John B.
Posts: 3909
Joined: 9/25/2011 From: Virginia Status: offline
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What is it about the Phillipines that lures the IJN into making overly complex operational plans? :) Here we go. As you can see, I have multiple TFs set to go towards the USN. Going from right to left, I saw that his surface TF at Samar is actually within normal range of my zeros at Manila. So, they will sweep Samar and Betties, Franceses, Jills, and even Emilys will come in low on torpedo runs. Next, a 4 DD TF will head south and curve around to try to disrupt the US KB off the coast of Leyte. Next, A CA TF and a CL TF will head from Palawan to the hex right next to Butuan. My aim is not to get through to the transports at Butuan but the surface TF and the CVE TF that is in the hex northwest of the landing site. They should arrive at night. Next, two BB TFs, a CA TF, and a CL TF will head for that same hex. They may not arrive until mid-day. The KB will patrol in the middle of the Sulu sea both to send in airstrikes on that hex (my range is set far short of the main American carrier force) and to provide fighter protection to the retreating surface ships who are instructed to head back to Palawan. In the no plan is perfect category: 1. My ships did all disband and promptly lost their good TF leaders so the air commanders of the KB are bad, very bad. But, hopefully they can at least keep CAP in the air and maybe even send in some airstrikes. The Razor is resting but most of my surface TF commanders have naval and agression ratings in the 60s. 2. Surprise was lost. Scott sent out an APD to raid Palawan and it prompted an airstrike. It was a small one and the KB did disband but he knows the carriers are around. The APD may sink. 3. You can't see it on this map but there is a 6 DD American TF north of Palawan. I'm not sure why it's up there, but it may run into the KB on it's way back. That would be annoying but I hope my ships are smart enough to run away. The KB TF commanders have bad air ratings but very good naval ones. I don't think Scott will move his CVs into the shallow water so I do have a chance to put some real hurt on his CVES and the BB TF. Off to war!!
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