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Status of Operation Exodus

The northern group has so far largely escaped attack and attention. AS Holland is now past Batan Island and into the Northern Philippine sea with the remaining transports behind her. The southern group suffered attacks by Jake's and Lily's but were largely left undamaged. Heres a snippet from the CR with the shisp involved in Operation Exodus.

-----------------
Day Air attack on TF at 42,53

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PG Tulsa

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet
---------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,59

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AO Pecos, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
---------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Ormoc at 44,56

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Pope,  heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet
---------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Manila at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-48-I Lily x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PG Isabel, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
---------------------
-----------------
Day Air attack on TF at 46,48

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
Ki-48-I Lily x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Compagnia Filipinas
AK Anakan
AK Corregidor
AK Candesa

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet

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

I am expecting a higher number of attacks next turn as Herb becomes wise to whats happening and probably from torpedo planes. I also expect a carrier to sortie from either the HI's or Palau.

Elsewhere in the theatre:

SS Gato was engaged by ASW ships at Rabaul. She suffered two near misses but received no damage so she will remain on station. She then launched torpedoes at her attackers as they left but they were wide of the mark. SS Tuna scored a dud hit on the DD Mutsuki at Eniwetok and was able to evade all attempts to find and her engage her. Shes off to Wake Island to refuel before returning to her patrol area.

One of the transports unloading at Tarakan struck a mine and was seen by the defenders to be on fire in several places. Japanese troops have consolidated the beach and have now begun to bombard the defensive positions atound the oil installations.

Singapore was once again subjected to massive air attacks, unfortunately the early effectiveness of the AA seems to have evaporated and no enemy planes were seen falling fromt he sky. A ground attack followed on the heels of the air raids but was once again beaten back by the battered defenders.

In Burma a massive sweep by 79 Ki-43's over Mandalay shot down the Buffaloes and Hurricanes on patrol, the first of 13 air-air losses this turn. The 2nd Parachute Regiment was once again subjected to substantial air attacks. The KGVO Tank Regiment has been delayed on the railway by Japanese skirmishers but should arrive tomorrow.

The convoy seen in the Solomon Sea a few days has disappeared and not made the expected landfall at Milne Bay. I suspect it may be heading to New Caledonia. NC is well garrisoned with planes and troops. CV Yorktown is at Rockhampton refuelling before heading due East to cover the approaches to Koumac and a Battlegroup centered around BB's Idaho and New Mexico has left Sydney heading to New Caledonia.

Status of Operation Exodus 5-3-42
 
Sunk
 
MSW Bittern at Manila by Vals 
PG Tulsa at Manila by Sonias
AS Canopus due east of Batan Island by Bettys [:@]
MSW Whippoorwill at Manila by Bettys
 
Hit
 
AO Pecos South Philippine Sea by Anns
AO Trinity South Philippine Sea by Anns
MSW Lark at Manila by Lilys
AK Forafic Western Phiippine Sea by Lilys and Zeroes
PC Napa at Manila by Vals
AK Fortuna Batan Island by Zeroes
 
The DD Pope is still alive and has moved to engage more Japanese ships in her last balze of glory
 

Status of Operation Exodus 6-3-42
 
Sunk
 
MSW Lark at Manila by Vals and Zeroes
AK Fortuna near Batan Island by Lilys
AO Trinity south of Davao by Anns and Jakes
PC Napa at Manila by Sonias and Zeroes
 
Hit
 
MSW Bittern at Manila by Lilys
 

Extract from Clemson, A Whole New Class, Commander Hufnagel (ret.), Osprey Publishing 1978


[font="Times New Roman"]"...really showed Musak's character. Heavily damaged, taking water, most of its guns out of action, the Pope steamed due West to Iloilo to meets its fate. Musak was looking for a third engagement with Japanese vessels in as many days. There a task force of 4 Japanese destroyers (Minekaze, Hokaze, Wakatake and Kuretake) overwhelmed the Pope and she went down, taking 78 hands and Commander Musak with her. 34 survivors were picked up and spent the rest of the war in POW camps. It was largely due to their testament that Musak was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross after the war..."[/font]


DD POPE (DD 225)

Elsewhere in the theatre:

SS S-18 was caught and hit solidly twice near Kwajelein and has been forced to reurn to Wake Island to pump out flood damage before heading to Pearl for more extensive repairs.

The Japanese Paras were finally dislodged from their positions but instead of retreating back across the river they moved West precisely where i did not want them to go right into the path of two advancing divisions.

In China, the 6th Chinese Cavalry Corps, were pushed back from their positions just North of Anking by a strong force of one division and two brigades. The 2nd Cavalry Corps, holding the right flank of the salient, has been ordered to fall back 60 miles in order to shorten the front and help reduce the pocket of Jap troops.

Tarakan fell to the second assault upon its defences signalling the end of any significant Dutch resistance on Borneo. What makes it worse is that engineers were only able to set fire to 7 oil installations leaving a substantial depot for the Japs to use.

Status Operation Exodus 7-3-42
 
Sunk
 
MSW Bittern at Manila by Vals
AK Governor Wood in the South China Sea by Vals and Zeroes
AK Princess of Negroes in the Sulu Sea by Anns
 
Hit
 
DD Pillsbury bear Boac by Lilys
TK Gertrude Kellog in the Malacca Straits by Lilys
 
The Northern Group have just about began to clear Marcus Island which means over 60% of ships that started Operation Exodus are so far safe, these include all the 3,000 AK's, 2 5,000 AK's and 2 AS's.

Elsewhere in the theatre:

Singapore finally fell after a month of heavy air attack and protracted ground assaults. Herb now has 7 IJA Divisions to redploy at his leisure [:(]

That was the only significant action in an otherwise quiet day. In China the only actions were the usual bombardments at Wuchow and west of Nanchang. In Burma the 33rd Division once again received the attention of the RAF's Belnheims. The A-24's at Port Morseby attacked the Japanese aerodrome at Dobodura with unspectacular results. The P-40B's at PM have been relieved by a full strength squadron of P-40E's recently arrived from the US. Submarines have also begun to transport a remnant of a base force at Gasmata and are taking it to PM.

Status of Operation Exodus 8-3-42
 
Sunk
 
DD Pillsbury near Iloilo by Anns
AO Pecos in the Celebes Sea from bomb damage

Status of Operation Exodus 9-3-42
 
Sunk
 
AK Mayon south west of Iwo Jima by a torpedo launched by DD Yugumo
 
Hit
 
AK Anakan south west of Iwo Jima by Japanese gun boats
AK Candesa south west of Iwo Jima by Japanese gun boats
AK Corregidor south west of Iwo Jima by Japanese gun boats
AK Bisayas south west of Iwo Jima by Japanese gun boats
AK Compagnia Filipinas south west of Iwo Jima by Japanese gun boats
 
The task force has scattered into single ship units in order to escape a second attack. A well coordinated attack by Herb vectoring in his surface units using his search planes at Marcus and Chichi Jima and Iwo Jima
 
Safe
 
TK Gertrude Kellog (sailed the whole of the South China Sea then the Malacca Straits)
AS Holland (steaming into Wake Island)
DD Electra (heavily damaged escaped Singapore)

Been a very quiet day across the war zone. Herb has alluded in his last email that he is taking a short breather befor his next move and that he has decided on his Grand Strategy. Im thinking India, Oz or a SOPAC invasion. What im certain about is that PM will be a target and so to Port Blair. He may also go for Wake Island but he'll find it a hard nut to crack.
 
He is now attacking Padang so im sorteing again with RN carriers, this time the Formidable and hope to once again catch him like i did at Benkolen. Still Alls Quiet in the Pacific War and this cna only mean a hammer is gathering somewhere in the Japanese Empire.

Very quiet and unsettling turns. Very little has happened over the last two turns. None of the Operation Exodus ships were attacked and the SCTF that engaged the transports has disappeared. The weather is keeping most aircraft grounded and in the SOPAC/CENTPAC the build up is gathering pace.
 
It certainly feels like the quiet before a breaking storm...

Herb has alluded to resting his troops prior to the 'Big One'. India or Australia mehthinks.

AS Holland put in to Wake Island yesterday making her the first arrival in the West from Operation Exodus, truly an epic journey through enemy held waters. More transports are coming through and one lonely AV(Langley) has left Manila as the last ship trying to run.

Elsewhere the 90th Bombardment, now colloquially know as the 'Hell Divers', once again pounded Japanese ships in the Solomon Sea. This time it was transports at Finschhafen where several ships were hit by both the Dauntless and Mitchell squadrons.

Day Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 57,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 12
A-24 Dauntless x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK India Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Kashu Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage *sinks later*
AK Victoria Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet

Its been a quiet sort of war for the past couple of days. But in his last email Herbie has written 'Planning complete, first stage of the 2nd phase operations sail.....................' The hammer descends....

Still the forces of Good fight back and hit the Jap wherever they can. In China the 21st Fighter Squadron was able to ambush unescorted bombers and fighter-bombers that were bombing the Chinese salient to the East of Hankow. The IJA in China is carrying out a major counter-attack in this area but the USAAF in China was able to shoot down 6 of his planes and turn back a whole wave of Nates to the relief of their Chinese allies manning the front lines below them.

CV Enterprise is poised to ambush Japanese shipping concentrating around the island of Abemama. Submarines on recon further north have spotted tankers following the transports already there. Enterpise if 120 miles south of Funafuti and heading north at full steam, she should be in range of a strike day after tomorrow.

Warhawks at Port Moresby have shot down a second Mavis recon plane and have tassled with Zeroes intercepting Dakotas flying in supplies from Australia. I have to supply laden transports heading to PM and will fly in a Beaufighter squadron to help the Warhawks cover the ships as they will undoubtedly attract the Nells at Rabaul.

We wait in anticipation of where Herb's 2nd Phase will hit first...

CV Enterprise carried out the first USN carrier borne attack against enemy ships today. The Enterprise was enroute to Abemama Island where coast watchers had spotted enemy ships passing by. CV Enterprise steamed from Suva upon receiving the news and headed north. SS-S 38 also reported more ships heading south-east just past Jaluit Island and it was hoped that they would arrive at Abemama at the same time as Enterprises airplanes were within range.

That was the plan, however the adage of the plan going out the window when contact is made was proved true today. Approximately 300 miles west of Gardner Island the float and search planes of Enterprise's task force spotted an enemy cruiser steaming directly into our shipping lanes. Both Dauntless squadrons were immediately scrambled and attacked and repeatedly hit the CL Yura in a first wave attack. 33 bombers left and 33 bombers returned.



Day Air attack on TF at 90,101


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 33


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Bomb hits 15, on fire, heavy damage

As the day wore on reports came back of the enemy vessel in flames and reports of secondary explosions were also received. Scout planes on a more northerly vector reported the presence of another enemy raider and the second wave of bombers launched split in two and successfully engaged both targets. First the Yura was hit again by a flight of 16 Dauntless bombers, all which returned safely to base. Though the ship was not reported sunk she was obviously in dire straits.



Day Air attack on TF at 90,101


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

The second target was a commerce raider that was following in the wake of the Yura. Identified as the PG Akagi Maru it was attacked by a second flight of 16 Dauntless, one of which was shot down by its flak guns. Despite this numerous bomb hits were recorded and the ship was left damaged and in flames.


Day Air attack on TF at 90,100


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Akagi Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Elsewhere in the theatre:

A very active day in the air. Hurricanes and Oscars contested the air space over the Japanese Divisions converging on Mandalay from the West. 6 Hurris were downed for 4 Oscars. In China it was his turn to ambush as CAF Lancers on ground attack missions were jumped by Nates on two occasions east of Wuchow, 3 Lancers were lost. Over PM a massive 74 A6M2 sweep was bravely met by 4 P-40E's, all 4 were lost but they took one Zero with them as well.

Landings were made at Victoria Point and an increase of recon flights over Port Blair has been spotted, as well as over Wake Island. Sabang has also been subjected to air attacks over the past two days as well. Mavis's were also above PM again. The resupply convoy to PM is closing in and Lightnings and Beaufighters have moved to PM to cover its approach.

Japanese MSW's detected and began to sweep a recently sub laid minefield at Johore Bharu. The two subs have now reverted to patrol missions and are sailing up the Malacca Straits hoping to interdict the ships returning from Victoria Point.

Dauntless's from Enterprise finished yesterdays job by sinking a few 1000lber's into the Akagi Maru and sending her to the bottom. Scout planes also spotted the CL Yura disappearing under the waves. Enterprise has now been ordered back to Suva to replenish her stocks of fuel and ammuinition. Morale is high after a job well done.

Catalinas of VP-12 in Wake Island have spotted a seven ship convoy heading north-east out of the Marshall Islands. 71st Bombardment (B-26) and VMSB-231 (Dauntless) have had new orders issued to them to stop their patrols and to undertake search and destroy missions. A three destroyer task force has detached from the Wake Security Force to engage the transports as they approach. PT boats are also on stand-by should the enemy come within range. CV Saratoga has sallied from Pearl in the hope of catching some of these enemy ships.

The skies over PM were full of falling aircraft, mine not his. 8 Beaufighters were shot down, overwhelmed by the accustomed mass Zero sweep. All other fighters there are flying patrol missions over the resupply convoy, now 1 day out of PM.

Herbie has conducted a very good counter attack in China. He constantly claims in his emails that he is no good at land combat but he was able to coordinate a river crossing and a solid attack against a salient. Certainly the river crossings demands some skill in land warfare and i beleive he is being too harsh on himself here. Ill let the screenie do the talking.

Catalinas out of Port Moresby began to track a convoy on a south westerly heading steaming out of the Solomon Sea and into the northern Coral Sea. The message received indicated four cruisers, though i cannot discount the possibility that carriers are also present. B-25's at Port Moresby were put on full alert but contact was lost the following day as the weather worsened. The CV Yorktown and her battle group lie 300 miles north west of Koumac on overwatch. Her task force was spotted yesterday by a Mavis long range scout plane, probably out of Luganville. She had been moving to try and find the Japanese convoy but after being spotted has plotted a course to Brisbane.

Elsewhere in the theatre:
 
Herbs damn subs are once again making a nuisance of themselves in my shipping lanes. RO-61 sunk the AVD keeping the search planes at Baker Island operational and AK K.I. Luchenbach was hit by one torpedo in the Central Pacific shipping lanes. ASW efforts are being stepped up and im having to divert bombers to search missions as there seems to be a theatre wide lack of Catalina's. This is the largest permieter i have had to patrol in my PBEM's and maybe this is the reason for the lack of Cat's.
 
The skies over Burma were once again full of duelling Oscars and Hurricanes. The score was 2-4, the 1st RIAF having lost 4 of its planes. It has been relieved by the 2nd AVG, that has recently finished requipping with Warhawks. Herb has also stepped up his aerial operations in China with increased bombing raids on my frontline. 3 Blenheim IF's of the RAF's 27th Squadron were shot down over Sinyang and 4 Tomahawks of the 1st AVG were lost over Luichow, though all 4 pilots were recovered. The increase in air activity is due to the fact that Manila surrendered yesterday due to lack of food (ie supply level 0), and i assume Herbie has transferred his IJAAF units to China.

Sabang has belatedly begun to attract attention from planes stationed on Malaya. Yesterday Falcon patrolplanes spotted two distinct group of ships steaming up the Malacca Straits. One group veered off to the north west late in the afternoon while the other steamed north east. Either Herb is assaulting Sabang and Port Blair as well, were Mavis's from Rangoon are carrying out daily recon flights, or assaulting Sabang and reinforcing Victoria Point. Whatever the case, the Royal Navy will try to strike at these ships. CV Indomitable will be on station tomorrow and have its planes prepped in case the Japanese ships make landfall at Sabang. CV Formidable will soon join it as it has just left Colombo. A mine layer will also accompany the carrier group, well follow it, in the hope of having time to mine Sabang. If not it will lay its eggs at Nicobar and then retreat North.