9 January 1943
KB still won't leave Babar
Bay of Bengal/Burma Theatre
The submarines that we attacked near Colombo left some presents for us. The minesweepers found them before anyone got hit and they're clearing them out.
Air raids continue on our forces slowly retreating through the mountains. A lot of the squads are already disabled, so we're seeing a lot of them destroyed. But the terrain is helping a lot--this isn't an efficient use of their airpower.
Babar and Arafura Sea
Enemy destroyers are trying to clear our mines here. Doesn't seem like the best approach, do they really not have minesweepers in this area? The KXI took some depth charge damage as their ASW patrols try to clear out our submarine barrier around the little island.
An enemy sub tried to get through the Torres Strait, and did, but got depth charged a bit by a minesweeper escorting a pair of small cargo ships.
Rabaul
B-17s splashed a Tojo over Rabaul--the only shootdown of the turn.
Wake
Betties tried to get my transports again. I had 2 recon-variant Wildcats on patrol, but they were apparently too high to react in time to intervene. No ships were hit. I've since sent the recon variants back to the CVE and sent a regular USMC Wildcat squadron to protect Wake, so the next wave of Betties is going to get trashed.
China
Inflicted 466 casualties and destroyed a small unit that tried to sneak behind Chusein--severing a supply line maybe? If that's the end of the offensive threat to Chusien, it may be time for me to advance and try to seize some industry before the supply situation in China gets worse than it already is.
Reinforcements and Refits
SS Halibut taken out of commission to begin refit at Pearl Harbor
DD Conway arrives at Eastern USA
LCI-62 arrives at San Francisco
6th USN Naval Construction Regiment arrives at Port Hueneme
2/11th Ind Coy arrives at Sydney
2/9th Ind Coy arrives at Sydney
XIII US Fighter Cmd arrives at Noumea
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