Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 4, 1st - 14th February, 1942. EastGroup intercepts Jintsu Convoy

Turning now to the final surface v surface action on turn 4, the US EastGroup reinforced by two New Zealand light cruisers successfully intercepts a very small Japanese invasion convoy heading for Banjermasin in Borneo. 

EastGroup had come through an air attack unscathed and now had a chance to interrupt Japanese invasion plans.

EastGroup consisted of 1 x heavy cruiser, 2 x light cruisers and 8 destroyers. The Jintsu convoy had 1 x elderly light cruiser and 4 destroyers escorting 1 x troop ship.

The Japanese convoy under the command of a veteran Admiral Tanaka on the flagship Jintsu.

EastGroup under the command of Admiral Glassford on the Boise.

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On The Workbench: River Sections

A long overdue task, now underway, was to complete the refurbishment of my original Purbeck Terrain river boards. The river banks have previously been improved which had been painted to a basic standard. This was done by adding texture including random rocks etc.

An example of a 9" x 9" board with textured river banks. The task now is to repaint the river to make it look a little more realistic.

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 4, 1st - 14th February, 1942. EAF Japanese Patrol intercepts Australian Sweep

Turning now to the east, the Australian Darwin group escaped unscathed from a torpedo bomber attack and now make a dash for an invasion convoy heading for Kendari. Enroute they are intercepted by the Japanese EAF patrol.

This will be yet another night time engagement. The Australians are in line astern with the Australia leading heading due north. The Japanese patrol is approaching from the west at a distance of 15,000 yards (75cm) being the maximum visibility at present.

The weather is a very calm force 2 with clear skies. A new moon limits visibility.

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 4, 1st - 14th February, 1942. EAF Japanese Patrol intercepts Australian Sweep- Prematurely Published!

Please note for all those who have clicked on links in other blogs to my latest Defending the Malay Barrier post to be met with "The page does not exist". 

It was always going to happen sooner or later, but I inadvertently published the update when incomplete. A combination of doing too many things at the same time, my aging brain, not concentrating etc. As soon as I had published it I realised what I had done and immediately cancelled it. Unfortunately it remained in links on other blogs which I had not anticipated.

My apologies for any confusion and I hope to have the finished article published in the next few days.

On the Workbench: 1/3000 WW2 Royal Navy Ships

More progress has been made refurbishing my collection of models painted decades ago. Hence the rather random nature of the ships completed. British ships have now received their refit and the Italians and Germans are next in line.

All are 1/3000th scale Navwar models.

Left to Right: Mauritius (this was a new model and may make an appearance in the "Defending the Malay Barrier" campaign), Newcastle and Belfast.

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On the Workbench: Punic Wars - Trebia Completed

The Carthaginians have been completed and with the Republican Romans finished all figures are ready for muster. All are the usual Baccus figures.

Punic Cavalry and Generals.

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 4, 1st - 14th February, 1942. Japanese Patrol intercepts Dutch Sweep

Focussing on the Dutch CenGroup, their flagship has pulled out due to damage sustained in a bombing attack. The flag has been transferred to the light cruiser Java and the group has continued north with the intention of disrupting a Japanese convoy headed for the Malay peninsular.

Before they have any chance of engaging the convoy, they in turn are intercepted by the Japanese Distant Cover Group under the command of Admiral Kondo in the heavy cruiser Atago. 

Nearest the camera are the Dutch consisting of 2 light cruisers and 8 destroyers sailing north west. At the top of the photo is the Atago group consisting of 1 heavy cruiser and 10 destroyers approaching from the north.

The action starts during the 0400 - 0800 watch and therefore during the dark hours at this stage. No ships have yet been spotted by either side. After 10 turns dawn will break.

Neither side has the benefit of radar.

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 4, 1st - 14th February, 1942

A reminder of the situation at the end of turn 3. Japanese objectives captured are circled.

WAF has completed 2 tiers and the EAF 1.

 

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 3, 16th - 31st January 1942

 

A reminder of the situation at the end of turn 2 with objectives captured by the Japanese circled.

For this turn it will be a priority for the Japanese to complete tier 2.

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On the Workbench: Punic Wars, WW2 Naval.

 More additions to the Carthaginians for Trebia have been completed along with several more refurbished 1/3000 scale ships.

Only 2 bases will be required for Trebia but with an extra pack in the unpainted pile it needed to be done. A little more uniform in appearance than I originally intended! As with nearly all my 6mm figures they are from the Baccus range.

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