One infantry regiment and 20 AK's unloading at New Edinburgh.
Cap, one thing for sure: the supplies and troops you need to hold the LYBs in place for a while longer at New Edinburgh (or is it New-Maya, named after your housekeeper[:)]?) will get through.
Your opponent will be too busy chasing the BBs (who could resist?) to disrupt the unloading; the transports should be left relatively unmolested. In turn, that buys you more time in a war of attrition where your opponent's long thin supply line prevents him from winning. It's like Guadacanal in late September 1942 in the "real world."
Most cool to observe! Let us know what happens, Cap!
"Ground I can always regain. Time, never." ... Napoleon Bonaparte
"The Yankees got all the smart ones, and look where it got them."
General George Pickett, the night before Gettysburg
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 17, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Noumea at 115,160, Range 2,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
xAK Kiso Maru, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
BB Warspite
CL Sumatra
CL De Ruyter
DD Schley
DD Vendetta
DD Scout
DD Tenedos
DD Dent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Soerabaja at 56,103
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Noumea at 115,160, Range 1,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
PC Take, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
Allied Ships
BB Warspite
CL Sumatra
CL De Ruyter
DD Schley
DD Vendetta
DD Scout
DD Tenedos
DD Dent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Noumea at 115,160, Range 1,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
PB Shinko Maru #2, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
Allied Ships
BB Warspite
CL Sumatra
CL De Ruyter
DD Schley
DD Vendetta
DD Scout
DD Tenedos
DD Dent
Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 7% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
CL Sumatra engages PB Shinko Maru #2 at 1,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages PB Shinko Maru #2 at 1,000 yards
DD Scout engages PB Shinko Maru #2 at 1,000 yards
Asada, K. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Tenedos engages PB Shinko Maru #2 at 2,000 yards
DD Scout engages PB Shinko Maru #2 at 2,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages PB Shinko Maru #2 at 2,000 yards
PB Shinko Maru #2 sunk by CL De Ruyter at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Noumea at 115,160, Range 5,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
CA Chokai, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 2
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio
DD Shiranui
DD Hagikaze
DD Minegumo
DD Arare
DD Murasame, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yugure, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 5
Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Shell hits 12
CL Sumatra
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Schley, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
DD Vendetta, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Scout
DD Tenedos, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Dent, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near La Foa at 115,158
Japanese Ships
xAK Nitii Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-45
xAK Nitii Maru is sighted by SS S-45
SS S-45 launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Noumea at 115,160, Range 1,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Aoba
CL Yubari
DD Oboro, Shell hits 1
DD Akebono
Allied Ships
DD Schley, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Vendetta, Shell hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Noumea at 115,160, Range 2,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Aoba
CL Yubari
DD Oboro, on fire
DD Akebono
Allied Ships
xAK Steel Navigator, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Steel Ranger, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Manulani, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK West Shipper, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Noumea at 115,160, Range 1,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Aoba
CL Yubari
DD Oboro, on fire
DD Akebono
Allied Ships
xAP Santa Maria, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Santa Inez, Shell hits 35, and is sunk
xAK Steel Voyager, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hollywood, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Daifuku Maru is sighted by SS Drum
SS Drum launches 6 torpedoes at xAK Daifuku Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 113,156, Range 20,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Shell hits 46, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Ise, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 3, heavy damage
CA Kumano, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Asashio, Shell hits 6, on fire
E Ishigaki, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TB Hatsukari, Shell hits 1
TB Hato
Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 4
BB Idaho, Shell hits 13, on fire
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 9
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
DD Edsall, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
DD Parrott
DD Stewart, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Paladin, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Panther
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 114,156, Range 20,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 1
DD Shiranui, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hagikaze
Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 13, on fire
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Parrott, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 114,157, Range 22,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Oboro, on fire
Allied Ships
BB Colorado, on fire
BB New Mexico, on fire
DD Parrott
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Chinese Corps, at 86,47
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 10
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 6
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB-III bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 16th Guards Regiment, at 55,45
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 5
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 destroyed
CAP engaged:
15th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Recon Regiment, at 74,129
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 3
Hudson IIIa x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 3
Beaufort V x 3
Hudson I x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 9
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson I bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort V bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim I bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Recon Regiment, at 74,129
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Wirraway bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb
13 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th JAAF Base Force, at 64,42 (Myitkyina)
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 11
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 73,129
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
Also attacking 24th Infantry Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 22
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 7
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed
CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 15 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
28th CG/11th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9
Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
1 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 33rd Division, at 69,48 (Kunming)
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Allied aircraft
SB-III x 6
No Allied losses
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB-III bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb
3 x SB-III bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 70,120
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 5
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAP Kamakura Maru
xAK Tazan Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Beaufort V bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 15
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 2
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 65 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-3A 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 20000
Raid is overhead
28th CG/11th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ouv'ea at 115,157
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 20
Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 12
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 12 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied Ships
BB New Mexico, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 15 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
28th CG/11th FS with P-40E Warhawk (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 29000
Raid is overhead
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Raid is overhead
49th FG/Hq Sqn with P-38E Lightning (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mare' at 117,161
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N1 Kate x 15
B5N2 Kate x 4
D3A1 Val x 34
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
xAK Kansan, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Santa Teresa, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Sagadahoc, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS Trevor, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Charles H Cramp, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Harry Luckenbach, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Californian, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAK J.L. Luckenbach, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (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 20000
Raid is overhead
28th CG/11th FS with P-40E Warhawk (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 29000
Raid is overhead
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Santa Teresa
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Californian
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Harry Luckenbach
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK J.L. Luckenbach
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kansan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Anatom at 120,161
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 35
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAKL Boelongan, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Sibolga, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Duijmar van Twist, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Siaoe, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Benkalis
xAKL Belawan, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Bust, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Halldor, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Sibolga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Duijmar van Twist
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Halldor
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Siaoe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
B5N2 Kate x 19
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3
F4F-3A Wildcat x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
Allied Ships
DD Vendetta, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
Aircraft Attacking:
19 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-3A Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Vendetta
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 114,160
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
B5N1 Kate x 11
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Steel Voyager, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
Steel Voyager dead in the water ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ouv'ea at 115,157
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
D3A1 Val x 12
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 12
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 8 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
28th CG/11th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Raid is overhead
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 70 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
B5N1 Kate x 24
D3A1 Val x 20
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
DD Dent
CL Sumatra, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Scout
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mare' at 117,161
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
B5N2 Kate x 3
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
xAK J.L. Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
CAP engaged:
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
28th CG/11th FS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mare' at 117,161
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Santa Teresa, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Kansan, and is sunk
DMS Trevor, heavy fires, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
21 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
Assaulting units:
116th Division
15th Tank Regiment
61st Infantry Brigade
13th Tank Regiment
36th Division
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
12th Army
11th Field Artillery Regiment
Defending units:
36th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
4th Construction Regiment
5th War Area
22nd Group Army
Assaulting units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
14th/A Division
65th Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
48th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF
44th Naval Guard Unit
14th/B Division
Defending units:
29th NZ Battalion
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
34th NZ Battalion
New Caledonia Det
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion
3rd Marine Defense Battalion
30th Aviation Base Force
118th USAAF Base Force
N Force Detachment
112th USA Base Force
B Det USN Port Svc
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
VII US Bomber Cmnd
C Det USN Port Svc
"Grown ups are what's left when skool is finished."
"History started badly and hav been geting steadily worse."
- Nigel Molesworth.
Now for a poll. If success is defined as delivery of >20,000 tons of supply to New Scotland with rough parity in air and naval losses, what is the likelihood of succes of Operation Consanguinity?
Very high, I'd say. Very high.
Wait...was your definition of 'success' getting your BBs sunk and your surface fleet spanked in humiliating fashion? [rereads Caps previous posting] Oh, that's different...
That was seriously gamey to send in singleton AK's and PC to "attack" Noumea harbor ahead of the BB's. The real purpose was to soak up ammo and torpedoes. But I have to admit the trick of following the BB TF with a cruiser TF worked beautifully. Once Warspite's TF gave up the field (after rough draw with the Jap BB's) the cruisers came in unmolested and did all the damage (including 2/3 of 24th Inf Regt.) Only about 5,000 tons of supply and most of the line infantry of 24th Regt got ashore (the support troops are now sport diving on the nice wrecks).
The Jap BB's at New Ullapool died in their boots and performed honorably. The kept Taffinder away from the airfield and support ships. Mississippi is burning like a Roman candle and the other three BB's are in mortal peril unless the Jap carriers find a distraction.
The Allied land based bombers refused to fly. I think it was weather but I will have to look at the replay. [:@]
In retrospect, it would have been better to leave the USN BB's at Noumea and absorb the Jap attack.....but I don't think they will go for a do-over.[:)]
Lord Admiral Sprior advocates sending in the carriers, which might well save the BB's.....but....
I think the Jap carrier TF's united near Tanna although they will have perhaps 100+ damaged planes and strike aircraft could be based at New Edninburgh (now 100% operational). It might work.
I think it is a little more than that. Some moved downstream to New Perth and 1-2K probably was consumed in the faield Jap land attack at New Edinburgh. Still, not enough for the continued defence of New Scotland. Heap bad. Braves on New Scotland eat their own loincloths soon.
23 Vals and Kates, 16 Zeroes. At this point. The Jap carriers could sail away with a strategic victory as New Scotland has not been adequately reinforced. I have a feeling they wont.