[Fritz]

Early May, 1944

Central

D-Day for Operation Hooktooth, the invasion of Guam, is on target for May 5, 1944. Relentless bombardments have reduced shore defenses / harbors/ airfields to dust. Naval Intelligence estimates around 20,000 defenders, mostly service and support types. No estimates as to the state of enemy supply has been given, though ADM Nimitz believes their supply situation to be poor.
Japanese relief flotillas have been trying to make their way to the Marianas from Japan. Allied Naval Air in the region, numbering well over 1000 aircraft have found good hunting, sending several hips to the bottom with all their cargo and men.
Land based bombers from New Guinea have reported a Carrier Task force (1 CV, 2 CVLs) moving up from Truk. The bombers were able to get a strike off against the ships and report hits on all three, though it is believed that all three ships are in condition to launch attacks. The 5 Carrier main group has been ordered south of Guam to intercept the threat. A very strong battleship force moving northwest, fresh from resupply at Eniwetok will be used to fend off any surface combatants that enter the battle area.
Follow on forces destined for Tinian have left Hawaii bound for Wake island where there will transfer from their converted cruise liners and liberty ships to LSTs.
South
Hundreds of Marine and Navy fliers have been ordered to train in short field landings and touch and goes. An improvised landing hook training aid developed by Petty Officer Simon Benton of Chesterfield Idaho has been installed at 3 airfields to aid the pilots in learning carrier landings.
Southwest
The entire 1st Cav Division has been moved to Aitape, securing the base for future operations against Hollandia. Allied liberty ships routinely make the dangerous trip along the north face of New Guinea bringing supplies and men in preparation for further operations in New Guinea and North to the Philippines.
Land based bombers across the region continue to harass Japanese shipping.