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Not just him. Me too. (In reply to Ranger's comment.)

Not just him. Me too. (In reply to Ranger's comment.)

I think that all of us need one!

Joe

12/8/44

At Start: Where is Erik pointing these TFs? What are they? As the turn begins, I don't know.

12/8/44

PM Search Phase: All kinds of hostile contacts reported by Allied TFs from Uruppu all the way to near Attu Island. Something's up.

12/8/44

Uruppu: Enemy carrier-aircraft target Allied shipping at and near Uruppu. Some hits are scored but it doesn't seem like it's worth the wear and tear incurred by good enemy aircraft.

12/8/44

Uruppu: Erik's strike aircraft mostly not accomplishing anything. I am not sure these strikes are coming from carriers yet. They actually could be LBA from Kushiro or vicinity.

12/8/44

Ketoi: Strong enemy sweep of Ketoi finds strong Allied CAP. So this is clearly a strong, multi-pronged attack building, though I don't yet know the main target or targets nor even what all forces are involved.

12/8/44

Toyohara: Another prong of the enemy onslaught. This is the first of three or four large strikes against this airfield. I'll post aircraft destroyed screen when I get there, but my overall impression is that the raids are effective but not nuclear (in part, because my most important aircraft and other assets are at Shikuka).

12/8/44

Ketoi: Another enemy sweep, this one all from Shimishura Jima. Remember that the main Allied 4EB raid will target that base today...if weather cooperates.

12/8/44

Toyohara: If the planes destroyed on the ground numbers are accurate, these raids are doing no more than modest damage. The airfield is a level 9 with a lot of engineers, so I think repairs will be done pronto.

I may order more and bigger TFs to patrol the port tonight, on the possibility that a bombardment is coming.

12/8/44

Shimishura: This screen tells me that Shikuka is launching air sorties. This sweep goes well. The question is whether there's enough to clear out enemy opposition before the bombers come.

Tonight is a full moon. I'm heading out to do a solo 6-mile hike. I did this two years ago. I'll finish posting when I get home, around midnight or one or so.

Solo hike at night. A lot of time for just thinking. I love those times.

12/8/44

I have returned, as somebody famous (I disremember who) once said.

Shimishura: Second Allied sweep does well. It looks like the opposition will be considerably reduced when the bombers come.

12/8/44

Uruppu: All the fighters and 4EB are ordered to hit Shimishura, leaving the 2EB to hit Uruppu. Since they're coming in without the benefit of sweeps and escorts, I drop their altitude down to 5k, hoping they fly under any opposition. The result is rather startling - lots of hits on the enemy airfield. And it looks like Erik brought in some fighters to this base, although it has been heavily hit for weeks.

12/8/44

Shimishura Jima: The fighters indeed suppressed enemy CAP before the bombers came in. The bombers, in turn, scored a lot of hits on the field and supply, destroyed some good aircraft on the ground, and developed a bit of information about the enemy garrison, including 48th Div.

12/8/44

Uruppu Bombardment: Nothing spectacular.

So no carrier clash today. I haven't opened the turn file yet, so I'm not even positive what's where.

Over the past two months, Erik has twice unleashed assaults timed (I think) to disrupt concerted Allied sweeps or bombing missions against Kushiro/Hokkaido. If my hunch is right, his fighter corps was getting gassed, so he attacks, forcing me to use my fighters defensively. Or the timing might be a coincidence.

Will he keep coming? Perhaps. I'll take some precautions to safeguard Toyohara. I'll think about Death Star's safety if he should load up airfields and commit KB. But I think Shimishura airfield is in bad position and he's probably lost a lot of fighters today. He'll have damaged fighters at Shimi unable to move, so Allied bombers will target it again tomorrow.

12/8/44

Air Losses: Fairly bloody day in the air, with Erik losing more good fighters.

Allied losses on the ground at Toyohara were modest, with 8 Avengers being the largest casualty. The airfield at Toyohara reports no damage - lots of engineers.

Shimishura mouseover shows 48% damage.

Your "Spidey Senses" were right on again! You prepared as well as one could and stymied his air offensive. Well done!

The peanut gallery still wants a carrier clash, but we'll understand if you both continue to circle and jab at each other ...