1.804 has solved the problem and the game goes on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 87 encounters mine field at Palembang [Sumatra] (20,55)
TF 87 troops unloading over beach at Palembang [Sumatra], 20,55
Japanese Ships
MSW W.15
AK Arizona Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire
Coastal Guns at Palembang [Sumatra], 20,55, firing at TF 87
8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AK Anzan Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1078 encounters mine field at Soerabaja [Java] (23,66)
Allied Ships
PC Albatros
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1151 encounters mine field at Soerabaja [Java] (23,66)
Allied Ships
DD Bulmer, Mine hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
And sinks. [8D] The Type 88 mines laid by my subs have really paid off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Hilo [Hawaii], at 116,74 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
CL Kinu
CL Yura
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
Allied ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 2
Runway hits 1
Obviously hitting Hilo with a major BB bombardment makes very little sense at this stage. The landing force ( a reinforced regiment) doesn't require this sort of aid and there are no major allied air components basing out of Hilo BUT there is the issue of trying to draw the Allied battleline out so I can destroy it more easily. One component of drawing them out is this diversionary bombardment... since bombardments conventionally immediately presage invasions and my invasion TF is within 120 miles of Hilo, in perfect position to begin unloading tomorrow... while the other component is demonstrating to the Allies that I can destroy or seriously damage the Allied BBs at anchor. So today a 100 Kate level bombing raid went in at high altitude in order to land many 250 Kg bombs on the Allied battleships. These bombs failed to penetrate the more modern BB's deck armour but did manage to heavily damage 2 of the 8 BBs situated at Pearl Harbour. Tomorrow the Kates will, once again, hit the airfield hard while the Bettys basing out of Johnston Island will prepare to take over the port attack role on the following day. Losses amongst my Betty squadrons will be absolutely horrific but they will salvo torpedoes against the Allied BBs and this should ensure the complete destruction of the Allied battleline over the next 4 or 5 days... the same time as my "lost invasion convoy" will reach Hilo. At this point in time I can buil up Hilo and begin basing army level bombers out of Hilo set to port attack and the 50+ remaining Allied ships at Pearl Harbour will quickly be destroyed at little additional cost to Kido Buttai.
I expect that the total first month cost of destroying these 8 BBs and 50 minor vessels shouldn't exceed 100 planes which is an exceptionally low price to pay given Pearl Harbour's importance. I've paid for this elsewhere by committing such a large component of my battleline to the Hawaiian operation but I still think the cost will be eminently worth it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Johore Bahru [MLA] at 22,50
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 18
PC Ch 17
PC Ch 16
PC Ch 15
PC Ch 14
PC Ch 13
PC Ch 3
PC Ch 2
PC Ch 1
DE Uji
DE Hashidate
DMS Shumushu
DE Tsuga
Allied Ships
SS Rover
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 6 troops unloading over beach at Abemama [Gilberts], 85,98
Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 87 encounters mine field at Palembang [Sumatra] (20,55)
TF 87 troops unloading over beach at Palembang [Sumatra], 20,55
Japanese Ships
MSW W.15
Coastal Guns at Palembang [Sumatra], 20,55, firing at TF 87
Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Kodiak [Alaska], 111,33, firing at TF 98
TF 98 troops unloading over beach at Kodiak [Alaska], 111,33
254 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AK Yutaka Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Ayatosan Maru, Shell hits 1
CL Kasuga Maru
AP Takunan Maru, Shell hits 2
CL Mogamigawa Maru
AP Akashisan Maru
Japanese ground losses:
1744 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Most of the remaining troops go ashore at Kodiak. All we need now is another day to land the necessary supplies and I will Shock Attack.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kiamusze [Manchukuo] , at 66,29
Allied aircraft
I-16 Type 24 x 36
MiG-3 x 13
SB-2M x 88
No Allied losses
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 14
Hmm, the Soviets continue to attack targets in Manchuria. This will be allowed until the end of January at which point I will stop it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha [S China] , at 45,37
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 2
Ki-36 Ida x 55
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 6
No Japanese losses
Resources hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wuchow [C China] , at 42,39
Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 4 damaged
Resources hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pucheng [Cent China] , at 49,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 59
No Japanese losses
Resources hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tavoy [Burma] , at 28,37
Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 38
Ki-43-I Oscar x 27
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 16
Hudson IV x 2
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-I Oscar: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
The B-17s pay the price for continued attacks. Both Hudsons make it through but prove ineffective.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon [Burma] , at 29,33
Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 68
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 25
Brewster 339D/F2A x 11
Buffalo/F2A x 28
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 7 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 10 destroyed
Brewster 339D/F2A: 9 destroyed
Buffalo/F2A: 8 destroyed
27 Allied fighters, including 10 P40s from the AVG, are downed in response for 7 Zeroes. This just proves the old adage that it is suicide to fight a Zero from below... I sent my sweep in at maximum altitude. Another 3 days of this will greatly damage my Zero pools BUT it will also allow me to draw down the Allied fighter strength at Rangoon - and by definition later in India.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Manila/Cavite [PH] , at 43,52
Japanese aircraft
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate x 65
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 231
Ki-21-II Sally x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
MSW Quail, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AO Trinity, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Baron, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Finch, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Anakan, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Alfred Clegg, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Palawan, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Gertrude Kellogg, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PC Canopus, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AK Candesa, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Whippoorwill, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AS Otus, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AS Canopus, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AP President Madison, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Corregidor, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Agwiworld, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AK Capillo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AS Holland, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AK Absaroka, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
MSW Bittern, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2
While these bombers have nothing much else to do they might as well continue to pound Manilla, using up supplies and keeping the damage levels of the shipping there high.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pearl Harbor [Oahu] , at 114,72
Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 4
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate x 100
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
BB California, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 6
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 2
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 3
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 5
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 2
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2
AVD Hulbert, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2
As you can see while most of the BBs shrugged off the 250Kg bombs the Tennesee and California proved quite vulnerable. West Virginia and Colorado also share the same insufficient deck armour and should handily fall prey to the next wave of Kates which attack in 2 days time. Many of the non-penetrating hits on the other ships damaged AAA weaponry and thus lessened their ability to fight off my strikes should they try for a mid-ocean confrontation. So far so good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Red 15th Guerilla Regiment, at 52,30
Japanese aircraft
Ki-32/30 Mary/Ann x 4
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 2
No Japanese losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 70th Field Army , at 47,38
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 37
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,41
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 162
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 6th Brigade, at 24,43
Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 10
Ki-15II/C5M2 Babs x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kendari [Celebes] at 33,71
Allied aircraft
Hudson IV x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Toyohara Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang [Sumatra] at 20,55
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Anzan Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nandi [FIJI] at 82,117
Allied aircraft
Hudson IV x 9
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Kamogawa Maru
AK Yodogawa Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Merak/Serang [Java] at 19,59
Allied aircraft
Martin 139/B-10 x 4
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
CL Natori
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Cagayan [Mndno] at 43,59
Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete-FF x 3
Allied aircraft
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 5
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Kawakaze
CA Nachi
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Day Air attack on TF at 32,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied Ships
DM Stronghold
CL Manoora, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 29,56
Japanese aircraft
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
DD Scout
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Makassar [Celebes] at 30,70
Japanese aircraft
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 13
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Tasman, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
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Day Air attack on TF at 46,63
Japanese aircraft
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
TK Angelina, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Makassar [Celebes] at 30,70
Japanese aircraft
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
PC Wega, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 105,72
Japanese aircraft
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AP William Ward Burrows, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Brunei [UK] at 33,56
Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 2
B4Y1 Jean x 15
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Joan Moller, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
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Day Air attack on TF, near Nandi [FIJI] at 82,117
Allied aircraft
Hudson IV x 7
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Fugi Maru
AK Ikushima Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kodiak [Alaska] at 111,33
Allied aircraft
B-18A/B-23 Bolo x 4
P-43A Lancer x 3
Blenheim IV x 2
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Kasuga Maru
CL Mogamigawa Maru
ML Natsushima
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Day Air attack on TF, near Kodiak [Alaska] at 111,33
Allied aircraft
B-18A/B-23 Bolo x 3
Blenheim IV x 5
Allied aircraft losses
B-18A/B-23 Bolo: 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Mogamigawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CL Akagi Maru, on fire
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Day Air attack on TF, near Kodiak [Alaska] at 111,33
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Akagi Maru, on fire
ML Natsushima
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Day Air attack on TF, near Merak/Serang [Java] at 19,59
Allied aircraft
Martin 139/B-10 x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Nagatsuki
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Merak/Serang [Java] at 19,59
Allied aircraft
Martin 139/B-10 x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Nagatsuki
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Hilo [Hawaii] at 116,74
Japanese aircraft
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke x 19
F1M2 Pete-FF x 1
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 2
Allied aircraft
B-17E/F Fortress x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2/Ki-65 Zeke: 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E/F Fortress: 1 destroyed
This raid launches from one of the minor bases around Pearl. Pearl itself is in no position to launch any raids at present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 32,55
Japanese aircraft
G3M2/Ki-42 Nell x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
CL Manoora, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
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Day Air attack on TF, near Noumea [New Cal] at 66,117
Japanese aircraft
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2/Ki-47 Kate: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Allied Ships
CA Louisville
What a lucky ship eh? 12 Kates engage it and not only do they all miss but two of them get destroyed for their efforts.
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Day Air attack on TF, near Brunei [UK] at 33,56
Japanese aircraft
B4Y1 Jean x 14
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Taiping, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
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Day Air attack on TF, near Rangoon [Burma] at 29,33
Japanese aircraft
G4M1/Ki-50 Betty x 9
Ki-43-I Oscar x 14
Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 21
Brewster 339D/F2A x 7
Buffalo/F2A x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-I Oscar: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D/F2A: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Buffalo/F2A: 3 destroyed
Allied Ships
AK Vitorlock, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
When I saw this raid go in I thought I was going to lose my Bettys for sure. Imagine my surprise when I actually only lost 3 Oscars, shot down 6 enemy fighters and managed to sink the Vitorlock. It is enough to re-assert one's faith in papier mache airplanes.
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Sub attack at 105,72
Japanese Ships
SS I-21
Allied Ships
AP William Ward Burrows, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
And we get a new definition of overkill. 6 torpedoes in one day [8D]
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Kodiak [Alaska] at 111,33
Japanese Ships
APD Hokaze
ML Natsushima
ML Sarushima
ML Hirashima
CL Akagi Maru, on fire, heavy damage
CL Ayatosan Maru
CL Kasuga Maru, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
CL Mogamigawa Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
AP Kokuryu Maru
AP Mizuho Maru
AP Nati Maru
AP Nishiki Maru
AP Ryohu Maru
AP Sumire Maru
AP Akashisan Maru
AP Baikal Maru
AP Daigen Maru
AP Jinshu Maru
AP Kiyama Maru
AP Kiyoshima Maru
AP Kizan Maru
AP Konron Maru
AP La Plata Maru
AP Nichiren Maru
AP Tamaki Maru
AP Aiyo Maru
AP Daaban Maru
AP Eli Maru
AP Fukusei Maru
AP Heizan Maru
AP Jinsai Maru
AP Kagi Maru
AP Kanayamasan Maru
AP Karimo Maru
AP Kiri Maru
AP Kisaragi Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Kogi Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kureha Maru #3
AP Kyosei Maru
AP Michiyu Maru
AP Minryo Maru
AP Mitsu Maru #3
AP Nagaragawa Maru
AP Nichiryu Maru, heavy damage
AP Otori Maru
AP Rozan Maru
AP Sumiyoshi Maru, heavy damage
AP Taganoura Maru
AP Tainichi Maru
AP Takuei Maru
AP Takunan Maru
AP Tsuruga Maru
AP Unkai Maru #3
AP Zukai Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AK Nitiro Maru
AK Olympia Maru
AK MomoKawa Maru
AK Natisan Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ryuko Maru
AK Bichu Maru
Allied Ships
DD Kane, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
BB Colorado, Shell hits 20, on fire
LOL! This is an "interesting" result. The escorts drew most of the fire as usual but amazingle managed to pepper the Kane and Colorado with so much fire that the Kane sank and the Colorado actually retired on fire. LOL!
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Ground combat at Dutch Harbor [AK]
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 1387 troops, 11 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 18
Defending force 619 troops, 11 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese max assault: 32 - adjusted assault: 18
Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 13
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
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Ground combat at Palembang [Sumatra]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 472 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24
Defending force 7929 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 202
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kodiak [Alaska]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 4340 troops, 171 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 113
Defending force 28372 troops, 329 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 573
Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Brunei [UK]
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 780 troops, 6 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Defending force 459 troops, 4 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sabang [Sumatra]
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 57 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese max assault: 6 - adjusted assault: 5
Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Sabang [Sumatra] base !!!
An airborne assault captures the undefended base at Sabang. I will attempt to build this up into a Betty base to provide cover for my upcoming invasion of Ceylon. I expect the Allied battleline to attempt to intervene and want to be in position to destroy it when it does.
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Ground combat at Abemama [Gilberts]
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese max assault: 0 - adjusted assault: 2
Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Abemama [Gilberts] base !!!
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Ground combat at Malacca [Malaya]
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1366 troops, 0 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 53
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese max assault: 55 - adjusted assault: 52
Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 52 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Malacca [Malaya] base !!!
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139/B-10: 4 destroyed
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed
Buffalo/F2A: 1 destroyed
Forgive the picture , I saved it using the incorrect settings. Still it serves the illustrative purpose of showing my BB TF at Hilo with my CV TF, replenishment TF and invasion fleet poised just 60 miles from Hilo. Looks like a good time to sortie the fleet in order to destroy the invasion force before further Kate raids destroy the fleet at anchor doesn't it? Well, that's the picture I'm trying to create in any case.
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