I noticed several TFs in and out Lunga but nothing at Milne Bay, therefore I wanted to try a coup de main because I thought it was not reinforced.
To achieve more surprise and don't risk my precious transports I used DD/CA in fast transport, in the first way only two SNLF units reached the target but I quickly discovered that this kind of amphibious mission put lot of squads in disable status.
Anyhow my attack has been launched just in time because I intercepted an enemy transport TF full of troops heading to Milne Bay, around 3500 casualties (110+ squads, 60+ non combat and 32 guns, maybe a regiment) with 5 xAP, 3 AM and CL Leander sunk.
BB Yamato and BB Hiei plus several CA/CL/DD made a night bombardment just before the enemy land force launched a ground attack that end very badly: 860 enemy casulaties against 60 Japanese.
Both tried to reinforce the land forces, I have been able to unload another 2 SNLF units in Fast Trasport again (no time for AP) whereas my Betty intercepted two enemy convoys, 8 xAP, 4x AM and DD Arunta sunk for a whopping 10300 casulaties.
After three attacks the base fallen in Japanese hands, 7th Australian Brigade and 101st RAAF Base Force retreated in an adjacent hex.
During these days several battles have been fought in the skies, both side lost 30-40 aircrafts.
Buna/Tassafaronga
B-17 are visiting these base almost every day and I'm in critical supply situation, I need to feed these guys shortly.
SS Warfare
A PC has been torpedoed (maybe ASW TF with only one ship are not good).
SS I-2 sunk for a major flooding aboard, first SS lost by Allied ASW.
Other SS damaged, I left that sea zone between Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo.
Anyhow we got the following ships:
DD Laffey
DD Warramunga
DD Frazier
Reinforcements
Maizuru 4th SNLF arrives at Truk
CS Nisshin arrives at Truk
DD Ariake arrives at Truk
DD Akatsuki arrives at Truk
Chitose-1 Chutai arrives at Shortlands
Chitose-2 Daitai arrives at Shortlands
Kamikawa-1 Chutai arrives at Shortlands
Kamikawa-2 Daitai arrives at Shortlands
Sanyo-1 Chutai arrives at Shortlands
Sanyo-2 Chutai arrives at Shortlands
Sanuki-1 Chutai arrives at Shortlands
BB Kongo arrives at Truk
BB Haruna arrives at Truk
AV Sanuki Maru arrives at Truk
DD Yugure arrives at Truk
DD Mochizuki arrives at Truk
129th JNAF AF Unit arrives at Truk (rebuilt)
14th Naval Construction Battalion arrives at Truk (rebuilt)
Overall situation:
