A not so good day: We were a bit unlucky with the presence of enemy carriers returning
from the Balikpapan mission. They hit one of our cruiser squadrons and I had to scuttle
one ca while another one may sink. 3 destroyers were also hit, but should make it.
Quite amazing that one ca got away without a scratch!
Still, the harassment raids will continue.
Numerous air units arrived today including 2x27 Betty, 3x36 Oscar II, 2x27 Irving night fighters
and 1x48 George. Avg exp is in their 40s. Not great, in need of 2-3 months training before going to
the front. Still, a good reserve force.
A reserve division was loaded at Bombay today, it will go to Malaya/Burma region.
Tomorrow a crack division will unload over Singakwang on NW Borneo together with an engineer rgt and
a coastal defense unit. I will shuffel these force around a bit, one regiment Palembang and Toboali perhaps.
Were should I put the coastal guns, Singapore...Palembang?
Hopefully we can fight a holding action on this part of the front while larger reinforcements closes of
the 'Inner Citadel'. Luzon, Formosa, Okinama are being turned into veritable fortresses with mines, heavy
guns and good troops.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/14/44
Air Combat
All means - even the ineffective ones are used...
Night Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64
Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-S Irving: 1 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
22 x J1N1-S Irving bombing at 2000 feet
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Noemfoor is hit hard: Andy wants it. Using B-29s in a ground pounding role.
2 days ago a heavy cruiser was hit by a B-29 on naval search [8|]
Day Air attack on 32nd Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 45,76
Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 22
PB4Y Liberator x 7
B-29 Superfortress x 89
Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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I though there were a few escort carriers NE of the Makassar strait...year right!
Day Air attack on TF at 36,62
Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 12
Corsair IV x 2
SB2C Helldiver x 21
TBM Avenger x 21
Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 2 damaged
TBM Avenger: 14 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Atago
CA Myoko
DD Sagiri, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ayanami
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Day Air attack on TF at 36,62
Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 9
TBM Avenger x 7
Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 36,62
Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 7
SB2C Helldiver x 47
TBM Avenger x 33
Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBM Avenger: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko - look how she dodges everything thrown at her!
CA Takao, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Oboro, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Atago, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 36,62
Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 18
TBM Avenger x 10
Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 7 damaged
TBM Avenger: 6 damaged
Japanese Ships - this cripples the Takao. She is scuttled. The Atago will haul herself towards port, but I
don't think she can be saved.
CA Takao, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Myoko
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Our naval strike - which I hoped would materialize against enemy cve/transports, finds
the enemy Uber CAP. Gawd I hate this game aspect, most laughable as usual.
Day Air attack on TF at 37,65
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 48
G4M1 Betty x 9
P1Y Frances x 5
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 16
Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 178
Corsair IV x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 44 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 9 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 5 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 16 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 9 destroyed, 8 damaged
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We do get in some hits today:
Day Air attack on TF, near Makale at 32,67
Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 14
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 26
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
Spitfire VIII x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
LCT LCT-177, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Michael C. Kerr
AK Gainsar
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Noemfoor at 45,76
Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 2
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4
P-40N Warhawk x 2
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
DE Lamons
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 44,72
Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
TK Paul Shoup, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 42,71
Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 15
P1Y Frances x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
P1Y Frances: 5 damaged
Allied Ships
AR Christy Mathewson
TK Baldbutte
TK Samuel Q Brown
TK Chicopee, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *burns*
MSW Vireo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 44,71
Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
TK Deroche, on fire
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Day Air attack on TF at 45,74
Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
TK J.A. Moffett
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the situation in the SRA/PI/PNG
Think we missed the enemy convoy by 1 hex: and then of course Andy chose this day
to return his carriers from Balikpapan...rainy weather forecast: all clear AM, all
rainy PM. Need more luck than that.
We will try again tomorrow! [8D]
