John 3rd
Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005 From: La Salle, Colorado Status: offline
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June 28, 1943 Coral Sea Without knowing it I spotted the Allied Carrier Force last turn. STUPID. Saw them at Townsville. During the night, the Americans do a high speed sprint to a hex outside of Port Moresby. Dawn. The American CVs go to work. Where ever they attack, they are met by Japanese Fighters. Problem is raw numbers. If I'd been smart enough to realize this chance, I would have consolidated everyone under higher Fighter protection. Oh well... Lae His BEASTS come in first as 44 4EB bomb Lae's 100% damaged AF. The Bombers are met by 53 Jacks and George's. Losses are pretty solid as the American Liberators lose 8-10 of their number. In the bay are about 45 ships loading the 67th ID. Crap: Morning Strike: 68 F, 93 DB, and 51 Av vs. 38 F Afternoon Strike: 88 F, 112 DB, and 46 Av vs. 39 F Japanese Losses: 13 AK, 2 AP, 1 PB, and 1 SC. The 67th is further degraded with 1388 Cas and 39 Guns lost. On the BRIGHT side, his bombers really went after the dozen DDs present and didn't hit a single one of them. Finschaven 17 Fighters fight 49 F and 16 DB. Two AKs are hit but don't sink Cape Gloucester Morning Strike: 21 F and 15 Av Afternoon Strike: 121 F, 37 DB, and 64 Av vs. 21 Fighters Losses: 2 PB and 2 AK Not bad considering the numbers involved here! SS Action No Allied Sub attacks this turn for FIVE ASW TF attacks on subs. The Exocet is crippled with successful attacks upon the Balao, KXVI, Lapon, and S-34. Nine DB/TB hits are scored on Allied SS. Two mine explosions are also heard. Evening Order everyone back to either Rabaul, Kavieng, or Madang. All ships will be under heavy Fighter Cover. The Carriers are at Kavieng. Hiyo took that TT last turn and got SYS 22 and FLOT 32 damage from the hit. WE'll sit here for a day or two with her disbanded in Port. Have moved the four IJA Bomber units from Horn to Hollandia and Kavieng. They will begin bombing Hansa Bay and Manus everyday. There are 3 ID prepping for Manus and--thanks to good recon--START at 33%. I will wait until 50% then land there. I WANT that American ID and support troops. Am mining the passage from Milne Bay--Buna to Manus. Those two hexes between New Britain and New Guinea are getting about 250 or so mines.
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