Thanks, Ostfriese!
11 August 1943
Enemy reinforcements landing on Ponape
South China Sea
USS Cisco hit a troop-carrying cargo ship with 2 Mk14--but only one detonated, and it appears the ship will survive.
SouthPAC
Enemy Betties hit Ponape in two waves but seemed mostly ineffective. Recon flights over Truk and Ponape revealed plenty of naval activity--no carriers or strong surface fleets--but at least 6 ships at Ponape itself which would appear to indicate reinforcement. Additionally, we counted a whopping 154 auxiliary aircraft at Truk, which in my mind would have to include large numbers of transports--for flying troops to Ponape. The Essex hasn't gone far, so I'm going to let her take a shot at those 6 ships tomorrow. I can stay out of torpedo-carrying range for the Betties and still do that. The question is whether there are strong carrier forces hiding where my scouts can't reach, so it's not risk-free. I'd estimate Yorktown-II and the CVLs will arrive in 2-3 days to take over, with Lex-II another 2 days behind them.
Reinforcements
CVE Casablanca arrives at Portland
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