Everything is ready to roll here but I'm sure KB is nearby and I'd hate for them to show up until I'm very much ready, so this part of the map is very quiet, but very tense.
I've been sneaking forward slowly, taking and developing Ndeni this past month. Beaufighters and trained B26s are in position there, so Guadalcanal is now well covered by Allied air units. I might continue with the softly softly approach and try a para drop on Stewart Island, inching forward ever cautiously. I really would like Guadalcanal to be under Allied fighter cover so any CV fight I have would definitely have LBA backup, Ndeni is good for interdicting shipping at Guadalcanal but it's too far to support a potential CV action in the Eastern Solomons.
July 1942 has from my point of view been quite largely about CentPac for a change. With the caveats of my earlier report - that this is just preparing the ground, possibly for action around November ish at the earliest, and right now is largely just a feint, the Allies have been quite busy here.
Tabiteaua is the only island which can be built to any size in the region, so thats the key. I've already reinforced it, CD guns and engineers are all ready.
The problem is that it is quite remote! I'm working on creating a string of bases that connect Tabiteaua to Pago Pago and Canton Island, where the Allies have a bigger presence. SeaBees and USN port detachments (very useful, 30 nav support and 10 av support - the latter means they can be used as waystations for squadrons island hopping to the front) are being scattered around the various atolls.
Invasion forces are present at Savaii at the moment, it's about a divisions worth roughly. They are all prepping, rather over optimistically, for Tarawa. In the medium term though chances are they'll be used to garrison those waystations, or Tabiteaua itself.
Embarassingly there is quite a lack of Allied airpower available to be used at these various bases right now. However the reinforcements are starting to pick up some steam. A couple of USMC Wildcat squadrons are en route to Pago Pago, and it looks like I might be able to rustle up a Dauntless squadron and a B26 or B25 squadron as well.
Any thoughts from the peanut gallery on my cowardice at SOPAC?
He is down a couple of CVs (not toasted, but yard time) and I got 5 CVs all with Avengers, a pretty hefty force. So a Guadalcanal invasion might not be totally out of the question even if he's ready.
Three days more and the situation changed completely!
29th July sees a massive 100 fighter CAP over Calcutta as my bombers come in in force. Allied a/c from four separate airfields manage to get over Calcutta at the exact same time in a coordination miracle - unfortunately they are outnumbered to the tune of 2 or 3 to 1.
The day sees 40 Allied losses for 7 Japanese - well over half of the Allied losses are Blenheims and Wellingtons. Damage done to Calcutta is minimal, and not a single Jap airframe damaged - makes me think it was LRCAP?
The same day my DD raiders run into a Jap DD squadron - Tjerk Hiddes is sunk by a torpedo but 3 Jap DDs are set on fire with 4.7 inch fire, one on heavy damage.
Day 2 sees my DD raiders run afoul of his battleship squadron and 4 out of 5 are sunk - only Thanet remains. Thanet is the luckiest ship in the fleet so far. CV Illustrious is in Swordfish range of the well reconned Jap BBs but doesn't launch Swordfish, clearly squadron commanders need to be fired. Allied aircraft clash over Chittagong and Calcutta, and KB shows up off Ceylon, sinking some MGBs and AMs and bombing Trimcomalee's port. Looks like about 400 aircraft in total so I guess it's the entire KB - a Hurri squadron and the heavy AA defences of Ceylon shoot down a dozen or so aircraft, the tally at days end is ~30 Allied for 40 Japanese.
Day 3 sees a landing at Trimcomalee and more KB aircraft shot down by AA guns. Allied B26s target shipping at Chittagong at 1000', but they aren't the best trained naval bombers in the fleet and no hits (on DDs) are scored. Gasp. Wasn't expecting another landing, just how many divisions has he got? Ceylon has about 600 AV of defenders, so he'll need some serious force. I reinforce Madras. The RN is stuck at the far end of the Bay of Bengal, but I hide them near the Indian coast, I know all too well myself that in AE naval search is much reduced and you're half blind when it comes to ships.
There's going to be some reconfiguration in India to bring B17s to bear against Ceylon. He'll need a hefty force to entirely capture the island, Colombo has a lot of supply and it's fairly well defended, but the terrain is poor for the defender, unlike in India, so it's loss is certainly conceivable.
This greatly accelerates my SOPAC and CENTPAC campaigns, though. I'm moving the required naval assets to Noumea in readiness, we'll be launching an invasion of Guadalcanal in a couple of days tops - waiting for the APs to arrive at Noumea. Right after Guadalcanal I plan on invading Tarawa in a rather bold move, but while KB is away the mice will play and things are coming together slowly in CENTPAC.
BURMA/INDIA
** Ceylon **
His, in my view insane, invasion of Ceylon really happened with impeccable timing, as it happened just as I was sortieing British CVs into the Bay of Bengal. So a big wedge of Jap CVs, I would guess at least three, ended up at Ceylon while Illustrious was near Cuttack. And the Bay of Bengal is not a big place to hide in. I was happy to have the lone UK carrier operate near land bases with plenty of fighters - ie Cuttack - but being trapped in the Bay of Bengal with masses of torpedo bombers around made me want out, not to mention the lack of fuel.
I had two choices, zig (head for Madras and air cover) or zag (head for the Indian Ocean cutting near Port Blair). Zag seemed iffy because of lack of fuel to make the trip at full speed and known Betties at Port Blair. So I went for Madras. Unfortunately he moved his CV force to near Cocanada in anticipation, so he guessed right and I guessed wrong. The RN got a rocking from about 60 bombers, 2/3rds of them Kates/Mabels. 2 R class BBs sank immediately, 2 more were torped badly and are now stuck at Cocanada. Illustrious took 9 250kg bombs but none penetrated her flight deck, somehow she dodged all the torpedoes. Illustrious is in fact the least damaged ship of the force after the pasting, and is now holed up at Madras with some f*cked up escorts. Madras has 100 fighters so she's as safe as she's gonna get, he's been night bombing with LBA from Port Blair and scored hits, but Illustrious is immune to 250kg bombs. I guess the flight deck is very much vindicated in this encounter - but she's still stuck. From a purely practical point of view Illustrious isn't much worth really now given her a/c are now based at Madras and in range of where they need to hit from there, but obviously I'd rather she gets out of there.
Ceylon itself now has 15 Japanese units, one of them a division. Trimcomalee has fallen to him though the CD guns must have done 150 odd hits to the IJN - unfortunately not a single one penetrated, even CLs were immune. Still, some minor damage. One division advanced towards Colombo but I intercepted him one hex out and am now beating him up with 700 AV of Allied troops before the other 14 units move to the same hex. Ideally I'd like to pen him up in Trimcomalee. 15 units is more than I anticipated, so maybe he can take the place, but I would've thought he'd need 4 or 5 divisions to swiftly conquer Ceylon and surely he doesn't have that sort of firepower. I'm kinda expecting of the order of 1000 AV of Japs maximum which is surely not enough. He's bombed Colombo with his carrier air but there are so many AA guns there (3 AA units, and big ones at that) that the flak meted out quite heavy casualties.
The Allied bomber force moved in the main to Madras and tried some skip bombing. With unskilled pilots though no hits were caused. Catalinas at Colombo managed to torp a Jap BB, Nagato I think it was, a single hit unfortunately. Naval bombing was unproductive so I'm going to try switching to bombing Trimcomalee itself and offering ground support, until more skip bombers are trained. Illustrious's Albacores are being fixed at Madras, and they are in torp range of Trimcomalee, so surely he is f*cked in the middle term? I just can't see Ceylon ending well for him... There are 35 transport aircraft in India and I'm working on getting them set up to get an airbridge going between India and Colombo, get the supplies flowing immediately. There are 100k supplies on Ceylon so this is hardly urgent, but may as well start ASAP.
** On the Ground **
Elsewhere at the Indian front line I've evidently succeeded in drawing his units in by advancing to contact, he reinforced near Ranchi, where 4 Allied brigades had advanced a hex towards Asansol, so he now has 3 divisions there including the Imperial Guard. Meanwhile my own force, 2000 AV almost with the bulk of I Australia Corps, 2 British divisions and a US division are now advancing towards Howrah - apparently lightly defended according to recon. They even brought some AA guns along to keep the Sallies away. Yet another Big Push!
** In the Air **
I've talked about Madras/Ceylon already. Bengal has seen a high tempo of air ops. I discovered that he moved the bulk of his airforce to Diamond Harbor and was LRCAPPing Calcutta so my bombers would hit empty runways while being shot up - worked for a bit but then I found out and the heavies arrived. 40 Jap a/c toasted on the ground at Diamond Harbor. This coincided with the invasion turn of Ceylon, when casualties overall in the air were 40 Allied (Illustrious' unfortunate complement and a lot of escorting fighters from Madras) for 80 Japanese (not many A2A kills but murderous flak over Ceylon, the 40 trashed at Diamond Harbor, and a few shot down by my fighters).
CHINA
Seems to have been slowing his advance a bit, or consolidating anyway, he's not taken anything new in the Sian area yet and there is now a firm defensive line between him and Chungking. He's not advancing further Tibetwards that I can see.
I have about 1500 AV headed south from Kukong to Wuchow, I see him rushing reinforcements forward. Problem is the Chinese seem incapable of taking any moderately defended position but it's good to steal a bit of initiative from him.
SOPAC/AUS
I've taken the decision to mostly abandon Darwin. Several attempts of suicide convoy runs with AKLs to Darwin ended up in slaughter, so I've given up, can't be done. Darwin is therefore overmanned, and being bombed daily by 100 bombers doesn't help the supply situation. About 4/5ths of the garrison are ordered south, it's a long walk! SST Argonaut will trickle in supplies from Cairns.
Cairns has been built up to house 4Es as there are 4Es on the way to SWPAC now, then i can start working on Port Moresby which seems to be a backwater (still only an airfield 3 even though he's had it for six months).
My invasion of Guadalcanal is underway, a huge force is en route. 5 US CVs, 3 BBs, well over a dozen cruisers, I'll give a fuller OOB maybe next update when the game is to hand. First serious Allied offensive of the war, it's about 3 divisions in total. D-Day should be tomorrow as they are 2 hexes out, this was also the day his a/c spotted the incoming horde so if KB is coming out it'll be now. I'm as ready as I can be really, all US CVs have the full strength 36 fighter Wildcat squadrons, all the Devastators are gone, replaced with Avengers. The main force will land on Lunga, a smaller force (a division) will land at Tulagi. Paras currently at Ndeni will drop on Tassafaronga on D-Day so the Japs wont be retreating anywhere. 16 Beaufighters and 13 Marauders at Ndeni are in support, as are about 20 B17s at Luganville. Should take, I would guess, 3 days to unload all the troops and enough supply, so thats his window to mess me up if he wants to.
CENTPAC
Quiet on the surface, my engineers and baseforces are in position on those atolls though. Assuming my CVs survive the Guadalcanal operation, I think I'll make a move on Tarawa essentially right after, things are almost ready. It's mainly a feint but hopefully it'll divert some Japanese force.
8th August is The Day, first major Allied offensive of the war!
Goes well in SOPAC, no KB yet and most of the troops are ashore. Light Japanese defences. Pretty big air attacks on the fleet but the Wildcats dished out a mauling, 6 to over 40 kills in the air and no hits on any Allied ships. If Jap carriers show up it'll be bloody but I'm confident it'll be bloody for us both.
Not so well on Ceylon though as I attacked his division only for it to turn into three divisions overnight. Heavy disablements but no losses at least, going to have to hold on for a while - odds must be 2 to 1 against but it's a jungle hex and I'm fortified, so hopefully I can last a bit until the disablements have recovered.
Madras was heavily bombarded and while airframes destroyed was quite low the airfield is wrecked and >90% of heavy bombers are now damaged, which means the squadrons are ineffective for a week. I'm ordering them back to Raipur to be fixed.
Airfields inland in southern India are already packed with engineers and being developed, 40 transport aircraft have been moved there and are beginning supply runs, engineers and air HQs are en route. There are inland airfields 5 or 6 hexes from Trimcomalee in southern India, easy Albacore and P40 flying to the port.
I may reinforce Ceylon via air bridge. There's a Canadian brigade not far from India, and I have some reserves, another Chinese division perhaps. I'll make a decision either way in a turn or two.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 08, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ishigaki at 89,68
SS Flying Fish launches 6 torpedoes at xAKL Meiko Maru
Flying Fish diving deep ....
PB Taiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Taiko Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Taiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Taiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Taiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Cocanada at 41,37
Japanese Ships
DD Akebono
DD Akebono firing at I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Madras at 35,40
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed on ground
Catalina I: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
CA Kumano
CA Ashigara
CA Takao
CA Tone
BB Hiei firing at Madras
BB Haruna firing at 20th Indian Division
CA Kumano firing at Madras
CA Ashigara firing at Madras
CA Takao firing at Madras
CA Tone firing at Madras Fortress
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Lunga
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
40 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Idaho
CA Vincennes
CA San Francisco
CA Louisville
DD Hammann
APD Rathburne
DMS Hovey
BB Idaho firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
CA Vincennes firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
CA San Francisco firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
CA Louisville firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
DD Hammann firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Lunga
TF 175 troops unloading over beach at Lunga, 114,138
8 Aviation Support troops lost in surf during unload of 2nd RNZAF Base Force
13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad accidentally lost during unload of 7th Marine Rgt /135
5 troops of a US MMG Section lost from landing craft during unload of 182nd Infantry Rgt /135
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Lunga
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
23 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Idaho
CA Vincennes
CA San Francisco
CA Louisville
DD Sims
APD Rathburne
DMS Hovey
BB Idaho firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
CA Vincennes firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
CA San Francisco firing at Maizuru 2nd SNLF
CA Louisville firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
DD Sims firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 243 encounters mine field at Chittagong (55,41)
Japanese Ships
DMS W-8
4 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wakayama at 108,62
SS Tarpon launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Kureha Maru #3
PB Takunan Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Takunan Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Takunan Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Takunan Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Takunan Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 42,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 40,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 17th Australian Brigade, at 52,33
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 41,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 42
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
42 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet *
CAP engaged:
51st FG/16th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 16
B-17E Fortress x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Lunga ...
Also attacking Maizuru 2nd SNLF ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 51st Naval Guard Unit, at 114,138 (Lunga)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Also attacking Maizuru 2nd SNLF ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 52,33
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 23
Wellington Ic x 3
B-24D Liberator x 10
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
15 x Blenheim IV bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
5 x Blenheim IV bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Wellington Ic bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Also attacking Imperial Guards Division ...
Also attacking 4th Division ...
Also attacking 20th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards Division ...
Also attacking 4th Division ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
CAP engaged:
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Tulagi
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB West Virginia
CA Northampton
CA Indianapolis
APD Stringham
BB West Virginia firing at II/81st Naval Guard Unit
CA Northampton firing at 34th Road Const Co
CA Indianapolis firing at 34th Road Const Co
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tulagi
TF 161 troops unloading over beach at Tulagi, 114,137
11 troops of a NZ Inf Section lost from landing craft during unload of 14th NZ Bde /132
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 42 lost in surf during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt /133
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Lunga
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
11th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
35th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
12th Chinese Base Force
2nd War Area
13th Group Army
1st Construction Regiment
18th Group Army
2nd Construction Regiment
Assaulting units:
9th Indian Division
100th Indian Brigade
6/15th Punjab Battalion
99th Indian Brigade
96th Chinese Division
1/2 Ceylon Det
1/1 Ceylon Det.
2nd Ceylon H AA Regiment
Defending units:
29th Division
33rd Division
12th Division
55th Engineer Regiment
48th JNAF AF Unit
49th JNAF AF Unit
We're ashore at Guadalcanal and making progress. Be a day or two before the place is conquered. The Anzacs at Tulagi were not as well prepared or supported as the USMC at Lunga and it shows, very high disruption. Catalinas apparently can't make paradrops either so looks like the para assault on Tassafaronga is out...
Japanese carrier air meanwhile brushes Allied LBA at Madras and gets a whipping, 31 Japanese aircraft shot down in A2A today for less than half a dozen Allied and it's mostly over Madras. It's been fearful slaughter week after week for the Japs in the air, I guess it's having an effect? He must have lost nigh on 200 aircraft in under a week, just how much of this can he take? I look at the air losses in awe lately. I guess Tojos and Tonies will fix this to an extent, but for now its a bit of a happy time.
Makes up for my navies being massacred. :p
14 Allied aircraft lost in another shelling of Madras, half that of last turn as I moved the non-fighters out pretty much. The Allies have a whole bunch of fighter versions in the production lines now, from Martlets to Hurricanes in many different marks, Airacobras, P40s, Mohawks and Buffaloes for trainers... really I've got plenty of them so acceptable losses given the losses I'm inflicting.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 09, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Lunga
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
53 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Achilles
DD Laffey
xAP Kota Gede
DD Aaron Ward
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
CL Achilles firing at Maizuru 2nd SNLF
DD Laffey firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Lunga
TF 107 troops unloading over beach at Lunga, 114,138
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tulagi
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Stringham
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Lunga
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 243 encounters mine field at Chittagong (55,41)
Japanese Ships
DMS W-8
8 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Bihoro at 125,49
Japanese Ships
SC CHa-37
SC CHa-38
Allied Ships
SS S-44
SS S-44 is located by SC CHa-37
S-44 diving deep ....
SC CHa-38 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-38 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-38 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-38 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-38 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Jamshedpur , at 51,34
Weather in hex: Overcast
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 20
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 19 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 1000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
23rd FG/76th FS with P-40E Warhawk (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Jamshedpur , at 51,34
Weather in hex: Overcast
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 26
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed, 18 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 100 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
23rd FG/76th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kushiro at 123,54
Japanese Ships
xAK Nissan Maru
xAKL Shinmei Maru
E Ishigaki
Allied Ships
SS S-32
SS S-32 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Nissan Maru
S-32 diving deep ....
E Ishigaki fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Ishigaki attacking submerged sub ....
E Ishigaki fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Ishigaki attacking submerged sub ....
E Ishigaki is out of ASW ammo
E Ishigaki is out of ASW ammo
E Ishigaki is out of ASW ammo
E Ishigaki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
CA Dorsetshire
CL Concord
CL Sumatra
CLAA San Diego
DD Ellet
DD Mugford
DD Helm
DD Blue
Japanese ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 335
Port hits 22
Port supply hits 2
BB Mississippi firing at Lunga
CA Dorsetshire firing at Lunga
CL Concord firing at Lunga
CL Sumatra firing at Lunga
CLAA San Diego firing at Lunga
DD Ellet firing at Lunga
DD Mugford firing at Lunga
DD Helm firing at Lunga
DD Blue firing at 18th JAAF AF Bn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Madras at 35,40
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Albacore I: 1 destroyed on ground
Catalina I: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
Martlet II: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane I Trop: 2 destroyed on ground
BB Kongo firing at Madras
CA Atago firing at Madras
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Lunga
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
23 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Achilles
xAP Kota Gede
DD Aaron Ward
CL Achilles firing at 51st Naval Guard Unit
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tulagi
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Stringham
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Lunga
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
28 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAP Kota Gede
DD Aaron Ward
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tulagi
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Stringham
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 243 encounters mine field at Chittagong (55,41)
Japanese Ships
DMS W-8
6 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Terempa at 56,84
Japanese Ships
PC Sumire
Allied Ships
SS Pike
SS Pike is sighted by escort
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kanoya at 103,62
Japanese Ships
SC CHa-24
SC CHa-12
Allied Ships
SS Whale
Captain of SS Whale elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
Whale diving deep ....
SC CHa-24 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-24 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-24 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-24 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-24 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 25th Australian Brigade, at 52,33
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 39,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 31
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet *
CAP engaged:
51st FG/16th FS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 25th Australian Brigade, at 52,33
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 39,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet *
CAP engaged:
51st FG/16th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Madras , at 35,40
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 32,810 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 4
Hurricane IIb Trop x 5
Hurricane IIc Trop x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 22
CAP engaged:
No.79 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29700 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000 , scrambling fighters to 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
No.615 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 35600 , scrambling fighters to 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
23rd FG/74th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Madras , at 35,40
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 12
D3A1 Val x 73
Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 13
Allied Ships
CL Enterprise, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Thanet, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK City of Hereford, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Itinda, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ikauna, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Hermod, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Marblehead, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Bandra, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Barpeta, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.615 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 35600 , scrambling fighters to 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
23rd FG/74th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
No.79 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29700
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on B Sqn 3rd Hussars Regiment, at 52,33
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 15
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 17
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 5 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
15 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 254th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking B Sqn 3rd Hussars Regiment ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking B Sqn 3rd Hussars Regiment ...
Also attacking 254th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 254th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking B Sqn 3rd Hussars Regiment ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking B Sqn 3rd Hussars Regiment ...
Also attacking 254th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 75th Indian Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd New Chinese Corps, at 78,57
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 12
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 7
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 6 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
Also attacking 32nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 94th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 72nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 3rd New Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 32nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 3rd New Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 28th Chinese Corps, at 78,57
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 6 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 25th Australian Brigade, at 52,33
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 41,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet *
3 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maizuru 2nd SNLF, at 114,138 (Lunga)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 15
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maizuru 2nd SNLF, at 114,138 (Lunga)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 5
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 31,51
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
B5M1 Mabel x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
B5M1 Mabel: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
AMC Cornwallis, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMC Corfu
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Lunga
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tulagi
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Stringham
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
CV Illustrious is now south of Ceylon, I dashed her out and for once my timing was good. KB was working on the port of Madras but only the badly damaged CL Enterprise and DD Thanet were left behind.
I've got some AMCs headed for Trimcomalee, poor mans cruisers, but with all the shelling and bombing maybe he's out of ammo for a few days?
Its late August now - 28th I think? Most of the action is ground based, so it's been taking its time.
BURMA/INDIA
Been a mixed story. Some bad, some good. India is now a tale of two halves - Ceylon and Bengal.
Ceylon is a bust. He landed 4 divisions on Ceylon, which is huge, I am amazed he even has four divisions to throw around. Even so my 800 AV of troops could have held him I think. Unfortunately as I positioned them west of Trimcomalee, blocking the road to Colombo in a jungle hex, I made a serious error. A single IJA division arrived - I ordered a deliberate attack. Next day the other three arrived, and all of Colombo basically attacked the Japs while outnumbered 2 or 3 to 1 and in a jungle hex. That cost me almost an entire divisions worth of disablements and that one error sealed Ceylon's fate.
Currently Colombo is in my hands but besieged and will fall in days. I am evacuating - with 100 transport aircraft on the mainland that at least is fast. Losses are going to be heavy, especially in reserve units (AA guns, engineers) who are all Ceylon Command HQ and so restricted, and not airliftable anyway.
Some good can come out if this debacle regardless. Trichonopoly - an inland airfield six hexes from Trimcomalee on the Indian mainland - is now an airfield 4 and will be an airfield 5 soon. Illustrious' debarked Albacores provided torpedo bomber support for the first time. Seems to me like by the time he takes Ceylon the Allied airforce will have the place under a heavy clamp and moving those four divisions out may be costly for him, in CV time if nothing else. He's been supporting with CVs but CV air losses have IMHO been quite heavy for him, and Japanese naval Zeroes are obviously struggling with Allied LBA. The elite P38E squadron in India, which has mostly served this month based at Madras and sweeping Ceylon, has done magnificently, again. I think I detect a quality loss on a par with what the Japanese LBA has suffered. Jap ground forces seem to be bruised as well, I saw one IJA division down to 90 AV, but it's almost all disablement so it just needs rest, albeit a long rest.
In Bengal the Allied push towards Howrah has been an amazing success. Losses to Allied fighters were heavy as he bombed the crap out of them on the road, however one day he rolled poorly and the betties/sallies/lilies lost their escort. Slaughter ensued, he lost 40 bombers in one day, most of them Betties. Ever since then he's been sticking to night bombing, a sign of weakness. Daily sweeps of my LRCAP meant heavy casualties to the Allied fighter force so its not all bad - however, while Allied plane pools are bouncing along in the 0-10 range mostly the large array of models in production (Hurri I, Hurri IIa IIb and IIc, P40, Airacobra, P38F) mean that I feel that while it hurts, it can be borne.
When my troops reached Howrah they encountered about 1000 AV of Japs. He attempted to reinforce but in crossing the river provoked a shock attack and an entire Japanese division was almost wiped out. Then over 3 or 4 days of Allied attacks the remaining Japanese force was horrifically mauled before being ejected from Howrah completely. Allied losses were minimal though there has been about a divisions worth of disablements, they need a rest. However Japanese losses are of the order of 250 vehicles destroyed, 100 guns destroyed and approximately 300 combat squads destroyed - a horrific defeat for him, and the first major defeat the IJA has suffered so far in the war. It almost makes up for the loss of what will prove to be at least 500 AV on Ceylon... Interestingly -supply was a combat mod for the Japs throughout the 2nd Battle of Howrah - is he finding it difficult to resupply Bengal? His main landing area for supplies now seems to be Chittagong and I have made some poor attempts at interdiction. B26s from Cuttack did manage a couple of 500lb hits on AKs but not for heavy damage, maybe he is very sensitive to naval loss or maybe I'm misjudging big time what his situation is.
Asansol has apparently been abandoned, two Allied brigades will be attacking it in a couple of days. The Allied offensive force is considerable now, 2000 AV at Howrah but bruised and needing R&R, two brigades near Asansol, and another 1200 AV of reserves at Jamshedphur that are moving forward.
Plans : After Asansol is taken I would like to encircle Calcutta and cut it off from Chittagong and easy supply over the Burmese border. I may also move some of that Allied force to the south around Madras as 4 IJA divisions at Ceylon landing at Bombay or Madras could seriously upset the Allied Indian war effort. I wouldn't be surprised if Ceylon is in fact a first step to opening a second Indian front. Also a new toy has arrived, P38Fs with better reliability than the P38E which has already proven itself to be the best Allied fighter in theatre. This means my crack P38E squadron (average experience is 79 for them now, where they go Japs despair) now sports Fs, and my most veteran P40 squadron in Bengal will get the old P38Es.
CHINA
Seems to have bogged down. I have a large force headed for Wuchow but he has six units in defence, if they are serious LCUs then my attack (2000 AV of ill supplied Chinese crud) will fail. If it does fail, then there has been no significant change in the last three weeks.
AUS/SOPAC
Northern Aus has gone quietly, my sub ops are no longerb eing disrupted since I moved to port hedland and the decision to abandon Darwin has basically ended the main area of combat here.
In the Solomons things have progressed. Lunga and Tulagi are both in Allied hands. There is about 50-100AV of Japs on Guadalcanal who will be rooted out in the next week. Japanese response has been limited but unfortunately extremely effective. While unloading at Tulagi half a dozen IJN ships in a cruiser SAG showed up and surprised the transprot TF that was unloaded. Heavy intrinsic escort didn't help - BB West Virginia was torpedoed six times and immediately sank, several APs were torpedoed and sank as well. Jap torps seem to be homing, the hit rate was ridiculous! By daybreak he slunk away and has not returned. A few days later another old US BB was torped by a Jap submarine and took 40 major floatation damage, so she's out of the war for a long, long time. Really disappointing results by the USN there.
However thta is the sum total of Japanese action. Port Moresby is now being trashed by B17s from Cairns, and i'm developing Cooktown so I can interdict shipping to PM with Beauforts. Two Allied brigades are preparing for an invasion of Shortlands, as I grow bold while the Japs are busy in India. There is still a fair bit of shipping activity around Guadalcanal as engineers and aviation support is built up, but I escort heavily now with surface TFs - currently BB Prince of Wales is the main capital ship tasked with that. Air attack from Rabaul doesn't bother me much now I have a P40E and a Beaufighter squadron at Lunga. Beaufighters eat Japanese bombers like you wouldn't believe.
Fuel is an issue, the invasion of Lunga used up a vast amount of fuel. Noumea is dry. Sydney has 80k fuel, 30k is being tankered to Noumea now. More fuel from the US is unfortunately a long way off. Over six months prep time for Allied logistics in the South Pacific and fuel is still a shortage item!
CENTPAC
Slow progress, atolls are hard to develop. My supply chain of atolls has one missing link, got an airfield 40% built on an atoll 0, when it is built fighters can island hop all the way from Pago Pago to Tarawa. Bombers can make it already, and so Marauders are now based at Tabiteua and can raid Tarawa and beyond. So far they do not, for subtlety's sake.
The Allies are going to wait until those atolls are built and fighters are in position at forward bases, and then I plan on pressuring Tarawa, will looks like low hanging fruit atm. Taking Tarawa will be easy I think, the question is what to do when the IJN arrives, which they will. This is why I'm being slow, and trying to develop a web of Allied bases which can support each other. USMC CD detachments are going to feature heavily here, every atoll is going to have coastal guns. I want Jap counterinvasions to be costly.
Going to give a thorough report over the whole map. The week has been fairly quiet though.
BURMA/INDIA
Ceylon is now almost entirely in Japanese hands - a single Bn somehow holds out in the wilds against a division. A new toy has arrived though and my P38Fs roam the skies over Ceylon at will. Air superiority is mine, alright - one day he challenged me with Oscars, and the end result was 7 Oscars for one P38. Trichonopoly is now an airfield 6, and the heavies are based there looking for targets. Targets have been limited so far, a single Jap sub was bombed and sunk at Colombo and that was it. The IJN has pulled back. No convoys evident. No sign that the troops on Ceylon - 1000 AV worth - have been pulled out, recon suggests they are there. I plan on keeping the clamp on.
In Bengal, my hat is off to him as he's actually pulled out. Must have been a hard decision for him to abort a major offensive like that. Calcutta, Diamond Harbor, all abandoned and since retaken. Dacca looks like it's mostly empty. Not sure where his main line of defence will be but quite far east it looks like. Recon sees Japs at Chittagong headed SE. I'm in the process of relocating my base forces from bases like Raipur, now way too far back to be of use, to Diamond Harbor/Calcutta/Howrah.
I spoke to him over email re. Bengal and his momentous decision to totally abandon the place. Deciding factors for him were the Battle of Howrah, which ground up two IJA divisions, and his opinion that the pendulum has swung and that further strain in India would be unproductive. I assume his invasion of Ceylon is a measure aimed at delaying Commonwealth advances into Burma or further south, as really Ceylon would have to be recaptured first.
Plans : Keep air power focused in Ceylon for now to try and keep the Japs bottled up there. Advance to contact in Bengal. It'd be nice to reopen the supply link with China by taking Ledo. No plans to advance further than the Burma/India border, the Indian Army is mauled quite badly and needs several months to recover, if not longer.
Northern China sees what looks like quite a major Japanese attempt into the Chinese interior. I don't fancy his chances, as Chinese respawns have flocked to a nice mountain hex to block him off. Japanese air power is not abundant in the north of China.
The Allied units up near Lanchow are remnants but he has supply issues, and they seem to be doing a pretty good job of stopping him from marching all the way to Tibet...
The ROCAF has Vanguards and Lancers now, but as you can see supply is diabolical everywhere and they have none spare to actually use the damn things... China as always hangs by a thread.
Southern China has seen a slow motion Allied offensive slowly develop and peter out over literally months. The Japs were at the border of Changsha itself but 2000 AV of Chinese respawns slowly pushed him all the way back to Kukong. He then pulled eastwards and was lost from sight. My force then marched to Wuchow. Being bombed every step of the way (and its a long walk), they made it to Wuchow and managed to still outnumber the long since alerted IJA defences. I kicked off with some fightin', not really to take the place but dish out some attrition. About two divisions, each, were lost - mostly disablement - before the quality of the Chinese under bombardment fell to the point that I was no longer getting 1:1 odds. i'm pulling back now, but have done a bit of damage at least.
He's returned to strategic bombing, trying to toast Changsha. He's not done much damage yet. Mostly rubble bouncing though, anyhting of real value in China was blasted to crap months ago...
KB showed up off Perth and annihilated a convoy headed back to Cape Town - CL Caradoc and a dozen AKs and an AM, toast. The AKs I dont really care about, plenty more where they came from, yet another RN cruiser being sunk hurts though, even if it is a naff one.
Lots of interest in Darwin, he's got about 200 aircraft now sporadically raiding the place. I've pulled out completely aside from the CD guns. I assume an invasion of Darwin is forthcoming, it will not be contested and seems irrelevant to me. As he might be invading Perth as well I've moved a divisions worth of Aussies Perthwards as reinforcements.
SOPAC itself is quiet lately on my side as I try and lug all the stuff i need up to Guadalcanal, which is now building up. I anticipate this area to be a hotspot in the coming month, with aggressive Allied air units at Cooktown and Lunga, but right now I'm still getting ready. My CVs are watching like a hawk just in case he raids again, and there are plenty of surface ships about. he's not tried anything aside from some night raiding with Betties out of Rabaul which have so far been ineffective.
PLANS:
Advance up the Solomon chain with paras and raiders when Guadalcanal itself is an effective airbase. He has not defended any of those islands so it should be easy enough. Eventual goal is to put Rabaul within P40 range. Port Moresby has only 3 defending Jap units so seems takeable, I have a couple of SWPAC units prepping but this is so far in the speculative stage and won't actually happen for a good while. Maybe in a month. Limiting factors : lack of LCUs, lack of APs, USN too busy in CENTPAC and around Lunga to mount yet another concurrent axis of advance. Might not gain much from taking Port Moresby back either, if I can advance up the Solomons.
Business going on in the Gilberts, with Tabiteaua now a level 3 airfield but still isolated as far as fighters are concerned. Six SeaBee units are on Vaitupu which is the missing link to the south, it's 60% built to an airfield 1. Arorae is going to be built up as a backup in case Tabiteaua comes under heavy attack. Canton Island has been somewhat reinforced just in case, Christmas Island has been stripped as no Japs have been seen anywhere near the place, ever. Ditto Tahiti. I'm not expecting adventurism from the Japs in CENTPAC so far.
About a division and a half of USMC are at Savaii and Pago Pago raring to go, prepped for Tarawa and beyond. After my CVs are free I think I'm going to hit Tarawa with a view to making the Gilberts very much my own and a good stepping stone deeper into IJ territory.
INDIA
Been quiet on the ground. My ground forces have advanced one hex from Dacca. A couple of brigades are headed NE towards Darjeeling, they have a way to go. Dacca has a single IJA battalion trying to flee, it's being bombed.
No Japanese air activity, at all.
Allied heavy bombers wrecked Chittagong and Akyab, the damage is still being fixed - really did a number on it, 74 airfield damage to Akyab which is an airfield 5. 50 Jap aircraft were destroyed on the ground, about 50/50 bombers/Oscars. He is not CAPping his bases as the P38s rule the skies. Now they've turned their attention to Ceylon and are wrecking Colombo. Again, no CAP, and damage to the airfield is heavy though he has few air assets on Ceylon it seems, just floatplanes.
No Jap naval activity near Ceylon bar a single AMc, which was torpedoed by Albacores from the mainland.
There has been intensive Allied recon of Bengal and I've found his defensive lines - he's abandoned CHittagong and it looks like he's abandoning Akyab too, but he has 24 units at Silchar, a half dozen at Imphal, another half dozen strung out between Imphal and Ledo.
Allied goals are presently - keep Ceylon locked down and take Ledo to reopen the air bridge to hard pressed China. Looks like Ledo is going to be quite a challenge. I'll wait until I've taken Dacca and Darjeeling and maybe Chittagong before I ponder how exactly to accomplish this feat, the terrain is rugged and there are plenty of Japs out there. On the plus side Allied production is really roaring now, the P40K is rolling off the blocks in vast numbers, and I've got a surfeit of P38s. 3 P38 squadrons in India now, actually more than enough. The next P38 upgrade is going on SOPAC I think.
So - optimistic.
CHINA
Fairly quiet at the moment, the only combat is that mountain hex between Chungking and Sian, where he shells me daily. Hardly any casualties, it trains my men nicely! The only fly in the ointment is that hes turning his attention back to strategic bombing, targeting light industry in Changsha. However he's scored just a couple of hits after a week of effort. The ROCAF does have fighters now but no supply to fly them. [8|]
SOPAC/AUS
Jap night bombing has proven quite deadly at Lunga. I had to switch my beaufighter squadron to act as night fighters and they seem to be able to hold them off. Lunga is presently a port 1 airfield 3, Tulagi is a port 2 airfield 1, both are building. 10k supply on Tulagi, 5k on Lunga (not enough), about a division at each location. I moved up B17s to Lunga to night bomb Rabaul but they were ineffective and straining Henderson Field too much so I have retired them back to Luganville.
USMC raiders were fast tranported to Munda via APD and took the island without opposition, though they suffered 50% disablement on landing. Won't do that again. Munda is a 0/0 presently so of no short term value.
Supply at Lunga is an issue, though I have plenty of land units there now - enough, I would say. I did have two supply convoys incoming but then KB showed up, just as #1 was almost done unloading. Not many KB air flew (he's complaining about this on the main forum I believe [:'(]) and the P40s did a little bit of damage. Several xAKs and xAPs and AVD Teal were hit bad, CA Dorsetshire took five 60kg bombs which did nothing. CL Sumatra was torpedoed three times by an ubersub, I-2, and sank, which is very annoying but really I got off light. The Allies who could legged it, he toasted a few more merchants but the majority (who were in convoy #2 which was immediately recalled) the warships, aside from Sumatra, made it out of there.
KB is currently still off Lunga, I wonder what he's doing. Allied air units have been placed on high alert and Noumea has been emptied of ships, for now. Some care has been taken to reroute vessels in SOPAC around the threat - there's a surprising amount of Allied activity going on supplynig everything in SOPAC at the moment. I have no real plans to challenge KB, though there's a good six or seven squadrons of Allied bombers set to naval attack if he approaches Noumea.
I'm clearly going to have to be defensive here and just try to cling on and build Lunga and Tulagi up to usefulness so I can power project and start hurting him like the Allied airfarce was able to do eventually in India.
CENTPAC
Still waiting on Vaitapu to be built up, the presence of KB in the area has cooled my jets regarding Tarawa as well so there'll definitely be no moves until I am absolutely ready. Which I am no where near.
Just to force my own hand towards caution the USN is converging on Pearl, the CV force is in need of some maintenance and upgrades as it's been at sea for some time now and I deliberately skipped the upgrade season with them. This will keep the US carriers out of the fray for a month or so. I'm not in a position to challenge KB directly at Lunga or Tarawa yet, perhaps in a month, if LBA can be built up, I will be. Also the regrouping will allow me to reorganise the USN, SoDak and Washington have showed up, along with several reinforcements and veterans of Pearl (CL Honolulu has finally been fixed and is en route to Pearl from San Diego where she's been laid up since the Day of Infamy, for example), so my carrier TFs will be a little less lean then they were.
Two busy days near Lunga, as KB is in town, hatches being battened down and all that.
Day 1 sees Allied bombers from Ndeni and Lunga scramble to hit a Jap TF at Lunga. This is unfortunate as 7 hits are scored, but all on BB Hyuga which is immune. Meanwhile the Japs unload AKs at Munda unmolested. [8|] Really, the lack of Allied torpedoes and the Jap ability to stick a BB magnet down is a huge, huge flaw in the Allied OOB that those crying about 4E bombers do not fully appreciate I fear. On the other hand the nerfbat clearly hit shore bombardment as BBs shelling Lunga managed to score 0 hits. Impressive. Might have been the PT boats running around there though keeping the big boys busy.
Day 2, the stops are being pulled out now. Everything is set to naval attack. So happens that KB moves between Ndeni and Lunga, so right in range. Plenty of action happens, some low flying B17s and even some skip bombing B26s make it through but no hits are scored (the B17 pilots are not trained in low level bombing). KB meanwhile roasts Ndeni but Ndeni is actually not one of my major airfields and so damage is slight. More PT action at Lunga as his BBs just sit there, presumably out of ammo after the bombardment. So annoying!
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 13, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Munda
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PB Sonan Maru #6
PB Sonan Maru #5
xAK Kinrei Maru, on fire
PB Sonan Maru #6 fired at enemy troops
PB Sonan Maru #5 fired at enemy troops
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 439 encounters mine field at Rabaul (106,125)
Japanese Ships
AMc Wa 14
14 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 2,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
CA Chikuma
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
DD Urakaze
DD Murasame
DD Fubuki
Allied Ships
PT-40
PT-44
PT-59
PT-60
PT-61, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
Poor visibility due to Rain with 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 10% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Robinson, H. gains tactical advantage
BB Hyuga engages PT-61 at 2,000 yards
CA Haguro engages PT-61 at 2,000 yards
PT-40 engages DD Fubuki at 2,000 yards
PT-61 sunk by CA Haguro at 2,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages PT-40 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages PT-60 at 4,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages PT-59 at 4,000 yards
CA Haguro engages PT-60 at 4,000 yards
CA Chikuma engages PT-60 at 4,000 yards
PT-40 engages DD Murasame at 4,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Auki at 114,135
Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Chikuma
DD Murasame
DD Fubuki
Allied Ships
SS O24
SS O24 is sighted by escort
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
6 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tanegashima at 102,64
Japanese Ships
SC Ch 34
SC CHa-9
Allied Ships
SS Whale
SS Whale is located by SC Ch 34
Whale diving deep ....
SC CHa-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC CHa-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Munda
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PB Sonan Maru #6
PB Sonan Maru #5
xAK Kinrei Maru, on fire
PB Sonan Maru #6 fired at enemy troops
PB Sonan Maru #5 fired at enemy troops
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Munda
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PB Sonan Maru #6
PB Sonan Maru #5
xAK Kinrei Maru, on fire
PB Sonan Maru #6 fired at enemy troops
PB Sonan Maru #5 fired at enemy troops
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 439 encounters mine field at Rabaul (106,125)
Japanese Ships
AMc Wa 14
6 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ndeni , at 120,143
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 35,810 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
CAP engaged:
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32100 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9
Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 2
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet
CAP engaged:
11th FG/41st FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on I Australian Corps, at 55,37
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 43,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet
CAP engaged:
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30600
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 12
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 4
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 28
Ki-27b Nate x 17
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd British Division, at 55,37
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 34
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 22
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 35
Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 4
Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 9000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
20 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 9000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb
16 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 9000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet *
CAP engaged:
No.14 Sqn RCAF with Hurricane XIIb (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30600
Raid is overhead
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
Also attacking 19th Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 8th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 32nd Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 8th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd British Division ...
Also attacking 19th Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 8th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd British Division ...
Also attacking 19th Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 8th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 32nd Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 19th Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 8th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd British Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 39,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 9
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 4 damaged
Heavy Industry hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
City Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on I Australian Corps, at 55,37
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 40,500 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 4
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
CAP engaged:
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 8
No Japanese losses
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
City Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on I./124th Infantry Battalion, at 56,38 (Dacca)
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 5
Hurricane XIIb x 10
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Fulmar II bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on I./124th Infantry Battalion, at 56,38 (Dacca)
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 10
Hurricane IIc Trop x 9
Lysander II x 12
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Lysander II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x Hurricane IIb Trop bombing from 100 feet
9 x Hurricane IIc Trop bombing from 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 3
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 36000 feet
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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground
Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 32
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-26 Marauder x 8
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 3000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 118,139
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 80 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 94
Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 4
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32810 , scrambling fighters to 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 17
B-24D Liberator x 12
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 7
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 118,139
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 8 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 99 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 32810
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 10
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 36000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 118,139
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 70
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (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 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32810
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 95th Chinese Corps, at 78,41 (Kienko)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 1st Chinese Corps, at 79,41
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 19
Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 1
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x Ki-27b Nate sweeping at 32940 feet *
CAP engaged:
5th FG/17th FS CAF with P-66 Vanguard (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 28000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 3rd Prov Chinese Corps, at 89,37
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 32810
Raid is overhead
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 61 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Ndeni , at 120,143
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5M1 Mabel x 24
B5N1 Kate x 31
B5N2 Kate x 56
D3A1 Val x 103
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 32100 , scrambling fighters to 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 118,139
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 6
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 8 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 32810
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 71 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 118,139
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 2
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 63 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 32810
Raid is overhead
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 94 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Bunguran at 57,80
SS Sargo launches 4 torpedoes at PB Kaika Maru
PB Yokae Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yokae Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yokae Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yokae Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yokae Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Munda
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
xAK China Maru
xAK Anzan Maru
xAK Yoneyama Maru
xAK Kinrei Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK China Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Anzan Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Yoneyama Maru fired at enemy troops
Defending units:
51st Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
38th Group Army
There are still BBs roaming around at Lunga and still nothing able to scratch em.
Desperate measures are needed, so I bring in 3 Catalina squadrons from all over the place and dump them at Tulagi, torpedoes at the ready. This brings the Allied force in Guadalcanal up to about 10 B26s, 30 Cats and 30 P40s. Hopefully some torpage going on will make him think twice about swanning around with battleships right next to Allied bases and not even bothering to CAP them. I suspect they will get ground down by KB.
An anticipated loss and one covered for, as there are 69 PBY5As in the pool. Losses can be absorbed for a little bit.
Bit of an anticlimax, after the above action things quietened down and we've had five days of lull.
INDIA
Allied forces have retaken Dacca, Darjeeling and Rangpur without opposition. A Wimpey and B24 squadron have been pummelling his airbase at Imphal which is proving productive, we've destroyed about 25 aircraft in three days there, a mix of Oscars and army bombers. He must be terrified of the P38s as even against Wellingtons - easy to shoot down - he's not putting up CAP. The P38s do sweep bases every day, mind, so CAP would be immediately punished.
Ceylon has gone quiet as well - no evidence of any evacuation, his units still seem to be there, no convoys, no nothing. Not even flak when my bombers come and wreck airfields. He tried night bombing Bombay from Ceylon a while ago but he's not done that for a while, Ceylon has been made untenable for him.
CHINA
Nothing new here really.
SOPAC/AUS
His CVs pulled back, and I have no idea where they are now. I would guess Truk, but for all I know they are on their way back to India. He could be repositioning to cover CENTPAC as my activities there must be obvious to him by now, several atolls have been built up which would appear on his map.
Evacuation of Darwin is almost complete, units are on the trail to Alice Springs now. No Japanese invasion to my own surprise, it's ripe for the taking.
Port Moresby is still being bombed daily by heavies from the Australian mainland, no change there at all. It cannot be well developed or supplied, I've seen no ships there at all since he took the place. Subs are near Buna but have seen nothing either. A shame SWPAC has no land units, the cost of redeploying so many Aussies to India... It is on my mind, if a couple of Bdes become available I might launch an invasion.
Some Jap activity in the Solomons, he's reinforced Shortlands, not sure what with, it doesn't look like a major force as it was carried in a 2-4 transports. One of those transports got bombed and strafed by Catalinas and Beaufighters from Lunga, I think it's toast. Jap efforts against Lunga itself are limited to night bombing with a Betty and a Nell squadron, however it is extremely effective - not in getting kills but there are so many damaged a/c and Allied service ratings are so universally crap that the up time of my squadrons there is no better than 50%.
A resupply effort is underway as Lunga is dangerously low on supplies, they are down to 3000 now and they seem to be burning 500-1000 per day, its dropping visible. I got 14k supplies on an AKL amphibious convoy - AKLs unload quite quickly over the beach. A cruiser SAG based around Louisville and San Francisco are escorting, if KB comes out they are dead, but they might prevent a Japanese raid with light forces. If BBs come I'm hoping the Catalinas will torp them, though that kinda depends on the supply being sufficiently unloaded first so they can arm torpedoes.
The USN has a lot of APDs due to my early decision to convert everything that could into an APD. There are a good dozen fast transporting supply to Lunga. All my heavies in the Efate/Luganville bases are air lifting supply to Lunga as well. Supply at Noumea is OK, fuel in SOPAC is a bit scarce but tankers are en route and right now there are limited ships actually present, most are at Pearl refitting at this point.
CENTPAC
Everything is in place now, Vaitapu has been built up to an airfield 1. Engineers are being shifted from Vaitapu to Arorae so I will have two airfields next to each other that can support each other. An invasion of Tarawa can happen pretty much whenever I decide at this point.
There will be no Allied adventurism until the USN is done with their upgrades though, and thats looking at about a 14 day delay.
