Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002 From: Northwestern Georgia, USA Status: offline
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4/17/44 and 4/18/44 Eniwetok: The Eniwetok invasion force continued it's unmolested way, taking position 60 miles north on 17th. All ships then moved to the island the following day, with many support personal (two base forces, Naval HQ, etc.) remaining aboard ship while the infantry, engineers, and artillery went ashore. There wasn't any appearance by the Jap navy or airforce. The base was mined, but the Allies had alot of MSW. A few ships including a DE, LST, AK, and DD took hits, but only one (an LST) went under. The defense consisted of just a base force, a naval guard unit, and four forts. The automatic shock attack came in at 287:1 and the Allies seized the base with the defenders evaporating. Eniwetok's Future: Eniwetok is currently a level four airfield (that's the max) and a level three naval base (it can increase to four). The Allies transferred in two P-38J squadrons and two PBM Mariner squadrons from Midway and vicinity, and tomorrow will commence unloading crated aircraft (mostly Corsairs and Hellcats), supplies, and fuel. John made a remark questioning whether the Allies can hold the base, and observing that it would be tough to supply. I disagree. I don't think the Japs have a prayer of reclaiming Eni given the size of it's garrison and since Jap naval air power and combat ship numbers are way down. The Allies will probably back fill by invading Wake (unless John loads it up) and then will use Eniwetok for further expansion. I have an AS in port, too, so subs will be based here. This is a big base right in the middle of the sea lanes John will have to use if he wishes to support more forward bases (like Kwajalein, and Tarawa, Baker Island)and even threatens the line to more southern bases like Rabaul, Noumea, Suva, and Pago Pago. I'll try to gauge whether John intends to fight for any of these. The ones I really want are Pago Pago, Suva, Noumea, Espiritu Santo, and possibly Rabaul. Sumatra/Malaya: A big Jap CA/CL combat TF returned to Malacca and savaged the RN CL/DD fleet, sinking seven DDs and damaging the other ships. The Japs did not reach the transports, however, and they have completed their work. While this was goingon, Jap LBA sorties against ships at Bankha and Georgetown and suffered lopsided losses - 138 aircraft to just 15 for the Allies. To the north, two Allied units have arrived at Ban Don with three more a day or two out. The Japs are reinforcing now, and my guys are low on supplies, so I probably won't take the base in the near future. Liberator IIIs from Sabang hit the port of Singapore on the 18th, putting two 500 lbers into BB Ise (but that wouldn't do any damage). Two B-29 squadrons from Rangoon were supposed to participate, but didn't fly. The raid was preceded by fighter sweeps which scored well. The B-29s will try again tomorrow. NoPac: Two bombardment TFs hammered Paramushiro Jima on the 18th, and D-Day is tomorrow. Vettim: Your advice was sound and the wiser and safer course of action, but in this case I got away with taking a chance. Sometimes hunches work, sometimes they don't. I'm glad this one worked.
< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 12/21/2008 9:29:37 PM >
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