10 November 1942
More paratroops in Burma, Akyab retaken, supply run to Roussel intercepted and sunk
Solomons Area
A pair of cargo ships and their minesweeper ASW escorts were sunk by an enemy task force on a bombardment run against Roussel Island. Our minelayers arrived right after that, so maybe the next time this happens it costs them something. It doesn't appear our night patrols are doing any good. Oscar sweeps shot down 1 P-38 without loss.
The the carriers apparently pulling out, I took the opportunity to sweep the last of the mines out of Luganville.
But, when we swept Ndeni, the Zeroes that greeted us were reportedly from the Hiryu--we got 11 of them with no losses. We do not hold any carrier contacts.
Banda Sea
Oscar sweep at Babar; 2 Oscars down to 1 P-39.
Battle of Rangoon
A raid on Raheng netted 3 of our P-40s without enemy loss; the Sallies bombed from too high to hurt the airbase though. Paratroops seized Meiktilla, an empty base adjacent to Tuang Gyi (where they landed yesterday). I think the local forces can handle it.
An enemy task force of 2 CLs and 3 DDs nearly made it all the way to Akyab without getting spotted, but they were referred to the B-25s operating out of eastern India. 31 of them attacked--good enough for one 500 lb bomb hit on a CL. Probably not serious damage. I guess my CVBG wasn't close enough to join in. Going to detach some cruisers and try to intercept the group, but they'll probably be gone in time. Our ground forces took Akyab after this, so the enemy task force probably will not have any reason to come back.
The Beaufighers finally flew a mission, they attacked a task force of 2 CAs and 3 DDs about to shell Moulmein. They missed with their bombs, only connecting with the 20mm cannons against a DD for light damage. The shelling of the base caused only minor casualties, and one of the CAs was hit by a shore battery.
Refits and reinforcements
DD Gwin beginning refit in shipyard at Pearl Harbor
DD Hughes taken out of commission to begin refit at Pearl Harbor
343rd FG/11th FS arrives at San Francisco (0/25 P-40s, unrestricted)
44th USN Naval Construction Battalion arrives at Port Hueneme
Fiji Brigade arrives at Nadi (full strength, unrestricted)
163rd Light AA Regiment arrives at Aden (~80% strength, unrestricted)
170 Wing arrives at Aden (full strength, unrestricted--headed to Karachi, India)
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