An Aussie Affair: Re-Match!

[Luskan]

It is official: I am now nervous.

Almost three weeks into the game and not really any action at all. I've got to admit I have no idea where Raver's CVs are - he has emptied Noumea's Port (so I can't bomb it) and although Brisbane is packed, I can't be sure they're not in a TF somewhere.

However I have had my feelers out during another 3 turns of continued thunderstorms (I'd guess 9 turns of thunderstorms out of 20 or so turns) and my scouts have turned up zip. They went a long way, expecting for Raver to shoot at them, but they weren't even detected. If Raver's CVs were around, they would have reacted, or at least been spotted, but as his spotter planes didn't find my ships (almost as far south as Rockhampton) I didn't find Raver's.

If the game were little more realistic (ships sent to pearl should have to go from Noumea to the left side of the map before considered "out of theatre") I'd have put some subs out to find him.

Raver's subs are menacing my supply lines - every now and then I spot one or two south of Truk - he's waiting for my bigger units to come south from the infinite fuel dump there (or he is waiting for a few damaged units to limp home?). My transports are going to have to wait until those subs have to go home for fuel (another two or three turns at most) before they pass through the area. Can't decide if they're between Truk and Lunga, Truk and Shortlands, Truk and Rabaul or all three.

My defence troops are almost completely in place (just a few half units I need to ship after their other parts around the place). The great offensive will begin thereafter. If Raver's sent his CVs back to pearl well, he won't be able to stop me <evil laughter>!

[ADavidB]

Hmmm -

Maybe he's sent everyone up the right side of the map to that little island due East of Truk, and is waiting for you to move before he goes in to grab Truk.

Could make for an interesting strategy - what happens if you lose Truk?

Dave Baranyi

( Who is playing the same game against the AI, and has avoided serious action for a couple of months now. This is "build up" beyond reason... )

[Raverdave]

There is NOTHING worse than playing the Japanese and not being able to find anything....how can you plan an attack if you don't know where and at what strength the enemy is?:)

[Raverdave]

Thunderstorms again! How the hell am I supposed to spot an incoming raid/invasion when I can't see shite !:mad:

[Luskan]

Tricky Raver has launch a CV raid at Lunga - and has really caught me napping. Unsure of the number of CVs, and also unsure of whether or not it is a prelude to invasion, but Raver had a good turn, smashing a tanker at Lunga, a PC in port, and one of his subs hit one of my stranded minelayers (unstranded that captain I bet!).

I'm way out of position and hoping that this is just a nuisance raid and that Raver will go home now - I expected an early move to PM and there are plenty of troops/supplies/mines/fighter/bombers (basically my whole arsenal) is there with reinforced base forces to take him on. But he didn't show.

Having just returned vital fleet elements to a safe port (with fuel) and enough size to repair some sys damage quickly, my fleet(s) have refuelled and have been given orders to rush back to the area. However Raver is likely to have polished Lunga off with another raid, maybe bombarded (even landed troops??) and be back in Noumea smoking cigars before my boys get to lunga.

Definitely a USN victory that turn.

At least the weather is clearing up.

[Raverdave]

Well even though I was flapping me gums about the constant bad weather, I was secretly pleased. There is nothing better than hiding a CV TF in a storm front. It took Luskan by surprise!
A pity that I didn't catch more ship there, but as a training mission for my CV pilots it went very well. Chalk-up first blood to Raver-the-wonderful!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/19/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 42,40

Japanese Ships
ML Niizaki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-44


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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

no losses

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 22, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Tsurumi, Bomb hits 2, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 17
TBF Avenger x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AO Tsurumi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 22, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 108

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 7 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 33 damaged

CPO T.Morita of FF1/Yokohama Chutai is credited with kill number 2

LCDR R. Dixon of VS-2 bails out and is CAPTURED

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 24, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 157
Guns lost 1

Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,40


CPO T.Morita of FF1/Yokohama Chutai is credited with kill number 3
Allied Ships
SS S-44


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

[Grotius]

Fun reading!

I recall reading that Mogami says he doesn't fly much in bad weather. What are the downsides -- higher operational losses? More fatigue if you do fly?

[Luskan]

Raver really did catch me with my pants down last turn - he even launched a port raid at Lunga - where unbeknownst to him, all my CVs were sitting with 0 CAP. Thankfully, his 33 dauntlesses missed the CVs, and didn't report the 12 or so CV, CS ships etc.

So this turn they gave chase, and Raver's CVs (on their way to Noumea) reacted back towards me - just as well or I'd never have caught them. As it was, it was a massive, long range aerial battle (the long range meaning that the dauntlesses could just make it, but the wildcats couldn't).

An IJN victory, a very costly one, since it cost me 148 aircraft shot down air to air, and 70 destroyed by flak (108 vals and 80 Kates), so my naval air units are smashed, while my zeros shot down 57 enemy planes (about all that found my cvs, lots of raver's planes got lost) and 69 of Raver's planes were operational losses, having to ditch into the ocean.

My zeros are fine, so I can still protect my CVs, but replacing the experienced naval air crews on those CVs will probably take the rest of the game. Fortunately, although nothing has sunk, I think I won't have to worry about 3 of Raver's CVs until then.

The big question is: does he leave Lex with the cripples? Or does he run like hell and leave them to their fate? (Pretty sure that they are going to sink next turn anyway. I still have 250 CV aircraft and 60 float planes to finish them off).


Enough from me: Here is combat report.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/20/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on TF at 41,52

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 9
A6M2 Zero x 125
A6M3 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 5 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged

WO N.Minegishi of EIII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
D3A Val x 113
B5N Kate x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 22
F4F-4 Wildcat x 50

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 46 destroyed
D3A Val x 39 damaged
B5N Kate x 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged

LTJG L.Stewart of VF-3 is credited with kill number 6

LT M. Kobayashi of BII-2 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
D3A Val x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 20
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 11 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 damaged

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

LTJG W. Eder of VF-3 is credited with kill number 7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,55

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 2
A6M2 Zero x 6
D3A Val x 26
B5N Kate x 72
E7K2 Alf x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 5 damaged
B5N Kate x 56 destroyed
B5N Kate x 22 damaged
E7K2 Alf x 2 destroyed
E7K2 Alf x 2 damaged

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

LTJG L.Stewart of VF-3 is credited with kill number 7

LT H. Abe of BI-3 Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA San Francisco
CA Australia
CA Pensacola


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,55

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 3 damaged


LTJG L. Mankin of VF-6 is credited with kill number 5

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CV Yorktown, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
B5N Kate x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

ENS W. Presley of VF-6 is credited with kill number 5

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, on fire, heavy damage
CV Lexington


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,55

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
A6M2 Zero x 5
B5N Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude x 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged

LTJG L. Mankin of VF-6 is credited with kill number 9


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

[Raverdave]

Well that was one hell of an air battle....the range was just too great for anything but the Dauntlesses. The most depressing thing was sitting in CIC listing to the failed strike returning home,
"This is Six Baker one, out of gas, and ditching"

"Charlie 4? Charlie 4? do you have a fix on the group?"
"Charlie 6 this is Charlie 4 negative, and we're sucking vapours"

"Six Baker four did you see Six Baker one get down ok?"
"Uh Baker five, ah, this is Six Baker uh four, no..I'm kinda busy, we've just lost our engine................going in"
"Baker five ah roger........good luck fellers"


I have a major problem now.....I need to run for CAP over in Luganville but that means breaking up the TF, and thus lossing the Flack protection, but the good news is that Luskan is now in bomber range.........just so long as they launch!
I have had a surprising number of a/c divert to land bases....these are all good experianced pilots.

Luskan on the other hand has had some good hits on my CVs but his attack squarons have been gutted. As the IJN player you simply cannot afford to lose so many well trained pilots( Luskan lost 219!!!). This is a war of attrition, and sofar I am ahead in the count

[CapAndGown]

Luskan,

Your CAP percentage must have been 80%. I think you over did it. You might have really creamed him if you had a CAP of 50%. If you do go after him, better lower that cap down to 40% to make sure you can get through and finish him off!

[denisonh]

What a blood bath!

What a lovely little Aussie lullaby.....

[Raverdave]

Yes I am rather pleased....pssst....... wana hear sumfink? I had no idea that his CVs were that close to me. Sure I had my CV set for "react" as I was indeed baiting him.....if I can wreck his CVs early then his offensive abilities are very much hampered, but in this case it was his attack Squadrons that suffered....just as good as sinking a jap CV

[Luskan]

All the finesse of a bar brawl so far.

Raver kept the Lex close to provide cover with the LRCAP for the Enterprise (York and Hornet are not on the map, so they may have sunk, although I doubt it, or just so bad that they won't make it home anyway). He shot down another 100 planes, and now I'm really up the creek without a paddle. My naval bomber force no longer exists. On the upside, my fighters shot down another 60 planes, and are now extremely high experience. Having sunk or forced all four carriers to go back to pearl, I'd bet I'm only up against two of his CVs before the end of the year (and a possible auto victory). If my zero squadrons are intact, they'll escort transports in safely.

I have until then to train the green ijn replacements.

My betties launched from Lunga and dished out some damage, and I was surprised they flew. more surprised Raver didn't have a cap at Noumea, but oh well. Lots of ships down there in Noumea, but I don't have any bombers that can hurt them.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/21/42

Weather: Clear

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 27

no losses

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,57

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
A6M2 Zero x 100
A6M3 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude x 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 14 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 10 damaged

PO1 D.Komachi of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4

LCDR R. Johnson of VB-8 bails out and is RESCUED


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 50,57

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 4
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 18
B5N Kate x 59
F1M2 Pete x 26

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 20
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
P-400 Airacobra x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude x 2 destroyed
A5M4 Claude x 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero x 19 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 6 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged
B5N Kate x 17 destroyed
B5N Kate x 11 damaged
F1M2 Pete x 24 destroyed
F1M2 Pete x 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 2 destroyed

LT W. Eder of VF-3 is credited with kill number 11

LTJG J. Topliff of VF-8 bails out WOUNDED and is RESCUED

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Quincy
CV Enterprise, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 50,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 3
E8N Dave x 5
E7K2 Alf x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
E8N Dave x 3 destroyed
E8N Dave x 2 damaged
E7K2 Alf x 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 1 damaged

LTJG H. Packard of VF-6 is credited with kill number 6

LT W. Eder of VF-3 is KILLED

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 52,67

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 7

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Fomalhaut
AK Bellatrix


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 52,67

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Manley


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 52,67

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DM Gamble, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 52,67

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 7 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
CA Chester


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 52,67

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AP McCawley, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Crescent City, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Koumac at 47,63

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 7

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

Allied Ships
AP Zeilin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Hunter Liggett


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 52,67

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AO Kanawha
AO Kaskaskia, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AO Platte, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AO Cimarron, Torpedo hits 1
AO Sabine, Torpedo hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Wala at 46,62

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 3

no losses

Allied Ships
AV Ballard


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 50,57

Japanese aircraft
E8N Dave x 3
F1M2 Pete x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
P-400 Airacobra x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
E8N Dave x 3 destroyed
F1M2 Pete x 3 destroyed


ENS R. May of VF-3 is credited with kill number 4

LCDR P.Nomura of Chiyoda-2 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Bomb hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 50,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M3 Zero x 3
B5N Kate x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
P-400 Airacobra x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 14 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 1 damaged

LT L. Mankin of VF-6 is credited with kill number 10

LTJG L.Stewart of VF-3 is KILLED


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

Some of Raver's fighters are getting very, very good. Fortunately, they are all short-range fighters. Without CVs he won't be trying for Lunga, so there isn't anywhere on the map he can take me.

Cap and Gown: 80% is much, much safer for the first round of CV combat. This battle doesn't really count since Raver never managed to launch all his A/C due to range, but against other opponents 80% means the enemy usually doesn't get to drop ANY bombs at all - while all I want is to put the enemy flight decks out of commission in the first phase, so that in the afternoon, my bombers are almost unopposed.

[Veer]

Originally posted by cap_and_gown
Luskan,

Your CAP percentage must have been 80%. I think you over did it. You might have really creamed him if you had a CAP of 50%. If you do go after him, better lower that cap down to 40% to make sure you can get through and finish him off!

I think that was the case too.
Keep it up, this is good reading.

[Raverdave]

Well I had a choice last move, should I rush Lex out of harms way or should she stay with her sister ships and fight? I chose to fight! But the cost might have been a bit high, as the Lady Lex copped a torp for her trouble! I now have 4 CVs that are damaged and will require anything from 3 months to 20 months to repair.

On the good side, my intel reports 113 jap aircraft shot down for the loss of 41 allied aircraft. This brings the total IJN aircraft loses to 332 over a two day period, where as the allies have lost a total of 167 over the same two days. Yes the IJN CVs are untouched and yes the USN CV are all showing battle wounds, but in both the short and long term loosing 332 aircraft is going to hurt.

My bombers didn't sortie, which comes as little surprise, but I have shuttled in some more fighters to fly as escort so we shall see what happens next turn.

The training of my LRB bomber crew goes well, with very high altitude runs over Gilli Gilli (35,000) for no loss. This type of training fast tracks the crews' exp, while keeping their moral high at the same time, making for some of the best bomber crews in the USAAF....even better than those 8th airfarce pukes !

[Raverdave]

Originally posted by Luskan


Some of Raver's fighters are getting very, very good. Fortunately, they are all short-range fighters. Without CVs he won't be trying for Lunga, so there isn't anywhere on the map he can take me.

I don't need to take anything yet.....time is on my side. We are still only in July'42.:p

[Luskan]

Ok, my CVs have backed off, I had a guess at a mid ocean intercept but I didn't manage. I've had to pull my cvs back in order to get some replacement planes and pilots (shudder). I'm going to have to start bombing crappy little allied bases for all I'm worth.

I did put three torpedoes into the North Carolina though

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/22/42

Weather: Clear

Air attack on TF at 46,54


Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 8
B-26B Marauder x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
DD Isonami
CA Kumano
DD Shirakumo

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 52,67

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 8 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 17 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 1
CA Chester, Torpedo hits 1
CL Honolulu, Torpedo hits 1
DD Alwin
CA Portland, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 52,67

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 17 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Alwin
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Northampton
DD Mustin

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

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

[ADavidB]

Raver -

Did you deliberately have your CVs on "react" as they were returning to Noumea? If so, that was a gutsy move.

Dave Baranyi

[Luskan]

SMACK!!!!!
I missed Lexington (almost at Noumea) and Enterprise (no idea where she is) but I got the other two the old fashioned way.

Raver's reported bomb hits here did no damage at all.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/24/42

Weather: Clear

Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate Port Vila at 55,57

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CA Atago, Shell hits 2
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu
CL Nagara
CL Yura

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Laffey, Shell hits 65, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate Port Vila at 55,57

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CA Atago
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu
CL Nagara
CL Yura

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, and is sunk
CV Hornet, Shell hits 40, and is sunk


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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24

no losses

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 35000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 46,51


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Isonami, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 48,56


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 11
B-25D Mitchell x 22
B-26B Marauder x 36


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CL Tenryu
DD Maikaze
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
CL Tatsuta
BB Hiei
CA Furutaka
BB Haruna

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

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

[Raverdave]

Originally posted by ADavidB
Raver -

Did you deliberately have your CVs on "react" as they were returning to Noumea? If so, that was a gutsy move.

Dave Baranyi

Yeah I had them set to "react" I am not sure that I would try that again, as I have had my balls handed to me on a plate many-a-time in past PBEMs this early in the year (July '42). But this time it just "felt" right....my aircrews were well rested and flush from the raid on lunga. I had a feeling that he might try and come south, and that if he did, with his long reach of his aircraft then the only possible thing to da was to have them on "react".