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IdahoNYer -> Naval Battle at Ambon (10/10/2014 3:09:16 AM)
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Due to Thunderstorms, visibility is limited and fire is opened up by the CL Mauritius at 6000yds on surprised IJN. Although Allied gunnery is again less than desired, hits are quickly scored against the CAs including the PoW landing a 14” shell on the Nachi. While the Allied cruisers score hits, the 6” shells fail to penetrate the cruiser’s armor, but the British CLs also carry torps, two of which launched by the old CL Dragon, hit the CA Takao setting her ablaze. But the cheering on the British ships is short lived as the fleets close to within 3000yds and the CL Mauritius becomes the target of the Myoko, Haguro and Atago - one of which puts an 8” shell into the British CL’s magazine and the Mauritius is blown to bits. By now the IJN has fully recovered from their surprise, and torpedoes and gunfire from both sides continue to strike home. CL Java becomes a favorite target, as does the CA Haguro. While Java struggles under 8” guns, so does Haguro against the 14” and 15” British guns. IJN torpedoes begin to hit home, sinking two British DDs in quick succession. But luck stays with Palliser as the Repulse is also hit, but just scratches paint. His luck continues as CA Myoko collides with a DD, but Palliser decides to break off the action. In doing so, two Allied DDs collide, but are not seriously damaged.
[image]local://upfiles/32782/2C6D8DB6502B4D50A37AD6321B822251.jpg[/image]
By the time the battle is over, PoW and Repulse are barely scratched. The Heavy’s screen has done their job, protecting their charges, but the cost is high. Besides Mauritius blowing up, CL Dragon will succumb to her damages that day, and CL Java will be scuttled that night. The remaining DDs are all banged up to some degree, but with some luck, all should make Darwin. As for the IJN, two CAs are known to have been sunk (by float losses) - Haguro and Takao are listed as sunk. CA Nachi has to be a floating wreck, struck by at least a couple of heavy caliber shells. Myoko and Atago are likely lightly to moderately damaged. The two CLs and all but one or two DDs should be fully seaworthy.
While the tactical results are probably a draw or slightly in favor of the Allies, strategically the battle remains an IJN victory - Ambon will still fall (although the defenders on the ground held off two assaults!). Still in Jan 1942, I’ll take these results any day. Repulse and PoW will initially head to Darwin, and then, most likely, back to Java. The problem now being a severe shortage of DDs in the DEI and without a sufficient screen of CLs and DDs, the capital ships are too vulnerable to torpedoes - either sub or surface launched. Will consider whether to pull the PoW and/or Repulse out of the DEI altogether once they return to Java. Still, keeping at least one of the two capitals in theater will serve as a “Fleet in Being” to keep the IJN cautious. A number of DDs will have to be sent to the yards - some may continue to Java, others (especially the US four pipers) will detach in Darwin for repairs elsewhere.
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