31 May 44
Again, I'm going to skip the narrative and go to highlights.
Lanfa, four hexes SE of Sabang is secure, with port facilities being upgraded to level 3.
This leaves only the city of Medan occupied in all of Sumatra, not counting small offshore islands.
The assault to liberate Singapore began on May 13th. It was over in a week.


Only infrastructure damage remaining in Singapore is seven port damage. US heavy cruiser Indianapolis pulled in a week after the change of hands. Yardmaster says he wants her until about mid-June. All troops except Engineers have left. Some are on transports bound for the PI, while most are headed to clean up IJA troops from just outside of Mersing up to Kuantan.
The Americal Division, after a years worth of R&R /Occupation duty in Balikpapan traveled clockwise around Borneo to make a surprise landing in Brunei. Brunei was another short sharp battle. Seabees brought in have brought defense fortifications up to level 2. The Level 6 Port and Level 7 airfield are already busy. With the help of some support shipping, Brunei is the newest and most forward Allied Sub base closest to the PI. More support is on the way.
Iwo Jima.
Engineers have repaired Iwo's Level 3 port facilities and have brought up it's airfield to almost level 4. Two Squadrons of P-47s, one of Helldivers and a squadron of B-25Gs rule the local waters/islands. Next will be some defensive works. Just in case. Shipping has reduced the hands at Iwo to just over 18K.
In another surprise landing, Allied troops landed unopposed at Naga, PI. The 40th US ID then secured Legaspi. While Legaspi was being liberated, the US 752nd Tank Battalion had rushed up to Alimonnon, but was ignominiously and easily booted out by a strong IJA Infantry Division. The tanks are regrouping/recovering in Naga. The 40th US ID, then reversed course, and headed NE to Alimonon. Halfway there contact was made with the IJA ID. A large Amphib Tank Bn (LVTs) and three arty units are also assembling and making ready to move from Naga to Alimonan. Three Engineer units are improving defenses. Naga has Level 3 port and airfield facilities. A headquarters, AAA unit, and the 2nd MarDiv are inbound for Naga, PI. There are three strong USN TFs providing air support, air defense and surface presence. A tenuous landing so far.
AFDB-6's TF is approaching Canton Island. Talking about AFDB-6, here are it's sisters(?).
AFDB-1 - Guam working on LCI-83
AFDB-2 - Soerbaja working on APA Wharton
AFDB-3 - Tinian working on USS Gunnel (SS)
AFDB-4 - Wake working on USS Barnes (CVE)
AFDB-5 - IDFK. I thought she/it was online, but I can't find it. Not on active list, I can't find it as sunk and not on reinforcements at least for next 6 mos. Weird. I know I saw it listed once as inbound. Sigh. I guess I need to contact Navy S-2 and request LTs Mulder and Scully be assigned to solve this mystery.
Supported by Fast BBs South Dakota, Indiana, Iowa and New Jersy and their consorts, the US 32nd ID landed at and took Lunga/Guadalcanal. There is a broken IJA unit holed up NE of Lunga, unless it dispersed - but not for long.
As Guadalcanal was being liberated, Aussie forces, trekking overland, crashed into Lae. Unlike their attempt to Lae last year, which was easily beaten off, it appears the Aussies have the upper hand this go. After a day's fighting, the IJA scarpered into Finschhafen as the Aussies started setting up shop in Lae. Opposing forces are about even in size, but the 1st Aussie Corps is getting supplies and lots of air support. The same cannot be said of Imperial forces.
East of Ambon, light forces found Noela abandoned and liberated it. The light force was withdrawn for some R & R in Ambon. NE of Ambon there was an IJN unit located by Recon. After several days of aerial and naval bombardment, the Japanese have either left or more likely melted into the countryside. It appears the task will fall to an East African unit to make an official determination
The Sub War in the waters around Japan has recommenced. So far, only a few more small fry have been sunk, along with two PBs being sunk by submarine torpedos. However, the enemy is aware. IJN patrols have banged up a few Subs with Muskallunge being perhaps mortally wounded. Gudgeon is overdue, and presumed lost with all hands. Gudgeon is my eighth Allied Sub lost to date.
- - - - -
USS Gudgeon
USS Halibut
USS Porpoise
USS Runner
USS Spearfish
USS S-36
HMNS KVII
HMNS KXII
- - - - -
I've withdrawn my last scheduled surface ships - four fast troop transports/liners, sigh. Figuring out how to best use them only took two years, and I was just getting the hang of their usefulness. I've also recalled several fleet subs to forward bases to prepare for final war patrols before heading stateside for decommissioning.
Stats as of 31 May 44
Allied A/C pts lost: 9,549
IJA/IJN A/C pts lost: 17,868
Allied Army loss pts: 12,621
IJA/IJN Army loss pts: 12,885
Allied Ships sunk: 366
Pts for sunk Allied ships: 2,952
IJN Ships sunk: 1,861
Pts for sunk IJN ships: 19,611
Political pts: 7,841
Japanese score: 29,533
Allied score: 68,086
Noteworthy: For the first-time, IJA/IJN army loss points are presently greater than the Allies army loss pts, if only by a few hundred.