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John 3rd -> March 26, 1942---GERALDTON (5/14/2012 2:51:46 PM)
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March 26, 1942
A turn comes in late yesterday afternoon and I ran it last night. Bunches of Australia news so we'll move area-by-area:
NW Australia
My bombers hit 2nd and 3rd ID as well as 3rd Brigade. One TK Reg smashes the darwin survivors for the 5th and final time driving a Base Force further out into the desert. Order the Tanks back to join the war. Move two more Sentai of Sally into the area so they can fly down and stock the AF at Geraldton.
Western Australia
The Geraldton Invasion Force begins landing with the massive booms of BB Fuso's guns supporting the landing. The two Inf Div and 4 Supporting units come ashore under CD fire but things look GREAT as the defenders only comprise an Inf Bn, Base Force, a Fort, and 2 small CD units. The base shall FALL tomorrow. During the landing, a squadron of SBDs from the sunk Lexington attack the shipping. The Raids are met by just 3 Zeros flying LR CAP from Hiryu. The pilots do well shooting down 3 SBDs with the morning and afternoon attacks. The remaining planes hit an AK with a pair of bombs both attacks. Neither AK sinks as of yet. Before it is finished unloading I order the TF to move away from Geraldton so the base can be grabbed and then CAP can be flown in for solid protection. Looking good here...
Hiryu moves out and away from Australia and sets course for a position SW of Perth. Three AOs are up near Exmouth. I will order them south once things heat up enough to occupy Lew's aircraft so I can keep Hiryu active. Sure would like an extra CV/CVL here...
The Port Augusta TF moves to a position directly west of Perth, is not spotted, and shall begin a direct line advance towards its objective. Fuso moves away from the Rockhampton IF to join-up here. She doesn't have too much ammo but will be useful for absorbing CD fire.
The Paras at Kalgoorlie continue to hang-on by their fingernails. They are now fighting 3 Inf Bn who had a terrible attack scoring just 2 AV against my Para's 6 so the 1-3 attack goes nowhere. Once my Tinas are done supporting the Sydney Operation I will move one Daitai back to Corunna Downs to help these poor souls out.
Eastern Australia
The Rockhampton area is highly active. Lew orders planes to hit my advancing troops. I've got a Daitai of Zeros flying 30% CAP over both units and the attacking bombers are smashed pretty handily. About 12-14 Hudson, B-25, and Wirraways fall to the Sea Eagles.
There are SIXTEEN units in Emerald to the west of Rockhampton! My bombers hit a CD unit and the 3rd Inf Div is about 1 day from the hex. I must suppose that these are units from the north trying to get back south to help. No rail hex here so these guys are out of the fight. Will hit them with the 3rd and demoralize them with a retreat or two. Sallys also hit 29th Aussie Brigade near Bundaberg.
Most importantly the Invasion Forces for Port Kembla and Newcastle are NOT SPOTTED this turn. Kembla will land in 2 days and Newcastle in 3. Would prefer to time this together but I am truly paranoid regarding the Invasion Bonus so we shall see a staggered landing on March 28th/29th. The Paras at Rockhampton will land west of Sydney on the 29th to close the door and seal the net.
KB trails the Invasion Forces and refuels this turn from 5 AOs. Have got enough fuel for one more solid replenishment so these AOs move back east of Lord Howe.
The Sale Invasion Force moves across the seas just west of Lord Howe and shall continue south and then cut due west towards its target.
SS Operations
Lew discovers the minefield laid a few days ago outside of Melbourne on a BIG WAY! THREE mine explosions are heard along with a sinking sound. How about that??!! Bet that shocked him...
I-25 sinks AKL Kailua near Mauke with a single TT
Next turn is it team. I cannot imagine NOT being spotted so the Invasion Forces should come under attack and the true scope of Lew's Australia crisis should become evident. The dice are now spinning on the table and we're waiting to see what they turn up!
Any comments/thoughts are appreciated.
[image]local://upfiles/18041/0B2AF630AAF74CFDAABBA3F5065DBB53.jpg[/image]
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