Cap Mandrake
Posts: 23184
Joined: 11/15/2002 From: Southern California Status: offline
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I REALLY need to get some new PBY jockeys in New Edinburgh. Situation, March 13, 1942, New Scotland: Searches on the 12th reveal the harbor at New Ullapool to be empty. I order another night bombardment on New Ullapool. This will consist of all the available combatant vessels at New Edinburgh. The transports will be unguarded except for a few minesweepers and 2 DD's in arriving TF's. Adm. Lake's force will consist of: CA Chester CA Northampton CL Trenton DD Reid DD Helm DD La Triomphant DD Clark DD Downes Almost all are veterans of the run. The night starts well, there are no vessels defending New Ullapool and the gunnery accuracy is very good. 15 planes are destroyed on the ground and 75 runway hits are reported. Upon the attempted exit through the reef to the NE coast of New Scotland, however, our old friend Kirishima is standing athwart the exit again. I think Kirishima retired to the NW the previous day then made another run back at night. In any event, the two forces encounter each other at daybreak, with a gun duel breaking out at 23,000 yds. Adm Lake is up against Kirishima, Kako, Tenryu and 4 DD's. After a spiritied duel, both sides break off. On balance, I would say it was an Allied victory. Kako, which sustained some damage 2 days before is now burning heavily as are 2 Jap DD's. even Kirishima is smoking after the fight. Every Jap vessel is hit. On the Allied side, Chester takes the most damage but can still make good speed. Two DD's will need some repair time but the damage is very minor. I cant believe more than one or two Jap vessels are combat worthy, although Kirishima might be able to stay if she has ammo. Sadly, however, on her way back to New Edinburgh, Chester is hit by a torpedo from RO-33. it leaves a mark (level 33 fire and soem flooding). This could be bad. I think she can make it to New Edinburgh barring another Jap sub attack. On the ground, Jap strength on the line is now 36,000 combat troops with another 13,000 Japs at New Ullapool. 181st Inf Regt and a USMC armored Bn are coming ashore. There are now 189+ operational aircraft at New Edinburgh including 4 squadrons of medium (2/3 strength) and 3 of heavies.
< Message edited by Cap Mandrake -- 6/21/2010 2:10:49 AM >
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