Finschhafen

19.9.1943 - 15.1.1944

PacPG: 22.9.1943 - 20.1.1944

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Historic overview:

While the South Pacific Forces of Admiral Halsey waged tough battle on New Georgia, General MacArthur in the southwest Pacific was preparing an offensive in New Guinea to occupy the Japanese base in Salamaua, Lae, Finschhafen and Madang, and thereby gain control over the straits of Vitiaz and Dampier, separating New Guinea from New Britain. Their mastery opened to the Allies the way to the Bismarck Archipelago and go to the Philippines. (Miloš Hubáček - Ofenzíva v Pacifiku, Mladá fronta 2000) It was originally planned to attack on Finschhafen 6 weeks after the occupation of Lae. But since occupation of Lae and Salamaua had been done very quickly, and also allied staff received information about movement of the Japanese 20th Division to Finschhafen, it was decided to shorten the term of attack and begin on September 22, 1943. Article on English Wikipedia Scenario in dates: August 23, 1943: In New Guinea - American destroyers bombard Finschhafen in support of air operations against Wewak. September 22, 1943: In New Guinea - The Australian 20th Brigade lands at Katika, north of Finschhafen. The landing is supported by a naval bombardment (Admiral Barbey is in command) and cover is provided by an air group. September 23, 1943: In New Guinea - The Australian 20th Brigade advances south toward Finschhafen and reaches Japanese positions along the Bumi River. September 24, 1943: In New Guinea - The Australian 20th Brigade breaks through the Japanese defenses along the Bumi River. Finschhafen airfield is captured. Offshore, Japanese aircraft attack Allied shipping convoys with little effect. September 26, 1943: In New Guinea - Japanese forces launch unsuccessful counterattacks against the Australian brigade around Finschhafen. October 2, 1943: In New Guinea - The Australian 20th Brigade captures Finschhafen. The Australian 23rd Brigade, advancing from Lae, also reaches Finschhafen during the day. October 3, 1943: New Guinea - The American destroyer USS Henley (DD-391) is torpedoed and sunk at Finschhafen by the Japanese submarine Ro-108. October 16, 1943: In New Guinea - Japanese forces counterattack Australian forces around Finschafen without success. October 17, 1943: In New Guinea - The Japanese mount another air attack on Allied positions in Oro Bay and sustain heavy losses in aircraft and crew. The Japanese counteroffensive around Finschafen continues to be held by Australian forces. October 18, 1943: In New Guinea - The Japanese counteroffensive around Finschhafen continues to be held by Australian forces. October 20, 1943: In New Guinea - The Australian 24th Brigade arrives at Finschafen to reinforce Australian forces there and assist in eliminating Japanese resistance in the area. October 26, 1943: In New Guinea - Japanese forces in the area of Australian held Finschhafen withdraw toward Sattelberg. November 16, 1943: In New Guinea - Australian forces receive armored reinforcements and begin attacks on Japanese strongholds near Sattelberg. November 21, 1943: In New Guinea - Attacks of the Australian 9th Division around Sattelberg gradually gain their objectives. November 25, 1943: In New Guinea - The Australian 9th Division captures the last Japanese positions at Sattelberg. November 29, 1943: In New Guinea - Australian forces take Gusika and Bonga in their advance from Finschhafen. Sio, farther north, is shelled by Allied warships. December 2, 1943: In New Guinea - Australian forces capture Huanko on the Huon Peninsula. December 8, 1943: In New Guinea - Australian forces capture Wareo and advance toward Wandokai. December 15, 1943: In New Guinea - Australian forces capture Lakona, 15 miles north of Finschhafen. January 5, 1944: In New Guinea - Elements of the US 32nd Division at Saidor encounter Japanese forces while patrolling westward from their positions. Australian forces advancing westward along the north coast of the Huon Peninsula capture Kelanoa. January 15, 1944: In New Guinea - Australian forces advancing along the north coast of the Huon Peninsula attack and take Sio. The Japanese withdraw from their positions. February 10, 1944: In New Guinea - Australian forces advancing from Sio link up with American forces near Saidor. Allied forces now occupy most of the Huon Peninsula. Literature sources: Šnajdr, Miroslav: Airacobra v amerických službách : USAAF 1941-1944 (Aircobra in US service),   Votobia, 1996, Olomouc Hrbek, Jaroslav, Hrbek Ivan: Námořní válka vrcholí (War at sea culminates),   Naše vojsko, 1995, Praha Hubáček, Miloš: Ofenzíva v Pacifiku (Offensive in Pacific),   Mladá fronta, 2000, Praha Kovář, Daniel: Commonwealth Wirraway,  HPM No. 5 a 6/1999

Game play matters:

Scenario data:

Map size: 42 x 35 hexes 13 turns, 10 days per turn Version: PacAGPG 2, Starting side: Allies, Campaign: Australian campaign, Order in campaign: 2.
Allied states:     Australia & New Zealand, USA Axis states:     Japan Neutral states:     -
Allies:     attack Axis:     defend
Experience of Allied purchased units:     Experience of Axis purchased units:
Climate region:      Oceania, tropics Weather character in region:      Rain regularly all year round.
Game time costingness of scenario:    9.78 % (product of units and turns numbers divided by difference between the most long and the most short scenario)
Number of Allied units: 36 units, from them are 10 core units and 26 auxiliary units 7 air units, 4 naval units and 25 ground units 0 of units are loaded to air transport and 17 to naval transport	Transports Air/Naval: Allies - Axis 0/17 - 0/0
Number of Axis units: 41 units 5 air units, 0 naval units and 36 ground units 0 of units are loaded to air transport and 0 to naval transport	Initial prestige + every turn donation: Allies / Axis 300 + 0 / 382 + 41
Max number of Allied units: 38 units, from them are 10 core units and 28 auxiliary units - on start of scenario is possible to purchase 2 unit    (0 core + 2 auxiliary)
Max number of Axis units: 41 units - on start of scenario is possible to purchase 0 unit
Transport units: Allies - air:     not available Axis - air:     not available Allies - naval:     AF Transport Axis - naval:     not available

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