Port Moresby is clear of enemy troops since some days... BANZAI!
after say one week lull and alomst no action at all, we detected an enemy troop convoy unloading at Espiritu Santo... two long-range bomber attacks were followed by a small cruiser TF. Unfortunately we could not scramble together more ships in time for a quick response. But they took some toll too......
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/03/43
Weather: Clear
Sub attack near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
SS I-2, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
APD Waters, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Talbot
MSW Requisite
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 53,53
Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Nowaki
DD Hibiki
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri
DD Amagiri
DD Mutsuki
Allied Ships
MSW Cessnock
MSW Ipswich
MSW Pursuit
MSW Starling
MSW Swallow, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Motive
MSW Oracle
AP Hunter Liggett, Shell hits 34, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Moreton Bay
AK Lynx
AK Sculptor
AK Naos
AK Caelum
AK Rotanin
AK Allioth
AK Grumium
AK Alkaid
AK Crux
AK Alderamin
AK Zaurak
AK Shaula, on fire, heavy damage
AK Matar
AK Sabik
AK Menkar
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Luganville, at 53,53
Allied aircraft
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged
about the same time (Early March, 1943) the Allied commander sent dozens of subs into the rich minefields of Irau. Most of them sunk with their load of Marine troopers....
In the meantime, the enemy has launched a LBA offensive against Irau with B25s from Luganville under P38 escort) and 4Es from Koumac. Not much damage yet.
though many mines claimed their victims (10+ DDs sunk) the enemy came in strength this time. However, still not enough since we were able to bring in sufficient reinforcemnts (one and a half division) to push them hard. The ground combat is turning now, and we guess the allied troops will collapse soon.
On the Sea, KB sailed south of Irau and caught another bold BB force at extreme range with some Vals. It was covered by Corsair LRCAP fighters which took a heavy toll plus dozens of our bombers shot out of the sky by their hefty AA. Some hits were scored on them anyway...
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/16/43
Weather: Rain
Naval bombardment of Irau, at 42,43
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 50
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 69
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 22 destroyed
D3A Val x 52 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 2 damaged
LCDR R.Kumagaya of F2/6th Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED
Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 2
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 3, on fire
BB South Dakota, Bomb hits 4
BB Colorado
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 1
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 30
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 16 damaged
2LT W.Barnes of VMF-124 is credited with kill number 2
Allied Ships
CL Phoenix
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Quincy
CL Leander, Bomb hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Wau , at 8,35
Japanese aircraft
E7K2 Alf x 4
Ki-49 Helen x 21
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 5th Marine Regiment, at 42,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
A6M3 Zero x 21
D3A Val x 27
Ki-21 Sally x 37
Ki-48 Lily x 19
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 5th Marine Regiment, at 42,43
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 20
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x B5N Kate at 6000 feet
11 x B5N Kate at 8000 feet
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Irau
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 30855 troops, 433 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 9079 troops, 111 guns, 12 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
LTC C.Carlson of 28th BS bails out and is RESCUED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 151
Guns lost 1
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 3317
Guns lost 60
Vehicles lost 7
The Allies have taken some hits to their Sub Fleet, but things are turning around for some of the Captains of the more aggressive and newer submarines. These have greater endurance and a double load of torps that actually detonate on impact.
The majority of the early war "S" class subs have all been replaced by the latest GATO class. There are now approximately 30+ SS between Truk and the Solomon Islands.
Allied Captains have been ordered to lurk in the shipping lanes to and from major Jap Ports that are the life line for IJN IJA war machine.
The Air War continues to pound the frontlines. Unfortunately some of the Allied LR Bombers were attacking ships that had LRCAP assigned to them. The Allied Air HQ has new orders to reduce those casualties...
Another invasion attempt for Port Moresby is currently being prepared as the LCI and LST ships arrive in greater quantities. Hopefully SWPAC will have enough to lift 2 full divisions into PNG and establish a beachhead.
Search and Recon Aircraft have reported that PM is only a level 4 airfield... The Construction Battalions will have their hands full when they arrive.
Additional Marines have arrived in Noumea. They are currently training up for the invasion of Lunga. Hopefully the Navy and the Marines can coordinate their Commanders not to screw this up again...
The enemy came in strength again, this time with a regular invasion fleet. After sweeping and "hitting" about 3500 mines (about a third) we attacked him by air & sea.
However, some troops made it ashore and we´ll see what they are up to
since all fighters of the USN cariers were busy with LRCAP over the invasion fleet, their flattops were an easy prey for KB. One CVE and one CVL reported sunk. And of course many APs & AKs
Allied Ships
AP Fuller, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP McCawley, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AP Neville, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP William P. Biddle, Shell hits 48, on fire, heavy damage
AK Betelgeuse, on fire
AK Alchiba
AK Algorab, on fire, heavy damage
AK Titania, on fire
AK Etamin
AK Virgo
AK Almaack
AK Electra, on fire
AK Trianglum
AK Aludra
AK Deimos, on fire
AP Feland, Shell hits 5, on fire
LST 340
LST 342
LST 343
LST 353
LST 395, on fire, heavy damage
LST 396
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 232
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Kirishima
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu
DD Hatsukaze
DD Maikaze
DD Urakaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Umikaze
Allied Ships
MSW Heed, on fire, heavy damage
AP Harris, Shell hits 21, on fire, heavy damage
AP J. Franklin Bell
AP La Salle, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 7, and is sunk
AP Sumter, on fire
AK Rhesus
AK Asphalion
AK Neleus
AK Carina, on fire, heavy damage
AK Cassiopeia, on fire
AK Celeno, Shell hits 5, on fire
AK Cetus
AK Draco, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mintaka
AK Murzim, on fire
AK Sterope
AK Serpens, on fire
AK Lynx, on fire
AK Lyra, on fire
AK Sculptor
AK Naos
AK Caelum
AK Rotanin
AK Allioth
AK Alkes, on fire, heavy damage
AK Grumium, on fire
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 196
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Kirishima
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu
DD Hatsukaze
DD Maikaze
DD Urakaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Umikaze
Allied Ships
AP Fuller, and is sunk
AP William P. Biddle, and is sunk
AK Betelgeuse, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alchiba
AK Algorab, on fire, heavy damage
AK Titania, on fire
AK Etamin
AK Virgo
AK Almaack
AK Electra, on fire
AK Trianglum
AK Aludra
AK Deimos, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
AP Feland, on fire
LST 340
LST 342
LST 343
LST 353
LST 395, on fire, heavy damage
LST 396
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 590
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 44,45
Japanese Ships
SS I-20
Allied Ships
CLAA Oakland
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Irau, at 42,43
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 114
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 7
Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina x 2 destroyed
PBY Catalina x 4 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 29th Regiment, at 42,43
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3
Beaufighter VIC x 3
P-38G Lightning x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 2 damaged
Attacking Level Bombers:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 230th Regiment, at 42,43
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 9
Beaufighter VIC x 5
P-38G Lightning x 11
B-17E Fortress x 13
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged
Attacking Level Bombers:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-49 Helen x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen x 2 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen x 1 damaged
Allied Ships
CL Denver
Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x Ki-49 Helen at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 49
A6M3 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 41
B5N Kate x 39
E13A1 Jake x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 8 destroyed
D3A Val x 18 damaged
B5N Kate x 3 destroyed
B5N Kate x 9 damaged
E13A1 Jake x 5 destroyed
E13A1 Jake x 2 damaged
Allied Ships
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 2
CVE Suwannee, Bomb hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Van Heemskerck
CV Essex, Bomb hits 9, on fire
CLAA Oakland
CLAA Juneau, Bomb hits 1
CLAA Atlanta
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
D3A Val x 23
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 5 destroyed
D3A Val x 17 damaged
Allied Ships
CVL Independence
CLAA San Diego, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Cony, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 5 destroyed
D3A Val x 14 damaged
Allied Ships
CLAA San Diego, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Essex, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVE Suwannee, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 13
Ki-48 Lily x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 6 destroyed
B5N Kate x 6 damaged
Ki-48 Lily x 5 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 6 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
A6M3 Zero x 15
D3A Val x 34
G4M1 Betty x 20
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 24
Ki-21 Sally x 7
Ki-48 Lily x 18
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 40
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 damaged
CPO B.Endo of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Allied Ships
AK Algorab, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alchiba, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Etamin
AK Aludra, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Feland, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AK Virgo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LST 343, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Electra, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Trianglum, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
LST 353
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 175
Guns lost 1
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 100 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 100 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M3 Zero x 15
E13A1 Jake x 8
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-48 Lily x 11
Ki-49 Helen x 15
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
LTJG R.Koizumi of F1/3rd Daitai is credited with kill number 3
SLDR J.Murray of 898 Sqn is KILLED
Allied Ships
AK Lyra, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Murzim, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Rhesus, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP J. Franklin Bell, Bomb hits 1
AP Sumter, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Grumium, Bomb hits 1
AK Cassiopeia
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 102
Guns lost 2
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 100 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 100 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen at 100 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 100 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily at 100 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 100 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Wau , at 8,35
Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 60
no losses
Airbase hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 9
Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina x 2 destroyed
PBY Catalina x 6 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 24
no losses
Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee, Bomb hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
A6M3 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 29
B5N Kate x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 3
Ki-48 Lily x 6
Ki-49 Helen x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 damaged
Ki-21 Sally x 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen x 2 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen x 6 damaged
Allied Ships
CLAA Van Heemskerck, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Reno, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CLAA Juneau, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 1
CLAA San Juan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Essex, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 8
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 100 feet
1 x Ki-49 Helen at 100 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 100 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M3 Zero x 11
B5N Kate x 21
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 damaged
Allied Ships
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CV Essex, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Oakland, Bomb hits 1
CLAA San Juan, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14
B5N Kate x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 damaged
Allied Ships
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
CV Essex, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 6
no losses
Allied Ships
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily x 3 damaged
Allied Ships
BB South Dakota
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake x 2 destroyed
E13A1 Jake x 5 damaged
Allied Ships
DD Farenholt, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Phelps, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 44,45
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 12
G4M1 Betty x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 8 damaged
Ki-21 Sally x 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 10 damaged
Allied Ships
CVL Princeton, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Spence, Bomb hits 1
CL Santa Fe
DD Dyson
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 100 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 100 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 62
A6M3 Zero x 34
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 45
Ki-48 Lily x 10
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
ENS V.Minegishi of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Allied Ships
AK Neleus, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
AK Caelum, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Carina, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 100 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily at 100 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 44,45
LT E. McGowan of VF-9 bails out and is CAPTURED
Japanese Ships
SS I-20
