June 30, 1942
A long lag in the communications here, but some things of note have occurred in the last 2 weeks and the pace is starting to pick up on the offensive tempo, so more updates are to be expected for the viewers in the next weeks of a more daily basis. Now, to catch up on the overall picture….
The NT campaign continues to prosper, though not without costs:
On the Darwin/Alice Springs axis, the 3rd and 5th Australian have halted just short of the Wyndham/Darwin Y in the road, gaining supplies and reducing disrupt/fatigue. The Japanese have deployed in a wide formation, requiring the force to spread out to secure flanks. The two attached American Tank Battalions have done yeoman work here, clearing the flanks/rear of small Japanese infiltrators, examples are:
This was a Jap NLF that was detected sitting on the coast with the probable intent of moving inland to cut the main road. The final attack which destroyed it is listed first. The tank battalion suffered no appreciable losses, as the Japanese didn’t have much in the way of anti-armor capability.
06/29/42
Ground combat at 38,91
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2410 troops, 0 guns, 139 vehicles
Defending force 464 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 254 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
744 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
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06/29/42
Day Air attack on 9th NLF , at 38,91
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
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06/28/42
Ground combat at 38,91
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 2410 troops, 0 guns, 139 vehicles
Defending force 528 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 32 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
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06/28/42
Day Air attack on 9th NLF , at 38,91
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
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06/26/42
Ground combat at 38,91
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2390 troops, 0 guns, 137 vehicles
Defending force 524 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 20 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
On the other flank, the 193rd Tank Battalion had success clearing off a SLNF and base unit, but they and the follow up 30th Australian Brigade have suffered under air assault since then. The situation on the left:
06/30/42
Day Air attack on 30th Australian Brigade, at 35,89
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
Ki-21 Sally x 46
Ki-48 Lily x 23
Ki-49 Helen x 54
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
10 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
06/28/42
Day Air attack on 30th Australian Brigade, at 35,89
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
Ki-21 Sally x 38
Ki-48 Lily x 21
Ki-49 Helen x 56
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
19 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
06/26/42
Day Air attack on 193rd USA Tank Battalion, at 35,89
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 42
Ki-48 Lily x 21
Ki-49 Helen x 50
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 7
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
=============================================
06/25/42
Day Air attack on 193rd USA Tank Battalion, at 35,89
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 45
Ki-48 Lily x 22
Ki-49 Helen x 71
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 14
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
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06/23/42
Day Air attack on 193rd USA Tank Battalion, at 35,89
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
Ki-21 Sally x 36
Ki-48 Lily x 24
Ki-49 Helen x 67
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
234 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 14
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
22 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
12 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
7 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
=============================================
06/22/42
Day Air attack on 193rd USA Tank Battalion, at 35,89
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
Ki-21 Sally x 40
Ki-48 Lily x 24
Ki-49 Helen x 65
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
254 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 18
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
20 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 3000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 3000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
06/21/42
Ground combat at 35,89
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1690 troops, 0 guns, 92 vehicles
Defending force 540 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 6 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
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The lack of inherent AAA with these units is telling, though the 193rd is not in THAT bad a shape; they still report 54% effectives, with a further 30% under repair. They have withdrawn to the main body where there is some AAA support and the AUS I corps HQ to attempt to recover strength.
So, in summation, I have 2 Divisions with 2 Brigades and 2 Tank battalions in support on this front; facing them is at least 1 Jap Division (38th) with reports of another (21st) in the area, some NLF type units, and a mountain gun rgt. and a tank regiment (14th). With the 2nd Australian still at least 10 days from the front, these units shall deploy to face the opposition and prepare for pinning attacks; then the tank units and 2nd Australian shall attempt the breach. This is required to prevent these Japanese formations from moving to the Derby/Broome area, where the land/sea operation is reaching its crescendo. So, let us move other there for a look-see.
As you will see on the map attached to the end of this report, we have reached the crucial segment of this operation. If you remember the initial briefing for this whole operation, the Darwin sector was/is the demonstration to keep the Jap attention over in that area. This seems to have worked, as radio intercepts of the enemy report that they think they are “in the poo” over by Derby. (in the poo is some Australian term for deep shit, I believe).
Across the little bay from Broome, 60 miles to the SE, one of the Australian Tank Rgt. drove in the position of the 16th Naval Guard Unit there, forcing it back onto the Broome-Derby Road.
06/29/42
Ground combat at 22,86
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1893 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1560 troops, 0 guns, 106 vehicles
=============================================
06/29/42
Ground combat at 22,86
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1560 troops, 0 guns, 106 vehicles
Defending force 1893 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 9 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
Meanwhile, the main body advances toward Derby and should reach a point 120 miles SW of there tomorrow. This force will continue to advance on Derby, dropping off ½ of the infantry brigade along the route to Derby each 60 miles, forming a cordon. Then the 6th will frontally assault Derby with the remaining tank regiment swinging to the East to close the retreat path along the coast. This will form the anvil of the operation, with the hammer 2 days from landing at Broome, as you will see on the map. Additionally, the supporting carrier forces have had some unexpected successes off the coast near Derby/Broome! Apparently, the IJN was sending some freighters into the area to remove the garrisons here; this is presumed as the ships appeared to be empty when the strikes went in on them:
06/30/42
Day Air attack on TF at 23,82
Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 43
Swordfish x 46
Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Suwa Maru
DD Kamo, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kasuga Maru
AP Aikoku Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AP Kamakura Maru, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hokuriku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
=============================================
06/30/42
Day Air attack on TF at 23,82
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 34
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Aikoku Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kamakura Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hokuriku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kamo, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kasuga Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
06/30/42
Day Air attack on TF at 23,82
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
SBD Dauntless x 34
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Suwa Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kamo, on fire, heavy damage
AP Aikoku Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kamakura Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hokuriku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
06/30/42
Day Air attack on TF at 23,82
Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 41
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35
SBD Dauntless x 15
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Suwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Aikoku Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hokuriku Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
Almost a clean sweep, with one AP apparently getting away clean; she might not make it far enough away by tomorrow to avoid further strikes. In addition to the naval strikes, several others were launched by the American CVs in support of the ground operations:
06/30/42
Day Air attack on 23rd NLF , at 21,85 Broome
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
TBD Devastator x 30
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x TBD Devastator bombing at 5000 feet
15 x TBD Devastator bombing at 5000 feet
06/30/42
Day Air attack on Derby , at 24,85
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 32
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 9
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
17 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
06/30/42
Day Air attack on TF, near Derby at 24,85
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Hakubasan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Atago Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
There are 2 subs waiting off shore for these freighters if they attempt to sortie during the night; if they don’t, they should be finished by air in the next day or so.
The carriers will continue to support the landing and cover the invasion TF for the next several days, after which they will retire for resupply. By then, at least one airfield should be in our possession and LBA can take over the job here. There are over 100 medium bombers and about the same number of fighters standing by to operate from these fields once captured. 40 P40s are sitting on the Lex and Yorktown ready to fly into Broome once captured for immediate air cover of the landings.
The reason that I can feel somewhat confident of the outcome here is the fact that a notable concentration of Jap carriers were spotted off Rangoon. They were part of the force that was demonstrating off Ceylon recently and have apparently moved off Burma to provide some air support of his operations there. A recent fighter sweep of Mandalay did some damage to the FBs based there:
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06/29/42
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 20 destroyed
Not a bad loss ratio considering the 1-2 ratio and the fact that these were some of his best LB Zeroes as I recall the Tainan units to be. But, these Hurricanes are ordered to stand down for now and make him come bomb them on the field, and fight my AAA. Especially, as they are some of my less experienced squadrons; the veterans have rotated back to India, where 3 of them have transitioned to SpitVb’s and are waiting for an opportune moment (and some better weather) to make their appearance in combat. I really want one more group to switch over before I commit them, as I would like to use them in force and surprise the enemy with them, and not dribble them into combat.
Meanwhile, the 19th BG (B17) and the Wellington squadron that moved down to Ceylon in response to his ship movements await non-thunderstorm weather to start moving back to the Dacca airfields. This will be necessary as there are large contingents of IJA troops landing in Burma. They are either planning a large land campaign in upper Burma vs. the Mandalay/Lashio line, or are going to use Rangoon as a staging base for amphibious operations in the BoB. Now that he knows the RN carriers are away in the NT operation, it might embolden him to try some landing somewhere. Ceylon is fairly well garrisoned with 2 UK divisions, 1 UK brigade and 2 CW brigades; so, I don’t feel that he could take the entire island without commitment of a huge force. Elsewhere in India proper, all major coastal bases are held by forces of at least brigade+ levels, with inland reserves of tanks and infantry Divisions ready to move to most landing areas in under a week’s time.
So, I don’t feel too threatened by a landing in India and if he wishes northern/central Burma, he shall have it for now. Forces there will fight and withdraw mainly toward Ledo, to be both a covering force for Assam and a threat to his flank if he moves toward Yunnan. The Chinese will move forces toward Yunnan to make any IJA attempt to force southern China that way prohibitively expensive in time/supplies/troops.
Meanwhile, in China proper, IJA concentrations near Wuchow are being opposed by significant Kuomintang forces which should stymie any offensive toward that city. Changsha and surrounding area seems secure; meantime, in the north, Mao’s forces prepare to move toward the city of Chengting to threaten that position. This is designed to make the IJA reinforce the area from the Homan-Kaifeng front, thereby allowing those forces to move again forward. All Chinese cities are in good supply currently, as are most of the combat formations; additionally most formations that have seen combat have been re-equipped with 105mm howitzers in place of their 75mm field pieces, giving them more firepower to counter the IJA artillery. As it is, the Chinese forces are still just trying to maintain the status quo here; until they receive better equipment at the squad level in a ½ year or so, they will have a tough time fighting the IJA in defensive positions.
Surabaya continues its’ holdout, now going on the 2nd month. General Wavell has been removed from command and sent back to India to recover from combat fatigue before assuming a new command in SEAC. General ten Poorten has assumed command in Java.
The forces there continue to hold at around a 610 AS value, with the Japanese bombardments hurting mainly the rear echelon troops so far. The ABDA HQ, which must have its’ main lodging near the airfield, has taken the brunt of the casualties. It has 1 support squad that is non-disabled! The other 330 or so are all combat ineffective! But, with the large amount of base forces here, there is still a positive level of support for now; additionally, there are still over 40k supplies here and with the low level of air operations they are not going down as fast as earlier. There are only about 12-16 planes operating out of here now, as there are no torpedo planes in reserve anymore and the only group that has any available is the Australian Beaufort Sqd. As the last of the AK’s have left the harbor, these squadrons shall not be replaced and will fight on until their last aircraft are destroyed, thus leaving the supplies for the use of the Dutch infantry and artillery in the perimeter.
Moving to the East, sigint and recon by subs and planes indicate that the entire Solomons Archipelago is an armed camp teeming with men and planes. As the NT campaign is in progress, no offensive operations are set for this area in the near future. Indeed, as things become clearer, if there is that much of a IJN/IJA commitment here, there seems little reason to butt heads with them right now. SoPac intends to continue its buildup, now focused on Luganville in the New Hebrides, for the current period.
Luganville is an interesting operation for us, we are trying what I term the “stealth” base construction here. Basically, a Marine raider battalion was flown in, followed by a Naval base force by air and FT, with another in process now. These units are merely working on fort levels currently, as these do not get reported to the enemy. I don’t think that we have been observed moving here and have seen no recon flights as of yet. When the fort levels are up, then additional ground and CB reinforcements shall arrive with supplies; then the crash program of air strip/port construction will occur, so, if things work out, the field will be operational before the enemy can mount a credible counter strike against it.
From here, low/medium intensity air operations will be mounted vs. the Eastern Solomons to attract IJN attention from elsewhere.
Finally, the elsewhere; the Gilberts/Marshalls…..
CentPac believes that if there is no major commitment to the Solomons by the Allies that the Gilbert/Marshall axis should be taken by the fleet during late 42/early 43. The “Butcher” operation to retake Baker Island is underway, with initial bombing by B25s from Canton over the last 2 weeks. Prior to June 28th, there was only one Jap APD present, but reports of some increased shipping there have triggered a naval sweep by CentPac forces from Canton. 2 small surface forces (CA, 3DD; CL, 3DD) are closing on Baker tonight, followed by 2 New Mexico Class BB and a DD Div. running a bombardment mission to test the Jap response levels. Then, within a week, the 24th ID will land to take the position and protect the airstrip construction troops. In concert with this action, SoPac will work on building strips at Funafuti and another atoll south of the Gilberts. If everything seems ready, two divisions could be readied to attack there in the fall in a rapid campaign to establish air bases there, which would bring the southern Marshalls within range, allowing forces to start hopping through the Marshalls.
Of course, all the above could change rapidly, based on IJN responses. The goal of destroying/damaging a large portion of the IJ fleet is best achieved in this type of action, where we are choosing the field of action and working under our own air cover. If the fleet doesn’t come out and LBA is the only opposition, then we shall rethink the position and come up with something else.
Finally, the forgotten front of the NorPac continues its base building down the chain. They are now at Umnak (AF 5); when that and Dutch Harbor are at decent levels, the move down the chain shall continue. It appears that the Japanese might have abandoned Attu, but I am in no rush to find out right now; only when LBA is in sufficient #’s and position to support will I reacquire that island. The only reason for this is to threaten the Northern Kuriles a bit and force some attention by the IJN here; unless the door is wide open, this operation will halt upon the recapture of Attu, at least for the rest of ’42 at the very least.
Note to EuB: I believe that you might be correct, as he has a small force in Ndini in the Santa Cruz Islands, which might indicate a move S/SE from there. I think that my postions in these islands that you mention is secure enough with ground and air forces; at least to hold against any "rush" type operation. Anything else, I wouldn't mind escalating the campaign down here, with CentPac and Australian based planes flowing into the area.
