[center]
Operations Bottle & Cork
Marianas Islands
as of September 10, 1943[/center]
Loading
By the end of the day on September 10, 1943, Operations Bottle and Cork are anticipated to fully complete the loading of ground forces, aircraft, and supply on transport ships bound for Takao, Formosa and Pescadores.
Staging Area
By the end of the day on September 11, 1943, the entire Invasion Fleet for Operations Bottle and Cork are anticipated to be at hex 107, 94 (one hex due west of Tinian).
Distance and Time
The distance from the Staging Area to hex 83,63 (one hex due west of Pescadores) is 1,640 miles.
All of the Task Forces of the Invasion Fleet will move together as one group at the speed of 5 knots (slowed down by Mine Tender Task Forces).
On September 20, 1943, it is anticipated that the Invasion Fleet will arrive at hex 83,63 (one hex due west of Pescadores).
The Route
On September 12, 1943, it is anticipated that the Invasion Fleet will leave the Staging Area (one hex due west of Tinian).
The Invasion Fleet will move directly northwest (diagonally) to hex 94,68 (two hexes southwest of Naha, Okinawa) to give El Lobo the impression that the Invasion Fleet’s destination is Okinawa.
Upon reaching hex 94,68 (two hexes southwest of Naha, Okinawa), the Invasion Fleet will turn due west passing directly under Orchid Island and Hengchen to hex 84,68 (one hex southwest of Hengchen).
Upon reaching hex 84,68 (one hex southwest of Hengchen), the Invasion Fleet will turn northwest to hex 83,63 (one hex due west of Pescadores).
Invasion
On September 21, 1942, it is anticipated that ground forces and supply will simultaneously and amphibiously land at Takao, Formosa and Pescadores.
However, in the event that Allied recon of Takao and Pescadores indicate that those two bases are lightly defended by the Japanese, though the Marines are 100% fully-prepped for Pescadores and though U.S. Army troops are 100% fully-prepped for Takao, the Marines will proceed to invade Amoy, China while the U.S. Army splits its forces to invade both Takao and Pescadores.
Conclusion
Should my time permit, at some point during the Invasion Fleet’s route toward hex 83,63 (one hex due west of Pescadores), I will provide the Order of Battle for all Invasion Fleet Task Forces and the Order of Battle for the ground forces, aircraft, and supply anticipated to land at Takao, Pescadores, and possibly Amoy, China.
A map of the Marianas Islands lit-up like Christmas on September 10, 1943 is displayed below.
Best Regards,
-Terry
"No one throws me my own guns and tells me to run. No one."
-Bret (James Coburn); The Magnificent Seven