Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
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The Evolution of an Operation
The idea for Big Tent originated in the early autumn of '43, as the Allies were winding down affairs in the Marshalls. The key triggering event was the defeat of the KB at the Great Naval Battle of Wake Island, because the Allies then had the carrier superiority needed to untether and strike deep behind the main lines.
At first, Big Tent was to encompass the main targets of Sorong, Manokwari, and Morotai. The region gradually expanded to include two other main targets, Boela and Ambon. During the early planning, the idea was to take and build up these bases and then move east along the north coast of New Guinea, picking up other vacant or lightly defended bases like Vanimo, Hollandia and Manus. Even as of the date of departure from Pearl, many of the follow-up troops were prepping for these destinations.
Already, though, I was toying with the idea of egressing through the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait. As Big Tent arrived at the first beachheads, this plan solidified when KB showed up near the Admiralties. Egressing along New Guinea's north coast might be contested, so the Gulf seemed preferable.
With that in mind, Third Ring was conceived. This would be the ops needed (after Big Tent) to secure this new LOC: Merauke, Horn Island, and Port Moresby being the key targets. 4EB began regularly raids on these bases. During those early days of Third Ring planning, I thought Death Star and the Herd would, after finishing Big Tent, move quickly on to Third Ring. The idea included then invading Luganville, part of a process envisioned to shorten the LOC to Hawaii.
Early into Big Tent, John's efforts to reinforce Ambon, Babo, Dobo and other bases forced me to shift south quickly. It was necessary to check his efforts in order to preserve the southern egress route. The checks were pretty successful.
Beginning a few weeks ago, I concluded that Port Moresby (and certainly Luganville) were not necessary bases. Desirable, yes; but necessary, no. The idea was to move forward rather than backward as long as KB wasn't contesting the DEI. That's why PM is no longer a part of Third Ring (at least for now, though two divisions 100% prepped are still in Oz).
As Big Tent was winding down it also became clear that there were many vacant bases in the southern DEI (Flores Island, et al) and in the Moluccas. Thus was born Operation Carousel, which is not yet completely defined. But if KB remains out of theater, then it appears that bases in the Moluccas are the next targets.
This is not an operation in "isolation." This is part of a much larger plan, some of which is already underway. I would prefer John to commit KB to the DEI, so Carousel, while worthwhile on its own merits, is meant to force John to commit.
Big Tent and Third Ring are essentially complete. Now we move on to Carousel and other operations.
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