Dec 42 Summary
December was a busy month, with the Allies making a number of small offensive actions – the long road to Tokyo is moving (or crawling) forward. L_S_T surprised me with his main naval effort clearly at limiting Kirakira’s expansion, but did not oppose Merauke, Baker or Vaitaipu landings with anything but subs and half hearted air attacks – I expected Merauke to be much, much tougher. Nothing decisive was achieved at sea, despite opportunities for both sides. Kirakira has proved to be an attritional fight for both sides, which wasn’t expected. Still, so far, the base is expanding, albeit slowly, and the actions have favored the Allies overall. Keeping the US fleet intact is still a major consideration for Allied plans, not readty to be chasing down the KB yet. These offensive moves have shown me just how brittle the Allied offensive combat power is at this point in the war. Also still a bit surprised, but this has been building, is the sheer number of ground units committed to Burma. Still good with that, but we’re not going on any major offensives there for a long, long time. China continues to deteriorate, and each month China’s still fighting is the only positive I can draw. Naval losses for the month were fairly light for both sides, with only one major naval engagement; IJN reported losses for the month were 1CA, 1CL, 4DD, 7SS and 6SSX as compared to the Allies losing a CL, DD, 3SS and 18PT (PT losses painful, mainly around Kirakira). In the air, it was a very good month for the Allied Cause, 741 for Jpn to 463 Allied.
Screenshot shows Allied Forces disposition - Notes: 1)Ships are in service, not under refit or stood down. 2) a/c shown are combat available, not trainers or deployed on CVs. (also, during this particular timeframe, a few US CV airgroups are deployed ashore (CV Yorktown in yard repairs for instance) HB are 4 engine bombers. 3) CENPAC subs are those against IJN shipping, other Theater subs shown are “in close” for defense of that Theater. 4) En are Construction or Combat Engineers, all others (Port, Base, Group are under BF, including static bases). 4) AR includes armor, TD or recce units of any size.
INTEL: I find the best part of a PBEM is that your opponent may well surprise you. Well, L_S_T has not disappointed! With his focus on Kirakira, he HAS kept me off balance. I figure the KB will be kept in a central position around Rabaul to counter advances up the Solomons, or perhaps Kendari to react to the Allied approach to Darwin. Have been surprised that the KB hasn’t “raided” – while risky, it could be very profitable. Will continue with the goal of striking where the KB isn’t.
SUBWAR: Sub war continues to be frustrating and not very productive. Many subs have, and will continue to, be sent to refit, but now at least some are returning to the shipping lanes. ASW a/c continue to be the biggest threat, and what convoys that are engaged are well protected – another big difference from the AI opponent. Will continue to send subs into Harm’s Way, and hope for the best.
West Coast/USA/Rear Areas: Airframes remain in short supply – I’m still one good CAP TRAP away from a disaster. US Army and USMC pilot pools are actually showing some serious improvement; pilot skill is getting very good, and reserve pool becoming plentiful. US Navy pools remain low, but using a couple of the V-R squadrons should help this in the coming months. Aus, Brit, and NZ pools remain low in fighter pilots, but that will gradually get better. Convoy routes to Aus and India are very robust now, with enough supply and fuel being pushed forward to increase stockage across the board, although still a bit shy of good escorts – although fast US AMs are filling the gap. The biggest challenge in the “rear areas” is trying to determine where the vast amount of engineer reinforcements need to be headed – anticipating requirements, and sending them out on transports from the West Coast. I can live with those kind of problems!
NOPAC. Occupying Buldir Island has, and will remain the focus to set the conditions to land on Attu in the spring. Should be able to base SBDs on Buldir this month to interdict any shipping going into Attu. Don’t expect anything major happening in Theater for a while.
CENPAC. Baker Is was seized without a fight. Will continue to build up for landings in the Gilberts – but this is a big jump, and would like to know where the KB is before I launch. That said, should be ready to launch an amphib, at least by forward staging ground troops, before the end of Jan.
SOPAC. Kirakira will remain the focus. Goal is still to build up the AF to interdict (and later support) operations in Lunga/Tulagi vicinity. Figure that will take the rest of January, and it will likely involve both sea and airpower. Keeping the pressure up here should keep the major IJN occupied, and out of the way for continued thrusts in SWPAC. Will begin to stage troops for Lunga/Tulagi – but the trigger for that is not only Kira being fully operational, but the KBs location confirmed.
SWPAC. Merauke was much easier than anticipated, both the landing and the current buildup. Merauke should be able to base a/c to interdict bases on Northern New Guinea shortly. Focus will be to drive towards the prize – Darwin.
WAUS. Ground movement has started from Exmouth to Port Hedland, and its being effectively supplied over the beach by a few xAKLs. Will continue that process, more troops and more ships to support with the goal of seizing Port Hedland. Will gradually increase both naval and air support as the ground pounders get closer to the target.
Burma/India. Think we have achieved stalemate here. Both sides have committed a large number of both air and ground forces. L_S_T is focused on holding Magwe, and that’s not surprising. While still short airframes, Allied offensive options are limited. I’m good with waging a war of attrition, and will continue that focus for the next couple of months.
China. Well, IJA troops have reached Chungking, and the situation is dire. Supply is non-existent, and it’s only going to get worse. Goal is to hold out as long as possible, and use US fighter squadrons occasionally to provide CAP Traps when feasible.
