Fabertong vs Speedy: The view from the Pole

[fabertong]

Thanks for that Raver........as the Destroyer of Empires...you have made good use of the Northern Route......I think if Speedy presses home the attack here...he may well get to Tokyo by end of '43.........but if I take China....at least I will be able to distract him........OK you're right...I'm Scr*wed .....but I will fight him on the beaches etc.....etc.....

[Raverdave]

As you said before....mines and CD units, and when you have finshed that, put in MORE mines and CD units........the combination of both can almost gut an invasion force that is not correctly prepared. Sneer found that out.[:D]

[fabertong]

Must sneak 7th Coastal gun back to Kiska......(repeat as mantra)......

[fabertong]

15th Jan. 1943.............
Continue to strengthen 2nd line of defense, behind Kiska...........Several Naval construction Bat. on their way........but I think Speedy is on his way to Kiska as we speak.....3 large TFs spotted about 10 hexes out....at frist I thought they were ASW....but they look much bigger.....KB is on the move, heading to the north of Attu....still low on fuel, but needs must.......

Caught some of Speedy's forces at Baker Is. sank a SC and a MSW.....badly damaged a couple of Tankers.......in response I'm prep-ing an invasion of Baker...if I find his carrier force still up north.......Hiyo, + CVL(the only one I have left) and escorts will support.......

[Capt. Harlock]

This has the potential to be VERY interesting. And the fight is in the middle of winter, so the weather will be a key factor. What a shame Yamato had to head for the body-and-fender shop and miss out on the party!

[fabertong]

Two turns played since last report and Operation Red Smite.......has become Operation Yellow Tail.....

Speedy is inbound with the mother of all TFs.........KB is turning to run....but may still be caught.......

I wanted the fleet to fight at Kiska....but I think I'll have to live to fight another day (coward).....the master plan of using my forces on Kiska to attrite Speedy's airgroups has failed...I've lost over 100 fighters in the last two days......Steven has lost maybe 30............here is a taste as to why I've decided to run......

[fabertong]

Last turns air losses.......Steven appears to have lost a fair few in the air...but at least half of those losses are from a LRB attack on Lunga.....not from his carriers

[fabertong]

Map showing that once again....I've put my carriers between a rock and a hardplace.....check out Steven's forces......woof.....cap during one attack......... 135 wildcats.......If KB can get there it will hole up at Paramashiro and await developments...........

[Capt. Harlock]

If KB can get there it will hole up at Paramashiro and await developments...........

Oh rats . . . I thought we were going to have a Gettysburg in the North Pacific. I can understand your reluctance, but if you wait he'll only get more carriers, and equipped with Hellcats and Corsairs. Is his CV fleet already superior to the KB, even with the loss of Yorktown?

[Mike Solli]

What's the current composition of KB? What carriers? Aircraft?

[fabertong]

You may yet get Gettysburg..........I've decided to do a J.E. Johnson....rather than a J.B. Hood..........(Atlanta, I know)......I need to wait for any mistake he makes.....

I agree that I need to bring on a fleet air action soon.......I'll either lose KB now or will certainly lose it later......

The reason why I've pulled back.....

Speedy has at least five fleet carriers......I lost most of my experienced airgroups about a month ago......his are full of aces......
He has Two SAG with him 3+ BBs each......the flak alone is not good....
My first plan to bleed him as he approached failed.....now I'm waiting to see if his TFs break apart at all then I'll pounce........I think I have a four month window to fight this battle........

Yamato slipped into the yard yesterday.....3 months till sea worthy...........

[fabertong]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

What's the current composition of KB? What carriers? Aircraft?

Mike............
Kb is the big six.........Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu....Zui. and Sho............split into two TFs each with 2BB, 2CAs and escorts.....full aircraft Zero3a...........but pilot Exp. levels....average 62ish........
Kiska which I hoped would support...has been spanked.....4x Tony's gone 1xTojo gone......all Kates and Vals gone....
I had hoped that Kiska would be my 7th carrier.....but Speedy's done everything but sink it........

[fabertong]

OK....so this turn a small SAG is heading for Attu under fighter cover 1CA3CL8DD......it's a Kamikazi mission they should have the speed...which my BBs do not.....to get in without air attack.....but not out....I'm hoping to hit some of Speedy's big ships with long lances at night.....the TF is 2 days out........Next turn KB will refuel at Paramushiro....then I will have to chose .....to send them in with 2 SAGs in tow (with 5 BBs) and risk losing all of the Imperial Navy......or wait for a better chance later....the clock is ticking.......

[fabertong]

Today I attacked Chunking.....I lost 20,000 men,,,Speedy fewer than 2,000........I'll be interested to see if he counter-attacks...........

The small SAG heading for Attu has been recalled......because I've decided that if Steven is still there in three days time I'm sending everyone in.........
Three Zero3a sqdrn from Paramishiro will fly LRCAP .....KB and 2 SAG's including 5BBs .....will move to Attu....I'll hold them 6 hexes out to invite his LRBs to have a go.....then send in the SAGs for a night attack.....while moving KB to within four hexes.......we'll see if Steven dares to leave Attu airspace to hit me on the move.......

I'm calling this Op....Operation Divine Comedy....or Operation Paper Fist.....

[fabertong]

Op...Divine Comedy....delayed due to lack of fuel....I've shipped over 150,000 to Paramishiro....still not enough......have no Idea why I can't keep my ships active....with 35,000 fuel arriving weekly........

[Rob Brennan UK]

Them CV's are thirsty birds [;)]

[fabertong]

Tell me about it........6CVs 7BBs 10CAs 6CLs + escorts...........in a port 2 base....just say no........

[Mike Solli]

Yeah, that'll suck you dry.

[Raverdave]

And Jap BBs.........worse than those yank SUVs.

[fabertong]

My main problem is that with my tankers spread all over kingdom come collecting oil....I have few in the HIs ready to support any large scale op.......not to self.....must do better......