| Q-Ball 
 
 Posts:  7336
 Joined:  6/25/2002
 From:  Chicago, Illinois
 Status: offline
   | Combat Report, Feb 22-26, 1943 
 No major movements these turns, though that is coming up, as the Allied juggernaught continues to gain steam.
 
 DEI:  A force of 4 BBs, including the Nagatos and 2 older BBs, visited Namlea, tangling with some PT boats.  The Japanese suffered no losses.  An inconsequential combat, but pretty interesting; I think he was attempted to bombard Ambon.
 
 The BBs withdrew to the Northeast, toward Palau (Baledelbop or however it's spelled, form now on I'm just calling it Palau, thank you).
 
 I am planning moves on Sorong and Ternate to secure my flank in this direction.  So far, a couple flights over each have found noone home.
 
 Celebes:  My units on Southwest Celebes are converging on Pare Pare, a base with good terrain where the Japanese seem to be making a stand.  I am sending the Australians to attack, although I really just need to pin them there, so I can move on Balikpapan.
 
 Intel so far reports about 12K troops at Balikpapan, so about Brigade strength with base forces.  I am prepping 3 divisions plus tanks, so I should have enough; we will load up in about a week or so, once I have adequate base support in Makassar.  I don't want Cuttlefish to build the base before I get there.
 
 Hunter Becomes Hunted: SS Blackfish went on a rampage near Pescadores, sinking 3 SCs.  Cuttlefish admits the ASW TF ran out of fuel, making them easy targets.  He'll probably watch that now.
 
 Koumac:  We will be loading up for Koumace shortly; most of the ships are gathered at Suva, and all our troops are there.  Once we are ashore at Koumac, I will shuttle in piles of engineers to build an airbase, to keep Noumea supressed.
 
 Shipping:  I have detailed my repair issues earlier; I have several battleships in the yard or on their way at the moment, including 3 still with Pearl Harbor Damage (PA,NV,and TN), WV and CO are also getting fixed, plus 3 R-class BBs and HMS Repulse.  Not to mention 3 USN CVs.  That's alot of capital ships in the yard.
 
 I am moving the CVEs to the DEI now; we don't need them in the Pacific now that I am winding down there.
 
 I am sending all the eligible APs home to upgrade to APAs.
 
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