AAR - WiTP:AE - Guadalcanal. CCIP(A) vs. Egan(J).

[CCIP]

These two pictures sort of give it away as far carrier escort...




Enterprise has two AA cruisers and a heavy cruiser with her; the other two carrier task forces nearby have two CAs, plus all of them have destroyers (the carrier forces are operating separately from each other, but in close proximity; afaik in WiTP:AE there is an early-war penalty on sortie efficiency for the Allies if they operate multiple carriers in one TF). Originally the North Carolina was attached to the carriers, but was traded for San Juan, one of the CLAAs that you see.

The Japanese have at least four heavy cruisers, but theirs are faster, heavier and much better trained in night fighting than ours. The one perk that allied ships should have on their side is radar (in an AI game I was able to surprise Japanese cruisers at night once), but all in all this is one encounter I do not want to have.

Historically, the result of this was the battle of Savo Island on the night of 8th-9th (which will be the turn after next). The Japanese cruisers went after the landing force, defeating its accompanying cruisers soundly, only to turn away without attacking the transports.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_savo_island

My bet was that the carriers would be far enough to have due warning, and that the forces at Guadalcanal would need all the help they can get. That's why North Carolina is there as a deterrent (and, if worst comes to worst - a ship better able to deal with damage than cruisers) - we'll see what Egan's reaction to it will be!