Shattering the Sword. Cantona2 (a) vs Herbiesan (j)

[cantona2]

It appears that Septmeber 1942 is about to close with a bang. Since the Dornier's of GVT-3 had been operating from Tenimbar Island, Japanese forces had been conducting regular recon flights over the small island just off the Northern Australian Coast. This despite the presence of heavy fighters over the Australian base.


H6K4-L under fire from the Beaufighters of No 30 RAAF Squadron


During the night of 27th/28th September fast Japanese transports unloaded elements of an NLF on Tenimbar. The Japanese ships must have just missed a similar fast trasnport comprosed of destroyers that were unloading supplies from Darwin! The quiet of the night was disrupted by the 6 Inch Guns that the 111th Royal Navy Base Force had brought with them all the way from Aden. The gunners, it appears, were very proficient at their job and one enemy destroyer was seen limping away on fire.

Coastal Guns at Tenimbar Island, 39,81, firing at TF 119
TF 119 troops unloading over beach at Tenimbar Island, 39,81


52 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 37
DD Nagatsuki, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oboro

Japanese ground losses:
373 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The soldiers of the 2/2 Independent Company were put on full alert and were tasked with resisiting any Japanese attempts to assault the island by coup de main. As day dawned Mavis's were once again over Tenimbar, but this time bombers and fighters accompanied them. Early warning had come from the radar station at Darwin and by the time the raid arrived over the island Allied planes were ready to receive them. 6 bombers, escorted by 9 fighters (A6M2's), steadily approached at 6,000 feet. P-38's of the 331st Fighter Squadron (Darwin) tussled with the Zeroes while the more heavily armed Beaufighter VIF's of No 30 RAAF Squadron (Darwin) closed in on the bombers blasting away with their 20mm cannons. Though no bombers were seen to fall, 3 turned away after one Beaufighter was able to set its engines alight. 3 made the final attack run but their bombs fell into the sea.



Day Air attack on Tenimbar Island , at 39,81

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
H6K4 Mavis x 2
Ki-49 Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIF x 3
P-38F Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet

The Allied response was not delayed. The heavy bombers at Darwin had been perfecting high level raids on the neighbouring enemy airfields for weeks and today they did so in support of the pressed troopers on Tenimbar. First elements of 9th and 392nd Bombardment Squadrons (B-24D's) hit the airfields at Ambonia. One enemy bomber was reported destoryed while several hits were also recored on the base installations and runway.

Day Air attack on Amboina , at 40,74

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet

B-17's of the 14th and 64th Bombardment Squadrons hit Sorong airfield scoring a couple of hits on the runway but failing to hit any of the planes in and around the field.

B-17's hit Sorong in support of the actions on Tenimbar Island


Day Air attack on Sorong , at 44,74


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet

Meanwhile on Tenimbar itself the Japanese assault squads recovered and reorganised from their night landing and began to coordinate a bombardment of the positions of the 2/2 Company. Mortar shells fell on the Australian positions but no assault was forthcoming. Reports were dispatched to Darwin on a quarterly hour basis so that the follow up operation could be based on reliable and immediate information.



Ground combat at Tenimbar Island

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 866 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Defending force 621 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14


Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported


Tenimbar Island

[cantona2]

[font="times new roman"]Order of the day 29th September 1942, ANZAC HQ Tennant Creek, to all units Darwin Area of Command

In response to Japanese landings on Tenibar Island the following orders are to be followed:

1) CL's Dauntless and Ceres to bombard enemy units at Tenimbar Island in a night action.
2) DD Fortune and Dutch DD's Eversten and Piet Hein to carry out sweep of Tenimbar in night action should enemy try to reinforce his positions.
3) 11th Bombardment Squadron to bomb enemy positions at first light from Darwin.
4) Transfer No. 76 RAAF Squadron from Wyndham to Darwin, unit to fly LRCAP missions.
5) 17th Bomabardment (A-24) to transfer from Katherine to Darwin to carry out anti-sip mission.
6) 22nd and 23rd Bombardment Squadrons (B-17) to raid Tenimbar from Katherine.
7) 9th Bombardment (B-24D) to carry out aggressive anti-ship missions over the Banda Sea.
6) 90th Bomabardment Squadron to transfer from Coen to Katherine and raid Tenimbar Island.
7) 403rd Bombardment (B-17) to transfer from Cooktown to Katherine and raid Tenimbar Island.
8) 319th Bombardment to transfer from Townsville to Daly Waters and raid Tenimbar Island.
9) Raids on Abomnia and Sorong to continue, RAAF will intensify Hudson raids on Timor in support.

Signed
General T.A.Blamey.

[/font]

[cantona2]

In other news, allied submarines carry on making an absolute nuisance of themselves. The protagonist today SS Perch at Truk in two seperate attacks on the same ship.



Sub attack near Truk  at 66,78
 
Japanese Ships
AK Tsuyama Maru, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
 
Allied Ships
SS Perch
 
--------------------------
Sub attack near Truk  at 66,78
 
Japanese Ships
AK Tsuyama Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
 
Allied Ships
SS Perch

[cantona2]

Day 2 of actions at Tenimbar Island.

CL's Ceres and Dauntless carry out their bombardment of Japanese troops on Tenimbar Island and are able to return to base under the cover of darkness. The covering destroyer force finds nothing to attack and returns to Darwin with the cruisers.



Naval bombardment of Tenimbar Island, at 39,81

Allied Ships
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless

Japanese ground losses:
106 casualties reported

As the day progresses several air raids are carried out on Tenimbar and the observations made by the 2/2 Independent Company suggests that the Japs have received quite a battering, indeed there was no aggressive action their part today. The units 81mm mortars shelled the Jap positions sporadically throughout the day. Orders have been given to attack and annihilate the Japanese troops on the morrow.

Ground combat at Tenimbar Island

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 866 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Defending force 278 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7


Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

GVT-3's Dorniers continued their recon of the nearby areas and brought back some alarming news from Babo!

[cantona2]

Septemeber 1942 has wound to a close.

It seems that Allied forces are holding their own but i feel Herb is gradually getting the upper hand in China. Sept has been marked by reinforced Japanese fighter sweeps in Burma and China, that have caused plenty of destroyed frames in both areas, and the introduction of new fighter types of the Japanese side (Tojo/Tony/A6M3a).

He has lost more ships than me and the main reason for this has been the continued aggressive submarine campaign the Silent Service is waging against the Japanese Navy. The RN contributed with the sinking of commerce raiders by her carriers but the subs wil carry on taking the fight to the Japs.

On land Portland Roads has been reinforced and is being developed to carry the fight to New Guinea. I think he is withdrawing from Thursday Island via submarine, if he is i intend to fly in paras to secure the base and have them followed by a base force. TI is a level 3 airfield and would thus allow a further bomber base in the area.

Herb, in his last email, said the war was about to blow up. As of yet no signs but he could be attacking Australia or culminating an offensive in China. We shall have to see what happens. Oct 42 sees a massive programme of refitting and updates on most USN ships. It will be interesting to manage what ships get upgraded and when.

[cantona2]

Sighting reports yesterday of a Japanese cruiser heading towards Tenimbar Island were not quite accurate. The destroyers Fortune, Piet Hein and Evertsen were sent on a night recon mission but what they bumped into was slightly more than one Japanese cruiser! A solid IJN victory off the south western approaches to Tenimbar Island. Incidentally he has reinforced his position on Tenimbar with the Saesbo SNLF though only remnants of the 1st NLF remain. Ive set a heavier CAP over Tenimbar shold he be dropping supplies to them.

Combat Report of naval action.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tenimbar Island at 39,81

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 1
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
CA Tone
CA Takao
CA Atago
DD Arashio
DD Hatsuharu
DD Fubuki
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri
DD Amagiri
DD Ushio
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
DD Fortune, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Evertsen, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
DD Piet Hein, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

[cantona2]

General Blamey walked out of his tent and headed to the marquee where the staff of ANZAC HQ was gathered. It was a hot day in the middle of the Australian Bush. A desert road linking Alice Springs and Daly Waters was full of vehicles and tents and all sorts of paraphenalia of a major HQ on the move.

"Sir, is it wise to move the base of operations to Darwin?" asked Blamey's aide.

"Well, Wilson the closer to the action the better my boy!"

The gathered officers rose and saluted as Blamey took his seat at the head of the impromptu table that had been set up on top of two petrol barrels.

"Gentlemen, as you know battle is joined in the air above and the seas around Tenimbar Island and it is our duty to make sure that the brave boys get our full support. I am grateful for the efforts of the Allied airforces in Darwin and especially to the recent sacrifice made by the Allied navies against overwhelming odds. So onto the daily buisness..."

Therein followed a series of debriefings from the various Australian commmands. Of most note was the report from I Australian Corps (Townsville). Recon of Thursday Island suggested a Japanese withdrawl from there and according to the many sightings, via submarine. A suggestion was raised for an airborne drop onto Thursday Island to secure the aerodrome then the flying in of troops to once again reoccupy the base. General Blamey approved the idea in general and promised to contact the American South Pacific Command for the release of a parachute battalion to carry out the assault, the RAAF possesed the necessary transport planes.

The northern bases reported nothing out of the ordinary other than Darwin with its proximity to Tenimbar Island. The briefing was suddenly disrupted by the loud roar of engines from the south. A low, rumbling sound that gradually rose in volume until the gathered officers could no longe hear themsleves above the cacophany. An aide ran out and looked up into the desert sky. 24 B-24's were flying directly overhead in a northernly heading. 24 recently arrived American planes that would soon be bombing Japanese soldiers from Australian bases. The sun glinted of the wings of the mighty machines and the aide could not help but feel a sense of hopelessness under the wings of such power.

As the planes passed over Blamey motioned for the briefing to continue before the temperature rose a bit more. The RAN attache was about to report on the latest model of minesweeper entering service when a second disruption stopped the meeting. This time it was not the drone of aerial engines rather a very agitated orderly that burst into the marquee. Blamey was about to reprimand the soldier but what the he said made him stop in his tracks and made his blood run cold,

"No more radio signals detected from Tenimbar Island, Sir," shouted the Corporal with signal regiment flashings on his shoulder boards. He handed Balmey a piece of paper then stood striaght and saluted and begged the General's pardon for the manner of his report.

Blamey's eyes scanned the untidily written decoded message then looked at the gathered officers.

"Its with great regret that I inform you all that all resistance on Tenimbar Island has stopped. Long Live Australia," he said solemnly. 1,200 Australian and British serivcemen had been on that godforsaken place and now headed to an uncertain future in a Japanese POW Camp. As supreme commander in this theatre he was ultimately responsible and he certainly felt that weight at this moment in time. But such was the nature of his job.

He called the briefing to a halt and gave instructions for the drive North to continue. To Blamey it seemed that what was initially a move to support an attack may now turn into a drive to support the defence of Northern Australia.

[cantona2]

[font="times new roman"]War Diary Tarawa Atoll October 7th 1942

Departure of SS Montanan to Canton Island after unloading cargo of aviation ammunition. Arrival of TF 1100 (SS Honomu and SS J.L.Luckenbach) with basic provisions, ammunition, rubber and replacement fatigues recorded at 04:56.

8 B-25C's (13th Bombardment) attack Nauru Island leaving at 09:00 all arriving safely at 14:00.

At 16:23 radar detects blips approaching from North. VMF-221 and VMO-252 (F4F-4) scrambled to join P-38's of 330th Fighter already flying CAP over TF 1100. 48th Fighter and 37th Fighter (P-38) on Abemama also scrambled. Kingfisher (VS-3-D14) on ASW patrol spots raid of 37 A6M2's, 6 Ki-49's and 10 G3M's at 16:47. Enemy planes spotted by land based observers at 17:04. All fighters ordered to engage enemy aircraft. 17 enemy aircraft confirmed shot down, 8 own planes lost (3 pilots KIA). SS J.L. Luckenbach hit by one bomb, light damage three sailor hurt, one seriously. G3M's seen to be dropping torpedoes from 200 feet. Enemy head North at approx 17:45. Unloading continues unabted once all clear sounds. 4 enemy aircrew recovered from water.

Scheduled arrival tomorrow: SS Kentuckian, cargo medical supplies and toiletries. Approx time of arrival 06:15.[/font]

[cantona2]

Dimapur Airfield,

"So you are sure it wasn't an Oscar?"

"Positive Sir. It has all the characteristics of the Oscar but she was sleeker and faster, could out turn us quicker."

"Thank you PO, dismissed."

That was the second new enemy fighter type seen in the skies over Burma in the last few months and the only thing the RAF could put up against it was the old Hurricane, stocks of which were at an all time low.


Ki-43 IIa of 9th Fighter Shotai

[cantona2]

ANZAC Command had been eyeing the opportunity to retake Thursday Island since it had fallen earlier in the Year and it now seemed that the opportunity was here. Ever since Coen had been developed as a viable offensive airbase, the Japanese troops at Thrusday Island had been subjected to constant aerial attack. Primarily 91st Bombardment (A-20B Boston) and No.23 Squadron RAAF (Vengeance I) had led the assault. Occasionally a chutai of A6M2's had been seen flying CAP over Thursday Island but Kittyhawks and Wildcats had beaten them off.

Around the time of the Japanese counter move at Tenimbar Island many submarine sightings were reported in and around the Torres Straits. Concurrently the bombarding units were reporting less flak and post raid recon photos also revealed a lack on movement and repair of after raid damage. For the last week intensive recon had also revealed exposed unattended guns that had not been recamaflouged after being bombed. The intel suggested that the Japanese had withdrawn their garrison via submarine and was used in the Tenimbar Operation.



Orders had been drawn up a week ago to move the 1st Marine Parachute Battalion from Canton Island via Noumea to Cairns and the officers detailed to plan the raid on Thursday Island. Five sqaudrons of C-47 Skytrains would drop the paras on the night of 17th October 1942 and once the base had been secured they would begin the ferrying of the 123rd USAAF Base Force. VMF-223 (F4F-4) would fly CAP and escort missions from the newly operational Portland Roads airfield. Thursday Island could already host bomber operations before its fall and it was expected to do so again after its recapture. The operation was to be codenamed Cruseo. D-Day was to be 17th Otober 1942, H-Hour 04:30.

[marky]

ORIGINAL: cantona2

It appears that Septmeber 1942 is about to close with a bang. Since the Dornier's of GVT-3 had been operating from Tenimbar Island, Japanese forces had been conducting regular recon flights over the small island just off the Northern Australian Coast. This despite the presence of heavy fighters over the Australian base.


H6K4-L under fire from the Beaufighters of No 30 RAAF Squadron


During the night of 27th/28th September fast Japanese transports unloaded elements of an NLF on Tenimbar. The Japanese ships must have just missed a similar fast trasnport comprosed of destroyers that were unloading supplies from Darwin! The quiet of the night was disrupted by the 6 Inch Guns that the 111th Royal Navy Base Force had brought with them all the way from Aden. The gunners, it appears, were very proficient at their job and one enemy destroyer was seen limping away on fire.

Coastal Guns at Tenimbar Island, 39,81, firing at TF 119
TF 119 troops unloading over beach at Tenimbar Island, 39,81


52 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 37
DD Nagatsuki, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oboro

Japanese ground losses:
373 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The soldiers of the 2/2 Independent Company were put on full alert and were tasked with resisiting any Japanese attempts to assault the island by coup de main. As day dawned Mavis's were once again over Tenimbar, but this time bombers and fighters accompanied them. Early warning had come from the radar station at Darwin and by the time the raid arrived over the island Allied planes were ready to receive them. 6 bombers, escorted by 9 fighters (A6M2's), steadily approached at 6,000 feet. P-38's of the 331st Fighter Squadron (Darwin) tussled with the Zeroes while the more heavily armed Beaufighter VIF's of No 30 RAAF Squadron (Darwin) closed in on the bombers blasting away with their 20mm cannons. Though no bombers were seen to fall, 3 turned away after one Beaufighter was able to set its engines alight. 3 made the final attack run but their bombs fell into the sea.



Day Air attack on Tenimbar Island , at 39,81

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
H6K4 Mavis x 2
Ki-49 Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIF x 3
P-38F Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet

The Allied response was not delayed. The heavy bombers at Darwin had been perfecting high level raids on the neighbouring enemy airfields for weeks and today they did so in support of the pressed troopers on Tenimbar. First elements of 9th and 392nd Bombardment Squadrons (B-24D's) hit the airfields at Ambonia. One enemy bomber was reported destoryed while several hits were also recored on the base installations and runway.

Day Air attack on Amboina , at 40,74

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 32000 feet

B-17's of the 14th and 64th Bombardment Squadrons hit Sorong airfield scoring a couple of hits on the runway but failing to hit any of the planes in and around the field.

B-17's hit Sorong in support of the actions on Tenimbar Island


Day Air attack on Sorong , at 44,74


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet

Meanwhile on Tenimbar itself the Japanese assault squads recovered and reorganised from their night landing and began to coordinate a bombardment of the positions of the 2/2 Company. Mortar shells fell on the Australian positions but no assault was forthcoming. Reports were dispatched to Darwin on a quarterly hour basis so that the follow up operation could be based on reliable and immediate information.



Ground combat at Tenimbar Island

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 866 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Defending force 621 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14


Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported


Tenimbar Island

very nice art and planetops, whered ya get em and what mapmod is that?

[cantona2]

C-47 Skytrain, the workhorse of Operation Cruseo

[cantona2]

very nice art and planetops, whered ya get em and what mapmod is that?

Please[:-][:D]

Elf's planetops, Cobra's digital panels.

[marky]

ORIGINAL: cantona2

very nice art and planetops, whered ya get em and what mapmod is that?

Please[:-][:D]

Elf's planetops, Cobra's digital panels.

forgive my ignorance, i dont know much about all the art stuff [&o]
[:D]

[cantona2]

got them at spooky's BTW the ship art is Fremen's work

[cantona2]

H-Hour saw the men of the 1st Marine Parachute Battalion sat inside their respective transport planes taxing about on the three runways at Cairns. They would have to be airborne within the next half an hour to make sure the operation got off on schedule.

On the side of the field the air controller looked at his watch and fired off a green flare into the dawn sky. The pilots revved up their engines and the lead planes in each line sped off down the runway and up into the Australian sky. Plane after plane took off in an ordely fashion until the drone of the engines eclipsed all other sound. It took 17 minutes for all planes to get into the air and, 23 minutes into Operation Cruseo, the air flotilla turned to a North by North Easterly heading and towards Thursday Island. Villagers and townsfolk along the way were rudley awakened by the cacophony of radial engines as they passed overhead and in one town the air raid was sounded as the populace thought enemy planes were over head. As the C-47's neared Portland Roads smaller, sleeker aeroplanes were waiting for them but the pilots had no need for concern as these were US Marine F4's that would escort the vulnerable transports to their target.

Inside the thundering C-47's highly trained and highly motivated Marine paras sat, clutching their weapons each lost in thought. Though the enemy had used parachutists to good effect since the start of the war today would be the first time Allied airbone units would be used in action. They were nervous and, if truth be told, frightened, but ultimately confident in their state of preparedness.

"10 minutes," came a metallic voice over the speakers.

The jump masters approached stood up followed by the rest of the 'stick'. Once equipment checks had been made, each man chekcing the man in front of him, all eyes turned to the red light by the exit door. Prayers were mumbled and one or two men broke out into nervous swearing as the minutes seemed to drag into hours. Suddenly, without warning the light flashed once then the bottom green light came on. It was time to go. The sergeant was first out the door and 16 seconds later the C-47 was empty, the aircraft seemed to rise up in the air as the last trooper jumped. Below the plane white parachutes blossomed and in the air around more and more chutes opened as the 1st Marine Parachute Battalion floated down to its target...

1st Marine Para's drop out of C-47's 17th October 1942


Back at Cairns, Dakota's of the RAAF were loading up supplies that the Para's would be needing on Thursday Island while on the side of the tarmac the follow up units awaited their turn to be airlifted once the Marines had secured the airfield.

Supplies being loaded at Cairns.


Situation 18th October 1942 - Operation Cruseo a success, Thursday Island recaptured.

[cantona2]

Operation Robinson, follow up to Cruseo, 18th October 1942.

The Japanese response to the recapture of Thursday Island was not long in coming. The Marine paras did not have time to dig in before C-47's and Dakota's from Cairns began to ferry the 123rd USAAF Base Force. Plane after plane landed on the air strip, unloaded like lightning and took off once again. Others took longer to unload as the necessary supplies were also unloaded. This took up most of the morning and the excitment went up a notch when a sqaudron of Warhawks (P-40B) flew in from Townsville to provide some local air cover to augment the Marine Wildcats.

As mentioned earlier the Japanese soon made their presence felt. First, screaming overhead like blazing arrows, came A6M2's that tangled with the Wildcats. They fought quite furiously and shot down 7 Marine planes for 2 of their number. Later on in the afternoon fighters once again clouded the sky over Thursday Island only this time they has brought some larger brothers that bombed the allied posiitons on the island.

Day Air attack on 1st Marine Para Battalion, at 49,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-49 Helen x 46

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
----------------------------
Day Air attack on Thursday Island , at 49,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 101
A6M3a Zero x 27
G4M1 Betty x 57
Ki-49 Helen x 42
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 12 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
15 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
13 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
10 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet

Once again the brave Marine pilots rose to meet the uneven challenge and paid for it dearly with 12 planes being shot down. Of more concern to the land forces were the Japanese transports that dropped a regiment of enemy paratroopers onto Thursday Island. Thankfully the 123rd had been able to unload and deploy its light flak guns and these begun to pepper both men and planes from the ground with several Japanese transports falling from the sky. To their credit the Japanese paras immediately engaged their American counterparts but the Marines held, it was important that they did as the next day's actions would show.

Ground combat at Thursday Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 915 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Defending force 1382 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Japanese max assault: 38 - adjusted assault: 16

Allied max defense: 8 - adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported

[cantona2]

Operation Robinson 19th October 1942

The call for reinforcements was received and responded too in great haste by I Australian Corps in Townsville and responsible for the Thursday Island operations. 31st Brigade at Cairns was ordered to move to Thursday Island via air ferry and it seemed that its arrival had shifted the land battle in favour of the allies as will be seen.

The 19th October dawned bright and the P-40B's of 16th Fighter Squadron were up early in anticipation of a busy day. The Wildcats from Portlands Roads had been withdrawn for refitting after the battering they received yesterday. A fresh sqaudron had moved up but needed a days rest after a long flight. Recon flights also took off and scanned the bases that heavy bombers would be targetting later in the day, notably Lae.

The first heavies roared overhead, B-17's from Coen of the 64th Bombardment Squadron. They flew over the Torres Straits and over the green canopy of New Guinea's jungles and bombed the Japanese air bases at Lae, a primary base in the area the other being Dobodura.


Day Air attack on Lae , at 56,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet

A second wave of bombers followed. This time they were based at Cooktown and 23rd and 403rd Bombardments (B-17) and 370th Bombardment (B-24D) hit Lae. They met no fighter opposition as the Japanese fighters were escorting raids of their own. Yet despite the lack of fighter opposition the raids were not as effective as hoped.


Day Air attack on Lae , at 56,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-24D Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 32000 feet
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 32000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet

Those fighters were indeed escorting a series of attacks on Thrusday Island. At around 11:45 several Ki-49's escorted by A6M2's attacked the positions the paras were manning on the ground. The 16th was already in the air but had little impact on the raid. The experienced Japanese bombers, however, did enough damage to the paras.


Day Air attack on 1st Marine Para Battalion, at 49,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-49 Helen x 37

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
132 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
8 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet

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As the Japanese bombers headed back East, fresh engine noises were heard over the skies of Thursday Island. The paras once again hunkered down but were very releived to see and hear the fall of the bombs from Boston's and Vengeances from Coen on the positions the Japanese parachutists held at the edge of the airfield. The 16th Fighter was still in the air but also a number of A6M2's that seemed to be patrolling the air space. This time however it would be the enemy that would be searching for the comfort of Mother Earth's cover.


Day Air attack on 2nd Parachute Regiment, at 49,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 14
A-20B Boston x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
A-20B Boston: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A-20B Boston bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Vengeance I bombing at 2000 feet

A short while after the allied raid, a swarm of C-47's and Dakotas filled the sky as they carried on airlanding elements of the 123rd USAAF Base Force but more importantly the main combat elements of the 31st Australian Brigade whose troopers went straight from the plane to the front line. Unfortunately the transports came in against opposition from the air and the ground as both Zeroes and machine gun fire followed them in. Regrettably some brave pilots met a fiery end on Thursday Island.

Destroyed C-47 on Thursday Island


Yet despite the losses it was very fortunate the transports landed when they did as an hour after the last C-47 took off a massive Japanese air raid from both Lae and Dobodura hit both of the main allied formations on Thursday Island. The few remaining P-40B's of the 16th put up what resistance they could.


Day Air attack on Thursday Island , at 49,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
A6M3a Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 34
Ki-49 Helen x 35
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 7 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 27

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 16000 feet

By late afternoon more Japanese troopers were dropped to reinforce the troops on the ground, yet the lightly armed paras lacked the heavy weaponry the 31st Brigade was able to land, especially its artillery pieces which were to prove decisive in the ultimate defeat of all Japanese troops on Thursday Island. After three unsuccessful attacks on the Allied lines they Japanese begun to pull back into cover. Yet after a day and half of non stop fighting fatigue began to take a hold and the fresher Australian troops gained the upper hand surrounding and destroying all pockets of resistance by dawn the next day. Though relishing the tough won victory the Allied forces on Thursday Island were in no doubt that the Japanese High Command would not let them rest easily on their laurels.

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Post Script

[font="times new roman"]Enemy Casualty List, 1st Parachute and 2nd Parachute Regiments Thursday Island 1942

"...Imaguchi
Imamoto
Ito
Inamato
Inoue..."[/font]