17-Nov-43
Last week, I was on furlough from my job. We had to pick 2 weeks between the first of May and the middle of June for furlough. Last week was my second week. You would think this would provide more time for turns. Instead, it was the opposite. I live on a small farm (11.5 acre) where I have 5 alpacas, 1 llama, 4 cows (soon to be 5 since one is pregnant due any day) and some other animals plus hay fields. There are always things to do around here. Among other things, I needed to add a drain in front of my garage to help keep water out. That project I was thinking would be a half day to maybe a full day. It turned into 3 days. Too much manual labor for someone who is accustomed to sitting behind a computer. The good news is, the drain functions as intended and my wife and I are still married after pouring concrete together. [:D]
Anyway, a couple of days have pasted in the game with little action. The 17th had more notable events.
The Silent Service was active today. RO-61 was on a mine laying mission to Marcus and found CVE Sangamon. Two fish find their mark. No Heavy Fires or Heavy Damage. No Allied planes destroyed on field so who knows if 2 hits were enough to sink the CVE. RO-61 is definitely sunk by DD Hale.
Sub attack near Marcus Island at 123,85
Japanese Ships
SS RO-61, hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon, Torpedo hits 2
DD Hull
DD Endicott
DD Farragut
DD McCook
SS RO-61 launches 4 torpedoes at CVE Sangamon
ASW attack near Marcus Island at 123,85
Japanese Ships
SS RO-61, hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Hale
I-178 and I-160 (low on fuel and heading back to Truk) find a tanker convoy between Johnson Island and the Marshalls. My guess is the DE sinks. I did not see a fuel or oil burning message on AO Guadalup so my guess is she was empty and heading back to Pearl. Other subs are dispatched to see if they can intercept this TF.
ASW attack near Taongi at 142,109
Japanese Ships
SS I-178
Allied Ships
DE Burden R. Hastings, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AO Kaskaskia
PC Taney
SS I-178 launches 4 torpedoes at DE Burden R. Hastings
Sub attack near Taongi at 142,109
Japanese Ships
SS I-160
Allied Ships
AO Guadalupe, Torpedo hits 1
AO Sabine
PC Taney
SS I-160 launches 4 torpedoes at AO Guadalupe
Finally, SS I-18 lines up Hornet and sends 8 torpedoes. Only one finds the mark. With only one hit, Hornet will need a day or two in the yard but is not badly damaged. She might not even need to leave station yet.
Sub attack near Marcus Island at 124,86
Japanese Ships
SS I-18, hits 1
Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1
CA Minneapolis
CA Indianapolis
DD Conway
DD Sampson
DD Trathen
DD O'Bannon
SS I-18 launches 8 torpedoes at CV Hornet
Wa