The Battle Under: The Allies Fight Back

[gladiatt]

ORIGINAL: tocaff

General Leclerc drove the Germans out of Fezzan in Southern Libya.

Yep. With one and only one old 75mm gun that was moved after every shot so the Italians (not Germans) believed the french force had much more firepower....so they surrendered....

[tocaff]

January 13, 1942 Moscow

Intel

Palau Coastal Gun Regiment is located at Palau.
28th Division is located at Tsitsihar.
48th Road Construction Battalion is located at Mutanchiang.
10th Hvy Gun Regiment is located at Heiho.
5th AF Construction Battalion is located at Sinkep Island.
3rd Hvy Field Artillery Regiment is located at Wyndham.
Funauke Fortress is located at Sakashima.
6th Field Artillery Regiment is located at Changsha.
58th Division is located at Changsha.
5915 men are based at Niigata.
Soya Fortress is located at Wakkanai.
51st AA Regiment is located at Rangoon.
1st Engineer Regiment is located at Port Moresby.

Recon

Catalina I takes recon photos of Rangoon 4 X PT, 4 X SS, 2 X AK, 2 X MSW, 1 X BB, 18 LCUs 28400/421/17
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Mandalay 57 fighters, 61 aux, 12 LCUs 27340/220/3
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa 4 LCUs 28220/103/0
Catalina I takes recon photos of Wyndham 2 X AP, 1 X CA, 28 LCUs
Darwin is reported to have 2 X CA in the harbor and 14 LCUs in the area, as reported by spies.

Combat

A Betty attacked the S-18 93 miles SE of Gili Gili and the sub escaped with no damage.

Dinahs loitered in the skies above Kweiyang and the daily attack did moderate damage to the base and troops sustained light loses.

Myitkyina was attacked by Allied bombers today. 9 X Zero met the 24 X Blenheim IV, 27 X Wellington III, 28 X Hudson I, 62 X B-25C Mitchell and the 17 X P-38G Lightning on escort. A Zero went down and 7 others were damaged as they tried in vain to stop the onslaught. A Blenheim was damaged as were 2 X Wellinton and a P-38G. The raid did heavy damage to the airbase, supplies and the facilities. Japanese ground loses were unknown, but believed to have been light.

The SS Sturgeon attacked an AP and came up empty. No position was given by the sub, but her patrol area is in the Wyndham area.

The Grayling continues her fight against the flooding, but the pumps are not functioning properly and it's very difficult to make any progress against the water in the boat.

The DD Morris sits dockside at Noumea with very heavy systems damage, but she's ready for sea and will head to a repair yard soon.

Apamama was invaded and fell to the 3rd and 4th Marine Raider Bns. Casualties were few as there was no opposition.

The bombardment TF has moved to Baker Island to replenish for the landing support they will give. The CV TFs have also moved off to replace lost aircraft and replenish.

Ed is handed a comm and he sighs after reading it. Well at least he can hold onto the ships for the op, but two of his BBs need to be detached and sent off so they can be modernized. He realizes that the USN has a plan that will touch every vessel as they are modernized and local commanders will do with less as a result.

Stalin's government sends a note of protest to the Japanese embassy in Moscow.

“The presence of 97K troops at Hailar are of great concern to the peace loving people of the Soviet Union. This force is much more than is needed for defensive purposes. Therefore we strongly protest the continued basing of such a large force adjacent to our border. We understand the need for defensive forces, but this goes far beyond that requirement. We demand that this force be substantially reduced immediately if our peaceful relationship is to continue. No answer to this need be given as the movement of troops will be your answer.”

“If they don't move anything then we'll notify Washington of our agreeing to basing rights at bases of our choice, not theirs. Of course new demands for more supplies will accompany this.” Stalin eyes his generals and continues, “Now tell me about Stalingrad...”

“Are you sure about that? We'll be in the first wave? Wonderful...” The Marine is a nervous wreck and his pals try and calm him down. They tell him that once they hit the beach they'll be to busy to think so not to worry. Still they hold their own fears. The blooding of the 2nd Marine Division is very near.

“Can we forget about the PT today?” moans a pilot looking at the rain. The pilots of VMF-222 are still waiting for their new planes and they joke that with all of the PT they won't need planes as they'll be strong enough to fight with bare hands. The mechanics are even more bored because they don't even have planes to tinker with.

Orsini stands at the rail of the transport looking at the stars wondering how he'll do when the shooting starts. He doesn't want to let down his pals and he thinks that he's more afraid of that than being shot.

Sandy comes back from town and mentions that there were no letters from Bill today and that a family they know lost a son in North Africa. “Damned war,” says Dave, “All the killing and almost no coffee.”

“I promise that even though it'll be hard to pay off the bank I'll work hard at giving you everything that you want.” Pete ends his discussion with Sylvia on that note.

“You are pretty naive mister,” say Sylvia as she playfully jabs him in the ribs. “All I want I've got and that's you. We'll be fine. What more could we want than having family, friends and each other? This war can't last forever and when it's over people will return to their normal way of life and we'll be fine. Don't worry about the bank, what's the worst that they can do to us? The business that we're buying has been around for almost 50 years and it'll survive us running it.”

The two of them embrace and fall asleep holding onto one another.

[tocaff]

January 14, 1943 Casablanca

Intel

Karafuto Mixed Brigade is located at Shikka.
37th Division is located at Changsha.
48th Road Construction Battalion is located at Mutanchiang.
61st Construction Battalion is located at Port Moresby.
57th Construction Battalion is located at Maizuru.
17th Construction Battalion is located at Mutanchiang.
15th Aviation Rgt is located at Batavia.
1st Mortar Regiment is located at Sasebo.
125th IJNAF Base Force is located at Laoag.
118th IJA Base Force is located at Wuhan.
8032 men are based at Bonin.
24th AA Regiment is located at Nagasaki.
Radio transmissions detected at Canton Island.
Radio transmissions detected at San Francisco.

Recon

Catalina I takes recon photos of Rangoon 4 X PT, 2 X AK, 4 X SS, 19 LCUs 37800/487/89
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Pagan 1 LCU 1260/0/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa 4 LCUs 27800/99/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tulagi 2 X AG, 10 LCUs 18860/204/4
Catalina I takes recon photos of Wyndham 6 X AK, 29 LCUs
Darwin 1 X CA 14 LCUs reported by spies

Combat

IJN MSWs at Koepang were spotted sweeping mines.

MSW Romney located and swept a mine field at Trimcomalee.

Dinahs over Kweiyang again during the course of the day were followed by a raid on Kweiyang that did light damage to the base, no casualties were reported.

109 X B-17E attacked Port Moresby and ran into 40 X Zero and 40 X Tony. The big bombers held their formation and the .50 cal machine guns downed 11 X Zero (18 damaged) and 4 X Tony (19 damaged) while losing 19 bombers and having another 54 damaged. Damage to the airbase was light.

The Japanese flew recon flights over Derby today.

The detection of radio transmissions at Canton Island and San Francisco are of major security concerns, especially Canton. All efforts to track down the sources will be made immediately.

The invasion TF sailed today for Tarawa. It carries the 2nd Marine Division, the 43rd Infantry Division and the 47th Engineer Regiment. The 1st Amphibious HQs are trailing and once the base falls the support units will unload as their TF is going to be close behind. Orsini stands looking at the vast array of shipping and wonders if they're going to attack Japan itself.

The Benham departs Canton Island as an escort for a replenishment TF. It's going to take a lot of fuel for all the ships that are Snowball. Benham's crew want to be part of a TF that intend to do some fighting, though Phil knows that their TF is a very juicy target and if discovered they will draw unwanted company.

The Palawan swings lazily at anchor in the shelter of Noumea. The crew have heard rumors of the Marines attacking somewhere or other, but nothing concrete. Red and Cookie discuss the possibilities of buying land here as Hawaii seems worlds away. The problem would be money as theirs is in Honolulu.

“Tomorrow morning at 10 we have to meet the solicitor at the bank where all of the papers will be signed.” Sylvia looks at Pete and smiles. “You look a little pale, are you OK?” she asks.

“Everything is fine, just going into debt scares me a bit as I don't like owing anything to anybody. Let's go for a walk. I'll go to the hospital with you. I think that they want to see me for a final checkup anyway.” With that they gather a few things and take a leisurely stroll, arm in arm.

Stalin is told of Tokyo's response and he explodes, “Who do they think they are? Our force estimates are no accurate? We should send the troops to fight the Germans? I want to see Molotov in my office in one hour. We'll see about the arrogant Japanese.”

Five hours later a note is being prepared to be delivered to the Americans tomorrow. The Soviets would be pleased and honored to grant basing rights once spring arrives. Of course the matter of increased aid is also broached and no specific bases are named.

FDR and Churchill meet near Casablanca, Morocco.





FDR And Churchill In Casablanca

[tocaff]

January 15, 1943 Washington DC

Intel

236277 men are based at Osaka/Kobe.
5818 men are based at Aomori.
1853 men are based at Yap.
187702 men are based at Truk.
13th Division is located at Changsha.
1st Mortar Regiment is located at Sasebo.
58th Division is located at Changsha.
143rd IJA Base Force is planning for an attack on Diamond Harbor.
4990 men are based at Wonsan.
Hensui Construction Battalion is located at Sasebo.
3rd Mountain Gun Regiment is located at Wyndham.
32nd Heavy AA Battalion is located at Aomori.
7th Ind. Brigade is located at Changsha.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Pagan 1 LCU 1640/0/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa 4 LCUs 26460/109/0
Catalina I takes recon photos of Wyndham 1 X DE, 6 X AK, 29 LCUs
Spies report that there are the following at Darwin 1 X CA 14 LCUs

Combat

A lone Dinah took recon photos of Kweiyang today. There was no raid, strange.

3 X MSWs were busy sweeping a mine field at Koepang.

RN DDs conducted an ASW attack near Trimcomalee in concert with aircraft. The sub breached and then slid back leaving an oil slick and debris, but no survivors.

Later in the day the MSW Cuttack attacked a sub contact near Trimcomalee.

The RN believes that a possible amphibious move on India exists and that a submarine mining campaign on Trimcomalee is targeting a RN response.

Grayling has managed to get her pumps back online and the water level in the sub is receding rapidly. Her skipper enters in his log book that the crew performed in an exemplary manner.

S-27 nears port and will have her ruptured fuel tank welded and then she'll take on fuel and make for a repair yard.

A Betty has spotted CA Quincy near Baker Island

A Nell has spotted Yorktown at near Baker Island.

A few small TKs are unloading at Baker Island as the thirsty warships of the USN guzzle down the fuel from the hastily expanded port facilities. Ed marvels at the work of the Sea Bees. Not to long ago there was next to nothing here and now a base large enough to handle 4E bombers and the fleet exists. Once a large convoy appears and unloads fuel his force will hit Tarawa again prior to the landings.

The convoy of mostly empty APs nears Noumea and reports are circulating of Japanese sub activity in the area. USN ASW units are attempting to deal with the problem. Men lounge on the deck of an AP that has many wounded American servicemen aboard. They are headed home, in stages as these ships will be added to the growing list of shipping assigned to Snowball.

FDR smiles and tells Cordell Hull, Henry Stimson and Frank Knox the good news and the plans that he wants made. With Stalin suddenly doing an about face it now looks like Operation Sunshine can move past the planning stages.

“Frank I know the Navy is stretched, but we need to make this work and when the Japanese realize what's going on I want it to be to late. See what can be done to firm up the plans and bring in the Army as they will be doing almost all of the work. Well let's qualify that and say they will provide the combat troops and the Sea Bees will do the work.” FDR smiles and adds, “Lets see what we can send Uncle Joe in the way of additional materials.”

Pete and Sylvia exit the bank as the proud owners of the Story Bridge Hotel. This means that when Pete goes to work it'll be as the boss now. They kiss goodbye and she heads to the hospital and he to the pub. Soon they will move out of the house and have lodgings of their own.

The Germans announced a blockade of Sweden's Gothenburg harbor to protest trade between Sweden and Great Britain. It will be lifted in 5 months.

The British 8th Army begins a new push.

Victory Points Japanese 19009 Allies 6862

[tocaff]

January 16, 1943 Pearl Harbor

Intel

6th Field Artillery Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
12th Army is located at Changsha.
1st Mortar Battalion is planning for an attack on Kweiyang.
43127 men are based at Changchun.
36424 men are based at Chiamussu.
Tsushima Fortress is located at Masan.
8th Heavy Artillery Brigade is located at Mutanchiang.
4th Air Division is located at Tokyo.
211674 men are based at Masan.

Recon

SB-2 takes recon photos of Heiho 9 LCUs 98540/1071/37
SB-2 takes recon photos of Chiamussu 35 fighters, 37 aux, 6 LCUs 30420/287/7
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 10 LCUs 24120/318/151
SB-2 takes recon photos of Hailar 7 LCUs 42640/333/5
R-12 takes recon photos of Tsitsihar 6 LCUS 26060/326/12
R-12 takes recon photos of Linhsi nothing spotted
Catalina I takes recon photos of Rangoon 3 X SS, 2 X AK, 18 LCUs 28560/410/18
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Pagan 1 LCU 1720/0/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa 13 fighters, 8 aux, 4 LCUs 26880/104/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Lunga 1 X CV, 5 X AK, 12 LCUs 10620/55/0

Combat

Kweiyang was visited by the Dinahs again today. Today's air attack on Kweiyang caused light casualties and did moderate damage.

A Japanese AP hit a mine at Port Moresby and sustained heavy damage.

DDs and aircraft spotted and attacked attacked a sub near Baker Island. An oil slick was reported to have been spotted.

4 X DD attacked an IJN sub near Noumea sinking her.

MSW Romney continues sweeping ops near Trimcomalee as DDs drove off another sub in the area.

Planes spotted and attacked a sub and later the DD Warramunga attacked it too, near Brisbane and claiming to have damaged her. Planes spotted an oil slick and reported 2 more subs within 100 miles of Brisbane.

6 X PB4Y Liberator attacked Tarawa doing light damage while 2 of the bombers were damaged.

Grayling is almost dry as the pumps continue to operate properly.

Bill hears rumors, something new for the military, about a huge operation being launched. Depending on which version you want to believe the targets are Darwin, Rangoon, Singapore, Port Moresby and Wake Island. Only the last two would make sense to him, but he's just a tin can driver so what would he know.

Ed's BBs take on fuel and drain the base dry. They will top off their fuel bunkers tomorrow as TKs are unloading at the base now and depart for Tarawa. The food and ammo stores have been replenished and he's itching to get back to work. The only thing that concerns him is that there are no reports as to the where abouts of the KB.

The convoy plods along and Slim, Orsini and Jack are having a smoke on deck. It's a beautiful day and Slim remarks that he always envied the rich people who got to travel on the large and luxurious ocean liners. “Not me,” says Orsini, “I have come to hate the boredom of these long cruises that the USMC gives us.”

“I'm willing to stay at sea until the end of the war,” chimes in Jack, “Maybe that way I'll live long enough to get back home.”

Sylvia joins Pete in their new office and flops down in a chair. She looks exhausted and Pete tells her to go home and rest. “I've got everything under control,” he says and then adds, “By the way we rented 4 rooms today and each one of them is long term. One of the men asked about the availability of rooms for more people he works with and I told him that as long as he have empty rooms they're available. That'll help our financial situation.”

Victory Points Japanese 19015 Allied 6875

[tocaff]

January 17, 1943 Brisbane

Intel

2486 men are based at Kyoto.
5815 men are based at Aomori.
4273 men are based at Pusan.
Nagasaki Fortress is located at Nagasaki.
21st Reserve Engineer Regiment is located at Shimuzu.
22433 men are based at Okayama.
25008 men are based at Sapporo.
3rd Air Division is located at Rangoon.
15th Engineer Regiment is located at Darwin.
134th IJN Base Force is located at Marcus Island.
Elements of the 22nd Division are located at Wenchow.
25008 men are based at Sapporo.
3124 men are based at Bangkok.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Myitkyina 4 LCUs 43640/471/8
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Makin 5 LCUs 6200/22/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa 4 LCUs 26820/103/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tassafaronga 4 LCUs 3240/15/0
Catalina I takes recon photos of Wyndham 9 X AK, 1 X DE, 28 LCUs
Catalina I takes recon photos of Rangoon 1 X CL, 2 X SS, 2 X AK, 18 LCUs 27800/431/22

Combat

Dinahs took recon photos of Kweiyang and later unescorted Japanese Sallys and Helens attacked Kweiyang doing moderate damage. The Chinese want to slip some fighters in for an ambush, but there just aren't the planes available.

In the afternoon Nicks appeared and did moderate damage at Kweiyang

IJN PGs found mines at Port Moresby

3 X MXS were sweeping a mine field at Koepang

6 X DD attacked a Japanese sub near Baker Island. There are no reports of a kill.

MSW Cuttack located a started sweeping mine field at Trimcomalee

17 X Zero were patrolling the skies over Myitkyina and the Allied planes immediately engaged them before dumping their loads. The raid was made up of 24 X Blenheim IV,
28 X Wellington III, 12 X Liberator VI, 27 X Hudson I, 63 X B-25C Mitchell and 24 X P-38G as an escort. 6 X F-5A Lightning were along taking pictures of the base. 8 X Zero were downed and another was damaged while the Allies suffered 2 X Blenheim IV destroyed, 1 damaged, 2 X Wellington III downed, 2 X Liberator VI damaged, 1 X B-25C Mitchell destroyed, 2 damaged and a P-38G was lost. Japanese ground loses were thought to be light and damage to the runway was moderate while the airbase facilities and supply dumps took heavy damage.

A Kate spotted DD Bagley about 17 miles from Koumac.

Vals have spotted CL Honolulu and DDs Fanning, Craven and Clark at not far from Koumac.

These two sightings can only mean one thing, the KB is about to raid Noumea. The SC TF will turn tail and run at full speed. The ships at anchor in Noumea's harbor will stay there as running will only result in a slaughter on the high seas. The fighters at Luganville have flown in to add their muscle in the looming battle. The USN is concentrating on the invasion of Tarawa and the search patrols didn't pick up the onrushing Japanese fleet until it was to late.

Less than 200 miles from Noumea a Betty spotted the PG Tui. She is an escort for an empty eastbound convoy of APs. The convoy has split in two and they are running at full speed trying to vacate the area.

Australia continues to look like a stalemate as the Japanese don't seem willing to stray far from their two bases. That's OK with the Allied commanders as it allows them time to rebuild their units.

Derby continues to undergo intense recon flights by Japanese planes.

S-27 has refueled and will now make for the repair yard at Sydney.

The Grayling is dry and will now head to Melbourne's repair yard.

Ed's flag flies on the BB Maryland once again as the bombardment force prepares to leave Baker Island. He's concerned with the reports of Japanese subs in the area, but there's a job to be done.

Bill spent the day at the beach, relaxing and thinking of Sandy. The work on the O'Bannon continues and he hopes that their next time out he can bring her home in one piece.

Sandy is having a great day as she got 8 letters today from Bill.

Somehow the hotel is suddenly booked solid. The lodgers are all single men and a single source is paying for the rooms, even when there is nobody to use them. Pete wasn't born yesterday, but he knows better than to ask so he just silently thanks whoever is behind this. Sylvia has noticed the lack of vacancies and says, “It's because of the war.”

Victory Points Japanese 18973 Allied 6899

[gladiatt]

ORIGINAL: tocaff

The USN is concentrating on the invasion of Tarawa and the search patrols didn't pick up the onrushing Japanese fleet until it was to late.

I usually find that patrols tend to miss important sighting in the worse manner [8|]

[tocaff]

The problem is that if done correctly the IJN can make a dash in, hit and depart because Allied searches generally don't reach out more than 9 or 10 hexes.

January 18, 1943 Noumea

Intel

Chichijima Fortress is located at Niigata.
Radio transmissions detected at Hiroshima/Kure.
42nd AA Regiment is located at Seoul.
17th Division is planning for an attack on Sian.
6th Field Artillery Regiment is located at Changsha.
1st Division is located at Harbin.
23rd Mixed Brigade is located at Wyndham.
17th Hvy Field Artillery Regiment is located at Port Moresby.
4th Engineer Regiment is located at Wyndham.
86021 men are based at Taan.
15th AA Regiment is located at Nagoya.

Recon

Catalina I takes recon photos of Rangoon 4 X SS, 2 X AK, 2 X PT, 19 LCUS 27740/413/16
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Lashio 2 LCUs 900/0/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Makin 5 LCUs 7240/21/0

Combat

IJN PGs found mines at Port Moresby

SS Swordfish attacked Japanese MSWs near Darwin, but failed to do any damage. She is then pounced on by DDs, but managed to slip away unharmed.

A Japanese sub attacked DDs near Baker Island failing to hit anything.

The daily air attack on Kweiyang did little damage. The Chinese have decided to slip a squadron of fighters into Kweiyang in the near future, but finding the planes is the problem.

A PBY Catalina spotted the BB Haruna 127 miles NE of Norfolk Island, moving to the SW. The PBY squadron was then evacuated to Auckland and the AV Wright is sailing for there too. A lone PBY has been left behind with it's crew busily making repairs in the hope of being able to take off before the Japanese appear.

PGs were spotted by a Jake and have changed course to the NE in hopes of confusing the enemy.

If the KB attacks Noumea a warm welcome will be provided by the fighters based there, but offensive punch is lacking. What has Allied commanders wondering is why the Japanese have moved off to the SE and another force moved to the NW.

Ed's bombardment force was spotted and reported by a shadowing Glen. He was ordered to standby for a change in orders, but decided to sail towards Tarawa today. His logic is that an invasion scheduled to hit Tarawa in 3 days needs him to be lending his big guns to the effort and to the men riding the desks, hell with 'em.

The first Corsairs are due to arrive in Marine squadrons in less than 2 weeks time. Once they are at full strength they will be rushed into action.

The Australians will be throwing another infantry division into the fray soon and with this added combat power it is hoped that the US can pull an Army division out of Australia to be based in the New Hebrides, thus relieving the 1st Marine Division for offensive plans.

The British will be fielding two more infantry divisions in India shortly and it is hoped that a move can be made to solidify India's defenses while an eye is cast towards offensive operations in the future.

As more patrol squadrons become available and the hoped for push into the Japanese held territory becomes a reality it should become harder to the Japanese to throw surprises at the Allies.

Slim and Orsini laze around talking about everything and nothing at all. Having little to do for extended periods of time is boring as all heel.

A neighbor dropped by today and handed Sandy another three letters from Bill. Mail delivery around this area is informal at best, but it works.

“You heard what? The Japs are heading this way? The USN isn't even around to protect us! This is just another rumor, right?” The crew in the mess aboard the Palawan are duly alarmed and wondering what will happen if this is true. “Why don't they let all of the ships here in port make a run for it?”

Red sits and listens as the men excitedly discuss their possibilities. Finally he says, “I already had a ship blasted out from under me at sea so I'd rather sit here where I can see land. Do you guys really think that this old tub would stand a ghost of a chance of running from planes, ships and subs?” He resumes eating and the mess turns quiet as the men consider what he said. Cookie wonders why kids like Red are forced to grow up so fast by the crazy world they live in.

The Red Army broke through to Leningrad today.

The first resistance by the Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto started today.

Victory Points Japanese 19056 Allied 6902

[tocaff]

January 19, 1943 The Gilberts

Intel

18384 men are based at Shikka.
Ryojun Fortress is located at Port Arthur.
23rd Division is located at Heiho.
4th AF Construction Battalion is located at Medan.
11223 men are based at Paramushiro Jima.
Kitachishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.
Camranh Bay Base Force is located at Camranh Bay.
3rd Division is located at Changsha.
21st AA Regiment is located at Changsha.
Kwantung Area Army is located at Changchun.
7 ships are based at Kitakyushu.
6th Reserve AA Regiment is located at Wonsan.
3rd Engineer Regiment is located at Lunga.
Kwantung Area Army is located at Changchun.

Recon

Catalina I takes recon photos of Rangoon 3 X SS, 1 X AK, 17 LCUS 27460/435/19
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Mandalay 50 fighters, 93 aux, 12 LCUS 27040/229/5
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Makin 4 LCUs 9870/29/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa moderate damage to both the airbase and port, 4 LCUs 29500/109/0
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Tassafaronga 4 LCUs 5920/21/0

Combat

IJN MSWs continued to sweep the mine field at Darwin

MSWs Cromarty and Romney are still sweeping mines at Trimcomalee

A small air raid on Kweiyang caused light damage and casualties.

Bettys and Nells have sighted the approaching Allied ships 110 miles from Tarawa.

Bettys and Nells spotted Allied ships near Baker Island

Vals located Allied ships at Noumea

Vals found Allied ships at 175 miles NE of Noumea

PBY Catalina sighting report: 4 Japanese ships about 46 miles S of Noumea; Speed 15 Moving SE

PBY Catalina sighting report: 6 Japanese ships 300 miles NE of Noumea, Speed 17 , Moving East

PBY Catalina sighting report: 9 Japanese ships 44 miles S of Noumea; Speed 10 Moving SE

A Jake spotted 8 Allied ships about 700 miles NE of Noumea

The CAP at Tarawa of 19 X Zero engaged 69 X F4F-4, 12 X PB4Y and 3 X PBY in the area snooping around. In the dogfight that followed 7 X Zero were destroyed and another 5 were damaged while the Americans lost 8 X F4F-4 (2 damaged) and a PB4Y was shot down while another 6 were damaged. The damage done to the runway was negligible.

8 X Zero, 48 X Val and 15 X Kate attacked the PGs about 125 miles NE of Noumea hitting 5 of them with bombs and fish. A lone Kate was damaged.
PG Warrego, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Cyclamen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Thyme, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PG Yarra, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Kiwi, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

A second wave of 4 X Zero, 14 X Val and 14 X Kate rolled in on the hapless PGs and proceeded to hammer 3 of them with bombs and torpedoes. A Kate was splashed.
PG Swan, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Genista, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PG Yarra, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

A third wave of 5 X Zero and 17 X Kate appeared and put 2 fish into the PG Kiwi.

All told 7 X PG were sunk as a result of these attacks. It is hoped that their sacrifice was not in vain and that the APs will be able to escape.

6 X Zero, 20 X Betty and 28 X Nell attacked the USN ships 100 miles NE of Tarawa. They were met by 124 X F4F-4 and were roughly dealt with by the American fighters. All of the Japanese planes were destroyed at the cost of 2 Wildcats downed and another 21 damaged. No hits were scored on the ships below by the 2 Nells that managed to release their torpedoes.

Not to much later 54 X Zero and 15 X Betty appeared and were engaged by 122 X F4F-4. The melee that followed saw 37 X Zero shot down and 11 X Betty destroyed at a cost of 39 X F4F-4 downed and 9 more damaged. 4 of the Bettys managed to release their torpedoes and the CV Wasp was hit by one of them.

Tarawa was hit again by 40 X F4F-4 and 114 X SBD who had the airfield targeted. 14 X Zero tried to fight them off and 6 were splashed and another was damaged. The USN lost 9 F4F-4 and one damaged along with 4 X SBD downed and 14 damaged. Japanese troops loses were thought to have been light, but the airbase was moderately damaged along with the runway and supply dumps.

The Japanese ships 41 miles from Noumea were attacked by 49 X F4F-4, 11 X SBD, 9 X P-40E and 6 X A-20B. 89 X Zero fought them off at a cost of 19 of them being destroyed. The Allied loses were 40 X F4F-4 destroyed, 3 X SBD downed (5 damaged), all of the P-40Es were shot down and an A-20B was splashed (3 more damaged). A single bomb hit was scored on the CVL Ryuho.

9 X Betty and 14 X Nell appeared over the fleet moving towards Tarawa without a fighter escort and were greeted by a CAP of 81 X F4F-4. 5 X Betty and 9 X Nell were destroyed at the cost of a lone Wildcat being damaged. The surviving Japanese planes hightailed it home without pressing an attack.

Later at the same location 20 X Zero and 3 X Nell came in against 81 X F4F-4. The Japanese lost 15 X Zero and a Betty while the CAP lost 5 planes and another 3 were damaged. Again no attack was made by the survivors who ran home.

An IJN sub was attacked by USN DDs who claimed a few hits, but nothing confirmed. Benham was heavily involved in the hunt and the crew, while happy to have fought off a sub, are glum because they didn't score a kill. An hour later another contact and another attack by the 4 DDs. They claimed multiple hits again, but there was nothing confirmed. Phil wonders if the Japs will run out of subs before they run out of depth charges. Tomorrow it's expected that the replenishment force will have it's outbound meeting with a fast transport TF. He wonders where they're bound for and he's concerned about all of the reports over the radio of so many air attacks, especially because they have no air cover.

Ed's battle wagons are going to hit Tarawa on the 21st and the landings are scheduled for that day too. He wonders if the Navy will be able to continue to supply air cover long enough and in effective numbers. He's seen the reports that the KB is raiding in the New Hebrides and is concerned that they could head this way.

The new CV Essex is two days out of Pearl, where she and her escorts will replenish and make for the Gilberts. Her muscle will make up for the damaged Wasp.

The Wasp is retiring to Baker Island for repairs to her flooding, which is moderate and her damage is preventing flight ops. Her systems damage is light, the fires are expected to be under control soon, but the flooding is a problem that the crew is struggling with. She is supposed to get coverage from the P-38Gs based at Baker, but the Navy doubts that the Army pilots can even find the TF. Still the Wasp is expected to survive to fight another day, if the Japanese don't find her.

The crew of the Palawan are watching the coming and going of more planes than they can count. They've heard rumors that the Japanese are invading New Caledonia and here they are stuck in Noumea's harbor waiting for who knows what to happen. They are making steam and can be underway quickly, if the order is given. The worst thing for the crew is that Red and Lucky are ashore and they don't know if he'll be able to get back aboard. This is serious because the two missing members are the crew's good luck charms.

The men of the invasion force are nervously awaiting the chance to get off of their cramped APs. Orsini is scared and Gunny talks to him and others in the platoon, telling them that they will do fine because they're Marines.

“It appears that we've lost 7 PGs in the New Hebrides and 126 planes of all types in the fighting today. Reports indicate the Wasp will need some repair time at Pearl's yard. The Japanese lost approximately 179 planes today and we did damage to a CVL near Noumea. Tomorrow will be a test of wills because our carriers are running low on fighters and the landings are scheduled for the 21st. We plan on rotating out our CVs to rebuild their squadrons so that if the IJN does appear to contest Operation Snowball we'll be ready. The CV Essex will depart Pearl Harbor for the action on the 21st, if all goes well. All in all we're in good shape and the Japanese now know that they're in a fight.” With that Frank Knox places his reports down and glances at the tired looking FDR.

Roosevelt then says, “It's about time we started to punish those fanatics and we won't stop until they are soundly beaten, crushed.”

The British 8th Army took Homs and Tarhuna near Tripoli.

Victory Points Japanese 19192 Allied 7088

[tocaff]

January 20, 1943 The Noumea Area

Intel

2nd Air Division is located at Harbin.
1st Coastal Gun Regiment is located at Lunga.
Kure 7th SNLF is located at Lunga.
3rd Air Army is located at Singapore.
Yura Fortress is located at Takamatsu.
Kure Base Force is located at Hiroshima/Kure.
15th Mortar Battalion is located at Rabaul.
23rd Tank Regiment is located at Chiamussu.
34th Construction Battalion is located at Tsitsihar.
56th Division is located at Lunga.
211668 men are based at Masan.
11187 men are based at Paramushiro Jima.

Recon

Rangoon 2 X PT, 3 X SS, 1 X AK, 18 LCUs 27960/436/14
Taung Gyi nothing detected
Makin 5 LCUs 11120/33/0
Tarawa Heavy damage airfield, moderate damage port, 4 LCUs 29520/112/0

Combat

The MSW Cromarty continued sweeping mines at Trimcomalee

As the SS S-47 was closing in on the BB Musashi DDs pounced, driving her away but doing no damage.

Dinahs were over Kweiyang taking recon photos as usual and then it was attacked yet again, but loses were light. The Helens came in unescorted and it is hoped that when fighters are slipped into the base this will be the case then too. Later Nicks and Helens came in administering moderate damage.

62 X Zero tried to fight off an attack on the TF 210 miles S of Noumea. The Allies threw 33 X F4F-4, 6 X SBD, 18 X A-20B and 6 X P-40E into the attack. Loses were high on both sides as 11 X Zero were killed and another one was damaged while Allied loses were 15 X F4F-4 downed (3 damaged), 3 X SBD shot down, 7 X A-20B destroyed (4 damaged) and 2 P-40E splashed (1 damaged). A single bomb hit on the CVL Shoho was reported. A little while later 8 X A-20B came in unescorted and 51 X Zero were there to greet them. 3 X Zero were damaged and 7 of the bombers were destroyed. The lone survivor bombed and missed the BB Musashi. An hour later 11 X B-17E and 27 X B-24D appeared over the Japanese fleet, fighting their way through 51 X Zero. 3 X Zero were destroyed (7 damaged) while a B-17E went down (2 damaged) and a B-24D was destroyed (9 damaged). They managed a hit on the Musashi.

12 X F4F-4 and 84 X SBD hit Tarawa destroying 2 X Nell, 6 X Betty and 2 X Zero on the ground while doing moderate damage to the base. A SBD was downed and 24 were damaged.

In the afternoon the Japanese TF that was attacked in the morning off Noumea was attacked again by 21 X F4F-4, 5 X P-40E and 3 X A-20B. The Japanese CAP of 39 X Zero immediately pounced on them at a cost of 2 X Zero destroyed and another damaged while they knocked down 11 X F4F-4, 3 X P-40E and an A-20B. Bombs intended for the CV Hiyo all missed. Minutes later another 5 X A-20B roared in and the 37 X Zero on station went to work killing 2 and damaging another while one of the CAP was damaged. No hits were made. Twelve minutes later 36 X B-24D came knocking and the 37 X Zero attacked them losing a plane and having 4 more damaged while 3 X B-24D went down and 13 were damaged. They big bombers scored 2 hits on the Yamato.

A Nell attacked S-42 58 miles from Darwin. Luckily the plane was spotted allowing enough time to dive and evade.

Ed's TF will pound Tarawa tomorrow as the assault troops land.

The USN controls the skies around Tarawa so all looks good.

The APs running from the KB look like they may have evaded it. Tomorrow will tell.

Orsini has never been so wound up in his young life. He's scared, but even more afraid that he won't be able to do his job tomorrow. The others in his squad secretly hold the same fears.

Operation Grinder troops are rapidly refitting and it is hoped that they will be able to hold the line and tie down the Japanese troops while Snowball takes the Gilberts.

Wasp continues unmolested to Baker Island. The P-38s did indeed fly cover for her today. Tomorrow the Marines will take over the LRCAP duties as she closes on the port. The fires are almost extinguished and the flooding has been reduced a little. One of the damage control party members working on the flooding commented that, “Its tough trying to pump out the ship while the hull is ruptured and the fire control parties are using tons of water on the fires.”

Much to everyone's surprise no mines have been located at Tarawa by the DMS TF that has been searching the area for a day now.

More letters today for Sandy and she sits down to read them when Dave appears with a huge grin on his face. “I made a deal with old man Dennison that I'd fix his transmission for his monthly ration of coffee, for as long as this damned war lasts. He doesn't like coffee so now we're set for the duration.” Dave is very pleased with this deal that insures his supply of coffee and Sandy just shakes her head and resumes reading.

“The planes you've been using for training purposes have been grounded for overhauls. None of you hotshots will be flying for a few days so we can all do PT together now.” A collective groan erupts from the pilots of VMF-222 and their skipper just smiles.

“Business has been great,” says Pete to Milt and Jac, “I can't believe that everything seems to be falling into place so well for us.”

Pete's in-laws are happy for the young couple and Milt suggests having a pint in celebration. Jac laughs and says, “There you go drinking up all of the profits.” The four of them share a laugh as Sylvia gives Pete's arm a squeeze and a peck on the cheek.

Soviet progress in the Caucasus continues.

Victory Points Japanese 19259 Allied 7140

[tocaff]

January 21, 1943 Tarawa

Intel

15th AA Regiment is located at Nagoya.
15th Mixed Brigade is located at Changsha.
21st Air Flotilla is located at Singapore.
Hensui Construction Battalion is located at Sasebo.
42nd Road Construction Battalion is located at Gili Gili.
122nd IJN Base Force is located at Nagasaki.
11152 men are based at Paramushiro Jima.
31st AA Regiment is located at Sapporo.
13th AA Regiment is located at Maizuru.
25th AA Regiment is located at Nagato.
Radio transmissions detected at Niigata.
Burma Area Army is located at Rangoon.

Recon

Catalina I takes recon photos of Rangoon 3 X SS, 1 X AK, 19 LCUS 38480/488/15
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Taung Gyi vacant
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Makin 5 LCUS 9800/34/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa heavy damage to airfield, moderate damage to port, 4 LCUs 30280/120/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 3 X DE, 6 X AK, 25 LCUs

Combat

A Kate attacked the SS Triton, but the sub escaped unscathed.

Dinahs took their daily recon photos of Kweiyang and not much later the air strikes came in. The first wave caused moderate damage and the second inflicted light damage.

MSW Romney continued sweeping the mine field at Trimcomalee

RAAN DDs attacked a sub 70 miles from Brisbane. No hits were reported.

The Coastal Guns at Tarawa fired at TF 1010 as it commenced to unload the assault troops.

DD Balch, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Van Neck, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
DD Lansdowne, Shell hits 6, on fire
AP Van Diemen, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Whippoorwill, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Speelman, Shell hits 1
AP Siberg, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Le Maire
MSW Swallow, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Camphuys, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
DD Downes, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meigs, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
DD McCalla, Shell hits 17, on fire
AP Bloemfontrin
CA Houston, Shell hits 11
AP President Polk
AP U.S. Grant, Shell hits 1
AP Heywood, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP President Garfield, Shell hits 1

Allied losses were very heavy.

The Coastal Guns at Tarawa continued firing at TF 1010

CA Houston, Shell hits 44, on fire
AP Van Neck, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AP Van Cloon, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP Speelman, Shell hits 2
AP St. Mihel, Shell hits 4, on fire
AP Westralia, Shell hits 1
AP U.S. Grant, Shell hits 5, on fire
AP Crescent City, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Fuller, Shell hits 3

Again the Allied forces took terrible losses. A DD and 3 X AP were sunk today. The good news was that the APs were empty.

The assault wave at Tarawa hit the beaches and loses were very heavy. Japanese defenders also had heavy casualties despite being deeply dug in.

12 X F4F-4 and 109 X SBD attacked Tarawa causing moderate damage and destroying a lone Betty on the ground. 2 of the dive bombers were lost while another 22 were damaged.

The Japanese bombarded the Allied troops that have come ashore at Tarawa. Allied loses were very light.

The IJN TF 135 miles from Noumea was attacked by 6 hapless B-24Ds, all of which were downed by the 110 X Zero on CAP. Ten of the Zeros sustained damage.

34 X F4F-4 and 7 X P-40E on CAP over Noumea and engaged 11 X Zero who came by. All of the Japanese planes were destroyed in return for a lone Wildcat was damaged.

IJN DDs encountered a mine field at Normanby Island

The SS Porpoise attacked Japanese shipping near Deboyne Island, but failed to achieve positive results. She slipped away unharmed as the escort was never able to find her.

Bill watches the large numbers of ships leaving Pearl Harbor bound for a place that his old wall map in the Pentagon probably had a pin in. O'Bannon is rapidly nearing completion of repairs and a trip to a US port looks more remote with each passing day. Yesterday he caught a glimpse of the CV Essex as she glided out of Pearl and he marveled at how huge she was. With this kind of power he wonders how the US can do anything but win the war.

Gunny's platoon boards landing craft by climbing down the cargo nets as they have drilled countless times. The small craft moves away from the transport and begins to circle with other boats as they gather into the assault formations. Once this has been done they head in towards the beaches of Tarawa. The planes roar overhead, but the big BBs strangely remain silent. There seems to be no opposition from the island. As they get closer all hell breaks loose. Japanese gunners are pounding the landing craft and the amphibious TF that they have just left. Orsini never imagined that he could be so scared as he is now. Gunny is moving among the men and quietly talking to them in an effort to calm them.

“Orsini,” he says, “You scared?” Orsini nods to the affirmative. “Good,” says Gunny over the growing din of explosions, “Me too. You'll do fine today, after all you're a Marine.” He pats Orsini on the back and moves along inside the boat talking and inspecting.

The small boat continues to bounce along towards the growing hell that is Tarawa. Suddenly a crewman yells for the Marines to stand by. A little later Orsini is climbing over the side and falling into the water. Another Marine helps him to regain his balance and they head towards the beach. Machine guns seem to be chattering from everywhere and suddenly a roar comes from behind as a ship explodes. There seem to be explosions everywhere and amid the chaos the man next to Orsini goes down. Joe grabs the man to help him reach the shore and begins to drag him along. As he reaches the beach Gunny magically appears and tells him, “Leave him, he's dead.” Joe drops the body and scrambles forward looking for some cover. No amount of training can ever prepare a man for this and his being scared has escalated to that of sheer terror. The call to move forward is given and the Marines surge forward, as they've been trained to do. Orders are followed without thinking and the men begin to drop all around Joe as the Japanese gunners sweep their killing field. The noise level is unbelievable and Joe can barely hear the man next to him screaming in pain as an explosion tears at his body. The beach is littered with broken bodies and destroyed landing craft. The Marines rise up again to surge forward only to be shredded for the few yards gained. If there is a hell then this surely is it.

Two Infantry Divisions and and Engineer Regiment are pinned on the beaches. Hard lessons are being learned from this bloody operation called Snowball. The Japanese fight to the last bullet and will die before giving up. Advances are measured in yards and the casualties are a horror.

The 25th USA Infantry Division is loaded and will depart Canton Island tomorrow. It is hoped that it will arrive in time to save Operation Snowball. In the meantime the troops earmarked for Makin Island rest.

Fighter loses among the CVs have reached alarming levels and 2 CVs will return to Baker Island to refill their squadrons before returning to station. It is hoped that a rotation can keep the force strength up to acceptable levels. The replenishment CVE was drained on the first day of action and she is returning with additional planes from Baker.

FDR reads the brief and looks at the military men in his office and asks, “Is Snowball in as much trouble as I think or are these the kind of losses that we can expect in amphibious operations?”

The answer is a subdued, “Mr. President we're learning as we go in this war and the Japanese are tough. Yes, heavy losses on defended beaches are to be expected. No Snowball will succeed.”

Note

For some unexplained reason my bombardment TF reverted, on it's own, to a surface combat mission for 2 consecutive days and now won't take the bombardment order at all. The ships have a full load of ammo, plenty of fuel and an aggressive commander of high quality.

[rtrapasso]

For some unexplained reason my bombardment TF reverted, on it's own, to a surface combat mission for 2 consecutive days and now won't take the bombardment order at all. The ships have a full load of ammo, plenty of fuel and an aggressive commander of high quality.

Other people have run into the same problem... i have not seen this (yet) in my own game, but i SUSPECT it might be the perrenial
"sticky slot" problem that WITP has. For some reason, reusing TF numbers can cause problems with mission assignments, most noticeable in the sub transport missions in the beginning of the game (after a while, you just can't get them to work).

You might try forming a new TF, then transferring all the ships into the new TF.

Since WITP tends to reuse the same TF numbers, sometimes you have to do this several times to try to get a (relatively) previously unused TF number

You can do various tricks, like assigning one ship to a different "sticky" TF slot, then forming another TF, putting a single ship in as a placeholder, forming another TF, repeat - until you get a new (previously unusued) number. After you finally have a new TF number, transfer all the ships from the "placeholder" slots into the new TF.

After a while, this gets to be an immense pain, especially as there is no guarantee that it works on any one occasion. [8|] [:(]

[Capt. Harlock]

For some unexplained reason my bombardment TF reverted, on it's own, to a surface combat mission for 2 consecutive days and now won't take the bombardment order at all. The ships have a full load of ammo, plenty of fuel and an aggressive commander of high quality.

Ouch -- that must be why the CD guns are scoring so well. Any chance of using a game editor to overcome the glitch?

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

For some unexplained reason my bombardment TF reverted, on it's own, to a surface combat mission for 2 consecutive days and now won't take the bombardment order at all. The ships have a full load of ammo, plenty of fuel and an aggressive commander of high quality.

Ouch -- that must be why the CD guns are scoring so well. Any chance of using a game editor to overcome the glitch?

AFAIK - no such thing as an in-game editor for WITP.

[rtrapasso]

One trick you can use to cut down the CD guns effectiveness: put BBs into the invasion fleet.

Now, normally, you can't do this, but you can by a trick: set the invasion fleet mission from TRANSPORT to ESCORT. Then transfer in BBs.

Then reset mission to TRANSPORT. This cuts down on the effectiveness of the CD guns dramatically.

EDIT: Of course, since you are reporting on stuff that happened some months ago, the usefulness of this advice is, well, not immediately apparent... [:(]

[tocaff]

I'm aware of some of these tricks, but I try to avoid being "gamey". A CL on the other hand...

January 22, 1943 Tarawa

Intel

North China Area Army is planning for an attack on Sian.
43239 men are based at Changchun.
104th Division is located at Changsha.
Kwantung Defense Brigade is located at Changchun.
2485 men are based at Kyoto.
21st Division is located at Wyndham.
44th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Koepang.
10th Aviation Rgt is located at Changchun.
10544 men are based at Etorofo Jima.
24th AA Regiment is located at Nagasaki.
Maizuru 2nd SNLF is located at Wake Island.
48th Division is located at Port Moresby.
Kure 6th SNLF is located at Rabaul.
31314 men are based at Mishan.
217069 men are based at Ominato.

Recon

PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Makin 5 LCUs 10180/34/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa very heavy damage to all base facilities, 4 LCUs 2980/103/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 3 X AK, 27 LCUs

Combat

Coastal Guns at Tarawa fired at the TF unloading over beach, not scoring any hits.

MSWs Cromarty and Romney were sweeping a mine field at Trimcomalee

The USN finally gets a bombardment of Tarawa in as the fast BBs roar. A Betty was destroyed and ground loses were thought to be very heavy. Base facilities on Tarawa are a shambles.

108 X Zero hit 3 X B-24D attempting to attack the IJN TF in the New Hebrides. A Zero is flamed and 2 more are damaged while all of the bombers went down.

58 miles off the coast of Koumac 34 X Zero met 29 X F4F-4, 5 X SBD, 5 X P-40E and 12 X A-20B. 6 X Zero were downed and 13 X F-4F-4 were destroyed (3 damaged), 3 X SBD were damaged, 3 X P-40E were shot down and 4 X A-20B were damaged in the attack that scored no hits.

At Tarawa the Japanese continued to bombard the attackers, who have made little if any progress off the beaches. Allied casualties were very light.

All of the assault troops are ashore, but pinned down, supplies flow to them as they attempt to rally and press the attack. Reinforcements have left Canton Island and are being rushed to Tarawa. It is hoped that an additional division will resolve the issue.

Ed's bombardment TF has seemed to have had it's problems (bug) sorted out and it is on the way to plaster the defenders at Tarawa.

The USN CVs at Baker have replenished and will sail tonight to the scene of the fight.

Operation Snowball was carefully planned and it was thought to be over staffed, but Admiral Landy's words of reinforcing the operation have proved to be prophetic. Many things have gone and are going wrong and the only saving grace so far is the huge force being used.

Of concern are Japanese AKs approaching the New Hebrides.

“Slim is a regular killer. Did you see how he chopped up those Japs who were moving on our flank?” Slim doesn't respond, he just scans his front.

Orsini replies, “He's just doing his job the way he was trained, aim knee high and let 'er rip.”

Jack says, “Yeah all is good as long as the ammo holds out. Do you think that they'll get more of it to us before it gets dark? Will we live to get off this place?”

Gunny stops at their position and smiles and asks if they're OK. “What do you need and Jack don't tell me a ticket home.” The men have a chuckle and tell Gunny that they could use more ammo as Slim has been busy.

“Red do us a favor and stay with the ship. We were worried about you and Lucky,” says a member of Palawan's crew. Some of the men nod in agreement.

“He just wants our good luck charms around while things are heating up,” chime in another man. They are all worried knowing that there are battles in the area and they feel like sitting ducks.

Pete and Sylvia are going over the receipts and smile knowing that business has been good. The two of them take pleasure in just being near the other and more than one customer has commented on they way they look at one another. “Just give them a year or two and they'll be just like the rest of us,” comments one of the men.

[rtrapasso]

I'm aware of some of these tricks, but I try to avoid being "gamey". A CL on the other hand...

Well, since the USN landed ships with landing craft, the whole model is "gamey"... i don't recall many USN AKs or APs being hit by CD guns.

The IJN didn't have much in the way of landing craft, and often resorted to running their ships up to the docks, or actually beaching them in some cases... with resultant hideous result...

[tocaff]

January 23, 1943 Tarawa

Intel

25th Air Flotilla is located at Tokyo.
43239 men are based at Changchun.
25009 men are based at Sapporo.
86942 men are based at Camranh Bay.
1st Reserve Tank Regiment is located at Kitakyushu.
3983 men are based at Osumi.
Elements of the 32nd Division are located at Swatow.
Elements of the 2nd Ind. Brigade are located at Tientsin.
Southern Area Army is located at Singapore.
2nd Area Army is located at Singapore.
252265 men are based at Kagoshima.
Radio transmissions detected at Maizuru.
10546 men are based at Etorofo Jima.
11th Ind. Brigade is located at Changsha.
7th AA Regiment is located at Sendai.

Recon

SB-2 takes recon photos of Heiho 9 LCUs 69280/783/30
R-12 takes recon photos of Tsitsihar 6 LCUs 28500/334/18
R-12 takes recon photos of Linhsi nothing spotted
SB-2 takes recon photos of Hailar 7 LCUs 26100/343/5
SB-2 takes recon photos of Chiamussu 6 LCUs 27080/278/6
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 1 X PC, 8 X AK, 29 LCUs
Catalina I takes recon photos of Rangoon 3 X SS, 2 X AK, 20 LCUs
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Myitkyina 4 LCUs 39500/414/15
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Makin 5 LCUs 10540/28/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa Airbase destroyed, Port very heavy damage, 4 LCUs 29060/100/0

Combat

The fast BB TF bombarded Tarawa again today with the Coastal Guns Firing back. The naval bombardment is thought to have done moderate damage to the Japanese facilities and moderate casualties to the troops while the DD Buchanan was hit twice and caught fire. This TF is now retiring to Baker to replenish.

The Coastal Guns at Tarawa hit an AP and a MSW during the continued unloading of the amphibious TF.

A Japanese artillery bombardment attack at Tarawa did no damage to the American troops ashore.

25 X F4F-4, 58 X SBD and 60 X TBF attacked Tarawa's defenders. A Nell was destroyed on the ground and light damage was done by the raid. 1 X SBD was downed (3 damaged) and 2 Avengers were damaged.

4 X A-20B attacked the IJN TF 29 miles away from Koumac and were greeted by 46 X Zero, 7 of which were damaged. All of the bombers went down.

Minutes later 28 X F4F-4, 5 X P-40E, 6 X SBD and 6 X A-20B attacked the same TF. The Japanese CAP lost 9 X Zero (1 damaged) and the Americans lost 17 X F4F-4, 2 X P-40E (1 damaged), 6 X SBD and 2 X A-20B were damaged. No hits were claimed on the IJN CVEs that were targeted.

Later in the afternoon the Americans returned for another try with 16 X F4F-4, 4 X P-40E and 2 X A-20B. The Japanese had a CAP of 26 X Zero aloft. 3 X Zero were shot down and 4 X F4F-4 were killed (1 damaged) and an A-20B was also damaged. No hits were scored. 2LT Gutt, of VMF-223 scored his 5th kill of the war and it dawns on him that he's now an ace. No sooner does this thought pass through his mind than 20mm shells start tearing into his Wildcat. The Zero pilot has the satisfaction of seeing the F4F-4 burst into flames and he turns away, not wanting to fly straight and level for longer than needed. Gutt is wounded, but manages to open the shredded canopy and bail out of the burning plane not a second to soon. After a short time in the water a PT boat on patrol fishes him out of the water.

2LT Gutt, F.E. of VMF-223 was credited with kill number 5 as Major Smith confirmed the kill at the debriefing. Major Smith was credited with his own 2nd kill in the action.

A Dauntless on patrol spotted and attacked an IJN sub 101 miles S of Baker Island and reported a hit.

The SS Triton was attacked by Japanese DDs off the coast of Koumac, suffering no damage.

The SS Pike attacked IJN PGs about 63 miles off of Gili Gili and managed to undergo a rough time of it herself. She scored no hits, but the PGs found her and an extended attack damaged her.

Kweiyang was attacked by unescorted Helens who did light damage.

Ed's TF is approaching Tarawa and should commence bombarding the island tomorrow.

The TF bringing the reinforcements for Tarawa is on the way, making best possible speed.

The 2nd Marines continue to crawl forwards and Gunny keeps his boys as a functional unit despite very heavy casualties. Orsini is constantly shuttling back and forth to the beach to get more .30 cal ammo for the machine gun that he crews as an ammo bearer.

“Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency; We are winning.” FDR places the paper on his desk and says, “This was sent from Tarawa by Colonel David M Shoup? Nothing else, that's it? Well at least somebody thinks we're winning there. The reinforcements are on the way and Admiral Landy's bombardment force is almost there?” FDR's staff nods to the affirmative and the meeting continues with other business.

Dave sits reading a newspaper that tells about the Marines storming the island of Tarawa. “All these places that I never heard of and suddenly they're so important young men die in bunches for them.”

The last German airfield in the Stalingrad pocket fell today.

Victory Points Japanese 19375 Allied 7217

[tocaff]

January 24, 1943 Tarawa

Intel

5th Air Division is located at Rangoon.
236273 men are based at Osaka/Kobe.
Iki Fortress is located at Ikitsuki.
22nd AA Regiment is located at Kitakyushu.
51st Road Construction Battalion is planning for an attack on Chungking.
23rd Tank Regiment is located at Chiamussu.
15th Army is located at Myitkyina.
1831 men are based at Gumma.
217076 men are based at Ominato.
10535 men are based at Etorofo Jima.
34th Division is located at Changsha.
Maizuru 4th SNLF is located at Rabaul.
150th IJN Base Force is located at Gasmata.
Elements of the 4th Ind. Brigade are located at Chengting.
3rd Reserve AA Regiment is located at Matsue.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Myitkyina 4 LCUs 44660/484/18
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 14 X AK, 3 X DE, 29 LCUs
Catalina I takes recon photos of Rangoon 1 X CL, 2 X SS, 2 X PT, 2 X AK, 20 LCUs
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Makin 5 LCUs 10520/30/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa Airbase destroyed, Port demolished, 4 LCUs 28540/82/0

Combat

The Coastal Guns at Tarawa continued firing at any shipping within range, though they scored no hits.

Ed's Naval bombardment of Tarawa finally happened and it is believed that the old BBs delivered heavy damage and casualties to the Japanese. The New Mexico and Tennessee were hit by the Japanese gunners, but damage was nothing more than rattled nerves. The TF will strike one more blow for freedom and retire to Baker Island to replenish. Ed is very happy with the performance of his ships.

32 F4F-4, 55 X SBD and 60 X TBF attacked Tarawa doing light damage and destroying a Zero on the ground. No planes were lost. A little latter another attack of 20 X F4F-4, 60 X SBD and 33 X TBF hit Tarawa doing moderate damage. No planes were lost.

A Japanese artillery attack on the Allied troops had no effect as the troops on Tarawa continue to regroup.

Japanese troops were spotted unloading over beach at Koumac and they were reported to have suffered heavy casualties.

18 X B-17E and 117 X B-24D attacked the Japanese TF near Koumac. They were greeted by 19 X Zero, of which 2 were downed and another 7 were damaged in the fight. 14 X B-24D were damaged by the fighters and flak in return for reported multiple hits on the AKs unloading the troops and supplies.

17 X Zero met 19 X F4F-4, 5 X P-40E, 4 X SBD and 5 X A-20B over the unloading invasion TF at Koumac. 9 X Zero were claimed as kills while the American attack lost 5 X F4F-4 Wildcat(3 damaged), 1 X P-40E, 2 X SBD were damaged and 3 X A-20B were also damaged. Two cruisers were reportedly hit by bombs.

Later 54 X Zero pounced on 10 X B-17E attempting to attack the IJN TF 120 miles SW of Koumac. No hits were scored and 5 of the bombers were lost while it was reported that 3 X Zero were shot down and another 4 were damaged.

2 X A-20B that got lost attempted to attack the TF off of Koumac and were slaughtered by 45 X Zero.

The Marines landed over beach at Nauru Island, taking moderate casualties and the Allied Shock attack took the base that was virtually undefended.

The SS Triton successfully stalked and attacked an IJN CV believed to be the Soryu 115 miles SW of Koumac. She fired her forward tubes and dove, altering course to evade any reprisals. No explosions were heard and her skipper believes that the attack was sabotaged by faulty torpedoes. Later in the day the Triton found herself in the midst of another IJN TF and she fired torpedoes at the CV Zuikaku 120 miles SW of Koumac. Again the log entry showed no hits and they managed to evade the Japanese screen undetected.

An American ASW attack 145 miles SW of Baker on a sub was believed to have scored hits, but nothing was confirmed.

An IJN sub attack 195 miles NE of Tarawa put 2 fish into the already damaged MSW Oriole. The Oriole sank in less that 2 minutes taking many hands with her.

The daily Dinahs were snooping around Kweiyang and later the base was attacked and it suffered moderate damage. A second strike came in a little later doing light additional damage.

A Nell attacked the SS Gato at 100 miles of of Wyndham.

A Kate attacked the SS S-47 150 miles SW of Koumac and a few hours later another Kate pounced on the boat. In the late afternoon another pair of Kates spotted and attacked within an hour of each other.

A Jake attacked the SS S-23 42 SW of Koumac and later the boat was surprised by a Val that pounced on her out of the sun. As the sun was setting a Dave suddenly appeared and attacked. The sub was left limping back to Noumea with moderate damage and flooding.

A Betty attacked the SS Halibut 12 miles W of Maloelap doing no damage to the sub.

A Kingfisher attacked a Japanese sub 20 miles W of Baker Island, driving the sub under.

The repairs to the O'Bannon near completion and Bill is acutely aware of what is going on in the Gilberts and wants to get his ship into the fight.

“So our orders to hold our positions are meant to allow us to rest and regroup? Gunny are these guys in charge of this mess aware of what is going on here?” Jack spits into the sand and just stares to their front. Slim's machine gun has gone through ammo like it's going out of style and Orsini arrives lugging 2 boxes of ammo. “That'll last a long time,” moans Jack.

“Gunny I can't keep this up,” says a profusely sweating Orsini. “I need help and we need more people here.”

“I know it's rough, but what did you guys expect, a picnic? I'll send a few guys from the other squads to get more ammo for you Slim. Orsini, take a breather and drink some water. You deserve it. Jack, get off your moaning ass and head to the beach and don't come back until you have a couple of ammo boxes. Get moving.” With that Gunny gets rid of the moaner for a little while and winks at Orsini who hasn't rested since they've landed. He heads off to visit other squads and sends men back for ammo, as he said he would.

VMF-222 is still awaiting marrying up with their new planes and Stick wonders if the rest of the war will be this bad. The men are bored and they ate PT. They all want to fly, but the USMC hasn't seen fit to do what they want. “I joined up to fly and fight and here I am doing push ups again, just like when I was a recruit,” complains Stick to nobody in particular and everybody in general.

Hitler orders no surrender at Stalingrad.

The British 8th Army moved into Tripoli today.

Victory Points Japanese 19394 Allies 7248

[tocaff]

January 25, 1943 Tarawa

Intel

18th Army is located at Port Moresby.
22nd Engineer Regiment is located at Mishan.
49th Construction Battalion is located at Hailar.
10th Special Base Force is located at Darwin.
110th IJN Base Force is located at Hangchow.
24008 men are based at Kanazawa.
5th Air Division is located at Rangoon.
4655 men are based at Wakkanai.
Elements of the 33rd Division are located at Mandalay.
24th Air Flotilla is located at Kwajalein.
Kaosing Fortress is located at Takao.
Radio transmissions detected at Prince Rupert.

Recon

Catalina I takes recon photos of Rangoon 3 X SS, 1 X AK, 2 X PT, 20 LCUs
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Mandalay 122 fighters, 156 aux, 12 LCUs 12/36160/341/10
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Makin 5 LCUs 11200/37/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Tarawa 4 LCUs 28220/31/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 X AK, 1 X AP, 30 LCUs

Combat

Ed's TF again conducted a bombardment of Tarawa and the coastal guns fired back hitting the BBs Mississippi, Idaho, California and Pennsylvania. Damage to the Japanese was moderate. Orders are given to retire to Baker Island to replenish for another go at Tarawa as soon as possible.

11 X F4F-4 and 7 PB4Y attacked Tarawa losing 1 Liberator and doing no damage.

At Tarawa 7 X Nell and 13 X Betty attacked the unloading transports. 21 X F4F-4 jumped them damaging 2 X Nell and destroying 6 X Betty (1 other was damaged). A Wildcat was damaged in the fight. 2 X AP were hit by fish, the Van Rees getting 4 of them.

33 X F4F-4, 54 X SBD and 60 X TBF attacked Tarawa doing light damage. 4 of the Dauntlesses and 4 Avengers were damaged. Twenty minutes later 20 X F4F-4, 43 X SBD and 33 X TBF attacked Tarawa. 1 SBD was destroyed and 8 others were damaged as moderate damage was done.

3 X Nell and 6 X Betty attacked the unloading ships at Tarawa. 27 X F4F-4 jumped them and 2 X Nell and 1 X Betty were downed. 2 of the Wildcats were damaged. The surviving Japanese planes fled.

The Japanese artillery continued to bombard the Americans at Tarawa, inflicting no casualties, but contributing to hearing loss and frazzled nerves among the troops.

The orders were given for the Allied troops to attack and the Japanese fought fiercely. Tarawa fell as the Japanese suffered heavy casualties and the Americans had moderate loses. Two Zeros were destroyed in the attack on the airfield.

Gunny tells his men that Army reinforcements are on the way. “Do you Marines want to go down in history as having had your butts saved by the Army?” The men have had their pride hurt at the thought and Gunny continues with, “We have been ordered to attack and I expect every Marine to do his job. We will take this island even if it means that every Jap on it needs to be killed.” Orsini checks his rifle and the boxes of machine gun ammo. He sure would like a nice cold glass of water right about now. Hours later the men are resting, having taken the airfield while the Army took the port. The Japanese defenders are not surrendering, rather they are fighting until the last bullet and then using the bayonet. Orsini wonders what makes men act this way.

USN DDs conducted an ASW attack 132 miles SW of Baker Island on an IJN sub, believed to be the I-172. Multiple hits were scored and an oil slick was spotted from the air by a PBY. Shortly afterward debris and bodies floated to the surface, a confirmed kill.

Some Sonias and Tojos attacked Nanning and were challenged by 12 X IL-4c. In the fight a Sonia was downed while a Tojo was damaged. The Chinese lost 2 planes and another 4 were damaged. Only one bomb did any kind of damage.

Kweiyang was attacked by 26 X Sally and a lone Dinah was along for the view. Much to their surprise 17 X I-16c were on hand to greet them and 6 X Sally were shot down while another 4 were damaged at the cost of 1 X I-16c destroyed and 3 damaged. The base had light damage. Later 30 X Nick attacked Kweiyang and 17 X I-16c pounced on them, destroying a Nick and damaging 5 others at no cost to the Chinese planes. Damage to the base was very light.

Japanese troops continued unloading over beach at Koumac, suffering heavy casualties.

An attack on the IJN TF 20 miles SW of Koumac by 3 X B-17E and 23 X B-24D was opposed by 7 X Zero. A Zero was splashed and 2 others were damaged as a Fortress and a Liberator were damaged. 2 X AK were reportedly hit by bombs and were left burning.

Another attack on the TF by 9 X B-24D was opposed by 7 X Zero. No planes were damaged as the Japanese fighters didn't press their attacks. A CL was believed to have been damaged and was burning.

The Japanese ashore at Koumac attacked in force and captured the base forcing the Marine Raider Bn there to retreat towards La Foa. Japanese loses were thought to have been moderate while the Marines loses were light.

PBYs attacked a sub near Noumea and later spotted an oil slick.

Palawan's crew are scared as they've heard rumors that the Japanese are on the island and they have no sailing orders. “Where is the Navy?” asked one of the men. Red silently prays that they continue to sit in the port rather than get caught out in the ocean. He's scared of getting sunk and going into the water again.

The USN TFs supporting the Tarawa phase of Snowball will now retire to Suva to replenish and then move to the New Hebrides.

The Army division already at sea that was approaching Tarawa has been ordered to make for Noumea. If the Japanese want to fight for the island they'll get one.

Snowball will continue with the scheduled attack on Makin Island as soon a Tarawa's airfield is operational and the APs load the troops now at Canton Island. LBA will support the landings as the USN looks to engage the IJN.

Sandy got another letter from Bill today and in it he tells her of the loneliness of command and how he tries not to second guess himself. She wonders what happened that makes him write of such things. Censorship prevents Bill from saying what she wants to know and she knows better than to ask.

Pete is reading the newspaper and notes that things seem to have stabilized since the thrashing that the Japanese administered to the Allied troops. This war is going to run longer than people thought as the Japanese are tough customers. Things seem to be changing for the better against the Germans though as the Russians seem to have stopped the Germans and North Africa looks to be virtually won. He puts the paper down and engages in some conversation with some men drinking beer.

FDR's and Churchill's meeting ended with the demand for the unconditional surrender of Germany and Italy.

Victory Points Japanese 19397 Allied 7323