September 1, 1942
Looks like a pretty good take, if I can move fast enough![:)]
The minesweepers discovered no mines at either Baker or Tabby. Our leading Port Maint units look to land on our two atolls (capacity 10K for Arorae, 15k for Nikunau).
Looking to grab Beru with the fully prepped Pioneers on APDs...
Although we have basically no HR, I won't fragment units to grab multiple bases but keep them together, so the Marine Paras will reinforce Nikunau, and the 32nd Division will secure Arorae. We have other troops heading for the other atolls...some coming up from Bora Bora and others from Fanning and Christmas and Pearl.
Baker invasion moves closer, and the base is simply being pounded into the dirt daily. Bombardment of Tabby will start today, with ships retiring to Nikunau and awaiting the AKE (enroute). Will only use DD, CA, CL. Warspite is the only heavy here, and she is staying with half of the Deathstar.
North Carolina and South Dakota will arrive at Canton tomorrow and move forward....either Baker or Tabby...not sure which yet.
Fast BB North Carolina is due an upgrade, bulking up her AA this month & new radar, and South Dakota gets one next month. Not long upgrades and certainly highly desirable, but the pace of operations now make it an impossible accomplishment.