Rising Sun, Falling Skies: BTSL Bigred vs John 3rd

[bigred]

12/2/42A:

[bigred]

42/12/2B:

[BBfanboy]

Mountains have a rough all their own - make that wooded rough. [:)]

[bigred]

42/12/3:

[bigred]

42/12/4:

[John 3rd]

December 7, 1942

The one-year anniversary of the war is FRIGHTENING! The fact that I Post the fall of Normanton to Japanese Forces is amazing. It is not the most important thing that happened but it is the BEST thing that happened for Japan--kind of--this turn.

After two BB TF blast the troops at Normanton, 60-70 bombers hit the Allies more during the day then a Japanese Shock Attack goes in and scores a 2-1 with Forts at ZERO. YES!

Results:
Japan loses 705 Cas to the Allied 4,937, 128 Guns, and 190 Vehicles.

Very Nice.

[John 3rd]

After Paul watches the turn and does some serious drinking, I'll comment on action way out east...

[bigred]

12/7/42a: Allied Combined US and British Carrier fleet has been at sea for about 5 days SW of SD. A large allied transport fleet was sent to Pearl and the IJN CVs responded into the area between pearl and US west coast. Surprisingly an allied xAK discovered the 10 Jap Fleet oilers. So I have been tracking the AO TF for 4 days. After loosing site of AO TF on day 3 I shotgun spread w 6 hex gaps the Allied CA TFs into a eastern grid sweep.

[bigred]

12/7b:

[bigred]

12/7c:

[bigred]

12/7d:

[bigred]

12/7e:

[bigred]

12/7f:

[bigred]

12/7g:

[BBfanboy]

Uh-oh! Loss of those AOs may mean the CVs are stranded in Indian Country. And loss of those Carrier Aircraft may mean they are low on weapons and ammo. Ulcer time!

[John 3rd]

Ulcer time is correct. My air search picked up none of this at all. Lost six of my big AOs. Fuel looks pretty scary as they were coming up to refuel the CVs.

One cannot describe the incredible sense of trepidation I had as the turn played out. I kept waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for the crushing Allied CV Strike. The tension was horrific. When it didn't happen I let out a shout of relief. It then dawned on me that I now had to figure what the HELL to do...

Have options and NONE Of them are particularly appetizing.

Stay tuned folks!

[John 3rd]

Will note that the morning Japanese strike did hit CV Hornet with two 250Kg bombs...it isn't much, but it is something I guess...

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Ulcer time is correct. My air search picked up none of this at all. Lost six of my big AOs. Fuel looks pretty scary as they were coming up to refuel the CVs.

One cannot describe the incredible sense of trepidation I had as the turn played out. I kept waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for the crushing Allied CV Strike. The tension was horrific. When it didn't happen I let out a shout of relief. It then dawned on me that I now had to figure what the HELL to do...

Have options and NONE Of them are particularly appetizing.

Stay tuned folks!

One half to one teaspoon of baking soda in water, sip only - do not gulp. Repeat as needed. [;)]

[bigred]

Where??
Inbox

John Cochran
9:35 AM (5 minutes ago)
to me

Where is my turn??? We're on pins and needles out here!

If it is true the IJN CVTF needs to refuel, then the CVs have about 2 days cruising range.

A mini KB is about 1/2 days away. it may make this battle, I decided to take the exchanges since I am near west coast.

If the CVs meet up and refuel within range off my carriers that would be interesting because I have surface TFs in area also.

I expect John will command a CV banzai attack this turn with all his fighters as escort.
Maybe not if he has any relief CVs nearby.

[John 3rd]

December 8, 1942
The Eastern Pacific

Ships sink this turn. Only problem is that they are Allied. Two Allied DDs (Bundaberg and Gansevoort) are sunk by Japanese aircraft well to the NORTH Of the Allied CVs.

The Japanese desperately move NORTH to avoid the surface groups that are now all over the damned ocean. The carriers are intercepted, however, by a French CL and 2 DDs. The cruiser and DDs are driven off by the KB's four Kongo-Class BCs. This does not happen until AFTER CV Shokaku takes a shell and---CRAP!---a TT.

Yaaa....great....{SIGH}

There is a suicidal dash made this turn though. The newer CL Agano and two AA DDs are ordered to shear off of the carrier screen and race TOWARDS the enemy CV TF. I do like suicidal charges, however, not using my CVs! At any rate, the Agano TF runs into CL Perth and 6 US DDs. A seven or eight round fight occurs where the TF smacks Perth and two DDs pretty good. The Japanese take little damage here.

DAWN

As hoped, the Allied CVs moved slightly south and are only 3-4 hexes to the east of the small TF. There are morning (24 F4F and 32 SBD) and an afternoon (32 F4F and 30 SBD) strikes from the carriers. The Japanese wildly maneuver about the ocean and only see single hits to Agano and one DD. The lousy bombing is further insulted by a pair of SBDs being shot down by the little TF.

What shall we do with them???

Orders are given. Lets see what transpires for December 9th.