A pretty quiet month overall, with limited major actions, except for the major aerial furball over Magwe at the beginning of the month. Good gains in CENPAC and SOPAC, but lost some ground in Burma and of course Lanchow in China. Considering the CVs are pretty much stood down receiving the Hellcat, I’ll take it. May should see an increase in tempo a bit as the Hellcats are fielded and the CVs get back to sea by month’s end. Lack of fighters is still the major hold up to more aggressive operations, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Naval losses for the month very light for both sides; IJN losing only 2DD and 2SS as compared to the Allies losing only a DD and an SS. In the air, not a bad month for the Allied Cause, 901 for Jpn to 547 Allied – but the Allied fighter loses are still being made up at month’s end.
INTEL: I figured that the IJN CVs were in refit/upgrade during the month (they’re due in 4/43), and was surprised to see at least two in the Indian Ocean. So, going into May, I have no idea where the KB is, or where L_S_T will show the flag. I do anticipate continued air and surface threat in the upper Solomons/NE New Guinea and of course Port Hedland.
SUBWAR: Not doing much here, and losses are still due to good IJN ASW efforts coupled with a solid ASW air umbrella. Still, the threat of US subs remain, and provide a threat should the IJN set sail. IJN subs are fewer and fewer, and those that do show up are usually quickly dispatched.
West Coast/USA/Rear Areas: Fighter production actually goes down to 415 in May with the F4F being replaced by the FM-1 - less planes per month and a poor replacement. Still short fighters of all types, with few in the pools after the bloodletting over Magwe. Pilot pools are getting better, but US Army bomber, Australian and British pools are still low. Really attempting to conserve forces and build up.
NOPAC. Has become a quiet backwater in the Aleutians. Other than probing long range bomber patrols, not doing anything exciting here. More US subs are patrolling northern Japanese waters now, operating out of Amchitka.
CENPAC. Gilberts are now firmly secure, and once Nauru is secure, will slowly invest in the Marshalls - with forces available. With only CVEs and CA support, one small island at a time will be the focus, starting with Milli to get a foothold.
SOPAC. Same story as last month - slow and steady progress in the Solomons. Rekata Bay has expanded to a major fwd base, and will be the primary base to support the next jump up the chain - Vella La Vella. I expect this to be contested by both air and surface forces. Rossel continues to expand, and has become the focus of IJN heavy units, while US surface units have focused on barge busting and bombardment of IJN bases in the Northern Solomons. Once Rossel is offensively capable, will build up Deboyne and then land forces at Woodlark Island next.
SWPAC. Progress here is more of base buildup than forward expansion. Gove is now an offensive platform (finally!) and along with Groote as a bomber base, has started to neutralize Darwin. I’m surprised that L_S_T hasn’t contested this build up more, and I’m good with that! The question is what next? Immediate plan is to take Wessel Is off Gove, but after that, it’s a long jump to the next potential target. And I’m not ready to commit heavy naval forces here as I don’t have adequate fighter cover to risk it. Gotta think on this one a bit.
WAUS. Well, L_S_T still loves holding Port Hedland. Surprised me by reinforcing the base! I’m good with it, its still costing him ships, and it will fall. Not soon of course, but taking Corruna Downs is a good first step. Slow progress here, but WAUS isn’t a priority theater for me - at least for naval support. The question for me now is whether I can get Corruna Downs AF up and supply the forces there overland. If I can do that, I can project fighter cover over Port Hedland and Broome. If not, back to the drawing board.
Burma/India. Not the best month in Burma. “Fortress” Magwe’s air power proved to be too tough to attritt in the long term - although losses weren’t unfavorable, L_S_T could replace losses, and I couldn’t - especially British losses. So I’m not quite ready to hit Magwe head on, at least not yet. Need to nibble around the edges, and will probe other bases, try to draw his fighters out, and protect the bomber force. Tall order. On the ground, Warazup finally fell to the IJA. So, we’ve got a good stalemate right now along the India/Burma border. Not entirely unwelcome, but will have to consider some other options.
China. Well, Lanchow finally fell, leaving Changsa and Chungking next. Supplies are still non existant and there isn’t much that can be done. Attrition to the Air Transport bridge exceeds replacements, so supply situation won’t improve. Will focus as much as possible on holding those two bases, and see what develops.
