Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

American Patrol?

40's big band tune, iirc (and a good 'un). No vocals...

[rtrapasso]

Try this URL for Glen Miller's version:

http://msxml.excite.com/info.xcite/clic ... Patrol.wma

[rtrapasso]

Fabertong has trained some special assasination penquins known for their masterful and cunning use of camouflage to get Speedy...

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

LOL Robert thanks on all fronts....not sure on the logo though. I can think of better one's[;)][:D]

---------------

Well it's about time to kick some a*se[8D]

All the CV and BB divisions have arrived at Baker Island.

I have topped off most of the CV divisions fuel tanks and they have been ordered to a position 180 miles east of Tarawa......sit. rep. attached..............

I will smash up the local area for weeks. I have also decided on a new tactic. I will, during my stay, bomb and scout out the entire area. Any un-occupied islands will be occupied and built up. I may even bypass Tarawa if I can take 2 other bases in the area - Makin and Apamama perhaps............

AGC Blue Ridge has embarked Turner's V Amphib Force in San Francisco and will proceed to Baker Island.

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SS Cod was hunted throughout the day by 3 x MSW and DD Chidori NW of Bonin Islands. No damage sustained. She will relocate a 120 miles further south.

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More pounding of IJA troop positions at Mandalay. Boy he has a lot of men there. I have also noticed the oil and resource facilities are being repaired at Pagan and Mandalay. Not for much longer....Libs en route.

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The newly arrived Australian Buffalo squadron replaced these obsolete crates with Vengence's. Gives me some DB capability in the Darwin region.

An AK and an AP arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[BrucePowers]

ORIGINAL: rtrapasso

Try this URL for Glen Miller's version:

http://msxml.excite.com/info.xcite/clic ... Patrol.wma

This a great tune to listen to as allies issue orders for a turn.[:)]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A day nearer entrance to enemy airspace. My 4 x CV fleets are now within 300 miles of Tarawa. 100's of fiughters were on CAP throughout the day but not one enemy bomber or fighter appeared overhead. Indeed Faber has flown out all air units from the region. The nearest threat being Maloelap (sp?)

A Mavis tried to take recon photos but Flt T. Patterson from VF-26 scored his 2nd kill by shooting the large bird down.

Faber has clearly spotted me since all air units have been withdrawn and a sub picket line appears to be ahead.

We move in tomorrow to a position 180 miles east of Tarawa. All DB'sare ordered to attack Tarawa's airfields whilst the TB's are ordered to attack the port. Enemy support, AA and CD emplacements will also be targetted.

Orders have also been given for float planes to fly at maximum altitude and scout out Makin and Apamama to see if these locations are occupied.

------------------

The Japanese engineers repairing the oil facilities at Mandalay were given extra work to do today when 69 x Liberator VI again reduced production back from 40% to 10%. Tomorrow the resource production will hopefully be reduced from 45% efficiency[:)]

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SS Wahoo with it's highly trained crew and aggressive skipper blew to pieces the empty Oiler Tsurumi with 3 torpedoes 120 miles SE of Okinawa. That will be 8000 less tonnes of oil that will reach the Home Islands[8D]

SS Plunger hit AP Tatumiya Maru with a torpedo 240 miles NW of Eniwetok. 30 soldiers were also reported lost. Look at what other prizes were in the TF:

Japanese Ships
AP Tatumiya Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Hibiki
DD Ariake
CL Noshiro
CVE Unyo

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Tomorrow SS Robalo, an AK and an LST arrive at San Francisco.

A Corsair squadron arrives at Los Angeles.

I have also begun loading 4 more SeeBee units at San Francisco bound for the Gilbert's region.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Well the first Allied raid on the Gilberts arrives mid-morning 8th September 1943. The first Japanese experience of hell has been delivered:

Day Air attack on Tarawa , at 85,91


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 18
SBD Dauntless x 282
TBM Avenger x 204
SOC-3 Seagull x 2


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 26 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 36
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 190
Port hits 17
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 10

This is just the beginning.........as mentioned before this will go on for weeks. The only concern was that 18 x Hellcat flew escort where as 50% should fly escort, 50% on CAP.

Nevermind though. The nearest active enemy airfield is Maloelap.

A token force of 15 x G4M2 and 9 x A6M3 flew from Maloelap to try and hit my CV's..........258 x Hellcat and 106 x Wildcat saw that none returned.............

The IJN tried to intercept my CV's with 2 submarines throughout the day. The first an I-Boat (I-164) was detected by DD Bailey's Sonar. DC's were dropped by 4 x DD's. Damage unknown.

The 2nd boat attacked CLAA Reno 2 hours later. The 2 torpedoes missed my ship. The escorting destroyers rushed around and located RO-33. She was hit hard and floating debris confirmed her sinkage.

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Also very interesting news. Recon of the surrounding area indicates NO troops on Makin or Apamama. Time to surge the flood around the hard rock i'd say[8D]

My troop convoys have just about finished loading up all the necessary at PH. They will move out to Baker soon.

---------------

My submarines also saw action today.

SS Lapon missed AP Kinryu Maru with 4 torpedoes 240 miles east of Legaspi.

SS Spearfish hit the port bow of AP Jouban Maru with a torpedo 180 ENE of Sorong.

SS Grenadier probably sank the freighter Jokuja Maru with 2 torpedo hits 360 miles west of Iwo Jima.

SS Cod evaded 2 x IJN Fleet Destroyers east of Iwo Jima.

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An AK and an SC arrive at San Francisco tomorrow.

[Capt. Harlock]

Also very interesting news. Recon of the surrounding area indicates NO troops on Makin or Apamama. Time to surge the flood around the hard rock i'd say[8D]

My troop convoys have just about finished loading up all the necessary at PH. They will move out to Baker soon.

Seems reasonable: turn Tarawa into an open-air POW camp, without the need to supply it!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Capt. - right on. I'm unsure of the strength of defence on Tarawa but I know it is occupied.

Bad weather prevented my CV's attacking Tarawa today but we stay on station and try again tomorrow.

My land lubbers left PH today. There are over 450 ships arrayed in 6 x TF's. They will head to Baker Island and then onto the Gilberts depending on the situation my CV's create. 3 x CVE will escort the transports to their destinations.

I will detail the LCU's involved tomorrow.....

-----------------

Allied air forces pounded Japanese postions at Mandalay. Liberators from Imphal reduced Resource production down to 10%. 7 x Liberator were damaged by flak.

Japanese troop positions received a pounding today from heavies, mediums and fighter-bombers. The following were reported lost:

567 Men
17 Guns

-----------------

SS Kingfish missed DD Shirayuki 240 miles south of Iwo Jima.

SS Halibut sank the freighter Sumatra Maru with 2 torpedoes 240 miles north of Pagan.

-----------------

1 x AK will arrive at San Francisco tomorrow.

[Raverdave]

Hey speedy,  just to take this wonderful AAR O/T for a moment......how is the BTR/BoB testing going?  Is BTR and BoB going to be a SINGLE game or two games in one?  This is a point that has not been made clear.

[Speedysteve]

Hi Raver,
 
Nice to see ya.
 
BTR/BoB - afraid can not say too much due to NDA but theings are progressing. Many of the major bugs from the old versions have been squashed which is great. The games are expanding in realism/plane types etc which is great. I've been on a major 'pilot hunt' myself over the poast month and have found 100's of historical additions.
 
I hope it is not against my NDA to say the games will be stand alone at present. That is they will not follow on from 1940-45 continuously.
 
Any other specific questions you have?
 
Regards,
 
Steven

[DuckofTindalos]

That would certainly be "interesting", though... One game, running from September 3rd, 1939 to VE-Day... Would make WitP look like... like... like a very short and uncomplicated game...

[Speedysteve]

Sure would T. Who knows what the future holds though!

[Raverdave]

Nope....that covers what I wanted to know.  Thanks mate.   P.S.  Death to the pengwin.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Here's a breakdown of all forces involvedin Operation Kestrel: The occupation of The Gilberts:

From Australia:

41st USA Division
32nd USA Division
9th Australian Division
1st Aus Army Tk Bn
4th Aus Tk Rgt
5th Aus Tk Rgt
8th Aus Tk Rgt
632nd USA TD Bn
1st Aus Art. Rgt

From PH:

3rd USMC Division
6th USA Division
27th USA Division
33rd USA Division
Americal Division
43rd USA Division
158th RCT
147th RCT
53rd RCT
138th RCT
19th USA Eng Rgt
640th USA TD Bn
193rd USA Tk Bn
3 x HQ
2 x AV Rgt
2 x BF
2 x ART Rgt
6 x SeaBees

This is:

9 x Divisions
4 x RCT
1 x Eng Rgt
7 x ARM Rgt
3 x ART Rgt
+

You guys were worried I wouldn't have enough LCU's after Wake[;)]

The Wake forces should be ready for action within 2 months also.

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Clear weather allowed my CV's to pound enemy installations and supply depots on Tarawa again. Tomorrow 1/2 of the forces are to bomb ground units. The other 1/2 airfields and port.

12 more air groups and a large AV Rgt reached Baker today. They will disembark.

------------

SS Cod heavily damaged DD Chidori with a torpedo 60 miles east of Iwo Jima.

SS Raton missed AK Sagara Maru 120 miles north of Pagan.

SS Sunfish hit the loaded AP Nichiryu Maru with a torpedo 420 miles east of Legaspi.

SS Tinosa saw her first action of the war today hitting the empty transport Nagano Maru with 2 torpedoes 240 miles east of Legaspi.

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A PV-1 squadron arrives at Seattle tomorrow.

Here's the current situation in Burma and China whilst the Gilberts heat up:

[BrucePowers]

The penguin could be in trouble here[:D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Bruce - let's hope so [:)]

Well well intel and recon indicates 43000 troops and 293 guns on Tarawa. I have 100% decided NOT to invade Tarawa now. No point considering I can take the unoccuppied Apamama and Makin.

More bombing of support and supply positions today by my CV's.

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SS Grouper scored again today in probably sinking AK Tottori Maru with 2 torpedoes 240 miles SE of Camranh Bay.

SS Nautilus was poorly hunted by 4 x MSW throughout the day in the middle of the Phillipine Sea.

SS Raton hit the empty transport Ceylon Maru with a torpedo 120 miles north of Pagan.

-------------

An AP arrives at San Francisco tomorrow.

Also my first shipment of Thunderbolt II's arrived at Trincomalee to replace a Hurricane II squadron.

10 more air groups were embarked at San Francisco today (PV1 x 2, F4U, P39, A36A, PB4Y, B24, C47, PBY, SBD) along with 750,000 tonnes of fuel and supply. Important to keep material flowing towards my offensive areas.

[Wellard]

43000 Japs on Tarawa with no way out and no supplies coming in

HMMMM.......wonder how long it'll take for them to eat each other


TUNE IN SOON FOR "ATTACK OF THE CANNIBAL PENGUINS"[:D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Wellard - LOL. Tarawa will be a good test of Japanese 'self-endurance'[;)]

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Today was a fantastic day for my submarines. It proves, once more, what the Allied player can do if there subs are positioned well, well experienced (which they are now), carry functioning torpedoes and radar AND are not subjected mercillesly to IJN HK groups:

SS Puffer damaged AK Chile Maru with a torpedo inbetween Borneo and Sulawesi.

SS Tinosa scored for the 2nd time in 3 days hitting the oil laden TK Shoyo Maru with 2 torpedoes in the morning. Not content with this she stayed on scene and hit her with 2 more in the afternoon leaving little left of her.....

SS Escolar achieved her first kill today hitting freighter Higari Maru with 2 torpedoes NW of Tori Shima. The 6 x IJN DD's escorting her did not locate my submarine.

SS Trusty had a field day 240 miles west of Palembang. She heavily damaged TK Hishi Maru #2 with a torpedo and then 30 minutes later sank TK Ogurasan Maru with 2 torpedoes.

SS Aspro achieved her first contact today 300 miles east of Truk. 2 torpedoes despatched AK Taiyo Maru to a watery grave.

All in all a good day[8D]

Faber jokingly mentioned in his e-mail he was running out of tankers and could I lend him some. I said unfortunately mine are transporting 20 trillion tonnes of fuel around the Pacific[;)]

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My invasion fleet is about 1/2 way between PH and Baker Island now.

Bad weather prevented my CV's attacking again today.

I don't even plan on using my BB's against Tarawa. I am not going to invade it so i'm content bombing it into the stone age and not risking and mine/CD damage to my ships. They will be needed very soon when I move further toward Kwajalein which will happen very soon[8D]

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An AK, SC and DD arrive at San Francisco tomorrow.

A welcome Apache FBG arrives in Karachi tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

I must say I can't wait to land some troops and take the fight to Faber. Now I in effect control the air in the Gilberts I just want my transport to move at warp speed[;)]

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A bit less sub activity today but still another loaded Tanker sunk:

SS Corvina evaded 3 x IJN DD's 180 miles south of Hong Kong.

SS Tunny evaded 2 x MSW 120 miles east of Tarakan.

SS Runner fired 4 torpedoes at TK Koryu Maru 120 miles north of Jesselton 2 of which hit breaking the ship in 1/2.

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Clear weather allowed my CV's to bomb Tarawa. As well as hitting the port and airfields I now know the 6th Coastal Gun Rgt is there:

Day Air attack on 6th Coastal Gun Regiment, at 85,91


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 17
SBD Dauntless x 143
TBM Avenger x 97
SOC-3 Seagull x 1


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 21 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

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A lot of ship reinforcements tomorrow: CL Durban, 2 x DD, 2 x SS (1 x British), an AK and an LST.