Rook749 vs Janushm -- Third Time is the Charm.....

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: rook749

Kota Bharu Attack.

We are going to combine the DD's from Force Z with the CL Danae and Mauritius to see if we can catch some transports....

Don't go there. Bombers from Indochina as well as a lot of IJN surface Naval TFs.

Think, Borneo to Kendari to Ambon.

[rook749]

9 & 10 December 1941 Executive Summary

The thundering heard from Manila went south on the 8th of December, a few ships went east so let's hope it holds the Mini-KB and allows for most of the forces to getaway.

Raiding (only those that have an impact)
Submarine attack near Lingga at 51,87 :: Allied Ships xAKL Sibolga, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Niuafo'ou at 139,160 :: Allied Ships TK Gulfdawn, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Tandjoengpinang at 50,85 :: Allied Ships CL Dragon, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Toboali at 51,93 :: Allied Ships AG Canopus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Toboali at 50,95 :: Allied Ships xAP Kota Agoeng, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Billiton at 53,92 :: Allied Ships xAKL De Klerk, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Billiton at 54,94 :: Allied Ships xAKL Kwangtung, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
Submarine attack near Billiton at 52,92 :: Japanese Ships SS I-121, hits 15, and is sunk
Sub attack near Niuafo'ou at 139,160 :: Allied Ships TK Gulfdawn, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Sub attack near San Francisco at 206,93 :: Japanese Ships: SS I-19, hits 1 :: Allied Ships CV Saratoga; DD Talbot; DD Kilty; DD Crane; DD Kennison[:-]
Submarine attack near Soc Trang at 60,74 Japanese Ships xAKL Nittatsu Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Toboali at 51,93 :: Japanese Ships SS I-156, hits 1 :: Allied Ships xAKL De Haan, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage


Allied Naval Forces
US Carries USN CAR DIV 1 (Enterprise), USN CAR DIV 2 (Lexington) and USN CAR DIV 3 (Saratoga) are in-route to a location southeast of Pearl Harbor.

KB and Mini-KB
KB returning via Midway Pearl after Port Stike.
Mini-KB Location is east of the Philippine Islands.

China
Forces moving to Ichang to attack.

Japanese Amphibious Landings:
Amphibious Assault at Aparri (82,73)
Amphibious Assault at Tarawa (136,128)

Japan Conquerors the Following Bases:
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kota Bharu !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tarawa !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Aparri !!!

Allies Amphibious Landings:
None.

Allies Conquerors the Following Bases:
None.

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Don't go there. Bombers from Indochina as well as a lot of IJN surface Naval TFs.

Think, Borneo to Kendari to Ambon.

on't go there. Bombers from Indochina as well as a lot of IJN surface Naval TFs.

Think, Borneo to Kendari to Ambon

Everyone should listen to this advice, I was hoping the battle fleet was covering these and not where I went but alas this was not the case.

[RangerJoe]

If that "E" TF leaving Hawaii has severely damaged ships, send them back. There are lots of IJN subs in the area, your ASW is not that good yet, and your air search is impaired from your losses.

[rook749]

11 & 12 December 1941 Executive Summary

The thundering heard from Manila went south on the 8th of December, a few ships went east so let's hope it holds the Mini-KB and allows for most of the forces to get away (so far so good). Landings being everywhere....

Raiding (only those that have an impact)
Submarine attack near Lahaina at 187,104 :: Allied Ships xAK Cynthia Olson, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Day Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 82,82, Range 17,000 Yards :: Allied Ships xAK Governor Wright, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
Sub attack near Tanegashima at 102,63 :: Japanese Ships xAKL Kensho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Bandjermasin at 61,102 :: Allied Ships xAKL Surigao, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Pamekasan at 58,106 :: Allied Ships xAK Taiyuan, Torpedo hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Soerabaja at 56,103 :: Allied Ships xAP Legaspi, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Soerabaja at 56,103 :: Allied Ships xAKL Lee Sang, Shell hits 22, heavy fires, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Tandjoengselor at 70,94 :: Allied Ships TK Hai Kwang, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Naval Forces
US Carries USN CAR DIV 1 (Enterprise), USN CAR DIV 2 (Lexington) and USN CAR DIV 3 (Saratoga) are at a location southeast of Pearl Harbor.

KB and Mini-KB
KB returning via Midway Pearl after Port Stike.
Mini-KB Location is east of the Philippine Islands.

China
Forces moving to Ichang to attack.

Japanese Amphibious Landings:
Amphibious Assault at Aitape (95,118).
Amphibious Assault at Guam (106,95).
Amphibious Assault at Kudat (69,86).
Amphibious Assault at Wake Island (136,98).
Amphibious Assault at Wewak (96,119).
Amphibious Assault at Buin (109,131). [:@]
Amphibious Assault at Kavieng (106,122).
Amphibious Assault at Legaspi (82,82).
Amphibious Assault at Miri (64,87).

Japan Conquerors the Following Bases:
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kavieng !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Legaspi !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Aitape !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kudat !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Miri !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wewak !!!

Allies Amphibious Landings:
None.

Allies Conquerors the Following Bases:
None.

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If that "E" TF leaving Hawaii has severely damaged ships, send them back. There are lots of IJN subs in the area, your ASW is not that good yet, and your air search is impaired from your losses.

RangerJoe -- no, it's the xAPs and transports that will dip south and then to San Francisco. I love waypoints. We also have the PBY's on 70% Naval Search and 30% Rest. The B-17D's are set to 1000' 70% ASW and 30% rest.

[rook749]

The Battle of Legaspi ---

The MTBs from Hong Kong were moved to Manila and combined with the PT boats. On the way, the MTBs tried to interfere with the landings but to no effect (which is how PT/MTBs usually work). Looking at where his surface forces were and the fact the Mini-KB moved south to chase the thundering heard, all of the PT/MTBs were sent to deal with the landing at Legaspi.

=========
Night Time Surface Combat, near Legaspi at 82,82, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CS Mizuho
CS Chitose, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage --- reported sunk but I am not positive
DMS W-7
DMS W-8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Ataka Maru
AMc Kyo Maru #1
AMc Takasago Maru
PB Edo Maru
PB Myoken Maru
PB Saiko Maru
PB Gamitsu Maru #1
PB Nichi Maru #1
PB Showa Maru #3
PB Showa Maru #5
AO Hayamoto
TK Matsumoto Maru
xAK Myoko Maru
xAK Shinanogawa Maru
xAK Shinryu Maru
xAK Kanko Maru
xAK Yasukawa Maru
xAK Hasuna Maru
xAK Meigen Maru
xAK Yamafuku Maru
xAKL Kakyu Maru
xAP Haruna Maru

Allied Ships
PT-31
PT-32
PT-33
PT-34, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT-35
PT-41
PT Q-111
PT Q-112
PT Q-113
MTB 7
MTB 8
MTB 9, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 10
MTB 11
MTB 12
MTB 26

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Low visibility due to Rain with 35% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 35% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
MTB 7 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PT Q-112 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PB Showa Maru #3 engages MTB 7 at 2,000 yards
PT-34 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PB Myoken Maru engages MTB 7 at 2,000 yards
MTB 26 engages DMS W-8 at 2,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages MTB 7 at 2,000 yards
MTB 8 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
MTB 7 engages xAK Yasukawa Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
PT-35 engages CS Chitose at 3,000 yards
PT-33 engages CS Chitose at 3,000 yards
PB Edo Maru engages MTB 7 at 3,000 yards
MTB 26 engages CS Chitose at 3,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages MTB 7 at 3,000 yards
MTB 11 engages DMS W-7 at 3,000 yards
MTB 9 sunk by CS Chitose at 3,000 yards
AMc Kyo Maru #1 engages MTB 8 at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
MTB 7 engages PB Gamitsu Maru #1 at 4,000 yards
PT-32 engages CS Chitose at 4,000 yards
PB Edo Maru engages MTB 7 at 4,000 yards
MTB 11 engages CS Chitose at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
MTB 7 engages CS Mizuho at 2,000 yards
PT-41 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PT-34 sunk by CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PT-32 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
MTB 7 engages PB Edo Maru at 2,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages MTB 12 at 2,000 yards
MTB 11 engages AO Hayamoto at 2,000 yards
PB Showa Maru #3 engages MTB 8 at 2,000 yards
CS Chitose , CS Mizuho , AO Hayamoto ,
TK Matsumoto Maru , xAP Haruna Maru , xAK Yamafuku Maru ,
xAK Meigen Maru , xAK Hasuna Maru , xAK Yasukawa Maru ,
xAK Kanko Maru screened from combat
- escorted by PB Showa Maru #5 , PB Nichi Maru #1 , PB Saiko Maru
PB Showa Maru #3 engages PT Q-113 at 2,000 yards
PT Q-112 engages PB Gamitsu Maru #1 at 2,000 yards
DMS W-8 sunk by PT Q-111 at 2,000 yards
PT Q-112 engages PB Edo Maru at 2,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages MTB 12 at 2,000 yards
PT Q-111 engages xAK Myoko Maru at 2,000 yards
PT Q-113 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PT Q-112 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PT Q-111 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PT-33 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PB Saiko Maru engages MTB 7 at 2,000 yards
PT-31 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
MTB 26 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages MTB 7 at 2,000 yards
MTB 7 engages AO Hayamoto at 2,000 yards
Hackett N. orders Allied TF to disengage
PT Q-113 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PT Q-112 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PB Showa Maru #3 engages MTB 7 at 2,000 yards
PB Nichi Maru #1 engages MTB 7 at 2,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages MTB 7 at 2,000 yards
MTB 7 engages TK Matsumoto Maru at 2,000 yards
MTB 8 engages CS Chitose at 2,000 yards
PT-32 engages xAK Yamafuku Maru at 2,000 yards
MTB 7 engages xAK Myoko Maru at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[RangerJoe]

Use all of your float planes on your damaged ships as well for Naval Search and ASW.

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Use all of your float planes on your damaged ships as well for Naval Search and ASW.

100% Agree. We are out in force hunting. While my ASW is poor without the'42 upgrades I am getting some XP and when I get the '42 Upgrades it will be a different story when I hunt the subs. It also prevents his sub from doing any real damage.

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Use all of your float planes on your damaged ships as well for Naval Search and ASW.

And the airforce....

[RangerJoe]

Any night Naval Search?

[rook749]

13 & 14 December 1941 Executive Summary

When you know where the KB can't be and you know where the Mini-KB is unleash the dogs of war..... Surface actions on several fronts.

Lots of options in the Southwest Pacific...

------
Raiding (only those that have an impact)
Submarine attack near Madjene at 64,101 :: Allied Ships xAP Elcano, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Oosthaven at 47,97 :: Allied Ships xAP Kajang, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Lahaina at 184,105 :: Allied Ships xAK Montgomery City, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Oosthaven at 47,97 :: Allied Ships xAP Kinta, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
Submarine attack near Pontianak at 53,89 :: Allied Ships xAK Ming Sang, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Naval Forces
US Carries USN CAR DIV 1 (Enterprise), USN CAR DIV 2 (Lexington) and USN CAR DIV 3 (Saratoga) are at a location southeast of Pearl Harbor. They will head out on the 14th to their new hiding/training location.

KB and Mini-KB
KB returning via Midway Pearl after Port Stike, location unknown. Suspect they went to Truk.
Mini-KB Location north of the Admiralty Islands.

China
Forces moving to Ichang to attack.

Japanese Amphibious Landings:
Amphibious Assault at Kuching (58,88).
Amphibious Assault at Lingayen (79,75)

Japan Conquerors the Following Bases:
Japanese forces CAPTURE Buin !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Guam !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lingayen !!!

Allies Amphibious Landings:
None.

Allies Conquerors the Following Bases:
None.

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Any night Naval Search?

“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
― Julia Child

No. [>:] How many air units would you recommend?

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: rook749

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Any night Naval Search?

“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
― Julia Child

No. [>:] How many air units would you recommend?

One should be enough. But make sure that all pilots have 50+ experience.

[rook749]

Battles in and Around the Bismark Sea and Solomon Sea

I was late to stop the landings but I got the landing ships. If nothing else it should impact the timeline.....

=======
Day Time Surface Combat, near Aitape at 95,118, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Nittai Maru, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
xAKL Ujigawa Maru, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
xAKL Heiwa Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits

=======
Day Time Surface Combat, near Choiseul Bay at 112,129, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAKL Katsuragisan Maru, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Louisville

=======
Day Time Surface Combat, near Choiseul Bay at 112,130, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Shell hits 19, and is sunk [:D]

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Shell hits 5

=======
Night Time Surface Combat, near Wewak at 96,119, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tomozono Maru #3, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Shinwa Maru, Shell hits 1
xAKL Taiyu Maru

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide

[rook749]

Battles In and Around the Java Sea

I was not late in getting the landing ships for Singkawang. The hope is this delays getting an Air HQ in place for a week or two.

=======
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 56,88, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Tsuta, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Yomogi, Shell hits 1
TB Otori, Shell hits 1
xAK Hakodate Maru, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Hokuzyu Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAK Ume Maru, Shell hits 10, on fire
xAK Yuzan Maru
xAP Hikawa Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAP Hakozaki Maru, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Java
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
CL Boise
DD Piet Hein
DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert

Japanese ground losses:
2700 casualties reported
Squads: 75 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 97 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 50 (43 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (6 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 28% moonlight: 1,000 yards

Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

=======
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kuching at 58,88, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
DD John D. Ford
DD Peary
DD Pillsbury
DD Pope, Shell hits 2, on fire

Reduced visibility due to Rain with 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 17% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 5,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
Task forces break off...

=======
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kuching at 58,88, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 6
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
CL Durban, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Vampire, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Tenedos, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
DD Electra, Shell hits 1
DD Express

Low visibility due to Rain with 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards

Range closes to 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...

=======
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kuching at 58,88, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano
DD Maikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
CL Java
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Piet Hein
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert

Poor visibility due to Rain with 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 10% moonlight: 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...

=======
Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 52,89, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Takao
CA Atago, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 1
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Barker
DD Bulmer, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Stewart, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Paul Jones
DD Parrott, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Rain with 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 17% moonlight: 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
Dockery, L.R. crosses the 'T'
Task forces break off...

=======
Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 52,89, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Takao
CA Atago
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Stewart, Shell hits 1, on fire

Poor visibility due to Rain with 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 10% moonlight: 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

---------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 52,89, Range 6,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 1
CA Takao
CA Atago
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Stewart, heavy fires

Poor visibility due to Rain with 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 10% moonlight: 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

[RangerJoe]

A suggestion or so:

Put those CLs and DDs on "LOW" aggression so they will attack the transports but no play with the naval vessels.

You don't need to post the ranges, maybe a lucky shot with a torpedo. Or when the CPOs girly thing blows up.[;)]

[rook749]

Forces in and Around the Java Sea, after the Battles

Allies
1 - 3x CL & 4x DD.
2 - 1x CA, 1x CL & 5x DD.
3 - 4x DD.
4 - 1x CL & 4x DD.
5 - 1x CL & 2x DD.

Japan
A - 6x CA & 4x TK.
B - 2 Ships
C - 1x BB; 5x CA; 1x DD; 2x AP; 1x APD.

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

A suggestion or so:

Put those CLs and DDs on "LOW" aggression so they will attack the transports but no play with the naval vessels.

You don't need to post the ranges, maybe a lucky shot with a torpedo. Or when the CPOs girly thing blows up.[;)]

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: rook749

Forces in and Around the Java Sea, after the Battles

Allies
1 - 3x CL & 4x DD.
2 - 1x CA, 1x CL & 5x DD.
3 - 4x DD.
4 - 1x CL & 4x DD.
5 - 1x CL & 2x DD.

Japan
A - 6x CA & 4x TK.
B - 2 Ships
C - 1x BB; 5x CA; 1x DD; 2x AP; 1x APD.

Look at all of those dot bases for a couple of Allied ships to hide at, then come out to play with the merchants . . . [:D]

Or airlift some air support to, then have float planes and/or flying boats attack from. [:D]