The Battle Under: The Allies Fight Back

[tocaff]

I'm sorry to report that sitting isn't the most comfortable of positions at the moment so the next installment will get my attention ASAP, hopefully tomorrow.  The surgery, brain implant, went well but I have a craving for bananas and want to climb trees.

Thanks for your interest in my poor endeavor, I feed off of knowing that I actually am entertaining you.

Thanks again.

[tocaff]

September 6, 1942 Broome, Australia

The day begins with a silence that is a strange sensation. Officers among the few defenders tell their men to be ready because they believe that this is the day that the hammer will fall. The defenders are antsy as they wait in the eerie silence. Then suddenly, without warning the Japanese troops come at them. The fighting is savage and in many places there is hand to hand combat. Much to everybody's surprise they still hold their defensive positions despite the assault. There were 11.4K Japanese troops committed to the attack and they lost 338/15/0 while the defenders numbered 4.3K and suffered 117/3/0. The fortifications were damaged and the men are ordered to pull back to secondary positions to shorten the perimeter.

The submarine Growler has managed to plug all of her leaks and they dive the boat just after dawn to evade the air patrols that the Japanese have in the area. Crew members held their breath as the Growler submerged, but all seems OK. They are putting just enough water over them to avoid the boat from breaching the surface as the skipper is looking for a safe return to base.

The intel report in the Pentagon stated that:

6 RAAR is at Wonson
Ryojun Fortress is at Port Arthur
6 CB is at Heiho
7 NCB is at Lae
17 AvR is at Ichang
1 TnkR is at Changchun
122 IJA BF is at Victoria Point
7 AAR is at Sendai
236.2K troops are at Osaka
1.9K troops are at Naha
6 CB is at Heiho

The production of the tools of war has started to pump out the goodies that the troops will need to fight the war. The Army Air Corps officers are buzzing about a new fighter scheduled to appear in less than one month from now. The troops on the front lines need more and better weapons to fight and defeat the enemies of the US.

Gunny's platoon didn't get to rehearse amphibious landings today because the equipment assigned for their use was being fixed. In the gap created in their schedule Gunny walks the men out into waist deep water, has them standing there while he tells them what is expected of them and then the platoon begins it's advance to the beach. They might not have landing craft to use today, but the ocean provides enough for the drill to go on anyway. After 2 more exercises the men are given time to relax and clean their gear. Trucks will pick them up withing the hour and the men look forward to dry clothes and warm food.

Joe Orsini was hugely relieved when his DI inspected his work in the head and declared it the first thing Joe has gotten right since being born. The DI went on to ask if Joe had gotten any rack time last night to which Joe answered, “ A little.”

“A LITTLE? A LITTLE WHAT, MAGGOT?” shouted the DI.

“A LITTLE, SIR!” shouted Joe.

It's another day and already he screwed up. Joe wonders if he'll ever survive training.

Bill gets another letter from Sandy that describes how the rationing of many items taken for granted prior to the war is changing their lives. She doesn't complain, it's more of a statement of fact. The letter closes with how much she misses seeing him and how she longs for a simple embrace. Bill heads out for his daily run and composes a letter back to Sandy as the miles roll by. When he's back at the BOQs he takes a shower and heads out in search of chow. After dining on a less than sumptuous lunch he writes a letter to Sandy telling her that he too misses holding her and taking walks with her. He thinks to himself that after this damned war is over he going to ask her to marry him. He'd do it sooner, but the future holds nothing but uncertainty.

[Capt. Harlock]

Much to everybody's surprise they still hold their defensive positions despite the assault. There were 11.4K Japanese troops committed to the attack and they lost 338/15/0 while the defenders numbered 4.3K and suffered 117/3/0. The fortifications were damaged and the men are ordered to pull back to secondary positions to shorten the perimeter.

Still nothing from Operation Grinder. Are you having trouble transporting units to Northern Australia?

And I wonder if that new USAAF fighter has a forked tail...[:D]

[gladiatt]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

And I wonder if that new USAAF fighter has a forked tail...[:D]

this forked tail fighter is not as good as promised !! [:@][:(]

[tocaff]

September 7, 1942 London

Against very strong protests by the Australians and disagreement expressed by Washington the RN ordered it's ships to leave Australian waters and make for Trimcomalee. RN DDs have left Trimcomalee bound for for Perth to replace the Allied DDs currently escorting the RN's ships.

Broome was subjected to another harmless artillery bombardment today.

3 Air A is at Tokyo
24K troops are at Kanazawa
6.9K troops are at Ashan
1 RAAR is at Singapore
40 D is at Homan
1 MR is at Sasebo
Botanko HGR is at Tsitsihar
1.9K troops are at Naha
Takao BF is at Takao

Port Moresby 28 fighters, 37 bombers, 44 aux, 29 LCUs
Gili Gili 10 LCUs 21360/177/0
Tarawa 4 LCUs 20800/91/0

The German 6th Army began it's advance through Stalingrad to the Volga River.

Montgomery has stabilized the line at Alamel Haifa.

FDR threatened to override Congress unless they take action to curb inflation.

Victory Points stand at: Japanese 16609 Allied 5252

With Red fully recovered, Cookie aching to get back to sea and Lucky ready for anything they lock up the apartment and head for the docks where they expect to find the Palawan. Upon hitching a ride on a motor launch from the wharf they arrive to a warm greeting from the crew. Their good luck charm has returned and with him their meals will improve because Cookie has returned.

Pete is doing well in the hospital and he's a bit of a celebrity as everyone wants to know about the Battle of Darwin and the masterful retreat. Pete smiles and says that the battle was one scary day after another. He continues that there is no glory in war only shattered lives and dreams. When pressed about the retreat he says that he knows nothing about it.

Gunny has arranged for his platoon to drill on dry land today and everybody is moaning about the heat.

“Yesterday you babies were crying about being wet and now this? Maybe I can find something more to your liking for tomorrow, and you call yourselves Marines....” Gunny secretly is happy with the way his platoon has been forged into a unit that should do well under fire. He knows that until they are in combat there's no way of knowing how the men will do, but he's pretty sure that they'll be OK.

Joe Orsini has managed to complete an entire day without screwing anything up and his DI even took the time to say, “Orsini, you surprised me today and I expect you to be even better tomorrow.”

[tocaff]

September 8, 1942 Washington DC

The day has been another one of the endless rounds of meetings at the Pentagon. Ed finally manages to check on the report generated by his office.

67 CB is at Toyama
33 D is 25 miles S of Chungking
4 MxR is at Myitkyina
11 TR is at Mishan
108 IJA BF is at Peking
146 IJNAF BF is at Tokyo
127 IJA BF is at Gili Gili
15 A is at Myitkyina
48 CB is at Moulmein
5 AD is at Tavoy
Karafuto MxB is at Shikka
57 CB is at Maizuru
6 CGR is at Kwajalein

Recon flights have generated the following:

Port Moresby 26 fighters, 26 bombers, 54 aux, 29 LCUs
Gili Gili 10 LCUs 23520/161/0
Tarawa 4 LCUs 23300/89/0

The Soviets provided the following:

Heiho 9 LCUs 46040/549/26
Fushan 1 LCU 2260/19/0
Arshaan 2 LCUs 5560/78/0
Chiamussu 6 LCUs 22980/270/2
Mutanchiang 20 fighters, 27 bombers, 29 aux, 8 LCUs 30260/378/175
Tsitsihar 6 LCUs 28480/301/14
Hailar 7 LCUs 28180/301/17

Broome was again bombarded by artillery and again it had no effect on the defenders other than disrupting their day.

IJN MSWs were spotted sweeping mines in the Brunei area.

An ASW TF attacked the SS KXVIII about 150 miles NE of Wyndham. There was no other information provided as to her condition in the report.

The VPs now stand at: Japan 16622 Allies 5364

Gunny has informed his platoon that it is their good fortune today to be able to relax. He then qualified that by telling them that after some PT they would have an hour before an inspection would be held of their area. As usual the men bitched and moaned, but they throw themselves into whatever is demanded of them and by the time of the inspection all was ready. Gunny continues to have a growing pride in his boys as they are gaining the reputation in their company as being the best platoon.

Red is angrily waving another shredded pin up picture, wanting to know who the culprit is. Lucky cowers in a corner, but Red doubts that the dog is to blame. The crew is having an increasingly difficult time not laughing in his face as they continue to torment him by devastating his collection of pin ups. Life aboard the Palawan has returned to normal with the return of Red, Cookie and Lucky.

Bill heads into San Francisco with a few of the other unassigned officers for a day on the town. They visit the Presidio and Seal Rock enjoying the views. Afterward they head to a bar for some beers and something to eat. Bill feels guilty as he hasn't had time to write a letter to Sandy today, but promises himself that before turning in tonight he will do so.

John Orsini is just finishing a letter to his parents telling them that life at Parris Island is nothing like he's ever encountered before. Today, he tells them, they had PT, as usual, followed by close order drill and later they were lectured on military courtesy and customs of the service. He closes the letter saying that he misses his mother's cooking. He gives the letter to another member of his training platoon, which numbers 48 boots, who is collecting them from everyone as their DI has “encouraged” them to write to their families often. John has finally managed to get it into his head that the spacing is 40 inches back to breast and the marching cadence is 120 beats per minute. The marching of miles every day is becoming second nature to him. Forward march, rip march, flank march, he even knows his right from his left now. Carrying his newly issued rifle everywhere is cumbersome, but the DI has told them that a good Marine, which they'll probably never become, lives with his rifle and becomes one with it. “In my Corps,” the DI said, “Everyone is a rifleman so get used to it. You will carry it with you everywhere you go, even the head,, and you will sleep with it in your bunk. I will allow you to shower without it, but you will keep it cleaner than you keep yourselves. Remember that your lives will depend on your rifle. You will become a lethal weapon or you will suffer the consequences.”




Joan Caufield

[tocaff]

September 9, 1942 Parris Island

Orsini and some of his new pals from the training platoon are busily policing the area around their barracks in preparation of yet another inspection.

“Can you believe that lecture we got today about VD prevention?” one of the boots says.

“Yeah, like we have a chance of catching anything like that around here,” replies Joe. “Come to think of it it's only a week in this place and I'm already forgetting what women look like.”

The men laugh and continue working. They now have an ingrained fear of doing anything that will upset their DI, though he always manages to find something wrong.

Another day of Broome being bombarded by Japanese artillery and still the gunners, thankfully, manage to hit nothing.

Gunny has taken the day off and relaxes on the beach watching the men of his unit enjoying a swim or just lying in the sun. Sometimes a little R&R is called for to allow the men to blow off some steam. He knows that whatever lies ahead for the 2nd Marine Division it will be bloody and many of them will never return to their homes.

Bill has finished his run, showered, had some chow and is now relaxing while he reads a letter from Sandy. She is concerned that although Bill is safe at Mare Island he'll soon be sent off to who knows where and land in the middle of the fight. Bill sighs and thinks that that's exactly what he's been looking forward to. He takes a piece of paper and a pen out of the desk he's sitting at and writes back to her. If nothing else comes out of this war, he thinks, at least he's found Sandy.

Pete is continuing a strong recovery, though he's having trouble with the fact that he's lost an arm.

Red has spent the better part of today scraping paint from the wheel house and then repainting it along with two other men. Cookie has gone into town to see the lawyer and then check with the bank about their financial situation. Lucky is busily hunting down a rat that constantly manages to evade him as the dog can't fit into the tight spaces that the rat keeps running to. Lucky is very persistent and strong though and when Red wearily returns to his bunk he finds Lucky sitting there, very excited. The dog has brought him a present, the dead rodent.

FDR has asked that Frank Knox, Cordell Hull and Henry Stimson all meet with an try to convince the Soviet Ambassador to the US, Maxim Litvinoff, to speak to Moscow and obtain basing rights for US troops at Soviet bases to be used against the Japanese.

IJN MSWs have been busily sweeping the Kwajalein area.

The Japanese have tried for a second time to cause fires in Oregon's forests using incendiaries flown there by balloons.

Hitler removed Field Marshal List from the command of Army Group A and he takes command of it himself.

Open pit burning of bodies began today at Auschwitz. 107K corpses were dug up and burned to prevent fouling of the ground water there.

[tocaff]

September 10, 1942 Washington DC

1 RTR is at Kitakyushu
20 RCB is at Mandalay
14 AvR is at Nanning
187.7K troops are at Truk
56 CB is at Singapore
13 TR is planning for Chungking
20 ER is at Canton
54 D is at Okayama
104D is at Chungking
2.5K troops are at Ikitsuki
2 ER is planning for Sian
16 AAR is at Manila
23 AvU is at Clark

Overflights of Moulmein indicated that there is 1 LCU 500/0/0 located there

Recon of Tarawa shows 18 bombers, 11 aux, 4 LCUs 26440/99/0

There appears to be 23 fighters, 30 bombers, 52 aux, 29 LCUs at Port Moresby. For some reason there is never any indication of what all these LCUs are made up of.

Ed sends his report on it's way and readies to leave for a bite to eat and a good night's rest.

The SS Cuttlefish is making for Anchorage

At Imphal the Japanese attacked with 124 X Zero and 21 X Tony while the Allied defense was made up of 13 X Mohawk and 27 X P-36A. The Allied pilots who survived the raid were totally demoralized and in tears one of them told the debriefers that pilots are not afraid to fight the Japanese, but they need better planes or it's nothing more than suicide. The Japanese had 1 Zero damaged while all of the Mohawks were swept from the skies and only 2 P-36As safely returned to base. It's hoped by Allied commanders that more P-40Es, Spitfires and the soon to be delivered P-38Gs will stop the slaughter that currently is going on in the skies above India.

The Japanese finally hit Broome with 11.4K troops and the defenders are swept aside easily. The reports showed Japanese casualties to be 124/2/0 while the Allies lost 5324/11/1. The 107 RAAF BF, or what was left of it, surrendered.

Pete is doing well and the doctors tell him that soon he'll be well enough to return home as his war is over. Pete, on the other hand, doesn't think that he's done repaying the Japanese for the disruption to his life. He starts to wonder what a one armed man can do to help the Allied war effort. The medical staff is pleased to see this turn of events as Pete has stopped feeling sorry for himself.

Another amphibious drill was executed today by Gunny's platoon and they actually got to use landing craft this time. He knows that they need more work as whatever it is that the 2nd Marine Division is readying for they will be the tip of the spear as that's what Marines do. To his dismay another drill isn't scheduled for his unit as of yet.

Red has had the luck of another day of paint chipping and painting. The work is tiring and backbreaking, but the men do it with pride because their ship, the Palawan, is gaining a reputation for getting her assignments done well. They know that what they do is vital to the war effort, but that it goes generally unappreciated.

Bill reads a letter from Sandy, writes one in return and goes to check and see if there is a posting for him yet. He learns that there's still nothing for him so he writes another letter to Sandy telling her that unless things change, which he doubts, he will be able to join her for Thanksgiving.

Back at Parris Island Orsini has spent the afternoon working on breaking down his rifle and reassembling it. He's now one of the fastest in the platoon at this task and upon inspection of their weapons the DI is pleased by the condition of them.

“So you maggots think that because you know how to take apart a rifle and put it back together that you're pretty good? Do you think that some night in the future while you're in the field you'll be able to do this? Orsini, get your butt over here.” The DI waits and Orsini runs to him.

“Aye aye sir!” shouts Orsini.

“You worthless piece of cow dung!” screams the DI in his face. “Where is your weapon? Didn't I tell you that you are to go nowhere without it unless I tell you to?”

“Aye aye sir!” shouts a petrified Orsini.

“Go and get it, NOW!”

Orsini is back in a flash and the DI promptly puts a blindfold on him. “Now dummy strip and reassemble your weapon.”

Orsini proceeds to fumble around and he drops the rifle.

“You maggots will learn,” the DI shouts, “That in order for a Marine to stay alive that his weapon must be in good working order and that means that you have to keep it clean. Now, in a jungle somewhere there are Japanese wanting to kill you and there is no electricity so you'd better learn to do this blindfolded. You will be doing this or I'll have to find some way of motivating you all to learn. Understood boots?”

“Aye aye sir,” comes the reply from the platoon. Later that night, after lights out, the men are muttering curses as they try and do what is required of them. Their DI hears the activity and smiles to himself, knowing that these boots will learn what is required of them.

[tocaff]

September 11, 1942 Washington DC

It appears that the Pacific has had a very quiet day as Ed pours over the various reports on his desk.

4.3K troops are at Kadina
5 RAAR is at Taejon
Sasebo 2 SNLF is at Singapore
3 IB is at Homan
14 NCB is at Osaka
6 A is at Hailar
11 HAAB is at Osaka
2 Para is between Lashio and Mandalay
6 CB is at Heiho
6 TR is at Darwin
Sanya BF is at Taan
235.4K troops are at Maizuru

The SS Flying Fish was attacked by an IJN ASW TF about 35 miles SW of Hamamatsu.

Ed wishes that these reports would be able to generate a clearer picture of Japanese intentions, but normally even reports such as the one form the Flying Fish are inaccurate or incomplete. He sends his report on it's way and an orderly brings him yet another stack of papers. He sees that these contain news from Europe and of special note are the following items.

The RAF hit Dusseldorf with a heavy raid today.

Convoy PQ-18 is ready to sail from Loch Ewe for Murmansk.

Pete has decided that though his body is damaged his mind is still intact and that he can use it to repay the Japanese. He will attempt to use his brains and his navigation skills to do something to aid the war effort. In the meantime he will concentrate on recovering and a cute blonde nurse that is working the night shift on his ward.

Bill was joined on his run today by an out of shape officer named Wilkinson. CDR Wilkinson is the commander of the DD O'Bannon, which is at Mare Island at the moment. Bill cut short his daily run to accommodate Wilkinson and the two men decide to head into San Francisco for an afternoon of sightseeing and dinner tomorrow. Bill goes to the BOQ for a shower and then he puts pen to paper as he writes to Sandy. He tells Sandy about his new acquaintance and that the man is lucky to be in command of a new warship. He hopes that he will be able to get a tour of the O'Bannon as it's one of the new Fletcher Class DDs that he's never been aboard.

Red has the day off and he decides that a beer under a palm tree at the beach is just what he needs to rest his weary body. When he arrives at his chosen spot he releases Lucky from the leash and the dog bounds away. Red never fails to be amazed by the dog's endless supply of energy, speed and power. Lucky runs up and down the beach barking and chasing any birds that happen to be around. He won't go near the water though and appears to be afraid of it. A couple of hours later Red is awakened from a nap by a cold wet nose prodding him. He looks and there's Lucky wagging his tali and excitedly prancing around. Next to red is a dead bird and he realizes that the dog has brought him another present. He pats and strokes the dog telling Lucky that he's a good boy and then puts the leash back on him. They head back to the Palawan refreshed, Red getting rest and Lucky plenty of exercise. Red places the dead bird in a barrel that is near the road. It's been a good day and Red wonders what will tomorrow bring in this world gone crazy.

Gunny attends a meeting of all of the company's officers and NCOs in the early afternoon. Their CO had been to a battalion meeting in the morning and now he shares it with his men.

“The 2nd Marine Division has been ordered to be ready for an amphibious assault and we will continue with drills for it. I have no idea as to when and where this will happen, but I do know that we will be in the first assault wave. I don't need to tell you what is expected of you and your men, but I will expect that when the time comes this company will do it's job and do it well. As usual I'm here if there are any problems. That is all.”

The men all start to talk with the anticipation of an impending op. Gunny knows that they could be shipped out in a week, a month or whenever as in the military it's always “hurry up and wait.” His platoon will be ready when the time comes and they will do what's expected of them.

[tocaff]

September 12, 1942 Mare Island

CDR Edwin R Wilkinson and Bill have finished a run and Bill teases his counterpart for being so out of shape. Ed replies, while gasping for breath, “It's always easy to tell a desk bound sailor from one with a deck beneath his feet.” Bill laughs knowing that it's true and claps his pal on the back and suggests that they grab a shower and head into San Francisco. Ed readily agrees and as they are lathering up Ed tells Bill that the O'Bannon sails tomorrow as part of the escort for the new BBs Washington and South Dakota. Bill mumbles something about Ed being a lucky bastard and the two men dry off, get dressed and head out for an afternoon on the town. The walk to the entrance of Mare Island and see a cab sitting on the other side of the gate so they jog over to it and ask about going into San Francisco. The cabbie nods and Ed steps off the curb to get into the cab and there is a crack and a loud shriek of pain from him. Bill turns to see Ed withing on the ground, holding his ankle in obvious pain. Bill kneels by his side and tells Ed to hang on while he gets help. Bill runs over to the guard at the gate who has been watching what is going on and says,”Get an ambulance here, now!”

The guard immediately goes into the small structure that serves as his guardhouse and picks up the phone. He talks for a minute or two and returns saying, “Help is on the way sir.”

Bill returns to Ed and within five minutes a vehicle pulls up and the men load Ed into it an whisk him off to the base hospital. Ed manages to grab a lift in a passing jeep and gets out at the hospital a little while later. He is waiting for word on Ed when a doctor approaches him and asks if he's there for CDR Wilkinson. Bill gives an affirmative response and the doctor tells him that his friend has a broken ankle. Bill is stunned that such a thing could've happened and then thinks that Ed's ship sails tomorrow without him. Bill thinks that just a little while ago he thought Ed had all the luck and now...

At the Pentagon another daily report has been filed.

53 NG is at Wake Island
134 IJA BF is planning for Kiska Island
5 A is at Heiho
17 A is at Tulagi
13 D is at Chungking
1 HAAB is at Tokyo
16 D is at Tulagi
2 D is at Port Moresby
31.9K troops are at Mishan

Recon

Rangoon 31 fighters, 48 bombers, 120 aux, 15 LCUs 57140/546/11
Tarawa 4 LCUs 28860/104/0
Port Moresby 33 fighters, 33 bombers, 59 aux, 29 LCUs

Ed gets up from his desk and heads out of the office for what he hopes will be a quick meeting and then he'll be off to home and a hot shower after stopping for something to eat. As he's leaving the office an orderly hands him a piece of paper that Ed pauses to read it.

Convoy PQ-18 has sailed for Murmansk. It has 41 merchantmen carrying a large stock of war material.

Pete has had nothing but time on his hands lately and he's decided that once he gets back to the States he will look up Admiral Landy to see if there's a way to get him into a position to help the war effort. This doing nothing is getting on Pete's nerves and never in his life has he been idled for this long.

Gunny's platoon is abuzz with rumors as to where the 2nd Marines are heading and Gunny tries his best to put the rumors to bed, but to no avail. He tells the men that nobody is talking about their destination or when they'll depart. “In the meantime I guess we'll just have to remain ready and that means training.” A groan comes from the men.

Red and Cookie discuss their business plans and decide that what they really need to do is gobble up all of the land around the tract that they already own. A call is placed to the lawyer's office requesting a meeting that afternoon. The lawyer calls them back a hour later saying that this afternoon is impossible, but a working dinner would be OK with him. So later in the afternoon Red and Cookie clean up, change and leave the Palawan to the catcalls of the crew. Red laughs and comments about wearing a suit and how uncomfortable it is. Cookie agrees and says, “We're businessmen now and have to look the part or these folks will be looking down at us.” They arrive at the agreed to eatery and have a beer at the bar while waiting for the lawyer, who arrives 15 minutes late. They have a productive meeting and everything is smoothed out and set in motion.

Orsini has survived another day on The Island. He's still having troubles field stripping his weapon and reassembling it blindfolded, but it's starting to come. He has gotten so used to his rifle that it's no longer a burden, rather it's become another appendage. His DI is walking among the men encouraging here and cursing there while everyone tries to complete the task at hand in the required amount of time. Soon I'll get this, thinks Orsini.

As he's heading to chow a jeep pulls up to the BOQ and the driver gets out and asks where he may find a CDR William Smith. Bill looks up from the letter that he's reading from his friend Phil and says, “Right here.” The man asks him to please get into the jeep and they head off to the HQs building. Once there Bill is immediately shown into the base commander's office where he's motioned to a chair.

“CDR Smith, it is my distinct pleasure to inform you that effective immediately you are relieved of constantly hounding my staff. You are now in command of the DD O'Bannon. You will depart tomorrow morning as part of the destroyer screen for the BBs Washington and South Dakota, bound for Pearl Harbor. If you hurry you can join the other ship commanders at the Officers Mess where they are meeting now. The jeep is waiting for you. Good luck. That is all.”

Bill salutes and says, “Aye, aye sir” and leaves the office with a crisp salute and turn. Wow! I finally have a command of my own! As fast as this thought flashes through Bill's mind he feels guilty about Edwin's lousy luck. His thoughts immediately turn to Sandy and he knows that he'll have to find time before he leaves to write a quick letter to her. Upon arrival at the meeting he's greeted and introduced around. Bill has heard of some of these men, but knows none of them. After the meeting has adjourned he makes arrangements for his things to be sent to the O'Bannon where he will go to later. He sits down at a desk and starts to write to Sandy.

My Dearest Sandy,

I know that I promised to join you and Dave for Thanksgiving, but the Navy has finally decided that it needs me so I'll have to take a rain check. Things happened suddenly today without warning and I now find myself in command of a ship. I don't know where I'll be or when I'll be able to mail more letters to you, but know that Ill try and write to you daily and that I love you with my entire being...

Victory Points Japan 16886 Allied 5365




DD-450 USS O'Bannon

[tocaff]

September 13, 1942 Pearl Harbor

Having arrived at the O'Bannon late last night Bill assumed his new command with no fanfare other than being piped aboard. Today after a sleepless night he tells his exec, LT Frank Field, that once underway he'd like to have a meeting of O'Bannon's officers in the wardroom. After that's over he'd like to meet with the the crew on deck in two different shifts so as not to interfere with those on watch or getting some sleep. At the appropriate hour O'Bannon slips her lines and Bill tells LT Field that he may take her out of the harbor. Bill quietly thinks to himself that showing confidence in his ship's officers will be critical to their performance and there's no time like the present to get started. He also learned earlier in his career that a ship's captain is responsible for the training of these men also. He thinks to himself that he's been in command less than 24 hours and already he feels the weight of command.

In the Pentagon Ed has been through the myriad stacks of reports and refined them into what's now before him.

3.3K troops are at Totje
54 D is at Okayama
Nagasaki Fortress is at Nagasaki
15 TR is planning for Sian
3 MtnGR is at Darwin
19 D is at Mishan
16 A is at Rabaul
3.3K troops are at Hamamatsu
38 D is at Chungking
2 NLF is at Kendari
348.7K troops are at Sasebo
7.9K troops are at Sendai
18 D is planning for Yunan

Soviet recon flights have generated the following force estimations.

Fushan 1 LCU 1580/13/0
Arshaan 2 LCUs 5640/68/0
Tsitsihar 6 LCUs 28020/68/0
Mutanchiang 38 fighters, 27 bombers, 55 aux, 8 LCUs 35880/396/166
Heiho 9 LCUs 46420/584/24
Chiamussu 6 LCUs 22060/268/12
Hailar 7 LCUs 27180/364/8

Allied recon reported:

Gili Gili 14 fighters, 78 bombers, 135 aux, 10 LCUs 35200/236/0
Tarawa 4 LCUs 27600/107/0
Port Moresby 20 fighters, 26 bombers, 50 aux, 29 LCUs

At Dacca a peaceful day is suddenly shattered by the wail of air raid sirens. All eyes scan the skies awaiting the arrival of Japanese planes while additional Commonwealth fighters are scrambled. 14 X Hurricane, 6 X P-36A manage to engage the Japanese who arrive with an overwhelming force of 105 X Zero, 21 X Tony and 18 X Helen. The air combat is furious and one sided as the CAP is savaged, losing every plane aloft. An additional 1 X Hurricane, 1 X P-36A and 1 X Mohawk are destroyed on the ground while the base itself suffers light damage. The gun emplacements protecting the field fired furiously at the Japanese planes and before they retire it is thought that 1 X Zero, 1 X Tony and 10 X Helen have been damaged. The base commander wonders how his pilots can continue to have the courage to engage the enemy when results like this seem to be the normal results. They will gain the skills needed to survive or die trying he thinks to himself, wondering when they'll get some Spitfires here.

“Hot damn! I did it!” exclaimed Orsini as he's finally managed to reassemble his rifle.

“Now if you could only learn to do it in the time required of you might actually have a slight chance to survive in combat. You worthless maggots are going to learn this or I won't allow you to become Marines in my beloved Corps. Is that clear?” The DI remains motionless as the boots all shout the appropriate answer at the top of their lungs. Inwardly he feels that there's hope for these boys, but that he doesn't have enough time to teach them everything they'll need to know if they are to survive the war. That will have to be done once they arrive in the line units that they'll be assigned to.

Red and Cookie have been summoned to Capt Demesa's cabin and he tells the two of them to relax. “What I'd like to know is if you would allow me to invest in your real estate company?”

They two of them look at each other, surprised. How can they refuse this man who has kept them safe and accommodated them? Cookie speaks first, “We'd be honored to have you invest. We can't promise that you'll ever see anything other than beachfront property that someday might be worth something more than we pay for it. How much did you have in mind Captain?”

“I've got $5,000 that I could invest, if that's alright with you,” Captain Demesa says, “I don't expect to have any official position in your company and I won't meddle in your business affairs. Is that OK?”

Cookie and Red both simultaneously say, “Sure skipper.” How could they refuse this man who is so good? They know that though the Palawan is a rust bucket compared to other vessels they could sign on with her skipper is a gem, caring first and foremost for his crew.

The O'Bannon glides through the water, a new warship with a new crew and skipper. Bill stands on the bridge thinking that his meetings have gone well when suddenly the klaxon sounds the men to their battle stations. LT Field has a plan for making sure that when they do see action they'll be ready for it. Bill's first impression of the man is favorable and he's generally pleased with the way things are going. Bill scans the horizon and marvels at the new BBs that they are tasked with escorting to Pearl Harbor. So much power he thinks.




BB-56 USS Washington

[tocaff]

September 14, 1942 Washington DC

10 AvR is at Changchun
4.5K troops are at Hanoi
1.8K troops are at Hakodate
Tsugaru Fortress is at Maori
4 RAAR is at Kagoshima
1 NCB is at Takao
Elements of the 51 D are at Wuchow
North Chishima Fortress is at Parashushiro Jima
1 AAR is at Tokyo
5 AD is at Moulmein

Ed stretches, calls for an orderly and sends the report on it's way. He's pleased to have been told by another flag officer over lunch that Bill is in command of the DD O'Bannon and he wonders if he'll ever see sea duty again.

In Moscow Stalin has been demanding that the Germans be expelled from the city that bears his name. “I will not tolerate a single German in my city!” he thunders.

The Tarpon is making for Kendari with a load of mines.

Bill has just been informed that the engineering chief is unhappy with the slight vibrations that are being produced by the ship's engines. He has said that once they make Pearl he'd like to be able to check things further. Bill is happy that the crew is dedicated to their ship and that the drills are improving their reaction times dramatically. The ship knifes through the waves as Bill watches the South Dakota through his binoculars while he wonders where the war will take them after Pearl Harbor.

Cookie and Red have deposited funds given to them by their skipper and said hello to the bank president before leaving. Everything is going better than the two of them had ever imagined.

Pete has been told by the nurse that if he's feeling so randy he should be out of bed and walking around a bit. He's unsteady on his feet, but happy to be up. “I wonder is I'll be able to get a discount on my shirts and jackets now that I only need one sleeve?” He says as the nurse laughs and tells he that he's awful.

Another day on Parris Island has mercifully ended. Orsini was doing well on the obstacle course until he fell flat on his face in the mud. The platoon had a laugh on that one and he only got yelled at a little for being such a clumsy maggot by the DI. The quick recovery had saved him from the DI's wrath. The shower felt so good for the muscles that were hurting and even the chow wasn't bad he thinks as he dozes off.




BB-57 South Dakota

[tocaff]

September 15, 1942 Washington DC

Ed is fed up and today just was a bit much to take. General officers aren't used to being told off and he did just that. This crap of protecting your turf instead of doing what is right for the war effort is BS. He gets up and heads off to meet Bill Donovan, bringing a copy of today's report with him.

3 RTR is at Matsue
Nagasaki Fortress is at Nagasaki
14 MB is at Darwin
106 IJA BF is at Anshan
1 RAAR is at Kyoto
Elements of the 1 IndB are at Kaifeng
BAA is 80 miles NE of Rangoon
62 CB is at Lunga

Andaman Island 2 LCUs 1520/6/0
Tarawa 4 LCUs 27560/107/0
Lunga 12 LCUs 11700/57/0
Mandalay 59 fighters, 9 bombers, 93 aux, 9 LCUs 7840/76/0

75 miles NE of Taipei the submarine Grouper spotted a convoy and spent hours getting into a position to attack it. When she finally managed to get into position and launched her torpedoes it was in vain. Grouper's skipper entered into his log, “Ideal firing solution, torpedoes hit targets, failed to detonate.” Going to war with these pieces of crap is criminal he tells the exec.

Bill stands on the bridge with a hot mug of Joe. The TF is making good headway and his crew is getting more proficient all the time due to the constant drilling. Bill lets his mind wander as he wonders when and where their first action will be. All he can hope for is that they acquit themselves well.

Pete overhears a doctor and a nurse discussing him and he's pleased to hear that the doctor has decided to allow him to roam around outside starting today. The nurse brings him the good news and Pete announces that after lunch he'd love to go for a walk and feel the sun on his face.

Orsini is rapidly turning into a marching machine. He's pleased that it's become automatic for him and the manual of arms is a snap too. He's actually gone through another day without getting himself into trouble. He hopes that when his platoon finally gets to the range that he's able to do OK. He's concerned because he's never fired a weapon of any kind as being from Hoboken isn't exactly the country and some of his fellow boots seem to know their way around firearms pretty good. He's confident that whatever the Corps can throw at him he'll be able to handle it.

Convoys continue to ply the waters and troops are readied for action as Operation Grinder presses forward. With the close of 1942 approaching the populace of the Allied nations look to their leaders to turn the tables on the Axis powers.

[tocaff]

September 16, 1942 Washington DC

7.5K troops are at Toyohara
8 ER is at Chungking
25 D is 70 miles SW of Sunwu
25 A is at Darwin
117 IJN BF is at Inch'on
6 A is at Hailar
3.3K troops are at Hamamatsu
5 K troops are at Songkhia
133 IJNAF BF is at Palau
1.8K troops are at Pagan
24 AAR is at Nagasaki

Makin Island 2 LCUs
Tulagi 10 LCUs 21460/204/4
Andaman Island 2 LCUs 1540/5/0
Fushan 1 LCU 1860/11/0
Tsitsihar 6 LCUs 29340/306/20
Mutanchiang 32 fighters, 29 bombers, 38 aux, 8 LCUs 25800/372/163
Changkufeng 5 LCUs 22520/255/5
Hailar 7 LCUs 27300/319/9
Heiho 9 LCUs 45340/571/22
Mishan 4 LCUs 0/5/139

Ed feels that he's running on automatic and that his job is requiring less thinking on a daily basis. He has managed to skip many of the meetings held at the Pentagon lately as everything at them is already known to him.

Japanese vessels discovered mines at Brunei and started sweeping ops.

The submarine Kingfish was attacked near Balikpapan by 5 DDs, but she escaped with no damage.

The Grouper was attacked by a PG and 2 X PC 52 miles from Wenchow and made good her escape with no damage.

Tarpon has had her orders changed and she will now mine Tarakan.

A large convoy with fuel and supplies departed San Francisco, bound for Anchorage.

Pete loves basking in the sunshine and can't wait to be released from the hospital to be shipped home.

Bill has added another letter to the stack of them all bound for Sandy once O'Bannon reaches a port. Her TF continues to press on towards Pearl Harbor and a GQs drill was interrupted by a sonar contact. After much searching the sheepish sonar operator admitted that it's possible that it was a false contact. Bill overhears the Exec telling the man that he'd rather have a false contact reported than a real one escaping notice. His crew is rapidly getting better at their jobs.

Today the boots of Orsini's platoon are moaning and rubbing sore muscles as they spent the day on a march with full packs. Joe has no idea how far they went, but his body wearily tells him that it was a lot. He can't remember a shower that ever felt so good as the one he just finished taking and going to chow was an effort.

The 2nd Marines continue to practice amphibious operations and they are told that they must do better. Gunny still has no idea of where or when, only that he's sure of something is up with the increased training pace. Today the platoon lost a man to a broken leg as he fell while descending into a landing craft.

[tocaff]

September 17, 1942 Washington DC

6 RTR is at Osaka
41 HAAB is at Seoul
15 MB is at Rabaul
81 NG is at Sabang
Yokosuka RCAR is at Tokyo
122 IJN BF is at Kitakyushu
2 AA is at Tokyo
1 GdsMB is at Tokyo
3 FFCB is at Anshan
24 Sp Bf is at Rabaul
6.9K troops are at Shimuzu
7 D is at Sapporo
4 MxR is at Myitkyina

Mandalay 64 fighters, 6 bombers, 98 aux, 11 LCUs 21880/230/8
Gili Gili 25 fighters, 97 bombers, 154 aux, 10 LCUs 37360/250/0
Tulagi 10 LCUs 28060/314/7

The Japanese have landed troops on Rossel Island.

The Dutch sub KXVI hit a mine at Muntok. No information as to her condition.

59 X Hudson and an F5A appeared over Gili Gili unopposed and proceeded to dump their bombs and hightail it home before the Japanese could scramble any planes. Photos taken by the recon plane showed light casualties to the troops, but moderate damage to the airfield. 6 X Hudson sustained damage.

In the Chungking area three raids were conducted by Japanese planes. They were all on the 35th Division, which sustained light loses. The first raid was comprised of 22 X Zero and was met by 3 X IL-4c, of which two were damaged at no cost to the Zeros. The second raid of 22 X Zeros came in contact with 3 X SB-2c and one Chinese plane was downed and another damaged. The third attack was made by 16 X Zero and 3 X IL-4c engaged it only to lose one plane. The Chinese are short on supplies, and decent weapons, but not courage.

“The war news elsewhere was rather bland,” says the General facing Ed. “Yesterday the Governor General of Madagascar asked for an armistice. Today the peace talks broke down and the British are expected to move on Madagascar at any time. Also as of yesterday WASPS, the Women's Air Force Service Pilots, was formed with the intention of securing additional pilots to ferry aircraft, thus freeing male pilots for combat formations.”

“Thank you gentlemen,” says FDR. “Ed would you mind giving me a few additional minutes of your time, please.”

Ed knows that this is a command, not a request so he nods his head in the affirmative.

“We've been working together for a while now and you know how much I value your insight. What I want you to do for me is work up a best and worse case scenario for Operation Snowball. I want your recommendations as what problems we'll face and how best to deal with them, what naval forces you would deem minimal and optimal for the operation and anything else you can think of. Please submit this directly to me Monday morning, the 21st. Thank you.”

Ed salutes and leaves the White House thinking that he'll need to spend the weekend working in his office. He'll be in touch with other officers to find out what forces are available, what the goals of the operation are and the timetable.

Orsini and other boots are getting antsy to hit the 3rd week of training so that they can get to the range and become the killing machines that the DI promises that he'll make them. Well, he thinks, that or he promised to make life unimaginably miserable for us if we don't live up to his expectations.

It's been another boring day of nothing to do for Pete and just before dinner a doctor visits with him asking how he feels. By the time the conversation is over Pete has been told that he'll be transferred to a medical facility in Brisbane and from there transport back to the United States will be arranged. The food that night tastes wonderful.

The 2nd Marine Division continues training for whatever will be asked of them and the rumors continue to become more outrageous on a daily basis. Gunny has told his platoon that he seriously doubts that they'll be attacking the Japanese in Tokyo any time soon.

Sandy got the letter today from Bill telling her that the future is uncertain and that he doesn't know when he'll get to see her again. This has sent her into a dark mood as she's afraid for his safety and her Thanksgiving plans are shattered. “Damned war!” she says to nobody as she starts to cry.

Victory Points Japanese 16906 Allied 5399

[tocaff]

September 18, 1942 The Pentagon

“Take this to the meeting and extend my apologies for not being there myself,” Ed tells the Captain standing before him. The damned report that FDR requested is taking all of his waking hours as he goes over more data than he ever dreamed of. He really misses Bill now as he'd be able to handle the daily report and free me for this beast, thinks Ed. I wonder how he's making out with his new ship and crew, he wonders.

1.9K troops are at Tiniaan
Elements of the 18th MxB are at Anking
121 IJA BF is at Lashio
6 CB is at Heiho
45 HAAB is at Bangkok
14 TR is at Darwin
4 AFCB is at Medan
22 SpBF is at Davao
102 IJNAF BF is at Woleai

Recon has generated the following:

Lunga 12 LCUs 320/13/0
Port Moresby 29 LCUs
Gili Gili 31 fighters, 73 bombers, 138 aux, 10 LCUs 37200/245/0
Makin 2LCUs 3800/17/0
Andaman Island 2 LCUs 1600/7/0
Myitkyina 4 LCUs 26940/272/12

The Soviets have reported the following:

Fushan 1 LCU 1740/13/0
Mishan 4 LCUs 0/55/145
Changkufeng 5 LCUs 32900/383/11
Tabun-Nur 1 LCU 1500/12/0

Rossel Island is now occupied by the Japanese.

Aru Island has been attacked by the Japanese.

About 94 miles NE of Chungking the Japanese assaulted Chinese positions. Approximately 43248 Japanese troops were involved and they were reported to have suffered 107/5/0 casualties. The Chinese defenders, who numbered 5280 lost 811/7/0 and were forced to retreat.

Chinese artillery at Chungking opened up on the Japanese troops massing there. No reports of casualties were forthcoming.

Today the RAF Pathfinder Force flew it's first mission, Flensburg.

Food rations for Jews in Germany were reduced today.

Convoy PQ-18 reached Murmansk after losing 1 X DD, 1 X MSW and 13 X Merchants. Reports suggest that the Germans lost 3 U-boats and another 5 were damaged in addition to the 41 planes that were reported as destroyed.

British forces landed at Madagascar and occupied Tamatave.

Pete has been told that there will be a train to Brisbane that he's scheduled to be on Monday morning. The hospitals need to make room for the anticipated casualties as Operation Grinder draws closer to launching itself at the enemy.

The morning was spent marching and drilling the manual of arms and the afternoon was on the obstacle course. Fortunately for the platoon all of them managed not to foul up. The DI has informed them that if they can keep it up he might let them become part of his beloved Corps. He then informed the maggots that they had 20 minutes before inspection of the barracks. Orsini inwardly sighs and gets to policing his area.

Gunny admits to himself that all of this training is getting to be a bit much. He, like the men of the 2nd Marine Division, is ready to go now and he believes that his outfit is just the right tool to be used to bring a long awaited victory about. He thinks that the more things change the more things stay the same, hurry up and wait.

In the meantime ships are delivering fuel and supplies to Operation Snowball's staging area. Soon troops will start to be moved there. It is planned that once the troops are assembled they will be given time to rest so that they'll be fresh when the time comes.

[tocaff]

September 19, 1942 The Pentagon

Ed has been pouring through reports, TOEs and everything else imaginable to put together the brief that FDR has requested of him. Hell, he thinks, even the supply and fuel stocks being allocated to Snowball haven't escaped his eyes. More than once upon his request for data he's had to throw his weight around because somebody was reluctant to share information with him. In the meantime his staff continues to assemble daily reports, as usual.

6.7K troops are at Saigon
23 D is at Heiho
10 AvR is at Changchun
67 NG is at Port Moresby
206 are at Tokyo
1.8K troops are at Haiphong
Yosu Fortress is at Masan
Palau CGR is at Palau
68 D is planning to attack Sian

Recon flights have generated the following reports.

Myitkyina LCUs 33660/351/16
Andaman Island 2 LCUs 2320/7/0
Makin Island 2 LCUs 4480/20/0
Gili Gili 32 fighters, 81 bombers, 128 aux, 10 LCUs 37620/245/0
Port Moresby 29 LCUs
Lunga 12 LCUs 4240/40/0

Aru Island is now in Japanese hands

The IJN bombarded Baker Island and the coastal guns scored multiple hits on 2 X CA. Moderate casualties were suffered by the troops and the airbase also suffered moderate damage.

The SS Cuttlefish has docked at Anchorage.

Benham has sailed as an escort for a replenishment TF. Phil loves being at sea and has commenced with drills for the crew to keep them sharp.

The Palawan sailed for Canton Island as part of a supply convoy. Red spent the morning washing Lucky and he managed to get as wet as the dog. Cookie was busily preparing a meal for the men when into the galley ran Lucky. The dog stopped and proceeded to shake himself vigorously, spraying water everywhere. Needless to say Cookie and his assistant didn't appreciate the shower.

Pete relaxes, soaking up some sun and absent absentmindedly leafs through a magazine. Not much to do other than laze around and he can't wait for Monday's scheduled departure. Anything has to be better than this doing nothing. What he really wants is to go have a drink and that makes him wonder how Will, Jim and Ben are doing. He hopes to catch up to them one of these days.

Another day of things being drilled into their heads as the DI explains what he expects from them on this march. After marching all morning with full packs and weapons the boots are getting tired. Some of them are struggling to maintain the pace due to their feet killing them and others it's the fatigue. The DI calls a halt and gives the boots five. “Ow my dogs are killing me,” moans one of the men to nobody in particular. After the break ends the DI orders them to their feet and off they go again. The men had hoped to turn around and head back to the barracks, but they push on, crossing a stream and heading into some less than desirable terrain. The DI keeps prodding them and keeps them moving while he tells them that the future holds worse than this for the lucky few that he'll allow to join his beloved Corps. This just serves to fortify Orsini's resolve as he's determined to maintain the pace, whatever it takes. He knows that there's nothing at all worse than getting the DI angry and that failure to perform will do it every time. He tells himself that every day is one day closer to being a Marine. Later that night the exhausted boots return to their barracks and are told to fall out. Chow is in 20 minutes and Orsini knows that this means that he'll go hungry if he's not ready to march to the mess hall at the appointed time. A quick shower and he's ready. Many of the boots have sore and blistered feet. One of the boots remarks that he feels like he could sleep for a week while another announces that he could eat a horse.



Victory Points Japanese 16941 Allied 5500

[tocaff]

September 20, 1942 Washington DC

2.5K troops are at Ikitsuki
2.8K troops are at Matsue
18 RCAR is at Toyama
Truk AAB is at Truk
6.1K troops are at Arshaan
19 D is at Mishan
105 IJN BF is at Amami
20 RCB Mandalay
47 HAAB is at Mandalay
6.2K troops are at Taipei
Maizuru Fortress is at Maizuru
65 CB is at Kagoshima
7.5K troops are at Toyohara

Gili Gili 38 fighters, 79 bombers, 131 aux, 10 LCUS 36540/270/0
Port Moresby 11 fighters, 40 aux, 29 LCUs
Lunga 12 LCUs 5680/44/0
Apamama nothing reported
Andaman Island 2 LCUs 3120/12/0
Myitkyina 4 LCUs 34200/352/11
Fushan 1 LCU 1880/18/0
Tabun-Nur 1 LCU 1340/9/0
Changkufeng 5 LCUs 36520/339/7
Heiho 9 LCUs 43080/564/30
Mishan 3 LCUs 0/4/140
Mutanchiang 8 LCUs 23460/317/152

Ed quickly scans the report and OKs it to be sent on it's way and he returns to his monumental task reviewing Operation Snowball.

An IJN DD hit a mine at Balikpapan.

The IJN continued it's naval bombardments of Baker Island with CAs dueling with the coastal guns. There were moderate casualties among Baker's garrison and light damage to the airbase while a CA was reportedly hit.

The SS Grunion was attacked by an MSW, but there was no location or damage report given.

The Japanese threw air raids against the defenders at Chungking and the crossroads near Kweiyang. Both commands reported negligible loses.

O'Bannon's crew has discovered some problems with a few of the systems, as any new ship is bound to have and the crew forms repair parties to rectify the problems. Bill is more than pleased with his crew as they already seem to have developed the attachment to their ship that is bound to happen over the course of time. He secretly prays that they acquit themselves well when called upon to do their duty and that he can bring them all home after the war inevitably ends.

The boots are excited at the prospect of heading to the range tomorrow. Some of them are bragging that they'll hit the targets even if they were blindfolded. Unluckily for them the DI has overheard this and he demands that the braggarts identify themselves.

“If you maggots really believe that you're so good then you'll have the honor of going first tomorrow. Know this that you better do as good as you say you can or I'll be volunteering your sorry asses for every detail that I can think of. As a matter of fact I do believe the head could use a cleaning, starting right now.”

The guilty parties scurry off to commence with their detail as their fellow boots are happy to have learned to keep their mouths shut and their eyes and ears open. Orsini is worried sick that he'll stink up the range and has troubles sleeping that night.

Red and Cookie lean on the Palawan's rail and discuss everything and nothing in particular as they gaze at the brilliant stars in the sky.

“You know this is what I like the best about being at sea,” says Cookie. “Look at this sky, it's beautiful and relaxing.”

Victory Points Japanese 16941 Allied 5503

[tocaff]

September 21, 1942 The Pentagon

“I want this report finished and sent off to the usual destinations by the normal time. I'll be heading over to the White House so take messages for me and if there is a dire emergency then have the party call me at the White House. Remember, only a monumental emergency can interrupt my meeting with the President.” Ed dismisses the Captain and he gathers his material and has an orderly summon his car.

13 A is at Chungking
10.6K troops are at Etorofo Jima
44 HAAB is at Manila
17 D is at Homan
148 IJN BF is at Tokyo
14 IJA BF is at Marcus Island
2.5K troops are at Ikitsuki
15 MxB is at Chungking
8 D is at Heiho
100.6K troops are at Heiho
3 RAAR is at Matsue
2 AAR is at Kitakyushu
16 A is at Rabaul
1 TR s at Rangoon

Andaman Island 2 LCUs 3520/4/0
Port Moresby 12 fighters, 29 aux, 29 LCUs
Tassafaronga nothing detected
Rangoon PTs, 18 LCUs 42360/356/76
Mishan 3 LCUs 0/10/156
Heiho 9 LCUs 46200/591/26
Fushan 1 LCU 1660/14/0
Tabun-Nur 1 LCU 1500/18/0
Mutanchiang 8 LCUs 23660/354/157
Changkufeng 5 LCUs 36360/372/5

Japanese planes hit Ledo today and did very light damage to the base. It is thought that the raid was made up of 136 X Zero (1 downed and 1 damaged) and 18 X Helen (4 damaged) and they were met by 13 X Buffalo, all of which failed to return to base.

17 X Betty bombed Baker Island and did very light damage to the base while 9 X Betty were damaged. Until fighters are based here Baker will continue to be at the mercy of the air filed on Tarawa.

An IJN sub was spotted off of the California coast.

O'Bannon departed Pearl Harbor as an escort for the new BBs and they are now heading south. Bill has left the bridge and is in his cabin with a mug of Joe while he pens a letter to Sandy. He feels guilty because he loves being in command of a ship and yet he misses Sandy. He feels a little guilty having these conflicting feelings, but he's got a job to do and he'll do it.

At the range the boots prepare for their turn as another platoon is just finishing. Instructors are going over the safety rules with them and Orsini is paying careful attention to them. Gunny has arranged for the loudmouths to be the first on the firing line. Ammunition is handed out and final instructions are given. Gunny walks down the line of his boots and reminds the maggots that their words had better be backed by action now or else. The command to commence is passed and the first shots ring out. This goes on for a while and Orsini carefully watches everything going on around him. Finally it's his turn and he takes a position, is given ammunition and is ordered to fire. BANG, a hit, I hit the target, he thinks to himself. Another shot a bulls eye. By the time Joe is done with his allotted rounds he's surprised and hugely pleased with himself. Gunny strolls by and says that if he manages to do this more often then Orsini just might be a rifleman in his beloved Corps. A couple of the braggarts didn't do so well and they've pulled various duties as punishment. Later that day while the boots are cleaning their weapons one of them asks Joe where he learned to shoot like that.

“I never fired any kind of weapon before today and I'm the most surprised one here,” he answers.

Pete was assisted onto the train along with so many other wounded men and some nurses who will accompany them to Brisbane. The train ride is boring and Pete falls asleep as there's nothing to do and little to see as the train rolls on it's way. He dreams of many things and will remember none of them.

At the White House the meeting is held in the Oval Office with very few men in attendance. The latest news from the ETO is given first and the most interesting things were.

The RAF raided Munich and the Saar Valley today.

It's been estimated that the Germans have executed 207,373 people in occupied Europe to date.

FDR thanks the general for his report and the man leaves the meeting. “Ed what've you got for us? I know that I didn't give you much time, but I had faith in you.”

Ed rises, clears his throat and starts with, “Thank you Mr. President. Before I get into the particulars of Operation Snowball I'd like to say that I think that it's planners have done well. I believe that the forces being allocated to this operation should be adequate to achieve the goals set forth. I do want to say that it is my firm belief that based on the assumption of initial success we should consider expanding Snowball's goals.”

There is a stir among the men in the room as they are surprised to hear this.

“I believe that if we allocate the following formations to the existing ones then there's no reason not to believe that Snowball can not only seize the initiative in the Pacific, but also be the breaking open of Japan's defenses and the eventual taking of bases that will enable us to cut off the bulk of their military from Japan itself. We also should be able to interdict the enemy's supply lines or at the very least cause them to be extended. The key is to maintain flexibility and momentum. The formations that I would like to see added to Snowball are:
27th USA Division
1, 2 and 3 USMC Para Bns
3 and 4 USMC Raider Bns
1 and 10 Sea Bees
71 Av Rgt
107 and 114 USN BFs
72 and 188 USA FA Rgts
2 and 8 USMC Def Bns
It is my belief that virtually all of the might of the USN should be focused on this operation. An initial raid on Wake Island would be a good thing to catch the eyes of the Japanese and it'll be good for the morale of the Navy to flex it's muscles. Thank you.”

With that Ed sits down and the silence in the room is broken by FDR who says that he likes the idea.

“What we need are more people who don't worry about their positions and are willing to be audacious. Thank you Ed.”

The meeting continues for another couple of hours as the men debate if Snowball should be expanded or kept as it is. Finally it's decided to add the units Ed mentioned and to keep the initial timetable.

“It's going to be a crowded staging area,” one Admiral quips.

[1275psi]

Its a all or nothing for EDs op - time is ticking, ticking, ticking!