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Old 09-19-21, 05:29 PM   #205
Molon Labe
Silent Hunter
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Along the Watchtower
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21 April 1942
Kitakami disappears, chance meeting results in destruction of enemy troop convoy

Hawaii and Line Islands
The two destroyers that were escorting the southern supply convoy were never hit. They did a splash-and-go refueling at Pearl and hauled ass south towards Christmas Island to try to get clear of the naval bombers. On the way, they ran into an enemy convoy carrying troops. I'm guessing this meeting occurred because they had the same destination and nearly the same point of origin; i.e., he meant to take back Christmas Island with these guys. Or at least reinforce Palmyra:

Japanese Ships
xAK Yamasimo Maru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires
xAK Teikoku Maru, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamazato Maru, Shell hits 9, on fire
AMC Bankok Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
xAP Hikawa Maru, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Patterson, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Cassin
Japanese ground losses:
312 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 23 (19 destroyed, 4 disabled)

That one hit the Patterson took cut the engagement short, they decided to break off after that hit. We also fired probably the full complement of onboard torpedoes but didn't get any hits to show for it. I'm guessing the Yamazato Maru survives, but that's it.

Java
An enemy PB hit a mine at Batavia while assisting the real minesweepers trying to clear the formerly-Allied port.

We managed to get a few fighters in the air today over Surabaya and shot down an Oscar and two Lillies. Another Lily and an Ann were shot down by flak. But the overall picture is the same, our remaining troops are being bombed and surrounded by enemy armies.

Ceram Sea
More good luck today. Scoutplanes spotted a troop transport convoy and handed the report of to B-17s based in Darwin. 10 B-17s found them off Ambon and attacked, hitting two of the ships with 500lb bombs, setting one ablaze and causing troop casualties.

Japan
USS Sculpin torpedoed and sank an enemy PB travelling alone near Toyohara--probably an ASW patrol.

Thailand
The enemy nearly caught up with my troops before they crossed the river into Raheng. At least I'm assuming that--I've seen the replay but I don't have the save file yet--but they had just 1 more mile to travel as of yesterday. We clashed in the air on the east side of the river as my bombing missions resumed, and our Hurricanes did awesome--just one lost with 2 Oscars and 7 Zeroes shot down. Significant damage to enemy troops below by our bombers.

Solomons Area
We hit the port at Luganville hard but didn't find any ships there. Did a damaged, burning, Kitakami escape? Or maybe the fires claimed it?

No joy on the tanker convoy. My Liberators hit Tulagi but didn't see any ships to bomb.
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