Intellectus Ex Nihilo (Wal-Mart on Ice)

[Canoerebel]

1/28/44

New Guinea Region: Allied paratroops take Wewak even as Dave lands a rapid-reaction force at Manus. The landing is unprepped and his units show a 0 AV. My guys are weak too. So this hangs in the balance, but I'm moving to address that (and Dave may be too).

No sign of KB, with the possible exception of a TF coming down from Truk. But a nearby YMS TF doesn't report detection, so probably no enemy carriers nearby. To be on the safe side, and to not risk an all-out engagement right in the shadow of his big airfield at Rabaul, DS & The Herd will change direction, moving west towards Buna. From there, I'll consider moving in strength to strongly garrison Manus, Wewak, Aitape, etc. Unless KB shows up, of course.

[RangerJoe]

DDs going to Manus byway of Rabaul to see if there are mines remind me of a Polish mine detection system . . .

[Canoerebel]

It's a solo DD - Nestor - and I want to know if there are mines in place. I think Dave has been busy defending further forward and may be unprepped at Rabaul. Maybe.

[Canoerebel]

1/29/43

New Britain: The turn opens with small Allied DD TFs in action. More importantly, Nestor steams right past Rabaul without encountering mines, CD guns, or enemy war vessels.

[Canoerebel]

1/29/44

DD Nestor: She continues to harass the enemy.

[Canoerebel]

1/29/44

Manus: Two Fletchers take on the amphibious TF that dropped troops here yesterday. The DDs went by the western tip of New Britain, without incident, giving me more good info.

[Canoerebel]

1/29/44

Near Rabaul: Enemy aircraft repeatedly target the little Allied combat TFs on patrol at and near Rabaul. Badger takes these two hits and Cogswell later takes four.

[RangerJoe]

Edited upon request.

[Canoerebel]

Don't post things like that in here, right at the pause before the big plunge! (I think that's a quote from The Lord of the Rings.)

Dave has a host of subs seeking DS. That thought is never absent.

P.S. Both those Fletchers sank. It was worth it, though, to create so much activity right in the heart of things.

[Canoerebel]

1/30/44

Solomon Sea Region: Things are off to a promising start (tempered always by knowledge that awful things can suddenly beset me). It appears that Dave is evacuating Lunga. That's helpful. Meanwhile, the greenlight is given for the invasion of Rabaul.

[BBfanboy]

Exciting situation! Luck!

[CaptBeefheart]

Very interesting. Manus undefended? Wow. That was historically a huge base for the Allies. You are proving that fortune favors the bold.

Best of luck!

Cheers,
CB

[Canoerebel]

1/30/44 and 1/31/44

Rabaul: On the 30th, DS & The Herd approach to within a hex of Rabaul without incident. No sign of KB anywhere. Nevertheless, there's the usual flutter of nerves as the order is given to proceed with the invasion. On the 31st, the landings go well....and KB is sighted moving down New Guinea's "east" coast. This was the plan. Although a big carrier battle is very risky, given the 1:1 OOB and proximity of LBA, it opens up opportunities elsewhere. This should be a decisive moment.

If it turns into a stare-down, with KB in the Bismarck Sea to protect Rabaul and Manus, and DS in the Solomon Sea protecting itself, then the Allies should have opportunities to move in three areas - one for certain, the other two depending on where KB ends up over the next week or so.

If the Allies win a decisive battle or materially reduce KB through sub strikes (unlikely), Allied troops and ships are positioned to proceed with major invasions in two other key areas.

If the Japanese win a decisive battle or materially reduce DS through sub strikes (gulp), then things'll become dicey and the Solomon Sea region very interesting.

[Canoerebel]

Amidst all the hustle and bustle, I somehow managed to load a B-25 squadron aboard an LST. That ship was sitting at Rabaul, hoping to unload, when I noticed the snafu. The game gives players plenty of opportunities to misclick in a variety of humorous ways, just like typos in an AAR.

[Canoerebel]

The next turn is just in from Dave. It looks violent and complicated. I'll post as I run the turn.

[Canoerebel]

2/1/44

Battle of Rabaul: An enemy combat TF engages BB South Dakota TF before she can bombard. The action is sharp but not decisive. I realize I made a mistake - I gave recall orders for all the combat TFs at Rabaul on D-Day. I should have sent a few forward a hex or two, then allowed them to retire, so that they might handle incoming enemy combat vessels.

[Canoerebel]

2/1/44

Battle of Rabaul: A fresh and powerful enemy TF closes. Damaged Allied CAs have already detached. Ammo will be an issue. Enemy subs and LBA will pose grave threats to damaged ships retiring at reduced speed. Yuck.

[Canoerebel]

2/1/44

Battle of Rabaul: Mutsu TF finds the damaged CA TF and engages. Neither side scores a hit. Ammo must be low.

[Canoerebel]

2/1/44

Battle of Rabaul: Re-engagement. The CAs are out of ammo.

[Canoerebel]

2/1/44

Battle of Rabaul: South Dakota TF still has some ammo and does good work here...in the daylight. The TF is lingering and enemy LBA will come. Arg.