John 3rd
Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005 From: La Salle, Colorado Status: offline
|
August 22, 1943 It is not a good time to be serving in the fields of Air Search or Submarines: 1. LOTS of Air Search planes being lost on each side presently. There are 16 lost in todays action (10 Allied and 6 Japanese). 2. Ro-60 gets pounded by DDs this turn and shall limp into Kwajalein. 3. SS Bluefish launches four TTs at CB Ikoma and misses then takes 4 DC. It then raises its periscope AGAIN and plants torp into CV Renkaku who then adds an Ammo Explosion to the mix (and takes 4 more DC). CRAP! Looking at it isn't too bad (SYS 25 and FLOT 27--15 major--with--THANK GOD--no Fires). Detach with 5 DDs and she makes for Eniwetok to off-load planes then clear the combat area. ORDERS As expected, Dan blinks at the massed Fleet and isn't sure what to do. A bunch of TF are moving east away from the action. Order CVEs to move due east. My recon of Baker show it deserted so I might get out from the Air Search lanes. Kido Butai will clear the sub infested waters and position itself to go SE into the sealanes or lunge SW to cover friendly islands. The Nagara TF splits and adds its DDs to the CV Screens. Nagara was hit by a single bomb dropped by an SBD. She detaches and heads for Rabaul. Tanaka will be close to the end of his SE move tomorrow. Will have to decide where he goes. FUEL STATE Always a concern. Caches that are nearby: Truk 70,000 with 69,000 en route, Saipan 35,000 with 32,000 en route, Rabaul 24,000, Tulagi 36,000 unloading, Kwajalein 15,000, Wake 6,000. There are two replenishment TF with one on this screenshot carrying 18,000 and the other just departing Saipan with 36,000. It moves NE towards Marcus and Wake. GROUND Decide to land those two Regiments and their Artie at Kusaie to really make sure that base is non-takeable. Should take AV up to 800+. NOTES I am not going to attack to simply DO SOMETHING. The torp with Renkaku SUCKS and serves as a warning. If I can pounce on a portion of the Allied Fleet I will. Right now it is a game of chicken. Additionally, I was quite encouraged by the performances put in by the A6M8. I am building 200+ of them a month and could presently change out three CV older Zero M5b. Would like to do that if possible.
Attachment (1)
< Message edited by John 3rd -- 4/29/2016 5:50:12 PM >
_____________________________
|