AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 17, 43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub vs Sub: SS Sturgeon attacking SS I-173 at 112,109 - near Truk Japanese Ships SS I-173 Allied Ships SS Sturgeon SS Sturgeon launches 2 torpedoes at 1,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Pescadores at 84,62 Japanese Ships DD Uruyuke xAK Goyo Maru DD Kosugiri Allied Ships SS Wahoo SS Wahoo launches 2 torpedoes at DD Uruyuke Wahoo diving deep .... DD Kosugiri fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Kosugiri fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Kosugiri fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Kosugiri fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Kosugiri attacking submerged sub .... Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 22 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 21 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 12 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak Port hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 284 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 15 on standby, 2 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes 997th Ku S-1 with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (6 airborne, 14 on standby, 1 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 18 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 19 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 6 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak Aircraft Attacking: 6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 284 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 16 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes 997th Ku S-1 with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (18 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 18 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 3 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 13 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 12 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 5 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 997th Ku S-1 with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 11 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 5000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes 284 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 11 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 13 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 4 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed No Allied losses Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 284 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 11 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes 997th Ku S-1 with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 5000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 10 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 6 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 284 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 5000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes 997th Ku S-1 with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 5000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 6 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 2 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 5 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged Japanese Ships xAK Toei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 284 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 4000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes 997th Ku S-1 with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000. Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 13 minutes Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 7 Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged Japanese Ships PB Kyo Maru #6, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage PB Kyo Maru #7, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 5 No Allied losses Japanese Ships AMc Tama Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage xAK Otake Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire PB Takunan Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage DD Kuretake, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires xAK Sakido Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Port hits 1 Port supply hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Truk , at 112,108 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 7 Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged Japanese Ships xAK Toei Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Wakatake, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires SS I-172, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage SS I-1, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires Port hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 5000 feet Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Naval bombardment of Woodlark Island at 104,133 Allied Ships BB Colorado CL Denver CL Richmond CLAA Oakland DD Talasco DD Mustin DD Hammann DD Hobby DD Waller DD Strong DD Nicholas Airbase hits 11 Airbase supply hits 6 Runway hits 52 Port hits 21 Port supply hits 4 OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Colorado BB Colorado firing at Woodlark Island CL Denver firing at Woodlark Island CL Richmond firing at Woodlark Island CLAA Oakland firing at Woodlark Island DD Talasco firing at Woodlark Island DD Mustin firing at Woodlark Island DD Hammann firing at 4th GEACPS Brigade DD Hobby firing at 4th GEACPS Brigade DD Waller firing at 4th GEACPS Brigade DD Strong firing at Woodlark Island DD Nicholas firing at Woodlark Island -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Naval bombardment of Woodlark Island at 104,133 Allied Ships BB Maryland CL Honolulu CL Boise CL Phoenix CL Helena CL St. Louis CL Marblehead CL Trenton DD Kane DD Hatfield DD Lawrence DD Sands DD Gilmer DD Kennison DD Dent Japanese ground losses: 49 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 37 Airbase supply hits 12 Runway hits 131 Port hits 73 Port supply hits 17 OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Maryland BB Maryland firing at 4th GEACPS Brigade CL Honolulu firing at Woodlark Island CL Boise firing at 4th GEACPS Brigade CL Phoenix firing at Woodlark Island CL Helena firing at 4th GEACPS Brigade CL St. Louis firing at Woodlark Island CL Marblehead firing at Woodlark Island CL Trenton firing at Woodlark Island DD Kane firing at Woodlark Island DD Hatfield firing at 4th GEACPS Brigade DD Lawrence firing at Woodlark Island DD Sands firing at Woodlark Island DD Gilmer firing at 4th GEACPS Brigade DD Kennison firing at Woodlark Island DD Dent firing at Woodlark Island -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-Invasion action off Woodlark Island (104,133) Allied Ships SC-643 SC-642 SC-640 SC-630 LST-16 SC-643 fired at enemy troops SC-642 fired at enemy troops SC-640 fired at enemy troops SC-630 fired at enemy troops Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Woodlark Island (104,133) TF 171 troops unloading over beach at Woodlark Island, 104,133 Allied ground losses: Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Woodlark Island (104,133) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied Ships SC-643 SC-642 SC-640 SC-630 LST-16 SC-643 fired at enemy troops SC-642 fired at enemy troops SC-640 fired at enemy troops SC-630 fired at enemy troops -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th GEACPS Brigade, at 104,133 (Woodlark Island) Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 3 minutes Allied aircraft Beaufighter Ic x 32 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 31 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 16 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb 16 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th GEACPS Brigade, at 104,133 (Woodlark Island) Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Allied aircraft B-26 Marauder x 19 No Allied losses Aircraft Attacking: 16 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 3000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 3000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th GEACPS Brigade, at 104,133 (Woodlark Island) Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 3 B-26 Marauder x 35 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 19 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 16 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 3000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 3000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 16 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 3000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th GEACPS Brigade, at 104,133 (Woodlark Island) Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Allied aircraft B-26 Marauder x 21 Allied aircraft losses B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 12 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 3000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 3000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th GEACPS Brigade, at 104,133 (Woodlark Island) Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 2 minutes Allied aircraft B-25C Mitchell x 12 No Allied losses Aircraft Attacking: 12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Woleai at 101,103 Japanese Ships PB Nako Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PB Okiyu Maru Allied Ships SS S-34, hits 1 SS S-34 launches 4 torpedoes at PB Nako Maru #2 S-34 bottoming out .... PB Okiyu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... PB Okiyu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... PB Okiyu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... PB Okiyu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... PB Okiyu Maru attacking submerged sub .... Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Woodlark Island (104,133) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied Ships SC-643 SC-642 SC-640 SC-630 LST-17 SC-643 fired at enemy troops SC-642 fired at enemy troops SC-640 fired at enemy troops SC-630 fired at enemy troops