A good day for the empire. His imperial majesty will be pleased.
The day didn't start off very well as the Royal Navy slid silently into Andaman anchorage and attacked my troops stationed there with his 5 battleships...
They day improved when I-153 put a torpedo into the side of one of his transports trying to flee Noumea. I-28 followed that up with a run at the USS Dale causing her heavy damage.
The air battle of PM was begun anew as I hit the airfield again attempt to make it uninviting for his 4Es which struck Rabaul yesterday. Problem is, I prefer not to use my ship killers in this role and intend to bring down some Sallys as soon as I get the free tranport space.
I also struck Broome with a fresh Betty squadron, just to serve as a reminder that I can hit the north Australian coast at will.
Then the crowning attack of the day. Nagumo went into action with Junyo who had dashed at flank speed to a position northwest of Andaman Island. BANZAI!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 20,32
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 16
B5N Kate x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
B5N Kate: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged
Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Bomb hits 1
BB Ramilles, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Royal Sovereign
BB Resolution, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
The Kates suffered heavily in the attacks ...all replacements from the original squadron.
My Top Gun Betty Pilots were up next...and assured the Royal Navy will not darken this part of the IO without carrier support every again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 20,32
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Torpedo hits 1
BB Resolution, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Ramilles, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Warspite
I reduced his fortress at Efate to zero. I really think the place is about to fall tomorrow or the next day. I can only hope now that all my combat power is steaming north to rearm and refuel.
All in all not a bad day at all.
Here is a shot of the situation in China...
