Speedysteve -> 9th March 1944 (11/20/2006 4:15:30 PM)
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Hi all, Hi Andy - I do pay a lot of attention to my subs. I track known convoy routes. I set picket lines but also group in known convoy areas. One of the most important things I would say is constant movement. Faber has upped his ASW defences with much increased air coverage and he has dedicated HK groups around the Mariana's, Borneo, HI, Java. The short is this I guess - constant movement of subs. When I suspect they have been remotely spotted by air, sea or any inkling I have by Faber's actions/plane movements I move them. This dramatically cuts down the number of successful attacks Faber has. I feel a couple of other factors add into this success: Submarine levels and experience. Due to the fact I lose on average 1 sub a month or 1 sub for every 20-30 enemy ships I have a high number of subs in service and the number grows. As such I have a lot of subs in active areas = more chance of kills. Also with the number of successful attacks my crews are seasoned veterans (almost all are 65-85 experience). In short. I keep moving my subs, allowing a greater chance of attack but less chance of detection, I have more subs on service and the number is growing = more chance for attack and fewer safe areas for Faber. On the flip side Faber's increased efforts has led to more of my subs becoming damaged but still only 1 sub a month sunk on average (Peto has been March's addition). If you have any further thoughts/queries please let me know. I love talking on this subject. ------------------------ Rangoon was shelled again today and clear weather allowing heavy bombing raids on IJA troop positions at Pagan. The first Chinese Infantry have reached Lashio and they will take the place tomorrow. From there we wait for the following troops and advance to join the Allies at Mandalay. CV Formidable docked at Columbo today. She has 56 SYS damage. ------------------------ My Raba force will be at Maumere tomorrow. P38J's took off from Maumere today to sweep over Macassar. They encountered a mixed force of Tojo's and Nick's. 20 enemy planes were shot down for damage to 3 x P38J. The Darwin Heavies hit Kendari's resources but scored no further damage. Annoyingly as an aircraft carrying convoy just reached Thursday Island, and out of range from fighter cover, LBA from PM hit it. 3 x AK were hit by torpedoes, 1 heavily damaged. I may end up diverting some P38J's to protect convoys down there now or I may station a Base Force at Merauke. -------------------------- SS Tantalus hit AK Hoko Maru with a torpedo 240 miles east of Palembang. AP Iwaki Maru was confirmed sunk today at Tokyo. Air sightings = 15 Air attacks = 1 -------------------------- 4 x AK, 2 x DD, an AP, AO, MSW and 2 x SS arrive in theatre tomorrow.
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