State of the Union Address: January 1, 1942
Key for future reference: SAG = Surface Action Group, CTF = Carrier Task Force, TRG = Transport Group.
My fellow Americans,
On November 6, 1941, we declared war on Nazi Germany. Although some Senators indicated that they would prefer outright annexation, Mr. Churchill convinced me that the installation of a friendly democratic regime in Germany would be far more valuable.
I have agreed to work with Mr. Churchill to create a unified diplomatic front as well; the United Kingdom is the titular "war leader", although he assures me that American units will remain under strictly American control.
I also issued orders to transport all Atlantic Northern Command units to Boston, the Southern Command units to Norfolk, and recalled our patrols in the Atlantic Ocean. The US Marine Corps was later that same day ordered to take rail to Norfolk as well. The First and Second Fighter Squadron, the 1st Long Range Squadron, and the 1st Bomber Squadron were all redeployed to the United Kingdom. In the Pacific, SAGs 'Montana', 'Colorado', and 'Nevada' were ordered to patrol the Japanese islands around Guam while our submarine squadrons looked for Japanese shipping. ((Tom -- I missed where you got the Montana SAG in your original orders. Sorry
)) CTF 'Lexington' departed for Guam a little later.
Shipments of American soldiers to the United Kingdom began on November 11th, with SAG 'New York' escorting TRG 'Buffalo.' TRG 'Bull Moose' followed a few hours later. On November 20, SAG 'Texas' was sent to Newcastle, UK to support the first stages of Operation Fortitude: the invasion of Trondheim. Logistical problems hampered the actual conduct of the Operation until December. ((Read: I kept forgetting about units to transfer, and we didn't have the transport capacity to send the whole Northern Command at once.))
Also on November 20, US and Japanese forces clashed in Pacific, resulting in the destruction of the Japanese light cruiser
Oji.
A battle the next day was even more successful, with American sailors sinking two Japanese armored cruisers -- the
Furutaka and the
Izumo -- and three light cruisers -- the
Kiso, Tenryu, and Nagara.
Two more inconclusive battles were fought, but on November 24, two American ships were sunk by Japanese carrier air groups.
SAG 'Nevada' was forced to put in for repairs at Kota Bharu in British Malaysia. The British reported a great success of their own the next day at the Battle of the Philippines, although specific casualties were unavailable prior to this speech. The Japanese carriers
Ryujo, Akagi, and
Kaga were encountered by American forces on November 26; the carriers were lightly damaged, while three more Japanese light cruisers were sunk, at the cost of the 29th Destroyer Division, again sunk by Japanese planes.
The carriers were spotted again by CTF 'Lexington', although only superficial damage appeared to be caused to the Japanese. We lost
USS Richmond. After a bureaucratic delay was corrected, the 1st Coastal Squadron attempted to engage enemy fleets, but to no avail.
December 10th 1941 marked the formal beginning of Operation Fortitude, with the invasion of the 7th Army Corps supported by SAG 'Texas.' It also saw the loss of the 10th Submarine Division, which was caught by Japanese cruisers near the Home Islands.
Despite the guns of the
Texas, German forces continue to defend Trondheim with skill. Unexpectedly, the German First Mountain Division and 41st Garrison Division were there to oppose our landing. On December 14, General Critten ordered a tactical withdrawal of the 29th and 30th Infantry Divisions. On December 30, after much debate, the Carrier Air Wings of the CTF 'Yorktown' began a bombing run on German infantry at Trondheim, inflicting 102 casualties with minimal damage by this morning's address. The combined forces of CTF 'Lexington', SAG 'Montana' and SAG 'Colorado' found the Japanese carriers, but they were able to elude the American pursuit; it is unknown how much damage, if any, was inflicted.
As of this morning, intelligence indicates a substantial reinforcement of Trondheim by German troops, including two more garrison divisions and an infantry division.
I have delayed Operation Tinderbox given our difficulties in Norway; forces have begun transit across the Atlantic, and should be present within a week or two. At the very least, the US Marine Corps should be ready to retake Gibraltar, unless we choose to deploy them to Norway instead.
That should get all of you up to speed on American operations. Admiral Leahy has provided his usual briefing packet for all who are interested. We must also produce a budget for FY 1942, in addition to considering more short term questions of deployment.
Thank you, and God bless America.
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Constructed between 11/6/41 and 1/1/42: 8 IC (5 for Des Moines, IA; three for Mankato, IA, chosen for central location); 4 CAGs (two to Sacramento, CA and two to Campton, KY); 4 AA brigades (undeployed.)
Research between 11/6/41 and 1/1/42: Twin Engine Airframe 2, Bomber Targeting Focus 3, Light Tank Reliability 4, Battleship Armor 5, Destroyer AA 3, Battleship AA 5, Armored Car Armor 1, AA Barrel and Ammunition 3, Aero Engine 2, Large Bomb 2, Large Fuel Tank 2, Heavy Bomber Ground Crew Training 4, Armored Car Gun 3, Anti-Tank Barrel and Muzzle Velocity 3.
Europe, 1942:
Asia, 1942:
Techs and leadership:
IC and build queue:
Save game:
http://www.mediafire.com/?a41ecid6tru3ryd
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Our agenda for the next few days:
1. Budget for FY 1942 and adjustments to build plans and techs.
2. Evaluating American progress in the war and making adjustments to plans, if any.
3. Any other bills you care to propose.
I'd like preliminary bills done by
Saturday at 10 PM (-6 GMT). For planning purposes, assume the next update will cover a maximum of thirty days. It might be shorter, but it won't be longer -- a lot depends on what happens.
Tom, your plan for Tinderbox had "Seventh Army" deploying to the UK; I assume you meant "Second Army," since we have no Seventh Army.
Chimina, I need deployment orders for the four AA brigades and everything else you've got in the queue; same thing for all other existing construction that doesn't currently have a home, Chiefs. Bob, I haven't moved the Pacific Command yet, since our record against the Japanese fleet is pretty shaky; consult the save for more details.
As always, let me know if you have any questions!