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Cap Mandrake -> USN strikes back (9/2/2005 4:21:12 AM)
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Lets us go back in time to the fight for Lunga.
The Time: 1-19-42.
The Place: SWPac HQ, Noumea
The Charactrs: Adm Ghormley, CIC SWPac
Adm "Bull" Halsey, Commander TF 11.14, USS Enterprise and 14 escorts
Capt GD Murray, Skipper of the Enterprise
Capt F Sherman, Skipper of the Lexington and Commander TF 11.16, USS Lexington and 14 escorts
<Halsey looks like he has something better to do..an observation which is not lost on Adm Ghormley>
Ghormley: Gents, here is the deal. The RAAF and Dutch units have positivley identified 4 fleet carriers operating in the Banda Sea. A Jap CVL, likely Ryujo as Zuiho is confirmed sunk, and two CVE's are operating 600 m WNW of the Torres Straight. That leaves two fleet carriers unaccounted for, and that is an acceptable risk. I would like to take Enterprise and Lexington up to strike the Jap transports or surface forces operating near Lunga.
<Halsey's atention noticeably improves>
And I would like to go as early as tomorrow. Ideas?
Halsey: Enterprise is ready. A few DD's will have to top off. Lets do it.
Ghormley: Capt. Sherman?
Sherman: VF2 just converted to F4F's. I think they are loading the last one by crane as we speak. I dont believe one is flightworthy yet and perhaps 2/3 of the squadron's pilots havent put an F4F's down on a carrier deck yet.
Ghormley: Blast! This is a no go with only one carrier and Saratoga is 3 or 4 days out from Noumea. The window will close by then.
Murray: Sir, what about the Marines? VMF 211 is carrier-capable. They are deployed at Luganville in F4F's. We could take them under way if need be.
Ghormley: Can you do that George? Use VMF 211 as your main fighter strength on a war patrol?
Sherman: Yes sir, I believe we can, we may have to unload some TBD's to make room, but yes, I think we can.
I suspect we could have half of VF-2 up and flying by the time we are on station.
Ghormley: Great! Its a go then. Finish your necessary refueling. TF 11.12 and 11.14 to operate in a coordinated fashion with Adm Halsey in overall command. Push off as soon as practicable after 10:00 tomorrow. If there is a morning Mavis run I want him to see you boys in port. I will notify VMF-211 after your staff specifies a rendezvous time and location for recovery at sea. This is to be done under radio silence of course. You are ordered to be on station 50-70 m South of Lunga at dawn on 1-22. Strike any targets of opportunity you discover with priority toward capital ships. You are not to engage enemy carriers unless the survival or your command is in jeapordy and you are not to pursue North of Guadalcanal. I suspect the reamining two Japs carriers are waiting for you somewhere North of the Solomons. We will deny them that opportunity by withdrawing immediately after one strike. Is that clear Admiral? <looks at Halsey>
Halsey: Yes sir.
Ghormley: Very well. I will radio any new enemy sightings from 4 RAAF Catalinas operating out of Munda, ground observation from Guadalacanal itself and a PBY squadron operating with AVD support from Ndeni Atoll. God speed you all.
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