May 43 Summary
Another solidly positive month. No major setbacks, and advances made according to plan. In fact, ahead of schedule with the unexpected withdrawal of the IJA in OZ and in Eastern New Guinea. The only setback was engaging the George over Burma - L_S_T’s R&D program is paying dividends. No major naval engagements, but a steady attrition of the IJN DD force isn’t a bad thing, along with barge busting to deny supply to island garrisons. Still stalemated the Burma-Indian Ocean Theater, but that will change in June. While all Theaters except NOPAC will continue offensive operations in June, the real show will be in the Burma-Indian Ocean - hopefully culminating with a successful major CV engagement. At least that’s the goal. Naval losses for the month were light for the IJN and almost nonexistent for the Allies; IJN losing a CL, 6DD, 4SS and an SSX as compared to the Allies losing only 5 PT. In the air, good month for the Allied Cause, 873 for Jpn to 451 Allied, and we even have some fighters with replacements in the pools for a change at month’s end.
INTEL: Confirming that the KB was still operating out of the Koepang area at the end of the month was a large bonus. Not only do I know where the KB is - more importantly, I know that the KB isn’t an immediate threat to the Indian Ocean Operation that will be the cornerstone of June operations. So in theory, by the time the KB comes calling, and I fully believe the KB will sail to the Indian once the US CVs are identified, the landings should have been successfully concluded and the US CVs won’t be tied to protecting an invasion.
SUBWAR: Still not doing much in the subwar, but not losing many either. On the bright side, neither are the IJN subs. US subs still actively patrol and are a nuisance and a potential threat. IJN subs on the other hand seem to have been withdrawn to less active waters.
West Coast/USA/Rear Areas: Fighter production climbs to a reported 442, but that isn’t showing the 20 P-38Gs that are, in theory, still in production since I didn’t convert the factory to P-38Hs. Not sure what’s going on there - whether tracker isn’t reporting the production as it maybe doesn’t recognize the factory not converting or what. Will keep an eye on the P-38G replacement pool and see if they climb. Speaking of replacements, finally getting some fighter replacements in the pools - especially P-40Ks and F4Fs, and with the CVs fitted out with the Hellcat, those pools starting to climb a bit as well. Pilot pools are mixed, with US Army bomber, USMC, and British pools being a bit too low. While I’m glad to see a number of US bomber groups coming in, they are draining the bomber pilot pools. On the water side, June will bring a number of refits for xAK and AK to AKA. Shouldn’t be a major impact to operations. Also on the naval side of things, for the first time in the war, I’m beginning to feel that I have enough destroyers to go around - enough to escort and do some raiding. While I’m still short convoy escorts in places at times, the DD fleet is now pretty robust and that’s a great feeling!
NOPAC. Although a backwater, the CL raid to the Kuriles paid off, but that’s as sexy as its going to get up north for the rest of ’43.
CENPAC. Slow but sure advances secure Nauru and Mili, and ready to continue in Jun with Ailinglaplap and Maloelap on the slate. After that, continued slow attrition of islands in the Marshalls. CV Essex TF will arrive in Jun - still debating on what to do with it…may raid the merchant lifeline near Marcus if I can confirm where the KB is. Will see.
SOPAC. Steady progress up the Solomons and expanding the threat to New Guinea by securing Kiriwina and Woodlark. DDs barge busting to cut supplies has worked well - at least we’re sinking barges and I assume the supplies are drying out. LBA has been able to hold its own and the Japanese air attacks have been costly and have achieved little. Jun will see a major landing at Buin to begin the clearing of Bouganville, which will then bring fighters over Rabaul; then landing to threaten Buna. All supported only by LBA, and I fully expect a heavy response to the Buin landings.
SWPAC. Unexpected progress here with the Jpn withdrawal from Northwest OZ. This really accelerated the Allied advance, taking Daly Waters, Katherine and Fenton with little effort - and negligible supply available. And by going overland (or via airborne drop), I’ve negated the IJN superiority - Allied naval forces largest warship in Theater is still the DD. Focus in Jun will be Darwin - first looking at Bathurst to isolate, then move on Darwin. The wild card is the IJN of course. Should it head as expected to the IO, I can bring troops and supply directly via sea to Darwin. Should the IJN remain an active threat, Darwin will be a much tougher nut to crack.
WAUS. L_S_T is still making this the most painful Theater. Not necessarily complaining - he’s committed the KB in May to hitting Corunna Downs, and I’d much rather see that than anywhere else I can think of. Still, Allied forward progress is capped at Corunna Downs, supplies still too low, and air threat still too high to march on Port Hedland. Again, figure the KB will have to challenge the Allied CVs in the Indian Ocean in Jun - hopefully giving me a free hand at Port Hedland and on to Broome. If the KB is still supporting Port Hedland’s defense by the end of Jun, it will remain in Jpn hands.
Burma/India. Another month of stalemate along the Burma- India frontier. That’s OK. Allied air strength is built back up, but still stalemated in the air, as both sides seem about equal, although the Allies managed to get some good licks in over Akyab. Magwe has been the center of gravity in the campaign, but that will change in Jun with the Allied landings in the Andamans. The goal with landing there is two fold. First, to flank the Magwe-Rangoon position, and the oil route. And second, to seek a CV battle with the KB, which I figure will head to the Indian Ocean. Curios to see L_S_T response to that in Burma - does he maintain the focus on holding the frontier and Magwe, or will that be a trigger to beginning a withdrawal? I’m planning on landing at Ramree in July with 3 Divisions to flank the frontier, but that assumes he’s still focused on holding the line. Will be an interesting month or two in the Burma/India Theater!
China. Nothing to see here, move along....
Same story in China, focus on holding Chungking and Changsa positions, not much else. Still may bring in some P-38s at some point in Jun to do a CAP trap over Chungking, but that’s just a possibility, nothing definite.
