Notes from a Small Island

[Canoerebel]

9/30/44

Oz: The Aussie armored squadron beat the clock and auto-flipped Broome on the day it withdrew.

[BBfanboy]

Another point is that lots of the "riff-raff" that Eric is sending started out as xAKs/xAKLs but the Japanese are able to convert them into PBs, AMcs, etc. If the Allies could do the same they would have lots of riff-raff to meet the IJN riff-raff!

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Another point is that lots of the "riff-raff" that Eric is sending started out as xAKs/xAKLs but the Japanese are able to convert them into PBs, AMcs, etc. If the Allies could do the same they would have lots of riff-raff to meet the IJN riff-raff!

Not in this case, unless CR purpose-brought them into the theater in question. The Allies get more YMS, PC, PG, AM and so forth than you can shake a stick at also. Anyways, I said I wouldn't bring up this issue in CR's AAR anymore. Please PM me or start a thread in another area of the forum if you'd like a serious discussion.

[T Rav]

Why did Doolittle launch early? Riff-Raff. Every commander will use the tools at hand.

[Canoerebel]

I think Erik and I are well-matched in this regard. In both of his all-out assaults on Shikuka, he arranged to send in his riff-raff first, to deplete the ammo of my defenses so that his big boys can then come in and savage my out-of-ammo combat TFs. It worked the first time. I countered that by creating a deeper defense incorporating my own riff-raff. So far it seems to be working.

[T Rav]

Tip of the hat to the commander. Back to lurking.

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

In the nighttime hours, under a full moon, Erik commits his navy in strength and force.

The first obstacles are in the hex south of Shikuka. There, I had two merchant TFs that had vacated Shikuka yesterday (against orders), fleeing the approach of enemy vessels. I ordered them back to Shikuka this turn, but Erik sent in a good CA TF to deal with the opposition. They do so, handily, but expend some ammo in the process.

Then a CL TF arrives in the same hex and tangles with a PT TF. One torpedo is enough to sink CL Oi, which is a good start.

[Canoerebel]

Not sure why that last image was so small. Here's a larger image of the dispatch of CL Oi.

[Canoerebel]

10/01/44

Battle of Shikuka: There then follow a number of "dry" engagements between TFs low on ammo - these take place one to five hexes south of Shikuka. A lot of these are PT TFs that scattered to avoid enemy contact yesterday.

Even as these are going on, I can see enemy TF icons at SHikuka and begin getting replay messages that various Allied TFs are scattering to avoid contact.

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

Battle of Shikuka: Enemy subs are present, but not nearly as numerous as in early September, during that First Full Moon Phase Attack (this being the Second Full Moon Phase Attack).

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

Battle of Shikuka: E-Class ships unable to vanquish the damaged xAK Glanville (she too had fled Shikuka yesterday, without orders).

To this point, all the action is taking place a hex or more south of Shikuka. What I'm really anxious to know is whether Erik is committing his big boys and, if so, whether they'll be able to unleash a nuclear bombardments, as in the Moon Phase I attack.

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

Battle of Shikuka: The first enemy TF to enter Shikuka during this Moon Phase battle.

I think we both made miscalculations here, but they worked out in my favor. Erik figured he would have to fight through Allied riff-raff, so he commits his riff-raff first (or perhaps he does so intentionally, to drain my ammo). I have lots off riff-raff in port, mostly in TFs that have lower numbers than my combat TFs, but I set most of my combat TFs to patrol the hex, so they react and immediately engage.

So, to this point, my Shikuka riff-raff haven't been a factor in the opening of this day's contests.

By the way, this is by far my strongest remaining combat force. I hope they don't get bloodied.

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

Battle of Shikuka: Next comes a small DD TF that yesterday ate up a bunch of riff-raff a hex SE of Shikuka. My second-strongest combat TF deals with it.

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

Battle of Shikuka: PT TF helps deal with riff-raff.

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

Battle of Shikuka: Here come the cruisers. So Erik means business this night.

I'm not sure why my CA Astoria TF and my CL Nashville TF didn't react to deal with this TF first - perhaps they are already low on ammo.

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

Battle of Shikuka: A strong and pristine enemy CA TF tangles with my third (and last) decent combat TFs. The Fletchers perform superbly, it seems. Three enemy DDs confirmed sunk.

One of the keys of this battle will be what ammo state Erik's TFs are in afterwards. Mine can replenish at Shikuka. Will he be able to come again, or will he have to retire to replenish?

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

BAttle of SHikuka: CL Santa Fe TF still has ammo, which is encouraging.


Just prior to this clash, a large enemy CL/DD TF skirmished with some PT TFs a hex south of Shikuka, so I think Erik has more inbound.

And just prior to the big Fletcher battle, above, one enemy DD hit two mines at Shikuka.

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

Battle of Shikuka: Santa Fe deals with more riff-raff at Shikuka.

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

Battle of Shikuka: Here comes the big enemy CL/DD TF, taking on the tuckered out Santa Fe TF. Santa Fe takes a torpedo. Only one enemy DD shows any damage to speak of. This may be the beginning of the end. This was my second strongest TF. The cupboard is getting bare.

[Canoerebel]

10/1/44

Battle of Shikuka: CA Astoria and CL Nashville TF still have enough ammo to fight and win.

There's been a lot of fighting already. Will Erik commit his BB TFs?