Talk:AFOH/@comment-5846899-20150822032249/@comment-14850713-20150826092514

IC:

The arrival of CIS and DWG forces in New Britain boosts AFOH morale. With the arrival of the more numerous allied reinforcements, a new command set-up is proposed wherein the New Britain - Huon Penninsula front will  come under the command of the Joint Marine Air-Ground Task Force while AFOH SOUTHCOM retains command of the Buzzard's Tail. This means that the 11th and 36th LIDs, and ground-based strike and fighter squadrons will be under the JMAGTF (naval units under Force E and the aerospace strike squadrons will continue to be commanded by SOUTHCOM). While this is being discussed in high-level talks between the Coaltion partners, the 11th LID's remaining brigade in New Britain, under the cover of Force E's heavy warships and fighter screen, is ferried across the straits to bolster the Huon bridgehead as Millenium forces pile up the pressure on Lae.

To the southeast, the presence of corps-size Millenium units in the Owen Stanley Range becomes a concern for the forces holding Wau so a further retreat to the Mambare River is ordered. The frontline is now held (from north to south) by the 117th LID (coastal area),  69th LID, 3rd Bde/106th LID and 2nd Bde/83rd LID (Owen Stanley), and the 106th LID (minus 3rd Bde) in Port Moresby. Despite increasing probing attacks by Millenium forces, news of the Coalition build-up in the north gives AFOH field commanders and troops confidence that they can withstand any new offensive.