Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002 From: Northwestern Georgia, USA Status: offline
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12/3/42 - D+23, Operation Des Wallace We're in the midst of John's four week sabbatical from the game, but he decided to do the turn I sent him about 18 days ago. So this may be the only update until sometime in mid August, unless John finds himself pining for the game in a big way. That's possible. KB: The Japanese carriers are at Padang, a level one port, and I think flew a fourth-straight day of Kate missions vs. the Allied troops at Medan. This is important analysis time - I don't think John can replenish sorites at Padang no matter what units and ships he has there, but I could be wrong. If he can't, KB is down to about 60% sorties or so, I'd guestimate. Allied Carriers: The Allied carriers are 13 hexes north of Sabang (while the KB is 15 hexes south), escorting a massive supply and reinforcement convoy inbound to Sabang. I'm not sure what to do: Option A (my preferred option) is to send all the ships closer to Sabang, but I'm leery of the proximity of the KB. Do I chance a sprint towards Sabang knowing that Allied LBA fighters will lend a hand? Option B (fairly low on the list) is to raid Port Blair, which is 12 hexes to the east, in order to apply the coup de grace to BB Mutsu. Port Blair has alot of enemy LBA, but has also been repeatedly hit by Allied 4EB. I think the airfield can still support offensive missions, so why take a chance on a few Betties clearing the CAP and putting a fish into one or more carriers? Option C is to hang back a bit to see if John is aggressive with KB (possibily indicating sorties are replenished). It's possible John will retire KB to Batavia to replenish, opening all kinds of doors. This is a major decision. Not sure what I'll do yet. Sumatra on the Ground: The Allies (Indians and Americans) finally take Medan. The sadly depleted 27th USA Div. will remain there (she's highly prepped for the target). 1st Marines and the Indian Div. will advance one hex towards Tandjoen to get into the jungle terrain, which should help dampen enemy bombardment runs. 32nd Div., which is highly prepped for Langsa, will retire to that basse to begin rest and recovery. 10th IJA Div. brushed aside weak opposition and will move into Sibolga, joining the weakened 2nd IJA Div. I hope these units will have a tough time trying to evict the three RCT of 37th USA Div. Sumatra at Sea and in the Air: A fairly quiet day, though Ching Lee's cruisers bombard Victoria Point and sink an incoming AMC. Situation in Total: With the fall of Medan, today was very good for the Allies. A key question at this point is what does John do with the KB? If those carriers retire to Batavia, the Allies are going to reap a harvest. I think the Allied carriers would then cover the supply/reinforcements ships for the few days it would take to get to Sabang. Then, in all likelihood, the carriers would hit Port Blair.
< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 8/1/2013 5:11:15 AM >
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