Lambs to the slaughter (Lowpe (J) vs Jocke; BillBrown (A)) Finished

[Lowpe]

I have put together a large SAG, for me, of 8 destroyers. Moonlight is 100 percent (not ideal), and I am sending them up to one hex off Diamond Harbor.

Two squadrons are flying a very narrow night naval search, from two different bases.

The destroyers are set to react 1.

During the day they will have a very large LRCAP presence, plus if they can get back to within 3 hexes of Akyab they will have additional bleeding CAP.

My goal is to thin out some of the ASW ships working here, but also, perhaps, just perhaps, get a night time naval encounter against the enemy carriers who have been known to hang out in this area. There is quite a few subs supporting the operation.

I have two factories repairing for the Jack and George respectively. They have an entrance date of May and June. The Jack, which comes earlier is 2 points away from being repaired; while the Jack is 9 points away.

The Jack factories, once repaired, will immediately moved to the J2M3 model and with the engine bonus should be able to advance it nicely before moving on down the line to the J2M5. I will have 4 squadrons of the J2M5 and they will be real barn burners in this mod. I should have the J2M5 in late 43. It will be a most unpleasant surprise for the Allies.

[Lowpe]

I got a Heavy Electronics message in this particular hex about a month ago, so I sent I an Iboat to patrol thinking it was on the Allies convoy route.

Nothing sank, but satisfying to use Japanese intelligence. [:)]

[Lowpe]

That is 100,000 more troops than the stacking limit. I wonder what is happening in there?

[Lowpe]

Just can't entice him to come out and play.

Put a few too many fighters in Akyab. Ooops.[X(] More supply unloading now.

[Lowpe]

Quiet days, the Allies are building up in the New Hebrides, the Japanese planning the Oz adventure.

First Tojo IIb arrive in Pearl.

Some other misc things going on...I will keep you apprised of them as they become pertinent. Finally formed the 2nd Division. Feels good to get these units formed up.

The 2nd Division and one more from Manchuko and all the infantry divisions will be in place for the West Coast.

[witpqs]

What is the game date now?

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

What is the game date now?

October 23rd or so. Around there, anyhow.

[Lowpe]

OOps, Actually Oct 27, 1942.

Quiet days still; Allies building up in New Hebrides, vanished from Bay of Bengal.

Training, moving troops, ships, etc.

Allies getting active with subs...

[Lowpe]

Sending two destroyers down into the New Hebrides, and we have ramped up our search and recon. I have a spoiling raid that will hopefully be in position tomorrow. This is simple skirmishing, to keep Jocke occupied.

The north eastern coast of Oz is under recon, and I notice that Jocke has noticed.

The Oz operation will probably start in a week or so.

Other than that we are kind of just biding out time, moving our forces, building our fighters. I will soon have to pull out the 3.5 fighter squadrons that are bombing and strafing the Chinese shortly for the West Coast operation.

[Lowpe]

October 28, 1942

Not the best weather, or perhaps it was, since the ranges stayed fairly long. We launched our torpedoes and had a shot at a nice cruiser, while the Allies launched their torpedoes.

A good skirmish, hopefully setting up for a good encounter tomorrow.

[Lowpe]

The stage is set, the Boise light cruiser force is heading SW to Noumea, and the Cruiser force might just stay for another day, as APDs unloaded troops, New Zealanders, at Aoba.

Lets see what I can do.

[Lowpe]

End of October, 1942

In the New Hebrides:

[Lowpe]

Round 2:

Oops, these guys still have torpedoes.[X(]

Task Force Maya is retreating...what will TF Mutsu do after this battle?

[Lowpe]

That's it for the night fights in the New Hebrides. The Phoenix should be hurting, and the Boise as they both took big shell hits from the Mutsu!

All torpedoes launched at destroyers by both sides and missed.



Back to the VP well.[;)]

[witpqs]

How is Mutsu?

[Lowpe]

Here they come! Flying low and looking for blood![X(]

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

How is Mutsu?

See Above!

See Below!

[Lowpe]

The bombers penetrate the CAP; Rufe's try but can't keep up with the bombers.

They approach, they drop!

[Lowpe]

[Lowpe]

The Mighty Mutsu!