Into the Breach

[bigred]

It was a mistake to allow my carrier air  to start random port strikes.  In this and the next screen print I will demonstrate why I was lucky the KB was not in a forward position.

[bigred]

And here are the IJAAF counterstrikes because of my weaker CAP. Again a penetration was made on the Enterprise w/ no hits. The Big E has used two lives, maybe 3. Does she have 7 lives left?

[Ike99]

I don´t believe Bigred will be able to capture Rabaul.

[bigred]

The Road to Bonis was opened by the AUS 1st corps as all IJA units except the remaints of an Armor company have retreated out of Torokina.

[bigred]

The Yamato and Musashi have appeared west of Bouganville.  The AAA guns really  did a job on my SBD sqn based at Jaba.

Air attack on TF at 25,30


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 20
SBD Dauntless x 11
TBF Avenger x 14


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CL Agano
DD Shiranui

[Ike99]

The Yamato and Musashi have appeared west of Bouganville. The AAA guns really did a job on my SBD sqn based at Jaba.

That´s the ugliest Yamato I have ever seen. You need to go to Rouges site and download some new ship models.

Nov 14,43´ As good as you´ll ever see for a late game Corsair battle.

[Ike99]

Who needs a sturdy fighter when you have design features.[;)]

[Ike99]

LST 458 hit by two, 250 bombs.

[bigred]

Sad but true...

[bigred]

11-10-43:  SBDs out of Jaba work over the heavies.
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

[bigred]

On the 1st marine corp sector 1st marine division and elements of the 3rd marines attack out of Jaba to push the starving Japs back into Buin, even with a IJN bombardment mission the night before.
Ground combat at Jaba

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17753 troops, 211 guns, 101 vehicles

Defending force 19808 troops, 241 guns, 33 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 943
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 126

[bigred]

11-10-43:  Alot of naval air action by the allies.  1st marines continue to attack toward buin w/ heavy allied LBA support.  IJA suppression was not as great as normal because it seems the Yamato BB TF moved to Kavieg to refuel and was attacked by allied LBA. It is intersting to watch hudsons drop 250lb bombs on the yamato.
Japanese Ships
DD Tokitsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Onami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 2
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 1
DD Onami
CL Agano, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 4
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 6
DD Suzunami, Bomb hits 1
DD Fujinami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Takanami, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
BB Yamato
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 2
DD Onami, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Agano, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Shiranui, Bomb hits 1
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 10
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 3
DD Tokitsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Takanami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

[Ike99]

That´s interesting. I didn´t know you saw this. Had to put something next to Rabaul or Bigred will have a Corsair base 30 miles from Rabuaul built in Lightning Speed!!

[:D]

[Ike99]

Another Allied landing at Bonis.

[bigred]

Well, you said to use Jacksons deciptive tactics.  Today the 1st Marines attacked w/ little LBA (77xSBDs) in thunderstorms and killed a few japs w/o any casualties. Looks like the Kirishima may not make it home. The Yamato and Musashi stayed in port at Kavieg.
And Master Ikesan wishes it was the 15th.

[bigred]

In addition to the 2 strikes on the Kirishima the marines really have the work cut out for themselves as they clear a path into Buin.  Note this is an all out heavy LBA supported attack. 377 bombers.

Ground combat at Jaba

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22345 troops, 267 guns, 107 vehicles

Defending force 17612 troops, 231 guns, 33 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1951
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 44

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 79

[Ike99]

The Big Picture with 6 weeks remaining.

[Ike99]

The score with 6 weeks remaining.

[Ike99]

The fighting around Bougainville has been going on for almost a month.

[bigred]

The marines continue to attack w/ heavy allied LBA support at Jaba. Three regiments of IJA refuse to retreat even w/ a 4 to 1 attack.  On the north side of the island one regiment of the 6th aus division has arrived at Bonis.

Ground combat at Jaba

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23473 troops, 271 guns, 107 vehicles

Defending force 15150 troops, 218 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)



MAJ N.Stewart of VMSB-231 bails out and is RESCUED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 727

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 44
Guns lost 1