Canoerebel -> RE: To Good to be True! (12/24/2009 4:09:44 AM)
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12/02/42 to 12/05/42 Rabaul: I played a hunch and scored a flashy but not really substantive blow against the Japanese. After the KB withdrew from the Noumea vicinity I figured Miller would send it to Rabaul to refuel. So I ordered a strike by four B-24 squadrons based in northern Oz. This was the first strike against Rabaul, so I figured I'd achieve surprise. On the first day of the two-day turn, 35 Liberators hit the port facilities. With no opposition, the low-experienced pilots were able to score some hits - three 500lbers each on BBs Ise and Hyuga, one hit on CA Kako, and one fiery strike on an AD. The next turn, the KB was there, because the Liberators found 80 Zeros on CAP and a notation that at least one squadron was from Shikaku. The CAP scared off the bombers. No real damage done to the Japanese, but I scored some intel. Merauke: AV is up to 333 with 20,000 supplies on hand. Darwin and Timor: The AP and AKL arrived at one of these little islands (Samaluk or somesuch), but were sighted by a patrol aircraft. A strike by Bettys from Kendari or vicinity finished off the AP. Darwin's bombers fly irregular strikes against Lautem and Koepang. Miller has barely occupied these two bases - each has a ground unit, no aircraft, and apparently no base force units. American Carriers: Since I'm pretty sure the KB is far away, I'm sending Wasp and Lexington from Sydney to the West Coast, with a layover at Auckland to refuel. India/Burma: Quiet at the moment. Allied troops continue to gather at Cox's Bazaar and will begin moving on Akyab in a week or so. China: The Japanese stack that disappeared after taking Sian? They are beginning to show up across the river from Chengtu. I had a hunch Miller was heading this way (taking Chengtu would flank Changsha), so I have units on the move there. The current garrison is 2,700 AV. By the time Miller is ready to cross the river it should be well over 3,000 AV. This is a forested hex with six forts and a river crossing involved, so I'm optimistic about my chances here. Big AV Infantry: You know, the Allies really don't have an over-abundance of strong infantry units. You will recall that I have a stout army at Seattle that is prepped for the Kuriles. I still don't know if that's a move I want to make, and I sure could use those troops in upcoming operations against the islands between Oz and New Guinea, but I it would take them months to reach the theater and I would be essentially giving up on the Kuriles.
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