Another busy month in the bank! Allies made some progress without losing the fleet, and another month closer to the Hellcat! L_S_T continues to throw surprises at me, especially with the KB employment, which has made some adventures a bit bloody. But overall, it was a good month with solid gains in SWPAC and SOPAC – although the SWPAC Gove venture has been costly. I certainly didn’t expect the heavy air opposition, including the KB air being employed against the Port Hedland land attack, and progress has been slow. Another month without a decisive naval engagement, although there were some opportunities. Lack of air frame continue to limit actions, and I really think I’m over extending beyond capabilities at this point. Naval losses for the month were fairly light for both sides, with only one major naval engagement; IJN reported losses for the month were 2DD, 7SS and 8SSX as compared to the Allies losing a 4DD, 2SS and 10PT. In the air, it was a very good month for the Allied Cause, 1181 for Jpn to 551 Allied – achieving better than a 2-1 loss ratio for the first time.
INTEL: L_S_T sending the KB to operate off Port Hedland was one heck of a surprise. Using the KB from a “central position” and being able to sortie toward Hedland or toward Gove does make sense – but also provides opportunities in both SOPAC and CENPAC. Taking advantage of these opportunities is the challenge! But Lunga invasion was accelerated because the KB was confirmed well away – and so far that is working well. The real question now is whether the KB will remain operating in its present location. Frankly, I have no idea.
SUBWAR: No better news here. Continued missed opportunities against the IJN fleet – I’m overdue for some success against a major warship! Against the merchant marine, results continue to disappoint – Jpn ASW a/c continue to have good success in keeping subs surpressed in high traffic areas.
West Coast/USA/Rear Areas: Lack of fighters across the board is still the major problem. While Jan was a solid month in the air, the losses can’t be sustained with that accelerated tempo – especially the British air arm in Burma. F4Fs are stretched all too thin as well for the USMC, and will remain in short supply until the Hellcat shows. The bomber situation should be getting better starting next month when the B-24D1 effectively triples the production of Heavies.
NOPAC. Just waiting for the weather to clear now to land at Attu. Troops in place at Dutch Harbor, Buldir Island is ready to provide air support and warships are slowly arriving. No IJN activity noted in or around Attu.
CENPAC. Been quiet. Troops in place at Christmas Is, just waiting on shipping released from the Lunga Landings. As long as the KB stays put, will go forward in CENPAC.
SOPAC. Was kinda surprised that L_S_T took the pressure off Kirakira early in the month – and was equally surprised when that “pressure” showed up in force off Port Hedland. But, did manage to pull together the Lunga landing to take advantage, and Kira was sufficiently built up to support. So far so good. Will scale down naval operations, with most of the transports and warships departing Theater – Rennel Is and Tulagi are the next near term targets for landings, while troops move across Guad to take Tassafaronga.
SWPAC. Well, Groote landings went off without a hitch, Gove is proving a bit more challenging. Still Groote AF is developed and can provide cover/support against LBA – but not of course if the KB comes calling. The KB is still the Bull in the China shop, and I don’t have the resources to counter it – and L_S_T is being fairly cautious in its employment, keeping it just out of land based SBD range from the major bases of Horn, Merauke and mainland OZ. Will continue to build up both Gove and Groote, as long as the KB move out of the way of course.
WAUS. The overland ground attack toward Port Hedland met an unforeseen snag – heavy employment of both LBA and KB air to interdict the move. That cost me a Bde(+) of effectives that will need time to rest and recoup losses, but the division sized (+) main body has continued to march toward the target. Port Hedland remains the focus, although I’ll need to suppress Broome with Heavies now.
Burma/India. Pretty much continued stalemate here. Good month in the air, but can not currently sustain that kind of tempo, even with a positive loss ratio. Will attempt to rekindle the air attrition when P-38Gs and Corsairs arrive next month and see what can be accomplished. Have learned that the British Air Arm is very fragile, and can’t sustain heavy losses – in either planes or pilots. On the ground, both sides seem to have culminated for the moment. Will resume limited offensive actions and heavy probes in Feb – goal is still to attrit the enemy.
China. The lone US P-40E squadron has done very well in executing CAP traps over Chungking – now my leading squadron with 251 kills – the last 150 over China. But that’s not going to defeat the Empire – on the ground, the IJA is slowly tightening the noose on Lanchow and Chungking. Will continue with CAP Traps as long as possible, and the fight goes on.
