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John 3rd -> Hunting Grounds (10/21/2012 7:48:44 AM)
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Life continues to hold as we get ready for some action here in La Salle, CO. Things will resolve Tuesday night and then I can share my wife and I's little adventure! [:@]
This is a quick update because it is too good to not pass-up.
June 30, 1942
Diego Garcia, IO
The Captain and crew of the heavy cruiser Chikuma rarely get a chance to use their main armament when attached to Japan's CVs. This day finds them rested and ready. The previous day's strike by CVs Kaga, Soryu, and Ryujo had found yet more Allied shipping in the wreck shrewn port of Diego Garcia. The afternoon aerial strike by 20 Zero, 34 Val, and 48 Kate had sunk 2 AP and an AK while damaging 4 AP, 4 TK, and a PC. Problems were created when nearly 40 Allied Fighters rose to meet the strike. While the bomb assessment was solid, Admiral Yamaguchi did not like the loss of 1 Zero, 3 Val, and 7 Kate. Thus, he detailed Chikuma and Mikuma and 4 DDs to peel away from the carrier TF and slam into Diego Garcia.
At about 1am, the Japanese STF slips into the anchorage and is spotted by an Allied STF comprised of CLs Tromp and Java along with 3 DDs. In an inconclusive engagement the Japanese CAs dispatch DDs Michishio and Takanami to distract the Allied while the remaining warships work to get into the TFs known to be present. The ruse works perfectly as the 2 DD draw the STF away into the night. Mikuma and Chikuma spot the Allied TF and rapidly count 2 PC protecting 3 AK and 18 AP! The warships dispatch the valiant Allied PCs and then become foxes in the hen house as many rounds of ammo as well as ALL TTs are launched. Explosions and fires--ONCE AGAIN--light up this Port's night. The action is so quick that a solid tally is hard to achieve, however, it appears that 2 PC, 2 AK, and 8 AP are sunk with another 5-7 ships damaged.
Seeing a job well done, the Chikuma calls for her pair of decoy DDs to rejoin the TF as they exit the anchorage and make for Sumatra. Doggedly following the DDs is the Allied STF. Eagerly the tired TF turns to attack and quickly sinks CL Tromp and cripples DDs Evertsen. The Java and another DD staggers away as the Japanese--almost literally--use their last shells and move on towards the safety of Sumatra.
SUNK: CL Tromp, 2 PC, 2 AK, and 8 AP with a DD and several more APs certainly slipping beneath the waves.
COST: CA Mikuma took 2 6" shells for little damage and DD Sakiri is moderately damaged from 3 5" shell hits.
Some troops, a number of guns,and a large amount of vehicles (300+) are seen destroyed on these valuable ships as they sank.
NICE!
Lew has lost 780 ships to this point...
[image]local://upfiles/18041/1020FBF6A6C342A08E3A6F4B828D6118.jpg[/image]
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