The Naval Odyssey of Professor James Brand 07.Beach Red: Issue in Doubt

Contents Author’s NotePart 11234567Part 28910111213141516Part 31718192021222324Part 4252627282930313233343536EpilogueAppendixNote Additional works byJ. Eugene PorterThe Naval Odyssey of Professor James BrandU-Boat ScourgeMission to BritainCalculated RiskNight AttackBattle PlanSecret Surrender◆◆◆ Brad Bayle MysteryThe Container AffairAll books available at Amazon.com Beach RedIssue in DoubtThe Naval Odyssey ofProfessor James BrandBook VIIJ. Eugene Porter Beach Red: Issue in DoubtThe Naval Odyssey of Professor James Brand© J. Eugene Porter, 2023 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.For permission requests, email the author at:[email protected] EditionThis is a work of fiction. All the characters, names, incidents,organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the productsof the author’s imagination or are used fictionally.ISBN: 9798376273685Cover Image:U.S. National Archives and Records AdministrationDesign: Vivian Freeman [email protected] in the United States of America Dedicated toKenneth E. PorterUSMC 1938-1941and the Marine Detachmentaboard the USS Chicago CA-29 Author’s Note To the Reader:Beach Red: Issue in Doubt is the seventh book in The Naval Odyssey of Professor James Brand series. The book is a work of fiction, but is based upon the history of World War II. Some of these events are well known, but some may be unfamiliar to many readers. The fictional characters are involved in many of the war’s battles and strategic conferences and participate in the numerous scientific advances made during the global struggle. The book also addresses the often unappreciated story of logistics and the huge organizations which developed, managed, and delivered America’s war production throughout the world.This book begins in mid-September 1943 and ends on January 1, 1944. During these months, fateful decisions will be made by the principal leaders, determining the priorities and goals of the Allies in their strategy for victory. Other decisions will be made by commanders in the field and in the shadows of diplomacy and espionage, many succeeding, but some failing. As readers of the previous books in this series know, the fictional characters are not designed to emulate real individuals from the war. Still, they interact with the Allied leadership and other officials in government, military, science, Part 1 1 19 September 1943CINCPAC HeadquartersPearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii • Pacific Ocean Area--V Amphibious Force estimates that the capture of Nauru with forces available will be difficult.• Gilbert Islands--Carrier and AAF planes make coordinated attacks on Tarawa, during which complete photographic coverage is obtained.• Italy--U.S. 5th Army gains firm control of Salerno plain.• USSR--Soviet troops on the Smolensk front overrun Yartsevo and Dukhovshcina. Enemy force is forced to retire toward the Dnieper all along the lower front to Kiev.The senior intelligence officer was surrounded by several junior officers each studying different photographs of tiny islands dotting the Pacific Ocean. Some of the photos showed serene palm fringed islands, which appeared uninhabited. Others showed small native villages and the occasional outrigger canoe sitting in a tranquil azure lagoon. The islands the officers were most interested in were the ones that were anything but uninhabited. The scars of civilization had destroyed trees, carved up beaches, erected buildings and airfields filled almost the entire island.One officer was closely examining a photo of the island of Nauru and counting the number of planes in revetments and on taxiways near the main runway. Determining the type of aircraft was not easy, especially from a