[Webstral]

If memory serves, US Army Vehicle Guide lists 40th ID as being in central California in July 2000. They are controlling an area centered on a Sacramento-Oakland corridor. I’m not certain about this without checking my reference material, though. There is an MP brigade at Bakersfield. I agree that it’s odd that the Bakersfield oil is not being more heavily guarded. What are the possible explanations for this? Having driven the Grapevine (I-5 between the southern end of the Central Valley and the SoCal conurb), I can say that the road network offers few bypasses. Destruction of the road in a few places would effectively isolate the Central Valley from the south. There are a few smaller roads, but these are even more vulnerable to destruction.

The best I can come up with for the 40th not being at Bakersfield or at San Luis Obispo is that the security situation in the central Central Valley requires that AFV be present. This isn’t very satisfactory. There aren’t any enemy tanks around. It’s hard to imagine a civil unrest situation that can’t be handled by M2 or M113 with a cupola. Perhaps the Sixth US Army CG just can’t bear to have his most potent force far from his headquarters.

Regarding the Texian Legion, if memory serves they beat up a light infantry division engaged in clearing eastern Texas of hostile armed bands. The Mexicans may never have reached Texian Legion territory in any strength or at all. The Legion may have spent its strength in fighting federal forces. Afterwards, they may not have been in a position to try to expand their holdings. It’s hard to say.