Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002 From: Northwestern Georgia, USA Status: offline
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12/18/41 and 12/19/41 American Carriers: Lex and Ent transit the Torres Straits without incdient (one of the most exciting non-events, and one of the most compicated tactical maneuvers, that I can recall). There were no encounteres of any kind, so as far as I know the transit wasn't detected. Some of my ASW will continue to patrol the straits in order to keep up appearances. The two carriers will refuel NE (true) of Darwin and then see what's happening. There is a large number of enemy shipping at and near Ambon, including three BB and a Mini KB. I will have to be judiciious in employing my carriers - limited sorties, time required to replenish, and the paucity of SBD replacements mean that the flattops should be used only if the opportunity is too good to pass up. Gulf of Alaska: I got a sighting of what seems to be the full KB in the Gulf of Alaska, due south of Kodiak quite a distance. There is no place I'd rather have it. That is at least two week steaming distance from the DEI. Meanwhile, Saratoga is down near San Fran and moving south. She'll rendezvous with an oiler somewhere in deep SoPac. I've also set up my West Coast fighter squadron on a combination of training and CAP. I wouldn't put it past Steve to raid the coast. SoPac: Louisville is guarding Tarawa and has twice driven away a small enemy TF comprised of a DD and a troop transport. I'll give it one more day and then I'll back off a bit, as Steve might send in a larger TF to deal with the situation. Meanswhile, a CA/CL/DD TF is departing Pearl tonight to take on duty as America's South Seas fleet. Oz: In the belief that Japan probably won't move on Oz until the eastern DEI is squared away, I will spend some PP to transfer a few units from Java to Koepang, Timor. I'd like to get perhaps 250 AV in place. That combined with carriers and combat ships should allow the Allies to slow or halt Steve until he brings in some carriers (or takes the time to establish forward airfields, which will....take time). Malaya: An Allied army will attack the Japanese army that tried to implement the Mersing Gambit. I'm not optimistic about defeating the enemy, but it's worth a shot since the enemy failed in its own attack a few days ago. Burma: I'm going to try to dislodge the enemy at Meiktila. I'm not optmistic there either. China: I'm going to try to dislodge an IJ divsiion in the open south (true) of Chengchow. The Chinese have 800 AV, so there's a chance. Philippines: Japan is gobbling up the vacant bases in Luzon, but I don't detect a major move on Manila/Clark Field yet.
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