Niceguy vs Graycompany: Death to the Meatball....Strategy talk

[niceguy2005]

11/6/42

Bombings along the Ganges continue...Japan launched a coordinated air strike on China...100 Sallys hit Kweiyang and 100 Helens attacked Chunking, while zeros swept Chengtu. Kweiyang got pasted, but 47 P-40s from the 24th FG took on 53 Zeros...27 Zeros and 19 Helens were downed for the loss of 2 P-40s.

11/7/42

More bombings along the Ganges...Japanese ASW near Rangoon has been fierce...CL Newcastle attacked an ASW squadron at Andaman Is and sunk a PC and APD...Over 100 B-24s and B-17s at Darwin flew against Kendari...LUCK we caught most of the enemy on the ground...19 Tony's flying CAP gave the 11th BG hell downing 10 (14 total lost)...the raid claimed 5 Tonys, 8 Zeros, 3 Theresas, 6 Nells and 1 Betty, moderate damage to the AF. Unfortunately he had his Betty squadron on a mission to strafe PT boats near Kai. The Kendari raid is an attempt to seriously interdict the AF for an important operation in the Banda sea....It is the only base in the area other than Koepang he can launch Bettys and Nells from, at least with torpedos...more to follow.

[niceguy2005]

11/8/42

The word for the day is severe disappointment...my trap in the Banda Sea did not succeed...see map below.

Several days ago recon determined that the TF at anchor at Sorong was a carrier force (2 CVs spotted)...for the last two days heavy bombers attacked the AF at Kendari, which was the only AF in the area that could launch Bettys and Nells equipped with torpedos. Lady Lex, Illustrious and Formidable had taken up position (without being spotted) to make a run at the TF at Sorong. The AF at Kai Island was to be equipped with 2 squadrons of P-40s and P-38s to provide air cover...today the carrier TF was spotted steaming due east.

Otherwise I lost 6 more bombers on the Kendari attack and CAP was bolstered to 30 Tonys...The 49th FG flying P-40Es flew patrol over Thursday Is. The fighter group needed combat experience and got it. 47 P-40s met 52 Zeros and 72 Bettys...losses were

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 11 destroyed, 9 damaged

My brave pilots flew well though and I know have 6 pilots with 78 or better experience.

[niceguy2005]

11/29/42

I am getting back to the AAR after many turns of not too much happening. The Allies paused in their operations after the debacle near Kai Is.

The US fleet has largely completed its upgrades including almost all US carriers. Hornet still needs its 10/42 upgrade.

The operation against Akyab has been cancelled. Reinforcements seemed to have arrived and the port is heavily mined. Also, the need to conduct the operation has dissappeared. China's supply level is on the rise and my troops are doing well.

I have another operation in the works, but absolute secrecy is being maintained.

In China, Japan has launched to attacks to try and complete the incirclement of Chunking. The road to west from Chunking may be contested for quite a while, but the move to cut the road to Chengtu will fail. (map to follow soon)

With the Aleutians in Allied hands virtually all easily taken territory has been captured. From here on it war becomes VERY bloody. While I do see some weak spots in Graycompany's defense, they are few and not easily exploited until I have knocked back the IJN a notch or two. Other than sinking a bunch of CLs the ony capital ship the IJN has lost is one CA (Mogami I think).



The #1 task is to find and engage the IJN. The USN can now accept considerable losses but MUST sink IJN ships. To that end Halsey will be taken out of SouthPac and given command of a fleet.

The following is from a discussion Graycompany and I have had about the game.

interesting that it is a brit that is top, but maybe not considering The india theater. I am not sure my best plane is, I like the tony, not to impressed with the tojo so far, I have twice as many tony's as tojo's. I like the new zero, althought the range sucks sometime. I have all new zero's on the CV's as the range is less important, I am not to sure about the jack, comes in 43 sometime. One thing that is troubling, as the nell is gone from my production, and I cant convert anything to it. I have a number, in reserve, but I have betty's coming out my ears. Production is wonderful, so far. I have over 1 million plus of oil in the home isle, and plenty of resources, I have over 4 million supply, I guess I am as ready as I can be. I am approaching 900 planes a month. I shut down almost every ship coming in that is not a War ship, and I have engines stock Piled, I decided early to stick with only a few different plane types, as this seems to help production with engines.

Like I said its going to be a long and VERY bloody war.

One last thing for now, the US sub fleet has nearly doubled in size. It also has been upgraded and is launching an offensive against Japanese shipping.

[niceguy2005]

Fast Forward to 1/6/43...

I'm starting up the AAR again after a couple of months. The war in the pacifc took a deep breathe in anticipation of the clash to come...for many weeks the allied fleet has been at Pearl and the West coast upgrading and preparing to go on the offensive. With neither side having lost a carrier commanders are certain that a major confrontation is looming....

Meanwhile the shipping lanes from San Francisco to the South Pacific have been full of ships moving supplies and troops to staging areas. The allies now have the ability to operate considerable air operations in the South pacifc...supplies are plentiful.

Major offensive operations are underway...but strict radio silence is being observed.

Today's Action
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/06/43

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Kai Island at 39,78
For months the IJN has interdicted supplies to Kai Is. 4 DDs materialize off the beach hoping to catch a freighter. Instead the find a small PT boat squadron. The action was short and intense with only 1 5" round being fired.

Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio
DD Shiranuhi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 3, on fire 2 hits from 20mm cannon recorded as severe engine damage.
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 5

Allied Ships
PT PT-148
PT PT-150
PT PT-156, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
PT PT-157

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Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35
The first of several large raids by Japan as its air force flexes its muscle.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Ki-21 Sally x 100
Ki-15 Babs x 5

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
337 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 63

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
18 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
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Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32
Heavily outnumbered the Buffalo squadron is all but wiped out, wounding my top Buffalo ace (8 kills). The Aussies didn't fare much better. Smashed all fighter units have withdrawn to India to rebuild. They will return shortly.
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 30
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 40
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-49 Helen x 105

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 14
Kittyhawk I x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 14 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 11 destroyed
I-16c: 7 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 29
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 111

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87
The Allies launch a series of long range airfield attacks on Lae to try and reduce the threat posed by Japanese airpower at Lae. Resistance is strong.

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 23
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 23

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 destroyed, 21 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87
Second raid
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 22
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 23

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 7 destroyed, 17 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87
P-38s sweep the skies over Lae as my best squadron in the theater scores several kills.
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 14

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged


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Day Air attack on TF, near Kai Island at 39,78
Torpedo bombers from Ambonia try to stop the resupply of Kai island but pay the price.
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 7

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 4
Spitfire Vb x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 5 destroyed


Allied Ships
MSW Cessnock

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 4000 feet

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: niceguy2005
--

DD Shikinami, Shell hits 3, on fire 2 hits from 20mm cannon recorded as severe engine damage.
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 5

that is one of my favourites... even a 0.5 cal can sink Japanese DD... but Nicks with 37 mm guns has trouble even with DE....


anyways, nice to see you back in AAR!

[niceguy2005]

ORIGINAL: pauk

ORIGINAL: niceguy2005
--

DD Shikinami, Shell hits 3, on fire 2 hits from 20mm cannon recorded as severe engine damage.
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 5

that is one of my favourites... even a 0.5 cal can sink Japanese DD... but Nicks with 37 mm guns has trouble even with DE....


anyways, nice to see you back in AAR!

Hi Pauk. Nice to see you here.

Although the DD animation screen showed the DD heavily damaged from 20mm rounds, I am not convinced the damage really was severe. Second, this is the second best PT boat action I have had all war (first was a mid-java sea intercept of some AKs) Usually the PTs get blasted from the water. I think what helped was my ships were able to close very rapidly with the DDs and they shot first. The .50 caliber and 20mm fire seemed to suppress the secondary guns of the DDs...plus after the PTs unloaded they got the heck out of there.

[niceguy2005]

1/7/43

Mostly a quiet day in the Pacific.

112th Cav Div landed on Nanomea atoll to find it undefended. The sizeable landing force 4 CV +escorts + 3 amphibious TFs made a flawless landing. ALthough I suspected the atol was undefended I sent everyone. This is the new Allied policy. After my experience where weeks of recon showed Thursday Is unoccuppied. In that campaign the 2nd USMC para bn ended up fighting a 1 week pitched battle at the definitely not unoccupied base until reinforcements could arrive.

In other events escorts badly damaged I-22...I was happy to have saved a few Dutch torpedo bombers their range is perfect for operation from Kai Is. Today they attacked a Japanese DD.

[niceguy2005]

1/8/43 through 1/12/43

Landings have pretty much been completed at Nanomea Atoll...engineers have a level 1 AF up and running. Marine air units flying Wildcats (1 squadron) and SBDs (1 squadron) are now stationed there...Inexplicably Yorktown broke orders and returned to Nanomea...while there she struck a mine...sys damage is 34%...thankfully Essex shows up in 7 days.

In other news medium and long range bombers from Calcutta and Diamond Harbor attacked airfields in Northern Burma. Airfields at Akyab, Mandalay, Pagan and Dacca are largely shut down. Brittish and Indian troops are massing along the Gangees. The Japanese Air Force has a strong presence in Southern Burma.

I am loading units currently for the next major operation details to follow (maybe with a map) later this week.

[niceguy2005]

1/13/43 to 1/19/43

Bad week for the Allies

CV Yorktown made Canton Is...hole from the mine has been patched and she is on her way to PH....with 47sys damage she is out of action for a while.

A massive japanese bombardment fleet put Thursday Is out of commission for a while. Casualty rate amoung ENG units was about 70%...airfield has been down a week, no engineers to repair it.

Nautilus spared with ASW ships in the Indian ocean...Also, UK ASW sunk 1 I boat.

Bombings in Burma have shifted from the Airfields at Mandalay and Pagan to ground units at Akyab. Japanese recon plane was intercepted my Wildcats and Seafires at Madras. It may also have spotted several large transport TFs...THAT SHOULD GET GRAYCOMPANY's ATTENTION. [X(]

First pack of subs left Anchorage bound for the Japanese coast. I think there are 8 subs in the group...we'll see if allied subs have improved...as the first group in 43 goes hunting.

Small surface action of Nanomea Atoll.
Japan again uses its CLs effectively attacking a minesweeping operation at night.
Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 1
DD Yukikaze

Allied Ships
DMS Zane, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage...Zane bravely took on the two agressors while the other ships tried to disperse. Sys 75%, Flt 50%...she is headed for the small harbor at Wallis Is. but her fate appears to be sealed.
DMS Trevor
MSW Deloraine
MSW Kapunda, Shell hits 11, and is sunk

Ironically Trevor and Deloraine returned to Nanomea again during the day to sweep mines.

[niceguy2005]

Since it is the start of a new year (1943)

From a score standpoint I feel the Allies have done not too badly.

[niceguy2005]

Plane losses to date...

[niceguy2005]

Areas of responsiblity for each major command. Still the Allies are mostly in a defensive position. Seems the momentum is shifting though.

[niceguy2005]

1/20/43

During 1942 Allied sub doctrine called for the use of subs primarily for picket and scouting duty. As of 1943 Allied subs are now being used, not only for picket duty but for patrol deep into Japanese territory. The current mission is to map out Japanese shipping lanes. This is in preparation for allied attacks on japanese shipping, hopefully to commence by 4/43

Today Subs dueled with Japanese ASW forces...it went badly for Japan today.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 27,35
Hibiki briefly makes contact with Nautilus, but the sub slips away, again.
Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
SS Nautilus

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Sub attack at 60,77
Patroling off Truk Sawfish gets an opportunity to attack a patrol ship
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 20, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage sunk
PC Takunan Maru #2
PG Ikunta Maru
PG Heijo Maru
DD Oshio

Allied Ships
SS Sawfish, hits 1 No significant damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detecting several subs south of Japans stronghold at Rabaul an ASW group is dispatched to patrol. SS Runner is attacked, but she easily slips away.

ASW attack at 61,89

Japanese Ships
APD APD-39
APD APD-37
APD APD-34
DD Tachikaze
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
SS Runner, hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,77
The ASW group NW of Truk again makes contact, more warry this time
Japanese Ships
PC Takunan Maru #2
PG Ikunta Maru
PG Heijo Maru
DD Oshio

Allied Ships
SS Sawfish

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Sub attack at 61,89
SS Runner lines up a shot on APD-39, as the hunter becomes the hunted. Lucky shot! The APD is hit amid ship, causing severe listing. DD Tachikaze locates Runner and commence to depth charge her, but Runner gets away.

Japanese Ships
APD APD-39, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Sunk
APD APD-37
APD APD-34
DD Tachikaze
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
SS Runner, hits 2

[niceguy2005]

1/21/43 to 1/24/43

ASW vs Sub war continues around PNG...I-154 badly damaged by DD Wordern south of Aru Island...Numerous patrol boats hunt subs off Rabaul

Bombings continue in China...with allied air power gone from China, except for Buffs and Kittyhawks at Chengtu...Japan sends massed air attacks against Kweiyang and Chungking

Operation Pegasus

The invasion of Akyab is underway. The allied fleet is now off Diamnond Harbor and is turning to proceed on a direct course for its destination. Weeks of bombing airfields at Dacca, Pagan, Mandalay and Akyab has ensured that northern Burma is free of Japanese air power. A cap umbrella now exists over eastern Indian and Northen Burma. 140 P-38s and 70 P-40Bs will protect the invasion site from their bases at Calcutta and Diamond Harbor. Enterprise, Lexington, Wasp, Formidable and Illustrious will escort the invasion and augment the CAP.

Third Corp is tasked with securing Akyab and repairing the Airfield as quickly as possible. The landing will consist of the 2nd UK Div, 5th Ind Div and 254th Arm Bde. Supporting is the 101st RN base force, Madras and Bombay combat engineer regiments and 6th Med Art regiment. It is expected that there are at least 3 based forces, dug in behind strong fortifications. Supplies however may be low

On January 24th Valiant and Resolution, along with 4 cruisers opened fire on the base. Causing an estimated 550 casualties and badly damaging the port. Shore battery fire was light.

Also on the 24th Nautilus made contact with a task force and reporting sighting as many as 5 CA East Southeast of Rangoon. Three more subs will arrive in the area on the 25th to investigate. This is considered the most likely area for Japanese carriers to try to intercept the landing force.

The landings should commence on January 26th.

[niceguy2005]

1/25/43...

Invasion force is 120 miles off the Burma coast and will make its run in for the landing during the next night phase...23 Betties with 11 Zeros launched an attack from Rangoon...they were met by a strong cap of 73 Wildcats, 32 Seafires, 11 Lightnings and 4 Tomahawks....10 Zeros and 11 Bettys were downed for the loss of 1 Wildcat...

The TF that Nautilus spotted ESE of Rangoon is retreating toward Singapore...I have 3 subs in the straight hoping to get a shot at a CV.

In other news, Essex is about to join my CV force in Southpac...I hope to conduct a CV raid of the Japanese outer defenses...still probing and looking for a weakness...fortress Solomons is very strong...

Another baseforce is unloading at Nanomea...the battle damaged DMS Zane made it to Wallis Is but could not be saved as she sank overnight...first Corsair sqn arrived at SF and is already on board ship and headed for PH.

[niceguy2005]

Operation Pegasus a Success

1/26/43 through 1/30/43
26th January a combined US/UK fleet nears the coast of Burma near Akyab. The 5th Indian Div leads the landing. LGEN Alexander and III Corp quickly puts 5th Div, 6th Med ART and 2 Eng Rgt ashore, with 2nd UK Div and 254th ARM still landing.

Meanwhile a transport TF is expertly ambushed by the IJN in what later becomes known as the Nanomea massacre
1/26/43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1049 encounters mine field at Akyab (30,29)

Allied Ships
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Napier, Mine hits 1, on fire Napier is unlucky enough to hit what the allies will discover is hundreds if not thousands of mines...wounded she takes leave of her duty as escort and heads for Diamond Harbor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1002 encounters mine field at Akyab (30,29)

TF 1002 troops unloading over beach at Akyab, 30,29

Minesweepers start their work
Allied Ships
MSW Burnie
MSW Cromer

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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TF 1004 encounters mine field at Akyab (30,29)

TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Akyab, 30,29

Despite a small fleet of minesweepers some mines are missed. Initial coastal gun fire is light as the first transports pull within range.
Allied Ships
MSW Cromarty
MSW Quail
MSW Finch
DMS Lamberton
AK Santa Teresa, Mine hits 1
PG Genista
AK Washingtonian, Mine hits 1, on fire
AK Empire Cougar, Mine hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Akyab, 30,29, firing at TF 1004
15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
PG Genista, Shell hits 1


Allied ground losses:
335 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1036 encounters mine field at Akyab (30,29)

TF 1036 troops unloading over beach at Akyab, 30,29

Minesweeping continues as shore battery fire intensifies and the transports work their way in.
Allied Ships
MSW Abraham Crijnssen
MSW Bungaree
MSW Poole
MSW Patna
DMS Boggs
PG Thyme, Mine hits 1, on fire critically hit Thymes crew works to save her as the turn and head for home port

Coastal Guns at Akyab, 30,29, firing at TF 1036
324 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.The japanese let loose with all their guns. The smaller caliber weapons are not strong enough to damage Enterprises armor, but do heavy damage to the transports...casualites in the initial wave are heavy...still the landing presses on.
Allied Ships
AP Taiyuan, Shell hits 8, on fire
AP Ariadne Moller, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CL Enterprise, Shell hits 2
MSW Abraham Crijnssen, Shell hits 3
AP Kanimba, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
1136 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

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UK bombers provide ground support
Day Air attack on 122nd IJA Base Force, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 34


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
14 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
10 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 8


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

1/27/43

TF 1036 encounters mine field at Akyab (30,29)

TF 1036 troops unloading over beach at Akyab, 30,29


Allied Ships
MSW Abraham Crijnssen
MSW Bungaree
MSW Poole
MSW Patna
DMS Boggs
AP Taiyuan, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

coastal batteries are suppressed some, but troops landing still take heavy fire.
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Akyab, 30,29, firing at TF 1036
272 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Abraham Crijnssen, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Enterprise, Shell hits 3
MSW Bungaree, Shell hits 4
AK Empire Lakeland


Allied ground losses:
547 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Nanomea Atoll at 87,101
A japanese fleet steams to Nanomea at full speed and ambushes a transport fleet delivering the 130 USN base force. The task force is massacred as attempts to retreat are blocked off. 3 allied carriers are 60 miles to the east, but are unable to launch a strike as the enemy is well out of range by daylight.
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Musashi
CA Takao
CL Kuma
CL Tatsuta
DD Akigumo
DD Asagumo
DD Ariake, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Balch, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
DMS Trevor, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
MSW Deloraine, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
MSW Vireo
SC SC-519, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AK Lycaon, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Neleus
AK Mercury, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
228 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

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Naval bombardment of Akyab, at 30,29 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
The RN bombs the shore batteries at Akyab overnight.
39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Frobisher
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 5
CA Exeter, Shell hits 1
CA Portland, Shell hits 8
BB Resolution
BB Valiant

Japanese ground losses:
947 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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TF 1036 encounters mine field at Akyab (30,29)

TF 1036 troops unloading over beach at Akyab, 30,29
Having taken heavy damage Japans anti-ship gunfire is much less intense.

Allied Ships
MSW Abraham Crijnssen, on fire
MSW Bungaree
MSW Poole
MSW Patna
DMS Boggs

Coastal Guns at Akyab, 30,29, firing at TF 1036
161 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Bungaree, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ariadne Moller, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Poole, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
546 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

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Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32
With most of Southeast commands mainline fighters flying cap for operation Pegasus second line fighters try to stop an air attack on Chunking. They are unsuccessful with one squadron of Kittyhwaks and a Dutch squadron of Demons taking heavy losses. The Buffalos squadron is all but wiped out.

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 54
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 48
Ki-21 Sally x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 88
Ki-15 Babs x 4

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 12
Buffalo I x 12
Kittyhawk I x 25
I-153c x 21
I-16c x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 16 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 10 destroyed
Buffalo I: 12 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 15 destroyed
I-153c: 18 destroyed
I-16c: 6 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 71

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
27 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
10 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Base Force, at 30,29
The carriers devot half their attack squadrons to ground support operations...the other half stay on alert in case enemy carriers are sighted.

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 23
TBF Avenger x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Base Force, at 30,29

Further RAF ground support attacks.
Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 40


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
12 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 119th IJA Base Force, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 42
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 26


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
145 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
12 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
16 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
16 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 122nd IJA Base Force, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Seafire x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 12
TBF Avenger x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 122nd IJA Base Force, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 20
B-24D Liberator x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Akyab
With half the landing force ashore LGEN Alexander starts shelling suspected enemy positions.
Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 16799 troops, 167 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 553

Defending force 7524 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 47


Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

[niceguy2005]

Time won't allow me to complete my recap of the Akyab invasion...a quick overall update will have to do.

through 2/6/43
India/Burma
The Akyab invasion is complete, The 6 enemy units including 3 large base forces were so uterally shattered by bombardment and LBA. By the time the final push came from my 2 divisions the defenders couldn't even put up 100 AP, even with level 6 forts.

I have landed almost 100,000 supplies and my units are rebuilding fast. I have 100 fighters based out of there flying CAP. I have a surplus of 3 divisions in India (over and above what I need for holding the Gangees line) and 3 Chindit Bdes.

I find it interesting that Graycompany did not really oppose this invasion. It would have been hard for him to stop, but he just let me put the equivalent of 3 divisions on the flank of his Burma army. If I could successfully move against Rangoon or Mandaly his army in India would be completely cut off.

My main goal in taking Akyab was to reopen the air transport to China. I now have 100 transports flying in supplies daily. There may be other opportunities to exploit this situation though.

China
A total stalemate exists. He has been bombing Chunking I think in preparation for an attack, but two turns ago he shock attacked and lost 10,000 troops. With the Akyab campaign complete I am moving air power back into the theater. As supplies trickle in from India my stockpiles should once again rise. I have several crafty, high risk plans for this theater...stay tuned.

South/Southwest Pac
I have a full strength fleet now in the South Pacific hunting the IJN. The first major naval clash of the war will probably take place near Noumea. This is neutral in terms of air power.

The first P-38s just arrived in the area (most went first to India). The first Corsairs just arrived at Pearl. He has a fortress built from Baker/Tarawa, to GC, to PM and Rabaul. I have selected my next two targets, but that is top secret for now.

The 2nd raider bn just took Ndini and has established a seaplane base.

The build up for Southwest Pac continues.

Central pac/North pac
All is quiet. I have subs out mapping his convoy routes. Three wolfpacks are massed at pearl preparing to began their campaign. Recon planes from the Aelutians overfly the Kuriles daily.

[niceguy2005]

2/13/43 to 2/14/43

Not a lot of time so a quick recap of the last couple of days...the war saw the first carrier "battle" and a major surface action in the Santa Cruz islands....also a bombardment fleet visits Akyab.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/13/43

TF 1021 encounters mine field at Nanomea Atoll (87,101)

Allied Ships
DD Phelps
AK Sidney Hauptmann, Mine hits 1, on fire sub minefield


Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,59

Japanese Ships
MSW W.7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage sunk
PG Shinko Maru #5
PG Hashidate
MSW Kaiyo Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Seal

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on Sorong , at 42,74
Allied strategic bombing campaign is starting off

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 2
B-26B Marauder x 18


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged

Oil hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 77,98
Mitscher defying orders charges after unknown enemy TF. His fighter pilots save his butt by slaughtering the attacking planes. Damage to Essex is minor (5% sys)

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 17
A6M3a Zero x 12
B5N Kate x 43

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 15 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N Kate: 30 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 77,98

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 10 destroyed


Allied Ships
CV Essex

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/14/43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ndini at 72,101
RO-33 fires a round at Colorado but misses.
Japanese Ships
SS RO-33, hits 5

Allied Ships
BB Colorado
DD Hull
DD Stack
DD Benham
DD McCall

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ndini at 72,101
Intending to shell the seaplane base at Ndini Fuso leads a force into position only to find an American TF waiting...still Fuso fires first
Japanese Ships
CS Chitose
BB Fuso, Shell hits 12, on fire 4 hits from 14" guns
CA Mogami, Shell hits 2
CA Aoba, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 4
DD Hasu, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hiyodori, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 4, on fire 3 14" gun hits including one that takes out the bridge
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 6, on fireMassive internal explossion
CA Chicago, Shell hits 4, on fire All 8" gun hits with massive internal fires
CA Quincy, Shell hits 2
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot
DD McCall
DD Benham, Shell hits 1
DD Stack
DD Hull, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ndini at 72,101
Two IJN DDs on patrol probably hunting subs. They launch a long lance attack critically hitting Colorado
Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Chicago, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Quincy, on fire
CA Vincennes, on fire
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD McCall
DD Benham
DD Stack
DD Hull, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Akyab, at 30,29

Spotting a large surface TF yesterday, Akyab airfield is evacuated.
Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa
CA Kumano
BB Yamashiro
BB Nagato
BB Haruna


Allied ground losses:
3668 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
Vehicles lost 11

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 10
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 20,40

Japanese Ships
PG Keijo Maru
PG Hakkai Maru
DD Yugiri
DD Yudachi

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish, hits 4, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 30,29
Bombers from Diamond Harbor make a pointless attack on the IJN BBs and CAs.

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 36
Liberator VI x 21
P-40B Tomahawk x 21


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 10 damaged
Liberator VI: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 1
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 2
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1
CA Kako

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
4 x Liberator VI bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Liberator VI bombing at 7000 feet
8 x Liberator VI bombing at 15000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Liberator VI bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Liberator VI bombing at 15000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 71,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 1

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 21
Liberator VI x 3
P-38G Lightning x 10


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 2
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Liberator VI bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 71,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 20,40

Japanese Ships
PG Keijo Maru
PG Hakkai Maru
DD Yugiri
DD Yudachi

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish, hits 1, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chungking

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7278 troops, 245 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3818

Defending force 113799 troops, 127 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3083



Allied ground losses:
127 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweiyang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2092 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1909

Defending force 95049 troops, 130 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2514



Allied ground losses:
91 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 43,30

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 33608 troops, 325 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1573

Defending force 57697 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1748



Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported

[niceguy2005]

2/15/43

A little less action today.

I-158 shot at CL Nashville...and missed...unknown to Japan this was Saratogas TF.

80 B-24s attacked a fighter base at Buna and were intercepted by 36 Tojos, 1 B-24 was lost for 2 Tojos...another 25 Tojos were damaged and moderate damage was done to the airfield.

A major air raid on Chunking today as the Allies struggle to reestablish air superiority in China...results below...the Kittyhawks and Beafighters were almost wiped out. With supplies low the engineers are struggling to repair the airfield service facilities, that meant only half my P-38s flew.

Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 25
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 67
Ki-21 Sally x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 114
Ki-15 Babs x 5

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 11
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 5
P-38G Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 5 destroyed All P-38 kills
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 26 destroyed, 3 damaged The lightnings tore up the Tonies and the Beaufighters did damage.
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 11 destroyed All lost in the air and only 5 kills claimed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 4 destroyed Actually this unit fought very well and had a better than 1:1 kill ratio
P-38G Lightning: 13 destroyed Most destroyed plains were on the ground


Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Runway hits 45

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 9000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet

Air resources in the east are stretched thin as my fighters struggle to protect China, northern India and now Akyab. The air war will continue to be intense and the RN may get involved.

[niceguy2005]

A recap of the naval battles around Santa Cruz

The battle opens on 2/13/43 with the South Pacific CV Task Group led by Buckmaster moving northwest to engage a TF suspected of being Japanese carriers. As the group closes on its target area recon planes find no ships in the area....Mitcsher wanting to engage the enemy orders his TF full speed ahead and moves another 120 miles to the west overnight...As dawn breaks Japanese planes are spotted...still no sign of the enemy fleet...

Mitscher realizing he is in a bad spot orders all his fighters up and soon 36 Wildcats are flying combat patrol...A pilot spots a wave of enemy planes approaching from the west...a dozen Zeros lead a strike force of more than 50 bombers. The Wildcats tear into the enemy formation wreaking havoc. The enemy fighter escort can't protect the bombers and only a handful survive to attack. Kates manage to drop 2 bombs on the Essex, but cause little damage.

Shortly after anothr dozen Kates approach unescorted. The Wildcats make quick work of them.

Recon planes return without a sightring and Essex is ordered withdrawn overnight.

However, while Essex and her pilots were fighting for their lives 180 miles north of Santa Cruz, another enemy surface force is spotted steaming directly for the small outpost at Ndini. Pennsylvania leads Colorado and escorts to put up a defense screen around the base.

In the early hours of the morning Fuso steams in from the west surprising the defending surface force. She, Aoba and Mogami open fire landing one salvo on Pennsylvania and torpedoing Vincennes. The Allies return fire with the old battlewagons trading salvos with Fuso, both sides taking moderate damage.

The worst of it though comes from the Japanese cruisers. Their accurate gunners quickly zeroing in on the American Cruisers landing several hits. The bridge of the Chicago is blown apart. Aoba takes light damage from Quincy.

The american DDs try to manuever in for a torpedo attack on Fuso, but Hull is treated to a broadside from the battleship for its impudence. The DD moves away badly damaged. Meanwhile, the crew of the Ralph Talbot sight to Japanese destroyers manueveing. It opens fire damaging both, Hasu very badly.

After a long engagement neither side is able to gain the upperhand and the Japanese withdraw. The American fleet also badly damaged moves away to the South during the day, but is spotted by two Japanese Destroyers. The destroyers move into range to attack with their long lance torpedos. The first shots miss and they manuever for a second attack. Alerted to the enemy Pennsylvania and Colorado open fire, but too late. The enemy fires again striking the Colorado. The Japanese destroyers may have achieved a safe retreat had they not attacked a second time, but now with the American fleets guns ranged in shells rain down on the two destroyers which are quickly sunk.

The American surface fleet sustained series damage to all but 2 destroyers.