Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002 From: Northwestern Georgia, USA Status: offline
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5/10/44 to 5/12/44 The Lucky Ship: Turned out she wasn't so lucky. Dave ordered Judy's to bomb a number of dot hexes, commencing on the 10th. They found and finished off Suwannee quickly. The next day, they further damaged CA Pensacola, so that her slim hopes are slimmer. They've continued since, searching for cripples as far south as Dobo. Given all the hits his strike aircraft scored - like four TTs on Intrepid - he'd naturally think there're more holed up nearby. The Convalescing Fleet: All except those bound for Pearl (BB New Jersey and a CVL) are in port now. Repairs will take some time. The rest of the fleet is at Darwin in good order, ready to move when called on. They may be called on soon, for the Ambon invasion. Dave on the Attack: By his reckoning, the Allies have taken a punch and are reeling, so that it's time for him to counterattack. He sent some small combat TFs down his fight flank, towards Koepang. One TF of four DDs, including Hibiki, couldn't be stopped. They just ate right through a series of Allied combat TFs. Even when low on ammo, fresh Allied TFs were powerless to stop them. They sank CA Louisville with three TTs. Some SBDs scored some hits on CL Natori, but she'll likely make Soerabaja. Over on his left flank, a large transport TF arrived at Moratai to unload a big infantry group. Allied subs and SBDs got involved. All the Japanese ships were sunk (perhaps 7-8 xAKs). 10k men got ashore. They're in pretty bad shape and lack heavy weapons, but the Allied garrison is a small Commonwealth armored squadron of about 25 AV. Allied 4EB are hitting the enemy here daily. Dan on the Attack Maybe: Even while the focus was getting ships where they needed to go, the Allies were sending forward engineers to key bases. DS is about ready to go to sea again. I don't want to get in a shooting match with KB anytime soon, so ops will be limited to "within the new perimeter." Places like Ambon aren't "safe" but they are attainable, with the proper planning. I think.
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