[Fritz]

Week 4 Jan 44

Central: Operations in the Central Pacific were mostly quiet this week. Kwajalin Atoll was again subjected to strikes in preparation for invasion. Operation Forward Feather was executed, and Eniwetok was supplied with a squadron of Corsairs. A Base Force and Airfield unit stationed on Baker Island were loaded on to transports with the eventual goal of setting up shop on Eniwetok. Baker is still maintains some air operations and replenishment facilities.

Amphibious ships from the Eniwetok operation will be in Pearl by the end of the month. Initial reports indicate that the ships are in good shape and could manage another operation before a refit. Officers from the 40th Infantry Division have been seen at the docks and supply depots.

Note: IRL, 2 Divisions were used against Kwajalin, so the Allies may be in for quite a struggle

Allied planners have decided that a forward staging area is needed that can keep these amphibious ships off the open seas for quite so long. Eniwetok and Wake are the primary candidates.

South: Operations Topknot, the capture of Buka, kicked off at the end of the week with an invasion by the 4th Marine Division supported by corp Artillery. Despite the massive bombings and bombardment, the division suffered almost 20% casualties in first two days. Plans are already in the works to augment this force with some of the units in reserve available to South. The 25th Divison at Luganville, still resting from operations on Guadalcanal, is the likely force. There is little doubt that the Marines are up to the task, but Washington has asked for this operation to be concluded swiftly so that the Marines can be made available for future operations.

To the south of Buka, the Americal Division, accompanied by a tank battalion, have begun marching from Buin to the west with the objective of capturing Torinka. Torinka is garrisoned by the remnants of the Buin operation and are expected to be low on supplies. The base itself holds little value, but the presence of these Japanese forces obligates the US to heavily garrison the island.

An aviation support unit is expected on Emirau in the next day or two. As soon as this unit sets up shop B24 Bombers and their escorts will move to the island. This will give the Allies another airfield with range to hit Truk.

Southwest (NG): On New Britain, a RCT from the 32nd Infantry Division landed and captured Talasea on the north coast. The RCT was immediately given orders to march towards Gastmata where it will join with a second RCT from the division. The western portion of NB is under complete allied control.

Elements of the 503 Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) were dropped on Siador, and captured the abandoned base. This is the first foothold on the north face of New Guinea and may be used as a staging area for future operations. The drop was last minute affair, acting on information that defenses in the area were weak. The capture of Saidor changes planning some, Releasing the 3rd AUS Division for operations against Rabaul on NB. The 7th AUS Brigade is being sea lifted to Saidor to relieve the paratroopers who will rested for future operations. 2 Marine Parachute battalions along with a marine Raider battalion are being transferred to SW.

With Eastern NG in firm allied control, SW pacific HQ is being transferred from Brisbane to Port Moresby. There has been some concern that General Macarthur has not been effective enough managing such a large area, and hopes are that moving the HQ forward will keep him touch. Rumors are flying that Bull Halsey, commander of South, could be brought in to replace the SW commander.

Southwest (DEI): Japanese resistance on Timor has ended as a RCT from the 6th Division swept the western portion of the island. The 6th ID has been ordered to begin refitting for probable operations on Borneo.

Allied naval forces have moved a small invasion force, including a light carrier, to Derby where they will pick up a Brigade from the 6th AUS division. The brigade has been planning for operations on Flores, where airfields exist that can be used against Japanese on Sulawesi and Borneo.

Operations in this portion of the SW command are being turned over to the 8th Army (US), which is in transit from Townsend to Darwin.