Carriers and Coconuts - game FIVE

[a1981stingray]

Game FIVE, that's right folks, game FIVE -


Scenario 19, has started with Ralf as IJN and myself as USN.


Typical settings: variable reinforcements and 200% ship commitments. No house rules, just realistic military commands and no gamey tactics...


Opening moves for the month of May are the usual IJN taking Lunga, Buna, Gili-Gili.... you know the rest, Tulagi, Dobadura, Russell Islands, and all those little naval garrisons that pop up on the map...


Keep your radio dial tuned in on 98.1 for further updates as they become available.

[a1981stingray]

It is Tuesday, and the first week of May, 1942.


You feel the warm sunshine tanning your skin, the sound of ocean waves gently lapping along the beach, and the soft feel of white beach sand between your toes, as you relax in a hammock on this once uninhabited island.


White puffy clouds float overhead, the gentle breezes sway the palm trees, and a few coconuts drop to the ground nearby. Peace and quiet. A very tranquil place this beach is and maybe one day I will return to build a resort, a destination for tourists.


I can see it. Large cabana like buildings, with multiple rooms and huge windows to let the breeze, the salty smells of the ocean, and the sounds of tranquility fill the room...


My dreams are interrupted by a disturbing noise that sounds familiar, but I can't really identify it. It sounds like a very faint whump! or thump! a muffled kind of sound. It was like when a coconut landed on the ground, but with a more pronounced thump or whump when it hit the sand. There it is again, the sound, a whump! Whump! a few seconds pass and again.Thump! Thump! Thump!...


I OPEN my eyes !!! and JUMP !!! out of my hammock !!! and land face down on the white sandy beach with my arms covering my head in a almost natural reaction to the sounds I hear.... the several months of training that was drilled into me to take cover when I hear those sounds....


I realize the high pitched shrieking sounds that passed overhead, and that previous noise I heard before..... INCOMING!!! very large shells being fired from massive guns on the IJN Battleships and Cruisers several miles off the coast. I hear the deafening sounds of explosive impacts and the concussions shake the very ground beneath me. It feels like the island is going to go up in a big kaboom. Many mores impacts and more sounds of shells being fired, completely devastate this once tranquil island.


I look up and see an entire fleet of IJN Troop Transports approaching the island. IT will not be long before all those troops land and take up fortified positions all over this island.


I must get up and make for the highest point on the island where the radio tower is located and get a broadcast out to the Allied commander about the sightings of enemy troops and ships.

[AbeSimpson]

Good luck to both of you!! [8D][:)]

[borner]

good luck to you both. 

[RGIJN]

thanks for your good wishes guys!


The war is already running in the right direction.... After the initial landings as usual we sent out 5th Carrier division down south of GG.

Caught some Allied ships there, which were sailing south from PM in order to evac troops. On the bottom with them!




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/14/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on TF at 10,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
D3A Val x 24
B5N Kate x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 6 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Bomb hits 14, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 186


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N Kate x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Farragut
CA Chicago, Torpedo hits 1


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Farragut, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 17
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,51

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 7 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 26
Guns lost 3


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

[RGIJN]

all four ships dead... DD FARRAGUT was given the coup de grace by one of our subs. And CA CHICAGO capsized on the piers of Townsville.

[AbeSimpson]

No news?[&:]

[RGIJN]

still quite silent, amidst the early build-up.

Not much to report yet... But stay tuned! [;)]

[RGIJN]

July 1942

With the fleet finally together in full strength, I put together some attack TFs which raided Luganville. Caught the enemy pants down with some juicy transports sitting at the piers...




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/11/42

Weather: Clear

Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 69
D3A Val x 71
B5N Kate x 20
E13A1 Jake x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Neville, Bomb hits 1
AP Barnett, Bomb hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
AP McCawley, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP William Ward Burrows
PG Tui
AP Pierce, Bomb hits 5, on fire
AP Fuller, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP George F. Elliot, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
SC 639, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP William P. Biddle, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SC 637, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
PG Moa
AP Barnett, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 8 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Heywood, Torpedo hits 2
AP President Hayes, Torpedo hits 2





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
D3A Val x 64
B5N Kate x 17
E13A1 Jake x 6

no losses

Allied Ships
AP George F. Elliot, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP William Ward Burrows, Bomb hits 5, on fire
SC 640, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Pierce, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Neville, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP William P. Biddle, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
PG Moa, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC 638




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

[RGIJN]

many APs sunk that day...

[a1981stingray]

What the enemy Commander's pilots failed to report, was the base appears abandoned... no planes on the runway or in the hangers, no supplies or troops to be seen or unloading from those transports, which of course were empty.

Although he also failed to report that some eggs were found when executing a bombardment of the base. I mean he found them the hard way by magnetic collision and a loud KABOOM! that follows with sound of a general quarters siren...

This doesn't mean that the IJN Commander should believe anything he reads in these intelligence reports.

[RGIJN]

Early September 1942 by now, and still no trace of the enemy...

Except of some long-range bombers and Catalinas on their search mission not even any air combat so far. There is only one solution: David is brewing over a very bold plan.

Until this operation is being launched, a very quiet build-up is the task of mine. A few brief but full-scale fleet moves down south netted almost zero crop.

[a1981stingray]

December 1942
Situational Report
Allied Fleet – Task Force Compositions – Deployments.
Allied SWPAC Air Wings –
Allied SOPAC Air Wings -
Allied Troop Advancements -


The Allied Fleet remains elusive to the IJN.
Radio chatter is all silent, except reports from Allied search aircraft.
Several raids from Rabaul against Noumea port placed a couple of fish into Wasp and Lexington. Nothing serious except a couple of months of dry dock.
The IJN continues to sally forth into the southern waters of the South Pacific looking for targets. A few times they caught the Allied Submariners laying eggs in friendly ports. Other times they caught a small transport task force delivering supplies. Another was an instance of Fast Transports moving between forward and rear areas. There were a few causalities but there is plenty of other ships.


The Allied Fleet is bulging with all types of ships. The HQ’s ports are over loaded and a intense desire to free up dock sides is becoming a top priority.
Task Forces are being mustered for a very large undertaking of such magnitude it will be the envy of a D-Day invasion with landings on multiple IJA islands. So far task forces have been staying close to land based fighter cover while moving during clear weather and then making a push to locations while under heavy clouds and during thunderstorms. Captains of Invasion Task Forces are having a tough time trying to calculate the number of ships to move supplies and division strength combat units.


The Allied Carriers remain on station for action if the IJN decides to try for an invasion of OZ or New Hebrides Islands. Several Battleships have finally arrived from Pearl Harbor along with many CLAA cruisers. These vital ships have been placed within task forces for assisting in amphibious landings and to shell the hell out of the enemy fortifications.


The Avenger Torpedo Bomber has finally arrived and started replacing the old Devastator models. The new Wildcats have also arrived in Noumea. These squadrons have taken residence in vital forward bases. Most pilots have average experience, while others have a few hours in the cockpit of trainers. The first squadrons of Corsairs will arrive in a few days.


The Allied long range bombers have begun to drop their loads on the tiny little IJN unit that landed overnight on Gavigama [north of Luganville]. This will greatly help moral and experience of the pilots.


The Air HQs have moved every long range bomber to airfields within range of forward Papua New Guinea IJA bases. The squadrons are now being escorted by P-38 Lightnings. Several IJN barges have been spotted moving supplies into Port Moresby and Gili-Gili. The long range fighter bomber stationed in Cairns has been racking up kills every day.


Allied Troops have been steadily moved into northern friendly bases to make a short distance hop to begin hostile negotiations for owning prime real estate. The only long distance hop is from Cairns to Port Moresby. This will need every available long range fighter to cover the ships. In addition, every ASW units will need to keep a Mark I eyeball out for enemy subs that lurk in the Coral Sea.



The action is about to begin, and it’s going to get bloody. So keep your radio tuned into 98.1, and keep those spare batteries nearby. Your field radio is your only source of news, propaganda, and false intelligence reports. I know it gets very lonely on that tiny island you occupy. Your valuable service to your country will not go un-rewarded.

[RGIJN]

End of December 1942

It looks as the Allies are launching a major operation in the Northern Hebrides. They recently blew up Gavigamana into a decent base, now the reach for Nevea. While landing there, many USN DDs got hit from their own Mk10 mines..

In the meantime, countless subs are roaming the Seas around GG - obviously laying mines in the vicinity.


Last turn, one of my subs got a surprising glimpse thru the periscope... and scored two hits into the belly of this man-of-war.

As the enemy stated: stay tuned for more!

[a1981stingray]

Allied Operations Situational Reports

January 22, 1943

Imperial Japanese Navy appears 240 nautical miles north and west of Nevea.
Several Fleet Carriers, Light Carriers, and the flotilla of Escort ships of BB, CA, CL, DD, and BFDs move into range and hope to launch surprise strikes on Allied Bases and other assets.


With every Veteran IJN Pilot in the air and looking for a fat and juicy Allied Aircraft Carrier, they come up short and only find a few tin cans floating in the water with red/white/blue colors and words of Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi on the sides of their hulls. They also reported possible drunken beach bums throwing more tin cans into the surf… laughing and pointing their fingers (the middle one) at the IJN planes flying overhead in circles…


Due to their incompetence on finding Allied Combat ships, they lose all honor and take their frustration out on the few squadrons of Wildcats and dauntless dive bombers on routine CAP and naval search.


Allied radio interceptors decipher IJN radio broadcasts from their ships captains and flight leaders reporting the very sad news. Several Captains reported “rolling the dice” and getting “craps” while other captains were shouting “No Saki for you!” “mutherfuaker!”


From some undecipherable intercepts, the Allied Command believes that the IJN Captains who devised such a bold and costly maneuver for the IJN probably had to do something to regain their honor and restore their family name and titles.


During the night every IJN Surface Combat BFD decided to move in very close to Allied Bases and LBA range and use their “big guns” on the Allied SC ships also known as “Soda Cans” that were floating around near the islands of Gavigamana. They also did practice “live fire exercises” against the Allied Base Commands too…. None of this had any effect on the Allied Base.



Other Allied news and propaganda:
Allied Sub Mine laying operations were undertaken to such an extreme that 30+ subs were operational for several months planting eggs in every IJN port.

More aircraft and combat ships have arrived and all previously damaged ships have been repaired and out of dry dock. All Allied Fleets are preparing for Operation MF-1 and UPOARSE-2.


Stay tuned to 98.1 for more news and propaganda.

[RGIJN]

Obviously the enemy got too much of the rotten beer from the foul supply deliveries into the SoPac area. We guess no one ever told these guys so far that the "Europe first" strategy was not just a vapid slogan...

The only thing running smoothly for the Allies is their propaganda. While their fleet is sitting idle and remains quite reluctant, the Imperial forces had plenty time to boost their power. All vital spots are heavily fortified, and about 45,000 mines are waiting for some impact with "SodaCans" or bigger vessels...

While they are happy to intercept some bogus radio reports, we´re quite aware of the true situation. Unfortunately, we have to admit this embarrassing accident with those ships wearing these "Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi" slogan painted on the sides of their hulls... some of our pilots can´t read english (some even not japanese.......[:(]) and so they mistook these vessels as the enemy HQ ships. But no worries, we sunk those DD transports anyway.

The hard facts about the recent operation off Nevea: 184 enemy aircraft destroyed (for 50 of our own, mainly from the so called "green corps" - sons of famous IJA Generals, thus novice flyers), plus four APDs and five patrol craft. The enemy will miss these small "mine-catchers" later on badly...

In the weeks before, we indeed faced a bold submarine-conducted mine offensive. However, our experienced commanders sent out dozens of DDs and hundreds of aircraft to hunt them down. About ten USN subs were lost during this recent operation alone. Some of the submarines even "found" our own minefields the hard way while trying to release some eggs....


We´re eager to see how the announced major Allied plans "MF-1" and "UPOARSE-2" will unfold. And we´re well prepared...!!!





AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/20/43

Weather: Clear

Air attack on TF at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 11
A6M2 Zero x 161
A6M3 Zero x 50

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 77
SBD Dauntless x 97
TBF Avenger x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 10 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 80 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 12 damaged
TBF Avenger x 6 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

WO E.Hori of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
A6M2 Zero x 153
A6M3 Zero x 47

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
A6M2 Zero x 159
A6M3 Zero x 51

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed

PO2 R.Matsuba of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M3 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 46
B5N Kate x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed

1LT I.Black of VMF-223 is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
APD Dent, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
APD Waters, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3 Zero x 7
G3M Nell x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 5 damaged
Ki-21 Sally x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
APD McKean, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Manley, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
APD Colhoun, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 61


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 34

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 26

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 15
P-38G Lightning x 10
B-25D Mitchell x 14
B-25J Mitchell x 6
B-17E Fortress x 54
B-24D Liberator x 12


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 68

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 38


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 13
A6M2 Zero x 143
A6M3 Zero x 41

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 8

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 5 destroyed

WO O.Matsunaga of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 13
A6M2 Zero x 143
A6M3 Zero x 41

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 6 damaged

LTJG R.Nakajima of F2/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 12
A6M2 Zero x 149
A6M3 Zero x 46

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 16
TBF Avenger x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

PO2 E.Nagashima of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
A6M3 Zero x 11
D3A Val x 43
B5N Kate x 25

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

MAJ J. Dobbin of VMF-224 is credited with kill number 2

MAJ P. Fontana of VMF-112 is KILLED

Allied Ships
APD Waters, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


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

[RGIJN]

really an unequal "duel"...

[RGIJN]

an alternative way to find minefields...

[RGIJN]

the enemy is still looking (in vain) for a safe passage of his patrol vessels into Irau... However, the way he is doing so seems quite interesting.
Irau´s garrison already asked via radio for some kinda "plowship" to clear the entrance of its small harbour, since many of our barges loaden with Sake drums and rice bags get into trouble while trying to navigate thru all this wrecks of rusting PTs and SCs.

In the meantime, our ASW forces are busy with USN submarines. They recently sunk SS ARGONAUT and PICKEREL, bringing the score to 19 destroyed plus two probables.


Enemy activity is increasing generally, however our intelligence staff isn´t convinced where the enemy is going to launch next move. But maybe they´re just too far away from battlezone in Tokyo....

[RGIJN]

As the Allied forces sent a single transport TF to land some troops at Irau, and the whole move covered by his main fleet, IJNGHQ decided to interfere instantly.

Kido Butai and most major surface units sailed SSW of Irau and managed to intercept the USN carriers. While their strikes were almost completely annihilated (only one hit at a CVE of mine), KB sent out some deadly attack waves. Several enemy flattops were mortally wounded, and a few others made ripe for the wharfes of Pearl. A/C losses were 575 allied for 305 of ours... all in all a very good result. Fortunately, we kept back all our top-notch torpedo crews and some of the elite divebomber teams. However, many esteemed fighter and bomber men failed to return...
On top of this, the invasion fleet succumbed to the countless mines off Irau anchorage. Only three units (one APD plus two AKs) managed to weigh anchor and tried to flee, brightly burning and with their engines making barely one or two knots per hour... Of course also these ships fell to my subs and bombers.
The few men that made it ashore were instantly wiped out. A few survivors told our troops about the grim situation amongst the allied forces. There seems to be alot dissension in their upper ranks, and their top-level commanders are said to be bawling at each other quite often...

In the meantime, we retreated in preparation of the next operation that is coming soon...


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/04/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 4


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 11
A6M2 Zero x 126
A6M3 Zero x 39
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 37 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 6 damaged
TBF Avenger x 44 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 4 damaged

PO2 F.Abe of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 96
A6M3 Zero x 35
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35
SBD Dauntless x 90
TBF Avenger x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 79 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 31 damaged
TBF Avenger x 30 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 7 damaged

PO2 E.Hagiri of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 58
A6M3 Zero x 17
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 3 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 23 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 14 damaged
TBF Avenger x 17 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

PO2 E.Hagiri of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 9

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Hiyo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 10
A6M2 Zero x 122
A6M3 Zero x 59
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 22

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 4 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

PO1 M.Nikaido of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48
A6M3 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 103
B5N Kate x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 120
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 52 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 8 destroyed
D3A Val x 42 destroyed
D3A Val x 61 damaged
B5N Kate x 12 destroyed
B5N Kate x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair x 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 29 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 13 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 2 damaged

WO E.Hori of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 7

WO E.Hori of BII-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 9
CLAA San Diego, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 10, on fire
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N Kate x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
F4U-1 Corsair x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 9 destroyed
B5N Kate x 8 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed

FO B.Farley of VMF-124 is credited with kill number 6

LT M. Kobayashi of DI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, on fire
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Yorktown, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
F4U-1 Corsair x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 6 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 10 destroyed
B5N Kate x 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed

FO B.Farley of VMF-124 is credited with kill number 7

LCDR T. Coleman of VF-6 is KILLED

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, on fire
CV Lexington, on fire
CV Saratoga, on fire
CV Yorktown, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
A6M3 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 22
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Menkar, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
APD Brooks, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 16
D3A Val x 19
B5N Kate x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 8 destroyed
D3A Val x 9 destroyed
D3A Val x 12 damaged
B5N Kate x 8 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 5 destroyed

FO J.Sanders of VMF-214 is credited with kill number 5

Allied Ships
CVE Chenango
CVE Sangamon
CV Essex
CVE Suwannee, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 92
A6M3 Zero x 33
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed

PO2 K.Hanamoto of AII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 89
A6M3 Zero x 33
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
SBD Dauntless x 15
TBF Avenger x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged

WO N.Shiga of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 59
A6M3 Zero x 27
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 11
TBF Avenger x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

PO2 E.Hagiri of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 10

LCDR A. Vorse of VF-3 bails out and is CAPTURED


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 43
A6M3 Zero x 17
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 66
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 33 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 13 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 11 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 4 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 2 damaged

CPO K.Kumagaya of EIII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 8

LCDR V.Sagara of DI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Hornet, on fire
CV Lexington, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 6
D3A Val x 11

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed

2LT A. Jensen of VMF-214 is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, on fire
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,44

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed


FO M.Jeffries of VMF-214 is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
CVE Chenango


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