From here to...well...it SEEMS like an eternity

[rtrapasso]

BTW - congratulations!!

When is the big day?

And what were the results of the WITP-time-allowance negotiations??? [&:]

[BrucePowers]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

ORIGINAL: rtrapasso



So, are all the readers of your AAR invited... probably you just don't have all our personal addresses to send the engraved invitations to, right? [:'(]

I feel left out[:D][:D][:D]

Well...OK, if you can get past the gate security...just dont expect me to get dates for you guys. [:'(]

I would suggest you print out your avatar and stick it on your shirt pocket.

No problem....I have a color printer.[:D]

Now the plane ticket that is a problem[:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

No problem....I have a color printer.[:D]

Now the plane ticket that is a problem[:D]

Why don't you hitch a ride on the next STS mission and have them land at Edwards?

[Cap Mandrake]

...

[BrucePowers]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

No problem....I have a color printer.[:D]

Now the plane ticket that is a problem[:D]

Why don't you hitch a ride on the next STS mission and have them land at Edwards?

Weight[:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

The first delivery of the new LCT Mk5(B) from M&M Shipbuilding arrives at Darwin nearly fully loaded. She is quite a sight. Naturally a large crowd stands at dockside to great her crew. The ship's master has a serene, almost child-like presence.

[rtrapasso]

So THAT'S where the Snowdons* of yesteryear went to!! [X(] [:D]


*(sic)

[BrucePowers]

Was this the first container ship[:D]

[BrucePowers]

I could use 62000 supply anywhere right now[:D]

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

I could use 62000 supply anywhere right now[:D]

Good luck on that!

[Cap Mandrake]

******Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, July 25, 16:40*******

As a red sliver of sun sinks below the horizon, the ornate prow of an authentic replica Viking longboat slices through a breaker after riding halfway up the wave. The heavy vessel is undeterred and continues seaward. The kindling, which has been set alight now reaches a crucial temperature and seems to erupt in flame. The orange reflections of the fire now mix with the last rays of the setting sun. A crowd of 120 (minus a few a***** who RSVP'ed but no showed..thanks pal, you do realize I have to give the caterer a number BEFORE the event..where you born in a barn or something..hello..where was I..oh..) stand in reverence (OK..so there are a few who smuggled in some Heinekins..OK...are you happy, Jeez, cut me some slack, OK?). Security have done their job well. None of the guests have an avatar pinned to their shirt (or dress).

Cap Mandrake (aboard the longboat): Wait....no....I...I..I am not so sure about this. Hey, this is getting really hot! OK..no..I changed my mind! HELP! My fine linen trousers are smoking! HELP!....

[BrucePowers]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

******Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, July 25, 16:40*******

Security have done their job well. None of the guests have an avatar pinned to their shirt (or dress).

That's because you didn't post the date.[:D]

[BrucePowers]

Now if Bob and I had been there we might have been able to put out the fire[:D]

[BrucePowers]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

******Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, July 25, 16:40*******

As a red sliver of sun sinks below the horizon, the ornate prow of an authentic replica Viking longboat slices through a breaker after riding halfway up the wave. The heavy vessel is undeterred and continues seaward. The kindling, which has been set alight now reaches a crucial temperature and seems to erupt in flame. The orange reflections of the fire now mix with the last rays of the setting sun. A crowd of 120 (minus a few a***** who RSVP'ed but no showed..thanks pal, you do realize I have to give the caterer a number BEFORE the event..where you born in a barn or something..hello..where was I..oh..) stand in reverence (OK..so there are a few who smuggled in some Heinekins..OK...are you happy, Jeez, cut me some slack, OK?). Security have done their job well. None of the guests have an avatar pinned to their shirt (or dress).

Cap Mandrake (aboard the longboat): Wait....no....I...I..I am not so sure about this. Hey, this is getting really hot! OK..no..I changed my mind! HELP! My fine linen trousers are smoking! HELP!....

My contacts in Southern California say it has been a little hot there lately.[:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

******Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, July 25, 16:40*******

Security have done their job well. None of the guests have an avatar pinned to their shirt (or dress).

That's because you didn't post the date.[:D]

It was open bar. I was trying to keep the cost down.

[Cap Mandrake]

*******Bridge of HMS Shropshire, 220 ESE of Tuguegarao, Luzon, 07:30, July 9, 1943*********

Adm. Furlong (task force CO): Major, it looks like Tuguegarao. Recon shows a Jap unit at Aparri. Are your men ready?

Major Hazard, CO of Blue Foote Booby Force, 7th Aus. Inf Div:: Yes, Admiral, I believe we are.

Adm. Furlong (task force CO): And maps? Surely your preparation time is limited?

Major Hazard, CO of Blue Foote Booby Force, 7th Aus. Inf Div:: We are going to make inquiries at the Esso station.

[bradfordkay]

I think congratulations are in order... but to whom I am not quite sure! 

[CaptDave]

What Brad said. All the best!

[Moondawggie]

Wow! Laguna beach! Viking Longboats on fire in the Sunset! Even an Open Bar! [&o]

That's one excellent way of commemorating the demise of a free man...Sorry I missed it!

All the best in the future, Mandrake: Fair Winds and Following Seas throughout your marriage.

Stalker Girl is should henceforth forever be known as Mandrake's Girl! We all rejoice for you....

Now, Capt., GET BACK TO THE DARN WAR!!!!! [:-]

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Moondawggie

Wow! Laguna beach! Viking Longboats on fire in the Sunset! Even an Open Bar! [&o]

That's one excellent way of commemorating the demise of a free man...Sorry I missed it!

Well...truth be told...the ship thingy is metaphorical [;)] The open bar part I did not make up. We had 2 cases of wine, half a case of champagne, 10-15 half gallons of liquor, sissy drinks like Amaretto, a 20 ampere margarita machine imported from Yossrian's Home in Darwin...and with all that, the guests nearly got into a WWF smackdown over the Heineken on tap.

It turns out that part of Stalker Girls extended relatives make the Clampetts look like urbane sophisticates. (If she ever reads this I am soooooo dead)


OK..back to the war. Lord Admiral Tabpub ordered the assault on Kiska after weeks of air preparation. The airfield was vacant but somebody forgot to tell the Jap costal defences their position was hopeless. They absolutely tore into the AP's disembarking 7th ID. A bombardment by USS Colorado did little to silence the guns. About half of 7th ID is ashore but disorganized and out of supply. There is no way for them to attack at this time. A withdrawal would be equally problematic. The combat report from the landing was so shocking that it apparently caused Lord Admiral Tabpub's motherboard to go up in smoke. So I had to take over.

I transfered Colorado from the bombardment force to the amphibious TF to absorb damaged from the shore batteries. This left the Light Cruiser Concord and 6 DD's as a security force. The Colorado trick worked well as she absorbed 90-100 shore battery hits without catastrophic damage. The transports still got hit but not nearly as bad as on D-day.

A balanced Jap Crusier/DD force showed up at night and was intercepted by Concord and her DD's. It was ugly (see below). It would have been interesting to see if Colorado might have tipped the balance but I fear she would have eaten some torps as well. The good news is the Japs exhausted so much ammo on the Concord TF that the transports were completely saved. I haven't seen the game file yet but hope there is enough supply ashore that I can withdraw and let the 7th ID rest a bit before attacking. At least 2 of the Jap DD's will need yard time but I suspect the three CA's are still battleworthy. The weather was lousy so the Jap surface force escaped retribution by air from Adak.