IN HARM'S WAY...AE VERSION: STONEAGE(IJ) VS SPRUANCE(A)

[racndoc]

1/27-1/28/43



SUBS


SS Albacore sinks PB Yokae Maru by Tokara Retto.

SS Trout puts a torpedo in TK Teiyo Maru off Nago and lights her up like a torch.

SS KVII sinks AK Hakonesan Maru near Balikpappan.



CENTPAC


As the fast carriers of TG 58 make their way to the central Pacific they encounter a small IJN TF near Nauru Island:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 127,128

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #6, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Kaikei Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
20 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Kaikei Maru caught transferring cargo ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kaikei Maru


Good target practice for the DB pilots.


Task Group 58 is scheduled to rendezvous with an amphibious assault force at point XRAY.....approximately 120 miles SE of Ocean Island....in 2 days.
This amphibious assault force consists of 2 USMC Raider battalions, seabees and base forces.....destination Makin Atoll.

D-Day for Makin is now scheduled for 2/1/43. This will mark the beginning of CENTPAC's Gilberts campaign.

[racndoc]

1/29-2/1/43



SUBS


SS Skipjack lands a fish on AO Toyo Maru off Talaud Island.

SS Shad sinks PB Bisaku Maru near Toyohara.

SS Skipjack sinks TK Ose Maru off Talaud Island.

SS Nautilus pumps 15 shells from her 6" guns into AK Ryuku Maru by Izu Oshima.



SWPAC


Americal Division takes Dagua.

Next stop is Aitape only 40 miles away.



CBI


III Indian Corps captures Tavoy.

1st Australian Corps captures Vientiane as they close in on Luangprubang.




CENTPAC


The over anxious USMC Raider battalions land 2 days early on Makin atoll. The deserted atoll is quickly secured and now seabees and base engineers will be offloaded to build cargo docks and an airstrip.

[DanielAnsell]

Now that is one fine looking fleet, Admiral.

[racndoc]

2/1/43


Every 2 months StoneAge and I list all of our naval and AC losses and ace pilots and pilot replacements.



THE NAVAL WAR


The Japanese have lost 326 ships to 222 Allied. Individual ship losses include:


Allies

3 CV; 1 CVL; 2 BB; 2 CA; 1 CLAA; 3 CL; 14 DD; 12 SS; 6 AP; 66 AK/AKL; 5 AO; 7 TK; 3 AVD; 3 AVP; 3 DMS; 1 AS; 1 AV; 4 SC



Japan

8 CV; 1 CVE; 1 BB(Yamato); 1 CA; 6 CL; 13 DD; 32 SS; 8 SSX; 1 TB; 5 APD; 2 AP; 145 AK/AKL; 1 AO; 18 TK; 10 DMS; 57 PB; 3 AMC; 1 AV; 8 SC

As usual, the numbers that jump out at me(besides the obvious IJN CV losses) are the IJN subs(32) and escorts(57 PB; 8 SC; 10 DMS). StoneAge will find it increasingly difficult to escort his convoys as Allied subs continuely become more lethal.

Here is a sreenshot of all the losses and victory points:

[Sardaukar]

Nice to see that your sub losses have quite historical, IIRC USN lost 52 subs during Pacific War.

[racndoc]

Sardaukar.....yes I am pretty satisfied with the Allied sub loss rate so far in AE. Its certainly better than what it had become in the later stages of CHS....in my last game of CHS I had lost some 60 USN subs by the end of 1943 mainly due to AP bombs dropped by Helens....and I basically got to the point where I just left Allied subs in port....it was suicide to face 80 experience Helen squadrons. Here at least the ordnance dropped on subs is generally GP....not near as lethal to subs as AP and gives them at least a chance to ,make it back to base. Id feel better if both sides ASW AC were using depth charges though. One thing however....we just upgraded to the newest patch and evidently the game developers increased the lethality of ASW AC....hope we arent headed back to the slaughter of CHS.




2/1/43



THE AIR WAR


Total AC losses are almost equal now.....4388 Allied AC to 4294 Japanese AC. In A2A combat the gap has also narrowed....2054 Allied Ac to 1893 Japanese AC.

Here is a screenie of Japanese AC losses.

[racndoc]

2/1/43



THE AIR WAR....CONTINUED


Here is a screenshot of Allied AC losses. Looks the total of all the losses of the various versions of the Hurricane is catching up with the USAAF P-40E losses....most of all of these losses over the CBI.


The one number that really sticks out to me are the 174 C-47 losses....EVERY one to ops!

[racndoc]

2/1/43



THE AIR WAR....... CONTINIUED



Here is a screenshot of the top Allied aces. Looks like 15 of the top 22 aces are British...again reflecting the intensity of the air war over the CBI. What is different from the last posting of aces 2 months ago is now 5 of the top 22 pilots are KIA/MIA...and 4 of those are British Hurricane pilots....looks like I left them in the front lines too long.

[racndoc]

2/1/43



THE AIR WAR....... CONTINUED



And finally here is a screenie of the pilot replacements. At least the graduation experience of the US Army pilots has increased from 28 to 30 since I last posted this 2 months ago.

[racndoc]

2/2-2/7/43



SUBS


SS Porpoise is hit by 4 DCs from IJN convoy escorts near Bunguran.

SS I-25 attacks USN amphibious assault TF off Makin and takes 9 DCs from escorts

SS Skipjack sinks CM Hirashima by Butuan.

SS Growler sinks AK Durban Maru near San Fermando.

SS RO-102 puts a fish in CA Minneapolis at Koepang but is hit by 5 DCs from her escorts.

SS Pompon sinks AMc Wa2 off Izu Oshima.

SS RO-62 is hit by 16 DCs from USN ASW at Koepang and is sunk.



CENTPAC


APs and AKs carrying A Regiment from the 2nd Marine Division rendezvous with Admiral Hill's Amphibious Assault TF 86 40 miles west of Tarawa. Tomorrow they are scheduled to invade Tarawa....recon indicates little to no opposition there.

Seabees complete level 1 airstrips and docks at Makin and PBYs are immediately flown in for naval search....capturing Makin has extended USN PBY naval search 900 miles to the north and 1400 miles to the west.

Level 5 airfields will be constructed at Makin and Tarawa to give the Allies bomber bases to suppress Japanese airfields in the Marshalls prior to invasion in April 1943.

Next objective for CENTPAC will be Nauru Island to cover the flank of amphibious operations in the central Pacific.

[racndoc]

2/8-2/11/43



SUBS


SS Herring sinks AK Daiya Maru by Shimonoeski.

SS Gudgeon sinks TK Manei Maru by Calayan.

SS Sturgeon sinks AO Kyokuto Maru near Tawi Tawi.

SS O24 sinks TK Nitiei Maru off Medan.



CENTPAC


2nd Marine Division captures undefended Tarawa.

Next stop is Nauru island.



DEI


Back in 2/42 StoneAge invaded Ambon but his invasion force was heavily disrupted by the CD guns and then the Dutch defenders drove the IJA attackers back into the sea.

Ever since I had been supplying Ambon by AC transports and SSTs.

Now we have a major operation to both reinforce and resupply Ambon covered by a SAG with 3 BBs and an Air Combat TF with 5 CVEs. We are sending tens of thousands of supplies and the British 53rd Brigade into Ambon to make sure we hold this base for future offensive ops in the DEI.

StoneAge sends his CVLs and CVEs in to stop the Allied convoys. As is too common in AE the USN SBDs go in without their fighter escorts and are slaughtered:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lolobato at 80,103

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
A6M3a Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed



CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M3a Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes



The IJN naval airstrike is easily repulsed by the massed F4F-4 Wildcats of the CVEs and the land based CAP:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
A6M3a Zero x 11
B5N1 Kate x 32



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 6
Spitfire Vc Trop x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 67


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 18 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 21 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters to 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
No.54 Sqn RAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 35000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
No.452 Sqn RAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-122 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes



When the smoke clears Japan has lost 56 AC in A2A combat vs 18 Allied AC. Losses include 15 A6M2, 7 A6M3, 23 Kate, 9 F4F-4, 8 SBD-3 and 2 TBF-1.

[racndoc]

2/12-2/13/43



DEI


The British 53rd Brigade continues to unload at Ambon. SBDs from the CVEs covering the operation launch a futile attack on an IJN SAG off Ternate:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ternate at 76,103

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 10


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamashiro
CA Nachi



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb




CENTPAC


CV Lexington finally reaches Pearl Harbor. She will be in the shipyard for 135 days to repair her 32 major FLT damage.

Admiral Hill's Amphibious TF 86 prepares to assault Nauru Island tomorrow.

SBDs stage into Makin Atoll as the airfield is enlarged to level 2.

[DanielAnsell]

Just popping in to say how much I'm enjoying this AAR.

Sail on, Admiral!

[racndoc]

Carny.....thanx for the comments....



2/14-2/15/43



SUBS


SS harder sinks PB Heizen Maru off Aogashima.



CBI


III Indian Corps captures Luangprabang:


Ground combat at Luangprabang (63,55)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 11304 troops, 155 guns, 192 vehicles, Assault Value = 454

Defending force 1249 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 68

Allied adjusted assault: 413

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 59 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Luangprabang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
911 casualties reported
Squads: 87 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
15th Indian Brigade
2/1 AIF Pioneer Battalion
22nd Indian Brigade
85th British AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
3rd VM Division


Now all major cities in Indochina have been liberated by the Allies.

The coastal railroad from Saigon to Hanoi is now open to the Allies.



CENTPAC


Allied troops capture Nauru Island.

This concludes CENTPAC's offensive in the Gilberts. The APs will now head back to Pearl for their 3/43 upgrades into APAs.

Meanwhile Tarawa and Makin will be enlarged to level 5 airbases for the reduction of Japanese airfields throughout the Marshalls.

Assault troops and supplies will now be stockpiled in the Gilberts for the thrust into the Marshalls...... currently planned for April/May 1943.


PBYs based at Makin spot an IJN TF off Kwajalein.....possibly containing some CVEs.

The fast carriers of TG 58 are ordered north to intercept the spotted IJN TF and pound any enemy shipping that may be in port in Kwajalein or Eniwetok.

[racndoc]

2/16-2/17/43



SUBS


SS Blackfish sinks AK Tosei Maru by Ominato.

SS Sunfish sinks AK Mitu Maru off Sapporo.



SWPAC


Americal Division captures Aitape.


Hansa Bay is now a level 7 airfield.



CENTPAC


USN carriers strike deep in the Marshalls but fail to locate the large IJN TF spotted yesterday. SBDs work over a couple of lowly auxilliaries:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMc Tama Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
32 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



Morning Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Chokai Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
32 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Chokai Maru



The USN fast carriers will rendezvous next turn with a replenishment TF south of Ponape. After topping off their fuel bunkers the carriers will hit Truk for the second time in the war.

[racndoc]

2/18-2/19/43



SUBS


SS Sawfish sinks AKL Eiwa Maru off Tsushima.

SS RO-101 sinks AK Admiral Gove near Koepang.

SS Tunny sinks CMcWa3 by Ominato.



CENTPAC.....AIR ASSAULT ON TRUK


The 4 fast carriers of Task Group 58 rendezvous with a replenishment TF some 80 mile south of Ponape. After refueling they will execute a fast "run in" on Truk and hit both the airfields and the port next turn......this will be the 2nd large carrier raid on Truk during the war. IJN naval search spotted TG 58 last turn so the element of surprise is gone but the raid will be launched anyway.

In conjunction with the carrier attack a large land based air attack will be launched on Truk from Mussau Island. Musau was recently enlarged to a level 7 airfield and in combination with its Air HQ has now reached the "magic 10" level for unlimited flight ops. Two squadrons of P-38s will escort the medium and heavy bombers from Mussau Island after Task Group 58's F4F-4s sweep the skiies over Truk.



DEI


I had tried to resupply Batavia for some time by sea but my transport TF refused to close on Batavia even with CVE escorts and a SAG with 3 BBs.
I pulled the transports back to Koepang, converted the TF mission to "Amphibious" and placed an aggressive commander in charge. They are now sailing right up the Java Sea towards Batavia.

Torpedo bombers flying from the CVEs attacked some IJN shipping off Soerabaja:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 56,104

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 8


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Gosei Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

Gosei Maru caught transferring cargo ...


StoneAge told me that I was being "brave" sending the CVEs into harm's way in the Java Sea since he has considerable surface forces in the area. After defeating the IJN CVL and CVE airpower over a week ago off Ambon I feel confident that the CVEs and the USN SAG with 3 BBs can escort the amphibious convoy's transports to Batavia. We will soon see but its possible that there will be in major naval battle in the Java Sea over the next few turns.

Recon shows some 60 Japanese fighters based at Truk.

[racndoc]

2/20-2/21/43



SUBS


SS RO-101 sinks AK Govenor Wright at Koepang. That makes 2 Governors in 2 turns. The ASW TFs have apparently run out of DCs at Koepang. Two additonal ASW TFs are now on the way to Koepang along with an AD.

SS Seawolf puts a torpedo in AK Eihuku Maru off Takao.

SS Tunny lands a fish on AK Hohuku Maru near Sendai.

SS Tunny sinks AK Kenzan Maru near Sendai.


Since we occupied Indochina, IJN TFs have largely steerred clear of the south China Sea. It appears as if StoneAge is instead using the Straits of Makassar and the Celebes Sea to route fuel/oil/resources back to the Home Islands. The Allies are now massing Darwin based subs in both the Makassar Straits and the Celebes Sea as well as flooding the channel between Mindanao and the Moluccas to interdict Japanese supply routes.




CAPETOWN


CV Victorious arrives at capetown Now we will finally have a carrier prescence in the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea.



US WEST COAST


The 1st APA....APA Bolivar arrives at Alameda. By 4/1/43 we should have over 20 of these critically important APAs.





DEI


The Allied resupply convoy reaches Batavia this turn and begins to unload. Meanwhile the CVEs escorting the resupply convoy are spectacularly ineffective:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Sampit at 57,100

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
DD Oboro
DD Sagiri
DD Kikuzuki



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sampit at 57,100

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
DD Mochizuki
DD Kikuzuki



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb


All SBDs and TBFs in the CVE escort TF are now placed on naval attack as the floatplanes handle the naval search. Once we can unload some supplies at Batavia the 2 squadrons of P-38s based there wil be able to fly CAP again.


SS S-36 spots an IJN SAG off Donggala with BB Yamashiro, 3 CAs and 2 CLs possibly headed for the Allied resupply convoy.


CENTPAC.....AERIAL ASSAULT ON TRUK


The day begins with a sweep of Truk by land based P-38s and carrier borne F4F-4s:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 32,300 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 8
Ki-46-IIIb Dinah x 6



Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 50
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 3 destroyed
Ki-46-IIIb Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *
6 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *
1 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 28300 feet *

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 25 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 27000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
Spc.Attck.Unit with Ki-45 KAIb Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 35200 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Spc.Attck.Unit Det with Ki-46-IIIb Dinah (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34450 , scrambling fighters between 32000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12



Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 29
PB4Y-1P Liberator x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed
PB4Y-1P Liberator: 1 damaged



Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *
7 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes



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

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
F-4 Lightning x 1
P-38F Lightning x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *



Then the land based heavy and medium bombers go in to carpet bomb the multiple airstrips on Truk Atoll:


Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1



Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-17E Fortress x 52
B-17F Fortress x 12
LB-30 Liberator x 18
B-24D Liberator x 68
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 15
P-38F Lightning x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 10 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Airbase hits 33
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 237

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
17 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *
8 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
P-38F Lightning x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged



Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
17 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *
8 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6
P-38F Lightning x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 2 damagedthe airstrips



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
17 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *
8 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 10000 feet *



In the afternoon the carrier based SBDs and TBFs work over the airstrips and harbors throughout mighty Truk Atoll:


Afternoon Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38
SBD-2 Dauntless x 29
SBD-3 Dauntless x 28
TBF-1 Avenger x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 17 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG Mamiya, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
19 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 54
TBF-1 Avenger x 29


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 43 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG Mamiya, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Choan Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



The next day it is more of the same:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 33,300 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
24 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 28300 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 4
B-17E Fortress x 43
B-17F Fortress x 15
LB-30 Liberator x 15
B-24D Liberator x 57
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 8 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-IIIb Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
H6K4-L Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 197

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36
SBD-2 Dauntless x 19
SBD-3 Dauntless x 63
TBF-1 Avenger x 44


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 9 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 31 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tsuneshima Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Heijo Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Hitora Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk



Runway hits 21
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
9 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb


When the smoke clears the Japanese have lost 82 AC vs 68 Alied AC including: 40 Nells(destroyed on the ground), 44 A6M2s, 32 SBDs, 16 P-38Fs, 7 Nicks, 7 F4F-4s, 3 B-25Cs and 3 B-17Es.

SBDs lost 27 AC to flak at Truk in addition to the 3 B-25s and the 3 B-17s. Obviously StoneAge heavily reinforced Truk with flak units since we last visited. I mourne the loss of 27 crack SBD pilots but after sinking 8 IJN CVs the SBDs will be needed more for airfield suppression in the Japanese home islands and the central Pacific than in the classic antiship role. I know that the SBDs will suffer horrific losses as they bomb Japanese airfields but it will be a necessary expense to suppress the Japanese home island airfields and help the B-29s get through. So from now on for the SBDs at least it will be more a necessity of quantity over quality.

After the enormous sacrifice of the SBD pilots we leave Truk atoll a smoking ruin...similar to Cavite on 12/9/41. The airstrips are 100% neutralized and the ports are 25% neutralized. The USN fast carriers will now retire to Pearl Harbor but the B-25s, B-17s and B-24s based at Mussau Island will continue to hammmer Truk around the clock.
Truk....which wa at one point the most powerful Japanese base outside of Japan.... is finished as an important Japanese installation for the remainder of the war.


The fast carriers of TG 58 will hit the ports of Eniwetok and Kwajalein on their way back to Pearl.....after these carrier raids of the last week Japan will have concern over conducting ANY port ops in the central Pacific.

[WLockard]

I think if you put your SBDs at 9,000 feet for port/airfield/ground attack, they will make a level bomb run and not go to low altitudes. That should save a number of pilots.

[racndoc]

WLockyard....thanx for the suggestion. Where can I find the info on how altitudes affect DB and TB missions?




2/22-2/23/43



SUBS


SS Scorpion sinks AK Bisan maru off Kanoya.

SS Grampus sinks TK Nisan Maru by Toyohara.

SS Tunny is hit by 4 DCs from IJN ASW near Hakodate.

SS Searaven puts a torpedo in AK Enzyu Maru off Naha.



CENTPAC


As the fast carriers depart Truk the land based bombers at Mussau Island continue to put a hurt on the atoll's multiple anchorages:


Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 3
B-17E Fortress x 39
B-17F Fortress x 15
LB-30 Liberator x 15
B-24D Liberator x 57
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 4


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 4 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 8 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Port hits 31
Port fuel hits 12
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 3
B-17E Fortress x 30
B-17F Fortress x 15
LB-30 Liberator x 12
B-24D Liberator x 48
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 4


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 6 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged



Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



On the way back to Pearl the carriers of TG 58 pay a visit to both Eniwetok and Kwajalein:


Afternoon Air attack on Eniwetok , at 127,108

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 40


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 14 damaged



Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb



Morning Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 24
F4F-4 Wildcat x 41
SBD-3 Dauntless x 22


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Shonan Maru #8, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
18 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 29,300 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
25 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 28300 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 23
F4F-4 Wildcat x 41
SBD-2 Dauntless x 22


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 20 damaged



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
9 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb



CV Enterprise, CV Yorktown , CV Saratoga and CV Hornet will now head back to Pearl Harbor for rest and refitting prior to the Marshalls operations that will commence in April 1943.


Meanwhile, the massive buildup continues on Tarawa for the upcoming offensive.




DEI


StoneAge launches naval and aerial attacks on the Batavia resupply convoy and her escorts:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 22, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 49,98, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Usugumo
DD Isonami
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia
BB California
BB Mississippi
CA Northampton, Shell hits 1
CA San Francisco
CL Achilles
DD Blue
DD Craven
DD Shaw
DD Porter



Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 92% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Scott, Norman crosses the 'T'
DD Shikinami engages DD Craven at 11,000 yards
DD Craven engages DD Usugumo at 11,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Craven at 11,000 yards
CA Northampton engages DD Isonami at 11,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Porter at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages BB Mississippi at 10,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Craven at 10,000 yards
BB West Virginia engages DD Usugumo at 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages CA San Francisco at 10,000 yards
CA Northampton engages DD Shikinami at 10,000 yards
CL Achilles engages DD Shikinami at 10,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Ikazuchi at 10,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Usugumo at 10,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages DD Craven at 10,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Blue at 10,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages DD Craven at 10,000 yards
BB California engages DD Shikinami at 10,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages BB West Virginia at 10,000 yards
DD Craven engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Porter at 10,000 yards
CL Achilles engages DD Ikazuchi at 10,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages DD Porter at 10,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Shaw at 10,000 yards
DD Craven engages DD Ikazuchi at 10,000 yards
Shibuya, Shiro orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB West Virginia collides with CL Achilles at 49 , 98
BB Mississippi engages DD Shikinami at 8,000 yards
DD Craven engages DD Isonami at 8,000 yards
BB West Virginia engages DD Shikinami at 8,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages CA San Francisco at 8,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Porter at 8,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Ikazuchi at 8,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages DD Shaw at 8,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages DD Craven at 8,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Blue at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 49,98

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 9
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 18
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 34



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 72


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 destroyed
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 8 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee
CVE Nassau
CVE Long Island



CAP engaged:
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-122 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers



Morning Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 49,98

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 2
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 28



Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 58


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-122 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 28300 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
35th FG/41st FS with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 39000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
347th FG/68th FS with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 39000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers


Despite the round the clock attacks the resupply convoy reaches Batavia and unloads 60,000 supplies.

The night surface action leaves BB West Virginia with 2 SYS 4 FLT 8 ENG and CL Achilles with 2 SYS 17 FLT and 21 ENG as the IJN DDs give the Allies a black eye.


In the air the CVE F4F-4 pilots rise to the challenge and shoot down 45 Japanese fighters and escorts at a cost of 5 Wildcats. Even though the CVE DB and TB pilots cant hit the broad side of a barn the fighter pilots show that they are indeed capable of conducting a point defense....this will be critical for SWPAC as the CVEs will be covering their advance through New Guinea and the DEI to the Philippines.

Altogether Japan loses 58 AC this turn to 17 Allied AC. Individual losses include 38 Sallys, 24 Oscars and 6 F4F-4s.

Another 40,000 supplies remain on the transports at Batavia to be unloaded tomorrow but now the P-38s and P-40s based there can help provide CAP over the port.

[racndoc]

2/24-2/27/43




SUBS


SS I-36 sinks xAP Santa Elena off Ambon.

SS O16 sinks AK Koryu Maru near Bunguran.

SS I-36 sinks AK Iron Knob by Ambon.

SS Triton sinks CMcWa1 off Siergo.

SS Harder sinks AMc Fumi Maru near Aogashima.

SS Pompano puts a torpedo in AK Eihuku Maru by Kochi.



DEI.....NAVAL BATTLE OF BATAVIA


An IJN SAG with BB Mutsu and BB Yamashiro launches a devastating night attack on the USN Battleship force protecting Batavia:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 24, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 49,98, Range 7,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Yamashiro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CL Isuzu
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
CL Tama
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 4, on fire
BB California, Shell hits 43, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Northampton, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 3
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
DD Blue, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Craven, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Shaw
DD Porter, Shell hits 7, heavy fires



Improved night sighting under 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 75% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Kogure, Gunji* crosses the 'T'
BB Mutsu engages BB Mississippi at 7,000 yards
BB California engages BB Mutsu at 7,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Mikuma at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA San Francisco at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Northampton at 7,000 yards
CL Tama engages BB Mississippi at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages BB Mississippi at 7,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Arashi at 7,000 yards
DD Kazegumo engages DD Blue at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Mississippi at 2,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Mississippi at 2,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages BB West Virginia at 2,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA San Francisco at 2,000 yards
BB Mississippi engages CA Nachi at 2,000 yards
CL Achilles engages BB Mutsu at 2,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Porter at 2,000 yards
BB Mississippi sunk by CL Isuzu at 2,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Craven at 2,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Craven at 2,000 yards
BB California engages DD Minegumo at 2,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Craven at 2,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Blue at 2,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Porter at 2,000 yards
DD Craven sunk by DD Kazegumo at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB California at 4,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB West Virginia at 4,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CA Mikuma at 4,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BB California at 4,000 yards
CL Achilles engages BB Mutsu at 4,000 yards
BB California engages CL Tama at 4,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Shaw at 4,000 yards
DD Kazegumo engages DD Blue at 4,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Blue at 4,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Porter at 4,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Blue at 4,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Kazegumo at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB California at 6,000 yards
BB West Virginia engages BB Mutsu at 6,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA San Francisco at 6,000 yards
BB California engages CA Mogami at 6,000 yards
BB California engages CA Nachi at 6,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Kazegumo at 6,000 yards
BB California engages CL Yura at 6,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages DD Blue at 6,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Shaw at 6,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Porter at 6,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Shaw at 6,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Arashi at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB California engages BB Yamashiro at 10,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB West Virginia at 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA San Francisco at 10,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BB California at 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 10,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Kazegumo at 10,000 yards
CL Yura engages BB California at 10,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages BB California at 10,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Minegumo at 10,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Porter at 10,000 yards
DD Kazegumo sunk by BB California at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB California engages BB Yamashiro at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB West Virginia at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA San Francisco at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Northampton at 11,000 yards
BB California engages CA Nachi at 11,000 yards
BB California engages CL Tama at 11,000 yards
CL Yura engages CA Northampton at 11,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Blue at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Blue at 11,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Porter at 11,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Minegumo at 11,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Porter at 11,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Porter at 11,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Shaw at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB California at 13,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB California at 13,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages BB California at 13,000 yards
CL Tama engages CA Northampton at 13,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 13,000 yards
BB California engages CL Tama at 13,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Suzukaze at 13,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Blue at 13,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Porter at 13,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Oshio at 13,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Blue at 13,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Porter at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...
aval


Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 49,98, Range 8,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
CA Northampton, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shaw
DD Porter, Shell hits 1, on fire




Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 67% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CA Northampton at 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages DD Porter at 8,000 yards
CA Nachi engages BB West Virginia at 8,000 yards
CL Yura engages CA Northampton at 8,000 yards
BB West Virginia engages BB Yamashiro at 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CA Northampton at 8,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BB West Virginia at 8,000 yards
CA Nachi engages DD Shaw at 8,000 yards
CL Yura engages BB West Virginia at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB West Virginia sunk by BB Yamashiro at 7,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Northampton at 7,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Shaw at 7,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Hagikaze at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CA Northampton at 6,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Porter at 6,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Shaw at 6,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CA Northampton at 6,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Shaw at 6,000 yards
DD Shaw engages DD Urakaze at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CA Northampton at 8,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


BB Mississippi, BB West Virgina and BB California are all sunk in the most devastating US naval defeat of the war. Heavily damaged CA Northampton struggles back to Darwin with 53 SYS 48 FLT 9 ENG.



After crushing the US battleship force the IJN SAG strikes the CV escort TF:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 49,98, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee
CVE Nassau
CVE Altamaha
CVE Copahee
CVE Prince William
CVE Long Island
CA Wichita
DD Chevalier
DD Nicholas
DD Waller
DD Grayson
DD Ralph Talbot



Improved night sighting under 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 75% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 13,000 yards...
Range increases to 14,000 yards...
Range increases to 15,000 yards...
Range increases to 16,000 yards...
Range increases to 17,000 yards...
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
Range increases to 19,000 yards...
Range increases to 20,000 yards...
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Range increases to 23,000 yards...
Range increases to 24,000 yards...
Range increases to 25,000 yards...
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
Range increases to 28,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied CV Escort TF evades combat


Fortunately the CVEs are able to evade combat and escape.


The transports unloading at batavia are dead meat and all 20 AKs are sunk:



Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 49,98, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
xAK Santa Rita, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Chatanooga City, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Steel Maker, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Steel Engineer, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Steel Ranger, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Steel Traveler, Shell hits 35, and is sunk
xAK Steel Voyager, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Steel Worker, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Susan Luckenbach, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Liloa, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
xAK Manukai, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAK Mormacmar, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK San Anselmo, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAK San Felipe, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Admiral Wiley, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Admiral Laws, Shell hits 16, and is sunk



Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 67% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Admiral Laws at 8,000 yards
CA Mogami engages xAK Admiral Laws at 8,000 yards
xAK Admiral Wiley sunk by CL Yura at 8,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK Mormacmar at 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Steel Engineer at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Steel Ranger at 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages xAK San Felipe at 6,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Manukai at 6,000 yards
CL Yura engages xAK Manukai at 6,000 yards
xAK Susan Luckenbach sunk by BB Yamashiro at 6,000 yards
xAK Steel Worker sunk by BB Yamashiro at 6,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK Steel Traveler at 6,000 yards
xAK Steel Ranger sunk by BB Yamashiro at 6,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK Chatanooga City at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Admiral Laws at 4,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK San Felipe at 4,000 yards
CA Nachi engages xAK Steel Maker at 4,000 yards
xAK Manukai sunk by CA Nachi at 4,000 yards
CL Yura engages xAK Mormacmar at 4,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages xAK Steel Maker at 4,000 yards
xAK Steel Maker sunk by DD Asagumo at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages xAK Admiral Laws at 2,000 yards
xAK San Felipe sunk by BB Yamashiro at 2,000 yards
xAK Steel Engineer sunk by CA Nachi at 2,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Liloa at 2,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK Steel Voyager at 2,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages xAK Steel Traveler at 2,000 yards
xAK Mormacmar sunk by DD Asagumo at 2,000 yards
xAK Chatanooga City sunk by CA Mogami at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages xAK Admiral Laws at 3,000 yards
xAK Admiral Laws sunk by CA Mikuma at 3,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Steel Voyager at 3,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK Liloa at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK San Anselmo at 2,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK Liloa at 2,000 yards
CA Mogami engages xAK Steel Traveler at 2,000 yards
xAK Santa Rita sunk by BB Yamashiro at 2,000 yards
CL Tama engages xAK San Anselmo at 2,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages xAK San Anselmo at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK San Anselmo at 3,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages xAK Liloa at 3,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Steel Traveler at 3,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK San Anselmo at 3,000 yards
DD Arashi engages xAK San Anselmo at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages xAK Steel Traveler at 2,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK Steel Traveler at 2,000 yards
CL Tama engages xAK Steel Traveler at 2,000 yards
CL Tama engages xAK Steel Traveler at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 49,98, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
AM Dash, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PG Swan, Shell hits 6, and is sunk



Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 67% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages PG Swan at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages PG Swan at 6,000 yards
PG Swan sunk by CA Mogami at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages AM Dash at 7,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages AM Dash at 7,000 yards
DD Arashi engages AM Dash at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages AM Dash at 8,000 yards
AM Dash sunk by CL Yura at 8,000 yards
AM Dash sunk by CL Yura at 8,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 49,98, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Urakaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Oshio
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
xAK Alabaman, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAK Lena Luckenbach, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Walter Luckenbach, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAK Diamond head, Shell hits 17, and is sunk




Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 67% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages xAK Diamond head at 8,000 yards
CA Mogami engages xAK Diamond head at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK Walter Luckenbach at 7,000 yards
CA Mogami engages xAK Diamond head at 7,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages xAK Alabaman at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Diamond head at 4,000 yards
CL Tama engages xAK Diamond head at 4,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK Alabaman at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Diamond head at 6,000 yards
xAK Diamond head sunk by CA Mikuma at 6,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages xAK Walter Luckenbach at 6,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Walter Luckenbach at 6,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages xAK Walter Luckenbach at 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages xAK Walter Luckenbach at 6,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages xAK Walter Luckenbach at 6,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages xAK Walter Luckenbach at 6,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages xAK Walter Luckenbach at 6,000 yards
xAK Walter Luckenbach sunk by CA Nachi at 6,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages xAK Alabaman at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Lena Luckenbach at 5,000 yards
DD Oshio engages xAK Alabaman at 5,000 yards
CA Nachi engages xAK Lena Luckenbach at 5,000 yards
CL Yura engages xAK Lena Luckenbach at 5,000 yards
xAK Lena Luckenbach sunk by CL Isuzu at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Alabaman at 7,000 yards
CA Nachi engages xAK Alabaman at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages xAK Alabaman at 9,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages xAK Alabaman at 9,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages xAK Alabaman at 9,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages xAK Alabaman at 9,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


The CVEs get involved in yet another surface combat as they escape towards darwin:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Kalidjati at 51,99, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee
CVE Nassau
CVE Altamaha
CVE Copahee
CVE Prince William
CVE Long Island
CA Wichita
DD Chevalier
DD Nicholas
DD Waller
DD Grayson
DD Ralph Talbot



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Semarang at 52,100, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee
CVE Nassau
CVE Altamaha
CVE Copahee
CVE Prince William
CVE Long Island
CA Wichita
DD Chevalier
DD Nicholas
DD Waller
DD Grayson
DD Ralph Talbot



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 29,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Range increases to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Range increases to 23,000 yards...
Range increases to 24,000 yards...
Range increases to 25,000 yards...
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
Range increases to 28,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat



I still think that the operation was necessary to resupply Batavia but the cost was extremely high. There are no USN BBs left west of Hawaii now. I may have to bring some of the RN BBs from India to the DEI to make up for the losses.