RE: The Lull is over

RE: The Lull is over (Full Version)

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cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (5/11/2009 7:40:08 PM)
Elsewhere in the theatre, Operation Stepping Stone has officially begun. The bulk of the invasion forces have left Canton Island and the 8th New Zealand Brigade has left Tarawa and will become the standing garrison for Nauru Island. The 1st Marine will spearhead the landing but will later leave and the follow up forces will garrison and build up Nauru. Minesweepers, battleships, crusiers, destroyers, APD's, two fleet carriers plus the combined air power on Tarawa and Abemama will support the Nauru landings and it is hoped we catch the Imperial High Command off guard as its eyes are turned towards Australia. Just north of Exmouth the Hermes, Formidable and Illustrious will be coming into striking range tomorrow and some more Japanese ships are still spotted at Exmouth. One sqaudron of B-24's had been ordered to start dropping supplies from Broome and it is hoped that the 23rd AIF Brigade will be able to attack the day after. Lots of subamrines appear to be spotted in Exmouth Bay so I am wondering if Herb is extracting his forces. As of yet, once again, no aerial Japanese presence of any sort!

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (5/13/2009 6:29:23 PM)
Christmas Eve 1942 The aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy entered the fray that historians would call the Exmouth Raid. After no more sightings of Japanese ships on the 23rd December the carriers changed to course heading for Broome before refuelling and returning to Colombo. HMS Hermes has detached herself from the task force and was heading to Perth instead. The first sign that something was afoot was when radar first, then lookouts spotted a Japanese floatplane droning in and out of the clouds above one of the myriad of RN and RA ships in the area. The carriers were immediately alerted and soon enough an Albacore on a scount mission brought the news of Japanese float plane tenders 60 miles to the north west. Both the Illustriuos and the Formidable laucnhed a coordinated strike that took barely an hour to approach and reach its target. Two float plane tenders were circling defensively below the approachin Fleet Air Arm planes. The Martlet escorts climbed higher and wacthed over the torpedo bombers as they dropped to wave height, each plane carrying a deadly, sliver torpedo lashed to its underbelly. Unopposed, they zeroed in on both ships and a classic hammer and anvil attack. The southern most AV took the first wave as 5 torpedoes hit, both port and starboard. It seemed the Japanese had been caught in complete surprise as no ack ack answered the Albacore's and Swordfih's challenge. [img]http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5508/ex21v.jpg[/img] The second AV also took three torpedoes amidships from three Swordfish that almost tore the ship apart. It almost seemed too easy! No planes flew CAP over the ships and it appeared that the IJN High Command had not counted on the presence of Allied carriers, or had they? The second AV takes a pounding. [img]http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1011/ex22e.jpg[/img] The absence of any planes flying CAP was explained almost at the same time as the torpedoes were slamming into the AV's, but 60 miles to the south east. Two groups of float planes, no doubt originating from the hard pressed AV's, launched a brave but futile attack on the escort ships of the British carriers. Their flimsy frames were no match for the amount of anti-aircraft fire that the cruisers were able to put into the air. What little bombs they carried fell harmlessly into the sea far from their intended targets. What th Japanese pilots didn't know was that their floating homes were no more, having being sunk by the FAA. Gradually, one by one, the Japanese planes ditched into an unwelcoming and unfriendly sea as their fuel tanks emptied. [img]http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7448/ex23h.jpg[/img] Day Air attack on TF at 15,81 Allied aircraft Martlet x 6 Swordfish x 17 Albacore x 17 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AV Sanuki Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AV Sanyo Maru, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (5/13/2009 6:34:43 PM)
On land the 23rd AIF Brigade drove the Japanese marines out of Exmouth. As they did parachutes opened in the skies above them and the aussie troopers feared a parachute reinforcement for their enemies had arrived. As the chutes landed the soldiers were relieved to find a cannister attached to it not an elite enemy soldier. B-24's from Broome and B-17's from Perth were dropping the supplies the 23rd would need to finish off the job and mop up. So it seemed that the raid on Exmouth was just that, a raid to test and probe the defences of Australia. Yet it was a costly raid for the Japanese. For the cost of 2 destroyers, a transport and one Dutch picket ship, the Allies had been able to sink three float plane tenders and their complement of planes. Two confirmed submarines, two more were also hit, 2 transports and a gun boat escort. What was the Jap upto? had this been a lure for some carriers? Was Darwin threatened while attention was on the West? Whatever the case, Operation Stepping Stone was at D-Day minus 4 as the bulk of the flotilla gathered around Abemama and began to head north west...

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (5/17/2009 3:22:08 PM)
As the action dies down in the Exmouth area Operation Stepping Stone enters its initial stage as the invasion task force leaves Abemama and two days later lies about 500 miles off Nauru Island. Further north the CL Helena and the PC Seneb, part of the Wake Island Security Force, are carrying out diversionary movements off Marucs Islands. A Dinah scout plane spotted the Helena yesterday and a SOC-3 Seagull flew a recon mission over the island. The Seneb is going to carry out a zig-zagging maneouver tpo the East of Marcus Island while air attacks from Wake will be stepped up. I want the Jap High Command to believe that Marcus is the target and in his last mail the Jap commander was hoping it was a raid not an invasion. So far so good, however... [image]local://upfiles/25083/EABDEB205BDC4B75A9025B8271289393.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (5/17/2009 3:25:51 PM)
...a flight of G4M's from Lunga tried an attack on the Nauru task force. It totally missed the ships as the early warning the radar of the capital ships gave was enough to assure a course change away from the approaching bombers. Landings are 2 days away and shore based P-38's will support the Wildcats of the two fleet and one escort carrier that accompany the invasion force. As from tomorrow air raids will resume in earnest after they had been scaled down in the past few days while other islands had been targetted. Long range bombers from Lunganville have been ordered to hit the Lunga airfields in order to disrupt any attack from that flank. [image]local://upfiles/25083/7C347423534A47B89802E92306CD60EA.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (5/18/2009 6:09:53 PM)
Operation Stepping Stone is at D-Day minus 1. Minesweepers are about to sweep the southern approaches to Nauru Island ahead of the main landing forces. I have the Lexington and Saratoga plus a CVE and 72 P-38's flying cover from Tarawa and Abemama. A Dauntless wing of each carrier will carry out a combat support mission as the troops hit the beaches while the other Dauntless wings and the Avengers of the fleet and escort carriers keep a look out for enemy shipping. A bombardment force will also hit Nauru. Recon still suggests only one unit and radio intercepts suggest the Saesbo 5th NLF is the unit garrisoning the island. SS Dolphin staking out Marcus Island reported being attacked by a B5N2. Has Herbie taken the bait. Marcus is a size 1 airfield so he cannot base torpedo planes there. Tension is high on the eve of the second allied landing of the war... [image]local://upfiles/25083/2D64AFC7B79A4D529D4D5A77203A085E.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (5/19/2009 10:45:42 AM)
December 30th 1942 As the last but one day of 1942 dawns, the ships carrying the units of Operation Stepping Stone begin to land on Nauru Island in what was to be an action fuelled day. Due to an administrative cock up, the MSW's tasked with sweeping the approaches to the island carried out aggressive ASW patrols instead and as such the ships carrying the troops, and their escorts, hit a number of Type 93 mines. Not withstanding, the BB Indiana appraoched unscathed and led a ferocious bombardment of the shore defences as the ships began to approach. [img]http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/8912/ss4h.jpg[/img] Once the big guns had done their job, and began to retire, the 8th New Zealand Brigade hit Dog Green, while elements of 1st Marine Division landed at Dog Yellow. TF 1030 encounters mine field at Nauru Island (77,95) TF 1030 troops unloading over beach at Nauru Island, 77,95 Allied Ships AP Rangatira, Mine hits 2, on fire DD Downes Allied ground losses: 50 casualties reported Coastal Guns at Nauru Island, 77,95, firing at TF 1030 Allied ground losses: 255 casualties reported ---------------------------- TF 1030 encounters mine field at Nauru Island (77,95) TF 1030 troops unloading over beach at Nauru Island, 77,95 Allied Ships DD Downes DD Selfridge, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage AP Canberra, Mine hits 1 Allied ground losses: 32 casualties reported Coastal Guns at Nauru Island, 77,95, firing at TF 1030 Allied ground losses: 240 casualties reported ---------------------------- TF 1035 encounters mine field at Nauru Island (77,95) TF 1035 troops unloading over beach at Nauru Island, 77,95 Allied Ships AP Meigs, Mine hits 1 Allied ground losses: 32 casualties reported Coastal Guns at Nauru Island, 77,95, firing at TF 1035 Allied ground losses: 185 casualties reported ---------------------------- TF 1068 encounters mine field at Nauru Island (77,95) TF 1068 troops unloading over beach at Nauru Island, 77,95 Allied Ships AP Tasker H. Bliss, Mine hits 1, on fire Allied ground losses: 21 casualties reported Coastal Guns at Nauru Island, 77,95, firing at TF 1068 1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied ground losses: 533 casualties reported Vehicles lost 1 As the troops consolidated the immediate landing zone, VB-3 from the decks of the Saratoga began to deliver a series of clinical airstrikes on known enemy positions inland. The weeks of recon missions paid off handsomly as the Dauntlesses rained death upon the Japanese defenders. [img]http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8881/ss5h.jpg[/img] As the day wore on more troops were landed and more air strikes came in. The earlier success of Operation Morsel had allowed Tarawa to be developed into a major airbase and her Mitchells (13th Bombardment) and Liberators (320th/321st Bomabrdment) roared overhead and inland to pound the Jap artillery into the gorund, just as the first patrols were scouring the treeline for enemy troops. [img]http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/2315/ss6a.jpg[/img] The second major Allied base in the area, Abemama, was also proving of great support to the landing forces. Just after midday a third wave of American air strikes hit Nauru. This time 48th Bombardment (A-29) and 371st Bombardment (B-24D) targetted the remaining Japanese supply dumps ahead of the main assault by the ground troops. [img]http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3880/ss7.jpg[/img] These air strikes, and the ones that had come before them seemd to have had the desired effect. The veteran 8th NZ Brigade (Tarawa) spearheaded the 1st Marine's in their first action as they stormed the Japanese lines. In a couple of hours the Sasebo 5th Nlf had ceased to exist as a cohesive fighting force and Nauru Island had been liberated from Japanese oppression. [img]http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/8181/ss9.jpg[/img] Ground combat at Nauru Island Allied Shock attack Attacking force 7072 troops, 57 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 377 Defending force 1075 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 32 Allied max assault: 332 - adjusted assault: 158 Japanese max defense: 16 - adjusted defense: 1 Allied assault odds: 158 to 1 (fort level 0) Allied forces CAPTURE Nauru Island base !!! Japanese ground losses: 1654 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Allied ground losses: 24 casualties reported Yet a crucial action had been fought out earlier in the day and further to the north east, just off Marcus Island. As part of the deception to throw the Japanese scent off Operation Stepping Stone, the CL Helena and the PC Sonoma, had been carrying diversionary recon patrols and maneouvers off Marcus inorder to convinve the Japs that Marcus was indeed the target. Radio intercepts had noticed new units reinforcing the island and the SS Dolphin had recently reported attacks by carrier borne planes. As the Sonoma began to plot a course to return back to Wake Island, she was pounded upon by Japanese carrier bombers. Her brave captain put up what little fight he could, a smattering of 20mm anti-aircraft fire, but more importantly got a radio message off to Wake and the CL Helena alerting them to the presence of enemy carriers. His small ship took a pounding before she sank with all hands but her noble sacrifice had meant that the eyes of the Combined fleet had been on Marcus Island and not Nauru. The CL Helena, for her part, ordered full steam ahead to Wake Island and her protection in the form of F4F-4 Wildcats! [img]http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/464/ss8r.jpg[/img] Day Air attack on TF at 77,61 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 97 D3A2 Val x 21 A6M3a Zero x 11 B5N2 Kate x 15 No Japanese losses Allied Ships PC Sonoma, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (5/19/2009 12:39:01 PM)
31st December 1942 Phase 1 of Operation Stepping Stone is complete. The 1st Marines have finished rembarking on their transports and will head to Canton Island for some RnR before redployment. The 8th New Zealand Brigade will act as garrison along with a field artillery regiment and a naval base force. The 2nd Marine CD is enroute from Palmyra as well. No sign of any Japanese counter move yet, though G4M's were seen flying over Nauru Island at high altitude. The minesweepers did a much better job of sweeping today and both damaged and undamaged ships are making their way back to Abemama. As of yet no ships have sunk and only one destroyer has flotation damage above 50 from a mine hit. An APD squadron is ferrying supplies to Nauru to augment the aerial supply bridge currently supporting Nauru. I expect the Japs to hit with full force in the next days so all heavy surface units and carrier units will be hanging around the area of operations.

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (5/22/2009 5:46:41 PM)
End of 1942 and the first full calendar year of war. December has been characterised by the ascendancy of the P-38 over the A6M variants and the Oscar II. Allied pilots are finally becoming proficient hunter killers. They have certainly earned their stripes in the defence of Thursday Island and their aggressive sweeps over Merauke. Likewise the bombers of the USAAF have begun to score ground kills in December. December's highlights have to include the operations near Exmouth, which accounted for most of the IJN ships sunk in the month, and the reoccupation of Nauru Island late in the month in a relatively bloodless enterprise. The Silent Service has also begun to hit back in the last week of the month with 6 transports sunk and a few others hit. January 1941 sees the arrival of Avengers on RN Carriers and Corsairs for the Marines on land. Likewise the torpedo dud rate drops so I am hopeful for an increased protracted submarine campaign around the HI's and the SRA. [image]local://upfiles/25083/9A09C39B523B474C92818247DD78CF2A.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (6/6/2009 2:52:59 PM)
High time for an update. The end of January 1943 is almost upon us. The Allied forces are quietly building up for their next offensive moves while at the same time probing at the Japanese defensive perimeter. Three areas are of primary concern. First, the Northern Australian Coast. Having repelled the Exmouth Raid, ANZAC Command set its eyes on Timor. BUt the events of the recent weeks have been a cause for concern. Timor and Soemba have been reinforced by the Japs and recent bombing attacks have come up against A6M3s, Oscar IIs and Tojos. Likewise Timor also has an offensive capability as D4Y dive bombers plastered a resupply convoy that was snaking its way along the caost from Broome to Darwin. Any prosepctive invasion would have to have substantial support from carrier forces as well as from the well established bases in Australia. [image]local://upfiles/25083/513B7EFA7E6D426EBB8EFB3550CFB3D0.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (6/6/2009 3:04:40 PM)
Secondly, the USN had been eyeing an attack on the flank of either the Solomon or Marshall Islands. Nauru Island is now a fortified and well garrisoned base that already hosts a fighter strip and is alomst ready to base single engined bombers. Strategically the 2nd Marine Division was moved from Suva to Lugnaville and the Americal is still at Noumea. This last base is a substantial hub of Allied forces and, along with Suva, can act as supplyheads for any offensive operations in the area. Any operation here would mean a mass deployment of all USN Carriers as Herb has developed a strong number of bases in the islands. The way it looks at the moment an assault on Jaluit or Majuro seems the likeliest option. My bombers based in Wake Island and the Gilberts have meant he has had to retreat all his shipping from Kwajalein and operate from bases futher behind the front. I have also noticed that all resupplying of bases in the Marshalls has been carried out by barges. Jaluit and Majuro are very tasty and tempting targets but I am wary of being drawn into a trap where I am caught between the airfields of Kwajalein and Maleolap and the KB. Like the Solomons, any operation here would require a mass deployment of all fleet carriers, 5 left, plus any ancilliary carrier craft as well. [image]local://upfiles/25083/129A2295672C4BE4931B8E79343AAAA8.jpg[/image] 1) Possible axis of attack on the Solomon Islands. 2) Possible attacks on Jaluit and Majuro.

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (6/6/2009 3:11:37 PM)
Thirdly China. Massive forces are on the move in China. 3 armoured and 2 Infantry Divisions sit astride the railway the the north east of Changsha (1). To the south east, a large stack menaces to attack the city itself, but i have a well entrenched army there, well supplied and supported. A reinforced Chinese army with three corps (2) is marching towards the north east of Changsha to try and kerb the Japanese advance and threaten the flank of the Japanese in this area of China. They have concentrated their premium fighting formations here but then again so have I, leaving little opportunity for attacks on the flanks. The earlier Japanese push on Sian seems to have been abandonded in favour of a direct assault on Changsha. As in earlier operations on the Chinese mainland, the forces at Kanhsien have been withdrawing in good order before they are cut off. Two corps remain, one will stay as a rearguard while the other is making its way to Changsha to rejoin the other Kanhsien corps that is already manning the lines there. [image]local://upfiles/25083/4206063320044BD687D07D69D12BB907.jpg[/image]

Alfred -> RE: The Lull is over (6/8/2009 9:33:21 AM)
cantona2, From post #401, you seem to have a few green dots in the Solomons. Have you considered the possibility of developing them (particularly those south/east of Guadalcanal) into useful airbases first before moving to land on enemy territory? That way you would reduce the need to massively rely upon USN CV force to support offensive operations. Alfred

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (6/8/2009 10:56:53 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Alfred cantona2, From post #401, you seem to have a few green dots in the Solomons.� Have you considered the possibility of developing them (particularly those south/east of Guadalcanal) into useful airbases first before moving to land on enemy territory?� That way you would reduce the need to massively rely upon USN CV force to support offensive operations. Alfred A lot of those dots are 0/0 bases. Though i suppose i could land a SeeBees unit and see to what level an AF can be developed. Size 1 could host P-38's to fly LRCAP over the Solomons.

Alfred -> RE: The Lull is over (6/8/2009 11:18:33 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: cantona2 quote: ORIGINAL: Alfred cantona2, From post #401, you seem to have a few green dots in the Solomons.� Have you considered the possibility of developing them (particularly those south/east of Guadalcanal) into useful airbases first before moving to land on enemy territory?� That way you would reduce the need to massively rely upon USN CV force to support offensive operations. Alfred A lot of those dots are 0/0 bases. Though i suppose i could land a SeeBees unit and see to what level an AF can be developed. Size 1 could host P-38's to fly LRCAP over the Solomons. Exactly! People seem to automatically overlook the potential value of 0/0 bases. The Allies get so many SeeBees, engineers etc that it can actually be difficult to employ them all if such bases are not built up. With a level 2 AF you can engage in offensive air operations, which will keep the KB honest. Build up the port as well and you can start using them as PT hornets nests to strike nearby enemy bases - also you can start to employ Allied barges in the Solomons distributing supplies/troops from these small local depots. And finally, you even build up Allied VPs! Alfred

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (6/8/2009 11:33:45 AM)
Thanks for the advice Alfred

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (6/13/2009 2:44:10 PM)
Jaluit and Majuro have been chosen as the targets after some consideration. Recent events have indicated that the Japanese High Command is expecting an attack on Timor and has redployed and reinforced as such. I have two divisions, one Army one Marine, in the immediate vicinty of Jaluit and Majuro and three heavt bomber bases within range of Jap airfields in the Marshalls. I hope to start offensive operations in a fortnight. 3 US fleet carriers and 3 CVE's are immediately available and so is the whole of the US Surface Pacific Fleet.

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (6/14/2009 4:31:44 PM)
SS KVII intercepted the CVL Ryuho and her escorts passing to the east of Saipan. The three torpedoes fired all missed, thats the second time the Ryuho escapes unscathed from an allied sub's periscope�[:@] I have a hunch she may be enroute to Truk where i am assuming elements of the KB or other Japanese carrier elements are concentrated. The Majuro/Jaluit operation has been given the codename Thor's Hammer. Enterprise, Hornet and Yorktown have left Pearl Habour and are heading to Canton Island and the initial troop convoys are gathering at Abemama. With plenty of LBA support the carriers will hold off should the IJN sortie its carriers in defence of the Marshalls. If they did not fight for Tarawa or Nauru, I fell they will have to make a stand at Majuro and Jaulit or Kwajalein will be as good as mine. Once all the pieces are in place i shall provide a tactical appraisal of Operation Thor's Hammer.

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (6/14/2009 4:46:37 PM)
End of Jan 43 SitRep January 1943 has been a quiet month characterised by heavy allied losses in air-air combat but compounded by Japanese losses at sea and on the ground. Though the Japanese fighter pilot has the measure of his allied counterpart he has yet to find an answer to allied bombers! The large number of allied air-air losses in the screenie are mostly from the 2nd AVG that got jumped over Chittagong by Tonys at a 4-1 numerical disadvantage. The 31st January 1943 also saw the first active Marine F4U Corsair Sqaudron that relieved the 331st Fighter (P-38) at Portland Roads. [image]local://upfiles/25083/F86825469F494939B44ED15DC9C4F661.jpg[/image]

rsallen64 -> RE: The Lull is over (6/15/2009 9:24:46 PM)
Terrific AAR, so thanks for that so far! I have to ask, though, where you got the map mods? They're the best I've seen so far! [&o]

Fishbed -> RE: The Lull is over (6/18/2009 12:32:55 AM)
So what's next! 3 days and nothing, how can it be?!

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (6/18/2009 7:43:34 AM)
@rsallen thanks @Fished very hectic week at work with Parents Evenings and school trips!

Fishbed -> RE: The Lull is over (6/21/2009 5:07:41 PM)
I can only paraphrase Ken Loach: looking for Eric!!! [;)]

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (7/6/2009 5:26:23 PM)
Operation Thor's Hammer and Operation Furie - The Assaults on Majuro, Jaluit and Mili. US 6th Army, comprising of US XIV Corps has been planning the assault on the Japanese held islands of Majuro and Jaluit. Codenamed Thor and Hammer the combined operation was given the codename Thor's Hammer. Operation Furie, the para drop into Mili resulted as an after thought as part of the overall combined assault. XIV Corps would divide its forces into two pincers. The left pincer, the attack on Jaluit, would comprise the veteran 25th Infantry Divison that had captured Tarawa landing in the first wave supported by the green 150th RCT just arrived from Panama. The initial support elements would come from the guns of the 131st Field Artillery and the engineers of the 37th Sea Bees. Once the beachead had been secured the 53rd Base Force would start clearing up the area. The right pincer, the attack on Majuro would comprise of the 1st Marine Division, now blooded and rested from its assault on Nauru Island. The Shermans of the 1st Medium Marine Tank Battalion will also accompany their footslogging brothers in the first wave. The 11th Combat Engineers will also land as well as the 35th Sea Bees as its widely believed that the Japs have fortified Majuro and thus the combat engineers will be better deployed here. The 198th Field Artillery will provide direct fire support while the 124th USN Base Force will follow up. The 3rd Marine Raider Battalion will para drop into Mili and no opposition is expected. Once they have secured the atoll barges will redploy them to either Jaluit or Majuro. Intelligence puts at least one divisonal sized unit on Majuro and one brigade sized unit on Jaulit. Since the capture of Tarawa and Nauru Island the resupplying of these outposts has been carried out by barges that have been regularly been interdicted by the Lightnings at Tarawa. Its is expected that the approaches to each island have been mined heavily and as such extensive sweeping operations will spearhead the assault ships. Operation Thor's Hammer is roughly at D-Day minus 5 [image]local://upfiles/25083/6144B56EF24C40AFA54B5DC8A0177703.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (7/6/2009 5:35:07 PM)
The US Navy's copntribution to Operation Thor's Hammer will be extensive. US CV's Enterprise, Hornet and Yorktown (all veterans of earlier actions in the Gilberts) will provide the covering force. All the 3 task forces are currently at Canton Island. CVE's Sangamon and Chenango will escort the 25th Infantry Division to Jaluit while the Altahama, veteran of Nauru Island, will once again escort the Marines. The 1st Bombardment Force (J Force) is based around the Idaho and New Mexico while the 2nd Bombardment Force (M Force) is based around the guns of the Colorado and the Maryland, once again into the fight after recovering from the wounds from her battle against the Nagato. The 1st Strike Force is gathered around the Indiana while the 2nd Strike Force has the Tennessee as its flagship. Along the capital ships 15 MSWs and DMS will sweep the minefields and then provide ASW escort while 10 destroyers will provide close in support and escorts as the landings begin. In reserve i have 3 more carriers at Pearl Harbour plus the Wake Island Squadron as well as two battleships based at Noumea that could be called in should things get sticky.

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (7/6/2009 5:40:58 PM)
The USAAF will have the most important initial job of Operation Thor's Hammer. Their targets upto now have been bombing and gathering intel on the garrisons in the target islands. There are 2 Liberator Squadrons on Tarawa and another two on Abemama. One squadron of B-25's is on Tarawa and 2 A-29 units operate out of Nauru. 2 P-38 units operate out of Tarawa while another rests in Abemama and one is enroute from Pearl. 2 more Wildcat units as well as RNZAF Kittyhawks augment my fighter force. One unit of Kingfishers has been operating from Makin and the fighter strip there is almost complete which will mean 3 strips easily within P-38 range of Jaluit and Majuro by D-Day. The heavy bombers at Wake Island will also have a role to play when it comes to harassing the air strips on Kwajalein. However the most important strategic role will be played by the Catalinas and Mariners stationed on Nauru Island, Wake Island and Tarawa as they will be our eyes and ears searching for a KB that will sure as hell come acalling. They shall join their silent brothers under the sea that are already staking out the likely avenues of approach to the future combat area.

Fishbed -> RE: The Lull is over (7/6/2009 7:16:41 PM)
Canto, why are you keeping three of your CVs away from the battlefield on the eve of such an encounter?

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (7/7/2009 3:26:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Fishbed Canto, why are you keeping three of your CVs away from the battlefield on the eve of such an encounter? Very true. 2 more CV's have been dispatched post haste to the area of operations.

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (7/7/2009 3:30:55 PM)
Two things have happened today that may help Thor's Hammer. Herbie stated in his last mail that he'd had two sightings of my CV's this last turn. Impossible as all my CV's are currently in waters outside the range of any Japanese search plane. Indeed Colonel Nakamura is also convinced that USN CV's are at Luganville. The erstwhile flyer might be extremeley disappointed to know that the only allied shipping in Luganville are barges supplying the bases that are buidling up at Vanikoro and Ndeni [sm=00000622.gif] Secondly Makin now hosts a fighter strip that for the time being is being used by a second unit of Kingfishers. Once the main op gets underway a squadron of P-38's will take residence here. So far so good, what with a little help from Japanese recon pilots with very poor recognition skills [:D]

cantona2 -> RE: The Lull is over (7/8/2009 8:23:46 AM)
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