Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002 From: Northwestern Georgia, USA Status: offline
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2/26/43 Snarling and baring fangs, the pack of dogs had returned in the dark of the night. But they couldn't get at Clint. He had pulled back into his cave, stacked driftwood to bar entrance, and built a fire. He didn't want to use his pistol except as a last resort; he would need his last nine shells later, to bring down food. But the dogs feared fire above all else. Battle of Sumatra: An interesting turn that confirms some things, reveals some things, and provides a bit of comfort during these dark days of siege. No bombardment of Sabang. Enemy LBA - fighters and strike aircraft - come in numbers against essentially no CAP. Well over 100 bombers (mainly Helens and Sallys, but also some Bettys from Port Blair) strike without opposition...and score a single hit on the airfield. Flak claims 19 of the bombers. I'll count the numbers later, but if John sends 150 or so bombers against a base for one hit, he'll have to bring back the BBs (not that I relish taking that form of punishment, but it is important that he can't suppress Sabang by air). None of the ships at Sabang were touched. Mines still at 951. I forgot to check supply, but if it's not over 260k I'll post an addendum later. The fast ships fleeing Sabang had interesting experiences. KB picked off DD Patterson. The lone APD tangled with part of the KB (three fleet carriers and a couple of CVLs and SIX CAs) just west of Sabang. The carriers are trailing a bit of smoke, so that TF isn't in pristine condition. Most of the Allies ships made it unscathed. John might chase them, but let him. If he's willing to expend the fuel for a few chicks it should benefit the Allies long term. DD Fortune took the NW route straight at the KB position and dodged a strike by a second branch of the KB located west of Port Blair. So, there are two enemy carrier TFs separated by about ten hexes. One branch is west of Sabang (Akagi, Zuikaku and one other fleet carrier) showing 122 F, 136 B, and 18 Aux. The other TF, which is NW of Sabang, shows 143 F, 121 B, 18 Aux. John must be convinced that my carriers aren't in the vicinity or otherwise unable to fight (due to lack of aircraft in all likelihood). There also appears to be a stout combat (bombardment?) TF NE of Sabang on a NW heading. I can't figure this out. If its a bombardment TF inbound to Sabang its coming from an odd direction. If it hits Sabang, I tip my cap to John, because that's my Achillees heel. But the TF shows a NW heading as though John might be moving out into the sea lanes between Sumatra and Ceylon. I'll be scouring the map next turn to see where the carriers and this combat/bombardment TF end up. John is probably focusing on Sumatra, as he darned-well should be. But if he's thrown the bit and is off on a raiding mission, I'll have to scramble to get out of the way. Two USN DDs raiding near Cocos Island aroused a pack of Nells. One old DD went down. Sabang airfield is still pretty messed up - 50+/50+ damage to both runway and service. So the engineers are having a tough go of it. No sign of imminent enemy ground campaign or amphibious action (though my PBYs aren't doing their jobs well any more - probably morale hits after the bombardment experiences). Very tense and interesting situation here, gentlemen.
< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 2/1/2016 6:04:38 PM >
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