Ground combat at Wau
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 28010 troops, 336 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 11233 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 519
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 54
XJ vs Ike - # 17
We continue.
Where we left off.
¨If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.¨ Che Guevara
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
RE: We continue.
Offical Communique from High Admiral Yamamoto, Commander in Chief Combined Fleet, to His Majesty The Emperor of the Japanese Islands and Peoples, Defender of the South-East Asian Greater Prosperity Sphere and presider over all great forms of law and justice under the sun.
"Will His Majesty please be informed that his subjects have performed with great honour and courage under his benevolent guidance. Today, our forces precipitated the treacherous American Imperialist transgressors to respond to our transport force aimed at liberating Luganville from the Western dogs, and were thus engaged by the greater proportion of our carrier forces who were lying quietly in wait for such an underhand move. Despite being out-numbered, the greater Samurai fighting quality and spirit of our pilots shone through in the battle, and they dealt a number of telling blows to their reeling and tottering opponent showing great courage in pressing home their attacks successfully against fearful odds.
If I may take the opportunity to divide the battle up into a number of phases for His Majesty, in order to explain the details and bravery of our pilots and naval crews... June 24th 1942 will live long in the annals of the Empire of the Sun, where we dealt our treacherous and cunning enemies a mighty blow...
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 8
Allied aircraft
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 30
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 2
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
5 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
Overnight, by way of a minor diversion to keep our opponents gaze firmly routed in the New Guinea area, a handful of dedicated and night-trained pilots carried out a successful hit-and-run attack on the airbase at Port Morseby
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
CL Naka
CL Jintsu
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
DD Mugford, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Harris
AP J. Franklin Bell
AP Wharton, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
CL Naka
CL Jintsu
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
SC 647, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
CL Naka
CL Jintsu
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
AK Almaack, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Luganville, at 53,53
Allied aircraft
Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 2 damaged
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32
Following on from a small battle-cruiser/destroyer force prowling about the Luganville islands yesterday, and sending the cowardly American ships scuttling away like rabbits, a larger cruiser-destroyer force lead by the able Rear Admiral Mikawa was able to engage several formations of enemy ships at night, destroying at least three in separate incidents including a destroyer before bombarding the shore installations and airfield at Luganville
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 12
P-40E Kittyhawk x 5
A-20B Havoc x 10
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 28
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x A-20B Havoc at 5000 feet
6 x A-20B Havoc at 5000 feet
The foolish and easily deceived Americans, still believing the main source of battle to be in New Guinea, concentrate their forces upon hitting a spurious target and running into several batteries of AA guns smuggled onto the base purely for this purpose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 8,35
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 5
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
TBD Devastator x 14
P-40E Kittyhawk x 3
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator x 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 45
Attacking Level Bombers:
10 x TBD Devastator at 6000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator at 10000 feet
The Americans continue to pound our brave troops at Wau, still unaware that they are diverting much of their resources into an irrelevant side-show
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 destroyed
Hudson x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Takanami
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Hudson at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 6
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze
TK Shinkoku Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
2 x Hudson at 6000 feet
The Americans upon Luganville and Efate, probably unable to believe the veracity of their reconissance reports, launch tentative peacemeal attacks upon our liberation fleet and it's accompanying tanker squadron, unaware that our carrier forces have already broken ranks and are steaming at top speed towards the already spotted American carriers...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,54
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
A6M2 Zero x 42
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBD Devastator x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 21 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 16 damaged
TBD Devastator x 6 destroyed
TBD Devastator x 5 damaged
PO2 J.Kawakami of DII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Tone
DD Usugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Maya, Torpedo hits 1
CV Hiryu
BB Kirishima
The slovenly Americans belated wake up to the fact that there are not one but two carrier forces in the area and launch an attack at first light, hoping to catch our brave crews and pilots unprepared on the flight-deck. But they find only hordes of our precious Zero's which decend on them like swarms of angry bees...
I am pleased to report that Usugumo, although suffering severe damage, will make port. As for the torpedo that hit the Maya, it failed to explode - typical cheap American trash and inferior to our dreaded Long Lance torpedo's.
One can only feel some sorrow and sympathy for the American pilots, being forced to make almost suicidal attacks in such slow and vulnerable planes, carrying ordnance of such suspect quality...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,54
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 39
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBD Devastator x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 9 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 22 damaged
TBD Devastator x 6 destroyed
TBD Devastator x 10 damaged
LTJG J. Topliff of VF-8 is credited with kill number 2
Japanese Ships
CV Junyo
CV Hiryu
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Kongo
CA Chokai
Undeterred, the Americans mount a second carrier-born strike, which arrives just as the first is leaving. The seas to the south of Luganville are littered with yet more burning and sinking American aircraft as our brave pilots take their toll of the inferior Western machines.
I am pleased to inform His Majesty that damage and casualties to the Kirishima were light, only one bomb actually exploding - more typical American ordnance!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 6
P-400 Airacobra x 6
B-25D Mitchell x 7
B-17E Fortress x 1
no losses
Japanese Ships
APD 1
AP Hakusan Maru
AP Tokai Maru
AP Meiten Maru
AP Hokko Maru
AP Batavia Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Hudson at 10000 feet
1 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
4 x Hudson at 10000 feet
1 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Azuma Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
The panicking Americans mount yet more air attacks from their airbases against the approaching Luganville force, which is now less than 100 miles to the west of its destination. Not a single bomb finds its target, in fact judging from reports it seems many of the American pilots could not even find the right area...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 55,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A Val x 57
B5N Kate x 37
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 53
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 21 destroyed
D3A Val x 18 damaged
B5N Kate x 13 destroyed
B5N Kate x 19 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
CPO O.Hirano of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3
LT M. Sato of AII-1 Daitai is KILLED
Allied Ships
DD Drayton
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 3
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Case
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 1
CL Phoenix
CVE Long Island
Our brave pilots from the first carrier attack group (Akagi and Kaga), scythe straight through the heart of the American carrier defences, despite a heavy AA barrage and gnat-like Wildcat defensive fighters.
Irrespective of losses, our pilots give a superb display of how to attack a carrier fleet from both high and low level - the Hornet taking three small 60kg bombs from our dive-bombers almost immediately, whilst the bulk concentrate on the USS Enterprise and it's sheperding screen, hitting the carrier hard with two bombs, one of which is seen to cause a secondary explosion within the hanger, and a torpedo which hits the carrier aft, no doubt causing serious damage to its propellors and steering gear.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 55,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
B5N Kate x 13
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
LTJG T. Coleman of VF-6 is credited with kill number 3
Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CVE Long Island, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Planes from the Junyo, arriving from an unexpected direction, catch the confused Americans and put a torpedo immediately into their sole remaining undamaged carrier (and here, most imperious majesty, I use the term somewhat loosely).
One wonders why they brought such an obsolete and slow ship along with them; one must assume that they really are panicking and desperate in their attempts to defeat us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 55,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 18
B5N Kate x 20
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 8 damaged
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 17 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
LTJG P. Van der Linden of VF-8 is credited with kill number 2
Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Achillies, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Yet more of our planes arrive, this time from the Hiryu and lead by the most able flight commander Fuschida, who previously lead our planes to such great triumph during the Hawaiian operation, attack just as the American escort planes are starting to wonder exactly where they can land to refuel - reports indicate most fled to the nearby American-held islands, or else ditched in the sea.
American AA fire was again heavy and claimed the lives of many of our brave pilots, but they still pressed on and launched telling attacks against hte US carriers, hitting the Hornet again with another small 60 kg bomb and the Enterprise with much larger and more successful 250 kg bombs, both in the vicinity of the forward lift, as well as catching one of its screening cruisers with a torpedo.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 20
D3A Val x 24
B5N Kate x 11
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
P-40E Kittyhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 14
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
Attacking Level Bombers:
11 x B5N Kate at 5000 feet
In order to keep up the pretence of the New Guinea diversion, planes from carrier division 5 attack the runway at Port Morseby, scoring a few minor hits.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,54
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 32
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
Hudson x 9
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
Hudson x 2 destroyed
Hudson x 6 damaged
PO1 E.Sagara of DII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Junyo
CA Maya
Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
1 x Hudson at 6000 feet
Planes from Efate, a mixture of land bombers and former carrier fighters that have fled there, once again attack our carrier fleet and are easily repulsed by our brave pilots and AA gunners.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 4
P-400 Airacobra x 4
B-25D Mitchell x 3
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Boston Maru
AP Tosei Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Taian Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
More piecemeal US attacks, this time on the Liberation Force, again fail to secure any hits and are beaten back by our experienced AA teams
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,54
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 32
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 7 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged
WO T. Kikuchi of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
At lunchtime, the frantic Americans, now retreating way to the south-east of our advancing carrier forces, turn around what attack planes they can from their sole remaining operational carrier, the Hornet, and mount a scratch attack which once again our Zero's and gunners are able to easily defeat.
It is noted that the Americans have a total lack of self-belief, discipline or fighting spirit, as many turn tail and flee at the sight of our superior Zero fighters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 55,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
D3A Val x 20
B5N Kate x 13
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 11 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
LTJG P. Van der Linden of VF-8 is credited with kill number 3
Allied Ships
CVE Long Island, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
In the early afternoon the Akagi and Kaga mount a second strike on the regrouping American forces, this time despite the heavy CAP our striker-force punches through with contemptuous ease and give the Americans a much-deserved lesson in the art of dive-bombing. Out of 14 250kg bombs dropped, a total of 13 hit their targets.
The Long Island, a ship which, to be honest, the Americans had no right in calling into front-line service, bears the brunt of their demonstration. According to WO Mozera, the last Val pilot to leave the area, his last bomb hits the patch of smoking, burning sea where the carrier had been.
Elsewhere the Hornet and Enterprise are attacked and hit again, although many pilots complain that the Enterprise is burning so fiercely the smoke and flames make it impossilbe for them to firmly identify the target.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 55,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 5
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
CLAA Atlanta
A final attack from the Junyo at dusk fails to discover the wearabouts of any remaining floating US carriers
It is believed the Hornet has fled the field of battle, the Enterprise is burning and exploding so fiercely that it is impossible to quite locate it, and all that remains of the Long Island are pieces of smoking wreckage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wau
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 27460 troops, 333 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 11147 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles
LTJG U.Oyama of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 4
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wau
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 9716 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 29803 troops, 360 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 40
The diversionary battle on New Guinea at Wau continues long into the night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nevea
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 213 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Nevea base !!!
Finally, may his Majesty rejoice in teh news that the flag of the Rising Sun now flies high on Nevea Island in the Espiritu group!
Praise be to his Majesty! The treacherous Americans have suffered a terrible defeat and failed in their attempts to destroy our liberation force and the attendant protective carriers!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Will His Majesty please be informed that his subjects have performed with great honour and courage under his benevolent guidance. Today, our forces precipitated the treacherous American Imperialist transgressors to respond to our transport force aimed at liberating Luganville from the Western dogs, and were thus engaged by the greater proportion of our carrier forces who were lying quietly in wait for such an underhand move. Despite being out-numbered, the greater Samurai fighting quality and spirit of our pilots shone through in the battle, and they dealt a number of telling blows to their reeling and tottering opponent showing great courage in pressing home their attacks successfully against fearful odds.
If I may take the opportunity to divide the battle up into a number of phases for His Majesty, in order to explain the details and bravery of our pilots and naval crews... June 24th 1942 will live long in the annals of the Empire of the Sun, where we dealt our treacherous and cunning enemies a mighty blow...
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 8
Allied aircraft
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 30
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 2
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
5 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
Overnight, by way of a minor diversion to keep our opponents gaze firmly routed in the New Guinea area, a handful of dedicated and night-trained pilots carried out a successful hit-and-run attack on the airbase at Port Morseby
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
CL Naka
CL Jintsu
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
DD Mugford, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Harris
AP J. Franklin Bell
AP Wharton, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
CL Naka
CL Jintsu
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
SC 647, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
CL Naka
CL Jintsu
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
AK Almaack, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Luganville, at 53,53
Allied aircraft
Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 2 damaged
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32
Following on from a small battle-cruiser/destroyer force prowling about the Luganville islands yesterday, and sending the cowardly American ships scuttling away like rabbits, a larger cruiser-destroyer force lead by the able Rear Admiral Mikawa was able to engage several formations of enemy ships at night, destroying at least three in separate incidents including a destroyer before bombarding the shore installations and airfield at Luganville
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 12
P-40E Kittyhawk x 5
A-20B Havoc x 10
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 28
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x A-20B Havoc at 5000 feet
6 x A-20B Havoc at 5000 feet
The foolish and easily deceived Americans, still believing the main source of battle to be in New Guinea, concentrate their forces upon hitting a spurious target and running into several batteries of AA guns smuggled onto the base purely for this purpose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 8,35
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 5
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
TBD Devastator x 14
P-40E Kittyhawk x 3
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator x 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 45
Attacking Level Bombers:
10 x TBD Devastator at 6000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator at 10000 feet
The Americans continue to pound our brave troops at Wau, still unaware that they are diverting much of their resources into an irrelevant side-show
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 destroyed
Hudson x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Takanami
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Hudson at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 6
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze
TK Shinkoku Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
2 x Hudson at 6000 feet
The Americans upon Luganville and Efate, probably unable to believe the veracity of their reconissance reports, launch tentative peacemeal attacks upon our liberation fleet and it's accompanying tanker squadron, unaware that our carrier forces have already broken ranks and are steaming at top speed towards the already spotted American carriers...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,54
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
A6M2 Zero x 42
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBD Devastator x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 21 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 16 damaged
TBD Devastator x 6 destroyed
TBD Devastator x 5 damaged
PO2 J.Kawakami of DII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Tone
DD Usugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Maya, Torpedo hits 1
CV Hiryu
BB Kirishima
The slovenly Americans belated wake up to the fact that there are not one but two carrier forces in the area and launch an attack at first light, hoping to catch our brave crews and pilots unprepared on the flight-deck. But they find only hordes of our precious Zero's which decend on them like swarms of angry bees...
I am pleased to report that Usugumo, although suffering severe damage, will make port. As for the torpedo that hit the Maya, it failed to explode - typical cheap American trash and inferior to our dreaded Long Lance torpedo's.
One can only feel some sorrow and sympathy for the American pilots, being forced to make almost suicidal attacks in such slow and vulnerable planes, carrying ordnance of such suspect quality...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,54
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 39
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBD Devastator x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 9 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 22 damaged
TBD Devastator x 6 destroyed
TBD Devastator x 10 damaged
LTJG J. Topliff of VF-8 is credited with kill number 2
Japanese Ships
CV Junyo
CV Hiryu
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Kongo
CA Chokai
Undeterred, the Americans mount a second carrier-born strike, which arrives just as the first is leaving. The seas to the south of Luganville are littered with yet more burning and sinking American aircraft as our brave pilots take their toll of the inferior Western machines.
I am pleased to inform His Majesty that damage and casualties to the Kirishima were light, only one bomb actually exploding - more typical American ordnance!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 6
P-400 Airacobra x 6
B-25D Mitchell x 7
B-17E Fortress x 1
no losses
Japanese Ships
APD 1
AP Hakusan Maru
AP Tokai Maru
AP Meiten Maru
AP Hokko Maru
AP Batavia Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Hudson at 10000 feet
1 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
4 x Hudson at 10000 feet
1 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Azuma Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
The panicking Americans mount yet more air attacks from their airbases against the approaching Luganville force, which is now less than 100 miles to the west of its destination. Not a single bomb finds its target, in fact judging from reports it seems many of the American pilots could not even find the right area...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 55,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A Val x 57
B5N Kate x 37
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 53
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 21 destroyed
D3A Val x 18 damaged
B5N Kate x 13 destroyed
B5N Kate x 19 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
CPO O.Hirano of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3
LT M. Sato of AII-1 Daitai is KILLED
Allied Ships
DD Drayton
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 1
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 3
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Case
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 1
CL Phoenix
CVE Long Island
Our brave pilots from the first carrier attack group (Akagi and Kaga), scythe straight through the heart of the American carrier defences, despite a heavy AA barrage and gnat-like Wildcat defensive fighters.
Irrespective of losses, our pilots give a superb display of how to attack a carrier fleet from both high and low level - the Hornet taking three small 60kg bombs from our dive-bombers almost immediately, whilst the bulk concentrate on the USS Enterprise and it's sheperding screen, hitting the carrier hard with two bombs, one of which is seen to cause a secondary explosion within the hanger, and a torpedo which hits the carrier aft, no doubt causing serious damage to its propellors and steering gear.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 55,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
B5N Kate x 13
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
LTJG T. Coleman of VF-6 is credited with kill number 3
Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CVE Long Island, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Planes from the Junyo, arriving from an unexpected direction, catch the confused Americans and put a torpedo immediately into their sole remaining undamaged carrier (and here, most imperious majesty, I use the term somewhat loosely).
One wonders why they brought such an obsolete and slow ship along with them; one must assume that they really are panicking and desperate in their attempts to defeat us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 55,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 18
B5N Kate x 20
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 8 damaged
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 17 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
LTJG P. Van der Linden of VF-8 is credited with kill number 2
Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Achillies, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Yet more of our planes arrive, this time from the Hiryu and lead by the most able flight commander Fuschida, who previously lead our planes to such great triumph during the Hawaiian operation, attack just as the American escort planes are starting to wonder exactly where they can land to refuel - reports indicate most fled to the nearby American-held islands, or else ditched in the sea.
American AA fire was again heavy and claimed the lives of many of our brave pilots, but they still pressed on and launched telling attacks against hte US carriers, hitting the Hornet again with another small 60 kg bomb and the Enterprise with much larger and more successful 250 kg bombs, both in the vicinity of the forward lift, as well as catching one of its screening cruisers with a torpedo.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 20
D3A Val x 24
B5N Kate x 11
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
P-40E Kittyhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 14
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
Attacking Level Bombers:
11 x B5N Kate at 5000 feet
In order to keep up the pretence of the New Guinea diversion, planes from carrier division 5 attack the runway at Port Morseby, scoring a few minor hits.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,54
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 32
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
Hudson x 9
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
Hudson x 2 destroyed
Hudson x 6 damaged
PO1 E.Sagara of DII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Junyo
CA Maya
Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
1 x Hudson at 6000 feet
Planes from Efate, a mixture of land bombers and former carrier fighters that have fled there, once again attack our carrier fleet and are easily repulsed by our brave pilots and AA gunners.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 4
P-400 Airacobra x 4
B-25D Mitchell x 3
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Boston Maru
AP Tosei Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Taian Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
More piecemeal US attacks, this time on the Liberation Force, again fail to secure any hits and are beaten back by our experienced AA teams
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 52,54
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 32
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 7 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged
WO T. Kikuchi of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
At lunchtime, the frantic Americans, now retreating way to the south-east of our advancing carrier forces, turn around what attack planes they can from their sole remaining operational carrier, the Hornet, and mount a scratch attack which once again our Zero's and gunners are able to easily defeat.
It is noted that the Americans have a total lack of self-belief, discipline or fighting spirit, as many turn tail and flee at the sight of our superior Zero fighters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 55,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
D3A Val x 20
B5N Kate x 13
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 11 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
LTJG P. Van der Linden of VF-8 is credited with kill number 3
Allied Ships
CVE Long Island, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
In the early afternoon the Akagi and Kaga mount a second strike on the regrouping American forces, this time despite the heavy CAP our striker-force punches through with contemptuous ease and give the Americans a much-deserved lesson in the art of dive-bombing. Out of 14 250kg bombs dropped, a total of 13 hit their targets.
The Long Island, a ship which, to be honest, the Americans had no right in calling into front-line service, bears the brunt of their demonstration. According to WO Mozera, the last Val pilot to leave the area, his last bomb hits the patch of smoking, burning sea where the carrier had been.
Elsewhere the Hornet and Enterprise are attacked and hit again, although many pilots complain that the Enterprise is burning so fiercely the smoke and flames make it impossilbe for them to firmly identify the target.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 55,56
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 5
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
CLAA Atlanta
A final attack from the Junyo at dusk fails to discover the wearabouts of any remaining floating US carriers
It is believed the Hornet has fled the field of battle, the Enterprise is burning and exploding so fiercely that it is impossible to quite locate it, and all that remains of the Long Island are pieces of smoking wreckage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wau
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 27460 troops, 333 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 11147 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles
LTJG U.Oyama of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 4
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wau
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 9716 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 29803 troops, 360 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 40
The diversionary battle on New Guinea at Wau continues long into the night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nevea
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 213 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Nevea base !!!
Finally, may his Majesty rejoice in teh news that the flag of the Rising Sun now flies high on Nevea Island in the Espiritu group!
Praise be to his Majesty! The treacherous Americans have suffered a terrible defeat and failed in their attempts to destroy our liberation force and the attendant protective carriers!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RE: We continue.
congratulation for this succesfull carrier clash, "chris san". it realy seems that you have done something the japanese claimed 2-3 times during the war....sinking the "Big E"![&o] 5 bombs and 2 torpedos should be enough even for this mighty ship...or you hunt it down in the next turn with your carriers haveing the air supremacy over the battlefield.
haveing the enemy carrier force out of action while yours is mostly intact (beside the typical heavy japanese pilot loses) makes the game much easier.
haveing the enemy carrier force out of action while yours is mostly intact (beside the typical heavy japanese pilot loses) makes the game much easier.
RE: We continue.
One is starting to wonder what is keeping the 'Big E' afloat...
*** OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE TO HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR ***
"I am pleased to inform His Highness that, following the success of our forces yesterday in the air-naval battles south of Luganville yesterday, our forces consolidated their position by landing in strength on the island. There they discovered that the Americans and New Zealanders had taken to digging themselves in in some strength, and will now have to be winkled out like rats in a sewer.
Elsewhere another supply convoy was discovered attempting to scuttle in some victuals to the besieged defenders, and was made short work of by our patrolling cruiser forces...
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
CL Naka, Shell hits 2
CL Jintsu
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 25, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Harris, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP J. Franklin Bell, Shell hits 39, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wharton, heavy damage
Please inform His Majesty that the American ships Jarvis and Harris sank honourably with their colours flying and their crews still on board, the J Franklin Bell survived long enough to sink dishonourably.
Air attack on TF at 55,62
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
D3A Val x 10
B5N Kate x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 damaged
Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CA Louisville
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 54,58
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 14
no losses
Allied Ships
DD O'Brien, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Air attack on TF at 55,60
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
D3A Val x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 damaged
Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
CL Naka
CL Jintsu, on fire
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
AP Wharton, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
During the daylight hours, I am pleased to inform His Majesty that pilots from our carriers Akagi and Kaga sought out and found the Americans scuttling away like treacherous curs from the field of battle. Their destroyer O'Brien was hunted down, cornered and sunk with two torpedo's, and the already damaged and inoperable Hornet and Enterprise were both hit by further bombs. If I may beg Your Majesty's indulgence to quote from one of the crew of the Val that hit the Enterprise 'The forward lift was blown so high in the air we thought it would touch the Moon'.
All our crews and pilots have performed admirably. We are especially pleased to note that the Americans responded exactly as predicted to our Sho battle-plan and reacted with their remaining carriers against the Luganville Liberation Force when it was first spotted, in doing so drawing themselves into direct confrontation with our superior carrier forces and planes.
In fact, it could be said that the bullying, loutish American giant has loaded his weapon, taken careful aim, and shot himself in both feet. We can only hope that his strategy will be equally as accomodating to our defensive plans of self-preservation in the future.
The sea battle for Luganville is over. The land battle is about to begin.
Praise be to His Majesty! Long Live the Emperor!'
*** OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE TO HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR ***
"I am pleased to inform His Highness that, following the success of our forces yesterday in the air-naval battles south of Luganville yesterday, our forces consolidated their position by landing in strength on the island. There they discovered that the Americans and New Zealanders had taken to digging themselves in in some strength, and will now have to be winkled out like rats in a sewer.
Elsewhere another supply convoy was discovered attempting to scuttle in some victuals to the besieged defenders, and was made short work of by our patrolling cruiser forces...
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
CL Naka, Shell hits 2
CL Jintsu
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 25, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Harris, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP J. Franklin Bell, Shell hits 39, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wharton, heavy damage
Please inform His Majesty that the American ships Jarvis and Harris sank honourably with their colours flying and their crews still on board, the J Franklin Bell survived long enough to sink dishonourably.
Air attack on TF at 55,62
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
D3A Val x 10
B5N Kate x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 damaged
Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CA Louisville
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 54,58
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 14
no losses
Allied Ships
DD O'Brien, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Air attack on TF at 55,60
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
D3A Val x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 damaged
Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CL Sendai
CL Naka
CL Jintsu, on fire
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
AP Wharton, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
During the daylight hours, I am pleased to inform His Majesty that pilots from our carriers Akagi and Kaga sought out and found the Americans scuttling away like treacherous curs from the field of battle. Their destroyer O'Brien was hunted down, cornered and sunk with two torpedo's, and the already damaged and inoperable Hornet and Enterprise were both hit by further bombs. If I may beg Your Majesty's indulgence to quote from one of the crew of the Val that hit the Enterprise 'The forward lift was blown so high in the air we thought it would touch the Moon'.
All our crews and pilots have performed admirably. We are especially pleased to note that the Americans responded exactly as predicted to our Sho battle-plan and reacted with their remaining carriers against the Luganville Liberation Force when it was first spotted, in doing so drawing themselves into direct confrontation with our superior carrier forces and planes.
In fact, it could be said that the bullying, loutish American giant has loaded his weapon, taken careful aim, and shot himself in both feet. We can only hope that his strategy will be equally as accomodating to our defensive plans of self-preservation in the future.
The sea battle for Luganville is over. The land battle is about to begin.
Praise be to His Majesty! Long Live the Emperor!'
RE: We continue.
[font="Verdana"]Oiwai & omedetou, XJ-San! [/font]
[:)]
[:)]
US carriers
Excerpt from an interview reported on Radio Tokyo between a war correspondant and an observer on a Pete spotter plane...
... For a moment I thought that we were flying over the surface of the moon. I have never before seen so many craters. Only then did I realise that it was what remained of the flightdeck of the American carrier Hornet, trying to slink away. We find that the Americans are a lot like that, the moment battle commences their forces tend to melt away. They have no fighting spirit.
... For a moment I thought that we were flying over the surface of the moon. I have never before seen so many craters. Only then did I realise that it was what remained of the flightdeck of the American carrier Hornet, trying to slink away. We find that the Americans are a lot like that, the moment battle commences their forces tend to melt away. They have no fighting spirit.
RE: US carriers
*** OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE TO HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR ***
Rejoice we conquer :
Air attack on TF at 54,66
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A Val x 11
B5N Kate x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 damaged
B5N Kate x 4 damaged
Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 54,66
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 7
B5N Kate x 8
no losses
Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
USS Hornet has sunk. Repeat, USS Hornet has sunk.
Confirmed by WO Yamuchi on board a Jake spotter plane.
We have dealt those revolting, decadent Americans a severe blow. For they, being naughty in Thy Divine Sight, will now surely snuff it.
Rejoice we conquer :
Air attack on TF at 54,66
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A Val x 11
B5N Kate x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 damaged
B5N Kate x 4 damaged
Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 54,66
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 7
B5N Kate x 8
no losses
Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
USS Hornet has sunk. Repeat, USS Hornet has sunk.
Confirmed by WO Yamuchi on board a Jake spotter plane.
We have dealt those revolting, decadent Americans a severe blow. For they, being naughty in Thy Divine Sight, will now surely snuff it.
RE: US carriers
Please recap the tally on USN and IJN CVs sunk? What is the date of this game?
RE: US carriers
*** OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE TO HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR ***
To his Exalted High Majesty, Defender of the Japanese Islands and Peoples, Divine Soverign of the Greater South Eastern Asia Prosperity Sphere, and Liberator of the Oppressed Peoples of the Pacific.
We have jsut received the following transmission from another of our spotter seaplanes...
USS Enterprise has sunk. Repeat, USS Enterprise has sunk
May everyone at the Divine Court of the Kingdom of Heaven rejoice in this news! Our naval crews and pilots have served the Empire well!
To his Exalted High Majesty, Defender of the Japanese Islands and Peoples, Divine Soverign of the Greater South Eastern Asia Prosperity Sphere, and Liberator of the Oppressed Peoples of the Pacific.
We have jsut received the following transmission from another of our spotter seaplanes...
USS Enterprise has sunk. Repeat, USS Enterprise has sunk
May everyone at the Divine Court of the Kingdom of Heaven rejoice in this news! Our naval crews and pilots have served the Empire well!
RE: US carriers
What is the tally so far in the game? As the end of June approaches (I think we have just played 27/06/42 turn), this is how it stands :
Japanese Carriers Lost/Damaged :
Shokaku - returned to Japan for repairs. Heavily damaged in Battle of Coral Sea
Shoho - returned to Japan for repairs. Damaged in Battle of Coral Sea (mid May '42)
No other carriers damaged (well, suffering more than 10 sys or floatation damage)
No other major ships currently lost, alhtough several sent back to Tokyo for major repairs
US Carriers Lost/Damaged :
Lexington - torpedoed at Battle of Coral Sea. Not believed to be seriously damaged, but not seen since so perhaps this was an underestimate by the Japanese. May have returned to Pearl Harbour for repairs
Yorktown - torpedoed at Battle of Coral Sea, subsequently then torpedoed by Japanese sub then finally trapped by 1st Carrier Division south of Gili Gili & bombed/torpedoed. (early June '42) Believed sunk but not confirmed.
Hornet - sunk at Battle of Luganville, 26.06.42, after being repeatedly bombed and torpedoed by 1st Carrier division
Enterprise - sunk at Battle of Luganville, 27.06.42, after being repeatedly bombed and torpedoed by 1st Carrier division
Long Island (?) - sunk at Battle of Luganville, 24.06.42, after being repeatedly bombed, torpedoed and straffed by 5th Carrier division
At least three destroyers are reported sunk, plus several cruisers damaged
Japanese Carriers Lost/Damaged :
Shokaku - returned to Japan for repairs. Heavily damaged in Battle of Coral Sea
Shoho - returned to Japan for repairs. Damaged in Battle of Coral Sea (mid May '42)
No other carriers damaged (well, suffering more than 10 sys or floatation damage)
No other major ships currently lost, alhtough several sent back to Tokyo for major repairs
US Carriers Lost/Damaged :
Lexington - torpedoed at Battle of Coral Sea. Not believed to be seriously damaged, but not seen since so perhaps this was an underestimate by the Japanese. May have returned to Pearl Harbour for repairs
Yorktown - torpedoed at Battle of Coral Sea, subsequently then torpedoed by Japanese sub then finally trapped by 1st Carrier Division south of Gili Gili & bombed/torpedoed. (early June '42) Believed sunk but not confirmed.
Hornet - sunk at Battle of Luganville, 26.06.42, after being repeatedly bombed and torpedoed by 1st Carrier division
Enterprise - sunk at Battle of Luganville, 27.06.42, after being repeatedly bombed and torpedoed by 1st Carrier division
Long Island (?) - sunk at Battle of Luganville, 24.06.42, after being repeatedly bombed, torpedoed and straffed by 5th Carrier division
At least three destroyers are reported sunk, plus several cruisers damaged
Radio Tokyo broadcast
The following is a public information announcement from Radio Tokyo
'Free People of Luganville, your hour is upon you! Now is the time to throw off the yolk of your colonial masters and rise up revolting! You have a choice - continued peaceful existance and freedom of trade under the benevolent guidance of His Most Divine Majesty, the Emperor Hirohito, as part of the Great Prosperity Sphere of South East Asia, or to suffer beneath the whips and brutality of the oppressive United States and New Zealand colonial forces.
Now is the time for you to show those thuggish louts your true mettle! Rise up under the banner of the Emperor of the Sun and join with the Armies of Liberation that are knocking on the doors of your cruel masters!'
'Free People of Luganville, your hour is upon you! Now is the time to throw off the yolk of your colonial masters and rise up revolting! You have a choice - continued peaceful existance and freedom of trade under the benevolent guidance of His Most Divine Majesty, the Emperor Hirohito, as part of the Great Prosperity Sphere of South East Asia, or to suffer beneath the whips and brutality of the oppressive United States and New Zealand colonial forces.
Now is the time for you to show those thuggish louts your true mettle! Rise up under the banner of the Emperor of the Sun and join with the Armies of Liberation that are knocking on the doors of your cruel masters!'
Luganville is liberated!!!
**** COMMUNIQUE RECEIVED AT IMPERIAL HEADQUARTERS, Evening of 07.03.42 ***
To Most Majestic Divine Excellency, the Emperor, from Colonel Mayaguchi, acting Commander 2nd Division, I bring great confibbularities! Luganville has been liberated by our forces of liberation! The native peoples have risen up and cast out the scurge of American colonialism, and welcomed us with open arms as their saviours! The airfield and port facilities are both ours, captured reasonably intact and with minimum of damage and losses to our own gallant soliders!
My only regret is that we were not able to engage in honourable combat more filthy American or strange New Zealand troops, as they all ran like rabbits at the approach of our tanks!
All our soldiers have proved themselves worthy to be Sons of Heaven, serving the Divine Emperor and now the willing and free subjects of Luganville likewise bathe in the Majesty of His Divine Radiance and magnanimosity.
I must also bring to his Excellency's attention, that, whilst the land battle was raging, on the ocean our forces were proving to be equally belligerant and victorious...
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 28
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
SBD Dauntless x 3
P-400 Airacobra x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 7
B-26B Marauder x 6
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
B-25D Mitchell x 2 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged
ENS K. Okabe of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4
LCDR J. Gray of VF-6 is KILLED
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
DD Urakaze
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
The disgusting Americans - how it turns my stomach just to think of them - tried to launch a sneak attack with their remaining land based planes from the South East, but our worthy pilots of the first carrier division were more than capable of dealing with them and tore into the sometimes helpless US forces with the tenacity of tigers. We counted at least nine American planes shot down, black smoke and parachutes (good target practice for our troops) staining the blue sky; only two of our ships were even attacked, and missed hopelessly, and I do not believe a single one of our beloved Zero's was lost.
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
D3A Val x 13
B5N Kate x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 12 damaged
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged
Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 2
DD Meredith, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix
CA Indianapolis
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13
Now it was the turn of our own carrier planes to strike back at the large but motley collection of surface vessels the Americans had assembled off the waters of Luganville. I am pleased to recount that, despite the heavy barrage of AA fire, our own gallant pilots scythed through regardless of losses to attack the American ships.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
LT I.Morita of FF1/Yokohama Chutai is credited with kill number 4
SLDR B.Usher of No. 33 Sqn RAAF bails out and is RESCUED
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya
DD Hayashio
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 2
CA Northampton, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Louisville
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 1
CA Vincennes
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CLAA Atlanta
CL St. Louis
CL Phoenix
DD Meredith, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Swanson
DD Wilkes
DD Monssen
DD Stockton
DD Mustin
DD Walke
DD Bagley
DD Helm
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Lang
DD McCall
DD Perkins
DD Aylwin
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 29
Now followed a most curious naval battle. In broad daylight, a vast flotilla of American cruisers and destroyers, which had arrived either to reinforce or evacuate the fleeing Luganville garrison - we are not quite sure which as the Americans themselves were milling around in complete confusion - were completely surprised by a small force of only two heavy cruisers and two destroyers, lead by the accomplished Admiral Mikawa.
Before the Americans even knew quite what was happening, our brave and noble ships had demonstrated to them the awesome capabilities of the Long Lance torpedo, pumped a few shells into the befuddled American ships, and then were gone with scarcely a shot fired back in response. The Americans, clearly unnerved by this awesome demonstration of our naval affectiveness, promptly turned tail and fled. It is as we feared, Divine Majesty, the Americans clearly have a lack of fighting spirit and their mettle measures appallingly low when compared to the training, devotion and willingness to die in battle of our own brave soliders.
Ground combat at Luganville
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 41746 troops, 478 guns, 66 vehicles
Defending force 20264 troops, 192 guns, 6 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Luganville base !!!
Luganville base fell around 5 pm, just in time for us surviving officers to raise a glass of Saki to Your Most Divine Excellence. I readily admit that tears freely fell at the sight of the sunburst flag being run up the pole.
Most of the filthy Americans escaped into the jungle, although they left much of their heavy guns behind them. We watched them fleeing like minows before our pike, further proof that they have no mettle nor fighting spirit.
The free peoples of Luganville welcomed us with open arms, flowers and songs, they lined the streets and cheered us as we rode triumphantly into their towns and welcomed them into the bountiful prosperity and freedom of the South East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere, upon which your own Radiance shines benevolently.
Oh it was such a happy and joyous occasion, I fear that I may never see the likes of it again, save in beautiful dreams!
I remain his most humble and abject servant of the Empire, willing to give up my life for my Emperor
LONG LIVE THE EMPEROR!!!
To Most Majestic Divine Excellency, the Emperor, from Colonel Mayaguchi, acting Commander 2nd Division, I bring great confibbularities! Luganville has been liberated by our forces of liberation! The native peoples have risen up and cast out the scurge of American colonialism, and welcomed us with open arms as their saviours! The airfield and port facilities are both ours, captured reasonably intact and with minimum of damage and losses to our own gallant soliders!
My only regret is that we were not able to engage in honourable combat more filthy American or strange New Zealand troops, as they all ran like rabbits at the approach of our tanks!
All our soldiers have proved themselves worthy to be Sons of Heaven, serving the Divine Emperor and now the willing and free subjects of Luganville likewise bathe in the Majesty of His Divine Radiance and magnanimosity.
I must also bring to his Excellency's attention, that, whilst the land battle was raging, on the ocean our forces were proving to be equally belligerant and victorious...
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 28
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
SBD Dauntless x 3
P-400 Airacobra x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 7
B-26B Marauder x 6
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
B-25D Mitchell x 2 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged
ENS K. Okabe of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4
LCDR J. Gray of VF-6 is KILLED
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
DD Urakaze
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
The disgusting Americans - how it turns my stomach just to think of them - tried to launch a sneak attack with their remaining land based planes from the South East, but our worthy pilots of the first carrier division were more than capable of dealing with them and tore into the sometimes helpless US forces with the tenacity of tigers. We counted at least nine American planes shot down, black smoke and parachutes (good target practice for our troops) staining the blue sky; only two of our ships were even attacked, and missed hopelessly, and I do not believe a single one of our beloved Zero's was lost.
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
D3A Val x 13
B5N Kate x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 12 damaged
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged
Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 2
DD Meredith, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix
CA Indianapolis
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13
Now it was the turn of our own carrier planes to strike back at the large but motley collection of surface vessels the Americans had assembled off the waters of Luganville. I am pleased to recount that, despite the heavy barrage of AA fire, our own gallant pilots scythed through regardless of losses to attack the American ships.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
LT I.Morita of FF1/Yokohama Chutai is credited with kill number 4
SLDR B.Usher of No. 33 Sqn RAAF bails out and is RESCUED
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya
DD Hayashio
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 2
CA Northampton, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Louisville
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 1
CA Vincennes
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CLAA Atlanta
CL St. Louis
CL Phoenix
DD Meredith, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Swanson
DD Wilkes
DD Monssen
DD Stockton
DD Mustin
DD Walke
DD Bagley
DD Helm
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Lang
DD McCall
DD Perkins
DD Aylwin
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 29
Now followed a most curious naval battle. In broad daylight, a vast flotilla of American cruisers and destroyers, which had arrived either to reinforce or evacuate the fleeing Luganville garrison - we are not quite sure which as the Americans themselves were milling around in complete confusion - were completely surprised by a small force of only two heavy cruisers and two destroyers, lead by the accomplished Admiral Mikawa.
Before the Americans even knew quite what was happening, our brave and noble ships had demonstrated to them the awesome capabilities of the Long Lance torpedo, pumped a few shells into the befuddled American ships, and then were gone with scarcely a shot fired back in response. The Americans, clearly unnerved by this awesome demonstration of our naval affectiveness, promptly turned tail and fled. It is as we feared, Divine Majesty, the Americans clearly have a lack of fighting spirit and their mettle measures appallingly low when compared to the training, devotion and willingness to die in battle of our own brave soliders.
Ground combat at Luganville
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 41746 troops, 478 guns, 66 vehicles
Defending force 20264 troops, 192 guns, 6 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Luganville base !!!
Luganville base fell around 5 pm, just in time for us surviving officers to raise a glass of Saki to Your Most Divine Excellence. I readily admit that tears freely fell at the sight of the sunburst flag being run up the pole.
Most of the filthy Americans escaped into the jungle, although they left much of their heavy guns behind them. We watched them fleeing like minows before our pike, further proof that they have no mettle nor fighting spirit.
The free peoples of Luganville welcomed us with open arms, flowers and songs, they lined the streets and cheered us as we rode triumphantly into their towns and welcomed them into the bountiful prosperity and freedom of the South East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere, upon which your own Radiance shines benevolently.
Oh it was such a happy and joyous occasion, I fear that I may never see the likes of it again, save in beautiful dreams!
I remain his most humble and abject servant of the Empire, willing to give up my life for my Emperor
LONG LIVE THE EMPEROR!!!
RE: Target practice.
xj, what is the supply level of your troops? Looks like the allies get 6 months of target practice up close. Perfect range for the 37mm nose mounted cannon on the P39.
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RE: Real Men
Real men dont just do it once. XJ should reload all those troops and invade Efate. Show me something.
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RE: Real Men
It is very tempting. Particularly as I know how thin his troops are on Efate at the moment. However all my ships need to refuel & are low on ammo, however in a week or so's time things will definitely be very different.
Who knows, I could even draw out the remainder of his somewhat battered surface fleet...
Re the P39 cannon, yeah I was calculating it and yes it can just about get there & back from Efate. However it is no match for the Zero. However I was more worried about his 4E B17's which could genuinely pound the airstrip and practically anyone else near it to dust with virtual impunity from on high.
Who knows, I could even draw out the remainder of his somewhat battered surface fleet...
Re the P39 cannon, yeah I was calculating it and yes it can just about get there & back from Efate. However it is no match for the Zero. However I was more worried about his 4E B17's which could genuinely pound the airstrip and practically anyone else near it to dust with virtual impunity from on high.
Radio Tokyo Newsflash
The following is a public information announcement from Radio Tokyo :
Praise be to His Divine Majesty The Emperor! Whilst the lazy American army appears to have gone off for a beach holiday to Leikar, our brave troops from the crack 2nd Division have landed on Efate Port Villa. It will only be a short time before another bastion of American Imperialism crumbles into dust!
Rejoice in the streets! Once again the American forces totter and real before the Sons of Nippon! Even their submarines have submerged and slunk away to lick their wounds!
Further north, our forces continue to make ground in New Guinea. It is only a matter of time before the Australian fortress of Wau surrenders to our indomitable troops. They will not be able to sustain their continuous barrages of bad singing and bottle throwing much longer
Praise be to His Divine Majesty The Emperor! Whilst the lazy American army appears to have gone off for a beach holiday to Leikar, our brave troops from the crack 2nd Division have landed on Efate Port Villa. It will only be a short time before another bastion of American Imperialism crumbles into dust!
Rejoice in the streets! Once again the American forces totter and real before the Sons of Nippon! Even their submarines have submerged and slunk away to lick their wounds!
Further north, our forces continue to make ground in New Guinea. It is only a matter of time before the Australian fortress of Wau surrenders to our indomitable troops. They will not be able to sustain their continuous barrages of bad singing and bottle throwing much longer
Ladio Luganville Broadcast
Hello and many gleetings from Liberated Luganville. And this is your host, Sunny Lagaki who is talking to you. We have just leceived the most amazing news! Our garrant tloops have liberated Efate! Our man in Efate has just leported in that he can see the beautiful sunburst frag frying from the tarrest mast in the town.
O this is the most wonderful news! Plaise be to our most blave tloops! They have selved the Empelor velly well
O this is the most wonderful news! Plaise be to our most blave tloops! They have selved the Empelor velly well
RE: Rooky Luck
Damn, this newbie must be good. He did show me something! Poor Ike99. He should not allow this rookie to push him around.[:D]
RE: Rooky Luck
Damn, this newbie must be good. He did show me something! Poor Ike99. He should not allow this rooky to push him around.
Real men dont just do it once. XJ should reload all those troops and invade Efate. Show me something.
Don´t listen to this person XJ, at Efate every plane the Allies have that can carry a bomb will reach Efate, 1E,2E,3E, 4E and unlimited supplies with Noumea.
Everything you put there will be dead in 3 months.
I think Bigred provoked you into a error for fun. You should evacuate.
¨If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.¨ Che Guevara
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
RE: Rooky Luck
Not totally true. The P39 and the SBD will not reach efate. XJ, if u want to win the game do not go defensive, u must now take Noumea at all cost.