RGIJN vs Stingray

[a1981stingray]

A new direct order was given to SwPacHQ to begin Strategic Bombing of the enemies frontline bases, and to begin marching the New Guinea Force, 3rd & 7th Divisions into Lae. The intent is to use the 2E and 4E medium and long range bombers to soften up and cause severe disruption among the fortified IJA. With a strong and determined Strategic Air Commander in charge of operations, the next several weeks will be sure to cause the IJA Commander to "rethink" his overall plan to invade Australia. The US Ground Commander in Papua New Guinea agrees with the new SwPacHQ operations and is bound and determined to get his troops to the enemies front gates. It may take several weeks of forced marching and humping the mountain trails, but the enemy will have been bombed back to the stone age when the Armed Forces arrives in July.
 
Current statistics of the Air Campaign: Cooktown B-17, B-26, & B-25 stationed on rotation. Cairns: A20-Havocs, BeauForts & BeauFighters begin naval operations and prepare to hop to Port Moresby. Townsville has additional air wings on training, naval exercises, and ASW patrols.
 
Intelligence has confirmed that additional aircraft will begin showing up in Brisbane this week with the majority of them being 2E Bombers and Fighter Escorts along with some new pilots and crews for the big 4E B-17s...
 
will post top gun pilots and bomber crews shortly.

[RGIJN]

the allied Supreme Command still insists on the "forward mode"... We appreciate it, since this will give us plenty choice of targets for destruction...

Today, the next convoy was hit at PM harbour. There were no troops onboard though, but one will sink soon.

An enemy sub keep on lurking in the Shortlands area.

The IJA cleared western Irau from these intruders finally. Eastern part will follow suit in the next future...




The report:



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/11/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 5
P-400 Airacobra x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 7
P-40E Kittyhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 destroyed
Wirraway x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged

LT S. Kawai of F2/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
AP Moreton Bay, Torpedo hits 1
AP Kanimbla, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bia

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 772 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 44 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 26 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bia base !!!



Allied ground losses:
Men lost 34


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: stingray

A new direct order was given to SwPacHQ to begin Strategic Bombing of the enemies frontline bases, and to begin marching the New Guinea Force, 3rd & 7th Divisions into Lae.
will post top gun pilots and bomber crews shortly.

just to be correct - the remnants of the 3rd & 7th Division... [;)]

[a1981stingray]

Yes those remnants of the 3 INF units still have a combined Assualt Value of 300. I can airlift in the replacements from Brisbane to bring those INF units to full strength. I also noted in Intelligence the reinforcement schedule shows more INF for the SwPacHQ. I have no troop transports AK/AP anymore to "lift" an entire division, so I will have my C-47 Dakotas airlift as much as possible into Wau.
just to help you "rethink" your IJA deployments...

[RGIJN]

last two turns saw some minor action...compared to the "hot" struggle the weeks before.

many enemy subs closed in to The Shortlands, obviously trying to deliver some mines. Since they were "wolf packed" and travelling together in one hex our patrol bombers had no difficulties to shower them with bombs. Two are reported sunk already, including S-38 with its top notch CDR H.G.Munson (one of the few very good & aggressive skippers the USN has). More are supposedly attacked enough to be out of fuel now...

One more Betty strike knocked out another convoy delivering stuff to PM. The Allies seemingly got straight down to the nitty-gritty and send the juicy 15p large transports forward right into my torpedoes now.

just six weeks of fighting and no less than 28 AKs/APs are already sleeping with the fish by now... will release a more complete report soon.

The war continues with adamant relentlessness... so the news from the front will continue! [;)]

[RGIJN]

Chief of Staff, Nihon Kaigun authorized the release of this photo taken from one of the recon A/C covering the PM area...

You may notice that there are no lifeboats, as said before they are missing aboard the Allied steamers in order to make space for more cargo.

In the distant background there is the enjoyable beachfront "skyline" of Lea Lea, where hundreds of enemy soldiers are striving against the hunger instead of the IJA...

[RGIJN]

heavy shelling at PM...





AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/14/42

Weather: Clear

Sub attack at 29,35

Japanese Ships
APD 36

Allied Ships
SS S-40


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 10,40


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra x 4 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 6 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 7 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 damaged
F-5A Lightning x 1 destroyed
F-5A Lightning x 2 damaged
A-24 Dauntless x 2 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless x 4 damaged
Wirraway x 1 destroyed
Wirraway x 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 152

Airbase hits 34
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 157


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[a1981stingray]

A quick update from the USNHQ... Pearl is releasing massive amount of ships into the South Pacific all of them to be divided up between the two Commanders... In addition, lots more INF troops and support will also be arriving shortly thereafter in about 7 days.
 
It appears that the SwPacHQ and SoPacHQ are definitely struggling to keep 4 frontline bases operational and some of the other bases between Noumea and Brisbane routinely supplied now that the Supply Convoys are lost at sea...
 
USNHQ report to D.C. was to prevent or delay any Japanese forward movement into Australia thus reducing the chance of cutting the supply lines from the States. So far the Japanese have been denied any additional areas that could contest the Allies. Therefore all necessary measures were taken and that the loses have been acceptable in this regard. If Port Moresby had fallen then Cairns, Australia would have been invaded shortly thereafter. In the Solomons it is still possible for the Japanese to invade New Caledonia but all available assets in the area are prepared for such a bold strike. More resources are currently arriving in Noumea to prepare defenses.
 
 
RGIJN:
An Outstanding Adversary!!!
I believe that he is a player who truly knows how to use the resources that are given and when / where to use them. Also having the units on the proper settings to handle each task, knowing the appropriate statistics of each units strengths and weaknesses, and offering the most challenge an Allied Player can ask for.
 
QUESTION FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMEBERS:
 
What qualities define an Allied Player / Japanese Player:
From the Average Skills to Excellent Skills Level?

[RGIJN]

The Imperial HQ humbly thanks for this praise, which we can only give back in the same manner to the Allied commander. What a war this is!!!

To be honest, I never had a challenge like this. Stingray really knows how to push the japanese resources to the limit and beyond! There is not the slightest moment of respite, he always keeps me more than busy.

I really enjoy this game, getting taught alot of new insight to the Allied possibilites even early on!

[RGIJN]

Things going that fast, our press agency can´t cope with that pace of news...

Okay, today was another nice day in the Southern waters.

Subs sank one AK trying to make port in northern Oz. Two torps were put in this vessel. One escort was hit in the New Caledonia vicinity... And though our sub was chased it seems it might survive.

But the real hammer is that the USN commander led his remaining two CVs deep into IJN controlled waters (well NNW of Lunga!!). So KB got to sail again, after just hours at the pier to refuel...
Last turn we missed them due to the bad weather, but not so now. Two waves of Val divebombers caused some good destruction amongst the enemy ships. Unfortunately, range again was too far so the precious Kates were held back by KBs two able Admirals (Ozawa and Sakamaki in command, and they´re used to do always an incredible job)...

Meanwhile troops are spotted cutting their path thru the jungle of Papua, to enable making their strenuous way up north into the trap prepared by the IJA.

We appreciate it to see the US administration is still releasing new forces to the theatre, so the struggle will keep well-fed!



Wow, I wonder what will happen next turn.







AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/15/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 8,55

Japanese Ships
SS I-33

Allied Ships
AK Murada, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 10,40


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
F-5A Lightning x 1 destroyed
F-5A Lightning x 2 damaged
Wirraway x 1 destroyed
Wirraway x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
A-24 Dauntless x 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 83

Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 47


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 54,65

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
SC 644, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC 637


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 35,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A Val x 72

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 8 destroyed
D3A Val x 9 destroyed
D3A Val x 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed

LTJG A. Vraciu of VF-6 is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gridley, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 35,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 15 damaged


Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 15
B-17E Fortress x 24


no losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 9

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
12 x Hudson at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[RGIJN]

more steel made in Pittsburgh went down to the bottom today...

sixty-six (of two strikes alltogether) 8th fleet bombers caught the Allied large transport at LeaLea again, with no LRCAP protecting them. So they ate some fish...

And the already crippled enemy carriers were caught in a very odd manner: I pulled down my FT TF with the AVs to join the chase after them. This caused kinda "pincer attack" to take place... See the pics below... This time the Kates were given their chance too and they made short work of the doomed flattops...

While two subs failed with their attacks at night, in the afternoon one was able to sink another DD in the harbour entrance of Espiritu Santo.

143 enemy A/C reported lost today, for nine of ours in return.





Note the very unusual strike: floatplanes releasing their 60kg "minibombs". But still enough to cause more than just headaches... [:D]

[RGIJN]

party in the briefing room of Vunakanau airstrip tonite. Sake is piling up for days now, and our pilots are pretty eager to change this situation... [;)]






Allied airattacks on GiliGili continue... They will gain some good XP while pounding this unprotected place.





AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/16/42

Weather: Overcast

Sub attack near Lea Lea at 9,39

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
AP Manoora


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
CL Hobart


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lea Lea at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
G4M1 Betty x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Manunda, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
SC 640, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manoora, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
B5N Kate x 22
F1M2 Pete x 3
E13A1 Jake x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 11 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 14
B5N Kate x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A Val x 41
B5N Kate x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Grayson


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 12
B5N Kate x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Gridley, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 12
B-17E Fortress x 12


no losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lea Lea at 9,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
G4M1 Betty x 24

no losses

Allied Ships
AP Manoora, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC 522
SC 638, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
D3A Val x 48
B5N Kate x 79
F1M2 Pete x 3
E13A1 Jake x 14

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Grayson, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gridley, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 14

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
DD Anderson, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[a1981stingray]

Auto assignment of task force commanders when the TF splits is very crazy!!! I had my last 1 top remaining carrier fleet commanders given assignment to my peewee DD group escorting the sinking CVs. I would have liked to keep this commander in reserve in Noumea when the Saratoga and Wasp show up in a week or two, but NO he is already flown out to the sinking task force and given a command... does not make sense??? Both top commanders are lost at sea!!!
 
In other news: The metal to make nails was diverted into the shipyards - every little bit counts now... Metals for Nails no longer available. No Nails for coffins means all commanders, top brass, and staff will be sent to the crematorium...
 

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: stingray


In other news: The metal to make nails was diverted into the shipyards - every little bit counts now... Metals for Nails no longer available. No Nails for coffins means all commanders, top brass, and staff will be sent to the crematorium...

[:)][X(] Suggestion: divert steel resources from staples to shipyards too! Orders for the now smaller fleet might be short anyway, so one sheet of paper each should be satisfactory... Makes another tugboat at least!

[RGIJN]

more action today...

At the night time, a small shelling TF finished off the last transport at LeaLea.

one of our subs hit another off Cairns with shells & 3 fishes.

KB "visited" Luganville, making some good prize...





Maybe a waste of ammo...

[RGIJN]

The floatplanes wrecked one DD left over from the CV screen...


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/17/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 7,55

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
AK Barwon, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lea Lea at 9,39

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu
CL Tatsuta
DD Isokaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
AP Manoora, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 10,40


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 destroyed
Wirraway x 1 damaged
A-24 Dauntless x 1 destroyed
A-24 Dauntless x 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 34

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 59


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lea Lea, at 9,39


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 46,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 76

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
SBD Dauntless x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 9 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged

LTJG M.Kasai of EIII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2

LCDR C. Fenton of VF-42 bails out WOUNDED and is RESCUED


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
D3A Val x 21
B5N Kate x 41

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
P-400 Airacobra x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AO Neosho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Kaskaskia, Bomb hits 1
AO Laramie
AO Sabine, Bomb hits 1
AO Kennebec, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AO Cuyama, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Merrimack, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AO Guadalupe
AO Platte


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,51

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 69

no losses

Allied Ships
DMS Trevor, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hovey, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Southard, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
P-400 Airacobra x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed


Allied Ships
AP Monrovia


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,46

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 11

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Grayson, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,46

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 4

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Grayson, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 164th Regimental Combat Team, at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 3

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 46,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 67

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 16
B5N Kate x 46

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
P-400 Airacobra x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged


Allied Ships
AO Neosho, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AO Laramie, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AO Guadalupe, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AO Tallulah, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AO Kankakee, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Platte
AO Cimarron
AO Kanawha
AO Tippecanoe
AO Sabine, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Kaskaskia


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
P-400 Airacobra x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 damaged


Allied Ships
AO Cuyama, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AO Kennebec, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AO Merrimack, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
P-400 Airacobra x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged


Allied Ships
SC 647
SC 645, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC 648


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,46

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 15

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Grayson, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
B5N Kate x 22

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Luganville at 53,53


LTJG W.Muranaka of AII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
AO Cuyama, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[RGIJN]

poor sailors! I wonder what money they get to risk their life that way...

[a1981stingray]

At this point in the war, I can only sit and watch, helplessly, as the flames engulf the USNHQ. The smoke is thick and black and causes the eyes to water and the lungs to burn..... I watch the historical pictures on the wall of my office smolder, and I can feel the heat from the flames as it rages through the lower floors of the building.......... Only a short time before I go "up" with the building.......... I feel a similar "fate" like the ship captains I sent out to war and they went "down" with their ships..............
 
Nobody will probably be able to read these last of my journal entries as the fire will cremate everything...........

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: stingray


Nobody will probably be able to read these last of my journal entries as the fire will cremate everything...........

Well, we´ve read them. With fellow feelings for our honourable opponent...! His bravery deserves nothing less than admiration.




You´ll be happy to know that the flames will die since KB urgently needs to replenish and has strained its brave pilots to the maximum already. A last farewell bombardment must be enough for now...[;)]

The Hebrides trip is over, with some good results. Shelled the hell out of them and hit YORKTOWN & LEXINGTON which are still sitting at the ground of the port. They´re reported rendered to useless hulks by now... scrap metal!

Last night our ships met a juicy convoy and just wiped it out completely... VERY efficient as we think! The commander Cpt. Iwabuchi will be promoted to Rear Admiral at the next suitable occasion. But for the moment he is needed at the front. No time to go see The Emperor as awarded...





maybe a bit cruel to pump 14" + 8" + 5" + LL torps into those helpless freighters? I wonder if the big calibers went straight thru their hulls...




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/18/42



Weather: Clear



Sub attack at 33,41



Japanese Ships

AP Hokuhi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



Allied Ships
SS S-47


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 26



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53



Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
DD Oyashi
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 1
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 1



Allied Ships


AP Crescent City, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP President Hayes, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP President Jackson, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP George Clymer, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP Arthur Middleton, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP Monrovia, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Luganville, at 53,53




Allied aircraft




Allied aircraft losses

TBD Devastator x 3 destroyed

TBD Devastator x 3 damaged

SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed

SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

P-400 Airacobra x 2 destroyed

P-400 Airacobra x 4 damaged

F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

F4F-3 Wildcat x 6 damaged




Allied ground losses:
Men lost 16


Airbase hits 18

Airbase supply hits 4

Runway hits 77

Port supply hits 1




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack at 33,41



Japanese Ships

AP Nojima Maru

Allied

Ships
SS S-40



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air attack on Luganville , at 53,53



Japanese aircraft

A6M2 Zero x 8

D3A Val x 43

B5N Kate x 71



Japanese aircraft losses

D3A Val x 5 damaged



Allied Ships

CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage




Allied ground losses:

Men lost 215


Port hits 10

Port fuel hits 3

Port supply hits 4



Attacking Level Bombers:


27 x B5N Kate at 7000 feet

3 x B5N Kate at 6000 feet

22 x B5N Kate at 5000 feet

19 x B5N Kate at 6000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air attack on TF at 53,55


Japanese aircraft

A6M2 Zero x 13

B5N Kate x 17



no losses



Allied Ships

AO Laramie, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage

AO Neosho, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Air attack on Luganville , at 53,53



Japanese aircraft

A6M2 Zero x 3

B5N Kate x 35



Japanese aircraft losses

B5N Kate x 1 damaged




Allied ground losses:

Men lost 12


Port hits 1

Port fuel hits 1

Port supply hits 1



Attacking Level Bombers:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sub attack at 34,41



Japanese Ships

AP Hokusho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

AP Hino Maru #3



Allied Ships
SS S-40



Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 5
Guns lost 1



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
op up

[RGIJN]

IJHQ agreed to release the most recent intel available as for June 20th 1942.


VP 6929 IJN / 3089 Allies




Ship losses in detail:

Allied forces ->

2 CVs (HORNET & ENTERPRISE) plus 2 probable (YORKTOWN & LEXINGTON)
4 CA
3 DD
3 AV
4 DMS
5 AO
2 SS
40 AP/AK
11 escort craft (SC/PG)


IJN ->

1 MSW
2 AP plus one probable


AP MIIKE MARU right now is going to load a decent batch of party stuff along with 18", 21" and 24 LL torpedoes at the piers in Yokohama harbour since even Truk has run out of stock with these supplies...[;)]

Mines are still piled up to the ceiling since the enemy denied a good part of such operations, same as with the 16" and 18" AP shells.

Chief of staff ordered war plan 03/IA, with alot of instructons to re-organize and latest allocations due to the war progress.





(general summary)