User blog comment:ThatGenericName/Australia/@comment-24171828-20150713104652/@comment-14850713-20150715162350

OOC:

No problem Ej. But wow, you read my mind! A jungle-warfare scenario was what I really intended in choosing Oceania/New Guinea as the scene of action. I was reading about the Kokoda Track Campaign in WWII (which will mark its anniversary on July 21) and thought it might be a change from the head-on tank battles that we're used to. But I guess we're in for a lot of pain now that Doc's involved.

But just to tidy up the story, the mechanized and tank "divisions" in West New Britain "sent East towards Kokopo" should just be "battalions" since we were probably able to get only 2 divisions (1 marine and 1 light infantry) and the better part of another into the island due to space and terrain constraints, and the unexpectedly fierce PANZER reaction. As CVN was able to deploy only 1 armored division (from a frigate at that, which is a bit unrealistic CVN) then we stil have numerical superiority (of course offset by PANZER's tech edge).

And Doc, Ej's right that we brought only cruisers and destroyers, so here goes.

IC:

The remaining Cobras gather for an attack run on the Delusion flying ships escorted this time by Diables (as the Durandals concentrate on their highly-effective ground strikes). Despite their formations being decimated by the intense AA of the Dux, they succeed in crippling 2. More Diables are also fed into the battle, engaging the Delusion aircraft and giving a good account of themselves. Paladins also regroup and head for low Earth orbit. They then proceed to destroy Divinaecedant's mirror satellites, rendering the super-weapon unable to fire at targets.

As the planned limited offensive has stalled, the radios crackle in the operations center of AFOH High Command:

Commodore Wittman: "Sir, SOUTHCOM says Delusion flying ships just sank 3 heavy cruisers which were supporting the landings."

Admiral Bouexic: "We're done for if Delusion warps in more ships. Tell Admiral Ej that he must conclude the matter in Kokopo quickly or we start pulling out."

CW: "But Sir, SOUTHCOM is requesting to land the 51st LID in Lae to ease the pressure in New Britain."

AB: "Denied. Tell them to secure Kokopo."

Bouexic stands up and takes his leave. All the fighting for the piece of real estate that is New Britain is too much, he thought. Sending another division in New Guinea is not the answer, and it will probably mean the destruction of that force. Losses have been very heavy, and 24SG will probably need to be pulled out for lack of serviceable Cobras. One more day, he says to himself, before they close the book on Operation Mantis.