Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A 2 day update.

Most of the action has once more focussed on the Aleutians and Attu in particular. My PT squadron has performed magnificently. On the 29th they ravaged an AK convoy boldly trying to pick up the desparate weary Japanese survivors on Attu. 2 AK's were sunk outright and a further 4 heavily damaged.

Fabertong was clearly outraged at this fact and sent in a small combat group to deal with them:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Attu Island at 92,34

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Harukaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-83
PT PT-84
PT PT-115
PT PT-116, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT PT-118, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Over the next 2 hours all but 2 of my brave boats were blown to pieces!

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The remaining Japanese on Attu appear to hbe running out of food. They have fought bravely but are losing their will to fight:

Ground combat at Attu Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26087 troops, 237 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2952 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 50 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
154 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported

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Sub War:

1. Catalina's had found a few I-Boats patrolling in the waters north of Adak Island. 5 DD's were despatched from Dutch to hunt for the gits. They found I-36! This scum hit CV Yorktown and sealed her fate. As such I decided to seal it's fate:

ASW attack at 96,34

Japanese Ships
SS I-36, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Smith
DD Perkins
DD Drayton
DD Fanning
DD Stack

2. SS Whale patrolling NW of Okinawa found a TK escorted by a lone minesweeper. Easily evading the escort she lined herself up for a stern shot and let 4 fish loose......all missed[:-]

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The rest of the war:

1. China - Fabertong has admitted he thinks he won't conquer China now and is impressed with my liquid defense at both Kweiyang and Chungking. He appears to be moving 12 units from Chungking to Kweiyang. As such 8 Corps are moving from Chungking to Kweiyang to bolster the defences.

2. Burma - The usual bombing by me on Myitkyina. The number of enemy troops is slowly falling from 174,800 2 weeks ago to 173,900 now. The number of guns has fallen by 20 to 1705.

3. South Pacific - Cooktown based heavies visit PM, Lae, Buna and Gili Gili keeping all the places holed to bits.

- Fiji Brigade was transported to Nanomea Atoll for the future invasion of the Gilberts. 1000's of tonnes of fuel and supply are en route to both Baker Island and Nanomea Atoll along with 2 more EAB's.

[Terminus]

Very cool to see something other than the South Pacific for a change![8D]

[Speedysteve]

Thanks T [8D]

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My 2 remaining PT's have fought like Gods. Experience is looking good now. High 60's for both day and night for these boys. I am going to give the crew medals for sure. Look at what they did during the night of the 30th:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Attu Island at 92,34

Japanese Ships
AK Ussuri Maru
AK Yahiko Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Yamazato Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Yasukawa Maru

Allied Ships
PT PT-83
PT PT-84

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

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SS S-45 patrolling 120 miles west of Attu found a retreating AK but failed ot hit it![:-]

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In the day SBD's from Attu hit a loaded AK 60 miles NW of Attu:

Day Air attack on TF at 91,33


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD Dauntless x 2
P-38G Lightning x 13


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Ussuri Maru, Bomb hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

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In Burma the first sweep over Mandalay was carried out by Lightnings of the 23rd FG. The fight was vicious with the Japanese just edging it. I lost 14 P38's vs 12 A6M's, Tony's and Tojo's.

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In China Faber is getting desparate and is bombing the resources at Kunming [:@]

His men swarmed across the river into the defences at Chungking today and were heavily repulsed:

Ground combat at Chungking

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 279984 troops, 3088 guns, 476 vehicles

Defending force 207109 troops, 267 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 7)


Japanese ground losses:
16045 casualties reported
Guns lost 855
Vehicles lost 66

Allied ground losses:
1445 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

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Attu is now clear of enemy troops [8D]. The last remnants of the Base Force were captured today. I think Faber has done a good job in evac'ing them, and probably about 80% of his men stranded on the island were rescued:

Ground combat at Attu Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26508 troops, 243 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 347 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
186 casualties reported

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Into 43!

I'm getting some cool aircraft this month:

Boomerang's
Liberator VI
PBY's
FM2's
Beaufighters

[8D][8D][8D][8D]

[rtrapasso]

courtesy of The Thread:

[Speedysteve]

LOL Robert. Thanks [:D]

Today was a fun day!

Firstly, it was great to watch the replacement pools of my new aircraft start to grow [8D]

Secondly, we had a furball over Myitkyina, Burma. I wondered if Faber would try and CAP it today so I set the 23rd FG to sweep the skies clear before my bombers were due over at midday. I guessed right. 50 Lightnings met 63 Tony's and the air was a spetcacle of aerobatics and smoking engines. 9 Lightnings were lost but my boys shot down 27 enemy planes [8D]

The bombing raids still met some CAP and losses were sustained on both sides (see screenshot below).

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I'm concerned for China once more. What with him bombing the resources at Kunming = supply is falling at Kweiyang and the sheer number of units he has outside Chungking = less certain of a successful defence.

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In the Aleutians the Shoestring airforce on Attu achieved a success today. The 6 operational SBD's flew to a suspected target 60 miles SW of Attu. They found 2 x AK's moving slowly to the west. The dive bombers screamed seawards and 1 managed to land a 1000lber straight through the thin skin of AK Ussuri Maru. LCU casualties were reported.

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I have a plan forming for the Aleutians Phase 2 which I will mention in due course. It should kick off within 10-14 days all being well.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Another day in the war passes.

After the shenanigans over Myitkyina yesterday the IJA is completely absent from the sky. Just the drone of 100's of Allied planes fills the sky over Myitkyina. Interestingly our piltos also spotted an IJA 'Division' sized unit heading west OUT of Myitkyina. Wouldn't surprise me if Faber will try and move into China fromn Lashio too now.

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China itself is becoming more and more of a concern.The units that I thought were leaving Chungking bound for Kweiyang are moving back in. As such my units heading for Kweiyang are moving back into Chungking.

Kweiyang is doomed as far as I see it. Supply has dropped from 11,000 to 8,000 in a week! I'm tempted to move back from Kweiyang to Kunming. Does anyone know if Kunming receives urban defence bonusand Kweiyang doesn't?

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Attu's SBD's struck out again today hitting an AK moving towards Kiska Island. Our fighters danced a merry dance - 13 x Lightnings + 2 x F4F's vs 13 x Tojo's and 15 x Tony's. We lost 2 Lightnings but downed a Tony.
Radio interception also picked up that an AK hit by my PT's a few days ago settled into the icy waters around Kiska.....

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***Aleutians Operation. Phase 2. Codename: Northwind***

Here is the plan that has been formulated by myself and my Chiefs of Staff:

1. Operation Northwind will involve 2 stages.

Stage 1 = the reinforcement of Attu with 1000's of tonnes of supply and fuel (ships already loaded at Dutch Harbour). Also the 141st Aviation Rgt wil be shipped in as will the engineer vehicles of an EAB already at Attu.

This will make Attu fully up and running. When it is 4 more squadron's of planes will be flown in - 1 x TBF, 1 x Wellington, 1 x Kittyhawk AND MY FIRST CORSAIR SQUADRON DUE IN 12 DAYS

On the return leg some of the combat units at Attu will be withdrawn back to the US for R & R.

Stage 2 = The subjugation of Kiska Island by air and sea elements. For this Attu will be crucial as a fuel and ammo store for my LBA and my CV's/SC groups hich will help to subjugate the place. Also If the IJN intervenes the LBA and CV's will attempt to attrite his forces further. AT THIS STAGE I AM NOT GOING TO INVADE KISKA. I WILL MERELY SUPRESS IT AND KEEP IT SURPRESSED UNTIL PROBABLY 2-3 MONTHS TIME WHEN LCU'S HAVE REORGANISED AND ARE READY TO ASSAULT.

2. Force composition as follows:

3 x CV TF:

1. Lexington/Saratoga

2. Hornet/Wasp

3. (TO ARRIVE IN THEATRE SOON) Essex/CVE's: Chenango/Suwannee/Sangamon

2 x BB's SC TF's.

1 x AK/TK convoy

1 x AP convoy.

3. Timescale:

We're looking at about a 10-14 day timescale for jump off I would think. CV Essex arrives in 3 days time. The CVE's will leave San Fran tomorrow for Dutch Harbour since they are slower than CV Essex.

I have the necessary escorts for CV3 since the escots from the Yorktown TF are now free = BB Washington + CA/CLAA + DD's.

I am also receiving 3-4 new cruisers in San Fran very soon.

--------------------------

IF YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THE OPERATION LET ME KNOW.

[Capt. Harlock]

IF YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THE OPERATION LET ME KNOW.

You might want to use a single surface combat TF: The IJN has both Yamato and Mushashi active, and if you run into those boys you're going to need all the help you can get.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Capt. Harlock - A good point. He does have a lot of his heavies up there.For example on the 5th Musashi, Fuso, Yamashiro and Hyuga hit Attu (causing little damage). At present I have 4 x BB's in 1 SC TF and 3 x BB in the other. These are all older types except Indiana which is in the 3 x BB TF. Don't you think this would be enough?

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A 3 day update guys due to time constraints and the calm before the next storm when Northwind hits home!

Burma has seen the usual tit for tat engagments over Myitkyina with Faber sending in 10-15 x Tony's as CAP on 1 day with nothing on the other 2.

China - I have decided to WITHDRAW from Kweiyang back to Kunming. It was a death trap. My supplies are down to 6000 and what use would my men be soon?!?

Sub War - Gone fairly well. SS Pogy sank a PC deep in the seas off Marcus Island. SS Kingfish sank an AK north of Pagan. SS Whale hit an empty AP NW of Okinawa. SS Scamp hit the AK Kyusyu Maru with 4 shells and 2 fish today. Finally an ASW TF found an I-boat north of Adak Island, Aleutians and sank her.

Northwind -3 x CVE's left San Francisco on the 3rd bound for Dutch Harbour and today CV Essex was launcghed and set sail immediately with escorts bound for Dutch Harbour.

Regards,

Steven

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Preparations continue for Operation Northwind. CV Essex + the 3 x CVE's continue to head for Dutch Harbour. Also men and equipment of the 131st Aviation Regiment were ordered to load up on transports in preparation for departure to Attu.

At Attu itself 3 squadrons of planes flew in from Dutch Harbour to sterngthen my postion. A squadron of Canadian Kitthawks will provide CAP and escort but the main and important additions were a Candian Beaufort squadron and a US TBF squadron. Now I have torpdeo carrying planes on the Island and his BB's bombardment groups/SC TF's are at last at risk from Attu itself [8D]

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Talking of Attu. An anti-shipping strike was launched at Japanese ships at Kiska. 16 x P38's and 7 x F4F's escorted 12 x SBD's. The Japanese had 25 Tony aircraft on CAP. My boys did well though and shot down 7 confirmed enemy planes for the loss of 2 x F4F, 1 x P38 and 1 x SBD. The SBD's attacked the DD Asanagi and CL Yubari. No hits were recorded.

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SS Tautog patrolling off the NE coast of Borneo attacked AK Liverpool Maru with 6 torpedo's......they failed to detonate [:-]

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3 damaged enemy AK's were recorded sunk today. 2 from air raids at Kiska and 1 near Saipan (hit by a US sub over the past week). It all helps [8D]

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Here's Essex steaming up the west coast towards Dutch Harbour.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Today's action focussed almost entirely on the Aleutian area.

Most importantly my TB's have already had success 1 day after arriving in the area. The TBF's were despatched without escort to attack 1 of 2 TF's 300 miles west of Attu:

Day Air attack on TF at 87,34


Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 10
P-38G Lightning x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Maikaze
APD APD-46, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tatsuta

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The Beaufort's attacked one of the most important targets in the Japanese Naval Arsenal, BB Yamato. In 2 separate attacks the beast was hit by torpedo's (2 in total):

Day Air attack on TF at 88,34


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
Kittyhawk I x 8
Beaufort I x 8
P-38G Lightning x 17


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Uranami

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet

WOOOOOOHOOOO [8D]

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The SBD's at Attu attacked the torpedo cruisers Oi and Kitakami 60 nmiles to the SW of Attu:

Day Air attack on TF at 91,35


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 10


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Oi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Kitakami, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

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North of Adak 5 of my DD's were hunting for enemy submarines in preparation for the Northwind Operation when they wwere attacked by Vals and Kates from Kiska. In total 55 enemy planes bombed them throughout the day but only achieved 1 bomb hit on DD Stack. 7 enemy planes were shot down by the intense flak.

Later in the day rather than my men finding a submarine, I-32 found us and put a torpedo into the already lighty damaged DD Stack. The ship settled quickly by the bow and sank......the remaining destroyers found the attacker and sank the git.

[aztez]

I guess BB Yamamoto will now be an "five star hotel for fishes" [:D][:D][:D]

[Capt. Harlock]

For example on the 5th Musashi, Fuso, Yamashiro and Hyuga hit Attu (causing little damage). At present I have 4 x BB's in 1 SC TF and 3 x BB in the other. These are all older types except Indiana which is in the 3 x BB TF. Don't you think this would be enough?

Well, the Musashi would trash the Indiana, and the remaining three Japanese BB's would then have an excellent chance against two older American BB's. If you get a long-range daylight action and can use your radar advantage, you'd be in reasonable shape. If you get a short-range night-time fight and the IJN gets its Long Lances in, youre toast.

My greatest fear, though, was Yamato and Musashi together. That is now unlikely, since Yamato is off to the repair yards, but Aztez is being way overconfident if he expects her to sink from a single torp hit.

[hawker]

I guess BB Yamamoto will now be an "five star hotel for fishes"

One torpedo for Yamato is enough only to scratch paint[;)]

[Speedysteve]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock
Well, the Musashi would trash the Indiana, and the remaining three Japanese BB's would then have an excellent chance against two older American BB's. If you get a long-range daylight action and can use your radar advantage, you'd be in reasonable shape. If you get a short-range night-time fight and the IJN gets its Long Lances in, youre toast.

My greatest fear, though, was Yamato and Musashi together. That is now unlikely, since Yamato is off to the repair yards, but Aztez is being way overconfident if he expects her to sink from a single torp hit.

Some logical points you have made their Capt. Thanks for the your comments. I will think on it before I 'kick-off'.

Yamato - She was hit by 2 torpedo's guys. She won't sink but should be in the yards for a couple of months I think[8D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A further IJN unit sink beneath the waves today.

CL Kitakami was reported blazing bow to stern today as 10 SBD's left the scene reportedly hitting the dead in the water ship with 5 bombs..............

A further CL Kuma was hit by a bomb from a TBF 300 miles west of Attu.

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My convoy at Baker Island unloading vital food, equipment and fuel was attacked by 13 Nells from the Gilbetts today. The 6 x F4F on CAP performed well with Major Foss of VMF 121 shooting down 4 of the gits. Return fire claimed 1 Wildcat and the remaining 9 planes pressed on towards my ships. They focussed on the AVD Chincoteague hitting her with 4 torpedo's. She'll probably sink within the next 24 hours.

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SS Amberjack attacked an empty freighter 120 miles SE of Okinawa but all 4 stern fired fish missed [:-]

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In China my men have evacuated Kweiyang now. Kunming is the last stronghold before China is split in two and mass evacuation to India occurs!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Preparations continue for Northwind. THe CVE TF is probably 2-3 days out of Dutch and the Essex TF 3-4 days out. As soon as they arrive TF's will be re-organised and Northwind will be a goer!

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A couple of pesky ML's were attacked at Kiska today. I figured Faber would try to lay more mines at Kiska for the upcoming Allied assault.

12 torpedo planes were escorted by 35 x fighters. 24 x enemy Tony's were on CAP. My 9 Kittyhawks were ravaged and 5 were quickly shot down. My Lightnings performed well though anbd FO Jennings shot down 4 Tony's in a superb individual display. He became over zealous though and was shot down himself! Luckily a patrolling Catalina saw him and picked him up. One of the Minelayers was blown out of the water. One less pest to encounter in the future.

Day Air attack on TF, near Kiska Island at 92,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
TBF Avenger x 9
Kittyhawk I x 9
Beaufort I x 3
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
ML Ishizaki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML Niizaki, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

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An empty Kweiyang fell to the Japanese today..........

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SS Narwhal patrolling 120 miles WSW off Tori Shima attacked AK Cuba Maru but the torpedo's missed the target [:-]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The calm before the storm continues.............

Faber appears to have left the Kiska area at least for now.....no incoming TF's have been detected for 2 days now. Fine by me.

My CVE's have reached Dutch and Essex will do tomorrow all being well. That means the projected start date for Northwind is 13th January 1943.

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SS Finback scored the lone undersea success today when she intercepted and hit the AK Kuwayama Maru 120 miles ESE of Batan Island with a torpedo. The MSW's escorting her failed to locate my baby [8D]

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Over the past 2 days i've had more time to focus on both China and Burma.

I still think China is doomed. He'll advance on Kunming and Chungking has to hold. IF Kunming holds I have a chance though. Interestingly recon of Lashio shows 6 units there. I had suspected that he may move into China from the west after I detected a division move OUT of Myitkyina. We'll see where these move if anywhere!

As such I have put the following in motion:

7th Armd Bde
70th UK Division
254th Ind Tnk Bde.
1 x Indian Division
HQ Unit

are to move from India through Imphal and onto the rail inbetween Mandalay and Myitkyina. This will either force him to retreat from Myitkyina OR move back from Lashio to prevent me from moving on Mandalay. I have local air superiority to cover my men. This will clearly take a good couple of months of movement.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Orders were given during the night of the 12th to the various 7 TF commanders involved in Northwind. It was a go. The Essex TF was the last component needed. They arrived at just after 11am on 12th. After 12 hours for fueling and readying all was ready!

149 ships were leaving Dutch Harbour at 1am on 13th January 1943. Destination Attu Island.

2 of these TF's contained over 70,000 tonnes of supply and 120,000 tonnes of fuel + base support personnel to keep Attu running.

2 of these TF's contained no less than 7 BB's + support to protect the shipping, engage the enemy and in due course shell the sh*t out of Kiska.

3 of these TF's contained CV's (5 x CV's + 3 x CVE's) to protect the ships from enemy air attack and in due course surpress Kiska and engage any enemy shipping entering the area.........

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During the day of the 12th the Dutch Submarine KXV patrolling the relatively shallow waters near Palembang found an approaching enemy convoy and fired 2 torpedo's at AK Hoeisan Maru. 1 hit amidships before my sub decided to withdraw to the safety of deeper waters. Keep it up [8D]

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The base commander at Attu had ordered the Kittyhawks on station to arm bombs and to try and sweep in low into Kiska to engage enemy barges. Unfortunately he forgot to tell the other fighters on station to provide escort [:-] 4 Kittyhawks were lost to enemy Tony's whilst 1 barge was minorly damaged with 50cal gunfire...........

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Tomorrow the first Corsair squadron arrives at San Diego....the beginning of the end for the Japanese Empire.......[8D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

I THINK we have encountered the Out of Sync issue. Faber was saying that on the 12th I hit and sank 2 x AK's! I only reported hitting 1!!!! He did say maybe it was just the fact he had had a 4th glass of wine though [;)] We're going to keep an eye on it and he's also sending the CR from now on too..........

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My ships continued to move 'silently' towards Attu Island. I don't think they have been spotted yet but in many ways I would be fine if he did see me. I have spotted a couple of I-Boats 120 mils further west of their position also..........

----------------

The first Corsair squadron was formed up in San Diego today. It was immediately freighted up and loaded onto a train for Prince Rupert. From there they will fly to Anchorage and onto the Aleutians......

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Some of my 'new' planes are seeing 'fresh air'......Boomerangs have been moved in to an Aussie squadron. Burma has seen Beau VIC's and Liberator VI's arriving in force to units in Imphal and Myitkyina.

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SS Snook had only reported on station 120 miles east of Formosa on 12th. Today she stumbled onto a small convoy but the surprisngly aqggressive MSW escorts located her and dropped 10's of DC's.......they caused moderate damage to the front of the sub causing some pipes to burst and some small buckling of the exterior. The trip back to PH will be an arduous one...........

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Here's a picture taken from CLAA Oakland looking towards South Dakota. Part of the escort for CV Essex........

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Both an Emily and a Glen were reported over my Attu bound fleets today. The Glen was chased and shot dwon bu the Emily escaped. He knows i'm coming now. Will KB come out to play? I think it's been sitting at Paramushiro for days on end (PBY's always spot a warship filled TF there). It will be interesting if he does. I have the following assets in the region:

5 x CV's
3 x CVE's

Attu:

72 x P38
24 x F4F
16 x Kittyhawk
16 x Beaufort
16 x TBF
32 x SBD

At Dutch (if needed to move to Attu):

24 x Corsair (will be there within 3-4 days)
72 x P38
72 x P40E
36 x F4F
36 x SBD
18 x TBF

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SS Haddo patrolling near the Indochina coast 120 miles away from Camranh Bay spotted a lone transport in the morning. The first 4 torpedo's totally missed! Outraged at this failure 4 more were fired. 1 hit in the stern of the ship leaving it listing and heavily damaged.

SS Narwhal patrolling west of Tori Shima attacked a small defended convoy and hit AP Kamishima Maru with a torpedo causing heavy damage. The escorts flailed about desparately and the experienced crew of DD Shiratsuyu located Narwhal and caused heavy damage by DC attack. It will be touch and go if she makes PH or not.......

4 x AK were reported sunk today by radio intercepts. Most are thought to have been the victims of submarine attacks over recent weeks.

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My small convoy at Baker Island was attacked today by 35 LBA from Tarawa. The 12 Wildcats on patrol shot down 3 Bettiies but the sheer number of enemies meant defence was impossible.

Both a SC and an MSW were blown out of the water and another 2 TK's and an AK were hit by torpedo's. Just another couple of days to unload!

I am very tempted in due course to move both an RCT and a larger BF to both Baker Island and Nanomea (already has Fiji Bde). I may then place more fighters and DB/TB's for protection.