April 1 briefing
Senators,
I have excellent news to report. March 1942 was, on the whole, a very kind month to our boys in uniform. As you all know, all operations in the Pacific were suspended for March, pending repairs to our fleets in the area. We do have a lot to discuss about Europe, however.
Elements of the Fourth Army began landing in Tripoli on March 3. General Patton was given orders to pursue a policy of strict military control of all Italian assets, per the bill passed a few days before.
A day later, the 2nd Armored Division engaged German forces in Rodberg, Norway. While initial reports suggested a quick victory, due to the lack of German supplies, American tanks got bogged down at the Numedalslågen River. The result was a defeat, but not before inflicting damage on German positions.
A similar loss incurred in Hjerjkinn; however, total casualties to American forces were five soldiers, most of whom were injured. On March 8, a second battle at Rodberg provided much better results.
Our victory there put us within striking distance of Oslo. Farther north, at Driva, German forces attempted a counterattack on our positions. They were successful, but lacked either the means or the conviction to press their advantage any farther.
By March 10, American forces were knocking on the doors of Oslo; only a single garrison division stood between the US and possession of the capital city of Norway.
A day later, with the Norwegian situation looking very bright indeed, Patton's Fourth Army began advancing on Italian positions in North Africa; not a single Italian soldier tried to stop American forces in the entire month of March.
The US Marine Corps began its own assault on Alexandria, Egypt; the Italian garrison division there proved little resistance.
After seizing Alexandria, orders were sent to the Second Army to begin sailing towards Alexandria; by today's briefing, roughly half the army had already arrived. Oslo fell on March 21, a matter of hours after Alexandria's fall. ((Once again, the game did not pause or give me battle details for Oslo or Alexandria; the battles could have ended much earlier and I wouldn't have known.)) The Germans had not yet given up on Norway, winning another victory at Drina and Hjerjkinn, seizing Drina for the Third Reich.
An American victory at Laksfors marked the last battle in the month of March; Germany received 87 casualties while we received only 65.
Here are your regular situation maps, including Norway, Africa, and China.
As always, please contact me with any questions.
Techs learned: Arctic Warfare Equipment, Fighter Targeting Focus 4, Anti-Aircraft Barrel and Ammunition 4
Units built: 1 x IC (Cleveland, OH)
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General Bradley, repairs have completed on all US ships in the Pacific Theater; however, we are short on screening elements at the moment. I believe General MacArthur is finished with the Marines, if you choose to act directly against Japanese holdings, we could resume naval patrols, or wait. I leave this to your discretion.
General MacArthur, both Tinderbox and Fortitude are going splendidly; the new winter uniforms should only improve American performance, I'm told. If you wish to make any changes, please let me know.
There is nothing currently on the docket that demands the attention of the Senate; as always, you may introduce bills.
Upon receipt of updated plans, if any, from Generals Bradley and MacArthur, I will resume operations. Let's set a deadline of
Tuesday at 10 PM (-6 GMT). If you're finished earlier, I'll play and update earlier.