jcjordan
Posts: 1900
Joined: 6/27/2001 Status: offline
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I have discovered an intelligence leak that has led to the IJN being able to break my naval code. They learned of my plans to send Hornet back to Pearl along with several other fairly damaged ships & subs in exchange for CincPac releasing more ships to me. There are 2 CV's & 3 BB's sitting in Pearl that I'm hoping to get sent my way due to the current crisis. Intel & naval search has now warned me of IJN CV forces intending to gain air superiorty over Lunga with the following - Akagi, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Shoho, Hiyo & another unknown CVL vs Wasp & Enterprise with 3CA, 2CL, 1CLAA & 12DD. I've only got the S Dakota's TF with 2CA, 2CL, 1CLAA & 15DD to counter any surface threat the IJN sends. I've rotated fresh squadrons onto Lunga for the coming battle. So far the IJN seems to be hovering just east of the Solomans out of my fighter range of Lunga. With only 2 CV's against the IJN 6 carriers, Spruance is continuing to hover around Lunga supported by & giving support to them. I can chase the IJN away for a day by sending a TF of PT boats to their location. The Betty's from Rabaul tend to make a nuisance of themselves attacking & sinking my MSW that have no aircover, on LRCAP at Lunga, that are clearing my minefields laid to protect Irau during my early invasion staging of the Solomans. I must hurry & change my codes as the IJ forces seem to be reading my every move & take advantage of every opening. I forsee a tactical stalemate in the current situation with the IJN withdrawing in a few days for fuel unless they force the issue. I continue to setup forward supply in New Guinea. Intelligence has found that the IJAAF has started to expand Wewak. Due to this I've had to shift my air attack forces slightly with Lae shifting from Kaveing to Wewak & Dobodura, when expension has finished, taking care of Kavieng. Buna is filling that role at the moment though without fighter cover. PM/GG continue to neutralize Rabaul. I must also talk to my air supply about switching B17 groups over to B24s. I have so few B17's & hardly any replacements coming in that I've had to disband several groups. I must also talk to my air personnel officer as I see that I have 2 squadrons with an inordinate amount of personnel assigned with several other squadrons understrength. One bomber squadron has 150 pilots for only 12 planes & a fighter squadron has 60 pilots for 24 planes. This must just be some clerical snafu where the paperwork hasn't caught up yet. If found to be the squadron commanders hoarding pilots, heads will roll.
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