The Battle Under: The Allies Fight Back

[tocaff]

I have also noticed the strange fluctuations in the VPs. I do have plans that will cause a large swing in my favor if all goes well.

The game continues to run approximately 3 months ahead of this tale.

March 16, 1943 Noumea

Intel

Chichijima Fortress is located at Niigata.
Maizuru 2nd SNLF is located at Wake Island.
27th Engineer Regiment is located at Mutanchiang.
Yongfung Bay Fortress is located at Wonsan.
40th Division is planning for an attack on Sian.
42nd Naval Guard Unit is located at Port Moresby.
23rd Army is planning for an attack on Chungking.
31st Division is located at Shanghai.
17th Aviation Rgt is located at Ichang.
24th AA Regiment is located at Nagasaki.

Recon

Pe-2R takes recon photos of Tsitsihar 6 LCUs 26660/306/14
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 10 LCUs 24160/330/176
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Myitkyina 6 LCUs 48000/511/11
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Wake Island 6 LCUs 8260/38/0

Combat

An IJN PC located mines at Palembang.

Allied ground forces attacked the Japanese troops near Koumac and took a little more ground while inflicting light loses and suffering very light casualties of their own. Allied commanders are wondering what it takes to eliminate the stubborn Japanese resistance.

The expected response against Chungking happened today as 78 X Helen, 17 X Jack, 33 X Tojo, 12 X Tony and 5 X Dinah came calling. 21 Chinese pilots bravely challenged the Japanese in their I-16c aircraft. The battle was a brutal affair and the outcome was 14 X Helen damaged, a Jack downed, 3 X Tojo destroyed with another damaged, a Tony was shot down and another was damaged while a Dinah was also shot up. The Chinese lost 17 X I-16c and 6 X B-25J destroyed on the ground while the base suffered moderate damage and ground troops sustained light casualties. The Nationalist Chinese are now screaming for better fighters with which to protect themselves.

Kweiyang was hit again from the air and sustained light damage and no casualties. Reports claim that a couple of Helens were damaged by ground fire.

Benham's charges near the first of their destinations where supplies will be delivered, Upolu and Pago Pago. A tranquil night was spent and the day brought no unwanted surprises. Phil is well rested and his paper work is up to date. He's managed to find time to work on fitness reports for the ship's officers and decides to take a tour of the ship. The crew members greet him as he enters their areas. Phil has managed to be a well liked exec of the Benham. He's been firm, but fair, consistent and even handed. The thing the men most like about him is that he brings them home safely. Convoy duty is a truly dull assignment and yet with so many helpless ships relying on their escorts he'd have it no other way.

Red has been cornered by a new crew member who insists that he be told the tale of the Capillo's sole survivor. Red doesn't like thinking of the sinking, let alone talking about it, but the man is persistent. With a sigh Red tells him that they were fleeing the Japanese and hadn't gotten far from Manila when the ship was torpedoed. “Before I knew what had happened I was in the water. Luckily for me the Tarpon, a USN sub, spotted and picked me up and here I am.” The man expected more, but that's it as Red calls Lucky and says, “See ya later,” as he leaves to take the dog for a walk.

The 1st Marines are getting much needed rest, hot meals, new weapons and new uniforms. The old ones were rotting right off of the troops as the jungle is proving to be as deadly an adversary as the Japanese or even worse.

Convoy HX-229 was attacked by a wolf pack. Over the next 3 days it will lose 12 ships.

Convoy SC-122 was attacked by U-boats and over the next 4 days it will lose 11 ships while sinking 1 U-boat.

Victory Points Japanese 20037 Allied 8476

[tocaff]

March 17, 1943 San Francisco

Intel

17th Army is located at Tulagi.
5905 men are based at Niigata.
Peng Hu Fortress is located at Pescadores.
5th Engineer Regiment is located at Changkufeng.
38th Road Construction Battalion is located at Singapore.
16th AA Regiment is located at Koepang.
Radio transmissions detected at Bangkok.
4th Aviation Rgt is located at Nanning.
8th Aviation Rgt is located at Chiamussu.
1844 men are based at Naha.
57th Construction Battalion is located at Maizuru.
4th Reserve AA Regiment is located at Kagoshima.
42nd AA Regiment is located at Seoul.
5142 men are based at Wonsan.

Recon

PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Wake Island

Combat

The 65th Brigade was attacked by planes and sustained moderate loses. All of the Allied craft left unharmed. At the same time the 25th Division's artillery shelled the Japanese troops near Koumac inflicting what were believed to have been moderate casualties.

The Japanese conducted a bombardment attack on Sian inflicting moderate loses on the Chinese defenders.

The SS Pike attacked and hit a PC with 2 torpedoes 43 miles off of Gili Gili, immediately sinking the small vessel. The other escorts dropped depth charges on the Pike doing light systems damage and a few sprung valves were leaking. The sub will continue on her mission of mining the approaches to Gili Gili.

IJN MSWs were busy sweeping a mine field at Palembang.

With pressure being exerted on Sian the Chinese began shifting troops. The cities of Kungchang, Lanchow and Sining are watching a large Japanese force advance their way. The Chinese commanders never expected to put up more than a token fight for these cities and now it appears that they will be lost in the very near future. Sian, on the other hand will be reinforced and is expected to hold.

Phil expects his convoy to begin delivery of supplies in two days at Pago-Pago and Upolu before moving on to other ports of call. There have been a few problems with the AKs keeping station, but other than that it's been an uneventful cruise. He spots another DD appearing on the horizon as it sprints back into position after chasing down a false contact. Phil wonders how Bill is doing and if he's in line for a command of his own soon.

San Francisco's harbor is choked with ships preparing to depart with the tools of war. Warships begin to appear and the men of VMF-222 start a pool as to where they'll end up. Slim takes Lunganville and says it'll be a long time before they get to stretch their legs again.

Pete is having a cup of tea when the mystery man from Allied Intel appears and asks if they can talk. The two men discuss the war and the need for information and finally Pete is asked if he'd be willing to accept an assignment that would take him away from home for an “extended period of time.”

“What the hell does extended mean?” asks Pete.

“If I knew I'd tell you, but I don't and I won't lie to you about it,” says the man. “The only thing I can suggest is that you come with me tomorrow to HQs and we'll try to learn more about this together. Deal?”

Pete says OK and they leave it at that and start to discuss the impending baseball season and the various teams chances minus so many of their better know players, who are in the military now. Pete tells himself that Sylvia isn't going to like this at all and he decides not to tell her anything until he knows what's going on.

Victory Points Japanese 20119 Allied 8511

[tocaff]

March 18, 1943 Brisbane

Intel

Burma Area Army is located at Rangoon.
17th Army is located at Tulagi.
4th Division is loaded on AP,Kuraido Maru moving to Soerabaja.
2nd Mixed Regiment is located at Hangchow.
Radio transmissions detected at Buin.
Ryojun Fortress is located at Port Arthur.
8039 men are based at Bonin.
3073 men are based at Kitakyushu.
1848 men are based at Tinian.
51st Division is located at Wuchow.
248732 men are based at Sasebo.
Radio transmissions detected at San Francisco.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Myitkyina 6 LCUs 50460/496/16
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Wake Island 3 X CA, 6 LCUs 7820/29/0

Combat

The SS Steelhead attacked and hit a TK with a torpedo 193 miles SW of Dadjangas despite the escort of 4 X DD. The sub silently glided away without being detected, leaving the TK burning. The Steelhead tried, but failed hours later to finish off the TK.

The SS Hake attacked and torpedoed a TK 247 miles SW Takao. The sub escaped without detection. Hake shadowed the TK while she reloaded and slipped into a favorable attack position. A surface attack yielded 2 torpedo hits and 3 shell hits on the TK which had been abandoned by the escorts.

Kweiyang was subjected to an air raid today that inflicted moderate damage and light casualties. A Nick was damaged as was a Helen with another one going down in flames.

Chungking was raided again by Japanese planes which did no damage. A Jack was downed and a Dinah damaged at the cost of a I-16c destroyed.

36 X Helen appeared over Kungchang and did light damage to the base. Six of the bombers were reportedly damaged.

49 X Liberator VI, 47 X B-24D and 21 X P-38D hit Pagan's resource center for moderate damage. The CAP of 14 X Tony bravely tried to defend against the attack and lost 10 planes for their efforts while no Allied aircraft were damaged in the attack.

SS Trigger attacked a couple of AKs 41 miles from Osaka, but failed to score a hit.

The 65th Brigade was attacked by 16 X SBD, 36 X A-20G, 40 X B-17E, 79 X F4F-4 and 6 X P-40E. Casualties were thought to have been heavy and all of the planes departed safely.

The Japanese shelling of Sian continued today causing light casualties. The Chinese high command doesn't believe that the Japanese forces at Sian are strong enough to do anything other than occupy the defender's attentions.

Milt is taking care of the pub while Pete is silently sitting and listening to why his navigation skills are needed. Finally the man finishes and Pete just shakes his head and says, “You mean to tell me that I'm the only navigator that you can find? I know there are plenty of good ones out there and that my skills are nothing special.”

“Quite the contrary,” the man behind the desk replies, “You come very highly spoken of. Will you do it?”

“I'll think about it and once I've decided I'll speak with my wife,” says Pete.

“No, you must not speak to anyone about this. We'll give you a story that will cover you being away,” the man replies.

“Half way through a month and the coffee supply is dwindling to fast again,” moans Dave as they eat breakfast. Sandy is heading into town today as one of her friends parents will be giving her a ride. She hopes to pick up some letters from Bill and a few other items that they need.

“Dad I'll start drinking tea if it'll make you happy,” she says to Dave. He smiles at her and shakes his head.

The convoy nears the first of it's destinations and the activity level among the escorts increases as it's believed that IJN subs lurk near the bases, not the open ocean. Phil has completed some paper work and is relaxing after a long day.

The word has been passed that they will depart on the 20th. The men of VMF-222 are already antsy and the ship won't even depart for another 2 days. A few complain as to why they were boarded so long before departure and one of the crew gives them their answer, “Security, the powers that be don't trust your big mouths.”

Victory Points Japanese 20119 Allied 8511

[tocaff]

March 19, 1943 Washington DC

Intel

Soya Fortress is located at Wakkanai.
11th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Osaka/Kobe.
Palau Base Force is located at Palau.
South Seas Det. is planning for an attack on Townsville.
11675 men are based at Paramushiro Jima.
Shimonoseki Fortress is located at Nagato.
38th Road Construction Battalion is located at Singapore.
252580 men are based at Maizuru.
41st Naval Guard Unit is located at Port Moresby.
151st IJNAF Base Force is located at Tokyo.
121st IJA Base Force is located at Lashio.
15th Army is located at Myitkyina.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Mandalay 45 fighters, 48 aux, 12 LCUs 27660/284/2
PB2Y Coronado takes recon photos of Wake Island 6 LCUs 10400/54/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Gili Gili 8 LCUs 14920/124/0

Combat

IJN PGs encountered a mine field at Fergusson Island

Another day, another attack on Kweiyang that caused very light damage and no casualties. A Dinah was thought to have been damaged.

An air attack on Chungking by 15 X Jack, 9 X Tony and a Dinah was met by 6 X I-16c. The Dinah was damaged and 3 X I-16c were also damaged.

Wyndham was hit by 60 X P-38G and 15 X B-24D and they were met by 6 X Zero, 20 X Tojo and 30 X Tony. It was reported that a Zero was observed to have gone down, 9 X Tojo were destroyed and 10 X Tony were shot down with another one damaged. 16 X P-38G were lost and 5 others damaged and 2 B-24D were downed while 11 others were damaged. The base sustained light damage.

The 65th Brigade was hit by 75 X F4F-4, 14 X SBD, 18 X P-40E, 36 X A-20G and 40 X B-17E who collectively inflicted heavy loses on the Japanese while sustaining no damage to any of the planes. The American infantry launched yet another attack on the Japanese who had moderate loses to none for the men of the 25th . Still the Japanese manage to cling to the ever shrinking amount of real estate that they control despite the overwhelming odds and starvation.

Japanese fighters lazily circled over Kungchang and departed after a while of not being challenged.

Stick and a couple of the others have decided that to make the time go and to stay in reasonable shape they will jog around the deck of the ship as long as it's allowed. They work up a sweat and as they go they look out at the assembled convoy that is scheduled to depart soon. One of the says, “With all of this how can we lose the war?”

The more Pete thinks about the job as a navigator the more he becomes afraid of telling Sylvia about it. That evening she asks him what's bothering him and when he says nothing she doesn't accept that. She told him that it's obvious that there's something on his mind and she wants to know. He finally relents and says, “I have been requested to join an intelligence gathering group as a navigator. I don't know what to do or say to you or them. On the one hand I don't feel that I want to be apart from you while on the other I have a need to fight the Japanese. I can't just sit and watch others fighting for us and besides I owe them for this.” He points to his missing arm and slumps down in his chair. “I love you more than anything or anyone, but I need to do this. If I don't do this I don't know if I'll be able to live with myself in the future. In spite of all of this I will not do it if you say no.” With that he sits and silently stares at Sylvia.

“In that case I guess that I'll just have to be like so many other wives who have husbands fighting in this war.” Tears well up in her eyes and she sits on his lap and hold him tightly. She hates herself for what she's done, but knows that there could be no other answer. “I love you too,” she says.

In a strongly worded note Stalin has expressed his dismay at the Japanese advance on Communist Chinese held areas. A military response and basing rights for the Americans have been mentioned to Tokyo as possible responses to this aggression on Moscow's friend, Mao.

FDR was notified by the Soviets of their communication with Tokyo regards the new Japanese offensive in China. Washington views this as another small step in getting the Russians involved against Japan. “At the very least let's get those basing rights and put some heavy bombers in there and paste the Japanese on their home turf,” says an Army Air Corps general.

The British 8th Army attacked the Mareth line today.

Victory Points Japanese 20157 Allied 8553

[tocaff]

March 20, 1943 Brisbane

Intel

1836 men are based at Hakodate.
2nd AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
56th Division is located at Lunga.
14th Naval Construction Battalion is located at Osaka/Kobe.
154th IJA Base Force is located at Tokyo.
4th Reserve AA Regiment is located at Kagoshima.
Elements of the 17th Mixed Brigade are located at Shanghai.
Elements of the 17th Mixed Brigade are located at Soochow.
Truk AA Battalion is located at Truk.
15th Tank Regiment is planning for an attack on Sian.
61st Division is located at Tokyo.
121st IJA Base Force is located at Lashio.
4794 men are based at Songkhia.
11th Ind. Brigade is located at Changsha.

Recon

Pe-2 takes recon photos of Heiho 9 LCUs 69260/853/28
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Chiamussu 6 LCUs 26320/249/11
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 10 LCUs 25740/344/155
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Hailar 7 LCUs 41940/321/7
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Fushan 1 LCU 2040/9/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Changchun 71 fighters, 40 bombers, 79 aux, 9 LCUs 39620/333/423/
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Mandalay 12 LCUs 38920/325/9
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 X AK, 1 X DE, 28 LCUs

Combat

Chungking was hit by Japanese aircraft, but there was no opposition offered so the Japanese fighters departed. A lone Dinah was shot down.

Japanese fighters appeared over Lanchow, but they departed after a while when it was clear that there would be no Chinese aircraft foolhardy enough to engage them.

Akyab was attacked by 35 X Zero, 34 X Jack, 12 X Tojo, 13 X Tony and a lone Dinah. 14 X Spitfire met them and destroyed a Zero, 4 X Jack, a Tojo and 2 X Tony (1 other damaged) in return for 7 X Spits going down.

The artillery shells rained down on Chinese positions around Sian inflicting heavy casualties.

The Japanese forces near Koumac were hit again today and they lost more ground and had light loses while the American troops had negligible casualties.

The reply from Tokyo was swift and not to Stalin's liking. The Soviets were told to make no further demands as the Japanese will no longer bow to them. Tokyo also suggested that Stalin maintain his focus on Europe and not to meddle where he has no right. The Japanese further stated that if the Soviets wanted a war the Japanese were ready to fight. The effect is immediately felt as Stalin explodes, “Contact Washington immediately and tell them whatever basing they require we will be more than happy to assist them with. In return we still want the second front and more aircraft from them. If the Japanese want a fight we will give it to them, but not at this moment. Continue to build up our formations and prepare for a war in the east.”

A huge convoy departs San Francisco and VMF-222 is aboard a ship that is part of it. The men of the squadron are excited that they are going overseas to fight the Japanese. They are even more exited to know where they will be based as everybody wants to be the one to win the pool. They can not manage to get even a hint as to where they are going other than “Pearl Harbor.”

A smaller, yet vital convoy busily disgorges the tools of war as quickly as possible. The escorts run search patterns in the area to insure the safety of the AKs as there isn't a harbor to shelter them. Phil calmly stands a watch on the bridge.

Pete sits down across from the man and says, “OK, I'm in.” He gets assurances that Sylvia and their business will be taken care of in his absence. The where and when is something that he will be informed of.

The 2nd Marines continue to cool their heels waiting for the Corps to decide what to do with them. In the meantime it's R&R when not training. Gunny is pleased with the platoon and Slim is good with his mg section.

The planning is done and now all Ed needs are his sailing orders. His old gals are ready to deal with the Japanese and he wants another crack at Wake. This will be no raid and the US forces will be there to stay. The question is when will the IJN decide that it must contest an attack.

Plans are being finalized in the Pentagon for troops to move to their first base that the Soviets have Oked for the USA to use. The operation will be a 2 stage affair, but once the 2nd stage has been accomplished life for the Japanese will take on new complications.

Meanwhile in the Kremlin Stalin questions his generals about how to deal with the expected Japanese response.

Victory Points Japanese 20167 Allied 8570

[tocaff]

March 21, 1943 Mandalay

Intel

1st Parachute Regiment is located at Darwin.
Radio transmissions detected at Port Moresby.
Elements of the 26th Division are located at Chengting.
2nd Air Fleet is located at Tokyo.
3077 men are based at Kitakyushu.
4315 men are based at Pusan.
8th Aviation Rgt is located at Chiamussu.
21st Division is located at Wyndham.
6th Coastal Gun Regiment is located at Kwajalein.
Radio transmissions detected at Naha.
13th Army is located at Changsha.
18th Reserve Coastal Artillery Regiment is located at Toyama.

Recon

Pe-2R takes recon photos of Tabun-Nur 1 LCU 1040/17/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Arshaan 2 LCUs 5900/75/0
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Mandalay 85 fighters, 84 aux, 12 LCUs 42300/345/16
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 23 LCUs
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Gili Gili 8 LCUs 1880/11/0
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 X AK, 1 X DE, 28 LCUs

Combat

A Japanese AK hit a mine at Goodenough Island and was seen to be burning in the predawn hours.

Kweiyang was hit by 30 X Tojo, 23 X Tony, 32 X Helen and 3 X Dinah. 2 X Helen were reported damaged and the base had light damage and casualties were also light.

Mandalay was attacked by 20 X Blenheim, 51 X Liberator, 29 X P-38G and 5 X F-5A and were pounced on by 27 X Zero, 28 X Jack, 6 X Tojo and 6 X Tony. The wild fight in the air resulted in 10 X Zero downed (4 damaged), 10 X Jack destroyed (9 damaged), 6 X Tojo shot down, a Tony damaged and a Dinah damaged on the ground while the Allies suffered 2 X Blenheim damaged, 2 X Liberator destroyed (7 damaged) and 18 X P-38G downed. The damage to the base was thought to have been moderate and ground loses were moderate also.

An air raid on Akyab by 21 X Zero, 53 X Betty, 73 X Tony and 24 X Helen was opposed by 15 X Spitfire. A Zero was destroyed, 4 X Betty were damaged, 5 X Tony downed (1 damaged) and a Helen was shot down (3 more were damaged). None of the Spits returned to base and the damage inflicted was moderate with light loses to the troops.

An air attack on Tulagi by 97 X B-17E and 129 X B-24D was greeted by 18 X Zero and 24 X Jack. 2 Zero were destroyed (10 damaged) and 6 X Jack were downed (12 damaged) while the Allied loses were 21 X B-17E shot down (30 damaged) and 17 X B-24D destroyed (29 damaged). The port was lightly damaged.

The 65th Brigade was hammered by Allied planes for moderate loses with all of the planes departing safely. The Allied troops attacked and again took more territory and inflicted moderate loses on the Japanese while Allied loses were very light. Will these Japanese never fold?


At Sian the Japanese continued to lob artillery shells at the Chinese defenders and inflicted heavy loses on them.

Stick has spent the better part of the cruise at the rail. He can't ever remember being this sick. He wants to die and what's worse is that he has plenty of company. The ship's crew enjoys seeing the cocky Marines humbled like this.

Phil's charges continue on their way to yet another stop to disgorge the stuff wars are fought with. Benham prosecuted a couple of sonar contacts today, but they both were either false or they were given the slip.

Sylvia and Pete enjoy one of their walks in the park and around town together. Today there is little banter between them as they're both lost in thought. Both of them are preoccupied with the same thing and neither of them wants to talk about it.

Ed and his ship captains hold a meeting in which he tells them that whatever their vessels need get or do it now as Operation Revenge is almost upon them. The meeting then turns to the tactics that will be used in prosecuting their primary mission of flattening the defenses. They are ready to go, but the orders aren't issued yet. One of the captains grumbles, “If this is going to be the pace of the war I figure that we'll win when my grandson gets to Tokyo.” The other skippers share the laugh.

Victory Points Japanese 20253 Allied 8621

[Capt. Harlock]

Meanwhile in the Kremlin Stalin questions his generals about how to deal with the expected Japanese response.

Hmmm -- could we be about to see Soviet Activation?[X(]

[tocaff]

Two big events are rapidly approaching. It's almost time for Carnival here in Brazil. It's the world's biggest party and to say that the country shuts down for it is an understatement. The other event is that the AAR, thanks to you guys, is almost up to 20K hits. To celebrate both of these I think that you should grab your passports, get a visa and join me for a beer or two.

March 22, 1943 Moscow

Intel

2844 men are based at Matsue.
25007 men are based at Sapporo.
6899 men are based at Inch'on.
North China Area Army is located at Homan.
5175 men are based at Wonsan.
25th AA Regiment is located at Nagato.
17th Reserve Coastal Artillery Regiment is located at Niigata.
22439 men are based at Okayama.
Chinkai Base Force is located at Masan.
56th Division is located at Lunga.
3987 men are based at Osumi.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rangoon 1 X CL, 3 X SS, 55 fighters, 20 bombers, 121 aux, 14 LCUs 25380/163/51
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Gili Gili 2 X AP, 9 LCUs 12540/112/0
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 X AK, 1 X DE, 21 fighters, 30 aux, 28 LCUs
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 23 LCUs

Combat

The mine field at Fergusson Island was reportedly being swept by 4 X MSWs.

Kweiyang was attacked again and had moderate damage and light casualties. A Nick, 4 X Helen and a Dinah were supposed to have been damaged by ground fire.

Over Port Moresby 4 X Jack, 19 X Zero and 16 X Tony opposed 48 X B-17E and 64 X B-24D. 3 X Jack, 11 X Zero and 4 X Tony were destroyed while 9 more Tonys were damaged. The large bombers sustained 5 X B-17E damaged and 6 X B-24D destroyed with another 25 damaged. The base was reported to have been heavily damaged and ground troops were thought to have sustained moderated casualties.

The 8th Ind. Brigade, 47 miles N of Kungchang was attacked by 9 X SB-2c and sustained very light casualties while all of the Chinese planes departed with no damage.

The 65th Brigade was attacked from the air and had heavy loses, no Allied planes were damaged. Another Allied attack at Koumac witnessed the Japanese sustain heavy loses while the Americans had two wounded soldiers. The Japanese still stubbornly cling to their hopeless defense.

SS Snook attacked and hit an APD with a fish doing heavy damage and setting it afire 51 miles NE of Aparri. The TF's other two APDs countered and the Snook sustained damage.

About 46 miles N of Kungchang the IJA attacked the Chinese positions forcing them to retreat with heavy loses. It was reported that the Japanese sustained heavy casualties also.

At Sian the Japanese artillery bombardment continued causing moderate Chinese loses.

The Tarpon loads mines and will proceed to sow her cargo at Kiriwina Island and then she'll go to Auckland for a refit.

The convoy heads for Midway to unload returning to Pearl and Bill wonders if command makes others feel the way he does in direct proportion to the responsibility involved. I'd never want to be the president, he thinks.

Phil is lying in his bunk reading an old magazine as sleep just won't come to him. He knows that this far out the possibility of a marauding IJN force is a very real possibility.

Sandy is looking forward to the spring thaw. She's had enough of the winter and wants to resume her hikes. More than anything else though she wants to see Bill.

“Why do we just hang around here instead of doing something?” asks one of the men of the Palawan. Nobody has told them that they'll be needed for the biggest operation of the PTO soon enough.

After Tokyo's response upset Stalin another note from the Japanese made him even angrier. The Japanese citing increased tensions stated that their fighters would now be flying CAPs over their bases. “So that's the game they want to play?” sneers Stalin, “Remind them of our agreement that after their mistaken attack on us they agreed to allow our recon flights. Inform them that we have all intentions of standing by our agreements and that the shooting down of an unarmed recon plane would be an act of aggression that we could not ignore.”

The Germans retook Belgorod today.

Victory Points Japanese 20277 Allied 8653

[tocaff]

March 23, 1943 Sian

Intel

Tsugaru Fortress is located at Aomori.
Maizuru 4th SNLF is located at Rabaul.
125th IJA Base Force is located at Gili Gili.
211840 men are based at Masan.
Kitachishima Fortress is located at Paramushiro Jima.
42nd AA Regiment is located at Seoul.
12th Ind. Brigade is located at Changsha.
Radio transmissions detected at Mishan.
211839 men are based at Masan.
64380 men are based at Mishan.
2nd Reserve AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
187086 men are based at Saipan.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Rangoon 2 X CL, 2 X SS, 4 X PT, 151 fighters, 71 bombers, 295 aux, 15 LCUs 46720/357/259
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Gili Gili 3 X AP, 1 XDE, 9 LCUs 21660/138/0
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 X AK, ' X DE, 21 fighters, 61 aux, 28 LCUs
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 23 LCUs

Combat

The SS Snook attacked 2 X APD about 63 miles NE of Aparri and hit one of them with a torpedo that set it on fire. It didn't take long before the vessel went turtle and then slipped beneath the waves. The Snook quietly moved away unharmed and reloaded her bow torpedo tubes while continuing to stalk the undamaged APD. Finally she managed to achieve a firing solution and attacked, but to no avail. As the Snook was departing the area an ASW TF appeared and subjected her to a ferocious depth charge attack that lasted for hours. When the attack finally ended and the damage control reports came into the control room it was determined that they had sustained moderately heavy damage to the systems and the aft torpedo room was flooded and sealed off.

The SS Hake attacked a small convoy in the middle of the South China Sea and managed to hit an AK with a torpedo that caused fires to rage.

At Mandalay 16 X Blenheim, 24 X Liberator VI and 16 X B-24D appeared, but the escorts never joined them as planned. The Japanese had 26 X Zero, 32 X Jack, 4 X Tojo and 6 X Tony aloft to oppose the bombers. The Allied gunners accounted for a Zero shot down (10 damaged), 2 X Jack destroyed (15 damaged), a Tojo damaged and 3 X Tony damaged. At the cost of 13 X Blenheim destroyed, 11 X Liberator VI shot down (2 damaged) and 6 X B-24D downed (4 damaged) they managed to inflict light damage on the base and light casualties to the ground troops. Somebody's head will roll for this mess.

An air attack on Port Moresby by 39 X B-17E, 31 X B-24D and 4 X Catalina I was met by 12 X Zero, 3 X Jack, 9 X Tony. The bombers fought their way through the fighters managing to down 3 X Zero (6 damaged), 2 X Tony (5 damaged) and damaging 3 X Jack while they suffered 2 X B-17E destroyed (11 damaged), 2 X B-24D shot down (15 damaged) and a Catalina was also damaged. Damage to the base was thought to have been moderate and casualties to the troops thee were also moderate.

At Sian the IJA big guns continued to pound the Chinese causing heavy casualties. The Chinese are beginning to think that Sian might be in trouble and orders are given to troops formations in the Chungking area to prepare to move.

At Koumac another attack by the 25th Division's troops inflicted heavy loses on the Japanese, but still they stubbornly cling to a small area and continue the fight. The Americans had very light casualties.

The boys of VMF-222 are finally finding their sea legs and the brave one are eating and holding it down. Stick is scared to tempt fate and decides to wait until tomorrow. For now he's content just to lie in his bunk in this weakened condition.

Plodding along towards Suva Phil stands on the Benham's bridge wondering how Phil is doing aboard the O'Bannon. Later Phil is busily handling a problem between two of the crew that erupted into a fistfight. Both men have been put on report and have been warned that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. “Are the two of you crazy?” asks Phil, “The Japs could pop up at any time and you want to fight each other? If I see or hear of the slightest discord between the two of you between now and the end of this cruise so help me I'll make sure that you wish you'd never been born. Now get back to your duties.” Phil then speaks with their section chief and tells him exactly what he expects in the future. Benham's skipper makes a mental note that it's time for Phil to have his own command and he promises himself that he'll push for that to happen the first chance he gets.

Operation Sunshine is on again and the planners dust it off and make a few changes to it. The question is where will the shipping come from and can a fast one be pulled on the Japanese.

Victory Points Japanese 20322 Allied 8682

[tocaff]

March 24, 1943 Brisbane

Intel

2nd Air Fleet is located at Tokyo.
2841 men are based at Matsue.
2nd Parachute Regiment is located at Soerabaja.
255 ships are based at Tokyo.
23rd Mixed Brigade is located at Wyndham.
14th Construction Battalion is located at Salamaua.
6192 men are based at Taipei.
8013 men are based at Bonin.
217069 men are based at Ominato.
51st Heavy AA Battalion is located at Koepang.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Pagan 1 LCU 1020/0/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 23 LCUs

Combat

Mandalay was visited by 49 X P-38G, but no Japanese fighters were aloft to challenge them.

Akyab was hit by 30 X Zero, 32 X Jack, 5 X Tojo, 11 X Tony and a Dinah. 13 X Spitfire challenged them and the Allies lost 6 of the Spits while accounting for a downed Zero, 3 X Tojo destroyed and 2 X Tony shot down. Despite the overwhelming odds against them the pilots of the Spits acquitted themselves well.

The 65th Brigade was attacked by 46 X F4F-4, 16 X SBD, 17 X P-40E, 45 X A-20G and 31 X B-17E. The Japanese troops sustained moderate loses while the Allied planes left their favorite milk run unharmed. The Allied artillery bombardment, later in the day in the Koumac area, resulted in moderate Japanese loses.

The continuing bombardment of Sian caused moderate Chinese casualties. This is starting to look more and more like a test of wills as the Japanese continue to pound the defenders and the Chinese leadership decides to send more troops.

Dave stares at the jar that holds the remaining coffee, knowing that it'll never make it to the end of the month. “Damned war,” he mutters. Sandy heard him and nods in agreement, but she feels this way for different reasons.

“Mr. Doe hasn't been around lately? I wonder what he's up to,” says Sylvia as she works on the books. Pete sits on the other side of the desk sipping on a hot cup of tea and just shrugs his shoulders. “I'm actually in no hurry to see him return as I'm afraid he'll be taking you away from me,” she says. Pete just looks at her and gives her a smile.

The convoy carrying VMF-222 to Pearl Harbor continues unmolested on it's way. The men are dying to know where the Corps is going to send them, but the only answer they ever get is that they'll find out when the time is right.

At a briefing FDR is told that if all goes well Operation King will jump off in early July, about the same time Operation Sunshine will be in full swing.

The Allies are feeling the squeeze when it comes to APs for amphibious operations. All other types of ships are in abundance or are going to be soon.

Stalin is having misgivings about granting the Americans basing rights since the Germans have managed to turn the table on him lately. His generals assure him that the Red Army will be on the move again soon enough and the Germans will be sent reeling all the way back to Berlin. This cheers Uncle Joe up and he asks about the new plane types and if any can be spared to face the Japanese. He's convinced that when the Japanese find out what he's done there will be another front for the Soviet Army to fight on.

Victory Points Japanese 20331 Allied 8700

[tocaff]

March 25, 1943 Koumac

Intel

Southeast Fleet is located at Rabaul.
3rd AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.
31st Division is loaded on AP,Hakone Maru moving to Koepang.
16th AA Regiment is located at Koepang.
37045 men are based at Chiamussu.
1860 men are based at Tinian.
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF is located at Rabaul.
145th IJN Base Force is located at Buin.
56th Brigade is located at Andaman Island.
5th Army is located at Heiho.
498537 men are based at Hiroshima/Kure.
2nd AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Myitkyina 6 LCUs 300/376/13
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Gili Gili 1 X A, 2 X APD, 10 LCUs 24720/147/0
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 X AK, 1 X DE, 28 LCUs

Combat

An IJN PG encountered a mine field at Takamatsu.

Sian continued to undergo bombardments from the IJA and casualties were moderate.

Allied warships conducted a bombardment of the Japanese troops near Koumac inflicting what were thought to be heavy casualties. Then the USA 25th Division attacked again in the effort to mop up the remaining Japanese troops. No Allied loses were reported from the front and the Japanese had very heavy casualties inflicted upon them. Surely the “Jungle Rats” can't survive much longer without any supplies. Even the Japanese have a limit as to how far discipline and devotion to duty can carry them. Surely starving men have limits.

Benham and her TF will depart Suva and proceed to Noumea where the remaining supplies will be delivered and then they'll make the long journey back to Pearl. This mission is going better than Phil had ever hoped for. The crews of the merchantmen are getting very good with the speed they can load and unload their ships with. Phill writes this off to the men wanting to live long lives and their having discovered that lingering in one place carries certain dangers.

At lunch time today, much to Sylvia's disappointment John Doe appears. They don't speak to one another, but she eyes him warily knowing that at any time this man will be the cause of her husband going into danger. He eats his lunch and then walks over to where Pete is and tells him that there's nothing on tap yet and that he doesn't know when he'll be needed.

“Just so you hotshots understand me,” says the CO of VMF-222, “Once we reach Pearl Harbor we will either continue on to our ultimate destination on this or another ship or we will island hop our way to our new home by flying our planes in. You guys will know where when the brass decides that you need to know, not before. Dismissed.” He leaves the men and they just stand around on the deck of the ship talking. Stick has managed to gain a couple of pounds back that he lost with his protracted bout of seasickness. Now that he's feeling OK he's actually starting to like being at sea. Sunrises are really nice and the sunsets are spectacular, he thinks.

At Noumea the Palawan's crew continues to drink away their boredom. Many of them have smuggled booze onto the ship against Captain Demesa's orders. Cookie and Red have agreed to limit their business dealings to Hawaii, unless by mutual consent they discover something else. Red takes Lucky ashore and the two of them go for a walk and as usual the dog attracts attention. A young lady approaches them and asks, “Does he bite?” Red shakes his head and she asks, “Can I pet him?” Red nods and he still can't speak for some reason. He feels like a fool, but this girl somehow is different. They stroll along together for a while and then she announces that she must go. After she's gone Red and Lucky continue on their way and at the appointed time the reach a place to meet with Cookie. All Red can talk about is this girl he met.

“So what's her name?”

“I don't know,” answers Red.

“You mean to tell me you didn't ask what her name was? Did you arrange to see her again?”

“No, I could barely talk to her I was so nervous,” says an embarrassed Red.

Greek partisans temporarily took control of Samos Island from the Italian garrison.

Victory Points Japanese 20336 Allied 8732

[tocaff]

WOW! We broke 20K hits. I never even considered the possibility of reaching such heights. I have to admit that it's much more work than I ever bargained for and lately it's been very difficult to write the entries. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to read this. The story continues to lag 3 months behind the war.

March 26, 1943 Noumea

Intel

Hoyo Fortress is located at Osumi.
7th Naval Construction Battalion is located at Salamaua.
3590 men are based at Seoul.
54th Division is located at Okayama.
13 ships are based at Kitakyushu.
8th Tank Regiment is located at Koepang.
102nd IJA Base Force is located at Harbin.
Radio transmissions detected at Gili Gili.

Recon

Pe-2 takes recon photos of Heiho 9 LCUs 46580/570/23
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Arshaan 2 LCUs 5600/80/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Tabun-Nur 1 LCU 1280/18/0
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 31 fighters, 10 bombers, 58 aux, 6 LCUs 3640/67/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Changkufeng 9 LCUs 47740/351/13
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Hailar 7 LCUs 32140/345/7
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Myitkyina 6 LCUs 50380/494/13
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Gili Gili 1 X CA, 10 LCUs 25300/169/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Darwin 4 X CA, 4 X DE, 6 X AK, 14 LCUs 16800/71/0
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 X AK, 1 X DE, 43 fighters, 78 aux, 28 LCUs

Combat

Kweiyang was visited by 32 X Nick, 23 X Tony and 3 X Dinah and before the Japanese departed they had inflicted moderate damage on the base, but no casualties. Ground fire claimed to have knocked down 2 X Nick and damaged 5 more.

Mandalay was targeted by 16 X Blenheim IV, 48 X Liberator VI, 54 X B-25J, 47 X B-24D Liberator and 59 X P-38G Lightning while the Japanese managed to put up 28 X Zero, 35 X Jack and 8 X Tony in opposition. The P-38s and concentrated MGs of the bombers dropped 20 X Zero, 16 X Jack (3 damaged), 6 X Tony and the bombs nailed a Dinah on the ground. The base was observed to have been very heavily damaged and ground loses were thought to have been high also. All of this came at a cost of a Blenheim shot down, 3 X Liberator VI destroyed (3 damaged), a B-25J lost (3damaged), 5 X B-24D damaged and 23 P-38G destroyed (5 damaged).

Akyab was attacked by 28 X Zero, 51 X Betty, 3 X Tojo, 90 X Tony and 23 X Helen and a mere 10 X Spitfire were up to greet them. A Betty was damaged, a Tony was shot down and a Helen was damaged while all of the Spitfires were destroyed. The base was subjected to light damage and negligible casualties were sustained.

Wyndham was swept by 57 X P-38G and the Japanese opposed them with 12 X Zero, 16 X Oscar, 21 X Tojo and 39 X Tony. The debriefing painted a picture of 2 X Zero lost, 14 X Oscar destroyed, 4 X Tojo downed and 7 X Tony destroyed with another being damaged while 28 X P-38G were destroyed and one was damaged.

The artillery shells continued to rain down on the Chinese troops at Sian causing light casualties. Chinese troops are on the move, but slowly.

The Japanese sustained moderate losses to the “Jungle Rats” at Koumac when the American troops attacked them today. The 25th Division reported no casualties.

Red is walking Lucky every day along the same route in the hope of seeing the girl again. He can't believe that he didn't even ask her for her name. He is determined to find her and no matter what the weather is, unless duty calls, he's going to find her.

The convoy continues on to Noumea, still and luckily according to all those on the ships, undetected. Phil sits in his cabin wondering how Bill is doing, knowing that a new operation is nearing it's start.

“Here Dad, enjoy it because that's the last of the coffee until next month,” says Sandy as she places the mug on the table in front of Dave. He just smiles at her and takes a sip.

“You know,” says Dave, “That at the pace of the war is being being conducted by the Allies it might not end until 1980. I wonder what else they'll be rationing by then.”

The British 8th Army won the battle of the Mareth line forcing the Germans and Italians to retreat to the north.

Victory Points Japanese 20403 Allied 8824

[tocaff]

March 27, 1943 Washington DC

Intel

20th Army is located at Heiho.
22433 men are based at Okayama.
6884 men are based at Inch'on.
25th Engineer Regiment is located at Sendai.
27th Engineer Regiment is located at Mishan.
6th Air Division is located at Wyndham.
187707 men are based at Truk.
15th Army is located at Myitkyina.
24024 men are based at Kanazawa.
38th Road Construction Battalion is located at Singapore.
2nd Tank Regiment is located at Rangoon.
7122 men are based at Nagasaki.
13th AA Regiment is located at Maizuru.

Recon

Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mishan 8 LCUs 49300/455/191
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Chiamussu 6 LCUs 27860/278/11
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Myitkyina 6 LCUs 50700/496/13
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 X AK, 1 X DE, 28 LCUs
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 23 LCUs
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Gili Gili 1 X CA, 1 X DE, 2 X APD, 10 LCUs 26920/194/0

Combat

Kweiyang was hit by 27 X Nick, 23 X Tony and 3 X Dinah who caused moderate damage and very light casualties. Chinese gunners claimed a Nick destroyed and 6 more damaged.

Mandalay was attacked by 18 X Blenheim IV, 40 X Liberator VI, 55 X B-25J, 45 X B-24D and 17 X P-38G while the Japanese countered with ground only fire. Damage to the base was extremely heavy and ground loses were put at light while 10 X Tony, 20 X Jack, 19 X Zero and 2 X Dinah were trashed on the ground.

Akyab was attacked by 27 X Zero, 50 X Betty, 4 X Tojo, 48 X Tony and 22 X Helen and 14 X Spitfire were in opposition. The CAP destroyed 3 X Zero, a Tony and damaged 2 X Betty and a Helen while they lost 11 planes. Damage to the base was moderate and ground troops sustained very light casualties.

Koepang was attacked by 9 X B-24D and 21 X P-38G. No Japanese planes were in the air and it was reported that light damage was done to the base and a Dinah was burning in return for all of the bombers being damaged.

The 65th Brigade was hit once more from the air by 54 X F4F-4, 16 X SBD, 17 X P-40E, 37 X A-20G Havoc and 42 X B-17E and the unit had moderate loses while all of the planes departed undamaged. Later the American 25th Division again tried to eliminate the Japanese from the area, inflicting moderate loses and sustaining very light casualties themselves. It was believed that the Japanese ware now surrounded and their demise is being reported as patrols are finding nothing other than bodies. The saga of the “Jungle Rats” has now come to a tragic close.

9 X SB-2c attacked elements of the 4th Ind.Brigade at Kungchang inflicting very light loses. All of the Chinese planes left undamaged.

At Sian the IJA artillery continued it'd deadly work hammering the Chinese defenders for moderate casualties.

At Kungchang the Japanese started a bombardment of Chinese positions causing very light casualties.

The DDs Vampire and Voyager attacked an IJN sub about 250 miles from Perth reporting that they scored many hits.

Two CV TFs are approaching Midway where they will await further orders.

Bill silently observes his bridge as everyone is going about their business in a professional manner. The crew is proud of their record thus far and also with their captain, an Annapolis graduate. They are anticipating some shore leave when they reach port and the closer they get the more tension and excitement there is aboard the O'Bannon.

Ed has left HQs and is chomping at the bit to get his bombardment TF forward to Midway, but escorts are in short supply and he'll have to wait a little longer before his “old girls” can do their damage.

The 1st Marines are resting and getting replacements at Noumea. Nobody knows what's in store for them. Major Smith shuffles paperwork that crosses his desk and he too wonders what's next.

“Gunny how much longer of this doing nothing do we have?” asks Slim. Gunny shrugs and tells him that he doesn't know. Scuttlebutt has them going off to attack the Japanese at a dozen different locations at a zillion different times. The only thing that is certain is that the USMC hasn't forgotten them and does have something in mind for the 2nd Marine Division.

“Mr. President,” the officer begins, “Gentlemen. I want to point out that all offensive ops to date, including Operation Revenge, have been learning experiences. Beginning with all future operations we expect things to run more smoothly because planners will have more knowledge of what to expect. Before this year runs out we need to bring the IJN to battle, but not on their terms.” The presentation goes on for another ½ hour and then the discussions go on for over an hour before FDR thanks everybody in attendance as a way of ending the meeting. He retains his select circle of advisers and they discuss operation planned through the end of the year and it's agreed that Operation Crescendo will bring out the KB and if it doesn't nothing will. A combined arms effort is expected to be used by the USN to rip open the heart of Japan's defensive network and once the KB is on the bottom Japan will be at the Allies' mercy, of which there will be none.

Victory Points Japanese 20445 Allied 8946

[tocaff]

March 28, 1943 Pittsburgh

Intel

52nd Division is located at Kanazawa.
Saipan Base Force is located at Saipan.
13th Tank Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
17th Army is located at Tulagi.
40658 men are based at Hailar.
51st AA Regiment is located at Rangoon.
9th Fleet is loaded on AP,Taihei Maru moving to Truk.
6613 men are based at Hanoi.
49th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Mukden.
1860 men are based at Tinian.
6th Air Division is located at Wyndham.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Lashio 2 LCUs 6220/17/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Gili Gili 1 X CA, 1 X DE, 2 X APD, 10 LCUs 28800/178/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 26 LCUs
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 X AK, 1 X DE, 28 LCUs

Combat

Mandalay got another visit today by 21 X Blenheim IV, 19 X Liberator VI and 37 X P-38G and the Japanese planes were sitting on the ground as the bombs fell. It was reported that 3 X Jack, 6 X Zero and 2 X Tony were burning while the base took moderate damage and ground loses were thought to have been negligible. A Liberator was damaged by ground fire.

IJA artillery continues to shell Sian causing moderate casualties among the Chinese defenders.

Kungchang saw continued artillery barrages that inflicted moderate casualties on the Chinese, while sporadic Chinese responses caused very light loses to the Japanese.

Red and Lucky walk again today in search of Red's growing obsession. Hey are soaked by the rain, but Red will not skip a day. The two of them lose weight as they're walking so much.

Operation Sunshine will be a minimal operation where luck is going to be needed as the planners are going on the assumption that Operation King will be the main show and therefore get most of the assets. If they can pull off Sunshine without being discovered the back door to Japan will be ajar. If the second stage of Sunshine works then the door will be kicked in.

Bill Donovan's agents are saying that they believe that the Japanese are going to send additional combat units to Australia. The Pentagon planners doubt this as to them it makes little sense, but they too are going to do the same. There will be a new alignment of Allied forces with additional formations scheduled to arrive in the not to distant future.

Elaine is bored as so many things are no longer available because of the war. She's tired of the USO Club, but continues to go as there's little else to do. Her friends have jobs and that keeps them busy, but she doesn't want to go to work.

The British 8th Army attacked in the north.

Victory Points Japanese 20453 Allied 8987

[tocaff]

March 29, 1943 Brisbane

Intel

11704 men are based at Paramushiro Jima.
2nd Hvy Gun Regiment is located at Tsitsihar.
5th Division is located at Wyndham.
Sasebo 6th SNLF is located at Rabaul.
20th Army is located at Heiho.
4589 men are based at Toyama.
25th Engineer Regiment is located at Sendai.
42nd AA Regiment is located at Seoul.
105th IJA Base Force is located at Mukden.
5821 men are based at Aomori.
31st Heavy AA Battalion is located at Aomori.
9th AF Construction Battalion is located at Bankha.
6th Tank Regiment is planning for an attack on Derby.
Radio transmissions detected at Lunga.
22442 men are based at Okayama.
13th Naval Construction Battalion is located at Osaka/Kobe.

Recon

F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Pagan 1 LCU 1300/0/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Gili Gili 1 X DE, 1 X CA, 2 X APD, 10 LCUs 29880/198/0
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 x CA, 1 X DE, 1 X AK, 28 LCUs

Combat

Chungking was subjected to the indignation of 14 X Jack, 26 X Tojo and 12 X Tony patrolling the skies, unopposed, until the Japanese pilots decided to return to base.

Mandalay was raided by 42 X B-25J and 10 X P-38G and the bombers dumped their loads with only ground fire to worry about. They inflicted moderate damage to the base, and destroyed 3 X Zero, 5 X Jack and 4 X Tony on the ground while a couple of the bombers were damaged.

The Japanese attacked Akyab with 24 X Zero, 14 X Betty, 74 X Tony and 3 X Helen. There were 16 X Spitfire able to intercept and the Japanese destroyed 15 of them while 2 X Zero were downed, a Betty was damaged and 4 X Tony went down and another 3 were damaged. The base sustained light damage and casualties were very light.

25 X Liberator V1, 43 X B-24D and 30 X P-38G were unopposed in their attack on Myitkyina. The base sustained moderate damage and the troops were thought to have sustained moderate casualties.

6 X SB-2c attacked the Japanese troops at Kungchang and had 3 planes damaged while the IJA suffered light loses. Later in the afternoon the Chinese in 3 X SB-2c attacked the 2nd RF Gun Battalion and were jumped by 11 X Oscar. One Chinese plane crashed in flames and another was damaged while the Japanese had very light casualties from the attack. The IJA artillery caused light casualties to the Chinese troops after the planes were gone.

A Japanese artillery attack at Sian caused heavy loses to the Chinese troops. So far the Japanese haven't moved in enough strength to mount a serious attack on the city's defenses, but that could change at any time.

John Doe enters the pub and sits down across from Pete and asks him for a beer and some of his time. Once the two men are settled Mr. Doe says, “Pete I know what you've been through in this war and that it's asking a lot of you, but.” He pauses and takes a swig of his beer and then continues. “As I was saying, we need your guts and talent. What we'd like for you to do is to head to Cooktown and we'll be flying a plane out of there on some long range missions that can't afford to get lost. That's why a navigator of your skills and reliability is needed. If you'd like Sylvia can live there also. That's up to you though I'd recommend against it as the Japanese could appear at almost any time.” He pauses again to drink some more of his beer and then puts down his mug. “Transport has been arranged and you depart on the first. If you have any questions you know where to find me.”

As Mr. Doe gets up to leave Pete says, “April Fools Day, how appropriate.”

Phil's convoy should reach Noumea tomorrow, if all goes well. This will be a great relief to all.

Dave is angrier than ever today as he heard on the radio:

Today meat rationing started in the USA. The limit of 28 ounces per week has been set.

Victory Points Japanese 20474 Allies 9026

[tocaff]

March 30, 1943 Near Susanville California

Intel

68th Construction Battalion is located at Hamamatsu.
48th Construction Battalion is located at Moulmein.
3119 men are based at Bangkok.
1st Heavy AA Battalion is located at Tokyo.
7th AF Construction Battalion is located at Soerabaja.
21st Reserve Engineer Regiment is located at Shimuzu.
9th Ind. Brigade is located at Changsha.
2nd Hvy Gun Regiment is located at Tsitsihar.
2nd Reserve AA Regiment is located at Tokyo.

Recon

PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 26 LCUs

Combat

The SS Snapper stalked and attacked a small convoy 192 miles NE of Palembang in the predawn hours and put a torpedo into the side of an AK. The escorts countered and Snapper limped away with moderate systems damage and moderate flooding.

Kweiyang was subjected to another air raid and had light damage, light casualties and a Helen was supposedly damaged.

Allied aircraft attacked Pagan and were unopposed. The resource center was hit for moderate damage and all of the planes departed undamaged.

Mandalay was hit by Allied planes and sustained moderate damage, light casualties and 8 X Zero, 2 X Tony and 3 X Jack were destroyed on the ground. Three B-25J were damaged by ground fire.

6 X B-25J attacked the Yokosuka 2nd SNLF at the river crossing near Lashio and inflicted light loses. No planes were damaged.

The IJA at Kungchang attacked the Chinese defenders and damaged the fortifications slightly while inflicting heavy casualties on the Chinese. The attackers sustained very heavy loses in men and guns lost.

Sian witnessed continued IJA bombardments of the defenses and the Chinese had moderate casualties.

The Chinese attacked the Japanese troops 42 miles NE of the road junction between Chungking and Sian inflicting heavy loses and forcing them to retreat while Chinese casualties were very light.

A Mavis attacked the SS Shark, but thanks to an alert radar operator the sub was able to dive and evade the ordinance dropped by the plane.

The SS Snook is losing her fight against the waters of the Pacific as her pumps fail, get fixed and fail again. The crew is struggling to get systems back online and the leaks plugged, but a repair facility is needed.

Benham and her charges have reached Noumea. The AKs have docked and will immediately begin to unload.

“You know with such small amounts of meat available to us I'm going to start hunting and now it won't be for sport,” says Dave to Sandy over a hot cup of tea. He gets up from the table and gets his rifle and starts to disassemble, clean and then reassemble it. “It'll also be good exercise for me, though I can't say that dragging a deer home is a pleasant thought.”

“OK then shot small game instead,” replies Sandy.

“I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I promise that I'll come back as soon as I can.” Pete knows that no matter what he says nothing will comfort Sylvia and he feels rotten about the whole thing.

“We knew this was in our future so go do your duty and then come home to me,” she says as they embrace.

The British 8th Army broke through the Gabes Pass today.

Victory Points Japanese 20482 Allied 9060

[tocaff]

March 31, 1943 The Kremlin

Intel

230 ships are based at Tokyo.
15th AA Regiment is located at Nagoya.
12th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Nagoya.
2nd Base Force is located at Soerabaja.
47th Naval Guard Unit is located at Port Moresby.
140th IJA Base Force is located at Marcus Island.
10th Area Army is located at Chengting.
4th AA Regiment is located at Toyama.
17th Reserve Coastal Artillery Regiment is located at Niigata.
Canton Base Force is located at Canton.
16th Naval Guard Unit is located at Ichang.
21st AA Regiment is located at Changsha.
4th Construction Battalion is located at Mukden.
4th Mixed Brigade is located at Myitkyina.
144th IJN Base Force is located at Darwin.
Hoyo Fortress is located at Osumi.
Radio transmissions detected at Prince Rupert.

Recon

No reports

Combat

Kweiyang was raided by Japanese planes that did moderate damage and light casualties. A Helen was seen to be trailing smoke as it departed.

Mandalay was bombed again by 48 B-25J, 48 X B-24D and 28 X P-38G who did very heavy damage to the base, heavy casualties to the troops there and left 14 X Zero and a Jack burning on the ground. No planes were damaged in the attack and there were no Japanese planes in the air.

Koepang was raided by 12 X B-24D and 26 X P-38G and a Japanese CAP of 19 X Tony opposed them. In the air battle 4 X Tony were downed and 2 more were damaged while the Allies lost a B-24D (10 damaged) and 3 X P-38G (2 damaged). Very light damage was done to the port and an IJN MSW was reportedly hit by a bomb and suffered heavy damage and was on fire.

An attack on Lunga by 64 X B-17E and 182 X B-24D was greeted by a Zero and 28 X Jack. The big bombers fought their way through the CAP knocking down the Zero and 10 X Jack (9 damaged) while a B-17E was destroyed (20 damaged) and 18 X B-24D were shot down (38 damaged). Damage to the base was reported to have been very heavy, ground troops sustained heavy casualties and 9 X Zero and a Mavis were destroyed on the ground.

9 X B-25J attacked the Yokosuka 2nd SNLF at the river crossing near Lashio and inflicted light casualties. No planes were damaged.

The IJA 13th Division at Kungchang was hit by 6 X SB-2c and nobody had any loses. Later the IJA 6th Division was attacked by 4 X SB-2c and had very light casualties while all of the planes departed safely. Later the Japanese attacked Kungchang again and suffered heavy loses for no gains. The Chinese sustained very light casualties.

Sian was still under a rain of artillery shells and the defenders had very light loses.

The Nationalist Chinese are raising hell with Washington. They're demanding more of everything in their fight against the Japanese. The Americans give a song and dance, but promise nothing concrete, just more in the future as it becomes available.

Stalin asks his advisers about the US troops now being discussed as possible deployments to Soviet bases. The debate as to how much to allow and where rages. Finally Stalin asks, “If we allow US forces to garrison some places for us won't that free our troops to concentrate somewhere else? If we are able to do this then dealing with the Japanese and the inevitable fight between us will tip more in our favor. Nyet?” That settles the issue and planners will now go to work with various options mapped out.

Dave comes home carrying two rabbits and announces that rabbit stew is on the menu for dinner.

Bill and his counterparts hold a meeting at naval HQs to evaluate their escort operations and discuss any possible improvements that they can make. One of the skippers cracks, “Some air cover, naval and asw searches would sure be welcomed.” Bill notes this and wonders if the brass back at Pearl would consider releasing some CVEs for convoy duty in the future.

Pete is spending a restless night and Sylvia is finding sleep hard to come by also. Tomorrow Pete departs and it's got both of them desperate for each other.

Victory Points Japanese 20523 Allied 9132

[tocaff]

April 1, 1943 Noumea

Intel

32nd Heavy AA Battalion is located at Aomori.
Saipan Coastal Gun Regiment is located at Saipan.
1st Engineer Regiment is located at Port Moresby.
137th IJN Base Force is located at Darwin.
Yokosuka Base Force is located at Tokyo.
10th Special Base Force is located at Darwin.
4638 men are based at Wakkanai.
140th IJN Base Force is located at Buin.
Elements of the 9th Mongolian Cavalry Division are located at Tientsin.
25th AA Regiment is located at Nagato.
36th Division is located at Kungchang.

Recon

Pe-2R takes recon photos of Tabun-Nur 1 LCU 1300/6/0
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Mishan 60 fighters, 25 bombers, 56 aux, 8 LCUs 62240/507/333
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Mutanchiang 6 LCUs 10600/95/0
Pe-2 takes recon photos of Hailar 7 LCUs 31220/348/8
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Pisanuloke nothing detected
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 1 X AK, 1 X DE, 28 LCUs
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 26 LCUs

Combat

Another day, another attack on Kweiyang resulting in light damage and light casualties with a Helen claimed as damaged.

Allied aircraft flew unopposed over Mandalay and their ordinance did moderate damage to the base, inflicted moderate casualties and destroyed 9 X Zero and a Jack on the ground. A Liberator VI and 2 X B-25J were damaged by ground fire.

At the river crossing near Lashio the Yokosuka 2nd SNLF was attacked by 16 X B-25J and the unit sustained very light casualties. All of the planes departed the area safely.

At Kungchang an air attack on IJA 6th Division by 5 X SB-2c resulted in very light Japanese casualties and the Chinese planes all returned to their base untouched.

AN IJA bombardment attack at Kungchang resulted in heavy Chinese loses and sporadic counter battery fire inflicted light Japanese casualties. It is expected that the Japanese will assault and take the base on their initial attempt. The bulk of the Chinese troops have slipped out of their positions in the night and are moving towards Sian to bolster the defensive line there.

Sian continues to undergo an almost continuous barrage and the Chinese forces suffered moderate loses.

The SS Snapper continues to fight for her survival as she heads into the Malacca Straits. Due to the amount of damage the sub has sustained they will have to transit the Straits at night and hope to evade detection in the darkness. It appears that rain is going to fall and this can only help to cloak the stricken vessel from prying eyes.

Operation Sunshine has been given the official go as all of the concerned parties have reached the agreements needed to facilitate the operation. The only problem is that the USN continues to claim that they have no warships to spare for this operation as long as it jumps off shortly before Operation King does. “It's a matter of priorities,” is the word out of the Pentagon.

Supplies continue to pour ashore at Noumea as the convoy continues it's unloading. The crew of the Palawan watches and the nod knowingly that something is afoot at this is not a normal resupply run. Meanwhile Red is on one of his patrol walks with Lucky. Today Cookie joined them as they have plans for the afternoon. All Red wants to to see the girl again, but he's just about given up on ever seeing her again. The 3 of them have a nice walk and then stop for a beer a watering hole familiar to them. When they leave Red spots her and rushes to catch up to the girl only to discover that it's somebody else. “I'm sorry to bother you,” he stammers and he turns away, dejected.

Pete boards a train bound for Townsville and from there he'll be informed as to transport arrangements that have been made for him. Sylvia stands on the platform waving and crying.

Trying to stem inflation in the US, Roosevelt freezes wages, salaries and prices.

Meat, fats, canned goods and cheese are now rationed in the US.

Victory Points Japanese 20529 Allied 9151

[tocaff]

It's Carnaval here in Brasil.  So due to the world's largest party going on you'll have to forgive me for erratic entries to the AAR over the next 5 days.  I'll do what I can when possible, but daily entries are off for now.  Sorry.....

[tocaff]

April 2, 1943 Washington DC

Intel

37104 men are based at Chiamussu.
2nd Construction Battalion is located at Kungchang.
49th Heavy AA Battalion is located at Mukden.
14th Construction Battalion is located at Salamaua.
5th Mortar Battalion is located at Port Moresby.
24th Aviation Unit is located at Kwajalein.
4590 men are based at Toyama.
19th Engineer Regiment is planning for an attack on Chungking.
37th Construction Battalion is located at Canton.
252272 men are based at Kagoshima.

Recon

Pe-2 takes recon photos of Heiho 9 LCUs 45360/571/19
Pe-2R takes recon photos of Arshaan 2 LCUs 5660/76/0
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Jaluit 3 LCUs
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Gili Gili 1 X CA, 3 X DE, 8 LCUs 27620/186/0
Catalina I takes recon photos of Port Moresby 28 LCUs
PBY Catalina takes recon photos of Wyndham 40 fighters, 7 bombers, 36 aux, 27 LCUs
F-5A Lightning takes recon photos of Taung Gyi nothing detected
B-25J Mitchell takes recon photos of Mili nothing detected

Combat

22 X B-25J attacked the Yokosuka 2nd SNLF at the river crossing near Lashio inflicting light casualties on the Japanese troops. All of the Chinese planes departed the area safely.

6 X SB-2c attacked the 6th Division at Kungchang. The Japanese sustained very light casualties and the planes left safely.

A Japanese assault on Kungchang swept through the abandoned defensive positions as even the rear guard managed to slip away in the night.

IJA artillery was busily hammering away at Sian and the defending Chinese had moderate loses.

The rickety train carrying Pete clatters on it's way with stops at various points. There are very few people on the train not in military uniform. Pete listens to the false bravado of new troops heading to the front. Replacements for casualties, he thinks. Things are going to get worse before they get better as Pete has noticed that units are on the move a lot more lately.

Sylvia keeps herself busy with things at the hospital and then at the hotel. She peeks into the bar to make sure that her father isn't drinking with or giving the place away to his mates.

Dave savors a hot mug of coffee and wonders how much more the government can ration in the name of the war effort. “Imagine them telling us that wages should remain the same. For how long I wonder,” Dave says to Sandy who is busy checking their bills to make sure everything is or will be paid on time.

“So that's it? Operation Sunshine will have to rely on stealth and luck? If Admiral Landy were here he tell us to lend the op the proper support or scrub it,” says the admiral.

“Well he's not around and we can't not take advantage of what Moscow is offering us. To drag our feet will increase their changing their minds. No, we go,” says the general. The final plans will be drafter and submitted to the Joint Chiefs and then FDR will OK it.

Victory Points Japanese 20594 Allied 9154