Energisteron
Posts: 617
Joined: 6/17/2017 Status: offline
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Yes, that's exactly how I read the situation; Japanese counterattack imminent! So, how vulnerable is our current deployment? What objective will the enemy have selected? Possible targets, in estimated order of probability, would be :- 1. An attack on Attu a) just to hurt us and b) to re-invade, 2. A heavily supported supply and reinforcement operation at Kiska (and this could run straight into our intended invasion!), 3. A retaliatory naval raid to catch and destroy as many of our units as possible (but that would probably mean no counter-invasion in the short term), 4. A bombardment and possibly even an invasion of Adak (this would be our plan in reverse, thus isolating our force on Attu!), 5. A bombardment way back at Dutch Harbor, 6. An opportunistic bluff in the hope to catch a couple of our units off guard and sink them, 7. Nothing at all! As for our current vulnerablities:- 1. Freighters unloading supplies at Attu, 2. Fast transports at Attu having landed reinforcements and supplies (they can leave today with a fraction of supplies on board or within 24 hours empty), 3. Our troops on Attu Island, 4. Our (intended) invasion force ready to leave for Kiska, 5. Our air combat TF, CVE Nassau, north-east of Attu Island, 6. Our small TF of 2x CLs and 1x DD west of Attu, 7. Our bases at Adak and Dutch Harbor. One thing is absolutely clear. If the Japanese have one or more Fleet Carriers then we have nothing to oppose them except land-based aircraft and these have little value in an offensive role. CVE Nassau has some good fighters, Wildcats, but alone she'd be overwhelmed so she must retire eastwards within 24 hours. However, we could transfer her Wildcats to a land-base. Unfortunately for the moment Attu as an airfield, or port for that matter, is unuseable so maybe they'd have to be dropped-off at Adak from where, I believe, they could just about transfer to a repaired Attu base. So, what to do? I am going to gamble that we have 24 hours (this next turn) free from serious interference and continue unloading at Attu. The next day, the fast transports will leave for Dutch Harbor, and all except one Freighter will go to Adak. Which Freighter draws the short straw I don't know yet! CVE Nassau will remain near Attu for the next 24 hours only. The ground forces on Attu are busy digging-in. I don't see what more can be done. Our invasion of Kiska will go ahead unless a serious threat develops. They should land in 3 days. What to do with our fast scouting TF with 2x CLs is a difficult question. It would be vulnerable to air attack or a superior enemy Capital Ship. If damaged their subs would close in to finish them off! But, I feel I need something 'out there' to counter attempts at supply for Kiska. They're going to stay on patrol there for at least 24 hours. We'd have time to regroup against an attack directly on Adak or Dutch Harbor. The Plan:- 1. Invasion of Kiska to go ahead immediately 2. Surface Combat TFs, one of BBs and one of CAs, will take up position north-east of Attu (approximately north of Kiska) covered by CVE Nassau which will retire on them in 24 hours. 3. All Recon capability will be moved to Adak with the intention of getting good intelligence of any enemy approach. 4. Long range bombers with little naval attack capability will move back to Dutch Harbor. 5. Fighters will be moved into Attu as soon as the airfield reaches level 2. 6. Anything else I think of 'on the hoof'
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