two Germans in the Pacific - Sc17

[RGIJN]

I already assumed that your CVs though damaged aren´t hurt enough to sink[:(]. The question was rather meant in general...

[AbeSimpson]

Thank you all for the warm welcome!![:)]

@ Popeye: and the name of your wife is Olivia? [:D]

What a carrier battle!! I have checked the scenario, so i guess this outcome will give the IJN a lot of space an time for its operations.....

Hard times for the USN......

[bigbaba]

@RGIJN:

you are going for auto victory?

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: bigbaba

@RGIJN:

you are going for auto victory?

I think so, yes. One thing that concerns me even this early now are the poor a/c replacements...

[fuelli]

ORIGINAL: RGIJN




I think so, yes. One thing that concerns me even this early now are the poor a/c replacements...

Something I do not have to worry about. All losses of the Brisbane incident have been replaced so far. Maybe we can make a deal and you give a few flattops in exchange for better replacement rates?

This day saw some fortunate incidents for my not so silent service.
S-42 intercepted a CL leaving shortland and S-46 stumbled across the Japanese carrierarmada returning from Brisbane in the middle of nowhere. Intercepted radiomessages from the japanese reveal that the damge is only slight while the skipper of S-46 reports that shortly after the torpedo impact another explosion was shaking his boat. The sonar operator claims to have heard something that must have been the multiple explosions of ordenance.

Our ASW was successful as well. A Hunter-Killer group was able to detect and shell an I-Boat of the coast of Brisbane.

[RGIJN]

Its really puzzling me to see the american subs biting here and slapping there. Fortunately it seems I enjoy damage control skills only known for allies usually. Or may be the US suffering from the torpedo crisis they had indeed historically. [:D]

Immediately called up Adm. Yonai Mitsumasa with a request for proper countermeasures. What he told me was quite disenchanting - there are no effective tactics/weapons known so far. Obviously I have to rely on these odd Type 91 and Type 95 Sub chargers. My sailors call them "firecracker batteries" due to their heavy impact...

see the ammo here ---->>>>

[fuelli]

Looks like "Made in China"[:D]

[RGIJN]

actually, they ARE made in China.[;)] It´s becoming part of our "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" we´re establishing right now. One little annoying fact still averts this fancy future... The Allies, who desperately believe in Victory. I am in to care for that issue.

Thereafter, our crackers may be made in Australia?

[fuelli]

Now that a couple of days have past after the day infamous at Brisbane has happened.
The whole Japanese navy approached Luganville. Nothing I had not expected, but...there where no Transports. A few bombards took place at LV and Efate but without any notable damage. Now it looks the IJN is retreating...I´m puzzled and I have to admit I really do not know what to do. My forces are scrambled at certain points to be distributed to the hot spots. But right know it seems all the fuss was just for confusing me.
I have to admit, that an all out invasion of Luganville and Efate would have cought me off guard as I was expecting the IJN to recover from the Brisbane campaign at least for a few days. But now...

I´m still curious of whats happen next.

[RGIJN]

KB was just fuelling at the shortlands, where it was spotted by Franks subs and PBYs, a desireble fact this time. He was left in the (wrong) belief I returned to port. But I wasn´t[:D]. Instantly I sailed again, down south. Good timing, since he put up some 4Es to throw a couple of bombs into Shortlands anchorage, slightly damaging four destroyers and two cruisers there on holidays.
After three days of silently steaming thru the seas amidst nowhere, I reached point Alpha inbetween Noumea and Brisbane, hoping to catch juicy fruits. Unfortunately, total surprise was lost when a Seagull spotted my CVs, while my floatplanes found nothing at all.
But the disenchantment of mine is not too bad, since my subs get a reliable kill finally. Some special arrangements have been made for the awesome skipper of I-21. He is credited with a double attack on two Allied AKs on one occasion (see report below). One is sunk already while the other is expected to met same fate soon. Meanwhile, other victims of my silent hunters are reported to have sunk yet, some fat 15p APs amongst them. Certainly the allies must feel some shortage of lift by now.
On the other hand, pounding GG become pretty annoying. I need to contemplate some countermeasure against this impudence. Hopefully I can doctor the balances of this local theatre from the High Command...


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/18/42

Weather: Clear

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 7
G4M1 Betty x 19

Allied aircraft

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 5

Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x G3M Nell at 7000 feet
19 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 29,37

Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki

Allied Ships
SS S-44


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 7,55

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
AK Neleus, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 7,55

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
AK Mildura, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Adelong


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
A-24 Dauntless x 13


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
Hudson x 18
Beaufort x 12
B-26B Marauder x 33


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 46

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 4

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
6 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
1 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet

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

[RGIJN]

one of our avid I-boat skippers brought some images from his last war patrol... Here is some instance of the "freighter death" in the Hebrides last week. Imperial intelligence suspects a good impact on the allied sailors, since it´s expected they begin to refuse duty on thin-skinned cargo vessels... [:D]

[RGIJN]

Imperial Supreme Command just released a brief status report for the press about the certain allied losses in the South Pacific, as for July 21st 1942 as stated below: (note that there is no "Tokyo Rose" bolstering in this figure...!)


1 CA
9 DD
1 DMS
2 MSW
2 SS
8 SC
25 AP & AK

368 A/C of all types

Thru secret channels fellow Adm. Yonai Mitsumasa advised me to push these numbers as soon & as considerable as possible...

[bigbaba]

wow, the scipper and the crew of I-21 earn realy a extra ration of sake and maybe a sushi-dinner in tokyo at their next holiday.

25 allied AP/AK sunk and its not even august! nice work, "RGIJN san".

[RGIJN]

recently, something went wrong when some feeble-minded AirOpsOfficer´s on KB decided to fly during bad weather into Noumea harbour.... They must have been on some Sake hangover! At least two US CVs were present and my commanders took the bait, attacking with around 120 bombers but 11 escorts only. Against some 80 Wildcats they got slaughtered...only 60 came thru to land TWO minor bomb hits on WASP!!! Since I lost something around 90 a/c in this insane action some heads will roll... [:@][:@][:@] My intel states the allied CV isn´t damaged seriously, what of course fires my grim. Actually, it was my fault not to ground them in particular or keep certain distance... However, sometimes you hope for some surprise things to come up in bad weather. This time the surprise was complete tough I wouldn´t rate it as a delightful one...

Meanwhile, operation EN-3 has begun - the seizure of Espirito Santo [:)] - I beg for divine support.


see the picture below - a Noumea survivor adopted his memory of this slaughter ...

[fuelli]

After the encouraging results of Brisbane, the Enemy again tried to stalk into my territory to chase my remaining CVs. As already mentioned my scouts where on guard and after revealing the presence of KB I shepherd my ships into safety. A turn later my CVs returned to Noumea and KB reacted: The result was about 90 planes (mostly Vals) from KB shoot down while loosing 12 fighters. On the down side Wasp was hit by two bombs and suffered minor damage. This means she is not fully operational for the next days.
Beside this my bombers in PM hit a bombardment group that delivered a few shells on my airfield. 3 bomb hits where scored on Haruna. But I think that only paint got scratched.
Also a sub was sunk in return of a torpedoed destroyer. All the former carrier planes are busy with ASW and the results are getting better two other subs were reported hit in the last days.

The ship losses are truly a problem. My opponent is doing a great job in picking up my transport TFs. And the lack of damage control lets a lot of the hurt ships sink in port. The lift capacity I have lost so far will be a pain in the a** later on. But right now I´m still fighting to just getting into 43. Therefore I´m mostly occupied by arranging my forces in certain spots.

[RGIJN]

actually, KB did NOT react! They justed moved their path, attacking from extended range. Anyway, The results are exasperating.

BB HARUNA indeed took three bomb hits, causing just +3 sys damage and 1 fire... The crew is cheering and is now fixing the marine grey paint that got slightly burned aft smokestack where the bonbons hit... [;)]

[RGIJN]

The brave forces of the Emperor under my dutiful command managed to take Luganville just the day after they went ashore. Granted, only weak allied troops were garrisoned on hand to defend the former US base called "Buttons" by the GI´s. However, my losses were minimal so far (1 medium AP, 8 A/C) while Franks air attacks turned out to be kinda costly (he lost 30 Wildcats).


Instantly, our troops occupied a suitable house for MajGen Kamei, who led his men to victory. Though we suspect the allies will try to prevent, we´re going to bring in some drinks for party tonight...[8D]

[fuelli]

Somehow, this invasion simply doesn´t feel right. It looks like a diversion. But using a whole divison for it seems odd also.

[RGIJN]

last few turn brought some minor action, mainly from submerged lurkers. After my BB TF including a battlewagon met a decent allied FT TF with alot of cruisers and destroyers at the adjacent hex north to Luganville we both had some stragglers. One of my subs sunk USS CA SALT LAKE CITY, but the last few days were costly and three subs hit the bottom since the Brisbane attack.

Apart from that things are rather quiet again.



See the battle report from our nightly surface clash -


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/29/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Night Time Surface Combat, near Liekar at 53,52

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 7
CA Myoko, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Haguro, Shell hits 8, on fire
CL Kinu, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 2
DD Hamakaze
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsushimo
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Quincy, Shell hits 1
CA Canberra, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CL Achillies, Shell hits 4
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 1
DD Helm, Shell hits 1
DD Mugford, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Henley, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 1
DD Gridley, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Craven
DD Mahan
DD Cummings, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Drayton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
PBY Catalina x 5
Hudson x 14
Beaufort x 8
P-40E Kittyhawk x 11
B-26B Marauder x 28


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 32

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 3

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
1 x Hudson at 6000 feet
2 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
2 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Luganville , at 53,53


Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 5
B-17E Fortress x 37


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 22

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
G3M Nell x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
P-400 Airacobra x 11
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-40E Kittyhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 6 destroyed
G3M Nell x 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 3 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 damaged

PO2 F.Nishiura of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
AP Barnett
PG Kiwi

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
2 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
G3M Nell x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-40E Kittyhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 2 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed

LTJG S.Hagiri of F2/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
AP Fuller

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

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

[fuelli]

Yes it was suspiciously quiet. But as the Luganville invasion still does not seem the be the main objective of our enemy I had my scouting squadrons in Australia on extra alert. And i was right. On a rainy day they sighted a TF directed to Townsville or Cairns. My P39s were on naval attack and struck hard. As hard as they can...

Air attack on TF at 12,53


Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 21
P-39D Airacobra x 24


Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra x 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 40, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 16
DD Numakaze, Shell hits 8
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 4

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 309
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 12,53


Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 16
P-39D Airacobra x 17


Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Nokaze, Shell hits 8
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 12
DD Kikuzuki
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 4, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 187

As it came out this was just a FT TF dropping one of the bigger Naval Garrisons on the beaches of Cairns. On their way home the TF was hit again and 2 DDs and a CL are reported sunk. The Japanese troops were then welcomed by my LBA and against all odds they attacked Cairns suffering 20% losses without notable results on my defense. Now I have to ask myself what is the greater pan behind this as this was obviously a diversion again.