14 August 1943
9th Marine Regiment running out of time
SouthPAC
USS Nautilus approached Ponape and torpedoed a docked cargo ship...which didn't detonate. It turned around and engaged a second time, only to hit with a dud again.
Zeroes on CAP got 2 B-24s trying to help our our Marines, but the B-24s took 2 Zeroes with them.
Essex failed to launch a strike, again. Be more aggressive, Halsey! Yorktown's CVBG is now in position to relieve her, so Essex has been ordered to leave station and proceed to Pearl for maintenance, with the USS North Carolina to leave Essex and join Yorktown.
Enemy marines our now shock-attacking the 9th regiment.. we took 400 casualties today while dishing back only 100. Not sustainable.
Burma
P-40 sweep over Pegu got 5 Zeroes, no losses. B-24s got through after with no resistance.
Enemy units at Taung Gyi are reportedly "surrounded" but appear inclined to fight to the last man.
DEI
The enemy attacked on Timor, apparently not expecting tanks. They've only got light marine infantry. Casualties 440 to 50.
Reinforcements and Withdrawals
-The recently arrived 407th bomber group had to be withdrawn, with their aircraft (30 A-24 Banshees). Very disappointing. Needed in Europe, I guess.
DD Guest arrives at Eastern USA
DD Sigsbee arrives at Eastern USA
DD Spence arrives at Balboa
DD Stevens arrives at Eastern USA
SS Redfin arrives at Balboa
LST 11 arrives at Aden
VMTB-131 arrives at San Diego (Avengers--restricted)
VD-4 arrives at San Diego (recon Liberator variants)
No.211 Sqn RAF arrives at Calcutta (B-24s-insufficient pool numbers to fill out)
V US Amphib Corps arrives at March Field (HQ unit)
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