Sniping an EMU

[JocMeister]

That loss of 15 Mavis sounds weird? Perhaps they were loaded as cargo on a ship that sunk?

[Dan Nichols]

Looks like I forgot to say they were all ops losses. He must be searching out to max range and possibly encountering CAP or Flack over the target. If they get damaged and do not return, they are listed as ops losses, not A2A or flack.

[Dan Nichols]

December 9, 1941

This was a strange turn. There was only one surface combat, A DD with 2xAPDs sand an xAKL South of Hong Kong.
There were no air sorties flown against any TFs.

At least one unit landed at Laoag.

He captured Guam, using the Sasebo 1st SNLF.

KB has moved 10 hexes Northwest of PH. It appears he is moving it out, but I will wait to see.

CV Lexington was in position to launch attacks on shipping at Tarawa, but no flights. Weather?

[Dan Nichols]

December 10, 1941

Another fairly quiet turn for the date.

He sank AS Holland and xAP President Madison North of Manando with surface fleets.
He sand xAKL Kanchow off of the coast of Indo-China with a surface fleet.
He sank AM Lark and AM Whippoorwill that were in a TF that just arrived at Butan using Kates from Mini KB.
I-10 sank xAK Theofano Livanos near Norfork Island. So there are subs around Noumea.

SS Tarpon heavily damages and probably sank xAKL xAKL Banshu Maru #18 off of Cam Ranh Bay
SBDs from CV Lexington sank xAK Kamikaze Maru and probably sank CM Tokiwa North of Tarawa.

The AVG and Brits over Rangoon suffered badly. They did not do well at all. I lost 17 H81-A3, 7 Buffalo, and 4 Blenheim IF
to his 3 A6M2 Zero, 7 Salley, and 4 Oscar. In total today I lost 29 aircraft to all causes and he had a reported 18. [:@]

He landed and took Ocean Island and Nauru Island.

CV Lexington will move West to a position just North of Ocean Island to see if I can sink some of the ships that landed troops at Ocean and Nauru Islands. She will continue to move toward a position South of Raboul. I don't have enough CA force to really challenge landings there if he brings in 3-4 IJN CAs. But, if I can hit them with air strikes first, then I have a chance to do some damage.

KB has continued to move North and West are cruise speed. Still not sure what in intentions are.

Cv Enterprise has picked up the Marine fighters from Wake and is proceeding to Canton Island to meet up with a TF containing the rest of the unit. There is 8000 fuel at Canton Island and the TF will need it.

In China he vacated Ichang and I took it without a fight. I have a lot of units moving, I am trying to set up a good line of resistance in good defensive terrain. It takes time and I still need to try and determine what his plans are.

[Dan Nichols]

I am worried about DivePac88. I have not heard back from him since the last turn. I got that turn on the 19th with an email stating that he had not been feeling well. I returned the turn that day and I have not heard anything since. I sent him an email yesterday morning and have not gotten a response. I hope he is just a bit sick and will be able to continue in the future.

[JocMeister]

Fingers crossed he isn´t ill!

[Dan Nichols]

Two more days have passed with no word. I am getting very worried about Des. I know he has some type of cancer but he has been fighting it for a while.

[JocMeister]

[:(]

[Dan Nichols]

Two more days have passed with no word. He could easily be in the hospital and unable to access the internet. I surely hope that is it and he gets better soon.

[Dan Nichols]

I got an email from Des today. He is indeed in the hospital. He had an operation to repair a blood vessel his tumor had burst. He will do a turn in a few days, when he gets his laptop.

[JocMeister]

Great news to hear he is alright!

[DOCUP]

That is bad that he had that happen but its good new that he will be ok.  Good luck Dan

[Dan Nichols]

Rejoice, Des is well enough to do a turn. I got the turn back and ran the replay. Interesting for sure.

December 11, 1941

I lost TK Gulfdawn and xAK Salamaua to one of the darn AMCs that start way down in the Southeast.
The Combat Report shows the AMC with heavy fires. That will slow it down. I have CA Pensacola moving to Pago Pago
this turn. It looks like he might be moving that way or to Suva.

I lost AO TAN 1 near Soerabaja.

But, then this showed up.
Sub attack near Hengchun at 83,68

Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Harusame
DD Wakaba
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships
SS S-38

CVE Hosho did show up on the sunk ship list, but no aircraft were shown as lost on field.
-----
He his hammering the good airfields in the PI. Clark Field, Manilla, and Cagayan are all heavily damaged. I am
going to disband all of my air units. I do not want to spend PPs to change them for only a short time and I do not
want to lose all of the pilots and airframes.
Apari and Laoag are both in Japanese hands. No other landings taking place and no TFs in sight.
One consequence of using the optional stacking limits is that you need to defend some up front in the PI, or
suffer elevated supply usage.
---
KB is still moving to the Northwest. He bombed Midway. ONly 50 Kates and 53 Vals in the raid. I am not sure if he
has divided KB or just used a small part of his air.
---
I hit a small TF at Nauru Island with disappointing results.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 127,128

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAK Aratama Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hayate
--
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 127,128

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Hayate
--
I will try again tomorrow. I am showing he has ships disbanded in the ports of bot Nauru and Ocean Islands which he
owns. I have dispatched a CA each to bombard and I have my air groups split between them as secondary targets.
My CVTF continues to move toward Raboul. I have not seen any TFs on the way, but I feel sure he will. It is one of the
important bases for Japan to take early. I just hope I can welcome them with hot lead. [;)]
---
Sigint shows that the 144th Infantry regiment is loaded on transports and moving to Bangkok. I have dispatched 3
Dutch subs to lie in wait just South of Bangkok.
----
I am trying to get a CM with 150 mines to Raboul before he invades.
----
What is odd, is I have Naval Search throughout the Celebes Sea and I can detect no IJN ships. I have no idea
where to send Force Z. I have two other small SCTFs waiting, one at Ambon and one at Kendari. I have small AOs
moving more fuel there and Koepang.
---
That is pretty much all. In China my units continue to move to better defensive positions. Fuel and supply TFs are
on the move from the WC of USA. What unrestricted units I have are loaded and moving to islands in the Pacific. Right
now it is somewhat of a waiting game. I need to see where he jumps next.

[BBfanboy]

Hosho was the smallest, oldest, most fragile IJN carrier. Two torps should have sunk it. There is a chance that the aircraft were able to fly off to Hengchun and avoid being lost.

[JocMeister]

Glad to see the game going again! [:)]

[Dan Nichols]

I guess the good news is over. Des has to have a series of operations and his pain meds will be increased. He feels he will not be able to continue. I will save his game and if he ever wants to continue, I am willing. I wish him luck, I know it is scarey for him right now.

[BBfanboy]

Sorry to hear his condition is so bad - I had hoped his stay in hospital would have been sufficient for recovery.
If you are in contact with him be sure to thank him on behalf of the many silent forum readers for his efforts in this game, especially when dealing with illness. He is a worthy opponent for you and I hope he overcomes this crisis and returns to enjoying thrashing you!

[JocMeister]

That is sad news indeeed! [:(]

I´ll keep my fingers crossed for his recovery!

[obvert]

Really sorry to hear. I hope Des gets through this alright.

[Mac Linehan]

ORIGINAL: Dan Nichols

I got an email from Des today. He is indeed in the hospital. He had an operation to repair a blood vessel his tumor had burst. He will do a turn in a few days, when he gets his laptop.

Wonderful news, Dan!

Am very pleased that you and Des are able to carry on.

There is nothing more theraputic than planning one's next AE turn... <grin>

Mac

Edit:

Dan -

Didn't read the bad news till after responding to the above.

Sincerely wish Des the best in health and care. A very good man.

You are very gracious to save this game for him.

My respect to you both.

Mac