18 June 1942
The third sister perishes
Battle of the Coral Sea, day 3
As the battle is shaping into a decisive Japanese victory, the enemy's main concern was tracking down Hornet, which for all they knew made it to a nearby port already, or might even be escaping under cloud cover. In reality, it hadn't survived the night, succumbing to the damage it suffered in the first day. At Cooktown, 3 enemy destroyers detached from the KB entered the port and shelled the damaged HMAS Australia without suffering any hits in return. The same 3 destroyers found 3 of mine on ASW duty that had been trying to clear a path for Hornet; they lightly damaged all three before they cut and run. Further south, near Bowen, an enemy submarine intercepted a cruiser and 3 destroyers trying to make it to Brisbane, it torpedoed and sank one of the destroyers.
CVW-6 attempted an attack on the KB, mustering 16 SBDs escorted by 26 F4Fs. By this point, the 2 elements of the KB had recombined and I was facing a massive CAP of 52 Zeroes and 9 Rufes. We got massacred... all 16 SBDs downed, along with 7 Wildcats; we only got 1 Zero and 2 Rufes.
The KB sent an airstrike after the 3 destroyers that escaped his detachment. 3 P-39s attempted to provide cover but only got 2 of themselves shot down. Fortunately, the enemy Vals (18 of them) all missed. 27 Kates arrived next, unescorted. Alerted by the enemy raid, we now had 14 fighters on defense. We got 26 of them with no losses.
Celebes Sea
The KXV torpedoed a troop transport that appears to have been empty but approaching Tarakan. Apparently troops there are needed elsewhere. The ship will likely survive but it's going to struggle to get to a repair yard.
China
It's beginning to look like the defeat the enemy suffered yesterday is actually giving them an opportunity for a much bigger victory, as my "flank guards" that was the main force invading Kaifeng isn't in great position to support the new frontline. The enemy main force is now racing my "flank guards" to Chengchow. They have better roads to use, but they're also getting constantly bombed. Not sure who wins that race.
Strait of Malacca
An AGP and an AM evacuating Palembang were attacked by Nells, the AM was sunk but the AGP successfully refueled at Sabang (which will soon fall) and should make it to Colombo.
Sumatra
Fulmars attacked enemy shipping at Benkoelen, scoring hits on a light cruiser and cargo ship. One Fulmar was lost to flak.
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