town, some concealed in the trees and hills with American-made mortars and artillery ready, ready to fire at a moment's notice.

more revolutionary groups and troops stationed around Samar continue travelling towards Catbalogan as the ones already in the area begin preparing defenses and artillery along with nests on the outskirts of the port city.

As the American troops began moving off the ships, the air was thick with tension. The soldiers were well-trained, but they knew that this would be a difficult fight. They could sense that something was amiss, but they couldn't quite put their finger on what it was.

Rico Maradona, the leader of the revolutionaries, watched from afar as the American troops began to move off the ships. He had been fighting the Americans for more than three years now, and he was determined to foil their attempt in taking Samar back from them.

He looked at his revolutionaries, who were poised and ready to strike. Maradona signaled for his lieutenants, who quickly relayed the message to the fighters waiting in the trees and hills. They armed themselves and prepared to engage in a fierce battle with the American troops.

As the sun began to set, the air grew still. The soldiers on both sides could feel the tension building, but there was still no sign of any movement.

The American troops continued to prepare for the assault, completely unaware of the threat that was looming just beyond the trees and hills.

-

The revolutionaries worked diligently to set up their defenses, sweat pouring down their faces in the humid air.

Rico Maradona supervised their progress, giving orders and instructions as he inspected the newly improved M1895 Colt-Browning machine gun nests set around the hills and strategic areas.

"Make sure that the barrels are properly aligned and secured," he called out to a group of men. "We need them to hold up under heavy fire."

The men nodded, their faces set in determined expressions as they worked to follow Rico's orders. He had spent countless hours working on these guns, tweaking and modifying them to make them more efficient and deadly in battle.

The M1895 Colt-Browning machine guns looked different from the ones the Americans had brought with them. They were customized, with longer barrels and improved cooling systems that would allow them to fire for longer periods of time without overheating.

Rico stood back and admired his work. These machine guns would be a game-changer in the coming battle. With their improved accuracy and firepower, they would be able to take out entire platoons of American soldiers.

As the sun began to set, the revolutionaries continued their preparations. They set up trenches and dugouts along the hillsides, concealing themselves in the dense foliage.

Mortars and artillery were positioned strategically, ready to rain down fire on the American troops as they advanced.

Meanwhile, the American soldiers were unaware of the danger that awaited them. They had secured the port town and were busy preparing for the assault, thinking that the rebels were nowhere near.

As the night grew darker, the revolutionaries finished their preparations. They lay in wait, tense and ready for the coming battle.

Rico stood at the edge of the hill, overlooking the port town below. He watched as the American soldiers moved about, unknowing of the danger that lay just beyond their view.

-

Unit/Regiment | Number of Soldiers

U.S. 4th Infantry Regiment | 2,000

U.S. 9th Infantry Regiment | 2,000

U.S 21st Infantry Regiment | 2,000

U.S 22nd Infantry Regiment | 2,000

U.S 33rd Volunteer Infantry Regiment | 3,000

Asiatic Squadron (Naval forces) | 500

Commodore Reigelman's Squadron (Naval forces) | 1,000

Total American Troops | 12,500

-

Revolutionaries | Number of Revolutionaries centralized in Samar

Maradona Revolutionaries | 4,000

Katipunan (Samar Branch) | 2,000

Magdiwang Revolutionary Group (Samar Branch) | 2,000

Cavite Mutiny (Samar Branch) | 500

Minor Revolutionary Groups (e.g. Katipunan of Guiuan and Tacloban, People's Army of Leyte and Biliran, Lanuza-Lapuz Revolt, etc.) | 1,500

Total Revolutionary Forces | 10,000

-

A few hours has passed and the first batch of American soldiers begin moving out of the port town in formation, their weapons at the ready as they begin to advance towards the inland of Samar. They were tense and watchful, knowing that they were entering enemy territory.

As they advanced, they were unaware of the revolutionaries hidden in the trees and hills around them. The rebels watched silently, waiting for the right moment to strike.

In an instant, the peaceful stillness of the air was shattered by the deafening sound of gunfire that echoed through the surroundings, piercing through the eardrums of everyone present.

The suddenness of the attack caught the American soldiers completely off guard, sending a jolt of fear coursing through their veins.

The soldiers, who had moments before been joking and laughing amongst themselves, were now thrown into a chaotic frenzy, their instincts taking over as they scrambled frantically for cover.

Dozens of the American soldiers that were just leaving the port town were immediately gunned down, no cover helping them as they fell lifelessly to the ground, the other American soldiers swiftly retreated back to the port town.

The revolutionaries continue to launch a relentless assault against the American soldiers. Their weapons churned out a constant stream of bullets that pierced through the air, creating a deafening sound that echoed through the surroundings.

The air was thick with smoke and the stench of gunpowder, causing the eyes to water and the throat to choke.

As the battle raged on, the scene was one of chaos and destruction. The sound of gunfire was punctuated by the screams of the wounded and dying, a haunting melody that echoed across the battlefield.

The once-peaceful town was now transformed into a scene of carnage, with lifeless bodies littering the streets and buildings reduced to rubble.

Despite their fierce determination, the American soldiers were struggling to make progress. The revolutionaries were well-prepared and well-armed, with their improved and customized M1895 Colt-Browning machine gun tearing through the American ranks whenever they didn't have cover.

The sound of bullets ricocheting off buildings and metal filled the air as the Americans fought back fiercely, desperate to push through the rebel lines.

The battle was unrelenting, with neither side giving an inch. The rebels rained down mortars and artillery on the American soldiers, causing explosions that shook the ground and sent shrapnel flying through the air.

The screams of the wounded and dying mixed with the sound of the explosions, creating a cacophony of terror and chaos that threatened to overwhelm the senses.

Amidst all the chaos, the American soldiers fought on, driven by a fierce determination to overcome the enemy and emerge victorious.

The Americans tried to advance, but they were met with a wall of bullets and fierce resistance. The rebels held their positions, firing constantly and accurately as they hid behind fortified machine gun nests and blockades places around the hills.

The battle raged on for hours, with no end in sight. The rebels were outnumbered, but they fought with a fierce determination, their faces set with a steely resolve to defend their land at all costs.

The air was filled with the sounds of gunfire and explosions, and the screams of wounded soldiers echoed across the hills and valleys, creating a terrifying chorus of pain and suffering.

As the sun began to set, the battle showed no signs of slowing down. The rebels had dug in, fortifying their positions with makeshift barriers and sandbags, and they were fighting tooth and nail to keep the Americans at bay.

The Americans, on the other hand, were equally determined, their faces etched with determination as they pressed forward, inch by inch, through the hail of bullets and shrapnel.

As the night wore on, the battle only intensified. The darkness was punctuated by the eerie glow of tracer rounds streaking through the air, lighting up the battlefield in an otherworldly hue.

The rebels, tired and exhausted, fought on with a dogged determination as they desperately tried to hold their ground.

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the sounds of gunfire and explosions began anew, signaling the start of another day of brutal fighting.

The rebels, led by the indomitable Rico Maradona, fought with a renewed vigor, their hearts filled with the fiery passion of those who were fighting for their homes and families.

The Americans, equally determined, pressed forward with a relentless force, their eyes fixed on the prize of victory.

The battle continued to rage on, with both sides taking heavy casualties. The rebels, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, refused to back down, fighting on with ferocity that belied their dire circumstances. The Americans, for their part, fought with a ferocity that spoke to their unwavering commitment to the cause.

After a few more hours of constant battle, the revolutionaries began an orderly retreat, swiftly moving across the rugged and wild terrains of the land as they set up traps and crafted landmines across the path they take.

-

A day had passed since the battle, the American troops continue on advancing forward and taking control of towns and villages around Catbalogan, without them facing any resistance which unsettled some soldiers and higher-ups.

The sun had began setting, a battalion of American soldiers are currently in a large town near Catbalogan, acting as a Garrison.

As they went about their day, they were immediately taken off guard when dozens of shots rang out all over the town.

At first, the American soldiers thought it was just a random attack, but they quickly realized they were facing a coordinated assault.

Civilians, who were revolutionaries in disguise, had taken up positions in the town, ready to take on the American soldiers.

The revolutionaries had customized M1895 Colt-Browning machine guns nested on the top windows of houses, opening fire and killing dozens of American soldiers who had no idea where the firing was coming from, explosions rang out across the streets as grenades and dynamite are thrown around the road and towards where the American troops are.

The American soldiers quickly scrambled for cover, trying to make sense of the chaos around them. The insurgents, on the other hand, continue with their onslaught, their faces twisted with hatred as they fired relentlessly at the American soldiers. It was a brutal and unrelenting battle, with both sides taking casualties.

As the night wore on, the battle intensified, with the sound of gunfire and explosions echoing across the town.

The revolutionaries fought with a tenacity that belied their numbers, launching wave after wave of attacks on the American soldiers.

The American soldiers, for their part, fought back fiercely, determined not to let the revolutionaries gain the upper hand.

The revolutionaries had set up traps and ambushes all around the town, making it difficult for the American soldiers to advance or retreat.

They used the cover of darkness to their advantage, launching surprise attacks and melting away into the shadows before the American soldiers could mount a counter-attack.

In the end, the American soldiers were able to hold their ground, but not without paying a heavy price. Dozens of soldiers lay dead or wounded on the streets, the sound of their moans and cries of pain filling the air.

The battle had been fierce and brutal, leaving both sides battered and bruised, with the insurgents disappearing into the night, waiting for their next chance to strike.

The American soldiers were left to mourn their fallen comrades, their spirits dampened by the knowledge that they were not as safe as they had once thought

-.

Similar scenes begin to happen all around the Catbalogan region, the revolutionaries, using their knowledge of the terrain to their advantage as they relentlessly attacked the American troops.

They would often strike in the middle of the night or extremely early in the morning, firing upon American controlled areas with a ferocity that left the soldiers scrambling for cover, sometimes just firing a couple of shots and leaving just to keep the Americans awake.

The sound of gunfire and explosions filled the air, and the stench of death and destruction hung heavy around the battlefields.

The American soldiers were exhausted and demoralized, their morale dwindling with each passing day. The constant attacks and ambushes made it impossible for them to rest or even catch a break.

The revolutionaries continued to harass the American troops with advanced and unorthodox modern tactics, utilizing the latest weaponry and guerrilla warfare techniques taught by Rico Maradona.

They would hit the American garrisons, platoons, companies, and sometimes battalions stationed around the towns and villages with swift and deadly force, taking out dozens of soldiers at a time before retreating a few minutes later.

Despite their superior firepower and training, the Americans were struggling to hold their ground as the revolutionaries utilize the land and information they get, as the locals of the American-controlled villages and towns continue working with the revolutionaries, giving them a constant line of information on the movements of the American troops that are in the area.

As the weeks dragged on, the casualties mounted and the fighting only grew more brutal. The revolutionaries refused to back down, their relentless attacks causing chaos and destruction throughout the American ranks.

The American soldiers began to fear for their lives, unsure if they would ever make it out of the country alive. The war had become a nightmare, a never-ending cycle of death and destruction with no end in sight.

-

The American commanders and officers had been pushed to their limits after more than two weeks of constant guerrilla and urban warfare in Samar. General Elwell Stephen Otis, the overall commander of the American forces, sat in his tent with his top officers, studying maps and reports while trying to come up with a plan to break the stalemate.

"General, the situation is getting worse by the day," said Colonel William H. Bisbee, the commanding officer of the 21st Infantry Regiment. "We can't keep up with these ambushes and constant attacks from the revolutionaries. They know the terrain better than we do, and they're using it to their advantage."

"I agree," chimed in Admiral George Dewey, who was overseeing the naval forces. "Our ships can only do so much to support the troops on the ground. We need a new strategy."

General Otis sighed and leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the reports on the table. "We have to be careful not to underestimate the revolutionaries. They're well-trained and well-armed, and they've been fighting for their cause for years. But we have to find a way to turn the tide of this war."

"I suggest we launch a full-scale attack on their stronghold in Catbalogan," said Major General Adna Chaffee, the commander of the 9th Infantry Regiment. "We can use our numerical advantage to overwhelm them and force them to retreat."

"But sir, that would mean leaving other areas vulnerable to attack," pointed out Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Glenn, the executive officer of the 33rd Volunteer Infantry Regiment. "We can't afford to spread ourselves too thin."

General Otis rubbed his temples, considering their options. "We could try to negotiate a peace agreement with the revolutionaries, but I doubt they would agree to our terms. They're fighting for their independence, and they won't give up easily."

"Then what do we do, sir?" asked Lieutenant Colonel James H. Reeves, the commanding officer of the 22nd Infantry Regiment.

General Otis stood up, his face stern. "We keep fighting. We hold our ground and continue to engage the revolutionaries wherever they are. We must not give up or show any signs of weakness. We will win this war, but we have to be patient and persistent."

The officers nodded in agreement, knowing that their task would not be an easy one. The revolutionaries were fierce fighters, and they would not back down without a fight. But the American commanders were determined to see this war through to the end, no matter the cost.

-

The independent revolutionary groups' leaders or representatives, along with Rico Maradona and his lieutenants, sat in a dimly-lit hideout, discussing the current state of the war. They had been successful in their attacks on the American troops, and their confidence was high.

Rico Maradona speaks up, "Brothers, our strategies have been working greatly, we've shown the Americans that we wouldn't be defeated so easily. They came here thinking that they could just take Samar back from us in a day, but we've shown them that we won't give up without a fight."

The revolutionaries in the room nodded in agreement, one of them added, "They're getting desperate, They've been trying to capture and hunt down our men, but we've always been one step ahead of them every time. I'm sure that they're starting to realize that they aren't just dealing with a group of farmers with pitchforks." he says, chuckling afterwards.

Rico smiled, "Our brothers in the other revolutionary groups have been doing great work as well. We need to continue working together to achieve our goal. We won't stop until we have our independence."

One of Rico's lieutenants spoke up, "I'm sure I don't need to remind everyone, but we must also be cautious. The Americans aren't stupid, and they won't give up and retreat now that we basically just slapped them across the face. We need to be prepared for their next move."

Rico nodded knowingly, "You're right, we can't be complacent. But we also shouldn't lose our spirit. We've shown that we're a force to be reckoned with, and we'll continue to show them so."

As they continued to talk, the group was interrupted by a messenger, who had news from the frontlines. The leaders listened intently as the messenger relayed the latest information.

Rico's eyes lit up, "4 more allied revolutionary groups arrived at Samar, we've got 3,500 fresh fighters, also, the American troops stationed in 4 large towns around San Jorje and Paranas along with Lawa-an retreated after taking large casualties from the large-scale ambush we devised, our troops there suffered minimal casualties." He says positively, a smile tugging his lips.

The other leaders cheered, and Rico continued, "We must continue to fight, to push forward. We won't let them break our spirits. We'll fight until the end, for our freedom."

The group raised their fists in solidarity and determination, ready to continue their fight for independence.

-----

Samar-based Revolutionary leaders and representatives in the room:

Katipunan (Samar Branch):

· Juanito Magbanua

· Florencio Salcedo

· Valerio Nable Jose

Magdiwang Revolutionary Group (Samar Branch):

· Vicente Lukban

· Gregorio Aglipay

· Pascual Espiritu

Cavite Mutiny (Samar Branch):

· Mariano Alvarez

· Francisco del Castillo

· Felipe Calderon

Minor Revolutionary Groups:

· Pedro Abayan

· Jose Bernal

· Julian Salarza

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Maradona Revolutionary High-Ranks

• Francisco "Paco" Carreon – A former foot soldier of the Maradona Revolutionary Army, is now a skilled strategist and tactician, led one of the main offensives against a few large towns in Olango Island.

• Juan "Johnny" Zamora – A former lawyer from Manila, he was known for his intelligence and level-headedness. Serves as a mediator between different revolutionary groups, helping to maintain unity among them.

• Jaime "Jimmy" Delgado – A former farmer from Samar, he's an expert marksman and one of the most experienced guerrilla fighters in Rico's army. He was also known for his bravery and loyalty to Rico Maradona and the Revolutionaries and is now one of Rico's trusted lieutenants.

• Arturo "Turing" Tabuena – Formerly a Filipino soldier in General Emilio Aguinaldo's rebel army, Turing was an accomplished strategist who helped plan many of the revolutionaries' successful attacks against American forces in Samar Island.

• Vicente "Vic" Cruz – Formerly an aide to General Antonio Luna, Vic Cruz was well-known for his courage on the battlefield and his ability to inspire others with his speeches. He also played a key role in unifying different revolutionary groups during negotiations with other revolutionaries leaders.