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At the moment, I cannot find shipping to move the 32nd to PNG. Much worse, it was neither acclimatised or trained properly when it was sent in by Macarthur, and took severe and unnecessary losses at Buna. It could do with training and acclimatisation until late 1942 and would then make a good replacement/supplement for either USMC forces in the Solomons or in PNG.



Well orginally under Major General Harding the 32nd was to be deployed to defend Port Morsbey and free up some Aussie troops. Then Mac got ideas of using it to attack? Any possibility of at least that? If we can't get then to PNG how will we get them to Guadalcanal?

As for the 41st, I expect them to continue training as per oTL.

Well the US just does not have anyone with the rank to match Blamey in theatre, so him as Commander SWPA seems a certainty. They may have Eichelberger promoted to Lt general sooner and ask to have him put in over Vasey. Even Harding is senior to Vasey who was only made a Major General in September 1942 ( temporary ). With No Mac to dismiss him Harding will still be in command of the 32nd as well.

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If not, then they will best be sent to the Solomons and an Indian Army Division sent to PNG. Will the 25th Div be able to be moved from Hawaii, given the availability of resources (can it be supported?)


Well if supplies are anything like they were in otl Nimitz is going to have to start sending some of his supplies to support the Solomans, so the lift capacity and supplies are there for the 25th. You also have the American Division on New Caledonia that you could send in if need be sooner unless they are to be held back because of Japanese incursions in the area? That Brings up another point. With Panama and the East coast raids, will they hold back the 25th to increase Hawaii's garrison? If thats the case then the 32nd or 41st to the Solomans makes more sense. Also makes the fight in PNG harder.

Russ / Roller007