tocaff
Posts: 4781
Joined: 10/12/2006 From: USA now in Brasil Status: offline
|
August 16, 1942 Washington DC The White House FDR sits behind his desk, sighs and places the intel briefs on his desk. Ed's report is of very painful, but expected news. 6.7K troops are at Iwo Jima 12 AR is at Singapore 143 IJA BF is at Tokyo 53 D is at Osaka 213K troops are at Chanfufeng 24 AvUnit is at Kwajalein 133 IJA BF is making plans for Amchitka Island 187K troops are at Saipan 4 AAR is at Toyama 65 CB is at Kagoshima 18 RCAR is at Toyama Recon of Myitkyina has revealed 3 LCUs are there made up of 24120/288/18 Recon flights over Tulagi have shown that there are 10 LCUs there comprised of 30980/302/8 A coast watcher on New Britain has reported that an IJN PG hit a mine near Rabaul and was burning, having suffered heavy damage. Darwin was assaulted by 79.3K Japanese troops and they rolled over the 1.6K Australians who served as the rearguard for the withdrawal. The Japanese lost 5/1/0 and the Aussies 1887/13/0. Darwin is now held by the Japanese. The men of the Darwin Coastal Artillery Rgt have surrendered and the victorious Japanese soldiers are remembering their fallen buddies and taking it out on the POWs. The 1st Australian Cav Division has managed to get away at the last moment and will live to fight another day. The men of the 754th Tank Bn have done an outstanding job and many owe their lives to these men who guard the rear of the retreating column of men. At Sian the Japanese suffered heavy loses under a Chinese artillery bombardment. “Ed, I've got a few questions based on this report of yours,” says FDR, “Firstly that bit about the Japanese planning for Amchitka Island. That's Alaska, right?” “Yes, it is,” answers Ed, “This helps to lend credence to my fears about that area. We are doing all that we can to make any Japanese move there an expensive proposition. As a matter of fact today 3 BBs and 2 DDs left for Anchorage to bolster our fleet there.” “OK, that's good and I'll trust my General Staff to do the right thing. Next can the Chinese hold Sian and Chungking?” FDR waits for Ed's answer and lights a cigarette. “Well with the number of troops that are reported at these two locations the Japanese will have their hands full. I suspect that Sian will be the easier nut to crack as it is of less value, strategically speaking. Chungking, if the defense is handled properly, should be able to withstand a major Japanese effort.” Ed leans back in his seat awaiting the next question. FDR asks, “When will we put that new operation, Grinder, into action to boot the Japanese out of Australia?” “That depends,” says Ed, “On how fast we can get the needed assets in place, how long it takes for them to organize themselves and finally when you and the Australian PM give them the go ahead.. I would recommend that we don't rush Grinder as failure would be a major setback, both from a military standpoint and civilian morale would take a beating too.” “OK, as usual thanks for the insight Ed,” says FDR. Ed rises and leaves the White House, heading for home after a very tiring vigil at the Pentagon during the debacle at Darwin. Pete has been left by his buddies at a makeshift dressing station and the medic that looks him over tags him and mutters to another man on the team. “This guy has been playing in the dirt far to long with that wound, it should've been nothing, but this infection is bad. Get a jeep, ambulance, or whatever we have and get him on it and back to a field hospital where a doctor can have at him. Do it now.” The ships that have departed from Mare Island bound for Anchorage include the DD Laffey. Bill is sad not to be aboard her, but at the same time, since he has managed to con the motor pool out of a jeep, he's happy. He throws a small bag with his clothes in the vehicle and he roars off to the north and Sandy. The Pirates are eastwards bound on a train, their destination is Washington DC and a meeting with Admiral Landy. DD-459 USS Laffey
Attachment (1)
< Message edited by tocaff -- 5/5/2010 1:46:24 PM >
_____________________________
|