1275psi
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Joined: 4/17/2005
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20/11/42
LCDR ITO, Inspector General
Report .
To Herbiesan
As ordered I have completed a sweeping, critical tour of the front.
I submit it for consideration.
Area1
Burma, Thialand, Malaya
The front here has been static south of Mandalaby for nearly 9 months.
materially the troops are in fine fettle -well supplied and dug in.
The commanders decision to remove his bombers and fighters to rear areas -although highly critised appears to have been wise.
I personally observed one of the massive raids against Rangoon today -the enemy 4 engined planes are almost unstoppable with our light fighters.
The Tonies -and to some extent, the Tojos are having some success.
many of these are training at singapore, and the decision not to deploy until highly trained also is supported.
yesterday a unit of tojos on LRCAP over rangoon savaged a medium bomber/beufort fighter mix, I support the decision to fight the enemy outside of his current single engine fighter range
Singapore problems with supply and production appear to have been rectified, although I do not recommend we ever attempt to repair capital ships there, Hiei continues to languish at 19 sysytem damage -week in, week out.
Area2
java, Sumutra, Timor island chain
We must accept that palembang is never going to produce more oil than 110 units, and no resources - I do not recommend we pour anymore supplies into the place, unless toblia can make a weekly run at low cost.
Soerabaya and batavia are at full production.
The whole chain is now very lightly defended - a high command gamble.
Do not blame the troops if it falls quickly if invaded.
Timor on the other hand is well defended, and having 21 div at Kendari is re assuring.
The reserve in davao also is ready, and to my satisfaction.
The enemy has made little sub war here -and the policy to heavily defend the tanker convoys only is supported.
teneibar island is a loss -failure to unload all the troops in the initial invasion cost us dear.
Currently the enemy is not strong enough to defeat us -and may settle to just bombing us.
he has significant LBA mediums at darwin -but still few fighters.
I recommend KB gives darwin another visit.
the airfoce is struggling to provide proper cover -far too many Nates , with critical trained pilots are flying CAP over the oil fields and kendari - we need more fighters here.
Area3
PNG, Solomons
I was dismayed at the lack of initiative by many army commanders displayed here.
Many bases still lack significant fortifications, and few have any significant supply stockpiles.
We must bend all effort to stock this area -cease airfield construction -which is more than adequate - and dig forts.
Army is to be chasticed over this state of affairs.
Airforce is in top fettle -many medium bombers fill the fields, although again the lack of army fighters is a concern
navy air also is light in fighters -upgrades to the AM3a are continuing -but hampered by lack of supplies.
navy bombers -our mani shield , are at 100% strength -all highly trained -and ever so eager to go.
They all wait at Truk - well supported.
The big problem is KB
Spotted west of thursday island yesterday -what to do with her?
Combined fleet has ordered her to retire out of B17 range - and escort the 3 at sea divisions back to Ambonia.
a strike against darwin again becons -but must be wieghed against losses we could incur.
Area4
Now relocated at Siapan -where the 70,71st divisions will soon arrive (albiet at 75%) the gilberts are successfully emptied -other than the fixed guns at tarwana .
We may have been hasty abandoning this early.
If the enemy allows us, could we consider a KB visit.
In reflection the continous recon of baker must be a ruse - i expect a direct invasion to Kwelijien.
Wake must be considered lost, and must not be reinforced -we simply cannot support it.
panope as the designated outer limit of defence is only size 4 fort, and desperately needs supplies -the last 2 AKs sent there have been sunk enroute.
siapan needs fuel, as does the paluas.
Area5
Borneo, phillipines, celebes, convoys
These areas remain very quiet adequate asw air patrols are being maintained.
the whole area needs more ASW assetts -simply not to be had though.
Area5
home front
Disturbingly we discovered today that we have 5 Lilly units coming online this month -and no lilly production!
This must be rectified -but is a disaster.
Overhaul of the DDs continues very well -by Jan 43, we will have enough to form several small Task forces for the knife fights we can expect next year.
Kaga, Zuiho are in dock now - 4 ARs, soon to be 6 are in support.
This is good -can we do anything else to speed repair?
The hyuga is to return to Osaka as well.
Home forces are fair -not brilliant.
54th div is put on notice that it will be deployed next month to burma.
Home front supplies are fair -struggling to keep up with the tremendous heavy industry demands.
Fighter production appears to be satisfactory - the oscar 2 is so eagerly awaited in 43, far too many nates are being exposed to impossible odds .
China
The offensive ordered to wuchow has a fair chance of success -but should be stopped should the supply level dips into the orange level.
the pressure to the north is being handled well.
3rd tank army is very dissapointing - recruitment and the fleshing out of the division is simply not happening - we must move the army ASAP to abetter supply area.
Overall the empire appears very strong -and many arms of it -KB, the Betty force, the submarine arm, the BB arm, remain undamaged.
however many fighters need upgrading urgently, the army need s to get more divisions to the war -and quickly
Forts and supply levels are poor
The emperor must give us back the imperial division at least! from his black hole!
The biggest problem is the army at sea - it will have to retire to ambonia now -tying KB to its self for at least 2 weeks.
The gamble here failed.
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