Downfall 1943

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Re-invasion of Singapore



Japan attacked with air support and a fleet, covered by a second fleet in Kuching. The Royal Navy made the difficult decision to decline to interfere with the invasion and after a tough two week campaign, the Japanese were again in control of Singapore.

Japan loses 1-2 inf, 1 AAF, CA2. Allies lose 1-2 and 1 marine

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Kriegsmarine on restricted oil



With oil supply reduced as a result of the allied bombing campaign, Germany has restricted the amount of oil allocated to the Navy

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Tide has turned in Battle of the Atlantic



U-boats managed to sink only 3 transports, and damage 4 more this turn, for 1 loss.

It seems that allied ASW has finally learnt how to deal with the u-boats in an effective manner

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Germany returns some Italian volunteer troops to the front line



Enough Italian infantry to make up three 3-3 infantry and the Folgore airborne division are rebuilt and equipped by the Germans and put back to work forming a new frontline along the river Po in Northern Italy.

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Germany redeploys units west from the Eastern Front



Large numbers of troops and air forces deploy to the western front as a benefit of gaining a victory over Russia

[joegrundman]

winter 1943

Allies step up airstrikes on Axis airfields in France



Operating from bases in Brittany, allied airforces relentlessly attack axis airfields in France, destroying many luftwaffe facilities and aircraft

2 allied aaf lost for 8 german aaf

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Allied bombers over Germany face tougher challenge



With the surrender of Russia and the move of Luftwaffe units to the west, the allied bombers faced a much more serious defense.

The US managed to inflict some damage on Berlin, while the less well escorted British were completely prevented from doing substantial bombing damage.

The air combat losses were also heavy to the allies.

The allies lost 5 factors of bombers and interceptors, the Germans lost 3 AAF for 10 brps of damage over berlin

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Americans liberate Rome



After a short battle with a division of Vichy troops, the Vichy forces surrendered and the Americans advanced into Rome where they were hailed as liberators.

The first axis capital has fallen

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Invasion of Greece



In the light of the Russian surrender, Churchill decided that a new Balkan front would force the axis to stretch its resources in order to ensure the security of the Rumanian oil fields.

So an invasion fleet was assembled from units currently in the Meditteranean, and a British light armored and infantry forces were formed up to spearhead the invasion at Salonika, held by German-led Bulgarian troops.

Royal Navy planes from the carriers HMS Victorious, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious prevented the antiquated and small Bulgarian air force from interfering with the landing.

However, a disaster did occur when a seaman aboard the Dido-class cruiser HMS Euryalus spotted a mine in the Aegean sea which resulted in a panicked order to turn hard a port. HMS Euryalus then collided with her sister ship, HMS Scylla, and with both ships locked together they hit the mine anyway. Both ships received such severe damage that they were eventually torpedoed and sunk by destroyers.

The invasion of Greece proceeded as planned. The Bulgarians put up a stiff resistance, but they were unable to prevent the veteran allies from successfully capturing the port city of Salonika and exploiting across the border into Bulgaria.



2 bulgarian 1-3 and 1 bulgarian aaf lost for British CA2

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

USN carriers launch raids on island bases in the Marshalls and Gilberts



A task force with two heavy carriers systematically attacked Japanese airbases in the Marshalls and Gilberts. First Bikini, then Enitwetok, then Kwajalein and lastly Makin in the Gilberts were all attacked by the US Task Force 3. The Japanese naval air squadrons in these islands were all eliminated. Air combat over Bikini and Eniwetok resulted in the loss of two US naval air squadrons

4 japanese nas lost for 2 american

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Battle of Nauru Island



A light weight US invasion force of two heavy cruisers, four destroyers and one transport was on orders to invade the lightly defended island of Nauru in the Gilberts with the 89th light Infantry Division (truck).

The invasion fleet was spotted by a Japanese submarine as it passed Santa Cruz on course for the Gilberts, and in response the fast battleships BC3 Kongo and BB5 Musashi were sent to the Gilberts to ambush the force as it arrived.

The Japanese fleet engaged with the American fleet just off the coast of Nauru before sunrise, while the Americans were preparing to disembark. The Kongo crept in between the american fleet and the coast while the Musashi approached from seaward, and opened fire first drawing off the heavy cruisers. One cruiser was hit within a few seconds and exploded. The second cruiser launched a volley of shells, one of which hit the Mushashi near the bridge, before a Japanese shell hit the bow area. The cruiser quickly grounded in the shallow water.

The Kongo at short range then blasted the destroyers and the transport.

As the sun rose, the terrible scene unfolded. Many Americans swam to the island and were taken prisoner, many were fished out of the water by destroyers and fishing boats to be taken to Japan. Many were left in the water.

According to sources in the American press, this was a diversionary invasion intended to protect the main invasions at Lae and Santa Cruz. Nonetheless, the Admiral responsible for planning this operation has resigned his post amid much public rancor.

Americans lose CA2, DD1, 1-2 infantry. No losses to Japan

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Battle of Santa Cruz



The Americans return to the Solomons with a new invasion of Santa Cruz, scene of an earlier victory, and a defeat, over a year ago.

The well-fortified Japanese positions were eventually eliminated in a costly campaign that lasted 5 weeks.

Japanese 1-2 eliminated, american 1-2, cve lost

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

Allied Victory in New Guinea Campaign



A costly offensive in the Owen Stanley mountains, an attack from landward by exhausted US troops on the Japanese held north-east peninsular of New Guinea, and an invasion by marines in the Buna area, led to the elimination of organised Japanese presence on New Guinea and the capture of the key port facilities around Lae.

Losses were heavy.

Japan losses 2-2, 3-2 infantry
US loses two 2-2 infantry, 1 CVE

[joegrundman]

Winter 1943

US Subs continue to stress Japanese shipping



The devastation in the previous quarter has forced Japan to modify her tactics for merchant shipping routing and escorts, and this has successfully reduced losses so far.

Also, Japanese ASW efforts have been more successful in sinking American submarines with several fleetboats sunk in the last quarter

2 Japanese transports sunk, 2 damaged, 1 US sub factor sunk