RE: Pregnant Pause

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kaleun -> RE: Pregnant Pause (6/7/2013 10:55:16 PM)
June 8th. On June 6th, the enemy captured Tjipajap. A task force of BB including Yamashiro and Fuso bombarded Broome in North Australia. In addition 12 Kate bombers attacked the 2/1 AIF Pioneer battalion at Port Hedland. In a strange turn of events, the next day, SS Halibut launched torpedoes at DD Shigure, missing. That would not be worth reporting except that the location, SE of Tonga was a strange place to find a Japanese surface asset. Sandaukar captured by the enemy. June 9th. Pregnant Pause. Blenheim bombers hit the 6h RTA/B Division at Cox Bazaar. A Vincent bomber reported an imaginary hit on a totally fictitious submarine east of Christchurch. On a better light, CV Wasp and BB North Carolina arrived at Balboa and were sent sailing to Pearl Harbor. CV Indomitable sent back to Cape Town. June 10th. Near Suva, SS Grayback misses on DD Hatsukaze. Early wind responded by hitting the submarine with a depth charge near Suva. Over Cox Bazaar a minor air battle rages. First enemy bombers hit allied troops approaching the village, then 15 Blenheims escorted by 26 P40E hit the enemy positions. 6 Nick twin engine fighters interfere and a single P40 is lost. Alice Springs now has level 2 fortifications. Further construction on the defenses is stopped and resources switch to enlarging the airfield. Lexington has 20 days to go. June 11 Palmyra’s defenses reach level 3 and construction of further fortifications is stopped. Tahiti has level 1 defenses.

BBfanboy -> RE: TF 195, The gamble that failed? (6/7/2013 11:08:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kaleun ... US submarines continue their practice of hitting the enemy with dud torpedoes. The admirals are thinking of withdrawing all but the S class subs rather than providing the enemy with free ASW training! ... The S-boats are the only US ones that DO have working torpedoes! Their torps are a different mark than the fleet boats' and should be getting 80% boom [:)] to 20% clang[:(]. If you are not getting results with them, check the naval skill and aggression of the skippers. Skill should be 60+ and aggression 65+, if you can get the leaders. Having the sub at a major base will give more leaders to choose from. Their short legs are a problem, but you do have quite a few ASs to base forward at secret locations ...[sm=00000506.gif]

kaleun -> RE: TF 195, The gamble that failed? (6/8/2013 1:17:37 AM)
That's the secret plan, as you will see.

kaleun -> RE: TF 195, The gamble that failed? (6/8/2013 1:37:54 AM)
July 12 42 Admiral Nimitz hated Washington in general and politicians in particular. Furthermore, he hated traveling to DC because it took him away from trying to fight a war that, all things considered, was not going well at all. The suspicion that, the same politicians whose fault it was that the country was caught woefully unprepared for a war, were now about to berate him for the failure to gain the initiative, did not help his humor. His only defense was the triplicate report he carried in his briefcase. He was escorted into the Oval Office where three men waited. Two he knew, Secretary of War Henry Stimson and Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox. The third one was a chubby man in his late thirties or early forties with a receding hairline and glasses, he’d never met him before and no one introduced them. A door opened and a secret service agent wheeled the President in. They all stood up to receive him. Franklin D. Roosevelt took his seat at the desk created for his cousin, when he was President and gestured the men to sit down. “Gentlemen,” he said. “You’ve met George Mr. President?” Stimson said. “He predicted my victory in 36,” the president said, “how could I forget him?” “He’s made an interesting discovery. Tell him Horace.” “Sir,” George Horace Gallup said, “I have been polling people since even before the war started and have established that there is a way to quantify public opinion. Each casualty, each ship, each piece of land has a value, on people’s minds; I call them “Victory Points”” Nimitz’s eyes rolled back in his head and he contemplated the office’s ceiling as the pollster droned on. “…. I have concluded that, if by next year the enemy has more than four times our value, the public opinion will make it impossible to continue the war.” Gallup sat down. Mention the words “Public opinion” among politicians and you are sure to get their attention. “How many?” The President asked. “27900 Japan, 6800 us.” “Thank you George, you may leave us now,” Stimson said. After the pollster was ushered out the door by the mute secret service agent, the President spoke. “We need a victory.” Nimitz opened his briefcase and took out the three manila folders inside, “Perhaps this might help.”

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/11/2013 4:18:51 AM)
He gave each man a map and a single, typewritten sheet of paper. “The Aleutian islands are a chain of remote, cold and dreary specks on the map, of little importance. Most Americans could not place them on a globe if their life depended on it.” “When we began to understand that there was a serious problem with our Mark 12 torpedo, we decided to build a submarine base at the westernmost island, Attu, to allow our S-class submarines to reach the enemy’s home islands and thus take the war to them. The S class uses Mark 10 torpedoes that are more reliable but they are short ranged. For reasons unknown, the enemy decided to invade Attu. Their first effort was repelled easily. We reinforced the garrison, but did not expect him to try again; after all, there was nothing there. Unfortunately he did, in force, and he seized not only Attu but several other islands to the east. The press has reported it but emphasized how remote and unimportant the islands were, after all, this is the only American territory the enemy holds, and we did not want morale to be undermined. We want the Attu back, we want the submarine base there, and I think we have a good chance of taking it.” He pointed to the map. “I give you, Operation North Star.” He paused for effect. “The invasion force will carry the 32nd Infantry Division, the 24th and the 161st Infantry regiment and the 106 USN Base force. A Replenishment force will accompany them with the oilers. Both task forces will depart Pearl Harbor and sail to point A, to the southeast of Dutch Harbor. That way we hope to keep them away from enemy air search and submarine recon. The carrier force will consist of CV Wasp en route to Pearl at this time, Hornet, currently at Pearl and Lexington who is in dry dock, also at Pearl Harbor. She is expected to complete her repairs and upgrade her torpedo bombers shortly before the mission. The carriers will take a direct route to Attu and support the landings. In addition they will form a blocking force against enemy naval attempts to interfere. There are currently two submarine picket lines to the west of Attu. The westernmost one will be reinforced by a large number of fleet class boats currently en route to Dutch harbor. They are useless at this time as attack boats but will serve quite well as scouts. Their addition will extend the western line half way to Midway. We also have a group of B17 bombers at Midway. The runways are too short for them to operate with a full load of bombs, but they are effective,” Nimitz crossed his fingers behind his back, “search assets.” He sat down. [image]local://upfiles/6626/9CEF56E349784BB5B9EFFFA9A33B6B27.jpg[/image]

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/12/2013 5:14:15 AM)
June 13th, 1942 After Thai troops invaded Cox Bazaar, a strong diplomatic effort by the foreign office resulted in profuse apologies from the Thai government, received via the Swiss embassy. His Gracious Majesty King George VI will forgive this trespass and allow the Thai forces to withdraw unmolested. A total of 2 Thai divisions will withdraw from Cox Bazaar. June 14th. All available submarines are ordered to proceed to Dutch Harbor at best speed. The objective is to isolate the island and to provide warning of approaching enemy naval forces. The S boats will operate closer to the island while the fleet subs will form the more distant picket line. At a meeting of the Tactical Allied Coordination Committee, TACALCORC, an informal (and mostly unauthorized) organization that includes the low level officers that actually organize everything, several decisions were made. These officers will then present this decisions to their admirals while making sure that the brass believes they were their own ideas all along. The Royal Navy will sortie her carriers from Perth to make a cameo appearance off NW Australia. The objective is twofold. First, the enemy might believe a major attempt to retake Port Hedland is in the offing (The aborted Operation Staggering Koala) and deploy Naval assets to counter it. Second, after a couple of fake attacks without follow through, when the real Stumbling Koala comes off his eucalyptus tree, it might catch the buggers by surprise. A tentative schedule for operations for the remaining 1942 was drawn up.: #1 July 1942. Operation North Star by the US Navy, with the RN acting as a red herring. #2 After success of North Star, (Late august or September) Operation Massive Hammer. Invasion of Baker Island with the RN, once more, acting as a red herring. #3 November or December, the real Staggering Koala. The US carriers will join up with the RN carriers and retake Port Hedland. Much beer was consumed after this was agreed upon, and all the young officers hoped no one else saw their fingers crossed behind their backs. One rubbed vigorously a rabbit’s foot secreted in his pocket while the British commander was seen throwing salt over his shoulder at every opportunity.

Sangeli -> RE: North Star (6/17/2013 7:41:08 PM)
So I'm curious about Operation North Star. To me it sounds like a good plan with a high probability as the winter freeze will prevent an Japanese counter invasion until 1943. But IMO success of the invasion will depend on support from the other Aleutian islands. Building up Adak or Amchitka air bases will prove immensely beneficial if you do not seize victory easily and rely on air attack for disruption. Also, do you have any intelligence about what the Japanese garrison looks like? Lastly remember that it is only June 1942. Japanese very well could - and probably will - expand its holdings in the Aleutians before November to acquire a real air base (Attu is too small). So be prepared to stop that and/or have units in place to retake it. Its nice to see that despite all the setbacks so far this game you're still thinking offensively this morning. But still don't let that become the end of you; Japan still has a few good punches left so always keep an eye open!

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/25/2013 7:01:37 PM)
June 17, 42 The Royal Navy doesn’t like to play second fiddle to any other naval force, much less to the US Navy. The debate is how little to risk that would show enough support so that the US Navy will not skimp on their efforts to help Staggering Koala. In the end, the admirals decided that honesty was the best policy and that a real effort would be made to attract the enemy’s attention. To that effect, in addition to the transport task force sighted yesterday by an enemy submarine near Carnavon, a surface combat task force will head north to bombard Port Hedland. At Pearl three bomber groups that have been training most of the war, trade their B17D and Bolo for B17E and embark towards Oz. June 18th. SS-I 158 fires on CL Hobart off Carnavon and misses. SS S-45 misses on xAK Akasan Maru off Medny Island in the Aleutian chain. The enemy invades Amchika Island. In San Francisco, the 27th infantry division prepping for Attu in case reinforcements are needed for the invasion, changes to combat status and prepares to load up to reinforce the Attu garrison. June 19th. The enemy occupies Corunna Downs, south of Port Hedland. Near Kembla, APD Whipple takes a torpedo hit and sinks. Amchika is occupied by the Japanese and Cox Bazaar, now that the RTA has withdrawn, by the Brits. June 20. The Japanese occupy Kiska. Canton Island now sports level 5 fortifications. The first part of Northern Star sets in motion. A replenishment task force departs Pearl towards point A. In a final refinement to Northern Star, the replenishment task force will lurk at Point A, wait for the invasion and surface covering force and refuel the combat force. The invasion forces will then approach Attu from the East, while the carriers will take the direct route and, after the action is over, also refuel from the waiting oilers. Fingers are crossed and rabbits feet rubbed at Pearl.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/25/2013 7:03:55 PM)
June 21st. Well, that didn’t take long. One day out of Pearl and SS I-23 launches on DM Tray, one of the escorts of the replenishment task force. How much did the sub captain see? Perhaps the enemy will think this just an ordinary fuel run.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/25/2013 7:14:13 PM)
June 22nd. The invasion and the covering force depart Pearl Harbor. One by one, the last bastions of Dutch rule in Asia fall to the enemy. Battalion sized parachute forces, special naval landing forces and raiding battalions take Kai Eilanden and other tiny garrisons where the only European presence is a flag, flying proud on a wooden mast. In Java, Batavia, Soerabaja and Medan still hold out. Off North Australia, a small carrier task force harasses allied shipping. The Red Herring seems unnecessary now, the enemy is paying attention. DD Paul Jones takes a 250 Kg bomb dropped by a Kate at 2000 ft. A second raid targeted DD Dewey but the Kates drop their ordnance from 10,000 feet and, of course, miss. D-Day -8. The day the carriers depart is 8 days away. All the carriers are at Pearl. CV Hornet has no damage and CV Wasp picked up 2SD after her high speed run to avoid lurking submarines. Wasp upgrades VT-71 to TBF-1 Avengers. Takes replacements for her F4F and SBD-3 groups. Repairs will take three days. Lexington is still 8 days away from being ready. That is cutting it too closely. She still has SBD-2 for dive bombers. There are not enough SBD-3s for her to upgrade at this time.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/26/2013 3:25:14 AM)
Thanks for the read Sangeli. It is early in the war but it is primary season in the US and FDR needs to be seen to be doing something.[X(]

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/26/2013 3:27:05 AM)
June 23rd Action continues along Australia’s western shore. Enemy carriers hit shipping at Carnavon and Geraldton. At Perth, bombers set on naval attack wait. They wait for the enemy to reach their range. A large enemy cruiser task force (Mikuma, Kumano, Kinugasa, Takao, Aova) accompanies the enemy carriers and hits crippled ships at will. AP Leonard falls to these wolves, Dewey manages to escape them as well as to evade the torpedoes that SS I-153 launched at her, only to fall to the carrier Kate bombers who, this time, score 2 hits on the plucky destroyer. June 24th. During the night, the enemy carriers stumble on the lone DD Decoy. Yamashiro and Oshio open fire on the destroyer while Oshio and Kasumi launch torpedoes. Even CVE Unyo fires her guns at the lone destroyer that escapes in the darkness. On the wireless she sends an unencrypted message. “Fired upon by enemy carrier force. Have identified CV Junyo, CVE Hosho, Taiyo and Unyo, CS Mizuho, BB Fuso and Yamashiro. Evading.” While evading the carriers, Decoy stumbles on the cruiser force. Mikuma, Kumano, Takao and Aoba fire on the tin can but miraculously, she escapes and sends another contact report. Her luck runs our near Geraldton. The cruisers finally catch up with the heroic destroyer and sink her. In a later action the cruisers also sink DD Paul Jones. In the middle of the north Pacific SS I-18 meets the replenishment task force and is depth charged by the escorts who claim one hit. Bandoeng falls.

Sangeli -> RE: North Star (6/26/2013 8:41:17 PM)
Interesting that Japan has decided to occupy Kiska and Amchitka. If you're going to do Operation North star, you are definitely right in doing it before Japan can build up those bases. And if it were me, I would be sure to wipe out those island garrisons before winter to prevent him from building them up and cutting off Attu. Otherwise you could be looking at a campaign in the Aleutians lasting through the spring of 1943 as Attu lacks the airfield to base bombers out of.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/27/2013 2:43:14 AM)
Actually...

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/27/2013 2:49:02 AM)
June 25th 42 No battle plan survives contact with the enemy and North Star will not be the exception. SS I-7 scores one hit on CL Nashville, off Dutch Harbor. The light cruiser was escorting an amphib force landing a Coastal Defense unit. A fast transport task force drops an invading force on Adak Island. The 27th US infantry division sets off from Frisco to garrison Dutch Harbor. This is considered insurance in case of failure of North Star, and in case the enemy continues island hopping towards Alaska.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/27/2013 2:54:31 AM)
June 27th [image]local://upfiles/6626/EF680E31D29445ABB87495C556BEB776.jpg[/image]

kaleun -> RE: North Star (6/27/2013 3:03:08 AM)
The cat is out of the bag! In the middle of the North Pacific, a Japanese submarine hits Mississippi with a single torpedo. The mighty battlewagon shrugs off such damage but the coverage force has now been spotted and, shortly after the surface combat force passes, a coded radio transmission was picked up. Direction finding equipment places the transmitter aft of the task force. The Japanese might, just might, think that this is an attempt to slow down their advance but, later in the day, the same sub scores on APD Hatfield and detects the invasion force. 3 days remain before the carriers leave Pearl Harbor and Nimitz must now decide: Press on or turn back? West of Attu, a long line of submarine pickets extends half way down the Pacific. Any enemy task force should be detected by the submarines and give enough warning for the transports to get out of harm’s way, and for the carriers, once they join, to perhaps pounce on an unsuspecting enemy. “We go on,” Nimitz says, “surprise or not, so long as we think we can win.” [image]local://upfiles/6626/4E234B49B58E484CA57625A3FE32603E.jpg[/image]

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/1/2013 6:11:49 PM)
June 28th 42 At Tahiti AKV Kirkland sinks after being hit by two torpedoes. The attacking submarine suffered 9 depth charge hits, or so it was reported and was presumed sunk. Assuming the success of North Star, the Navy command begins the gestation of the next operation, Pacific Dawn. The first target, and not directly part of the operation is to liberate Baker Island. This will deny the island base to enemy recon flights. The objective of the operation will be Tarawa and the Marshall islands. Meanwhile, Lexington is now 9 days away from readiness! June 29th The invasion task force reports being shadowed by Japanese float planes. In the South Pacific, BB Ramillies reports the same. Off Amtchika Island, SS S-18 fires on PB Hakkaisan Maru and misses. Unable to wait for Lexington any longer, Wasp and Hornet are ordered to depart Pearl Harbor.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/1/2013 6:24:39 PM)
June 30th 1942 North Star unravels like a ball of yarn. After an unsuccessful attack by a submarine on the surface covering force, a Catalina float plane reports an enemy task force south of Amtchika. The task force, previously undetected, had slipped through the submarine pickets and the air search arc. The nature of this task force becomes apparent later in the day when 22 Kate bombers escorted by 33 Zero fighters tear into the invasion fleet. AP Hunter Liggett, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk, AP President Monroe, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk, AP Heywood, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage, AP President Jackson, Torpedo hits 1, on fire. 62 Kate bombers follow with an escort of 57 AGM2s. BB Mississippi, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk. AP George F. Elliot, Torpedo hits 1, DD Cushing, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk, xAP Rangitiki, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, xAK Fairland, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk, AP President Jackson, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk, AP Heywood, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk, CLAA Atlanta, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk, AP Thomas Jefferson, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk. The invasion fleet sets course for nearby Dutch Harbor and will unload the troops there. The task force bearing the 27th Division changes objective for Kodiak Island. [image]local://upfiles/6626/FAFA58638365411FB39587A967907F7C.jpg[/image]

Sangeli -> RE: North Star (7/2/2013 2:25:51 AM)
Oh boy that is unfortunate to have run into a sub in that part of the Pacific. And honestly I probably would have done the same thing; gone on with the mission. From the screenshot it seems that at least your carriers are out of danger. But right now I would be very careful about losing those infantry units on-board. You don't get many unrestricted divisions and its important not to waste them. Also, now that you know that the KB or at least part of the KB is there you should be moving in other areas. Like it would be a good time to go get Baker island if that's what you want to do.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/2/2013 4:58:18 PM)
He's got three carrier forces that I know of. The northern force, I believe, has the less experienced pilots. A central force operating out of Espiritu Santo or Noumea, is his main carrier force, and a smaller force operating out of Java, Macassar or Timor.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/2/2013 5:11:49 PM)
July 1st. Patrol aircraft out of DH report 5 enemy carriers south of DH. The two allied carriers, outnumbered return to Pearl Harbor. In the evening, the invasion fleet arrives at DH and begins unloading. The men leave their ships in a hurry. There is not much time. Indeed, the enemy Kates arrive and hit the transports hard, but they were already mostly empty of men. Precious supplies and materiel are lost, but they can be replaced. CL Adelaide, hit by three torpedoes sinks. In the evening the Kates return, out of torpedoes, they attack with 250Kg bombs and are not as accurate. They miss the transports but score 2 hits on Bagley. War continues at other theaters, at Cox Bazaar, a cruiser task force savages the coastal steamers unloading supplies. Near Rapa, SS I-10, sighted by escorts is forced to dive. A coded message is intercepted a couple of hours later. The Ramillies task force, freshly refueled, heading for San Diego has been spotted. A telegram arrives at Pearl Harbor, directed to Kaleun: Japanese VP 27964. Allied 6811. Gallup. A second telegram arrives: Do something about it. Stimson.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/2/2013 5:27:15 PM)
July 3rd In Burma, 24 Wellingtons hit Akyab. The enemy has bombarded Chittagong with a cruiser force and now Sally bombers come to finish the job. The enemy carriers now hit Kodiak Island. The transports, unprotected, are easy prey for the enemy pilots, but they are empty of men, and also of materials. The Kate bombers use only bombs this time. At Pearl, Mitscher studies the map and rubs his chin, “How long before Lexington can sail?” “Two days sir,” his aide replies. He leans over the map and scratches his chin.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/3/2013 6:25:07 PM)
July 4th. The IJN celebrate America’s birthday by hitting Kodiak Island with the heavy cruisers Chokai and Tone. Minimal damage. The carrier airplanes again visit Dutch Harbor in passing, as their task force steams west.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/3/2013 6:37:43 PM)
July 6th 42 Unescorted Blenheim bombers hit Akyab yesterday despite a CAP of 4 Oscars. 25 of 27 get through and hit the supply dump. Dutch Harbor is hit again by the enemy carriers. The enemy task force withdraws leisurely west. Meanwhile, at Pearl: “What are you planning Sherman?” Nimitz has aged considerably since the war started. A steady diet of defeat and failure will do that to you. “Lexington is ready sir, and he has been up there, around the Aleutians a long time.” Rear Admiral Sherman replies. “Yes, he likes to do that,” Nimitz remembers how the war started and how the outnumbered allied carriers were able to bag one of the enemy’s flattops. “He’s out of torpedoes by now, and his pilots must be exhausted.” Nimitz nodded; he could see where this was going. “If I take Lex, Wasp and Hornet, and dash north, I may be able to get him before he can withdraw to resupply. “Go ahead Sherman,” he says, “use the principle of calculated risk; do not risk your ships unless there is a good chance of inflicting greater damage to the enemy.” Far in the south, the British carriers, transiting to Pearl to join up with the US ones, slowly move east, south of Tahiti, avoiding enemy controlled waters; which is most of the Pacific Ocean actually. Their biplanes keep up a constant ASW patrol and one of them reports a periscope. The report sends a shiver up the British admiral’s back. He looks northwest, towards the enemy controlled islands of Samoa. Did the submarine spot the biplane? Will the enemy carriers sortie to find him? His two carriers like the firepower and defenses to engage even two enemy flattops and there are more than two in those waters.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/5/2013 5:32:52 PM)
July 8th. The enemy carriers still linger around the Aleutians looking for prey. SS Grampus, 160 miles South of Ulak Island spots CS Chitose. Later in the day, she fires 6 torpedoes at CV Akagi, but misses with all of them. Sherman’s carriers are on the way. July 9th. An isolated report from Nome, Alaska, indicates that enemy float planes were spotted overhead. Dutch Harbor too reports enemy aircraft snooping around. Air assets report one or more battleships nearby. Avengers and Seagulls from the carrier task force report enemy submarines north of Hawaii. The enemy must now know they are coming. July 10th, G3M2 Nell bombers hit shipping at Dutch Harbor. Later in the day, carrier airplanes do the same. The surface combat task force bombards the beleaguered island. Hyuga, Ise and Kongo were spotted. The enemy carriers are now located North of the Aleutians in the Bering sea! July 12th The enemy battleships and carriers (5CV and 1CVL) disappear into the Bering sea. After a high speed run to get his flattops into striking range, Sherman’s men find an empty, threatening sea. Unwilling to approach within Nell range of Attu, Sherman reluctantly orders his three carriers to turn about. It is one thing to attempt to engage a superior (but hopefully depleted) force; it is something different altogether to try the same under a covering umbrella of enemy land based, long range, torpedo bombers. Perhaps a sub might get lucky.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/10/2013 6:50:27 PM)
July 14th. Carrier airplanes made an appearance over Dutch Harbor on the 13th. The replenishment task force refueled and reloaded at Frisco heads out into mid Pacific to refuel the withdrawing carriers. In the South, the RN carrier force continues to steam east, undisturbed. July 16th. War continues in other theaters. In Burma, for instance, a bloody fight occurred over Magwe as Blenheim bombers from Chittagong hit the airfield on the 15th. Escorted by P40s, they met stiff resistance in the form of Oscars and the surprisingly capable twin engined Nick fighter. Later, unescorted Blenheims showed up and had a remarkably good showing due to the misplaced CAP. On the 16th, Wellington bombers from Calcutta hit Magwe again but the poorly coordinated strike failed to link to the escorts. Even so, of 29 Wimpeys, 27 got through. A destroyer asw force reported 5 hits on SS I 5 near Albany. Gallup reports Japanese VP at 28570 and allied at 6840. July 17th. Position report of the British carrier force has them west of the Marquesas islands.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/10/2013 6:57:54 PM)
July 18th G3M2 Nell hit Dutch Harbor Fulton suffers 4 bomb hits. Fighters need to be deployed to Dutch Harbor soonest; moreover these need to be transported there by CVE Long Island, so that they can fly off the carrier while keeping the flat top at a safe distance. Furthermore, DH needs a working airstrip. Lexington, Hornet and Wasp arrived at Pearl Harbor. Even after this short deployment without combat and a single day of high speed running, the accumulated damage is significant. Lex: Sys 5 Engine 1. Hornet: Sys 7, Engine 8. Wasp: Sys 8 engine 4. Repair estimates have Wasp in the shipyard for 6 days, Hornet for 18th although 10 of those will be to complete an upgrade. Lexington will repair pierside for 9 days. Formidable and Illustrious, now E of Pernhym island turn direct to Pearl.

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/12/2013 4:24:11 AM)
July 19th SS Truant scores a torpedo hit on AKV Lisbon Maru off Palembang. The 35th light AA arrive at Cox Bazaar. South East of Exmouth, enemy infantry is spotted. They marched all the way from Port Hedland. July 20th. Off the coast of Sidney, the battle of the South Pacific rages on. It is not the German U-boats, but the Japanese I-boats that are the enemy. It seems that, despite aggressive patrolling since the beginning of the war, the enemy submarine presence cannot be dislodged. Today, SS I-172 launched two torpedoes at SS Hotspur, a member of an ASW task force operating from Sidney. Both fish missed and two depth charge hits were reported. They must not have done much damage since the same submarine attacked an AM from a second ASW task force later in the day. So as not to be outdone, the second ASW force reported one hit on the elusive submarine. A group of B-25s from Geraldton hit the enemy SE of Exmouth. Photographs brought back tentatively identify the enemy as the Sasebo 5th SNLF. Meanwhile, at Dutch Harbor, AS Fulton is hit again by the Nell bombers from Attu. The RN Albacores report a periscope east of Christmas Island. Debo captured. (An insignificant little island in the Arafura Sea)

kaleun -> RE: North Star (7/15/2013 10:54:46 PM)
July 21st. The Japanese must be annoyed by the airplanes from Chittagong as a surface task force including CA Furutaka and others hit the airfield destroying 2 P40 and 1 Hurricane and damaging 14 Kittyhawks and 11 Hurricanes. Later in the day, 44 Sally bombers escorted by 15 Oscar fighters followed up. They were met by 12 Hurricanes that killed 6 Sally and one Oscar and damaged 2 more bombers at a cost of 1 hurricane and 1 P40 destroyed on the ground. 5 Nick fighters appeared later, were met by 8 hurricanes and destroyed 2 hurricanes before leaving. 14 unescorted Sallies were met by 4 hurricanes. 4 Sally bombers were destroyed.

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