Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002 From: Northwestern Georgia, USA Status: offline
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3/15/42 No major clashes today, but there's lots of power in close proximity. But what in the heck is Steve up to? Enemy Disposition: The Japanese landed a small force at dot hex Little Andaman Island. No move on Sabang. No move on Port Blair. Two big TFs - one including heavy combat ships and another at least a CVE or CS - are close to Burma on a course that would take them to Rangoon. The main IJ carrier force is located just off the tip of Sumatra, which means it didn't move very far. My carriers are only 14 hexes to the WSW (true) and in good position to move due north to provide protection for Port Blair and to possibly threaten than enemy force moving towards Rangoon. There's also an enemy TF with combat power near Colombo (it forced some of my ASW TFs to retire). I don't think it's much, but it might be a picket or scout of some sort. The main enemy amphibious concentration is still near Sabang, as though Steve is uncertain where he's going now. Further out, I picked up signs a day or two ago that there might be an amphibious TF moving to the deep SW, on a heading that might mean Diego Garcia. I"ve got alot of thinking to do, but right now the Allies are in good position to block or contest any deep thrust. Sabang and Port Blair are vulnerable, but my carriers can now cover Ceylon, the other island or, if needed, Assam. Enemy Intentions I am unsure. Could this be just to reinforce at Rangoon? That would be overkill. It still makes more sense that Steve orchestrated somehting major - Port Blair, Assam, Ceylon - that is still underway. And it's also possible Steve has picked up enough info to know my carriers are present in some force, so that he, in turn, isn't quite sure what to do now. Very tense. Line in the Sand: I cannot save Sabang or Port Blair against a well-thought-out massive operation, so I won't impale myslef in trying. But at this date, I would fight hard to protect Ceylon and Diego Garcia, and probably NE India. Any major enemy moves that deep, though, would be rather risky, so I think they are unlikely but not entirely impossible. China: Nine enemy units across the river from the Chinese defenses just north of Lanchow. By tomorrow, I'll have about 1400 AV there. I don't think Steve is ready yet to cross in strength, though he may try a reinforce probing assault. I have alot more troops on the way, but all are a week or more distant. If that desert/rough terrain is 3x, I can probably hold off a three to five division attack. I don't think Steve can bring more than that before my own reinforcements arrive. Elsewhere in China things are static, which means "good." North America: Quiet. Australia: Quiet, except that Port Moresby will fall tomorrow.
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