Battle of Russel Island
I ordered Admiral Clark to go pick a fight with the Japanese and he is coming back with a black eye. Clark detected the Japanese carriers moving south towards Guadalcanal and he immediately swung his escorts carriers north to meet them. Once again there was no cohesiviness in the my strikes against the enemy, unlike Midway, this would cost us. My first set of Dauntlesses (from USS Suwanee) found the Japanese carriers at 10am. 7 Dive Bombers versus more then 40 Zeros. They never got close. The carriers were just 90 miles apart. The initial strike was able to radio the position of the carriers before they made their ill-fated strike.
The second strike followed the first into the wall of Zeros with equal success. Several of the 8 dive bombers that survived the CAP made runs at the enemy carriers along with one Avenger. Several near misses.
The third wave was equally unimpressive, 6 Avengers and 12 Dauntlesses. THey found the carriers, most of them stayed there.
Within minutes of my final strike against the enemy carriers. The Japanese hit my escorts. The results were devasting. More then 90 kates and Vals struck at the small flattops. When they left, Sangamon was listing from bomb and torpedo hits. both Suwanee and Chenango had taken hits and were burning. Only Altamaha's flight deck was operational.
A fourth strike by my forces orginated from Villa where my Marines bombers made another unsuccessful go at the Japanese carriers. 4 strikes, no hits. Once again Japanese naval air is ruling the ocean and skies around the Solomons.
The Japanese also attacked the transport carrying the 1st Marine Para returning from their long deployment at Villa. USS MacDonough, the escorting destroyer, was badly damaged.
Just prior to dark the Japanese sent a 2nd strike against Clark's escorts. 35 planes found, but were beaten off by 12 Wildcat fighters from USS Altamaha.
I have learned a harsh lesson...escort carriers, no matter how many aircraft they can put into the air (30 per carrier) are no match for the enemy's fleet arm. I now believe I have seriously underestimated the enemy's abilty to strike back. Without fleet carriers, this theatre will now decend into a land based air struggle for me. My Grandiose idea of twin invasions has evaporated into the Solomon's Sea.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
30 January 1943
CINCSoPac/SWPac
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Rob Roberson
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31 January 1943
Battle of Russel Island Day 2
I have flown base personnel into my fighter strip at Vila to help deal with all the Navy planes that were forced there after Clark's escort carriers were savaged yesterday. I still feel like taking this base, despite its difficulty in keeping supplied, was one of the better moves I have made in this battle. It has saved countless pilots.
I have also moved some very tired P-38 fighters to Irau and ordered them to fly CAP over my burning escort carriers. Between them, the Wildcats and P-40s at Vila, I hope to put up enough CAP to get the three usable carriers (I believe Sangomon is a cannot be saved) home to Noumea.
Ironically, bad weather kept the P-38s grounded when the enemy attacked the carriers. But, not before Vila struck at the Japanese carriers. Just after 9 am a 40 plane strike descended on the enemy fleet. 14 Dive Bombers and 4 Avengers managed to break through the enemy CAP and put a 1000 lb bomb into Zuikaku. It would not be the last.
Later that morning a strike from the CVE Altamaha found the enemy carriers and Dive Bombers drove a second bomb into Zuikaku's flight deck.
While these two air battles were occuring over the slot, Japanese naval air descended upon the retreating escort group. More than 25 enemy bombers struck at the fleet. One enemy Val stuck the Chenango, adding to the the previous days destruction. A 2nd strike (my intel believes it came from Lunga and that yesterday's strike must of damaged one of the Japanese carriers due to the amount of planes that arrived over our escorts) finished off the Sangamon. No less then 3 bombs hit her...she exploded, rolled over and sank at 10:42.
The additional ground crewsl I sent to Vila helped turn my dive bombers around and sent them back out against the Japanese carriers. Arriving just after 2:30 the 23 fighters and 14 dive bombers (Dauntlesses) brushed past the CAP and hit both the Shokaku and Zuikaku. My pilots report that Shokaku was heavily damaged and burning from bow to stern.
A second strike from Altamaha put another bomb into a carrier that the pilots said was drifting out of control. If that carrier was Shokaku I do not expect her to last the night.
I have ordered Rear Admiral Barbey to form a destroyer task force to carry the 5th Marines to Finschafen. There are an unknown amount of Japanese soldiers in the jungle there and this is part of my ongoing Lae operation to cut the pipeline of troops and supplies getting to Lae. Additionally, the 30th Australian brigade is on its way from Port Moresby to Lae and they will be joined by the 103rd Regiment, as soon as they reembark from Hopei. Both units will be fed into the battle. I think the key there is fresh troops, the men fighting at Lae now are exhausted and unable to push the enemy back.
To me it's amazing what a difference a day makes. Yesterday my staff felt like we had lost this battle, badly. Today we believe that our small carriers (combined, with some timely support from Vila) have won the day. Clark's pilots are to be commended and I will be dusting off my box of medals to make sure they are. My staff now believes that Shokaku is sinking or was sunk. Zuikaku is heavily damaged. Because of this we now believe there is 1 light carrier left in the theatre. If true the naval balance has changed radically.
The naval losses have pushed back any landing time-table I might of had. I must step back and hang onto my gains and patiently wait Nimitz's decision whether or not to committ Fleet carriers to this area. I believe Enterprise and the new carrier Essex are patroling off of Pearl right now. I would love to have both of them in my area of operation.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
31 January 1943
I have flown base personnel into my fighter strip at Vila to help deal with all the Navy planes that were forced there after Clark's escort carriers were savaged yesterday. I still feel like taking this base, despite its difficulty in keeping supplied, was one of the better moves I have made in this battle. It has saved countless pilots.
I have also moved some very tired P-38 fighters to Irau and ordered them to fly CAP over my burning escort carriers. Between them, the Wildcats and P-40s at Vila, I hope to put up enough CAP to get the three usable carriers (I believe Sangomon is a cannot be saved) home to Noumea.
Ironically, bad weather kept the P-38s grounded when the enemy attacked the carriers. But, not before Vila struck at the Japanese carriers. Just after 9 am a 40 plane strike descended on the enemy fleet. 14 Dive Bombers and 4 Avengers managed to break through the enemy CAP and put a 1000 lb bomb into Zuikaku. It would not be the last.
Later that morning a strike from the CVE Altamaha found the enemy carriers and Dive Bombers drove a second bomb into Zuikaku's flight deck.
While these two air battles were occuring over the slot, Japanese naval air descended upon the retreating escort group. More than 25 enemy bombers struck at the fleet. One enemy Val stuck the Chenango, adding to the the previous days destruction. A 2nd strike (my intel believes it came from Lunga and that yesterday's strike must of damaged one of the Japanese carriers due to the amount of planes that arrived over our escorts) finished off the Sangamon. No less then 3 bombs hit her...she exploded, rolled over and sank at 10:42.
The additional ground crewsl I sent to Vila helped turn my dive bombers around and sent them back out against the Japanese carriers. Arriving just after 2:30 the 23 fighters and 14 dive bombers (Dauntlesses) brushed past the CAP and hit both the Shokaku and Zuikaku. My pilots report that Shokaku was heavily damaged and burning from bow to stern.
A second strike from Altamaha put another bomb into a carrier that the pilots said was drifting out of control. If that carrier was Shokaku I do not expect her to last the night.
I have ordered Rear Admiral Barbey to form a destroyer task force to carry the 5th Marines to Finschafen. There are an unknown amount of Japanese soldiers in the jungle there and this is part of my ongoing Lae operation to cut the pipeline of troops and supplies getting to Lae. Additionally, the 30th Australian brigade is on its way from Port Moresby to Lae and they will be joined by the 103rd Regiment, as soon as they reembark from Hopei. Both units will be fed into the battle. I think the key there is fresh troops, the men fighting at Lae now are exhausted and unable to push the enemy back.
To me it's amazing what a difference a day makes. Yesterday my staff felt like we had lost this battle, badly. Today we believe that our small carriers (combined, with some timely support from Vila) have won the day. Clark's pilots are to be commended and I will be dusting off my box of medals to make sure they are. My staff now believes that Shokaku is sinking or was sunk. Zuikaku is heavily damaged. Because of this we now believe there is 1 light carrier left in the theatre. If true the naval balance has changed radically.
The naval losses have pushed back any landing time-table I might of had. I must step back and hang onto my gains and patiently wait Nimitz's decision whether or not to committ Fleet carriers to this area. I believe Enterprise and the new carrier Essex are patroling off of Pearl right now. I would love to have both of them in my area of operation.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
31 January 1943
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Rob Roberson
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1 February 1943
Battle of Russel Island Day 3
The third and what will likely be the final day of battle between my escorts and the Japanese carriers started early in the morning when B-24s out of Gili attacked the slow moving Zuikaku as she attempted to retire north. The army pilots claim to have hit her with several bombs.
A heavy strike by Japanese planes hammered USS Chenango into the ocean. Hit by multiple bombs and torpedoes the escort carrier suffered a massive explosion (damaging a destroyer attempting to help her fight the fires) and settled into the ocean just after 11:42. I believe she will be the final ship lost in this battle.
USS Blue is the final ship lost in the devastating Battle of the Shortlands a week ago. She foundered and sank this morning under tow from fleet tugs off Noumea. There were no additional crewmembers lost.
My massive bombing campaign continues to shake the earth around the jungles of Lae. I do not know if the daily 100 bomber raids are having much of an effect on the Japanese troops there. They continue to shell both the airfield and my soldiers dug in at Lae.
Still no sign that Admiral Nimitz will release me Essex or Enterprise. I am considering a trip to Pearl Harbor to plead my case. I worry that while I'm away something major might happen, but now that the Japanese naval air arm has be blunted it may be a good time to get back to see the admiral.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
1 February 1943
The third and what will likely be the final day of battle between my escorts and the Japanese carriers started early in the morning when B-24s out of Gili attacked the slow moving Zuikaku as she attempted to retire north. The army pilots claim to have hit her with several bombs.
A heavy strike by Japanese planes hammered USS Chenango into the ocean. Hit by multiple bombs and torpedoes the escort carrier suffered a massive explosion (damaging a destroyer attempting to help her fight the fires) and settled into the ocean just after 11:42. I believe she will be the final ship lost in this battle.
USS Blue is the final ship lost in the devastating Battle of the Shortlands a week ago. She foundered and sank this morning under tow from fleet tugs off Noumea. There were no additional crewmembers lost.
My massive bombing campaign continues to shake the earth around the jungles of Lae. I do not know if the daily 100 bomber raids are having much of an effect on the Japanese troops there. They continue to shell both the airfield and my soldiers dug in at Lae.
Still no sign that Admiral Nimitz will release me Essex or Enterprise. I am considering a trip to Pearl Harbor to plead my case. I worry that while I'm away something major might happen, but now that the Japanese naval air arm has be blunted it may be a good time to get back to see the admiral.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
1 February 1943
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Rob Roberson
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2 February 1943
Avengers and Dauntlesses out of Vila caught Zuikaku as she slowly tried to escape north. When the bombers returned, the pilots claim to have put five one-thousand pound bombs and one torpedo into her. I do not think she will survive the return to Truk. USS Wichita and USS Maryland continue to claw thier way to Luginville. Both heavily damaged warships will be doing well to make port there...sitting very deep in the water.
More Japanese planes have dropped their loads into my troops at Lae. For their part the Japanese seem very intent on keep my men underfire there. Thier piecemeal movements of forces there are enough to harrass my forces, but not nearly enough to take the base. I had just reembarked the 103rd from Hopei in time to see more Japanese troops retake the beach area. I will again invade the area with the 103rd and this time leave them there to set up a blocking position. The Japanese seem intent on marching through the jungle to get to Lae. So I will close this route.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
2 February 1943
More Japanese planes have dropped their loads into my troops at Lae. For their part the Japanese seem very intent on keep my men underfire there. Thier piecemeal movements of forces there are enough to harrass my forces, but not nearly enough to take the base. I had just reembarked the 103rd from Hopei in time to see more Japanese troops retake the beach area. I will again invade the area with the 103rd and this time leave them there to set up a blocking position. The Japanese seem intent on marching through the jungle to get to Lae. So I will close this route.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
2 February 1943
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Rob Roberson
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3 February 1943
It was every submariner's wet dream. A Japanese carrier...laid out before them. For the the Captain and crew of the USS Tambor, everything that could go right did. They slide in past the escort undetected. They slowly crept up on Shokaku. When the image of the carrier filled the periscope, away went a spread of four fish. The crew prayed both silently and out loud that this time the torpedoes would work. This time they would get a hit. Their prayers were answered. Two muffled booms and a horde of angry destroyers dropping charges all over the ocean confirmed the kill. Tambor slipped out the way she came in. And the Japanese lost one of their fleet carriers and in 48 hours the naval air balance shift even more dramatically then anyone would of ever believed.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
3 February 1943
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
3 February 1943
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Rob Roberson
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5 February 1943
The war in the South Pacific continues to grind my sailors, soldiers and airmen up. Once again the Japanese airbase on Guadalcanal has proved dangerous. My intelligence believes that survivors from the Shokaku and Zuikaku made landfall there. Vals and Kates attacked the Tennessee bombardment group placing several bombs in USS Tennessee. She is steaming south to New Caledonia and will probably be withdrawn. I will again attempt to break the base at Guadalcanal using airpower. The Japanese continue to supply it despite all the bombs, shells, and blood I have put into the seas and ground there.
Kavieng has become a very deadly airbase. For two days Betty bombers have flown into the Lae area harrassing my fleet off the coast. Today they put torpedoes into two supply ships offloading the 30th Australian Brigade. If I can ever move the Japanese soldiers off the perimeter of the Lae airfield I will adjust my bombers north to Kavieng.
That battle continues to rage on. The 30th Australian brigade landed today to aid the tired and frustrated troops at Lae. By tomorrow the 164th will also join the fighting which was very heavy today. The area is still occupied with pockets of enemy troops, their tenacity continues to awe me. I have also relanded the 103rd at Hopei where they will set up a small camp. Marines are enroute to Finschhafen and should make landfall there by tomorrow. I have spent two days pounding the area there with heavy bombers.
CinCPac continues to not release fleet carriers to me. I no longer they are critical, but would like to have them to support future operations into Shortlands and Guadalcanal. We believe we sank the last two enemy fleet carriers in the theatre in the last 48 hours and with them the last advantage the enemy held over me. At most a light carrier remains. Admiral Nimitz has announced that he intends to visit the theatre within three weeks. No doubt he will want to talk about all the Battleships sitting in Pearl with bomb holes in them. I hope he brings Enterprise with him.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
5 February 1943
Kavieng has become a very deadly airbase. For two days Betty bombers have flown into the Lae area harrassing my fleet off the coast. Today they put torpedoes into two supply ships offloading the 30th Australian Brigade. If I can ever move the Japanese soldiers off the perimeter of the Lae airfield I will adjust my bombers north to Kavieng.
That battle continues to rage on. The 30th Australian brigade landed today to aid the tired and frustrated troops at Lae. By tomorrow the 164th will also join the fighting which was very heavy today. The area is still occupied with pockets of enemy troops, their tenacity continues to awe me. I have also relanded the 103rd at Hopei where they will set up a small camp. Marines are enroute to Finschhafen and should make landfall there by tomorrow. I have spent two days pounding the area there with heavy bombers.
CinCPac continues to not release fleet carriers to me. I no longer they are critical, but would like to have them to support future operations into Shortlands and Guadalcanal. We believe we sank the last two enemy fleet carriers in the theatre in the last 48 hours and with them the last advantage the enemy held over me. At most a light carrier remains. Admiral Nimitz has announced that he intends to visit the theatre within three weeks. No doubt he will want to talk about all the Battleships sitting in Pearl with bomb holes in them. I hope he brings Enterprise with him.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
5 February 1943
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Rob Roberson
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7 February 1943
Two days of major air battles over Lae as both air forces attempt to support their respective ground troops. My fighters jumped a bunch of enemy Topseys flying into Finschhafen. The Army-Air pilots said they downed two of the more then 10 that were there. Between the air transports, barges and occasional destroyer transports...it certainly explains where all the enemy troops were coming from to get to Lae. Lae itself was free of the enemy for 24 hours, before the 103rd drove a small group of soldiers off Hopei beach and back into the Lae perimeter. They won't last long.
USS Maryland and USS Wichita made it to Luginville today after many many days of torturous sailing to make port. Both warships are heavily damaged and require a great deal of repair just to make it to Noumea. Admiral Spruance caught a PBY and is returning to Pearl Harbor and ultimately stateside.
While my forces continue to stay on the offensive everywhere...it is a measured offensive. Mostly through the air.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
7 February 1943
USS Maryland and USS Wichita made it to Luginville today after many many days of torturous sailing to make port. Both warships are heavily damaged and require a great deal of repair just to make it to Noumea. Admiral Spruance caught a PBY and is returning to Pearl Harbor and ultimately stateside.
While my forces continue to stay on the offensive everywhere...it is a measured offensive. Mostly through the air.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
7 February 1943
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Rob Roberson
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8 February 1943
To: CINCSWPAC
From: Major Harry Stewart 5th Marine Regiment
Re: Landing at Finschhafen
Have engaged major Japanese forces at Finschhafen. Estimate the enemy outnumbered us by 4 to 1. Have retreated with all possible speed towards Lae with heavy losses. Request extraction at earliest possible date. Aerial reconnaisance of Finschhafen has proven to be inaccurate.
Major Harry Stewart Ranking surviving officer 5th Marine Regiment
8 February 1943
From: Major Harry Stewart 5th Marine Regiment
Re: Landing at Finschhafen
Have engaged major Japanese forces at Finschhafen. Estimate the enemy outnumbered us by 4 to 1. Have retreated with all possible speed towards Lae with heavy losses. Request extraction at earliest possible date. Aerial reconnaisance of Finschhafen has proven to be inaccurate.
Major Harry Stewart Ranking surviving officer 5th Marine Regiment
8 February 1943
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Rob Roberson
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9 February 1943
The disaster at Finchhafen has echoed through the halls of Congress in Washington. Various senators are demanding an investigation how an entire regiment of marines could of been lost in a so-called "moping up" operation. CinCPac has sent a letter of inquiry to me regarding the action. Admiral Nimitz wants to know how my recon could of been so far off the mark. He will have to await the explanation until I can extract the battered 5th regiment from the area. I fail to see how the Japanese could of built up such a force under the bombs and guns of the Army in New Guinea, not the first time the enemy has surprised me and sure to not be the last.
The hotly contested air war continues over both New Guinea and the Solomons. With the latest Japanese ground attack at Lae now shattered there was no appearance by Bettys over the area today. I have redirected my bombers to strike at Kavieng and Finschhafen in an attempt to surpress the enemy there. Guadalcanal continues to be dangerous, a Japanese Kate put a torpedo into USS Idaho who was escorting supplies up to San Cristobal. I have to say there is growing frustration with Guadalcanal with me and my staff. If I can't stop supplies from getting there then it will continue to be a thorn in my side.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
9 February 1943
The hotly contested air war continues over both New Guinea and the Solomons. With the latest Japanese ground attack at Lae now shattered there was no appearance by Bettys over the area today. I have redirected my bombers to strike at Kavieng and Finschhafen in an attempt to surpress the enemy there. Guadalcanal continues to be dangerous, a Japanese Kate put a torpedo into USS Idaho who was escorting supplies up to San Cristobal. I have to say there is growing frustration with Guadalcanal with me and my staff. If I can't stop supplies from getting there then it will continue to be a thorn in my side.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
9 February 1943
Me too...Originally posted by Daoloth
Great AAR, keep up the good work. How many Marines perished in the Finschhafen debacle?
As an aside, due to your AAR, I plan on purchasing the game sometime within the next few weeks.
I will possibly purchase only in december, but will do so.
In time of war the first casualty is truth. - Boake Carter
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Rob Roberson
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Football duties
Sorry for the lack of posting this week...the football season is upon me (I work for a college team) and my time has gotten shorter. I have actually played ahead about two weeks, but just havent had time to write it up. I will try to get something up tonite. I lost 80 percent of the 5th Marine Regiment at Finsch. It was a complete surprise that he had built up that area so much.
Rob
Rob
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Rob Roberson
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12 February 1943
After three days of debate, recrimination and reflection my staff and I have decided the best way to deal with the huge Japanese build-up of troops at Finchhafen is to bypass them. Detailed reconnaisance of both Finchhafen and Salamua (something which should of been done prior to the ill-fated landing of the 5th Marines) has determined there is a large body of troops in both places. Salamua was already bypassed, by virtue of the landings at Lae. I will insert troops into New Britain establishing a beach head at both Umboi Island and Arawe Beach. Umboi Beach will give me control of the passage of water between New Britain and New Guinea, and Arawe will allow me to cut the supply line to Finchhafen along the South New Britain sea lanes. I will turn both enemy encampments into the largest prisoner of war camp in the world. The discovery of this many troops so far forward will also tie down a large amount of my combat forces at Lae.
I have assigned Colonel Edson and his 1st Marine Raider Battalion the task of seizing Umboi Island. Colonel Jerry Webb will land with the 7th Marine Regiment at Arawe. The 6th Marine Regiment will stand off shore as my ready reserve should intel fail me again. I will not suffer the kind of losses I did at Finchhafen, there is no such thing as a routine combat mission. Both areas will receive a heavy pasting by my flying artillery (my heavy bombers) for at least three days prior to the landings. No date for the landings yet. I will embark the Marines and take them to Moresby as an assembly point. When I acquire enough troop transports and supplies I will set a landing date.
Another heavy Japanese air strike over Lae today. An unknown amount of Nell bombers were accompanied by a horde of fighters. My pilots reported that they shot down at least 22 Japanese planes at a loss of 4 of ours.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
12 February 1943
I have assigned Colonel Edson and his 1st Marine Raider Battalion the task of seizing Umboi Island. Colonel Jerry Webb will land with the 7th Marine Regiment at Arawe. The 6th Marine Regiment will stand off shore as my ready reserve should intel fail me again. I will not suffer the kind of losses I did at Finchhafen, there is no such thing as a routine combat mission. Both areas will receive a heavy pasting by my flying artillery (my heavy bombers) for at least three days prior to the landings. No date for the landings yet. I will embark the Marines and take them to Moresby as an assembly point. When I acquire enough troop transports and supplies I will set a landing date.
Another heavy Japanese air strike over Lae today. An unknown amount of Nell bombers were accompanied by a horde of fighters. My pilots reported that they shot down at least 22 Japanese planes at a loss of 4 of ours.
Admiral Robert Roberson commanding
12 February 1943