Slow Death in the Pacific

[joliverlay]

Memorandum

TO: CNO
From: Staff

COMBAT REPORTS FOR 05/10/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The enemy has begun a Naval Mine Campaign. A mine field at has been detected at Christmas Island. AP St. Mihiel struck a mine last night and is on fire.

2. The daylight bombing campain against enemy resources has begun. Reports from Rangoon suggest enemey opposition was limited to 14 Ki-43-Ib Oscar. Our attack included 68 Blenheim IV, 7 B-17E Fortress, and 9 LB-30 Liberators. Our forces claim to have downed 4 Japanese aircraft for the loss of 6 Blenheim, and a Liberator. However 39 other aircraft were damaged. Two significant fires were reported in the Oil Feilds.

At the same time the Dutch sent a force with 12 mixed fighters (CW-21B Demon and Brewster 339D)accompanying 23 Martin 139s against Plambang. This group reported no losses and scored 13 confrimed hits.

The third attack of the day was against Balikpapan. 30 B-17E Fortress scored 4 Oil hits without losses.

3. LBA conintinues to assist in defense of Christmass Island and Nomea. Resutls are not yet promising, in part do the the poor conditions and lack of adequate training. The Allied Force Nomea launched an attack against Komac and encountered 21 A6M2 Zero. Our force included 3 F4F-4 Wildcat , 13 P-40E Warhawk, and 15 B-26B Marauders. While 5 Warhawks were lost, no damage was reported to enemy forces.

[joliverlay]

Memorandum
To: CNO

From: Staff

Re: Combat Reports Summary for 05/11/42

1. The strategic campain against oil continues.

Starting at Rangoon, which was defended by 13 Ki-43-Ib Oscar, 41 Blenheim IV 7, B-17E Fortress and 5 LB-30 Liberator downed 1 Ki-43-Ib Oscar for the loss of 3 Blenheim IV. Two hits on oil were reported.
Oil hits 2.

At Palembang , 8 Ki-43-Ib Oscar defended against 11 Dutch Fighters and 25 Martin 139. For the loss of 2 fighters and 2 bombers we again scored two hits on the oil industry.

Finally at Balikpapan 33 B-17E Fortress scored 5 oil hits.

Japanese Counter Attacks Against our Oil Bombardment Bases Have begun.

Thus far only Batavia has been attacked. 34 A6M2 Zero, 95 G4M1 Betty and 19 G5N Liz attacked. CAP included 1 Hawk 75A, 6
CW-21B Demon, 9 Brewster 339D and 9 Hurricane IIb. We destroyed
4 A6M2 Zero, 8 G4M1 Betty: 8 destroyed, and 4 G5N Liz for the loss of 1 Hawk 75A, 1 CW-21B Demon: 1 Brewster, 2
Hurricane IIb, 1 C.XI-W and 1 PBY Catalina. Damage to the airfiled was minor.

2. LBA attacks in defense of Nomea/Christmas Island continue.

Against Koumac we sent 3 F4F-4 Wildcat, 13 P-40E Warhawk and 20 B-26B Marauder x 20. Jap defense was 13 Zeros. We destroyed 2 A6M2 Zero and a H6K4 Mavis for the loss of 1 P-40E Warhawk and 1 B-26B Marauder. Ground damage (other than the Mavis destroyed) was light.


24 LB-30's based on Johnson Island launched an attack on Palmyra and encountered 12 A6M2 Zero. While we lost 5 bombers we only managed to destroy 1 Betty on the ground. The only reason this continues is to deter the Zeros from escorting raids against Christmas Island. However the Japs still managed a well coordinated raid against the island. 26 A6M2 Zeros escorted 22 G3M Nells and 27 G4M1 Bettys against our 24 F4F-4 Wildcats on cap. Despite the odds, our forces reported downing 8 Zeros, 2 G3M Nells and 2 G4M1 Bettys for the loss of only 5 aircraft. It should be noted some Jap losses were due to flak as well as our fighters. Two of our unloading ships suffered serious damage.

DD Worden, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP St. Mihiel, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Gregory
AP Chateau Thierry


There was also a raid against the relief convoys for Nomea.

5 A6M2 Zero and 6 B5N2 Kates attacked a convoy defended by 3
F4F-4 Wildcats and 9 P-40E Warhawks. AK San Felipe suffered a torpedo hit.

In a follow up attack by 15 A6M2 Zero and 24 B5N2 Kates we did much worse. 1 A6M2 Zero and 5 B5N2 Kates were destoyed for the loss of 2 Warhawks. However, CA Portland to 5 torpedo hits and sunk! Navy crews report the downings were by AAA not by the USAAF fighters. It would appear that we cannot depend on LBA to defend unloading TFs or thier escorts.

To add insult to injury a third attack against Noumea by 9
A6M2 Zero and 6 B5N2 Kates

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate managed to put two torpedoes into CL Perth with resulting fires and heavy damage.

[joliverlay]

Memorandum

To: CNO

From: Staff

Re: Combat reports for 05/12/42

1. Mine fields work both ways. Japanese ML Okinoshima strikes a mine (her own) at Christmas Island.

2. Japanese subs are now operating at Noumea and Christmas Island. A sub (presumed SS I-28 from intell) torpedoed TK Victor H Kelly at Noumea. (two separate attacks) . Meanwhile another sub (presumed I-171) missed AP Bantam unloading at Christmas Island.

3. Oil Raids Continue

A. Rangoon. Oil hits 2

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 58
B-17E Fortress x 9
LB-30 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 11 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged

B. Palembang Oil hits 4

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 2
Brewster 339D x 8
Martin 139 x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Martin 139: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

C. Balikpapan Oil hits 8

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 33

No Allied losses

D. Japanese Counter Raid: Batavia

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
G4M1 Betty x 89
G5N Liz x 15

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 7
Hurricane IIb x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged
G5N Liz: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 4 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Swordfish: 2 destroyed
Catalina I: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 44

4. LBA Defense of Noumea and Christmas Island.

A. Air attack on Koumac , at 65,114

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6
B-26B Marauder x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 2

B. Air attack on Palmyra , at 110,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K2-L Mavis: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1

C. Air attack on TF a Near Christmas Island (ML Damaged by her own mine!)

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
TBD Devastator x 14

Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
ML Okinoshima, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

D. Jap Counterstrike: Day Air attack on TF, near Christmas Island

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
G3M Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
G3M Nell: 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Gregory
DD Worden, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Chateau Thierry
AP Bantam

[joliverlay]

Memorandum

To: CNO

From: Staff

Re: Combat reports 05/13/42

1. Jap troops unloading over beach at Buin


2. Oil Attacks Continue

A. Palembang Oil hits 3

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 2
Brewster 339D x 5
Martin 139 x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed
Martin 139: 3 damaged

B. Balikpapan , Oil hits 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 33

No Allied losses

C. Jap counter air attack on Batavia

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G4M1 Betty x 86
G5N Liz x 17

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 2
Brewster 339D x 5
Hurricane IIb x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
G5N Liz: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Catalina I: 1 destroyed
Swordfish: 3 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 43

3. LBA Defense of Key Islands

A. Air attack on Koumac

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3
B-26B Marauder x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1

B. Air attack on Palmyra , at 110,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

C. Day Air attack on TF, near Palembang

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 9

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PC Hachijo

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17D Fortress bombing at 15000 feet


4. Possible Invasion of Lugansville

Coastal Guns at Luganville, 71,111, firing at TF 87

Enemy troops unloading over beach at Luganville

109 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PG Shinko Maru #2, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
180 casualties reported

Ground combat at Luganville

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5343 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 685 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

[joliverlay]

Memorandum

To: CNO

From: Staff

Re: Combat reports 05/14/42

Note: In response to yesterdays landings at Luganville, a significant CA/CL force that was guarding Noumea has loaded AP rounds and sailed for a nighttime engagement at Luganville. Using a high speed run into and out of the area it is hoped the contact with KB will be avoided. This attempt is consistent with our commitment to the Army and Allied forces that we will not land forces on islands and not make an attempt to defend them. There is a considerable NZ brigade force on the island and for political reasons they cannot be simply abandoned. We will make an attempt to assist them.

1. Supply Convoy encounters mine field at Christmas Island

Allied Ships
DMS Hopkins
AP Largs Bay, Mine hits 1
AP Henry T. Allen, Mine hits 1, on fire
AP Moreton Bay, Mine hits 1
AP Etolin, Mine hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

2. Oil Raids and Counterstrikes

Counterstrike against Batavia

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 82
G5N Liz x 18

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 5
Brewster 339D x 6
Hurricane IIb x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 16 damaged
G5N Liz: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 2 damaged
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Martin 139: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 10

3. Defense of Key Bases (Christmas, Luganville, Noumea).

A. Day Air attack on Koumac

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 8
B-26B Marauder x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 1

B. Defense of Day Air attack on Christmas Island

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
G3M Nell x 48
G4M1 Betty x 105

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M Nell: 6 destroyed, 11 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 15 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 13 destroyed
TBD Devastator: 5 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 29


C. Day Air attack on Palmyra

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 4 damaged

Runway hits 1

D. Ground Assault at Noumea

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36806 troops, 249 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 21425 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
477 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
1149 casualties reported
Guns lost 30

[saj42]

ORIGINAL: joliverlay

Memorandum

To: CNO

From: Staff

Re: Combat reports for 05/12/42

1. Mine fields work both ways. Japanese ML Okinoshima strikes a mine (her own) at Christmas Island.

Offensive minefields don't take sides [:D][:D] - your opponent is making good use of one here - would have been nasty if your US BBs had run into it

[joliverlay]

Memorandum

To: CNO

From: Staff

Re: Combat reports 05/16/42

Night Surface Engagement at Christmas Island

The Japanese have been holding a surface combat force within striking distance of Christmas Island but outside our patrol range. After recovering from the mine field encounter the Supply TF was hit by a major surface action group!

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
BB Yamashiro
CA Haguro
CA Kinugasa
DD Makigumo
DD Kisaragi
DD Uzuki
DD Oite

Allied Ships
DM Sicard, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
DMS Hopkins
AP Etolin
AP Mariposa
AP Henry T. Allen, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
AP Empire Pride, Shell hits 26, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Esperance Bay
AP Largs Bay, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Moreton Bay


Allied ground losses:
1266 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Because this may be the beginning of an enemy resupply effort we have ordered all four regimental combat teams and the battalion of tanks on the island to attack immediately. We are fully supplied, have been planning for quite some time, and we have good leaders assigned. Since this is a tiny atoll, if we can muster 3:1 odds we expect to push them into the Pacific!

[joliverlay]

Memorandum

To: CNO

From: Staff

Re: Combat reports 05/17/42

1. More action occurred last night at Christmas Island. Because of the arrival of a major surface group arriving from the south we elected to move the supply TF back to shore to unload under protection of our own ships. Because of a foul up in communications, we were not aware our ships were carrying supplied and would be at a disadvantage in the fight. The result was our surface action group suffered higher than necessary casualties when supplies on deck started fires. Moreover, the brief engagement, based on our tactical disadvantaged did not dissuade the Japanse from engaging the supply TF after dispatching the screening surface force. All and all, it was an ugly night.

TF 1086 (supply) encounters mine field at Christmas Island

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm, Mine hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Night Time Surface Combat, near Christmas Island

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 2
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 2
CA Haguro
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 2
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 1
DD Kisaragi
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Oite

Allied Ships
DMS Hopkins, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
AP Etolin, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
AP Mariposa, Shell hits 4
AP Esperance Bay
AP Largs Bay, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AP Moreton Bay, Shell hits 31, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
808 casualties reported

Night Time Surface Combat, near Christmas Island

Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 3
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1
DD Makigumo
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Oite, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Shell hits 9, on fire
CA Canberra, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Concord, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Philip, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Renshaw, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sampson, Shell hits 3
DD Warrington, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Anderson
DD Mustin, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD O'Brien
DD Bagley, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
DD Helm, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fanning
DD Balch


Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 1



2. More attacks on Japanese Resources and Oil

Day Air attack on Balikpapan ,

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 12
B-17E Fortress x 35


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Oil hits 8

3. Jap Attacks on our key Islands

Noumea BY KB!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A2 Val x 100
B5N2 Kate x 127

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 14
P-40E Warhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 20 destroyed, 32 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 16 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 5 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 41

Counterstrike by Noumea Defense Forces

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD Dauntless x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 12 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CV Kaga
CV Shokaku

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet


4. Major Ground attack at Christmas Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36936 troops, 380 guns, 144 vehicles

Defending force 18395 troops, 49 guns, 1 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
611 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
960 casualties reported
Guns lost 53
Vehicles lost 4

Our intell folks are astonished that after achieving 4:1 odds on a force trapped without a base or shelter on a small corner on a very small atoll can manage to hold on. With the advantage of fresh troops, supplies, and a base with considerable entrenchment we expected the Japanese to fall quickly.

[joliverlay]

Memorandum

To: CNO

From: Staff

Re: Combat reports for 05/18/42

1. Where the heck are all the navy’s mine sweepers???
-
TF 1086 encounters mine field at Christmas Island

Allied Ships
DD Balch, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm, heavy damage
DD Fanning


Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

2. Air Campaign on Oil

Balikpapan , Oil hits 8


Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 9
B-17E Fortress x 34

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Counterstrike on Batavia (This has really hampered our strikes against their oil targets.)

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 79
G5N Liz x 23

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 4
Brewster 339D x 2
Hurricane IIb x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
G5N Liz: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 2 damaged
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Swordfish: 2 destroyed
Catalina I: 1 destroyed
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 20

3. Defense of Key Islands

A. Noumea (attacked by KB)

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
D3A2 Val x 72
B5N2 Kate x 112

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 5 destroyed, 18 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 7 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 7 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 34

B. Day Air attack on TF, near Koumac

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD Dauntless x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 9
B-26B Marauder x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Jinbu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
MSW Kyo Maru #1, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Keinan Maru
MSW Kyo Maru #3
AK Mayachi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Hiyori Maru, Bomb hits 1

C. TF near Noumea

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 28

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Timber Rush
TK Axtell J Byles
DD Van Ghent
AK Willimoto, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Wilhelmina, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Wind Rush, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

D. TF near Christmas Island

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged

E. TF near Koumac

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 5
B-26B Marauder x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AK Mayachi Maru, on fire

F. TF near Noumea

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Benkalis

G. TF near Noumea

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N2 Kate x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Wilhelmina, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

4. Our Offensive at Christmas Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 36040 troops, 320 guns, 140 vehicles

Defending force 17553 troops, 37 guns, 1 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
341 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
630 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 1

After mustering 4:1 in a deliberate assault our commanders assumed a shock attack would finish the Japanese. After all its only a tiny atoll. No luck.

[joliverlay]

Memorandum

From: CNO
To: Presidental Staff

Re: Destruction of US TF

It is my duty to inform the president that an entire US task force was destroyed by the empire of Japan. On 5/15/42 a task force was dispatched from Noumea to engnage forced belived to be landing on Luganville. While the forces that had earler landid did depart the island, the TF was intercepted by KB near Luganville.

The strikes were as follows:

The first strike hit a transport that had been unloading at the island.

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 23
B5N2 Kate x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Selma City, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

The main strike caught our surface combat force heading back to Noumea near Malakula Island.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A2 Val x 88
B5N2 Kate x 112

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Craven, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Hobart, Bomb hits 13, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gridley, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Tenedos, Bomb hits 1
DD Sands
DD McCall, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Edsall
DD Bulmer, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Benham

The third strike was a second wave from KB which also found our taskforce.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
D3A2 Val x 91
B5N2 Kate x 108

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sands
DD Tenedos, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bulmer, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Benham
DD Gridley, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Edsall, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD McCall, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Only DDs Sands and Benham survived. All other ships were lost.

This report was not included in prior war summarys provided via the CNO for fear of the effects on moral. While he knows of the battles, this informations was witheld from the written summary pending presidental notification.