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March 17, 1942

Palembang

Time had run out for Wavell and ABDA. Over the last several days the Japanese invaded Java and the islands to the east of Java. ABDA air forces attempted to turn back the invasion convoys but the Japanese were ashore and Wavell did not have the troop strength to kick them off -- hopefully he could contain them.

Wavell needed another week or two for as Java, Burma, Singapore and Sumatra were being bombed heavily the Admiralty had been organizing a huge supply convoy complete with battleships, carriers, escorts, troops and fighters to come to the aid of ABDA and the relief of Singapore.

Singapore still held, but the supply situation was getting critical. Java would most likely be cut in half and the Japanese ships and planes effectively sealed the area to all but the most determined or suicidal.

The Admiralty had risen to the challenge and mustered her entire strength to force supply convoys in. Would it be strong enough soon enough?

A rare hit from ABDA bombers:

Dutch planes shot down in droves:

But occasionally they get thru:

The torpedo bombers are slow but deadly using the anvil tactic here:

While the Japanese bomb airfields to further isolate Singapore:

Java under assault!

And Singapore holds on!

The besieged defenders of Singapore:

And even stealthy small ships could not run the gauntlet and supply Singapore.

A glimmer of hope. The first Hurricanes tangle with the Japanese over Batavia.

The Japanese control the waters around Java.

And are threatening the Bay of Bengal!

March 19, 1942

Tahiti

In one of those weird occurrences that happen in war, two Japanese raiders steamed by the Hornet protected by only two destroyers. The Hornet quickly disengaged from the raiders and their nasty torpedoes in the darkness.

This was another confirmation that no area was safe and Nimitz would take the lesson to heart. What a blow had he lost the Hornet fresh from the canal zone.

With daylight came the inevitable air search and strike.

Although the Hornet needed to work on attack coordination.

And need to work coordinate with CAs, Cls and such [:D]

March 20, 1942

Approaching Sydney

Getting watch with disbelief as the Leander sank. Cut almost in half by another dreaded submarine attack and they were almost safe back in Sydney.

The destroyer Pope was out dropping depth charges, but that destroyer had simply done a terrible job protecting the Canberra and now the Leander from enemy submarines. Getting would personally see that the Pope's captain got a desk job as soon as they made Sydney.

The sea defense of Port Moresby had been given over to the Yanks and they now had a carrier and a battleship force in theater to stop the Japanese from resupplying the Japanese troops at Port Moresby. A good thing too, since the Canberra would need a months worth of work to fix the torpedo strike on her port side.

The Americans also now patrolled the skies over Moresby with sleek fighters giving some measure of protection although the only enemy planes seen so far have been zeroes and none of their dreaded torpedo bombers.

March 25, 1942

Rossel Island area

Finally Halsey felt he had adequate forces to stop the Japanese assault on Port Moresby. The Saratoga now joined with the Enterprise - those veterans of the first raid on Sakhalin the very homeland of Japan.

Backing Halsey and his carriers up were now three battleships including the Warspite even though some of her flooding damage couldn't be repaired at Sydney.

Halsey felt confident, good, and ready to strike at the latest Japanese thrust at Rossel Island. His planes where the first to strike, but bad weather greatly saved the Japanese from his aviators.

But Halsey had foreseen this and also sent in his battleships. Having learned the early war lessons of air power, some of his fighters would provide combat air patrol to this heavy surface action group.