Xargun and Rob my side of the map

[rroberson]

Its obvious to me that he has spotted Hornet and is giving chase. I continue to chase his group with mine.

[rroberson]

4-5-42

West Coast

Nothing new to report

Midway

Midway remains solid.

Pearl Harbor

Both groups are about unloaded and ready to return to the west coast.

Canton Island

The great chase continues. I turned Hornet hard northwest yesterday and Xarg appeared to follow. While I still believe I will lose her, I am not out to sacrifice her needlessly. His Carriers are still moving in pursuit, but I have managed to bring my 4 flattops to within 6 hexes of his battle groups. If he continues on his northwest route Spruance and his carriers should intercept them today (yes I have been saying that for 2 days.) I do not believe he knows where Hornet is any longer (she is now out of scout plane range) but is bound to of seen Spruance's four carriers. Hornet is very low on fuel so I have turn her Northeast where I have Oilers waiting. Likely that will prevent her from participating in any possible battle in the next couple of days. Enterpise, Yorktown, Saratoga and Lexington, while no longer fuel, should have more then enough fuel to give Xargun battle. Now that I am between him and his home waters...I am hopeful that I will get the opportunity soon.

If he manages to slip past me. I will resume Operation Farragut, at least the Tarawa raid portion of it.

Alaska

No news.

China

The air war continues. He now has complete control of the skies over Lanchow as the Chinese air force continues to fight a losing battle.


Burma

I have withdrawn my heavies back to Ceylon for R and R.

Malaya

Is his.

DEI

Not much new to report.

Australia

Force A is one day out of Sydney.

PM

The 7th is in place now. Awaiting Xarg's next move in this theater.

Noumea

Is fine

PI

Just bits and pieces left.

Solomon Islands

Still awaiting any moves in the area.

Carrier Group One.

Lexington and Enterprise

Still seeking the enemy, I probably have one day maybe 2 left of this before Ill have to turn east and refuel.

Carrier Group Two

Saratoga and Yorktown

Still seeking the enemy, I probably have one day maybe 2 left of this before Ill have to turn east and refuel.

Carrier Group Three

Hornet

Had to leave her blocking position to find her oilers and refuel.

Force A

Hermes and Indomintable

South of Sydney

Force B

Formidible

Is now located in Karachi

Long Beach

Is now located in San Francisco

60 days until Illustrious

106 days until Wasp

Operation Farragut

Delayed while I seek Xargun's carriers.


Well I continue to hope to give his carrier group battle. Realistically it needs to be tomorrow or I am going to have to retire east and refuel. I still doubt that he even knows Spruance is on his ass. I believe he is still chasing Hornet. It could be entertaining.





[/quote]

[wobbly]

This is very tense! It is very interesting to read both sides of a story like this as it develops.

[rroberson]

ORIGINAL: wobbly

This is very tense! It is very interesting to read both sides of a story like this as it develops.

Tell me about it! Xarg has been inconsistant with his turns lately (his job is killing him) so its been a long week or so patiently waiting by the email box. I was severly shocked with yesterdays turn when no carrier sightings were made...

that happens when you expect battle to explode at any minute I guess.



Hopefully he will get one up to me today so I can take a gander at it after I get done with practice.

[rroberson]

AAAAAAAAAAARGGGHH the tension.

Another day of heavy Xargunese bombing over Burma and China as he continues to pound ground targets in the two areas.

Once again his carriers have slipped me. Im screaming north and if I believe my sighting reports, he went south west no doubt seeking more merchant vessals to sink.

Who knew that it would be near impossible to talk his fleet into a battle...this would be the 3rd time I found myself chasing his carriers around the Pacific Ocwean only to miss them.

[rroberson]

Okay so I flew right past him the wee bastard! I am now turning my quickly getting low on fuel carriers southwest. Hopefully he will turn north again since he didnt find any merchants to sink today. I think he is afraid to get too close to Canton thinking I have SBDs there. I will engage him...oh yes

[Capt. Harlock]

Southwest?? He has to be at least as low on fuel as you are, and where does he propose to get more? And what are those Japanese TF's in the Canton hex?

[rroberson]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Southwest?? He has to be at least as low on fuel as you are, and where does he propose to get more? And what are those Japanese TF's in the Canton hex?

I think they are subs. I have two squadrons of torpedo bombers that would of hurt them if they were surface vessals at Canton. (Took them off the carriers to make room for more dive bombers )

I have no idea where his oilers are....they cant be following him or my carriers would of sank them. I doubt he knows about SPruance and his flattops ...if he did he sure as hell wouldnt of gone deeper into my waters. Either way I turned southwest...I am now steaming right at him...if he turns northwest again (he is consciously staying out of range of any SBDs I might have on Canton) to get around the island I should bring him into range...if he slips past me again I will likely have to turn east and refuel. Hornet should be done today and I can lay her back out there as bait...


tense tense

[rroberson]

Today I sent my British air out against some Japanese units a couple hexes southeast of Chengking...it was deadly for Xargun.

He sent his zeros on more fighter sweeps over Akyabs...Hurricanes versus zeros, very bad. 9 to 1 losses.

I sent a hodge podge group of Martins and Hudsons against some shipping in Rangoon Harbor and nailed an APD and a AS....

But alas...once again...no freaking carriers.

The siege of Lanchow has hit a bloody new phase as 1800 guns unleashed a bombardment against my forces with deadly accuracy.

[rroberson]

If this wasnt so frustrating it would be hilarious. He clearly doesnt realize I'm chasing him. Today he ran southeast obviously seeking merchant shipping. I will continue to try and close for another day...Is till have some fuel left...enough to get me maybe another day or two. Hornet is now refueled and I will send her south at full speed. Again...who knew it would be this hard to attack his warships!

[rroberson]

4-7-42

West Coast

Nothing new to report

Midway

Midway remains solid.

Pearl Harbor

One of the big transport groups is now returning to San Francisco.

Canton Island

Grrr the great chase continues. Xarg is clearly seeking shipping to sink. Hornet is refueled and headed south...Spruance's carriers are headed south at flank speed again, but Im starting to get very worried about their fuel levels. I long left their oilers behind while jetting around at full speed. I keep hoping Xarg will turn north or even east...but so far.

Alaska

No news.

China

I actually have no idea what to do here any longer. He is pounding Lanchow...it will fall...just a matter of when. I am bombing troops with the British air I have, but the skies over China are still his.


Burma

The Martins and Hudson's did a good job trying to break up that convoy in Rangoon Harbor. I am sending the B17s (93rd BG) in with them today to join the fun.

Malaya

Is his.

DEI

Not much new to report.

Australia

Force A has refueled and is now headed north towards Lunga.

PM

Awaiting Xarg's next move in this theater.

Noumea

Is fine

PI

Just bits and pieces left.

Solomon Islands

Still awaiting any moves in the area.

Carrier Group One.

Lexington and Enterprise

The Xargun chase continues..fuel is getting low.

Carrier Group Two

Saratoga and Yorktown

The Xargun chase continues..fuel is getting low.

Carrier Group Three

Hornet

Now moving south as fast as possible.

Force A

Hermes and Indomintable

Headed towards the Lunga area.

Force B

Formidible

Is now located in Karachi

Long Beach

Is now located in San Francisco

58 days until Illustrious

104 days until Wasp

Operation Farragut

Still on hold.

Well I have to admit he has surprised me...still trying to catch him as he attempts to bury a few more of my transports.




[/quote]
[/quote]

[rroberson]

“Where the did all your carriers come from?”

At last I had him. Weeks of chasing him around the Pacific and in this one conversation I knew I hit paydirt.

The day started with of group of Xargun’s Vals being unable to find their targets my carrier force off of Sydney Island. A good start. Earlier one of my Dauntlesses had spotted Hiryu moving southwest.

My first wave of attackers got through his CAP (taking heavy losses as Zeros still rule the Pacific skies). One of my SBDs pilots managed to put a single bomb into Hiryu.

Not such a great start.

My 2nd wave again passed through vicious CAP, 35 SBDs to their targets. This time American firepower got through. 3 hits on Junyo, 1 each on Soryu and Kirishima and another hit on Hiryu.

A third wave of SBDs (unescorted) passed through his CAP and put another bomb into Junyo and Hiryu.

3 waves 3 carriers burning.

Complete victory.

Oh wait.

Then I looked at the orders. Apparently he launched strikes against me hitting all 4 of my carriers. What the hell. I never saw this in the combat report. This is not the first time this has happened in the games I am playing. Its one hell of a bug. You would expect that if the enemy is striking your vessels you’d get to see it in Technicolor! Grrrr.

No matter. Xargun has been stung and stung badly. Hornet is still screaming south to launch her planes and add to the melee. Though somehow she has managed to exhaust most of the fuel she just took on...yesterday? Unless he follows up his attacks of the 4 carriers I will lose Yorktown to float damage , but all the rest, if they can trickle to Pearl they will be okay. Enterprise has fires currently raging out of control, again if I can avoid a follow up attack by him she should be okay. Even if I lose both Yorktown and Enterprise this battle will serve to keep Xargun from ever operating this deeply in my waters again. The Australian, NZ, Pearl Harbor supply pipeline should now be secure for the rest of the war.

But then again it is Xargun [:D]

[rroberson]

Bah! I have no idea what to do here. I will likely lose Yorktown today and Enterprise tomorrow if her fires get out of control. My first thought is to close with Lexington and Saratoga though both of them have substantial damage and try to finish the job. Hornet has managed to run herself out of fuel despite the fact that I just refueled her so she is out of the battle...dammit.


I will continue to mull this.

[rroberson]

Todays map. I have decided to withdraw my 4 carriers from the area, refuel Hornet and see if I can make contact with her. I am transfering naval fighters and sbds to Baker and Polo hoping he steers to close to them as he makes his dash for home. Its frustrating because I know I hurt this group badly and I really want to close on him.


Ah well. I will catch him another day.

[Mike Solli]

I think retiring is the best course of action. When I have a delimma such as yours, I try to determine what would have happened had that situation occured during the war. The US typically tried to save their carriers.

How good is the port at Canton Is.? Are you headed there?

Also keep in mind the Japanese damage control "ability". If they have 2 heavily damaged CVs way out there in no-man's land, there's a good chance they won't make it home. Even if they do survive, they are looking at quite a long time in repair at the Home Islands. They are effectively gone for that period. 2 CVs is a pretty significant chunk of the Japanese naval air power. That will degrade their offensive capability.

Mike

[rroberson]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I think retiring is the best course of action. When I have a delimma such as yours, I try to determine what would have happened had that situation occured during the war. The US typically tried to save their carriers.

How good is the port at Canton Is.? Are you headed there?

Also keep in mind the Japanese damage control "ability". If they have 2 heavily damaged CVs way out there in no-man's land, there's a good chance they won't make it home. Even if they do survive, they are looking at quite a long time in repair at the Home Islands. They are effectively gone for that period. 2 CVs is a pretty significant chunk of the Japanese naval air power. That will degrade their offensive capability.

Mike

Yes upon further reflection it was a good idea. I honestly dont mind swapping carrier losses with him, since they come back as essex clones, but I know I hurt him badly. He says he had no idea where my Flattops came from. I expect him to lose both heavily damaged carriers and if my pilots can be believed a 3rd one is out of the front lines for some time to come. He is hurt. Hopefully this slows down more then a few plans, though I rather doubt it since he had sent these assets out on raids.

I am going to spend the next day or two concentrating on getting Yorktown and Enterprise home. Yorktown is a wreck (96 system) if I can get her to Canton I can offload the airwing which would be a moral victory to at least save them.

[rroberson]

I sent the 21st Fighter Group (P40s) on a naval mission to hit some transport ships at Finschafen. Got a hit on an AK .

Based on what I see on the ops map. He did not or was not able to move that far today. He maybe attempting to shephard his carriers out of harm's way. Of course we can't have that. Lexington can now recover aircraft. I may rearrange her so she has enough fighters (they flew off to Canton after yesterday's battle) to protect herself and see if I can catch him. I'd be willing to bet his airwing is very shot and unable to launch due to the damage to his carriers. Hornet is now refueled and you can bet your ass she is headed southwest.

[rroberson]

4-9-42

West Coast

I have decided to send USS Long Beach to Pearl Harbor. There she will take aboard some TBDs and become an ASW platform.

Midway

Midway remains solid.

Pearl Harbor

My large convoys have departed and are headed for Pearl. No doubt my repair facilities are prepping for the heavy work they will have repairing my carrier force. I have ordered the repair ship Rigel to Canton Island.


Canton Island

Hornet under the command of 1st Lt Peck (a jarhead no doubt) is steaming southwest at flank speed hoping to make Xargun’s escape more entertaining

Lexington (14 sys 28 float) is steaming northwest to meet up with tankers and can currently conduct flight operations

Saratoga is my real concern right now. 28 sys damaged but 52 float damage and no where near a major port. I have offloaded her airgroup at Canton Island and will try to nurse her to Pearl Harbor. She has plenty of escort, but given the float damage it wouldn’t surprise me if one of Xarg’s subs caught her.

Enterprise (70 sys, 30 float, 15 fires) has transferred her airwing to Canton Island and will proceed to Pearl Harbor at best speed, she is also well escorted, but the danger from Xarg’s submarines is very present at this time.

Yorktown (99 sys 37 float 10 fires) is limping along one hex south of Canton Island. Ideally I will dock her tomorrow offload her air wing. I do not know if I will attempt to run her to Pearl or scuttle her.

All in all, not bad I have saved the airwings of 3 out of 4 of my carriers and that is no small detail while bashing his carrier groups. From talking to him he paid a heavy price in bomber pilots, something he cannot afford.

I do have six submarines attempting to getting into blocking mode. He has one escape route (since he is trying to stay away from Canton. Hopefully they can get into position and make his life entertaining.

That saying from Tora Tora Tora about a one-eyed monkey and a hand grenade. That’s all Xargun would need at Canton right now planes lined up on that tiny flightline wing tip to wing tip. I will try to disperse them as quickly as I can.

Alaska

No news.

China

It does not look good at Lanchow. I can probably hold for another week or two, but he will take the field.

Burma

A strange theatre. I have long since given up on seeing him move against the Raverdave line. I would like to plan an offensive here, but don’t believe the commonwealth units are up to it. So I will sit and wait.

Malaya

Is his.

DEI

I am moving the 19th BG (B17) to Burma. It is making an over night stop on Timor will it will strike the manpower of Kendari.

Australia

No new news.

PM

Nothing substantial to report. It would take a hell of an invasion force to take it.

Mixed reports off of Gili, either it’s a sub or an AK, if its an AK my Australian brigade there is about to get busy.

Noumea

Secure

PI

Just bits and pieces left.

Solomon Islands

Plenty of airpower. I could use more ground troops. A level 2 airfield that will go to level 3 very soon

Carrier Group One.

Lexington and Enterprise

See above.

Carrier Group Two

Saratoga and Yorktown

See above.

Carrier Group Three

Hornet

Moving southwest in an attempt to catch his retiring carriers.

Force A

Hermes and Indomintable

Moving Northwest towards Lunga

Force B

Formidible

Is now located in Karachi


36 days until Illustrious

97 days until Wasp

Operation Farragut

Canceled

[String]

Very interesting read. Imho you shouldn't scuttle Yorktown, she can be repaired within 100 days in san francisco. Otherwise, hope you nail those jap carriers and keep it coming.

[rroberson]

ouch

I had some troops enroute to garrison Nukufetau Island (south pacific) he sent a surface unit in and ground em up. Not pretty lost about 600 troopers. The killer about this is yesterday my intel reported to me that he had a sub there...not a surface group.

Poor Yorktown took two torpedos off Canton Island. I expected to lose...I was hoping to at least get her air wing off first. Nice to see all the destroyers aruond her were so very effective.


Major air battle of Pagan between Hurricanes and Zeros...he won...13 to 3.

He also hammered Akyab today. We will see how quickly my support people get that field patched.

I did score 3 manpower hits at Kendari...let's hope that transfers to nice big fires.

That sub payed for its sins in Canton Harbor. Attacked by SBDs and TBDs