War in the Pacific as Planned--Allied

[herwin]

June 21/22 1942

Japanese are marching towards Changsha and pulling back from Sian.

KB lurks off the SE tail of New Guinea.

[fcharton]

HI Harry,

ORIGINAL: herwin
Not a really good day for the Japanese, although the outcomes of two deliberate attacks are a bit strange. If anyone wants to give me an interpretation, I'd appreciate it.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 13831 troops, 119 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 409
Defending force 10057 troops, 181 guns, 187 vehicles, Assault Value = 181
Japanese adjusted assault: 285
Allied adjusted defense: 1047
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
     373 casualties reported
        Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
        Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
     686 casualties reported
        Squads: 5 destroyed, 29 disabled
        Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 49 disabled
        Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
     Vehicles lost 16 (2 destroyed, 14 disabled)
     Units destroyed 1

This one is typical of asymmetric battles in good defensive terrain. Forts and terrain keep the odds low, limit casualties (on both sides), prevent the base from falling and will disrupt and fatigue the attacker. However, the much higher firepower the Japanese enjoy manage to damage the defender. This is the stuff attrition battles are made of.

Ground combat at Cebu (80,86)

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5630 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 136
Defending force 4019 troops, 60 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 133

Japanese adjusted assault: 56
Allied adjusted defense: 189

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 3)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
     43 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
     157 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Same situation, but without the firepower differential... Neither side has enough firepower to make the difference. Until one side becomes unsupplied, this will be a stalemate.

Francois

[herwin]

June 22/23 1942

Thanks Francois! Cebu is already unsupplied, so I suspect it'll stay a stalemate. The KB has departed, so I'm trying to race events to resupply PM. Rabaul is a level 6 port, so at least his BBs will be heading to Truk for resupply. The carriers will resupply at Rabaul.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 13675 troops, 119 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 399
 
Defending force 9226 troops, 180 guns, 185 vehicles, Assault Value = 143
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 139
 
Allied adjusted defense: 169
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      543 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      301 casualties reported
         Squads: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 17 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
      Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
 
 
Assaulting units:
    9th Division
 
Defending units:
    2/7th Ind Coy
    30th Australian Brigade
    49th Australian Battalion
    307th Base Group
    1st Medium Regiment
    15th RAN Base Force
    2nd Medium Regiment
    808th Aviation Engineer Battalion
    13th Field Regiment
    21/22 Field Regiment

Tassafaronga surrenders. One more hex I'll need to retake.

[herwin]

June 23/24 1942

Quiet turn. No ground or naval combat. Air combat light.

Shipping unloading in PM. I'm expecting the KB to be back from Rabaul in a turn or two.

[herwin]

June 24/25 1942

Quiet turn--I managed to sneak 2500 tons of supply into Port Moresby and extract three badly damaged ships that had found refuge there earlier in the month. Rabaul is reportedly full, so I think I'll lurk just outside of his normal search range to see what's cooking. I'm fairly confident I won't see his battleships again until they can make a port visit to Truk, which means my SAGs might be able to mess the KB up good if it comes out to play. Night bombardment of my positions at Cebu by a half dozen cruisers and two dozen destroyers. The Eastern Fleet is in Perth, preparing to head north and step on some Japanese surface units.

[herwin]

June 25/26 1942

Netties hit Port Moresby and took out a couple of coastal freighters unloading there. They missed the two larger AGs, which I think I'll pull. I've unloaded 5000 tons of supply in two days, and I can now keep the dumps topped up with fast transport runs. The KB emerged from Rabaul and is currently off the southern end of New Ireland, from which it hit my garrison in Gasmata. I expect it to move to (100, 129), (103, 132), or (103, 134) on the 26th and I'm wondering how to exploit those moves. My SAGs and CVTFs are on a patrol line between (94, 137) and (98, 145), which is just out of Betty range. I have an ASW TF operating at (100,139), which I might leave in the middle of the Coral Sea as bait next turn. His battleships have gone home, but he probably has 2-4 Kongos with the KB. I have just the PoW. I want to lure him into the Coral Sea, ideally into a coastal hex, hit him hard with my assorted SAGs, and follow up with strikes from my five heavy carriers.

[herwin]

June 26/27 1942

I need to figure out some way of reinforcing or supporting Port Moresby. I can bring in some commando companies fairly easily, but it will take four or five days. On the other hand, his supply situation can't be too great. The KB has emerged, and that's my big concern.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13646 troops, 119 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 408

Defending force 9213 troops, 179 guns, 185 vehicles, Assault Value = 141

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 289

Allied adjusted defense: 187

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+)
Attacker: leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
     427 casualties reported
        Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
        Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Allied ground losses:
     863 casualties reported
        Squads: 7 destroyed, 25 disabled
        Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 66 disabled
        Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled


Assaulting units:
   9th Division

Defending units:
   30th Australian Brigade
   2/7th Ind Coy
   49th Australian Battalion
   2nd Medium Regiment
   1st Medium Regiment
   15th RAN Base Force
   13th Field Regiment
   808th Aviation Engineer Battalion
   307th Base Group
   21/22 Field Regiment

Afternoon Air attack on 15th RAN Base Force, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 50 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 35
     B5N2 Kate x 39



Japanese aircraft losses
     B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged



Aircraft Attacking:
     27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
              Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
     12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
              Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 2/7th Ind Coy  ...
Also attacking 15th RAN Base Force ...
Also attacking 2/7th Ind Coy  ...
Also attacking 15th RAN Base Force ...
Also attacking 2/7th Ind Coy  ...
Also attacking 15th RAN Base Force ...
Also attacking 2/7th Ind Coy  ...
Also attacking 15th RAN Base Force ...


---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on 15th RAN Base Force, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 14
     B5N2 Kate x 18



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
     18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
              Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

[herwin]

June 27/28 1942

The KB snapped at the bait. Now I need to play it a bit.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,135
 
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
 
Raid detected at 143 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 56 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 19
      G3M2 Nell x 9
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Allied Ships
      DD MacDonough
      DD Dewey
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
 
 
 
---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,135
 
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
 
Raid detected at 175 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 65 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 28
      D3A1 Val x 18
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied Ships
      DD Hull
      DD Worden
      DD Dewey
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Crossing the border

Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 4227 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1922
 
Defending force 11765 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 265
 
Japanese ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
 
Assaulting units:
    18th Division
    4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
    48th Division
    4th Division
    2nd Division
 
Defending units:
    52nd Chinese Corps

[herwin]

June 28/29 1942

My opponent is deferring his logistics turn until he captures Port Moresby.

This has me very confused. The combat replay shows a different position and different outcomes for my ships. I can only figure it's the replay bug.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tagula Island at 104,138

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 140 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 12
     G3M2 Nell x 6



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
     DD Hull
     DD MacDonough



Aircraft Attacking:
      6 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
              Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tagula Island at 104,138

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 163 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 60 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 78
     B5N2 Kate x 18
     D3A1 Val x 45



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
     DD Dewey, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     DD MacDonough, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
     DD Hull, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
     10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
              Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
     18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
              Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
      6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
              Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
     17 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
              Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
              Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
              Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Dewey
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hull

On the following turn, my TF is at a different location and is intact...

[herwin]

June 29/30 1942

Mostly quiet. KB spotted between Munda and Deboyne. 5th Japanese division appears to be marching towards Kohima from Myitkyina.

[herwin]

June 30/July 1 1942

My opponent announces: "We have been mutually found."

My response: "Mutually found? I’ve been tracking you all along. Now the question is what do I do with you."

His response: "I did find you last turn. Thought that I were undetected...."

My next response: "You’ve been detected ever since you attacked Port Moresby. I’m not surprised you spotted something last turn—I was deliberately trying to be spotted. I have about a dozen different TFs spread along a big arc around your carriers. Now to converge. The question is exactly where..."

See this discussion.

τετέλεσται!

He also attacked Port Moresby.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 13370 troops, 119 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 400
 
Defending force 9133 troops, 183 guns, 194 vehicles, Assault Value = 131
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 200
 
Allied adjusted defense: 189
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      873 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 52 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
      Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      507 casualties reported
         Squads: 14 destroyed, 11 disabled
         Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 15 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
      Vehicles lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)
 
 
Assaulting units:
    9th Division
 
Defending units:
    2/7th Ind Coy
    30th Australian Brigade
    49th Australian Battalion
    13th Field Regiment
    15th RAN Base Force
    1st Medium Regiment
    808th Aviation Engineer Battalion
    307th Base Group
    2nd Medium Regiment
    21/22 Field Regiment
 
 
---------------------------------------------

 
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)
 
Allied Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 972 troops, 99 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 115
 
Defending force 12538 troops, 118 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 351
 
Japanese ground losses:
      66 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
 
 
 
Assaulting units:
    30th Australian Brigade
    2/7th Ind Coy
    49th Australian Battalion
    2nd Medium Regiment
    13th Field Regiment
    15th RAN Base Force
    1st Medium Regiment
    307th Base Group
    808th Aviation Engineer Battalion
    21/22 Field Regiment
 
Defending units:
    9th Division

[herwin]

July 1/2 1942

My opponent went hard to the SW and ran into a SAG.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Rockhampton at 102,148, Range 26,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      CV Kaga, Shell hits 1
      CV Junyo, Shell hits 2,  on fire
      CV Hiyo
      CVL Ryujo
      CVL Shoho
      CVL Zuiho, Shell hits 5
      CS Mizuho
      CS Nisshin
      BB Kongo
      BB Haruna, Shell hits 1
      CL Tama
      CL Kiso
      DD Kazegumo
      DD Naganami, Shell hits 1,  on fire
      DD Yugiri
      DD Amagiri
      DD Oboro, Shell hits 1
      DD Akebono
      DD Sazanami
      DD Ushio
 
Allied Ships
      CA Astoria, Shell hits 12,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DD Porter, Shell hits 2
      DD Phelps, Shell hits 2,  on fire
      DD Stuart
 
 
 
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CV Kaga at 26,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CVL Zuiho at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CA Astoria at 21,000 yards
CA Astoria engages DD Oboro at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CVL Zuiho at 18,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CA Astoria at 18,000 yards
DD Oboro engages DD Phelps at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CL Kiso at 17,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CV Junyo at 17,000 yards
DD Phelps engages CV Kaga at 17,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Oboro at 17,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CA Astoria at 17,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CL Tama at 17,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Phelps at 17,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Naganami at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CV Kaga at 14,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CV Junyo at 14,000 yards
DD Oboro engages DD Phelps at 14,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CVL Zuiho at 14,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Astoria at 14,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Phelps at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Oboro engages DD Phelps at 11,000 yards
DD Porter engages CVL Zuiho at 11,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CS Mizuho at 11,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Phelps at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CV Hiyo at 10,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CV Junyo at 10,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Phelps at 10,000 yards
DD Porter engages CVL Zuiho at 10,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CS Mizuho at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CV Kaga at 6,000 yards
DD Naganami engages DD Phelps at 6,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CVL Zuiho at 6,000 yards
CL Tama engages CA Astoria at 6,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Porter at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CV Hiyo at 9,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CV Junyo at 9,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CV Kaga at 9,000 yards
DD Ushio engages DD Porter at 9,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CS Mizuho at 9,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Sazanami at 9,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Amagiri at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CV Hiyo ,  CV Junyo ,  CV Kaga ,
   CVL Zuiho ,  CVL Shoho ,  CVL Ryujo ,
   CS Nisshin  screened from combat
- escorted by DD Ushio ,  DD Sazanami ,  DD Oboro ,
   DD Yugiri
BB Kongo engages DD Stuart at 14,000 yards
DD Naganami engages DD Phelps at 14,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CL Tama at 14,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Porter at 14,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Amagiri at 14,000 yards
DD Naganami engages DD Porter at 14,000 yards
DD Kazegumo engages DD Porter at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
CV Hiyo ,  CV Junyo ,  CV Kaga ,
   CVL Zuiho ,  CVL Shoho ,  CVL Ryujo  screened from combat
- escorted by DD Ushio ,  DD Akebono ,  DD Naganami
BB Haruna engages CA Astoria at 17,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CA Astoria at 17,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Yugiri at 17,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CS Nisshin at 17,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Sazanami at 17,000 yards
DD Oboro engages DD Porter at 17,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Amagiri at 17,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Phelps at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CV Hiyo  screened from combat
- escorted by DD Sazanami
CA Astoria engages CV Kaga at 22,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Astoria at 22,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CA Astoria at 22,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CS Mizuho at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
CV Hiyo ,  CV Junyo ,  CV Kaga  screened from combat
- escorted by DD Sazanami ,  DD Oboro
DD Porter engages CV Kaga at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...

The air operations went the other way, although my seven carriers are out of range.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bowen at 100,146
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 14
      D3A1 Val x 27
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D3A1 Val: 2 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Allied Ships
      DD Phelps
      DD Porter, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Porter

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rockhampton at 102,148
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 90 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 80
      D3A1 Val x 18
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Allied Ships
      CA Astoria, Bomb hits 7,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DD Stuart, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Astoria
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Stuart

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 106,142
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid detected at 173 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 74 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 8
      B5N2 Kate x 121
      D3A1 Val x 27
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N2 Kate: 10 damaged
      B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
      D3A1 Val: 5 damaged
 
No Allied losses
 
Allied Ships
      CL Leander, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
      CA Houston, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
      DD Hull
      CL Helena, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
      DD Maury
      CA Pensacola, Torpedo hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
      CL Hobart
      CA Cornwall, Bomb hits 3
      DD Conyngham
      DD Dewey
      CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1
      CL Achilles
      DD Monssen
      DD MacDonough, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      DD Craven
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      16 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
      18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
      17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
       2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
      27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
      27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
       6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
       7 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
       5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
      20 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 105,142
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 7
      D3A1 Val x 18
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied Ships
      DD Griffin
      DD Fortune
      DD Decoy
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tagula Island at 102,142
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid detected at 149 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 42
      D3A1 Val x 45
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D3A1 Val: 3 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      CA Louisville, Bomb hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
      CA Devonshire, Bomb hits 6,  heavy fires
      CA Northampton, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       1 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
       7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied BB
 
 
---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tagula Island at 102,142
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      B5N2 Kate x 6
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
      B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Allied Ships
      CA Louisville, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tagula Island at 101,142
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid detected at 148 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      B5N2 Kate x 27
      D3A1 Val x 27
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
      B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
      D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      DD Patterson, Bomb hits 1
      CL Marblehead, Bomb hits 4,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DD Downes
      DD Meredith
      DD Smith, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Case, Bomb hits 1,  on fire

[herwin]

My cunning plan is to advance two hexes towards the KB with my carriers and bring my surviving SAGs to intercept positions on the trajectory from the KB towards my carriers.

[herwin]

July 2/3 1942

A relatively quiet turn. The KB is south of Rockhampton, while the Wasp is approaching Noumea and the rest of the big carriers are near Cairns.

Terror bombardment of Cebu:

Night Naval bombardment of Cebu at 80,86
 
Japanese Ships
      CA Ashigara
      CA Nachi
      CA Haguro
      CA Myoko
      CL Kashima
      DD Yanagi
      DD Karii
      DD Tsuta
      DD Kuri
      DD Fuyo
      DD Sanae
      DD Kuretake
      DD Shinonome
      DD Fubuki
      DD Shigure
      DD Shiratsuyu
      DD Hagikaze
      DD Arashi
      DD Nowaki
      DD Tokitsukaze
      DD Isokaze
      DD Maikaze
      DD Hayashio
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      54 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Manpower hits 4
Resources hits 1
Light Industry hits 2
Fires 542
Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 19
Port hits 30
Port supply hits 4
 
CA Ashigara firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
CA Nachi firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
CA Haguro firing at Cebu
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Myoko
CA Myoko firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
CL Kashima firing at Cebu
DD Yanagi firing at Cebu
DD Karii firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
DD Tsuta firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
DD Kuri firing at Cebu
DD Fuyo firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
DD Sanae firing at Cebu
DD Kuretake firing at Cebu
DD Shinonome firing at Cebu
DD Fubuki firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
DD Shigure firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
DD Shiratsuyu firing at Cebu
DD Hagikaze firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
DD Arashi firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
DD Nowaki firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
DD Tokitsukaze firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
DD Isokaze firing at Cebu
DD Maikaze firing at 81st PA Infantry Division
DD Hayashio firing at 81st PA Infantry Division

Oopsie:

Ground combat at 85,46 (near Nanyang)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 11871 troops, 104 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 362
 
Defending force 18443 troops, 119 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 446
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 210
 
Allied adjusted defense: 303
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      2126 casualties reported
         Squads: 4 destroyed, 156 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 113 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      292 casualties reported
         Squads: 4 destroyed, 19 disabled
         Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 35 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    35th Division
 
Defending units:
    30th Chinese Corps
    77th Chinese Corps

[herwin]

July 3/4 1942

Three damaged cruisers sink.

The KB shows up four hexes south of Rennell Island. Looks like it's low on ammo.

Rabaul air continues to suppress the empty airstrip at Port Moresby.

My CVTFs hit the Japanese division ashore at Port Moresby. At this rate, it will take six months to wipe it out.

Japan captures Nanning.

[herwin]

July 4/5 1942

Quiet turn. KB steams up the Solomons towards Rabaul, while the Allied CVTFs steam south towards Brisbane. Mines surreptiously laid in the Saint Georges Channel await the KB's arrival.

[herwin]

July 5/6 1942

KB returns to a position where it can hit Port Moresby. Now that I have six large carriers in the area, I can be a bit more aggressive with them.

[herwin]

July 6/7 1942

Another quiet turn.

Taunting the Japanese:

Night Naval bombardment of Boela at 80,110
 
Allied Ships
      BB Resolution
      BB Ramillies
      BB Royal Sovereign
      BB Revenge
      BB Warspite
      CL Capetown
      CL Newcastle
      CL Ceres
      CL Danae
 
Japanese ground losses:
      89 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
 
Oil hits 2
Port hits 13
Port supply hits 3
 
BB Resolution firing at Boela
BB Ramillies firing at 24th Nav Gsn Unit
BB Royal Sovereign firing at Boela
BB Revenge firing at 24th Nav Gsn Unit
BB Warspite firing at Boela
CL Capetown firing at 24th Nav Gsn Unit
CL Newcastle firing at 24th Nav Gsn Unit
CL Ceres firing at 24th Nav Gsn Unit
CL Danae firing at 24th Nav Gsn Unit

[herwin]

July 7/8 1942

Again, quiet. The Fuso is a minesweeper.

TF 1 encounters mine field at 107,126
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Tanikaze
      DD Yukikaze
      DD Hatsukaze
      DD Kagero
      BB Fuso, Mine hits 1
 
6 mines cleared

Port Moresby threatened

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 13064 troops, 118 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 400
 
Defending force 10193 troops, 184 guns, 194 vehicles, Assault Value = 164
 
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 290
 
Allied adjusted defense: 223
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
 
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      428 casualties reported
         Squads: 4 destroyed, 33 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      385 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    9th Division
 
Defending units:
    2/2nd Ind Coy
    2/1st Ind Coy
    2/8th Ind Coy
    2/6th Ind Coy
    30th Australian Brigade
    49th Australian Battalion
    808th Aviation Engineer Battalion
    15th RAN Base Force
    1st Medium Regiment
    307th Base Group
    13th Field Regiment
    2nd Medium Regiment
    21/22 Field Regiment
 
 
---------------------------------------------

 
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)
 
Allied Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 1014 troops, 99 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 147
 
Defending force 12628 troops, 118 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 371
 
Japanese ground losses:
      10 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
 
Assaulting units:
    2/2nd Ind Coy
    2/1st Ind Coy
    30th Australian Brigade
    2/6th Ind Coy
    2/8th Ind Coy
    49th Australian Battalion
    2nd Medium Regiment
    808th Aviation Engineer Battalion
    13th Field Regiment
    15th RAN Base Force
    1st Medium Regiment
    307th Base Group
    21/22 Field Regiment
 
Defending units:
    9th Division

[herwin]

July 8/9 and 9/10 1942

My opponent comments about the additional prisoners to be captured at PM. I've unloaded another regiment, and I've set up supply connections back to Northern Australia that allow me to ship in supply and fly in reinforcements. Once the CVTFs resupply and refuel at Noumea, I'll bring them north to provide air cover, rebuild the damaged airfields at PM, ship in a couple of divisions currently waiting in Townsville, and kick the Japanese out of New Guinea.

Quiet turns.