7-8 March 1942
Kido Butai picks off evacuating merchants as it repositions for Sydney strike
Unless specifically mentioned, all events were on 7 March (8 March was quite uneventful)
Philippines
The 2 DMSs are hard at work on the Bataan minefield, clearing at least 120 mines between these two days.
Java and Banda Sea
We picked off another AKL near Darwin with a sub.
Anns flying from Ambon claimed two hits on an enemy sub (subs?).
SOPAC
The merchant raider that was not torpedoed upon leaving port encountered an enemy convoy near the Tonga islands. So, some good news, we have a pretty good idea where their supply lines are running. The bad news is this convoy had 2 CLs and 2 ASW ships escorting it. My raider was sunk; we got some hits on empty tankers in the convoy.
Meanwhile, the KB picked up several small task forces at it went around Tasmania to the south. The resulting airstrikes eliminated 4 AK/AKL, 5 AP, 1 AM, all confirmed.
On 8 March, an attempted SSX attack on Geelong failed, probably due to me using the wrong type of orders. The SSX ran out of fuel and is being recovered by the mothership to return to Noumea for refueling.
Burma
Port strike on Rangoon damaged a cargo ship; might have sunk it.
China
The pesky I-15 presence near the Nanyang stack got another Lily today.
I found another pair of opportunities to change garrison units; it will take weeks but once they arrive it will free up about 350 AV to use offensively in the southern central area.
Reinforcements
CVE Unyo arrived on the 8th. I'm sending a few DD over to bring her to the Marianas, where there are carrier-trained aircraft ready to board her.