No Fear, a Scen 17 AAR

[Veer]

Hi! This is a plan for a new AAR between me and sneaky_jap. Scen 17, Ship commitment: 140%. This is my first ever PBEM (I know, the shame!), not to mention I’m playing the Allies for almost the first time as well, so I expect this is going to be a humiliating learning experience. Much of this AAR is going to focus on the allied attempt to recapture as many crates of beer as possible, most of which were lost during the Japanese advance (1600 at Rabaul alone! [:@]). Not to mention Ultra decrypts points to the Japanese utilizing a hitherto unknown technique to convert the beers to sake! Sakrilege!

May 1, 1942

Not much happened today. All air forces were stood down and the pilots given pep talks on the merits of not flying 'under the influence'. Major General Allen was ordered to load his division (7th Australian) onto transports at Brisbane. When he inquired as to their destination, I replied “Top Secret!”, but promised plenty of beers once he got there. In truth I don’t know where they’re going either, but will make that decision as things develop. Spruance, commanding a carrier TF, heads off from Noumea to Townsville. Owing to an unfortunate signal delay (too many beers [:o]) no orders reached forces in New Guinea this day.

The Japs lead the Allies 3410 beer crates to 2780. That will soon change.





Recent Intelligence photo of the Japanese supervising the Beer to Sake conversion process.

[Veer]

May 2, 1942

The PM air forces launched an attack against Lae today. 7 Japanese were rudely woken and promptly died of a heart attack . A single dauntless, evidently forgetting that the bomb attached to his plane has a release mechanism, crashes into a Japanese gun (the Japs claim this is a loss to flak [8|]). 28 Nells fly over Wau dropping propaganda leaflets. This much needed supply of toilet paper has greatly improved base morale. 7th division has finished loading onto transports and is on it’s way… I discover a bunch of s-boats wandering aimlessly between Rabual and Buka, and get them some orders to concentrate around Rabaul.

Since i'm too weak to contemplate attacking, there isn't really much else I can do....
[>:]




Japanese propaganda poster

[Veer]

May 3 – 4, 1942

All quiet in the Southwest Pacific. 2 recon planes from the 8th PRS get lost and crash into the Owen Stanley Mountains on their return from Rabaul. A small team has been dispatched to recover the photographs. A ramshackle force of about 3000 Japanese soon-to-be-POWs arrived at the port of Gilli Gilli on the 3rd. I had my adjutant explain that the local golf course was closed, and to return latter. Allied TFs continue to sail the Coral Sea at random. Spruance was discovered heading towards the Solomons, I had him do an about face. Morale for most Air Forces remains poor – I must remember to increase the beer ration as soon as some becomes available. Nothing at all happening in SOPAC. Ghormley catches up on his tan.





May 3rd: The Scene at Gilli Gilli

[Veer]

May 5 1942

The Japanese broke down the gate and captured Gilli Gilli yesterday. [:@]
In retaliation, sub s-47 put 994 pounds of TNT into a jap troop transport one hex out of Rabaul. The ship will probably survive, but it's a small victory.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/05/42

Sub attack at 21,29

Japanese Ships
AP Asakasan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire [&o]

Allied Ships
SS S-47

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 33
Guns lost 1
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AP Asakasan Maru going down!

[Veer]

May 6 1942

The Jap invasion of Gilli Gilli has left me unsure of what to do. I HAD planned to attempt to keep PM rather than evacuate, and the loss of Gilli Gilli will just make that harder. The original plan (which I came up with yesterday) was for one Bde to unload at Gilli, while the rest of the 7th division moved to PM. I have a second smaller TF consisting on one Eng unit and one base force following as well.
A quick change of plans has the 7th Division, minus the 18th Bde, move to Gilli Gilli to recapture the base. The 18th Bde will move to PM instead. Spruance, commanding the carrier Lex and Yorktown will move to a position in between PM and Gilli Gilli to provide aircover via LRCAP. Lee, commanding a SC TF will cover the transports.
Bombers from Cooktown and PM will support the operation.

Nothing of note occurred today. A lone Mavis did spot my carriers though. Crap!
[:@]

The Plan:

[Veer]

May 7 1942

All TFs in position. TF 1 arrives at Gilli Gilli, accompanied by Lee’s cruisers. They don’t unload though, I had set them to ‘do not retire’, doh![:-] A flight of B-25s from cooktown and some Dauntlesses and Hudsons from PM bomb Gilli Gilli. One hit is reported on the port, which evidently blew up the Japanese commanders latrine. Strangely my ships undergo no air attacks. Rabaul and Lae are closed owing to bad weather. Even stranger a Jap FT TF (some CLs and DDs) has been parked off Lea for 2 turns now. A squad of Zeros has also rebased to Lae. Hmmm….


B-25s over New Guinea

[Veer]

May 7th 1942, phase 2

Unloading continues at Gilli. VERY slowly though. By evening only half the ground forces and less than a third of supplies have been unloaded [:@]. B-25s continue to pound Gilli, though strangely by carrier attack craft fail to fly. CV Yorktown is spotted by a Mavis once again (crap!), so I can only spare one fighter group for LRCAP over Gilli.
The Japanese seem slow to react at first. It seems the timing was good. A Jap TF consisting of heavy CAs was spotted unloading troops at Lunga. The other smaller TF remains at Lea. Its only in the evening that the japs launch an air assault against my ships in Milne bay. At around 1700 hrs, 24 Nells escorted by 39 Zeros (!!!![X(]!!!!) fly against my exposed ships.
I have only 10 F-3s on CAP. 5 are shot down in as many minutes, taking only 1 zero with them. The bombers aren't hindered at all. 2 Dozen begin their attack runs on my ships. I can't watch....
....
....
Turns out it wasn't that bad though. The japs aim for my SC TF instead of the exposed transports. CA Chicago and CL Hobart are hit by one torpedo apiece, but nothing too serious. Both should make a safe port quite easily. In return the bombers are butchered.

No sign of jap carriers so far.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/07/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
G3M Nell x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 8 destroyed **** 11 lost **** [8D]
G3M Nell x 22 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *** 22 sys, 12 Flt ***
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *** 17 sys, 8 Flt ***
CA New Orleans
CA Astoria
CA Minneapolis
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CA Chicago

[Sergeant]

[font="Trebuchet MS"][/font]Enjoying your AAR. Wish I had your expertise in embelishing the AARs with photos & other visual effects.
Good job... [:)]

Sergeant

[Veer]

May 8, 1942
The First Battle for Gilli Gilli, Day 1

Today sees a bevy of activity and numerous air attacks. Once again my carrier strike aircraft refuse to fly, though I guess my assigning both carrier based fighter squadrons to LRCAP could have something to do with it. A total of 24 Nells, 32 Bettys, escorted by at times upto 33 zeros attack my ships. A Zero squad has been assigned to LRCAP Gilli Gilli as well, chewing up my bomber attacks. And despite my assigning both my F-3 squads to LRCAP Gilli, I still have only 10 fighters on station. They make up for their dismal performances yesterday though. Only 4 Wildcats are lost, with them taking down at least 9 zeros and 3 bombers. 2 Transports and 1 CA are hit, with another 12 bombers being downed by flak.

Success in the air is overshadowed by failure at sea though. A small Jap TF (3 CLs, 6 DDs), sails down to contest the landings in BROAD daylight. Lee is unable to achieve anything though. In 3 combat rounds with ranges of 18000, 13000, and 19000 yards the allies are surprised twice, and the crusiers mange to put only ONE 8” shell into the CL Tenryu. A golden opportunity, wasted!

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/08/42

Weather: Clear

Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 12
A-24 Dauntless x 12
B-17E Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 4 destroyed *** 3 lost ***
Hudson x 1 damaged
A-24 Dauntless x 1 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 1 destroyed *** 2 lost ***
B-17E Fortress x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 50

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Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
G3M Nell x 23
G4M1 Betty x 32

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 9 destroyed *** 11 lost *** [8D]
G3M Nell x 6 destroyed *** 9 lost *** [8D]
G3M Nell x 7 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 4 destroyed *** 12 lost *** [:D]
G4M1 Betty x 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 destroyed *** 4 lost ***
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Rhesus, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *** 88 sys, 49 Flt, going down***
AK Idomeneus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *** 15 sys, 7 Flt, will survive ***
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1 *** 7 sys, 19 Flt ***

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42


PO1 G.Kurihara of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Tatsuta
CL Yubari
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 2
DD Yayoi
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Mochizuki
DD Oite, Shell hits 1
DD Asanagi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 2
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
CA Minneapolis
CA Australia, Shell hits 1
DD Walke
DD Phelps, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *** 26 sys, 49 Flt***
DD Farragut
DD Dewey, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Monaghan
DD Aylwin, Shell hits 2, on fire

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Meanwhile, on the ground things went more satisfactorily. While a part of the 25th Bde was still stuck on the transports, the majority of the 7th Division had landed without a hitch. Maj. Gen. Allen ordered BGen. Pots to lead the 21st Bde on an outflanking maneuver, while the 25th Bde kept the Japanese pinned down at the front. Most importantly the key road leading to the Gilli Gilli port had to secured. After some stiff initial fighting, and under the cover of a large bombardment by 25 pd. Howitzers, 21st Bde cleared the road on Japanese troops and moved into position to launch an assault on the port the next day. See map below:

Gilli Gilli Ground attack, Day 1


On a side note, the IJN captured Lunga today.

[Veer]

ORIGINAL: Sergeant

[font="Trebuchet MS"][/font]Enjoying your AAR. Wish I had your expertise in embelishing the AARs with photos & other visual effects.
Good job... [:)]

Sergeant

Thanks. I'm enjoying yours as well. [:)]

[Veer]

May 9, 1942
The First Battle for Gilli Gilli, Day 2

I pulled out all my ships from Gilli Gilli last night. Main reason is because I’m withdrawing my carriers – don’t want to tempt fate any longer. Most of my ground forces have been unloaded, along with a decent amount of supplies, but my transports still retire 1/3rd full. Is it just me, or does loading/unloading take longer in PBEM? I had expected the Japanese TF to withdraw during the night as well, but strangely enough they stayed on station – maybe they are trying to evacuate the garrison? [:-] My carrier strike aircraft don’t fly again, though this could be because they are now out of range. Thunderstorms prevent any other air activity this turn.

The Ground offensive is a complete success. Attacking just before mid-day (organizational problems) troops of the 25th and 21st Bdes smashed through the Axis front line. 25th Bde (still missing a portion of it’s command staff) was held up slightly by Japanese forces fighting near the river. 21st Bde broke the enemies flank though and liberated the port of Gilli by mid-afternoon. The Japanese forces broke and fled for the river. Unfortunately my troops were unable to prevent some of them escaping. Maj Gen Allen anticipates complete success by tomorrow - he'd better! In total the 7th division suffered 15 dead and 60 wounded. Japanese casualties amount to 250+, with only nine prisoners being taken. See map below:


Gilli Gilli Ground attack, Day 2


A Jap TF consisting of heavy CAs was spotted in-between Shortlands and Gilli. Looks like I got my ships away just in time.

[Veer]

May 10, 1942
The First Battle for Gilli Gilli, Day 3

My ships are well on their way home. AK Rheus sinks – the first casualty. Thunderstorms cover my retreating ships and once again prevent any air activity this turn.
Only mppoing up operations remain at Gilli Gilli. The enemy, estimated at about 2500+, have retreated to the North Beach from where they evidently hope to be rescued. With Gilli Gilli now firmly in allied hands and with the 7th Div HQ now setup, it was hoped that the organizational mistakes of yesterday could be avoided and the entire Japanese force 'put in the bag'. Unfortunately a Jap bombardment TF strolled into Milne Bay and pumped 8” shells into the 21st Bde. 50 Aussies became casualties and 1 gun was lost, not to mention the start of the attack was delayed considerably.

The issue was never in any doubt though. A late afternoon assult of the beach overran the enemy postions, resulting in over 1,300+ axis casualties and the capture of 23 guns.
A decisive Allied victory! [:)] See map below for the situation just prior to the final attack:


Gilli Gilli Ground attack, Day 3



On a side note, Kanga force recovered the lost recon photos. Since they were now only a few meters away from Marilinan, I gave them permission to capture the base. [:D]

[Veer]

May 11 1942

The battle is over. Today is all [>:]

The Batlle of Gilli Gilli evaluation.

Naval:
Mised opportunities. 1 AK was lost, 2 others slightly damaged. 1 CA, 1 CL and 3 DDs damaged. Japan: only 1 DD damaged. [:o]

Ground:
Success! Though a part of the jap garrison did escape. [:@]

Air:
Decisive Victory! [:)] Allied planes - 40 F3 Wildcats, of which no more than 10 were on station, about 30 medium bombers, 12 Heavy. Loses: 9 wildcats, 3 Hudson’s, 2 B25s & 2 B17s for a total of 16 aircraft lost. Japan: 50 naval bombers and 70 fighters. Loses:
12 Zeros, 12 Bettys and 20 Nells, for a total of 44 aircraft lost. [8D]

******
On the whole the battle went well. Especially considering it was thought up at the last minute, and the support forces – aircraft and combat ships – were minimal. Had the IJN carriers or cruisers intervened early in the battle, it could have been a disaster, or at least I would have suffered far worse losses than I did. That said, I was a little premature withdrawing my surface ships on the 8th – had they stuck around till the 9th I’m certain the axis surface ships would have been butchered by Lee and Spurances naval strike planes. However having 3 CAs and 3 transports being torpedoed is enough to give anyone second thoughts on lingering around. Not to mention I had no idea where or how far away the IJN carriers were.

Also, the Gilli Gilli operation served (inadvertently) as a cover for my reinforcement of PM. TF 2 and TF 3 unloaded 1 Bde, 1 base force and 1 Eng unit at PM, along with a decent amount of supplies. This in addition to the 1 Bde and 2 Eng units I had flown in. PM now has 130+ engineers. Given that SJ had over 50 bombers and 70+ zeros available to commit, I doubt these TFs would have made it to PM without trouble otherwise.

Overall I would say – 3.5 beers out of 5!

[Veer]

May 12 1942

A Jap sub I-29 puts two fish into the AP Largs Bay just outside PM. So begins her sad sad tale.

I begin to move combat planes to PM.

May 13 1942

AP Largs Bay, with 30 sys and 40 Flt struggles towards Cairns.

Jap CVs are spotted at Kavieng. I send a sub to investigate.

May 14 1942

SS-47 mistakes a transport for a carrier and puts a torp into AP Meiten Maru. 9 Japanese jump overboard, only to be eaten by sharks.

Revenge of the Sushi:


50 Allied bombers, escorted by 60 Fighters/FBs bomb Lae. I lose 9 aircraft, the Japs lose 4. 38 holes appear on Laes runway. Hmmm….

Largs Bay still afloat, still trying for Cairns. I-28 puts 3(!!) fish into her. A report comes up that she sank. [:(]

The Japs capture Buna

May 15 1942

Largs Bay Lives!! Now with 60 sys and 50 Flt she could still make Cairns!!

A further attack on Lae. By some minor miracle a Rufe manages to down a B26. 68 burrows created in the runway this time. Much better.

Jap CVs reappear at Kavieng. Subs dispatched yet again.

May 16 1942

Thunderstorms. Bomber attacks on Lae put on hold. Fighter opposition is light, but op losses are crippling. A large supply TF leaves Townsville bound for PM. Best to keep the base well stocked.

Largs Bay steams into Cairns harbour. Low in the water, her heroic crew stand on deck, the white ensign with the stars of Australia still flying in the early morning wind. A great crowd has gathered at the wharf, cheering as the ship moves closer. A military band plays ‘Waltzing Matilda’, bring a tear to many an Aussie eye, and the crowd take up the refrain. Now just feet away from the dock, a dock worker throws the Largs Bay a line. A Seaman catches it! A huge cheer rises from the crowd! Babies begin to cry! The band plays louder! A crescendo of emotion! Two huge explosions! The Largs bay heaves up and sinks with all hands, just inches form the dock! Oh! The humanity!

Sub I-28 slips away quietly, snickering to itself.

Oh! The Humanity!

[jeffs]

By far the best graphics and illustrations in an AAR ever.
Bravo....

[Veer]

May 17 1942

Funeral marches are held for the crew of the Largs Bay. All over Australia flags fly at half mast. MacArthur demands revenge! It is duly dispatched.


May 18 1942

I-28 add insult to injury by putting another torp (how many does that thing have!) into DD Morris of my ASW TF. My Other ASW TF (SCs only) runs out of fuel one hex out of Cairns and decides to return to Townsville! [:@] Morris is hurt bad. About 30 Sys and 50 Flt. Intelligence has uncovered a picture of the commander of I-28. I’ve had it distributed throughout all commands.


Hmmmmm.....

May 18 1942
Today is a good day. Reports from an SBD’s flying off the Yorktown claim that I-28 is “::::::::::Hit”. One can hope the sub has either sunk, or is atleast forced to retire because of lack of torpedoes.

My carriers are covering a resupply TF to PM Btw. IJN carriers still at Kavieng.
2 Hudsons succeed in dropping two bombs in Rabual harbour, which make a nice satisfying slash and wet the Japanese commanders newly dried laundry.


May 19 1942

Maj N. Fleay, commander of Kanga Force, after intensive searching discovers a hidden clue saying “30 Km to the North, do 10 beers lie.” Evidently excited at this news, the entire Kanga force picks up and head to Nadzab, where the 10 beers are duly found, liberated and drunk.


Kanga Force looking for more clues.

[Veer]

May 20 1942

Heavy Jap FT activity. Numerous TFs arriving and leaving Rabaul. My subs take some shots at a few of them, but all miss. I begin airlifting a brigade to Nadzab. PM now has 3+ Brigades, and another on the way.

I receive some reinforcements form Pearl today! The CVE Long Island and 3 DDs.
I’m so happy!

I stand down my planes from ASW patrol for a bit. Morale is awful. To make up I distribute leaflets among all my ASW surface ships:

How to kill a sub in 3 easy steps:


May 21 1942

All zzzzzzz. [>:]
Order a recon of Rabaul. Learn nothing of importance – the base has 24F, 40B and 20Aux. A few MSW and DDs in port.

A ML is spotted midway between Rabaul and Gilli. Since I hate MLs, I move my carriers (now free of covering the resupply TF) to a position to attack it the next day. Hehehe

IJN Cv’s have vanished from Kaveing…
Should I be worried? [:D]

May 22 1942
My SBDs once again refuse to fly!!![:@] This despite the ML beging in range and my CVs not spotted! Out of spite I order my carriers into postion to strike at Lea tomorrow. A large Jap convoy spotted in the slot heading towards Lunga. IJN Cv’s reappear W of Buka, one can hope they are otherwise occupied covering the transport TF.

[Veer]

May 23 1942

The Japanese have been remarkably quiet after the battle of Gilli. Lots of transport TF moving here and there, but no offensive moves at all. I wonder what he could be waiting for??? [:'(]

1 Bde now at Nadzab, along with 1 Eng unit. No supplies though…. Oops.

After almost a month of catching up on their tan, my SBDs finally fly… Lae is flattened, my bombers from PM put up a good show too. Jap resistance is negligible… Is Lae mine for the taking?

SBDs sunning themselves prior to the Lae attack


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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/23/42
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Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 1
A6M2-N Rufe x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 67

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 14 damaged ***2 lost***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 370
Guns lost 3

Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

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Air attack on Lae , at 9,33


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 15
Wirraway x 18
P-400 Airacobra x 15
P-39D Airacobra x 33
P-40E Kittyhawk x 30
F-5A Lightning x 2
A-24 Dauntless x 15
B-26B Marauder x 46
A-20B Havoc x 14


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 damaged ***lost****
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 423
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 58

[toraq]

Nice AAR, quite fun. And good pictures and maps. I like maps [:)]. The only bad thing is that you play as allies[;)]

[Veer]

May 24 1942

Disaster! The Japanese launch a major ASW effort to destroy my subs. SS-41 now rests in pieces just off New Britain. Evidently the entire crew had amassed on deck to take a ‘group photo’ and the bright flash alerted the Japanese to their presence. That photo is now all that is left of Cmdr Holly and his ship.

The constant attacks on my subs have necessitated their return to port owing to lack of fuel. I pull my others subs out of the Rabaul area; and move them to Shortlands and Lae.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/24/42
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Weather: Clear

Sub attack at 21,30

Japanese Ships
DD Yugure
DD Shigure

Allied Ships
SS S-41, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk***

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SS-41, the final minutes:

All group photos have been banned pending further notice.[:-]

May 25 1942

As retaliation for yesterday’s debacle, SS-47 puts a trop into the AP Akashisan Maru.
Small change, but worth it.

No other action in the rest of the South Pacific. [>:]

May 26 1942

Bombing of Lae recommences. Close to 200 Fighters and Bombers darken the sky over New Guinea. 460 Jap troops which came out to watch are summarily blown to smithereens. I lose 6 planes though, all op losses. Grrrrr.

3rd Australian Division arrives at Brisbane and is promptly loaded onto transports. Since I suspect Gilli Gilli has been mined, I dispatch a MSW TF to make a quick recon of the approaches.