Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

Certainly no disclaimer required!

It could have been a reinforcement convoy, but I have no evidence of that beyond what I mentioned. On the contrary side, I've had search covering Ndeni since Anatom and Tanna opened for business as search bases. Not exactly close range, but I only ever got a hit of '1' ship there. Very possible there were more or that search entirely missed a TF in foul weather, but no search data points to a reinforcement. Dunno.

If I go and wind up pulling back with only the invasion of Luganville landing that's OK too, as long as I don't get a division sunk in the process.

[BBfanboy]

Princep01 - I somehow missed your question about my react settings for subs - it is always 1. They rarely react outside their patrol zone - they don't seem able to detect anything beyond their 40 NM hex so they need something else to detect for them in an adjoining hex, and the target would have to be fairly static. If it is moving it will leave the hex by the time the sub gets there. The sub just returns to the original patrol zone. But like I said, if the target warrants I will cancel the patrol zone and chase when the sub is faster.

[witpqs]

1942 November 12

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


A tough day for the Allied navies, as Trenchard's Torpedoes inexplicably stayed at the northern most extent of their patrol, even though it was only a few hexes from their starting location. They were still there in daylight when a large KB began making practice bombing attacks, and all ships were gone by day's end. An Zak was lost to a sub near Karachi, but ASW forces also claim the sub. lastly, a small PC and xAKL were in the very, very wrong place at the wrong time. Cox's Bazar last night.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Cox's Bazar at 54,43, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise
CA Ashigara
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CL Jintsu
CL Tatsuta
DD Yugumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Makigumo
DD Kagero
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
PC Sonavati, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
xAKL Jalatarang, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 17% moonlight: 2,000 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...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
PC Sonavati sunk by BB Ise at 2,000 yards
BB Yamato engages xAKL Jalatarang at 2,000 yards
xAKL Jalatarang sunk by BB Ise at 2,000 yards
xAKL Jalatarang sunk by BB Ise at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 8 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Yamato
BB Mutsu
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
CL Tatsuta
CL Jintsu

Allied ground losses:
178 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (3 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 49
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Ise
BB Ise firing at Cox's Bazar
BB Yamashiro firing at Cox's Bazar
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Yamato
BB Yamato firing at 70th British Division
BB Mutsu firing at 70th British Division
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Mikuma
CA Mikuma firing at 103rd RN Base Force
103rd RN Base Force firing at CA Mikuma
CA Mogami firing at 103rd RN Base Force
103rd RN Base Force firing at CA Mogami
CA Ashigara firing at Cox's Bazar
CL Tatsuta firing at 70th British Division
CL Jintsu firing at 70th British Division

They managed to do substantial damage to the base and wreck the nerves of all non-combat forces.

The AMC Asaka Maru saw its career in the Indian Ocean ended. On the ground, the Japanese continue relentless pressure in China. Meanwhile, in Akyab the Allies are the ones breaking things.

Ground combat at 74,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2628 troops, 0 guns, 494 vehicles, Assault Value = 275

Defending force 4780 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 62

Japanese adjusted assault: 154

Allied adjusted defense: 118

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
115 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps


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Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 465 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 484

Defending force 48622 troops, 385 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1287

Assaulting units:
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
22nd/A Division
114th Infantry Regiment
104th/C Division
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
30th Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
1st Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment
57th AT Gun Regiment
3rd War Area
21st Group Army
56th AT Gun Regiment


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

Ground combat at Akyab (54,45)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31887 troops, 556 guns, 1033 vehicles, Assault Value = 1030

Defending force 19513 troops, 188 guns, 63 vehicles, Assault Value = 366

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 1311

Japanese adjusted defense: 459

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2083 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 81 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
494 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

Assaulting units:
27th Infantry Division
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
75th IAC Regiment
2/10th Armoured Regiment
7th Armoured Brigade
754th Tank Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
146th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
21st/A Division
21st/C Division
78th Infantry Regiment
3rd Naval Construction Battalion

The IJN subs are back in force around Noumea. The large KB could certainly dash in and strike, but a large number of fighters await such a strike. I suppose they'll hang out on the defensive, until one of our subs makes things too uncomfortable for that. Here is a look at today's ship losses.

[witpqs]

And a bonus pic:

[BBfanboy]

Ouch! Losing those CLs must be painful. Great raiding ships when they do what they are told!

That problem with lack of movement could be refuelling ops on the DDs in the force. Another thing I have noticed is that if you use waypoints the TF seems to take some time at each waypoint before moving on. Not sure if it waits until the beginning of the next phase [night/day] to leave the waypoint and move onwards. I don't know what the rationale for the pause at waypoints would be.

[witpqs]

Walter commented that near the beginning of the replay there was some intercept action but no firing, and maybe they just ran out of ops points? I should have put them on full speed, or maybe one of my little electron subordinates screwed up. Yeah, that's it. I'm certain of it. It was the game engine! [:D]

Anyway it looks like DAW HQ has divined an invasion of Efate and is in ready position for it. Ha ha! No such invasion ready. [:D]

[witpqs]

1942 November 13

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Isle of Pines

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The usual in China, with push here by the Empire and a hold there by the Allies.

Ground combat at 74,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2592 troops, 0 guns, 494 vehicles, Assault Value = 275

Defending force 4613 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 41

Japanese adjusted assault: 254

Allied adjusted defense: 70

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps


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

Ground combat at 82,34 (near Lanchow)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9859 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 264

Defending force 21429 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 522

Japanese adjusted assault: 116

Allied adjusted defense: 255

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1100 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 107 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
462 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
53rd Infantry Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
9th Prov Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
22nd Group Army

That was a river crossing that gave our boys a good ratio of exchange. There are Imperial units bearing down on Yenan, now both 46mi away from two adjoining bearings. While the Sian area has the strength to hold against frontal assault the flanks are being turned, first at Lanchow and now at Yenan.

Over in Burma The Empire is bombing Cox's Bazar to keep it suppressed, while our boys are very close to taking Akyab.

Ground combat at Akyab (54,45)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31449 troops, 556 guns, 1033 vehicles, Assault Value = 977

Defending force 17918 troops, 186 guns, 61 vehicles, Assault Value = 246

Allied adjusted assault: 1849

Japanese adjusted defense: 533

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
732 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 16 (6 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (5 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
338 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
27th Infantry Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
75th IAC Regiment
7th Armoured Brigade
2/10th Armoured Regiment
Americal Infantry Division
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
754th Tank Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
XV Indian Corps
2/9th Field Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
146th Infantry Regiment
21st/A Division
Imperial Guards Division
21st/C Division
78th Infantry Regiment
3rd Naval Construction Battalion

I am on guard - and have been for some time - against an invasion of either Cox's Bazar or Chittagong as our forces advance further into Burma.

3rd NZ Div and 14th NZ Bde should both arrive at Koumac in two days, then the assault will commence.

Over in the Pacific APD Calhoun roughed up a sub that tried to stop her from delivering supplies to Nanumea. Then there was this:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Penrhyn Island at 167,155

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N1 Kate x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Mindanao, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK Elsa, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

An sKB (as it seems to be) has penetrated in spite of both continuous and overlapping search coverage. Frankly I thought DAW would have started ordering this sort of raid quite a while ago. No convoys went through this area until our search coverage was pushed out. Obviously that is not enough.

Luckily the raid happened now and not when she was alone transiting that area. Saratoga is 120nm SE Pago Pago and could have been caught in about 3 or 4 days! South Dakota is moving too slow and would/will transit the area later.

Another thing about the spot he chose. Christmas Island is being used to reload oilers. At the moment there are 160,000 tons of fuel there, for example, and several TFs of hungry tankers in various stages of the journey back to there.

This is what I first wrote, and the orders I gave, in response. "Short's Long Guns along with the CVEs are responding just in case we get a shot at the intruders. It will take several days to rally the BBs and 4 x CVE just north of Savii, and the 5th CVE is now approaching Palmyra. Of course, we must be wary of a trap with KB supporting the smaller carriers." I have thought better of it and canceled that op. Instead, the convoys are forming and the troops will begin loading next turn for the Ndeni & Luganville invasions. Those 4 x CVE will be available with 4 x USMC 18-plane fighter groups each. In addition the 3 larger CVE will each carry 6 x flights (split groups) of USMC dive bombers. The large carriers will squeeze in whatever sized 5th groups they can.

It looks like the KB is located roughly east or northeast of Guadalcanal.

Here is a look at the raiders' position.

[witpqs]

1942 November 14

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Akyab

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The pounding in China continues. Even still, resistance is fierce even when hopeless.

Ground combat at 74,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2592 troops, 0 guns, 494 vehicles, Assault Value = 276

Defending force 4325 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Japanese adjusted assault: 187

Allied adjusted defense: 61

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 9 (3 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
23rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps

Akyab is ours!

Ground combat at Akyab (54,45)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31231 troops, 556 guns, 1033 vehicles, Assault Value = 940

Defending force 16493 troops, 180 guns, 56 vehicles, Assault Value = 185

Allied adjusted assault: 2179

Japanese adjusted defense: 143

Allied assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Akyab !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
7085 casualties reported
Squads: 150 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 266 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 110 (103 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (25 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 6

Allied ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 31 (3 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
75th IAC Regiment
754th Tank Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
2/10th Armoured Regiment
27th Infantry Division
3rd Cavalry Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
XV Indian Corps
2/9th Field Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
21st/A Division
Imperial Guards Division
21st/C Division
146th Infantry Regiment
78th Infantry Regiment
3rd Naval Construction Battalion

The sKB has moved a bit deeper into our SLOC chasing the remaining tanker.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Manihiki at 164,161

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N1 Kate x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Gulfdawn, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
AM Conflict

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

More convoys are rerouting to maintain or increase margins of safety. Indirect indications still put a large carrier force around the lower Solomons. SigInt has caught wind of an AF support unit moving to Ndeni. If fate is with us we can preempt their usefulness.

[witpqs]

1942 November 15

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Again no retreat at 3 to 1!

Ground combat at 74,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2598 troops, 0 guns, 491 vehicles, Assault Value = 269

Defending force 4293 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Japanese adjusted assault: 221

Allied adjusted defense: 67

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), fatigue(-)
Attacker:

Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps

That sKB has begun making its way back to more certain waters. Now 10 hexes bearing ESE Canton Island, last seen heading NW. More interesting is the veil lifting from over some other IJN forces. The battle fleet is heading to a position 80nm S Anatom in case of opportunity for a strike. The invasion convoys are fully loaded and moving to a point a bit west of Fiji, where they will meet Short's Long Guns and CVE-1, the 4 x CVE with 4 x USMC fighter groups and 3 x 1/3 USMC dive bomber groups.

Pic below: A KB and a surface force 2 hexes NE Tulagi. Surface combat ships at Tulagi and just below Munda. And battleships in the Coral Sea bearing down on the New Hebrides. Is there an operation on, from which the raid was intended to distract us?

[witpqs]

1942 November 16

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Ouv'ea
Koumac

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Oops...

TF 181 encounters mine field at Akyab (54,45)

Allied Ships
AMc Patna

15 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 181 encounters mine field at Akyab (54,45)

Allied Ships
AMc Patna, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

16 mines cleared

And again no retreat!

Ground combat at 74,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2610 troops, 0 guns, 491 vehicles, Assault Value = 267

Defending force 4166 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Japanese adjusted assault: 225

Allied adjusted defense: 67

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps

Verified some heavy units' location.

Sub attack near Auki at 115,135

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Chikuma
CS Nisshin
DD Akigumo
DD Samidare
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

SS Sargo launches 4 torpedoes at BB Kongo
Sargo diving deep ....
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayashio fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

It turns out that the Empire must have been in the process of evacuating Koumac when we so rudely interrupted them.

Ground combat at Koumac (113,156)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5367 troops, 54 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 258

Defending force 300 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Allied adjusted assault: 368

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 368 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Koumac !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
342 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
194th Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
14th NZ Brigade
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
83rd Nav Gd /1

The Battle Fleet and invasion convoys are moving out. The timing would be better if that sKB had moved one day longer into our shipping lanes. As noted, the op might be called off, delayed, or modified as the situation dictates. At least we got a good look at certain assets courtesy of our subs and aerial search.

[princep01]

A suggestion from the peanut gallery:  With KB and almost all the rest of the Combined Fleet poised a little NW of Ndeni, ready to smack anything that approaches, it might be better to redirect your effort and try to engage the little KB to the east while the whereabouts of Big Brother KB is known.  I'd think you might also want to orient at least some of your invasion capability to other "fronts" so that you can strike at multi locations at will when Big Brother's location is known.
 
A strike at Wake (N Pac), Marcus (Cen Pac), Tarawa (Cen Pac), the other islands near Kwajelein or even Kwajelein (Cen Pac), or Parashiro Jima (N Pac) would all likely bear fruit, avoid KB and perhaps froce him to reposition Big Brother to react to your bidding.  This might make the grab for Ndeni something less than suicide. 
 
Right now, I do believe that an invasion of anything north of Efate will bring the LYBs swarming south in search of a decisive CV battle.  That is something you snooked him out of at Noumea (adroitly, I might add), but at this stage of the game it is very unlikely to be a fair fight for you.  Give it another 6 months and I'd welcome it, but right now....major danger.
 
If however, you successfully engage the little KB in isolation, then the shoe is on the other foot.  It would likely turn out very badly for the LYBs should you achieve that.
 
Against the powerful foe, strike where he is weakest and disappear into the vast stretches of the Pacific, only to remerge and strike again where he remains weak.  Make Admiral Wa swing his mighty club at empty space and sting his heel,  When he smashes the earth at his feet sting his elbow.  Be ye cunning as the fox and as sleathy as the leopard.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

A suggestion from the peanut gallery:  With KB and almost all the rest of the Combined Fleet poised a little NW of Ndeni, ready to smack anything that approaches, it might be better to redirect your effort and try to engage the little KB to the east while the whereabouts of Big Brother KB is known.  I'd think you might also want to orient at least some of your invasion capability to other "fronts" so that you can strike at multi locations at will when Big Brother's location is known.

A strike at Wake (N Pac), Marcus (Cen Pac), Tarawa (Cen Pac), the other islands near Kwajelein or even Kwajelein (Cen Pac), or Parashiro Jima (N Pac) would all likely bear fruit, avoid KB and perhaps froce him to reposition Big Brother to react to your bidding.  This might make the grab for Ndeni something less than suicide. 

Right now, I do believe that an invasion of anything north of Efate will bring the LYBs swarming south in search of a decisive CV battle.  That is something you snooked him out of at Noumea (adroitly, I might add), but at this stage of the game it is very unlikely to be a fair fight for you.  Give it another 6 months and I'd welcome it, but right now....major danger.

If however, you successfully engage the little KB in isolation, then the shoe is on the other foot.  It would likely turn out very badly for the LYBs should you achieve that.

Against the powerful foe, strike where he is weakest and disappear into the vast stretches of the Pacific, only to remerge and strike again where he remains weak.  Make Admiral Wa swing his mighty club at empty space and sting his heel,  When he smashes the earth at his feet sting his elbow.  Be ye cunning as the fox and as sleathy as the leopard.

Basically you've taken the words right out of my mouth. If the small carriers had either continued in or had they gone north I might have gotten in the landing with a pretty much 1 on 1 battle. Given his reaction at Noumea, I think that Wa would have declined that battle. As it is, we will not know that for certain. I'm in the middle of the turn now (turnus interruptus - I started then had to tend to some other things). That sKB is now neatly tucked into the Ellice Islands, 40nm from all three of them (see the game map). Allied fleet is where indicated in the last turn's post - BUT - only the mine sweepers have been spotted! Of course that might be enough to trigger alarm but it might not. The Battle Fleet plus the CVEs and the old BBs will head NE while the convoys and mine sweepers retire SE to await developments.

[JocMeister]

For what its worth I agree completely. Better to move elsewhere where the KB is not! [:)]

[witpqs]

1942 November 17

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Another tanker brought down near Karachi. OK, I'll have to call off the tankers and escort them, reducing efficiency but at this point there is so much fuel surplus that doesn't matter. The sharks below Noumea claimed an empty xAK, the first non-combat ship they have hit in that area. Up at Belep Islands the AVP servicing the search planes there was sunk. Another is en route.

Some action in China. First, the stubborn 64th still refuses to retreat in the face of 3 to 1 odds. Second, the boys held nicely near Lanchow. And last, something strange happened.

Ground combat at 74,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2640 troops, 0 guns, 490 vehicles, Assault Value = 271

Defending force 3986 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Japanese adjusted assault: 207

Allied adjusted defense: 64

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps


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

Ground combat at 82,34 (near Lanchow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24515 troops, 200 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 665

Defending force 20399 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 436

Japanese adjusted assault: 169

Allied adjusted defense: 173

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
655 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 86 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
368 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
19th Division
53rd Infantry Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
9th Prov Chinese Corps
82nd Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
22nd Group Army


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

Ground combat at 76,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30255 troops, 248 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 1014

Defending force 19706 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 547

Japanese adjusted assault: 36

Allied adjusted defense: 1045

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 29

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

Japanese ground losses:
950 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
374 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
5th Recon Regiment
3rd/C Division
6th Tank Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
3rd/A Division
9th Division
36th/B Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
120th Red Chinese Division
21st Chinese Cavalry Division
115th Red Chinese Division
32nd Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps

Back in the South Pacific, a close look shows that two of our subs near Ndeni each show DL of 10/10. There was also a sub encounter one hex east of Rekata Bay, but escorts kept the sub from seeing the principals. My assessment is that the sub encounter was with the retiring BBs. The sub DLs indicate that the large carriers (KB) have moved to be near Ndeni and are planning to rendezvous with the sKB to the east of Ndeni. The elements of the Battle Fleet are heading for (and near) GR 131,150, which is more ENE of their present position than it is NE (as I previously intended). The intention is to stay out of range of KB while possibly being within range of sKB. TF Southern Cover (2 x Australian CA and 1 x Australian DD) will move at high speed from north of Horn Island to sKB's present position and then move west before turning south in an attempt to overtake the small carriers and/or disrupt their movement. the main Battle Fleet will also have 4 x SCTF deployed, two built around CAs, one around fast BBs, and one around slow BBs.

BTW, the subs around New Caledonia are taking a beating from the 3 x squadrons of New Zealand AF radar equipped search planes (Hudson III) with pilots trained in both search and ASW.

Many convoys beginning to move again with the departure of that sKB from the shipping lanes.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

For what its worth I agree completely. Better to move elsewhere where the KB is not! [:)]

That's sort of what I'm doing - we'll see! [:D]

[princep01]

I am assuming that your CVs and other elements of the main battle fleet are showing no signs of detection?  They seemed to have passed fairly close to Efate....does he have search AC there?
 
And way to go on those ASW AC out of Noumea.  Pour it on those sharks and smash their stinking Glens into the waves too:).
 
Large tanker convoys with large British escorting elements is a capital idea.
 
Exciting point in the game.  Talloy-ho the LYBs!!

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

I am assuming that your CVs and other elements of the main battle fleet are showing no signs of detection?  They seemed to have passed fairly close to Efate....does he have search AC there?

And way to go on those ASW AC out of Noumea.  Pour it on those sharks and smash their stinking Glens into the waves too:).

Large tanker convoys with large British escorting elements is a capital idea.

Exciting point in the game.  Talloy-ho the LYBs!!

I know that he did have search A/C out of Efate before, but that was the whole cat and mouse game involving bombarding the base and sending cruisers up that way to catch the AV at sea. You recall that Trenchard's Torpedoes got the short end of that deal. Currently it seems there are no search A/C there and maybe not even at Ndeni. They might be at Ndeni - I have no recon on Ndeni yet - and maybe weather hid our ships. Only the the mine sweeper TF has any detection level. Might be enough of a clue, might not... BTW, forecast for the area is clear.

[witpqs]

1942 November 18

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Another tanker goes down near Karachi, and in several battles hits are scored on subs. It will take a while until those tankers already in the pipeline transition to convoys. Several subs are attacked and hit near Noumea too, and CAP shot down a Glen one hex east.

In China, it's "defend to the last man!"

Ground combat at 74,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2646 troops, 0 guns, 490 vehicles, Assault Value = 398

Defending force 3900 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Japanese adjusted assault: 224

Allied adjusted defense: 61

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
30th Infantry Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps

Stuart is hurting some, but the cruisers are OK. Victorious Southern Cover is ordered back to Suva for repairs, but is still in hex with the enemy.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Funafuti at 139,146, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Shell hits 1
CL Natori, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Yubari, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Fumizuki
DD Kiku, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 1
CA Canberra, Shell hits 15
DD Stuart, Shell hits 3

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 17,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Natori at 17,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Natori at 17,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Nagara at 17,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Fumizuki at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CL Natori engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Natori at 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Nagara at 11,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Yubari at 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Natori at 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Nagara at 8,000 yards
DD Kiku engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Fumizuki at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Canberra at 6,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Fumizuki at 6,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Kiku at 6,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Fumizuki at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Canberra at 4,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Natori at 4,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Stuart at 4,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Kiku at 4,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Stuart at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Yubari at 5,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Natori at 5,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Canberra at 5,000 yards
DD Kiku sunk by CA Canberra at 5,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Stuart at 5,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Yubari at 5,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Yubari at 5,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Fumizuki at 5,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Stuart at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Canberra at 8,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Australia at 8,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Stuart at 8,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Stuart at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Nagara at 11,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Natori at 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Nagara at 11,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Stuart at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Canberra at 14,000 yards
CL Natori engages CA Canberra at 14,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Stuart at 14,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Fumizuki at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Yubari at 15,000 yards
CL Natori engages CA Australia at 15,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Australia at 15,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Stuart at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Nagara at 17,000 yards
CL Natori engages CA Australia at 17,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Australia at 17,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Stuart at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CL Yubari engages CA Canberra at 18,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Natori at 18,000 yards
CL Yubari engages DD Stuart at 18,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Fumizuki at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Yubari at 26,000 yards
Task forces break off...

The amazing thing here is that even though the IJN carriers were not engaged, there were no air attacks. As can be seen below, the Battle Fleet is entirely unspotted, and will proceed NE tomorrow.

[princep01]

Hummmm, did your naval search from the Aussie CRs in Southern Cover confirm the presence of the little KB in the Ellice Is area?  It is a bit strange that those CAs would not draw the attention of the CVLs.  Are we perhaps looking at a small SCTF covering a relatively small invasion TF?  Still worth the price of admission to sink the lot, but a shame if we don't see a carrier battle that favors the Allies for a change.
 
Looks like KB is well to the west given the detection levels shown on your subs near Ndeni.
 
Good hunting, Admiral.

[witpqs]

Your fears of 'no carrier battle' were unfounded. [8D]

---

1942 November 19

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


No retreat!

Ground combat at 74,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2652 troops, 0 guns, 489 vehicles, Assault Value = 398

Defending force 3826 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Japanese adjusted assault: 264

Allied adjusted defense: 70

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
30th Infantry Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps

The first carrier battle of Nanumea saw Wasp torpedoed once and three small IJN carriers either sunk outright or destroyed, all while KB looked on from more than 500nm away.

The battle began in the night, with Southern Cover having a go at Nagara.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Funafuti at 139,146, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
DD Stuart

Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 85% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Matsuki R. crosses the 'T'
CL Nagara engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Nagara at 10,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Australia at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Australia at 8,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Stuart at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Canberra at 7,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Australia at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Canberra at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Then a submarine encounter revealed USN surface combat forces far in advance of their carriers... hunting prey?

ASW attack near Vaitupu at 139,142

Japanese Ships
SS RO-64

Allied Ships
DD Mugford
DD Perkins

SS RO-64 is sighted by escort
RO-64 diving deep ....
DD Perkins fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Perkins fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Perkins fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Perkins fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Perkins fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Heavy search would provide the answer.

SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-71 has spotted CL Nagara at 140,138
CL Nagara is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-71 has spotted CL Nagara at 140,138
CL Nagara is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-2 has spotted CS Chiyoda at 137,138
CS Chiyoda is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-2 has spotted a Ryujo class CVL at 137,138
a Ryujo class CVL is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-5 has spotted a Zuiho class CVL at 137,138
a Zuiho class CVL is reported HIT
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-5 has spotted CA Kako at 137,138
SBD-3 Dauntless from VS-5 has spotted a Japanese CVL at 137,138

Yes, all three surface combat TFs in the hunt.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Arorae at 139,139, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Shell hits 6

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Chester
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA Minneapolis
DD Helm
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Craven
DD Gridley

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Minneapolis at 20,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Pensacola at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Minneapolis at 13,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Helm at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Pensacola engages CL Nagara at 10,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Pensacola at 10,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Helm at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Pensacola engages CL Nagara at 7,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Craven at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Minneapolis at 11,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Helm at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CL Nagara at 14,000 yards
CA Pensacola engages CL Nagara at 14,000 yards
CA Northampton engages CL Nagara at 14,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Craven at 14,000 yards
Matsuki R. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Northampton at 16,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Helm at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CL Nagara at 19,000 yards
CA Chester engages CL Nagara at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CL Nagara at 20,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Northampton at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Pensacola at 22,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Northampton at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
CA Pensacola engages CL Nagara at 23,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CL Nagara at 27,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Pensacola at 27,000 yards
CA Chester engages CL Nagara at 27,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Arorae at 140,138, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Shell hits 27, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CA San Francisco
DD Sims
DD Mugford
DD Perkins

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 26,000 yards
CA Portland fires at CL Nagara at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Portland at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CL Nagara at 18,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Mugford at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CL Nagara at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CL Nagara at 13,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Perkins at 13,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Sims at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CL Nagara at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA San Francisco at 8,000 yards
CA Portland engages CL Nagara at 8,000 yards
DD Sims engages CL Nagara at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Perkins at 10,000 yards
DD Mugford engages CL Nagara at 10,000 yards
DD Sims engages CL Nagara at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Portland at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CL Nagara at 11,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Perkins at 11,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Sims at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA San Francisco at 9,000 yards
DD Sims engages CL Nagara at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CL Nagara at 11,000 yards
CA Portland engages CL Nagara at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA San Francisco at 9,000 yards
CA Portland engages CL Nagara at 9,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Perkins at 9,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Sims at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA San Francisco at 13,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Perkins at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CL Nagara at 16,000 yards
CL Nagara engages DD Mugford at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA San Francisco at 23,000 yards
CL Nagara engages CA Portland at 23,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Arorae at 139,139, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Natori, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
DD Fumizuki, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Washington
DD McCalla
DD Bancroft
DD Caldwell
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Mustin

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 23,000 yards
BB Washington fires at CL Natori at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CL Natori engages BB Washington at 20,000 yards
CL Natori engages BB North Carolina at 20,000 yards
CL Natori engages DD Anderson at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CL Natori engages BB Washington at 18,000 yards
CL Natori engages DD Hammann at 18,000 yards
CL Natori engages DD Anderson at 18,000 yards
CL Natori engages DD Caldwell at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
BB Washington engages CL Natori at 15,000 yards
CL Natori engages BB North Carolina at 15,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Mustin at 15,000 yards
DD Hammann engages DD Fumizuki at 15,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Fumizuki at 15,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Bancroft at 15,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD McCalla at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CL Yubari sunk by BB Washington at 11,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Mustin at 11,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Hammann at 11,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Anderson at 11,000 yards
DD Bancroft engages DD Fumizuki at 11,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD McCalla at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Natori engages BB Washington at 10,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Fumizuki at 10,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD McCalla at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Natori sunk by BB North Carolina at 7,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Mustin at 7,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Anderson at 7,000 yards
DD Caldwell engages DD Fumizuki at 7,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD Bancroft at 7,000 yards
DD Fumizuki engages DD McCalla at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages DD Fumizuki at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages DD Fumizuki at 6,000 yards
DD McCalla engages DD Fumizuki at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
Massive explosion on DD Fumizuki
DD Fumizuki sunk by BB Washington at 8,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

The pilots of the IJN drew first blood from the air, but that was also their last.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Arorae at 137,138

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 13
F4F-3 Wildcat x 38
SBD-3 Dauntless x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 2 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nanumea at 135,141

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
B5N1 Kate x 28

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 8 destroyed, 14 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 1
CV Hornet
CV Lexington

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Arorae at 137,138

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 120
SBD-3 Dauntless x 131
TBF-1 Avenger x 60

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hagikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yamagumo
CL Yura
CL Abukuma
CA Kako, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
CS Chiyoda, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Nenohi
CA Furutaka
DD Nowaki

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 76 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 83 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Shoho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo
Fuel storage explosion on CVL Zuiho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Zuiho
Ammo storage explosion on CVL Zuiho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hagikaze
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Kako


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Arorae at 137,138

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Arorae at 137,138

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CA Kako, heavy fires
CVL Ryujo, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Arorae at 140,138

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco

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

It was over before noon time, except for an unsuccessful raid by an intrepid Nell flight leader.

Wasp stands at 3-27(24)-1-0 and can make 21 knots. That means she is at least as fast as the CVEs operating in concert with the fleet carriers, so the entire Battle Fleet will retire in unison. Southern Cover will retire to Sydney for yard work. A turret plus the radar is out on Canberra, Stuart needs time in dry dock, and Australia will be fully repaired while they are tended to. Tomorrow's ordered position for the Battle Fleet is 1 hex west of Funafuti.