Dispatches from the Pacific

[Kaos XIII]

Good job men! Keep up the good work.

You all should be invading the Japanese mainland by '44!!!

BTW, I noticed that the AI Dutch are actually leading both of you in points. What's up with that??? I know they're you're allies and everything, but still......it's the AI! Maybe you two, might want to start discussing about a possible partition of the Dutch colonies.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

[Paddy]

The Daily News…
31 July 1943 the people paper

President Roozevelt addressed the nation on the war effort.

Photo of United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent July 28 and received at 1137 30 July 1943 at Brisbane Australia.

see page 2 for more of the event

This photo was sent via the radio, another exciting new technology.

see page 7 for more of the event

[Paddy]

August 1943 TOP SECRET
From Allied Command Centre San Francisco America
To Allied Command Centre Sydney Australia

August has been a mercifully quiet period in our sector of the fight against the Japs. Mercifully quiet for our troops, their loved ones, and most especially for my secretary. You see, after completing last months dispatch to you about the horrendous events on the island of Saipan, she got up out of her chair and jumped right out the window screaming -'I've got to end it all! I can’t take it anymore!' Luckily we are on the ground floor and so she only grazed her knees. As per standard security procedure, the MP's had done the usual blindfold treatment to make sure she couldn't identify my office to the enemy. Of course, she'd had to go through that everyday for the last 2 years. Maybe she just got sick of the twirling and dizziness, who can tell? Anyway, she's nice and safe now and being kept well away from sharp objects. My advisors have strenuously suggested that I list her as section 8 and have her carted away as a security hazard, but I just can't do that to my wife.

Moving on to more pressing military concerns, the only combat engagement experienced in the last few weeks has been the sighting and sinking of an enemy destroyer off the coast of the Philippines. I had ordered Adm. King to expand his reconnaissance patrols due to the increasing proximity of our fleets to the core of the IJN. Around midday on the 16th, an F4F Wildcat radioed in that a Jap destroyer had been seen, immediately altering course to the North in an attempt to steam out of harms way. The hvy cruisers Juneau and Chicago were close to hand and made the Jap attempt to escape a moot point, heavily damaging her and allowing the destroyer Paul Jones to close to within bombardment range to finish her off.

The other major operations conducted were preparations for a ground attack to remove the Jap presence from the Philippine mainland, a sizable column of tanks and marines being assembled in the jungle just to Aparri's South for this task. Five artillery batteries are established within range in the hills surrounding Manila, well protected by a MG Battalion and a unit of flak guns. I estimate that the enemy garrison should fall before the next dispatch reaches you, but we can never take these things for granted as the Jap has constantly proved himself most capable on the defence.

Also underway are the preparations for the invasion of Iwo Jima. We have four marine regt's in transport ships offshore awaiting the go code, having steamed up from Saipan and Midway. We have one further marine regt. in reserve accompanied by a med tank detachment. If all goes according to plan, these forces will take the last major Jap Island in the deep pacific and then prepare for an invasion of the Jap home islands. Though this may take some time as we must reduce the enemy naval threat to our supply lines before any conquest of Japan proper can be considered.

One last development you should be made aware of is the cessation of all further research being conducted on American soil. The President and I are in full agreement. Technologically speaking, we have reached the limit of what is necessary to the finalization of the war effort. My colleagues and I lobbied furiously to have the administration hear our arguments regarding this, having to work hard to be heard over the din of the many large R&D firms and special interest groups that infest Washington. Though it was hard work, I am proud to say that we have been completely successful and the entire national output is now directed solely at the completion of our current material objectives. This means that we will now have the full 458 gold per month production at our disposal. I have authorization to offer further lend-lease arrangements
should you require them.


August 1943 TOP SECRET
From East Coast Australia Allied Command Centre Sydney
To West Coast America Allied Command Centre San Francisco

Hanoi has fallen.
General Hill and his 9 artillery rgts really made a mess of Hanoi, then Major General Charles Barrett, 45th Tankers Regiment, 7th Anzac Army, and his Battalions: ‘The Flying Wagga Light Tanks’ and the ‘Brumby Jack’s Light Tanks’ stormed the gates, taking the town

From this point troops poured through the township, heading for the battle of Canton. General B. Scott moved key elements of his 7th Anzac Army onto the western hills overlooking the township, along the rail line. There would be no tom foolery with the infrastructure so close to victory in this region. I await the developments of the coming month.

And I can quite proudly state that the garrison of Hong Kong has been relieved. Five nights ago, several of my staff dinned in Hong Kong with the Governor Banksworth Middletin; along with General B. Scott; Colonel Roger Dempsey, the Garrison Commander; and the Ambassador of China, Wing Chu. I had not been aware of this, but throughout this entire event in Hong Kong, the Chinese Embassy had remained open and quite productive in many ways. I have met several Chinese people in my days, some very unique individuals, yet I have come away from this meeting with Ambassador Wing Chu pleasantly impressed. The man is a welcome addition to our war efforts.

I made the trip to Hong Kong along with 7 new Fighter Bomber squadrons. It was good to see these young RAAF lads in action. While we were there the initial sorties against Canton began. The fighter bomber combination works rather well.

The P38’s and P61’s that we are building under license from US corporations are a great sight. Whether mixing it up with Jap in the air, or on the ground, they have a presence about them. Along with there now being 7 of these new squadrons here, we have more on there way. It is the opinion of my staff that we are getting into a position to really take this war all the way to the Home Islands. There will be more on this next month after the battle of Canton.

Another two of these fighter bomber squadrons have now based at Sibu. The fighter squadrons already there have continued to pound the Jap base at Donggala.

A relief transporter has departed for Ternate as you read this. The ‘Ruby Jane’ is all but packed and ready to sail. The units have the township so under control, that they feel that only a light battalion is need for garrison duties.

Next stop for the ‘Ruby Jane’ will be the beaches south of Donggala. Here she will rendezvous with the transporter ‘Sturt’ with troops fresh from the capture of Davao. On hearing this I was at first concerned for the ‘Sturt’s” safety as there is still a sizeable Jap fleet in these very waters, yet Admiral Jackson has assured me that Admiral Peterson’s Task Force 35 have the situation under control.

On a personal note, my wife and I send to you and yours, our heart felt understanding for the situation that you find yourself in. The true hardships that we face are quite strenuous at the best of time. Yet dealing with the information of such an attack as Saipan, yes all to heart wrenching.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Marvelous stuff chaps, I was beginning to get withdrawal symptoms without an update yesterday!

Dont know what Ill do with myself when the war is over

I,ll probably join in with th VJ celebrations and don a party hat whilst I read the last chapters

[vovan]

Gripping stuff that. The pics add considerably to the immersion factor, too.

[dialectic2003]

A delay

Unsecured tramission - Burn after perusal Sept 20, 1943
From West coast America Allied Command Centre, San Francisco
To East Coast Australia Allied Command Centre, Brisbane

I write to inform you of a terrible calamity. The base which serves as US Supreme Headquarters Pacific Area has very recently been thrown into turmoil by a horrific terrorist strike. Chaos exploded around mid-morning on that otherwise unremarkable day, the bomb sowing bloody confusion as far as the eye could see. After the pall of smoke had settled I could clearly see how close I had come to certain death - a piece of concrete the size of a basketball jutted out from the wall not 2 feet away from my head. From my vantage point at the back of my room, I could see one half of the wall in front of my desk had been sheared completely, leaving only a jagged cross-section of steel reinforced concrete over brick and mortar. About 3 yards down the hall from my door was the epicenter of the blast. Apparently someone had challenged the erstwhile bomber, forcing him or her to detonate their deadly payload before they could get a safe distance away. The loss of life was heavy, especially as these were people both close to me physically as well as being very hard to replace due to their expertise. Also keenly felt will be the heavy damage to the communications center, which was on the opposite side from my office a little down the hall, closer to the eye of the storm.

Seems this had been on the drawing board for some months. We obviously have some pro-Axis network attempting to impede our efforts to coordinate our assault on the land of the rising sun. They must have someone on the inside, how else did thy know where to pinpoint their attack? As this is an unsecured telegraph, and due to heightened fears from recent events, I cannot be more specific. Suffice it to say this has caused a delay in getting my dispatches to you as I can not afford to have these fall into enemy hands. I am awaiting the repair on the communications center, but will get in contact as soon as I am able. I envisage this will probably take upwards of a week, maybe more.

[Paddy]

September 1943 TOP SECRET
From East Coast Australia Allied Command Centre Sydney
To West Coast America Allied Command Centre San Francisco

Canton has fallen!

9 Artillery Regiments really are a devastating force. General Hill and his lads really lit up the horizon with their artillery fire. The damage that we laid into Canton was breathtaking. Then we sent in squadron after squadron of fighter bombers from the Hong Kong airfields... Throughout Canton a lot of valuable assets were destroyed, but that is war. Next we sent in the newly developed heavy bomber. Jap must have been freaking out wondering where this all came from. To finish the show off, General B. Scott unleashed the Anzacs. A few battalions fell, but the town was taken. This is the last Japanese stronghold in this region of South East Asia.

My staff and I send our condolences to you and your team, for the loss of so many that we have come to know so well. So too, we are glad to hear that you and others did survive this attack. At first I thought how horrendous such an attack is, then I reread the reports of the damage that I authorised on the people of Canton. We pay a high price when we play at WAR.

I have some disturbing news to share. My intelligence staff are in a bind, they believe that the Chinese are a bit upset, with us of all people. Now each time we communicate with them they are extremely polite and very gracious in their hospitality. The issue is that they are sending troops towards Bangkok... And only Commonwealth occupied towns lay in that direction???

It is the intention of my staff that we polish Jap off the mainland, and maybe deal with the Chinese if there is an issue there. I am monitoring the Chinese movements very closely. It is quite a discussion here, for we are thinking of blockading off Singapore, around Bhuket, from these allies. The reasoning behind this is so that no matter what happens, we still have a safe harbour and airfield available in this region. The down side of such an operation is that this could be a waste of very valuable troops.

Hanoi was an interesting operation. The town has been opened for my troops to drive right through... The people are quite riotous, yet they have welcomed the troops who are passing through.

At this stage some of my units need R&R, as you may understand. And I must admit that the new facilities at Port Moresby will come in very handy.

In Donggala, we have landed 8 units, and General Collins is very confident that we will win it this town back very soon. The Jap fleet, that were trying to shelter in Donggala Harbour, escaped to sea, but Admiral Peterson's fleet is in pursuit. Along with the various fighter-bomber and heavy bomber units based at Hong Kong and Sibu, this fleet may be dead in the water within the coming weeks.

I am rushing an extra 2 transporters into Asia. These are to be available to bring troops to the Jap home lands as well if needed...

Thank you to your people for the influx of funds. This has helped out the economies of many of the Commonwealth Nations within the sector. Admiral Hollingsworth assures me that the new destroyers would not be nearing completion without your worthy contributions, thank you for this.

I have included an artist’s impression of one of the dogfights over Canton, between the Jap Zero’s and our Mixed US/Australia P38 Fighter Bomber Squadron. One hopes that you find it to your liking.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

An excellent chapter guys

[Paddy]

The Daily News…
30 September 1943 the people paper

Artillery, just the thing to break Jap’s back
This report filed by Charles M. Ackermann, earlier this week.

We told you the day that Hanoi fell.

We are here today to watch Canton fall.

You know of the injured, you know of the foot soldier, you even know of the tankers. All of these components make up General B. Scotts team. Yet these are only part of the over all team. This week we have spent time with one of General Sebastian Hill’s nine Artillery Regiments. For security reasons we are not allowed to bring you too many details on these men. But let it be known that they are strong, mighty warriors, who have no glorious lifestyle.

The nine Artillery Regiments really are a devastating force. General Hill and his lads have put on quite an amazing show, bringing daylight to an otherwise very dark night. The rate of fire of these guns is very fast, and so much of the work is literally in the arms of our young men.

see page 4 for more of the event

Photo of Artillery Troopers of General Sebastian Hill’s Regiments, earning their pay the hard way, on the City of Hanoi.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Nice pic keep up the good work

[vovan]

Great additions.

[ShadowBlade]

AWESOME! I intend to make another story, very similar to this one, though from the Japanese, non-historical point of view. I hope I'll ever match this story's quality. Look for the first chapter soon!

[Paddy]

Originally posted by ShadowBlade
AWESOME! I intend to make another story, very similar to this one, though from the Japanese, non-historical point of view. I hope I'll ever match this story's quality. Look for the first chapter soon!

I am looking forward to that.




wait on, as the Jap... yes right, well then good luck...

[ShadowBlade]

Thanks! By the way, on what difficulty are you playing the scenario to make this story?