Fear and Loathing in the Pacific (3x3 MPBEM)

[Cap Mandrake]

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[Mark VII]

As the Allied player I would accept losing 29 fighters for 15 Zero's anyday!

[Terminus]

Especially at the end of 3/42!

[tabpub]

To: SWPac Command
From: New Guinea Area Intelligence
Subj: Assessment of Enemy Intentions and Capabilities

Enemy is sending large forces of fighters with minimal bomber forces. This is to "restrain" their fighters from being tempted down to low level strikes where our AAA can hurt them.
After the "lone Wirraway" dodge that we pulled on them a couple of weeks ago, this is understandable.

After heavy intial losses, we are seeing an improvement on the performance of our fighters. This can be attributed to several things; the fact that their fighters are slightly tied down to escorting the bombers and don't have freedom of action over the target and the experience that our surviving pilots are gaining in fighting the enemy.

Our pilot losses are only running at about 50% of the destroyed airframes; fighting over our own base allows the pilots the luxury to abandon a heavily damaged plane and still be recovered by friendly ground forces.

The two Marine VMF's are being rotated to AUS for rest and replenishment of planes; AAF planes will assume cover of PM airspace for the near future.

ADDENDUM: A Japanese Ensign has been captured; he is not talking to our interrogators at the moment and will be sent back on the next available transport, which is due to leave here at 0600 today. The only thing that we have been able to ascertain is that he is a member of the B-II Daitai; this squadron was last known to be a carrier squadron and indicates that his carrier is either in Rabaul supporting this operation, or that the fighters have been landed there to operate from land. Either way, it is reassuring that our fighters are doing this well against what is considered to be some of the best naval aviation flyers that the IJN possesses.

====STOP=====

[Cap Mandrake]

From Gen Robert McClure, US Military Attache to London in 1941, became G2 to Eisnehower in Early '42.

While Marshall, who is visiting troops in England, and US Ambassador Harriman are off in the English countryside having tea, McClure is taking Christmas wishes from the airboys in England. What do they want? Smoking jackets? Fine Scotch? A new big screen? No...they want 7 Bn Aviation Engineers and 7 Aviation Regts...and they want them now! [X(]

This is why you have to steal aviation engineers from NZ and sneak out half-starved mechanics from the PI aboard rickety PBY's in March of 42.

[Cap Mandrake]

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[Cap Mandrake]

Either we scared them away or they are girding for a another 100 Zero raid.

[Cap Mandrake]

Ledo is the terminus of the railroad network in NE India...so that is where the allied transport planes, everything from 15 year old Dutch Lodestars to brand new USAAF C-47's, load up for the flight over the Himalayas (the "Hump") to China. The primitive road to Myitkyina in Burma is till open, but beyond that, the link to China is cut.

[Cap Mandrake]

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[Terminus]

Oh my God, Mandrake, you really outdid yourself on this one!

"His English is frawress"...[:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Speedysteve]

Excellent. Also the dark glasses bit [:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

March 24, 1942

Lt. Commander Williams
G2, CENTPAC HQ, Pearl

Sir;

A few of us at the Ford Island print shop were a bit alarmed at the print order recently received from USS Chicago. Please review.


Ensign Pulver

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G2, SWPac HQ, Noumea;

Sir;

I felt it important to pass along, as quickly as possible, this communication passed to me on March 22 by Maj Rutins, of the Furgusen Is Special Recon Detachment. The communication is exceedingly odd, but he seemed a perfectly sane and earnest individual.


Lt. Commander Christensen, USS Cachalot

[Terminus]

Spooky...[X(]

[Cap Mandrake]

***********Scene: SWPac HQ, Noumea, Office of Adm Ghormley, March 25, 1942**************

Adm. Ghormley: Right, I called you all together to get your thoughts on a bit of intel from our Furgusen Island Deep Recon Unit which was just put ashore by sub on March 20. The good news is we did get some striking new information, the bad news I dont know what the Hell it means. Take a look at this. <passes around Maj Rutin's drawings>

Maj. Schulgen, Acting Air Adjuvant SWPac: Permission to speak frankly sir?


Adm. Ghormley: Of course Major.

Maj. Schulgen: Have you considered the tropical heat may have got to him?

Gen Sibert, CO, 27th Inf Div: I don't think that's plausible Major. He is a straight shooter and volunteered for this operation. He is at great personal peril, which is more than I can say for your A-20 boys cruising at 10,000 feet over the beautiful South Pacific for imaginary sub contacts.

Adm. Ghormley: I understand he may be a friend of yours, General, but let's be professional about this. I have to say the very same thought occured to me.

Col. Marconi, SWPac Intelligence Officer: Sir, if I may, I've just done some quick calculations. This ring could be an omnidirectional antenna. Given the dimensions specified , I estimate a frequency of operation of about 75 Mhz. If this is Japanese, it would constitute a previously unkown device. It occurs to me that a radar antenna with a North/South orientation in this location might have military utility for surveilance of the Jomard Passage. It is definitely not US made. I cant say about Brit or Aussie origins. With your permission, I would like to go there myself, take pictures and make a more detailed inspection. We should direct Maj Rutins to not disrupt the operation of the device lest we alert the Japs to the discovery.

Gen Sibert, CO, 27th Inf Div: Sir; if this thing is that valuable, we need a more robust force on the Island. Can I get some Coronados?

Adm. Ghormley: So be it, General. VP13 at Luganville is at your disposal. Make sure Col. Marconi is included. In the meantime, I will notify Pearl and Washington. It will be up to them to confirm the item is not a secret program of an ally.