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Canoerebel -> RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent (10/13/2016 11:51:13 PM)
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11/25/43
Dangerous Waters: Some readers go far enough back to remember when the strait between Ambon and Boela played havoc in the match between Q-Ball and Cuttlefish. I remember that incident, but I nevertheless committed Death Star and a host of combat, transport, and support ships to transit that strait overnight.
I felt pretty good about the situation - Allied ships had already parked at Namlea without encountering mines. So I controlled the hex and therefore the strait. I figured the chances of a mishap were slight given the known disposition of enemy combat ships. Still, there was risk, so I didn't sleep well on this turn.
Sure enough, John loaded the strait with subs and deployed at least one DD there. The subs sank two Allied supply xAK and damaged a DD. But that was it. Essentially the entire Allied fleet transited the strait and took station a hex east of Ambon, as ordered. There the rendezvoused with the main amphibious TF, which left Boela, rounded the opposite end of Ceram, and arrived two hexes east of Ambon.
So the Allied ships are in good position to commence with the invasion of Ambon tomorrow. The landing (33rd US Div. augmented by artillery and an HQ) will be preceeded by two BBs and a CA bombarding.
The one fly in the ointment was that CA Baltimore TF detached from following Death Star and diverted to north of Ceram, in open waters. John's strike aircraft at Ternate sortied in big numbers. Fortunately, the USN TF was close enough to draw bleed-over CAP, which savaged the enemy strike (excerpt at end). On the day, John lost 125 aircraft, the Allies 25.
Lots of enemy combat ships sighted over near Truk. I got a sighting of Shokaku somewhere, but I'm going to have to watch the replay again to verify. It looks like Allied ops won't be molested by major elements of the Kaigun or KB in the near term, which is very helpful.
Lots of base building progress today (see map). Too, barges are beginning to make much-need supply deliveries to distant outposts.
I think this was a very good day for the Allies. Let's see how things look at Ambon tomorrow. Then I'll focus on supply distribution. That and defense become the highest priorities.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kofiau at 78,107
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M4 Zero x 33
B6N1 Jill x 51
Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 5
F4F-3A Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35
FM-1 Wildcat x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 88
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M4 Zero: 10 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 20 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CL Leander
CA Baltimore
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
[image]local://upfiles/8143/02053E2F64404F2191E6938242F8269F.jpg[/image]
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