From here to...well...it SEEMS like an eternity

[Cap Mandrake]

After Nandi falls, the carriers are not needed as acutely at Fiji, so Chet sends them sprinting right across a Jap lake toward Canton.[X(] On the first day, they are apparently not spotted. On the second day, there is a welcoming committee from Baker and the three carrier TF's straggle a bit so there is no uber CAP. 21 Wildcats go up against an equal number of zeroes. The CAP is effective and the AAA pretty hot but one Betty finds his mark. A second raid later also scores a hit.

Saratoga remains in the battle...the four carriers join off Canton the next day. On the 20th, 60 Zeroes and many bombers, again from Canton go in against the landing forces but are severely mauled and
achieve nothing.

On the 19th, KAGA is spotted off Flores by the little people. Looks like Chet will have another week without the KB in his hair.

[Cap Mandrake]

I suppose you could base heavy bombers on Baker Is. but I'm not sure where you would put the level 3 port and the service area for 150-200 planes. Dont forget to bring a desalinator and something to eat.

Modern view of Baker. I think you can see a runway outline.

[Cap Mandrake]

*******Somewhere in the North Pacific, December 27, 1942*********

A large ship with a curious flight deck slices Eastward at flank speed. A funnel disgorges smoke downward on her starboard.

[BrucePowers]

This war seems to be heating up on all fronts...........

[Cap Mandrake]

*********CENTPAC HQ, Pearl Harbor, December 27, 1942*************


Adm. Nimitz: Husband, have your staff run a time-distance analysis. Start with all 4 Jap fleet carriers at last known position of Kaga off Flores, afternoon of the 19th. I want to know a worst case scenario of when they could first be in position to threaten our forces off Canton. Assume they proceed at flank speed and assume they move in unison, which is their habit. They were not seen in the Banda Sea by the Coronados or Forts at Darwin, so plot their movement to the North around Sulawese. They would want to remain undectected. They will outstrip their oilers and they would be unlikely to have sufficient fleet oilers available en route, so assume at least two refuelings in port..perhaps....<walks to map>..Davao and..Palau. I think that would require the better part of a day in each. Put them west of Canton, out of our search range from Palmyra, probably 300-350 miles to use their range advantage. When can they be there...that is the question.

Adm. Kimmel: I'll have them get right on it.

Adm. Nimitz: Splendid! I see fireworks on the horizon.

Adm. Kimmel: <moves excitedly to the window> Where sir? I do so love fireworks.

Adm. Nimitz: <rubs temples with fingertips> Husband, Husband. It's just an expression. It's midday for Christ's sake. Say, I don't suppose you have a nickname or something? No offense, but that is just a stupid first name. I hate stupid names.

[DuckofTindalos]

"Hubby", perhaps?[:D]

[BrucePowers]

Or Hubs? Nah, Hubby is better[:D]

[USSAmerica]

Hussy?&nbsp; [:D]

[BrucePowers]

Ooh, I like that one too.[:D]

[marky]

i think his nickname at the academy was Hubby

[marky]

His nickname WAS Hubby at the academy, and Adm Harold Stark called him "Mustapha"

[Cap Mandrake]

...and passed the curried Spam

[Cap Mandrake]

BTW...."Hubby" seems kind of Ghey too [:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

Editor's Note (Designated LGTB boardmember):

As the designated LGTB representative to the Board, I feel compelled to respond to the childish and offensive buffoonery on display here. First, that IS NOT how you spell "gay". Secondly, I object to the denigration of Admiral Adams. If she/he chose to serve in the Navy that is her/his choice and should not by criticized by the small minded. He was evidently an Admiral trapped in a cabaret singer's body. That is just the way he was made. I don't see anything funny about it. As for Neslon Eddy, I honestly did not know that, but I don't see that as anything to snicker about. I intend to make a motion at the next Board meeting to have this offensive, adolescent rant permanently clo...<POOF>

[BrucePowers]

I was just inquiring for more information[:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

..

[bobogoboom]

someone got drunk with a plasma cutter it's going to take a little longer[:D]

[Alikchi2]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Editor's Note (Designated LGTB boardmember):

As the designated LGTB representative to the Board, I feel compelled to respond to the childish and offensive buffoonery on display here. First, that IS NOT how you spell "gay". Secondly, I object to the denigration of Admiral Adams. If she/he chose to serve in the Navy that is her/his choice and should not by criticized by the small minded. He was evidently an Admiral trapped in a cabaret singer's body. That is just the way he was made. I don't see anything funny about it. As for Neslon Eddy, I honestly did not know that, but I don't see that as anything to snicker about. I intend to make a motion at the next Board meeting to have this offensive, adolescent rant permanently clo...<POOF>

I think it is LGBT.. the acronyms keep getting switched around [8|]

BTW, excellent writing sir. I'm in the process of catching up.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Alikchi


I think it is LGBT.. the acronyms keep getting switched around [8|]

BTW, excellent writing sir. I'm in the process of catching up.

Ahh. Thanks for that. When it comes to that acronym, I have a hard time remembering what goes in front and what goes in back [:)]

Thanks also for the feedback. It helped my spirits after I was prison-raped by the tragically misnamed "Alternative Minimum Tax" and had to cough up antother $6,000 to the Feds [:@]

[Cap Mandrake]

Paint.net is a serious improvement over MS Paint. Thanks to whoever recommended that. An "oil paint" effect applied to a NASA World Wind overhead shot.

Northern Burma is in the balance and the stakes are high. The Allies have pummeled Rangoon airfield and have achieved air superiority. Indian IVth Corps was cut off for a week when the Jap 39th beseiged Myitkyina. This has been remedied but the combat power opposing the Indian IVth is substantail. The Japs caught on the jungle trail opposing 7th Armoured are trying to pull back, but they are being pounded by 10th Air Force and by the Wellys of the RAF. If III Armoured Corps can push them back, then the Japs West of Myitkyina will be cut off.