Herb VS Tabpub

[1275psi]

13/6/43
Again all action in the solomons, only 1 ss attack elsewhere on the map, and some light bombing in places

A very revealing turn

3 Bb bombarded rennel -1600 casos, 4 catalinas destroyed
nagato bombarded, a total of 17 supply hits this night
TF 11 unloaded, 540 casos, and tf 145 unloaded, 266

His ships sighted south of rennel -moving fairly slowly south and east
PM pounded again
Some of my bombers attacked rennel -no LRCAP, and my LRCAP fighters over the island did not spot any transport planes

Then my troops shock attacked[:@][8|] -not sure why -his did not when they landed.
terrible -troops landed are wrecked totally, and will be destroyed tomorrow I think.
But the attack revealed that the extra troops landed were infantry 2 base forces landed -but NO SEA BEEs
I do not think he has any intention of trying to build an air base here at all[:'(]

PLANS
It is obvious that PM is the real target
he has been pounding it, and trying to isolate it with mines and subs for the last month, Thursday Island fiasco, and the little adventure near Gilli, gilli add to the evidence

Rennel is a decoy

So -I abandon any attempt to contest it! -let it rot
Counter invasion convoy at rabual heads towards PM
Tanaka reloads his ships at Shortlands -troops for PM
Other fast transports will load tomorrow
KB to rabual, KB 2 is arriving in 2 days -they will cover the convoy
Air power abandons Munda, Lunga and Russel -only targets for his heavies, and I begin to reorientate them towards PM
Supplies begin to be flown in
Thursday island troops keep flying out

BB Mushia will bombard rennel -her job to "maintain my interest in rennel"
Other Bbs once refuelled at shortland will also be used as fast transports to get more troops to PM
PM is the key -a counter attack here by the navy is too risky, so the troops have to do the job on the beaches
Once he siezes the field at PM , no number of army bombers will help against the corsairs he will fly in-so this time - a different method of defence will have to be found.

6 new divisions, and 5 new brigades arrived on map -all full strength.
A CV arrived
Ships were awaiting them, they begin loading immediately
The chinese divisions will remain passive -need patience here
KB3 will sail in one weeks time ( 2CV, 2cvl, 2cve) for waters east of pearl harbour.

[1275psi]

14/6/43
I notice my esteemed opponent has opened up his AAR -singapore by 44!
bah -propaganda[:(]

Left notes at home -but pretty easy to recall whats happening

Burma
OK -it may be propaganda -but it is going to be very difficult to stop though
22 LCU in rangoon -a lot, and I mean a lot of Chinese oppose my army in Burma, and along the river a further 13 LCU face me

Im dug in, its obvious that a landing south of me is the way for him to go.
SO, troops from rahaeg are quietly disengaging, some to Vic point, some to Tavoy.
I actually have quite a few troops on the coast so far, but not enough.

DEI
Convoys
In Timor I have moved a lot of fighters into there -LRCAP lautern -today they intercepted his daily raid -12 Tonies shot down 8 planes -brewsters and Demons!
No more cheap training there Tabpub[:-]

Solomons
A big convoy -20000 men, nears Woodlark
200 plus fighters move to woodlark, goodenough for LRCAP
KB comes south to cover as well
It will be pushed through to PM!
Continue trying to rebuild, recover the shattered naval LBA.
reorientate the army LBA for PM
BB mushia delivers a load to rennel -he does not try to eject me.
I might "maintain my focus " here in a day or 2

Eleshere
the land reinforcements begin trecking south
Forming up the KB3, for our Operation back door.


basically the way I see it
He is definately coming to PM -all the bombing has been on the troops, the A/F is untouched, ready for instant use
His CVs are still south at Lunganville, or moving to Brisbane.
I have a week to build PM up, and get ready.
His spear -the main weight of it , has been slowly building up here, where my main shield is
I hope he now thinks -I have spent so much time and effort getting ready for this -I cannot now swing to a different axis of thrust.
I certaintly am in this boat - Ive stripped the gilberts nearly a year ago for this, the DEI are all but empty because of this, Burma has no air or naval support because of this.
Its truly a mighty Gamble.
I wont stop him -no one can stop the allies in 43, but I really hope to destroy so many APs and lift that he is badly hadicapped for the next 6 months.

[1275psi]

15/6/43
20 liberator night bomb hanoi -annoying
moulomien(whatever[8|]) bombed
His Cvs spotted sailing from Lunganville -air groups probably topped up
40 tojo sweep rennel
I try a small attack at kafieng -bad move.
His Chinese are going to be there for a while


Home islands
Operation east of pearl delayed -awaiting the replenishment task force, that last week was ordered home -just found in davao[:@]

Burma
he has 37 units in rangoon!
This is bad news[:(][:(]

DEI
no new orders today

Solomons
Im feeling the pressure -experience levels are dropping fast, and units are getting slowly disorganised as I continue trying to recover, and re orientate for the next op -getting more troops to Port moresby.

Everywhere else the war is quiet.

[1275psi]

16/6/43
I put some nicks into hanoi -they have exactly zero effect on the liberators tonight.
A tanker is sunk today -getting very, very short on them
The economic implosion of my war effort is but 3 months away I reckon!

he attacks Dilli in massive strength -128 mitchells -12 B17, 25 zeros try their best -2 zero, 5 tony on the ground lost
impossible to stop him

I try 60 zeros attack thursday island -as an experiment -ouch, lost 6 to flak!
B17s attack buna -2 AP hit.
Then CV hiyo and Junyo launch -2 msw, and a Dd are 1 hex short of PM -no idea why, and they are hammered
Tomorrow the convoy for PM which is at woodlark begins its dash -20000 men who I must get through!

[1275psi]

17/6/43
The Liberators visit hanoi again -26 Nick and 8 irving nock one down today

Lots of ships sighted south of rennell!
I must have been dreaming -rennel is not a decoy -he is going to take both axis at once -up the solomons and up the PNG coast.
I will not be able to stop him-but like all japanese players, look for an opportunity here and there.
Piority is my convoy -cannot contest rennel and cover it as well![:(]
Big air battles over Dilli today - 16 brewsters, 57 mitchell, 13 B17
15 zeros and 15 tonies shoot down 3 brewsters, 7 mitchels -actually saw a brewster knock down a Tony -this is so depressing seeing my pilot skills falling away now.

Munda is hit hard -lost oscars trying to slow the liberators.
far too many pilots trapped on munda -must get them out!

5 hexes south of rennel -his CVs!
KB is formed up -just off Woodlark -and most of my fighters are in PNG, getting ready to CAP my convoy.

Me thinks a big hammer is coming to rennel!

[1275psi]

Mines at goodeneough island -one of my DDs hits one
RO 63 sunk promptly south of rennel -run over by sheer weight of allied steel.
DD walker (I HATE THIS SHIP) claims I -174 -she kills any sub she encounters[:@]
2 allied CAs and various DDs sink 11 barges at rennell -they had unloaded though.
CA Minneapolis hits a mine -she is later seen crawling south[:'(]
Another big rain PM -10 tony, 10 zero, on LRCAP are blown away by the 51 P38

Usual bombing Burma.
A CV raid on a lone AK at Munda -66 wildcats and 17 Db
10 oscars go down


The situation
The convoy is attacked, and loses a AP -it rounds the corner at Gilli, gilli
Woodlark is providing LRCAP -as is Goodenough
KB is off buna -ready to strike if the ships sighted off cairns do come north.
Buna, Lea, Finshesan also providing CAP
Buna has some LBA also -just in case
PM has 1 group of Tojos -very low experienced ones -moved them in as a lure -rather his B17s hit the base than the convoy!

he has his major fleet at rennell -or just south -he is definately coming to take the place for sure this time.

tabpub remains nervous -I sent my reply titled "hammer" -he comes back -thats a worry!
My hammer is rapidly becoming hollow.
But the days tick by....

[1275psi]

19/6/43
he sweeps mines at moulimien -I suppose Bbs are nor far away!

RO 62 begins a nightmare day
6 Dds attack her near rennel -and miss
then 9 BETTIES! night attack her -and miss
Then another ASW attack -missed
3 allied CA attack barges at rennel
RO 62 -more attacks -2 hits
And again -10 hits -she does not sink though!

The convoy crawls up the coast towards PM -ss argonaught hits one AP -is hit in return
Moulimien is bombed
44 p 38 sweep PM 60 of my fighters do OK, lost 20 odd, mainly tonies to his 6
50 liberators, and 25 hudson attack, 23 zeeros defend -, we both lose 2 planes -PM troops again hit
61 liberators hit munda -the AKs there are not attacked -they load all the pilots, and get away!

OOOPS, cooking, more thrilling reports after the meal of the day!

[1275psi]

meal consumed, back to the front

China
Something smells on the northern front -Tabpub has withdrawn from Chenting -my army that would have cut it off had 2 miles left to move[:@]
In fact the nasty man is up to no good at all -major withdrawals -I suspect he is going to strike south from Homan to relieve his troops at kafieng
So -3 new divisions are moving from the central front to block him -and I know they will get there 1st.

Burma
almost have 2 divisions re orientated to vic point.

DEI
I pull out of timor my fighters -we are focused on the solomons, and I do not fear an invasion here at the moment.

SOLOMONS
AH HA!!!!
Now we see whats happening at thursday -some 7 SS are spotted coming towards thursday with 3 AP -so this is how the troops are getting in -by sub!
I move 3 float plane units to thursday -they do not need a field -and will do for naval attack.

The big move is this -the entire fighter strength of KB and all the fighters at LEA are put to LRCAP over the convoy, and some tonies move into PM
All the Oscars were moved to gassmatta -and will LRCAP KB
Lets see what happens

[1275psi]

20/6/43
Lots happened!
11 betty again naval attacked at night -no hits, but Ill get one soon!
The crippled AP from the convoy is sunk by a SS -I lose a mortar unit.
poor old RO 62 is attacked again -no escape this time.

AM air
53 p38 sweep PM
158 AM3a, 6 AM3, 35 AM2, 12 zeke and 9 tony intercept

41 P 38 shot down
30 AM3a, 1 am3, 11 AM2 and 9 tony shot down

some bombing in burma

48 hudson, 32 liberators attack -the LRCAP is there -revenge for the poor south sea detachment!
The troops must have cheered as 45 hudson, 15 liberators are shot down for 7 losses

38 liberators, 72 B17 come -27 heavies go down., I lose 15 to the defensive guns

27 b17 and 23 liberators finally come in, 12 heavies lost, 7 fighters lost

then 48 lillies strike from Buna -3 CA are hit in the coral sea, the 100 lbs do little damage, but its a warning! -and an invitation!
will the ships keep coming,?, theres about 6 CA, 6 DD in striking range of PM -the convoy defence is 1cl, 6 DD, and my bombers
Totals
71 zeros today
45 hudson
42 P38
46 liberators
32 B17
18 Am2
15 lilly
9 tony

all up - 171 allied a/c, to my 122

KB is ordered to retire -today hurt, but the convoy is the piority
I fly in all remaining army fighters to PM and Buna -and some Kates, and Vals -if there is a naval action tonight at PM -they will atack the cripples

His CVs remain tied to rennel -no plans by me here -in a week, when he goes away -then the BBs will visit again.
A costly day for me, but, its mid 43 -and I so far think he must be getting a little daunted by what is happening -thats his 2nd 150 plus loss day in a week[:'(]
3 minor invasions -and all 3 he has failed to bring enough stuff the 1st time -wonder if he'll make the same for the real thing?

[1275psi]

21/6/43
TF 92 reacts to TF 1040 near PM
Here he comes!

RO 66 has a shot at the allied ships as they sprint into PM -miss
3 allied CA, 2CLAA and 4 destroyers attack the convoy at PM

I have a combat group there -Cl Naki and 6 DD
They will have to fight hard to defend the precious transports

CA Northampton hits the naki at 8000 yrds -little damage
DD Ariare hits the CL phoenix -the shell bounces off
Phoenix hits DD hatakaze, badly
Several allied DDs engage the DD sagi as she attacks -stopping her dead in the water

Heavy manouvering occurs, and the Allies out dodge my ships, gaining a clear advantage
Northampton engages the naki again, hitting her with 5 inch shells
Lousville hits Ariake again
A torrent of allied shells begins to overwhelm the japanese line, only naki manages to reply -ineffectively

Only the DD otori is untouched -she was badly out of station -never firing a shot.

His task force sweeps towards PM -and encounters 11 AG
Precious time and ammo is expended sinking 6, and then the allies withdraw

sagi sinks, 3 other DDs will sink
CL naki is 23 system -probably reach 50 before the fires are out, she is ordered west -towards Mearuke -fuel there.

Daylight, buggar -the allies have managed to withdraw out of range

2 ships sunk by SS today on the map - we sink a ss off Tokyo

many, many allied ships still near rennell
18 Jake launch from Gilli, gilli -and they hit the damaged DD Porter 4 times -4 penetrations.
The heavies attack PM again - 26 liberators, 27 B17 (is that all[:D]), and the 21 Tony, 21 tojo are able to chase them away!
This is so satisfying -the convoy has unloaded 6000 men overnight -another day and this mission will be a success.

In China Chenting retaken -what is he up to here?
The allies deliberate at rennell-1 to 1 -21000 men there now -2rct, 2 aa, 1 sea bee, 3 BF
looks like a field is the plan after all.
At least his CVs remain tied there.
Now, if he does build a field there- as soon as its size 1, packed with corsairs -such a lovely naval bombard target.
Made a big mistake -KB airgroups replacements on, as the ships pulled into port they refilled -now airgroups have been badly diluted with poor pilots.

Grit teeth.
KB role is no longer going head to head -its
Fleet in being
A huge decoy
a portable lrcap airfield.

Few orders today -just more army fighters to PM, I continue to try to CAP the place.

[1275psi]

22/6/43

I have been reading with great amusement the japan is too powerful thread, a perfect example of what happens when you use just some games as examples.

Ill just say it again -try playing on half the oil and resources available

I roughly calculated the HI PZB potentially could have, and the oil and resources he could have compared to this game -and it would be almost triple.

Japan too powerful
Joke
Then I read Tabpub -hes got 10 divisions, 1000 corsairs ready to go very soon.
I have exactly 1000 fighters of all types in pool left, gee, he says he has 1000 liberators for heavens sake alone.

The pity is, we are going to have a very brief flare up in the solomons -a few days of action, and then we are going to have a very, very boring game.
He has waited, and waited until any chance of being defeated in any way is eliminated.
Correct tactic -just boring
We are about to have some major battles -these will probably gut me, then the next effort will be about Saipan, early 44 I reckon.
Mogami once said Japan has to choose what we are willing to lose for a certain area.
So, I have 4 old BBs, and about 6 daitais of naval air, and 3 divisions plus a lot of auxilliaries to expend here.
The 4 old BBs need LRCAP to get to grips with the enemy, here really is the only place they have a chance to.
BB Mushia also is too slow for surprise attacks -so we set sentiment aside, she too will be committed.

The army LBA will have one shot -then be withdrawn for kamikaze duties probably -especially the sallies.
osacra are a joke -and the pool of them is empty -(do not forget, Japan is too powerful[8|]) all this after only what at the worse could be describe as 6 months of absolutely quiet war fare.
We have had just 2 weeks of real war in 43, and its totally gutted me.
I have preserved the fleet, won most battles, yet the lack of oil and resources continue to affect everything I do.

Oh well
At least this game is showing me the struggle Japan had
Ill enjoy the next few weeks, then I am very much afraid it will become a slaughter fest.
I won't quit though.

Today another Aussie task force had a go at the PM convoy, Australia, canberra, the kiwi cruisers, they met 3 crippled DDs -sinking them
more barges, and thankfully this was enough
The convoy has unloaded -a major success -getting 22000 men into PM in mid 43 is very pleasing
many of the transports head home -probably wont make it -are considered expendable

maloelop is bombed -the gilberts will be one of his thrusts for sure.
Russell A/F is size 1[8|]
KB moves to rabual
Sake issued to the elderly BB squadron, and to mushia crew
KB and the oscars will now move to cover the bbs, Im going to go for broke -for days he has kept his CVs in the one hex, time to try for a miricle -a BB intercept of his CVs
I wait tomorrow for suitable weather -now more than ever i need thunderstorms.

[1275psi]

23/6/43
His mighty battle fleet remains concentrated at 2 hexes south of rennell, as his Sea Bees continue ferretting away!

Normal bombing in Burma, Malaloep bombed as well

The big convoy to PM quits the place, and heads towards thursday -drop of about 2000 supplies if they get through -no heavy bombing again today -who knows, they might get a few tons ashore before his heavies recover moral

The airforce is re organised again , PM is emptied again of planes, as they rebuild and regather at rabual

Should I try to strike at rennel?
this is the question
Today the weather was too good, I will I think give it a go if the weather goes bad.
Again, I will fill Lunga, Russell, Munda, shortland with LRCAP planes, and KB will come south to LRCAP as well.

Rennell has 70 corsairs on it[:(]

Eleswhere 2CV, 2cvl, 2cve, depart Tokyo -the replenishment task group has arrived at last in Japan -This will be a one of -a deep raid east of pearl harbour.
Must make tabpub nervous about his rear areas.

[1275psi]

24/6/43
Lose 2 AKs to ss in mallacca straight, full of resources too[:(]

4 different squadrons at rennell -1 of corsairs, 1 of P38s, 1 of wildcats, 1 of warhawks?

Little to report today -very quiet -his fleet still 2 hexes south of rennell

Oh, just one thing

THE ENTIRE FLEET bar 1 TF sails from rabual -for points south[:@][:@][:@]

[1275psi]

25/6/43
I-121 has a shot at the wasp -misses -she is 3 hexes south of rennell now, is he about to retire???
ss121 gets hit twice in couterattacks
22 I-2 is sunk after 4 seperate attacks


China
I still do not know what he is up to here in the North, Im rather hopeful actually of a new offensive towards Yemen soon.
(in my dreams)[8|]

Burma
The home islands release 2 regiments for the burmese front

DEI -
Some LCI are spotted creeping along the coast between derby and Wyndham, wonder what that means?
I move 9 Betty to Kupang to have a shot if possible

SOLOMONS
The orders go out, the moves are made

3 ops underway
Th island, 3 transports as predicted hammered -but supplies ashore
Going to helen bomb tomorrow
a single dd is doing stirling work fast running between Merauke and thursday island

A convoy sails to PM, supplies from truk
Hope to get her in after the inevitable lull that the next battle will bring

Rennell
Lunga -80 fighters CAP, 100 sonias move in for day after, if they get chance
Russell -100 oscars LRCAP duties
Munda -100 tojos LRCAP the battlefleet
Shortlands -100 sallies, 100 zeros escort to strike Rennell
The battle fleet to 4 hexes out, near munda
KB -to move to in conjuction
rabual 100 betties on reduced range set to strike
Woodlark -60 kates, 30 vals, tonies protect the flank

My thinking
iether he challenges me -and exposes his fleet., or tomorrow rennell is absolutely flattened
If there is a night engagement -VALs and kates and a 100 betties will be there, deployed for the cripples.

get the popcorn out, Im coming with nearly the entire fleet to rennell.
This is the big one.

The fate of the empire rests with this one battle[:D][:D]

[1275psi]

26/4/43

Operation baby poo begins -the isolation and starvation of rennell island
To delay the real invasions by forcing him to use his Cvs to protect rennell


nagato is struck by a SS -Duds!
We sink a SS in mallacca straight

BB Indiananaval bombards the field at lunga -misses (no recon?)
3 enemy CA also throw shells at it
Then 3 fast BBs have a go, Bb mass, BB North Caro, Bb south dak - I hope they used a lot of ammo!!

AM Air
His fleet is still 2 hexes south of rennell, and very many APs at the island
21 P 38 sweep Lunga -15 oscar,24 zero, 11 tony
5 P38 shot down, only 3 of my planes lost

21 wildcats from rennell, 65 liberators then attack -many liberators fail moral
8 wildcats s/d, 6 libs s/d, 6 oscars, 4 zeros lost, the 44 hits cream the sonias though on the ground. Buggar

Shortlands launch -61 zeros escort 6 sally, meet 19 corsairs and 8 wildcats
31 zeros lost[:(], 6 wildcats, the usual single corsair lost.
A single hit on a AK, 2 hits on the fields

24 jake sweep in very low, only 3 lost, they strafe a AK
14 sally alone come in -the corsairs tear them all apart
3 jake attack PTs at rennell

8 zero, 10 sally brave the corsairs, only 2 shot down -the sallies hit a DD

he bombs Maloelap
he bombs in Burma

PM
3 P38 and 120 avenger attack Lunga
6 oscar,18 zero, 9 tony remain on CAP
the Tonies in particular have a devastaing time

58 avengers destroyed[:'(] -12 hits

Shortlands attacks again -44 zero escort 55 sallies
22 zeros lost, 2 wildcats shot down (curse the corsair), the 52 sallies that attack only score 2 hits[:@]

11 jake attack, 2 bombs hit a burning DD -it sinks

SS attacks the Kaga -its getting dangerous in these waters!!!
Allies attack at rennell -1 to 1

Losses today, 168 (includes 50 sonias on the ground), to his 94

The orders for tomorrow
The fleet will attack
KB will advance
The enemy transports will be sunk, and the enemy will be forced to choose -come into range of the LBA with his CVs, or retire.

Charge!!!!!

[1275psi]

27/6/43

The battles begin
BB fuso, yamarishio, Ise, Hyuga and 4dd attack rennell island
PT boats are sighted as the fleet approaches the northern coast of the island, the transports are to the south, all crews are on the alert!

The fleet is line ahead -DDs in arrow head formation leading the line

At 3000 yrds DD kisigari opens fire -a PT boat explodes, sinking
Flashes to port as other Pts launch their deadly missiles
Starshells are fired -DD Mutskiki staggers, and falls out of line - torpedoed!
DD yayoi engages -another PT boat is pounded under a storm of steel

The island approaches -and more grey sharks are revealled streaking in
DD yayoi fights hard -another boat explodes, as we sweep forward a boat charges past cutting the line -it shatters the bridge of the Kisaragi, she too falls astern

Another huge flash -another torp hit!, DD asanagi

Down to 1 operational DD the fleet swings away, Kisarangi regains control aft, the Admiral cannot risk the BBs so lightly screened.

The 1st attack has failed
A little to the east 3 more giant shapes charge in
The battle cruisers are also attacking
Again the sky alights to star shell, and tracer as the little pests attack again
CA Aoba staggers -2 torps!!
Can this get any worse!
The fleet maintains far better discipline, 2 more waves of PTS are beaten aside.
The BBs round the corner
There-out to sea, sliding in, 5 british DDs

Again the fleets fire terribly at each other, again a deadly torp finds its target, BB Hiei
is crippled!

Where is our long lance!?
The Dds hit our CAs, 2 hits on Kinugasa turrett

But the bay is empty of APs!!
Labourisly the fleet about faces -more PTs are brushed aside now -their torps expended

BB Mushia, 2CA and 2DDs now take their turn, they cleave through the confusion, sinking 3 surprised PTs
CA Tone and Chikuama in particular are in superb position, the enemy DDs are hard engaged against the Heie

the 8 inch shells fly out
Multiple hits are seen, the Dds burn
Mushia engages!, several futile 5 inch shells barely scratch her
The Dds turn away, but there is no escape, 3 are seen to sink, the other 2 are flaming wrecks

No targets left, Mushia steams north

Tanaka with 6 Ca and a single CL enters the fray, a torrent of 8 inch shells crush the flaming wrecks
the bay is deserted -a bombardent pounds the beaches -but the field cannot be found!

tanaka retires.
AM
the enemy has retired his CVs -again
But the fleeing transports are still in range
42 liberators attack Lunga -22 tony today
9 libs shot down, 26 attack, more sonias destroyed
Little CVL Shoho is terribly out of position -ooops, not that far a lure!!!
the allies launch 100 plus strikes on her, she is promptly sunk!
KB launches -against the transports!
2 AP, 5 AK are sunk, sunk, sunk

PM
CS Nishinn is attacked from Vanikolo -and hit by 3 bombs, she may survive though
, so is a DD, she wont!

More strikes, we hit a DD
betties attack -are wiped out, 8 pointless pilots lost!

Another KB attack -this time some CAP encountered -17 zeros lost, another AP, 3 AK sunk

Losses today
CVL Shoho
CA aoba sinks too

Damaged
BB Hiei
CS Nisshin
4 Dd

Allies
9 pts
5 DDs
2 Aps?
5 Aks

95 planes to his 38

Tomorrow -
We will retire to shortlands the battle units, KB to 1 hex off Lunga -a huge LRCAP trap and CAP trap over the island
BB Nagato is left there alone as a lure.
Will his BBs come back again?

cannot wait.

My verdict for today
Frustrating, yet if his plan was to save the transports -it failed[:)]
And His CVs have to remanin tied to rennell for a while longer, while I get a convoy daily closer and closer to PM

[1275psi]

28/6/43

really bad news from the north today -one of my tankers for the pearl harbour operation was attacked by a SS today.

I really wonder how it was spotted, as it was fixed in the one hex in the middle of no where. Signet must be the answr

The result is if I saw a japanese AO in those waters there would be only one reason.

So I cancel the operation, the CV task force turns for other targets[:@]

36 Liberators night bomb Hong Kong

At Rennel another bad day -1 cl and 4 Dd vs pt .
Now a days as soon as I see such a contact -YOU JUST KNOW that the very 1st thing that will happen is that one or 2 of your DDs will be torpedoed.
ITS HARD *&^*&^%$ WIRED I tell you

Yep, AGAIN, a DD is torped and sunk, and the troop mission scrubbed.
I am running terribly low on DDs[:(][:(]

A very large BB force achieves surprise and bombards PM!

The air war today is pretty low key, twice flights of 9 betties attack Rennel, escorted by a dozen oscars or so.
No one comes back

I am retiring KB to rabual.
Rennell is going to be conceded I think, although I will try to keep up an impression of effort.

The defence plan will now be concentrated on this.
KB must appear and strike with its full weight the very day the PM invasion arrives at the beaches.
KB to be LRCAP by the Land based Tojos
All Bombers to attack in one big thrust, fully escorted by all naval fighters.

The oscars, quite savaged now, are to be the LRCAP for the BBs-which will be the Lunga defence.
I know he is powerful, and his plan must be to get Rennell to the size where its air field can cover the invasion of Lunga -freeing the CVs for PM
Its the corsairs that will affect this game
As soon as they are established over PNG -its lost -thus the decision to use the bombers in one go -while they have some sort of chance of giving me a return.

[1275psi]

29/6/43
Well as we pass the half way mark of 43 I do feel fairly satisfied with how the war is going, IE -he still has no large foot hold in the solomons.


A fairly quiet turn, he attacks Hong Kong today, looks like the heavies are back in China -Tonies try their best -pretty inconclusive day though.

SO16 hits yet another tanker in the mallacca straight -I have multiple ASW units out hunting -this sub must die -its the 4th or 5th ship it has slotted this week!!!

In the solomons the BBs are headed back to rabual, the airforces are re organising, KB is returning to fuel as well

Some barges sneak into Rennell -telling the troops that they are not abandoned[8|]

Tabpub is coming north again with a APD run, covered by his CVs again.
Nice
This little op will allow complete re orientation for PM.
He can come into rennell un opposed this time, I need to now start hinting on the map and in the mail that Im brocken, and that the situation is ripe for a attack..

KB2 is coming south now to add more weight to the op , Just having Tabpub wonder what a AO is doing north of Midway will help enough.
A AV and AO continue west -they might get lucky[:'(]

Coming up to the weekend -good timing, It could be a big week end.

[1275psi]

30/6/43
Liberators active at night in china -missing.
Some jakes attack , kittyhawks and spits at rennel, light losses!
Over 150 fighters and fighter bombers hit moulimien


In China he is lining up to try to take kaifeng, I am moving to stop him.

Everywhere else is pretty quiet -in the solomons I just get ready -and follow Pauks AAR very closely for hints[:D]
I very much appreciate the lack of continous pressure Tabpub allows today.

[1275psi]

1/7/43
Some sub laid mines sink a LCVP at rennell.

he begins to bomb Kaifeng, and now its 200 fighters and light bombers in burma.

I am getting supplies into Thursday island, Aps getting in -its nasty and costly -subs sink 2 today -but the supplies are getting in.

A new shock today -91 p38 on a shipping strike to PM!!!
They clobber a single AP and PG

P 38s on naval strike...mmmmmmmmmmmm
11 mitchell have a go, and meet 18 tony today, and 23 tojo - 7 mitch S/d

again the day is spent re organising, and again -thanks for the lack of pressure .
He is still trying to get supplies into rennell.