Bring me the head of Diego Garcia...and the Mayor of Addu Atoll too!

[witpqs]

Take the red pill, Neo.

[Cap Mandrake]

"apposite"...cool word. I would say IPA maybe be fueling the boys in PH.

JJ pulls back to pound anything we send to PH.

Does the IJN really have any AKE's big enough to rearm Yamato at Broome?

[Cap Mandrake]

Lt. Cdr. Nagarkatti should write down somewhere what kind of animal he wants to be when he comes back because it will be a miracle if he survies this.

Options:

1) We can send in both BB forces to bombard. My guess is they will not arrive in time for a night bombardment so they will have to run the gauntlet of air attacks from the carriers and from Broome before they bombard.

2) We can detach Valiant, Canberra and Hawkins plus some DD's. They can probably reach PH in time for a night bombardment but wont clear very far before daylight. Quite likely, there will also be Jap surface taffy's at PH tonight.

3) We can detach Canberra and Hawkins. They can manage 31 kts and could perhaps clear by daylight.

4) Repulse and her escorts (1 hex to the W) could also reach PH. Chicago, San Francisco and several RN CL's are also with the carriers.

5) We could send in RN DD's in a light surface force and hope they can dodge the carrier planes in the AM, reserving the BB bombardment for the next day.

I dont think Yamato can make it back this turn. P-38's from Caranarvon can provide some top cover over PH

[Cap Mandrake]

Weather over Broome is said to be severe storms. Man, this is a nail biter. Br. 2nd Div is pretty beat up after the last battle and some of the units are turning red on supply.

[witpqs]

I say try hitting 'em with the fast stuff ASAP and continuously follow up with whatever can get there whenever it can get there.

BTW, be careful where you place the carriers. IIRC there is a penalty on ships avoiding subs (or a bonus for subs intercepting ships?) in coastal hexes.

[witpqs]

How many days out is the armor?

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake
Does the IJN really have any AKE's big enough to rearm Yamato at Broome?

Depends on the naval support he has there and port size of Broome. I would say that it is very unlikely he would be risking an AKE of that size (and value) so near the front lines. I'd have it at Timor or somewhere marginally safer.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Weather over Broome is said to be severe storms. Man, this is a nail biter. Br. 2nd Div is pretty beat up after the last battle and some of the units are turning red on supply.

I'd go all in. More bodies present=more better chance of diluting the impending attack.

Piecemeal forces sent in are likely to find a sizeable IJN presence at PH tonight and get shot to pieces for limited benefit. Who is the Hindu God of unnecessary sacrifices?

Obviously, LRCAP of PH (and SCTFs set to do not return) is in order to help give them a fighting chance.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
Who is the Hindu God of unnecessary sacrifices?

I think that's Gingrich.

[Cap Mandrake]

A likely fateful turn is in the ether so I took in the trashcans before the HOA busts my chops again.

Meanwhile, I have had a strong talking-to with the goldfish about bullying. Here is what I said, "Look boys and girls, it's 2012. Bullying is NOT to be tolerated in the Mandrake household! Period! Do we understand each other."

I just peeked around the corner. They are still chasing each other. I think I am going to have to expel at least one of the bullies to a pickle jar.

[Cap Mandrake]

Meanwhile, Stalker Girl announced she had a stalker at work. Ironically, it is one of the security guards. I listened to her story and then suggested she simply state unequivocally she is not interested and, if it persists, she should call his boss or her boss.

I learned this when the girl or guy (seriously I wasn't sure of his or her sex but considering the topic I figured I should not ask) from Human Resources came to give us a lecture about sexual harrassment.

Stalker Girl left in a huff. WTF? Later, it occurred to me I was supposed to be more jealous [8|] Guess I have to go get me some over-priced roses for St. Valentine's Day.

[Cap Mandrake]

Heap big turn.

[Cap Mandrake]

01:20 Nov 27...

O-16 takes a shot at Kaga...and misses


SS O16 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Kaga

05:40 Nov 21....

Valiant runs into Yamato NW of PH

Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Hedland at 57,128, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 2
DD Takanami, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 1
DD Asashio, Shell hits 1
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Shell hits 7, on fire
CA Canberra
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 2
DD Craven, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Shaw
DD Decoy
DD Fortune
DD Nepal, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Gaak. Where did Yamato get ammo so quick?

[Cap Mandrake]

6:10 Nov. 27....

Carpender pushes forward and runs into a single DD ammo eater.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Hedland at 57,128, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 3, heavy fires

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Canberra
CA Hawkins
DD Shaw
DD Decoy
DD Fortune

[Cap Mandrake]

06:30...Nov. 27....


Carpender fianlly makes it to the environs of Port Hedland and runs into a crusier force.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Hedland at 57,129, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Shell hits 3
CA Myoko, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Aoba, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Nagara, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
DD Samidare, Shell hits 2
DD Oboro, Shell hits 1
DD Hatakaze
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Canberra, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
CA Hawkins
DD Shaw
DD Decoy, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Fortune

[Cap Mandrake]

08:10...Nov 27...

HMS Hawkins, having been detached, is attacked by a Jap sub.

Sub attack near Exmouth at 53,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-155

Allied Ships
CA Hawkins, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

08:30...Nov 27

PT flotilla covering the transports runs into Hyuga NW of PH

Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Hedland at 57,128, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
CL Kiso
CL Oi
DD Tanikaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Usugumo

Allied Ships
PT-151, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-152, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-153
PT-158
PT-160, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-162, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

[Cap Mandrake]

08:50..Nov 27..

I hope Jugdish's mom gets her rupees. Another BB taffy.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Hedland at 57,129, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu
DD Hayashio
DD Sawakaze
DD Yugao
DD Tatsuyuke

Allied Ships
xAK Period, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Time, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Ulooloo, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Elisavet, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AMC Cornwallis, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

[Cap Mandrake]

09:00 Bettys (probably from Broome)

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 57,128

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Annalock, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

[Cap Mandrake]

09:20...Nov 27...

Nells from Broome. I was surprised this group of AK's made PH. The P-38's are assinged to cover Valiant.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 57,128

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 13



Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Nurani, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Pardo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Elmdale

[Cap Mandrake]

09:50

TBF's from Exmouth without escorts. Du'h

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 57,129

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8



Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 11


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed