Month by Month - Scenario 13 vs AI

[Bill Durrant]

Message from Allied Pacific HQ
May 1st 1942

Gentlemen, it is nearly some five months since our darkest hour at Pearl Harbor. During that time Burma, Malaya, the Dutch East Indies, the Philippines and Borneo have all fallen. I do not expect the Japanese attempt at expansion to stop there. Indeed, intelligence has reached my desk that a full scale attack on New Guinea and the Solomon Islands should be anticipated. It is time to stop this avalanche, this tidal wave of Imperialism, for the sake of the world. We have consolidated, we are building, and the hour is near for us to reclaim the Pacific for those that have the right to live there in peace and free from tyranny.

Your general orders are issued below. You will receive the maximum resources possible that the Western world can afford. Use them wisely and we shall prevail. In return, I ask that you report your progress to me, in writing, at the beginning of each month. As I have trusted you with monthly operations, I expect you to cascade that trust to your commanders in the air, on the ground and at sea. You should issue them orders at intervals of no less than three days. If they are unable to perform their duties you have the discretion to replace them as I have the discretion to replace you.

One final note of warning. You should expect the enemy to have some foresight of your movements. Indications are that they possess some form of artificial intelligence that may be very hard to combat.

South East Asia
You are to reinforce the line between Ledo and Imphal in preparation for an offensive through Burma. You should use Ceylon to prevent any incursion of enemy forces into the Bay of Bengal.

China
The railroad between Manchuria and your border with SE Asia forces must be kept open. Withdraw your outlying forces to the larger cities and fortify them.

North Pacific
I expect you to build up your forces and establish a base on the outer regions of the Aleutians. If nothing else, this will force the enemy to guard its back door.

Canada
Preserve your resources wisely. Though not immediately, you may be called upon to assist in future offensives. You are to report through West Coast HQ.

West Coast
You are our lifeblood through which the necessary men and hardware will be channelled. I expect you to furnish the commands of CenPAC, SWPAC and SoPAC with the tools they need to reclaim the Pacific.

Central Pacific
You must not allow Pearl Harbor to be attacked again. Garrison Midway Island until it is a fortress and protect your flank by building up Johnson Island. Prepare for an offensive through the Central Pacific region.

South Pacific
Establish your HQ at Noumea and prepare for a bloody fight through the Solomon Islands. I would suggest you make contingency plans for a fallback position – possibly Palmyra Atoll.

New Zealand
You will be required to assist and report through South Pacific HQ.

South West Pacific
If our intelligence proves to be correct you may be in for the bulk of the action in the early months. You should reinforce Port Moresby and establish a large airbase there. We cannot afford an enemy attack on Australia and as such I have put them under your command. I would expect some strengthening of positions in the Solomon Islands to prepare the way for an offensive in conjunction with South Pacific forces.

Australia
You will be required to assist and report through South West Pacific HQ.


Gentlemen, good luck and Gods speed. With both we are assured of success. I look forward to your reports reaching my desk at the beginning of June.

[Bill Durrant]

June 2nd 1942 –

West Coast HQ
There have been no combat reports in my area. Ships, troops and aircraft have embarked for all areas. I have 850K supply and 800K fuel available. I have few ships in harbour – BB Nevada is undergoing repairs. 43k troops are awaiting embarkation to the Pacific
GEN Bachurek

CenPac HQ
There have been no combat reports in my area. Pearl Harbor and Midway have begun receiving reinforcements. I have 200k supply and 420K fuel available. BBs West Virginia and California are in dock for repairs.
Available I have:
CVs Hornet and Enterprise. CVE Long Island. BBs Mississippi, New Mexico, Idaho, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Maryland. 16 Cruisers and 46 Destroyers.
180 aircraft and 120K troops are under my command.
ADM. Nimitz

SOPac HQ
Troops and aircraft are arriving at Noumea. I have only 5K supply but I am promised more is nearby and 170K fuel. In port I have CVs Yorktown and Lexington, 5 Cruisers and 21 Destroyers.
195 aircraft and 46K troops are under my command.
VADM. Ghormley

SWPac HQ
I am afraid I am the bearer of bad tidings. As I received your orders Japanese troops began landing at Lunga and Gili Gili. I immediately sent troopships and escorts to reinforce Port Moresby. Unfortunately on 14 May these were intercepted by a Japanese Carrier Taskforce with the loss of many lives. Port Moresby was shortly afterwards invaded by Japanese 21st Mixed Brigade. The port is still in our hands but bitter fighting continues and I fear further attempts to reinforce may be futile. This is corroborated by recent air attacks on Cooktown. Although I have plenty of fuel, supply is a problem. Port Moresby is nearly out of supplies whilst Townsville and Brisbane can muster only 60K worth. I have only 3 cruisers and 6 destroyers at my disposal. There are 464 aircraft located at Townsville. I have 100k of troops in Brisbane, 38K in Townsville and 20,000 men effectively trapped in Port Moresby fighting for their lives.
I regret to inform you of the loss of CA Chicago, CA Australia, CL Hobart, CL Enterprise, 4 destroyers, 8 minesweepers, and 10 transport ships.
GEN. MacArthur

SEAsia HQ
I am reinforcing the Imphal – Ledo line though the area is receiving attention from Japanese bombers. The Hurricanes on CAP are performing well however. I have 275K supply at Chandpur and 450K of fuel split between Chandpur and Diamond Harbor. In port at Colombo I have CV Formidable, BBs Resolution, Ramilles, Royal Sovereign, Revenge and Warspite, plus 16 Cruisers and 19 Destroyers.
On the Imphal Ledo line I have over 200 aircraft and nearly 150K troops. Ready to reinforce this area are three Aviation Regiments at Karachi, 25k troops at Bombay, 20K troops at Colombo and 60K troops at Chandpur
LGEN. Powell

China HQ
There has been sporadic fighting NW of Nanning but the outnumbered Japanese may have withdrawn from the area. I am marshalling my troops in that area for an assault on Nanning to secure the railroad. I have over 300 aircraft under my command. Supply, as always, is a problem.
May I respectfully remind you that you have no mandate to replace my command. However, in the interests of success in the Pacific area I will treat favourably any strategic suggestions you may wish to make.
GEN. Chiang

NORPac HQ
There has been no sight of the enemy in my area. I have 36K supply and 400K fuel at Anchorage. I am in command of a token force consisting 1 Destroyer and some transport ships. I have 144 aircraft and 64K troops under my command. Once this situation improves I shall be reinforcing the Aluetians.
RADM. Theobald

From Allied Pacific HQ
Overalls losses are estimated as follows in the format Allies/Japanese:
Aircraft 183/174
Ships 29/3
Troops 111/25
Continue your orders as best as possible and report back early July.