ORIGINAL: BrucePowers
Tabpub, we need more details please.
Indeed. I have a cool map but cannot post it. Here is what happened at Fiji.
As the Marine F4F's at Nandi and Suva had taken a bit of a beating, all fighters were instructed to prepare for CAP as soon as the sun rose. In the interim, all aircraft were to be dispersed and all ordinance to be stored in bunkers to prepare for the Jap heavy surface forces which were sure to come. Only the PBY's would be flying strike missions (at night). A single flotilla of 6 PT boats were available at Nandi. To guard Suva, there were 12 PT boats in two groups plus HMNZS KIWI (PG) and 3 USN Subchasers who were deemed so "fungible" they did not even have proper names. The remaining USN fast combatants (USS New Orelans and 6 x DD) and undamaged fast auxillaries made for Canton. They would have to skirt the Jap seaplane base at Funafuti to avoid the Bettys in Samoa but they were no match for the Jap heavies bearing down on Fiji.
The Japanese carriers and CVE's, in fact, turned West toward Noumea as soon as they recovered their planes and were out of the battle. The enemy aimed to deal a powerful blow with surface bombardment. Instead of the 4 BB's spotted the day before, there were, in fact, 5. YAMATO, KONGO, HARUNA, MUTSU and 3 x DD bearing down on Nandi while KIRISHIMA and 3 heavy cruisers (MYOKO, TONE and CHIKUMA) and 2 x DD closed on Suva Harbor.
Night of 1-23/24:
01:20 MINEKAZI strikes a mine as the Western force approaches Nandi. Her back is broken and she begins to sink immediately. One DD is tasked with recovering the survivors while the remaining force moves on.
01:32 The Nandi bombardment force is attacked by PT boats. With only one DD left in the screen, the Jap BB's turn away and the 2nd DD is recalled from rescue duty to protect the battleships. Neither side suffers losses in this engagement but a great deal of time is gained for the defenders.
01:48 As the Suva bombardment force nears its target, CHIKUMA, strikes a mine and begins to burn below deck. She can make only 12 kts and is detached, retiring to the SW.
01:58-02:30 The Suva force is engaged by 12 PT boats and HMNZS KIWI and the USN Subchasers. Two of the PT boats and the entire KIWI force are destroyed without scoring any torpedo hits. In addition, 3 RAN coastal minesweepers are spotted and disptached.
02:40-03:30 The Suva force bombards the harbor and airfield, damaging several previously damaged transports at anchor and sinking a Dutch AP but only 2 aircraft are destroyed on the field.
02:55 The 4 BB Nandi force finally arrives on station, exchanging gunfire with shore batteries, but fails to damage a single aircraft.
03:45 USS SAILFISH attacks and then is depth charged by the retreating escorts of the Suva force.
04:10 USS SAILFISH torpedoes KONGO in a narrow straight West of Vitu Levu. KONGO slows noticeably but survives.
On the 25th, with both Fiji airfields fully operational. Marine SBD's and the Yorktown Torepdo squadron (which was flown off to Nandi some time ago) find and sink the wounded CHIKUMA. Bombers from Samoa find and damage USS CALHOUN (APD) and USS FULLER (APA) attmepting to escape to Canton. Both are moderately damaged and will survive.
