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

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. TSUKAHARU, 11ST AIR FLOTILLA CINC. RABAUL.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBFLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: AIR WAR REPORT, SOUTHERN PERIMETER.
DATE: JULY 1ST, 1942

25th Air Flotilla Air Strikes over Santa Cruz Islands, like bellow:

- 21 A6M2 flight a sweep mission over Ndeni to dogfight with 7 F4F4 and 7 P-40E on CAP. 1 P-40 and 1 F4F4 were downed by our fighters.
- 31 A6M2 escorted 58 G4M1 to strike Ndeni ground forces. 1 P40E and 1 F4F were reported on CAP. 78 casulties from 137th USA B.Force were claimed by our pilots.
- 05 A6M2 flight a sweep mission over Ndeni. NO enemy CAP reported.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBFLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: AIR WAR OVER GILBERTS.
DATE: JULY 1ST, 1942

24th Air Flotilla assets were severely engaged by enemy at southern Gilbert. Our air assets take off from Tarawa fortified island to strike enemy landings or reinforcements over Arorae, like bellow:

- 06 A6M2 flight a sweep mission over enemy ships around Arorae to dogfight with 19 F4F4 on CAP (!). 1 F4F4 was claimed down by our pilots.

- 11 unescorted G3M3 (planned to be escorted by the A6M2 that swept Arorae!) were intercepted by 10 F4F4 over Arorae. All of them were downed without survivors !!

- 11 A6M2 swept Arorae to dogfight with 12 F4F4 on CAP. 1 enemy fighter and 1 Type 0 were downed.
- 11 A6M2 swept Arorae to dogfight with 7 F4F4 on CAP. 1 F4F4 were claimed down by our fighters.
- 04 G3M3 launched an air strike over enemy destroyers off Arorae. Bombs were dropped over two one flush deck and one fleet destroyer (USS WARD / USS O´Brien identified). No bomb hits reported.

It´s sure that enemy is covering with LRCAP from Fleet Carriers his fast transport mission at Arorae island with the same idea on mind... Built airstrips over Southern Gilbert to support his jump to Tarawa or Marshalls.

END//

[Fletcher]

G3M3 Chutai intercepted over Arorae by carrier based Wildcats...
July 1st, 1942

[Fletcher]

July 1st, 1942
A G3M3 chutai unsuccesfully strike enemy fast transport warships off Arorae Island -Southern Gilberts-

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM SHIMIZU, 6TH FLEET CINC. KWAJALEIN
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBFLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: ENEMY DESTROYER SUNK
DATE: JULY 1ST, 1942

I-11 C.O. REPORTED ENEMY DESTROYER HMS JUPITER HAVE BEEN SUNK AFTER ONE TORPEDO HIT OFF LIFOU (NEW CALEDONIAN WATERS). OTHER DESTROYER WAS REPORTED IN THE AREA PROBABLY RESCUING SURVIVORS AFTER THE SINKING. NO RETALIATION ATTACK REPORTED.

END //

[Fletcher]

FROM: CDR. T. NANAJI. I-5 C.O. SOUTHERN GILBERT WATERS.
TO: CPT K. TAKESAKI. SUBDIV 8, SUBRON 2, KWAJALEIN ISLAND.
SUBJECT: ENEMY BB SIGHTED
DATE: JULY 2ND, 1942


OUR BOAT WAS ENGAGED BY SCREENING DESTROYER OF A BATTLESHIP DIVISION 80 NM S.E. ARORAE. 01 NEAR MISS REPORTED, ENGINES LIGHTLY DAMAGED. I WILL SHADOW ENEMY BATTLESHIP LOOKING FOR A GOOD ATTACK POSITION AT NIGHT.

ENEMY SHIPS SPOTTED, LIKE BELLOW:

- BB IDAHO
- CA MINNEAPOLIS
- THREE SCREENING DESTROYERS.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM. E. GOTO, 24TH AIR FLOTILLA CINC. GILBERTS.
TO: VADM. S. INOUYE, 4TH FLEET CINC. TRUK
SUBJECT: AIR STRIKES OVER ENEMY TARGETS AT SOUTHERN GILBERTS.
DATE: JULY 2ND, 1942

11 UNESCORTED G3M3 WERE SURPRISED OVER ARORAE IN THEIR ANTISHIPPING MISSION OVER THIS ISLAND. 15 F4F1 WERE ON CAP OVER ENEMY SHIPS. 2 G3M3 WERE DOWNED WITH THE OTHERS COMING BACK WITHOUT ATTACKS OVER ENEMY.
05 B5N2 ESCORTED BY 21 A6M2 TAKE OFF FROM TARAWA AIRFIELD TO STRIKE ENEMY SHIPS AROUND ARORAE. 1 A6M2 AND 2 F4F4 WERE DOWNED IN DOGFIGHT.
16 A6M2 SWEPT ARORAE CLASHING WITH 7 F4F4 AT CAP. NO LOSSES WERE REPORTED.
5 B5N2 ESCORTED BY 7 A6M3 TAKE OFF FROM TARAWA TO STRIKE ENEMY SHIPS AROUND ARORAE. 2 F4F4 WERE ON CAP. NO AIR LOSSES. AP HUNTER LIGGETT AND DD SELFRIDGE WERE SIGHTED BY OUR PILOTS. NO HITS WERE CLAIMED.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. KWAJALEIN.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMB FLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN PERIMETER AIR WAR REPORT
DATE: JULY 2ND, 1942

25TH AIR FLOTILLA:

33 G4M1 TAKE OFF FROM MUNDA TO STRIKE NDENI AND REPORTED 3 AIRBASE, 1 AIRBASE SUPPLY AND 32 RUNWAY HITS.
14 A6M2 SWEPT NDENI AND REPORTED NO ENEMY WERE ON CAP.

23RD AIR FLOTILLA:

38 IJN LEVEL BOMBERS ESCORTED BY 23 A6M2 STRIKE DARWIN AND REPORTS 1 PORT HIT AND 3 PORT FUEL HITS.
18 UNESCORTED G4M1 REPORTED ANOTHER 2 PORT HITS OVER DARWIN PORT FACILITIES.
16 IJA LEVEL BOMBERS STRIKE DARWIN TO REPORT ANOTHER 2 PORT AND 1 PORT FUEL HITS.
22 KI-21-IIA REPORTED ANOTHER PORT AND PORT FUEL HITS.

ENEMY AIR STRIKES:

3 B17E WERE INTERCEPTED BY 3 KI-45 KAI OVER MUNDA. 1 RUNWAY HIT REPORTED. NO DAMAGES OVER OUR OWN FACILITIES. NO LOSSES WERE REPORTED.
09 BEAUFIGHTER WERE INTERCEPTED BY A KI-43-IC CHUTAI FLYING A LR CAP FROM PORT MORESBY. 2 KI-43 AND 1 BEAUFIGHTERS WERE DOWNED IN THE DOGFIGHT.

ASW ACTIVITIES

A H6K4 ASW PATROL FLIGHT REPORTED ONE HIT OVER A DUTCH OCEANIC BOAT AT BISMARCK SEA.

LONG LIVE TO THE EMPEROR !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: GEN. SHUNROKU HATA, CHINA EXPEDITIONARY ARMY CINC. NEAR SIAN
TO: GEN. HAJIME SUGIYAMA, IJA GENERAL STAFF CHIEF. IGHQ. TOKYO.
SUBJECT: CHINA WAR REPORT.
DATE: JULY 2ND, 1942

Large Convoy arrived to Hankow and delivered more than 30,000 tons. of supplies.

Air strikes over Sian frontline:

- 104 IJA level bombers escorted by 38 fighters reported 364 casualties form 76th Chinese Corps.
- 32 Ki-27b escorted 8 Ki-30 over Sian to strike AF. 8 I-16 soviet built were on CAP. 1 runway hit were reported there.
- 13 Ki-48Ib stike 69th chinese corps to report 28 casaulties.
- 12 Ki-21-Ic strike 34th Chinese corps to report 22 casualties.
- 12 Ki-21-IC strike 29th Chinese corps to report 77 casualties.

Air strikes over Kweilin frontline:

- 8 Ki-45 KAI strike at low 49th Chinese Corps.
- 47 Level bombers strike 49th Chinese Corps and report 6 enemy casualties.
- 12 Ki-27b escorted 40 ki-51 over Kweiling to strike 55th Prov. Chinese Division.
- 10 Ki-21-Ic strike Kweilin to report 6 casualties from 52nd Chinese Corps.

Storm over Kweilin city:

Our forces stormed enemy city heavily defended by chinese forces. Our ground forces reported 5.866 casualties vs. 1.538 chinese lost. Fortify level downed to size 1.

Our assaults have clashed with a fortify line in a forest terrain covered by experienced chinese forces. It´s mandatory to request more forces to reinforce this offensive. However a massive blow against north or western China would be in a breaking of the Chinese supply stocks and a retirement of forces in the south if any break would threat Chungking itself.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBFLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: AIR WAR REPORT, SOUTHERN PERIMETER.
DATE: JULY 3RD, 1942

25th air Flotilla reports:

13 A6M2 swept Ndeni reporting no enemy on CAP.
65 G4M1 escorted by 40 a6M2 strike Ndeni to report 14 enemy casualties, 3 airbase, 4 airbase supply and 23 runway hits.
12 G4M1 reported another 2 airbase and 5 runway hits on ndeni air facilities.

23rd Air Flotilla reports:

38 IJN Level bombers escorted by 23 A6M2 strike Darwin reportin 1 port hit and another port fuel hit.
19 unescorted IJN level bombers reported 1 port hit over Darwin port facilities.
13 IJA level bombers reported 1 port fuel hit over Darwin.
21 Ki-21IIa strike Darwin and reported 1 port hit fuel.

24th Air Flotilla reports:

No enemy shippings spotted around Arorae, anti-shipping missions cancelled.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: LTCDR H. NAKAGAWA, I-4 C.O. U.S. WEST COAST WATERS.
TO: CPT. K. TAKESAKI, SUBDIV 8, KWAJALEIN ISLAND.
SUBJECT: ENEMY CARGO SHIP SUNK
DATE: JULY 4TH, 1942

Early morning our outpost reported enemy ship at sight. Confirmed she was a slow freighter I had decided to engaged her at 700 yds. Enemy ship sunk after a massive blow amidship.

Survivors rescued confirm us enemy ship was XAK CALEB STRONG from San Francisco in transit to South Pacific (secret arrival port)

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBFLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: SOUTH PERIMETER WAR REPORT
DATE: JULY 4TH, 1942

25TH AIR FLOTILLA STRIKES:

- 13 A6M2 swept Ndeni.
- 32 A6M2 escorted 45 G4M1 to strike Ndeni air facilities reporting 1 airbase, 6 airbase supply and 91 runway hits.
- 08 unescorted G4M1 reported another airbase hit and 6 runway hits.
- 15 A6M2 swept Ndeni reporting no enemy were on CAP.

23RD AIR FLOTILLA STRIKES:

- 81 IJN twin engine bombers escorted by 21 A6M2 take off from Timor to strike Darwin enemy ground units repoting 62 casualties from 45th Indian Brigade.
- 37 IJA level bombers (IJAAF Attached unit) reported 11 casualties over 45th Indian Brigade.

24TH AIR FLOTILLA REPORTS:

- One A6M3 daitai (27 machines) and One G3M3 daitai (36 machines) at Reserve at Truk have been put under High Alert after enemy have been reported follow up landings at Southern Gilberts.

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: LTGEN H. OBATA, 5TH AIR DIVISION, SAIPAN.
TO: GEN. SADOMU SHIMOMURA, SOUTHERN AREA ARMY CINC. WESTERN CHINA.
SUBJECT: HEAVY BOMBER STRIKE OVER MUNDA PORT INTERCEPTED AT NIGHT
DATE: JULY 5TH, 1942

22 ENEMY HEAVY BOMBERS WERE INTERCEPTED WHEN APPROACHING TO MUNDA PORT. 11 KI-45 AT NIGHT ALERT FIGHTED WITH THEM UNDER MODERATE RAIN AT 8,000 FEET. 2 KI-45 WERE LOST BY DEFENSIVE MACHINEGUNS WITHOUT ENEMY LOSSES WERE REPORTED. 88 X 500 LBS BOMBS WERE DROPPED OVER US WITHOUT DAMAGES REPORTED ON OUR PORT FACILITIES.

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. S. INOUYE, 4TH FLEET CINC. TRUK
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBFLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: TARAWA UNDER USN BOMBARDMENT
DATE: JULY 5TH, 1942


Our Intel Dpt expected any kind of attack to boost morale from July 4th due is the US independence day. Yesterday all available assets at Southern Perimeter were put under High Alert with several chutais patrolling the south-southeast approaches of Gilberts. In spite of it, a enemy battleships TF have reached Tarawa Island unspotted and bombardment our facilities at night time.

Enemy ships reported on the Bombardment TF:

BB NEW MEXICO
BB IDAHO
CA MINNEAPOLIS
04 DESTROYERS

Enemy opens fire at 12,000 yards. 2 A6M3 and 1 A6M2 were destroyed on ground, 93 casualties were reported from IJN Naval Guard unit and IJNAF BF. 12 Port Damages and 21 airfield runway were all damages after be plumbed by 14 inch shells.

All available assets at Southern MArshalls / Gilberts ready to counterstrike over enemy ships in the area.

Our naval search flight reported another 2 battleships off Arorae !!

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBFLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN PERIMETER AIR STRIKES
DATE : JULY 5TH,1.942


AIR STRIKES from 25TH AIR FLOTILLA OVER NDENI LIKE BELLOW:

- 24 unescorted g4M1 strike Ndeni air facilities to report 1 airbase, 2 airbase supply and 16 runway hits.
- 09 unescorted G4M1 strike Ndeni air facilities to report 5 casualties and 7 runway hits.
- 60 A6M2 swept Ndeni reporting no enemy were on CAP.

AIR STRIKES from 23rd AIR FLOTILLA OVER DARWIN, LIKE BELLOW:

- 24 A6M2 escorted 44 G4M1 to strike Darwin and report 72 casualties from 19th Aussie Bn.
- 15 IJA level bombers reported another 12 casualties from 45th Indian Bde.
- 20 Ki-21-IIA reported another 43 casualties from 45th Indian Bde.


Our recons over Darwin reports airfield absolutely destroyed with port under 89% damages.

Long Live to the Emperor !
END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM S.GOTO, 24TH AIR FLOTILLA CINC. GILBERTS.
TO: VADM. S. INOUYE, 4TH FLEET CINC. TRUK.
SUBJECT: AIR COMBATS OVER ARORAE ISLAND.
DATE: JULY 6TH, 1942

Heavy air combats over Arorae after our air assets were put under High Alert to intercept USN Task Force around that island.

- 06 unescorted G3M3 (uncoordinated attack) were interecepted over Arorae by 20 F4F4 and 12 P-39D. 1 G3M3 was downed with others coming back to Home.
- 21 A6M2 and 9 A6M3 take off from Tarawa with 5 B5N2 to strike enemy ships off Arorae. 20 F4F4 and 12 P-39D were on CAP. 1 A6M2 and 1 A6M3 were destroyed vs 1 F4F4 reported down.
- 08 A6M2 swept Arorae to dogfight with 25 enemy fighters. 2 A6M2 were downed.
- 03 G3M3 were intercepted over Arorae by 17 enemy fighters. 1 G3M3 confirmed down.

Our intel reports 12 A6M2 destroyed (9 A2A, 3 Ops), 6 A6M3 downed A2A and 3 G3M3 downed by enemy fighters. Intel report 06 F4F4 destroyed (4 A2A and 2 Operational lost).

Reinforce this area with skilled assets is a must to avoid enemy will get new bases at Southern Gilberts.

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: RADM S. MIWA, SUBRON 3, 6TH FLEET. KWAJALEIN ISL.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBFLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: I-5 LOST
DATE: JULY 7TH, 1942

Contact have been lost from I-5 boat shadowing enemy naval forces around Arorae. She was under Cdr T. Nanji when was surprised by enemy destroyers at night time meanwhile approaching to get a launch point against enemy cargo ships.

Two enemy large attack transport were spotted off Arorae Island. Identified like AP AMERICAN LEGION and AP HUNTER LIGGET.

Another TF with 4 Flush Deck destroyer spotted too.

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM S. INOUYE, 4TH FLEET CINC. TRUK
TO: ADM. HASUMI NAGANO, IJN GENERAL STAFF CHIEF. IGHQ. TOKYO
SUBJECT: STRATEGIC CONVOY TO CAROLINE ISLAND INTERCEPTED.
DATE : JULY 7TH, 1.942

Our strategic convoy in transit to Caroline Island was attacked twice today at night and morning. Our escorting ships were unable to detect submarine threat and one torpedo hit amidship AK SEATTLE MARU with a great ammount of war supply for our ground forces at Southern Perimeter. She was severely damaged and her speed slowed to 5 knots. At morning another torpedo hit explodes at stern sinking quickly the ship.

Captain and sailors sunk with the ship to follow with her destiny.

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. S. INOUYE, 4TH FLEET CINC. TRUK.
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO. COMBFLEET CINC. KURE
CC: VADM CHUICHI NAGUMO, 1ST AIR FLEET CINC. ABOARD HIJMS AKAGI.
SUBJECT: ENEMY CARRIER BASED STRIKE OVER WAKE ISLAND
DATE: JULY 7TH, 1942

General Quarters sounds at Wake Island this afternoon at 15:45Z when a massive strike was spotted by our outposts. With our 3rd Ku K S-1 Det A & B on high alert, our pilots take off quickly to intercept enemy raid. Over Wake skies, 11 F4F escorting 30 SBD-3 and 15 TBF1 dogfighted with our fighters. We lost 1 A6M2 by A2A with no enemy losses reported. 1 airbase, 1 airbase supply and 8 runway hits. Light damages on runway.

Requesting air assets reinforcements. If available the Nagumo´s carriers would revenge this strike sinking enemy carrier(s)!.

END//

[Fletcher]

FROM: VADM. TSUKAHARA, 11ST AIR FLEET CINC. RABAUL
TO: ADM. ISOROKU YAMAMOTO, COMBFLEET CINC. KURE
SUBJECT: SOUTH PERIMETER AIR WAR REPORT
DATE: JULY 7TH, 1942

An daylight attack over Munda was reported today by enemy heavy bombers. Under light rain, our Ki-45 KAI take off to intercept an enemy wave with 24 B-17E over Munda. 3 Ki-45 were destroyed (1 A2A and 2 on ground). several A6M2 and G4M1 were destroyed on ground (5 G4M1- 2 A6M2). Enemy lost 4 heavy bombers by our fighters. Moderate damages on the runway after 4 Airbase supply 1 airbase hit and 21 runway hits.

A second strike with 6 unescorted B-17E were intercepted by 2 Ki-45 KAI. 01 G4M1 and 1 A6M2 were destroyed on ground. with another 4 hits reported over the strip.

Our forces have been put on High Alert to intercept enemy strikes with 4Es. All our daitais/sentais will detach A6M2s to defend our skies.

Our strikes over Ndeni, like bellow:

27 G4M1 escorted by 44 A6m2 reported 34 runway, 1 airbase, and 1 airbase supply with 6 casualties reported too.
7 G4M1 strike ndeni to report 5 casualties, 1 airbase supply and 14 runway hits.
9 A6M2 swept Ndeni to report no enemy were on CAP.
16 A6M2 swept Ndeni

END//