Allied Counter Offensive---June 1943---“Singapore before ‘44” in Feb '44 currently

[tabpub]

Allied Counter Offensive
June 1943
“Singapore before ‘44”






The beginning of June 1943 has the Allied forces at the crux of war versus the Japanese Empire.
From Rangoon, thru Darwin, Noumea and Pearl Harbor, the forces of the United Nations stand ready to begin the assault on the fortress perimeter of Japan.

The campaign to date has been one of careful probes vs. most of the Japanese lines. Several have come to naught, being caught by the reaction of the IJN/IJA forces. An attempt to seize Thursday Island has now turned into a 3 month long draw, as both sides have about 2 divisions worth of troops here now.

A further attempt to secretly build up a base at Rossel Island in the Lousiades ended in failure. The base was built to level 1/1 and fort 7; but, maintaining supply there under IJN attack proved fruitless and after the loss of 4 cruisers to IJN carrier strikes the base was abandoned.

Further east, the Gilberts proved to be relatively easy, with 2 divisions taking Tarawa while single Raider battalions proved to be enough to occupy the empty atolls of Apamamma and Makin. Further plans to move up into the Marshalls in the near future are nearing their start dates; all that needs to be found is the landing craft and the temporary use of some carrier support.

Finally, in the west is the centerpiece of the Allied attack to date, Burma. Back in the beginning of the year a plan to force the enemy off the line of the Irrawaddy near Mandalay was put into effect. Combining 6 Chinese Divisions moving from Lashio with the support of 2 armored brigades to flank the position from ‘north’ and 2 English and 1 Indian Division moving from Akyab directly for Rangoon with heavy air support succeeded beyond the planners’ dreams. Getting wind of the movements and being able to read a map, the Japanese realized that they were threatened with getting tied down on the frontier with troops that had better air support and supplies, not to mention firepower. They skillfully withdrew down the country toward Rangoon and the Thai border, with the Anglo-Indian forces carefully following.

Now, carefully following does not mean slow, and an infantry brigade and sundry support units totaling some 25-30000 men were locked up in Rangoon by the Allied advance. In a 2 week battle, they were eliminated at little cost to the attackers, who outnumbered them significantly. Those divisions are now resting, prior to their relief of the forces guarding the Salween Line that the IJA has occupied. Recon indicates about 180000 men along the crossable stretch of the river between Moulmein and Raehang.
Air bombardment is underway and the plan for forcing this position is being formulated. Flanking it will be difficult, as Tavoy has a considerable garrison on the Bay side and the other is mountain jungle highlands.

In China, a stalemate reigns over the northern 2/3rds of the country, from Chengting to Wuchow. But, over the last 3 month, forces of the southern armies have moved on and taken Nanning from the Japanese who retreated without a fight to Pakhoi. This force was ejected from Pakhoi by the attack of a single Chinese corps just over 50 days later, leading to the presumption that they were out of supply. In a series of attacks over the next 1-2 weeks, all the Japanese forces were eliminated except for the remnants of the 104th IJ division. Southern Group is confident that in another week the 6 corps arrayed against the 104th will destroy it. Then, after consolidating the position, the next moves for Southern Group will begin.
With General Chennault in command of the 14th AF and more American fighters and ground support troops on the way, perhaps we can take the fight to the IJA strongholds after gaining control of the airspace over our own cities for the first time in 2 years.

I will be keeping a short daily report just covering high points for the day, with a weekly/bi-weekly appreciation of the situations in the war. This should keep the reader interested but not drown them in information of marginal value. Of course, all are welcome to field comments and questions; they will be responded to if the situation seems fit all that security stuff. This should provide people with a good counter point to the “Herb vs. Tabpub” thread that is my counterpart’s version of the war.

EDITOR’S NOTE-----
I started this while on vacation and forgot to post it to the board. During that time, a couple of things have changed.

1. The Southern Chinese Army has finished off the Pakhoi campaign with the elimination of the Japanese 104th Division. That army is now regrouping and building defenses to hold this position against any counterattack.

2. Due to some Japanese maneuvering in the Homan – Kaifeng area, the Homan Area Army had tried to interfere by moving on Kaifeng. 2 Corps were cut off as the Japanese forces doubled back on them and separated them from the main body. They are now frozen about Kaifeng and having difficulty trying to escape; it looks like they might be forced to hold out there for some time, as the Homan forces don’t have the numbers to break the IJA line on the RR.

3. South Pacific has landed 2 RCT’s on Rennell Island over the last week with 2 small BF’s; Pacific Carrier Force has been in support and has been under attack from land based fighters and bombers. So far, the edge has been in favor of the Carrier Force; though, most of the losses were in the fighter groups. Since the transport groups had landed all the troops and over 30k tons of supply, permission was given for them to retire, along with the Carrier Force, to the south. The Carrier Force had lost about 40-50% of its fighters, CVL INDEPENDENCE was seriously damaged by multiple bomb hits by dive bombers and was deemed to be threatened by further air attacks; additionally, the probability of enemy carriers arriving was high. The Force has fallen back on its support group and at least one carrier has replenished its fighter wing with new F4F’s from the CVE’s. The Force continues to replenish and head off toward friendly bases in the New Caledonia chain. They plan to return in the near future to cover the Rennell area reinforcement convoy that is due in the area soon.

4. Another operation is underway, destination unreleased to the press at this time; indications are that it is a major operation.

5. During the early stages of Rennell, the modern BB WASHINGTON was torpedoed by LB bombers; she is now in port. One division of prewar BBs has been shifted from CenPac to replace her in the line. Determination of repair port for WASHINGTON has not been made as of this date. She is about ¼ damaged; the question is whether Australian repair yards can handle her or if she needs to head back to the CONUS for repair. She does need to have her AA suite upgraded, so CONUS looks like the more likely choice.

6. The results for the air battles over Rennell area will be published in the next report.

---------END------

[tabpub]

The initial attack against the Fleet as it moves on Rennell Island; the defending fighters take about 15% losses, but none of the attackers make it through:

06/07/43
Day Air attack on TF at 67,100
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 7
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 24
Ki-49 Helen x 18
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 275
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 20 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 24 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 18 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 23 destroyed, 18 damaged

The carrier air is a little busy and the defending Lightnings from Nidni can not perform miracles, but none of the freighters are in dire straits:

06/11/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14
A6M3a Zero x 77
B5N Kate x 22
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 9 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 47 destroyed
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 14 destroyed
Allied Ships
AP Harris
AK Eridanus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Ganymede, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Aludra
AK City of Rayville, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Henry T. Allen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
An attack on a covering force is repulsed:

06/11/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
A6M3a Zero x 41
B5N Kate x 10
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 18 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 7 destroyed
Allied Ships
CA Northampton
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Now we see what is keeping the carrier air busy; ½ of the fighters are assigned to escorting the day’s offensive operations, so only 4 squadrons worth are slated to CAP; the enemy fighters acquit themselves well, but Yorktown is nimble:

06/11/43
Day Air attack on TF at 65,99
Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 23
A6M3a Zero x 79
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 120
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 13 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 68 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 10 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 44 destroyed, 18 damaged
Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
6 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet

This group of Zero pilots really clears the way well, thank God it was only some old Sonias this time, Essex is not hurt by their ordinance:

06/11/43
Day Air attack on TF at 65,99
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 60
Ki-51 Sonia x 21
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 76
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 19 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 8 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 53 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Essex, Bomb hits 4
BB Massachusetts
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet

This group of Zeroes also does well and the Sonias hurt the Independence pretty well; she can not continue flight ops and is detached that night to base:

06/11/43
Day Air attack on TF at 65,99
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 40
Ki-51 Sonia x 20
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 89
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 30 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 10 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 23 destroyed, 12 damaged
Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 5, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet

Synopsis of the offensive missions during the 11th,
2 ML, 1 PG and 2 AP sunk off various southern Solomons islands;
combined air strikes from carriers and 4E bombers from Luganville severely damage the Munda AF complex.
Losses during air strikes – 6 planes.
Enemy losses – 40 to 60 planes.

[tabpub]

June 13, 1943
Daily report:
 
SS Scorpion torpedoes fuel carrying AK of Tsingtao; reports massive fire and is pursuing her
 
SS Sawfish, returning to Pearl, diverts to Bacolod PI on report of AK unloading there. Engages on surface, torpedoing her 3 times and leaving her in a sinking condition. Sawfish returns to PH course.
 
SS Triton attempts to torpedo IJN DD north of Rennell Island; no hits, no damage from DC attacks; disengages south.
 
2 BG from Cooktown hit the South Seas Det. at Port Morseby today; ground fire negligible, but only minimal damage to target. Mission ordered to go again tomorrow.
 
80 FighterBombers hit the 55th Divison at Moulmein from Rangoon; 1 Beaufighter lost over target to flak; fighters claim a platoons' worth of casualties inflicted.
 
2 CAF B25 sqd spot shipping in Tonkin Gulf; strike and leave one PG sinking condition.
 
Finally, the "hot spot" of the current day, Rennell Island.  Here is the unedited view of the fighting there; pretty much IJ dominated for today:
 
06/13/43
Naval bombardment of Rennell Island, at 66,99
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 4 destroyed
Japanese Ships
DD Mikazuki
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Kongo
Allied ground losses:
1608 casualties reported
Guns lost 33
Vehicles lost 11
Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 12
=============================================
06/13/43
Naval bombardment of Rennell Island, at 66,99
Japanese Ships
DD Kuretake
DD Hatsuharu
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Takao
BB Nagato
Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 5
=============================================
06/13/43
Coastal Guns at Rennell Island, 66,99, firing at TF 11
=============================================
06/13/43
TF 11 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99)
TF 11 troops unloading over beach at Rennell Island, 66,99
36 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
539 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
=============================================
06/13/43
Coastal Guns at Rennell Island, 66,99, firing at TF 145
=============================================
06/13/43
TF 145 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99)
TF 145 troops unloading over beach at Rennell Island, 66,99
27 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Namikaze
DD Shiokaze
Japanese ground losses:
266 casualties reported
=============================================
06/13/43
Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 1
No Japanese losses
=============================================
06/13/43
Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
H8K Emily x 1
No Japanese losses
=============================================
06/13/43
Day Air attack on 24th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 25
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 31
Ki-21 Sally x 19
Ki-49 Helen x 20
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 7000 feet
 6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
06/13/43
Day Air attack on 147th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
H8K Emily x 2
Ki-49 Helen x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
 4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
 8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
06/13/43
Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
H8K Emily x 1
No Japanese losses
=============================================
06/13/43
Ground combat at Rennell Island
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 11904 troops, 135 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 325
Defending force 3171 troops, 82 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 92
Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
06/13/43
Ground combat at Rennell Island
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 3117 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 89
Defending force 15905 troops, 136 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 325
Japanese max assault: 78 - adjusted assault: 12
Allied max defense: 186 - adjusted defense: 103
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
666 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

[tabpub]

Daily report:
06/14/43

Naval bombardment of Rennell Island, at 66,99
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 3 destroyed
Japanese Ships
DD Asagiri
DD Kagero
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
BB Musashi
Allied ground losses:
634 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
=============================================
06/14/43
Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
H8K Emily x 1
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 8
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
=============================================
06/14/43
Day Air attack on 24th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 21
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
06/14/43
Day Air attack on 147th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 31
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 12 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet
=============================================
06/14/43
Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 1
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 5
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
=============================================
06/14/43
Day Air attack on Rennell Island , at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
H8K Emily x 1
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 5
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
=============================================
Rennell reports supplies all right, but damage to airbase facilities under construction is severe.

Elsewhere, 80+ Liberators hit Port Moresby and the South Seas Det. again for some 100 casualties; on the Burma front, ground attack a/c from Rangoon hit the 55th Division. One Beaufighter is lost for 150 ground troops, 3 guns and a vehicle claimed.
Hanoi bombed overnight, but damage is negligible by the 13 Liberator VI's on the mission.

Rumor around the water cooler here in the SoPac correspondents room has a major event coming up in the next week or so; where and when is still buried in secrecy.

[tabpub]

The weather was bad today, almost across the globe...
3 sub contacts; only one success. Rasher hits a loaded AP N of Palawan with 2 torpedoes; she is settling at last view, 2 of the 6 escorts attack, but merely shake the boat.
Just over 1/2 a group of Liberators attack thru the clouds at Milne Bay; 1/3 are hit by flak but report good pattern on target. Recon will assess tomorrow morning.

40 Tojos show up over Rennell, but no one is there to play with them; The Lightnings are resting from their duties with the awful weather system moving in.

2 Squadrons of Mitchells from Pagan hit the empty Moulmein airdrome; one is shot down by flak as they get good results (claim 60 hits) on the strip; 9 hits each in the hangers and supply areas.

A Japanese Division with support elements attacks the 2 cut-off Corps at Kaifeng:
Ground combat at Kaifeng
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 27402 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 686
Defending force 20969 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 641
Japanese max assault: 595 - adjusted assault: 34
Allied max defense: 668 - adjusted defense: 480
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
1640 casualties reported
Guns lost 57
Allied ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
The Chinese 105 batteries have good results on the counterbattery shoot and MG's cut down the attackers in the open and they retreat.
Now, if I could only get a couple of battalions of these to my Chinese, we could take back Peking!!

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: tabpub


A Japanese Division with support elements attacks the 2 cut-off Corps at Kaifeng:
Ground combat at Kaifeng
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 27402 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 686
Defending force 20969 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 641
Japanese max assault: 595 - adjusted assault: 34
Allied max defense: 668 - adjusted defense: 480
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
1640 casualties reported
Guns lost 57
Allied ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
The Chinese 105 batteries have good results on the counterbattery shoot and MG's cut down the attackers in the open and they retreat.

Once again, the Chinese never fight better than when they're surrounded!

[tabpub]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

ORIGINAL: tabpub


A Japanese Division with support elements attacks the 2 cut-off Corps at Kaifeng:
Ground combat at Kaifeng
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 27402 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 686
Defending force 20969 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 641
Japanese max assault: 595 - adjusted assault: 34
Allied max defense: 668 - adjusted defense: 480
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
1640 casualties reported
Guns lost 57
Allied ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
The Chinese 105 batteries have good results on the counterbattery shoot and MG's cut down the attackers in the open and they retreat.

Once again, the Chinese never fight better than when they're surrounded!

Bah. That is an old saw that players throw around to cast blame; reducing combat ready formations takes time. And please take a look at the adjusted values again; I doubt that the attacker's assault value was degraded due to the defenders status. It was a hasty attack that was evidently ill prepared no doubt; that, and that the defenders were fully supplied and low on disruption.
And finally, as I said, they are cut-off, not surrounded; they have an out hole to the SE, though based on the supply requirements, they are surrounded, granted.

[tabpub]

Daily Log:

Over the last two days, Allied Air groups out of Darwin contested the air over Dili. While hitting the base hard, losses were in the 10 % range for these battle hardened crews and they were stood down after 2 days operations.  Brewster's in escort role proved inadequate against the IJ opposition.
06/17/43
Day Air attack on Dili , at 31,77
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10
A6M3a Zero x 5
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 15
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 16
B-25J Mitchell x 57
B-17E Fortress x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 3 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 3 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 7 destroyed, 9 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 30
=============================================
06/16/43
Day Air attack on Dili , at 31,77
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 17
A6M3a Zero x 5
Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 5
B-25J Mitchell x 128
B-17E Fortress x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 3 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 39

Also, over two days, a TK and AK were claimed as sunk, off Vietnam and the Bonins respectively.
B17s strike 2 ships off Buna with 5 bombs
Munda is struck by Libs out of Luganville again; one is shot down to 5 ground claims and good hits on the field.
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 48

[Capt. Harlock]

Brewster's in escort role proved inadequate against the IJ opposition.

Brewster 339D's?? In June '43?! Something must be wrong with Allied aircraft production. (Though I note the Lightnings have appeared.)

[tabpub]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Brewster's in escort role proved inadequate against the IJ opposition.

Brewster 339D's?? In June '43?! Something must be wrong with Allied aircraft production. (Though I note the Lightnings have appeared.)

1st; it's a Dutch unit
2nd; what month does the Kittyhawk III come out..ah, July 43.
3rd; PDU did not exist at the incept date of this game.

Now, I will be back tomorrow with about a 4 day update, as we were flying along yesterday.

[tabpub]

20 June 1942
Weekend Log:

Moving East to West along the fighting front; there has been a lot of action all over the place. We start with the Rennell Island fighting:

06/18/43
ASW attack at 67,101
Japanese Ships
SS I-174, hits 4, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Flusser
DD Gillespie
DD Gansevoort
DD Nicholson
DD Waller
DD Radford
CVE Sangamon
06/20/43
ASW attack at 67,100
Japanese Ships
SS RO-62, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Meade
DD Caldwell
DD Farenholt
DD Buchanan
DD Aaron Ward
CL Helena
=============================================
06/19/43
ASW attack at 67,100
Japanese Ships
SS RO-62, hits 2
Allied Ships
DD Cushing
DD Cummings
DD Fanning
DD Dunlap
DD Saufley
=============================================
06/19/43
ASW attack at 67,100
Japanese Ships
SS RO-62, hits 10
Allied Ships
DD Stanly
DD Pringle
DD Hutchins
DD Cony
DD Converse
DD Bennett
=============================================
06/18/43
ASW attack at 67,100
Japanese Ships
SS RO-63, hits 8, on fire
Allied Ships
AK Sage Brush
AP St. Mihel
APD Brooks
APD Stringham
DD Hull
DD Patterson
DD Morris
DD Walke
DD O'Brien
06/20/43
Night Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 damaged
Allied Ships
DD Strong
AK Admiral Y. Williams
DD Philip
=============================================
06/19/43
Night Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 66,99
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
SS RO-62
Allied Ships
AK Grumium
AK Caelum
DD Taylor
=============================================
06/19/43
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 66,99
Japanese Ships
AG AG-5052, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AG AG-5069, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AG AG-5070, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AG AG-5088, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Indianapolis
CA Minneapolis
DD Sims
DD Hammann
DD Bagley
DD Mugford
DD Jarvis
DD Case
DD Farragut
=============================================
06/18/43
TF 1122 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99)
Allied Ships
DD Helm, Mine hits 1, on fire
=============================================
06/18/43
Sub attack near Rennell Island at 66,99
Japanese Ships
AG AG-5090, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-46
=============================================
06/18/43
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rennell Island at 66,99
Japanese Ships
AG AG-5048, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG AG-5049, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
AG AG-5050, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
AG AG-5051, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-5052
AG AG-5067, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG AG-5069
AG AG-5070
AG AG-5087, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AG AG-5088
AG AG-5089, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AG AG-5090, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AG AG-5091, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Indianapolis
DD Sims
DD Hammann
DD Bagley
DD Helm, on fire
DD Mugford
DD Jarvis
DD Case
DD Farragut
=============================================
06/18/43
TF 1036 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99)
Allied Ships
APD Stringham
DD Patterson
=============================================
06/18/43
TF 1059 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99)
Allied Ships
DD LaVallette
DD Dunlap
DD DeHaven
=============================================
06/18/43
TF 1006 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99)
Allied Ships
DD Farenholt
CA Minneapolis, Mine hits 1
=============================================
06/18/43
TF 1010 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99)
Allied Ships
DD Strong
=============================================
06/18/43
TF 1014 encounters mine field at Rennell Island (66,99)
Allied Ships
DD Shaw
06/18/43
Day Air attack on Munda , at 64,95
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7
Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 61
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 28
=============================================
06/18/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 66
SBD Dauntless x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Korei Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

The end result in this sector is a bunch of sunken barges, a couple of sunken (presumed) subs and a mined CA that is only slightly damaged, as the flooding was fixed in no time at all. Oh, and supplies and engineers landing on Rennell….

Near New Guinea, things go more the way of the IJ, as they use their carrier mobility to setup a little situation in their favor at PM:

06/18/43
TF 145 encounters mine field at Goodenough island (56,93)
Japanese Ships
DD Yukaze
DD Numakaze, Mine hits 1, on fire
DD Shiokaze
06/20/43
Sub attack at 54,94
Japanese Ships
AP Hakuyo Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Sailfish
Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
06/20/43
Day Air attack on TF at 52,96
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9
Ki-48 Lily x 47
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 10 destroyed, 27 damaged
Allied Ships
CLAA San Juan, Bomb hits 1
DD Dewey, Bomb hits 1
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 1
CL St. Louis
CA Louisville
06/20/43
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
A6M3 Zero x 6
A6M5 Zeke x 12
A6M3a Zero x 158
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 53
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 30 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 9 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 41 destroyed
=============================================
06/20/43
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 6
A6M5 Zeke x 11
A6M3a Zero x 130
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 48
PB4Y Liberator x 8
B-24D Liberator x 32
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 20 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed, 47 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 45 destroyed
PB4Y Liberator: 8 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 7 destroyed, 14 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hudson I bombing at 20000 feet
1 x Hudson I bombing at 20000 feet
=============================================
06/20/43
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3 Zero x 3
A6M5 Zeke x 5
A6M3a Zero x 61
Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-17E Fortress x 72
B-24D Liberator x 38
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 4 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 14 destroyed, 33 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 17 destroyed, 38 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 10 destroyed, 18 damaged
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
06/20/43
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3 Zero x 3
A6M5 Zeke x 5
A6M3a Zero x 55
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 27
B-24D Liberator x 23
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 4 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed, 13 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 8 destroyed, 7 damaged
=============================================
06/19/43
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10
A6M3a Zero x 48
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 44
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 18 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 7 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged
=============================================
06/19/43
Day Air attack on South Seas Det. , at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 21
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 25
PB4Y Liberator x 11
B-24D Liberator x 38
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
=============================================
06/18/43
Day Air attack on South Seas Det. , at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 12
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 69
P-38G Lightning x 51
PB4Y Liberator x 11
B-24D Liberator x 31
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 8 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 10 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Aircraft Attacking:
Hudson I bombing at 4000 feet
PB4Y Liberator bombing at 20000 feet
B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet

The losses on the 20th are painful, especially in the Hudsons. Other than that, the losses were not that bad; Hudsons will have to be relegated back to 2nd line duty for the current fighting for now, what is left of them.

In China, the IJA bombs the cutoff corps at Kaifeng; the Americans from Chunking attempt to relieve some of the pressure and wallop a Base Force:

06/20/43
Day Air attack on 119th IJN Base Force, at 51,32
Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 17
B-25J Mitchell x 25
B-24D Liberator x 48
Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
313 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
47 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
06/20/43
Day Air attack on 54th Chinese Corps, at 51,32
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 15
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
=============================================
06/19/43
Day Air attack on 54th Chinese Corps, at 51,32
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 20
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet

Meantime, in gaps of the weather fronts, the Burma air campaign steps up a bit:

06/20/43
Day Air attack on 55th/A Division, at 29,35
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 52
Spitfire Vb x 17
Beaufighter VIC x 33
F-5A Lightning x 1
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 3 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 1 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
=============================================
06/19/43
TF 1230 encounters mine field at Moulmein (29,35)
Allied Ships
MSW Eland Dubois
MSW Pieter de Bitter
MSW Agra
=============================================
06/19/43
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 17
B-25C Mitchell x 42
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 damaged
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 12
Aircraft Attacking:
42 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 9000 feet
=============================================
06/19/43
Day Air attack on 55th/B Division, at 29,35
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 56
Spitfire Vb x 20
Beaufighter VIC x 37
F-5A Lightning x 1
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
=============================================
06/19/43
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 16
B-25J Mitchell x 55
Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 31
Aircraft Attacking:
55 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet
=============================================
06/18/43
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 20
B-25C Mitchell x 48
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 7 damaged
Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 70
Aircraft Attacking:
48 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 9000 feet
=============================================
06/18/43
Day Air attack on 55th/B Division, at 29,35
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 41
Spitfire Vb x 22
Beaufighter VIC x 35
F-5A Lightning x 1
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 destroyed
Beaufighter VIC: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
157 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

Finally, 2 ships are torpedoed in the Malay/Borneo area; neither severely though.

The losses in the Port Moresby area have led to the cancellation of the landing that was scheduled there in 3-4 days. The presence of the carrier air precludes us getting any air superiority there for the moment. Another group of P38 has arrived (the 475th) and it will try to assist in clearing the air over the landing site. Meantime, different options are being taken under consideration: as in continued reinforcement of Rennell, or other operations against the Solomons.

As can be seen, the IJN carrier air still has quite the punch right now, so we are trying to operate away from it for the current time. The landing strip on Rennell is about 2 days away from completion.

[tabpub]

06/23/43
Some of the high(low)lights of the last few days:
On the Burma front:
A lot of these units are low experience units that have been rebuilt from the massive ’42 battles in this front and that were disbanded back then.
06/23/43
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 94
Spitfire Vb x 38
Beaufighter VIC x 51
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 16
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 2 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 2 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 3 damaged
Beaufighter Mk 21: 3 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 77
=============================================
06/21/43
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18
B-25C Mitchell x 30
Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 41
Aircraft Attacking:
29 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 9000 feet
In Northern China, the ChiComs withdraw toward Yenen from Chengting due to increasing IJA pressure on other fronts and the fact that this was a vulnerable position to flanking maneuvers.

06/21/43
Ground combat at Chengting
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 15910 troops, 182 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 329
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 8
Japanese max assault: 309 - adjusted assault: 620
Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 620 to 1 (fort level 8)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Chengting base !!!
Meantime, near Port Moresby, Allied bombers get handled roughly by a combination of land and carrier fighters. Data on this was lost, but the losses in bombers were not good, about 50+ and the groups morale were hurt severely. This has caused the postponement of the operation that was to have landed 2 divisions there in less than 4 days. They had just set sail, but returned to Australia upon this news. The IJN also sent some freighters to PM to reinforce it, prompting some surface actions to attempt to sink them. The covering Jap forces were hurt, but the transports landed successfully. No Allied surface units were lost, but some were damaged fairly severely.

06/22/43
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91
Japanese Ships
DD Harusame, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CL Achilles
CL Perth
DD Voyager
DD Arunta, on fire, heavy damage (hit a mine on the way in)
DD Scout
DD Thanet
DD Thracian
=============================================
06/22/43
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91
Japanese Ships
AG AG-5142
AG AG-5143, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AG AG-5161
AG AG-5163
AG AG-5164, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AG AG-2051, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CL Achilles
CL Perth
DD Voyager
DD Arunta, on fire, heavy damage
DD Scout
DD Thanet
DD Thracian
=============================================
06/21/43
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91
Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 3
DD Harusame
DD Ariake
DD Kikuzuki
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Otori
DD Sagi, Shell hits 1, on fire
Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Louisville
CLAA San Juan
CL St. Louis
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 2
DD Laffey
DD Anderson
DD Porter
DMS Trevor
=============================================
06/21/43
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91
Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Harusame, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ariake, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Otori
DD Sagi, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Shell hits 3
CA Louisville
CLAA San Juan
CL St. Louis
CL Phoenix
DD Laffey
DD Anderson
DD Porter, Shell hits 2 (later hit by Jake bombers, set afire, but will make port)
DMS Trevor
=============================================
06/21/43
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91
Japanese Ships
AG AG-5142
AG AG-5143
AG AG-5160, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AG AG-5161
AG AG-5163
AG AG-5164
AG AG-5165, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AG AG-2049, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AG AG-2050, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AG AG-2051
AG AG-2053, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Louisville
CLAA San Juan
CL St. Louis
CL Phoenix
DD Laffey
DD Anderson
DD Porter, on fire
DMS Trevor
Rennell Island is quiet….too quiet. One RCT attempts to eject the IJA visitors, fails and regroups. More supplies landed, AF is up to 1 as of this date, fighter planes are based here now, and 3 PT flights cover the transport groups. The carrier and covering forces are 120 miles SE of the island.

06/21/43
Ground combat at Rennell Island
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5885 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 353
Defending force 2274 troops, 53 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43
Allied max assault: 140 - adjusted assault: 48
Japanese max defense: 34 - adjusted defense: 25
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
115 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Elsewhere, Maeolap in the Marshalls is ineffectively bombed from the Gilberts and the SS Amberjack is ambushed off Tokyo by a subhunter group and sunk in one massive attack.

---END---

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Brewster's in escort role proved inadequate against the IJ opposition.

Brewster 339D's?? In June '43?! Something must be wrong with Allied aircraft production. (Though I note the Lightnings have appeared.)

Yep...Kittyhawk IIIs (P-40 Ks) are not available until Aug 43 for some strange reason.

[tabpub]

June 27, 1943

EYES ONLY Theater HQ and above
4 day synopsis.



June 24, 1943:

5 Squadrons of Privateers hit Lunga; losing one a/c for minor damage to the runway.

Dutch O19 torpedoes two freighters off Bankha, in the straits.

June 25, 1943:

Seadragon torpedoes an AP off Merauke, NG.

Sealion engages AP on surface 60 SE of Seadragon’s contact; breaks off after
inconclusive engagement.

Japanese AP hits a mine in the Jomard Passage.

55 bombers (Mitchells and PB4Ys) hit Maolap for very light damage.

40 bombers (Hudson’s, B17&24’s) hit small convoy from PM; 3 ships hit, 2 left in sinking condition. First known usage of the new 2000 LB GP bomb in action.

Japanese submarines attempt to get some shots at the carrier task forces:
ASW attack at 67,101
Japanese Ships
SS I-121
Allied Ships
DD Smith
DD Shaw
DD McCall
DD Henley
DD Russell
DD Hughes
CA Pensacola
CV Wasp

ASW attack at 68,102
Japanese Ships
SS I-2, hits 6, on fire
Allied Ships
DD Cushing
DD Cummings

ASW attack at 68,102
Japanese Ships
SS I-121, hits 2
Allied Ships
DD Flusser
DD Gillespie
DD Gansevoort
DD Nicholson
DD Waller
DD Radford

ASW attack at 68,102
Japanese Ships
SS I-121, hits 4
Allied Ships
DD Flusser
DD Gillespie
DD Gansevoort
DD Nicholson
DD Waller
DD Radford

ASW attack at 68,102
Japanese Ships
SS I-121, hits 8
Allied Ships
DD Meade
DD Caldwell
DD Farenholt
DD Buchanan
DD Aaron Ward

ASW attack at 68,102
Japanese Ships
SS I-2, hits 4, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Smith
DD Shaw
DD McCall

June 26, 1943:

Gudgeon attacks Nagato class BB W of Munda; torpedoes track to target but no detonation recorded.

Gudgeon attacked 3 times by DD’s escorting BB’s Kirishima and Kongo just SW of Munda.

Dutch O23 hit by severe ASW attack; 1/3rd flooded, returning to port; location of attack of Bankha, the Japanese were probably looking for O19 that passed through here 2 days ago.

50 bombers hit Maloelap from high altitude, no losses, light damage.

Lunga Point AF is hit by 3 separate bombardments, totaling 4 modern BB and 4 cruisers; no apparent hits on the airfield. Coastal artillery present, their fire is brisk, but ineffective; counterfire estimates 20 pieces knocked out. DD Flusser strikes 2 mines, breaks formation to return south down by the bow, sunk later in the day by airstrike.

The air strikes on Lunga go as follows:
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 24
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 11
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 21
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 23
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 11
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
F-5A Lightning x 4
PB4Y Liberator x 65
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed, 14 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 18 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 8 destroyed
PB4Y Liberator: 6 destroyed, 23 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 44

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
PT PT-23

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 18
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9
Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 120
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 8 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger: 58 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 12

The night fighting around Rennell was really confused; we have not been able to assess it very well, at best, it was a draw for us. Losses were:
8 PT boats
3 DD (Walke, Morris, Patterson)
Another PT was scuttled in the morning and 2 DD were limping home at under 20 knots.
The 5 DD involved were the largest warship committed on the Allied side.
Japanese losses:
Cruiser Aoba sank the next morning from 3 torpedo hits
2 DD were hit by torpedoes and were in trouble.
BB Hiei was hit by torpedo, but not reported to lose any headway.

Only one group of cruisers bombarded our lines and were not effective.

Air combat over Rennell:

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 5
A6M3a Zero x 39
H8K Emily x 1
Ki-21 Sally x 55
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 22 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 20 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 7 damaged
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
DM Sicard
DD Kennison


June 27, 1943

SS Saury gets a shot at a CVL Ryuho just north of Rennell, but misses.

Several others in the area are repressed by the Imperial DD’s.

A squadron of F4F over Vanikolo shot down 8 of 9 Betties going after shipping there.

The Vanikolo TBF squadron strikes 2 ships 300 miles north. Report 3 hits on a Nisshin CS and 2 hits on a DD. Bombs were used due to distance flown.

25 Vals and Kates try to reach the Fleet carriers 180 miles NNW of Vanikolo; 18 shot down, rest turn back.

8 escorted Vals get 2 bomb hits on DD Litchfield as she escorts freighters 60 miles west of carrier group.

Massive strike of 140 fighters and 170 various bombers, mainly Vals hit freighters and transports 120 miles NW of carriers. 5 Freighters left sinking/badly damaged for the loss of one Val.

A follow up strike of 23 Vals escorted by 100+ fighters gets intercepted by now unengaged CAP from carriers; 16 F4F lost for 20 Zero types. 3 damaged freighters hit again.

Finally, CVL Shoho spotted 120 miles East of Rennell, just SW of Irau. Massive deck strike vectored, but she is the only apparent target, results are expected:


Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 110
SBD Dauntless x 66
TBF Avenger x 32
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF Avenger: 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

A couple of followup strikes watch her turn turtle and sink.

Analysis

If it were not for the unfortunate loss of the Avengers over Lunga due to over optimism over the bombing/shelling of Lunga AF earlier, I would hold this period as a Allied success. As it is, we seem to be attriting them well, and the battleline spent the 27th rearming in Luganville, and should be ready to oppose any further landing bombardments. Air group morale, other than one Avenger squadron, is all high, and the reserves of Corsairs and Lightnings in the theater are plentiful.

SW PAC promises that they are ready again to provide diversion and should be ready for landings in NG in 2 weeks. Cent Pac is merely waiting for shipping for Phase 2 operations in Marshalls; while the Brits are ready for the preliminaries of their offensive.
ADM Nimitz hopes to have the IJN looking at 4-5 thrust lines within the next 3 months at the outside. Even the Chinese think that they can provide a minor effort in that time frame, given more American air support and supplies.

[tabpub]

Situation Report thru July 4

A really quiet period. More engineers land at Rennell, which is now a lvl 2 AF. No Japanese attacks of any import and very few moves by the Allied forces. Other than the sub attacks below, the only action is over Moulmein; where 200+ tactical a/c hit the airstrip there every day, weather permitting. Other than sporadic flak, there is no opposition to the raids. Plans are laid in for the rest of the month, promising action on at least 2 new areas.


07/03/43
Sub attack at 37,53
Japanese Ships
AK Kenryu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Saiko Maru
MSW Tama Maru #3
MSW Sonobe Maru
MSW Shonan Maru #8
MSW Keinan Maru
MSW Choun Maru #6
Allied Ships
SS Hoe
07/03/43
Sub attack at 44,85
Japanese Ships
AK Momoyama Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Grunion
07/02/43
Sub attack near Singapore at 23,50
Japanese Ships
AP Choko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Rikusen Maru
MSW Kaiyo Maru #3
MSW Bisan Maru
MSW Mejima Maru
MSW W.5
MSW W.19
Allied Ships
SS Trident, hits 2
07/03/43
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 93
Spitfire Vb x 47
Beaufighter VIC x 48
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 16
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 56

=============================================
07/02/43
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 97
Spitfire Vb x 51
Beaufighter VIC x 47
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 15
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 9 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 63

=============================================
07/01/43
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 97
Spitfire Vb x 49
Beaufighter VIC x 49
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 15
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 6 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 1 damaged
Beaufighter Mk 21: 2 damaged
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 54

=============================================
06/30/43
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 98
Spitfire Vb x 46
Beaufighter VIC x 48
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 16
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 2 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 16
Runway hits 57

[tabpub]

has sunk over 160 enemy ships via torpedo alone
Nimitz is quite pleased, as a former submariner:

[tabpub]

Situation through August 24, 1943

You might have noticed a lack of reporting during the last month or so; was just a bit too busy to update this thread.

From west to east, I will recapitulate the overall status of the war so far. Arrow references are on the attached map below.

Andaman Islands: On July 30th, the 44th Indian Brigade landed here and in 2 weeks eliminated the defenders. Support troops have the AF to level 2 and working on level 3

Moulmein-Raehang area:
With the fall of the Andamans, the offensive on the Salween front began on Aug 18; first with the crossing of 3 Armored Brigades at the middle of the line versus 1 mixed infantry regiment that was defeated during the crossing (red arrow). The Armored Brigades then split, with 2 heading for Moulmein and one for Raehang (yellow arrows).
Additionally, 2 Indian infantry divisions were landed at Moulmein under the cover of the RN battleline, which has been providing fire support based out of Rangoon (blue arrow):

08/18/43
Naval bombardment of Moulmein, at 29,35
Allied Ships
DD Rocket
DD Rapid
DD Isis
DD Hotspur
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Blue
CL Glasgow
CL Kenya
CL Dragon
CA Hawkins
CA Dorsetshire
BC Repulse
BB Ramilles
BB Valiant
BB Prince of Wales
Japanese ground losses:
608 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
Vehicles lost 14
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 6

The battleline has been repeating this fire support mission every other day since this opening bombardment. Little to no counterfire is being reported by the landing forces now.

The Moulmein defenders mass about 1550 AV; the landing/flanking forces are at 1000+ and growing with additional landing troops; should have enough to start real attacks in 5-7 days.

The English carrier force 4CV, 1CVL is providing support for the landing and cover against possible naval interference (which is deemed unlikely, but possible).

And finally, an Indian Division river assaults Raehang on the 22nd; this is in concert with the move of an Armored Brigade from the west. The assault is costly, but serves the purpose to pin the Raehang defenders in place as much as possible; preventing their movement to the west to cutoff the Moulmein attackers (fuchsia arrow).

Two Indian Divisions are moving via the red/yellow route; one each to Moulmein and Raehang; additionally, 2 British Divisions and a reinforced Brigade are reinforcing the landing at Moulmein over the next week, with additional Corps and Artillery support (blue arrow).

All of this is being done under the umbrella of the Rangoon based air assets, which number over 400 planes; evenly split amongst fighters, fighter-bombers, and level bombers. Addition support in the form of a B25C group at Taung Gyi and 5 Lib VI squadrons from Mandalay are available. All air assets are mainly devoted to ground strikes, weather permitting.

My next installment will cover the Chinese (with a little American air support aiding them) re-conquest of Tonkin (that’s North Vietnam if you didn’t already know that) which occurred concurrently with the British attacks.

[tabpub]

August 31, 1943

As was mentioned before, the Chinese Southern command moved even further south after securing Nanning and Pakhoi and eliminating a Japanese Division earlier in the year.
They prepped 5 corps and and supporting HQs for the move south under the umbrella of American and Chinese air groups. One B25 BG operated out of Taung Gyi with a sqd of P38 for escort and a Spit sqd for local defense. Kunming was home to a B24 group and a P40 group; and Kunming had another group of B24's, a group of American B25s and several squadrons of American and Chinese P40N's, with 3-4 more Chinese Mitchell squadrons operating there from time to time.

These forces struck at the airfields and ports around the Hanoi/Haiphong area until the IJAAF quit fighting in the air; they then switched to the ground forces as the Chinese hit the border. The rumored Viet self defense force did not show up ( I know that I wouldn't have, as the lack of IJA ground forces in the area would have just meant their destruction also). In a concerted attack, the Chinese Corps' forced the river and literally blew the IJA defenders back into Haiphong.

Haiphong was quickly invested and the resistance there eliminated in a matter of days.
Here are some excerpts from the CR's

August 18th, the assault on Hanoi:

08/18/43
Ground combat at Hanoi
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 65506 troops, 360 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1671
Defending force 4982 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 134

The final odds were 108 to 1.

Five days later, Haiphong:

08/23/43
Ground combat at Haiphong
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 31771 troops, 209 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 988
Defending force 821 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11
Allied max assault: 252 - adjusted assault: 116
Japanese max defense: 5 - adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 116 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
362 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

The Chinese have called a halt to their advance; A to fix the massive damage that the bombing campaign wrought to the area, B to root out resistance and place a civil government in charge (the American OSS has nominated a little known person that goes by the nom de guerre of Ho Chi Minh as a suitable candidate; Chiang has promised him autonomy and has promised that the French will not be alllowed back after the war.), and C...they didn't expect it to go so well and have no reserves ready to use for the area.
It will be up to SEAC to spread the war in Indochina for the near future.

Meanwhile, over the last week, the Gilbert/Marshalls area has now stepped into the limelight.

You might remember that at the beginning of this report, that the Gilberts had been secured by June; Mili and Majuro in the Marshalls were occupied in regimental strength and built up under the air cover of Tarawa/Makin. The only significant Japanese bases in the central/northern Marshalls are Maeolap, Kwajalein, and Eniweitok.
Bombers from Mili and Majuro visited Maeolap nearly ever day, with 4 old BBs lending their weight for the prior 2 weeks. Just recently though, they switched to Kwajalein over the last week, which was also hit by carrier air yesterday. My sources have it that the Divisions that took Tarawa are hitting the beach at Kwaj tomorrow; they are anticipating light losses as they are fully prepared and the enemy resistance appears slacked by the air and naval attacks, as the last bombardment today showed only a few guns firing.

This and other engagements to come soon; the behemoth is fully roused from it's slumber and is starting to take strides to the front. Though, it will not be that easy as it seems; the IJN is still unbeaten and has increased it's carrier decks markedly over the last 5-6 months, as several new carriers have been observed operating in the NG area during that period. The question now is when and where will it commit to battle......?

[tabpub]

September 1, 1943

2nd Marine Div and 25th Inf. Div hit the beaches in the Kwajalein Atoll; enemy gunfire on the approach and landings is scattered and ineffective:

Coastal Guns at Kwajalein, 79,79, firing at TF 1133
TF 1133 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein, 79,79
679 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
SC SC-643, Shell hits 6
DD Boyd, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK West Camargo
DD Schroeder, Shell hits 3
AK Admiral Cole, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Charles Ausburne, Shell hits 6
AK Kentuckian, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Braine
LCI LCI-327, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
LCI LCI-221, Shell hits 2, on fire
LCI LCI-219
LCI LCI-218
LCI LCI-85, Shell hits 2
BB Colorado
LCI LCI-84, Shell hits 3
LST LST-450, Shell hits 2, on fire
LST LST-447, Shell hits 4, on fire
LST LST-31, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-23
APD Kane
DE Steele, Shell hits 2
Japanese ground losses:
157 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Allied ground losses:
2513 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

Coastal Guns at Kwajalein, 79,79, firing at TF 1133
TF 1133 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein, 79,79
157 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Charles Ausburne, Shell hits 1
AK Honomu, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Boyd, Shell hits 2
AK Panaman, Shell hits 3
BB Colorado, Shell hits 1
AP Pierce, Shell hits 3, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
892 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The initial battle for the lodgments goes well; enough troops were landed by small craft to give a good account of themselves. ADM Brown on Colorado is confident that as more support elements and ammo land from the transports that the defenders will be ejected from their positions in 2 days further action, as the remaining assault troops should be ashore by then; additional artillery and a TD battalion will land over the next 2 days also:


Ground combat at Kwajalein
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 24251 troops, 295 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 696
Defending force 8242 troops, 35 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31
Allied max assault: 612 - adjusted assault: 166
Japanese max defense: 69 - adjusted defense: 84
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 9)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 8
Japanese ground losses:
358 casualties reported
Guns lost 15
Allied ground losses:
228 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1


Meantime, in Burma, the IJA has abandoned the Moulmein position before the Anglo-Indian attack could go in:

Ground combat at Moulmein
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 67654 troops, 609 guns, 981 vehicles, Assault Value = 1676
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 8
Allied max assault: 1492 - adjusted assault: 3334
Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 3334 to 1 (fort level 8)
Allied forces CAPTURE Moulmein base !!!

Mountbatten and Auchinleck are now conferring on the next objective for the campaign. Louis wants to press on to Tavoy immediately, but Claude wants to tidy up the Rahaeng situation to provide another forward airbase. A probe there by the Indian 254th Armoured Brigade didn’t gain any significant ground against the defenders, but the losses were light; one Stuart, one Humber. One engineer fell into a fire that was heating some tea for the command staff and was burned to death. The other losses reported below are all either wounded or damaged vehicles:

Ground combat at Rahaeng
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 27942 troops, 123 guns, 475 vehicles, Assault Value = 367
Defending force 26807 troops, 222 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 468
Allied max assault: 270 - adjusted assault: 18
Japanese max defense: 409 - adjusted defense: 1531
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)
Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
558 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
Vehicles lost 9

There is more infantry scheduled to come up to support this attack, but they are coming overland to avoid the debilitating cross river attacks for now. They will take at least a week to arrive. Engineers and base troops from Rangoon will arrive at Moulmein tomorrow or so to start repairing the airstrips for the English tactical air forces. Expect that several of the Indian Divisions used in the Moulmein attack will retire to home to recruit and re-supply themselves.

On the sub front, there have been several interesting actions over the last 2 days. Dutch subs off the Pontiniak-Kuching area have encountered a large tanker convoy rounding the Borneo corner; two were damaged by the large escort with no success, but the O21 got a lick in for the team:

Sub attack at 25,55
Japanese Ships
TK Kaijo Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Fumi Maru #3
PG Tosho Maru
PG Tatsumiya Maru
PG Santo Maru
PG Chiyo Maru
MSW Tamozono Maru #1
PG Takunan Maru #10
PG Takunan Maru #3
MSW Hanata Maru #6
DD Yugure
Allied Ships
SS O21, hits 4

In the Philippine Sea, Puffer has had a running 3 day battle with a Palau bound convoy out of Osaka. Unfortunately, there are no other subs in the immediate area to join in on the fun and Puffer is about out of fish…..:

08/30/43
Sub attack at 60,51
Japanese Ships
AK Malta Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Karachi Maru
MSW W.4
MSW Choun Maru #21
MSW Wa 103
DD Yakaze
Allied Ships
SS Puffer
===============================
08/31/43
Sub attack at 58,56
Japanese Ships
AK Azumasan Maru
MSW W.4
MSW Choun Maru #21
MSW Wa 103
DD Yakaze
Allied Ships
SS Puffer
=============================
09/01/43
Sub attack at 57,58
Japanese Ships
AK Yamabato Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW W.4
MSW Choun Maru #21
MSW Wa 103
DD Tomozuru
DD Yakaze
Allied Ships
SS Puffer
=============================================
09/01/43
ASW attack at 57,58
Japanese Ships
AK Azumasan Maru
MSW W.4
MSW Choun Maru #21
MSW Wa 103
DD Yakaze
Allied Ships
SS Puffer, hits 1

Mainly, sub action has been down for the last month, as boats are cycling thru the repair yards or busy supporting the Marshalls area. There are about 10-15 boats covering the Kwajalein landing by picketing the approaches.

-----END-----

[tabpub]

September 6, 1943
Press Release
CincPac HQ
Pearl Harbor

Gentlemen, ADM Nimitz is not available for this briefing as he is currently in the Marshall Islands overseeing the operations there.

Kwajalein falls quiet; the last resistance was ended today. The assault divisions are at 80% effectiveness, mainly wounded; total losses were insignificant. It appeared that the IJN had deployed much in the way of defenders here. Eniwetok appears to be held in about the same depth. The planning for this atoll is under way and it should be attacked in the next 3-4 weeks barring major changes.

In the interim, the new sub plans start to bear fruit, including a capital ship:

09/04/43 Snook dukes it out on the surface with a freighter off Tarakan.
Sub attack at 34,62
Japanese Ships
AK Tenkai Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Snook, hits 1

09/05/43 Balao gets another tanker near Okinawa.
Sub attack at 54,47
Japanese Ships
TK Kuremente Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Balao

09/05/43 Steelhead scores in the South China Sea.
Sub attack at 36,45 Japanese Ships
AP Waura Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 9
PC Ch 8
PG Edo Maru
PG Chosa Maru
PG Akitsu Maru
MSW Banshu Maru #18
MSW W.3
Allied Ships
SS Steelhead

09/05/43 Skate finds paydirt off Tori Shima. She has broadcast speed and heading of this group to her sisters in the area. Hope to see more contacts from this attack.
Sub attack at 65,49
Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Skate

In the SWPac area, Thursday Island AF makes being a swabbie in the Solomon Sea something you don’t really want to be this past few days. There is a P38 group, 3 various fighter squadrons for local defense and a Beaufighter squadron and a Mitchell group operating out of here. The IJA must want to get something in/out of this area; I am betting it wants to get out. The whole Solomons/NG area seems light in the way of air forces now; they must be concentrating out of air range. A P38 sweep of Wewak earlier netted a nice ratio against the defending TOJO’s, which has probably shown the writing on the wall to the IJAAF. As the strikes from Thursday mount, even the mainland BG(H) start to get in on the action.

After these 5 days of intensive operations, most of the front line groups are returned to the mainland, replaced by fresh units. I don’t think that the IJ merchant fleet can take much more of this pounding; they will have to abandon the men in NG or commit an awful lot of air units to the area:

09/01/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 10
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 42
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Kinkasan Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Tosan Maru, Shell hits 24
AK Terukawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
PG Shoei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Muroran Maru
PC Ch 16
PG Daido Maru
AK Tokiwa Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Glasgow Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
PG Kaikei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kiso Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Katuragi Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet
Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet
B-25C Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
09/01/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 42
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Glasgow Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Kaikei Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murasame
AK Tokiwa Maru, on fire
PG Shoei Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
09/01/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Hokkai Maru, Shell hits 8
Aircraft Attacking:
Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet
=============================================
09/01/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 4
B-24D Liberator x 13
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Murasame, Bomb hits 1
AK Glasgow Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PG Daido Maru
AK Kiso Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
Liberator bombing at 8000 feet


09/03/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AG AG-5030, Shell hits 8
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet
09/03/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 15
P-38G Lightning x 56
B-25C Mitchell x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 13 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Toyama Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Terukawa Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tokiwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Daido Maru
AK Tosan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Katuragi Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet
Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet
B-25C Mitchell bombing at 3000 feet
=============================================
09/03/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 10
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
PG Kaikei Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murasame, heavy damage
PC Ch 16, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
PB4Y Liberator bombing at 8000 feet

=============================================
09/03/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3
P-38G Lightning x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Katuragi Maru, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet
=============================================

09/04/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 10
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 13
P-38G Lightning x 47
B-25C Mitchell x 31
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Katuragi Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tosan Maru, Shell hits 4
AK Terukawa Maru, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AK Toyama Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PG Kaikei Maru, heavy damage
PG Shoei Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murasame, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 16, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Muroran Maru, Bomb hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 3000 feet
=============================================
09/04/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 43
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Terukawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Shoei Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AK Muroran Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tokiwa Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Toyama Maru, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murasame, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PG Daido Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet

=============================================
09/04/43
Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 45
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 22
Aircraft Attacking:
21 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
24 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
=============================================
09/04/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 12
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4
P-38G Lightning x 34
B-25C Mitchell x 36
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Tokiwa Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tosan Maru
AK Terukawa Maru, on fire, heavy damage
PG Shoei Maru, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.7, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murasame, on fire, heavy damage
AK Muroran Maru, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 16, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet
Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet
B-25C Mitchell bombing at 3000 feet
=============================================
09/04/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90
Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 7
B-24D Liberator x 53
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Terukawa Maru, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.7, on fire, heavy damage
AK Katuragi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Daido Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 16, on fire, heavy damage
AK Muroran Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tokiwa Maru, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murasame, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
PB4Y Liberator bombing at 8000 feet

=============================================

09/05/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 11
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 5
P-38G Lightning x 27
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Tone Maru
AP Saipan Maru
AP Taibun Maru
AP Teia Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Senkai Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet
Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet

=============================================
09/05/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 13
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Tone Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Saipan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Senkai Maru, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
=============================================
09/05/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 11
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4
P-38G Lightning x 25
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Teia Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire
AP Senkai Maru, on fire
AK Tone Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taibun Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet
Hudson I bombing at 2000 feet

=============================================
09/05/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 62
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Teia Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taibun Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Senkai Maru, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
AP Saipan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet

=============================================
09/05/43
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AG AG-5032, Shell hits 4, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 attacking at 100 feet

Not to be outdone in amount of sorties, North Australian Command starts a series of counter AF operations in the Timor area; over this period, Lautem AF is reduced to mud by approximately 150 medium bombers:

09/01/43
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 12
A-20B Boston x 12
A-20G Havoc x 11
B-25J Mitchell x 124
No Allied losses
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 24
Aircraft Attacking:
All bombing at 10000 feet

09/03/43
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 57
A-20B Boston x 9
A-20G Havoc x 11
B-25J Mitchell x 101
No Allied losses
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 38
Aircraft Attacking:
All bombing at 10000 feet
=============================================
09/04/43
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 10
P-40B Tomahawk x 61
A-20B Boston x 9
A-20G Havoc x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 78
No Allied losses
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 33
Aircraft Attacking:
All bombing at 10000 feet
=============================================
09/05/43
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 12
P-40B Tomahawk x 58
A-20B Boston x 9
A-20G Havoc x 11
B-25J Mitchell x 102
No Allied losses
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 89
Aircraft Attacking:
All bombing at 10000 feet
=============================================

In other theaters, scattered bombing of targets in the Tavoy, Burma area are reported as causing minor Japanese casualties. Lunga, Solomons is getting attention from tactical air out of Rennell Island, with the occasional strike by Privateers from Luganville. No air opposition is reported in either area.

Operation JEHOVAH is underway. Once it has landed and is established, expect OLD FARTHING to ensue; target date for completion of both is 3-4 weeks.

If you have any questions, see the Information Officer on your way out of the briefing.

Editor’s note: I tried to truncate the CR reports as much as possible for readability.