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Overall Map May 2nd 1942

On the evening of the 3rd a weary code breaker is going over intercepts suddenly one of them catches his attention. Its a message from Kwajalein complaining about minefields and how 4 destroyers had to clear them, they request minesweepers. He is aware that our subs in the area had a mining campaign but what catches his eye is the destroyers that are named!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/03/42
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TF 1 encounters mine field at Kwajalein (81,84)

Japanese Ships
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze

He quickly waves over his head officer "Sir, I have confirmation 4 Destroyers at Kwajalein, these Destroyers escort the KB! The KB must be at Kwajalein"

The officer looks over the data, "I wish we had decoded this earlier, alert all forces in the area. I will get this to CIC immediatly we have lost a day deciphering this obscure data, but it may save many ships, Excellant Job!"

Later at ComSubPac the captain is digging thru the command log of the S-27, suddenly he finds what he's looking for on March 21st S-27 made the only torpedo shot on the KB, that most worthy captain also had taken note of the KB's escorts!

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ASW attack near Nandi at 82,117

Japanese Ships
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Tanikaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Isokaze
DD Kagero
DD Akigumo
CV Zuikaku

Allied Ships
SS S-27

He quickly telephones CIC and confirms, we have the KB located.

CIC Central Pacific puts the phone down and looks at the awaiting staff.
"Suspend operation Cattail, begin operation Torch!"

What makes you think TF 1 is still KB? [:'(][:D][X(]

Geneva Switzerland May 5th 1942

Today the Philippine city of Manila falls to the Empire of Japan. Lead by a continuous air bombardment which lasted well over a month, the Philippine and American forces surrendered to General Jumino Guagukika. Over 36,000 POWs were taken. It is not known where these prisoners will be interned.


Ground combat at Manila [X(][:D][:'(]

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 159896 troops, 569 guns, 93 vehicles, Assault Value = 2109

Defending force 23847 troops, 19 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 526

Japanese max assault: 1934 - adjusted assault: 1262

Allied max defense: 453 - adjusted defense: 145

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manila base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
1326 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
36016 casualties reported
Guns lost 24

China command was astire in anticipation.

Several Days ago after the fall of Manila, several formations of B-17s had staged into China. The mission hit Japanese shipping that will transport units from Manila. Allied command had spotted many ships in the formosa harbors and intended to strike a surprise attack.
This morning planes had launched, unfortunatly they also noticed less ships in harbor but still plenty.

Soon they began to intercept the bombers radio reports

"Skies clear of enemy fighters, over 30 ships in port, beginning bombing run"

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Day Air attack on Pescadores , at 47,44 May 8th 1942

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 48


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 1, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AV Sanuki Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
TK Daishin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Harusame, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Amatsu Maru, Bomb hits 1
AV Sanyo Maru, Bomb hits 1
PC Ch 6, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 3

The bombers over Formosa

Scott has begun to reinforce the north, over the last couple of days he appears to have reinforced Kiska and just has landed 4 Nav Gds on Amchitka. Its funny he took the island early in war and abandoned, then I took it a week ago and abandoned. Now he takes it again! The polar bears are highly amused!

He have various AP's and AK's and it appears the mini KB just to the north as our sub has spotted Vals and Kates. I had a DD force that did a high speed run to Kiska the other day but the same day he moved his troops to Amchitka.

It is a game of cat and mouse as Unmak is a lvl 6 airfield with B-25s and fighters. Last time he approached within strike range of Unmak and he suffered hits on his BB's and near misses on his CV Shoho.

The question is will he move to the island next to Adak, it is within strike range of Unmak.

The Chess game continues!

Wally watched John intently painting the side of a bomb. The words were easy to read even from 10 feet away.

"Take this bomb and shove it"

"Catchy" Wally says "Do you think it will get used"

John stands upright and smiles "Don't be stupid. What do you think, were sitting in Pearl enjoying the sun when out of nowhere they call us off shore leave, next thing you know all 3 carriers, Yorktown, Saratoga and Hornet are steaming north full speed for near 5 days. We only slow down one day to refuel from a couple of tankers in the middle of the ocean. Any slow ships are split off. We definatly are heading for a battle. Where and what were fighting I don't know seems the captain aint tellin me, I'm just a grunt. But sure as the paint on that bomb were headed to give them Japs trouble."

"Why else would they pull the Saratoga with us, dang she hasn't even finished fixing all those fancy new AA guns, she looks damaged already! They wanted us because somethings happening and it something big!"

Suddenly their officers comes running thru the hanger "Ok maggots, We have sighted the enemy load those 1000lb bombs and those torpedo's the enemies been spotted within 60 miles, get the lead out!"

Without hesitation Wally and John begin moving the bombs towards the awaiting planes, they for sure were not going to have the Hornet be the last carrier with planes in the air!

CV Hornet helping refuel a DD during High Speed run!

[X(][:D][:'(]

John giggles as he paints the words "You sushi now fool!" on the side of a 1000 pound bomb meant for the Dauntless bombers.

For 3 days now the Hornet, Yorktown and Saratoga have been launching strikes against the fleeing Japanese transports. The count had risen to 2 destroyers and 19 transports confirmed sunk. Yesterday they had turned back east and merged with 2 tankers he had recognized from a week ago. The Saratoga he heard was running on fumes and she spent most of the night sucking the tankers dry, it did not give many other ships a chance let alone let them make any distance at all. It didn't matter they ruled the waves.

Wally comes rushing up to John as he gets ready to put some more words of inspiration on another arsenal of destruction.

"Hey John, I just got some scuttle butt from one of the watch seaman by the bridge, seems he was listening when a radio messaged comes in from one of our subs, its under attack late yesterday about 500 miles SW of us! Now seeing as we had to spend all night fueling the Saratoga, I betcha well have ourselves a real battle tommorrow!"

John looks concerned "Do you think our boys will be ready, they've been flying 3 days straight, it would seem they be tired"

Wally "Now looks who's concerned you mark my words, their not tired they just been getting target practice on those freighters, well show em!"

Once again their officer comes thru in a rush and Yells "Battle stations everyone enemy carriers spotted, forget about those torpedo's and the big boys. The only planes that have a chance are the dive bombers and they need 500 pounders if they even have a chance to make the range"

Wally and John exchange nervous glances even they know the Japs can strike with bombs and torpedo's much farther then they.

Meanwhile on the bridge of the Hornet
Captain Mitscher paces the bridge, he is nervous, very nervous seems they were spotted by some Kate torpedo planes, which means only one thing, Jap carriers are in range, the question is where are they? None of the Dauntless launched for search have found anything.

Suddenly the radio man shouts out "Sir a PBY Catalina from Adak has spotted 4 Japanese ships 300 miles SWW of us moving 23kts heading east"

Cpt Mitscher "Can our planes make the range?"

The first officer quickly does some calculations "Yes sir, it appears they spotted us first and are moving closer at their current range we cannot attack, but since they have reacted towards us, our dauntless bombers can make it carrying 500 pounders"

Cpt Mitscher "Alert all forces of the Japs locations and get our planes in the air as fast as possible!"

Later below deck Wally and John huddle close to the speaker trying to pick up signals from the battle. They had loaded all the SBD-3 and they had left with an escort of Wildcats, although the captains had seen fit to keep a few more fighters over the fleets then they sent out.

Suddenly they hear the first crackles
"Enemy Carriers and Battle ships spotted were going in ..... Look out zero's and claudes, keep em off us boys...... a hit, man look at that explosion must be some fuel ..... "
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Day Air attack on TF at 91,38

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 11
A6M2 Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire Fuel explosion
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1

A few minutes later
" Spotted 3 carriers one appears on fire, weres our fighters .... enemy fighters incoming ....... drive thru em to the carriers men!"

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Day Air attack on TF at 91,38

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 34

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 20 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 1
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 1, on fire

in the next 30 minutes two more strikes drive thru to the enemy ships
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Day Air attack on TF at 91,38

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CVL Shoho, on fire

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Day Air attack on TF at 91,38

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 8
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 2
CVE Taiyo


Wally smiles at John "See I told you we would getem! Now to wait for our boys to come back, well arm em up and send them out again to finish the job"

John shakes his head "Not so fast, their planes have to be coming to us, I wonder which of us will feel the heat"

Their question is answered almost immediatly over the intercom!

"Boggies 3 oclock, their heading for the Saratoga all fighters engage!....... She's hit, ... my god another .....were tearing em up.... oh my god, shes burning bad......"

Wally and John look at each other with blank stares, their officer comes over and yells, don't stand there, our planes are coming back, get the next load ready!

John mutters "I wonder what the afternoon will bring?"

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Day Air attack on TF at 93,35

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6
A6M2 Zero x 12
D3A2 Val x 22
B4Y Jean x 7
B5N2 Kate x 31
F1M2 Pete x 8
E7K2 Alf x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 6 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 6 destroyed, 10 damaged
B4Y Jean: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 10 destroyed, 11 damaged
F1M2 Pete: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Minneapolis

Wally and John were sweating and weary.

They had loaded another strike , but it would not be like the morning, to many planes had come back damaged, to many pilots tired. They even had to push planes overboard as the Saratoga was a burning hulk, and her planes had to land on the Yorktown and Hornet"

They had listened to the pilots recount their tales, but it was not the stunning success they had hoped for, at most one small enemy carrier was badly damaged a few bombs on a couple of others, and those Battleships you might as well use harsh language for the good a 500 pounders does on them. But their was still hope for thier next strike.... Once again they listened

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Day Air attack on TF at 91,38

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 2
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 18 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, on fire
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 3 Was not seen burning probably false report
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1

Then they heard the clang of incoming strike, this time they were the target!

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Day Air attack on TF at 93,35

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 2
A6M2 Zero x 10
D3A2 Val x 5
B4Y Jean x 3
B5N2 Kate x 7
F1M2 Pete x 6
E7K2 Alf x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B4Y Jean: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
F1M2 Pete: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
E7K2 Alf: 2 damaged


Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1 30kg from ALF bounce

Cpt Mitscher looks out over the ocean as the sun begins to set, in the distance he can see the large plume of smoke rise from the Saratoga.

First Officer "Sir Saratoga's escorts have seperated from her and left a destroyer to cover, what are the fleets orders"

Mitscher mulls over his options "His crews are badly shot up and weary but he still has two fully operational carriers and can put together a good strike, The Japanese have only one small carrier out, but they have lost a lot of planes. The question is will they engage and try to finish off the Saratoga or will they withdraw? If they withdraw he should chase and try to overwhelm them, but then the Saratoga will stand no chance! And where is the big KB?"

He turns, "Order the Saratoga's escorts to reform on her, by god if they want to come and get her well make it a living hell, lets pull back tonight and refuel. Then the next day we can decide what to do, we will have a better idea on whether the Saratoga can make it"

He is dissapointed that his crews did not score more hits, but feels fortunate in that the Japanese commander had decided to close. If they had not reacted towards them he would not have even been able to launch and the Saratoga could be lost for nothing. That plus his own carriers had not spotted the Jap fleet if it wasn't for the PBY's from Adak his planes also would not have launched.

As it stand the CVE Unyo will definatly go down, now the Taiyo was reported hit the most, but he tended not to believe those reports due to the lack of visible damage as the planes flew home.

What will the morning bring?

Saratoga on fire

Somewhere in the Aleutians. A Top Secret Bunker. [:'(]

"Seams those imperialistic capitalists only accounted for 3 light carriers." [8|]
"So our secret weapon is still safe?"
"So far, yes."

[X(][:'(][:D]

  

May 16th all goes quiet as both sides withdraw.


Mitscher looks thru binoculars at the Saratoga, fires are down but still burning widly, she seems to settle more in the water and the damage has increased. Nothing he can do for her.

With that he signals the Yorktown, Make maximum speed west. Lets catch some of those damaged ships!

Into the breach again, may the gods favor the bold [&o]

Way to the south a the little island of Norfolk has been recaptured by Lt Barry and the NGVR (previously defended Rabual with Lark force).
It was found the japanese had already fled in fear.

Here is the plane destroyed from the previous day, as you can see there are losses due to pushing over the side. In the end about equal.

Cpt Mitscher was taking a chance but one he hoped would pay off. Early in the morning the Yorktown and Hornet sail full speed just south of Attu. Everyone aboard was tense in anticipation of what they would encounter, when the sun began to rise the scout planes set out.

Soon reports came back. 3 Damaged enemy CV's spotted. The orders were quickly sent to launch. The Bold were paid well!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/17/42
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Day Air attack on TF at 88,36

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
SBD-3 Dauntless x 19
TBD Devastator x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage Confirmed sunk

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Day Air attack on TF at 89,36


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 21
TBD Devastator x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Confirmed sunk

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Day Air attack on TF at 87,36


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage ??? this did not show in my replay but in scotts combat report???
DD Numakaze

Not sure if the Japanese combat report is always correct but if so then all 3 CVL/E have been destroyed, there were no planes aboard so evidently there must have been a forth CV???? Hosho maybe???

Is the Japanese combat report always correct as my replay did not show the CVL Shoho attacked at all. But I did spot it under a cloud.

History fact
The Taiyo­ class was a three-strong class of escort carriers operated had no island, catapults or arresting gear. On July 31, 1942, she was reclassified as an escort carrier and renamed Unyo "Hawk tear the cloud".

Operational history

Unyo was used primarily for flight training and aircraft transport. She often sailed with her sister-ships Taiyo­ and Chuyo.
On July 10, 1943, off Truk, she was hit by a single torpedo fired by USS Halibut
On January 19, 1944, while en route to Yokosuka, she was hit and heavily damaged by three torpedoes fired by the USS Haddock (SS-231). While sheltering at Garapan Anchorage, Saipan on January 23, a follow-up attack by Halibut was driven off. Following repairs, she was back in service by June 1944.
On September 17, 1944, Unyo was struck by two torpedoes fired by the USS Barb (SS-220). Her crew¡¯s struggle to keep Unyo afloat were in vain. Of the approximately 1,000 persons aboard (crew and passengers), 761 were rescued.by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.

Japan combat report is always correct. Replay can be wrong.

My secret weapon escaped. [:D][:'(][X(]

The 18th and 19th were a change of the past few days with navies playing minor role and the Allied armys showing their strength and holding power both.

With the demise of the mini KB it allowed me to move in powerful surface group and rough up Ogliuga

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/18/42
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Naval bombardment of Ogliuga Island, at 96,38

Allied Ships
DD Hull
DD Dewey
DD Farragut
DD Russell
DD Mustin
DD Hammann
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
BB Colorado

Japanese ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 3

This coincided with the landing of an RCT which on the 19th succeded in capturing the base!
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Ground combat at Ogliuga Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4418 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Defending force 1139 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Allied max assault: 300 - adjusted assault: 67

Japanese max defense: 23 - adjusted defense: 8

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ogliuga Island base !!! [:D]

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Meanwhile at Soerabaja my last stronghold is still strong with 2 Japanese Divisions and a bde getting a bloody nose!
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Ground combat at Soerabaja

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 52447 troops, 207 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 1274

Defending force 36416 troops, 273 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 544

Japanese max assault: 2028 - adjusted assault: 296

Allied max defense: 595 - adjusted defense: 1108

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

Japanese ground losses:
3251 casualties reported
Guns lost 37
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
606 casualties reported
Guns lost 24

Meanwhile it appears the CVL Shoho is still afloat [:(]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 83,36

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, heavy damage
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
SS Drum

I finally figured out Scotts puzzle of the extra CV its the CVL Zuiho and possibly Hosho, I forgot about the Zuiho.

Here is a picture of the Unyo the CVE of the Taiyo class that is sitting on the bottom

Scott, the cloaking device worked perfectly![:D]

The senator walked importantly up to the microphone.

His chest pumped out as if it showed more importance and his strength, really he was just living off the limelight of the moment, enjoying his self importance of giving out this previous secret information. He really needed help to increase his popularity, listening to children stories just wasn't cutting the image the public wanted.

"Ladies and Gentleman, it is my pleasure today to release some previously declassified information. As you are aware were locked in a life a death battle with a most nefarious and evil enemy. They broke all moral code and struck our peaceful harbors, igniting this war of retribution.

I have information of that day, If you recall from Dec 7th thru Dec 10th the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor 3 times and caused massive damage,
I will now unveil what the fleets status was the morning Dec 11th after their 3rd and final assualt!"

He turns and points to the lady, signaling her to unveil the chart showing the damage to all the battleships!

As you can see the Battleship California was ever so close to destruction and most of the fleet was of no value, since that time I assure you our mighty ship yardss have worked to bring these ships back into the war. You have already heard of the BB Colorado and Warspite bombarding forces from the Aluetians down to baker island! The other ships vary from being close to combat worthy to still many more months needed for repair.

"Are their any questions?" He scans the crowd waiting to feel more important giving these reporters important information.

Finally a hand raises in the back, after being acknowledged one reporter says "Sir this is old news, we have all taken pictures of those ships and have written stories, now you must really give us something of value, as this is a waste of our time!"

The senator begins sweating as he can imagine tommorrows headlines "US Senator still in the dark!"

"Well,um, there is um" Quickly he searches his memory for something to save his image.

"Yes, Yes since the war started the Japanese have not sunk any of our subs by depth charge from surface forces this is due to the fact they set the depth to shallow and our subs simply sail away 100 feet deeper in total security!"

He beams as he notices all the reporters writing feverishly, he has saved the meeting.

Suddenly he is pulled from behind by two secret service agents.

"Sir you have to come with us!" He then is briskly rushed out and not seen again.

Next days Headlines!

"US Senator spills the beans, US subs can sail deeper then Japanese Depthcharges. Our forces are safe"

On a side bar "The Gov. of Texas reported today they would be selecting a new Senator for health reasons"

I wish that had actually happened, sadly FDR kept him around in the interest of political security[:(].

Andrew Jackson May (June 24, 1875 — September 6, 1959)

During World War II, May was responsible for a major release of highly confidential military information, known as the May Incident. In that incident, U.S. submarines had been conducting a successful undersea war against Japanese shipping during World War II, frequently escaping Japanese anti-submarine depth charge attacks. However, the deficiencies of Japanese depth-charge tactics were revealed in a press conference held in June 1943 by Congressman May, a member of the House Committee on Military Affairs. May had visited the Pacific Theater and received various confidential intelligence and operational briefings. At this press conference, May revealed the highly sensitive fact that American submarines had a high survival rate because Japanese depth charges were typically fuzed to explode at too shallow a depth. Various press associations sent this leaked news story over their wires and many newspapers (including one in Honolulu, Hawaii), published it.[3][4]

Japanese naval forces heard of May's security breach and were quick to exploit the information. The inevitable result was that in future, Japanese depth charges were adjusted to explode at a more effective average depth of 250 feet (80 m). Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, commander of the U.S. submarine fleet in the Pacific, later estimated that May's highly damaging security breach cost the United States Navy as many as ten submarines and 800 crewmen killed in action.[3]

Though the Roosevelt administration and the Navy Department in particular were furious with May's disclosures, they could do little about it. At the time, Roosevelt was preparing his election run for the 1944 presidential campaign, May was Chairman and ranking Democratic member of the powerful Military Affairs Committee, and public revelation of the consequences of May's indiscretions could have come at a high political price for the Roosevelt administration.

Source Wikipedia.

Thanks for the info Greatwent, I knew it happened but did not know the details. Sorta winged it.

May 20th was a quiet day except it is confirmed the CVL Shoho finally goes under.
Now if I lose the Saratoga, at least points wise its a wash. I have spotted Kates going after my subs just west of Marcus so the KB must be heading north.

I will be going on vacation for a week, no internet so updates the war will pause.

Historical fact

Shôhô (Japanese: shôhô, meaning "auspicious phoenix") was an aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the lead ship of her class. She and her sister ship Zuihô were laid down in 1934 with a flexible design that could be completed as an oil tanker, submarine tender, or aircraft carrier as needed. Shôhô was launched in 1935 as the submarine tender Tsurugisaki.[1] She began to be converted to an aircraft carrier in 1940 and she was renamed Shôhô on 26 January 1942.

After covering the landings on Tulagi on 3 May 1942 she entered the Coral Sea. In the battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942 she was attacked at 07:55 by fifty-three scout-bombers, twenty-two torpedo planes and eighteen fighters from USS Lexington and USS Yorktown--a force whose intended target had been the two Japanese fleet carriers. Hit by seven torpedoes and thirteen bombs, she foundered quickly, sinking at 08:35 with the loss of 631 men. Captain Izawa and 202 men were rescued by the destroyer Sazanami.
Shôhô was the first Japanese aircraft carrier to be sunk in the Pacific War.

Shoho under attack