Notes from a Small Island

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: AMs configured as a combat TF, meant to counter enemy riff-raff TFs but instead sacrificing themselves to slow this powerful enemy TF.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: This is the first enemy encounter with non-military ships converted to military use in this direst of emergencies.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: A big boy TF arrives at Shikuka. Mines have an effect. I think, during the course of the turn, at least one more enemy DD hit a mine.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: This mine hit happened a bit earlier in the turn.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: There are more "dry" encounters and occasional clashes like this one.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: This enemy TF showed a lot of smoke and fire before the shooting started. The PTs are sunk but take a DD with them. If I'm counting right, this makes the fourth enemy DD sunk. Against that, I think I've lost CA Astoria and CL Nashville.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: This is a very costly battle for the Allies. Interesting that the enemy CAs are paired with E-class ships. I lose four Fletchers. Ouch.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: This Fletcher TF takes out two of the E-class and possibly the third while taking no real damage. The enemy TF is out of ammo. I hope it'll be in range of my LBA in the morning.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: This looks like a dangerous TF inbound.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: Another encounter. Bleed ammo, friends, bleed ammo.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: Sea Dog misses.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: Guardfish doesn't. One torp; Fuso showing HF/HD.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: Enemy subs are lurking too. This one misses and APD and takes six hits (more like near misses, I think).

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: This DMS TF (configured for combat) does pretty well. The enemy TF must be low on ammo.

I cannot afford to lose any more of these ships, though. They are vital to the next stage. They've been pressed into duty only under the extreme circumstances.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: More hard, desperate fighting. This combat took a long time, so the IJN TF is low on ammo.

[Canoerebel]

10/02/44

Shikuka: Everything that can fight has been thrown into the fray. Lots of good ships going down, fighting hard but facing overwhelming odds.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: This is my "Rourke's Drift walking wounded" contingent. Boston had 72 SYS damage but could make 27 knots, so I reluctantly put her together with two decent (damaged, but only slightly) DDs. She didn't give a great account of herself here.

You are witnessing the death of an Allied fleet.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: I'm regretting using the DMS in combat TFs.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: APDs, DMSs, and DEs have a fighting chance against enemy TFs low on ammo, but the AMs don't. Still, ammo expended.

[Canoerebel]

10/2/44

Shikuka: This enemy TF isn't out of ammo, though.