Remington700
Posts: 1057
Joined: 5/16/2021 Status: offline
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New Guinea With the fall of Lae, Operation Cartwheel (neutralization of Rabaul) moves forward with the US 6th Corps embarking in landing ships, headed to New Britain. 5th Corps moves into Lae to prepare for a push through the Owen Stanley mountains. They are joined by the 7th Corps out of the Wewak area. Mop-up should continue for another turn or two. B-25 Mitchells (close support) fly into the airbase at Wewak to help with gaining total control of New Guinea. Mitchell, Boston and SBD dive-bombers pound Rabaul. The 5th Marine Division hits the beach south of the port taking heavy losses (2 SPs). To the north, the US 6th Corps lands taking a SP loss. Suported by land and carrier-based planes plus a large preattack naval bombardment, both forces hit the Imperial 2nd Army doing 4 SP in damage. The enemy breaks and retreats towards the western point of the island. General Kanda’s exposed HQ is then hit with overwhelming force from Naval, Air and the 5th Marine Division. Giving as good as they got, the enemy HQ retreats after both sides took a 2 SP loss. (Playing Japan, I should have put in two coastal defense positions in these landing areas – it is a low-cost way to make a difference). With US forces unable to advance into Rabaul, the 77th Division lands unopposed to block the enemy from retaking the port. Once ashore, supported by air and naval units, the division overruns what's left of the Japanese 2nd Army causing their destruction. (Because the unit was out of supply, and with nowhere to retreat, the 2nd Army surrendered rather than shattered – this means they will not reappear as reinforcements.) The CVL Boise with expanded supply capabilities leads a small Task Force to resupply US forces on New Britain. This will supplement existing stocks until a supply line can be established. To the south a wolfpack of three UK submarines blockade the port of Munda attempting to trap an escaping enemy air unit. West Coast The CV Hancock and a squadron of A-20 Havocs arrive in the west coast and continue on to Australia. Since “loops” are still in play they should arrive next turn.
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