AE Historical Game Project. Cantona2 (allied) vs Fletcher (Jap)

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. INOUYE, 4TH FLEET CINC. TRUK.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: SOUTH SEAS AMPH GROUP
DATE: MAY 9TH, 1942

ASSAULT FAST TASK FORCE HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED AT TRUK WITH 1 ATTACK TRANSPORT AND 5 LINERS. ALL OF THEM READY TO SHIP TROOPS IF NEEDED.

AFTER BE ALERTED FROM ENEMY LANDINGS AT NDENI, OUR FORCES WILL BE PUT UNDER HIGH ALERT.

14TH INFANTRY DIVISION (XVII ARMY) HAVE BE ORDERED TO BE READY TO ANY EVENTUALITY.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. JISABURO OZAWA, SOUTHERN FLEET CINC. CAMRANH BAY.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. KURE.
SUBJECT: ASW WARFARE REPORT
DATE: MAY 10TH, 1942

USN Boat was engaged by Escort ship "Kunashiri" 80 n.m. SW Truk after be unsuccesfully atacked by enemy submarine.

Dutch oceanic boat was depth charge attacked by PB Choko Maru #5 80 nm E off Muntok. 1 Hit was reported by our gunboat.

An Argonaut Class Submarine was reported hit by F1M2 flight from HIJMS CHITOSE, near Rabaul.

A Dolphin Class SS wwas pinged by PB Tatsumiya Maru when unloading supplies to Tulagi Garrison.

A "T" Class boat was reported hit by depth charge near Muntok (40 nm NE) by HIJMS YAYOI.
A Dutch oceanic boat was pinged by HIJMS ARASHIO - HIJMS ASASHIO near Muntok.

A Enemy electric-boat was spotted 40 NM SW Pennang (Georgetown) by CHa-28 Subchasser. Contact was lost with enemy boat.

Long LIve to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. KURE.
SUBJECT: AIR STRIKE OVER PORT HEDLAND.
DATE: MAY 10TH, 1942

After be sighted several ships on Port Hedland by a recon flight over this Northern Australian port in the former air raid, our assets have take off from Koepang to launch a Port Attack against enemy targets:

- 21 unescorted G4M1 taken off from Koepang to strike Port Hedland, reported damages on enemy ships, like bellow:

SS Narwhal, 1 bomb hit, sunk.
SS Swordfish, 1 bomb hit, heavy damages.
AVP Heron, 1 bomb hit, heavy damages, heavy fires.

1 Port hit and 1 Port fuel hit were reported too.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC, RABAUL.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC, KURE.
SUBJECT: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, AIR WAR REPORT
DATE: MAY 10TH, 1942

After be reported enemy air resistance over Ndeni, our air forces will be heavily reinforced to support our air campaign againt enemy facilities and targets at Santa Cruz Islands.

21 A6M2 take off from Munda and heading to Ndeni, there they will met with 11 F4F3A and 20 P-39D (yesterday enemy USAAF fighters were P-40!).
The strike wave with 36 G4M1 escorted by 30 A6M2 reported an enemy CAP with 3 F4F3-A. Our pilots reported 3 airbase hits, 3 airbase supply and 10 runway hits.
A Third sweep air raid over Ndeni reported no enemy fighters on CAP.

The air losses in the dogfight were 10 A6M2 (and 1 more by operational causes) adn 4 F4F-3A and 3 P-39D from enemy.

4 Air recon flights were flown over enemy air base. 15% damaged were reported over enemy runway.

Ships were spotted off Ndeni !

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

SWEEP OVER NDENI
MAY 10TH, 1942

[Fletcher]

FROM: LTGEN. SUGAWARA, 3RD AIR DIVISION CINC, MANDALAY.
TO: GEN. SADOMU SHIMOMURA, SOUTHERN AREA ARMY CINC. MANDALAY.
SUBJECT: AIR WAR OVER BURMA
DATE: MAY 10TH, 1942


9 Ki-43Ic sweep enemy air space over dacca. 6 Hurricanes were met on CAP. 2 of them were downed by our courageous pilots !.
Another sweep with 3 Ki-43Ic sweep Daca reporting 2 enemy fighters (Hurris) over enemy airfield. NO enemy or own losses.

15 unescorted Ki-21-IIa were surprised over Kohima. 11 Ki-21-IIa were downed !!!...1st Daitai (Ki-43-IC) were in charge to escort them. The Daitai C.O. will be shot tomorrow at early morning during the Flat Hostage to pay Homage to the Emperor.

26 Ki-43Ic escorted 62 IJA level bombers to strike Imphal. 8 airbase, 5 runway hits were reported.
23 Ki-43Ic escorted 24 IJA level bombers to strike Dacca. 2 airbase and 5 runway hits were reported.
19 Ki-43Ic escorted 8 Ki-32 to strike Kohima. 5 Hurricanes were met on CAP. 1 enemy fighter was downed.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. JISABURO OZAWA, SOUTHERN FLEET CINC. CAMRANH BAY.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE REPORT
DATE: MAY 11TH, 1942

Dutch Oceanic Boat was spotted at night time by HIJMS SHIKINAMI. She joined to HIJMS SAZANAMI to ping enemy contact. Several depth charges were dropped and 9 near misses or hits were reported against enemy submarine near Muntok.

An Allied boat was reported hit by H6K4 ASW Flight near Rabaul.

A G4M1 attacking an Electric Boat class SS reported hit over enemy boat at Salomon Seas.
A E13A1 ASW Flight from HIJMS MIZUHO off Palembang reported a Hit on enemy boat near Sumatra eastern coast.
Another dutch SS was reported hit by F1M2 ASW flight from HIJMS CHITOSE near Rabaul.
A Barracuda class Boat was reported hit by a second F1M2 from HIJMS CHITOSE off Rabaul.
A IJAAF ASW Flight (Ki-48-IIa) flying from Palembang reported hit on a Dutch submarine crash diving near Palembang.

AV SANUKI MARU was torpedoed near Cape Gloucester when were nearby to reach her destination. She has departure from Bataan Island a week ago to reinforce our ASW deployment at New Britain Island. She is heavily damaged and 23 system, 50 flood, 20 engines and 15 fire damages were reported onboard. She is out of combat and her hands are working hard on firefighting.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM TSUKAHARU, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. KURE.
SUBJECT: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
DATE: MAY 11TH, 1942

38 A6M2 ESCORTED 37 G4M1 TO STRIKE NDENI. OVER ISLAND, 9 P39D AND 13 F4F-3A ON CAP. OUR PILOTS REPORTED 12 ENEMY CASUALTIES, 2 AIRBASE AND 16 RUNWAY HITS.
IN THE SECOND WAVE, A SWEEP MISSION WITH 6 A6M2 MET WITH 20 ENEMY FIGHTERS ON CAP.
A THIRD WAVE WITH 10 A6M2 ON SWEEP MISSION REPORTE 18 ENEMY FIGHTERS WERE ON CAP.

OUR AIR LOSSES WERE 4 A6M2. ENEMY LOST 2 P-39 AND 2 F4F IN A2A COMBATS.

OUR RECON FLIGHTS REPORTED LIGHT DAMAGES ON ENEMY AIRSTRIP. ENEMY IS WORKING FAST AND HARD TO REPAIR DAMAGES.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END//

[Fletcher]

SWEEPING NDENI SKIES.
MAY 11TH, 1942
25th air Flotilla.

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM TSUKAHARA, 11TH AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. KURE.
SUBJECT: AIR STRIKES OVER ENEMY TARGETS AT NORTHERN AUSTRALIA.
DATE: MAY 11TH, 1942

After be reported enemy CAP over Katherine air base, our 25th Air Flotilla assets at Timor have launched several raids against enemy targets at Northern Australian bases, like bellow:

- 27 A6M2 escorted 67 IJN Level bombers to Strike Katherine dogfighted with 5 Kittyhawk Ia on CAP. Our pilots reported 22 casualties, 7 airbase, 4 airbase supply and 66 runway hits.

- 21 G4M1 strike Port Heldand, but no ships were docked there. Enemy ships have flee...
- 05 A6M2 flight a sweep Mission agasint Darwin skies from Lautern.
- 24 IJAAF Ki-21-IIA flight a airfield attack mission against Darwin reportign 3 casualties, 2 airbase, 1 airbase supply and 10 runway hits.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: LTGEN SUGAWARA, 3RD AIRDIVISION HQ. MANDALAY.
TO: GEN. SADOMU SHIMOMURA, SOUTHERN AREA ARMY CINC. MANDALAY
SUBJECT: AIR WAR OVER BURMA THEATRE
DATE: MAY 11TH, 1942

24 IJNAF Type-0 Naval Fighters take off from Rangoon AF to sweep Kohima skies. No enemy were met on CAP.
19 Ki-43Ic from IJAAF flight a sweep over Imphal skies. 10 Hurricanes were met on cap and 1 of them was destroyed. We lost 1 Ki-43Ic fighter.
35 Ki-43Ic flight from Magwe a sweep mission over Dacca. 13 P-40E Warhawk were met on CAP and two of them downed by our courageous pilots.
A Strike mission with 51 ki-43Ic escorting 14 Ki-48Ib and 6 Ki-48IIa attacked Dacca AF reporting 1 Blenheim destroyed on gorund, 2 airbase hits, 1 airbase supply and 15 runway hits.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. SHIMIZU, 6TH FLEET CINC. KWAJALEIN ISLAND
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: SUBMARINE WAR REPORT
DATE: MAY 11TH, 1942

RO-33 WILL ARRIVE TOMORROW TO KWAJALEIN ISLAND TO URGENT REPAIRS BEFORE SHE WILL DEPARTURE TO YOKOHAMA FOR DRYDOCK AFTER BE MAULED AT SOUTH SEAS BY DEPTH CHARGE ATTACK BY ENEMY DESTROYERS.

I-155 WILL DEPARTURE TOMORROW FROM PENNANG TO BE REPAIRED AT SINGAPORE DRYDOCK. SHE IS 5 FLOOD DAMAGED AFTER HER FORMER WAR PATROL AT INDIAN OCEAN.

04 BOATS UNDER REPAIRS AT TRUK (SHIP REPAIR MODE) TO BE READY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO DEPARTURE WHEN AVAILABLE TO SOUTH SEAS.

end//

[Fletcher]

FROM: CPT. H. SASAKI, SUBDIV3 CINC.
TO: RADM. T. SATO, SUBRON 1 CINC, TRUK.
SUBJECT: ENEMY SHIP INTERCEPTED AT NDENI.
DATE: MAY 12ND, 1942

PHILLIPINO LIGHT CARGO SHIP WAS INTERCEPTED AND SUNK OFF NDENI BY I-22. OUR BOAT ENGAGED ENEMY SHIP AT SURFACE. ENEMY SHIPS WAS STRUCK BY 5 14CM DECK GUN HITS AND 2 TORPEDOES SINKING QUICKLY.

ENEMY SHIP WAS IDENTIFIED LIKE XAKL SURIGAO.

WAS ENEMY BOAT DELIVERING SUPPLIES OR LANDING REINFORCEMENTS ?

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: 25TH AIR FLOTILLA OPS OVER SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
DATE: MAY 12ND, 1942

A first strike wave with 38 A6M2 escorting 31 G4M1 take off from Munda runways this morning at 10:00Z to met with 21 enemy fighters on CAP (7 F4F4, 13 P-40E and 1 P-39D). In our strike our pilots reported 1 F4F4 destroyed on ground, 14 enemy casualties, 1 airbase, 1 airbase supply and 6 runway hits.

7 A6M2 flight a second wave in a sweep mission over Ndeni meeting with 7 enemy fighters (4 F4F4 and 3 P-30E).

In a third wave, 5 A6M2 sweeps Ndeni to meet with 7 P40E and 3 F4F4.

Enemy air losses in the dogfights were 1 P-39D, 2 F4F4 and 8 P-40E. We lost 6 A6M2 and 6 G4M1, several of them in the returning leg to Home.

Several 11st Air Fleet assets will be redeployed to be available for our air offensive against enemy intruders at Santa Cruz Islands.

Long Live to the Emperor!
END//

[Fletcher]

AIR SWEEP OVER NDENI, May 12nd, 1942

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM TOSA, 23RD AIR FLOTILLA HQ. KOEPANG. TIMOR
TO: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL. NEW BRITAIN.
SUBJECT: AIR STRIKE OVER ENEMY FACILITIES AT NORTHERN AUSTRALIA.
DATE: MAY 12ND, 1942

59 IJN LEVEL BOMBERS ESCORTED BY 17 A6M2 TYPE 0 NAVAL FIGHTERS STRIKE BROOME PORT REPORTING 3 PORT HITS, 3 PORT FUEL HITS. A SECOND WAVE WITH 19 G4M1 REPORTED 1 PORT HIT, 1 PORT FUEL HIT AND 1 PORT SUPPLY HIT.

RECON FLIGHTS OVER KATHERINE REPORTED 72% DAMAGED ON RUNWAY. PHOTO RECON FLIGHT OVER BROOME REPORTED 100% RUNWAY DAMAGED.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM.S.INOUYE, 4TH FLEET CINC. TRUK.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC.
SUBJECT: TULAGI NAVAL ENGAGEMENT
DATE: MAY 13RD, 1942

OUR FAST TRANSPORT MISSION OVER TULAGI WAS SUDDENLY INTERRUPTED BY TWO USN FAST MINELAYERS. THESE SHIPS WERE SPOTTED AT NIGHT TIME UNDER A NEW MOON PHASE(0% MOONLIGHT). ENEMY SHIPS OPEN FIRE AT MEDIUM RANGE AND SEARCHLIGHTS FOR BOTH SIDES WERE LOOKING FOR THE ENEMY SILOHUETTES.

ENEMY SHIPS WERE IDENTIFIED LIKE 2 FLUSH DECK FAST DESTROYER-MINELAYERS.

PB SANTOS MARU WAS STRUCK 4 TIMES BY ENEMY FIRE, SHE IS DAMAGED WITH 18 SYSTEM AND 22 FLOATING DAMAGES REPORTED. PB SUREKOBO MARU WAS HIT BY HEAVY MACHINEGUN FIRE WITH NO DAMAGES REPORTED ONBOARD.

ONE ENEMY DM WAS STRUCK BY A 8CM HIT.

OUR PATROL GUNBOATS WITHDREW TO NORTH HEADING SHORTLAND ISLAND AFTER SUPPLIES WERE DELIVERY TO TULAGI GARRISON.

AT BISMARCKS, A DUTCH OCEANIC BOAT WAS REPORTED HIT BY H6K4 FLIGHT FROM KAVIENG. ANOTHER ALLIED BOAT WAS REPORTED HIT BY F1M2 ASW FLIGHT FROM HIJMS CHITOSE

DAMAGED AV TENDER REACHED RABAUL AND OUR FIREFIGHTERS REPORTED FIRE LEVEL ONBOARD WAS REDUCED TO 3%. I HOPE THIS SHIP WILL BE PUT UNDER READINESS CONDITION IN FEW DAYS TO RETURN TO TRUK UNDER ASW ESCORT.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. KURE.
SUBJECT: NDENI
DATE: MAY 13RD, 1942

AIR STRIKES OVER NDENI TO GET AIR SUPREMACCY OVER SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS, LIKE BELLOW:

- 35 A6M2 ESCORTED 33 G4M1 TO STRIKE NDENI AIRFIELD IN OUR FIRST ATTACK WAVE. 3 F4F AND 11 P-40E WERE ON CAP OVER ENEMY SKIES. 2 A6M2 AND 4 G4M1 WERE DOWNED WITH 2 ENEMY FIGHTERS LOST (1 P-40, 1 F4F). OUR PILOTS REPORTED 5 CASUALTIES, 1 AIRBASE AND 1 RUNWAY HIT.

- A SECOND STRIKE WITH 6 A6M2 FLIGHT A SWEEP MISSION OVER NDENI. THE MEET WITH 1 P-40E ON CAP. THIS AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED DOWNED.

- A THIRD RAID WITH 3 A6M2 FLYING A SWEEP MISSION REPORTED NO ENEMY AIRCRAFTS NO CAP OVER NDENI.

1ST KU S-1 DAITAI HAVE ARRIVED TO REINFORCE OUR DEPLOYMENT AT SALOMON SEA.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM TOSA, 23RD AIR FLOTILLA HQ. KOEPANG. TIMOR
TO: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL
SUBJECT: AIR STRIKES OVER NORTHERN AUSTRALIAN TARGETS
DATE: MAY 13RD, 1942

58 IJN LEVEL BOMBERS STRIKE DARWIN AF REPORTING 2 AIRBASE, 2 AIRBASE SUPPLY AND 21 RUNWAY HITS. A SECOND WAVE OVER THE SAME TARGET WITH 17 A6M2 ESCORTING 18 G4M1 REPORTED 3 AIRBASE, 1 AIRBASE SUPPLY AND ANOTHER 8 RUNWAY HITS. A THIRD WAVE WITH 23 KI-21-IIA FROM IJAAF REPORTED ANOTHER RUNWAY HIT.

RECON AC WILL FLIGHT OVER ENEMY TARGET TOMORROW TO REPORT DAMAGES.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBINED FLEET CINC. ABOARD HIJMS YAMATO. KURE.
TO: ADM. OSUMI NAGANO, IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY GENERAL STAFF CHIEF. IGHQ. TOKYO.
SUBJECT: COMBINED FLEET, SECRET OPS ORDER #4. OOB
DATE: MAY 13RD, 1942

Following TF have departure from homing ports heading to Secret Ops Order #4 assembly port:

CARDIV3 (Detach) under CPT Sueo Obayashi

FLAG: HIJMS ZUIHO
CRUDIV5 (2nd Fleet): HIJMS HAGURO (Flag), HIJMS NACHI, HIJMS MYOKO
DESDIV11 (DESRON3): DD FUBUKI, DD SHIRAYUKI, DD HATSUYUKI
DESDIV20 (DESRON3): DD ASAGIRI, DD YUGIRI

This Task Force will rendezvous with RADM Ikkan Okano CARDIV3 at Sea:

FLAG: HIJMS HOSHO
21st Squadron: CL TAMA
Attached: DD AKATSUKI, DD SHIRAKUMO, TB HATO, TB SAGI

CARDIV2, under RADM Tamon Yamaguchi

HIJMS SORYU
HIJMS HIRYU (Flag)
BATRON3 : HIJMS HIEI, HIJMS KIRISHIMA
CRUDIV7: HIJMS MOGAMI, HIJMS MIKUMA, HIJMS SUZUYA, HIJMS KUMANO
1stFLEET DESTROYERS: DD AKIGUNO, DD HIBIKI, DD USUGUMO, DD SHIKINAMI

CARDIV1, under VADM Chuichi Nagumo

HIJMS KAGA (flag)
HIJMS AKAGI
CRUDIV4: HIJMS MAYA, HIJMS CHOKAI
DESDIV7, CARRON1: DD AKEBONO, DD SAZANAMI
DESDIV 8, DESRON2: DD ASASHIO, DD ARASHIO
DESRON 30, DESDIV6: DD MUTSUKI, DD KISARAGI, DD YAYOI, DD MOCHIZUKI

CARRIER SQUADRON 5, CARRIER SQUADRON 4 will departure from homing ports in few days with BATRON2, CRUDIV8 and DESRON2 warships.
All ships were under refit and upgrades the last month and every ship was reloaded and replenished. Oilers from CombFleet have been replenished and loaded to be ready to departure with CombFleet Main Body.

Following destroyers under upgrades at drydocks will be assembly with Main Body in two weeks:

HIJMS KASUMI, HIJMS NATSUSHIO, HIJMS YUKIKAZE, HIJMS YUKIKAZE, HIJMS HAYASHIO, HIJMS ISOKAZE, HIJMS TOKITSUKAZE, HIJMS URAKAZE, HIJMS HAMAKAZE, HIJMS HAGIKAZE, HIJMS TANIKAZE. (11)

Orders to RADM S.OMORI (DESRON1), RADM Renzo Tanaka (DESRON2) and RADM S. HASHIMATA (DESRON3) have been dispatched already.


LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !!!!
END //