Speedysteve -> 20th May 1944 (1/3/2007 2:05:53 PM)
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Hi all, Well todays focus was around the tiny base of Bulla. I was right in thinking that the IJN was in the area. 2 x BB, 2 x CA, 2 x CL + 6 x DD arrived undetected off Bulla! My only SC force on the scene was CL Houston with 3 x DD! They bravely intercepted this substantial force before going to their doom. All 4 ships were sunk along with R ADM Fetcheler. In return only DD Arare was left heavily damaged. My boys sacrifice did mean the transports, supplies and troops were protected though. The IJN left the scene before being caught at Bulla during daylight. They didn't move far enough to be out of reach from my CVE's though. Several pitched battle raged above BB Fuso and BB Yamashiro throughout the day. I think A2A fans would be happy with the results. Once more showing that limited plane nubers produce decent results. The CR for this bit: Day Air attack on TF at 41,72 Japanese aircraft Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 39 Allied aircraft FM-2 Wildcat x 15 F6F Hellcat x 11 TBM Avenger x 14 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses FM-2 Wildcat: 3 destroyed F6F Hellcat: 4 destroyed TBM Avenger: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged Japanese Ships BB Fuso CA Ashigara Aircraft Attacking: 4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet 2 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 41,72 Japanese aircraft Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 16 Allied aircraft FM-2 Wildcat x 18 F6F Hellcat x 9 TBM Avenger x 14 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 18 destroyed Allied aircraft losses FM-2 Wildcat: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged F6F Hellcat: 1 destroyed TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged Japanese Ships CA Ashigara BB Yamashiro BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 3 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet 3 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet 3 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet 4 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 41,72 Japanese aircraft Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10 Allied aircraft TBM Avenger x 7 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses TBM Avenger: 4 destroyed Japanese Ships BB Fuso, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 1 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet 2 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 41,72 Japanese aircraft Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 23 Allied aircraft FM-2 Wildcat x 11 TBM Avenger x 7 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged Allied aircraft losses FM-2 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged TBM Avenger: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged Japanese Ships DD Mochizuki DD Hatsushima, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 2 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet 3 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF at 41,72 Japanese aircraft Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 12 Allied aircraft TBM Avenger x 3 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses TBM Avenger: 2 destroyed Japanese Ships DD Mochizuki Aircraft Attacking: 1 x TBM Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet In total 33 x Tony were shot down during the day along with 14 x Wildcat, 7 x Hellcat and 7 x TBM (6 more by AA). BB Fuso was tagged though which was crucial later on in the day: Sub attack at 41,72 Japanese Ships BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Mikazuki Allied Ships SS Cavalla Excellent! The nearest port is Wasile (size 2) which 240 mils to the NE. Luckily (for me) I have 4 x SS moving towards Darwin passing through the area. They have been put on patrol between Fuso and Wasile along with SS Cavalla = 5 x SS in it's way. I was tempted to follow him with my CVE's but i've lost 15% of my fighters and intel indicates a greater Japanese air presence at Morotai and Wasile. As such with Bulla taken (today and now hosuing PBY's, Corsairs and Kittyhawk III's). My CVE's are to move to Babo to support it's capture tomorrow. Hopefully my SS's will finish off Fuso tomorrow. ---------------------- An ML was also sunk today. ML Natsushima was blown up by SS Cero 480 miles east of Morotai. Air sightings = 12 Air attacks = 0 ---------------------- Bali was bombed again today. My P38J's/Spitfire VIII's shot down 10 x Zeke for the loss of 2 friendlies. ---------------------- SS Sea Dog, SS Icefish and an AK arrive in theatre tomorrow.
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