Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
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A Recapitulation of Operations Thin Man and Flying Trapeze, August 13, 1943 to October 19, 1943: These two operations were actually one operation that resulted in a decisive Allied victory.
The Allied carriers departed Pearl Harbor on August 13, 1943. They wouldn't return home for nearly 70 days. The first mission was Operation Thin Man, meant to secure the Marshalls (by delivering supply), retrieve overstacked units, invade Kwajalein and Roi-Namur, and seek favorable conditions to give battle to enemy combat ships or carriers. It took awhile, but eventually the first two objectives were accomplished. Then the Allies invaded Kwaj, getting embroiled in a tough battle that is ongoing.
Several IJN BBs were damaged near the Marshalls and a CV took a torp, thus weakening Steroid KB a bit. Then John flexed his muscles and sent Mini KB on a circuitous ride around Death Star and the Allied islands. While this was happening, the Allied combat ships and carriers replenished fuel, ammo and sorties at Jaluit Island, taking about a week to complete the process.
In mid September, John sent Steroid KB and Mini KB from Wake Island to the vicinity of Johnston Island on a raid that failed to draw meaningful blood. Steroid KB then retired in full view, while replenished Death Star, undetected, moved north to engage. The resulting Naval Battle of Wake Island resulted in heavy losses for the enemy. The Allies lost a few DD. CVs Hornet and Enterprise took minor damage. Several Allied BBs also suffered damage during this battle (and earlier in the campaign).
With KB neutralized, I expedited the invasion of Wake Island (Operation Flying Trapeze). D-Day 1.0 resulted in a stalemate requiring an eventual 2.0. In the meantime, bombardment TFs shuttled back and forth between Midway and Wake to replenish; during this interval, a sub sank BB Nevada; then Death Star moved SE briefly to escort in a TF carrying reinforcements. D-Day 2.0 resulted in the capture of Wake Island. But the delay allowed John to effectively vector in his subs, which sank CV Wasp and CVE Corregidor.
The Allies then withdrew the overstacked units and began retiring to Pearl Harbor. John's subs picked off several more ships (including two AO) during this phase.
Death Star finally returned home on October 19. The ships are in such good shape (excepting the losses of the carriers) that Death Star will return to sea in four or five days to take part in Operation Big Tent.
What the Allies achieved: securing the Marshalls and taking Wake Island, which opens a large part of CenPac to future Allied operations.
Japanese ship losses (not including very small fry):
CV - 3
CVL - 3
CVE - 8
CB - 1
CL - 3
DD - 14
PB - 1
E- 2
SS - 7
AV - 1
xAK - 13
xAKL - 1
CM - 1
SC - 5
Allied ship losses (not including PT and YMS):
CV - 1
CVE - 1
BB - 1
DD - 6
DE - 1
SS - 1
AO - 3
AMC - 1
APD - 7
AK - 1
xAP - 2
xAK - 5
Air losses were heavy on both sides.
You can see why, overall, I'm pleased with the outcome of these two operations. While John's subs have been active and effective, Allied losses have been modest. In comparison, John blunted his spearhead badly, the balance of power shifted markedly, and the Allies are now in a position to prosecute the war.
< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 6/15/2016 10:58:08 PM >
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RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 
Good luck with the Big Tent op.
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