DanielAClark
Posts: 131
Joined: 1/7/2020 Status: offline
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3rd October For the first time in a while, NO enemy air activity over New Guinea. We hit the usual targets (Lae, Buna, Track) without opposition. I now have a few B17Fs in theater. Only 12, but the additional range opens up some interesting possibilities. Our AKAs continue loading at Brisbane, slowly but surely sucking all the supplies out of Australia to dump them into Port Moresby. When they make their run to New Guinea, I plan to pull the B26s out of Port Moresby temporarily and load up on fighters at the now size 5 airbase there...to punish any attempt to halt my supply push. The next battle begins in the slot overnight, as Suzuya and Kumano run past Tulagi and sink two sub chasers in the slot. They do not bombard the airfield, and do not escape far enough by morning to clear the area. The morning air attacks by the Cactus air force focus on the transport group approaching Tassafaronga. We hit heavily at least two of the transports, which are carrying men and vehicles. A reinforcement of the garrison is underway. I now believe that we will have to fight our way through this force...rather than just mopping it up. In the afternoon, Cactus Air Force splits its focus between the enemy cruisers and the transports. More hits against transports, no hits against the two heavy cruisers. My B17s from Espirito Santo come in piecemeal and go after the transports...getting one bomb hit and strafing the ships. Hornet will be in range of the area tomorrow. Our heavy cruiser force will probably look to interdict the enemy transports tonight, if I can get them to engage. Our mine laying force avoided the slot overnight due to the enemy activity.
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< Message edited by DanielAClark -- 6/3/2020 2:24:06 PM >
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