Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002 From: Northwestern Georgia, USA Status: offline
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11/25/42 - D+15, Operation Des Wallace Who's going where? Who's doing what? Forces are converging, but the picture isn't yet clear as to what the chief threats are and where the best opportunities lie. Capital Ships: Still no sign of the KB, but that little enemy carrier force up near Victoria Point is sliding slowly southwestward; another carrier is reported down around Benkolen. BB Yamato has entered the Malacca Straits and is posted at Tandjoen, probably to provide security for incoming reinforcements, but posing a threat to Allied operations in ports like Medan and Alor Star. This raises the tension level considerably, but I do like having enemy capital ships in these confined, dangerous waters (an enemy DD hit a mine and I think sank). An enemy TF (7 ships reported) is up at Sinabang, possibly guarding against reinforcements or possibly about to raid Sabang. Most of the Allies combat shipping remains at Sabang, where I'm torn between all the important missions: (1) provide security for Sabang; cover reinforcement missions to Sinabang and Alor Star; provide security for troops arriving at Medan against Yamato bombardment mission (Medan is clear terrain, so bombardment will be very effective); engage in bombardment missions against Medan/Georgetown/VP; etc. I can't do them all, but one to three will be done. On the Ground: Japanese air is wearing out the little Allied garrison at Singora. I think it will fall tomorrow. The relief force (tanks and part of an Indian brigade) crossing the narrowest part of the peninsula isn't strong enough to break through the Thai unit in the jungle. The lead Allied units (two tank outfits) arrives at Medan, which John is reinforcing. The reinforcing Indian division is ashore at Sabang. Batoe-Eilenden falls to Sasebo Assault Division. In the Air: Roughly 60 4EB from Ramree hit the enemy airfield at Port Blair, destroying some 20 aircraft - mostly Betties and Tojos. If the Allies can make that base tenuous for John, his airfield options become much more limited, what with Georgetown and VP in a bad way. Sabang airfield goes to level 5.63 - three days to level six. The airfield (level 2) at Langsa is nearly operational, though it will take some time to get it big enough to be useful. I don't have enough fighters to provide CAP there, so my main hope is to either use it as a forward base for bombers (once it reaches level 4) or possibly to stage in carrier air on occasion to mix up the look (speaking of which, can an Air HQ with torps allow Avengers to fly from a level two airfield?).
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