John 3rd
Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005 From: La Salle, Colorado Status: offline
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June 14, 1942 The Aleutians Just as I expected, the enemy carriers reveal themselves about 200 miles south of Adak. As said earlier, the 32nd ID, an HQ unit, and an Engineering unit arrived yesterday and began unloading. Since Adak is Sz-3 Port, I broke the convoy into two parts and got about half of it unloading in the anchorage. This convoy carried roughly 19,000 troops and had 20 AK, 2 DD, and 6 PC in it. Weather is pretty diecy this day. Air Search Nells pick-up the enemy carriers early enough to divert a strike of 25 Zero and 28 Vals from going east to attacking south. This strike arrives over the enemy and finds 54 Brit and US Wildkittens flying CAP. Several Vals get through and drop their payloads on CV Indomitable. As we know, until MISS JUDY arrives, nothing can penetrate the Brit armored deck. SIGH. It isn't until late in the morning that any form of Allied attack occurs. When it does, 24 Japanese fighters (Oscars and Zeros) intercept 46 F4Fs and 20 SBD. Four AKs are hit and sunk. No troop casualties. A truly large strike arrives in the afternoon with 15 Japanese fighters attacking 55 Wildkitties, 64 SBD, and 68 TB. Though I have less fighters, they almost immediately penetrate the CAP and get in among the bombers splashing perhaps a dozen. The rest drop their payloads. The harbor and outer unloading area sees 8 AK and 1 PC sunk. There are two more AK hit as well as a PC and a DD taking single strikes. Losses for the day end up being 12 of 20 AK and 1 of 6 PC. Thankfully the only causalities are about 6,000 Supply, 26 Guns, and 38 Vehicles. The 32nd gets to its new home at 96% strength and 20,000 Supply is off-loaded. Could be worse but this isn't too bad. Points: 1. The enemy reveals himself and about 50-60% of his available CV strength. Squadrons spotted included those from Yorktown, Enterprise, Hornet, Indomitable, and another Brit CV. While I am harassed over dividing my CVs, I am not following that proclivity in this game. Kido Butai is formed in the IO. I have my 2 CVL/2CAV Raiding but risk there seems fairly slight. Sean appears to be content in splitting his carriers and that bodes quite well for a CV clash. If it is like this, then Japan will win decisively. 2. Am pretty certain the Lex, Sara, and another Brit is either in the IO or Australia. My bet is IO. He also has the four CLV/CAV as well but he slipped to me that the upgrades look pretty interesting so I'll bet that they are currently converting. Wasp should have just arrived so I don't know where it might be. If the enemy is, in fact, based at Socotra--Michael and I talked about that yesterday--then I should bring overwhelming firepower to the fight. 3. The Umnak defense is nearly done and he will have to decide if the Aleutians is where he wants to continue the fight. If so, I shall welcome it. As soon as KB is done with its raid then it shall come back tot he HOme Islands, upgrade, and fight in the Pacific. REALLY would like to see him continue up north. He has a narrow window with weather to launch any invasions so that tends to help in planning. 4. The shipping loss of 12 12 Knot converted AKs is not too bad. I hope to make up for the lost VP by the two major raids that are now underway.
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