From here to...well...it SEEMS like an eternity

[HMS Resolution]

What's the plan once the PI are secured? Will CENTPAC forces reinforce it?

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

What's the plan once the PI are secured? Will CENTPAC forces reinforce it?

Lord Admiral Tabpub had plans to take Wewak and Admiralty Islands thereby encircling Rabaul in the historical fashion but the pace of the advance in the PI has caused him to change plans. SouthPAC (which has almost all the USN naval resources now) is preparing to take Uliti and Palau as a base of operation for a combined coup de gras (with SWPAC) on Formosa. The bases in Northern Luzon are being seized to allow us to project air power over Formosa and essentially close all communication with the DEI.

My rosy prediction for Tuguegarao was off a bit. The airfield was 99% destoyed by the retreating Jap road construction unit. It is now clear he is landing reinforcements at Aparri so elements of US 32nd ID (and some engineers) will be airlifted to Tuguegarao to reinforce the base while the runway is restored.

The landing at Legaspi is going well. Part of Aus 7th ID is ashore. Two armoured regts and Aus 6th ID and a Aus Corps HQ will land today. A second Jap unit has moved into Legaspi. I will try to interdict further reinforcements by air.

[Cap Mandrake]

****Reparations Tribunal, Government of the Pillipines in Exile, Jolo, July 13, 1943******


Plaintiff's Atty: We call witness X. <There is a commotion in the front of the room as a witness is apparently seated behind a fabric screen to obsucre his or her identity. A bailiff approaches>

Bailiff: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Witness X: I do. <from behind screen>

Tall, hirsute USAAF officer at the defendant's table: Is that you Jensen?

Witness X: No.

Tall, hirsute USAAF officer at the defendant's table: Then how did you know I was talking to you?

Witness X: I just guessed.

Tall, hirsute USAAF officer at the defendant's table: Listen, you little Quisling, I am the only reason you dont have a fist sized piece of plexiglass in your brain. I saved your life, pal....

Judge: <Bangs down gavel> ORDER!

Defence counsel: Objection, Your Honor! My client has the right to confront his accuser. It is a right which derives from the Magna Carta, at the very birth of English jurisprudence.

Judge: We aren't IN England, counselor. I think you have the wrong island. And why haven't you a uniform, sir?

Defence counsel: I am a civilian, Your Honor. I. Dunn Cheatham, Esquire of Dewey, Cheatham and Howe. I have been retained by friends of Capt. Yossarian.

Judge: There will be no mockery in my court, sir.

Defence counsel: I'm afraid I don't understand, Your Honor.

Judge: Your name. It is silly. You made it up. I hate silly names.

Defence counsel: But Your Honor, it is my given name.

Judge: What is your first name, then, Counselor.

Defence counsel: <Quietly> Isadore, Your Honor.

Judge: But that is a woman's name.

Defence counsel: It is my maternal Grandfather's name, Your Honor.

Judge: Then he had a silly name as well.

Defence counsel: If you say so, Your Honor. Now, as to my objection?

Judge: Oh, that is denied, of course...my people are not subjects of the King of England....and please keep your client quiet. The Plaintiff may now question the witness.


...

[Moondawggie]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

****Reparations Tribunal, Government of the Pillipines in Exile, Jolo, July 13, 1943******



Judge: Oh, that is denied, of course...my people are not subjects of the King of England....and please keep your client quiet. The Plaintiff may now question the witness.


...

Wow!

Who knew Kangaroos could learn to swim, and then pushed far enough north to take over the courts of the "PI Government in exile" at Jolo ? [X(]

This could be a challenge for I. Dunn Cheatham----he's not used to dealing with wiley Marsupials...[:-]

[Cap Mandrake]

Whoa! The Japs are fighting back. In an unpleasant surprise, a full Jap division shows up at Legaspi. The tanks landing at Naga will try to take the town behind the big Jap concetration at Legaspi which is now about 25,000 troops.

I am not sure who will be surrounded if they do but it should be wild for while. The Jap carriers are going to kill some of my tranpsorts but PoW and the crusiers should get out OK.

A reception committee should also descend on Tuguegarao pretty soon.

I appear to have underestimated Jap troop strength on Luzon. The limited recon trick to achieve surprise can be a double edged sword.

[Cap Mandrake]

The other thing I underestimated are the carnal demands of stalker girl. Holy crap! The poor thing has it bad. Of course, she could be just buttering me up for a trip to Europe or something. Either way, I am not geting enough sleep.

Phil sent me a turn last night and the game has high drama right now with major forces in peril...but I finally just had to go to sleep. Maybe tonight.

[BrucePowers]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

The other thing I underestimated are the carnal demands of stalker girl. Holy crap! The poor thing has it bad. Of course, she could be just buttering me up for a trip to Europe or something. Either way, I am not geting enough sleep.

Phil sent me a turn last night and the game has high drama right now with major forces in peril...but I finally just had to go to sleep. Maybe tonight.

This is not a bad thing. [:D]

I hope all is well with you and your family.

[Cap Mandrake]

The appearance of the Jap carriers East of Luzon called for a retreat of Alled naval forces off Legaspi. The small force unloading at Naga was covered by P-38's from Tacloban but this proved inadequate. The 8th Arm Regt. landing at Naga has had over half its tanks go in the drink or be disabled. They are ordered to attack today even in their weakened state at the defenders are only a construction Bn. Capture of Naga would put 20,000 top-notch troops at Legaspi in jeopardy. As it stands now, I don't think the Allied force at Legaspi (1 1/2 division plus an arm. regt.) is sufficient to evict the 30th Div. which will now fight to the death with Allied troops at Naga. Additionally, there are at least 2 Jap divisions in Northern Luzon which may be around shortly to cause trouble either at Tuguegarao or Naga.

I am seriously tempted to send the RN carriers (now about 3 d from Derby in the Indian Ocean) and USS Wasp (in Sydney Harbour) to cause trouble. It might even be possible to send the carriers in the Solomons across to Sulawese (past Rabaul and along the New guinea coast).

[Cap Mandrake]

..

[Cap Mandrake]

Wow..that was a close call. Japanese 30th Div, despite an effective bombardment by Prince of Wales and multiple raids by medium RAAF and USAAF and NEIAF bombers from Jolo and Cagayan, achieves 2:1 odds over Aus I Corps at Legaspi. Even so, I Corps hangs on and inflicts more casualties on the attacker. I don't think they can repel another attack. The good news is with only 24 operational Grants, 8th Arm Regt captures Naga so there is an escape valve. I need to get some help in there fast. My area reserves are limited, just Aus Cav Brig at San Jose, a fatigued Arm. Reg. and roughly one RCT of US 32nd ID at Jolo. I may still have to evacuate Southern Luzon.

The Jap carriers are moving slowly to the NE.

[HMS Resolution]

Wow, looks like the IJN is committing their main strength.

[bigbaba]

Tall, hirsute USAAF officer at the defendant's table: Is that you Jensen?

Witness X: No.

Tall, hirsute USAAF officer at the defendant's table: Then how did you know I was talking to you?

Witness X: I just guessed.

delicious.[:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

I had a terrible dream last night. What if you were born with a birthmark on your head that said "999" but it didn't have the little underline thingys like they put on a nine iron??? [X(]

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

Wow, looks like the IJN is committing their main strength.

As well they should considering the peril to the empire.

[Cap Mandrake]

****Reparations Tribunal, Government of the Pillipines in Exile, Jolo, July 13, 1943******



...

Plaintiff's Atty: Lt. X, could you please tell the court what transpired on your mission over San Jose on the afternoon and early evening of June 27th of this year.


Tall, hirsute USAAF officer at the defendant's table: AHA! <stands> HE SAID LT.! I KNEW IT WAS YOU JENSEN! YOU ARE CERTIFIABLE, JENSEN, I MEAN IT. DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAST BOMBARDIER.....

Judge: SILENCE! <bangs gavel> Counselor, I will say it only once more, you must keep your client quiet if we are ever to find him guilty.

Defence counsel: <stands> Your Honor. I must object most strenously. The Court is showing bias.

Judge: Bias? Against whom?

Defence counsel: <confers briefly with client> Assyrians, sir.

Judge: Assyrians? That is ridiculous. I have never met an Assyrian.

Defence counsel: Now you have, your honor. <confers again with client> And Armenians too.

Judge: Counselor, are you paid by the number of objections you make?

Defence counsel: Am I obliged to answer that, Your Honor, or was that rhetorical?

Judge: Just sit down. <turns to Plaintiff's Atty> You may proceed Carlito.

Plaintiff's Atty: Thank you, Tio.............

[khyberbill]

I had a terrible dream last night. What if you were born with a birthmark on your head that said "999" but it didn't have the little underline thingys like they put on a nine iron???

_____________________________

That is why there are tattoo parlors.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: khyberbill

I had a terrible dream last night. What if you were born with a birthmark on your head that said "999" but it didn't have the little underline thingys like they put on a nine iron???

_____________________________

That is why there are tattoo parlors.

Wait..would YOU inflict a painful procedure with a "999" (or you know what) birthmark?

[khyberbill]

Nope, just place a nice bar so that it is clearly 999....

[Cap Mandrake]

******Offices of CINCPAC, Pearl Harbour, July 18, 1943*********


<A large staff room with very large maps of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. A number of officers are working with pins and string on the maps>

Aide 1: NEXT ITEM! VP-12, Suva, I have 12 operational Coronados. I think we want to concentrate on the approaches to Suva from the Canton Is. region. Ideas, people?

Aide 2: Sorry, I have Mariners for VP-12

Aide 3: Wait, VP-12? I have PBY's ..2 in the shop.

Aide 1: Nope. VP-12 went to Coronados in April sometime.

Aide 2: Are you sure that isn't VP-21?

Adm Nimitz: <stands, clearly agitated> ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH! BASTA! FINITO! ***** HOWARD ******! CAN WE NOT SIMPLY HAVE THE COMMANDERS IN THE FIELD DO THIS? HOLY HELL! HAVEN'T ANY OF YOU GUYS HEARD ABOUT DELEGATION? At this rate we won't get the orders out till 13:00. The Goddamned Kido Butai could crawl up our backsides by then.

Aide 2: But sir, what about Special Order AE-07-09?

Adm Nimitz: SCREW SPECIAL ORDER AE-07-09!

[Cap Mandrake]

...