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In the early months of 1943, the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy saw their plans to capture New Guinea and retake Guadalcanal crippled after a series of defeats at the hands of Allied forces. For the IJA, the slowly growing supply of US men and materials had to be stopped and soon. In March of that year, the IJA began a steady build up of men and materials in their remaining strongholds along the coast of northeastern New Guinea. Large numbers of troops and resupply materials began moving from the major IJN base at Rabaul. This increase in men and materials would provide the IJA with the means to open a new offensive front in which to regain their lost holding in New Guinea. Imperial Japanese leaders still felt the capture of Port Morseby was essential to their plans for security of the empire.
For the Allies, the beginning of 1943 saw the combined Australian and US forces steadily pushing the IJA north up the eastern coast of Papua. A major thrust by IJA forces across the Owen Stanley mountains on the Kododa trail had be stopped and reversed as well as the capture of Buna gave Allied forces much needed victories against the seemingly invincible IJA. However, the efforts necessary to gain the advantage had cost the Allies both men and material. Both the American and Australians ground troops were exhausted and needed rest and resupply before beginning the next thrust north alone the coast. To maintain their holdings resupply was essential but only possible by air, thus causing undue strain on USAAF flight crews and planes. A major IJN offense at this moment with fresh troops was a severe threat to Allied holdings.
Frame 4 has a new wrinkle. All closed bases will now be reopened in the color of the side that originally CLOSED them. For the reds they will gain radar coverage from their capture of coast watchers but since a side can only have one air start they will not get an air start from 108. While green lost their air start last week, they now have air bases on the eastern coast allowing them to rearm and refuel without crossing the Owen Stanleys. The frame will also see the inclusion of later version air craft for both sides.
The Challenge in Frame 4 (senza GVs)
Can Reds protect their convoys in the Bismarck Sea, their holdings in the northeast coast of New Guinea and attempt a closure of Port Morseby?
Will Green be able to protect Port Morseby from a new potential threat while attempting to close new territory and stop the Red convoys.
While more side specific details are forth coming, I can see an all-out air battle in the works.
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kaceyj
