Fritzkrieg 44, War in the Pacific

[Fritz]

And here is the continuation of my War in the Pacific (matrixgames.com) chronicle. The first part grew out of my impressions located in the game discussion section (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/for...ad.php?t=28084)

My game is as the Allies, starting in June 1943. I have the game set to Historic difficulty, which may be a too easy. The game, played 1 day per turn, has just entered 1944.

The game covers the entire Pacific and CBI theaters at about 60 miles to a hex. I am still deciding how to make some maps available.

[Fritz]

The game is broken down into several sub theaters/commands. I am allowing the AI to run operations in India, China, South East Asia, and Russia. I operate the following commands:

West Coast: Western US. Mostly used to staging ground for the war.
Canada: Mostly the same as the west coast, but with back bacon.
North: The Alaska area. This has been cleared and is not much of a player now. Eventually, I may base some bombers here to hit northern Japan.
Central: HQed in Hawaii and covering the Gilbert, Marshall, and Marianas islands. Very active.
South: The Solomons. Very Active
Southwest (NG): Eastern New Guinea and nearby islands. Very Active
Southwest (DEI): Western NG and the former Dutch possessions. Very Active
Australia: Forces attached to Australian home defense
New Zealand: Forces attached to NZ home defense

[Fritz]

First week of Jan, 1944

Operations in the Central command center around a planned invasion of Einwietok. A large amphibious fleet carrying the 27th Division is nearing the island by the 7th and is waiting for supporting fleet elements to catch up. Betty Bombers from nearby islands have been harassing the slowly approaching armada, but planes from the 4 carrier task forces have been keeping them back.

In the South Command, an Aviation support group has been brought up to Green island, enabling the airstrips there to operate at full capacity. 6 Squadrons of Helldivers and 4 squadrons of Corsairs from Buin have been transferred there. The dive bombers have been making daily runs on Kaveing, reducing the airstrips their to moonscape. When Kaveing is reduced the Wing will shift attention to Rabaul.

The remaining dive bombers and torpedo bombers based at Buin have been alternating between Buka and Shortlands, keeping the ports and airfields in complete disarray.

SW(NG) has reorganized its aircraft operations, using the Sachmo method, and is now able to bring over 400 Medium and Heavy Bombers into operation. The first test of this new operation has been a round the clock series of strikes against the Kaveing docks. For now, the SW(NG) ground forces are standing down while the air forces turn everything they can get their hands on into dust.

SW(DEI) is solidifying positions on Timor and preparing bases for future air operations. To the east of Timor, an Aussie RCT is preparing to capture another island. The focus of operations in the region are to capture bases suitable for airstrips. These new forward bases would allow Allied medium and Heavy bombers to strike Japanese positions in western NG and North as far as Borneo.

[sachmo71]

Ohhh, I have a method! My wife will be so excited!

I'll be reading, Fritz. Good luck.

[Fritz]

This will be better with maps, but that will be later

Week 2, Jan 1944

Central Pacific: 27th Infantry Division ("New York Division"), supported by Engineers and some armor, landed at Eniwietok island under the cover of fire from 5 Battleships. CINCPAC had hoped that a sudden unexpected effort could keep casualties down. 4 bloody days later, the 27th was able to move off the beaches enough to grab most of the island. Retreating Japanese force still have a foothold on the island and have been making ferocious counterattacks.

Lessons from this action: These islands are going to need softening up. The central theater can get their hands on about 120 long range bombers, so operations should be planned within their service range. These bombers will be used for pre-invasion bombings hammering likely locations for costal guns. Nearby islands with airfields also need to be targeted. Kwajalein atoll is next up for invasion and will be a test of these hard learned lessons.

A high seas battleship replenishment force is being assembled in Pearl Harbor now. In the future, this force will move with the main invasion group. Allied planners hope this will allow the ammunition hungry Battlewagons to stay on station.

South Pacific: The Buka Invasion force has orders to gather about 180 East of the Allied base on Tulagi in the eastern Solomons. Air operations vs. Rabaul and Buka continue. Japanese transports looking to resupply or evacuate Buka have been sited and are under fire.

South Pacific command is considering a request from Southwest for a transfer of Marine raider and parachute battalions.

Southwest (NG): for a second week, operations in eastern New Guinea have focused on using allied air power to reduce Japanese positions. 3 days of massive air strikes have put the port and airfields of Madang out of operation. After mission flights reveal a high degree of carnage with over 100 planes reported destroyed on the ground.

The 503 Parachute infantry regiment has been alerted to prepare for a move westward. Allied planners believe the DEIs are lightly defended and suited for small airborne operations.

Southwest (DEI): An Australian Brigade captured the western NG town of Babo, which is now being prepared for base operations. Air operations in the region are starting to move in on Japanese sea lanes. Thus far, the japanese convoys have been ill prepared for the increased allied air presence.

Another American CVE was struck, this time with loss of the entire crew. A review board is looking at ways to use these.


----
Allied Naval power got a big boost this week as the CV Hornet joined the fleet, along with 2 battleships of the new Iowa class (Iowa, New Jersey). The CV is of the Essex class, boasting 90 aircraft. The Battleships sport 9 huge 16 inch guns, superior radar and armor, and can move at 30 knots. Older fleet battleships are restricted to speeds of around 20 knots.

[Fritz]

Central Area Operations: A look at plans.

One division is ready and planning for operations at Kwajalein atol. Movement towards these operations will begin as soon as the Eniwietok amphibious ships return and get some maintenance. The overall invasion force will probably look like 1 Infantry Div, 1 Amphib Armor Battalion, 1 Artillery Regt. This force will be followed up by 3 Enginere Battaions and a Base Force.

As soon as Kwajalein is done and the invasion felet returns, operations against Wake island will commence. In preperation for the Wake operation, a Carrier Task force made up of new ships needing some experience will be brought on station to make bombing runs.

Looming ahead are the Marianas islands of Guam, Siapan, and Tinian. These islands are absolutely critical to allied plans. They are large enough to play host to the bigger bombers, which can be used to take the was to the home islands of Japan.

The last untasked Division (7th Infantry) attached to Central has begun planning for Guam. As soon as the 27th Division finishes moping up on Eniwietok, they will; begin planning for Tinian. Plans are to use 2 more division in the battle, but Allied planners are not sure where these are coming from yet.

[Fritz]

Week 3 Jan 44

Operations continued on Eniwetok with the 27th Infantry Division clearing the final Japanese defenders from their caves. Base force troops who were struggling on Rongelap 240 Miles to the SW have moved over to Eniwietok and have opened the port and airstrips. Operation Forward Feather, the transport of 24 Corsairs to Einwetok aboard the new USS Yorktown is underway. Eniwetok is within range of Betty Bombers based on Truk, so shipping into the region requires air cover.

Base building operations on the desolate Bikini Atoll, 180 SW of Einwetok, have resulted in a single airstrip being carved from the coral. The Bikini base was started to give airmen an emergency airstrip, and is not suited for operations. Plans are being drafted to evacuate the island garrison.

Heavy Bombers continue to pound Kwajalin island, further damaging the airfield and beach defense system.

In the South Pacific, preparation for amphibious operations against Buka continue. Air raids of up to 150 bombers a day strike at the base. With most airfield and port facilities in tatters, the strikes are now concentrating on known troop locations. Joining the preparatory bombardment are two surface forces based around several Battleship each. The Task Forces, basing out of nearby Buin, are able to get a strike in every other day each. Troops for Operation Topknot, the amphibious landing, should be hitting the beach by the end of the month.

A B24 Squadron with a P38 Squadron for Escorts was moved onto Green Island north of Buka to begin air strikes against the major base at Truk.

South West (NG) operations continue to focus of airpower, with devastating strikes being launched against Madang and Wewak on the New Guinea north coast, and against Rabaul on New Britain. A RCT based at Arawe on NB is about halfway through a hard march to Gasmata on the south coast. Another RCT of the same division is enroute to Talasea. When both of these locations are captured, all of New Britain except Rabaul will be under Allied control.

South West (DEI) operations continue to procede slowly. The Australian base at Babo has been reinforced with a squadron of Kittyhawk fighters, and as the week comes to a close, B25 medium bombers could be seen moving into the area. Patrols of the sea continue to turn up lightly escorted convoys.

----
The War Department has released another division to the Pacific theater. The 38th Infantry reported to San Francisco and awaits transit to Hawaii to begin training for Mariana's operations.

Scanning the operational map, Navy planners in Washington have concluded that bases at Woleai and/or Satawal some 300 miles south of Guam might be of use in support of the Mariana's campaign. South Pacific has been tasked with developing invasion plans for islands. The major obstacle for invading these islands is the distance from controlled airfields (at least 600 miles) and the presence of Truk 240 miles southeast of Satawal.

[Fritz]

Something I am not clear on:

The war in the pacific is a bit triangle shaped, with the Central operating on one edge as they move to the Marianas, then Iwo, then Okinawa.

SW has the outer edge of New Guinea, the DEI, then the Phillipines.

South in the middle kind of runs out of room after the solomons and the south pacific islands.

SoI am not sure what I am supposed to do here. I could transfer bases and areas of operation from the Central and the SouthWest so that South ends up controlling NG, The Solomons, The Bismarks, The GIlberts, and the Marshalls. But this will cost a number of polical points.

If I do this, South will still control far too many ground and air assets. I could transfer the assets to SW and Central. Not sure if there are enough PPs to tranfer bases and assets. I could just let the south control what it does, and transfer assets away, but this seems like a waste of a command.

Since I plan to be active in the DEI, I could limit the SW to NG and the DEI and have South move up to the Phillipines. SW has far too many assets and would need to give some of those to South, especially aircraft.

Not sure what to do yet, but I need to decide soon, so I can begin training the Allied forces for future operations.

[Fritz]

Something to keep in mind:

Air operations depend on two things - pilots and airframes. Sustaining operations demands that you have plenty of both in reserve.

At least once in the campaign I noticed that my reserve of Naval pilots was shallow, so I grounded all naval air not based on carriers until the shortfall could be eliminated.

[Fritz]

Week 4 Jan 44

Central: Operations in the Central Pacific were mostly quiet this week. Kwajalin Atoll was again subjected to strikes in preparation for invasion. Operation Forward Feather was executed, and Eniwetok was supplied with a squadron of Corsairs. A Base Force and Airfield unit stationed on Baker Island were loaded on to transports with the eventual goal of setting up shop on Eniwetok. Baker is still maintains some air operations and replenishment facilities.

Amphibious ships from the Eniwetok operation will be in Pearl by the end of the month. Initial reports indicate that the ships are in good shape and could manage another operation before a refit. Officers from the 40th Infantry Division have been seen at the docks and supply depots.

Note: IRL, 2 Divisions were used against Kwajalin, so the Allies may be in for quite a struggle

Allied planners have decided that a forward staging area is needed that can keep these amphibious ships off the open seas for quite so long. Eniwetok and Wake are the primary candidates.

South: Operations Topknot, the capture of Buka, kicked off at the end of the week with an invasion by the 4th Marine Division supported by corp Artillery. Despite the massive bombings and bombardment, the division suffered almost 20% casualties in first two days. Plans are already in the works to augment this force with some of the units in reserve available to South. The 25th Divison at Luganville, still resting from operations on Guadalcanal, is the likely force. There is little doubt that the Marines are up to the task, but Washington has asked for this operation to be concluded swiftly so that the Marines can be made available for future operations.

To the south of Buka, the Americal Division, accompanied by a tank battalion, have begun marching from Buin to the west with the objective of capturing Torinka. Torinka is garrisoned by the remnants of the Buin operation and are expected to be low on supplies. The base itself holds little value, but the presence of these Japanese forces obligates the US to heavily garrison the island.

An aviation support unit is expected on Emirau in the next day or two. As soon as this unit sets up shop B24 Bombers and their escorts will move to the island. This will give the Allies another airfield with range to hit Truk.

Southwest (NG): On New Britain, a RCT from the 32nd Infantry Division landed and captured Talasea on the north coast. The RCT was immediately given orders to march towards Gastmata where it will join with a second RCT from the division. The western portion of NB is under complete allied control.

Elements of the 503 Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) were dropped on Siador, and captured the abandoned base. This is the first foothold on the north face of New Guinea and may be used as a staging area for future operations. The drop was last minute affair, acting on information that defenses in the area were weak. The capture of Saidor changes planning some, Releasing the 3rd AUS Division for operations against Rabaul on NB. The 7th AUS Brigade is being sea lifted to Saidor to relieve the paratroopers who will rested for future operations. 2 Marine Parachute battalions along with a marine Raider battalion are being transferred to SW.

With Eastern NG in firm allied control, SW pacific HQ is being transferred from Brisbane to Port Moresby. There has been some concern that General Macarthur has not been effective enough managing such a large area, and hopes are that moving the HQ forward will keep him touch. Rumors are flying that Bull Halsey, commander of South, could be brought in to replace the SW commander.

Southwest (DEI): Japanese resistance on Timor has ended as a RCT from the 6th Division swept the western portion of the island. The 6th ID has been ordered to begin refitting for probable operations on Borneo.

Allied naval forces have moved a small invasion force, including a light carrier, to Derby where they will pick up a Brigade from the 6th AUS division. The brigade has been planning for operations on Flores, where airfields exist that can be used against Japanese on Sulawesi and Borneo.

Operations in this portion of the SW command are being turned over to the 8th Army (US), which is in transit from Townsend to Darwin.

[Fritz]

Some maps:

[Fritz]

A look at Reinforcement Tables settles the issue of Organizational alignment. SOUTH will become a secondary command like North. Current SOUTH assests will be transfered to other commands as needed to further the war effort. ADM Wm. Halsey can expect to turn command over to someone more suited to a less active theater. The Allies are very likely to swap Halsey and MacAuthur.

Transferring Assets from one command to the next can be costly, and SOUTH controls 6 US divisions, plus some RCTs and New Zealand formations. The NZ troops can be expect to reamin with south on garrison duty. There is great doubt that the island nation could sustain a formation involved in heavy combat.

The smaller assets like Engineers and Squadrons are much less costly, and could make the transition sooner.

[sachmo71]

Fritz, how does intel work? How do you gather information on what forces are defending enemy bases? Do they simulate the breaking of Purple?

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

Fritz, how does intel work? How do you gather information on what forces are defending enemy bases? Do they simulate the breaking of Purple?

There are a few wys. The first is some information is more or less revealed on the map. This info is based on local area intel for sources like scout planes and is incomplete and a little shoddy. There is also a SIGINT report, which I have not made much use of.

Your questions tend to remind me of features, so I will have a look at the SIGINT report this evening.

In 44, with this AI, the Japanese are not very agressive in the Pacific, so I have not had reason to fear any major.

[Fritz]

Unit, Operational Objective, Command
7th ID, Guam, Central
38th ID, Tinian, Central
40th ID, Kwajalin, Central
2nd Marine Div, Wake, Central
27th ID, Siapan, C

4th Marine Div, Buka, S
AMERICAL Div, Torokina, S
3rd Marine Div, No Objective, S (May be transferred to Central)
25th ID, No Objective, S (May be used at Buka)
31st ID, No Objective, S (May be transferred to SW)
3rd NZ, No Objective, S
43rd ID, Woleai, S (May be transferred to SW or C for Op)
93rd ID, No Objective, S On ships at Baker. May hold them there or Tarawa as reserves for Kwaj Invasion.

1st Marine Div, Kwandari (DEI), SW
31st ID, Palieu, SW
24th ID, Ambonia (DEI), SW
6th ID, Timor (DEI), SW
6th AUS, DEI, SW
7th AUS, No Objective (NG), SW
41st ID, No Objective, SW
3rd AUS, Rabaul (NG), SW
1st CAV, No Objective (NG), SW
32nd ID, NB, SW

This table does not include formations lower than Brigade

[Fritz]

For Sachmo

Originally Posted by US_SigInt_Report

SIG INT REPORT FOR 02/01/44

Nagasaki Fortress is located at Nagasaki.
Radio transmissions detected at Wuhan.
Radio transmissions detected at Kitakyushu.
140th IJA Base Force is located at Lashio.
11th Army is planning for an attack on Changsha.
Radio transmissions detected at Tokyo.
Radio transmissions detected at 53,67.
4th Mixed Regiment is located at Saigon.
5th Engineer Regiment is located at Taan.
Radio transmissions detected at Bonin.
112th IJA Base Force is located at Tatung.
Radio transmissions detected at Kiungahan.
Radio transmissions detected at Fushan.
107 ships are based at Osaka/Kobe.
Tsugaru Fortress is located at Aomori.
Radio transmissions detected at Yap.
Radio transmissions detected at Saipan.
Radio transmissions detected at Jaluit.
Mongol Cavalry Division is located at 54,26.
4th Construction Battalion is located at Mukden.

Originally Posted by IJ_SigInt_Report

SIG INT REPORT FOR 02/01/44

Radio transmissions detected at Derby.
Radio transmissions detected at 44,39.
Radio transmissions detected at 46,36.
Radio transmissions detected at 66,32.
Radio transmissions detected at 38,37.
Radio transmissions detected at 45,35.

Originally Posted by OPS_Report

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR 02/01/44

Sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 28,73 , Speed 3 , Moving Northeast
Sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 28,73 , Speed 17 , Moving Northeast
Sighting report: 3 Allied ships at 28,73 , Speed 15 , Moving Northeast
H8K Emily sighting report: 9 Allied ships at 60,84 , Speed 11 , Moving West
H8K Emily sighting report: 9 Allied ships at 56,89 , Speed 4 , Moving Southwest
E7K2 Alf sighting report: 5 Allied ships at 83,83 , Speed 4 , Moving West
E7K2 Alf sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 63,44 , Speed 9 , Moving East
H8K Emily sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 63,44 , Speed 11 , Moving Northwest
E13A1 Jake sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 63,44 , Speed 6 , Moving West
F1M2 Pete sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 63,44 , Speed 7 , Moving East
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Hanoi
Ki-46-II Dinah takes recon photos of Yenen
Ki-46-II Dinah takes recon photos of Hengchow
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Hengchow
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Hollandia
PB4Y Liberator takes recon photos of Wake Island
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of 21st Division
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of 22nd Special Base Force
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of 23rd Special Base Force
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of 16th Indian Brigade
LT Henderson B. of VF-31 is credited with kill number 2
LT Osborne O. of VF-31 is credited with kill number 2
LT Osborne O. of VF-31 is credited with kill number 3
LTJG Alford R. of VF-31 is credited with kill number 2
LT Osborne O. of VF-31 is credited with kill number 3
H8K Emily sighting report: 6 Allied ships at 54,85 , Speed 8 , Moving West
MAJ Westbrook, R.B. of 18th FG/B is credited with kill number 3
H8K Emily sighting report: 5 Allied ships at 63,89 , Speed 13 , Moving Northwest
H8K Emily has spotted PT-153 at 63,89
H8K Emily attacking Gabilan at 63,44
H8K Emily attacking Mingo at 63,44
H8K Emily has spotted LST-70 at 28,73
G4M1 Betty sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 64,45 , Speed 4 , Moving East
G4M1 Betty attacking Lancetfish at 63,44
E13A1 Jake attacking Mingo at 63,44
E7K2 Alf attacking Lancetfish at 63,44
Lancetfish is reported HIT
E7K2 Alf attacking Trigger at 63,44
Catalina I sighting report: 2 Japanese ships at 53,78 , Speed 4 , Moving Northeast
B-25J Mitchell sighting report: 1 Japanese ship at 50,43 , Speed 3 , Moving Southeast
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of Haiphong
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Akyab
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Banjarmasin
PO Coffey V. of No. 78 RAAF Sqdn is credited with kill number 5
PO Coffey V. of No. 78 RAAF Sqdn is credited with kill number 6
PO Coffey V. of No. 78 RAAF Sqdn is credited with kill number 6
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of Siador
PB4Y Liberator takes recon photos of Wake Island
F-5C Lightning takes recon photos of 6th Naval Construction Battalion
Mosquito PR.IX takes recon photos of Hainan Base Force
PB4Y Liberator takes recon photos of 65th Brigade
Ki-46-II Dinah takes recon photos of 4th New Chinese Corps
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of 63rd Chinese Corps
Ki-46-III Dinah takes recon photos of 63rd Chinese Corps
Ki-46-II Dinah takes recon photos of 8th Chinese Corps
ENS Shirley, J.A. of VF-31 is credited with kill number 2
ENS Shirley, J.A. of VF-31 is credited with kill number 2
2LT Holt P. of 345th BG/B is KILLED
Homan expands fortifications to size 8
Ichang expands fortifications to size 8
Eniwetok expands fortifications to size 3

Originally Posted by Combat_Report

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/01/44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 46,43

Japanese Ships
PC Takuna Maru #6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Skate

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86


Allied aircraft
PV-1n Ventura x 15


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x PV-1n Ventura bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 52,43

Japanese Ships
AK Nichiwa Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Parche

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 62,46

Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #2
MSW Tasei Maru
MSW Choun Maru #6
DD Kuri

Allied Ships
SS Bashaw

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 40,54

Japanese Ships
PC Seki Maru #2
PG Saiko Maru
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Apogon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 40,54

Japanese Ships
AO Hayamoto
PG Kyo Maru #8

Allied Ships
SS Apogon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 62,46

Japanese Ships
AK Goyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
ML Shirakami
MSW Choun Maru #18
MSW Banshu Maru #56
MSW W.9

Allied Ships
SS Bashaw

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 44,61

Japanese Ships
AK Tsuruha Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Cuttlefish

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Truk , at 63,78

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 17
B-25J Mitchell x 9
B-24J Liberator x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 3 destroyed
L3Y Tina: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-57-II Topsy: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
116 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 30
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 23800 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kwajalein , at 79,79


Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 49
B-24J Liberator x 36


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported

Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
6 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
5 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
2 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
2 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
2 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 19


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th Division, at 63,92


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 23
SB2C Helldiver x 78
P-38J Lightning x 19


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
198 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
13 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
13 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
13 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
13 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
13 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Maumere at 28,73

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged


Allied Ships
LSD Lindenwald

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Maumere at 28,73

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Maumere at 28,73

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 11
Ki-46-III Dinah x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 15 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged


Allied Ships
CVL Cabot

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
7 x Ki-46-III Dinah bombing at 20000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 9
Mosquito FB.VI x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Mosquito FB.VI: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Mosquito FB.VI attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 8


Allied aircraft losses
Thunderbolt II: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Thunderbolt II attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 22
Beaufighter VIC x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufighter VIC attacking at 100 feet
12 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Macassar , at 30,69


Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 4


Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBM Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 61,88


Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 1


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Siador at 54,85

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged


Allied Ships
AK James Gordon Bennett
AK Edmund Randolph

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Maumere at 28,73

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 5
Ki-46-III Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied Ships
CVL Cabot

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
2 x Ki-46-III Dinah bombing at 20000 feet
1 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 62,46

Japanese Ships
AK Tyoko Maru
MSW Choun Maru #18
MSW Banshu Maru #56
MSW W.9

Allied Ships
SS Bashaw

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Maumere, 28,73



Allied ground losses:
395 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Akyab

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17741 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 13431 troops, 24 guns, 280 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
234 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Akyab

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10107 troops, 20 guns, 279 vehicles

Defending force 17416 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles

[sachmo71]

uhhh...WOW!!

[Fritz]

Using the interface, I can not see the Japanese Sigint, but we can see from above that it is not very informative.

Since I have turned over CBI/Russia to the AI, most of the SIgInt from this day is not of much use. The Ops Report, which is used in day may be of more use.

"B-25J Mitchell sighting report: 1 Japanese ship at 50,43 , Speed 3 , Moving Southeast "

Could tell me many things. Locating 50,43 on the map, I could figure an area where this ship would be. From the speed, I might guess this is a cripple.

Of course, the B-25 might not have seen 25 other ships in the task force, or that it is a main force moving slowly to conserve fuel. When a ship is not identified by name, it may not be right. FOr instance, the Japanses may see a CA as a DD or a CVE as a CV.

There is also a weapon database that can be referenced. If I see a force that includes the DD Akatami, I can look the ship up to see what the optimal capabilites of the ship are. This may be important with some classes, such as CVs or BBs. For a human Japanese player, this information can be crutial, since older US ship classes pale next to more modern ones.

Information on the Combat report can be valuable in a number of ways, the first one is it allows you to guess the optimal altitude for your CAP. Numbers on the Combat report should be viewed with caution, since it is flawed.

The Ops report and Combat Reports are summaries of the previous turn. You get all that information as it happens on screen.

[Fritz]

End of Jan, Start of Feb 44

Central: Many of the ships involved in amphibious operations returned to Pearl and were given spot maintenance. Those that were not capable of returning to service were moved to repair berths, while the rest were moored.

Admiral Nimitz elected to proceed with a bold plan and launch invasions of both Wake and Kwajalin at the simultaneously.

Wake Invasion Force is made up of
2nd Marine Division
1 Marine Amphibious Armor Battalion
1 Field Artillery Battalion
2 SEABEES ENGR Battalions
2 Carrier TFs
1 Bombardment TF

Kwajalin Invasion Force is made up of
40th Infantry Division
1 Army Amphibious Armor Battalion
1 Field Artillery Battalion
2 SEABEES ENGR Battalions
2 Carrier TFs
1 Bombardment TF

A Second bombardment TF and Air Combat TF are moving up from SOUTH
A Third bombardment TF is moving up from south, and then will move on to Pearl Harbor or the US for repairs.

This strips south of most of its Naval combat power

A B24 Bomber Group (60 planes) supported by a P38 Escort group is moving to Eniwetok. The B24s have the range to strike Wake. A B25 Bomber Group (70 planes) is moving to Majuro to support the Kwajalin invasion.
These dual invasions tie up the majority of Naval Power in the Central. 2 CVs, a BB, and a CVL remain at Pearl undergoing dockside repairs and could be deployed if needed.
South: The 4th Marine Division captured Buka, which is now being prepped to serve as a base. The Marines are chasing the fleeing Japanese into the jungles of New Georgia, hoping to cut them off before they can join forces with troops at Torokina.
B24 and B25 squadrons along with escort squadrons moved to the expanding Airfields at Emirau. These 100 some odd planes will be able to strike the major base at Truk with ease. The loss of Truk as an effective base will open the door for the Allies to the Carolines and force the Japanese to support operations in New Guinea from further north.
Southwest (NG): Men of the 7th AUS Brigade have landed at Saidor and are securing the site in advance of engineers and other supporting forces. This new base will serve as a jumping off point for future operations along the north coast of New Guinea.
Southwest (DEI): Men of 6th AUS Division are landing at Maumere, where they will seize the existing Dutch/Japanese base (probably evacuated) and secure the island. This location is better suited for operations than some, and will give the Allies another base to contest the DEI. Base Force Troops and Construction engineers in Darwin have been alerted to expect a move.
The Darwin area is slowly building up men, material, aircraft, and shipping for a major thrust into the DEI. 8th Army HQ should be in Darwin and established by the middle of February. Recon and scout aircraft are beginning to gather intel for future operations..
--------
The ship sunk total for Jan kept the avg per month over 100, with 800 ships being sent to the bottom since June 44. Japanese yards keep cranking out the transports it seems.
The Allies are regularly able to generate 6000 + sorties per day to the Japanese 2200.

[Fritz]

In the Middle of the War (8:30PM), the Combined Chiefs got a call from their fiancé that her parents fence had to come down tonight.

Both sides agreed to suspend hostilities while everyone went post pulling.

[Fritz]

Sometimes a bad idea has horrible results.

There is a lone island (Nauru) near a shipping lane that is controlled by japan. Allied forces have been flying recon missions over the island for several weeks, and have seen no indication the island was occupied.

Acting on this information, SOUTH sent a portion of the 4th Marine Radier Battalion (including the HQ) abord fast transports to nab the island. After taking the beach the Marines discovered 5000 Japanese hidden in caves and were slaughtered.

Rather than reform the Battalion, the Navy Department has decided to disband the unit. Poof - one unit gone. (okay, this is actually a bug. In the game, when a unit is split and the "lead" element is destroyed, the whole formation vanishes. I lost an entire division this way earlier.)

[sachmo71]

yeeks.

Tell your guys to fly lower.

[Fritz]

the Matrix forums mention that DDs and maybe CLs can take a nasty beating from shore batteries. So what I have started to do against some places is pull the lighter ships out of the TF the day before a bombarment strike happens. I then reattach these ships to the TF for the trip home. A little gamey, but you pretty much have to do it unless you want to see tin cans sink.

[Fritz]

Through Week 2, Feb 1944.
Central: Invasion forces for both the Wake and Kwajalin operations moved into pre-position for amphibious operations. Recent inteligence suggests the Japanese have stationed 20,000 troops on Kwajalin and intend to put up a fight. Acting on this intelligence, CENTRAL decided to kick off the Wake invasion first, and then divert support elements south to lend additional support to Kwajalin.
On the morning of Feb 13th the 2nd Marine Division stormed Wake and quickly evicted the defenders. As quickly as they came, the Marines loaded back aboard the transports and have begun the journey back to Hawaii. Left behind are two SEABEE construction battalions who are fixing the base up for future operations. A seaplane tender is on the way to Wake and will immediately begin servicing patrol operations.

With Kwajalin delayed, Washington has decided to reinforce the invasion. The 93rd Division, in floating reserve at Baker has been brought northward and will provide additional men for the landing. This is causing a smaqll stir with SOUTH, who was promised the division. Additional naval forces have been brought into the region bringing the total number of carriers to 5 CVs, 3 CVLs and 3 CVEs. Floating Supply ships have positioned themselves around Bikini to rearm the supply hungry Battleships (around 10) that are plastering Japanese positions. The target date for Amphibious portion of the operation has been moved to Feb 21.

South: Operations on New Georgia continue. The 4th Marines are maintaining pursuit of retreating Japanese forces from Buka. The Americal Division has entered combat at Torokina.

Southwest (NG): The 116 Cav RCT assaulted and captured the Admiralty islands. When airbase operations are ready, this base will help isolate Rabaul, and threaten the Truk to Madang/Wewak supply lines.

Preparations are underway to use the 41st division from the (Buna area) in an assault on bases between Wewak and Madang.

Southwest (DEI): A Brigade from the 6th AUS division captured Maumere. Medium range bombers quickly moved into the region to threaten Kwandari.
Sparrow force, a battalion sized element, has been moved to Kupang (West Timor). This force will be used to sweep surrounding islands for coast watchers.
The 1st Marine Division has loaded onto ships at Rockhampton and are being moved into the region in preparation for a direct assault on Kwandari.

------------

Location of the Fleet Carriers
Enterprise - Kwajalin
Lexington - Kwajalin
Yorktown - Kwajalin
Franklin - Kwajalin
Bunker Hill - Kwajalin
Intrepid - SW (NG area)
Essex - In Seattle Dry Dock
Hornet - In transit to Pearl Harbor from San Francisco
Wasp - At Pearl Harbor

[Fritz]

Through the first week of March, 1944

Central

The invasion of Kwajalin was swift and brutal. On Feb 24th the 40th (Sunshine) and 93rd (Bloody Hand) infantry divisions stormed ashore, greeted by starving and shell shocked Japanese. The islands were secure by the end of the night with many of the Japanese commiting suicide. In the few days following the invasion, the remainder of the 93rd along with base operations troops unloaded on the island as the 40th embarked for Hawaii. The 93rd ID is an all black unit that SOUTH planned to use for garrison, security and labor. The men of the 93rd welcomed an opportunity to prove themselves.

The operation placed mighty wear on the combat ships of the fleet. The docks and wharfs at Pearl harbor are jammed with ships undergoing repair. The most seriously damaged ships have been gathered together and sent to dry docks in Seattle.

The serious overcrowding around Pearl has prompted ADM Nimitz to expand facilities on other islands. Ships and Aircraft requiring repair will remain at Pearl, while invasion forces prepare and train on nearby islands. The plan to keep major combat elements in the rear has drawn some critisism. Some have speculated that Nimitz is attempting to entice a Japanese invasion fleet into the open, where they can be savaged by air power.

Not originally planned for invasion, Marcus island (NW of Wake) is now being investigated for possible capture. The island would serve as an advanced seaplane base, which will be useful in keeping an eye on the Japanese fleet during the invasion of the Marianas. No units have been earmarked for this operation.

South

The AMERICAL Division, advancing from the east, was able to pin Japanese forces at Torokina with their backs to the sea. After a few days of heavy fighting, the American forces were able to secure the base. Mop up operations lasted a few more days. The base at Torokina is now being prepared as an alternate airfield.

The 4th Marine Division completed mopping up operations in the north part of New Georgia and is marching back to the base at Buka. The Marines will garrison the base, and begin training replacemnts as they arrive.

With the subdual of New Georgia, the only remaining Japanese in the SOUTH area of operations are in Kaveing and Shortlands. ADM Halsey feels confident that the Shortlands forces are isolated and pose no threat to either air or naval operations. Current plans are to use the island for some live fire training for new units entering the area.

SOUTH is not yet how to address the base at Kaveing on New Ireland. Intelligence reports strong ground forces and emplacements. There is a possibility that New Ireland will be left to die on the vine.

Southwest

GEN Macarthur has been named special observer for the President on operations in India. Command of the SW has passed to GEN Omar Bradley, fresh from commanding the 1st Army in Britain. Bradley arrived in Port Moresby with a reputation for turning citizen soldiers into effective fighting men. A review of commanding officers should be expected in the next month. The new has already expressed alarm at how US and Australian forces have been used in overlapping operations with both the US 6th Army and AUS 1st Army having responsibilty for overlapping spheres.

Following already planned operations in the DEI, AUS 1st Army will take over command of that sector with objectives on Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. Following the subdual of New Guinea, AUS1 will assume command.

The US 6th Army will manage operations on the North Eastern face of New Guinea and New Britian. Following operations on NG, the 6th Army will begin planning for operations in the Phillipines. The 8th army will be used as a planning headquarters for operations in the Phillipines.

Southwest (NG)

The 31st Division captured Gasmata, completing the capture of western New Britain. The Australian 1st Corp, is being moved to Gasmata to take over ground operations against Rabaul. New plans being generated by SW HQ are expected, with the allies leaving a strong garrison force at Gasmata.
The 41st Division is executing spot orders to capture the base north of Madang. The division successfully landed in the area, but hurried and poor logistic planning has the operation bogged down.

The 1st Cav Division has been alerted to operations north of Wewak. The division's 3 RCTs will be used as the against different objectives.

Southwest (DEI)

A strong British naval force from India has been loaned to the region to support landing operations. The 1st Marine Division moved to Darwin, and has loaded aboard LSTs for an assault on Kwandari. The Japanese forces at Kwandari are strong, so 8th Army is planning to augment the Marines with Army armor and a RCT from the 6th Division (if needed). The capture of Kwandari will remove the threat of Japanese airpower in the Timor sea.

The 24th "Hawaiian" Division is on the way to Darwin. The division will be used against Ambonia. Once Kwandari and Ambonia are secure, the allies will control the Banda sea and can begin planning operations north.

[Fritz]

[Fritz]

Week 3, March 1944

Central

The ports on the West Coast are overflowing with supplies and fuel for the War in the Pacific. The Pearl depots and oil farms are also near capacity. The descion to rearward base troops means fewer supplies forward. Auxillary bases in the HI are being expanded into massive depots.

Hilo, on the main island, has been designated as the staging ground for Operation Hooktooth - the capture of Guam. This operation will involve the 40th and 7th Infantry divisions, along with supporting Armor, Artillery, and Engineers. Guam will be the first island in the Marianas captured. The invasion forces will gather at Eniwetok and Wake before moving on to Guam.

Lahaina is the rear staging area for Operation Sandfinch - the capture of Saipan. Several members of Nimitz staff are begging the Admiral to forward base the invasion troops so that the Amphibious ships being used against Guam can quickly turn around and be used.

South

Operations in the south pacific are winding down. A NZ Brigade has been sent to on New Georgia to replace the men of the AMERICAL Divsion. The AMERICAL is being rebased in Australia for some rest and to plan for operation in the Phillipines. Some aviation assets from south have been transfered to Southwest at the request of General Bradley.

Southwest (NG)

2 Australian Armored regiments have arrived in Gasmata as part of the transfer of the islands from the Americans. General Bradley plans to have the 32nd Infantry Divsion off the island by the end of the month.

In Eastern New Guinea, Hansa is being expanded for major air operations. The airfields will enable bombers to control most of New Guinea.

The US 1st CAV is making final preperation for operations against Hollandia and Aitape.

Southwest (DEI)

The 1st Marine Division waded ashore to strong oposition on Kwandari, but was able to quickly kick the napping defenders from their positions. Sparrow Force made an unopposed landing 100 miles up the coast to block the flow of supplies/retreat. The base is being prepared as a major air base for future operations against both the Philipnines and Borneo.

The 24th Division made a poorly executed landing at Ambonia, expecting around 6000 defenders. Instead the invasion force was greeted by 35,000 well supplied Japanese. The 24th was able to move inland a few miles before well directed Japanese attacks forced the Americans to fall back. With the sea at their backs, the 24th instead broke out towards the south and are retreating toward the Allied base at Bulla 125 torturous miles away.

The US 6th Divsion is being recalled from Timor to train for future operations.

With the immediate threat to eastern Australia removed, the Govenor General has agreed to release the 2nd AUS division from home defense. This division is being transfered to Southwest.

The US 8th Army, controlling gound forces in the DEI, currently is made up of:

1st Marine Div
24th Infantry Division
6th Infantry Division
6th AUS Division
2nd AUS Division

[Fritz]

Application of patches to my exisiting game have somewhat hosed the database. I have played through late April 44 (updates soon) but am seriously thinking of starting over from Dec 7 1941 with the latest patch.

[Fritz]

Through Late April

Central

The 111th RCT, supported by massive ship bombardments captured the Marcus islands. When air crews and field maintenance teams arrive, this location may be used for some strikes on the Japanese home island.

A massive naval force controlled by the 3rd Fleet is at sea and headed for Guam.

Yorktown Task Force
Franklin Task Force
Bunker Hill Task Force
Essex Task Force
Hornet Task Force
Wasp Task Force
3 CVL Task Forces
10 CVEs and escorts

3 Battleship Bombardment Forces (4-6 BBs + cruisers each)

2 landing groups with about 100 transports each carrying the men of V corp (7th ID, 38th ID + support)

assorted mine laying, ASW, replenishment, and follow on force TFs

In the rear are ground forces ready to strike Tinian and Saipan

CV Enterprise, and CVL Princeton, along with some CVEs and the French Battleship Richelieu represents the remaining naval power at Pearl.

South

The South has become a secondary theater

Southwest (NG)

Australian forces have take over on New Britain, relieving the US 32nd Division.

Men of the 1st Cavalry Division have secured Aitape. One of the 1st Cav RCTs is preparing to land at Hollandia. The 1st Marine Parachute Battalion, jumping from a makeshift Catalina force, established blocking positions between the main Japanese force at Wewak and the cavalrymen at Aitape.

Forces in NG are supported by the Lexington TF and Intrepid TF

Southwest (DEI)

The 6th US Division is refitting in Darwin. The 24th US Division has completed retirement to Bulla. British naval forces operating out of Kendari have repeatedly struck at Menado and locations on Borneo. Kendari is also becoming a major airbase and hosts a B24 bomber group.

Forces in the DEI are supported by 2 CVL Task Forces.

----

Japanese naval losses have exceded 1000 ships in 10 months, though allied planned doubt they will reach their goal of 1200 ships sunk in 12 months.

[Fritz]

End of April, 1944

Central

Daily Naval and Air bombardments against Guam continue to prepare the island for the violent arrival of V Corp. As April comes to an end, the invasion force is assembling less than 400 miles east of the Island. ADM Nimitz, CINCPAC, expects for the actual invasion to commence before Sunday, May 7th.

Some planners have been critical of the number of engineer assets assigned to the Guam follow on force. Currently, no base operations team has been assigned and construction and support assets are far below what will be needed.

Central area engineering assets are running thin, with barely enough to support the numerous bases and operations. Manpower allocation specialist in Washington have noted a surplus buildup of Seabees in Anchorage and are considering the transfer of assets to more active theaters. Central is planning a force allocation review to free up some under utilized troops.

240 miles north of Guam, US Carrier aircraft have struck ships and port facilities at Pagan. Though not looked at as part of the initial Marianas campaign, opportunistic planners have tabbed the island for invasion by the floating reserve if they are available.

Tinian invasion ground forces are loading on transports from bases all over Hawaii. These forces will be offloaded at Wake island and transferred to LSTs for their final journey. Central Air Operations planners hope to have airfields on Guam operational and proving direct support. Central is appealing for a transfer of Marine Aviation assets from SOUTH.

One plan for aviation transfer has a 5 carrier Task group leaving portions of their aviation assets at Eniwetok and moving south west of Ponape. Marine squadrons would fly out to the carriers from Emirau and Green islands and be transported north. Senior Marine pilots note that they have not been trained for carrier landings and operational losses could be high. The carrier captains have joined in protest.

Current plans have the combined carrier force leaving 3 of its Torpedo Squadrons and 4 of its Bomber Squadrons to make room for the Marines.

South

Marine and Naval aviation assets have been issued a warning order for a planned move to Emirau and Green islands where they will train for simulated carrier landings.

Current plans are for 3 Fighter Bomber, 1 Fighter, 2 Dive Bomber, and 2 Torpedo Bomber squadrons to participate in the training prior to transfer to transfer northward.

Southwest

General Omar Bradley has complained that he does not have enough Naval assets to safely move forces north toward the Philippines. Washington has tentatively promised the release of two fleet carrier TFs to the SW sometime in June.

SW(NG) The 503rd PIR has again been alerted to the possibility of an airdrop, this time in support of the capture of Hollandia. The Parachutists will jump in while an RCT of the 1st Cav makes an amphibious landing.

SW(DEI) British Naval Forces on loan to SW are complaining that their ships are in bad need of repair. The "Loaner" fleet has been ordered to dock at Darwin for inspection. The ships most in need of repair will be sent back to India for yardwork.

Allied Submariners had deployed 5 submarine tenders (AS) in Darwin, hoping to shorten the travel time for the subs to get on station. However, the subs are returning beat up, and a major facilities upgrade will be needed to support fast boat repair. Allied planners have decided to recall the ships to Pearl, which will resume operations at the primary submarine base in the Pacific.

(Here is an AI issue. as soon as I put an AS in a port, all of the subs head there when they are out of fuel or torpedoes. This is fine, but most of the subs also have system damage, which requires repair. All ports can conduct some repair, and the ASs enhance that, but when you have a number of ships, the shipyards seem to spread out the workload instead of getting a few ships ready. This means that most of my subs are in port and not sinking Japanese transports. With that in mind, Pear will once again become my sub ops area until I find a suitable site in the central pacific. Guam, Tinian, and Saipan may due, once I capture them.

While I am bitching a bit...

Transports load and unload all at one time. So if I make a massive TF of 100 transports, they will all "dock" and try to unload. This means that each one will unload a little at a time. It would be more realistic to unload a few at a time, but faster for each ship.)

[sachmo71]

So air units take losses if they aren't trained in carrier ops, or did you add that for flavor?

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

So air units take losses if they aren't trained in carrier ops, or did you add that for flavor?

Nope, that is part of the game. Planes are either land based, carrier capable, or carrier trained.

most (all?) planes can be put on a carrier at port, which was fairly routine at different times. For instance, the USS Ranger operated in the Atlantic as an oversized ferry from a good part of the war. Sending them on a mission from the carrier should result in 100% loss unless they are at least capable, which means the aircraft are built for carrier ops (tail hooks & such). The reason you might use a carrier for a ferry as opposed to using a transport is that the planes arrived assembled from a carrier. Planes transported by cargo ship arrive in parts and have to be assmbled. This takes time and additional supplies.

Carrier capable planes are those aircraft built for carrier ops, but not flown by squadrons with piltos that are trained for it. They can operate from a carrier, but with increased operational losses, and do not operate nearly as well. Lets say a VMF unit (Marine fighters) with 24 planes operates off a carrier on a ground strike mission. 12 aircraft may fly (instead of the full compliment) and 3 may be operational losses. IMHO the penalty for op loss is not high enough.

Carrier trained units are what they say.

I am not sure if you can train up the above VMF. I added that for flavor. If you can, it will be via carrier ops.

If I wanted to over size the carrier caompliment with an additional squadron, I would pull a small one off a CVE and use the CVE as a plane ferry.

[Fritz]

I tried to start a new 44 game, which would teleport me ahead 2 months, but after a few days of it I decided to give up.

My gains in the DEI were gone, as were some of them in the solomons. I did not hold Wake, or Marcus, and I was on a collision course with Saipan.

Instead, I am staying with the old game, despite some problems with the database.

[Fritz]

Early May, 1944

Central

D-Day for Operation Hooktooth, the invasion of Guam, is on target for May 5, 1944. Relentless bombardments have reduced shore defenses / harbors/ airfields to dust. Naval Intelligence estimates around 20,000 defenders, mostly service and support types. No estimates as to the state of enemy supply has been given, though ADM Nimitz believes their supply situation to be poor.
Japanese relief flotillas have been trying to make their way to the Marianas from Japan. Allied Naval Air in the region, numbering well over 1000 aircraft have found good hunting, sending several hips to the bottom with all their cargo and men.
Land based bombers from New Guinea have reported a Carrier Task force (1 CV, 2 CVLs) moving up from Truk. The bombers were able to get a strike off against the ships and report hits on all three, though it is believed that all three ships are in condition to launch attacks. The 5 Carrier main group has been ordered south of Guam to intercept the threat. A very strong battleship force moving northwest, fresh from resupply at Eniwetok will be used to fend off any surface combatants that enter the battle area.
Follow on forces destined for Tinian have left Hawaii bound for Wake island where there will transfer from their converted cruise liners and liberty ships to LSTs.
South
Hundreds of Marine and Navy fliers have been ordered to train in short field landings and touch and goes. An improvised landing hook training aid developed by Petty Officer Simon Benton of Chesterfield Idaho has been installed at 3 airfields to aid the pilots in learning carrier landings.
Southwest
The entire 1st Cav Division has been moved to Aitape, securing the base for future operations against Hollandia. Allied liberty ships routinely make the dangerous trip along the north face of New Guinea bringing supplies and men in preparation for further operations in New Guinea and North to the Philippines.
Land based bombers across the region continue to harass Japanese shipping.

[Fritz]

Week 3, May 1944
Central
On May 5th, V Corp landed on Guam and quickly moved off the beaches. Pre-invasion bombardment suppressed Japanese anti-ship fire, and only one allied ship (an LST) was sunk. The allies landing at Asan and Agat met stiff resistance from emplaced Japanese defenders, but after 2 weeks were able to capture the main airfield and port. Japanese forces still occupy much of the island, but the addition of a fresh US division is expected to turn the tide of battle. With the capture of the center of the island, base and airfield support troops can move in. 10 squadrons of Marine aircraft stand ready to make Guam their new home. Due to critical pilot shortages, Naval carrier based aviation needs to be withdrawn from the battle area as soon as the Marines and Army can take over.

Carrier Forces in the region to support the battle moved to positions north of the Marianas to intercept reinforcements. On May 20th planes from the USS Enterprise, operating near Iwo Jima, sighted a large ship moving south. Strikes from Enterprise, Yorktown, and Bunker Hill found a strong Battleship/Cruiser force attempting to slip south. The American carriers have launched several vicious attacks against the dreadnaughts and their escorts. Though many pilots reported hits, no sinking of a capital ship can be confirmed.

South
May has been a dark month for SOUTH as 14 squadrons along with the 1st Marine Air WIng HQ have been transferred to Central. As a parting shot at relevance, bombers flying from Green and Emirau struck a Japanese carrier task force hitting a CV and CVL. Both wounded ships were later sunk by carrier based air.
ANZAC officers have toured bases in the Solomons in preparation for a turnover from US forces.

SW (New Guinea)

Troops and supplies have been pouring into Aitape, preparing for assaults on Hollandia by the 1st US Cav division and Morotai by the 158th (Bushmasters) RCT. The capture of Morotai will give the Allies airfields within 600 miles of the South Philippine island of Mindanao. Morotai will also place land based bombers in position to restrict the flow of supplies to Truk and the remaining Japanese garrisons on New Guinea. General Bradley is waiting for more carriers to enter his theater before launching either attack.

SW (Dutch East Indies)

With Japanese attention focused on American operations in the Marianas, SW(DEI) has decided the time is right for ground operations on Borneo. The 6th AUS division, less the brigade on Flores, will assault Benjarmasin on Borneo's south coast. The 2nd AUS division is to invade Samrinda on the west coast. Elements of the two division will then move on oil rich Balikpapan.

Australia/New Zealand (ANZAC) General Headquarters has released 2 Divisions for use in Dutch East Indies. The Australian 1st Cav and 4th Infantry have been directed to move to Darwin in preparation for operations northward. While reroute to Darwin, a Japanese Submarines operating off the east coast of Australia stuck a 1st AUS Cav transport with a torpedo. The convoy has been ordered to Carins where they will pick up a new ship.

[Fritz]

End of May, 1944

Central
A May draws to a close, the troops of V Corp are still slogging it out on Guam. With the airfields secure and repaired, Army, Navy, and Marine air assets have moved to the island. Bombers of all makes (B-24s, B-25s, Helldivers, Avengers, Corsair FBs) are in place to begin the heated campaigns for Tinian and Saipan.

US Navy ships operating the Mariana's area have located and sunk a large force of Japanese mine layers. Navy intel suspects these ships were moving to mine the approaches to Saipan.

The Campaign for Guam has taxed the surface fleet, and much of it has been recalled to Pearl Harbor and the US for repairs. The retiring Carriers and Battleships will be replaced by the new to the fleet CVs Ticonderoga and Bennington. The Essex class carriers returning to Pearl will be given upgraded AAA armaments. Repairs to the fleet are expected to delay ground operations against Saipan until mid to late July.

Southwest (NG)
Operations on NG have slowed due to lack of sea support. Land based aircraft continue to strike positions at Wewak and Madang.

Southwest (DEI)
Lead elements of the 6th AUS division has captured Benjarmasin with not much of a fight. A soon as the division completely disembarks, the 2nd Brigade will begin the march north to Balikpapan. The Benjarmasin base is being considered by General Bradley as primary airbase for operations against Japanese forces in Java. The 2nd AUS division captured Samrinda in a dawn attack that caught Japanese defenders napping. The 2nd division will begin a southward move to Balikpapan once support troops can be moved to Samrinda.

[Fritz]

Week 1, June 1944

Much of the naval power in the pacific is tied up getting repairs. All but 5 battleships are in port repairing wear from active operations. Several fleet carriers are in Pearl, upgrading their AAA, and all but 2 are in port somewhere. The critical shortage of navy pilots is keeping air wings from flying full staff, so the carriers have been largely withdrawn.

Without carriers, most naval operations come to halt. So things are slowing down a bit.

The allied submarine campaign is also in a lull, with well over half the undersea fleet in port for repairs.

Central
For well over a month V Corp has battled Japanese forces on Guam. The entrenched defenders are yielding ground slowly though. The pace of the campaign has delayed the invasion of Tinian, but Operations officers say that Guam is in mop up and Tinian can proceed. The remaining at-sea Battleships (all slow battlewagons) along with a collection of cruisers and destroyers operating out of Guam have spent a week pounding Tinian. 20,000 Japanese are estimated on the island, and the Navy has been tasked with reducing that number. Marine and Army air strikes, with a sortie rate of over 200 per day, have been blistering whatever targets they can identify.

The USS Franklin Carrier Task Force operating west and north of Iwo Jima has struck several ships. It looks like the Japanese are moving a lot of men onto the volcanic island. Long range bombers operating from the Japanese home island have launched several strikes against the Task force. The bombers, without escorts, have been easy pickings for the Hellcats of VF13.

South West (NG)
The buildup of forces at Aitape continue. Several new escort carriers have entered the theater and should be in Gili Gili by June 12th. These CVEs will join the forces on the north coast of NG for a push west and north. Army and Marine Paratroopers have been alerted to prepare for potential airdrops.

The 9th AUS division, formerly at Port Moresby, has loaded on transports bound for northern NG. The division will be used in operations against Wewak and Madang.

South West (DEI)

The 1st AUS Cav division has been loaded onto combat transports at Darwin with orders to sail for Samrinda. The lightly armed division will march from Samrinda to Tarakan. With Balikpapan and Tarakan in allied hands, the Japanese will have lost oil rich southern Borneo. The 4th AUS Division, soon to disembark at Darwin, has been tagged as the theater reserve. The Dutch government in exile has pledged their full support in the liberated areas.

[sachmo71]

200 sorties per day. Wow.

[Fritz]

I am fairly often at 6000 + per day for the allies, and I do keep a number of formations on rest.

That lightweight AUS Cav division did not start out quite so light. The Japanese sub that torped the transport happened to hit the one carrying most of their artillery. I probably ought to just break the unit up into brigades and use them to garrison places like Kendari. But, without heavy weapons the divison is small and easy to move. I suspect that many of the Japanese position on Borneo, Java, and Sumatra are lightly held, so this may be a solid formation for task at hand. The game failed to report that the CG and the brigade commanders were also lost on the transport that went down. When they arrived in Darwin a Lt Col was in charge.

I very much want to commit as little naval power as possible to the SW and focus on capturing Iwo Jima early. Iwo would give the US an airfield in nice range of Japan. The problem with Iwo is that it will draw a lot of attention from Japanese air and naval power. I will have to maintain very strong naval forces in the area, probably 3 Fleet Carriers TFs along with several BBs.

While I have troops set aside and training for the invasion of the Phillipines, I am not so sure it is worth it. It may be smart to grab part of the phillipines to keep the attention of the Japanese and to gobble up their supplies.

The allies are producing far more supplies than they consume at this point, so I am looking ways of using the supplies to help out in other areas. One thought it form a massive convoy of 50-100 transports then escort it, with several carriers and surface ships, south of Hong Kong to a port the Nationalist Chinese occupy. Probably will not do this though. The Chinese (and their AI masters) have been horrid. I am tempted to take control of the remaining theaters and consolodate forces for a month or two before launching a focused attack. The British/American/Chinese in Burma have been kicked around a lot as well.

[Fritz]

Week 2, June 1944

central
Major ground operations on Guam have come to a close.

The Tinian invasion force is strung out between Wake and Guam, where they will collect prior to making an assault. (Note here: The invasion is really of Tinian and Rota and Goat islands. IRL Tinian is just 6 miles from Saipan, but in the game they might as well be 60 miles apart). Rear Admiral Tisdale's Battleship force has been making daily bombardment strikes for the better part of 10 days.

Naval operations in the waters around Iwo Jima continue to result in losses to Japanese transports and their escorts. This fertile hunting ground has allowed the allies to pass the 1200 ship (100 ship per month for a year) mark

As the week has come to a close, a CV Task Force conducting sea lane interdiction operations in the middle of the Philippine Sea has sited what it thinks are two Japanese CV moving northward. The largely green American TF has been issued orders to pull back towards Guam to join up with two other American CV TFs moving southeast from Iwo.

Southwest NG

The American 1st Cav division has landed at Hollandia, met by an Japanese force of inconclusive size. The Americans landed unopposed, so Gen. Bradley suspects the Japanese are not prepared to hold the area. On the off chance they are, the 503rd PIR and 4 Marine parachute Battalions are ready to drop in as reinforcements.

The 3rd and 9th Australian Divisions have been moved north of Madang. The divisions will begin the march south to the costal base by June 21st. General Bradley's staff is expecting a large, but poorly supplied Japanese force.

Southwest DEI

The Australian 1st Cav staged a mini-revolt when issued orders to plan for combat on Borneo. Several Junior officers and senior NCO have transferred out and veterans brought in. Given the poor morale of the division, The 4th AUS division has instead been issued orders for Borneo. The 1st AUS Cav will instead move to Kendari to replace US Marines sometime in late June/Early July.

[Fritz]

End of June, 1944

Central
The 77th Infantry Division landed on Tinian on June 20th followed by the 40th and 96th infantry divisions. The Infantrymen found a few thousand starving and shell shocked defenders. The poorly organized Japanese refused to surrender, but the island was declared secure by June 27th.

A bombardment raid of Saipan by RADM Tisdales battleship TF disclosed that the island has been fortified with large shore batteries. Recon flights, signal intel, and observation of Tinian lead allied planners into think there are as many as 60,000 Japanese defenders. The Navy promises to flatten the island, but wants the shore batteries reduced first. Joint aviation planners are working a 15 day plan to reduce the island's guns.

North of Saipan is small group of islands known collectively as Ponape. The Japanese have occupied the islands and the allies are now planning a 1 Division assault to capture them. The islands main value is their position in the Japan to Saipan shipping lane.

300 miles to the west of Guam is the atoll of Ulithi, with an excellent natural harbor - perhaps the best in this portion of the pacific. Aerial reconnaissance shows the area lightly defended. V Amphibious Corp planners have been tasked with quickly drawing up a plan for capturing the island.

South
With its dwindling forces, SOUTH has been tasked with capturing 4 islands. Nauru, about 240 miles west of Tarawa remains a threat to allied shipping. Currently, allied ships must move between Baker Island and Espritu Santo. Eliminating the Japanese threat would allow for shorter shipping lanes to be established.

Shortlands island, the lone remaining Japanese base in the Eastern Solomons has been silent for months, but shipping planners refuse to allow lightly escorted convoys though the Solomons to New Guinea while the base remains.

New Ireland has a substantial base north and west of Rabaul. SOUTH feels this island can be left uncaptured, but Washington has asked SOUTH to at least draw up plans for capture.

Ponape is an island roughly halfway between Truk and Einwetok. The air bases on the island would allow naval bombers to patrol the sealanes to remaining Japanese bases in the Marshalls.

Southwest

Australian troops of AUS I corp continue to march unopposed to Madang. The rough island roads/trails make the progress slow.

The 158th RCT boarded assault transports bound for Morotai. The invasion force is being escorted by 2 cruisers 16 destroyers, and 6 CVEs. This operation is considered high risk because a strong Japanese naval force would be able to decimate the ships.

On Borneo, ground operations to capture Balikpapan have commenced with both the 6th and 2nd AUS division making headway towards the port.

[Poli]

Darn Admiral Nimitz. What he needs is an aircraft carrier.

[Fritz]

Week 1, July 1944.

Central
Working with unusual speed, Allied planners devised an invasion plan for Ulithi Atoll. That plan called for the 77th (Liberty) Division plus an amphibious armor battalion to board an 80 Ship invasion fleet (twice the size needed) sail 330 miles from Guam and strike several islands. The troops would carry only a combat load of supplies, which were expect to last only a day or so. Additional food and ammunition would be brought to the island the night after the invasion by a division of fast transports. RADM Tisdale's Battleship Task Force sortied against the island 3 times in the week preceding the invasion, striking possible shore batteries and likely Japanese positions. Aircraft from CV Bennington stuck positions and repair crews during the day.

On July 7th, the 77th Division landed on 3 principal islands. The small Japanese garrisons on Mogmog and Falalop islands, mostly administrative types, quickly succumbed to the veterans of Tinian.

By the end of July, CENTRAL plans to have base and support troops building mooring, airfields, dumps, and billets.

As the invasion force retired from Ulithi, a large Japanese airstrike fell upon the combat transports, sinking an LST and a LCI.

The CV Franklin TF, operating near the north of the Philippines was struck by several waves of Japanese bombers. Many were shot down, but one managed to hit the carrier with a torpedo, flooding some forward compartments and starting fires. The carrier, still making 21 knots, was able to transfer her two bomber squadrons to the Ticonderoga and make for Guam. By the end of the week she had reached Guam, pumped out the seawater, and placed a large patch over the gaping hole in her port side. The ship will move to Pearl Harbor where the repairs will be inspected, then sent to Seattle for dry-dock work.

South

An infantry division based on Fiji has been given orders to board transports and move to Guam. This division will be used to capture Woleai and Satawal in the Carolines.

Southwest

Base force and engineers have been ordered to move to the newly captured island of Morotai. Once the airfield here is operational, the Allies will have a curtain of aircraft across the South Philippine sea, isolating the Japanese potions in New Guinea, Truk, and Rabaul.

Australian troops continue to fight at Tarakan, the last Japanese base on South/Eastern Borneo. Allied bombers now operating from Samarinda are already threatening shipping moving oil from Brunei. LT. Gen. Alfred Bellenhurst DSM, the commander of all forces on Borneo, has been tasked with capturing a location on the north/west coast where an aircraft can be based to threaten the South China Sea. This would allow allied forces to interdict supply and reinforcements to Japanese forces in Malaysia and Burma.

[Fritz]

Japanese Controlled area, July 1944

[Fritz]

I typed up a longish post about India/Burma and the inept AI running it.

Lost

So I am taking direct control over the area.


1, 2, & 3 represent 3 objectives I have set. More on this in future posts

[Fritz]

End Of July, 1944


CENTRAL

A Japanese airstrike hit an escort carrier, breaching her hull under the waterline and rupturing her ships fuel. Counter flooding to keep the deck level allowed the ship to launch her aircraft to Ulithi, however 350 crew perished as a late day strike hit the carrier as she was being towed. The second torpedo found an aviation gas store and the resulting explosion ripped the flight deck clean off the ship and send her immediately into a hard list. As dark approached the ship rolled over and sank.

TF CV Franklin has made Pearl Harbor, had the patches checked, and is now moving to Seattle to have the hull and several internal compartment replaced. While she is there, new AA guns will be installed. This will probably keep her out of the war until 1945.

TF CV Lexington is making for Pearl Harbor. Salt Water corrosion to her steam system will keep her in out of service for at least a month, perhaps 2.

TF CV Hancock, fresh from Quincy via Panama is making her way to the moorings at Guam. He she will support the Saipan landings.

Following landings on Saipan, the two healthiest Fleet Carriers will make their way to the SW area.

Daily bombardments for the better part of a month have been directed at the beaches of Saipan. Despite the tremendous pounding, heavy shore guns have managed to return fire.

The 6th Marines, and 27th Infantry are being moved to Tinian where they will join the 2nd Marines. The three divisions are slated to launch an invasion equal in size to the American portion of Overlord.

B29s recently arrived on Tinian have given the allies the long legs to strike the Japan home islands and costal China. Strikes against depots and factories around Shanghi, Hwangchow, Foochow, Tokyo, and Hammatsu are bringing the war to the doorstep of the living god.

SOUTHWEST

AUS I Corp has moved to Madang and engaged 20,000 Japanese. The troops have been surprised to find a shockingly well supplied foe.

With the promise of Carrier support, General Bradley issues orders to the 6th US Division, 1st Marine Division, and AMERICAL Division to prepare for an invasion Mindanao. Air strikes from Morotai and Kendari have targeted anything that looks like an airstrip in the southern Philippines.

Australian forces continue to mop up southern Borneo.


CBI

British forces take positions to the north of Akyab. 3 Divisions with Armor support are being moved into place to assault the city. British Forces moving from Ledo are approaching Mytkina from the north while a mixed British/Chinese force are moving from Kunming in the south. capturing this city will open a supply road from India to China. A second Chinese force from Kunming is moving to Lashio. Once Mytkina and Lashio are open, the combined British force will move west towards Mandalay.

Forces in China, now under the umbrella of Pacific command are in the process of reorganizing their lines.

A massive supply convoy is forming near Kendari. A portion of this convoy will be used to create stockpiles on Mindanao, while the rest under the guard of carriers and cruisers will move between Borneo and the Philippines then across the South China Sea to the one Chinese held port. The run is expected to be more dangerous than any of the Lend Lease runs to Russia via the North Sea.

[Fritz]

General Bradley's options were to

1.) Invade Java
*Pro: Java is resource rich, this would deny Japan resources.
*Con: Action would be moving away from the heart of Japan.

2.) Assist the Australians in taking northern Borneo
*Pro: Northern Borneo is resource rich, this would deny Japan resources.
*Pro: Air power on Northern Borneo could interdict the South China Sea.
*Con: The Australians have the manpower to capture Borneo if given the time. Action does not move forces towards Japan.

3.) Assault Wewak
*Pro: Clear last Japanese base on North Eastern New Guinea
*Con: Australia has force to do this and probably will by the end of the year.

4.) Assault Mindanao
*Pro: Moves allied forces closer to Japan. Puts airbases in range of Luzon.
*Pro: Can draw Japanese forces into battle, exposing more of their fleet and air.
*Pro: Supportable from main fleet in the Marianas.
*Con: Current naval forces in the area are not sufficient for multi-divisional invasion.
*Con: In range of more Japanese naval and air power. Higher risk.

Assessing the four, General Bradley elected to invade Mindanao.



Phase 1:

On July 28th, the 6th Division boarded LSTs and transports bound for Tarakana. Invasion FR escorted by Cruiser TF and 2 CVL TFs. P38s based on Kendari fly overhead cover.
On July 29th the 3rd Marine Parachute Battalion moved by air from Hollandia to Moratai.
On August 1st, the remainder of the 6th Division boarded transports bound for Tarakana. Air Transport Group rebases to Moratai.
On August 2nd the LSTs reached Tarakana and refuel. 1st and 2nd Marine Parachute Battalions board transports at Hollandia bound for Moratai.
On August 3rd the LSTs leave Tarakana. A base force boards Transports at Aitape bound for Moratai.
On August 4th the 3rd Marine Parachute Battalion makes a dawn Airborne insertion. One company and the headquarters move to Cotabato and quickly secure the municipal and communication buildings. Another company secures the port area. The third company moves to a flat beach and secures it.
On August 5th the 6th Division arrives on the captured beaches at Cotabato and moves inland. The 3rd Marine Parachute Battalion holds the town. One RCT moves to Tumbao, one moves to Parang, a third RCT remain in reserve.
On August 7th 2 CV TFs from the Central Pacific pull into Hollandia.

Phase 2:

AMERICAL Division will move from Kendari to Tarakana to Santos. Their invasion will be preceded by the 2nd Marine Parachute Battalion.

Phase 3:

1st Marine Parachute Division will be moved from Kendari to Cotabato via Tarakana. The Marines, plus the AMERICAL will attack Davao.

Phase 4:

The Marines and AMERICAL will march from Davao to Butuan.

In reserve: 2 American Divisions can be added to the attack if needed

[sachmo71]

He's returning!

Except "he" was sacked, wasn't he?

[Fritz]

Yes, Dougie-Mac was asked to observe the British in India. I reckon that means that Patton or Clark (ew) leads the Americans in Europe.

[sachmo71]

BUMP:

This war ain't over.