Feinder(A) v Bilbow(J) CHS - The winds of war are constantly changing

[Feinder]

Australia, end of July 1943 -

The plains south of Daly Waters continue as a bloody stalemate. As artillery shells arc over the entrenchments and claim random lives, morale sinks among the regular troops. Additional allied troops are pushed forward, in an attempt to find any crack in the enemy lines, but no weakness is revealed.

In truth, the higher level commanders know that that the Australian frontier has become a secondary front, much as the Italian campain in Europe has ground to a stalemate. New equipment and fresh replacements are being funneled to Townsville, the headquarters of SouthWest Pacific Command, where a mid-summer offensive is beginning.

-F-

[BrucePowers]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Australia, end of July 1943 -

The plains south of Daly Waters continue as a bloody stalemate. As artillery shells arc over the entrenchments and claim random lives, morale sinks among the regular troops. Additional allied troops are pushed forward, in an attempt to find any crack in the enemy lines, but no weakness is revealed.

In truth, the higher level commanders know that that the Australian frontier has become a secondary front, much as the Italian campain in Europe has ground to a stalemate. New equipment and fresh replacements are being funneled to Townsville, the headquarters of SouthWest Pacific Command, where a mid-summer offensive is beginning.

-F-

As this is the southern hemisphere, would not this be a mid-winter offensive[:D]

[Feinder]

Mid-winter / Mid-Summer:


I actually had my post ready for SwPac, but it timed out, and now I irritated, and leaving to go to my sisters for a few hours. So I'll post some more this evening.

-F-

[Knavey]

Because he lives in Florida, Feinder has NO idea that winter exists in any way shape or form other than 70 degrees in the day, and 50 at night.  [:D]

[BrucePowers]

That's why I moved to Florida[:D]

[Feinder]

SwPac, end of July 1943 -

By judicious use of recon intel, the Allies determine that the time is right for an agressive offensive in the SouthWest Pacific. Having secured and improved the airfields at Milne Bay, USAAF and RAAF bombers hit Japanese airfields throughout New Guinea, New Britian, and the Solomons.

July begins with Australian troops landing at Rossel Island. Despite an intense naval and arial bombardment, the defenders put up a tenacious defense. The warrior spirit of the defenders is however, insufficient to stave the tide of the battle, and island is secured in a week.

Next, MacArthur bypasses the IJA stronghold at Buna, and orders the invasion of Lae and it's supporting nearby bases. Planning for the invasion of Lae involved over 3x full divisions, plus supporting units. Lae and it's satalite bases are held by several regiments, that are well dug into the moutainous terrain. The Japanese coastal guns exact a toll on the landing troops, but the US troops overwhelm the defenses and Lae is secured by July 12th. A coordinated para-drop into the moutains near Wau cuts off the Japanese retreating from Lae, which are surrounded and then sacrifice themselves in a futile banzai charge.

simultaneous with the invasion of Lae, light infantry forces are landed on the western end of New Britain. it is determined that the sites have potential for host airfields that can be used for the reduction of Rabaul.

The speed and aggressivness of the Allied advance seems to have take the Japanese off-guard. Recons over Madang show it is lightly defended, and altho initially planned for August, the invasion of Madang is pushed up to the last week of July. Navy CBs are landed at Lae to quickly bring the airfield back into action, and to expand the AF as quickly as possible. The invasion fleet heads for Madang and is intercepted by 2x IJN submarines, who manage to sink a pair of transports before being driven off (no sub kills confirmed). The invasion TF is now spotted, and 120 miles from Madang. Approximately 150x P-38s and Beufighters are scrambled to provide top-cover for the invasion. The Japanese do not disappoint, and sorty several carriers (about 4 - 6?) to attack the invasion TF at Madang.

The veteran P-38s and Beus prove capable at defending their charges - for the loss of 35x allied fighters, 160x enemy aircraft are destroyed, and the TF suffers not a single hit. Altho the theat of a night attack by surface units remains, the threat never materializes, and the landings proceed unmolested. The small garrison at Madang is quickly overwhelmed, and US Engineers quickly go about improving the air-field.

Closing the books on July, the Alies have made major gains in New Guinea, having "rounded onto the northern spine" of New Guinea, and occupied bases in New Britian which can be used for the reduction of Rabaul.

-F-

[Feinder]

Over 10,000 hits!

Thanks everyone!

Only 185,000 more before I catch Hibiki! [:D]

-F-

[Feinder]

SoPac, end of July 1943 -

The Allied offensive continues amongst the atolls of the South Pacific. Several squadrons of Beufighters are deployed to Tarawa, and patrol the souther Marshall Islands, strafing enemy light transports and barge traffic, thus cutting off efforts to re-supply the atolls of Makin, Mili, and Majoro. Several raids by B-24s flying from Tarawa to Kwajalein attempt to close the airfield there, but raids are discontinued after heavy losses from Japan's fighters.

Despite that Kwajalein remains an active airfield, the US decides to proceed with the invasion of Nauru Atoll. In SwPac, Japan has just attacked the invasion at Madang with heavy losses; and it is believed that the Japanese CVs may be occupied in SwPac and further may be gun-shy of incurring additional losses.

While the Japanese do not send their carriers, several IJN subs are in the area (probably mine-laying), and intercept the invasion TF. Several transports are hit with no loss to IJN submarines. Mines and coatal artillery also prove deadly (while many MSWs accompany the invasion, they have not been given the several weeks to maps the minefields as in previous invasions, to preserve the element of surprise). Losses from subs/artillery/mines have taken their toll on the 2x RCTs assigned to the invasion, and the it's outcome is initially in doubt. However, additional airstrikes, heavy naval bombardment, and landing third RCT overwhelms the Japanese defenders.

American losses include 6 transports, another dozen heavily damaged, and 4 corvetts sunk. Further the 167th and 168th RCTs are badly mauled.

The relatively heavy losses, esp from submarines give cause for the following recommendation by the USN general staff:
While the Fletcher class DDs are excellent ships, they are only as good as their crews. Newly arriving crews are sorely lacking in experience, and need considerable training before deployed to combat operations (in CHS, the average USN experience is about 40!). Aggressive measures must be taken to actively train new crews as quickly as possible.

[Feinder]

NoPac, end of July 1943 -

The US has continued to expand it's bases in the Aleutian Chain. A large airfield at Amichitka is brought on-line, and several more squadrons of Navy PB4Ys are deployed to the North Pacific. Combined with the 15th Heavy Bomber Group at Attu, the PB4Ys continue to pound the Japanese installations in the Northern Kuriles. While there are no (appearnt) immediate plans for aggressive moves in the North Pacific, the US intends to "keep the lights out" on the northern approaches to Japan.

-F-

[Feinder]

China, end of August 1943 -

The air-bridge from Burma into Chungking is now comprised of nearly 20x squadrons. With the greatly improved supply situation, the RAF Wellingtons and RAAF/RDAF B-25s are deployed to China. The Allied bombers pound the IJA front-line positions.

The Nationalist Chinese shift 2x dozen Corps to the SW of China, and begin to advance on Wuchow from Liuchow in the NW, and Hengchow in the NE. The Chinese attempt to cut to road from Wuchow to Canton, and deny the Japanese their path of retreat. However, the Japanese push troops north from Canton, and counter-attack the southern end of the Chinese noose. The Japanese counter-attack is successful, and keeps the vital road from Wuchow to Canton open.

As the Chinese move on Wuchow, the Japanse forces in Central China advance on Changsha. The Allies have been made aware of this plan by intelligence reports, and the Chinese have made preparations. Several Communist Chinse guerilla regiments have been deployed to the forrest and swamps arround Changsha, and harrass/delay the advance of the Japanse armies. Bombers attack at low level, bombing and strafing the advancing Japanse convoys. As an additional precaution, 3x Corps are air-lifted from Honan into Changsha.

The advance of the Japanse on CHangsha, acts as the signal for the Chinese offensive in the North. As the IJA shifts to west, Chinese troops from Homan move south towards the Japanese rear at Singyang.

Meanwhile, Chiang orders the attack on Wuchow. Altho the Japanese put up a stubborn defense, heavily fortified city falls to the Chinese wave attacks. During the 10 day battle, the Chinese and Japanse suffer heavy casualties. The IJA divisions are badly mauled in the assault, but due to the successful counter-attack south of the city, they Japanese are able to retreat towards Canton. The Chinese attempt to pursue the Japanse, but horse drawn carts are not fast enough to pursue the IJA trucks.

The capture of Wuchow, altho incurring heavy casualities, marks the first Chinese city liberated since the beginning of Japanese invasion in 1937. As As Allied bombers pummel the advancing Japanese armies, and troops shift across the theater, the summer of 43 will likely be a bloody one.

-F-

[Feinder]

Burma, end of August 1943 -

(sorry, I couldn't mark the map for chronology very well).

1. The advance of the 1st and 2nd Assam Rifles has been checked by the IJA 12th Armored Rgt, however they still pose a threat to the supply convoys from Rhaheng into Moulmein. The IJA commits the entire 33rd Division into the Nandawya Valley to attack the lightly armed Commonwealth troops. The heavy-handed Japanese counter-attack forces the Assam Rifles back nothwards, and re-secures the road to Rhaheng.

2. Seizing on the abesense of the Japanse 33rd Divsion, Gen. Pownell moves up a planned amphibious invasion of the Moulmein Peninsula. Altho thought to prohibit an amphibous landing, the mangrove swamps prove to be only marginally problematic. Preceeded by a massive naval bombardment, Gen. Pownell lands 6x Divisions along the Kyaukpya River.

3. Coordinated with the amphibious landing and backed by hundreds of bombers flying close air support, 5x Divisions of Chinese troops, and an Australian Division force a bridgehead across the Tamok River. The combined assault forces a wedge in the Japanese defenses, threatening to cut off the IJA Division in the north. Forced with a quickly crumbling situation, Gen. Haguchi orders the 31st Division to stand and fight while he withdraws the remainder of his forces.

The battle to retake Moulmein goes quickly, and the city is liberated by the Allies on August 8th. The Japanese 15th Army has been mauled and expelled from Burma; but it has escaped into Indo-China to fight another day.



Elsewhere (not shown) :

Allied heavy bombers continue to pound industrial facilities at Hanoi. Japan attempts to cover the city with several squadrons of their deadly "Jack" fighter, but as losses mount, the effort to defend Hanoi is called off.

-F-

[Feinder]

Australia, end of August 1943 -

Having been engaged at Daly Waters for over 9 months, the Allies pull back their army to Tennet Creek. Altho strongly protested by the Australian Prime Minster, the Allied army is in despirate need of refitting with replacements and new equipment. Whle the Allied troops enjoy a long over-due respite, Allied High Command is concerned that the move will free up Japanese units that had previously been tied-up defending Daly Waters.

There is always an opportunity cost; but it is considered that replacements and new equipment is of higher priority.

-F-

[Feinder]

This is what you get when you squat a division at Daly Waters for 9x months:

-F-

[Feinder]

SwPac, end of August 1943 -

For most of August, the Allies consolidate and improve the airfields in their newly captured bases in New Guinea. While figher-bombers and light bombers continuously pound the Japanese at Buna, USAAF B-25s are sent to neutralize the larger Japanese airfields.

several IJN submarines enter the Solomon Sea, but they are driven off by patrolling Allied Bombers.

USAAF B-25s attack several IJN transports near Rabaul, and thus Japan begins using large numbers of barges to re-supply and shift troops in the theater. It appears that Japan is withdrawing troops from the Solomons, and reinforcing Kaiveng and the Admiralty Islands. Further up the spine of New Guinea, patrolling Coronados track several enemy convoys reinforcing the northern bases in Dutch New Guinea.

-F-

[Feinder]

SoPac, end of August 1943 -

The US pounds the small atoll at Makin, while sending in large numbers of MSWs to clear the extensive minefields. There are tends of thousands of mines: MSWs have been busy all month, and there are still many mines sighted. Admiral Nimitz suggests that perhaps they should just bring the transports to the edge of field some 600 yds off shore, and simply let the assault troops walk across the mines to the beaches. Again, IJN submarines prove the greatest threat, and the manage to sink a few MSWs at Makin. The MSW TFs are not withou teeth however, and the manage to sink 2x IJN subs for the loss of 3x MSWs.

As LBA from Tarawa pounds Makin, the USN CV strength ventures farther north into the Marshalls to hit the southern atolls there. Recons show that Kwajalein remains a bastion of fighters, but the US is currently unwilling to stir that hornet's nest.

While a few transports are spotted coming and going from Kwajalien, it appears that Japan has largely left the Marshalls to their fate. Capturing the Marshalls will still prove an arduous task (each minefield taking weeks to clear), and Adm. Nimitz is privately concerned as to the location of the Japanese carriers. They have not been seen in over six weeks (and the cameo at Madang did not represent their full strength), and KB continues to pose a serious threat as it lurks "somewhere"...

-F-

[Feinder]

NoPac, end of August 1943 -

The situation in the Northern Pacific remains largely the same :

COLD.

Allied bombers spend the weeks pouding the Japanese bases in the Northern Kuriles, and the books for August 1943 are closed.

-F-

[Feinder]

Whew!
 
Just one more month to catch up (we just finished 09-43).  But it's time for a break, and go watch some football.
 
[8D]
-F-

[Feinder]

At last, updates!

Because I'm a little behind, I'm just going to bring you up to the current.

China, end of December, 1943.

Following the Chinese summer offense, the Chinese are able to liberate the city of Sinyang. However, a determined Japanese counter-attack, forces the Nationalists to withdraw.

In December, the Chinese drive south from Changsha, and begin to siege the city of Nanchang. However, several IJA Brigades breach the northern flank, and the offensive is forced to pull back, in order to counter the IJA offensive.

While the ground war in China remains largely a stalemate, the Japanese are clearly on the defensive in the air.
The Allies regulary attack enemy airfields, supply depots, and troop concentrations. Newer, longer-ranging Allied P-38s and P-47s even veture sweeps into Manchuko and Korea. Medium bombers demolish strategic facilities throughout SE Asia, and Formosa; while patrol bombers harass enemy shipping that ventures too close to the Chinese mainland.

-F-

[Feinder]

Burma, end of December 1943:

Again, Allied airpower dominates the theater.  Allied 4e bombers pound Japanese bases throughout Siam, and the islands of in the Andaman Sea.

A 6x Chinese Divisions assigned to SEAC, push from Moulmein, and attacks the Japanese at Tavoy.  However, the Japanese react quickly, and are able to reinforce Tavoy before the city falls.  SEAC decides that bolstering the attack by sea is still too dangerous, and reinforcement by land would take to long.  The attack is called off, and the army is recalled to Rangoon.

Meanwhile, on the waves there plays out a deadly cat-and-mouse game of RN frigates vs. IJN subs bringing supplies (and mines!) into Tavoy and Port Blair.

-F-

[Feinder]

Oz, end of December 1943:

Much the of Spring passes un-eventfully in the Northern Territories.

However, in November with the addition of long range P-38 escorts, Allied heavy bombers pound the airfields and port at Darwin. Many of the facilities are heavily damaged, and several transports are sunk while attempting to flee the harbor. Next, the bombers step back, and demolish the airfields at Katherine and Daly Waters.

The neutralization of Darwin, is the signal for the Allied offensive Daly Waters. A massive Allied army moves out of Tennet Creek, and begins to form up south of Daly Waters for the coming attack. Several armored formations move east of Daly Waters, and are checked by the Japanese.

The Japanese have been digging in for almost 2 years. The liberation of the Northern Australia will surely be a bloody affair.

-F-