Let The Good Times Roll

[a1981stingray]

Let The Good Times Roll

A rematch between
Stingray vs. RGIJN

Scenario 19, Reinforcements set to Variable, Ship Commitment 180% Allied / 200% Japanese. No AutoVictory except at Noumea or Brisbane, no 4E attacks at levels below 12K, no single ship TFs. Jap Sub Doc and Allied Damage Control set to OFF.

In our last campaign, between RGIJN and myself, I tried several new strategies that were very risky and aggressive. I also did not have a specific war plan, spelled out and printed, for the actions that I wanted for each Theater. I also accepted some "advice" from a couple of "friends", at that time it sounded good, but it changed 2 of my objectives and every asset was lost... RGIJN was very lucky in being in the right place at the right time to prevent some of my initial actions. From that point on, I continued to spiral downward after the loss of my CV TFs.

I must admit, I did not implement and follow through on several occasions. I thought I had in my mind a clear objective for Mid '42 [July/August] when I knew the Enterprise, Saratoga, and Wasp would be arriving. I had some plans for PNG and the Solomon Islands using these Carriers... some subs LLs got a few lucky hits there too...

I also should not have split all of my forces to tackle multiple mini-objectives when I should have concentrated on a single clear objective and poured every asset into that plan. I continue to talk about plans within plans. It was a flaw in the "plan" when I had conflict between a "friend" who only gave "advice" for SwPac without consequences for SoPac. It had changed several times from 1 area to the next and it disrupted the SwPac and SoPac flow of assets.

Now I no longer "share information" with my "friends" and I do not listen or get distracted by their grandiose designs. I have asked that they only read the AAR and not tell me what they would do...

Now a rematch between myself and RGIJN... I have a very clear and documented plan of action with an objective. I can continue to look at it and double check that those assets have been assigned and not redirected. I have only 1 clear objective to be accomplished by the end of May, and 1 clear objective to be finished by the end of June with the current assets from the start.

So...... Let The Good Times Roll.


David

[a1981stingray]

May 1, 1942
 
SWPAC
SITUATION REPORT:
 
AIR:
All Bomber wings are ordered to begin a rigorous training protocol, and all fighter squadrons are to be on an "Emergency! CAP" readiness. After the damaged aircraft are repaired, those squadrons will be flown to another airfield and join the training program. There will be 2 airfields, with 1 designated for Bombers on Training and the other for Bombers on Active Missions. Hopefully using this approach will minimize operational losses due to fatigue, Pilot/Crew experience, and morale.
 
LAND:
The 7th Australian Division, located at Brisbane, consists of the 18th, 21st, and 25th INF and 1 HQ units. The 7th Division requires an AK Troop Transport with a load capacity of 15,500. The Transport Task Force assigned to handle this operation will be loaded asap and directed to its destination once it has set sail.  NOTE: SWPAC HQ currently is unsure whether to direct this Assault Force to Papua New Guinea or to The Solomon Islands. It will be based on Intel reports of IJA activity in the area.
 
The New Guinea Force consisting of Kanga Force at Wau, 30th Australian Brigade and 1 HQ Unit at Port Moresby, 14th Australian Brigade at Cooktown, and the 7th Australian Brigade at Cairns will need to be formed into the full division to increase combat effectiveness. Several AK/AP Troop Transports have been put together to facilitate the expedited orders of forming the New Guinea Force into a Full Strength Division.
 
Since these transports orders take precedence over all others, the Task Forces have been ordered to depart from Brisbane with empty cargo holds. This process should cut several days from their trip, since the transports can dock at their new home ports and begin loading immediately. The New Guinea Force will soon be fully supplied and organized for their marching orders...
 
SEA:
The Port of Brisbane currently has numerous Surface Combat Ships for various duties from Anti-Submarine Warfare, MineSweeping, and Freighter Escort.  There have been many multi-role task forces put together to minimize the speed at which these ships may need to be deployed. For instance, several ships have been combined into a single task force to provide Surface Combat / ASW / and Freighter Escort. If the need arises these task forces can split and then reform into a single specific task like ASW only.
 
SOPAC
SITUATION REPORT:
 
AIR:
All Long Range PBY squadrons have been set to 100% Naval Search. The Fighter-Bomber squadron at Noumea have been set to Training. I do not perceive the IJN to sail this far south without adequate protection for their Troop Transport Task Forces.
 
LAND:
The Americal Division is currently sitting idle in Noumea, waiting for orders. Hopeful that they will be deployed soon when the AK Troop Transports arrive from SWPAC.
 
SEA:
The Yorktown and Lexington, commanded by Spruance and Mitscher, have set sail on their first of many shakedown cruises. It will be several days before their orders are acknowledged and their destinations have been set to provide fighter cover for the troop transports. A few Fast Transport Task Forces have been organized to make supply runs into forward bases of Luganville and Efate Port Vila. In addition, several Surface Combat ships have combined into an ASW patrol force and assigned 2 specific routes to protect the shipping lanes between Luganville and Efate Port Vila.
 
 
 
NOTES: from Washington DC Intelligence Office:
 
It is unlikely that the IJN/IJA will invade Australia until the conflicts in the Asian Theater subside, which may be several months away. It is therefore imperative to utilize all assets not permanently assigned to protect the Australian coast.
 
There are several [ 91st Engr Bn. and 104th AAA Auto Bn. ] located in Cairns that need to be assigned.
The 43rd Engr Rgt. and 808th EAB in Cooktown can also be reassigned to airfields in desperate need of expansion. The Engineering Aviation Battalion has several vehicles that could expand an airfield very quickly for medium range bombers.
One lonely unit is the 102nd AAA Auto Bn. in Townsville. Any AAA unit will be transported to a nearby base that lack fighters on CAP in order to protect it from Imperial Japanese air strikes.

[radar]

Looking forward to it, Stingray...good luck.

[a1981stingray]

SitRep from USNHQ in the South Pacific.
Typical day two... The IJN has delivered the IJA Naval Garrisons into Buna, Gili-Gili, and Lunga. No surprises as these are critical to the development of a strong chain from east to west. However, if these locations do not build up a level 2+ airfield very soon and station some fighters the USN may quickly decide to get some bombing practice on these poor ground units. These small packets of troops probably only have enough assualt value to capture the base until another series of FT TFs can deliver the remaining pieces...
 
SOPAC HQ:
Land:
The Americal Division is currently being delivered, via 4 squadrons of PBY Catalina, into Lunga to protect that location from falling into enemy hands, until a stronger presence can be stationed there.  Getting ENG into this location to build up the fortifications is going to be tricky, since there are none available, except for the ENG stationed at Goro [next door to Noumea].
SWPAC HQ:
SEA:
All transports have been loaded and are currently sailing towards there destinations.
AIR:
Repairs and Training are going well. Squadrons are reducing fatigue and increasing morale.
 
NOTES:
USNHQ expects Objectives M31: GoTSI, to be played out very similar to real world historical archives...
 

[Kingfisher]

I commend you for your chutzpah for pushing the Americal so far forward so early, but I think you are setting yourself up for a heartache again. Better to fortify your positions in New Caledonia and await major reinforcements, such as the 1st Marine Div and carriers, then go on the offensive in shorter, mutually supporting hops.

[RGIJN]

a new war has begun indeed...

If our opponent fought a valiant struggle last time already, he tries it even more bold this time. Maximum forward deployment...

Our troops sent to the outer ranges of the Island chain found enemy LCU not only at Guadalcanal, but also at Gili Gili.
So we embarked more troops to cope with that situation. And you know what - the first series of night battles already took place tonite...
A surface fleet of four heavy cruisers with some escorts covering another FT TF discovered no less than SIX allied 2-ship FT groups... A fierce melee followed...

One enemy CA and two DDs are reported sunk, while other vessels are limping home more or less heavily damaged. Troop losses must be hurting again. Our sailors heard alot of american soldiers crying and saw them drowning...




six times the same picture... this one...





AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/03/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 3
CA Haguro
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
DD Akebono
DD Sazanami
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
DD Sims, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 59
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
DD Akebono
DD Sazanami
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Shell hits 5
DD Anderson


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Haguro
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kako, Shell hits 3
DD Akebono, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Sazanami
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hammann, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 209
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kako
DD Akebono, on fire
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
CA Astoria, Shell hits 3
DD Russell, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 87


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Haguro
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kako, Shell hits 2
DD Akebono, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sazanami, on fire
DD Ushio, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 33, on fire
DD Morris


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 87
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Haguro, Shell hits 2
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kako, Shell hits 1
DD Akebono, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
DD Phelps, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
DD Dewey, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 120
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 86th Naval Garrison Unit, at 12,38


Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 29


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 968 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1843 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 8


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[RGIJN]

next turn = next night encounter... A bombardment TF sunk two allied DMS along with their load of troops they were trying to deliver to Guadalcanal...

Two more US DDs hit the bottom after the night battle last turn.

In the meantime, Buna was taken with no interference of the enemy.




both vessels fell victim to our mighty 8" guns...




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/04/42

Weather: Overcast

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 2
CA Kako, Shell hits 2
CL Tenryu
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 2
CL Yubari
DD Ushio
DD Yayoi
DD Uzuki
DD Mochizuki
DD Yuzuki
DD Kikuzuki

Allied Ships
DMS Southard, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
DMS Hovey, Shell hits 42, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 412
Guns lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40

Port supply hits 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 86th Naval Garrison Unit, at 12,38


Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 32


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 34


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 782 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Buna base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[RGIJN]

the more days go by the more enemy ships are coming to my frontyard to receive some punishment...

The allied supreme command sent a decent part of their cargo fleet into GG with not a single plane providing cover over them. What an invitation to the a/c of the 8th Airfleet at Rabaul... Floatplanes from an AV nearby joined the attacks with their 60kg bombs, which are pretty sufficient to penetrate these tincans[;)] Two mines were already in their way in the morning anyway...



RAdm Norman Scott sleeps along his wreck fleet with the fishes now...




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/05/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 21,4

Japanese Ships
AP Koei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-44


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 7

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Adelong, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Lycaon, Bomb hits 1


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 18


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 86th Naval Garrison Unit, at 12,38


Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 31


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 81st Naval Garrison Unit, at 38,40


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 36


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 33


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 6

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Adelong, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Barwon, Bomb hits 3


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 41


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
G3M Nell x 12

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Rhesus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Adelong, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Idomeneus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Neleus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 44



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Kanimbla, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manoora, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AP Katoomba
AP Manunda, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 140
Guns lost 2

Attacking Level Bombers:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[RGIJN]

more punishment to the allied fleet... Medium bombers attacked very successfully on GG harbour, while 5th carrier division caught some surface units south of Lunga...

one of our DDs got torpedoed too, medium damage... (37/31)





put some fishes into some bellies...




Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 3
no losses

Allied Ships

AK Idomeneus, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42



Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
G3M Nell x 31
G4M1 Betty x 14

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Asphalion, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mildura
AK Lycaon, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AK Murada, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 98 Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air attack on 14th Naval Construction Battalion, at 17,42




Allied aircraft

F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
SBD Dauntless x 36
no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 79
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Air attack on 86th Naval Garrison Unit, at 12,38
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 31
no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Air attack on 81st Naval Garrison Unit, at 38,40

Allied aircraft

F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 36
no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 62
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Air attack on TF at 45,50
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
D3A Val x 43
B5N Kate x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 8 damaged

Allied Ships

CA Chester, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Anderson, Bomb hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G3M Nell x 7
G4M1 Betty x 13

no losses

Allied Ships

AK Murada, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mildura, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Mungana, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 26

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 12
no losses

Allied Ships

AK Barwon, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 79

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3
no losses

Allied Ships

AP Manoora, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sub attack at 25,37

Japanese Ships
DD Mutsuki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Allied Ships
SS S-39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[RGIJN]

some cruisers were sent to GG to finish off the remnants of this enemy cargo fleet... worked out!




8" shells against 0.5" steel plate...not fair

[RGIJN]

another such one "battle"...same night, same place - but still they were surprised

[a1981stingray]

US Intel Reports March 25th, 1942...
A snippet from a top secret brief, from the Director of Operations Desk of the Department of Intelligence to The Joint Chiefs, Washington D.C.
 
 
The following IJN / IJA Combat Forces are capable of reaching Buna, Gili-Gili, Lunga, or Tulagi on Turn 3 / May 3rd. It is therefore in the best interest of the SOPAC Allied Commanders to position some defensive troops to delay the IJA Commander from running amok throughout the Islands.
 
 
If the Allied Commanders can establish a single stronghold, temporarily, long enough to cause the IJA Commander to route all available INF to these locations, then there will be less IJA INF troops available for other operations. We are hoping that the IJA Commander will have to continually update their strategy and commitment of Combat Forces. East or West, but not both directions...
 
 
This should give the Allied Commanders an ability to build up 1 base location while the other is being contested and then redirect reinforcements and supplies to the other bases as the IJA will try to prevent 1 base or the other from building an airfield. Also noted that the Allied Commanders can now choose to invade and build on several smaller islands that may have once been planned on being occupied by the IJA to build an airfield..
 
 
In addition, the losses incurred to the IJA INF and the system damage to the IJN Fleet will eventually allow the Allied Commanders some room to maneuver their combat forces for the next big operations to begin in July...
 

[a1981stingray]

A Summarized Intel Report from the Reconnaissance Processing Facility in Hawaii. The following is compiled from Aircraft on Long Range Recon Photo shoots of the enemy positions in the South Pacific.
 
 
Notes scribbled in margins of Journal:  If comparing the 1st week's map of the previous game to this game, there will be, undoubtedly, a noticeable difference of IJA INF units NOT occupying the small islands east of Buna and Gili-Gili. The same holds true for the Solomon Islands and Santa Cruz Islands.
 
 
The IJA Commander can potentially:::::
1] garrison approximately 63 Assault Value on Lunga within 9 days.
2] garrison approximately 63 Assault Value on Gili-Gili within 9 days.
3] Move approximately 98 Assault Value towards either location after May 9th.
4] Move approximately 132 Assault Value towards either location after May 15th.
 
 
TRUK:
Current Forces stationed at Truk capable of reaching Lunga or Gil-Gili:::
4th Naval Garrison - Load Cost 2922 - Assault Value 108
[3] CV, [6] CA, [7] DD - These TFs can be operational in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, or Buna, PNG on May 3.
 
 
RABAUL:
Current Forces stationed at Rabaul capable of reaching Lunga, Buna, or Gili-Gili:::
Sasebo 5th SNLF - Load Cost 1218 - Assault Value 21
144th Regiment - Load Cost 6922 - Assault Value  132
8th Naval Garrison - Load Cost 2922 - Assault Value 98
85th Naval Garrison - Load Cost 818 - Assault Value 21
86th Naval Garrison - Load Cost 818 Assault Value 21
[3] CL, [6] DD, [1] ML, [1] AV
 
 
SHORTLAND ISLAND:
Current Forces stationed at Shortland Island capable of reaching Lunga, Buna, or Gili-Gili:::
81st Naval Garrison - Load Cost 818 - Assault Value 21
16th Naval Garrison - Load Cost 818 - Assault Value 21
Kure 3rd SNLF - Load Cost 1218 - Assault Value 21
[2] DD, [1] ML
 
 
The Allied Commander must position enough troops to maintain a 1:1 ratio against the IJA forces in the region. It is possible that some additional Allied INF troops may come from Australia.
 

[a1981stingray]

Intel Report for 1st Week of May.
SOPAC & SWPAC Combat Operations from May 1st to May 7th.
 
 
The Aus 7th Div has been placed at Gili-Gili. There is enough Assault Value to provide a 3:1 ratio against the IJA units.
The Americal Div has been placed at Lunga. There is enough Assault Value to provide a 3:1 ratio against the IJA units.
 
 
The USN CV TFs are routinely pounding the enemy invasion forces at Lunga and Gili-Gili with their SBD Dauntless bomber squadrons. Intel Reports show IJA with minimal troops at these locations. They will need a full commitment of combat forces in order to dislodge the Allies from these bases.
 
The IJA have now been forced to allocate INF units to these locations and to continue to focus on the battles here. The Allied Commanders have unanimously agreed and preferred to pick the location and the area to fight over instead of letting the IJA Commanders fortify every little island base for several months while the Allies build up their forces. I also believe that the IJA will have to capture these locations before acquiring other locations. There is a strong commitment to these 2 locations as it provides the Allied Commanders the ability to prevent the IJN from coming farther south and prevents them from invading Port Moresby or Noumea from an IJA occupied Gili-Gili / Lunga base.

[a1981stingray]

I hear Allied players say it's best to wait and go on the offensive when you have more units that can actually perform better than what is available at the start. I feel I must do something now and not just sit and wait until October for the 1st Marine Div to arrive. If I wait, the IJ Commander will have already acquired bases and established supply lines as well as airfields. If I let them do this, then I will have more battles to look forward to.  I am setting the locations for the battles to be fought now.  I believe it was similar in history that the Allies sent out their CV TF into Coral Sea and they got hit hard "Clash of the Titans". The Allied CVs did not sit in port waiting for Hornet and Enterprise months later to show up and then venture forth to look for the IJN.  From reading other AARs, I think that it's possible for the Allies to hold these locations and then launch a larger offensive in October with the 1st Marines to another island base.  offensive or defensive you decide.....

[Kingfisher]

You're going to need ships to launch that larger offensive in October, but at the rate you're losing them...

[a1981stingray]

SOPAC HQ - Noumea
Continuing to send troops and supplies to those forces "holding strong" at Lunga.
The Allied Fast Transports continue to get thru, despite the loss of ships, the Guadalcanal location continues to be a thorn in the side of the IJN/IJA.  RGIJN will have to commit more ships and troops to this very specific location if the IJ Commanders want it bad enough. It also appears that there are no IJA troops capturing other locations, which means the Allied Commanders have options to establish another base nearby...  Although the IJN CV TFs have not been spotted, they must be out of fuel and heading NORTH to get some at Shortland Island. Sweep for Mines first - oops did I say that!!!
 
SWPAC HQ - Townsville
Allied Forces at Gili-Gili - Combat Ratio 39:1, Allied Forces are "holding very strong" at Gili-Gili. All IJA invaders are killed - no prisoners...
MSW patrols continue to clear a path for transports into the harbor at Gili-Gili.
Long Range B-17 bombers are now targeting the next base... Soon B-25 and B-26 bombers will be joining the fun after all squadrons are repaired...
Commanders continue to move troops, train pilots, and move supplies to needed bases.  All efforts are currently going very well for the PNG operations. The target date of late June is on/ahead of schedule...
 

[RGIJN]

IJ HQ is pleased to see there is another challenge to release the massive combined assets upon. We´re happy to have a worthy job for the IJA branch to sent troops to fight and wipe out allied armies instead sitting idle and awaiting boring defensive deployment in 1943.

The fist of the minesweepers that went into GG to take care for our eggs planted there was sunk today....




one 21" LL fish is more than enough for these kinda nutshells

[RGIJN]

confrmed enemy losses as for May 10, 1942


2 CA
6 DD
2 DMS
2 MSW
12 AK/AP


plus some a/c... most of them went down while airlifting troops or supplies

[a1981stingray]

USHQ SitRep:
 
All is quiet and no IJN ship sightings or IJA Air attacks on forward Allied bases.  It seems that RGIJN has been called back to Japan for a high level meeting regarding the war plan strategies of the Emperor.
 
HQ [SWPAC & SOPAC]
SEA:
Allied Sub Commanders move into better positions, being very bold and very aggressive in their search for juicy targets of opportunity...
LAND:
Allied troops continue to "reinforce" Lunga and Gili-Gili.  Other INF units continue marching and being transported to other forward Allied bases.
AIR:
Transports continue to move troops and supplies to forward Allied bases.
Long Range and Medium range bombers stand down for training and a 1 day of R&R.
All Fighters and Fighter-Bombers on Active Duty "CAP" over forward bases. New squadrons are currently being brought to front lines to relieve them.