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tocaff -> RE: Where is Pete? (1/31/2010 2:56:15 PM)
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June 28, 1942 Moscow
Stalin has had a message sent to Tokyo informing the Japanese that Soviet troops will move into Sunwu and occupy it. These troops will arrive there in 3 days time and therefore the Japanese have 2 days to respond with any objections. If any Japanese troops are there it will be considered an act of war. Molotov says to Stalin that if this doesn't push the Japanese to the brink, nothing will and maybe another place can be obtained at no cost. Stalin downs a vodka and orders a copy of this message be sent to London and Washington DC. "I want a new demand made for a second front in Europe against the Germans even though the west claims that it can't happen now. Send both messages together to show that we are trying to provoke the Japanese while maintaining our neutrality towards them. It's vital that our merchant ships continue to carry goods from the Americans to Vladivostock without Japanese interference. The Japanese can't afford to fight against us on a new front as they need the men and material elsewhere as our Allies begin to build the pressure before they finally go on the offensive. We can't afford to fight them either, for now as the Germans continue to smash our gallant forces." With that Stalin pours another drink and stalks out of the room leaving Molotov to carry out his orders.
Stalins staff reviews the latest results of the daily recon flights:
There are 5 LCUs, 44160/568/5, at Heiho; 1 LCU, 5140/67/0, at Arshaan; 7 LCUs, 30560/345/9, at Hailar
Plans are being drawn up and changed every day to deal with a Japanese attack or to execute one of their own, if Stalin demands it. Nobody wants to be caught unprepared by Stalin and be subjected to his wrath.
Ed enters the Oval Office and FDR montions him to take a seat. "Yes George, he's just arrived and I'll fill him in myself," says the President. He hangs up the phone and asks Ed, "What have you got for me today? I'd like some good news, if possible," he says with a grin.
"Sir I wish I could give good news to you, but it's the same old story in the Pacific for the present. Operation Comet is well underway as the first of the convoys is at sea. The USN is devoting nearly everything it's got to insure that Comet succeeds. If we do manage to land in Noumea, Efate and Luganville as planned then the buildup should be rapid given the forces devoted to the area. Noumea will become a major naval base for us and allow the fleet to operate where it can truly hurt the Japanese while our LBA should be able to make life difficult for the Japanese. In Australia units have been put on alert to march and plans to expand the base at Cooktown are being put into place. Once Cooktown can handle our B-17s the plan calls for Port Moresby to be bombed until the airfield there can't support any operations. Once this has been accomplished the eastern coast of Australia will become more secure and our CVs, along with the RN's will be able to operate out of Brisbane and range north of Australia too, if we so wish. The logistics are being dealt with now and Noumea will sink under all of the fuel and supplies that will be sent there. We need to know where the Japanese carriers are so that we don't get any nasty surprises. Now as to today's intel:
5.1K troops are at Songhia
15 Mortar B is at Ichang
2.7K troops are at Taejon
13 AAR is at Maizuru
3.5K troops are at Nagoya
38 CB is at Toyohara
49 HAAB is at Mukden
22.4K troops are at Okayama
248.7K troops are at Sasebo
2 Fleet is at Balikpapan
I suppose that's all I've got for you at this time sir." Ed remains seated at FDR picks up a sheet of paper and says, "Ed big things are afoot in Europe and Africa.
Yesterday the British 8th Army withdrew to the El Alamein Line in Egypt. If this position falls Rommel will waltz into Cairo and the Suez canal will fall into German hands.
Also yesterday PQ-17 sailed from Iceland. It's made up of 35 merchant ships, 3 rescue vessels, 2 tankers for refueling at sea and 21 close escorts. There are 297 planes, 594 tanks 4246 trucks and gun carriers along with 156K tons of cargo. A 7 ship cruiser covering force is shadowing it and a distant cover force of the following composition is involved also:
1 X CV
2 X BBs
6 X Cruisers
23 X DDs
4 X Corvettes
3 X MSWs
2 X AA ships
4 X ASW trawlers
In addition there are 15 submarines, 6 Russian, that sail ahead of the convoy.
Today we were informed that 2 AKs and 1 TK of this convoy aborted after accidental damage. There is no word on what kind of damage or how it happened at this point in time. Only 1 day at sea and we've already lost 3 ships out of the convoy before the Germans even attack it.
Also today we have word that 89 Axis divisions attacked in the direction of the Caucasus oil fields. The Russians have been clobbered and have suffered massive casualties and numbers of POWs.
So you see Ed I can dispense with bad news too. Now how about a little nip before you head off to the Pentagon? What's your pleasure," asks FDR. The two men share a drink and Ed heads back to his office.
Pete is beginning to suffer from the lack of sleep as he's driving himself very hard in his effort to find Florence. Why did she just up and leave me like this, he wonders as he walks aimlessly through the streets of Darwin. Soon he'll abandon his search for the day and head for work.
The Pirates are in transit to Townsville and are commenting on the merits of a C-47 versus the truck and all agree that this is luxury in comparison. Once they arrive in Townsville they'll find transport to Brisbane and from there points east.
Lucky continues to be an excellent student, but he frustrates Red by not always obeying commands given to him. Red wanted to show the skipper how good Lucky was and other than the sit command the dog just wouldn't do anything. The Palawan's captain laughed and told Red not to despair and to keep up the good work.
Bill drives north in the jeep and allows himself to reflect on the war and it's course to date. He wonders how his buddy Phil is doing aboard the Benham, if Gunny has managed to get everyone at Camp Pendleton going to his satisfaction yet, where and what are the Pirates up to now and last but not least when will he plant his feet on the deck of a ship? The countryside is beautiful as it flashes by and he stops for gas in a remote station. The man informs him that they have no gas for sale and the next place is about 40 miles away. Bill sheepishly realizes that with all of his daydreaming he didn't monitor his fuel situation and now the tank reads almost empty. "When will you get some gas?" he asks, "Do you have a telephone that I can use? I don't suppose that any food is to be had?"
The man laughs and replies, "More gas should've been delivered yesterday, but the war has made that spotty so any time now. My house is about 1/4 of a mile up the path, though we've got no phone. We do have food that you'd be most welcome to share with us though and you can stay until we can get you the gas you need."
The 2 men chat until the man decides that it's time to close the place for the day. Phil has learned his name is Dave and upon reaching the house he's overwhelmed by the smell of food being cooked. Dave introduces Phil to his daughter, Sandra. Phil is at a loss for words as he just stares at her. All he can think of is that she's stunning. The 3 of them eat and talk over dinner and Phil is wishing for the gas delivery to be delayed for a couple of days. They say goodnight and he's shown to a room where he can sleep.
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