Canoerebel -> RE: Through a Glass Darkly (9/21/2010 1:40:23 PM)
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4/9/42 LOL: Sorry, I can't help but laugh. The KB slipped inside my screen of picket ships undetected and closed on Karachi. There it picked off four empty xAK, put single torps into CLs Ceres and Sumatra, and two TT into CA Cornwall (these ships were heading to Karachi to protect transports unloading there, but were tardy in arriving). The four combat ships suffered no more than moderate damage. They are just two hexes from the "Aden channel," so I think they'll all make Abadan unless a sub or combat TF picks them off before they make the channel safely. What really makes me chuckle is the narrow window through which all all the juicy xAPs made it to Karachi, unloaded the UK division, and retired back into the Aden channel. I wonder if Brad has the feeling that he missed an opportunity here? Japanese Divisions: SigInt says 18th Division is on the way to Chittagong. That's the sixth IJA division accounted for thus far (6th Guards in SW India; 4, 18 and 38 at Chittagong; and 2 and 21 at Diamond Harbor). In addition, during the invasion of Ceylon, 48th, 1st, and Imperial Guards took Colombo, so at least those three divisions are available for additional amphibious operations, but I'll double that and say that I have to be wary of maybe six more coming ashore. But it is noteworthy that five IJA divisions are committed to the NE corner of the country. Even had I vacated the region it would take awhile for those troops to move west. I think the Allies have enough in the Bombay, Surat, Ahmadebad, Karachi sector to handle even a fullscale commitment of six divisions to that sector. Of course, if Brad lands those unaccounted for divisions in south or NE India, the threat to my main sector decreases considerably and I can begin to move troops forward. Tank Demolition: A Japanese tank unit that landed south of Vizagapetum moved south to occupy what seemed to be an empty Allied city. Just before the tanks arrived and crossed the river, an Indian division made it to the base. The Indians were still in strategic mode, but they tore apart the tanks, which had also suffered some losses to Allied air attack. This tank unit is just about toast, now - a first small Allied victory in Operation Bemis Heights (the defense of India). NoPac: The Marines now have 142 AV ashore at Attu Island along with a Seabee unit. An ACM will arrive in a day or two. SubWars: O21 clobbered I-122 off Ceylon, scoring with three torps. Oz: Quiet here. 40th/C Division is heading for Perth. As stated previously, I don't want to reveal the presence of 1-and-1/3rd American divisions in Oz for security reasons, so they are posting at rear bases while the Australian troops begin to move forward to threaten Cooktown and Geraldton. SigInt says 146th Regiment occupies Daly Waters. A Nod to Brad: It seems like I've been campaigning and fretting in India for, well, forever...but it's only been a little more than a month. Over about 35 days, Brad has conquered Ceylon and landed successfully at Cox's Bazaar, SW India, and south of Viz, and is in the process of landing successfully at Diamond Harbor and Chittagong. To counter that, the Allies don't have much to show other than getting the Brit division safely to Karachi, and, I think, establishing troop concentrations that will permit the Allies to effectively wage war in India. IE, I'm glad I don't have 1,000 AV in the Calcutta area while Brad was landing six divisions at an undefended Surat.
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