Von Rom -> (10/30/2002 12:45:50 AM)
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Eric: I know I'm playing aggressively, but it is great fun. I have had some great, desperate battles that have left me sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering what the outcome would be. I also know that supply will be a problem, as my troops are already pushing beyond the limits of their supply capabilities. But I love my boys and the job they are doing, and I have been stretching my airforces, naval units, and logistics, to the breaking point, in an effort to keep them, and my offensive operations, moving forward. It all makes for a very exciting game. I never quite have enough material, men, or ships to do what I want to do, but I do it anyway. . . heh. . . :) Current Date: Dec 12, 1942 So much action has taken place within the past two weeks, it is difficult to know where to begin. The recent naval battles have dealt a major blow to my capital ships. At least half a dozen BBs, CAs, and DDs are being sent back to Pearl for repairs. The striking force of my surface fleet has been blunted. I have managed to scrape together two Bombardment TFs from the remnants of my other naval forces. The first Bombardment TF consisting of 1 Heavy Cruiser, 5 Light Cruisers, and 7 Destroyers will be used to attack Shortland again. The second Bombardment TF consisting of 1 Battleship, 1 Heavy Cruiser, 1 Light Cruiser, and 2 Destroyers, will be sent to help my ground forces in the attack on Finschafen. I have also formed a CV TF consisting of the Saratoga and a few light cruisers and destroyers. I intend to do another end-run and to station this CV TF just south-east of Truk, in the hopes of bagging some worthwhile prize. The Japanese High Command is aware that strategically, it MUST hold onto Finschafen on New Guinea in the east, and it MUST hold Shortland Island in the west. If Finschafen falls to my Allied forces, then Gasmata, located on New Britain, is just a stepping-stone away, which means that I would be able to bring the full brunt of my airforces to bear upon Rabaul. Likewise, if Shortland falls, Rabaul would be within bombing distance of hundreds of Allied medium bombers. Therefore, the Japanese have been reinforcing, defending, and attacking, to hold onto both of these two bases at all costs. 1) Finschafen: The battle for this base is going to turn into a death struggle. Both the Japanese and the Allied commanders realise how important this location is to their battle plans. After my victory at Lae, the Japanese have been sending numerous transports laden with supplies and troops to reinforce this base at the tip of New Guinea. The IJN have also sent in destroyer TFs to attack my convoy shipments of supplies and troops. In response to these moves, I have stationed 80 fighter-bombers at Buna, with orders to attack these IJN supply convoys and destroyers at 100 feet. So far, numerous IJN ships have found a watery grave. But despite these efforts, hundreds of Japanese troops have managed to land at Finschafen. I have also ordered around-the-clock bombing of Finschafen by 100 medium bombers, and to flatten anything that appears above ground. I have also shipped in the US Marine 1st Division, as well as two dozen Stuart tanks and half-tracks, to reinforce the Aussie troop build-up at Lae. I gave all of these troops 3 days' rest. Then, on Dec 8, I gave all of these forces the order to move overland, and to attack Finschafen from the landward side. 2) Shortland: The Japanese have been reinforcing this base on a continual basis. In response, I have ordered 50 medium bombers, escorted by 59 P-38G Lightnings, to hit Shortland airfields and port facilities without letup. I also ordered my Bombardment TF consisting of 1 Heavy Cruiser, 5 Light Cruisers, and 7 Destroyers to slam into Shortland, which it did, sinking 2 troop transports and 5 Colliers. My submarines are also very active in the waters around this base. NAVAL ACTION The Allied CV TF consisting of the Saratoga and a few light cruisers and destroyers arrived on station just south-east of Truk. Immediately, it was spotted by Japanese recon planes. Truk sent a strike force of several Bettys and Zeros, but my CAP of 36 Wildcats made short work of them. Within a short time after this initial attack, the American task force scout planes spotted enemy surface ships. Japanese ships were everywhere! My TF commander ordered all planes into the air, sending 30 Dive Bombers and Torpedo planes to attack a Japanese carrier task force that had appeared just north-west of his position. These American planes attacked with a vengeance, as two dozen Zeros rose to meet them. Without a fighter escort, the Japanese planes took a heavy toll of the American attackers, but a few determined flyers managed to break through the protective screen, and swooped down upon two Japanese carriers. Several Torpedo Planes found the Light Carrier, Ryiyo, braved the heavy wall of Flak that was being thrown at them, came in low, and dropped their torpedoes, scoring two hits! American Dive Bombers, circling above the Japanese task force, spotted the Fleet Carrier Kaga. The wing commander gave the signal, and all planes let out a whine as they swooped straight down upon their intended target. These planes suffered terrible losses as Flak bursts dotted the skies, and struck their planes. But there was no stopping this determined group of flyers. They attacked with unflinching courage and managed to drop no less than six 1,000 pound bombs onto the flight deck of this mighty carrier. The Kaga exploded into a mass of debris and flame that shocked those who witnessed this terrible event. . . Then it was time for the Japanese counter-attack; time for them to exact a terrible vengeance upon the insolent American ships. Dispatches indicated that no less than 59 Vals and Kates, escorted by 46 Zeros were attacking the American task force. All 36 Wildcats rose into the skies, and like knights of old, tried valiantly to defend their helpless subjects from the approaching menace. Both Zeros and Wildcats fought furiously for control of the skies over the zig-zagging ships. But despite the efforts of the American flyers, many Japanese attack planes broke through the screen and headed for the Saratoga. . . The men manning the AA guns on board the fleeing ships fought valiently in their attempts to stop the attackers. Several Vals and kates fell from the sky and crashed into the waiting sea. But many Japanese planes tore through this wall of death and unleashed an Imperial punishment upon the American carrier. Several kates came in low, skimmed the water, and then unleashed their torpedoes. Five torpeoes found their mark, as they slammed into the side of the Saratoga, spewing metal, wood, planes and men into the sky. Walls of flame erupted on her deck, and as the mighty carrier groaned, it exploded several more times, and then listed dangerously to port. . . The American task force commander ordered his ships to break off the engagement and to steam east for the South Pacific Ocean. But it was already too late. The Saratoga's back had been broken, and with a great sigh that could be heard on board the other ships, she slowly sank into the sea. In this naval action, the carrier Saratoga was lost, with all the planes she had carried. Many a brave sailor and airman went with her. The Japanese had also suffered. The fleet carrier Kaga was sunk, and it lost 19 Zeros, Vals and Kates, with another 28 Vals and kates damaged. In other sad developments, the Escort Carrier long Island was attacked by a Nippon submarine and torpedoed. While it was attempting to make for Lunga, several Japanese Vals delivered the Coup de Grace, sending the Long Island to a watery grave. So far in this game, 11 carriers from both sides have been sunk. . . Currently, I have no carriers. Word from Pearl Harbour is that I can expect to receive three Escort Carriers in the next three weeks. It looks like I will have to be more protective of these carriers, so my offensive operations near Truk will be stopped for the time being. In the latest dispatch, the word is that the Japanese are sending several powerful TFs southward towards Shortland, consisting of battleships, heavy cruisers, destroyers and carriers. I can see that this going to be a long war. . . ;)
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