Well your war advisors chickened out lol!!
definitively you would know better the status of your forces and the opposition
and of course torpedoes are not so important for the Allies, since 1,000 pound bombs from excellent, SR=1 dive bombers can wreck havoc on the poor damage control Japanese flattops
Good to know you are now rearmed and ready for more
LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: 1-2 Jul 43
ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer
Thanks for all the comments! Kinda surprised to see the "full speed outa there". Never considered full speed, nor detaching DDs in sub infested waters. To me, subs were, and are, the bigger threat right now.
As for the KB, while I thought they may come out to engage, I wasn't too concerned - maybe I should have been....but an engagement in the IO off Ceylon would not have been too bad. Close to friendly ports, and the KB hanging out well outside of friendly support. Also, although the KB didn't get directly engaged, his Zeros did provide some LRCAP - around 90 fighters were engaged over Little A. So I also figured that his fighters were fatigued a bit, probably as much as mine.
In any case, my CVs and the rest of the fleet made it to Trimcomalee unscathed....more to follow!
We'll be here ....
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No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
3-4 Jul 43
3-4 Jul 43
Highlights – KB stays put sinking a small convoy while Port Blair strikes at IJN coastal convoys
Jpn ships sunk:
BB: 1 Haruna (I still think it’s the Fuso that went down, but G2 says otherwise)
PB: 1
Jpn ships unsunk:
CVL: 1 (Zuiho - figured as much)
BB: 1 (Fuso - Mmmmm)
Allied ships sunk:
KV: 1
PT: 1
xAK: 2
Air loss:
Jpn: 101
Allied: 28
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 6 Attacks, 3 ships hit (PB sunk, xAP, xAK dam)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: PTs encounter the SLOWLY withdrawing BB TF from Little A - provides some good intel. No Fuso, so that combined with a ground loss of 3 Petes makes me think the Fuso went down this turn, not Haruna which carries Daves. Also of note is that BB Ise is on fire, and that all the other BBs are showing some good damage - maybe the BBs will in fact be out of the fight for a while.
Highlights – KB stays put sinking a small convoy while Port Blair strikes at IJN coastal convoys
Jpn ships sunk:
BB: 1 Haruna (I still think it’s the Fuso that went down, but G2 says otherwise)
PB: 1
Jpn ships unsunk:
CVL: 1 (Zuiho - figured as much)
BB: 1 (Fuso - Mmmmm)
Allied ships sunk:
KV: 1
PT: 1
xAK: 2
Air loss:
Jpn: 101
Allied: 28
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 6 Attacks, 3 ships hit (PB sunk, xAP, xAK dam)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: PTs encounter the SLOWLY withdrawing BB TF from Little A - provides some good intel. No Fuso, so that combined with a ground loss of 3 Petes makes me think the Fuso went down this turn, not Haruna which carries Daves. Also of note is that BB Ise is on fire, and that all the other BBs are showing some good damage - maybe the BBs will in fact be out of the fight for a while.
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RE: 3-4 Jul 43
West Coast/Admin: CV TF (2CV, CVL, CL, DDs) depart Panama for Aden via the Med to join the IO fight.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, NSTR.
In SOPAC, Oro Bay Amph TF approaches New Guinea, and should begin landings in a day, covered by LRCAP out of Kiriwina, now a Level 4 AF. Will eventually put about two Divisions ashore on New Guinea, including the NZ Div. Meanwhile, F6Fs sweep Rabaul and find minimal fighter CAP, 6Z downed in exchange for a single Hellcat. Heavies will attack next turn, hopefully beginning the campaign to shut down Rabaul as a major base. Heavy sweeps and LRCAP will be in support - I’m kinda doing a test here to see if I have the airpower to sustain covering New Guinea operations and keep pressure on Rabaul. In the Solomons, troops continue to shuttle out of Bouginville to rear areas.
In SWPAC, Bathurst AF reaches Level 2, and SBDs are brought in. CLs reach Gove, and a CL TF (2CL, 6DD, DMS) will move to Bathurst to interdict any IJN activity along the Aussie coast. Lead ground troops reach Darwin, and a Bde+ should close next turn - that signals the go ahead to bring supplies in via sea - and LSTs will load at Gove to land supplies over the beach at Darwin.
In WAUS, strike a/c are brought into Port Hedland to deny approaches to Broome and P-38s will sweep Broome next turn - this could bring heavy air loss as I believe Broome still has 50+ fighters. Port Hedland is still vulnerable to naval bombardment, forts not yet built and no coastal batteries moved in yet - but I’m convinced the largest ship the IJN has in Theater is a CL, so I’m willing to take some risk here. A CA TF (CA, CL, DDs) is coming up from Perth, heading to Exmouth and from there will be used to shut down Broome. So far, so good here.
In China, NSTR.
In Burma, P-47s reach Calcutta and will assemble two squadrons there. P-38s are in Chittagong and P-40 squadrons are brought to full strength. As soon as the P-47s are up to full strength will begin attacking Magwe in force. Another turn or two at most. On the ground, I’m still building up forces along the India-Burma frontier, and will be launching a broad front ground attack shortly.
In the IO, Spruance’s CV and support reach Trincomalee without running into a sub and fully rearms/refuels. Air is brought up to full strength - the TF and consorts will head back out to sea next turn. Hopefully the KB will remain in the Andaman Sea in striking range. CA Astoria developed some bad engine problems, and she’ll be replaced in the CA TF by the CL Helena while she heads to Bombay for some yard time - love those random events! This turn, the KB launched two escorted Judy strikes against a 3 ship resupply convoy bound for Port Blair, sinking all three ships (KV, 2xAK), denying supply to the islands - but still have over 15k supply in Blair. 6 Judys and a few Zeros fell to CAP out of Port Blair which had a busy day - crushing an unescorted Sally strike, downing 50 planes for no loss, and launching two Helldiver strikes on a coastal convoy, hitting 3xAKs, one of which should sink. Lastly, the Helldivers also hit the BB TF heading from Little A to Tavoy. Only 4 planes attacked, and all missed, the TF being covered by its Petes on CAP - what was interesting is that BB Haruna and Ise’s Petes were noticeably missing. So perhaps, their damage is severe enough to prevent launching their a/c - or that they are doing ASW of course is another possibility. In any case, hopefully a Dutch sub off Tavoy can get a shot in before they make port - or my nightly aerial mining can find a target before they get swept by sweepers.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, NSTR.
In SOPAC, Oro Bay Amph TF approaches New Guinea, and should begin landings in a day, covered by LRCAP out of Kiriwina, now a Level 4 AF. Will eventually put about two Divisions ashore on New Guinea, including the NZ Div. Meanwhile, F6Fs sweep Rabaul and find minimal fighter CAP, 6Z downed in exchange for a single Hellcat. Heavies will attack next turn, hopefully beginning the campaign to shut down Rabaul as a major base. Heavy sweeps and LRCAP will be in support - I’m kinda doing a test here to see if I have the airpower to sustain covering New Guinea operations and keep pressure on Rabaul. In the Solomons, troops continue to shuttle out of Bouginville to rear areas.
In SWPAC, Bathurst AF reaches Level 2, and SBDs are brought in. CLs reach Gove, and a CL TF (2CL, 6DD, DMS) will move to Bathurst to interdict any IJN activity along the Aussie coast. Lead ground troops reach Darwin, and a Bde+ should close next turn - that signals the go ahead to bring supplies in via sea - and LSTs will load at Gove to land supplies over the beach at Darwin.
In WAUS, strike a/c are brought into Port Hedland to deny approaches to Broome and P-38s will sweep Broome next turn - this could bring heavy air loss as I believe Broome still has 50+ fighters. Port Hedland is still vulnerable to naval bombardment, forts not yet built and no coastal batteries moved in yet - but I’m convinced the largest ship the IJN has in Theater is a CL, so I’m willing to take some risk here. A CA TF (CA, CL, DDs) is coming up from Perth, heading to Exmouth and from there will be used to shut down Broome. So far, so good here.
In China, NSTR.
In Burma, P-47s reach Calcutta and will assemble two squadrons there. P-38s are in Chittagong and P-40 squadrons are brought to full strength. As soon as the P-47s are up to full strength will begin attacking Magwe in force. Another turn or two at most. On the ground, I’m still building up forces along the India-Burma frontier, and will be launching a broad front ground attack shortly.
In the IO, Spruance’s CV and support reach Trincomalee without running into a sub and fully rearms/refuels. Air is brought up to full strength - the TF and consorts will head back out to sea next turn. Hopefully the KB will remain in the Andaman Sea in striking range. CA Astoria developed some bad engine problems, and she’ll be replaced in the CA TF by the CL Helena while she heads to Bombay for some yard time - love those random events! This turn, the KB launched two escorted Judy strikes against a 3 ship resupply convoy bound for Port Blair, sinking all three ships (KV, 2xAK), denying supply to the islands - but still have over 15k supply in Blair. 6 Judys and a few Zeros fell to CAP out of Port Blair which had a busy day - crushing an unescorted Sally strike, downing 50 planes for no loss, and launching two Helldiver strikes on a coastal convoy, hitting 3xAKs, one of which should sink. Lastly, the Helldivers also hit the BB TF heading from Little A to Tavoy. Only 4 planes attacked, and all missed, the TF being covered by its Petes on CAP - what was interesting is that BB Haruna and Ise’s Petes were noticeably missing. So perhaps, their damage is severe enough to prevent launching their a/c - or that they are doing ASW of course is another possibility. In any case, hopefully a Dutch sub off Tavoy can get a shot in before they make port - or my nightly aerial mining can find a target before they get swept by sweepers.
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5-6 Jul 43
5-6 Jul 43
Highlights – Ground attack at Chungking attacked held with very heavy IJA Engineer loss
Jpn ships sunk:
PB: 1
xAK: 1
ACM: 1
Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (Mingo - from escorts in Malacca Straits)
PT: 1
Air loss:
Jpn: 63
Allied: 25
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 6 Attacks, 1 ships hit (xAK sunk)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv:
Oro Bay (SOPAC)
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated:
Oro Bay (SOPAC)
SIGINT/Intel: IJN fleet disappears from the Andaman Sea - whether they’ve gone to port or back through the Malacca Straits is the question.
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, NSTR.
In SOPAC, Oro Bay Amph lands two infantry regiments and engineers unopposed, taking the base. Troops will begin moving inland as landing craft bring in USMC Def Bn on the second day to secure the base. First group of transports will head back to Rossel Is to begin shuttle runs of troops, ships with troops and supplies will remain to complete offload. Allied air begins first day of concentrated attacks on Rabaul, finding little air opposition, but heavy AA fire. Moderate damage to AF, destroying 6 auxiliary a/c on the ground. A good first day; will continue the pressure over Rabaul in the coming days. Surprised that L_S_T isn’t trying to hold on more here?
In SWPAC, Heavies hit Darwin with reasonable effect; no air opposition. Ground troops will begin bombarding next turn as LSTs drop supplies over the beach to keep the ground pounders supplied. CL TF (2CL, DDs) will bombard Darwin next turn and return to Gove for resupply as barges continue to bring troops and supply up from Gove to Bathurst.
In WAUS, Broome swept by P-38s downing half a dozen Oscars for no loss. Will continue the sweeps and bring bombers over next turn. PBYs still reporting IJN warships and shipping at Broome, but Port Hedland based a/c haven’t launched on naval strikes yet - weather perhaps? First P-47s (1/3 of a squadron) begin assembling at Exmouth and they should be available next turn. Priority of P-47s is Burma, so will only slowly form this first squadron in Australia.
In China, the first major ground attack on Chungking is held with very heavy losses to attacking IJA engineers, and minimal Chinese losses. Forts are reduced from 6 to 5, but I’d trade that for the engineer losses inflicted. I don’t expect L_S_T resuming attacks for the rest of the month, but I’m sure the aerial pounding will continue.
In Burma, the stage is set to begin the air assault on Magwe, which recon is reporting only has 158 fighters. Two P-47, three P-38, and three P-40k squadrons will lead the effort - sweeps assisted by LRCAP provided by Hurricanes for the most part. Will be a bloody day. Bombers set to hit Magwe at night next turn with two Brit squadrons, then if the sweep go as expected, US Heavies will hit the following turn. Will be interesting to see if L_S_T brings back the estimated 200+ fighters pulled from Magwe to provide CAP on the Andaman Sea ports.
In the IO, Spruance’s CV and support depart Ceylon and head into the Indian Ocean looking for a fight - while hopefully avoiding subs. Air Search does not pick up any major fleet units in the Andaman Sea, only some escorts and transports, mostly coastal traffic. Either the IJN has headed back up the Malacca Straits to Singapore, or has gone to port - Rangoon or more likely Tavoy or Victoria Point. Recon will focus to try and find the fleet while Spruance will take the fleet deep - sail between Great Nicobar and Sabang where SBDs can range across the entire Andaman Sea - hoping to catch the damaged BBs heading back up the straits, or transports along the coast, or if the KB comes out.
Highlights – Ground attack at Chungking attacked held with very heavy IJA Engineer loss
Jpn ships sunk:
PB: 1
xAK: 1
ACM: 1
Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (Mingo - from escorts in Malacca Straits)
PT: 1
Air loss:
Jpn: 63
Allied: 25
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 6 Attacks, 1 ships hit (xAK sunk)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv:
Oro Bay (SOPAC)
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated:
Oro Bay (SOPAC)
SIGINT/Intel: IJN fleet disappears from the Andaman Sea - whether they’ve gone to port or back through the Malacca Straits is the question.
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, NSTR.
In SOPAC, Oro Bay Amph lands two infantry regiments and engineers unopposed, taking the base. Troops will begin moving inland as landing craft bring in USMC Def Bn on the second day to secure the base. First group of transports will head back to Rossel Is to begin shuttle runs of troops, ships with troops and supplies will remain to complete offload. Allied air begins first day of concentrated attacks on Rabaul, finding little air opposition, but heavy AA fire. Moderate damage to AF, destroying 6 auxiliary a/c on the ground. A good first day; will continue the pressure over Rabaul in the coming days. Surprised that L_S_T isn’t trying to hold on more here?
In SWPAC, Heavies hit Darwin with reasonable effect; no air opposition. Ground troops will begin bombarding next turn as LSTs drop supplies over the beach to keep the ground pounders supplied. CL TF (2CL, DDs) will bombard Darwin next turn and return to Gove for resupply as barges continue to bring troops and supply up from Gove to Bathurst.
In WAUS, Broome swept by P-38s downing half a dozen Oscars for no loss. Will continue the sweeps and bring bombers over next turn. PBYs still reporting IJN warships and shipping at Broome, but Port Hedland based a/c haven’t launched on naval strikes yet - weather perhaps? First P-47s (1/3 of a squadron) begin assembling at Exmouth and they should be available next turn. Priority of P-47s is Burma, so will only slowly form this first squadron in Australia.
In China, the first major ground attack on Chungking is held with very heavy losses to attacking IJA engineers, and minimal Chinese losses. Forts are reduced from 6 to 5, but I’d trade that for the engineer losses inflicted. I don’t expect L_S_T resuming attacks for the rest of the month, but I’m sure the aerial pounding will continue.
In Burma, the stage is set to begin the air assault on Magwe, which recon is reporting only has 158 fighters. Two P-47, three P-38, and three P-40k squadrons will lead the effort - sweeps assisted by LRCAP provided by Hurricanes for the most part. Will be a bloody day. Bombers set to hit Magwe at night next turn with two Brit squadrons, then if the sweep go as expected, US Heavies will hit the following turn. Will be interesting to see if L_S_T brings back the estimated 200+ fighters pulled from Magwe to provide CAP on the Andaman Sea ports.
In the IO, Spruance’s CV and support depart Ceylon and head into the Indian Ocean looking for a fight - while hopefully avoiding subs. Air Search does not pick up any major fleet units in the Andaman Sea, only some escorts and transports, mostly coastal traffic. Either the IJN has headed back up the Malacca Straits to Singapore, or has gone to port - Rangoon or more likely Tavoy or Victoria Point. Recon will focus to try and find the fleet while Spruance will take the fleet deep - sail between Great Nicobar and Sabang where SBDs can range across the entire Andaman Sea - hoping to catch the damaged BBs heading back up the straits, or transports along the coast, or if the KB comes out.
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7-8 Jul 43
7-8 Jul 43
Highlights – Air battle for Magwe begins; IJN departed IO?
Jpn ships sunk:
ACM: 1
AMc: 1
xAKL: 3
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 119
Allied: 117
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 2 ships hit (xAK, xAKL dam)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: SS Trusty spots 3BB, CA, 6DD heading through the Straits of Malacca - I’m assuming these are damaged ships heading toward Singapore repair yards.
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, troops begin loading at Tabit for Roi-Namur. Loading should be complete next turn, then will slowly head toward target. Don’t expect much opposition from air or naval, just the usual Naval Garrison troops.
In SOPAC, remaining transports finish offloading at Oro Bay, and will return to Rossel. First group already back at Rossel loading additional troops to head back - will continue this shuttle service for a while. BB Washington Surface TF will bombard Buna, then head back to Tulagi - don’t expect much threat with Rabaul not even being heavily defended. Rabaul is again hit by Heavies and should be closed. Heavies also hit the port, sinking a number of barges. Also continuing to shuttle combat troops off Bougainville - and with the limited shipping avai (due to Oro), this slow process will continue. Goal was to have by the end of the month assets in place for next landings at Buka - but without the expected prolonged fight for grinding down Rabual, I’d like to advance that timetable, but I need to adjust some assault shipping (now being “requested” for Australia as well). So overall, moving ahead of schedule here.
In SWPAC, Heavies continue to hit Darwin, but results are poor - but air opposition is non existent, so will continue to pressure Darwin. Assault transports from SOPAC are arriving - and will begin loading an infantry regiment next turn to land directly at Darwin. Combined with one regiment in place, and another slogging up from Katherine, this should be enough to take the base. Barges seem to be doing well in keeping the Allied troops at Darwin supplied, and will land an FA Bn next turn to see how that goes. No enemy air or naval opposition, so the CL TF will bombard Darwin and head back to Gove as the landing craft/barge traffic continues.
In WAUS, Broome swept again, losing about 10 Oscars to a pair of P-38s. Still getting reports of light naval warships at Broome (CLs, DDs), but Port Hedland strike a/c don’t launch. Will continue sweeps, adding the first half dozen P-47s in Theater, and will also send in the Heavies. Am also committing a CA TF (CA, CL, DDs) to bombard, preceded by 3DDs to engaged the expected CL TF there. Supplies growing at Port Hedland as the shuttle from Exmouth hasn’t been interdicted yet. Although important, still not putting a lot of assets into this Theater - but still expect forward progress - this naval “sweep” will determine if that process can continue, or I’ll have to bring in more ships.
In China, as expected, no renewed attack on Chungking, just air bombardment. I’ve gained a respite, but I still think Chungking is still going to fall before the year is out.
In Burma, the air battle over Magwe goes in as planned, and the results of the first two days are pretty much as expected. The P-47s and P-38s do pretty well, while the P-40s and Hurris take the brunt of the losses. The first sweep (with LRCAP in support) is met by a very robust CAP of 120 TojoC, and 40 Tonys. Probably the best Army pilots L_S_T can muster as well. 10 raids go in over two days, and the end results are as follows. IJA loss: 82 (62 Tojo and 20 Tonys) against 84 (33 P-40, 24 Hurri, 9 P-47, 10 P-38, and 8 P-39s). Brit night bombing added 3 more Tonys while putting the field at 28 dam. Intel says he’s got about 90 fighters still there - which includes the Nicks as night fighters. Well, as I said, it’s what I expected, so round two starts next turn. More sweeps with an additional 4 uncommitted fighter squadrons as well as the Heavies - about 100 or so B-24s will go in. That’s the plan anyway, and fingers are crossed for more good weather - that allows my sweeps to go in BEFORE the bombers. Could be a very expensive day if they don’t.
In the IO, Spruance’s CVs move to engage the IJN, but only find a pair of xAKLs off Great Nicobar which are duly sunk. Think I was a day or two late, as while laying mines, SS Trusty spotted the IJN BBs in Malacca Straits. My gut tells me the KB is also gone, although recon tells me CVEs are at Tavoy. At the end of the turn, Spruance’s TF lies midway between Sabang and Great Nicobar, but apparently weather has limited strikes (small enemy convoy off Sabang not attacked) and also though detection. Don’t think L_S_T knows my CVs are in the Andaman Sea - but I’m staying away from the potential CAP traps of Victoria Point and Tavoy until I can get Port Blair a bit more expanded. Goal is still to engage shipping - either warships or transports in the Andaman Sea. Will loiter here another two days, then focus on protecting a major resupply/reinforcement to Port Blair/Little Andaman as well as a Bde size landing at Car Nicobar. Port Blair is fully repaired, but supplies are beginning to get a little light (just over 10k). Two xAKs are 40m out, and should offload next turn which will help and keep Port Blair (and Little A) going until the big resupply push.
Highlights – Air battle for Magwe begins; IJN departed IO?
Jpn ships sunk:
ACM: 1
AMc: 1
xAKL: 3
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 119
Allied: 117
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 2 ships hit (xAK, xAKL dam)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: SS Trusty spots 3BB, CA, 6DD heading through the Straits of Malacca - I’m assuming these are damaged ships heading toward Singapore repair yards.
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, troops begin loading at Tabit for Roi-Namur. Loading should be complete next turn, then will slowly head toward target. Don’t expect much opposition from air or naval, just the usual Naval Garrison troops.
In SOPAC, remaining transports finish offloading at Oro Bay, and will return to Rossel. First group already back at Rossel loading additional troops to head back - will continue this shuttle service for a while. BB Washington Surface TF will bombard Buna, then head back to Tulagi - don’t expect much threat with Rabaul not even being heavily defended. Rabaul is again hit by Heavies and should be closed. Heavies also hit the port, sinking a number of barges. Also continuing to shuttle combat troops off Bougainville - and with the limited shipping avai (due to Oro), this slow process will continue. Goal was to have by the end of the month assets in place for next landings at Buka - but without the expected prolonged fight for grinding down Rabual, I’d like to advance that timetable, but I need to adjust some assault shipping (now being “requested” for Australia as well). So overall, moving ahead of schedule here.
In SWPAC, Heavies continue to hit Darwin, but results are poor - but air opposition is non existent, so will continue to pressure Darwin. Assault transports from SOPAC are arriving - and will begin loading an infantry regiment next turn to land directly at Darwin. Combined with one regiment in place, and another slogging up from Katherine, this should be enough to take the base. Barges seem to be doing well in keeping the Allied troops at Darwin supplied, and will land an FA Bn next turn to see how that goes. No enemy air or naval opposition, so the CL TF will bombard Darwin and head back to Gove as the landing craft/barge traffic continues.
In WAUS, Broome swept again, losing about 10 Oscars to a pair of P-38s. Still getting reports of light naval warships at Broome (CLs, DDs), but Port Hedland strike a/c don’t launch. Will continue sweeps, adding the first half dozen P-47s in Theater, and will also send in the Heavies. Am also committing a CA TF (CA, CL, DDs) to bombard, preceded by 3DDs to engaged the expected CL TF there. Supplies growing at Port Hedland as the shuttle from Exmouth hasn’t been interdicted yet. Although important, still not putting a lot of assets into this Theater - but still expect forward progress - this naval “sweep” will determine if that process can continue, or I’ll have to bring in more ships.
In China, as expected, no renewed attack on Chungking, just air bombardment. I’ve gained a respite, but I still think Chungking is still going to fall before the year is out.
In Burma, the air battle over Magwe goes in as planned, and the results of the first two days are pretty much as expected. The P-47s and P-38s do pretty well, while the P-40s and Hurris take the brunt of the losses. The first sweep (with LRCAP in support) is met by a very robust CAP of 120 TojoC, and 40 Tonys. Probably the best Army pilots L_S_T can muster as well. 10 raids go in over two days, and the end results are as follows. IJA loss: 82 (62 Tojo and 20 Tonys) against 84 (33 P-40, 24 Hurri, 9 P-47, 10 P-38, and 8 P-39s). Brit night bombing added 3 more Tonys while putting the field at 28 dam. Intel says he’s got about 90 fighters still there - which includes the Nicks as night fighters. Well, as I said, it’s what I expected, so round two starts next turn. More sweeps with an additional 4 uncommitted fighter squadrons as well as the Heavies - about 100 or so B-24s will go in. That’s the plan anyway, and fingers are crossed for more good weather - that allows my sweeps to go in BEFORE the bombers. Could be a very expensive day if they don’t.
In the IO, Spruance’s CVs move to engage the IJN, but only find a pair of xAKLs off Great Nicobar which are duly sunk. Think I was a day or two late, as while laying mines, SS Trusty spotted the IJN BBs in Malacca Straits. My gut tells me the KB is also gone, although recon tells me CVEs are at Tavoy. At the end of the turn, Spruance’s TF lies midway between Sabang and Great Nicobar, but apparently weather has limited strikes (small enemy convoy off Sabang not attacked) and also though detection. Don’t think L_S_T knows my CVs are in the Andaman Sea - but I’m staying away from the potential CAP traps of Victoria Point and Tavoy until I can get Port Blair a bit more expanded. Goal is still to engage shipping - either warships or transports in the Andaman Sea. Will loiter here another two days, then focus on protecting a major resupply/reinforcement to Port Blair/Little Andaman as well as a Bde size landing at Car Nicobar. Port Blair is fully repaired, but supplies are beginning to get a little light (just over 10k). Two xAKs are 40m out, and should offload next turn which will help and keep Port Blair (and Little A) going until the big resupply push.
RE: 7-8 Jul 43
Don’t think L_S_T knows my CVs are in the Andaman Sea
But you said your CVs sank some light shipping near Great Nicobar. Doesn't that kind of give the game away as far as location of your CVs?
RE: 7-8 Jul 43
ORIGINAL: jwolf
Don’t think L_S_T knows my CVs are in the Andaman Sea
But you said your CVs sank some light shipping near Great Nicobar. Doesn't that kind of give the game away as far as location of your CVs?
L_S_T smells that I have CVs at sea, and said as much in his email - but "only a glimpse" early in the replay and no sign during his portion of the turn.
He certainly expects my CVs at sea in the IO - where I can provide support to Port Blair and hit Nicobar and even Sabang - but I'm not sure he'll expect the CVs to enter the Andaman Sea where they can range the coastal convoy routes to the Malacca Straits.
I haven't ventured there yet, and have only used one Port Blair based squadron to interdict his shipping.
9-10 Jul 43
9-10 Jul 43
Highlights – Big IJN convoy mauled in Andaman Sea; heavy losses over Magwe; Broome naval engagement is a draw.
Jpn ships sunk:
CS: 1 (Chitose)
LSD: 1
E: 1
xAP: 2
AG: 1
Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (KXIII)
Air loss:
Jpn: 136
Allied: 96
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ships hit (SS Peto Crippled ----Geeze another sub vs. sub hit!)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
SS KXIII hit by twice by ASW a/c and sunk off Tavoy
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated:
Ebon (CENPAC - flipped)
SIGINT/Intel: SS Hado spots CA TF (2CA, 3CL, DDs) WSW of Makassar apparently exiting the Java Sea heading into the Banda Sea - so the IJN is brining heavy units back to the SW Australia fight. The big question is where has the KB gone…
West Coast/Admin: I find I’m short DDs again with the Fletchers still in the process of refitting - or perhaps I’m just getting spoiled with the number of DDs I “think” I should have.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, Roi-Namur Amph TF finishes loading and will head to Mili to rendezvous with CVE and CA TFs, then on to Roi. LBA will begin raids on Roi next turn.
In SOPAC, air attacks on Rabaul continue, but will have to rest the bombers. No air resistance, so will expand the reach of naval strike a/c out of Kiriwina and Torokina to see what they can catch, hopefully some supply runs. Shipping continues to get a good workout moving troops throughout Theater. With IJN CAs sighted heading in, CA Louisville w/2DDs will detach to Seventh Fleet.
In SWPAC, troops from the 32nd ID begin loading at Merauke to join the rest of the division (closing in from the landward side) at Darwin. Will have a CL TF (2CL, DDs) as close escort, and link up with another DD TF (4DD) near Bathurst - hence why CA Louisville is heading this way. Still Bathurst now has two SBD and a Beaufort squadron based there on naval strike, so any IJN venture close to OZ will be risky. Of course, these strike a/c may blunder into a CAP trap as well. Barges/LC continue to shuttle troops and supplies to Darwin, the FA Bn landed without issue, and an Eng Reg will follow next turn. All troops, including the BDE coming in by sea, should be ready to attack within the week.
In WAUS, as expected, a small naval engagement at Broome took place. US DD TF (3DD) led the way, engaging a CL TF (CL, 3DD), but was inconclusive, an IJN DD being damaged before both sides withdrew. This at least cleared the way for the Allied CA TF (CA, CL, 4DD) to bombard Broome, but results were rather poor. On the way back to Exmouth, in daylight, the CA TF ran into the IJN CL TF, but it was the Allies that took the brunt of the gunnery duel - 3DDs dam in exchange for CL Jintsu and a DD being slightly damaged. On the bright side, daylight also brought in Allied air, which in 5 strikes hit CL Jintsu with 8 bombs, leaving her with heavy fires and heavy damage. Two DDs were also hit and damaged - so, overall, not a bad day’s work. Additional Allied air did well bombing Broome AF, although not closed, no CAP was coming up to engage by the PM turn of the second day.
Highlights – Big IJN convoy mauled in Andaman Sea; heavy losses over Magwe; Broome naval engagement is a draw.
Jpn ships sunk:
CS: 1 (Chitose)
LSD: 1
E: 1
xAP: 2
AG: 1
Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (KXIII)
Air loss:
Jpn: 136
Allied: 96
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 1 ships hit (SS Peto Crippled ----Geeze another sub vs. sub hit!)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
SS KXIII hit by twice by ASW a/c and sunk off Tavoy
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated:
Ebon (CENPAC - flipped)
SIGINT/Intel: SS Hado spots CA TF (2CA, 3CL, DDs) WSW of Makassar apparently exiting the Java Sea heading into the Banda Sea - so the IJN is brining heavy units back to the SW Australia fight. The big question is where has the KB gone…
West Coast/Admin: I find I’m short DDs again with the Fletchers still in the process of refitting - or perhaps I’m just getting spoiled with the number of DDs I “think” I should have.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, Roi-Namur Amph TF finishes loading and will head to Mili to rendezvous with CVE and CA TFs, then on to Roi. LBA will begin raids on Roi next turn.
In SOPAC, air attacks on Rabaul continue, but will have to rest the bombers. No air resistance, so will expand the reach of naval strike a/c out of Kiriwina and Torokina to see what they can catch, hopefully some supply runs. Shipping continues to get a good workout moving troops throughout Theater. With IJN CAs sighted heading in, CA Louisville w/2DDs will detach to Seventh Fleet.
In SWPAC, troops from the 32nd ID begin loading at Merauke to join the rest of the division (closing in from the landward side) at Darwin. Will have a CL TF (2CL, DDs) as close escort, and link up with another DD TF (4DD) near Bathurst - hence why CA Louisville is heading this way. Still Bathurst now has two SBD and a Beaufort squadron based there on naval strike, so any IJN venture close to OZ will be risky. Of course, these strike a/c may blunder into a CAP trap as well. Barges/LC continue to shuttle troops and supplies to Darwin, the FA Bn landed without issue, and an Eng Reg will follow next turn. All troops, including the BDE coming in by sea, should be ready to attack within the week.
In WAUS, as expected, a small naval engagement at Broome took place. US DD TF (3DD) led the way, engaging a CL TF (CL, 3DD), but was inconclusive, an IJN DD being damaged before both sides withdrew. This at least cleared the way for the Allied CA TF (CA, CL, 4DD) to bombard Broome, but results were rather poor. On the way back to Exmouth, in daylight, the CA TF ran into the IJN CL TF, but it was the Allies that took the brunt of the gunnery duel - 3DDs dam in exchange for CL Jintsu and a DD being slightly damaged. On the bright side, daylight also brought in Allied air, which in 5 strikes hit CL Jintsu with 8 bombs, leaving her with heavy fires and heavy damage. Two DDs were also hit and damaged - so, overall, not a bad day’s work. Additional Allied air did well bombing Broome AF, although not closed, no CAP was coming up to engage by the PM turn of the second day.
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RE: 9-10 Jul 43
In China, large amounts of IJA armor (AR Div and 6 AR Reg) easily push two Chinese Corps back across the river to Kweiyang and cutting the road to Chungking, which is slowly, but surely being enveloped. Not much can be done here…
In Burma, 2nd day of the air campaign over Magwe doesn’t go extremely well, but not totally unexpected. 70 B-24s come in with just LRCAP, no preceding sweeps, and meet the expected heavy CAP (72 Oscars, 32 Tojo) and suffer heavy loss. But, as the raids continue to come in, including P-47 sweeps (but not P-38 sweeps), Magwe air defenses seem to be ground down to where by the end of the 2nd day, Intel reports the AF closed. Air losses are tough for both sides: 40 Oscars, 20 Tojos (plus 12 Nicks on the ground) against 41(!!) B-24s, 8 Hurri, and 4 P-40K. At least the Allied fighter strength remains intact! I’ve built up about 25 B-24s in the reserve pool, but some squadrons will take a while to refit. In the meantime, sweeps will continue, and the mediums and one fairly intact Heavy BG will continue the pressure.
In the IO, Spruance’s Naval Air hit a big IJN convoy trying to head toward the Malacca Straits along the coast, protected by a weak 12 plane Zero CAP. Only two strikes go in over the two days, but results were good:
Despite Intel only claiming CS Chitose, LSD, 2xAP and an E sunk, I fully expect the Hosho and perhaps even the Chiyoda to have been sunk as well as a few more transports. 11 Jeans and 9 Rufes were listed as destroyed on the ground, so I figure they’re from the Hosho and one CS. In any case, a good two days of naval strikes..knocking out Chitose and Chiyoda is especially welcome! Spruance will now move close in towards Port Blair to support the reinforcement convoy, then loiter in the area to support the landings at Car Nicobar. Sorties are still plentiful on the CVs, and only the Sara has expended its full torpedo supply, so if the KB does show itself, Spruance will be good shape to meet them.
In Burma, 2nd day of the air campaign over Magwe doesn’t go extremely well, but not totally unexpected. 70 B-24s come in with just LRCAP, no preceding sweeps, and meet the expected heavy CAP (72 Oscars, 32 Tojo) and suffer heavy loss. But, as the raids continue to come in, including P-47 sweeps (but not P-38 sweeps), Magwe air defenses seem to be ground down to where by the end of the 2nd day, Intel reports the AF closed. Air losses are tough for both sides: 40 Oscars, 20 Tojos (plus 12 Nicks on the ground) against 41(!!) B-24s, 8 Hurri, and 4 P-40K. At least the Allied fighter strength remains intact! I’ve built up about 25 B-24s in the reserve pool, but some squadrons will take a while to refit. In the meantime, sweeps will continue, and the mediums and one fairly intact Heavy BG will continue the pressure.
In the IO, Spruance’s Naval Air hit a big IJN convoy trying to head toward the Malacca Straits along the coast, protected by a weak 12 plane Zero CAP. Only two strikes go in over the two days, but results were good:
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CS Chiyoda, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CS Chitose, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
DD Matsukaze
E Saga
E Hashidate, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
E Uji, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
E W-28
CM Tsugaru
APD Kamikaze, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DMS W-11, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-7
xAP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Huso Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Atsuta Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Montevideo Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Takatiho Maru, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Hakozaki Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AK Manila Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
LSD Shinshu Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
LSD Akitsu Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire
Despite Intel only claiming CS Chitose, LSD, 2xAP and an E sunk, I fully expect the Hosho and perhaps even the Chiyoda to have been sunk as well as a few more transports. 11 Jeans and 9 Rufes were listed as destroyed on the ground, so I figure they’re from the Hosho and one CS. In any case, a good two days of naval strikes..knocking out Chitose and Chiyoda is especially welcome! Spruance will now move close in towards Port Blair to support the reinforcement convoy, then loiter in the area to support the landings at Car Nicobar. Sorties are still plentiful on the CVs, and only the Sara has expended its full torpedo supply, so if the KB does show itself, Spruance will be good shape to meet them.
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RE: 9-10 Jul 43
That was great positioning of your CV force near the Nicobar islands. Sometimes plans actually work! [8D] Those B24 losses are horrible. I guess if you can keep Magwe closed down, then it's worth it, but wow those are awful losses. The fighting in Australia seems to be working in your favor and -- so far -- you are able to maintain your offensive campaign, albeit with slow progress. Finally, the number of sub vs. sub hits you've encountered just defies belief. It's getting to the point that in your game, the most effective ASW weapon is ... subs from the other side.
RE: 9-10 Jul 43
Man, that LSD taking a bomb and a torpedo is probably toast as well. Japan only gets 2 of them and I don't think they can build many more.
RE: 9-10 Jul 43
ORIGINAL: jwolf
Finally, the number of sub vs. sub hits you've encountered just defies belief. It's getting to the point that in your game, the most effective ASW weapon is ... subs from the other side.
His luck with subs is crazy! But that hasn't been the most lethal means - its aircraft. So far sub losses have been as follows (according to tracker)
Allied losses: 34 subs: 9 to subs, 14 to air, 9 to ships, 2 to mines.
Jpn losses: 58 subs: 2 to subs, 8 to air, 28 to ships, 8 to mines, and 12 listed as "scuttled".
tough to be in the Silent Service from either side!!
RE: 9-10 Jul 43
ORIGINAL: Dirtnap86
Man, that LSD taking a bomb and a torpedo is probably toast as well. Japan only gets 2 of them and I don't think they can build many more.
Yeah, was glad to hit those LSDs - but I'm a bit curious why the LSDs weren't involved in the abortive landing at Little Andaman....
-
Jorge_Stanbury
- Posts: 4345
- Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:57 pm
- Location: Montreal
RE: 9-10 Jul 43
Maybe he didn't have it in the right port? happens often, and your invasion was sudden, so his abortive Andaman TF likely had to use whatever was available
11-12 Jul 43
11-12 Jul 43
Highlights – No CAP over Magwe!
Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Usugumo - old)
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 28
Allied: 34
Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 5 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: IJA fighters moved out of Magwe; location unknown. I’m convinced no major IJN surface units remain in the Andaman Sea.
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, Roi-Namur Amph TF rendezvous at Mili with CVE and CA TFs; will head on to Roi next turn.
In SOPAC, sweeps find nothing over Rabaul, but a B-25 squadron on low naval finds fighters off Lae and loses 3 planes. Will move Hellcats and Corsairs to Kiriwina and begin sweeps of the Lae area. Shuttling in of troops to Oro Bay continue, as does troop transfers out of Bougainville. 3 Additional APAs and half a dozen LCIs arrived in Noumea from the USA which should help the assault shipping shortage. Lastly, Oro Bay AF operational as a squadron of F4Fs are flown in. 3 Bdes of troops are slowly slogging from Oro Bay to Dobadura - lead troops about halfway there.
In SWPAC, Merauke convoy will land at Darwin next turn with 1/3 of the 32nd ID, the remaining two Bdes of the Div have reached Darwin so the first ground attack will begin next turn. No sign of those CAs that were heading in from the Java Sea.
In WAUS, Broome AF appears empty and is now closed - the Jpn Fighters moved to Derby and managed to maul a B-25 AF raid I figured I’d sneak in at low level. 8 B-25s lost. Supplies growing at Port Hedland and PH based fighters will sweep over Derby and see what they come up with as the bombers rest. Goal now is to bring up some assault shipping (from Darwin Amphib and a single APA at Perth) as well as troops currently at Perth (Aussie Div and US Reg) to Exmouth to stage for Broome amphib. I do have an uneasy feeling that L_S_T might bring the KB back to these waters - he’s done that before a few times. So I’m going to be a bit cautious here, but it will take a few weeks before I can move the Div+ up to Exmouth anyway. Overland, east of Port Hedland, the former defenders of Port Hedland are successfully attacked by two Aussie Bdes and pushed east - this force will continue to slowly drive overland along the coast to Broome.
In China, NSTR.
In Burma, I’m pretty surprised at the total lack of CAP over Magwe. L_S_T has moved the planes out, and the field is closed. AA is still heavy, and although the bombers need a rest, will begin raiding the Oil industry with Heavies while the mediums continue to keep the AF closed. Fighters are actually in good shape, and will rest a few squadrons while maintaining sweeps just in case. The question is where did the 200+ IJA fighters go? Expanding recon flights to secondary fields further south.
In the IO, a quiet turn as the resupply/reinforcement convoys reach Port Blair and Little A. No IJN activity other than pesky subs which failed to penetrate the convoy’s screen. Spruance remains in the Andaman Sea, and will move off of Port Blair more towards Car Nicobar to provide cover for landings. One Indian Bde will land, and I will then expand the base as a fighter strip to provide cover for further landings up the Andaman Chain. Keeping Spruance in the area for a bit which is risky to sub attacks, but need to protect the assault shipping as they bring reinforcements to the islands and take off assault troops to be used in future operations.
Highlights – No CAP over Magwe!
Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Usugumo - old)
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 28
Allied: 34
Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 5 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: IJA fighters moved out of Magwe; location unknown. I’m convinced no major IJN surface units remain in the Andaman Sea.
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, Roi-Namur Amph TF rendezvous at Mili with CVE and CA TFs; will head on to Roi next turn.
In SOPAC, sweeps find nothing over Rabaul, but a B-25 squadron on low naval finds fighters off Lae and loses 3 planes. Will move Hellcats and Corsairs to Kiriwina and begin sweeps of the Lae area. Shuttling in of troops to Oro Bay continue, as does troop transfers out of Bougainville. 3 Additional APAs and half a dozen LCIs arrived in Noumea from the USA which should help the assault shipping shortage. Lastly, Oro Bay AF operational as a squadron of F4Fs are flown in. 3 Bdes of troops are slowly slogging from Oro Bay to Dobadura - lead troops about halfway there.
In SWPAC, Merauke convoy will land at Darwin next turn with 1/3 of the 32nd ID, the remaining two Bdes of the Div have reached Darwin so the first ground attack will begin next turn. No sign of those CAs that were heading in from the Java Sea.
In WAUS, Broome AF appears empty and is now closed - the Jpn Fighters moved to Derby and managed to maul a B-25 AF raid I figured I’d sneak in at low level. 8 B-25s lost. Supplies growing at Port Hedland and PH based fighters will sweep over Derby and see what they come up with as the bombers rest. Goal now is to bring up some assault shipping (from Darwin Amphib and a single APA at Perth) as well as troops currently at Perth (Aussie Div and US Reg) to Exmouth to stage for Broome amphib. I do have an uneasy feeling that L_S_T might bring the KB back to these waters - he’s done that before a few times. So I’m going to be a bit cautious here, but it will take a few weeks before I can move the Div+ up to Exmouth anyway. Overland, east of Port Hedland, the former defenders of Port Hedland are successfully attacked by two Aussie Bdes and pushed east - this force will continue to slowly drive overland along the coast to Broome.
In China, NSTR.
In Burma, I’m pretty surprised at the total lack of CAP over Magwe. L_S_T has moved the planes out, and the field is closed. AA is still heavy, and although the bombers need a rest, will begin raiding the Oil industry with Heavies while the mediums continue to keep the AF closed. Fighters are actually in good shape, and will rest a few squadrons while maintaining sweeps just in case. The question is where did the 200+ IJA fighters go? Expanding recon flights to secondary fields further south.
In the IO, a quiet turn as the resupply/reinforcement convoys reach Port Blair and Little A. No IJN activity other than pesky subs which failed to penetrate the convoy’s screen. Spruance remains in the Andaman Sea, and will move off of Port Blair more towards Car Nicobar to provide cover for landings. One Indian Bde will land, and I will then expand the base as a fighter strip to provide cover for further landings up the Andaman Chain. Keeping Spruance in the area for a bit which is risky to sub attacks, but need to protect the assault shipping as they bring reinforcements to the islands and take off assault troops to be used in future operations.
RE: 13-14 Jul 43
13-14 Jul 43
Highlights – Darwin taken! Troops landed on Car Nicobar and Magwe oil hit with good effect.
Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-39)
CM: 1 (Itsukushima - old)
xAK: 1
xAKL: 1
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 42
Allied: 31
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 3 ships hit (xAK, xAKL sunk, AG dam)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv:
Darwin (SWPAC)
Car Nicobar (IO)
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated:
Darwin (SWPAC)
SIGINT/Intel: NSTR
West Coast/Admin: 2CV, CVL, CL, DDs arrives at Aden from Balboa enroute to the IO.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, Roi-Namur Amph TF along with CVE and CA TFs arrive at Roi; minesweepers begin clearing lanes and LBA focuses efforts on ground targets. Landings will commence next turn.
In SOPAC, Hellcat and Corsairs sweep over Lae and knock down 10 OscarIIIa and 9 Nicks at a cost of 3 F6Fs and a F4U. Despite that, a B-25G squadron wanders too close to Lae and Oscars down 5. Rabaul remains quiet, no sign of a/c or ships. Shuttling troops continue the 3 APAs arrived at Noumea load troops bound for Rossel. The last of the 1st Marines are loading out of Torokina.
In SWPAC, troops landed at Darwin join the ground assault from the south and surprisingly take Darwin on the first assault despite level 5 forts! Defenders were primarily C/2nd ID and support, and they lost over 3000 troops to the 200 Allied losses. Quite unexpected - figured it would take a week of hard fighting for the 32nd ID to take the base! IJA troops pull back to the swamps west of the town, and the 32nd ID will have to follow up and destroy the remnants. Both port and AF are completely wrecked, but engineers are already being loaded from Bathurst to bring Darwin into operation - as well as baseforces and other support troops already enroute from various bases. Taking Darwin pretty much concludes the SWPAC campaign in NW OZ, although a single Bde is still trudging towards Wyndam. Will begin looking for a likely target for SWPAC - one of the many island bases in the Timor/Banda Sea.
In WAUS, Derby is swept once by P-38s, 3 Oscars lost for no P-38s. Will continue sweeps over Derby, although the 8hex range will limit effectiveness. An IJN DD TF is sighted heading to Derby which was mined by B-24s. Allied CA TF (CA, CL, DDs) remains off Port Hedland protecting the influx of supplies and support troops. With Darwin taken, will bring shipping and warships from SWPAC to WAUS to land troops at Broome in a couple of weeks. Need to bring the troops up from Perth first, and then bring bombers in as well to knock out Derby AF.
In China, NSTR.
In Burma, Magwe continues to be hit with reasonably good effect. AF remains closed and 71 oil taken out. Will continue to bring the bombers over Magwe, protected by reduced fighter sweeps. Still no clue where the IJA fighters went - AFs in Burma north of Rangoon all seem empty. On the ground, a limited ground attack towards Shwebo begins, but is held in the initial assault - will continue with the pressure along the frontier.
In the IO, with the exception of landing troops at Car Nicobar, its actually fairly quiet, although IJN subs are active - 3 hit by air and another claimed sunk by DDs. A total of 10 subs are sighted by turns end, and despite a very active ASW effort, I’m pulling the CVs out of the Andaman Sea and into the Bay of Bengal next turn. With no naval targets observed, and Bettys attacking only at night (so far with no effect), its not worth keeping the CVs in restricted waters. That said, this will put some troop convoys at increased risk. The first brigade of the 3rd Marine Div is loading up and will head out next turn from Port Blair, a Brit Bde will shuttle from Little Andaman to Port Blair, then those ships will pick up more Marines, and Car Nicobar TF will also move to pull troops off the Andamans to Blair and then on to Ceylon. Additional convoys are also enroute to both deliver support troops and supply and pull combat troops out. Goal is to leave the 9th Ind ID as a garrison, plus support, but all other combat troops to pull out. So CVs will stay in the general area should the IJN come back out - which I don’t think is likely at this point, but will head into hopefully safer waters for a while as ground based a/c focus on anti-sub efforts.
Highlights – Darwin taken! Troops landed on Car Nicobar and Magwe oil hit with good effect.
Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-39)
CM: 1 (Itsukushima - old)
xAK: 1
xAKL: 1
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 42
Allied: 31
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 3 ships hit (xAK, xAKL sunk, AG dam)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv:
Darwin (SWPAC)
Car Nicobar (IO)
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated:
Darwin (SWPAC)
SIGINT/Intel: NSTR
West Coast/Admin: 2CV, CVL, CL, DDs arrives at Aden from Balboa enroute to the IO.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, Roi-Namur Amph TF along with CVE and CA TFs arrive at Roi; minesweepers begin clearing lanes and LBA focuses efforts on ground targets. Landings will commence next turn.
In SOPAC, Hellcat and Corsairs sweep over Lae and knock down 10 OscarIIIa and 9 Nicks at a cost of 3 F6Fs and a F4U. Despite that, a B-25G squadron wanders too close to Lae and Oscars down 5. Rabaul remains quiet, no sign of a/c or ships. Shuttling troops continue the 3 APAs arrived at Noumea load troops bound for Rossel. The last of the 1st Marines are loading out of Torokina.
In SWPAC, troops landed at Darwin join the ground assault from the south and surprisingly take Darwin on the first assault despite level 5 forts! Defenders were primarily C/2nd ID and support, and they lost over 3000 troops to the 200 Allied losses. Quite unexpected - figured it would take a week of hard fighting for the 32nd ID to take the base! IJA troops pull back to the swamps west of the town, and the 32nd ID will have to follow up and destroy the remnants. Both port and AF are completely wrecked, but engineers are already being loaded from Bathurst to bring Darwin into operation - as well as baseforces and other support troops already enroute from various bases. Taking Darwin pretty much concludes the SWPAC campaign in NW OZ, although a single Bde is still trudging towards Wyndam. Will begin looking for a likely target for SWPAC - one of the many island bases in the Timor/Banda Sea.
In WAUS, Derby is swept once by P-38s, 3 Oscars lost for no P-38s. Will continue sweeps over Derby, although the 8hex range will limit effectiveness. An IJN DD TF is sighted heading to Derby which was mined by B-24s. Allied CA TF (CA, CL, DDs) remains off Port Hedland protecting the influx of supplies and support troops. With Darwin taken, will bring shipping and warships from SWPAC to WAUS to land troops at Broome in a couple of weeks. Need to bring the troops up from Perth first, and then bring bombers in as well to knock out Derby AF.
In China, NSTR.
In Burma, Magwe continues to be hit with reasonably good effect. AF remains closed and 71 oil taken out. Will continue to bring the bombers over Magwe, protected by reduced fighter sweeps. Still no clue where the IJA fighters went - AFs in Burma north of Rangoon all seem empty. On the ground, a limited ground attack towards Shwebo begins, but is held in the initial assault - will continue with the pressure along the frontier.
In the IO, with the exception of landing troops at Car Nicobar, its actually fairly quiet, although IJN subs are active - 3 hit by air and another claimed sunk by DDs. A total of 10 subs are sighted by turns end, and despite a very active ASW effort, I’m pulling the CVs out of the Andaman Sea and into the Bay of Bengal next turn. With no naval targets observed, and Bettys attacking only at night (so far with no effect), its not worth keeping the CVs in restricted waters. That said, this will put some troop convoys at increased risk. The first brigade of the 3rd Marine Div is loading up and will head out next turn from Port Blair, a Brit Bde will shuttle from Little Andaman to Port Blair, then those ships will pick up more Marines, and Car Nicobar TF will also move to pull troops off the Andamans to Blair and then on to Ceylon. Additional convoys are also enroute to both deliver support troops and supply and pull combat troops out. Goal is to leave the 9th Ind ID as a garrison, plus support, but all other combat troops to pull out. So CVs will stay in the general area should the IJN come back out - which I don’t think is likely at this point, but will head into hopefully safer waters for a while as ground based a/c focus on anti-sub efforts.
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15-16 Jul 43
15-16 Jul 43
Highlights – IJN CVs back in the IO! Roi-Namur and Car Nicobar taken.
Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (RO-36)
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 27
Allied: 26
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv:
Roi-Namur (CENPAC)
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated:
Roi-Namur (CENPAC)
Car Nicobar (IO)
SIGINT/Intel: IJN CVs back in the IO near Sabang!
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, Roi-Namur is taken after two days of attacks on the second day, still with minimal casualties. Jpn lose the 52nd and 85th Naval Guard Units destroyed totaling about 2500 men. C/25th ID loses about 300 men and the supporting tank battalion about 5 tanks. Facilities are wrecked, so engineers will have to do some repair. Transports will stand by to reload the invading troops while support troops, including a USMC Def Bn and of course engineers come in to offload. Reserve troops, another BDE of the 25th ID were not needed and will sail back to Tarawa for other missions. Question now is what next? Eniwetok is the next major target, and will also have to mop up some of the bypassed atolls - basically to kill some time as troops earmarked for Ponape and/or Kusaie need more prep time and I’ll want some additional CV support there as well. Bottom line is that CENPAC is pretty much a dead end unitil I commit to the Marianas and that’s still a ways away.
In SOPAC, its fairly quiet as most bombers rest. No activity at Rabaul, but plenty of light ships scurrying in and around the Bismarck Sea, well out of range of a/c. Transport begin loading at Rossel Is for Buna landings - that will take 4 days to finish loading the 3 IN Bdes and support. That “should” coincide with ground troops taking Dobodura overland which I expect is lightly defended. The hard fight will be Buna. Will sweep the Lae area again next turn to reduce enemy fighter capability that can be thrown against the landings.
In SWPAC, Darwin AF remains inoperational due to damage, but PBYs are brought in and will begin air search from Darwin next turn. Otherwise, pretty quiet.
In WAUS, Derby is swept by P-38s and all 7 P-47s avail. The P-38s don’t do well and need a rest while the P-47s sweep the skies. A total of 16 Oscars lost to 8 P-38s and a P-47. Will stand down the fighters as the P-38s badly need a rest and the P-47s will pull back to Exmouth to form a full squadron - they’ll be back at Port Hedland shortly. An interesting side note is that CA TF (2CA, 3CL, DDs) was picked up again by subs, this time 120m NE of Derby - Grouper, Pike and Seawolf all failed to penetrate the screen, but Pike did lay mines along the approaches to Derby. I’ve got to assume these ships are inbound to Derby.
In China, NSTR.
In Burma, Magwe down to 100 oil. Bombers tired, and are put on 20% rest, but will keep hitting the target. Other than that fairly quiet - so quiet that I’m going to push some fighter squadrons (2xP-47, 2xP-40, P-39) to Port Blair and Little Andaman as events are developing in the IO.
In the IO, Car Nicobar is taken by the 72nd Brit Bde without problems, destroying an SNLF company. What is a surprise is the re-appearance of two IJN TFs - at least one with CVs which launch a fighter sweep over Car Nicobar. I’m sure L_S_T’s intent was to also have naval strikes go in, but the Amph TF had already departed to Port Blair. And of course I’ve got my CVs out of the general area in the Bay of Bengal, and lots of shipping clustered in and around Little A and Port Blair. Hence why I needed the extra fighters from Burma. I’m bringing most of the shipping to Port Blair where they will have a pair of Surface TFs to provide cover - although some ships are short main gun ammo from the Car Nicobar landings. Port Blair will be a “target rich environment” should the IJN come in for a strike. CAP will be robust, but if the KB throws its full weight, some will get through. I don’t think L_S_T will risk going in towards Port Blair though. Lots of risk involved here. For the Allies too of course - although my CVs do need fuel, I’m holding off and sending Spruance towards Car Nicobar to seek out the IJN should they stay in the vicinity, or head for the Port Blair anchorage. That does mean bringing the CVs back through potentially sub infested waters, but ASW a/c have reported most of the IJN subs in the Andaman Sea. Although the CVs did not refuel, they did replenish a few fighters from the Repl TF, so air strength is good, and they haven’t been sighted since departing the Andaman Sea - so L_S_T may think the coast is clear. Also good news is that the Essex TF (2CV, CVL, CL, DDs) has entered the Indian Ocean and will head towards Bombay to pick up BB South Dakota and CA Astoria. Additional DDs will also join, some needed to catch up from Aden after refit is completed. After refueling at sea, this force will move towards the Port Blair area.
Highlights – IJN CVs back in the IO! Roi-Namur and Car Nicobar taken.
Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (RO-36)
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 27
Allied: 26
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv:
Roi-Namur (CENPAC)
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated:
Roi-Namur (CENPAC)
Car Nicobar (IO)
SIGINT/Intel: IJN CVs back in the IO near Sabang!
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, Roi-Namur is taken after two days of attacks on the second day, still with minimal casualties. Jpn lose the 52nd and 85th Naval Guard Units destroyed totaling about 2500 men. C/25th ID loses about 300 men and the supporting tank battalion about 5 tanks. Facilities are wrecked, so engineers will have to do some repair. Transports will stand by to reload the invading troops while support troops, including a USMC Def Bn and of course engineers come in to offload. Reserve troops, another BDE of the 25th ID were not needed and will sail back to Tarawa for other missions. Question now is what next? Eniwetok is the next major target, and will also have to mop up some of the bypassed atolls - basically to kill some time as troops earmarked for Ponape and/or Kusaie need more prep time and I’ll want some additional CV support there as well. Bottom line is that CENPAC is pretty much a dead end unitil I commit to the Marianas and that’s still a ways away.
In SOPAC, its fairly quiet as most bombers rest. No activity at Rabaul, but plenty of light ships scurrying in and around the Bismarck Sea, well out of range of a/c. Transport begin loading at Rossel Is for Buna landings - that will take 4 days to finish loading the 3 IN Bdes and support. That “should” coincide with ground troops taking Dobodura overland which I expect is lightly defended. The hard fight will be Buna. Will sweep the Lae area again next turn to reduce enemy fighter capability that can be thrown against the landings.
In SWPAC, Darwin AF remains inoperational due to damage, but PBYs are brought in and will begin air search from Darwin next turn. Otherwise, pretty quiet.
In WAUS, Derby is swept by P-38s and all 7 P-47s avail. The P-38s don’t do well and need a rest while the P-47s sweep the skies. A total of 16 Oscars lost to 8 P-38s and a P-47. Will stand down the fighters as the P-38s badly need a rest and the P-47s will pull back to Exmouth to form a full squadron - they’ll be back at Port Hedland shortly. An interesting side note is that CA TF (2CA, 3CL, DDs) was picked up again by subs, this time 120m NE of Derby - Grouper, Pike and Seawolf all failed to penetrate the screen, but Pike did lay mines along the approaches to Derby. I’ve got to assume these ships are inbound to Derby.
In China, NSTR.
In Burma, Magwe down to 100 oil. Bombers tired, and are put on 20% rest, but will keep hitting the target. Other than that fairly quiet - so quiet that I’m going to push some fighter squadrons (2xP-47, 2xP-40, P-39) to Port Blair and Little Andaman as events are developing in the IO.
In the IO, Car Nicobar is taken by the 72nd Brit Bde without problems, destroying an SNLF company. What is a surprise is the re-appearance of two IJN TFs - at least one with CVs which launch a fighter sweep over Car Nicobar. I’m sure L_S_T’s intent was to also have naval strikes go in, but the Amph TF had already departed to Port Blair. And of course I’ve got my CVs out of the general area in the Bay of Bengal, and lots of shipping clustered in and around Little A and Port Blair. Hence why I needed the extra fighters from Burma. I’m bringing most of the shipping to Port Blair where they will have a pair of Surface TFs to provide cover - although some ships are short main gun ammo from the Car Nicobar landings. Port Blair will be a “target rich environment” should the IJN come in for a strike. CAP will be robust, but if the KB throws its full weight, some will get through. I don’t think L_S_T will risk going in towards Port Blair though. Lots of risk involved here. For the Allies too of course - although my CVs do need fuel, I’m holding off and sending Spruance towards Car Nicobar to seek out the IJN should they stay in the vicinity, or head for the Port Blair anchorage. That does mean bringing the CVs back through potentially sub infested waters, but ASW a/c have reported most of the IJN subs in the Andaman Sea. Although the CVs did not refuel, they did replenish a few fighters from the Repl TF, so air strength is good, and they haven’t been sighted since departing the Andaman Sea - so L_S_T may think the coast is clear. Also good news is that the Essex TF (2CV, CVL, CL, DDs) has entered the Indian Ocean and will head towards Bombay to pick up BB South Dakota and CA Astoria. Additional DDs will also join, some needed to catch up from Aden after refit is completed. After refueling at sea, this force will move towards the Port Blair area.
- Attachments
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- 430715.jpg (169.92 KiB) Viewed 240 times
17-18 Jul 43
17-18 Jul 43
Highlights – BB Musashi sighted and attacked off Port Hedland; no sign of IJN in Andaman Sea
Jpn ships sunk:
CVL: 1 (Zuiho - the Mk13 mine REALLY did sink her??!!)
xAK: 2
Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (I-155)
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 62
Allied: 29
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: IJN CA TF off Derby was (or in addition to) a BB TF w/BB Musashi. Was pretty sure Musashi hadn’t been built….
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, engineers brought into Roi, and the invasion troops begin pulling out. Will be a bit before we make the next jump - have some reorganizing to do.
In SOPAC, Buna Amph TFs continue to load at Rossel Is. F6Fs and P-38s sweep Nadzab near Lae and do very well - 26 Nicks and 20 Oscar IIIa lost in exchange for 2 Hellcats lost to operations. Nice. Rabaul remains closed while the bombers rested again.
In SWPAC, Darwin AF repaired enough for fighters, and the first squadron comes in. Heavy shipping traffic will continue despite the newly discovered IJN surface threat - I’m counting on heavy LBA concentration to keep the IJN away from the shipping traffic between Gove and Darwin.
In WAUS, I get an unwelcome surprise when during the replay’s night turn I keep getting messages of my transport TFs off Port Hedland abandoning mission and heading back to Exmouth - but strangely, the CL TF there never engages anything. Then the daylight replay shows perhaps why - SBDs and B-25s out of Port Hedland striking a BB TF off Broome - which included the BB Musashi!! Musashi shrugs off two bomb hits with no visible effect, while losing 7 F4Fs to CAP and 3 SBDs and 2 B-25s to AA. Now, I’m not really sure what the Musashi TF was doing causing a few of my TR TFs to abort mission - but not engaging anything. Strange. That said, I’m not only surprised by Musashi in these waters, I’m surprised that any significant IJN surface force would make an appearance here with Allied airpower capable of interdicting. Of course, IJN CVs could be heading this way to provide air cover - but I’ve got no indication of that. LBA fighters out of Derby will only be able to provide limited LRCAP, so I’m bringing in a second RAAF Beaufort torpedo squadron, and the P-47s to provide cover out of Corunna Downs. A torpedo could do more than dent Musashi. That said, shipping will clear from Port Hedland till the threat subsides. WAUS still has minimal naval support, and I don’t want to risk that limited support.
In China, NSTR.
In Burma, Magwe down another 21 oil. Raids will continue. On the ground, an Allied division sized attack pushes C/55th ID out of the jungle near Shwebo - still slowly applying pressure along the Burma-India frontier. Will see if those troops can push towards Shwebo and cut the rail to Myitkyina - although I’m not sure how supply will hold up.
In the IO, Spruance’s CVs move back off Car Nicobar, but the IJN CVs sighted the days prior are nowhere to be seen, and no engagement takes place. The only IJN in the area are the numerous subs - 4 are reportedly hit by ASW a/c, and another crippled by DDs. So, was this just an attempt to lure the Allied CVs back into sub infested waters? If so, it worked! I need to get the CVs out into the Indian Ocean and clear the sub threat - as well as refuel. With the CVs going to move off a bit, Port Blair remains vulnerable - although it should be able to hold off a major air attack with CAP avail. Still, much shipping loading troops to pull off from the invasion is a “target rich environment” - but its not worth keeping the CVs in these waters. To chase a solid CV contact - yes…but that’s about it. Will continue to pull and shift troops around the Andamans over the next few turns. Supply situation has significantly improved with the transports arriving at Port Blair of course - and now these supplies must also be cross shipped to Little Andaman and Car Nicobar. So lots to do before moving on to the next landings! And hopefully the IJN will keep clear for a bit while I get things sorted out.
Highlights – BB Musashi sighted and attacked off Port Hedland; no sign of IJN in Andaman Sea
Jpn ships sunk:
CVL: 1 (Zuiho - the Mk13 mine REALLY did sink her??!!)
xAK: 2
Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (I-155)
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 62
Allied: 29
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: IJN CA TF off Derby was (or in addition to) a BB TF w/BB Musashi. Was pretty sure Musashi hadn’t been built….
West Coast/Admin: NSTR.
In NOPAC, NSTR.
In CENPAC, engineers brought into Roi, and the invasion troops begin pulling out. Will be a bit before we make the next jump - have some reorganizing to do.
In SOPAC, Buna Amph TFs continue to load at Rossel Is. F6Fs and P-38s sweep Nadzab near Lae and do very well - 26 Nicks and 20 Oscar IIIa lost in exchange for 2 Hellcats lost to operations. Nice. Rabaul remains closed while the bombers rested again.
In SWPAC, Darwin AF repaired enough for fighters, and the first squadron comes in. Heavy shipping traffic will continue despite the newly discovered IJN surface threat - I’m counting on heavy LBA concentration to keep the IJN away from the shipping traffic between Gove and Darwin.
In WAUS, I get an unwelcome surprise when during the replay’s night turn I keep getting messages of my transport TFs off Port Hedland abandoning mission and heading back to Exmouth - but strangely, the CL TF there never engages anything. Then the daylight replay shows perhaps why - SBDs and B-25s out of Port Hedland striking a BB TF off Broome - which included the BB Musashi!! Musashi shrugs off two bomb hits with no visible effect, while losing 7 F4Fs to CAP and 3 SBDs and 2 B-25s to AA. Now, I’m not really sure what the Musashi TF was doing causing a few of my TR TFs to abort mission - but not engaging anything. Strange. That said, I’m not only surprised by Musashi in these waters, I’m surprised that any significant IJN surface force would make an appearance here with Allied airpower capable of interdicting. Of course, IJN CVs could be heading this way to provide air cover - but I’ve got no indication of that. LBA fighters out of Derby will only be able to provide limited LRCAP, so I’m bringing in a second RAAF Beaufort torpedo squadron, and the P-47s to provide cover out of Corunna Downs. A torpedo could do more than dent Musashi. That said, shipping will clear from Port Hedland till the threat subsides. WAUS still has minimal naval support, and I don’t want to risk that limited support.
In China, NSTR.
In Burma, Magwe down another 21 oil. Raids will continue. On the ground, an Allied division sized attack pushes C/55th ID out of the jungle near Shwebo - still slowly applying pressure along the Burma-India frontier. Will see if those troops can push towards Shwebo and cut the rail to Myitkyina - although I’m not sure how supply will hold up.
In the IO, Spruance’s CVs move back off Car Nicobar, but the IJN CVs sighted the days prior are nowhere to be seen, and no engagement takes place. The only IJN in the area are the numerous subs - 4 are reportedly hit by ASW a/c, and another crippled by DDs. So, was this just an attempt to lure the Allied CVs back into sub infested waters? If so, it worked! I need to get the CVs out into the Indian Ocean and clear the sub threat - as well as refuel. With the CVs going to move off a bit, Port Blair remains vulnerable - although it should be able to hold off a major air attack with CAP avail. Still, much shipping loading troops to pull off from the invasion is a “target rich environment” - but its not worth keeping the CVs in these waters. To chase a solid CV contact - yes…but that’s about it. Will continue to pull and shift troops around the Andamans over the next few turns. Supply situation has significantly improved with the transports arriving at Port Blair of course - and now these supplies must also be cross shipped to Little Andaman and Car Nicobar. So lots to do before moving on to the next landings! And hopefully the IJN will keep clear for a bit while I get things sorted out.
- Attachments
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- 430717.jpg (147.01 KiB) Viewed 240 times
RE: 17-18 Jul 43
Was pretty sure Musashi hadn’t been built….
Oops. Sorry about that. [:o]
-- USN intelligence division
Here's to hoping your Beauforts can score. While bombs will have little effect, and maybe none at all, a fish is a different matter. And major repairs for a ship that size can only be done at a few places, and take a long time.
As to the Musashi's mission ... maybe a bombardment at Port Hedland? If so, a Musashi-led bombardment TF could have devastating effect.