Japanese ships, at least one hosting short range float scout planes, are still probing eastwards in the Coral Sea. An S-Boat is tagging this force and a destroyer is also scouting the area to see what they find.
A second RN CV TF is scouting around the Nicobars. Japanese troops are closing on Sabang and the RN High Command is hoping that any ships support the advance can be caught by the carriers.
For a third time RN gunboats have attacked and disrupted Japanese barges resupplying Akyab. This time Hurricanes also strafed the boats. Three were sunk over the course of two nights of action, the PG Hindustan excelling in these actions.
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IO.jpg (67.05 KiB) Viewed 248 times
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
Alfred was flying at 8,000 feet to try and get as many hits as possible, will try for high altitudes. Herb has just sailed a cruiser led surface task force and mauled some of my transports. My surface interception force did not engage and i will need to have a colser look at the turn when i get home tonight.
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
The IJN finally strikes back at Tarawa. But before it does a patrolling destroyer comes across a commerce radiers poking about in the Eastern Coral Sea. The Jap raider was totally surprised by the Chew and was left burning and listing in a quick fire encounter.
Night Time Surface Combat at 78,105
Japanese Ships
AP Awata Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Allied Ships
DD Chew
The main action centred around Tarawa. Early spotting reports had notified most of the transports unloading to scatter as a cruiser led battle squadron romped into the Atoll waters. A devastating Long Lance attack was followed by accurate gunfire from the cruisers main batteries. Two merchantmen were sunk in atoll but the heavily laden ships had already fled.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarawa at 84,95
Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Mikuma
CL Tatsuta
DD Mutsuki
DD Kisaragi
DD Uzuki
DD Satsuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Mochizuki
Allied Ships
AK Hawaiian, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Trento, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
Catalinas based at Tarawa (VP-14) spotted a second Japanese force approaching the atoll from the north east. A couple of battleships were reported seen as part of the task force. CV Saratoga, just off Baker Island, has been ordered to move to a position from where it may be able to launch a strike at the incoming ships. Lexington, whose SBD's were denied a first ever carrier night strike by the weather, and Enterprise have also moved slightly to the East to try and get any ships approaching Tarawa as well. CV Hornet has just left Noumea and will travel through the eastern edge of the Coral Sea in the hope of catching any other enemy ships on commerce raiding detail.
Attachments
mors24.jpg (65.15 KiB) Viewed 248 times
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
The situation in and around the Tarawa area continues to generate excitement. The night passed uneventfully other than another commerce raiding strike. Transports continued to unload supplies at Tarawa and Abemama and construction of basic air strips are well under way on both atolls, the arrival of SeeBee units should speed up construction.
The most interesting event for the day was the presence of a F1M2 Pete floatplane over Baker Island. Its a short range plane and therefore must be based on a ship, a raider, AV or a capital ship! All transports at Baker Island awaiting a transit to Tarawa have been ordered to scatter while the flank covering force led by the Maryland will remain and hopefully surprise any incoming ships. Likewise the Saratoga has plotted a new course East and is within torpedo range of Baker. The CVE Long Island, that was merely passing through the area ferrying SBD's from the West Coast, has also plotted a new course NW in case any targets of opportunity arise. Its all a hunch based on one floatplane sighting but fortune favours the bold! I'm eager to engage the IJN with a mix of surface and carrier forces.
Attachments
mors25.jpg (52.04 KiB) Viewed 248 times
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
Using Bodhi's Utility i can more or less guees the area the Pete came from. The range circles that range from Baker Island are the Pete's. The shaded area is an area that is sparsely patrolled by my patrol planes, also search planes on capital and carrier ships in the area lack the range to patrol here, therefore making that area the likely source of the Pete and any incoming nasties!
Attachments
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1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
Hunch was correct, Baker was the target. Still at work but ill post some of the CR extracts and complie a full report at home later. Seems the Astoria was sunk but the Saratoga and the other surface units were able to inflict some measure of revenge.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Baker Island at 94,96
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull: 2 destroyed
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 4
CA Mogami, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 4
DD Oshio, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Arare
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 10, on fire
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Astoria, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CL Helena
DD Jarvis
DD Gridley, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD MacDonough, Shell hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Baker Island at 94,96
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Mutsu
CA Mogami, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Arare
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze, on fire
Allied Ships
DD Grayson, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Monssen, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 94,95 (Saratoga Strike)
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBD Devastator x 14
Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBD Devastator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 6000 feet
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
The Pete had given the game away, the US Navy was ready, rather it was radar! The latest modern gadget the armed forces was toying with had made a decisive difference in battle. It all begun with the blips on the radar operator's screen on the Maryland. Incoming enemy ships from the north-west. The main batteries were given their fire orders and the rest of the squadron was given its orders to deploy. Maryland took the centre with the Astoria on her flank. The St Louis and the Helena joined their bigger sisters while the destroyers Jarvis, Gridley and MacDonough provided the screen. The IJN's night fighting prowess preceeded the incoming ships but the American radar evened the odds some what. Sharpeyed lookuts scanned the darkness, human eyes searching for the contacts the electronic eye had already seen. Suddenly a cry, 'enemy ahead!'. The ships erupted into a whirlwind of activity and it was the venerable Maryland that fired the first salvo of the titanic battle at 8,000 yards at about 02:13.
The darkness made fire plotting harder than usual but a sudden blaze a light illuminated the Japanese squadron. The light indicated a solid hit but it also allowed the lookouts to identify their foe. Two battleships, two heavy cruisers and a handful of screening destroyers bore down on the US ships. The blaze had come from one of the cruisers that had stopped one of the 16 inch shells the Maryland had launched. The Japanese Navy soon retorted in kind. As one several mini suns burst into life from the Japanese line as the guns on the capital ships answered the challenge made by the Maryland.
Tall geysers of water, elegant watery plumes, erupted by the hulls of the American ships as the shells detonated upon impact with the water. The space between both groups of ships was full of flying metal of several calibres. Heavy 16inch shells, crisscrossed smaller 6 and 4 inch shells as the range decreased. The Helena scored the first blood of the fight as her main forward batteries found the range of one of the Japanese destroyers and pummelled her with a ferocious volley of fire that left the Japanese ship aflame and turning in a circle.
The range began to close quicker and the Japanese gunners also begun to find their range. The Astoria suddenly erupted in flame as 16 inch shell from the Mutsu hit her amidships. A bright sheet of flame flowered across her hull like a new dawn. The intensity of the action did not falter however. The brave cruiser returned fire on her aggressor but her guns did not seem to penetrate her enemy's armoured carpace. As the range continued to close the American battle line was again washed in light as the Maryland's A Turret opened fire again. A cacophony of sound was followed by a woosh of air as supersonic shells flew to their target, the destroyer Yumagi. The small warship seemed to be lifted out of the water as the shell impacted on its slim framwork. Another hit silenced its main guns but the hardy destroyer would have a sting in its tail.
The range closed to 2,000 yards and then all hell broke lose as the smaller guns on the ships brought their fire to bear. The Maryland's 20mm AA batteries racked the decks of the DD Matsukaze while her 5inch guns mercilessly pounded the Yumagi. The proximity of both groups of ships made the battle frantic. The St Louis and the Helena entered into a gunnery duel with the Mogami and Suzuya. The captains had drilled their gun crews well and soon enough, despite being hit and the St Louis set aflame, the Mogami was burning profusely while the Suzuya was left belching thick balck smoke. However, it was the behemoth guns of the Mutusu that settled this duel. One shell from its 16 inch barrels silenced the St Louis in a typhoon of fire and noise. The Helena and the Gridley came in close to help the St Louis, thier guns replacing the ones the Mutsu had silenced.
At this range the Japanese unleashed their prime close range weapon, the Long Lance torpedo. Its silent introduction to the battle claimed the first victim of the fight as two massive explosions rocked the Astoria, whose batteries were still engaging the Mutsu and Nagato as the torpedoes hit her below the waterline, launched by the dying Yumagi. She sank 3 minutes later her forward guns firing one more salvo as the waves claimed her.
Still the most impressive site was still to come. Reminiscent of the days of shot and sail both the Maryland and the damaged Nagato opened up on each other with full broadsides of 16 inch guns at practically point blank range. Like two heavy weight boxers vying for the world title these two titans of the sea launched fire and steel on each other with abandon. It was as if hell had opened its gates to welcome both ships. The American guns scored three very damaging hits on the Japanese ship in the first salvo and two massive holes were evident on the Nagato's superstructure. So much so that her aft turrent no longer returned fire. The Maryland took two hits but seemed to shrug them off as a second volley hith the Nagato. It was as if the spirits of Nelson and Collingwood had taken over the battle as both ships continued to shoot at each other, broadside after broadside, the smaller calibre guns joining in too. Admist all the havoc the Matsukaze was able to get her revenge on the Maryland as one of her torpedoes rocked the American battleship as she duelled with the Nagato. The ship shook as the warhead disintegrated on impact, but the well drilled fire control teams kept her in the fight and delivered one more telling hit on the Nagato's tower as the range began to increase again.
Two Japanese destroyers disappeared under the waves. The Oshio joined the Yumagi, who had succumbed to the damage inflicted on her by the Maryland. The Kazegumo had hit the Gridley as she shielded the floundering Astoria and the Oshio was closing in for the kill when the St Louis's 6 inch guns stopped the Japanese ship dead in the water. The skipper of the Jarvis so his opportunity and inflicted the coup de grace by torpedo. 45 minutes after the first salvo had been fired the task forces broke off to nurse their wounds. The Japanese had claimed a cruiser but had lost two of their destroyers. But the Nagato had appeared to sustain heavy damage from her close in slugfest with the Maryland. Likewise the Mogami had been silenced very quickly which led the Americans to think she had also sustained heavy damage. For the Japanese, however the night had just begun!
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
As the battered Japanese ships left Baker Island they came across two returning destroyers that had been on submarine picket duty. The Grayson and Monssen had seen the flames and smoke from afar and were ready for the fight. Their brave captains elected to stand and fight rather than flee. As such they managed to score the first hits of the engagement by hitting the Mogami as she listed to the rear of the Japanese column. The Monssen, for her part, in a David and Goliath confrontation, smacked the Nagato with 5 inch shells at point blank range. Though the armour on the Nagato was thick, the gouges the Maryland had made on her allowed the Monssen to once again wound the giant. She also hit the Kazegumo twice setting her on fire. But that was that as the now alerted Japanese literally blew the two destroyers out of the water in an orgy of torpedo and shell fire. The action had seemed futile and unnecessary, but the air wings of the Saratoga later on in the day made sure that this valiant action had some meaning!
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
By late afternoon the retreating Japanese squadron could be seen for miles, well the plumes of black smoke that her damaged ships exhumed could be seen! Commander Ramsey had been delivered the message the Saratoga had received earlier in the day from Captain Badger on the Maryland, that was now stealing her way back to Pearl, "Finish them off will you!"
Finish them off he intented to do!
Elements of VF-3 escorted VS-3 and VT-3 as they chased after the Japanese. They caught up with the Nagato at Howland Island. In the bright light of day the damage on her was apparent and a testament to the gunnery of the Maryland's sailors. The order to attack was given and the SBD's began their steep dives onto the Nagato.
Despite her damaged state her remaining guns put up substantial flak into the air but that was not enough to put off the airmen of the Saratoga that now shared the delight experienced by the Enterprise's crews as they bombed a captial ship. If they could get her, the Nagato would be the first major Japanese casualty of the war! Down they came, like screaming banshees, until 2,000 feet when the pilots detached their 1,000lb bombs and pulled out of their dives and back into the sky.
The bombs whistled downwards. Some hitting the water and once again showering the Nagato with hot sea water. Others exploded on her damaged superstructure starting fires and silencing flak guns. Devastators dropped smaller ordinance from 5,000 feet and also scored hits on the wounded and floundering ship. As they wheeled homewards, the airmen of the Saratoga reported a burning and heavily damaged ship.
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
The Silent Service struck at Kwajalein and at Truk. A patrol craft was sunk at the former while the SS S-31 sank two fish into a transport at the latter.
Air raids from altitude on Maleolap have resumed and no Zeroes rose to challenge this time around. Likewise the USAAF in India carried out a successful unopposed raid on Moulmein in Burma, accounting for several transport and patrol craft on the ground.
A second battleship led task force has been seen on an easterly heading out of the Marshall Islands. They might run smack into a 4 battleship strong task force steaming SW from Johnston Island. I must make use of this IJN Carrier free window that the Port Morseby operation has afforded to try and damage and sink as many of his ships as possible.
Lastly, the RAF not wanting to be outdone by the carrier pilots of the USN carried out a very succesful torpedo raid on Akyab by Beauforts. If he wants to keep Akyab supplied by sea i will make sure he loses ships.
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
May has seen the Fall of Port Moresby, but that has been balanced by the retaking of Tarawa and now the reace is on to fortify and garrison the place in anticipation of a counter attack. Herb has been building up a lot of dot bases and i am sure i will run into many a Betty nest as i strike back.
June will see the Avenger coming on line and the mass production of the Lightning and more refits and upgrades for carriers and submarines.
Scorecard
Strategic Map
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
A couple of days after the Battle of Baker Island and the seas in and around the small island are still full of battling ships. Japanese AMC's have successfully managed to interrupt minelaying ops heading to Baker as they managed a mid ocean intercept of several DM's enroute from Pearl. Two battleship led surface units are spearheading the hunt for these jap raiders, both were damaged by the DM's so spotting them may become easier.
The Nagato is still floundering in these waters and for a second time was pummelled by the air wings of the Saratoga, that this time were joined by Dauntless off the deck of the CVE Long Island that had stopped its ferrying duty to aid the Saratoga clear the sea of Japanese ships. The planes only had to follow the plume of smoke to find the Nagato:
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Day Air attack on TF at 94,91 (Long Island)
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
-----------------
Day Air attack on TF at 94,91 (Saratoga)
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
SBD-3 Dauntless x 29
TBD Devastator x 14
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 20, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBD Devastator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 6000 feet
---------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 94,91 (Long Island)
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
Depsite all the hits she still floats and i am hopeful that she will soon go to a watery grave!
Onland Tarawa is at 52% airfield and Abemama at 59%. The sooner i can have fighters operating from here the sooner i can withdraw carriers that need some refits and upgrading with Avengers that lie awaiting them in port.
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
The Seagull floatplane's camera clicked away as the small, light plane flew over the dying giant as she rolled over and her proud, but battered padoga style tower disappeared under the waves. The tiny aircraft was witnessing the death throes of a Goliath of the seas. The steel behemoth gradually slid beneath the waves, her mishapen and bombed out carcass ressembling nothing of the graceful lines that once represented the pride of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Nagato was claimed by the sea while the CV Saratoga claimed the first major kill of the war, though the Fighting Mary had dealt the telling blow at Baker Island a few nights ago.
BB Nagato, taken 1.6.42 by Seagull Scout Plane.
BB Maryland sails into Pearl Harbour on the day the Nagato was reported sunk, damage from the torpedo she took at Baker is evident.
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
A quiet day considering the amount and scale of the action recently. Radio intercepts seem to confirm that the heavy cruiser Mogami sunk last night due to the damage she reveived during the action at Baker Island. At the moment the Baker score card stands at:
US NAVY
CA Astoria
DD Grayson
DD Monssen
Imperial Japanese Navy
BB Nagato
CA Mogami
DD Yumagi
DD Oshio
The cruiser Suzuya was also badly damaged but her whereabouts and condition are unknown.
Heavy Cruiser Mogami. The second capital ship sunk in as many days.
The Hornet has arrived in the Tarawa/Abemama area and the Lexington is being withdrawn. The Lady has been on station for two weeks and in the thick of the action. She has taken one tropedo and is in dire need of repair. She will call into Canton Island, where replenishment fighters will flesh out her fighter wing. She will then sail to within range of Tarawa, alight her marine fighters there then sail to Pearl, via Wake where she will collect her original complement, and then to San Francisco for refits, Avengers and some well earned shore leave. The Enterprise will then follow, by then both Tarawa and Abemama will have airstrips capable of sustaining fighter operations over the area. Wasp will be arriving in a few days and she will then proceed to join the Hornet while the Saratoga withdraws.
Attachments
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1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
Cantona2,
Whilst it is still early days, I think one may be so bold as to proclaim Operation Morsel to have been a significant Allied success.
The amount of IJN activity in the Gilberts suggests that the enemy may be preparing a forceful counter stroke here using CV assets. If so this would be:
1. exactly what Operation Morsel was really intended to achieve, and
2. provide you with an opportunity to strike at the southern DEI from Australia as the KB wastes time steaming to the Gilberts and ends out of position both at the Gilberts and say Ceram.
Alfred
Had to keep checking that this wasn't a WPO type AAR. An excellent surface action for WitP both you and your opponent played an interesting engagement.[&o]
@ Alfred i like the idea but i lack the shipping to mount an amphibious operation in the Ceram Sea at the moment. My carriers are also in need of a rest. Enterprise has just been rotated out of the Gilberts area and so has Lexington. It will mean bringing all the RN carriers south to support any landing in Ceram.
Do not want to count my chickens but i also feel that Morsel has achieved its strategic aims. The sinkings of the Nagato and Mogami are welcome bonuses!
@thegreatwent thanks! it was very exciting to watch that particular replay!
1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born
