John 3rd
Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005 From: La Salle, Colorado Status: offline
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April 18, 1943 Ceylon and the IO The enemy is tied to Colombo in Ceylon. He landed without ENOUGH to move quickly and capture bases. My initial plan was to fight a delaying action to keep him from Burma, Malaya, and Sumatra. That plan is now morphing as I make a serious attempt to force a surrender of 2 ID and another 8-10 Allied units. Several months ago I moved the entire Japanese Battle Fleet to Singapore and waiting for the enemy to approach. At the same time I brought a substantial CV contingent to the area as well. Well...here we are now and it is just getting interesting. In Ceylon are two full strength ID and two full strength Brigades. These units have concentrated just north of Colombo and are preparing to move north. Though he has overwhelming airpower, Sean refuses to use it. I have gotten the AF at Jaffna (Sz-3), Dambulla (Near Sz-3), Koggala (Sz-2) and Trincomalee (Sz-5) to near full repair. Nearly 200 Fighters are here with another 300 about to transfer from Burma to Port Blair to Ceylon. To make a true attempt at capture of Colombo I need to be able to end the chance of his older BBs bombarding my troops. With the CV Victory just yesterday, that is a real possibility. Here is the Fleet deployment near Colombo: South of Ceylon CVE TF--4 CVE (94 M5 Zero), 2 CA, 2 CLAA, and 8 DD STF 2 CB, 3 CL, and 6 DD STF 3 BB (BatDiv1 Nagato, Mutsu, and Tosa), 1 CA, 2 CL, and 6 DD Off Map Going back-and-forth from engagements to fuel and replenish at Sabang, SUMATRA. My Fleet Train is based here (5 AKE, 2 AS, and 2 AD): STF 2 BC and 6 DD STF 3 BB, 1 CL, and 6 DD STF 2 CB, 2 CA, and 5 DD Since there is no threat to Burma at all, I am preparing to bring in two more ID IF--key statement--I think I can actually take Colombo.
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