NOT JUST Submarines in the Pacific: FDRLincoln (Japan) vs. Bakerman (Allies)

[FDRLincoln]

At Dawn, the Second Battle Squadron engages the British battle line and comes off the worst.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Victoria Point at 49,62, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 58, and is sunk
BB Fuso, Shell hits 32, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Tama, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Kiso, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Nenohi
DD Ariake, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 25, heavy fires, heavy damage
TB Kamo, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Revenge
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 15, on fire
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 2
CA Exeter, Shell hits 1
CL Hobart
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 1
CL Newcastle, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Stronghold, Shell hits 2
DD Decoy, Shell hits 2
DD Fortune
DD Griffin



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 5,000 yards
BB Revenge fires at BB Fuso at 5,000 yards
BB Revenge fires at BB Mutsu at 5,000 yards
CA Exeter launches Torpedoes at CL Tama at 5,000 yards
CA Exeter launches Torpedoes at CL Tama at 5,000 yards
BB Revenge fires at DD Shinonome at 5,000 yards
CL Mauritius launches Torpedoes at CL Tama at 5,000 yards
CL Tama sunk by CL Hobart at 5,000 yards
DD Griffin launches Torpedoes at DD Shinonome at 5,000 yards
DD Decoy launches Torpedoes at DD Shinonome at 5,000 yards
DD Stronghold launches Torpedoes at DD Shinonome at 5,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes launches Torpedoes at DD Shinonome at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Royal Sovereign at 3,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Royal Sovereign at 3,000 yards
CL Kiso engages BB Royal Sovereign at 3,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Shinonome at 3,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Stronghold at 3,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Stronghold at 3,000 yards
TB Kamo sunk by BB Royal Sovereign at 3,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Griffin at 3,000 yards
DD Stronghold engages DD Shinonome at 3,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages DD Ariake at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Royal Sovereign at 4,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Revenge at 4,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages CL Kiso at 4,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Shinonome at 4,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Newcastle at 4,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Nenohi at 4,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Griffin at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Royal Sovereign at 8,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Royal Sovereign at 8,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CA Exeter at 8,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Decoy at 8,000 yards
DD Ariake engages CL Newcastle at 8,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Nenohi at 8,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Stronghold at 8,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Royal Sovereign at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Revenge at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Exeter at 11,000 yards
DD Stronghold engages DD Shinonome at 11,000 yards
CL Newcastle sunk by BB Mutsu at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Mauritius at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Royal Sovereign at 10,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages BB Mutsu at 10,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CA Exeter at 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Mauritius at 10,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
DD Stronghold engages DD Ariake at 10,000 yards
Ukita, Hidehiko orders Japanese TF to disengage
BB Royal Sovereign engages BB Fuso at 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Royal Sovereign at 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Exeter at 10,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Ariake at 10,000 yards
CL Hobart engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stronghold at 10,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Royal Sovereign at 10,000 yards
BB Revenge engages BB Mutsu at 10,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages CL Kiso at 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stronghold at 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Mauritius at 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Hobart at 10,000 yards
DD Fortune engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stronghold at 10,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Revenge at 9,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages CL Kiso at 9,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Cornwall at 9,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Mauritius at 9,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Hobart at 9,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Shinonome at 9,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Nenohi at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages BB Mutsu at 11,000 yards
BB Revenge engages BB Mutsu at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Exeter at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Cornwall at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Mauritius at 11,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Shinonome at 11,000 yards
DD Stronghold engages DD Shinonome at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Revenge engages BB Fuso at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Revenge at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Exeter at 10,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Decoy at 10,000 yards
DD Stronghold engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Fortune at 10,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages BB Fuso at 10,000 yards
BB Revenge engages BB Fuso at 10,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Cornwall at 10,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CL Mauritius at 10,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Ariake at 10,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Fortune at 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Royal Sovereign at 10,000 yards
BB Revenge engages CL Kiso at 10,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages DD Shinonome at 10,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages DD Ariake at 10,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
CL Hobart engages BB Fuso at 10,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Ariake at 10,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Stronghold at 10,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Royal Sovereign at 10,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages CL Kiso at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Exeter at 10,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Griffin at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CL Mauritius at 10,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Griffin at 10,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Decoy at 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Stronghold at 10,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[FDRLincoln]

However, the First Battle Squadron under Admiral Hirata strikes back.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Victoria Point at 49,62, Range 4,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise, Shell hits 4
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 3
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
CL Kinu, Shell hits 25, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Shell hits 6, on fire
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 1
CA Exeter, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
CL Hobart
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tjerk Hiddes, Shell hits 1
DD Stronghold, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Decoy, Shell hits 2
DD Fortune
DD Griffin



Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages BB Ise at 4,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Royal Sovereign at 4,000 yards
CA Exeter engages CL Kinu at 4,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CL Kinu at 4,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CL Hobart at 4,000 yards
CA Exeter engages DD Hatsuharu at 4,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages DD Shiratsuyu at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign sunk by BB Ise at 2,000 yards
CA Exeter sunk by BB Yamashiro at 2,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages CL Kinu at 2,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CL Kinu at 2,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CL Hobart at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 2,000 yards
DD Fortune engages DD Shiratsuyu at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
DD Stronghold engages DD Hatsuharu at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CA Cornwall at 4,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CL Hobart at 4,000 yards
CL Hobart engages CL Kinu at 4,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Decoy at 4,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Decoy at 4,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Mauritius at 6,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CA Cornwall at 6,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CL Mauritius at 6,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CL Hobart at 6,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Griffin at 6,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Griffin at 6,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Akebono at 6,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Stronghold at 6,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 6,000 yards
Collinson, A.C. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Revenge at 7,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CA Cornwall at 7,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CL Kinu at 7,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CL Hobart at 7,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Hobart at 7,000 yards
DD Fortune engages DD Hatsuharu at 7,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Decoy at 7,000 yards
DD Stronghold engages DD Shiratsuyu at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Revenge at 9,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Cornwall at 9,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Revenge at 9,000 yards
CL Hobart engages CL Kinu at 9,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Griffin at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Fortune at 9,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Decoy at 9,000 yards
DD Stronghold engages DD Shiratsuyu at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Revenge at 13,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Revenge at 13,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Mauritius at 13,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Hobart at 13,000 yards
CL Yura engages CA Cornwall at 13,000 yards
DD Akebono engages DD Griffin at 13,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Decoy at 13,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Stronghold at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Revenge at 18,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Revenge at 18,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CA Cornwall at 18,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Mauritius at 18,000 yards
DD Fortune engages DD Akebono at 18,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Fortune at 18,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Stronghold at 18,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 18,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Blair at 48,62, Range 6,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
BB Ise, Shell hits 4, on fire
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 5
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
CL Hobart, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
DD Tjerk Hiddes, on fire
DD Stronghold, on fire
DD Decoy, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
DD Fortune
DD Griffin, Shell hits 4, on fire



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Magazine explodes on BB Revenge
BB Revenge sunk by BB Hyuga at 6,000 yards
CL Hobart engages CL Yura at 6,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Griffin at 6,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Griffin at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Hobart at 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Hobart at 7,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CL Hobart at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Griffin at 7,000 yards
DD Decoy sunk by BB Hyuga at 7,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages DD Shiratsuyu at 7,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages DD Shiratsuyu at 7,000 yards
CL Hobart engages BB Ise at 7,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Hobart at 7,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Shiratsuyu at 7,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 7,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Griffin at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Cornwall at 9,000 yards
CL Hobart engages BB Yamashiro at 9,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Griffin at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Griffin at 9,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Stronghold at 9,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages CL Yura at 11,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CL Hobart at 11,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Hobart at 11,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Fortune at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Stronghold at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Cornwall at 14,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Hobart at 14,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Fortune at 14,000 yards
DD Fortune engages DD Shiratsuyu at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CL Yura engages CA Cornwall at 16,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Cornwall at 16,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Hobart at 16,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages CL Yura at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CL Hobart at 18,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Hobart at 18,000 yards
CL Yura engages CA Cornwall at 18,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Stronghold at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Cornwall at 17,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CL Yura at 17,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CL Hobart at 17,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Griffin at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages CL Yura at 16,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Cornwall at 16,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Hobart at 16,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CL Yura at 16,000 yards
DD Fortune engages DD Hatsuharu at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Cornwall at 14,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Hobart at 14,000 yards
CL Hobart engages CL Yura at 14,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages DD Griffin at 14,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Fortune at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Cornwall at 19,000 yards
CL Yura engages CL Mauritius at 19,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CL Mauritius at 19,000 yards
DD Griffin engages DD Hatsuharu at 19,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Griffin at 19,000 yards
Hirata, Noboru orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...

[FDRLincoln]

All told, I lost Fuso, Mutso, Tama, Naka, Kiso, Kinu, Shinonome, Shiratsuyu, Kano in exchange for Revenge, Royal Sovereign, Ramillies, Resolution, Exeter, Newcastle, Mauritus, Decoy, and Fortune (sunk by air attack shortly after the surface battle). Hobart and Cornwall are severely damaged.

Was it worth it? I lost two old battleships and several CLs, but in exchange I broke the back of the British Far East Fleet.

[PaxMondo]

In the short term, you're ok.  Long term of course he gets replacements and you don't.  In any case a GREAT sea battle that you rarely get to see.
 
BANZAI!!!

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: FDRLincoln

All told, I lost Fuso, Mutso, Tama, Naka, Kiso, Kinu, Shinonome, Shiratsuyu, Kano in exchange for Revenge, Royal Sovereign, Ramillies, Resolution, Exeter, Newcastle, Mauritus, Decoy, and Fortune (sunk by air attack shortly after the surface battle). Hobart and Cornwall are severely damaged.

Was it worth it? I lost two old battleships and several CLs, but in exchange I broke the back of the British Far East Fleet.

IMHO) The British BB's withdraw anyway ... but now you get the victory points. VP's that the Allies must double to win this game ... plus the psyops warfare [;)] But as an Allied player throughout 1942 I just kept hitting the 'I' key and looking at the naval reinforcements for March 1944 to remind me why take this punishment [8D]

[FDRLincoln]

Yeah, his ships get replaced and mine don't. But i figure, I might as well use my assets like the old BBs and CLs now, rather than see them perish uselessly under air attacks in 1944.

[FDRLincoln]

It was also neat to see the torpedo cruiser concept work so well.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: FDRLincoln

It was also neat to see the torpedo cruiser concept work so well.

Nice work. Yeah, it could have been bad if they hadn't taken two off the British line. Impressive and I think why not? You won the battle, even though he'll get more later. Maybe this will also mean you win more battles because these ships are not here. Plus it's fun!

[FDRLincoln]

It also helps me in the Burma area....I haven't been able to get many convoys to Rangoon and supply lines in Burma are weak. This knocks the British fleet back on its heels for awhile, gives me a chance to consolidate.

[aztez]

First! Good to see that your opponent did not vanish. We had one hell of an game in old Witp and still hats off to you on that one.

Secondly! Well.. nice going. You dented his carriers but beware off FOW. Trust me.. it is not trustworthy and I never would reveal you what was actually sunk! [:D]

Good job on the British front.. I think you made him much more cautious and as said you bought time which is essential.

[FDRLincoln]

Well, he confirmed to me (and I do trust him) that Lexington and Enterprise sank. Hornet and Yorktown made it to Brisbane. Hornet is damaged, semi-operational but in need of yard time. Yorktown has her floatation damage shored up and isn't going to sink, but is a wreck in terms of SYS and ENG damage, and it will be a long time before she is combat-worthy. He also told me that Saratoga is in the middle of refitting and Wasp hasn't arrived yet.

I haven't heard his comments about the Battle of Victoria Point yet.

[FDRLincoln]

Things continue to heat up with another battle. The Allies have run several bombardment missions against my forces in Timor. Just as I did at Victoria Point a few days ago against the British, I ambushed one of these bombardment forces, in this case a US cruiser squadron led by Boise and Houston which has been annoying me since the start of the war.

The East Indies Cruiser force under Admiral Tanaka strikes!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 66,121, Range 20,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 3
CA Kumano, Shell hits 6
CL Kuma, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 2
DD Oshio
DD Harusame, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 1
DD Uzuki
TB Hato, Shell hits 2
DD Suresushio

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 4
CL Boise, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Alden, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Stewart, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Scout, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Thanet, Shell hits 3, on fire

I believe Boise sank...SIX Seagulls were lost due to 'operations' this turn.

[FDRLincoln]

Although Soryu and Zuikaku have been withdrawn to Japan for repairs, the neutralization of the American carrier force gives KB the freedom to roam against Allied supply lines. Here, aircraft from Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, and Shokaku find and crush two Allied convoys ferrying aircraft to Australia, plus the cruiser squadron that was providing cover for the convoys.

Note that a US Marine squadron of Buffaloes on a training mission tried to intervene in the attack and actually shot down two A6M2s. One dead pilot had 62 experience, 65 air combat rating, the other was 59/63.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lakatoro at 116,152

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
B5N2 Kate x 47
D3A1 Val x 31



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Achilles, Bomb hits 1
CA Portland, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Louisville, Torpedo hits 1
CA Australia
DD Ellet
DD Maury
Canberra reported sunk.


Morning Air attack on TF, near Isle of Pines at 115,162

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N2 Kate x 13



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 18 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Jarvis, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS Elliot
xAK West Camargo, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk


Morning Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 91 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A1 Val x 13



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Zvir, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Aloe, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 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

CAP engaged:
VMF-221 with F2A-3 Buffalo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 18 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes

Training flight from VMF-221 has been caught up in attack
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Zvir

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Isle of Pines at 115,162

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
B5N2 Kate x 61



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 26 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 10 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Gridley
DMS Elliot
xAK Nabesna, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK West Shipper, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Alchiba, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Patterson
xAK Willimoto, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk





Massive explosion on AK Alchiba


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 115,160

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 22
D3A1 Val x 27



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Oakbank, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
xAK Aloe, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

[FDRLincoln]

Two months in preparation, Operation Black Dragon was designed to capture the Chinese cities of Nanyang and Loyang. Both had considerable garrisons, with another large conglomeration of Chinese troops guarding the road between them.

Japanese Order of Battle:
FIRST ARMY: Target: Loyang
35th Infantry Division
37th Infantry Division
41st Infantry Division
110th Infantry Division
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade (pursuit reserve)
11th Tank Regiment (pursuit reserve)
8th Engineer Regiment
5th Ind. Engineer Regiment
27th Electric Engineer Regiment
28th Engineer Regiment
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment
24th NCPC Route Brigade (reserve)
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

First Army struck at Loyang.

[FDRLincoln]

MOBILE FORCE: Target, the Chinese troops on the road between Nanyang and Loyang.
Mobile Force Order of Battle:
80th Infantry Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
1st Recon Regiment
26th Recon Regiment

[FDRLincoln]

TWELFTH ARMY: Target: Nanyang
Order of Battle

21st Division
116th Division
32nd/B Division
12th Tank Regiment
20th Engineer Regiment
12th Army HQ
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
12th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

[FDRLincoln]

Assault began with air strikes against Chinese troops.

Morning Air attack on 92nd Chinese Corps, at 85,45 (Nanyang)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 8

No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Morning Air attack on 80th Chinese Corps, at 87,43 (Loyang)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32 Mary x 20
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 21
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 7



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32 Mary: 1 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Morning Air attack on 9th Chinese Corps, at 87,43 (Loyang)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 12



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Morning Air attack on 90th Chinese Corps, at 85,45 (Nanyang)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 29



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Afternoon Air attack on 80th Chinese Corps, at 87,43 (Loyang)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 14



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[FDRLincoln]

Then the land battles began. First, the Mobile Force of tanks and the crack 80th Infantry Regiment routes the weird mixture of Chinese troops along the road.

Ground combat at 87,44 (near Chengchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8401 troops, 34 guns, 536 vehicles, Assault Value = 442

Defending force 12498 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 64

Japanese adjusted assault: 198

Allied adjusted defense: 93

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
5599 casualties reported
Squads: 75 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 391 destroyed, 127 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units retreated 16


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Recon Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
80th Infantry Regiment
26th Recon Regiment

Defending units:
43rd Chinese Corps
36th Group Army
14th Group Army
24th Group Army
8th New Chinese Corps
39th Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force
10th Chinese Base Force
98th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
1st War Area
Jingcha War Area
3rd Construction Regiment
15th Group Army
7th New Chinese Corps
7th Construction Regiment

[FDRLincoln]

Then the First Army assaults Loyang, taking casualties but seizing the city and its resources intact.

Ground combat at Loyang (87,43)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 62738 troops, 503 guns, 365 vehicles, Assault Value = 2367

Defending force 36902 troops, 197 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1324

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 2432

Allied adjusted defense: 123

Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Loyang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2696 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 194 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 79 disabled
Guns lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units pursuing 1


Allied ground losses:
16164 casualties reported
Squads: 222 destroyed, 202 disabled
Non Combat: 325 destroyed, 64 disabled
Engineers: 56 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 40 (33 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 6


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
8th Engineer Regiment
35th Division
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th Ind. Engineer Regiment
110th Division
41st Division
11th Tank Regiment
27th Electric Engineer Regiment
37th Division
28th Engineer Regiment
24th NCPC Route Brigade
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind. Engineer Regiment

Defending units:
80th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps

[FDRLincoln]

Finally, 15th Army assaults and seizes Nanyang, again taking the city and economic resources intact.

Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30458 troops, 276 guns, 243 vehicles, Assault Value = 1143

Defending force 49771 troops, 281 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1561

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1153

Allied adjusted defense: 350

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Nanyang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
988 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 208 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
20137 casualties reported
Squads: 391 destroyed, 296 disabled
Non Combat: 710 destroyed, 70 disabled
Engineers: 119 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 64 (45 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Units retreated 12


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
116th Division
21st Division
12th Tank Regiment
20th Engineer Regiment
32nd/B Division
12th Army
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
12th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
92nd Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
2nd Group Army
5th War Area
31st Group Army
22nd Group Army
4th Construction Regiment