AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/04/28--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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TF 1028 encounters mine field at Ponape (71,79)
TF 1028 troops unloading over beach at Ponape, 71,79
Allied Ships
AK Coloradan, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK F.J.Luckenbach, Mine hits 1, on fire
Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Coastal Guns at Ponape, 71,79, firing at TF 1028
488 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Lancaster, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Dakotan, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Coloradan, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mercury, Shell hits 2, on fire
Allied ground losses:
422 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
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TF 71 encounters mine field at Bonin (65,52)
Japanese Ships
MSW W3
MSW W1
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 71,79
Japanese Ships
AK Taiyu Maru
Allied Ships
AMC Sage Brush, on fire, heavy damage
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ASW attack near Bonin at 65,52
Japanese Ships
AMC Yamahuzi Maru
AMC Tokyo Maru
AMC Sagara Maru
Allied Ships
SS R-19
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Coastal Guns at Ponape, 71,79, firing at TF 1028
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TF 1028 encounters mine field at Ponape (71,79)
TF 1028 troops unloading over beach at Ponape, 71,79
42 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
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TF 71 encounters mine field at Bonin (65,52)
Japanese Ships
MSW W3
MSW W1
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Sub attack near Bonin at 65,52
Japanese Ships
AMC Kagu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
she sank after her magazine exploded
AMC Kanaiyama Maru
Allied Ships
SS S-43
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Day Air attack on TF, near Bonin at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Vought O2U Corsair x 25
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AMC Saigon Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMC Yamahagi Maru
AMC Hokuroku Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AMC Belgium Maru
AMC Okitu Maru
AMC Ryuzin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMC Yamagiri Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bonin at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Vought O2U Corsair x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AMC Tokyo Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bonin at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Vought O2U Corsair x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
MSW W1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Bonin at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Vought O2U Corsair x 14
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AMC Kinrei Maru, Bomb hits 2
AMC Asakaze Maru
AMC Yamagiri Maru
AMC Yamahagi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
1 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bonin at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Vought O2U Corsair x 4
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AMC Ryuzin Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
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ASW attack near Bonin at 65,52
Japanese Ships
AMC Yamahuzi Maru
AMC Tokyo Maru
AMC Sagara Maru
Allied Ships
SS S-43
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Ground combat at Bonin
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 102201 troops, 629 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2155
Defending force 61308 troops, 354 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1616
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Ground combat at Satawal
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 8199 troops, 66 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 205
Defending force 2485 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23
Allied assault odds: 39 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
1618 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Allied ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
This ends all organized Japanese resistance on Satawal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ponape
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 4996 troops, 10 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 58
Defending force 7003 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8)
Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Allied ground losses:
292 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 2
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/05/28
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TF 1028 encounters mine field at Ponape (71,79)
TF 1028 troops unloading over beach at Ponape, 71,79
Allied Ships
AMC Timber Rush, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Coastal Guns at Ponape, 71,79, firing at TF 1028
127 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Willimoto, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
AK Crown City, Shell hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 71 encounters mine field at Bonin (65,52)
Japanese Ships
MSW W3
MSW W1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 12 encounters mine field at Bonin (65,52)
Japanese Ships
DD No.1
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ASW attack near Bonin at 65,52
Japanese Ships
MSW W3
MSW W1
Allied Ships
SS S-15
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 71,79
Japanese Ships
CL Kiso
CL Jintsu
DD Tsubaki
DD Kaki
DD Tsuga
DD Kiku
DD Tsuta
DD Kaba
Allied Ships
AMC Sage Brush, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 71,79
Japanese Ships
CL Kiso
CL Jintsu
DD Tsubaki
DD Kaki
DD Tsuga
DD Kiku
DD Tsuta, Shell hits 1
DD Kaba
Allied Ships
AK Mercury, on fire, heavy damage
she sank 3 days later
AK Coloradan, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AK Dakotan, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
she sank
AK Floridian, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
she sank the next day
AK Trieste, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lancaster, on fire, heavy damage
she sank
AK Santa Elisa
AK Selma City, on fire, heavy damage
she sank 14 days later
AK F.J.Luckenbach
AMC Admiral Chase, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
AK West Portal
AK Crown City, on fire, heavy damage
she sank the next day
AK Jeff Davis
AK Willimoto, on fire, heavy damage
she sank the next day
AMC Timber Rush, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
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Naval bombardment of Bonin, at 65,52
Japanese Ships
CL Kako
CL Kinu
CA Yakumo
CA Asama
CA Adzuma
CA Kasuga
BB Suwo
BB Mishima
BB Okinoshima
BB Fuji
BB Shikishima
BB Iwami
BB Hizen
BB Mikasa
BB Kashima
CA Ikoma
CA Ibuki
BB Settsu
Allied ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
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ASW attack near Talaud Island at 42,64
Japanese Ships
AMC Malacca Maru
AMC Sanyo Maru
AMC San Francisco Maru
AMC Tatebu Maru
DD Kiri
Allied Ships
SS K-IX
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TF 71 encounters mine field at Bonin (65,52)
Japanese Ships
MSW W3
MSW W1
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Day Air attack on TF, near Tinian at 62,65
Allied aircraft
Martin T4M x 9
de Havilland DH-4 x 20
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Taibu Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire
she sank 9 days later
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Martin T4M bombing at 2000 feet
4 x de Havilland DH-4 bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Martin T4M bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Martin T4M bombing at 2000 feet
4 x de Havilland DH-4 bombing at 1000 feet
4 x de Havilland DH-4 bombing at 1000 feet
4 x de Havilland DH-4 bombing at 1000 feet
4 x de Havilland DH-4 bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 61,49
Japanese Ships
BB Katori, Torpedo hits 1
DD Yukaze
DD Minekaze
DD Hamakaze
Allied Ships
SS R-19, hits 2
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Ground combat at Bonin
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 102325 troops, 627 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2158
Defending force 61287 troops, 350 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1613
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Ground combat at Ponape
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27
Defending force 6976 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8)
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/06/28
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ASW attack near Bonin at 65,52
Japanese Ships
AMC Yamahuzi Maru
AMC Tokyo Maru
AMC Sagara Maru
Allied Ships
SS O-6
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Day Air attack on TF at 36,63
Allied aircraft
Curtiss P-1B Hawk x 20
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Kiri, Shell hits 4
AMC Malacca Maru
AMC Sanyo Maru
AMC San Francisco Maru, Shell hits 4
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
2 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Bonin at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Vought O2U Corsair x 27
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AK Yagi Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AMC Tokyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMC Yamahuzi Maru
AMC Sagara Maru
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
1 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
1 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 71,79
Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi B1M2 x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
Mitsubishi B1M2: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
DD Sproston
DD McKean, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Melvin
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 71,79
Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF4 x 20
Mitsubishi B1M2 x 24
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AMC Puerto Rican, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AMC Georgian, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AMC Steel Scientist, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 36,63
Allied aircraft
Curtiss P-1B Hawk x 20
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AMC Tatebu Maru, Shell hits 4
AMC Malacca Maru, Shell hits 8
DD Shirayuki
AMC Sanyo Maru, Shell hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
2 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk attacking at 100 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Bonin at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Vought O2U Corsair x 35
Allied aircraft losses
Vought O2U Corsair: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AK Yagi Maru, on fire, heavy damage
she sank 3 days later
AMC Yamahuzi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AMC Tokyo Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AMC Sagara Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Nittatsu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
she sank 3 days later
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
1 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 71,79
Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi B1M2 x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
DD McKean, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
she sank
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 71,79
Japanese aircraft
Mitsubishi 1MF4 x 20
Mitsubishi B1M2 x 23
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AMC Georgian, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
she sank the next day
AMC Steel Scientist, on fire, heavy damage
she sank
AMC Puerto Rican, on fire, heavy damage
she sank 5 days later
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi 1MF4 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Mitsubishi B1M2 launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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ASW attack near Ponape at 71,79
Japanese Ships
SS U-125 (O1)
Allied Ships
DD Thornton
DD Melvin
DD Sproston
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Ground combat at Bonin
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 102215 troops, 625 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2156
Defending force 61360 troops, 352 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1617
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Dateline: London, British Foreign Ministry: In a what many have called a "Frank, Diplomatic Exchange", the British Foreign Minister sent the following communiqué to Japan's Foreign Ministry through the auspices of the Swiss Charge-d' affairs: "The British Commonwealth would like to take this opportunity to remind the Japanese Government that the current Japanese Army's Spring Offensive in East China must see to it hat the safety and integrity of Commonwealth property, financial assets, and personnel in the Greater Shanghai area must be respected and protected per International Norms for non-belligerent nations. Any deviation from these expectations could have the most serious and unfortunate results in terms of the relations between Japan and the Commonwealth. Britain has had a long history of trade relations with all nations in the region, and Britain is interested in maintaining this position regardless of the eventual outcome of the current hostilities in the Region.
The British communiqué appears verbatim in Japanese newspapers the following day. The Japanese Foreign Minister responds as follows:
“We would like to thank the British Foreign Ministry for bringing their concerns to our attention, and in the interest of harmonious relations we would like to share them, as well as our concerns with the world regarding the current situation in East China:
“On January 24, 1928, Japanese forces safeguarding commerce along the Yangtze River were attacked by Chinese forces. These forces included regular army units from the Republic of China, as well as United States soldiers from the 15th Infantry Regiment. This violated an unofficial ceasefire which had been observed by both sides which had brought peace to the area for over a year and a half. The Kwangtung Army fought valiantly, but was forced to cede about 180 miles to the invaders before halting the advance at an important rail junction.
“The Kwangtung Army has, and will continue to react as any disciplined military service when attacked. The aggressors and terrorists will be neutralized. Astute observers will note that our response will be very similar to the historic responses of the British Army when attacked in foreign lands such as Ireland and India. As most of our General Staff was educated in Great Britain, it is only natural that we will be using the British Army’s precedent as the standard norm for dealing with this crisis. So no nation should take issue with our actions, unless they have issues with those of the British Army.
“Regarding Shanghai – Japan continues to respect its neutrality, even though we seem to be the only combatant in this war which is doing so. Shanghai continues to be used as a base of offensive operations against Japan. American submarines are being repaired, replenished, and rearmed with both torpedoes and mines in Shanghai’s shipyards. Thousands of Japanese sailors have drowned as a result of these activities. To deny this is happening is absurd – no effort is being made to conceal this before the international community and in fact pictures of American submarines in Shanghai have appeared in newspapers in Italy and several South American countries. Furthermore, Japanese pearl divers have recovered artifacts from two American submarines which foundered while seeking refuge in this “International City” – the S-14 which sank just outside the harbor entrance, and the O-2 which is in the harbor itself. Japan will generously finance any effort by a non-combatant nation to salvage these sunken vessels.
“The British have nothing to fear from Japan, providing they stay in the Shanghai area, hex 52 39, as mandated by the League of Nations. Their comrades in Hong Kong and Siam can attest to this truth. Since their armed forces are in Shanghai, we expect them to follow the only honorable course of action and enforce mandate the League of Nations has entrusted to them, and rid Shanghai of those who illegally exploit its neutral status”.
Newspapers around the world print this the following day.
3/5/1928 Naval Battle off Ponape:
