Schlussel
Posts: 384
Joined: 5/21/2007 From: Sacramento, California Status: offline
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Week 124: April 26th – May 2nd 1944 North Pacific: Movement of troops and supplies continues. Total CV strength at Adak is now 9 CVE and 4 CVL. Invasion of Kuriles slated to kick-off Mid-May. Central Pacific: Pagan’s supply-depraved defenders finally succumb to the constant Allied assaults and withdraw from the base. There are still about 24 enemy AV left on the island, and the New Zealand Battalion will take a short breather before resuming the assault on the enemy. At Manilla, the Allies the 32nd division arrives early in the week, and the assault began, with AV at 1,399:384 in favor of the Allies. Initially the Japanese defenders held behind level 7 forts, however their modified AV was not as strong as it should have been, and after 3 consecutive assaults, the forts were down to 3 and the AV ratio was 1,153:88. The final assault on May 2nd broke through and liberated the Philippine capital after 3 years of Japanese occupation. A glorious day indeed. In northern Luzon, the landing commences at Aparri. With the Japanese defense focused on defending Manilla, the Aparri beach defenses were relatively light. Aparri was captured quickly and Allied forces begin heading towards Manilla, herding the Japanese defenders as they go. The 193rd Tank Battalion, supported by a marine regiment races along the northern coast to Vigan. A larger infantry force, composed of the 41st Division, Artillery, AA, and support troops, head down the central road. The plan is to try and push the Japanese toward the east coast of Luzon, where the Allied naval presence is strong. Southern Pacific: No detected IJN activity. South-West Pacific: In the Celebes, the Allies force at Kendari continues its overland march to Makassar to provide the AV needed to take the base. At Makassar, the Allies try a deliberate assault and are able to knock the forts down to 5. SE Asia/China: The advance down the Malayan peninsula continues. The Allies take the crossroads southeast of Malacca and pursue the fleeing Japanese south towards Johore Bahru and Singapore. A small secondary force heads east to take Mersing. The air campaign against Singapore continues, as bombers keep the airfield out of action. All Allied assets in the area are focused on Singapore and the suppression of her defenses. In Sumatra the 11th Division, is wearing down about 10K Japanese troops surrounded SW of Sabang. Further south, the Allies continue to hold at Sibloga, waiting for reinforcements before commencing their assault. A small group consisting of the 111 PAVO regiment and Merril’s Marauders head south towards Padang. In northern China, the Japanese offensive is still progressing, although the Chinese reinforcements arrived this week, bolstering the defense and effectively stopping the attacks at Taiyuan. In southern China, the flow of men and equipment eastward towards Shanghai continues. British armored units have reached Chuhsien and are now moving towards Hangchow, which guards the western approaches to Shanghai. Meanwhile, Chinese units in the area are flowing towards Nanking to threaten Shanghai from the northwest. The stubborn Japanese pocket at Kuikiang (18 units/120K troops) continues to hold out. Early in the week, Allied command was encouraged by bombardment results and decided to try a deliberate assault. The results were humbling, as the Chinese suffered 4,600 casualties (46 destroyed/523 disabled squads) while the Japanese only suffered 700 casualties (47 disabled squads). However, not to be outdone, the Japanese try their own deliberate attack later in the week, losing 9,100 casualties (156 destroyed/405 disabled) while the Allies lose 400 (3 destroyed/38 disabled). While painful, the overall result was in the Allies favor. IJN Watch: No IJN capital ships spotted this week. Notable Base Captures: - Cabanatuan [Philippines] occupied by the Allies (4/26) - Wuhu [China] captured by the Allies (4/27) - Pagan [Marianas] captured by the Allies (5/1) - Manilla [Philippines] captured by the Allies (5/2) Campaign Overview: Aircraft Losses to date [change]: Allies: 9,932 [+77] Japanese: 30,374 [+453] Ship Losses to date [change]: Allies: 723 [+1] Notables: CV Enterprise, CV Victorious, CVE Copahee, CVE Corregidor, CVE Nassau, CVE St.Lo, 5 CA, 14 CL, 29 DD Japanese: 1,775 [+21] Notables: CV Akagi, CV Kaga, CV Hiryu, CV Hiyo, CV Junyo, CV Soryu, CV Shokaku, CV Zuikaku, CVL Shoho, CVL Ryuho, CVL Ryujo, CVL Zuiho, CVE Hosho, CVE Taiyo,CVE Unyo, CVE Shinyo, CVE Kaiyo, BB Fuso, BB Haruna, BB Hiei, BB Kongo, BB Mutsu, BB Yamato, BB Musashi, 18 CA, 22 CL, 62 DD Army Losses to date [change]: Allies: 11,712 [+34] Japanese: 18,753 [+372] A/J Ratio: 0.62 to 1 VP Totals [change]: Allies: 90,279 [+3,857] Japanese: 33,466 [-1,234] A/J Ratio: 2.70 to 1 Operation Chimera: Phase 1A: -Assault & Capture Cotabato [COMPLETE] -Secure Mindano [COMPLETE] Phase 1B: -Assault & Capture Balikpapan [COMPLETE] -Assault & Capture Jolo [COMPLETE] -Reinforce Brunei [COMPLETE] Phase 1C: -Assault & Capture Watampone [COMPLETE] -Assault & Capture Kolaka [COMPLETE] -Assault & Capture Makassar [IN PROGRESS – AV 225:20 Forts at 5] -Assault & Capture Kendari [COMPLETE] Operation Harbinger: Phase 1: -Assault & Capture Legaspi [COMPLETE] -Assault & Capture Atimonian [COMPLETE] -Assault & Capture Aparri [COMPLETE] -Assault & Capture Manilla [COMPLETE – Base Captured 5/2] Phase 2a: -Assault & Capture Ishigaki -Assault & Capture Miyako-Jima Phase 2b: -Assault & Capture Okinawa -Assault & Capture Amami-Oshima Other Notes: -Sub picket lines in the South China Sea get back on track and sink 11 ships this week (8-AK, 3-E).
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You say we're surrounded? Excellent! That means we can attack in any direction.
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