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ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

1x Yossarian

[:D]

That is important to the OOB. 1 Yossarian is worth at least (-)16 x B-25.

*****Sitrep, Operation Inchworm et. al., May 2, 1943*******


Sansapor: 2 dozen LCT's, an AVD and a single AK set off from Kai Island for Sansapor on the NW tip of New Guinea. Embarked is the old friend, Australian "Sparrow Force" which was spirited out of Kendari or Amboina in the middle of the night in the Spring of 42 and has been rebuilt around a core of vets. The escort for the force is half a dozen PT boats. Gamey, you say? Sending LCT's with PT escort 600 miles to a landing beach? Perhaps, although LCT's carried part of 46th Div all the way from Bizerte in North Africa to Salerno (or at least they will in about 4 mos.). The hope is the Bettys at Kendari will leave them alone. The AVD will refuel the LCT's and PT's at sea. Fighters from Kai and Babo will provide some air cover. Sansapor is a level one airfield already and can be built up to 3 easily. Sansapor will act as a shoulder for the future operation toward Morotai and a logistics base for diversionary attacks along the North coast of New Guinea toward Hollandia and Wewak. Sansapor is believed to be undefended but has purposely not been reconned. For two days, the force will appear to be headed for Sorong, but after that the Japs will know something is up. The group will be highly vulnerable to Jap surface forces which might be operating North of New Guinea but if Jap forces were to linger to long, they would be within range of B-25's at Babo or LB-30's at Kai. Palau has no ships and no aircraft based on sub recon. USN and RNN subs are SW of Palau and along the New Guinea northern coast as a picket.

Amboina: The airfield is torn up pretty good and the port and shore batteries are getting it now. The Jap garrison is about 25,000 strong. Aus. 9th Inf Div, a tank Regt. and the Fillipino 81st Inf Div are prepared for Amboina, but the 9th Div is still about 3 weeks away on the road from Sydney.

Kendari: There are a good number of Jacks and probably some Bettys there. One B-24 group from Darwin will begin night raids on Kendari airfield today.

Kai: The airfield is two to 3 days away from readiness for the USAAF heavies. In a week or so, the P-38's will mass at Kai and sweep over Kendari then the massed B-24's will hit the field. This will be a familair strategy for the Japs....4-5 annoying night raids to sap morale...then a big P-38 sweep...then all the SWPac B-24's will bomb the airfield. It's hard on the P-38's and B-24's but it also takes out Jacks and experienced Jap pilots and advances the Allied air umbrella much faster as night raids can never shut the field down.

Morotai and Menado: These landings will have to wait for the LCT's to get back to Kai and I will have to find a unit to land at Menado, perhaps one of the Aussie divisions originally intended for Timor, which I now plan to bypass. Tentative landing dates 5-25. I have no intel on what the Japs have at both locations. Concurrently the Allied base at Tomini (on Sulawese) will be reoccupied as it has never fallen into Jap hands. PBM's are flying in supply covertly now.

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

1x Yossarian

[:D]

Darn good thing there's only 1x Yossarian @ Babo---24 of those guys in the same place would mandate a name change for the whole operation: instead of "Inchworm 2," it would have to be renamed "El Foldo 2."

That's one gutsy move those Sparrow Force boys signed on for! [8|]

To reclaim the Point of Victoria
we marched to Morrison's Gloria

Not yet written you say?
Don't you stand in our way!

It's 43B and my storia

ORIGINAL: Moondawggie

That's one gutsy move those Sparrow Force boys signed on for! [8|]

***********Briefing Room, Sparrow Force HQ, Kai Island, May 1, 1943***********

The junior officers are being briefed on the Sansapor landing.

Lt Col. William Leggatt (CO Sparrow Force): .....right, are there any questions, then?

Lt.: Sir, what of Japanese surface forces? It seems our escort might be undergunned?

Lt Col. William Leggatt (CO Sparrow Force): Bah...I shouldn't worry. Those PT boat drivers are an aggressive lot and we will have the B-25's at Babo to dissuade our little yellow friends. I should think it will be a milk run........

ORIGINAL: witpqs

The financial turmoil in California is leading to some questionable business transactions...

Note it is structured as an LLC. That is one thing I have learned with Milo...never, EVER, sign on as general partner. The guy, despite his age, is a wandering liability magnet. Also, it is best to have your own guys with the green eye shades. I wouldn't trust D,C & H to reverse a "fix it" ticket.

Also, given the nature of the investment, I am beginning to think he does not really believe in Global Cooling.

Hey! I just got this in my inbox when I was checking it for the 8th time today, in a shamefully geeky display, to see if there was a turn.


This may just be my big break! Look, I'm perfect, I am just the age they are looking for!


Well, see ya boys...I will try to get WiFi and a good laptop in my contract when I am shooting on location.

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Hey! I just got this in my inbox when I was checking it for the 8th time today, in a shamefully geeky display, to see if there was a turn.


This may just be my big break! Look, I'm perfect, I am just the age they are looking for!


Well, see ya boys...I will try to get WiFi and a good laptop in my contract when I am shooting on location.

And all they need to process your application is a SSN (for tax purposes for the roles you are bound to receive), and a few major credit card numbers (just in case they need a card number to reserve the penthouse suite for late arrival at the next location shoot).

Cap, I am sure a major subsidy book publisher would love nothing more than to publish your next best-seller too.

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: witpqs

The financial turmoil in California is leading to some questionable business transactions...

Note it is structured as an LLC. That is one thing I have learned with Milo...never, EVER, sign on as general partner. The guy, despite his age, is a wandering liability magnet. Also, it is best to have your own guys with the green eye shades. I wouldn't trust D,C & H to reverse a "fix it" ticket.

Also, given the nature of the investment, I am beginning to think he does not really believe in Global Cooling.

3% in cash and 97% borrowed?

Don't you think you might be a little overcapitalized for an investment in Californeeeyah? [:-]

*****Sitrep, Siam, Burma, May 3, 1943******

Bandou: Both sides are resupplying and resting for the next Allied attack. After a one day detour for the attack on Victoria Point, Allied air, with the exception of the USAAF heavies at Moulmein, is again concentrating on Jap forces near Bandou. A Datai or two of Jacks were stationed at Songkhla trying to harrass Allied bombers over Bandou. This was deemed unacceptable. All the P-38's in SEAC were staged at Tavoy to sweep over Songkhla followed by a raid by the heavies from Moulmein. It was a one sided affair. Songkhla airfield is now empty.

Victoria Point: The base fell to a single Chinese division who are no doubt looting the place right now. The supply status is poor but a single squadron of Beaufighers will be brought in to fly CAP over Bandou.

Bangkok: Bombardment attacks continue by both sides, supply permitting. I am a little disappointed with 12th Army HQ which is encamped at Bangkok. They keep misordering the beans and hardtack. A Chindit brigade have crossed the river to the NE of Bangkok and will attempt to move SW to outflank the position.

Burma Area Army Pocket: The Burma Area Army is being slowly reduced with artillery fire. The Chindit brigade may have cut off their exit route for now but I am pretty sure some will escape.

Lashio: Still in Jap hands

Burma Road: The branch to Myitkyina is still blocked by the 21st Mixed Brigaded which is growing weaker.

*******12th Army HQ, near Bangkok, May 3, 1943******

An anxious logistics officer walks briskly out of the HQ tent at the approach of a much anticipated line of lorries. As the first one pulls to a stop, he pulls back the canavas cover.

Logistics Officer: WHAT IN THE BLOODY HELL IS THIS?

Driver: Rattan furniture, sir, all the way from Rangoon. It's quite nice too. Davenports and love seats, even some exquisite magazine racks.

Logistics Officer: Magazine racks? Ah, then you brought the ammunition I ordered. Splendid!

Driver: Oh, no sir, not exactly. They are magazine racks, you know sir, to hold periodicals........

ORIGINAL: Panther Bait


And all they need to process your application is a SSN (for tax purposes for the roles you are bound to receive), and a few major credit card numbers (just in case they need a card number to reserve the penthouse suite for late arrival at the next location shoot).

Wait...you aren't suggesting I may have been deceived?

What, you expected a bungalow instead of a penthouse?

*********Trenchlines near the ancient Chinese capital at Xiang, 08:00, May 2, 1943********

After 20 minutes of deafening artillery fire from massed Japanese guns, there is a sudden lull. Over a 3 mile front, dozens of whistles blow in unison and thousands of little yellow bastards emerge from their trenches with banners flying. They yell and charge toward Chinese lines which bristle with machine guns and ammo flown in by C-47's and Dakotas (which are really just C-47's with differently colored enamel ash trays).

It looks like a Kurosawa film. In fact, it is. First Lt. Akiro Kurosawa climbs out of the trench and begins hand-cranking a camera. He would have preferred an electrically operated model, but one must make accomodations to the war, musn't one. The effects are spectacular. A bit too much dust perhaps, but overall, just specatular. Just then, a severed arm slams into his tripod. He looks down and a look of alarm grows over him. "Oh dear, I hope the Chinese got the memo".....

a recent press release from Luce Publishing......

********Time magazine editor's meeting, New York, May 4, 1943*********


Henry Luce: I want to know who authorized this big Chinese story. Come on people! We are trying to sell magazines. Nobody cares about China. And where the Hell is Xiang?

Editor Lackey: It is generally East of Chungking, sir. It used to be called Sian.

Henry Luce: When was that?

Editor Lackey: Last week, sir.

Henry Luce: Last week? See that is what I mean. How do you expect our readers to even follow that? What is it going to be next week?

Editor Lackey: <consults notes> Let's see...it's slated to be Tziang..with a "T".

Henry Luce: See! That's what I mean? We need celebrity to sell magazines. It needs to have relevance to American audiences. What about the Flying Tigers? Do something on THEM saving the Chinese.

Editor Lackey: The AVG, you mean sir?

Henry Luce: Yeah, the AVG. Do a story on them.

Editor Lackey: Right away sir! We will get somebody up to Dutch Harbor.

Henry Luce: Dutch Harbor! That is more like it! There is a name our readers can remember. Where in China is that?.....

*********AVG officer's club, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, May 5, 1943***********


A young Lt. enters the club. There is a scrum against the far wall where a group of pilots are playing Craps.


Crap player 1: Come on baby..numbers! <rolls the dice, when they stop bouncing, there is a loud roar and money changes hands. This is followed closely by consumption of copious quantities of beer)


Lt. Palafox: Hey Guys! The Major wants the whole squadron out by the planes, pronto. There is a guy from Time.

Crap player 2: Get lost, paleface! Can't you see we are busy?

Lt. Palafox: Oh, come on guys. The Major had the crews paint on the cool nose art thing you all wanted.....hey, it's sort of an order........come on, I will be in big trouble...please.....

**********21:46, May 3, 1943, IJN Seaplane Base, Andaman Island, Bay of Bengal*********


An Aichi E13A-1 (Jake) seaplane touches down smoothly in a protected harbor. The plane taxis uneventfully toward a dock. There is no gruesome engine fire...no great white shark attack..no strafing run by a nasty P-38. The pilot kills the engine and the plane coasts to the dock which it bumps with the most gentle sound. A beautiful crimson sunset is seen over the Bay of Bengal.


I know what you are thinking. Who do you think you are, F. Scott Fitzgerald? Big deal. One lousy seaplane!


That's what I thought....until I realized this was the last aircraft operated by the Empire of Japan that might have suffered an accident or a combat loss on May 3, 1943(b). It didn't. Neither did the other thousands of Japanese planes that sortied that day. Not a single loss...ZERO.

Even the Allies only had 5 losses....C-47's flying in bad weather over the hump. Amazing.

****Sitrep, Burma, Malaya and Siam, May 6, 1943****


Georgetown: On the 4th, 64 P-38's from Victoria Point sweep over Gerogetown, encountering 31 Jacks. They lose 6 P-38's to 18 Jacks, a 1:3 ratio. Shortly afterward, 99 B-17's and B-24's from Moulmein sweep in from the North at 12,000 ft. 2 B-17's are lost for the destruction of 14 Jap bombers on the ground (Helens and Sallys) and 4 Jacks. 23 Allied bombers are damaged so there will be no second raid on the 5th, instead, 55 P-38's sweep again over Georgtown. The Japs have NOT given up. Despite being outnumbered 55
to 6..the Jacks down 5 P-38's with the loss of 3 Jacks. Gen. Chennault was most displeased. The P-38's are going back again today.

Victoria Point: The airfield is level 4 with 150 aviation support points. A convoy of AK's is bringing in supply. One AK was heavily damaged by a mine laid by Allied subs when Victoria Point was under Jap control. [:@]

Bangkok: Artillery duels continue. The Chindit brigade East of Bangkok is one day away from cutting off the entire garrison unless Jap units move to cover their line of communication. A Jap unit is moving down the road from Pisanuloke.

Burma Road: Siege of 21st Mixed Brigade on the Burma Road continues.

******Babo Airfield, 07:45, May 6, 1943(b)******


A tall, hirsute man crouches under a B-25 with a red paintbrush in his hand. A shorter hirsute man approaches.

Shorter hirsute man: Good morning, Capt. Yossarian. How are you feeling today?

Tall hirsute man:Holy Mary Mother of God, Padre! You scared the Hell out of me.

Shorter hirsute man: Sorry about that, Yossarian, and..language please.

Tall hirsute man: Oh, sorry Padre. <sets brush down in can>

Shorter hirsute man: It happens to the best of us, Cpt. What are you doing with the plane?

Tall hirsute man: Oh, I figured I would paint a red cross on the underside of the fuselage. Maybe the Japs will think it is an air ambulance.

Shorter hirsute man: That seems rather desperate, son. I'm not even sure the Japanese are signatories to the Geneva Convention.

Tall hirsute man: Well, that is a fine kettle of fish we are in. We are in a war and the other side didn't sign a treaty. Imagine that.

Shorter hirsute man: Cpt., you seem angry. Cpt., I'll be frank. The Col. asked to come talk to you. He is worried about you.

Tall hirsute man: THE COLONEL IS WORRIED ABOUT ME?! Maybe he should stop sending us on "milk runs' then. He is trying to get us all killed

Shorter hirsute man: That's his job, Yossarian.

Tall hirsute man: His job is to get me killed? Well, now, that is an especially fine kettle of fish.

Shorter hirsute man: Yossarian, you know what I mean. He is worried you are a bad influence on the other men.

Tall hirsute man: He is wrong. I am the only one who isn't crazy around here. Ask the Doc. He won't tell you I am not crazy, even though he knows it. That is HIS job. Do you know we lost two planes and two crews in the last two days over Sorong? The Japs are trying to kill me.

Shorter hirsute man: Yes, it has been very difficult. Let me help you.

Tall hirsute man:Fantastic! Take me off flight duty. Give me a spiritual grounding or something.

Shorter hirsute man: I have to answer to a higher authority, Yossarian. You know I can't do that. The big guy would be angry.

Tall hirsute man: God, you mean?

Shorter hirsute man: Oh, no <chuckles>, General Short. Look Yossarian, how woudl it be if we all stopped fighting?

Tall hirsute man: Then there would be peace.

Shorter hirsute man: But this is a JUST war, Yossarian.

Tall hirsute man: Yeah, JUST long enough to get me killed.

Shorter hirsute man: Look, Yossarian, the red cross on your plane is just a talisman. It means nothing. Let me give you a SPIRITUAL talisman. Let me give me your last rights before your flight today.

Tall hirsute man: HELL NO, PADRE! YOU GAVE LAMONT AND HIS CREW LAST RIGHTS YESTERDAY AND THE FIRE CREW HAD TO SCRAPE THEM UP IN A DUSTPAN WHEN THEY CRASHED ON LANDING! YOU KILLED THEM, PADRE! YOU GAVE THEM LAST RIGHTS AND NOW THEY ARE ALL DEAD.

Shorter hirsute man: That's not fair, Yossarian. I only eased their passing. You want to be with God in Heaven, don't you?

Tall hirsute man: Well, I do NOT want my passing eased. I want it slowed down as much as possible. And I am perfectly happy with Purgatory, too. You keep away from me Padre. I mean it.

Shorter hirsute man: <makes sign of the cross> en nomine patr...

Tall hirsute man: <drops paintbucket and begins runing as fast as his tall, hirsute legs can carry him..which is pretty fast..oh, he is not going to beat Jesse Owens or anything but he is seriously motivated> AHHHAHHHHHHHOOOOOOOYYYYYYYYaaaaaaaaahhhaaahhhhh......