We must make an assumption based upon the appearance of the Japanese carriers at Pearl, their circuitous route to avoid detection in the approach, their lingering at Pearl and their then departure for an area near Fanning Island (confirmed by lone merchant ship sunk off Christmas Island today) that they are using a large replenishment task force to refuel their carriers. This is the only way that they could continue to operate so far from a friendly base with very large refuelling stocks.
Yesterday our two CV Tfs operating near Midway Island made contact with and attacked a large predominantly AO TF. Over four waves of attacks we feel that all but one of these ships has been severely crippled and indeed it is unlikely they will survive to reach a friendly port. Most of the bombs used were 1,000 lbers, each one capable of doing sufficient damage to a surface ship to cripple it. These were all penetrating hits which reached the fuel carried on the tankers.
If we are right in our assumption about the Japanese plans for sustained CV operation round Palmyra and the cutting of the shipping links to Australia/ new Zealand their Admiral must now have a very nervous view of his fuel supplies on his ships.
Confirmed hits:
AO Ken'yo Maru Bomb hits 4, on fire
AO Kokuyo Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire heavy damage
AO Nihon Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AO Toei Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AO Shinkoku Maru, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AO Toho Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Ushio Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akebono, Bomb hits 2, on fire
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