Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll, Marshalls Islands - Hypothetical scenario (V1.1) : (Best played as Allied). As early as 20 July 1943, Admiral King had set the target date for the Marshall islands operation as 1 january 1944. all proposed plans for this operation originating in admiral Nimitz's headquarters during the summer and fall of 1943 were of a tentative nature, because it was felt that photographic reconnaissance of the Marshalls was incomplete. However, in general, these early plans called for simultaneous initial seizure of the key islands in Kwajalein, Wotje and Maloelap Atolls, followed by occupation of other islands in these atolls and a later movement to seize or control Wake, Eniwetok and Kusaie Atolls. Major Gal. Holland M. Smith idea was to capture Wotje and Maloelap atolls to refit there and then go on to Kwajalein, much as we finally did to Eniwetok. There was considerable sentiment for starting at the eastern edge of Marshalls to secure our line of communications and working on into the center of the islands group in separate operations. There were many who believed that any atolls we spent lives and efforts taking ought to provide us with (a) a good bomber strip and (b) a good anchorage area. One of the arguments advanced in favor of assaulting Wotje and Maloelap was that they each had a good bomber strip. Hypothetical scenario : The decision to take Maloelap first is voted unanimously during a conference of all the available high command of the Pacific Fleet. Three days of naval bombardment and air strikes preceded the 4th Marine Division to Maloelap Atoll. On February 11, 1944, The 23th Marines and elements of the 14th Artillery Battalion landed on Taroa island (while the 24th Marines's objective was Kaven island), supported by naval gunfire and by shore-based artillery (4th/14 Art. Bn.) placed the day before on northern adjacents islets. Taroa, the second largest island of the atoll (1.48 km in width and 1.68 in length), was to become a major airbase with two runways and a 3097 strong Japanese garrison. The perimeter of the island, especially the ocean side, bristled with coastal defense guns, dual purpose guns, anti-aircraft guns, ... Beware Japanese airplanes from Wotje island are detected in our direction. * Design Notes : You must use your LVT and LCVP to load or unload reinforcements troops. Map is historical accurate but scale is adjusted for playability and clarity. * Historical Notes : From the first Fleet Admiral Nimitz was firm to seize Kwajalein, and as it turned out, that was the best plan. Wotje and Maloelap will be bypassed. Between Feb. 1942 and Aug. 1945, US aircrafts dropped 3543t of bombs and US Ships shot 453t of shells on Taroa. All supply lines to Taroa were cut off, and the Japanese garrison was left to starve. Only 34% survived (see Taroa's scen. photo). The survivor rate for Maloelap is the worst for all bases in the Marshalls. Death occured from air raids, diseases, accidents and suicides, but mainly for starvation. *Any comments are welcome in France :
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