Bloody Pacific: Pomphat (Allied) vs Amiral Laurent (Japan)

[AmiralLaurent]

23 September 1943

Northern Pacific

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 55 men, Japanese ones 76 men and 1 gun. Allied troops on the island numbered 197 021 men (+856), 1892 guns (+23) and 422 vehicles (+1) for 3638 AV (+49) against 97 110 men (+297), 779 guns (+5) and 7 tankettes for 1702 AV (+1).

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 50/0 (airbase/runway), 419 engineers, 43 110 supplies (-360) and 176 mines. Five more Ki-61 flew in from Shikka and joined the CAP, so the Rufe will fly LRCAP over OJ again tomorrow.

OJ was still damaged and showed damage 2/40 (airfield/port) and recons reported 9 units with 14 760 men (-540), 51 guns (+10) and 33 vehicles (-16). Toyohara bombers were grounded today by bad weather but received again orders to bomb it tomorrow. Two BB, three CA, two CL and six DD formed a bombardment TF in Shikka and will sail to OJ and bombard it tomorrow evening.

Southern Pacific

For some time a survey of the bases of the area had been ordered and was finally done today. The objective was to retire troops from here to bring them to New Guinea. Here is the result:

Nandi: 1 small base force (BF), a big SNLF, a Garnison Unit (fort 9)
Suva: 1 Army HQ, 1 Air HQ, 1 Special Base Force, 1 CD unit, 2 Garrison Unit, a big SNLF, a small SNLF (fort 9)
Tongatapu: 1 small BF, a part of a second (fort 9)
Pago Pago: a big BF, a Garrison unit, a NLF (fort 9)
Utopu: a small SNLF (fort 0)
Wallis Island: a small BF (fort 9)
Canton Island: a Special BF, a big SNLF (fort 9)
Funafuti: a small BF, a Garrison Unit, a big SNLF, two Const Bn (fort 7, 41%)
Nanomea: a big SNLF, two Const Bn (fort 8,59%)
Baker Island: a small BF, two Const Bn (fort 6, 66%)
Tarawa: 1 Special BF, two small SNLF, a NLF (fort 9)
Makin: 1 small BF, an Eng Rgt (fort 2, 63%)
Nauru: 2 Const Bn (fort 4, 17%)
Jaluit: 1 small BF (fort 7,60%)
Maloelap: local Base Force (fort 9)
Wotje: 1 small BF, 1 Const Bn (fort 2,23%)
Kwajalein: 1 Fleet HQ, 1 Air HQ, 1 local Base Force, 2 big BF, 2 Garrison Unit, 1 big SNLF, 1 AA Rgt (fort 9)

A convoy loaded the Army HQ and the big SNLF in Suva and will carry them to Kwajalein first. The AD based here also sailed with this convoy.

Transports gathered off Wallis Island were scattered to pick up units in various islands. No submarine had been seen in the area for a while so escort was minimal.
Two AP and a PC were sent to Nandi to pick up the small Base Force (that will go to Pago Pago) and the big SNLF (that will prepare for Sarmi).
One AK will go to Tongatapu to pick up the BF fragment (other part is in Burma).
Three AP, an Ak and two PC sailed for Pago-Pago to pick up the big BF (that will go to Palau) and the NLF (that will prepare for Sansapor).
The other ships off Wallis Island sailed for Funafuti where they will load the big SNLF (preparing for Satawal, NW of Truk) and both Const Bn there and the two in Nanomea (that will be used in various New Guinea bases).
Four AK and a PC left Kwajalein for Baker to pick up both Const Bn there (one will also go to New Guinea, the other will go to Makin). Two other AK and a MSW sailed from Kwajalein to Nauru to load one of the two Const Bn here. Five small AP escorted by 1 PC and 3 MSW left this base for Makin and will carry the 3rd Eng Rgt to Noemfoor. And two AK and a PG loaded a big SNLF still in Kwajalein and will carry it to Woelai.

Also two submarines based in Suva sailed for Truk to reinforce the threatened area.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

Japanese recon showed again Allied ships off Finschhafen but also reported that the airfield here was now occupied by Allied aircraft. One Alf flying patrol in the area was shot down by an Allied fighter.

In the afternoon 6 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 14 P-38G and 24 B-25C and 8 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 9 P-38G bombed Rabaul, did 40 casualties, and scored 2 hits on supplies and 37 on the runways. 38 B-25J and 28 Beaufighter Mk 21 from Lae and 14 B-24D from Dobadura escorted by 13 P-38G attacked Kavieng, did 29 casualties, and scored 6 hits on the airbase, 5 on supplies and 25 on the runways. Japanese AA fire shot down a B-25C over Rabaul, and 2 B-25J was lost operationally.

Rabaul reported damage of 57/58/28 (airbase/runway/port) and only 131 remaining supplies (-123) for 4910 (-35) required, Kavieng reported damage of 20/0/0.

Naval patrols still many Allied TF between Lae and Madang (see the map below) and confirmed the presence of a CV. 20 more Betties flew in Truk from Kendari but will rest a bit before being used in operation. Other airmen kept the same orders, naval attack/escort at range 11. The Dinah based in Hollandia will fly recon of Madang and Finschhafen tomorrow.

The Yamashiro TF will continue to sail westwards to be sure to be out of range of the Allied CV(s). The ML squadron remaining in Truk (now with 28 000 mines) will sail to Kwajalein and join the MLE/ML squadron based here.

South of New Guinea one of the two submarines in the area reported a TF of 8 ships (including two DE) near here and was ordered to change of patrol area in case it will be another hunter-killer ASW group.



Timor-DEI-Australia

In the afternoon, Koepang was attacked by 9 B-25C from Derby and 60 B-17E and 30 B-24D from Darwin that disabled 104 men and 2 guns and scored 17 hits on the airbase, 5 on supplies and 99 on the runways, and Lautem was attacked by 8 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 8 Kittyhawk III and 7 P-40N and reported 10 casualties, 2 hits on supplies and 2 on the runways. Two B-17E were lost operationally.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (3, 64% (+7%)), Koepang was damaged 31/63/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 69/0/0, Lautem 83/0/38, other bases undamaged.

SRA

The SS USS Kingfisher was bombed and hit by a patrolling Ki-21 120 miles east of Legaspi.

One MLE and four ML left Singapore (where 9500 mines were laid in the last weeks) for Kuala Lumpur under escort by 3 PG.

Japanese engineers expanded Toboali port to size 3.

Burma

Allied airmen flew 405 sorties today, all in Myitkyina area: 12 LRCAP sorties, 137 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included), 196 bombers and 60 escorts against 3 divisions of the garrison (286 men and 13 guns hit). A B-25J, a Vengeance I, a Beaufighter VIC and a P-40N were lost in accidents. There was no raid over Katha and the Tony of the 78 Sentai found no target here, lost one of their number to engine failure and returned to Rangoon from Lashio in the evening.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (111 men and 1 gun hit), while Allied guns fired at Japanese lines in Myitkyina (56 men hit). 1240 Japanese AV (+2) faced 1586 Allied (+0) in Katha, and 1831 Japanese AV (-9) faced 4056 Allied (+27) in Myitkyina.

The evening report showed damage of 2/0 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town there were 1025 remaining supplies (-28) for needs of 10900 (+1894). Mandalay was damaged at 34/1.

China

Two training raids hit the 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 36 Tojo, 27 Val and 8 Kate from Changsha escorted by 10 Oscar and 70 Oscar II and 35 Val from Wuhan escorted by 32 Oscar and did 68 casualties against the loss of a Kate in an accident.

Japan

A small convoy loaded in Tokyo the 90th Garrison Unit that was prepared at 100% for Ponape and will carry it there with supplies. Another convoy started to load 35k supplies and will bring them to Palau.

[Fishbed]

This situation in PNG is quite worrying. Make me think about PzB some time ago, when he was engaged in the very same area. If you can muster a big fleet once the Kurile chapter is over, you may be able to slow your opponent down very in a very harsh way (for him), especially now that he is so short of heavy surface units.

[AmiralLaurent]

24 September 1943

Northern Pacific

In the morning 55 G4M2 and 27 G4M1 from Toyohara bombed OJ, scoring 4 hits on the airbase, 12 on supplies and 40 on the runway and disabling 162 men and 3 vehicles without loss.

In the afternoon, 53 PB4Y, 30 B-24J and 26 B-24D from Attu and 40 PB4Y and 18 B-24J from Kiska attacked PJ. 9 Ki-61 flew CAP over the base and shot down 5 PB4Y and 2 B-24J without loss, but most bombers reached the base. Two Ki-61 and a Rufe aircraft were destroyed on the ground, 132 men and 2 guns were hit and the base reported 10 hits on the airbase, 3 on supplies, 79 on the runways but also two on the port and 4 on port supplies. Both AK docked in the port were hit, one was heavily damaged by 3 hits and the other set on fire by one. A PBM Mariner taking pictures after this raid was shot down by AA.

Over OJ, PJ-based Rufe tried to intercept C-47 flying from Aleutians but failed to shot down any of them. Four C-47 were lost operationally.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 5 men, Japanese ones 113 men and 3 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 197 920 men (+899), 1910 guns (+18) and 421 vehicles (-1) for 3695 AV (+57) against 97 432 men (+322), 786 guns (+7) and 7 tankettes for 1704 AV (+2).

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 63/0/14 (airbase/runway/port), 419 engineers, 41 684 supplies (-1426) and 173 mines. Two more Ki-61 flew in from Shikka. Tomorrow the Tony will fly LRCAP over OJ and the Rufe CAP over the base. Of the two AK in the port, the Beryl (damage 40/6/6) had only 5 supplies aboard and sailed to Etorofu Jima. The other, the Toyohasi Maru (damage 65/12/7), had 1940 supplies aboard and was put in a TF and will unload tomorrow.

OJ was still damaged and showed damage 24/33 (airfield/port) and recons reported 9 units with 15 320 men (+560), 53 guns (+2) and 38 vehicles (+5). Toyohara bombers will be grounded again tomorrow. The bombardment TF sent from Shikka was late and should bombard tomorrow evening rather than tonight.

In Toyohara the last CV unit boarded the CVL Zuiho and the KB was now “at full strength”… at least at the maximum strength possible now. It carried 371 fighters (351 A6M5, 20 A6M3a), 135 dive bombers (107 Val, 28 Judy) and 122 torpedo bombers (112 Kate, 10 Jill) for a total of 628 aircraft (for a capacity of 767). The Unryu-class CV Katsuragi will be commissioned in Tokyo in four days and will sail to join the fleet before the OJ operation.

One of the two DD being repaired in Etorufu Jima, the Murasame, finally had his FLT damage reduced to 0 and sailed towards a Japanese repair yard.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

Japanese recon showed again 13 Kittyhawk and 12 Corsair flying CAP over Finschhafen and 25 Kittyhawk and 18 Corsair over Madang. Allied aircraft were now based in Saidor too.

In the afternoon 16 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 13 P-38G and 16 B-25C and 6 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 16 P-38G and 6 P-38J bombed Rabaul, did 20 casualties, and scored 2 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 25 on the runways. 63 B-25J and 28 Beaufighter Mk 21 from Lae and 14 B-24D from Dobadura attacked Kavieng, did 10 casualties, and scored 6 hits on the airbase and 25 on the runways. Japanese AA fire shot down five B-25C over Rabaul, another great day by the Japanese gunners here, while one P-38G was lost operationally.

Rabaul reported damage of 64/54/28 (airbase/runway/port) and no more supplies (-131) for 4909 (-1) required, Kavieng reported damage of 29/4/0.

The Allied CV reported those last days was now off Madang with an AP convoy, a LCM TF and a PT TF. The weather forecast for tomorrow was overcast and so no raid will be attempted by Japanese surface ships yet. The Allied BB were still off Lae so the attack will probably be launched by CL and DD to have a higher speed and range.

South of New Guinea a Glen flew over the point where a TF was seen yesterday and saw two groups of DD, so confirming that it was probably an hunt operation rather than a passing convoy.

Allied engineers expanded Madang airfield to size 2 and Dobadura port to size 3.

Timor-DEI-Australia

For the first time since one year an Allied aircraft flew recon over Kai Island and an Allied operation against this island was envisaged by the local command that had few resources to oppose it. A Dinah flew recon today over Tenimbar Island and reported 48 Kittyhawk III on CAP over the base.

In the afternoon, Koepang was attacked by 16 B-25C from Derby and 52 B-17E, 27 B-24D and 3 B-24J from Darwin that did 69 casualties and scored 10 hits on the airbase, 7 on supplies and 82 on the runways, and Lautem was attacked and missed by 8 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 9 Kittyhawk III and 7 P-40N.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (3, 71% (+7%)), Koepang was damaged 52/80/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 61/0/0, Lautem 75/0/38, other bases undamaged.

A large AK will load 7000 supplies in Soerabaja and try to carry them to Koepang.

SRA

The parts of the “Gold Convoy” sailing directly from Batavia and Soerabaja arrived in Balikpapan and joined the ships that were loaded there. The total cargo of this part of the convoy was now 203k oil and 126k resources. The main body (carrying 136k oil and 245k resources) will arrive tomorrow there. An ASW group was sent from this base to Brunei and will check the future path of the convoy and then escort back the tankers that were loaded in Brunei and Miri.

Burma

Bad weather closed many airfields and Allied airmen flew only 121 sorties today, all in Myitkyina area: 12 B-25J and 21 escorts from Ledo on the airfield (3 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 11 on the runways), 32 LRCAP sorties, 34 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included) and 22 escorts against 2 divisions of the garrison (25 men and 1 gun hit). A P-40E was lost in an accident.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (56 men hit), while Allied guns fired at Japanese lines in Myitkyina (77 men and 1 gun hit). 1241 Japanese AV (+1) faced 1587 Allied (+1) in Katha, and 1826 Japanese AV (-5) faced 4078 Allied (+22) in Myitkyina.

The evening report showed damage of 6/0 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town there were 880 remaining supplies (-145) for needs of 10443 (-457). Mandalay was damaged at 26/0.

China

Two training raids hit the 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 36 Tojo, 27 Val and 9 Kate from Changsha escorted by 10 Oscar and 68 Oscar II and 31 Val from Wuhan escorted by 28 Oscar and did 16 casualties against the loss of an Oscar in an accident.

[AmiralLaurent]

25 September 1943

Northern Pacific

During the night, an ASW TF of 6 DD chased twice 120 miles WNW of OJ the submarine USS Dragonet. The DD Takanami scored a hit and four near-misses on her and heavily damaged her.

At the same time, the BB Kongo and Kirishima, 3 CA and 2 CL bombarded OJ but were held away by Allied CD guns and only hit 318 men and 7 guns.

In the afternoon, 46 PB4Y, 25 B-24D and 18 B-24J from Attu and 50 PB4Y and 9 B-24J from Kiska attacked PJ. The CAP (reduced to 3 Rufe) was unable to intercept and the bombers destroyed on the ground 2 Tony and a Rufe, disabled 179 men and 2 guns and scored 9 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies, 84 on the runways, 6 on the port and 4 on port supplies. A PB4Y was lost operationally while AA fire shot down a PBM Mariner flying recon over PJ.

Once again C-47s flying from Aleutians to OJ were intercepted by some Tony of 68 Sentai flying from PJ. This time three Japanese aces shot down respectively a total of 10 C-47 (scoring respectively 4, 3 and 3 victories) and three other were lost operationally.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 7 men, Japanese ones 190 men and 1 gun. Allied troops on the island numbered 198 861 men (+941), 1935 guns (+25) and 421 vehicles (+0) for 3744 AV (+49) against 97 757 men (+325), 789 guns (+3) and 7 tankettes for 1708 AV (+4).

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 71/1/30 (airbase/runway/port), 420 engineers (+1), 41 012 supplies (-672) and 169 mines. Four more Ki-61 flew in from Shikka. Tomorrow both Tony and Rufe will fly CAP over PJ.

OJ was still damaged and showed damage 16/44 (airfield/port) and recons reported 9 units with 13 560 men (-1760), 57 guns (+4) and 36 vehicles (-2). The bombardment TF was sailing back to Shikka but received in the evening orders to return to OJ and bombard it again tonight. Tomorrow Toyohara bombers will also bomb the base, targeting both the airfield and the port.

Japanese intelligence confirmed that the AP La Salle, badly hit by KB airmen off PJ on 28 July, was scuttled by her crew.

Southern Pacific

The first convoy of the reorganization program to load troops was the one sent to Pago-Pago that was boarded by the 14th Base Force that will sail to Palau.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

A small AP with supplies sneaked into Rabaul port but was seen by Allied airmen and attacked in the morning by 24 Dutch Beaufighter Mk 21 from Kiriwima escorted by 12 P-38G. The ship was hit by 14 bombs and sunk.

But she was avenged by Japanese airmen at the same time. 34 G4M1 from Truk escorted by 7 A6M3 and 4 A6M2 attacked an Allied convoy 60 miles east of Saidor. The AK Needwood and San Vincente were sunk respectively by 4 and 2 torpedoes, three other AK were set on fire (two by two torpedoes, the last by only one) while two other AK and one MSW were missed. The only loss was an A6M3a that was lost operationally.
The jubilant Japanese airmen returned to the area in the afternoon with 13 Betty escorted by 4 A6M3a but Allied fighters had reacted and the raid was intercepted and decimated by 7 Kittyhawk I and 6 Corsair that were sent to cover the area. For only one loss (a Kittyhawk lost to engine failure) they shot 9 Betty and 2 A6M3a and turned back the survivors.

Also this afternoon 5 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 11 P-38G and 14 B-25C and 8 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 8 P-38J bombed Rabaul, did 54 casualties, disabled a gun, and scored 1 hit on the airbase and 16 on the runways. 59 B-25J and 28 Beaufighter Mk 21 from Lae and 14 B-24D from Dobadura escorted by 18 P-38G attacked Kavieng, did 12 casualties, and scored 3 hits on the airbase, 4 on supplies and 64 on the runways. Japanese AA fire shot down a B-25C over Rabaul.

Rabaul reported damage of 65/57/28 (airbase/runway/port) and 125 supplies (+125, the AP was able to unload some before being sunk) for 4902 (-7) required, Kavieng reported damage of 38/26/0.

The Allied CV reported those last days was now off Saidor with a LCM convoy, while a LCM TF and a PT TF were off Madang. The weather forecast for tomorrow was rain and Tanaka decided to launch the attack delayed those last days. He sent the slow BB Yamashiro to Palau under escort by two DD, after the battleship had refueled all other ships of the TF, and then sailed at full speed towards Madang with 3 CL and 7 DD. The 19 A6M3a based in Hollandia will LRCAP it tomorrow.

Three Betty crew were saved by Japanese floatplanes and brought back to Truk but anyway all three Daitai based there received new orders after today losses. One will fly naval search while the two other will fly at night, bombing Madang airfield and laying mines off Saidor and Finschhafen.

Timor-DEI-Australia

In the afternoon, Koepang was attacked by 23 B-25C from Derby and 50 B-17E, 29 B-24D and 5 B-24J from Darwin that did 36 casualties and scored 3 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 100 on the runways, and Lautem was attacked by 6 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 12 Kittyhawk III and reported 5 casualties and 1 disabled gun. A B-17E was lost operationally.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (3, 78% (+7%)), Koepang was damaged 56/99/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 53/0/0, Lautem 66/0/38, other bases undamaged.

SRA

The “Gold Convoy” reached Balikpapan and was reunited with the ships waiting there. The total cargo of this part of the convoy was now 339k oil and 371k resources. The convoy now sailed to Tarakan.

More north the TK that were loaded in Miri sailed to Brunei under escort by the local MSW TF and will wait here the ASW TF sent yerterday from Balikpapan. More east 27 Ki-30 flew from Menado to Jolo to fly ASW patrol in the area where the convoy will sail in some days.

Burma

Bad weather again closed many airfields and Allied airmen flew only 232 sorties today. In the morning, 177 attacked targets in Myitkyina area: 14 B-25J and 19 escorts from Ledo on the airfield (66 men and 1 gun hit, 2 hits on the airbase, 2 on supplies and 16 on the runways), 35 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included), 59 Liberator VI and 50 escorts against 2 divisions of the garrison (150 men and 3 gun hit). In the afternoon 30 B-25C from Dacca escorted by 25 P-40N attacked Mandalay, doing 25 casualties and scoring 2 hits on the airbase and 17 on the runways. A P-40E was lost in an accident.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (63 men hit), while Allied guns fired at Japanese lines in Myitkyina (50 men and 3 guns hit). 1243 Japanese AV (+2) faced 1586 Allied (-1) in Katha, and 1828 Japanese AV (+2) faced 4099 Allied (+21) in Myitkyina.

The evening report showed damage of 15/6 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town there were 658 remaining supplies (-222) for needs of 10710 (+267). Mandalay was damaged at 29/19.

China

A training raid hit 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 71 Oscar II and 32 Val from Wuhan escorted by 28 Oscar and did 30 casualties without loss.

Japan

No damaged ship was reported in Osaka and a CA, two CL and 3 DD repairing in Hiroshima left this base to make more room for the BB Yamato and the CVL Ryujo also repairing here and sailed to Osaka.

Also in Osaka four AK were converted to AR and will be released in 180 days.

[AmiralLaurent]

26 September 1943

Northern Pacific

During the night, the BB Kongo and Kirishima, 3 CA and 2 CL bombarded again OJ and this time managed to overwhelm the defenses and hit the base, hitting 525 men, 2 guns and 1 vehicle, and scoring 1 hit on the airbase, 1 on supplies, 12 on the runways, 1 on the port and 5 on port supplies. The same TF also detected the damaged SS Dragonet that sailed there for emergency repairs and was chased by a CL and 6 DD but escaped without new damage.

an ASW TF of 6 DD chased twice 120 miles WNW of OJ the submarine USS Dragonet. The DD Takanami scored a hit and four near-misses on her and heavily damaged her.

In the morning 61 G4M2 and 28 G4M1 from Toyohara bombed OJ, scoring 4 hits on the airbase, 2 on supplies, 9 on the runway, 1 on the port and 1 on port supplies, and doing 24 casualties. A bomber of each type was lost operationally.

In the afternoon, 42 PB4Y, 24 B-24J and 24 B-24D from Attu and 46 PB4Y and 7 B-24J from Kiska attacked PJ. 6 Ki-61 and 2 Rufe flew CAP over the base, shot down 3 PB4Y and lost a Rufe to return fire. AA frie shot down another PB4Y and a B-24D. Nine Ki-61, a Rufe and a Dinah III were destroyed on the ground, 79 men and 1 gun were hit and the base reported 5 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies, 57 on the runways, 4 on the port and 2 on port supplies. Both AK docked in the port were hit, one was heavily damaged by 3 hits and the other set on fire by one. Another PB4Y was lost operationally.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 29 men and 1 gun, Japanese ones 121 men and 5 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 199 992 men (+1131), 1953 guns (+18) and 423 vehicles (+2) for 3807 AV (+63) against 98 147 men (+390), 793 guns (+4) and 7 tankettes for 1716 AV (+8).

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 78/0/35 (airbase/runway/port), 420 engineers, 40 693 supplies (-319) and 167 mines. Both Tony and Rufe units left the base for Shikka leaving behind 5 damaged aircraft. Eight Ki-43 were sent to replace them and fly LRCAP tomorrow over OJ, but one disappeared on the way with its pilot.

OJ was still damaged and showed damage 41/66 (airfield/port) after the attack launched today and recons reported 9 units with 14 260 men (+700), 45 guns (-12) and 43 vehicles (+7). The bombardment TF will no sail back to Shikka but Toyohara bombers will again bomb the base tomorrow, targeting both the airfield and the port.

Japanese intelligence service learned today that the CA USS Indianapolis, badly damaged by six 14in shells fired by the BB Kongo off PJ in the early hours of 31 August, had been scuttled by her crew.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

During the night, 8 Betty from Truk bombed Madang but did no damage.

In the afternoon 5 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 13 P-38G and 18 B-25C and 6 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 8 P-38J bombed Rabaul, destroyed an Alf in the seaplane base, did 36 casualties, and scored 1 hit on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 31 on the runways. 65 B-25J and 28 Beaufighter Mk 21 from Lae and 15 B-24D from Dobadura escorted by 20 P-38G attacked Kavieng, did 35 casualties, and scored 2 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 55 on the runways. Japanese AA fire shot down three B-25C over Rabaul, another great day by the Japanese gunners here, while four B-25J were lost operationally.

Rabaul reported damage of 67/64/28 (airbase/runway/port) and 38 supplies (-87) for 4892 (-10) required, Kavieng reported damage of 44/54/0.

Tanaka’s TF (3 CL and 7 DD) was apparently not detected today and was now in range (360 miles) from Madang. 10 PT and 2 transports were reported there in two TF. Recon showed that only Allied fighters were based in the airfield so far. Tanaka was hesitating to bombard the base or just sweep waters off it, and finally decided for the second choice. He had not enough big guns to do much damage to the airfield, and may meet Allied warships in the area so will be more efficient in a surface combat formation. The A6M3a based in Hollandia will continue to LRCAP it tomorrow when it will retire. By the way one was lost operationally by covering the TF. The weather forecast is “clear” so Allied airmen will probably attack the retiring TF.

All Truk-based Zeroes (53 A6M3a and 16 A6M2) will LRCAP Kavieng tomorrow, hoping to catch unescorted bombers and Beaufighter from Lae. Betties will keep same orders as before.

28 Tina and 16 transport-version Mavis flew from Tokyo to Ponape and will fly evacuation mission to Rabaul from here. This base was considered safer than Truk from bombing raids and anyway Truk was now full of combat units that used almost all available air support (240 squads).

Timor-DEI-Australia

In the afternoon, Koepang was attacked by 17 B-25C from Derby that scored 1 hit on supplies and 14 on the runways.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (3, 84% (+6%)), Koepang was damaged 57/99/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 45/0/0, Lautem 57/0/38, other bases undamaged.

Kendari-based Dinah will recon Darwin tomorrow.

SRA

The MLE and the four ML sent from Singapore arrived in Kuala Lumpur. The MLE disbanded here and the ML started to lay mines off this base.

Three laden ships (two TK with 25k oil and an AK with 7k resources) left Tarakan under escort by 4 ASW ships sent from the “Gold Convoy” and will join it at sea. Japanese airmen reported Allied submarines in Legaspi area but the convoy will still go there rather than north of Luzon, where submarines were also reported.

Two small convoys started to load 14k resources and 7k supplies in Toboali and will bring them to Singapore.

Burma

For the third day in a row bad weather grounded most Allied airmen and only one raid was flown. 10 B-25J and 18 P-40E from Ledo attacked Myitkyina airfield (29 men and 1 gun hit, 1 hit on the airbase and 8 on the runways).

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (125 men and 2 guns hit), while Allied guns fired at Japanese lines in Myitkyina (47 men and 1 gun hit). 1243 Japanese AV (+0) faced 1579 Allied (-7) in Katha, and 1829 Japanese AV (+1) faced 4119 Allied (+20) in Myitkyina.

The evening report showed damage of 13/0 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town there were 618 remaining supplies (-40) for needs of 10489 (-221). Mandalay was damaged at 29/10.

The air transport units gathered in Hanoi were scattered. Three Chutai reduced to 50% or less of OOB were sent to Singapore where new aircraft and rookie crews joined them and will be trained here. The two remaining Chutai will go to Truk.

China

A training raid hit 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 32 Tojo, 27 Val and 8 Kate from Changsha escorted by 10 Oscar but missed its target and lost a Val in an accident.

35 Oscar and 27 Kate arrived in Wuhan from Manchuoko to begin operational training. 27 Val and 9 Kate crew having finished op training (mean exp 70) left China for Japan to join KB units.

[AmiralLaurent]

27 September 1943

Northern Pacific

In the afternoon, 37 PB4Y, 23 B-24J and 19 B-24D from Attu and 37 PB4Y and 7 B-24J from Kiska attacked PJ. There was no CAP and the bombers destroyed on the ground 2 Tony and 2 Dinah III, disabled 117 men and 2 guns and scored 3 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies, 89 on the runways, 1 on the port and 5 on port supplies. Two B-24J were lost operationally.

Seven Oscar II of 84 Chutai flying from PJ intercepted the C-47s flying from Aleutians to OJ and shot down two.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 7 men and 1 gun, Japanese ones 119 men and 1 gun. Allied troops on the island numbered 201 064 men (+1072), 1975 guns (+22) and 425 vehicles (+2) for 3859 AV (+52) against 98 489 men (+342), 800 guns (+7) and 7 tankettes for 1721 AV (+5).

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 80/0/42 (airbase/runway/port), 421 engineers (+1), 40 101 supplies (-591) and 165 mines. The Ki-43 will continue to fly LRCAP tomorrow over OJ. Of both AK damaged in port some days ago one had now almost reached Etoforu Jima with little FLT damage and the other had finished unloading off PJ and with damage 66/7/0 was now ordered to try to sail to Etorofu Jima too.

OJ was still damaged and showed damage 33/48 (airfield/port) and recons reported 9 units with 14 520 men (+260), 43 guns (-12) and 34 vehicles (-9). Toyohara bombers were again ordered to bomb the base tomorrow, targeting both the airfield and the port.

The main Allied weapons for the moment were the heavy bombers based in Attu and Kiska. It was decided to send the KB close to KB with full CAP to draw them and decimate them. But to do that it should be sure that the Allied CV will be still in port in Kiska. So a Betty Daitai in Toyohara was ordered to fly naval search 90% and to recon Kiska, while another in Shikka will recon Attu. The last available Glen-carrying submarine will also sail more east to be closer from Kiska.

The KB left Toyohara in the evening. Before sailing a last fighter unit arrived the Chitose A6M5 Daitai that was half-trained (exp 43) but against bombers they might still help. So the KB sailed with aircraft aboard: 405 fighters, 135 dive bombers and 123 torpedo bombers. 5 BB, 6 CA, 4 CL and 16 DD also sailed from Shikka to join this fleet. And an AO fleet off Toyohara will follow the KB, a progress since the last battles. The fleet will gather tomorrow north of Etorofu Jima.

In Toyohara arrived today the convoy bringing the Southern Army HQ that started to unload here to coordinate the attack on OJ. Troops won’t be available for the attack until a dozen of days so that will allow enough time for the KB to sail there draw bombers retire before US CV reacted, then wait for Allied CV to stay for some days in the area and launch the attack as soon as they will retire again.

Of course if the logic of this campaign is respected my opponent will launch an operation at the same time of me and all plans will go trough the window…

More east a Glen reported an Allied convoy south of Alaska but the submarine won’t get close to try to attack. This sighting should be enough to pin some ASW assets in the area.

Japanese intelligence service learned today that the AK Beltrami, bombed by KB airmen off PJ on 29 July, had been scuttled by her crew.

Southern Pacific

The convoy off Pago-Pago finished to load the 14th Base Force and sailed north, other convoys arrived off Nandi, Funafuti, Nauru and Makin and began to load troops according to the plan designed some days ago.

But the plan was modified in the evening. After the damage done to the Japanese surface TF sent off Madang (see below) there was little left to delay the Allied advance in the area and the Mariannas were not so far away from Allied positions. So the convoy bringing the 3rd Base Force to Marcus Island was rerouted to Saipan, and the convoy bringing the 4th Div back to Japan was sent to Guam. This division was earmarked for the OJ operation in the Kuriles but this convoy was late and it probably won’t be needed while reinforcing the Mariannas will really be a good idea now…

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

During the night, 3 Betty from Truk bombed Madang but did no damage and one was lost operationally. As they flew over the target more Japanese raiders attacked but this time they came from the sea. Admiral Tanaka led 3 CL and 7 DD and had managed to reach his target undetected. The first the Allied defenders knew of its approach was when a PT boat signalled being shelled by an incoming ship and then vanished without trace. She was one of the 12 PT boats guarding the base and the other then engaged the attacking TF but only damage two DD with 20mm fire while losing two of their number sunk and another heavily damaged by 25mm shells. Tanaka then managed to find the two fuel-laden AK unloading off the base and sank both with torpedo and gunfire. With only slight damage all Japanese ships then retreated at full speed.

So far the raid had been a total success but Tanaka did a mistake. To avoid being caught by the Allied CV seen in the area he had not ordered to return to Palau but to sail to Biak along the coast. Sadly the TF followed too well the order and was just off Aitape at dawn. And being in a base hex, it was easily found by Allied patrols and heavily attacked by Allied LBA during the day.
The first attack was made by 58 Australian Beaufighter Mk 21 and 54 American B-25J from Lae. 8 A6M3a from Hollandia flew LRCAP over the TF but only shot down a Beaufighter. The Allied airmen heavily damaged the DD Shikinami (3 bombs) and Oite (1 bomb), set on fire the CL Abukuma (1 bomb) and Tenryu (1 bomb) and the DD Wakazuki (1 bomb) and strafed several other ships, destroying a 5in turret aboard the DD Hamanami. AA fire shot down two B-25J during the attack, and finally Tanaka felt he escaped lightly given the size of the raid.
But just after this raid arrived 8 PB4Y and 5 B-17E from Dobadura. The CAP didn’t intercept them and this dozen of bombers scored 3 hits on the CL Tatsuta, heavily damaging here, and 1 more on the Tenryu, that was already burning.

Tanaka was lucky in the afternoon when 41 B-25J sent from Lae got lost and didn’t find his ships but two waves of Allied aircraft still attacked but scored few hits. 51 Beaufighter Mk 21 and 3 B-25J from Lae attacked, concentrating on the intact ships. The Japanese LRCAP had been reinforced and 13 A6M3a shot down 2 Beaufighter and 2 B-25J for one loss (shot down by a Beaufighter). Three DD were set on fire, the Ayanami by a bomb and the Hamakaze and Wakazuki by strafing. Then 5 PB4Y and 2 B-24D from Dobadura attacked but hit nothing.
To finish during these battles 2 B-25J, 2 Beaufighter Mk 21 and an A6M3a were lost operationally.

In the afternoon Rabaul was also attacked, by 9 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 12 P-38G and 14 B-24D, 13 B-25C and 6 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 18 P-38J that did 44 casualties, disabled a gun, and scored 1 hit on the airbase and 44 on the runways. A P-38J was lost operationally.
Truk-based Zeroes flew LRCAP over Kavieng but the day was not well chosen as Lae airmen were pounding Tanaka’s ships. So the fighters saw nothing but suffered only one operational loss (an A6M2).

To finish a bad day for Japanese forces after a good night, two Dinah III on recon or naval patrol were shot down over New Guinea during the day.

Rabaul reported damage of 68/62/28 (airbase/runway/port) and 38 supplies (-0) for 4881 (-11) required, Kavieng reported damage of 44/18/0.

Tanaka’s ships were very badly hit today by Allied airmen and this TF was no more an usable force. All damaged ships will sail to Palau (port 6) but probably some will sink before reaching it or after. Palau had already an AR and a second was ordered to sail at full speed from Kendari to assist.
To sail to Palau the damaged ships were divided in four groups: two DD able to do 22 knots will sail first, followed by CL Abukuma and Tenryu with a damaged DD and two intact (or near to) DD (TF able to do 18 knots), then the DD Oite will sail alone at 11 knots and the slowest ship (CL Tatsuta and DD Shikinami) will follow at 8 knots. The Zero based in Hollandia flew back to Truk.

All Truk-based Zeroes were grounded for rest after their useless LRCAP over Kavieng. Betties orders were also changed. 19 Betties that flew from Truk to Palau to fly naval search from here (one of these G4M1 crashed on the way with the loss of her crew). Of those remaining, half will fly naval search by day and half will bomb Madang AF or lay mines off the base by night.

More south an Emily based in Norfolf Island reported a convoy sailing from Brisbane to New Guinea and both submarines south of Gili Gili were ordered to wait on its probable path.

The tanker Victor H Reilly, torpedoed by Betties on the 22nd off Finschhafen and towed on fire to Lae, was declared a total loss here (sank in game).



Timor-DEI-Australia

A barge convoy unloaded supplies in Lautem and was attacked at dawn by a patrolling Mariner that damaged one. 13 Beaufighter Mk 21 were sent from Darwin to attack them but didn’t find their target.

In the afternoon, Koepang was attacked by 45 B-17E, 32 B-24D and 16 B-24J from Darwin that did 56 casualties and scored 6 hits on the airbase, 3 on supplies and 79 on the runways, and Lautem was attacked by 7 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 12 P-40N and reported 1 runway hit.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (3, 91% (+7%)), Koepang was damaged 68/99/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 35/0/0, Lautem 49/0/38, other bases undamaged.

A big AK started to load supplies in Kendari and will sail to Maumer to unload them there and be ready to evacuate damaged aircraft of fighter units sent there to LRCAP Koepang.

Off Darwin, the recon by Dinah reported an Allied convoy and a surface TF (9 ships, 3 “CA”, 3 DD). Only 16 fighters flew CAP over the city.

SRA

The ships that sailed from Tarakan joined the Gold Convoy east of this base. Their escort was ordered to sail faster than the convoy to Legaspi to check if Allied submarines were in the area.

Burma

Allied airmen didn’t attack Myitkyina today and hit other targets. 73 Liberator VI and 37 B-25C from Dacca escorted by 34 P-40N attacked Mandalay (a J1N1-R Irving destroyed on the ground, 28 casualties, 12 hits on the airbase, 2 on supplies and 78 on the runways) while 48 B-24D, 47 B-25J, 39 Blenheim IV and 32 B-17E from Imphal escorted by 43 P-40N attacked Lashio (two Dinah III destroyed on the ground, 92 men and 5 guns hit, 22 hit on the airbase, 9 on supplies and 140 on the runways). And 52 Hurricane II from Imphal escorted by 6 Spitfire Vb attacked a regiment of the 30th Div in Katha, that lost 67 men and 2 guns. A Liberator VI damaged by AA fire crashed on the way back and a B-24D, a P-40N and a Hurricane II were lost operationally.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (no hit), while Allied guns fired at Japanese lines in Myitkyina (90 men hit). 1245 Japanese AV (+2) faced 1709 Allied (+130, a new brigade reached this front from Kohima) in Katha, and 1830 Japanese AV (+1) faced 4143 Allied (+24) in Myitkyina.

The evening report showed no more damage and fortifications level 6,72% in Myitkyina. In this town there were 560 remaining supplies (-58) for needs of 9990 (-499). Mandalay was damaged at 46/73 (airbase/runway) and Lashio at 47/68.

China

Two training raids hit the 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 36 Tojo from Changsha escorted by 10 Oscar and 71 Oscar II and 31 Val from Wuhan escorted by 32 Oscar and did 46 casualties against the loss of a Val in an accident.

Japan

The CV Katsuragi will be commissioned tomorrow in Tokyo and a dozen of repaired DD were ordered to sail there from several Japanese ports to escort her to join the KB.

The CA Furutaka and seven other DD left Hiroshima for Palau to replace the damaged ships of the Tanaka raiding force.

[AmiralLaurent]

28 September 1943

Northern Pacific

In the morning 39 G4M2 and 26 G4M1 from Toyohara bombed OJ, scoring 4 hits on the airbase, 14 on the runway and 1 on port supplies, and doing 67 casualties. Two G4M2 were lost operationally.

In the afternoon, 42 PB4Y, 26 B-24D and 22 B-24J from Attu and 49 PB4Y and 7 B-24J from Kiska attacked PJ. There was no CAP and the bombers destroyed on the ground 1 Oscar II and 1 Rufe, disabled 185 men and 3 guns and scored 5 hits on the airbase, 4 on supplies and 131 on the runways. The port was not bombed. Two PB4Y, a B-24D and a B-24J were shot down by the AA gunners that were in a good day.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 11 men, Japanese ones 41 men and 4 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 201 865 men (+805), 1998 guns (+23) and 425 vehicles (+0) for 3900 AV (+41) against 98 721 men (+232), 811 guns (+11) and 7 tankettes for 1731 AV (+10).

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 90/26/42 (airbase/runway/port), 421 engineers, 39 190 supplies (-911) and 210 mines (the I-122 laid another field last night). The Ki-43 left for Shikka.

OJ showed damage 28/45 (airfield/port) and recons reported 9 units with 14 400 men (+120), 45 guns (+2) and 32 vehicles (-2). Toyohara bombers will rest and fly naval search tomorrow.

Recon of Kiska showed 79 ships in port, including 2 CV, 1 CVE, 4 BB and 1 AR, and two TF off the island, one with the CV Intrepid and a CAP including 72 F6F Hellcat, but no other details. But at least the Allied fleet was there and not at sea.

The KB was now 60 miles NE of Etorofu Jima and was joined by the surface forces coming from Shikka. The 5 BB and 4 of the 6 CA coming from there joined the three CV TF to reinforce their AA defences. Tomorrow the weather will be rainy and so not ideal to draw Allied bombers, so the fleet will sail to 120 miles SW of Ketoi Jima, just outside of Allied patrol range and south enough to avoid Allied submarines, and will wait for good weather to sail north to a position SE of PJ.

Japanese engineers expanded Toyohara port to size 3.

Southern Pacific

The ML sent from Truk reached Kwajalein, bringing the strength of the local ML squadron to 8 ML. They will continue to lay mines in the area for some time, and then will sail to the Mariannas or the Palaus.

More of the convoys sent to pick up troop finished loading and sailed north before turning to New Guinea to avoid Allied LBA: one had aboard the 3rd Eng Rgt from Makin, another a Const Bn from Nauru, a thired two Const Bn from Namonea

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

During the night, 7 Betty from Truk bombed Madang but did no damage and two were hit by AA fire and ditched on the way home.

In the afternoon 10 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 12 P-38G and 15 B-24D, 11 B-25C and 3 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 20 P-38G and 10 P-38J bombed Rabaul, did 36 casualties, disabled a gun, and scored 3 hits on the airbase and 18 on the runways. 47 B-25J and 23 Beaufighter Mk 21 from Lae attacked Kavieng, did 21 casualties, and scored 1 hit on the airbase, 2 on supplies and 36 on the runways. Japanese AA fire shot down two B-25Cs over Rabaul.

Two Japanese patrol aircraft were lost today in the area: an Emily was shot down by an Allied fighter, and a Jake was lost after engine failure.

Rabaul reported damage of 71/58/28 (airbase/runway/port) and 38 supplies (-0) for 4867 (-14) required, Kavieng reported damage of 47/39/0.

Tanaka’s ships slowly sailed north. The Tatsuta ravaged by fires was now at SYS 99 and was slowly towed northwards (speed 0) but FLT was at 43. Only a DD had FLT over 50 (Shikinami at 66). An ASW TF based in Palau was ordered to join the fleet to check if Allied submarines were in the area.

For the last week, Truk-based Betties had been unable to fly minelaying sorties for one reason or the other (while being able to fly night bombing sorties…). This unit was now ordered to fly naval search by day, and the other Betty Daitai available was ordered to lay mines off Lae tonight. Recon showed today 11 enemy TF off Lae. Some were LCM or PT flotilla but the CV reported those last days in the area was also there.

Off Australia the submarine I-31 that was sailing south was chased during the night by four PG 360 miles west of Townsville but escaped unhurt and after dawn the convoy seen yesterday by an Emily was seen again by her Glen. It allowed calculating its speed (240 miles/day). So in three nights this convoy will be at 55, 98, 240 miles south of Gili Gili. The CL Naka and her escort DD left Noumea and by sailing at full speed (at least tomorrow) will be able to intercept this convoy then. Also the PG group that chased the I-31 didn’t move and was still reported there in the afternoon by an Emily… It might be a spot where ASW groups wait and might be a secondary target for the Naka if the convoy was lost. To follow the convoy the I-31 was ordered to sail out of its planned path but just near it. The other submarine in the area, the I-176 will remain on the path but was far more north.

The 28 Tina and 16 Mavis in Ponape received the order to start evacuating the troops in Rabaul. First two units to go out with the HQ of the 7th Air Div and the 7th Eng Rgt, both of which will then be shipped to Saipan.

26 barges were launched in Truk and were ordered to sail to Rabaul with supplies.

Timor-DEI-Australia

In the morning 14 Beaufighter Mk 21 took off from Darwin to attack barges in Lautem area. Only a damaged barge was found there and sunk by two of the Beaufighter while the other flew more north and found the retreating convoy. They sank 2 barges and heavily damaged another. In the afternoon, Koepang was attacked by 8 B-25C from Derby that did 11 casualties and scored 5 hits on the runways.

In the evening the AR sent from Kendari to Palau was tracked SE of Menado by the old American submarine S-32 that finally attacked one of her two escort and heavily damaged the PG Tamo Maru 6 (damage 37/55/19) with one torpedo hit before escaping. The damaged ship will go to Menado and be disbanded here to try to save her, while the AR will continue with her remaining escort.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (3, 98% (+7%)), Koepang was damaged 68/98/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 25/0/0, Lautem 40/0/38, other bases undamaged.

SRA

The ASW group sent from the “Gold Convoy” reached Brunei and picked up there the TK that loaded in Brunei and Miri. The TF then sailed for Legaspi, where the main part of the convoy will meet it, with 120k oil aboard.

Japanese engineers expanded Clark Field airfield to size 9. This base is an active basic training base. Engineers will now work on the fortifications.

Burma

Bad weather again closed many airfield and Allied airmen flew only 125 sorties today. 23 B-25J and 44 escorts from Ledo and Kohima attacked Myitkyina airfield (87 casualties, 1 disabled gun, 7 hits on the airbase, 7 on supplies and 28 on the runways) and 52 Hurricane from Imphal escorted by 6 Spitfire Vb the 46th Div in Katha, hitting 71 men and 1 gun. A B-25J, a Spitfire Vb and a P-40N were lost in accidents.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (11 men hit), while Allied guns fired at Japanese lines in Myitkyina (67 men and 1 gun hit). 1241 Japanese AV (-4) faced 1717 Allied (+8) in Katha, and 1822 Japanese AV (-8) faced 4154 Allied (+11) in Myitkyina.

The evening report showed damage of 17/20 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town there were 68 remaining supplies (-492, ouch…) for needs of 10 535 (+545). Mandalay was damaged at 46/66 (airbase/runway) and Lashio at 47/67.

Two units were ordered to leave Myitkyina and will march trough the jungle to Lashio: the HQ of the 15th Army (state 0/72, no support squad remaining) and the 23rd AA Rgt (state 10/32, only one AA gun still serviceable). They will take at least two months to go there…

China

Two training raids hit the 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 36 Tojo from Changsha escorted by 12 Oscar and 67 Oscar II and 34 Val from Wuhan escorted by 32 Oscar but all missed. There was no loss.

Japan

The third Unryu-class CV, the Katsuragi, was commissioned in Tokyo. Its third group had 27 A6M5, 18 Judy and 9 Jill, with pilots having a mean experience of 59-60. DD sent to escort her were late and she will wait for tomorrow to sail for Toyohara. She was not planned to take part in the “draw bombers” operation.

Now that this CV was completed, it was possible to accelerate the construction of the 6th Unryu CV (both 4th and 5th were already accelerated) and to restart the construction of the Taiho at normal rate. All three Unryu should be launched during the summer 1944, the Taiho in spring 1945 at the current rate.

A convoy started to load 63k supplies and 45k fuel for Saipan in Tokyo, another 56k supplies and 27k fuel in Kitakyushu for Palau.

The map of the day: a strategic view of the Empire



Edited: just saw an error on the map above: the four divisions that will be used against OJ will come from China and Southern PACIFIC (and not China again).

[AmiralLaurent]

29 September 1943

Northern Pacific

The SS USS Cod was patrolling during the night NE of Shimushiri Jima when she saw several DD passing by. She attacked one but missed and was then chased by 6 DD and depth charged by two, but escaped after 6 near-misses. Her commander thought that he had run into an ASW Tf but saw shortly after the BB Haruna and was again chased away by 6 DD. What he had seen was the KB fleet and her escorting surface forces.

In the morning the SS USS Bonefish tried to chase barges off PJ but was forces to abandon when they sailed into shallow waters.

In the afternoon, 43 PB4Y, 27 B-24D and 20 B-24J from Attu and 46 PB4Y and 5 B-24J from Kiska attacked PJ. There was no CAP and the bombers destroyed on the ground 1 Dinah III, disabled 47 men and 4 guns and scored 5 hits on the airbase, 2 on supplies and 100 on the runways. A PB4Y was shot down by AA fire, another and a B-24D were lost operationally.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 12 men, Japanese ones 133 men and 4 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 202 705 men (+840), 2014 guns (+16) and 426 vehicles (+1) for 3942 AV (+42) against 99 030 men (+309), 816 guns (+5) and 7 tankettes for 1742 AV (+11).

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 99/17/42 (airbase/runway/port), 422 engineers (+1), 38 382 supplies (-808) and 206 mines. Only 3 of the 10 aircraft remaining in the base were still serviceable.

OJ showed damage 43/71 (airfield/port) and recons reported 9 units with 14 060 men (-340), 43 guns (-2) and 46 vehicles (+14).

Recon of Kiska showed still that the CAP was flown mainly by CV aircraft.

The KB was now 120 miles SE of Shimushiri Jima but with the sighting report made by the US submarine the US CV fleet may leave Kiska and sail west. So the KB will sail south tomorrow, as the plan was to engage heavy bombers, not US CV, and wait at least one day to see what recon and naval search will report. By the way naval search from Toyohara was increased in the evening.

Southern Pacific

More of the convoys sent to pick up troop finished loading and sailed north before turning to New Guinea to avoid Allied LBA: two left Funafuti and Nandi each with a SNLF, another will carry a small BF from Nandi to Pago-Pago and the last loaded two Const Bn in Baker Island and will carry them to the Mariannas.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

During the night, 11 Betty from Truk laid mines off Lae.

In the afternoon 3 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 2 P-38G and 14 B-24D, 14 B-25C and 3 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 20 P-38G and 10 P-38J bombed Rabaul, did 6 casualties, and scored 1 hit on the airbase, 2 on supplies and 34 on the runways. Japanese AA fire shot down two B-25Cs over Rabaul.

Rabaul reported damage of 74/57/28 (airbase/runway/port) and no more supplies (-38) for 4863 (-4) required, Kavieng reported damage of 47/2/0. No evacuation flight was flown today from Ponape.

Tanaka’s ships continued to slowly sail north. None had reached Palau yet and now the CL Tatsuta and two DD had FLT over 50.

The Allied convoy followed since two days by Allied airmen slowed today and sailed only 180 miles northwards, and so didn’t join the ASW TF still signaled 360 miles W of Townsville. The Naka TF will be in position tomorrow. The 40 Betties based in Truk flew to Lunga today to be ready to fly naval attack against this convoy before it reaches Gili Gili. One Betty was lost in an accident during the transfer flight.

Timor-DEI-Australia

Once again Japanese naval search had proven faulty… During the night a previously undetected Allied TF arrived off the undefended Kai Island and began to unload troops. The landing continued until evening (with a total of 1305 “amphibious casualties”) and was covered after dawn by a LRCAP of 21 Kittyhawk III and 4 P-40N but there was no Japanese air attack.

In the morning 10 Beaufighter MK 21 from Darwin sank a damaged barge off Lautem. In the afternoon, Koepang was attacked by 15 B-25C from Derby that did 6 casualties and scored 1 hit on the airbase, 2 on supplies and 11 on the runways, Dili was the target of 52 B-17E, 41 B-24D and 24 B-24J from Darwin that disabled 33 men and 2 guns and scored 9 hits on the airbase, 6 on supplies and 73 on the runways, and Lautem was attacked by 7 B-25C from Darwin and reported 1 runway hit. A B-25C was shot down by AA over Koepang, and 2 B-17E, 1 B-24D and 1 B-24J were lost operationally.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (fort 4, 4% (+6%)), Koepang was damaged 71/74/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 51/65/0, Lautem 32/0/38, other bases undamaged.

Japanese coastwatcher in Kai Islands reported two Allied TF, an AK/AP convoy and a surface TF with CA and DD, and two landed units with 21240 men, 136 guns and 3 vehicles. Available forces in the area could do nothing against that. The only given order was to fly recon over the Allied beachhead.

Burma

Allied airmen flew 658 sorties today. 602 were in Myitkyina area: 15 B-25J from Ledo and 74 Liberator VI and 37 B-25C from Dacca with a total of 76 escorts on the airfield (104 casualties, 20 hits on the airbase, 12 on supplies and 157 on the runways), 122 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included), 190 bombers and 88 escorts against 2 divisions of the garrison (157 men and 9 guns hit). The other were flown during a raid by 52 Hurricane from Imphal escorted by 4 Spitfire Vb on the 46th Div in Katha, hitting 37 men and 2 guns. Two P-40N, a Liberator VI, a B-25J and a Vengeance I were lost in accidents.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (6 men hit), while Allied guns fired at Japanese lines in Myitkyina (16 men and 1 gun hit). 1240 Japanese AV (-0) faced 1719 Allied (+2) in Katha, and 1813 Japanese AV (-9) faced 4161 Allied (+7) in Myitkyina.

The evening report showed damage of 61/80 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town there were no more remaining supplies (-68) for needs of 10 473 (-62). Mandalay was damaged at 46/51 (airbase/runway) and Lashio at 47/56.

Two A6M3 Daitai (with a total of 35 aircraft and experienced pilots) left Rangoon to go to the DEI. They flew first to Kuching but one disappeared during the flight with its pilot.

China

A training raid hit 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 98 Oscar II, 30 Val and 27 Kate from Wuhan escorted by 32 Oscar and did 64 casualties for the loss of two Oscar II and a Val.

Two of the units detached from the Southern Army to China and sent to Shanghai, a Naval Guard Unit and an IJA Base Force, boarded ships in this port and will sail to Morotai to defend the base.

Japan

The Katsuragi sailed from Tokyo under escort by the CA Nachi and 9 DD to join the KB in Kuriles waters.

The good news of the day was that the Aichi firm reported good advance of the Judy program that will produced in serie in two days (release date advanced from 43-11 to 43-10).

[AmiralLaurent]

30 September 1943

Northern Pacific

During the night the I-37 saw during the night an Allied convoy sailing east but was chased by 2 DE while getting close. She escaped unhurt.

In the afternoon, 17 PB4Y, 8 B-24J and 7 B-24D from Attu and 46 PB4Y and 6 B-24J from Kiska attacked PJ. There was no CAP and the bombers destroyed on the ground 1 Tony and 1 Val, disabled 77 men and 3 guns and scored 3 hits on supplies and 62 on the runways. Two PB4Y were shot down by AA fire, a B-24J was lost operationally.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 19 men and 2 guns, Japanese ones 401 men and 5 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 203 920 men (+1215), 2038 guns (+24) and 425 vehicles (-1) for 3981 AV (+39) against 99 118 men (+88), 812 guns (-4) and 7 tankettes for 1746 AV (+4).

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 99/0/42 (airbase/runway/port), 422 engineers, 37 683 supplies (-699, a barge convoy unloaded during the night) and 206 mines. Only 3 of the 8 aircraft remaining in the base were still serviceable and all (2 Val and 1 Jill) flew to Shikka in the evening, but 17 Oscar II arrived from Shikka and will fly LRCAP over OJ tomorrow.

OJ showed damage 26/72 (airfield/port) and recons reported 9 units with 14 940 men (+880), 47 guns (+4) and 46 vehicles (+0).

Recon of Kiska showed still that the CAP was flown mainly by CV aircraft, and that Allied CV were still there (for the cost of a Betty shot down by an Allied fighter). So the KB received orders to sail north. The weather forecast for tomorrow is overcast, so Allied bombers should attack. The BB Kongo and Kirishima and 9 DD lacking fuel will sail to Etorofu Jima as the AO TF seem to be unable to support them (???). The AO TF will also sail to Etorofu to not slow the fleet. All other ships will sail 120 miles SE of PJ and wait the Allied attacks. Fighters will fly 90% CAP. Dive and torpedo bombers will fly naval search 90% at range 4 to chase Allied submarines. The Katsuragi and her escort will be to late to join the fleet and will sail to Etorofu Jima too.

The ML squadron based in Shikka had now laid 11000 mines here and left for Toyohara.

South of Alaska both Japanese submarines will pursue the convoy seen today, as the escort is weak enough to allow an attack.

Japanese intelligence service learned today that the AK Bootes, bombed by KB airmen off PJ, had been scuttled by her crew.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

In the afternoon 4 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 12 P-38G and 14 B-24D, 8 B-25C and 6 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 20 P-38G and 11 P-38J bombed Rabaul, did 33 casualties, and scored 1 hit on the airbase and 24 on the runways. And 51 B-25J from Lae attacked for the first time Wewak, did 12 casualties, and scored 3 hits on the airbase and 9 on the runways. A B-24D and a P-38G were lost operationally. On the Japanese side a Dinah III was shot down by AA fire over Madang.

Rabaul reported damage of 75/51/28 (airbase/runway/port) and still zero supplies for 4840 (-23) required, Kavieng reported damage of 7/0/0 and Wewak reported that all damage had been repaired. No evacuation flight was flown today from Ponape again, probably due to the state of the airfield in Rabaul.

Tanaka’s ships continued to slowly sail north. The first two damaged DD reached Palau at the same time as the AR sent from Kendari and were disbanded in port. More south the DD Shikinami (now damaged 97/90/0) was scuttled and the CL Tatsuta will probably suffer the same fate in the next days (current damage 99/76/5). All other ships should made it.

South of Gili Gili, the Allied convoy sailed faster than planned today and was now 300 miles south of Gili Gili. The Naka TF was in the planned position but will probably fail to intercept the convoy, except if its refuels. It will try anyway. The 39 Betties based in Lunga received orders to fly naval attack at range range and so should attack it before it reaches Gili Gili.

Off New Guinea the main ports used by Allied ships today were Lae, Saidor and Dobadura.

9 Tabby and 7 Ki-59 arrived in Truk from Palau and will start to fly supply to Wewak tomorrow.

Allied engineers expanded Madang airfield to size 3.

Timor-DEI-Australia

The landing on Kai Island continued all night and day (and did 616 more “casualties”). The LRCAP was flown today by 27 Kittyhawk III but had still little to do. They shot down a Dinah III getting too close of the ships. The two Allied units (37th US Div and 73rd Base Force) ashore had anyway bad orders and only bombarded the empty base…

In the afternoon, Koepang was attacked by 21 B-25C from Derby that did 5 casualties and scored 9 runway hits, Dili was the target of 44 B-17E, 39 B-24D and 21 B-24J from Darwin escorted by 15 P-40N that disabled 63 men and 1 gun and scored 3 hits on the airbase, 4 on supplies and 27 on the runways, and Lautem was attacked and missed by 10 B-25C from Darwin.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (fort 4, 9% (+5%)), Koepang was damaged 71/46/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 64/77/0, Lautem 23/0/38, other bases undamaged.

SRA

A local convoy started to load 28k resources and 27k oil in Palembang and will bring them to Singapore.

Burma

Bad weather closed all Allied airfields except Dacca and so only one raid was launched. 73 Liberator VI and 38 B-25C from this base escorted by 35 P-40N attacked Mandalay, doing 154 casualties and scoring 10 hits on the airbase, 3 on supplies and 112 on the runways. Two Liberator VI and two P-40N were lost operationally.

Despite the lack of air support Allied troops attacked in Myitkyina and for the first time managed to disrupt seriously Japanese defenses. Their engineers reduced the fortifications to level 5 and the deliberate attack was a 2 to 1 success (4157 Allied AV vs 1381, adjusted to 3326 vs 1565… the lack of supply of the defenders showed today). Anyway Allied losses were serious (5759 men, 118 guns and 18 vehicles, 14 troop points) and higher than the Japanese (1951 men, 25 guns, 3 vehicles, 4 troop points) so this offensive will probably not continue tomorrow.

More west Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (100 men hit), where 1245 Japanese AV (+5) faced 1723 Allied (+4).

The evening report showed damage of 61/75 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town there were still zero remaining supplies for needs of 12 415 (+1942). Mandalay was damaged at 65/84 (airbase/runway) and Lashio at 47/44.

The 104th Div west of Myitkyina was ordered to move to Myitkyina but the game refused this order (with the message “an unit can’t move from an enemy control zone to another”. Needless to say there is no enemy ZOC in the 104th Div hex). A regiment of the 30th Div in Katha was ordered to march to Myitkyina and this time the game allowed it… So the 104th Div was ordered back to Katha and then will march to Myitkyina…

The main Burma Army reserve unit, the 1st Tk Div, was ordered to move by train from Rangoon to Mandalay.

China

A training raid hit 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 32 Tojo from Changsha escorted by 12 Oscar II and did 14 casualties for the loss of an Oscar II in an accident.

[VSWG]

I'm a regular reader of this AAR and I really appreciate the amount of work you put into this AAR. [:)]

At PJ the number of enemy troops and their AV is increasing fast. Is he just recovering disabled squads or is he also flying in new troops? Also, it looks like you will run out of supplies at PJ in about 40 days. Will barge convoys suffice to keep them supplied, or are you planning a large supply convoy for PJ after you have retaken OJ?

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

The 104th Div west of Myitkyina was ordered to move to Myitkyina but the game refused this order (with the message “an unit can’t move from an enemy control zone to another”. Needless to say there is no enemy ZOC in the 104th Div hex). A regiment of the 30th Div in Katha was ordered to march to Myitkyina and this time the game allowed it… So the 104th Div was ordered back to Katha and then will march to Myitkyina…

Sometimes this bug disappears after a day or two. See this thread for some suggestions:
tm.asp?m=1549683

I remember that a while ago you wrote some summaries of the first months of the war. Do you plan to continue writing them? They were really good!

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

Thanks again for great AAR and all updates!

BTW, did you manage to "catch up" the game date with AAR date yet (you said that your opponent will be unavailable and this will be opportunity to do that)?


Leo "Apollo11"

[AmiralLaurent]

Finally my opponent was just offline for one day, and in fact my lack of free time has slowed the game... and this AAR.

The AAR is again one week late... Just to tease you the fourth battle of PJ is actually taking place, with both sides CV exchanging blows and the largest daylight naval battle since the Jutland.

Monthly report September 1943

Japanese score: 61 921 (+ 1 649)
Bases 16 181 (+ 112)
Aircraft 13 117 (+ 957)
Army 21 315 (+ 245)
Ship 10 578 (+ 470) 649 ships sunk (+ 86, mainly PT, but also a CVL confirmed scuttled)
Scuttled ships 12 (- 135)
Strategic 718 (+ 0)

Allied score: 11 506 (+ 984)
Bases 1 419 (+ 53)
Aircraft 6 857 (+ 673)
Army 1 282 (+ 117)
Ship 1 956 (+ 148) 199 ships sunk (+ 23)
Strategic 0

Economic situation (stocks rounded to the thousand):
Supplies : 4 381 000 (bases) + around 255 000 (TFs) = around 4 636 000 (+32 000)
Fuel : 4 454 000 (bases) + around 169 000 (TFs) = around 4 623 000 (-107 000) (KB refuelled...)
Ressource centers : 19 197 (+ 49)
Ressources : 1 087 000 (bases) + 392 000 (TFs) = 1 479 000 (+ 10 000)
Oil centers : 2 791 (+ 0)
Oil: 1 882 000 (bases) + 485 000 (TFs) = 2 367 000 (+ 53 000)
Manpower centers : 818 (+ 0)
Manpower pool : 1 197 000 (+ 97 000)
Heavy industry: 14 247 (+ 33)
Heavy industry pool: 439 000 (+ 24 000)
Naval shipyard: 1402 (+ 0)
Merchant shipyard: 1000 (+ 0)
Repair shipyard: 1043 (+ 23)
Armament industry: 683 (+ 0)
Armament stock: 213 000 (+ 18 000)
Vehicles industry: 113 (+ 0)
Vehicles stock: 19 300 (+ 3 300)
Aircraft engine factories: 1693 (+ 60)
Aircraft frames factories: 1549 (+ 118) (Judy in production)
Aircraft research: 383 (- 21) (Jill, Frances, Frank researched)

Aircraft production:
500 A6M5 Zeke (462), 130 Ki-61 KAIc Tony (123), 90 G4M2 Betty (86), 71 B5N Kate (80), 51 J2M Jack (48), 45 D3A Val (41), 32 Ki-46-III Dinah (31), 30 A6M5c (31), 21 J1N1-S Irving (23), 19 E13A1 Jake (20), 16 Ki-21 Sally (20), 16 Ki-57 Topsy (10), 12 L2D2 Tabby (10), 12 A6M-2 Rufe (14), 7 L3Y Tina (5), 3 E14Y1 Glen (4), 2 Ki-45 KAIb Nick (25, restarted), 0 Ki-43-IIa (159, suspended), 0 Ki-44-IIb Tojo (57, suspended), 0 Ki-45 KAIa Nick (44, suspended), 0 Ki-48 (capacity 40, stopped), 0 H8K Emily (32, suspended), 0 Ki-49 Helen (23, suspended), 0 Ki-51 Sonia (18, stopped), 0 J1N1-R Irving (16, suspended), 0 MC-21 Sally (5, suspended), 0 H6K2-L Mavis (4, suspended)

Total: 1050 aircraft (693 fighters (including 12 Rufes), 106 level bombers, 71 torpedo bombers, 45 divebombers, 35 transport, 32 recon, 23 night-fighters, 23 fighter-bombers, 22 floatplanes)

[AmiralLaurent]

1 October 1943

Northern Pacific

Once again no Allied aircraft saw the KB sailing close to PJ. But when the usual heavy bomber raids came in the afternoon, 59 KB fighters (46 A6M5 and 13 A6M3a) flew to the island and engaged them.
The first raid was flown by 44 PB4Y, 26 B-24D and 20 B-24J from Attu, and the second by 42 PB4Y and 6 B-24J from Kiska. The Japanese pilots shot down 25 PB4Y, 7 B-24D and 5 B-24J and more bombers turned back under the attack, but 68 reached the target. AA fire shot down one more PB4Y and a B-24D, and a last PB4Y was lost operationally, but Japan also suffered losses: on the ground an Oscar II and a Jill were destroyed, 77 men and 2 guns were disabled and PJ reported 3 hits on the airbase and 49 on the runways. The air losses were more serious: 3 A6M5 and 1 A6M3a were shot down in flames by the bomber gunners, 5 A6M5 and 1 A6M3a were seriously damaged during the battle and ditched or were jettisoned after landing, and 6 A6M5 and 1 A6M3a were lost in accidents.

The detailed evening report of the KB showed that five units were engaged:
AII-1 scored 2 kills and lost 3 A6M3a and 3 pilots
BI-1 scored 8 kills and lost 2 A6M5 and 2 pilots
F1/261 scored 12 kills and lost 8 A6M5 and 5 pilots (at least one was only WIA)
F1/653 scored 3 kills and lost 3 A6M5 and 3 pilots
F2/653 scored 6 kills and lost 1 A6M5 and its pilot
BI-1 was the only experienced unit. F1/261 was a newly formed unit, and the other were training units that boarded KB for this operation (AII-1 was decimated during Kuriles battles some time ago and was reformed with rookie pilots).

A dozen Oscar II of 204 Sentai flying from PJ intercepted the C-47s flying from Aleutians to OJ and shot down six for one operational loss. Two more C-47 were lost operationally.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 11 men, Japanese ones 565 men and 8 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 204 059 men (+139), 2060 guns (+22) and 425 vehicles (+0) for 4013 AV (+32) against 99 404 men (+286), 810 guns (-2) and 7 tankettes for 1753 AV (+7).

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 90/0/42 (airbase/runway/port), 423 engineers (+1), 37 029 supplies (-654) and 200 mines. The last Rufe of the island was finally repaired and flew to Shikka where the Chutai received replacement AC for its 5 pilots. The Oscar II will remain there and continue to fly LRCAP over OJ.

OJ showed damage 2/55 (airfield/port) and recons reported 9 units with 15 100 men (+160), 41 guns (-6) and 45 vehicles (-1).

The KB had not decimated Allied heavy bombers as much as what was planned. 40 Allied heavy were lost today but also 19 Japanese fighters with their (mostly rookie) pilots. Also the (unplanned) LRCAP tired the involved pilots. So the KB will sail SW close to Etoforu Jima, and be joined here by the Katsuragi TF, the BB TF and the replenishment TF that met at Etoforu today and refuelled here. We will also see if the Allied CV will react or not. The KB will detach two CA and 4 CL escorted by 7 DD to bombard OJ during the night.

South of Alaska the I-37 found again in the morning 600 miles WSW of the Canadian port of Prince Rupert the convoy seen the day before but was chased away by two DE. Both Japanese submarines in the area will continue to follow this convoy.

Finally Japanese LBA had not much to do in the area and given the crisis in the south several units were sent there: 20 A6M3a and 25 G4M2 left Hokkaido for Palai but one of each type disappeared on the way.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

In the afternoon 6 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 12 P-38G and 8 B-24D and 2 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 16 P-38G and 10 P-38J bombed Rabaul, did 33 casualties, and scored 16 hits on the runways. And 49 B-25J from Lae attacked again Wewak, did 21 casualties, and scored 3 hits on the airbase, 6 on supplies and 18 on the runways. A B-25C was shot down by AA fire over Rabaul. On the Japanese side a Alf floatplane flying patrol was shot down by an Allied fighter.

Rabaul reported damage of 75/28/28 (airbase/runway/port) and still zero supplies for 4831 (-9) required, Kavieng had repaired damage and was building again fortifications (5, 95%) and Wewak reported damage 2/0/0. No evacuation flight was flown today from Ponape again, probably due to the state of the airfield in Rabaul.

Tanaka’s ships continued to slowly sail north. The CL Tatsuta now had FLT damage at 84.

Tomorrow the big barge convoy sent from Truk to Rabaul will be off Kavieng and all Zero based in Truk will LRCAP this base.

South of Gili Gili the Naka hadn’t find any target during the night and retreated to the SE at dawn without being detected. In the evening the SS I-176 reported that another Allied convoy (4 AP were seen) was sailing south. Attacking a convoy returning empty was less interesting than a laden one going northwards but anyway it was decided to go for this one. The escort DD was close to missing fuel and was sent to Lunga for refuel. The Naka will attack alone the convoy that the I-176 was ordered to follow.

As said above air reinforcement arrived in Palau from Hokkaido. 9 Dinah III arrived in Palau too from Nagasaki, and 9 other in Truk.

Timor-DEI-Australia

Allied troops continued to land on Kai Island during the night and the day (82 amphibious casualties) under LRCAP by 24 Kittyhawk III (one operational loss, but they shot down a Jake on naval search from Amboina) and took the empty island in the evening. Before committing suicide, the local Japanese coastwatcher reported that these troops were the 37th US Division and the 73rd Base Force, and had 16 913 men, 179 guns and 10 vehicles.

In the afternoon, Koepang was attacked by 21 B-25C from Derby that did 21 casualties, disabled a gun and scored 2 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 14 on the runways, Dili was the target of 44 B-17E and 44 B-24D escorted by 7 P-40N from Darwin that did 32 casualties and scored 4 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 36 on the runways, and Lautem was attacked by 21 B-24J and 14 B-25C from Darwin and reported 56 casualties and 6 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 23 on the runways. The only Allied loss was a Catalina I shot down by AA fire during a recon flight to Lautem.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (fort 4, 15% (+6%)), Koepang was damaged 75/21/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 69/83/0, Lautem 37/24/38, other bases undamaged.

34 A6M3 arrived in Kendari from Burma and 9 Dinah III from Japan to reinforce this area. A floatplane arrived in Amboina to show an aircraft presence here. Other will reach Menado and Sorong tomorrow.

Burma

Allied airmen flew 270 sorties today. 66 Liberator VI and 37 B-25C from Dacca escorted by 35 P-40N attacked Lashio (87 casualties, a disabled gun, 14 hits on the airbase, 5 on supplies and 120 on the runways) while 15 B-25J from Ledo escorted by 44 P-40E attacked Myitkyina (1 hit on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 7 on the runways). 14 P-40N flew LRCAP over Myitkyina and 51 Hurricane II from Imphal escorted by 8 Spitfire Vb attacked the 46th Div in Katha that lost 43 men and 1 guns. A P-40N was lost operationally.

All was perfectly quiet at Myitkyina as both sides licked wounds of yesterday’s attack and so no report was available of the respective strength of the opponents. More west Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (no hit), where 1081 Japanese AV (-164 with the move eastwards of a regiment of the 30th Div) faced 1722 Allied (-1).

The evening report showed damage of 63/79 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town there were still zero remaining supplies for needs of 9 925 (-2490). Mandalay was damaged at 65/79 (airbase/runway) and Lashio at 69/98.

A big convoy was unloading 98k supplies in Rangoon.

China

Two training raids hit the 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 32 Tojo from Changsha escorted by 10 Oscar and 100 Oscar II, 29 Val and 24 Kate from Wuhan escorted by 30 Oscar and hit 64 men while a Val was lost operationally.

Japan

The first four production Judy were produced today… but also the first production Jill as the release date of the latter was also advanced one month too for this model, and so allowed the production to start immediately.

[Zond]

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

Finally my opponent was just offline for one day, and in fact my lack of free time has slowed the game... and this AAR.

The AAR is again one week late... Just to tease you the fourth battle of PJ is actually taking place, with both sides CV exchanging blows and the largest daylight naval battle since the Jutland.
[/b]

Bloody Hell! Nice to see you "online" again! [:)]

Give us some info of these Jutland and CV battle [:D]

Please, please,pretty please with cherry on top [;)]

[Fishbed]

The air losses were more serious: 3 A6M5 and 1 A6M3a were shot down in flames by the bomber gunners, 5 A6M5 and 1 A6M3a were seriously damaged during the battle and ditched or were jettisoned after landing, and 6 A6M5 and 1 A6M3a were lost in accidents.

Is there a typo or something Admiral? [&:]
I don't understand where the detailed losses are coming from thereafter...?

[06 Maestro]

[quote]ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

Aircraft research: 3834 (- 21) (Jill, Frances, Frank researched)


[



Does this mean 3823 production points assigned to research?

[AmiralLaurent]

Zond: it was a teaser... you will now have to wait for the full report

Fishbed: the detailled losses are calculated with the following method. I had the number of fighters per type of the KB before and after the battle and 14 A6M5 and 3 A6M3a were missing.
In the combat report & animation, only 3 A6M5 and 1 A6M3a were shot down but many other were damaged, and the A2A losses shown after the turn showed 8 A6M5 and 2 A6M3a lost, so the difference is assumed to have crashed/dkitched after the battle or being damaged beyond repair, and then the other missing AC were lost operationally.

06 Maestro: it was a typo, I have 383 research centers, and not 3834 [:-]. And I am quite sure that aircraft research didn't use any HI.

2 October 1943

Northern Pacific

During the night six Japanese cruisers (2 CA and 4 CL) bombarded OJ, but were repulsed by CD defences and only hit 22 men.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 21 men and 2 guns, Japanese ones 96 men and 3 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 204 769 men (+710), 2093 guns (+33) and 422 vehicles (-3) for 4037 AV (+24) against 99 227 men (-177), 809 guns (-1) and 7 tankettes for 1760 AV (+7).

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 33/0/42 (airbase/runway/port), 423 engineers (+1), 36 509 supplies (-520) and 200 mines. The last Dinah and the last Val of the island were repaired and flew to Toyohara . Only the Oscar II will remain there and continue to fly LRCAP over OJ.

OJ showed damage 0/16 (airfield/port) and recons reported 9 units with 14 560 men (-540), 46 guns (+5) and 32 vehicles (-13).

The ML squadron arrived in Toyohara from Shikka with a MLE and 6 ML and started to lay mines here (currently 500 mines off this base).

The Allied CV fleet remained off Kiska, and maybe the KB went undetected. It will sail NE of Shimushiri Jima tomorrow and chase American submarines (6 seen in this area today). The next night OJ will be bombarded by BB and cruiser in force. The cruiser TF that unsuccessfully bombarded OJ last night refuelled in Etorofu and will join the fleet tomorrow. OJ will also be bombed tomorrow by Toyohara Betties.

In Toyohara the 48th Div was unloading and the 18th Div convoy will arrive in two days. These troops will finish to unload and then reboard with the troops already there (2nd and 116th Div, 1st Para Rgt (that will be used as infantry), 21st and 25th Eng Rgt) the 168 transport ships gathered for the OJ operation. The three Yokosuka para SNLF of the Navy were also there and will be air dropped over the Allied base. Landing should take place on the 10 of October.

The AK Cape Isabel, torpedoed on 30 August off PJ by KB airmen, was today declared damaged beyond repair by Allied engineers in Attu port (sank in game).

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

The CL Naka had more luck this night and found targets 300 miles SSW of Gili Gili. She met the AK Mercury sailing alone and sank her with 3 torpedoes and 10 shells fired at 4000-5000 yards. She had surprised the Allied crew and no message was sent on the radio, but nearby cruised a SC group that saw the battle and thought a submarine was attacking the isolated AK. When they arrived they surprised the Japanese cruiser stooped to pick prisoners but they were no match against her and rather to attack tried to flee. The Japanese cruiser enjoyed a field day with clear moonlight and sank 7 of the 8 SC before they could escape. The Naka then sailed at full speed towards Noumea and wasn’t found by Allied aircraft during the day.

In the afternoon 8 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 13 P-38G and 17 B-24D, 10 B-25C and 7 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 17 P-38G and 2 P-38J bombed Rabaul, did 23 casualties, and scored 2 hits on the airbase and 39 on the runways. 38 B-25J from Lae attacked Wewak, did 8 casualties, and scored 6 hits on the airbase, 5 on supplies and 28 on the runways. A B-25J was shot down by AA fire over Wewak. On the Japanese side a Dinah III flying patrol was shot down by an Allied fighter, and an A6M3a was lost operationally during the useless LRCAP of Kavieng, but its pilot was rescued unhurt.

Rabaul reported damage of 77/49/28 (airbase/runway/port) and still zero supplies for 4826 (-5) required, Kavieng had repaired damage and was building again fortifications (6, 0%, +5%) and Wewak reported damage 8/0/0.

No evacuation flight was flown today from Ponape again, probably due to the state of the airfield in Rabaul. To test if it will work 7 Mavis were ordered to carry supply to Rabaul. The barge convoy that was today off Kavieng will sail to Rabaul and unload here. The Zero that covered it will rest tomorrow.

More south the Naka was now lacking fuel and will return to Noumea.

In the evening the crippled CL Tatsuta sank 180 miles south of Palau.

Timor-DEI-Australia

In the afternoon, there was only one Allied raid: Koepang was attacked by 15 B-25C from Derby that scored 8 hits on the runways.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (fort 4, 20% (+6%)), Koepang was damaged 72/0/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 69/73/0, Lautem 37/17/38, other bases undamaged. A big AK was unloading supplies off Koepang.

108 Allied aircraft (91 fighters and 17 patrol) were reported on Kai Island, with two units (23 180 men, 238 guns and 17 vehicles) and 10+ AK were unloading off the base.

Adm Hashimoto left Palau with the CA Furutaka and 10 DD to attack this base.

Burma

Allied airmen flew 666 sorties today, all in Myitkyina area: 15 B-25J from Ledo and 40 escorts on the airfield (15 casualties, 1 hit on the airbase and 9 on the runways), 13 LRCAP sorties (by P-47), 239 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included, but also Thunderbolt II and P-47C used in this role now), 261 bombers and 98 escorts from Imphal, Jorhat, Ledo, Kohima and Dacca against 3 divisions of the garrison (337 men and 7 guns hit). A B-25J was shot down by AA fire and a P-40N and a Blenheim IV were lost in accidents.

On the ground there was again no activity at Myitkyina as both sides licked wounds. More west Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (62 Allied men hit), where 1080 Japanese AV (-1) faced 1724 Allied (+2).

The evening report showed damage of 64/74 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town arrived 318 supplies (+318) for needs of 10 466 (+541). These supplies were probably brought in by the regiment of the 30th Div that arrived today. Mandalay was damaged at 65/65 (airbase/runway) and Lashio at 69/97.

China

190 training and 45 escort sorties were flown from Wuhan and Changsha against Chinese troops NW of this latter base, and hit 27 men for one operational loss (an Oscar II).

[Fishbed]

Sneaky Naka - nice show she did put here

[Apollo11]

HI all,

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

Just to tease you the fourth battle of PJ is actually taking place, with both sides CV exchanging blows and the largest daylight naval battle since the Jutland.

Welcome back!


May the Gods be with Japan in this difficult time and best of luck in the battle - the world will again tremble waiting for reports from cold Pacific north...

BANZAI!!!


Leo "Apollo11"

[AmiralLaurent]

3 October 1943

Northern Pacific

52 G4M2 and 15 G4M1 from Toyohara bombed OJ, did 184 casualties, disabled 2 vehicles, and scored 2 hits on the airbase, 2 on supplies and 33 on the runways. A G4M1 was lost operationally.

KB airmen flying extensive naval patrol west of the Kuriles damaged in the afternoon two American submarines, the Dace 120 miles north of Shimushuri Jima and the Corvina NW of Ketoi Jima.

On the other side of the Kuriles, the Japanese submarine I-41 was also bombed and damaged in the afternoon by a PB4Y 360 miles WSW of Kiska. The bomber called 5 nearby SC that chased the submarine and scored one more hit and 3 near-misses on her. With damage 44/46/0 the SS I-41 will return to Etorofu Jima. She reported being engaged by the escort of a convoy (5 ships, including 2 AP) but probably was wrong…

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 125 men and 2 guns, Japanese ones 371 men and 6 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 205 235 men (+466), 2112 guns (+19) and 422 vehicles (+0) for 4059 AV (+22) against 99 642 men (+415), 809 guns (+0) and 7 tankettes for 1771 AV (+11).

The evening report of PJ showed no more damage and 423 engineers building fortifications (level 4, 55%), 36 075 supplies (-434) and 192 mines.

OJ showed damage 5/4 (airfield/port) and recons reported 9 units with 14 200 men (-360), 39 guns (-7) and 37 vehicles (+5).

The Allied CV fleet remained off Kiska (where recon reported a CAP of 156 F6F among other types). Tonight OJ will be bombarded by two bombardment TF (with a total of 5 BB, 5 CA and 4 CL). These ships will then sail to Etorofu Jima. The KB will remain in the area to continue to chase submarines and cover the retreat, and then will sail to Toyohara to escort the troop convoys.

Both submarines patrolling south of Alaska were recalled to PH for quick repairs and will sail back to Japan.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

During the day the barge convoy sent from Truk via Kavieng reached Rabaul and was attacked by 12 Dutch Beaufighter Mk 21 from Kiriwima (that sank two barges) and a patrolling B-25C (that sank one). It will unload tonight 700 supplies and then sail to Green Island.

In the afternoon 7 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 12 P-38G and 17 B-24D, 17 B-25C and 6 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 18 P-38G and 2 P-38J bombed Rabaul, did 47 casualties, and scored 1 hit on the airbase and 36 on the runways. 38 B-25J from Lae attacked Wewak and scored 3 hits on the airbase, 3 on supplies and 4 on the runways. A B-25J was shot down by AA fire over Wewak and a B-25C suffered the same fate over Rabaul. On the Japanese side two Dinah III flying recon and patrol were shot down by an Allied fighter, but one crew was rescued.

420 miles south of Gili Gili, the Japanese submarine I-31 was chased by 6 SC and depth charged by four of them. They scored only seven near-misses but the submarine had damage 17/7/0 and will sail SE to evade Allied ships and repair and will then remain in the area to refuel a DD coming from Lunga (see below).

Rabaul reported damage of 78/57/28 (airbase/runway/port) and 7 supplies (+7) for 4813 (-13) required, Kavieng had repaired damage and was building again fortifications (6, 4%, +4%) and Wewak had also repaired damage and was building again fortifications (5, 71%).

The 7 Mavis ordered to carry supply from Ponape to Rabaul flew today, while evacuation flights didn’t work for one week. I am missing something here.

The DD Natsugumo that was with the Naka some days ago refueled in Lunga and sailed SW to chase SC south of Gili Gili.

More north the first Japanese reinforcement arrived, as a reinforced SNLF landed in Woelai.

The last damaged ships of Tanaka TF arrived in Palau. A DD and a CL had sunk so far, two DD have FLT 61 and 63 and the CL Tenryu 29, another CL and 2 DD were damaged but have FLT 0. Palau port (size 6, 2 AR, 1 Fleet HQ) should be able to save the damaged ships.

Allied engineers expanded Lae airfield to size 7.

Timor-DEI-Australia

There was no Allied air raid today. Japanese recon flew over Kai Island (reporting 70-75 fighters on CAP) and Tenimbar (11 Kittyhawk III on CAP) and lost a Dinah III shot down by an Allied fighter

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere was OK (fort 4, 26% (+6%)), Koepang was damaged 38/0/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 69/61/0, Lautem 37/9/38, other bases undamaged. A big AK was still unloading supplies off Koepang.

111 Allied aircraft (79 fighters and 32 patrol) were reported on Kai Island. 10+ AK were still unloading off the base, but a surface TF was also seen here, with at least 4 “CA”. Tomorrow will be a thunderstorm day and Hashimoto will arrive in position NE of Sorong and be able to attack next evening.

SRA

The Gold Convoy united off Legaspi with the tankers sailing from Brunei and sailed for Japan with a total of 485k oil and 378k resources, under escort by three ASW TF added to its close escort.

SE of Aparri the submarine USS Sawfish was bombed and damaged by a Ki-21 flying patrol from Luzon.

Burma

Allied airmen flew 552 sorties today, all in Myitkyina area: 16 LRCAP sorties (by P-40N and P-47), 125 fighter-bombers (with the first use of a P-35A group (!!!) from Dimapur), 266 bombers and 105 escorts from Imphal, Jorhat, Dacca and Dimapur against 2 divisions and a regiment (the fresh one of 30th Div) of the garrison (594 men, 2 tanks and 13 guns hit). Three P-40N, two Liberator VI, two P-47C, a B-17E, a Beaufighter Mk 21 and a Beaufighter VIC were lost in accidents.

On the ground there was again no activity at Myitkyina as both sides licked wounds. More west Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (49 Allied men and 1 gun hit), where 1560 Japanese AV (+480 with the arrival from 104th Div from the east) faced 1721 Allied (-3). The 104th Div arrived in Katha, took full supplies and was ordered to march to Myitkyina.

The evening report showed damage of 64/59 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town there were still 318 supplies (+0) for needs of 10 594 (+128). Mandalay was damaged at 65/50 (airbase/runway) and Lashio at 69/86.

The local air commander would have liked to provide LRCAP over Myitkyina but the airfields of Lashio and Mandalay were too badly damaged to do that. He will rather try to attack Allied airfields: as many Allied fighters flew over Myitkyina CAP over their own bases was maybe weak. Allied bases will be reconned tomorrow.

Japanese recon reported 4 Allied units east of Dacca. They will try to identify them tomorrow. They may advance towards Akyab from here or move to Central Burma via Kohima.

China

187 training and 38 escort sorties were flown from Wuhan and Changsha against Chinese troops NW of this latter base, and hit 51 men for three operational losses (two Oscar II and a Kate).