PzB74
Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000 From: No(r)way Status: offline
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Some truth in that analysis Nemo, but it's always dangeours to generalise! Me and Andy are well match when all comes to all I think; playing Allies requires somewhat different skills than playing Japan. Today was a very interesting day; and a not too good day for the Empire as Andy gets some payback - Andy mustered his Pacific fleet and sailed south to fight it out with the Mini KB. Honestly I didn't expect him to do so as I thought he only had the Enterprise operational. (Hornet torpedoed, Yorktown nuked, Saratoga and Lexington withdrawn from Perth together with a UK carrier). The KB with 2xJunyo's, 3xCVL, 1xCS, 2xBB, 2xCA and 5xDD met multiple enemy TFs escorting the Enterprise, HMS Illustrious and CVE Long Island (no more carrier identified; is the Wasp in thatre by August 42? - don't think so). The Mini KB is commanded by Nagumo and fielded some 240 strike ac + float planes and fighters. Advantages: + crack air crews Disadvantages: - few torpedo missions remaining I have increased the size of all CAG units; this had one unforseen disadvantage; the number of torpedo missions were not increased and after striking the convoy yesterday we had expended most of the torpedo missions aboard the light carriers. The second big disadvantage: The enemy fleets were in a t-storm hex while Mini KB was in a heavily clouded hex. - This gave the enemy dive bombers the advantage and they scored eagerly. Also; yesterday the Mini KB ran into 2 enemy cargo ships and the entire composition and position was revealed to Andy. See below for details; summary at the end of the report with screen. AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 07, 42 Surface Combat Instead of attacking with LBA 2 destroyers dispatched the small Akyab convoy. Good moves cause recon indicates 50+ Allied fighters there today! Night Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 54,45, Range 2,000 Yards Japanese Ships DD Katsutade DD Tachekaze Allied Ships xAKL Benkalis, Shell hits 15, and is sunk xAKL Benkoelen, Shell hits 12, and is sunk xAKL Duijmar van Twist, Shell hits 14, and is sunk AM Cromer, Shell hits 9, and is sunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub-ASW Attacks Sub attack near Lahaina at 195,98 Japanese Ships SS I-9 Allied Ships xAK Am. Press, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage KV Vancouver PC Tiger TK H. M. Storey TK Gulfbreeze TK Alfred Clegg xAK Echunga xAK Wind Rush xAK Am. Packer xAK Hollywood xAK Admiral Wiley xAK Mormacrio xAK Maliko xAK Steel Exporter xAK Sagadahoc xAK Ohioan xAK Californian xAKL Island Mail xAKL Kailua DD Clark DD Caldwell SS I-9 launches 5 torpedoes at xAK Am. Press I-9 diving deep .... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seawolf is hit badly! ASW attack near Umboi Island at 100,125 Japanese Ships SC Ch 30 E Tomozuru E Yomogi Allied Ships SS Seawolf, hits 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air Combat Ground based ac continues to hit the enemy in Oz as the KB withdraws to replenish. - Important events are taking place in the Central Pacific.... Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 50,136 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 27 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged Allied ground losses: Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled) Aircraft Attacking: 27 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 100 feet Ground Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ... Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 7th Armoured Brigade, at 50,136 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 8 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged Allied ground losses: 28 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled) Vehicles lost 12 (0 destroyed, 12 disabled) Aircraft Attacking: 27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet * Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 7th Armoured Brigade, at 50,136 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-21-Ic Sally x 27 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 damaged Allied ground losses: 14 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled) Aircraft Attacking: 27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 2000 feet * Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 50,136 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 26 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Allied ground losses: Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled) Aircraft Attacking: 26 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 100 feet Ground Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CARRIER BATTLE! Notice how our bombers attack in thunderstorms while Allied bombers attack in heavy clouds. - I think this was one of the decisive factors in this battle. The opposing forces were very evenly matched in air power; In the first strike we fielded 75 bombers and 65 fighters vs 72 bombers and 37 enemy fighters. Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 180,125 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 52 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 60 A6M2-N Rufe x 5 B5N1 Kate x 20 B5N2 Kate x 19 D3A1 Val x 36 Allied aircraft Martlet II x 13 F4F-3 Wildcat x 10 F4F-4 Wildcat x 24 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 20 damaged Allied aircraft losses Martlet II: 1 destroyed F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed Allied Ships CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage CVE Long Island, Bomb hits 1 CL Sumatra Aircraft Attacking: 8 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet 5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 6 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 14000 feet 2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 5 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 181,123 Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 41 A6M2-N Rufe x 4 F1M2 Pete x 6 Allied aircraft Martlet II x 13 F4F-4 Wildcat x 24 SBD-3 Dauntless x 57 TBF-1 Avenger x 15 Japanese aircraft losses F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses Martlet II: 8 destroyed F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 24 damaged TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged Japanese Ships CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1 CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1 CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage CVL Shoho CV Junyo DD Yugure Aircraft Attacking: 10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Yokohama Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers Hiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers Mizuho-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes Kongo-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers Tone-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 Raid is overhead Aoba-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 Raid is overhead Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiyo Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Zuiho -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 180,125 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N1 Kate x 8 Allied aircraft Martlet II x 1 F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 Japanese aircraft losses B5N1 Kate: 4 destroyed Allied Ships CVE Long Island CAP engaged: VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 180,125 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 3 Allied aircraft Martlet II x 1 F4F-3 Wildcat x 2 F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed CAP engaged: VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 180,125 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 45 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 24 A6M2-N Rufe x 4 B5N1 Kate x 5 B5N2 Kate x 7 D3A1 Val x 12 Allied aircraft Martlet II x 4 F4F-3 Wildcat x 4 F4F-4 Wildcat x 11 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged Allied Ships BB North Carolina CV Enterprise Aircraft Attacking: 2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb 2 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 181,123 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 16 A6M2-N Rufe x 2 F1M2 Pete x 5 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 F4F-4 Wildcat x 10 SBD-3 Dauntless x 56 TBF-1 Avenger x 9 Japanese aircraft losses F1M2 Pete: 3 destroyed Allied aircraft losses SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 29 damaged TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged Japanese Ships CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 4, on fire CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires BB Kongo, Bomb hits 3 DD Ariake, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage CVL Shoho DD Nenohi CAP engaged: Yokohama Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 Raid is overhead Hiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 Raid is overhead Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes 7 planes vectored on to bombers Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes 5 planes vectored on to bombers Mizuho-1 with F1M2 Pete (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 Raid is overhead Kongo-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 Raid is overhead Tone-1 with F1M2 Pete (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes Aoba-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 Raid is overhead Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Zuiho Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Ariake Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Junyo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mini KB in trouble The good news: The HMS Illustrious suffered 3 torpedo and 1 bomb hits; ammo storage explosion. Hopefully she is done for. The Long Island was hit by a bomb. That's it. On our own side the story is worse; the dive bombers had a field day flying only 2 hexes to the target. Carrier Hiyo is a flaming wreck and is doomed. 2 light carriers are also doomed while a third is heavily damaged and need more than luck to survive. 1 destroyer is sunk The Junyo surprisingly enough is fairly fit after taking 2x1000 hits. Both escorting battleships are also OK despite numerous bomb hits + a torpedo. One light carrier is undamaged. We therefore have to flee the battlefield! If we get away we will exchange the Hiyo, 2 light carriers and a destroyer for the HMS Illustrious. Not a good exchange. The gods of war were not with us today
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"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without" - Dwight D. Eisenhower
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