John 3rd
Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005 From: La Salle, Colorado Status: offline
|
Combat Report December 20, 1942 It sometimes amazes me that the--seemingly--slowest turns can have the most work time associated with them. Heavy planning turn this day. North--Central Pacific Calm South Pacific Noumea Supply jumps from nearly ZERO to 4,000 and so I order an Deliberate attack by the two Brigades of 56th ID. We'll see what state those four Regiment-Brigades are in. Want to force Dan to move back in this direction if possible. Lots of Air Search flying. I'll know when he comes out to seriously play. Should give me two days of warning. Looks like he's sending a TF of DDs up to mess with Noumea. Order Vals and other bombers to ready themselves. They should be in range tomorrow. Should also have reformed my STF (2 CL and 7DD) at Noumea tomorrow. Koumac 11th Air Fleet in fully unloaded and we are ready to PLAY! Loaded 100 Torps so we have plenty to play with... Naval Components 1. CVEs (6 CVEs, 3 CA, and 9 DD) are just west of Horn Island. Order Zeros back up for CAP and establish way points for the TF to move (hopefully not to be spotted/identified) alongthe southern coast of New Guinea. Wish I had the time to move them along the north side but felt they needed to get over ASAP when they left seven days ago. 2. CVLs (3 CVL and 5 DD) are halfway between Truk and Rabaul heading for Koumac. 3. AS soon as they are in supporting range of each other I am going to adjust their air groups so my Kates/Jills on on CVL/CVEs with Torps. These ships could enable the Empire to score one heck of a surprise and, potentially, a BIG victory... Port Moresby A small group of SBDs have established themselves at Cooktown. On the 19th they hit two AKs and sank one. This day I set a CAP Trap and 12 Zeros shoot down ALL of the American planes. NICE. Sumatra TJB The 10th ID is now one hex north of the base. I bombard and find a beat-up ID, Brigade, and two smaller units present. The 14th (returned from Sibolga) moves into the hex NW of TJB and will attack the retreating Allied units that fled Sibolga. 2nd ID is moving to TJB to continue refitting with the aid of 2nd Area Army and 40,000 supply there. Nias The Nias IF departs Padang for its target. Two Assault units are at about 35-40% Prep and will land under the cover of BB Fuso's guns as well as 2 CAs. A separate Bombardment Force will strike ahead of the landing. Malaya Wow. Moving LOTS of units to Taiping, Alor Star, and Georgetown. Set three Sentai of Tojo to rest for the upcoming battle over Sabang. Supply TF I cannot believe it but it appears that I will slip all three of my supply convoys right under Dan's nose! Two of the three pass Phuket and are home free. The third one is just a hex behind so things look excellent here. Man---If I can transport and unload 150,000 supply in Burma the situation may just change. Burma Port Blair Hit by the normal 28 or so 4EB. Cannot repair the facilities fast enough! Really need to bring the CVs close enough to provide LRCAP and smack those planes down. Not going to happen so we'll just be patient here. 54,49 The hex between Prome and my 21st ID east of Ramree has one Allied unit in it. Bombarded and found the 254th Armored Brigade. I have seriously beat on this unit a couple times in the last two months. It is about to happen again! Order a Shock Attack by my two Inf units and 2 TK Reg present. If this attack is successful, then I am really going to up the ante. The 2nd TK Div and two Inf Div are headed to Prome and will then move to 54,49 and, finally, then attack the 3 units (plus 254th if driven back) in the hex north of Prome. Could be a VERY important move... China I finally begin driving out the Chinese units in hex 76,53. Shock Attack this turn and crush a Chinese Corps inflicting 2,103 Casualties. Will drive the other one out tomorrow. Notes: 1. Already Posted on SS OPs. 2. I am highly aware that January 1, 1943 is about here and, with it, operational American TTs. Have been arranging my convoys to make sure there at least 2-3 escorts present as well as lay a carpet of ASW planes along the choke point areas.
Attachment (1)
< Message edited by John 3rd -- 8/31/2013 7:31:29 PM >
_____________________________
|