16 October 1943
Celebes Sea
The KIX was depth charged attempting to attack a convoy very near the location of the one hit by bombers yesterday.
Sulu Sea
USS Finback and USS Grouper made attacks against unescorted cargo ships either entering or leaving the sea lane passing north of Mindao. The Finback made a submerged attack and missed; the Grouper attacked on the surface and scored 2 torpedo hits, sinking an Aden-class cargo ship reported to be carrying artillery and vehicles.
CENTPAC
We're trying to beat down the enemy airbases instead of the ground forces since hitting the ground forces was ineffective. The problem is, except for the recent arrivals and the Yorktown (which lost most of its aircraft to mass ditching), we don't have a lot of sorties available, and underway replenishment only works for fuel at this point in history.
Raids on Saipan did light-moderate damage and destroyed a Judy on the ground.
Raids on Tinian did moderate-heavy damage to the airbase and also got a Judy on the ground.
The enemy attempted an attack on our beachhead, suffering 2356 to our 129 casualties. The defensive bonus here is pretty serious.
Reinforcements
DE Dempsey arrives at Mare Island
AGC Appalachian arrives at Cristobal
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