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

[BBfanboy]

Women pilots were used by Ferry Command to move aircraft from factory to front. Except for misogynistic pilots, I am sure they were very popular when they suddenly showed up in remote bases!

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake
Right, so it's chiefly for ground attack then. That's what I thought. Was the cockpit really small so they had to use women pilots or did the guy in this picture just not get enough bully beef?

It's clear from the photograph that the pilot is cradling a ventriliquist dummy with his right arm. The little guy's flight helmet is clearly visible just below the wo/man's shoulder.

That would make this squadron His Majesty's Second Aerial Ventriquilism Squadron. They served with distinction in Burmese psyops campaigns. Later in the war, they provided cover over Haha-Jima. Of course cover was $1 and would get you a beer too. [Rimshot]

The use of ventriliquists (and mimes) was phased out by NATO after the war. The French exempted their mime corps, as would be expected.

[Cap Mandrake]

A mime is a terrible thing to waste.

[Cap Mandrake]

Which would you rather hear?

1) Dad, I'm going to need some financial help because I will be volunteering for the Hillary 2014 Committee.

or-

2) Dad, I've decided. I want to go to mime school.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: sprior
Because of the rum. Before, between and after the full stops.

Not sure what the second part means. I know what rum is.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
You gotta find out who was driving that Hurri! [&o]

Yeah, I know : AA probably did most of the damaging but that guy had to be in there too!

I think we have pretty well established it was The Count.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Women pilots were used by Ferry Command to move aircraft from factory to front.

Seems to me something called "Fairy Command" would need to have male pilots. I think you spelled it wrong.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Which would you rather hear?

1) Dad, I'm going to need some financial help because I will be volunteering for the Hillary 2014 Committee.

or-

2) Dad, I've decided. I want to go to mime school.

Both of those pale by comparison to the least desirous statement from your 16 yo daughter:

3) Dad, I'm pregnant.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Which would you rather hear?

1) Dad, I'm going to need some financial help because I will be volunteering for the Hillary 2014 Committee.

or-

2) Dad, I've decided. I want to go to mime school.

Both of those pale by comparison to the least desirous statement from your 16 yo daughter:

3) Dad, I'm pregnant.

Uggh. Thats worse than a Fulmar

[Cap Mandrake]

***********FOB San Miguel, Panay, April 4, 1943(c)**********


FAM: What are those guns being set up over there?

Moana: Those are 155 coastal defense guns, boss.

FAM: Coastal defense guns? You don't mean the Japs might show up here? We didn't have those in Tahiti.

Moana: Don't worry, boss. Probably some Congressman ordered them.........

[Cap Mandrake]

*********April 4, 1943(c)*********

PI: We send Perth to finish off the cripples from the Surigao raid of last night. Instead, she finds an able Sagiri which has evidently been orderd to protect the cripples and we engage with blunderbusses at 1000 yds..and we lose. Jarvis had the first shot, but missed.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Surigao at 81,88, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
CL Perth
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Gridley



Low visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
DD Jarvis engages DD Sagiri at 1,000 yards
DD Sagiri engages DD Gridley at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages DD Sagiri at 2,000 yards
Shimamoto, Mantaro orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Sagiri engages DD Jarvis at 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Our offensive minefield at Lubang pays off...for the IJN. Someone didnt get the memo. The crew of PT 183 is "offended"



TF 356 encounters mine field at Lubang (78,78)

Allied Ships
PT-183, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

TBF's from Cagayan go after Sagiri but she is fast and has a rudder too.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dinagat at 81,87

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 1
Beaufighter VIc x 2
P-38G Lightning x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 2
TBF-1 Avenger x 8


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

TF 356 encounters mine field at Lubang (78,78)

Allied Ships
PT-183, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

Odd. You may have selected 'white' as your default color for this post. It was not visible in your post.

ETA: There it is. [:)]

By ra way-the failure to distribute the memo on the minefield-the same feckless staff member you've cited in previous posts? Perhaps some retraining may be in order? Don't you need a frontline leader for your next bayonette charge?

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

By ra way-the failure to distribute the memo on the minefield-the same feckless staff member you've cited in previous posts? Perhaps some retraining may be in order? Don't you need a frontline leader for your next bayonette charge?

Doubtless it is he. Same guy who forgot to load up the damaged airframes at Legaspi 2 d in a row.

Afternoon Air attack on Legaspi , at 82,82

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 16



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 9
P-40K Warhawk x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 1

Some sub vs ASW action. We wreck a LYB sub, they sink the minesweeper Guysborough. I'm guessing she was Australian. Oh well. [:)]

[Cap Mandrake]

Burma: ALSP sends in the newly arrived B-24's and the Liberators over Rangoon at night. It works pretty well. 6-7 Tojos/Oscars destroyed. No way this will shut down the airfield but we might wear down their fighters.

P-38's and Sea Hurris are sent in to Ramree to augment the dwindling Hurricane IIc's and P-40E's. More Tojos sweeps...but fewer aircraft.

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 19



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 8
Beaufighter VIc x 5
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
P-38G Lightning x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed

And then Sarrys without escorts. Huzzah!

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 12



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 6
Beaufighter VIc x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7
P-38G Lightning x 20
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 destroyed
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Another passel of Tojos.

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 4
Beaufighter VIc x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7
P-38G Lightning x 20
P-40E Warhawk x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed

And another. It looks like there were 3 intentional sweeps. One at 20K, one at 22K, one at 24K. Interesting. I think the mass sweep worked better, but it might be the P-38's making the difference.

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 22



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Beaufighter VIc x 1
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4
P-38G Lightning x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

And finally the Oscars. Our lads are fatigued.

Afternoon Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 16



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Beaufighter VIc x 5
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

[Cap Mandrake]

ALSP:

We are going to need more fighters in Burma.

I just looked. P-38G's with drop tanks from Lucena can just reach Impahl. I'll start sending 35th FS.

Perhaps the worn out P-40E squadron at Ramree can be withdrawn to a big base and take P-40K replacements?

Then, there is always the Fulmar. [:)]

[Cap Mandrake]

Hey look! It's The Count. He's a Group Captain now.

He's said to be "very promising and aggressive". In vanila WITP he was "brilliant". Probably lost a few IQ points when Adolph Galand shot him down.

[Cap Mandrake]

Wow! April 43 and we already have "nuculer" powered transport. Maybe we should take better care of these. Note also there is a cucaracha del mar off Ceylon. It might be a spetznaz party bound for Kandy House.

Submarine attack near Koggala at 28,51

Japanese Ships
SS I-11

Allied Ships
xAK Nuculana, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage



xAK Nuculana is sighted by SS I-11
SS I-11 launches 6 torpedoes at xAK Nuculana

[Cap Mandrake]

ALSP;

Intel from 4-3

7/14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion is loaded on a Yusen N Cargo class xAK moving to Port Blair

We might be able to intercept these LYB's.

More Thai units ID'ed.

4th RTA/B Division is located at Rangoon(54,53).
3rd RTA/B Division is located at Nakhon Ratchasima(58,61).

Of general interest. Another brigade and a fleet HQ moving to Truk. What the heck?? Who cares about Truk? Maybe they are pranning a counterattack?

[Cap Mandrake]

Question:

What do we do with USN fighter squadron remnants whose command elements were destroyed when CVE's were sunk. They can't disband and they can't stand up to battle very well without a real CO.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Question:

What do we do with USN fighter squadron remnants whose command elements were destroyed when CVE's were sunk. They can't disband and they can't stand up to battle very well without a real CO.

"Withdraw" them. They'll go away-same deal as disbanding in these cases. Then buy 'em back so's they can return like a 'real' unit.