[seafarer]

early 1942 tons of task forces and such off Java, Indonesia, the Philippines...

So, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea and Java Sea are all pretty target rich areas, especially for warships. I started a new career recently (USS Saury, out of Manila in 1941), and so far (in middle of 3rd patrol in 1942) have credit for a Kongo BB, 3 Hiryu Fleet Carriers (2 separate patrols) and numerous medium to large merchants. Except for a task force encounter on our first patrol just days out of Manila (that's where we got the Kongo), they've all been in the Celebus Sea and between Malaysia and Indonesia.

My first career out of Pearl, I was always going to the Japanese Home Islands, and did well off Tokyo Bay and Penisnula area, and off Kawasaki Bay.