The Hawke vs The Condor - Sc 17

[neuromancer]

Premature evacuation?

Oy! That's 'orrible!

But still funny!

[Shadow of the Condor]

8 Jul 42
Wx: Clear

ACTREP 7-8 Jul 42 SWPAC/SOPAC Operating Theater –

Overnight BUSTER (coastwatchers)

CA at Cooktown, PG at Irau, CA, CL, DD at Gili Gili

Overnight SHEPHERD (air search)

None

Overnight FIREHOUSE (combat)

Destroyers (i)Makigumo, Makinami, Arare, Shirayatsu, Shigure, Fumusuki, Nagasuki(/i) 120 miles NNE of Gili Gili

Daytime BUSTER

AP at Shortland, AV at Rennell, AV at Rossell, CA at Cairns, CA x 3, CL, DD at GG, AG x 2 at Lunga, BB, CL, DD x 7 at Gili Gili, PG at Irau, CA at Gili Gili

Daytime SHEPHERD

MS x 2, AP x 7 90 miles NNE of Townsville, DE, AP x 6 60 miles N of Townsville, DD x 3 60 miles N of Townsville, CL x 2, DD 120 miles NNE of Townsville

Daytime FIREHOUSE

AP x 4 ((i) Meiyo Maru, Koyo Maru, Hakuyo Maru on fire badly damaged, Marsue Maru (/i)) NNE of Townsville. One AP light damage. Transports classified as loaded.

Submarine attacked by enemy LBA (F1M2 Pete). No damage.

AP x 3 ((i)Josho Maru, Azuma Maru, Hokko Maru(/i)) Two APs hit by 250lb bombs, both burning badly. Transports classified as loaded.

AP x 2 ((i)Kimishima Maru, Hikade Maru(/i)) 60 miles N of Townsville attacked by submarine. One AP hit with one torpedo. Estimate Severe Flooding. Transport classified as loaded.

Message Ends…

1700L…briefing room…base operations building…Noumea, New Caledonia…

The Admiral winced a bit as the cigar smoke unexpectedly blew back into his eyes. Rubbing his eyes, he listened as the aid gave the report from both Townsville and Charter Towers. The base facilities at Townsville were completely repaired, and the repair crews were just now arriving at Charter Towers. The squadrons at both bases had been virtually used up, and pilots were at their breaking point. A lack of rest and continuous air attacks had taken their toll. The enemy was there, and they were almost defenseless – but the Allies had very little in the way of airpower that could take advantage of it. One Wirraway squadron from Charter Towers was all that got off the ground today, and they strafed one convoy and planted two bombs into another. S-41 also did her part, putting one torpedo into an IJN transport with a long way to go to get home.

Now the question remained as to whether the Japanese troops withdrawing (the aide hesitated to use the word “fleeing”) along the coast highway to Innisfail and, presumably, Cairns; would stay there and attempt to consolidate an Australian base of operations or withdraw north to New Guinea.

1800L…Aitkenvale Weir airbase…36th Fighter Squadron briefing area…

Lt McGee understood the logic of the mission. He knew that the Allies had to take advantage of the opportunity to reduce the enemy at every possibility.

He still didn’t like it. He wished, begged, and pleaded for just one more day’s rest for his squadron. But the orders stood. Tomorrow, the fighter bombers at both Townsville and Caharter Towers would begin hunting the Japanese units that escaped Townsville and were headed north.

He stubbed out his cigarette and began addressed the squadron’s pilots. Looking at them, they were worn out. They were more than tired – they were going through changes that made young men jaded. Even Lt. Daniels who, when he first arrived (and that seemed an eternity ago) boasted he could make the P-39D “do anything” and how he would outfly those “little yellow people”. Gone was the brashness of his youth, and in its place was an understanding of the horrors of war and what it did to men of all sides. Second lieutenant Horace Daniels of Wetherfield, Connecticut, learned that lesson first hand what 37mm cannons did to the human body – and he had a full view of the carnage he inflicted from only 100 feet above. During the debriefing of that “successful” naval attack mission, he vomited and started crying while describing what he did to his fellow human beings. But he flew. They all did.

2344L…Rockhampton airbase…flight line…

The crew was assembled near their bomber. During the entire operation to defend Townsville, they had seen limited action. There had been one raid on Cairns to try and persuade the IJN to not use it as a refueling point for their bombardment task forces. Moderately successful, the four squadrons at the base had been seemingly forgotten about for the rest of the operation. Tonight was about to change that. Captain Gold, and the crew of (i)Southern Angel(/i) were on their way back to Cairns. Hopefully, they would get the mission in before the predicted thunderstorms would move in...

Here's the CR:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/08/42

Weather: Clear

Sub attack at 19,40

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,57


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 13


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Koyo Maru
AP Meiyo Maru
AP Hokuyo Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Marsue Maru, Shell hits 8

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,60


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 12


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Josho Maru
AP Azuma Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Hokko Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 14
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 10,60

Japanese Ships
AP Kimishima Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Hikade Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-41

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 22


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[Shadow of the Condor]

I just received an e-mail from LH. He is unable to continue the match due to changing jobs, and has formally surrendered via e-mail. I thoroughly enjoyed the game and the storytelling. I look forward to crossing talons with him again. [:)]