Indian Ocean
On the 7th, there was some surface combat at Port Blair:
07/07/42
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Blair at 23,34
Japanese Ships
DD Asashio, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is
sunk
DD Michishio, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Sinks later
DD Arashio, Shell hits 17, and is
sunk
DD Shirakumo
DD Fumizuki
DD Akikaze, Shell hits 1
MSW W.3
AP Ayaha Maru
AP Kenshin Maru
AP Mogamigawa Maru
AP Nissen Maru
AP Nissen Maru #2
AP Otori Maru
AP Ryoyo Maru
AP Ryujo Maru
AP Sumiyoshi Maru
AP Surabaya Maru
AP Tacoma Maru
AP Takunan Maru
AP Tatsuho Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tatsuwa Maru
AP Tatuho Maru
AP Unkai Maru #6
AP Yawata Maru
AP Senkai Maru
Allied Ships
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 1
CL Enterprise, Shell hits 28, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Splits off from the TF & is sunk by carrier air
CL Emerald, Shell hits 6, on fire
Ditto
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Tjerk Hiddes, Shell hits 1
DD Foxhound
Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
I lost 2 good Brit CLs in exchange for 3 Japanese DDs. If I had also slowed down the the Japanese invasion, I could live with it. But I didn't slow it down. [:(] C'est la guerre.
The Japanese also bombarded a couple times. Here's one:
07/08/42
Naval bombardment of Port Blair, at 23,34
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc: 2 destroyed
Swordfish: 1 destroyed
Wirraway: 1 destroyed
Japanese Ships
DD Shiranuhi
DD Isokaze
DD Akigumo
CL Abukuma
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
Allied ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 48
It doesn't look too bad, but it essentially neutralized my airpower at Port Blair. See the screenshot.
There's a little good news. I flew in most of a brigade until Japanese LRCAP started intercepting my transports on the 8th. I now have 175 AV behind level 3 forts. Also, I'm facing the Japanese 56th Div. It's been in continuous action all war at Singapore, Palembang, NW Sumatra & now here & I think it's in rough shape. I intend to hold here, but even if I don't it won't be disastrous & I'm spreading my opponent's resources.
