AFTER ACTION REPORTS 10/22-23/42
The Japanese landings around Lunga are the major focus of attention this turn. Recon tells me that Rick has a surface TF in Lunga either to interdict supplies or to bombard the newly landed Japanese troops, Intel also informs us that this TF probably bontains a BB. Two bombardment TFs are dispatched to assist ground forces at Lunga TF 1 contains 1xBB 4xCA 1xCL & 6xDD......TF 2 is made up of a 1xBB & 8xDD.
There is an allied carrier floating around off San Cristobel waiting for my transports I suspect so thats not an option it will have to be the Tokyo express to resupply so first thing is to remove his surface ships fron around Lunga..
All aircraft at Rabual and Shortland are set to Naval attack and the TFs steam...Just before nightfall the US surface forces around Lunga are spotted and come under attack from LBA with excellent resultsAir attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3 Zero x 18
D3A Val x 12
G3M Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 18
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged
G3M Nell x 9 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 14 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 1
DD Barton
DD O'Bannon
5 torpedo hits on the South Dakota is a most excellent result
The ground assult at Lunga is inconclusive
Ground combat at Lunga
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 12235 troops, 159 guns, 20 vehicles
Defending force 18078 troops, 77 guns, 87 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 106
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 172
Night falls and my surface TFs arrive to cause more havoc amongst the allied ships
ight Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 2
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 2
CA Mogami, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1
DD Takanami
DD Onami
DD Shiranui
DD Michishio, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
DD Arare, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shigure
Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
CL Hobart, Shell hits 7, on fire
CL Helena, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD O'Bannon, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Lardner
DD Barton
DD Welles
Mogami suffers heavy damage but so do the 2 US light cruisers
The TF continues on disposing of several PT boats on the way unfortunately one of the PT boats manages to slip a torpedo into the Kirishima slowing her considerably.The TF bombards the allied ground forces but on the way out runs into South Dakota and her cohorts again
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kumano
CA Aoba, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1
DD Takanami
DD Onami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shiranui
DD Michishio, heavy damage
DD Arare, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shigure
Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
CL Hobart, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Helena, and is sunk
DD O'Bannon, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DD Lardner
DD Barton, Shell hits 1
DD Welles, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Action is hot and heavy Kirishima take several 16inch hits but returns the favor with 14 inch shells on the South Dakota the DD Arare staggers as she takes on board a 16 inch shell. The Helena already badly damaged sinks as well as the DD Welles who sinks CL Hobart is severly damaged and sinking quitely disappearing under the waters the next morning...
While all this is happening TF 2 (1xBB & 8xDD) sneaks in sinking a couple of PT boats bombards US ground forces causing 200 casualties and departs for base.
As morning dawns the respective task forces are heading for their bases but TF1 comes under attack for LBA from San Cristobal
Air attack on TF at 37,38
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD Dauntless x 24
TBF Avenger x 8
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Arare, on fire, heavy damage
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
The Kirishima aint looking good with 78% sys damage & 65% flooding, the CA Mogami finally gives up the ghost and capsizes just as a force of Kates passes overhead on its way to attack the South Dakota TF which has been spotted near Tulagi
Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 38,39
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 16
Allied Ships
DD Barton
BB South Dakota, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Welles, heavy damage
Three more hits on the South Dakota will this thing ever sink.......
At the end of the day reports come in that the South Dakota founded just south of Tulagi HURRAH!!!!
Ground forces assault Lunga again
Ground combat at Lunga
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 12102 troops, 158 guns, 20 vehicles
Defending force 17685 troops, 76 guns, 87 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 94
Guns lost 1
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 140
Inconclusive results but looking from this turn to the last I would say there will be no quick result in the battle for Lunga.
Overall a turn I am reasonably happy with traded the Kirishima for the South Dakota and the Mogami for 2 Allied CLs
I wont mention Madang in New Guinea which is getting hammered by US medium and heavy bombers
Mines! Help me! Help!
