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RE: What next? - 1/26/2010 8:36:44 PM

cantona2

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Finally operations in the Solomons have also moved at a good rate. Lunga, Tulsagi and now Munda have been retaken. Rennel Island sports a fighter base with P-38's providing long range cover to add to the shorter range Corsairs and Wildcats. Munda and Lunga host PB4Ys, that will join Port Moresby's bombers in starting the air campaign against Rabaul. I have 6 divisions, 5 veteran, in the theatre and carrier support with more units arriving from the West Coast. Its going to be an interesting time in the Solomons. Radio intelligence suggests the crack 47th Sentai is in Rabaul and more worrying the Combined Fleet has set sail on some major operation. The Indian Ocean was a ruse so the main Japanese effort must come here. Dauntlesses, Helldivers, Lightnings, Mitchells, Liberators all await them. A bit further to the North East, Mili has been built up and the rebuilt 25th and 1st Marine Divisions will once again assault Majuro with a view of a strike on Kwajalein before the end of the year.

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< Message edited by cantona2 -- 1/26/2010 8:37:34 PM >

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RE: The Lull is over - 1/26/2010 8:46:50 PM

cantona2

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Order of the day 330th Fighter Squadron

'Tigers spotted in the area, good hunting! Tame the beast!"

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RE: The Lull is over - 1/29/2010 7:31:54 PM

cantona2

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All Quiet on the Pacific Front.

The Japanese incursion over the Chindwin river was sent packing by two Indian Divisions that now had orders to relieve the tank regiment cut off further south. SEAC was still directing the Port Blair battle but a lack of free divisions was curbing the offensive power there. the 7th AIF was considered but it held the Akyab flank so it was deemed essential to keep the aussies in the Burmese jungle for now.

The mass of American firepower in the Solomons was primed for another attack but the USAAF was exhausted after Munda and Port Moresby. A further week of rest and refit was needed and crated up reinforcements were being unloaded at Ndeni, Vanikoro and Rennel. An aviaition regiment was being unloaded at Lunga which meant the freeing up of several aviation support units for the bases around the Solomon Sea. The question was where to next. Two immediate targets stood out. Milne Bay and Shortlands. 4 divisions for each assault could be spared meaning that the odds were stacked against the Japanese. The dirth of fleet carriers, just two battle worthy ships in the area, also put a delay on ops.

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RE: The Lull is over - 2/10/2010 10:57:54 AM

cantona2

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Just a quick Sitrep for any remaining readaars.

Shortlands has been invaded by the Americal, redeployed aft r 'n' r in Lunga, and the 6th Infantry, recently arrived from the West Coast. Initial landings were not as heavily contested as they were on Lunga and Munda and the level of fortification does not seem as high. These landings are under the noses of any aircraft at Rabaul. Therefore 4 squadrons of P-38's provide long range cover while two of F4-U's provide short range cover from Munda. So far air attacks have been ineffcient with litte coordintation from either side. It is expected that though the Japanese high command was caught off guard tomorrows raids will come in hard, fast and aplenty. A heavily escorted convoy has also steamed into Rabaul, engaing one of our picket subs. Recon over Rabual will intensify incase the Combined Fleet, suspected to have been at sea for a while,is joining the party. Once operations conclude on shortlands, the 3rd Marines will invade Milne Bay to bring the number of fields bearing heavies within range of Rabaul to 5.

In Port Blair only one RN carrier remains, the other is nursing a torpedo hit in Colombo, light damage that will keep her out of the fight. No more reinforcement convoys from Victoria Point have been spotted but several minelayers have been engaged by our subs there. It is obvious that a stalemate has been achieved and the successful deposit of 20,000 tons of supplies on the island will keep our troops fighting for a long time. The 50th Indian Parachute is moving to Akyab and will be dropped into Port Blair to reinforce our positions and maybe tip the balance in our favour.

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RE: The Lull is over - 2/10/2010 10:59:19 AM

cantona2

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On a sepearte note. I have a ton of LST's at Canton Island. What is the best way to use them. Load them up with troops and make sure there is an AK in the TF to ensure they get to their target, ie refule enroutr? Or just load them up and sail them into the guns straight away?

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RE: The Lull is over - 2/11/2010 12:37:45 AM

Alfred

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quote:

ORIGINAL: cantona2

Just a quick Sitrep for any remaining readaars.

Of course you still have "readaars".

Just to prove it, I even went back to your post #453 to find any reference as to an Allied operation which would commence from Canton Island (in response to your post #515). Couldn't find one, so really can't comment on whether your LSTs should be accompanied by an AK or not. A lot would depend on how far away the target is.

Remember however, that in classic WITP, unlike in AE, ships at sea without fuel do not accumulate sys damage.

Alfred

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RE: The Lull is over - 2/11/2010 2:20:49 AM

paullus99

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Waiting to see what happens!

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RE: The Lull is over - 2/13/2010 2:51:38 PM

cantona2

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Transcript of orders issued over the past 24 hours.

To 254th Indian Tank Battalion: Carry out aggressive recon of enemy front, aerial recconaisance suggests Japanese have pulled back over the Chindwin.

To Americal Division Shortlands: Order to attack main Japanese line at first light has been issued. Americal to spearhead attack.

To 6th Infantry Division Kokoda Trail, New Guinea: Attack and destroy elements of enemy 1st Heavy Brigade dug in on ridges, before advancing on Buna.

< Message edited by cantona2 -- 2/13/2010 2:52:44 PM >

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RE: The Lull is over - 2/19/2010 6:33:14 PM

cantona2

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Ready Room, Broome Aerodrome.

"thats the fifth day in a row we've been recconed this week and the sightings of the sub yesterday," said WO Perkins.

"Not to worry boy," answered the Group Captain. "The Japs know our main strength is in the Solomons and will concentrate there or at Port Blair. They won't attack here."

"With all due respect sir in the past fortnight, Wyndham had been bombed, Derby recconed and we've also been attacked, its too much of a coincidence."

"Thats enough Perkins, your concerns have been noted!"

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RE: The Lull is over - 2/19/2010 6:38:46 PM

cantona2

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Solomons Sit Rep

Shortlands now firmly in Allied hands though Japanese troops still resist. Airfield is being made ready while two small carrier groups, 4 CVL's in two TF's prowl tentatively in the Solomon Sea after shipping was seen moving between Buna and Gasmata. Port Moresby is now bringing its planes to bear on any Japanese shipping or airfield in or around New Guinea while stockplies of fuel and ammunition are being gathered with a view to the aerial assault on Rabaul.

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RE: The Lull is over - 2/20/2010 8:54:51 PM

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Message from CVL Langley, Solomon Sea.

"CAP of Hellcat fighters come into contact with Ki-44's from Rabaul and other enemy fighters. 50% of enemy planes shot down. Request support of P-38's at Lunga to fly LRCAP over Rabaul to clear way for bombers. TBM's confirm one torpedo hit on enemy small vessel at Gasmata.Out"

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RE: The Lull is over - 2/21/2010 8:14:01 PM

cantona2

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Message from Admiral Halsey, CV Bunker Hill to the NW of Shortlands.

To the fleet,

Congratualtion to all Hellcat pilots. 53 enemy comfirmed killed for 4 losses. One more last effort required tomrrow over Rabaul. USAAF P-38's from Munda will accompany you. Clear the way for the bombers boys! Hit the hard and hit them fast.

Halsey

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RE: What next? - 2/21/2010 8:27:37 PM

cantona2

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Current situation in the Solomon Sea.

It seems to me that the Japanese High Command has its eye fixed on northern OZ. Recon flights are on the up, attacks on Broome and Wyndham and sub recon of Broome. I have the CVE Long Island there as a decoy and lots of LCTs and LCIs shuttling uspplies to Darwin. If he lands and takes a few of the Northern bases then good for him, he wont be going anywhere. If he commits and I can delay then an attack on Rabaul might be a real option. Getting his CV's from northern oz to the Solomons means going around PNG or running the gauntlet of the Torres Straits and PM. Interesting times. Oh and I am sure Herb hasnt got wind of a second invasion of Majuro that is assembling ot the south of Mili.

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RE: What next? - 2/23/2010 4:09:00 PM

cantona2

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3rd day of battles over Rabaul, 3-0 for the allies as 20 more enemy planes are shot down for 5 on our side. Land based P-38's from Shortlands add their cannons to the Hellcats firepower. Bad weather over the carriers however grounds the bomber strikes. PM is also socked in. I aim for two more days of these assualts on Rabaul then an intense bombardment of the airfield there as four divisions load for an assualt on Gasmata and overland march to Rabaul. Recon over Woodlark Island has suggested a well developed and unguarded airfield. A M10 unit will support a unit of SeeBees in securing the base while a base unit follows in the second echelon.

< Message edited by cantona2 -- 2/23/2010 4:31:59 PM >

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RE: What next? - 2/23/2010 4:11:40 PM

cantona2

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Our top aces so far. Many veterans of the Solomon Campaign and Port Blair.

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RE: What next? - 2/24/2010 7:07:21 PM

cantona2

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Solomon Sea SitRep

Enemy air power over Rabaul has been broken. Gasmata operation has been given the go ahead. Heavies in Eastern Australia will begin rebasing to PM, Woodlark (when it falls), Munda, Shortlands and Wyndham and Derby. Herb has revealed he is coming for Northern Oz to premept an invasion of DEI from there. My ruse has worked. He's welcome to the Northern Oz coast while i gobble up the Solomons. Once my carrier force is reconstitued i shall move up the NG coast and strike the West of the DEI's and into the PI's.

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RE: What next? - 2/24/2010 7:08:07 PM

cantona2

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Second Invasion of Majuro is about to hit the beaches!

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RE: What next? - 2/24/2010 7:34:45 PM

paullus99

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If he's coming for Northern Australia, how expensive can you make it for him (since you just don't want to hand those bases over to him)? You should have some fairly experienced LBA at this point & with proper fighter cover, you should be able to chew up with air wings pretty easily - plus any damage to his carriers is bonus.

How long before you have a reconstituted carrier force?

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RE: What next? - 2/24/2010 8:42:27 PM

cantona2

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quote:

ORIGINAL: paullus99

If he's coming for Northern Australia, how expensive can you make it for him (since you just don't want to hand those bases over to him)? You should have some fairly experienced LBA at this point & with proper fighter cover, you should be able to chew up with air wings pretty easily - plus any damage to his carriers is bonus.

How long before you have a reconstituted carrier force?

The northern oz bases are well covered but thinly manned on the ground. Im moving several veteran squadrons from the Coen/Townsville area to Katherine and Darwin. In Darwin itself I have a strong veteran force and some RN elements along with Long Island at Broome. I'm going to move these elements off the Australian coast near Exmouth and wait and see. Perth's air power is also being reinforced as well. As to my carriers, I recon that by 2/42 i should have a core of 5 fleet carriers, including one RN in the NG area. My priority aim is to have Rabaul subjugated completely by years end.

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RE: What next? - 2/27/2010 1:16:01 PM

cantona2

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16th October 1943 was the day that changed the war. It was not a maginficent military victory, or a shattering defeat but it did change.

Majuro had fallen and while clearing battlefield debris, several mass graves were discovered. Semi decomposed bodies of uniformed men began to be disinterred. Some wearing the uniform of the US Army but most that of the Marines. As they day progressed the mood on Majuro darkened and the assumption was quickly made that these bodies were not battlefield casualties. Many of them had had their hands tied and a lot of them exhibited wounds at the nape of the neck. These soldiers were not killed in battle but rather murdered in cold blood. The survivors of the 1st Marine Division had been herded like cattle and shot in cold blood.

At a press conference the next day to announce the fall of Majuro, the massacre was made public. The high command exhibited the necessary level of guilt for having abandoned those men in the face of the naval defeat off Jaluit but righteous indignation was also in evidence. The will to fight to the end against a now obvious barbric and merciless enemy was proclaimed. Unconditional surrender would be the only end to this war.

Across America indignation turned to fury and agner and most of this was channeled into industrial output. Line after line of bombers rolled out from factories, onto ships and into the advancing frontline, that soon would have Japan itself within range.

Two units in particular, however, felt the hurt more than most. The reconstituting 1st Marines at Pearl Harbour held countless remembrance services and vowed to avenge thier fallen brothers. The 3rd Marine Division, boarding its attack transports at Lunga in preparation for the attack on Gasmata, heard the news as the movement orders came through. Each trooper vowed not to take a single prisoner in the incoming invasion. On Shortlands, where Japanese troops were still resisting in the hills and jungles, the order of the day was simply Kill Japs.

Press Photograph used by the War Department during Majuro Press Conference

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< Message edited by cantona2 -- 2/27/2010 1:20:59 PM >

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RE: What next? - 2/27/2010 1:18:02 PM

cantona2

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PS to above post.

As I'm still not allowed to read Herbs AAR he wrote an extract from it in his last email with turn. He allued to this Majuro massacre as being part of his narrative so I am also including it in mine.

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RE: What next? - 3/6/2010 1:44:37 PM

cantona2

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With Majuro secured US airplanes could now start to soften up the surrounding bases. They had already destroyed Kwajelein's por facilities and so the Marshall Islands were given a lesser prority than the Solomons and in particular New Britain. Allied planners hoped ot have allied ground units fighting at Rabaul by December 43, this left one month to land and capture Gasamata as well as getting two corps worth of men and material on New Britain and march on Rabaul.

Sit Rep 24th October 1943

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RE: What next? - 3/6/2010 6:07:47 PM

gladiatt

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Still reading !!

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RE: What next? - 3/7/2010 3:32:18 PM

cantona2

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25th Ocotber 1943, two seperate reports confirmed the location of the Combined Fleet. Mariner V-45 confirmed enemy carrier sightings to the west of Mussau Island. SS Muskallunge reported engaing carrier escorts. Depth charge attack reported, sub last transmission stated it was attacking again. Operation Gearhart, the Gasmata Invasion hung on a knife edge south of Woodlark Island. Intell suggested at least 7 fleet carriers in the Japanese arsenal, as opposed to two in the Solomon Sea on the Allied side. Land based bombers would have to make up for the lost decks.

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RE: What next? - 3/8/2010 12:22:52 PM

cantona2

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'Enemy fleet reported on SW heading due SW of Mussau. SS KXIII reports torpedo hit on enemy heavy cruiser. Mariners out of Shortlands report two enemy columns heading SW to the east of the Bismarck Archipleago'

Such was the state of play as Opeartion Gearhart headed NW towards Gasmata.

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RE: What next? - 3/16/2010 8:23:37 AM

cantona2

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Carnage was the word the signal intercept guys at Shortlands had said the Japs had used to describe their victory in the Bismarck Sea. Indeed carnage it was. 4 carriers lost and numerous trnasports. Losing merchant ships was not a problem as nearly 200 were in reserve in Lunga, Noumea and Sydney, not to mention the vast amount of shipping in San Francisco. Losing the carriers definitely meant the end of operations beyond New Britain until 1944. The plus side, 3 divisions and support units and 30,000 tons of supplies on Gasmata. Susbtantial support from LBA. The toehold on New Britain was almost established. The Navy's sacrifice was to be made worth while by the USMC and Army.

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RE: What next? - 3/16/2010 9:51:54 AM

cantona2

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As the situation began to clear the scope of the losses became evident and public opinion in the US was spared much of the details, instead they were fed a diet of brave Marines ashore killing japs! The President and General Marshall had of late began to take a harder line on casualties. Roosevelt in particular using the Red Army's struggle as Stalingrad, and its subsequent victory as evidence. Marshall wanted to get the job done and if the Navy lost ships then more would have to be built, a land lubbers perspective on naval losses.

What was obvious was the undeniable quality presented by the IJN's carrier arm. Until the fleet of Essex class carriers in dry dock hit the seas, the USMC and Army would have to take the fight to the IJA at the point of the bayonet. The Massacre at Majuro and the Battle of Gasmata had turned the war into oneof annihialation and hatred, akin to the Eastern Front in europe. Already the 3rd Marines were progressing against the main Japanese line at Gasmata while the 1st Cavalry, making use of its mobile elements were encircling and destroying enemy strongpoints with fire and steel. So far the grand total of POW's taken was zero.

As the battered USN limped home, they came across two task forces led by CVE's and three new BB's. Those going south were heartend by the fact that despite their losses more men and material joined the battle zone. Those going north saw the scarred, blistered and battered hulks of once proud ships and shuddered in disbelief.

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RE: What next? - 3/16/2010 11:01:38 AM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: cantona2

Carnage was the word the signal intercept guys at Shortlands had said the Japs had used to describe their victory in the Bismarck Sea. Indeed carnage it was. 4 carriers lost and numerous trnasports. .

you loose 4 cv ???

;
can we have a bit more info on this battle ?

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RE: What next? - 3/16/2010 11:09:01 AM

cantona2

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I will when i have more time on my hands. Very busy time at the moment, its a miracle i have time to get turns out

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RE: What next? - 3/19/2010 11:19:14 AM

cantona2

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The question now was wether the losses were justfiable to a war weary public. In pure military terms they were. The Navy ministry confirmed the delivery of 6 new CV's in the first quarter of 44, which means losses would be made up. Most of the capital ships that were damaged would be easily patched up and the number of destroyers were huge. More importantly, 3 divisons on New Britain, two more on their way, Rabual isolated and the Japs on the retreat. Let 44 be the year when Japan would pay, for what was left of 43 the Solomons would be liberated and New Guinea would be cleared of enemy forces.

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