PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[Rob Brennan UK]

I'd love to see you whittle his night fighter pool of F6's down next .. imagine !!!!!!!!!!

[PzB74]

It seems a bit odd to me that the threat of being hit by a few hundred kamis in 44-45 raises so much concern.
This was the reality in the real war, and should be a relevant threat in this game as well.

My guesstimate is that of 1000 trained kami Zekes, some 250 will hit enemy ships. Perhaps 50-75 will hit 5-8
enemy carriers of all types.

If I manage to score hits by using conventional bombers and low level kami attacks, I will referain from using the
high altitude fighters in kamikaze missions.

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: PzB

It seems a bit odd to me that the threat of being hit by a few hundred kamis in 44-45 raises so much concern.
This was the reality in the real war, and should be a relevant threat in this game as well.

Well let’s be fair, we can't mimic picket ships in WitP and a lot of Kami's attacked them instead of the fleet’s main body. So trying to equate a few hundred hits in WitP with the historical hits achieved isn't really fair. Your few hundred will hit mostly vital ships like CV's and troop transports instead of some picket DD's 60 miles from the main fleet.

Also only about 30 of the 300 ships hit were sunk. I bet you get a far better result than a 10% sink rate just due to the bloody nature of combat routines in the game engine.

I agree the engine needs to be tweaked to let kami's through the CAP in historical numbers. But I also think Andy's objection of your exploiting a game quirk is more than justified. At least when allied heavy bombers fly too high to be intercepted there is a serious loss of accuracy. Kamis should suffer the same serious degrade in accuracy I think.

Jim

[veji1]

Come on Jim !!! Are you saying that it is not possible to use picket ships in WITP ? Have you read Andy's and Pauk's AAR on their PBEM and many other AARS ? Picket ships can and are used in WITP, so this objection of yours appears to me largely unfounded..

Before complaining that PZB will end up sinking too many capital ships could you please wait for him to sink at least one ? Please ?

[Nemo121]

One can simulate picket ships in WiTP by creating several DD TFs in the same hex as the US CV TF. Some of the kamikazes will get decoyed into attacking the picket ships. Simple and effective!
 
I also think Veji's comment is hillarious and agree with him. Before condemning something as over-powered because you "bet" and feel in your waters that kamikazes will have x effect on the game lets wait and see shall we? I personally think that if you look at it logically the Zekes won't be sinking any ships in CV-protected TFs ( since they don't pack a sufficiently strong punch on a per plane basis). They will be causing increasing system damage and create a gradual drain of ships from the TFs which will disrupt these TFs and, perhaps, make a full-blooded Kami-Sally strike a possibility... which may actually result in sinkings.
 
However until we see this all in action who knows what will happen? Andy should see sense though and take the northern Borneo bases before taking Taan and Formosa. This gives him large bases for LBA and minimises PzBs ability to bring large ground formations to bear. However he will probably try for one more major CV-supported invasion as he doesn't seem the sort to really re-adjust on the fly and if he does go for this CV invasion then he WILL suffer losses, not because of poor in-game modelling but simply because he has over-extended this force and thus should be suffering pretty serious losses.

[mogami]

Hi, I think expecting 250 out of 1000 is a bit high. 120 out of 1000 would be closer to what actually occured.
But also I think you will use closer to 3000 aircraft in these type attacks and so will get close to the 300 historical hits.  The problem with using shorter range aircraft in kamikaze role is their being caught on ground by air attacks on turns there are no naval targets.

I think it is a waste of trained pilots to use them as Kamikazes let the experiance 40-50 pilots fly these missions (and send greater numbers) and keep trained fighter pilots over your Home Island production centers. You want to force the enemy into bombing at night because that is less then 10 percent as effective as bombing in daylight.

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: veji1
Picket ships can and are used in WITP, so this objection of yours appears to me largely unfounded..

I would agree with you except for one thing. The game engine seems to have x-ray vision when choosing targets and always chooses loaded transports over non-loaded transports.

I’ve played through the opening weeks probably 6-8 times in PBEM games and every single time no matter how many “picket” ship task forces I created as decoys when trying to sneak forces out of the PI, the Japanese air strikes ALWAYS hit my loaded ships 100% of the time. The decoys were only targeted after the vital task forces were damaged or sunk.

As to my posts timing, give me a break. I was responding to PZB’s musings. I think it would be a bit weird to wait several weeks before replying. I did say, “I bet he would get”, I didn’t say he would get. It was merely a conversational observation, not some declaration of fact.

Jim

[Rainerle]

Maybe thats because a loaded ship is easily distinguished  from an empty ship ???

[PzB74]

Picket ships can be simulated well enough, problem is they will receive the same CAP protection as the carriers in the same hex.
I agree that only time will show how effective the kamis will be. After trying to punch a whole in the enemy CAP for more than a year,
I'm not very keen on trying since it will mean the end of another 500 ac.

Have to experiment with different approaches, doubt I will drop 500 high altitude Zekes into Andy's carrier TFs. The threat and continual
employment of them could be more interesting. You wont' sink many capital ships with Zekes, pretty sure of that.

Andy's not the only one that has been struggling with ac that can't be intercepted. Not long ago since my ships in Manila hit mines laid by
B29s. While their use was reduced, Andy didn't stop laying aerial mines. It's important to find an approach that provides game balance.
Zame with high altitude kami Zekes - I don't like it, and it can be called a lot of things. Still, it brings a little balance to the Force by making
it possible to finally break through the Uber CAP.

Guess the number of hits by kamis depend on several factors Mogami;
1. Pilot experience/fatigue
2. Target sped and manouverability
3. Enemy FLAK

I've seen 9/10 low experience kamikaze miss fast and manouverable targets. More successful against
cargo ships and transports.

Diving from 38k feet would be a step-by step process. It would be very difficult to see an ac diving out of the sun,
picking up speed and manouvering before diving towards a target. There should really be an 'out of the sun-clouds' option in WitP.
Surprise is THE most important element in war, how is it possible to create a wargame without it!? [;)]

[LittleJoe]

ORIGINAL: Rainerle

Maybe thats because a loaded ship is easily distinguished from an empty ship ???

I wouldnt imagine so, if you fly down close enough to check you would get flakked down.

[mogami]

Hi, Dive bombing takes place from around 7k feet. Any aircraft that began a dive at 38k would have it's wings fall off. (I don't think Zekes have dive brakes) Kamikazes tried to come in low where they could not be intercepted from below and attacks from above had to break off because attacker had to pull up. (I do think they tried to attack from higher as well to achive the classic "high low" attack but the high attacks were effectively intercepted.  Also AA fire was reduced against low attacks because fewer ships could target the aircraft. This is why so many outer ships were attacked (the pilots could not see the entire TF and attacked the first ship they saw)

[PzB74]

No, it would have to be a circling, diving decent out of the sun.
Should be possible to intercept - but also possible to arrive undetected. That applies to all altitudes...

[Honda]

A low angle dive can produce high-speed but just enough to keep the wings intact. It was practiced by german medium bombers in BoB to outrun Hurricanes (and maybe Spits, I'm not sure).

[Nemo121]

Well I don't think anyone believes that a Zeke could dive from 38,000 feet without suffering from structural failure BUT it could certainly arrive in the CAP area at its operational ceiling and then rapidly trade height for speed in a relatively deep dive to 5 or 6000 feet over the ships ( from which a succesful steep dive could be ahieved).
 
So I'd be fully in favour of fixing the high altitude Kami-Zeke and modelling it more appropriately but ONLY if the code changes applied to UeberCAP also AT THE SAME TIME. No fair agitating for an answer to uebercap to be fixed if you don't agitate for uebercap to be fixed at the same time. But definitely we should always push for more realistic modelling of forces and their capabilities in the game.

[PzB74]

You know, the George got a top ceiling of 41k feet..but its payload is minute.
Don't want to use my best figthers as kamis either.

Today we got some veery satisfying results from night naval attacks.
1 enemy Hellcat shot down and a transport torpedoed. Andy WILL need his night fighters
from now on [:)] Been working hard for this little success, made me feel soooo gooood [:D]

Somehow I feel that our defenses are now better than ever. The loss of the advanced bases and
arrival of fresh troops have made it easier to prepare a defense in depth.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/24/44

Air Combat

We certainly got of night attacks today - our 'spotting' techniques
are paying off! [8D]

Night Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 12

Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5N Hellcat: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Amador
AK Alhena
AP George F. Elliot

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 16
H8K Emily x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
H8K Emily: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses - Emily's got claws...
F6F-5N Hellcat: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged [;)]

Allied Ships
AP George F. Elliot
DE Whitman
AK Memphis City
AK Cheleb
AK Ascella
DE Harold C. Thomas
AO Saugatuck

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x H8K Emily launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x H8K Emily launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
H8K Emily x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5N Hellcat: 5 damaged

Allied Ships [:D]
AO Saugatuck
AP Wayne, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage finally!!!
LCI(G) LCI(G)-77, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x H8K Emily launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x H8K Emily launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 711th USA Tank Battalion, at 33,62

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 711th USA Tank Battalion, at 33,62

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Noemfoor at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 12
P1Y Frances x 15

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 6 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DE Lamons
AK Benjamin Carpenter, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
SC SC-631
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Noemfoor at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 3
P1Y Frances x 11

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 1 damaged
P1Y Frances: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DE Lamons, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DE Hilbert
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Our troops are back in Tarakan with 9 forts and 465 AP!

Ground combat at 33,62

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 7402 troops, 0 guns, 379 vehicles, Assault Value = 220

Defending force 7451 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 152

Allied max assault: 284 - adjusted assault: 84

Japanese max defense: 103 - adjusted defense: 41

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 6

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Attack! [:D]

[Nemo121]

Hmm, do you mind telling us what your technique for night attacks is?
 
The best concept I've come up with is just stuffing the hexes you think the enemy CV TF may move along with subs and setting daitai to night attack and then waiting.

[PzB74]

It's about patience and spotting levels me thinks Nemo!
Andy is keeping his ships in Balikpapan for a long period of time, and I think my subs and night fighter attacks
increase the detection levels. When detection levels get high enough this may trigger air attacks by the experienced
air units on night naval attack in nearby bases.

[PzB74]

Not a lot to report: Noemfoor is hit by super heavy bomardments.
Probably another assault on its way, Andy may have brought in fresh troops?

Redeployment of troops is nearing its completion. No more major reinforcements
for a while, but I'm quite happy with what's available. Still a bit uncertain about
how the bases in Malaya can be protected.

Several 100k's of resources have arrived in the Home Islands over the last month.
Will be interesting to see what impact this will have on reserves.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/25/44

Day Air attack on Amboina , at 39,73

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 15

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 3
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 2
B-25J Mitchell x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 2 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 632nd USA Tank Destroyer Battalion, at 33,62

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 632nd USA Tank Destroyer Battalion, at 33,62

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Noemfoor at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 9

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DE Lamons, heavy damage
AK Acubens

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
4 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
4 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Quiet...before the storm as usual.
Just a few days left of July and the Peggy bomber will go into production soon.
Some 100 units pr month will replace Sally and Helen units.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/26/44

Air Combat

More heavy raids against Noemfoor. We bring in supplys by air
and loose 12 transports. A Daitai of Zekes provided cover and lost 15 ac, but
managed to inflict some losses on the enemy.

Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 13

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 4
Kittyhawk I x 10
Kittyhawk III x 8
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 14
Beaufort V-IX x 15
F-5C Lightning x 6
A-20G Havoc x 11
B-25J Mitchell x 12
PB4Y Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 125

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 2 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 197
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Noemfoor , at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 4

Allied aircraft
Mosquito PR.IX x 6
P-38J Lightning x 44
PB4Y Liberator x 9
B-29 Superfortress x 118

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 190
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 20

Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 2
B-24J Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 711th USA Tank Battalion, at 33,62

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 815th USA Tank Destroyer Battalion, at 33,62

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several strikes against enemy ships at Noemfoor. Our units are resilient, quite a few
of the downed pilots return after a few days. The same formations have been in combat
for several weeks.

Day Air attack on TF, near Noemfoor at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 26

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
SC SC-631, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DE Lamons, heavy damage
AK Benjamin Carpenter, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Australian Victory

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
1 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
4 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
4 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
4 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
4 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
4 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Noemfoor at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 10
B7A Grace x 5
P1Y Frances x 9

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed
B7A Grace: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
P1Y Frances: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Australian Victory
AK Benjamin Carpenter, on fire, heavy damage
DE Lamons, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Noemfoor at 45,76

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 13

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DE Lamons, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DE Hilbert
AK Benjamin Carpenter, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
4 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
4 x P1Y Frances bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/27/44

Surface Combat

A small surface combat group was ordered to intercept the enemy convoy
during daylight. The Kashii withstood the enemy 5" shells and damaged several
enemy destroyers and an LST.

Day Time Surface Combat at 37,64

Japanese Ships
CL Kashii, Shell hits 12
DD Yugure, Shell hits 1
DD Hatakaze
PC Yashiro, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Kalk, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Stevenson, Shell hits 1
DD Thorn, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot
DE Dionne
DE Duffy
DE Eisele
DE Elden
DE Fleming
DE Gilmore
DE Charles R. Greer
AP President Fillmore
AP American Legion
AP Frederick Funston
AP Hunter Liggett
LST LST-28
LST LST-30
LST LST-31
LST LST-34
LST LST-38
LST LST-39, Shell hits 2, on fire
LST LST-121
LST LST-122
LST LST-123
LST LST-171
LST LST-176
LST LST-219
LST LST-220
LST LST-224
LST LST-225
LST LST-226
LST LST-227
LST LST-240
LST LST-241
LST LST-242
LST LST-243
LST LST-244
LST LST-245
LST LST-246
LST LST-247
LST LST-248
LST LST-249
LST LST-268
LST LST-269
LST LST-270
LST LST-271
LST LST-272
LST LST-273
LST LST-274
LST LST-275
LST LST-276
LST LST-277
LST LST-335
LST LST-343
LST LST-344
LST LST-353

Allied ground losses: - this means that enemy troops are moving in...not out!
40 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

A dud hit was scored by the night bombers! 2 enemy night fighters were shot down.

Night Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Autauga

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 10
H8K Emily x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
H8K Emily: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5N Hellcat: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Autauga
AK Situla
LCI(G) LCI(G)-77, heavy damage
AP Wayne, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x H8K Emily launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x H8K Emily launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5N Hellcat: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
LCI(G) LCI(G)-77, heavy damage
AK Autauga

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Menado , at 39,67

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 14

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 18
B-29 Superfortress x 116

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 7 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 5 destroyed
J1N1-S Irving: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-29 Superfortress: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
153 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 16
Runway hits 162
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 815th USA Tank Destroyer Battalion, at 32,62

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 815th USA Tank Destroyer Battalion, at 32,62

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 5000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 47,76

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
TK K.R. Kingsbury

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A large enemy convoy is approaching the Makassar Strait from the Celebes Sea.
Two small strikes escorted by a larger number of fighters fought it out with the
enemy CAP. Losses were, as always, in the 80%+ range.

Day Air attack on TF at 37,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 23
G4M2 Betty x 11
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 12

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 35
F6F Hellcat x 6
Spitfire VIII x 4
Kittyhawk III x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 5
P-38J Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 23 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 7 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 2 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 5 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Barnes

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We continue to find targets around the Northern tip of PNG!

Day Air attack on TF at 45,74

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 8
B7A Grace x 3
P1Y Frances x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Benjamin Carpenter, on fire, heavy damage
DE Lamons, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 14
G4M2 Betty x 6
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 30
F6F Hellcat x 2
Spitfire VIII x 4
Kittyhawk III x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 5
P-38J Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 14 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 6 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 3 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Convoy Battles!