Cribtop
Posts: 3890
Joined: 8/10/2008 From: Lone Star Nation Status: offline
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May 31, 1942 MKB is thwarted again by weather but we still sink 3 warships. Subs Today Cuttlefish orders a small task force to make a run for it out of Colombo. They run into 3 of the 7 subs in the hex and the end result is that I-153, I-157 and I-28 sink BB Warspite with 3 TTs and cripple CL Marblehead. This result is great but IMHO is a pale reflection of the massed sinkings that could have occurred had the air strikes been more successful. For tomorrow we shift our subs a bit in anticipation of angry UK ASW TFs. Truant torpedoes CL Isuzu near Sabang, but fortunately the ship makes port there and will be fine, with 2 SYS and 38(30) Flot damage. We are a bit surprised that the UK and Dutch subs keep plying the top of the Malacca Straits rather than heading to intercept MKB. CF is probably hoping for a shot as we return home to Singers, but we plan to use another route. 4th Fleet The USN CVs are spotted withdrawing due East. Fortunately for us they are probably bingo fuel and this is not a feint, but we will remain cautious. A sub transiting the area will try for an intercept, but we won't hold our breath. SE Fleet We are loading significant reinforcements for Merauke at Kendari, including AA and an Air HQ. Our first Nick unit may try to ambush the small number of B-17s flying against Horn Island from there. Nadzab makes level 4 airfield. Nice. Mines disappear from both Rabaul and Umboi Island today despite the presence of ACMs. Not nice. Anyone know why this would occur? 14th Army We load part of a regiment to finish the central PI bases. 16th Army Mangole invaded. Darwin makes level 4 airfield. 25th Army Large numbers of troops will load at Semarang tomorrow for China. MKB's port attacks are scrubbed by bad weather at Colombo. However, Vals fly against CL Marblehead and DD Parrott and sink both ships. 15th Army Quiet reigns as our Oscars are licking their wounds in rear area bases. China Cuttlefish has abandoned the siege of Wuchang. Is he going to try to rescue his isolated troops nearby, or is this another of several signs that he is shifting troops south for a new offensive? We will watch carefully, as a move south could have implications for our planned attack there. 5th Fleet Atka Island occupied. A nice get for the rowboat corps that we may choose to garrison. Other The Ops report states: "IJ Navy instructors accelerate training of 139 pilots from month cycle 10." Cool. We are using TRACOM as a parking lot for elite pilots, but it's nice to see they aren't just sipping Saki on the beach.
< Message edited by Cribtop -- 11/3/2011 7:31:53 PM >
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