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The big question: How many IJN ships run into mines?

I am going to guess 2 hits.

Meanwhile, lots of action at Tokyo where fresh troops march off for the front!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je6tcrVEzW8

And not to be outdone this song can be heard from the decks of the battleships as the red sun goes down and the fleets surge forward for the decisive struggle....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYd2CJae0mA

Sept 29, 1943

No night bombing. Amazing what two sentais of Irving -s can stop.

The night is black, no stars, overcast with squalls, the moon dark. Perfect weather for PT boats, the bane of the IJN.

The hardest working heavy cruiser in the Japanese fleet is the Tone. Inspiringly led by Bunji Asakura. It was Asakura that led the Tone in a shocking raid of Perth harbor leaving death and destruction. Prior to that he raided the far northwest coast of India sinking several ships and then turning on the pursuers and sinking them too.

Now, he was tasked with sneaking into Car Nicobar and bombarding the airfield there for the planes must be destroyed prior to the 4th Infantry's landing at Trinkat.

This time was different, Bunji was well escorted with fast destroyers, light cruiser forces, all designed to sweep the PT Boats aside and clear the way for Bunji to unleash the full fury of his guns and ammunition on the hapless Allies at Car Nicobar.

But, as fate would have it, Bunji found himself alone again! His support taskforces lost contact, radio silence had to be maintained, and the night was so dark.

Would Bunji and the Tone be up to the task? Caught by PT Boats and their damn radar 50 miles out of Car Nicobar...

Not again, as the PT boats regroup and try to slow the Tone and Bunji down, but Bunji quickly extricates his task force and makes for Car Nicobar dodging several torpedoes.

Where are the support task forces?

More work for the Tone and Bunji! Caught flat footed at Car Nicobar a bunch of worthless cargo ships. Bunji order's his forces to engage...where are the support task forces?

The burning ships provide plenty of illumination to fire on the Allied airbases! A spotting Jake walks the rounds in...goodness, there are Thunderbolts on the island. At least one squadron...high priority target them and the bombers!

With dawn coming, the Tone and company turn to Trinkat and a fighter umbrella (hopefully). Ammunition depleted, torpedoes spent, and no mines hit!

Meanwhile, with the breaking dawn Georges and Tonies sweep Car Nicobar and meet some defenders. These sweeps were designed to keep fighters flying CAP from a damaged runway an prevent them from joining any retaliatory naval strike. Mission accomplished.

But Bunji and Tone aren't safe yet, entering Trinkat a destroyer hits a mine, and blows up!

And then, the weary sailors must man battlestations waiting for the predictable Allied air attack.

And they come, whirling dancing death in the sky above the Tone. The Avengers are making a run on her, the Tone builds speed, circles, avoiding the enemy minefield while the Japanese fighters try to get passed the Allied fighter escort...

Three Avengers survive long enough to make runs, but the Tone dodges easily.

And, no rest for Bunji as the American four engined beasts come roaring in to be met by Oscar, Tony, George and Tojo.

Finally, the Allied air fury is spent, and Bunji looks at the port of Trinkat...overflowing with battleships, cruisers, troop transports, destroyers, E's, light cruisers. Not a one of them has fired a shot.

Tomorrow will be their day! 6 Hexes to Port Blair, 2 to Car Nicobar and all those damaged planes. Banzai!

Elsewhere, at Ramree, I-16 finds and sinks two small landing craft with two shots from her deck gun...

The Sussex gets away![:(]

I have lost over 20 ships to enemy mines...and my predecessor lost all but two DMS.

Lousy low value Allied cargo ships, their numbers are like sand on the beach.

A good day in the Air. Any day where Japan kills more Allied planes is a good day! 5 Thunderbolts down, and 4 four engined beasties.

The IJA is seriously outnumbered on the Burma front...a look at the Rangoon forces.

Why in the world would there be a depleted infantry divison there?

Possibly a fragment left after its been loaded on to transports?

Good move that btw!

A look at Burma....whither the Allied tank army?

A closer look.

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Possibly a fragment left after its been loaded on to transports?

Good move that btw!

Don't like the sound of that, but where would they have loaded up at? No transports at Rangoon. Further back? Flown away?

Whatever it is, I don't like it!

I took time out and watched the play by play of the air to air war to get a handle on Tony, and I think although it is a good plane, the Oscar IV is probably better.

With dual centerline cannons the Oscar can kill, about the only area the Tony did better was forcing home attacks on the 4Es, Oscars are just a little frail for that job, but still very respectable.

The Tony was better than the Tojo, which really only damages enemy fighters. The Tony killed a few outright.

More experimentation is obviously needed.

In other planes news, the first Nick D NF factory is fully repaired and researching. Nothing great here, I will probably get the Nick D 2-3 months early so say Jan - Feb 44. Could use them earlier I think my oil will be in peril well before then.