Notes from a Small Island

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: Opening round in favor of the IJN. Ammo usage by both TFs rather high.

As this battle opens, two new thoughts pop into mind:

1. I set Death Star strike aircraft to range one. DS is a hex south of Wakkanai, so the strike aircraft can hit enemy targets at the base and at the hex to the south. Strike aircraft at Toyohara are set to range 4, I think (a hex out of Sapporo). These settings are intended to provide some ability to hit crippled enemy ships while minimizing the possibility that DS would suffer a reverse Marianas Turkey Shoot to the vast enemy CAP at Toyohara.

2. I'm glad I made the decision a few days ago to scrub invasions in CenPac and to divert the carrier and combat ships to NoPac. The Allied navy will need reinforcements.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: The smoke and fires are greatly exaggerated (Fletchers don't do much damage to Yamato, barring TT hits), but this is nevertheless encouraging as a new round begins.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: This is the CA TF detached from DS in order to sniff around Wakkanai before retiring to Toyohara. The idea was to provide a bit more cover and protection for the inbound BB bombardment TFs.

This action is inconclusive, but Yamato TF ammo will be running low now and the USN TF fortunately doesn't incur heavy damage.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: A CA TF mixes with a fresh Fletcher TF, the latter losing two more DDs (to this point, I count four USN DDs sunk, no enemy combat ships sunk).

Here, again, I take a bit of solace in the fact that a strong enemy TF expended lots of ammo. I still have three or four more DD TFs patroling and the two BB TFs inbound.

But I don't know how much more Erik has inbound.

I think he purposefully configured this raid so that the BB/DD TF came in first to pummel the Allied TFs, depleting them of ammo so that his cruisers can then ravage the tuckered-out Allied ships.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: This USN DD TF expends a lot of ammo to handle three PBs.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: This replenishment TF didn't follow DS, for some reason. Any Allied TF not in Death Star's hex will be vulnerable to enemy air.

These AOs have just a modest amount of fuel - they're present mainly to replenish PT TFs, as most of DS refueled at Shikuka just a week ago.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: First of two Allied bombardment TFs inbound to Wakkanai. I don't want a bombardment TF to square off against a fresh enemy CA or BB combat TF, but I do hope this TF bumps into the depleted Yamato TF.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: A powerful enemy CA TF faces a battered Fletcher TF. Erik apparently has committed most of his remaining CAs to this venture.

I hope BB Richelieu TF doesn't stumble into this opponent.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: Wave after wave of strong enemy TFs pummeling much weaker (but nimble) Allied TFs. Thus far the Allies have lost five DDs. Japan hasn't lost anything DD or larger.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: Allied defense in depth tested by small fry that deplete ammo bunkers.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: Gutsy, crazy or unlucky USN DD depleted some enemy TF ammo.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: The supply of Fletchers is limited, so the Allied defense-in-depth includes other classes and nationalities. This cobbled-together TF performs fairly well.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: But the Allies have now lost six DDs (and a seventh seems likely). The Japanese still haven't lost anything larger than a PB.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: This means something. Erik is aggressive and clever in sub doctrine, but he's lost a tremendous number since the Siege of Shikuka opened on 9/1/44.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: Allied subs are patrolling too, but miss an opening salvo.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: Nothing bigger than an I-boat, E-boat, or PB to this point.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: Allied DDs thwart the powerful IJN CA TF. For reasons unknown, two enemy CAs have detached from this TF.

The first IJN DD goes down, with a second in bad shape. This action followed an announcement that USN DD Sumner went down. At this point, the score is 7 USN DDs sunk; one IJN DD.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: This looks interesting. Powerful (but ammo-depleted) enemy combat TF vs. less powerful, ammo-full, but bombardment-tasked TF.

[Canoerebel]

12/26/44

L+5: Allies lose their first CA; Japan loses three DD with three more in a bad way; and the Yamato TF must be about defenseless, at this point. I hope the BC Renown TF can catch her now!

Running Score: Allies have lost one CA and 7 DDs; Japan has lost at least 4 DDs.