Admiral DadMan
Posts: 3627
Joined: 2/22/2002 From: A Lion uses all its might to catch a Rabbit Status: offline
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26DEC41-31DEC41 Manila and Clark Field are besieged. The tanker train has finally caught up with SARATOGA at Christmas Island, and her group has begun to move west to rendezvous with LEXINGTON and ENTERPRISE at Ocean Island. A strong landing force has descended upon Rabaul and is attempting to take the base after taking Kavieng. Rabaul's defenders are not giving up easily. Kido Butai has been spotted lurking in the Bismarck Sea about 200nm NW of Rabaul. on 28DEC DD John D. Ford intercepts some transports off Jolo and gives them a good scare, putting a couple of shells into them, and taking a few in return. In the main event, HOUSTON, BOISE, and MARBLEHEAD have moved up through Makassar Strait to intercept 2 light carriers operating in the area. That"s a bold move Cotton, let's see how it works out. on 29DEC they encounter a cruiser support force: Japanese Ships CA Chokai, Shell hits 2 CL Sendai DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 2 DD Shikinami DD Ayanami, Shell hits 1 DD Asagiri DD Sagiri DD Yugiri Allied Ships CA Houston, Shell hits 1 CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1, on fire CL Boise, Shell hits 1 DD Barker, Shell hits 1 DD Bulmer, Shell hits 1 DD Edsall DD John D. Edwards DD Paul Jones DD Parrott DD Whipple, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Stewart After several failed intercept attempts, early New Year's Eve, they get more than they bargained for when they run smack into a strong covering force of 2BB, 4CA, 2CL, and 5DD. Here is how it played out: BB Nagato, Shell hits 2 BB Mutsu, Shell hits 7 CA Maya, Shell hits 1 CA Myoko, Shell hits 2 CA Haguro, Shell hits 1 CA Nachi, Shell hits 2 CL Nagara, Shell hits 2 CL Kuma DD Hatsukaze DD Natsushio, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Murasame, Shell hits 2 DD Harusame, Shell hits 1, heavy fires DD Yudachi CA Houston, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk CL Marblehead, Shell hits 4, and is sunk CL Boise, Shell hits 5 DD Barker DD Bulmer, Shell hits 2 DD Edsall, Shell hits 1, on fire DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 1 DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Parrott, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk DD Whipple, Shell hits 10, and is sunk DD Stewart Not exactly what was hoped for, but to be expected.
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< Message edited by Admiral DadMan -- 2/8/2019 12:47:10 AM >
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