DEI
My nervousness was justified at Ambon. Dan sent two SCTFs to inderdict the landing. One of my SCTFs didn't make it there until the morning, sitting one hex out in spite of the 6 hex react it was set on. Somehow the initial Dutch group, the Tromp, Java, and three DDs hit the amphib force first, while my SCTF that had been following it for 5 turns steamed around blindly in the dark. Not a good result here. We lost the Chitose, about 4 PBs, a DMS and an AO! (I am the idiot who didn't look at this TF but instead sent it forward from it's starting position at Babeldaob toward Ambon on the first turn). Another lesson learned. Who adds an AO to an amphibious landing?
After this another Dutch CL rolled in with 3 DDs and held my CL and 6 DDs to a standstill. Some shell hits but in spite of using 83% of the long lances in this battle, not hits were scored.
Amazingly, none of the troop ships were severely hit. The invasion is still on for tomorrow. I will have a fresh 3 CA 3 DD group to help protect things while we unload.
Malaya
The usual steps forward. Victoria Point fell. A base force is on the way to arrive in 3-4 turns. Alor Star is next. There is no rear action fight here. He's sending everything back to Singapore as fast as it will go. Smart.
He keeps sending Wildebeasts on suicide missions toward Kota Bharu. The second one in two days resulted in 10 Wildebeasts down and 5 Buffalos destroyed.
The Dutch subs keep parking in base hexes at the landing sites. Another one took 13 hits and is believed sunk today. We heard some bubbly creaking sounds shortly after the DCing.
PI
Another US sub is parked at Batan Island. I am going to be mining a lot of these mid-sea islands and parking an ACM there. I just dropped the first 50 mines here at Batan Is and I'm also running a Sally unit as ASW here. So far no hits, but we're spotting a lot of subs around.
Central Pacific
The KB north is meeting up with the oilers tomorrow about 10 hexes NE of PH. I wanted this to be seen in case he mistakes the AO TF for the other half of the KB. He most likely will just think it's the oilers, but worth the try anyway.
The KB south is about 12 hexes SW of the big island. Steaming WSW.
AMC Hokaku Maru
She started the war in the deep south Pacific with another AMC, each loaded with an Alf. Each have very poor experience levels in the 20s 0r below for night and day action. That could change next turn as on the way up to the Palmyra area to look for stragglers from PH they found some. Two ships. No idea what kind. In the adjacent hex! I'm hoping it's not the CAs from PH. Even damaged they would most likely end the journey for these two. We'll know tomorrow. I've changed course and run the other way toward the KB south, which is about 15 hexes NE. At least if he chases it'll bring him closer to some Kates.
