ORIGINAL: Miller
16th-31st July 42
Total stalemate in China at the moment. I simply cannot overcome his troops in wooded rough terrain and flanking is not an option due to having to go off road. Another recon bombardment of Sian reveals 4100AV in the hex now. I have 3800 in position ready to cross. Do I stick or twist? He launches a rare 4E raid against Hankow airfield that torches 60 a/c on the ground (most transports), my bad for being complacent and having no CAP up over it. A quick question: He has Ledo built up to the max and is obviously flying supply in by transport. Would this be enough to keep his army in China fed? I would assume not but the performance of his ground troops would suggest otherwise...
Everywhere else is a total snoozefest. Bataan down to one fort now, hopefully the next shock attack in a few days time will take it. He tries to sneak an unescorted supply convoy into Broome but I spot it and send a few old DDs to intercept:
Day Time Surface Combat, near Broome at 62,127, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Oite
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Sawakaze
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Karii, Shell hits 1
DD Yanagi
Allied Ships
xAK Bellerophon, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Clan Mactavish, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Elysia, Shell hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Demodocus, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tantalus, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Autolycus, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Benledi, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Clan Macnair, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Clan Mactaggart, Shell hits 8, on fire
xAK Clan Macwhirter, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Forthbank, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Glenaffric, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Mahsud, Shell hits 12, heavy fires
xAK Boero, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tjikandi, Shell hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tjikarang, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
A nice little haul[:)]
The Tojo starts production next month but I think only three sqds can upgrade to the IIa version so I won't be mass producing it.
You have found Mr. Kane's Achilles' Heel - in concentrating his strength for his aggressive attacks he strips other areas of all protection. I think you will spank him for that for a long while!
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
