Unproven Leaders

[Wirraway_Ace]

Staff Update, 14 July 42
 
Minelaying operations have begun along the coast NW of Port Moresby to make it difficult for the enemy to evacuate his troops driven from Port Moresby.
 
The 2nd Division has taken Buna and the Mixed Ind Bde has taken Wau.
 
A reinforced Regiment has been successfully landed on Irau.  The only losses have been from transports and escorts hitting our own mines layed during early June.
 
 

[Wirraway_Ace]

Staff Update, 21 Jul 42

Mop-up Operations continue on New Guinea.

The enemy attempted to evacuate his troops trapped on New Guinea (north of Port Moresby) last night. He used a TF of six destroyers. Two struck mines you had ordered laid along the coastline and were caught during daylight by Betties from Rabual and Nells from Port Moresby and sunk. A cruiser and destroyer TF is now patrolling of shore to catch further evacuation attempts. Enemy medium bombers from Northern Australia have attempted unsuccessfully to strike the TF. Zeros from Port Moresby are now providing aircover. Army units are continuing to advance and expect the enemy to surrender (in lieu of an honorable death) within the next week.

The enemy has moved transport aircraft into the small airfield north of Wau to try evacuate the few remaining troops who fled into the jungle when the Mixed Indian Brigade overcame his defense. Betties and Vals from Lae have hit the field to try and close it. Bad weather is hampering our efforts.

Our forces are digging in on Irau and the enemy has made no sorties. The only mishap to report in the Irau operation (other than the sinking of one transport by our own mines) is the loss of 80% of the supplies that accompanied the invasion. It appears that hasty off-loading of supplies for the Bde resulted in a very high rate of loss due to spoilage.

[borner]

looks like a very effective operation

[Wirraway_Ace]

24 Jul 42.  A young staff officer rushes in and interupts ADM Yamamoto's lunch.  "Sir, it is done!  12,000 enemy soldiers have surrendered at Lae Lae to the 38th Division.  There can't be many more men left in their entire Army!"
 
Yamamoto simply grunts and asks, "but what of Buna and Wau?"

[Wirraway_Ace]

Allied forces at Buna surrendered on 27 Jul 42.  The Mixed Indian Bde chased the remnants of Kanga Force into the jungle north and east of Wau. 

[Wirraway_Ace]

There has been no sign of the enemy for a week, other than a small B17 strike against Irau.  The KB is covering a massive supply convoy to Port Moresby.  MacArthur has even withdrawn his aircraft from his northern airbase at Cooktown in the face of a possible carrier airstrike by the massed carriers.
 
Enemy submarines have so far not attempted to interdict the large movements of Japanese supplies and fuel from Truk to forward bases.