Rumble in the N. Pacific. Kaleun vs Alex L
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: North Star
He's got three carrier forces that I know of. The northern force, I believe, has the less experienced pilots. A central force operating out of Espiritu Santo or Noumea, is his main carrier force, and a smaller force operating out of Java, Macassar or Timor.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 1st.
Patrol aircraft out of DH report 5 enemy carriers south of DH. The two allied carriers, outnumbered return to Pearl Harbor.
In the evening, the invasion fleet arrives at DH and begins unloading. The men leave their ships in a hurry. There is not much time. Indeed, the enemy Kates arrive and hit the transports hard, but they were already mostly empty of men. Precious supplies and materiel are lost, but they can be replaced. CL Adelaide, hit by three torpedoes sinks.
In the evening the Kates return, out of torpedoes, they attack with 250Kg bombs and are not as accurate. They miss the transports but score 2 hits on Bagley.
War continues at other theaters, at Cox Bazaar, a cruiser task force savages the coastal steamers unloading supplies.
Near Rapa, SS I-10, sighted by escorts is forced to dive. A coded message is intercepted a couple of hours later. The Ramillies task force, freshly refueled, heading for San Diego has been spotted.
A telegram arrives at Pearl Harbor, directed to Kaleun:
Japanese VP 27964. Allied 6811. Gallup.
A second telegram arrives:
Do something about it. Stimson.
Patrol aircraft out of DH report 5 enemy carriers south of DH. The two allied carriers, outnumbered return to Pearl Harbor.
In the evening, the invasion fleet arrives at DH and begins unloading. The men leave their ships in a hurry. There is not much time. Indeed, the enemy Kates arrive and hit the transports hard, but they were already mostly empty of men. Precious supplies and materiel are lost, but they can be replaced. CL Adelaide, hit by three torpedoes sinks.
In the evening the Kates return, out of torpedoes, they attack with 250Kg bombs and are not as accurate. They miss the transports but score 2 hits on Bagley.
War continues at other theaters, at Cox Bazaar, a cruiser task force savages the coastal steamers unloading supplies.
Near Rapa, SS I-10, sighted by escorts is forced to dive. A coded message is intercepted a couple of hours later. The Ramillies task force, freshly refueled, heading for San Diego has been spotted.
A telegram arrives at Pearl Harbor, directed to Kaleun:
Japanese VP 27964. Allied 6811. Gallup.
A second telegram arrives:
Do something about it. Stimson.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 3rd
In Burma, 24 Wellingtons hit Akyab. The enemy has bombarded Chittagong with a cruiser force and now Sally bombers come to finish the job.
The enemy carriers now hit Kodiak Island. The transports, unprotected, are easy prey for the enemy pilots, but they are empty of men, and also of materials. The Kate bombers use only bombs this time.
At Pearl, Mitscher studies the map and rubs his chin, “How long before Lexington can sail?”
“Two days sir,” his aide replies.
He leans over the map and scratches his chin.
In Burma, 24 Wellingtons hit Akyab. The enemy has bombarded Chittagong with a cruiser force and now Sally bombers come to finish the job.
The enemy carriers now hit Kodiak Island. The transports, unprotected, are easy prey for the enemy pilots, but they are empty of men, and also of materials. The Kate bombers use only bombs this time.
At Pearl, Mitscher studies the map and rubs his chin, “How long before Lexington can sail?”
“Two days sir,” his aide replies.
He leans over the map and scratches his chin.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 4th.
The IJN celebrate America’s birthday by hitting Kodiak Island with the heavy cruisers Chokai and Tone. Minimal damage. The carrier airplanes again visit Dutch Harbor in passing, as their task force steams west.
The IJN celebrate America’s birthday by hitting Kodiak Island with the heavy cruisers Chokai and Tone. Minimal damage. The carrier airplanes again visit Dutch Harbor in passing, as their task force steams west.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 6th 42
Unescorted Blenheim bombers hit Akyab yesterday despite a CAP of 4 Oscars. 25 of 27 get through and hit the supply dump.
Dutch Harbor is hit again by the enemy carriers. The enemy task force withdraws leisurely west.
Meanwhile, at Pearl:
“What are you planning Sherman?” Nimitz has aged considerably since the war started. A steady diet of defeat and failure will do that to you.
“Lexington is ready sir, and he has been up there, around the Aleutians a long time.” Rear Admiral Sherman replies.
“Yes, he likes to do that,” Nimitz remembers how the war started and how the outnumbered allied carriers were able to bag one of the enemy’s flattops.
“He’s out of torpedoes by now, and his pilots must be exhausted.”
Nimitz nodded; he could see where this was going.
“If I take Lex, Wasp and Hornet, and dash north, I may be able to get him before he can withdraw to resupply.
“Go ahead Sherman,” he says, “use the principle of calculated risk; do not risk your ships unless there is a good chance of inflicting greater damage to the enemy.”
Far in the south, the British carriers, transiting to Pearl to join up with the US ones, slowly move east, south of Tahiti, avoiding enemy controlled waters; which is most of the Pacific Ocean actually. Their biplanes keep up a constant ASW patrol and one of them reports a periscope. The report sends a shiver up the British admiral’s back. He looks northwest, towards the enemy controlled islands of Samoa. Did the submarine spot the biplane? Will the enemy carriers sortie to find him? His two carriers like the firepower and defenses to engage even two enemy flattops and there are more than two in those waters.
Unescorted Blenheim bombers hit Akyab yesterday despite a CAP of 4 Oscars. 25 of 27 get through and hit the supply dump.
Dutch Harbor is hit again by the enemy carriers. The enemy task force withdraws leisurely west.
Meanwhile, at Pearl:
“What are you planning Sherman?” Nimitz has aged considerably since the war started. A steady diet of defeat and failure will do that to you.
“Lexington is ready sir, and he has been up there, around the Aleutians a long time.” Rear Admiral Sherman replies.
“Yes, he likes to do that,” Nimitz remembers how the war started and how the outnumbered allied carriers were able to bag one of the enemy’s flattops.
“He’s out of torpedoes by now, and his pilots must be exhausted.”
Nimitz nodded; he could see where this was going.
“If I take Lex, Wasp and Hornet, and dash north, I may be able to get him before he can withdraw to resupply.
“Go ahead Sherman,” he says, “use the principle of calculated risk; do not risk your ships unless there is a good chance of inflicting greater damage to the enemy.”
Far in the south, the British carriers, transiting to Pearl to join up with the US ones, slowly move east, south of Tahiti, avoiding enemy controlled waters; which is most of the Pacific Ocean actually. Their biplanes keep up a constant ASW patrol and one of them reports a periscope. The report sends a shiver up the British admiral’s back. He looks northwest, towards the enemy controlled islands of Samoa. Did the submarine spot the biplane? Will the enemy carriers sortie to find him? His two carriers like the firepower and defenses to engage even two enemy flattops and there are more than two in those waters.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 8th.
The enemy carriers still linger around the Aleutians looking for prey. SS Grampus, 160 miles South of Ulak Island spots CS Chitose. Later in the day, she fires 6 torpedoes at CV Akagi, but misses with all of them.
Sherman’s carriers are on the way.
July 9th.
An isolated report from Nome, Alaska, indicates that enemy float planes were spotted overhead.
Dutch Harbor too reports enemy aircraft snooping around. Air assets report one or more battleships nearby.
Avengers and Seagulls from the carrier task force report enemy submarines north of Hawaii. The enemy must now know they are coming.
July 10th,
G3M2 Nell bombers hit shipping at Dutch Harbor. Later in the day, carrier airplanes do the same.
The surface combat task force bombards the beleaguered island. Hyuga, Ise and Kongo were spotted.
The enemy carriers are now located North of the Aleutians in the Bering sea!
July 12th
The enemy battleships and carriers (5CV and 1CVL) disappear into the Bering sea. After a high speed run to get his flattops into striking range, Sherman’s men find an empty, threatening sea. Unwilling to approach within Nell range of Attu, Sherman reluctantly orders his three carriers to turn about. It is one thing to attempt to engage a superior (but hopefully depleted) force; it is something different altogether to try the same under a covering umbrella of enemy land based, long range, torpedo bombers.
Perhaps a sub might get lucky.
The enemy carriers still linger around the Aleutians looking for prey. SS Grampus, 160 miles South of Ulak Island spots CS Chitose. Later in the day, she fires 6 torpedoes at CV Akagi, but misses with all of them.
Sherman’s carriers are on the way.
July 9th.
An isolated report from Nome, Alaska, indicates that enemy float planes were spotted overhead.
Dutch Harbor too reports enemy aircraft snooping around. Air assets report one or more battleships nearby.
Avengers and Seagulls from the carrier task force report enemy submarines north of Hawaii. The enemy must now know they are coming.
July 10th,
G3M2 Nell bombers hit shipping at Dutch Harbor. Later in the day, carrier airplanes do the same.
The surface combat task force bombards the beleaguered island. Hyuga, Ise and Kongo were spotted.
The enemy carriers are now located North of the Aleutians in the Bering sea!
July 12th
The enemy battleships and carriers (5CV and 1CVL) disappear into the Bering sea. After a high speed run to get his flattops into striking range, Sherman’s men find an empty, threatening sea. Unwilling to approach within Nell range of Attu, Sherman reluctantly orders his three carriers to turn about. It is one thing to attempt to engage a superior (but hopefully depleted) force; it is something different altogether to try the same under a covering umbrella of enemy land based, long range, torpedo bombers.
Perhaps a sub might get lucky.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 14th.
Carrier airplanes made an appearance over Dutch Harbor on the 13th. The replenishment task force refueled and reloaded at Frisco heads out into mid Pacific to refuel the withdrawing carriers.
In the South, the RN carrier force continues to steam east, undisturbed.
July 16th.
War continues in other theaters. In Burma, for instance, a bloody fight occurred over Magwe as Blenheim bombers from Chittagong hit the airfield on the 15th. Escorted by P40s, they met stiff resistance in the form of Oscars and the surprisingly capable twin engined Nick fighter. Later, unescorted Blenheims showed up and had a remarkably good showing due to the misplaced CAP.
On the 16th, Wellington bombers from Calcutta hit Magwe again but the poorly coordinated strike failed to link to the escorts. Even so, of 29 Wimpeys, 27 got through.
A destroyer asw force reported 5 hits on SS I 5 near Albany.
Gallup reports Japanese VP at 28570 and allied at 6840.
July 17th.
Position report of the British carrier force has them west of the Marquesas islands.
Carrier airplanes made an appearance over Dutch Harbor on the 13th. The replenishment task force refueled and reloaded at Frisco heads out into mid Pacific to refuel the withdrawing carriers.
In the South, the RN carrier force continues to steam east, undisturbed.
July 16th.
War continues in other theaters. In Burma, for instance, a bloody fight occurred over Magwe as Blenheim bombers from Chittagong hit the airfield on the 15th. Escorted by P40s, they met stiff resistance in the form of Oscars and the surprisingly capable twin engined Nick fighter. Later, unescorted Blenheims showed up and had a remarkably good showing due to the misplaced CAP.
On the 16th, Wellington bombers from Calcutta hit Magwe again but the poorly coordinated strike failed to link to the escorts. Even so, of 29 Wimpeys, 27 got through.
A destroyer asw force reported 5 hits on SS I 5 near Albany.
Gallup reports Japanese VP at 28570 and allied at 6840.
July 17th.
Position report of the British carrier force has them west of the Marquesas islands.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 18th
G3M2 Nell hit Dutch Harbor Fulton suffers 4 bomb hits.
Fighters need to be deployed to Dutch Harbor soonest; moreover these need to be transported there by CVE Long Island, so that they can fly off the carrier while keeping the flat top at a safe distance. Furthermore, DH needs a working airstrip.
Lexington, Hornet and Wasp arrived at Pearl Harbor. Even after this short deployment without combat and a single day of high speed running, the accumulated damage is significant. Lex: Sys 5 Engine 1. Hornet: Sys 7, Engine 8. Wasp: Sys 8 engine 4.
Repair estimates have Wasp in the shipyard for 6 days, Hornet for 18th although 10 of those will be to complete an upgrade. Lexington will repair pierside for 9 days.
Formidable and Illustrious, now E of Pernhym island turn direct to Pearl.
G3M2 Nell hit Dutch Harbor Fulton suffers 4 bomb hits.
Fighters need to be deployed to Dutch Harbor soonest; moreover these need to be transported there by CVE Long Island, so that they can fly off the carrier while keeping the flat top at a safe distance. Furthermore, DH needs a working airstrip.
Lexington, Hornet and Wasp arrived at Pearl Harbor. Even after this short deployment without combat and a single day of high speed running, the accumulated damage is significant. Lex: Sys 5 Engine 1. Hornet: Sys 7, Engine 8. Wasp: Sys 8 engine 4.
Repair estimates have Wasp in the shipyard for 6 days, Hornet for 18th although 10 of those will be to complete an upgrade. Lexington will repair pierside for 9 days.
Formidable and Illustrious, now E of Pernhym island turn direct to Pearl.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 19th
SS Truant scores a torpedo hit on AKV Lisbon Maru off Palembang.
The 35th light AA arrive at Cox Bazaar.
South East of Exmouth, enemy infantry is spotted. They marched all the way from Port Hedland.
July 20th.
Off the coast of Sidney, the battle of the South Pacific rages on. It is not the German U-boats, but the Japanese I-boats that are the enemy. It seems that, despite aggressive patrolling since the beginning of the war, the enemy submarine presence cannot be dislodged. Today, SS I-172 launched two torpedoes at SS Hotspur, a member of an ASW task force operating from Sidney. Both fish missed and two depth charge hits were reported. They must not have done much damage since the same submarine attacked an AM from a second ASW task force later in the day. So as not to be outdone, the second ASW force reported one hit on the elusive submarine.
A group of B-25s from Geraldton hit the enemy SE of Exmouth. Photographs brought back tentatively identify the enemy as the Sasebo 5th SNLF.
Meanwhile, at Dutch Harbor, AS Fulton is hit again by the Nell bombers from Attu.
The RN Albacores report a periscope east of Christmas Island.
Debo captured. (An insignificant little island in the Arafura Sea)
SS Truant scores a torpedo hit on AKV Lisbon Maru off Palembang.
The 35th light AA arrive at Cox Bazaar.
South East of Exmouth, enemy infantry is spotted. They marched all the way from Port Hedland.
July 20th.
Off the coast of Sidney, the battle of the South Pacific rages on. It is not the German U-boats, but the Japanese I-boats that are the enemy. It seems that, despite aggressive patrolling since the beginning of the war, the enemy submarine presence cannot be dislodged. Today, SS I-172 launched two torpedoes at SS Hotspur, a member of an ASW task force operating from Sidney. Both fish missed and two depth charge hits were reported. They must not have done much damage since the same submarine attacked an AM from a second ASW task force later in the day. So as not to be outdone, the second ASW force reported one hit on the elusive submarine.
A group of B-25s from Geraldton hit the enemy SE of Exmouth. Photographs brought back tentatively identify the enemy as the Sasebo 5th SNLF.
Meanwhile, at Dutch Harbor, AS Fulton is hit again by the Nell bombers from Attu.
The RN Albacores report a periscope east of Christmas Island.
Debo captured. (An insignificant little island in the Arafura Sea)
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 21st.
The Japanese must be annoyed by the airplanes from Chittagong as a surface task force including CA Furutaka and others hit the airfield destroying 2 P40 and 1 Hurricane and damaging 14 Kittyhawks and 11 Hurricanes.
Later in the day, 44 Sally bombers escorted by 15 Oscar fighters followed up. They were met by 12 Hurricanes that killed 6 Sally and one Oscar and damaged 2 more bombers at a cost of 1 hurricane and 1 P40 destroyed on the ground. 5 Nick fighters appeared later, were met by 8 hurricanes and destroyed 2 hurricanes before leaving. 14 unescorted Sallies were met by 4 hurricanes. 4 Sally bombers were destroyed.
The Japanese must be annoyed by the airplanes from Chittagong as a surface task force including CA Furutaka and others hit the airfield destroying 2 P40 and 1 Hurricane and damaging 14 Kittyhawks and 11 Hurricanes.
Later in the day, 44 Sally bombers escorted by 15 Oscar fighters followed up. They were met by 12 Hurricanes that killed 6 Sally and one Oscar and damaged 2 more bombers at a cost of 1 hurricane and 1 P40 destroyed on the ground. 5 Nick fighters appeared later, were met by 8 hurricanes and destroyed 2 hurricanes before leaving. 14 unescorted Sallies were met by 4 hurricanes. 4 Sally bombers were destroyed.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 22nd
The Royal Navy carriers are approaching the submarine infested waters of the Hawaiian Islands. It is true that most enemy sub sightings have been concentrated in the northern approaches, but that maybe is because that is where the searching aircraft have concentrated. Nimitz will take no chances he doesn’t have to, so he dispatched an ASW task force to meet and merge with the carrier force and increase the ASW capacity. All the biplanes in the Royal Navy carriers are also tasked with ASW patrols.
Cox Bazaar now sports a size 2 airfield.
Japan victory points: 28677, allied: 6879
July 23rd.
The tempo of enemy operations might be slowing down. Yesterday he captured Samapor and Tenera, but there seem to be no major operations in progress. He seems to be picking up easy, undefended, minor bases.
2 Coastal defense units, at Bombay and Calcutta have been ordered to Chittagong.
An artillery regiment is unloading at Exmouth.
CV Wasp is in the shipyard, 4 days away from completing her repairs, as is Hornet, 8 days. Lex, repairing at pierside will be done in 4.
The Royal Navy carriers are approaching the submarine infested waters of the Hawaiian Islands. It is true that most enemy sub sightings have been concentrated in the northern approaches, but that maybe is because that is where the searching aircraft have concentrated. Nimitz will take no chances he doesn’t have to, so he dispatched an ASW task force to meet and merge with the carrier force and increase the ASW capacity. All the biplanes in the Royal Navy carriers are also tasked with ASW patrols.
Cox Bazaar now sports a size 2 airfield.
Japan victory points: 28677, allied: 6879
July 23rd.
The tempo of enemy operations might be slowing down. Yesterday he captured Samapor and Tenera, but there seem to be no major operations in progress. He seems to be picking up easy, undefended, minor bases.
2 Coastal defense units, at Bombay and Calcutta have been ordered to Chittagong.
An artillery regiment is unloading at Exmouth.
CV Wasp is in the shipyard, 4 days away from completing her repairs, as is Hornet, 8 days. Lex, repairing at pierside will be done in 4.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 25th.
The British carriers finally arrived on the 24th and promptly went into repairs. Illustrious SD 3, Engine 1, Formidable SD 2.
It will take 5 days to repair Illustrious and three for Formidable.
The enemy seized undefended Waigo off New Guinea on the 24th.
Might the enemy offensive be running out of steam? Dare we hope?
July 26th.
The Navy (and the Army) still want to retake the Aleutians. Operation North Star Bis.
Of course, with the threat of deadly twin engine torpedo bombers operating out of Attu, the equations have changed. Attu needs an operating airfield, at least size 2, to provide cover for the transports that will load the invasion force. Despite the efforts of the engineers on site, the airfield is still way away from being functional. A small task force leaves SFO with an engineer regiment and a coastal AA regiment.
Dutch Harbor is now not usable as a submarine base. The enemy has damaged the tender beyond the capabilities of the small base to repair. The tender is too damaged to move elsewhere so it shall remain there until such time as assets, in the form of a repair ship, can come to her aid. The war might be over by then.
The plans drafted require:
#1 a new AS will move to Kodiak Island.
#2 the blockade of the western Aleutians will continue, being maintained now from Kodiak.
#3 as soon as Kodiak has an operating level 2 airfield, the invasion task force will pick up the troops; a surface combat task force will dash ahead and bombard Attu, hopefully suppressing the airfield and the carrier force will follow the invasion force 80 miles behind. The surface combat task force will bombard Attu again, just before the invasion.
That is, if the enemy doesn’t have any other ideas and wants to cooperate.
As for the Australian front, the 1st Marine division is en route to Perth from CT. Additional forces, a tank battalion and tank destroyers are loaded at CT awaiting escorts.
The British carriers finally arrived on the 24th and promptly went into repairs. Illustrious SD 3, Engine 1, Formidable SD 2.
It will take 5 days to repair Illustrious and three for Formidable.
The enemy seized undefended Waigo off New Guinea on the 24th.
Might the enemy offensive be running out of steam? Dare we hope?
July 26th.
The Navy (and the Army) still want to retake the Aleutians. Operation North Star Bis.
Of course, with the threat of deadly twin engine torpedo bombers operating out of Attu, the equations have changed. Attu needs an operating airfield, at least size 2, to provide cover for the transports that will load the invasion force. Despite the efforts of the engineers on site, the airfield is still way away from being functional. A small task force leaves SFO with an engineer regiment and a coastal AA regiment.
Dutch Harbor is now not usable as a submarine base. The enemy has damaged the tender beyond the capabilities of the small base to repair. The tender is too damaged to move elsewhere so it shall remain there until such time as assets, in the form of a repair ship, can come to her aid. The war might be over by then.
The plans drafted require:
#1 a new AS will move to Kodiak Island.
#2 the blockade of the western Aleutians will continue, being maintained now from Kodiak.
#3 as soon as Kodiak has an operating level 2 airfield, the invasion task force will pick up the troops; a surface combat task force will dash ahead and bombard Attu, hopefully suppressing the airfield and the carrier force will follow the invasion force 80 miles behind. The surface combat task force will bombard Attu again, just before the invasion.
That is, if the enemy doesn’t have any other ideas and wants to cooperate.
As for the Australian front, the 1st Marine division is en route to Perth from CT. Additional forces, a tank battalion and tank destroyers are loaded at CT awaiting escorts.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
July 28th.
Darwin, isolated by enemy naval assets and long range aircraft, has been receiving a trickle of supplies flown in from Alice Springs in amounts completely insufficient for the forces and civilians stationed there. Yesterday, a small xAKL arrived loaded to the brim with canned food, and assorted other materiel. This is, unfortunately no more than a drop in the bucket but the morale effect is impressive. There is hope for additional small convoys to sneak in, undetected.
On the other side, the brass decides to expand the garrison at Norfolk Island and a Base Force from New Zealand is dispatched.
July 29th.
The war heats up again as G3M2s from Attu hit an xAKL at Dutch Harbor proving once again how necessary it is for the airfield to be operational. At Chittagong, the 3rd Indian coastal artillery arrives and begins setting up.
July 30th.
The enemy rhythm has slowed down, it seems, whether from reaching the end of his logistical chain, or because he has already achieved his objectives remains to be seen.
In Washington, Gallup the pollster sends in his latest report. Japan VPs 27829, Allies 6909.
The AA and engineer reinforcements for DH are at Kodiak waiting for the allied carriers to arrive and cover their approach to Dutch Harbor.
At Chittagong a small operation, Bengal Ambush, is prepared. 2 Coastal defense battalions will reinforce the one already there. Once ready, bombing attacks will resume from the airbase. The expectation is that the enemy will, once again, bring his cruisers out to flatten the field; only this time, he will face three times the coastal defense batteries. Maybe it will cost him a cruiser or two. An S class submarine also sets out from Colombo to patrol on the approach to Chittagong to snipe on any crippled ships that return from such a raid.
July 31st.
Chittagong boasts level 3 fortifications.
Darwin, isolated by enemy naval assets and long range aircraft, has been receiving a trickle of supplies flown in from Alice Springs in amounts completely insufficient for the forces and civilians stationed there. Yesterday, a small xAKL arrived loaded to the brim with canned food, and assorted other materiel. This is, unfortunately no more than a drop in the bucket but the morale effect is impressive. There is hope for additional small convoys to sneak in, undetected.
On the other side, the brass decides to expand the garrison at Norfolk Island and a Base Force from New Zealand is dispatched.
July 29th.
The war heats up again as G3M2s from Attu hit an xAKL at Dutch Harbor proving once again how necessary it is for the airfield to be operational. At Chittagong, the 3rd Indian coastal artillery arrives and begins setting up.
July 30th.
The enemy rhythm has slowed down, it seems, whether from reaching the end of his logistical chain, or because he has already achieved his objectives remains to be seen.
In Washington, Gallup the pollster sends in his latest report. Japan VPs 27829, Allies 6909.
The AA and engineer reinforcements for DH are at Kodiak waiting for the allied carriers to arrive and cover their approach to Dutch Harbor.
At Chittagong a small operation, Bengal Ambush, is prepared. 2 Coastal defense battalions will reinforce the one already there. Once ready, bombing attacks will resume from the airbase. The expectation is that the enemy will, once again, bring his cruisers out to flatten the field; only this time, he will face three times the coastal defense batteries. Maybe it will cost him a cruiser or two. An S class submarine also sets out from Colombo to patrol on the approach to Chittagong to snipe on any crippled ships that return from such a raid.
July 31st.
Chittagong boasts level 3 fortifications.
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Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
I've never seen CD batteries sink a cruiser, even when it was stuck with an Amphib TF and couldn't run away.
Bombardments typically start at near the ship's max range and it moves closer as it bombards. If it began taking hits it would likely break off the bombardment and retire to repair. The ship commander's aggression rating likely affects how long it tolerates damaging fire.
Bombardments typically start at near the ship's max range and it moves closer as it bombards. If it began taking hits it would likely break off the bombardment and retire to repair. The ship commander's aggression rating likely affects how long it tolerates damaging fire.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: North Star
That's why I set a sub to snipe at the withdrawing ships.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
Good idea - sort of "double jeopardy"! [:D]
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: North Star
August 1st 42
Two SNLF blockade Exmouth on the south. From Carnavon, the 2/9 Armored battalion is moving north, to reinforce the garrison.
The 1st and 3rd India coastal artillery are in position at Chittagong. As soon as SS S-39 arrives at her station the bombers will transfer into the base and resume the aerial attack on Magwe.
August 2nd 42.
Task force Air 1 formed at Pearl Harbor. R Adm Frederick Sherman on Lexington commanding. The force consists of Lex, Hornet, Wasp, Illustrious and Formidable, BB North Carolina and a set of heavy cruisers and destroyer escorts. The carriers depart on the 2nd heading to Kodiak Island. Their mission is to escort the engineers and AA guns into Dutch Harbor. Soon after their departure a Dauntless reports a periscope. The Japanese will be aware that the carriers are on their way and might prepare a warm welcome.
August 3rd
xAK Steel Voyager is torpedoed by SS S-18 near Kodiak. SS I-30 misses on the same ship while SS I-9 hits her again.
Three different submarines operating on the approaches to Kodiak Island. The enemy is aware of the allied intentions, if not of their plans.
Two SNLF blockade Exmouth on the south. From Carnavon, the 2/9 Armored battalion is moving north, to reinforce the garrison.
The 1st and 3rd India coastal artillery are in position at Chittagong. As soon as SS S-39 arrives at her station the bombers will transfer into the base and resume the aerial attack on Magwe.
August 2nd 42.
Task force Air 1 formed at Pearl Harbor. R Adm Frederick Sherman on Lexington commanding. The force consists of Lex, Hornet, Wasp, Illustrious and Formidable, BB North Carolina and a set of heavy cruisers and destroyer escorts. The carriers depart on the 2nd heading to Kodiak Island. Their mission is to escort the engineers and AA guns into Dutch Harbor. Soon after their departure a Dauntless reports a periscope. The Japanese will be aware that the carriers are on their way and might prepare a warm welcome.
August 3rd
xAK Steel Voyager is torpedoed by SS S-18 near Kodiak. SS I-30 misses on the same ship while SS I-9 hits her again.
Three different submarines operating on the approaches to Kodiak Island. The enemy is aware of the allied intentions, if not of their plans.
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Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
My honorable opponent has gone on vacation to a geisha house to celebrate his victories and turns will slow down for a few days. We are now about 30 days from game time and there is some action that begins about now, but has not yet resolved. Updates may be slow for a few days.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
For the record, my honorable enemy has had his brains sucked out of his body by spy geisha. Until they return, or he finds a new bottle of vodka, updates will continue to be delayed.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
RE: North Star
Really? Can you get us some SIGINT on the location of this Geisha house?? [:D]
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth