27 August 1942
Johnston Island recaptured easily
Japan
USS Growler attacked an unescorted cargo ship off the coast of Kyushu at night with a submerged torpedo attack, but failed to to score any (detonating) hits. It then surfaced, firing multiple torpedo salvoes and exchanging gunfire; eventually two Mk14s detonated and sent the ship to the bottom.
CENTPAC
Starting with a bombardment mission by the Arizona and New Mexico, our amphibious operation against Johnston began and the 21st Marines came ashore. Resistance was minimal and the atoll was secured by the end of the day.
Sumatra
The daily bombing of Palembang continued, but with fewer fighters than normal today. Our CAP managed to get 3 Sallies and a Zero.
Thailand
Same situation. Losses: 3 Zeroes, 1 Oscar; 3 Hurricanes, 2 Blenheims, 1 Hudson, 2 B-25s.
New Hebrides
Very surprisingly, there were 5 Zeroes on CAP over Luganville to greet my daily raid. I had nearly 40 fighters escorting, so the bombers weren't in danger, but the Zeroes did get 3 P-39s while only losing 1 of their own. Luganville does not have an airbase and I don't see any task forces nearby, my best guess is these guys flew all the way from Guadalcanal.
China
Another attack at Chengchow. Casualties 11000 to 5500 favoring us. Madness.
It turns out I didn't actually surround and trap that end-around force because I didn't enter its hex on the same hexside it entered from. So they were allowed to retreat. I still spanked them, though, 2666 casualties to 577.
__________________
|