Canoerebel -> RE: Notes from a Small Island (9/30/2017 3:13:12 PM)
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4/13/44 The unremarkably plain sedan is humming along an unimportant country road. Nobody is likely to take notice of the little car traveling along without any apparent destination or passengers that might appear threatening. PTO: I've nearly completed one of the most immense operations I've ever undertaken. Joseph bequeathed me with tremendous advantages - massive ship, air and infantry OOB, excellent prep, and superb logistical work. The one disadvantage was that the Allied army was positioned very far forward - many, many divisions and smaller units right under the nose and guns of the Japanese. Divisions at Manus and Madang, Rabul and Kaeving, and a dozen other forward places. The prospect of pulling that army back was daunting. Bringing ships forward and allowing time for them to load and retire, all under close observation by the Japanese. Enemy subs, air an raiding TFs were likely to raise havoc with the process, slowing things down while I attended carefully to defense. Only that didn't happen. Erik didn't engage a single time in any way. So the ships came forward, the troops loaded, and the ships retired. More than 9,000 AV aboard more than a thousand ships. Not one of them damaged or sunk. Now that Allied army is much further back, at big marshalling points where they continue to prep (and some to upgrade) for future operations. Most of the prep of the big units ranges from 30 to 70. So about two months until they are ready for action. In the meantime, ships are upgrading on schedule. And I'm monitoring SigInt. This has been going on long enough to have a fair idea of what's where and what Erik might be thinking...even while allowing for the possibility that disinformation and trickiness are quite likely. In about a month, the Allies will move on Miri, Maloelap, Roi, Kwaj and Eniwetok. These bases are lightly held and won't involve major ground forces. Erik knows of my interest in this region and may be ready...or may concede via "catcher's indifference." But what I hope is that the immediately following op will entice him to act if those don't. That a feint on Marcus might draw in KB for a big carrier clash. That's what's going on under the hood of the innocent, unremarkable little sedan driving slowly down the country lane. [image]local://upfiles/8143/666DCDF78DC645A38C6593E52E8D7ECA.jpg[/image]
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