The world is in flames
The American fighting man always has conquest on his mind
Dear Folks, Just a line to let you know I am still here and
that's all I can tell you. I got the awful news about Lester! I sure hate it. Love, Wesley.
Wesley's platoon drilling yet again.
THE NAZIS HEAD EAST...AGAIN:
The mystery of the deployment of the German Army is answered on June 7th when they re-initiate their war against the Soviet Union. Apparently Hitler felt they still don't have enough
Lebensraum with their vast winnings west of the Urals. Stalin is long gone and has been replaced with Mikhail Kalinin who will face a vastly superior German Army (in both quality and quantity). However weakened the Soviets may be, Russia is still a vast country so conquest won't come quickly. The question is can we complete our preparations for an invasion of continental Europe before the Germans complete their complete destruction of the Bolshevik state.
MEANWHILE IN NORWAY:
The American Expeditionary Force in Norway continues to mop up German forces. While slow progress is being made, they are suffering the effects of supply shortages, difficult terrain and rural infrastructure. As a result, tough German marines manage to slip into the port of Trondheim and re-establish a supply connection with Berlin (making things even slower and more difficult for American/Norwegian forces. On a more positive note, we have established complete air superiority and are able to ground attack German troops with impunity. This is giving the Army Air Corps valuable experience which will surely become handy down the road.
THE LUFTWAFFE SHOWS UP:
General Spaatz and Andrews' have been maintaining a constant strategic bombing effort in Northern France from their base in England, but suddenly, after previously reaching their targets completely unopposed, the Luftwaffe shows up and mets out some nasty damage on our fighter formations escorting B-17 bombers. Losses are heavy, but at least we're extremely fortunate to (barely) return to base with all formations still intact. Clearly we're going to have continue improving air combat related research doctrines to have any chance against a now more determined Luftwaffe.
CLANDESTINE OPERATIONS IN EUROPE:
In preparation for future military operations in continental Europe, the OSS has been increasing both presence and activity to undermine the Nazi regime. These efforts include establishment of spy cells in major cities, observation of troop deployment and the distribution of subversive literature (and songs). Our goal will be the establishment of a maximum contingent of spies (10) in all major Axis nations with the highest priority being placed on Germany, the country we regard as the greatest threat not only to world security, but also our most formidible foe.
THE STRUGGLE TO CONTROL THE PACIFIC:
By June 1942, we have begun stabilize severe shortages of both convoys and convoy escorts although we continue to suffer signficant losses by Japanese convoy raiders. As heavy as these losses have been, the Japanese are suffering from convoy losses as well due to stepped up efforts to deploy submarine hunter groups along Japanese shipping lanes. (I snuck a peek into Japanese production and was amazed to discover that their ENTIRE production effort is currently dedicated towards replacement of convoys and escorts. Not only that, but they have nearly no convoy/escort reserves. This is severely impacting their national unity). The time is nearly ripe to begin picking off Japanese possessions surrounding Guam. Surely supply throughput to these islands is severely crippled.
DERIVING THE IDEAL CARRIER TASK FORCE:
In an effort to create well-composed Carrier Task Forces (CTFs), we'll take some time to examine alternative fleet make-ups. We have plenty of carriers and effective leaders (although we're still waiting for the production of CAGs). At first glance, it may seem tempting to create large fleets with as many carriers as we can fit into them, but on closer examination it becomes clear that the positioning penalities suffered by overly large fleets drives us towards creating smaller, more efficient task forces. Ideally, we want to maximize firepower and minimize hull size (which directly effects positioning). A 4% positioning penalty is imposed for each hull value above 10 in a combined fleet.
Leader level also impacts positioning, so we'll make sure that we assign high level leaders to our CTFs. Each experience level of a leader results in a 10% positioning bonus. As seen in the comparison above, 3 or 4 carrier CTFs (coupled with a high level leader) nets a significant positioning bonus. Additionally, we'll make sure to properly screen each carrier with a minimum of 2 screening vessels (Destroyers-DD and/or Lt. Cruisers-CL). We've been making a point of researching and producing more advanced Lt. Cruisers since it's these vessels that seem to most effectively screen carriers.
What we believe to be the ideal CTF composition
LANDING IN CHINA:
The Japanese are getting uncomfortably close to Hong Kong which forces us to act (since clearly the UK can barely defend what's left of its empire). The 1st Mountain Corps comprised of 4 Mountain Divisions arrive in Hong Kong on June 18 and immediately head east into the mountainous terrain of south-eastern China. Given the choice of defending India or Hong Kong, it seems to be a better choice to defend Hong Kong and anchor the western edge of the South Pacific defense permimeter. Its proximity to Japan ultimately makes this the higher priority.
