[Fritz]

Through the first week of March, 1944

Central

The invasion of Kwajalin was swift and brutal. On Feb 24th the 40th (Sunshine) and 93rd (Bloody Hand) infantry divisions stormed ashore, greeted by starving and shell shocked Japanese. The islands were secure by the end of the night with many of the Japanese commiting suicide. In the few days following the invasion, the remainder of the 93rd along with base operations troops unloaded on the island as the 40th embarked for Hawaii. The 93rd ID is an all black unit that SOUTH planned to use for garrison, security and labor. The men of the 93rd welcomed an opportunity to prove themselves.

The operation placed mighty wear on the combat ships of the fleet. The docks and wharfs at Pearl harbor are jammed with ships undergoing repair. The most seriously damaged ships have been gathered together and sent to dry docks in Seattle.

The serious overcrowding around Pearl has prompted ADM Nimitz to expand facilities on other islands. Ships and Aircraft requiring repair will remain at Pearl, while invasion forces prepare and train on nearby islands. The plan to keep major combat elements in the rear has drawn some critisism. Some have speculated that Nimitz is attempting to entice a Japanese invasion fleet into the open, where they can be savaged by air power.

Not originally planned for invasion, Marcus island (NW of Wake) is now being investigated for possible capture. The island would serve as an advanced seaplane base, which will be useful in keeping an eye on the Japanese fleet during the invasion of the Marianas. No units have been earmarked for this operation.

South

The AMERICAL Division, advancing from the east, was able to pin Japanese forces at Torokina with their backs to the sea. After a few days of heavy fighting, the American forces were able to secure the base. Mop up operations lasted a few more days. The base at Torokina is now being prepared as an alternate airfield.

The 4th Marine Division completed mopping up operations in the north part of New Georgia and is marching back to the base at Buka. The Marines will garrison the base, and begin training replacemnts as they arrive.

With the subdual of New Georgia, the only remaining Japanese in the SOUTH area of operations are in Kaveing and Shortlands. ADM Halsey feels confident that the Shortlands forces are isolated and pose no threat to either air or naval operations. Current plans are to use the island for some live fire training for new units entering the area.

SOUTH is not yet how to address the base at Kaveing on New Ireland. Intelligence reports strong ground forces and emplacements. There is a possibility that New Ireland will be left to die on the vine.

Southwest

GEN Macarthur has been named special observer for the President on operations in India. Command of the SW has passed to GEN Omar Bradley, fresh from commanding the 1st Army in Britain. Bradley arrived in Port Moresby with a reputation for turning citizen soldiers into effective fighting men. A review of commanding officers should be expected in the next month. The new has already expressed alarm at how US and Australian forces have been used in overlapping operations with both the US 6th Army and AUS 1st Army having responsibilty for overlapping spheres.

Following already planned operations in the DEI, AUS 1st Army will take over command of that sector with objectives on Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. Following the subdual of New Guinea, AUS1 will assume command.

The US 6th Army will manage operations on the North Eastern face of New Guinea and New Britian. Following operations on NG, the 6th Army will begin planning for operations in the Phillipines. The 8th army will be used as a planning headquarters for operations in the Phillipines.

Southwest (NG)

The 31st Division captured Gasmata, completing the capture of western New Britain. The Australian 1st Corp, is being moved to Gasmata to take over ground operations against Rabaul. New plans being generated by SW HQ are expected, with the allies leaving a strong garrison force at Gasmata.
The 41st Division is executing spot orders to capture the base north of Madang. The division successfully landed in the area, but hurried and poor logistic planning has the operation bogged down.

The 1st Cav Division has been alerted to operations north of Wewak. The division's 3 RCTs will be used as the against different objectives.

Southwest (DEI)

A strong British naval force from India has been loaned to the region to support landing operations. The 1st Marine Division moved to Darwin, and has loaded aboard LSTs for an assault on Kwandari. The Japanese forces at Kwandari are strong, so 8th Army is planning to augment the Marines with Army armor and a RCT from the 6th Division (if needed). The capture of Kwandari will remove the threat of Japanese airpower in the Timor sea.

The 24th "Hawaiian" Division is on the way to Darwin. The division will be used against Ambonia. Once Kwandari and Ambonia are secure, the allies will control the Banda sea and can begin planning operations north.