KDonovan vs Miller41 Scenario 13-Nik Mod 5.0 (Allies)

[Rob Brennan UK]

Its funny how a game so totally differant to my game vs miller starting in dec 41 can work out [;)]

swings and roundabouts i guess

[KDonovan]

Lots more action this turn....

May 13th - Big air battle over Burma. 60 planes of the AVG swept into Mandalay today. They were met by 43 Japanese fighters comprising of a mixed bag of Zero's,Oscar's, and Nate's. The fighter battle that ensued resulted in the downing of 9 Nate's to 4 of my P40B's (not quite sure if thats a fiar trade). The follow up bomber strike on Mandalay faired a little better blowing an Oscar and Nate out of the sky, and taking out 1 Zero, 1 Sally, and 1 Babs on the ground. Only 2 Hurricanes were lost to fighter's. Over in New Guinea...38 B17's roared over Rabaul to attack port installations. The were met by 38 fighters on CAP, but easily swatted them away, downing 1 Zero and 1 Rufe in the process. The strike then hit 1 AK, 2 AP's, and 1 PG in the harbor setting them all ablaze. Lastly, in China, there were some more Japanese "training" mission causing little damage. Here's the intel from the Rabaul strike



May 14th - In Burma...my P40B's returned (only 46 this time) to Mandalay. They knocked 3 Zero's and 2 Oscar's out of the sky, losing 10 P40's in the process (2:1 losses are still good at this point in the game...but it still makes me cringe). The follow-up bomber strike caused little damage. In New Guinea, my B17's returned (only 19 this time) to Rabual. Once again my bomber's easily got through the CAP to attack the harbor, hitting the CL Tatsuta, destroying a 5.5in gun mount with a deck penetration hit. Finally in China, more of the same

Plan - 1) In Inda the CV Illustrious arrived, bringing the total amount of carriers in the region to two. May have to plan a nuisance raid in the near future. 2) still no sign of KB, therefore proceeding with caution in the South Pacific. 1/2 of the shipping at Rabaul moved out, probable in response to my B17 raids, doubt anything is up. Another surface TF is formed near Koumac comprising of 3 CA's and several DD's. TF will proceed to Lunga for possible bombardment mission. Meanwhile the CA Australia surface group out of Cairns will still proceed to shortlands under the cover of rainfall for a bombardment mission. 3) Now have 4 CV's (Lex,York,Horn,Ent.) in one TF at Koumac, will proceed to Noumea to refuel, then will be deployed as needed

[Rob Brennan UK]

Lovely picture KD !

Raiding with the brits is possible , try and avoid torps though. bombs wont hurt you mind. Also can you upgrade to seafires yet? they are a huge improvement over the fulmars.

Also one thing to keep in mind is the number of P40 airframes you have. while killing japs at 1-2 isnt great imo i can almost guarantee you'll run out of fighter aircraft ( apart from P39's) pretty fast. hurricanes have a good production number too especially when compared to P40's.

as for the AVG killing nates at 2-1 .. thats fine as your probably killing some very experienced pilots or your losses would have been far better [;)]

good luck

[Nikademus]

At least the Nates are fighting over their own base though. That increases the chance for pilot survival. Still, it is a concern. The Japanese historically withdrew all their Nate-equipped fighter Sentais from Burma to Japan in order to re-equip with Oscars. They realized they needed to get rid of the obsolete planes.

[KDonovan]

Lovely picture KD !

Thanks...amazing what boredom makes you do..[:D]

Raiding with the brits is possible , try and avoid torps though. bombs wont hurt you mind. Also can you upgrade to seafires yet? they are a huge improvement over the fulmars.

Actually in Nik's mod, the carrier's start out with Martlet's..which are British F4F's, still no match for Zero's, but at least they aren't fulmars. Regarding Seafire's...they won't be available to me until June 42...and even then it will probably take a month to fill out my squadrens, by then Churchill may want a CV back . So i'm thinking of doing a little raid some where on the southern coast of Java while i still have these 2 carriers.

Also one thing to keep in mind is the number of P40 airframes you have. while killing japs at 1-2 isnt great imo i can almost guarantee you'll run out of fighter aircraft ( apart from P39's) pretty fast. hurricanes have a good production number too especially when compared to P40's.

Yeah those P40 airframes are definitely lacking, in my last game it took me forever to rebuild my AVG after it got down to 40 planes. I'll have to be more careful this time..and use my Hurricanes as you said

as for the AVG killing nates at 2-1 .. thats fine as your probably killing some very experienced pilots or your losses would have been far better

i hope you are right...don't like losing my P40's to fixed landing gear fighters

Thanks for reading

[KDonovan]

At least the Nates are fighting over their own base though. That increases the chance for pilot survival. Still, it is a concern. The Japanese historically withdrew all their Nate-equipped fighter Sentais from Burma to Japan in order to re-equip with Oscars. They realized they needed to get rid of the obsolete planes.

Yeah...having to fight with Nates this "late" was actually one of the major items that Miller was concerned about when I proposed playing this Scenario. Most player's don't have any Nate's at this point in the game left, but he's got quite a few in this scenario, plus he stated that production was really "screwed up" because at this point the Japanese were still producing 70 nates per month

[Nikademus]

The good news is that Ki-43 production is high enough that you can swap them out fairly quickly. keep in mind that the Japanese did not begin this refitting process in RL until around June of 42. Burma in RL remained a sleepy region through much of 42 after the retreat was completed allowing both sides to re-tool. It also allowed the Japanese to retool further with the much improved Ki-43-II to which they used to good measure in 43 on this front.

Players of course, tend to be much more aggressive minded [;)]

[KDonovan]

May 15th - Air-raids sirens blasting this morning over PM as the Japanese sent in a 100 Betty bomber raid. Lucky for me (and unlucky for Miller) he only sent 12 Zero's for escort duty. The Zero's were outnumbered more than 3:1...thereby allowing my fighters to get through to the bombers, shooting down 17 Bettys!. 1 more Betty was lost to flak. Big victory for me, considering i only lost 2 Kittyhawks, and airfield damage was minimal. Elsewhere in the world, nothing happen except more Japanese "training" missions in China.

May 16th - Lucky for Miller (and unlucky for me) the Japanese bomber raid over PM was cancelled due to rain. Actually all air missions this turn were cancelled due to bad weather, so nothing major happened

Plan - Operation GOAL POST is underway, slated for the night of May 17th. The goal of the operation is to disrupt Japanese forces in the Solomens at the Western and Eastern end simultaneously. On that night an Australian lead CA-TF will approach Shortlands Harbor and bombard shipping there, then retire to the south. At the same time a USN lead CA-TF will approach Lunga and bombard the airbase there that's being built. Ships invovled are as follows:

Australian TF (to bombard Shortlands)
- CA Australia - flagship
- CA Chicago
- CL Hobart
- CL Enterprise
- DD Farragut
- DD Walke
- DD Dale
- DD Worden

USN TF (to bombard Lunga)
- CA Portland - flagship
- CA Salt Lake City
- CA Chester
- DD Meredith
- DD Sims
- DD Mustin
- DD Russell
- DD Hammann

The weathermen report thunderstorms over the next few days, therefore chance of air-attack from Rabaul is decreased. Mission is deamed high probability of success

[KDonovan]

May 17th and 18th - besides the best of planning Operation GOALPOST wasn't the success i had hoped it would be. 1st the Australian CA TF came under heavy counter battery fire from 5.5in CD weapons at Shortlands. The japs lost 300 men and 13 guns in the engagement, but in return the CA Chicago lost two 20mm mounts, and a radar set. The CL Hobart lost it's radar set and the CL Enterprise lost it's 6in rear gun mount to a direct hit. None of the hits pierced below the water line...so all ships will make it back to Sydney for repairs. 2nd the USN CA TF was held up by storms and failed to bombard Lunga that night, instead having to wait for the 2nd night (May 18th), in which the CA Salt Lake City got loss in a rain squall and failed to participate in the mission. In the end only minor damage was done to Lunga.

Plan - a few TF's have sortied from Rabual last turn, but none of them heading directly south...looks as if they are heading to Lae. However, intel reported the 21st Mixed Bde is loaded on a AP and moving to PM along with the Sasebo 7th SNLF. So it looks like the Japs plan to make a move to PM. There is still no sign of the KB, but its to be assumed it will participate in the landings, along with heavy BB support. The question is..how much of the KB is going to show up. Its unlikely that it will be only the Shokaku, Zuikaku, and Shoho as it was historically, as i'm sure Miller has taken a lesson from history.

In response to this move on PM, i've swapped out my B17's at PM as i don't need their range anymore, plus the size 4 airfield was limiting their loads outs, and instead i've replaced them with B26's. I've moved the B17's to cooktown (size 5 AF) along with 2 more groups of B17's from SOPAC. B25's are already stationed there, since there extended range alows them to reach PM. Also a group of MkBeuafighters have been provided as long range escort.

The situation currently on PM is serious. Only 5000 supply points are available for my 24,000 troops stationed there. Fort level is only up to Lvl 4..and will have to stay there as it cost to much supply. 8000 supply is moving up the coast of Australia, but won't arrive until the 28th of May. Currently there's only 240 mines at PM, due to inadequate mining assests in the thearte. 3 PT's boats currently based there will move to Thursday Is. to avoid possible pre-invasion bombardment

My carriers have departed Noumea (4 of them) in response to the move on PM, they will take up positions south of Lunga for a possible diversionary strike on Lunga to bring KB out to play, leaving his transports to deal with my LBA's.

Here's the screen shot



Also eslewhere intel reported radio transmissions NE of Marcus island, probably just a Sub, put can't discount possible move on Midway. Therefore small Surface TF lead by the BB Idaho is going sortie towards Frech Frigate Shoals

[Rob Brennan UK]

Good to see lots of beauforts at PM .. they scare BB's [:D].

Can you get any dakotas into australia fast? , as i think you will need them to haul in supply to PM .. if you have to, bombers can do it too, but if PM is below size 5 the 4E will take heavier ops losses/damaged ( i believe) .

No idea where that western moving group could be going ?? as i would use a full KB for any attack on PM so its unlikely to he heading to luganville ?? time will tell no doubt.

Good luck KD

[KDonovan]

Can you get any dakotas into australia fast? , as i think you will need them to haul in supply to PM .. if you have to, bombers can do it too, but if PM is below size 5 the 4E will take heavier ops losses/damaged ( i believe) .

doh...forgot about resupplying by air. Unfortunately i've already sent the 3 squadrens of C-47's that were based in Australia at the beginning, on transports to India. Also since PM is only lvl 4 AF..i want to conserve my B17's for the fight ahead...so i guess i'm screwed supply wise. Only hope is if my 2 AK's loaded with 8K of supply make it in time.

Thanks for the comments

[Nikademus]

if supply is critical, you might want to reduce the number of aircraft a bit too.....they'll eat up your supply as fast as fort building

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: KDonovan

Can you get any dakotas into australia fast? , as i think you will need them to haul in supply to PM .. if you have to, bombers can do it too, but if PM is below size 5 the 4E will take heavier ops losses/damaged ( i believe) .

doh...forgot about resupplying by air. Unfortunately i've already sent the 3 squadrens of C-47's that were based in Australia at the beginning, on transports to India. Also since PM is only lvl 4 AF..i want to conserve my B17's for the fight ahead...so i guess i'm screwed supply wise. Only hope is if my 2 AK's loaded with 8K of supply make it in time.

Thanks for the comments

One side note about this .. supply missions can be flown to 1/2 transfer range ( longer than extended) so you can i think use mitchells and marauders to help fly stuff in. hudsons are good as are some patrol a/c .. catalina ok, sunderland better, coronado great! .. oh and empire flying boats can upgrade to dakotas ( i just found this out ) .. might be useful for you.

[KDonovan]

Major synch issue's this turn...barely anything in the combat txt file Miller sent me, match the combat replay. From what i heard, the results from the combat txt file is the one to go by, which is good, cause the combat replay was a disaster for me [:D]

May 19th - the submarine S-44 spotted the BB Yamashiro in the waterway b/t New Britain and Lae. The captain fired a torpedo, but it missed. The BB's escort then attacked with depth charges, hitting the boat, causing moderate flooding. The sub should make it back to port.

May 20th - Enemy carriers are spotted off the coast of Gili Gili!! The force is estimated to consist of 6 fleet carriers, with escort. Only the Akagi could be ID'd though. Port Moresby then hurled 32 B26's at the fleet (w/o escort) which ran into 75 Zero's. The result was disasterous needless to say. 20 Maruader's were shot down, to only 3 Zero's. None of the force made it through to bomb the carriers. A flight of 13 B26's that got lost on the way, did manage to spot a Japanese convoy, putting 2 500lbs bombs into the PG Koei Maru (founders of the video game P.T.O, my first strategic wargame). At this point the submarine S-37 snuck inside the DD screen and managed to put a torpedo into the side of the CS Chiyoda, causing significant damage. ASW was strong in the area, however, as the submarine S-36 trying to penetrate the DD screen was spotted by a Val, and sunk by a 250kg bomb.

Plan - Miller has split is force into 6 separate TF's it seems, located off the coast of Gili Gili in the same hex. Combining info from the debunked combat replay, and the combat txt file, the carrier force Miller has employed has about 140 Zero's. This is consistant with 6 fleet carriers. The BB's Kirishima and Yamashiro appear to be in the area also. And finally the CA Aoba was spotted. If i had to guess i'd say he split up his CV's into 3 groups of two, that are accompanied by BB bombardment group, a CA covering surface group, and finally a transport TF, accounting for the 6 TF's in the area.

Its plainly obvious that PM is the target. In response i moved in 40 more P40 fighters to PM, bringing the total to around 115 fighters. My goal here is to attrit his Zero's. I expect to loose massive amounts of fighters on CAP next turn to his strikes from KB. But i figure any zeros i take down, the fewer there will be to fly CAP over his carriers. With fewer planes on CAP my land based bombers may be able to hit back. Therefore the B17's and B25's are on high alert at Cooktown. As well as the Beauforts at PM. The B-26's will also be thrown into the fire as fodder, despite the morale of the unit being at a low 25. The only wild card is if the BB bombardment group race's in to rake the airfield, the night before, with 14in shells, in which case i'm f*cked.

Meanwhile me Carriers (4 of them) will launch an air raid on Lunga. This is meant as a diversionary tactic. I hope to draw his CV's away from the main group, inorder to seek engagement against mine. I doubt this will work, but its worth a try. If this fails, a direct CV to CV engagment may be needed at PM to force the issue (depending if my LBA's can inflict any damage to his CV's or airgroups). Clearly though my 4 CV's cannot go straight up against his 6 CV's w/o some help from LBA's..... even in Niks mod.

[KDonovan]

Battle of Coral Sea officially begins (actually it began on the 20th..but now the real action started).

May 21st - the day began with an ASW attack on the submarine I-2 south of Lunga by the DD Phelps and Porter in the wee hours of the morning. 1 major DC hit and 7 minor hits, resulted in an internal explosion heard on sonar. No conformation though on whether the sub sank. Elsewhere the SS Seadragan surfaced to attack a troop transport in the Java Sea, with torps and it's deck gun. As to be expected, the torps failed to detonate upon impact, but since the sub was surfaced it pumped five 4in shells into the transport, setting it ablaze. In the Coral Sea my submarine S-37 struck again. This time it managed to sneak up on the PM invasion TF, slamming a torpedo into a troop transport, setting it ablaze.

When the sun rose that morning all the major Jap TF's in the area were soon spotted, with the BB bombardment group fast approaching PM and the invasion TF 180 miles behind. The Jap carriers were positioned 180 miles to the south in a covering position. With PM and Cooktown on alert, major airstrikes were launched against the Jap carriers. In all 44 bomber's with 22 escort fighters were launched at the jap carriers. 75 zero's on CAP rose to meet the US planes, and devastated the force. 21 of the 22 fighters on escort were swatted from the sky, leaving the bombers defenseless. The zeros moved in on the bombers, but only destroyed 9 of them (thank you armor), but the presence of so many fighters spoiled the aim of the bombers, resulting in no hits on the carriers. The japanese only lost 2 Zero's in the encounter [:@].

While the battle raged out to sea. Things started to heat up near PM. An airstrike from Port Moresby consisting of 28 Beauforts found the BB bombardment group around 2pm local time and scored big time. Four 18in torpedo's launch slammed into the side of the BB Nagato, causing major flooding and setting the BB afire. In return the KB launched an air raid over PM with 117 Zero's!, escorting 12 Kates (Miller must be worried about the presence of my carriers with so little Kates in participation). 64 fighters from PM rose to the challange, needless to say they got decimated, losing 60 planes to the japs. Only 15 zero's were shot down and 5 Kates.

Later that night and into the early morning hours [of May 22nd] 4 BB’s, 3 CA’s, 1 CL, and numerous DD’s showed up off the shores of Port Moresby. The TF opened up with everything it had, destroying 19 planes on the ground and severely damaging the airfield. During the bombardment, however, the CA Takao struck a mine setting it on fire. Around 7am that morning, the Japanese landed 3 SNLF’s attachments on the shore of PM. Counter battery from my field guns failed to score any ships on the landing party, but a AP ran into a mine loaded with troops, causing numerous casualties. Later on that day another strike from Cooktown arrived over the KB. The small strike of 18 bombers and 8 fighters was no match for the 55 Zero’s on CAP, which shot down 6 Beaufighters and 2 B-25’s. No hits were scored.

Plan – during the air search routine, practically every carrier in the Jap arsenal was ID’d. This means my estimate of the 6 CV’s was way off, looks to me like 7 CV’s, 2 CVL;s, and 1 CVE. With this force there’s no way my carriers can fight them. As a result I’ve ordered them out of the south pacific towards pearl harbor. On the way, I’ve planned a raid on the Apamama (sp?) Island, just to give my pilots some training. In conjunction with the air strike, I’ll also send a bombardment force out of Canton Is. (lead by the CA Vincennes) to shell Tarawa.

With Port Moresby a wreck, all the undamaged planes are being evac’d to Cairns. My 3 PT boats stationed at Thursday Is. will be sent to PM to engage the invasion TF there. With only 3 SNLF attachments landed, Miller will need lots more troops to take the place. Knowing that several invasion TF’s have been ID’d approaching PM. These probably make up the forthcoming Japanese waves of troops. So my B17’s will get plenty of more targets (to miss).

Elsewhere, no major operations are being planned. So here’s the current situation map of the Coral Sea area

[KDonovan]

More action today, entering the 4th and 5th day of the Battle for Port Morseby (as its officially being called due to the abscence of my naval forces in the battle).

May 23rd - in the early morning hours, before daylight, the Japanese continued to unload troops and supplies of the 3 SNLF attachments on the PM beaches. However, my mines continued to be an annoyance to the Japanese as the DD Oshio struck a Mk16 mine near shore. I'm sure Miller is regretting not bringing any MSW forces with him [:-]. To make matters worse for the Japanese invasion TF, my PT boats struck at about the same time. With the DD Oshio ablaze from the previous mine hit, it made for an easy target for my PT boats. PT-43 zero'd in on the Oshio and raked it with 50 cal. fire and slammed 2 torpedos into the ship, instantly sinking the DD. The PT boat then turn its attention to the AP Kirishima Maru, raking the transport with 20mm gunfire, knocking out a 3in gun mount. Unfortanely the other 3in gun mount found its range on the PT boat, scoring 8 hits, and sinking PT-43. At this point, while PT-42 moved in to rescue survivors, the PT boat encountered the destroyer Arare. A running battle ensued in which PT-42 scored several 50 cal hits on the DD, causing it to break off. PT-42 and PT-40 then moved off towards Thrusday Is. after the succesful raid.

The rest of the day saw a bomber raid from Cooktown on the KB, that resulting in no air losses on either side, and not hits on any ships.

May 24th - The Japanese continued to bring troops and supplies on the shore of PM, but once again, my mines proved to be a problem for Miller. This time it was the AP Kirishima Maru (the ship that sunk PT-43) that struck a mine, causing serious damage. In the morning, the Bombardment TF returned to shell the airfield at PM. 8 more planes were destroyed on the ground and major damage was done to airforce installations. That same morning my S-boats struck again!!! (3rd time in 3 days). This time S-41 had the BB Kongo in its sights, putting a torpedo into the starbord side, causing some flooding.

In the afternoon landbased bombers totaling 99 Bettys struck PM from Rabaul. Flying at 23,000ft to avoid flak, only 1 runway hit was scored, and my gunners got lucky and downed 1 Betty. My landbased bombers from Cooktown returned the favor by striking at the 2nd Japanese invasion TF moving up the NG coast, scoring 1 hit each on 2 AP's. Cooktown followed up this strike with another one on KB, with 25 bombers. Only 9 Zeros were on CAP [&:], so my bombers easily got through, but despite this no hits were scored [:@].

Elsewhere on this day, a succesfull airstrike on Apamama Is. by my carrier plans seriously damaged port facilities there (as if there were any with lvl 1 port). Also my CA bombardment group caused moderate damage to Tarawa's port and airfield facilities.

Finally, the Gunboat Koei Maru sank today the result of two 500lbs bomb hits from B-26's 4 days ago

Plan - Nothing much in the works around PM. First, my PT-boats are retreating to Darwin. Second, 8 more S-boats have been ordered to the area to interdict shipping. Lastly, the the aircraft withdrawl from PM continues. Thats about it.

Elsewhere, 1) I've formed a new British carrier force comprising of 2 CV's (Formidable and Illustrious) and plan on a strike on one of the DEI base's down the road 2) A bombardment TF is on its way to Wake Is. to cause some trouble

[Rob Brennan UK]

Great picture again ! . where do you find them ?

and no MSW in the invasion tf oops miller (slaps wrist) .. easy mistake to make though.

and only 3 SNLF ? can you beat them back ? and hows the airlift coming along ? you can always try to pull troops out in an emergency too.

[KDonovan]

Great picture again ! . where do you find them ?

Thanks...i just googled "PT Boats" and set the search to images, google has a great resource database for such things

and no MSW in the invasion tf oops miller (slaps wrist) .. easy mistake to make though.

Yeah, so far thats the only thing he didn't plan well in this invasion...everything else looks well planned.

and only 3 SNLF ? can you beat them back ? and hows the airlift coming along ? you can always try to pull troops out in an emergency too.

I could beat the 3 SNLF's back, but with only 2000 supply left, it would waste to much supply to do that. He's gotta a couple of follow up invasion TF's also, including one with the 21st Mixed Bde, so even if i did drive 3 SNLF's into the sea, i would have no supply left to fight that force. So i figure its better to sit behind my defensive fortifications and delay the inevitable by conserving as much supply as possible. Regarding the airlift..its not going so well (actually its not going at all). Most my C-47's are either in India or half way to India on transports. The Empire group in Australia can't be upgraded to Dakota's yet as i don't have enough of them in stock. I do have 3 Marine C-47 squadrens that are about to land at PH (came from WC). So as soon as they are repaired (from the unloading process) they will be sent to Cooktown, to attempt an emergency airlift out of the 30th Aus Bde. I just hope PM can hold that long

PS: heard about your Leader bug issue in your game, tough break...hope you and miller found a way around it

[Rob Brennan UK]

what about using the bombers as air transports ? i know its exciting to use them as anti surface but maybe the supply they can bring in would be worth a lot more strageically.

[KDonovan]

Mines rule! [:D]

May 25th - today, the submarine S-38 stationed off rabual, spotted 6 MSW's leaving the harbor on there way to PM. Wish i had some forces in the area to take them out, but i'll guess i'll have to let Miller clean up the rest of the mine's at PM. The Japanese landed 2 Brigades at PM to reinforce the 3 SNLF's there already. However, it wasn't a smooth operation with my mines in the way. An APD and an AK both struck a mine. Other than that, nothing else happen with rain storms scattered across the whole pacific preventing any major air ops.

May 26th - my mine's were in action once again today. This time they struck the very same APD from yesterday, causing it to break in 2 and sink, and later my mines struck another AK. So far i believe thats something like 7 mine hits thus far in the Port Moresby campaign. My S-boats were also back in action today, but failed to achieve any hits. The S-41 fired a torp at the DD Michishio, but miss, and was chased out of the area by DC's, which cause moderate flooding damage...should be able to make it back to port Lastly for today, 21 B-17's took off to attack the BB Haruna and 2 CA's but failed to score any hits.

Plan - as per Rob's suggestion, i've decided to forgoe the bombing campaign against enemy shipping in the area and instead concentrate on supply transport to my beligured troops at PM (bombers weren't hitting anything anyways). The operation will be dubed BROAD RUN. I've stationed 180 bombers at Cooktown, including A-20s, B-26s, B-25s, B17s, and Beauforts, to carry out the airlift. 48 C47's will be there in 2 weeks. The only weak point in the mission is the lack of defense's at cooktown. Currently theres only an aviation rgt, so one big airstrike or bombardment and my planes are screwed. To protect against an airstrike i've stationed about 100 fighters there, but not sure if they can hold up to a mass KB attack. I'm just hopping Miller is too timid not to use the his KB for an airstrike, due to the increased capabilities of the AA in niks mod. No protection against a bombardment group...so i just have to pray.

Elsewhere my bombardment TF from Midway should arrive off Wake Is. next turn to knock out airfield facilities...best of luck to them. And the 2nd USMC Div just landed at Canton Is. boasting the islands defense's greatly. 1st USMC Div will arive there in less than 2 weeks.