Hearts of Iron - Australia and New Zealand - Part 9

From the desk of the NZ PM, the Right Honourable Mr Bruce.

9 July 1942

ANZACs have moved from defence to offence against Japan, both at sea and on land.

In the war with Japan, the Australian navy (Ed, predominantly submarines) has sunk 473 convoys, 1 aircraft carrier and 2 other ships.  They have lost one destroyer.  Initially, the convoys were mostly sunk around the Indonesian archipelago but the Australian navy is now engaging further north and the carrier was lost around Truk.

There have been three successful ANZAC naval invasions that were uncontested by the Japanese navy.  The first was from northern Malaya to capture the port near Phnom Penh.  This was followed up by the capture of Saigon, which cut off Japanese supply, and a push north to link up with the British coming south from Hanoi.  The second was from near Hanoi to Formosa, which was not garrisoned.  The third was a short hop from Guam to Saipan. 

Politically, New Zealand has followed Australia in losing its Dominion status and becoming fully independent.  Using its Maori heritage, it is also drawing effectively on manpower from the Pacific islands it controls or liberates.

After these successes, planners are considering their options for the next steps.  Iwo Jima and Okinawa are the next islands.  The Philippines is a natural target.  Though it is still strongly defended by the Japanese navy in the south and Manila is garrisoned, the centre looks lightly defended.  A naval invasion of occupied China could greatly assist the embattled Chinese.  Or should local strong points be bypassed and an invasion of the Japanese main islands be contemplated?  Only time will tell…