Western Civilization in Grave Danger - AU Tiger (A) vs. Skyros (J)

[geofflambert]

This from Wiki:

World War II and later[edit]

During World War II, Nome was the last stop on the ferry system for planes flying from the United States to the Soviet Union for the Lend-lease program. The airstrip currently in use was built and troops were stationed there. One "Birchwood" hangar remains and has been transferred to a local group with hopes to restore it. It is not located on the former Marks AFB (now the primary Nome Airport); rather it is a remnant of an auxiliary landing field a mile or so away: "Satellite Field". In the hills north of the city, there were auxiliary facilities associated with the Distant Early Warning system that are visible from the city but are no longer in use. Nome's population decline continued after 1910 although at a fairly slow rate. By 1950 Nome had 1,852 inhabitants.[13]


me: I'm going to guess the DBB modders left them out so you couldn't move them, since they were dedicated to the Lend-Lease shipments. Go ahead and do whatever you like though. They could've made them permanently restricted instead.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: topeverest


Are you going to contest an early strike to Rabaul or PM with surface and or carriers?

Yes. The carrier TF's are going to refuel at Luganville where they will meet some AO's.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: topeverest


How are you deploying subs?

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: topeverest


How are you deploying subs?

My Dutch subs have been doing very well, but the US ones...? I will need to change out their leaders I believe; they are claiming their torpedoes are defective, but that is ridiculous.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

This from Wiki:

World War II and later[edit]

During World War II, Nome was the last stop on the ferry system for planes flying from the United States to the Soviet Union for the Lend-lease program. The airstrip currently in use was built and troops were stationed there. One "Birchwood" hangar remains and has been transferred to a local group with hopes to restore it. It is not located on the former Marks AFB (now the primary Nome Airport); rather it is a remnant of an auxiliary landing field a mile or so away: "Satellite Field". In the hills north of the city, there were auxiliary facilities associated with the Distant Early Warning system that are visible from the city but are no longer in use. Nome's population decline continued after 1910 although at a fairly slow rate. By 1950 Nome had 1,852 inhabitants.[13]


me: I'm going to guess the DBB modders left them out so you couldn't move them, since they were dedicated to the Lend-Lease shipments. Go ahead and do whatever you like though. They could've made them permanently restricted instead.

To hell with the Russkies, they are on their own.

[geofflambert]

When you have the opportunity, most of your sub commanders are not aggressive enough. You could have replaced them while they were in Manila, but next time you're in port (any friendly port) replace with the most aggressive guys available. They'll shoot alot and miss or have duds, but they need to at least try.

If this hasn't come up before, VF-6 on the Enterprise needs more F4F-3As. VMF-111 at the east coast is set up to update to Buffaloes. There should be an "update now" button. Click on it. This will release all 15 of their planes to the pools as replacements for VF-6. You may get a chance to receive them while in port, say at Sydney. I would recommend that you take VMF-121 (also on the east coast) and upgrade them to F2F-2s so you could start building up a supply of F4F-3s to replace the Buffaloes on the Lexington, but VMF-121 is currently set to upgrade to F2F-3s but VMF-111 will have taken all of those, and the cost for you to change to the 2s is 100 political points, which you cannot afford right now. Keep in mind you need to get those Buffaloes replaced when you can. If VMF-211 at Pearl still has any planes in reserve, release those to the pools. Buffaloes preferably should only be used for training, if possible. I know what I just wrote is hard to follow, just read it once or twice more and you'll get it.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

When you have the opportunity, most of your sub commanders are not aggressive enough. You could have replaced them while they were in Manila, but next time you're in port (any friendly port) replace with the most aggressive guys available. They'll shoot alot and miss or have duds, but they need to at least try.

If this hasn't come up before, VF-6 on the Enterprise needs more F4F-3As. VMF-111 at the east coast is set up to update to Buffaloes. There should be an "update now" button. Click on it. This will release all 15 of their planes to the pools as replacements for VF-6. You may get a chance to receive them while in port, say at Sydney. I would recommend that you take VMF-121 (also on the east coast) and upgrade them to F2F-2s so you could start building up a supply of F4F-3s to replace the Buffaloes on the Lexington, but VMF-121 is currently set to upgrade to F2F-3s but VMF-111 will have taken all of those, and the cost for you to change to the 2s is 100 political points, which you cannot afford right now. Keep in mind you need to get those Buffaloes replaced when you can. If VMF-211 at Pearl still has any planes in reserve, release those to the pools. Buffaloes preferably should only be used for training, if possible. I know what I just wrote is hard to follow, just read it once or twice more and you'll get it.

That is good advice, and I appreciate it. I just printed it and put it in my notebook.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

13 December 1941
The Onslaught Continues

More landings today in the PI, Borneo, and now in New Guinea at Hollandia and Madang; Rabaul can’t be far behind. I don’t know if I can get my carriers there in time to contest it, but I will try. They do need gas though. As at Tarawa I will attempt long range air strikes on the invasion fleet because I do not know where the KB is, and they could be in the neighborhood by now. The Saratoga is on it’s way to Pearl to pick up the VMF stationed there; speaking of which it is still showing its detachment that was on Wake, but it says location “unknown”.

I have decided I need to get rid on Lt. Gen. Heath the commander of the Indian III Corps in Singapore. I have a feeling the abysmal morale of his troops is a function of his leadership and Inspiration, 32 & 19 respectively, and as soon as I can accumulate the 125 PP required he will join Percival in oblivion.

I have only received the Combat Replay for this turn, Skyros says he will get the turn to me tonight, and as soon as I do I will split off a number of ships in Task Force Zulu to do some ASW work in the North Java Sea. CA Houston will soon be available for service in the area as she is arriving in Batavia this turn for refueling. I have many DD’s available also.

This is pretty typical of what I have been seeing from the Dutch subs:

[center]Submarine attack near Soc Trang at 56,74

Japanese Ships
xAK Fushimi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O19

xAK Fushimi Maru is sighted by SS O19
SS O19 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Fushimi Maru[/center]

And this was a pleasant report I am not used to seeing:

[center]ASW attack near Jolo at 73,93

Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CA Nachi
DD Ushio
DD Sazanami
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
SS S-37

Magazine explodes on DD Kuroshio
SS S-37 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Kuroshio
DD Ushio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sazanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amatsukaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ushio attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub[/center]

I lost the Salmon today I am afraid:

[center]Submarine attack near Soc Trang at 60,74

Japanese Ships
DMS W-2
CL Sendai
SC Ch 9
DMS W-3
AK Sasako Maru
DD Ayanami
DD Shikinami
PB Tatsumiya Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Salmon, hits 26, heavy fires, heavy damage

SS Salmon launches 2 torpedoes at DMS W-2
DD Ayanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Shikinami attacking submerged sub ....
PB Tatsumiya Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Shikinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shikinami attacking submerged sub ....
SS Salmon forced to surface!
PB Tatsumiya Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Ayanami firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Tatsumiya Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Ayanami firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Shikinami firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Tatsumiya Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Ayanami firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Ayanami firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Shikinami firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Tatsumiya Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Ayanami firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Shikinami firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Tatsumiya Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Ayanami firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Shikinami firing on surfaced sub ....
PB Tatsumiya Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Ayanami firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves[/center]

But on a positive note, the Japanese have been leaving Singapore alone lately – forts just went to 2, and AA units are starting to arrive. Soon some of the AVG might come down also for a spell.

[geofflambert]

You have a feeling? [:D] Those are some of the worst numbers ever! Must be Winnie's son-in-law or something.

Wiki says his nickname was "Piggy". [:D]

This little piggy went to Market-Garden
This little piggy stayed home
This little piggy went to Tobruk
And this little piggy got canned
but this little piggy went to Singapore
and that little piggy said "oink"

[topeverest]

You are off to an excellent start. Rabaul is an excellent place for the allies to fight early, unless the KB shows up.

I have never had large issues with most of the stock sub commanders on the American subs that suffer duds. I wouldn't overcommit PP's to the cause, but look into the S boats and non americans. Your American subs with duds are still very effective, despite what you may think. Keep all the subs that don't have duds at sea in the high traffic zones.

Are you planning any naval counterpulses?

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: topeverest



Are you planning any naval counterpulses?

I do plan on localized spoiling attacks as I see the opportunity.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

FORCE ZULU STRIKES JAPS!

Force Zulu surprises a Japanese Battleship fleet off the Northern Coast of Borneo in a brave nighttime attack!

[center]Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 55,87, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
BB Haruna, Shell hits 2
CA Takao, Shell hits 2
CA Atago
CL Jintsu
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1
DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 2
BC Repulse
CL Java, Shell hits 1
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 3
CL Tromp
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 1

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 10% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 9,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales fires at BB Kongo at 9,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales fires at BB Kongo at 9,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales fires at CA Atago at 9,000 yards
CL De Ruyter fires at CA Takao at 9,000 yards
CL De Ruyter fires at DD Hibiki at 9,000 yards
DD Piet Hein launches Torpedoes at DD Hibiki at 9,000 yards
DD Kortenaer launches Torpedoes at DD Hibiki at 9,000 yards
DD Kortenaer fires at DD Michishio at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages BB Haruna at 4,000 yards
CL Boise engages CA Takao at 4,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL De Ruyter at 4,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CA Takao at 4,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Atago at 4,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Piet Hein at 4,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Piet Hein at 4,000 yards
DD Piet Hein engages DD Oshio at 4,000 yards
DD Asashio engages DD Piet Hein at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL Boise at 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages BB Kongo at 2,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Java at 2,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CA Takao at 2,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CL De Ruyter at 2,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Hibiki at 2,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Piet Hein at 2,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Kortenaer at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB Prince of Wales at 7,000 yards
BB Kongo engages BC Repulse at 7,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL De Ruyter at 7,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CL Jintsu at 7,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Jintsu at 7,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Piet Hein at 7,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Michishio at 7,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Oshio at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BC Repulse engages BB Haruna at 11,000 yards
BB Kongo engages BC Repulse at 11,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Atago at 11,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL Java at 11,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL De Ruyter at 11,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Piet Hein at 11,000 yards
DD Kortenaer engages DD Akatsuki at 11,000 yards
DD Piet Hein engages DD Arashio at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...
[/center]

I knew the Kongo was there because of several sightings, the Haruna was unexpected. Damage to the Allied ships was very light, although the Kortenaer will need a short stay in the yard. Little damage was done to the Japanese fleet, but it gave the Japanese leadership something to think about! Today was a busy day, but we managed to fit in two turns; I will update tomorrow. Skyros will be unavailable until Sunday so I will be giving my setup some much needed TLC.....

By the way, ASW searches over the Western US landmass find few submarines, just thought I would throw that out there.

[BBfanboy]

Well of course you cannot detect subs in the caves below the continent with aircraft!
You need jeeps with ground penetrating sonar for that!
And don't worry about commando raids from below - the alligators and snakes disposed of in the sewers of American cities will take care of that.

You might try attacking the subs before they get to the coastal caves though ... just saying.

[topeverest]

excellent use of the fleet near Western Borneo. Agree light damage. Check your TF commander prior to the next commitment. I suggest choose the most aggressive commander you can get when raiding. You opponent will long remember your willingness to push forward with major naval assets. IMHO, time to move them to the other side of Borneo and strike again. He will expect you to keep the BB's in the same location because you are trying not to lose that asset early. Bagging an invasion armada unprotected is the real prize. I

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

15 December 1941
The Allies begin to fight back

As mentioned recently, Force Zulu met a Japanese BB TF northwest of Borneo, and fortunately the outgunned Allied ships surprised the Japanese, traded a few largely ineffective shells, and disengaged. Although little damage was done to the Japanese fleet, the operation is considered a success by the Allied command because this should serve notice to the Japanese that the Allies will not sit idly by and watch them conquer the Pacific, they will be contested at every opportunity.

Malaysia/Singapore
For reasons known only to the Japanese, they are leaving the Singapore forces alone to dig in, and as Allied troops withdraw from Malaysia in good order, engineers are flooding onto the island. They are currently 53% of the way to fort levels three, and the Japanese are still a considerable distance from Singapore. The Malaysian withdrawal is like a deflating bag where the forces maintain a presence in each base until it comes to their turn to withdraw. The Allies do not want to open up the opportunity to allow an airborne operation to cut off line of communication to Singapore. Also, I have been sneaking supply in, and have levels to about 60k. Rumors abound that the Indian III Corps commander will be relieved in the next day or so. I will attach an image of the situation.

Philippines
The Japanese have effectively instituted a very strong blockade around the Philippine archipelago with carrier, surface, and air forces. All attempts to smuggle supplies to the defenders has met with disaster. The Japanese have been pounding Clark field from captured Eastern PI airfields. I am afraid MacArthur is on his own.

Papua
Australian troops are being withdrawn from forward bases to consolidate at Port Moresby. This is being accomplished by Dutch air transport planes and a small task force now docked at Rabaul. Two Japanese task forces have been spotted further to the Northwest, north of New Guinea, apparently heading for the Papua/New Britain vicinity, and if these taskforces to intend to land troops, they may be in for a very nasty surprise from two American CV task forces that have just refueled at Luganville, and have orders to proceed north to the Solomon Islands.

China
The Japanese are moving on Changsha and Chengchow, and have been hitting them with Lilys and Nicks every turn – I will have CAP traps in place soon.

Submarines
My use of submarines hasn’t been tactical enough. I will change up their patrol locations and utilize the patrol functions AE utilizes.

[topeverest]

Not sure what you mean when you say your subs haven't been tactical enough. What is your goal with the change.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Well of course you cannot detect subs in the caves below the continent with aircraft!
You need jeeps with ground penetrating sonar for that!
And don't worry about commando raids from below - the alligators and snakes disposed of in the sewers of American cities will take care of that.

You might try attacking the subs before they get to the coastal caves though ... just saying.

I had intel that the I-Landshark was in the area.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: topeverest

excellent use of the fleet near Western Borneo. Agree light damage. Check your TF commander prior to the next commitment. I suggest choose the most aggressive commander you can get when raiding. You opponent will long remember your willingness to push forward with major naval assets. IMHO, time to move them to the other side of Borneo and strike again. He will expect you to keep the BB's in the same location because you are trying not to lose that asset early. Bagging an invasion armada unprotected is the real prize. I

I definitely want to come at them from another direction, but the mKB is hanging out in the Celebes right now.

As to the "tactical" subs, I have been assigning their patrol areas and forgetting about them, I haven't been updating their locations based on Japanese traffic. Also, I want to try to place subs where I believe the Japanese will be going next, hopefully alleviating the Japanese concentration of ASW on my subs.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

17 December 1941
Ups and Downs in China

Malaysia
Troops continue to flow down the Malayan peninsula to Singapore, forts are 3% away from level three, supplies are at 65k with more sneaking in, all troops are set to “replacements on”, and the garrison remains undisturbed from the air. The Indian III Corps commander has been replaced by a real hot shot commander who should help the Indian forces (for 125 PP he better!) when the Japanese finally decide to come a-calling.

The Map, sans China
Little of note has happened, however it appears that the Japanese are making more of a push on the Southern DEI than on Papua/New Guinea, so I am routing surface task forces to Northern Oz to maybe catch a TF or two. The Enterprise and Lexington are in the Northern Solomons poised for to protect Rabaul and Papua.

China
My AVG fighter trap was underwhelming:

[center]Afternoon Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44 Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 54

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
AVG/2nd Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
AVG/3rd Sqn with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes



Afternoon Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 8
Ki-51 Sonia x 9

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 3 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
AVG/2nd Sqn with H81-A3 (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
AVG/3rd Sqn with H81-A3 (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers[/center]


I am pulling the AVG out of China to Burma to train now, and eventually upgrade to P-40E’s. The fighter trap was to keep the Japanese honest in the theater and was not intended to be a long term operation. With the poor supplies, airfields, and lack of aviation support in China, I believe the AVG can be better used elsewhere. Besides, the China defense got a little boost this last turn, as you will shortly see. The 44th Indian Brigade is disembarking in Oosthaven, and the 46th is not far behind. They will be moving on to Palembang where they will fight to the end, but I desperately engineering units there, and am not sure where to get them. My Dutch subs and S-boats took bites out of three Japanese freighters this turn, one of them sinking. One of the others will probably sink, and the third one will likely make port. These guys have been doing very well for me, but the fleet boats continue to drill the Japanese ASW troops – with all of the PP’s I am spending in the PI and Malaysia I don’t know when I can upgrade the skippers, but it is on my list.

First the bad news, I haven’t really mentioned Hong Kong because there wasn’t much to say – it was getting hit by air strikes, battered on the ground, and there was no way I could reinforce the place; Hong Kong has fallen.
Changsha, however, is not my bright spot in the world. Bearing down on the city was a stack of “10” Japanese units that I feared would spell the eventual demise of the city, and they still might, but it will take Skyros a little longer now: I had been ineffectually hitting the stack with an average of three SB-III’s every turn, doing no perceptible damage, but apparently I disrupted his line of march nicely because the “wrong” troops entered the Changsha hex first.

[center]2nd Ind. Engineer Regiment Wiped Out at Changsha by attrition!!!

8th Ind. Engineer Regiment Wiped Out at Changsha by attrition!!!

14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment Wiped Out at Changsha by attrition!!!

15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment Wiped Out at Changsha by attrition!!!

2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment Wiped Out at Changsha by attrition!!!

51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion Wiped Out at Changsha by attrition!!!

52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion Wiped Out at Changsha by attrition!!![/center]

That’s gotta hurt.

Changsha has 2030 AV’s, about 9600 supply, and is forts 4 +13% with 256 engineers digging their hearts out.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

19 December 1941

It has been a long Monday, so this will be brief. The Japanese seem to think I will make another spoiling attack on the Borneo invasions in the same place because he has a couple of battle fleets in the neighborhood now. Since I am such a fine fellow I figure I will oblige him by sending a two DD TF to harass the landings at Singkawang; meanwhile Force Zulu is pier side in Soerabaja for a few days for some paint chipping and R&R. I was sending it to the East side of Borneo, but mKB, although disappeared from sight for a couple of days, is back south of the Celebes Sea. We will see what develops in the way of opportunities. I have taken some screen shots of the situation around the map, and will post them following this post.

However before I do, I would like to tell you that I am about to spring my CV trap on two TF's nearing Rabaul. The Lex and the Enterprise, and a small CA TF are poised at Woodlark Island; the CV's will round the west side of New Britain at high speed while the CA TF will move at high speed to Rabaul. The next turn will be interesting I hope.