Cherry Poppin' Torpedoes, Scenario 1 - Turn 1200

[guytipton41]

Mar 19 - Mar 25, 1942

Clark Field falls on 3/24. Casualties are 3576 vs. 7837, so the defenders got some handmaidens for their trip to hell.

KB: Operating in the IO in support of Java, Sumatra and West Australia operations.

On 3/19 the mKB harvests xAK Modjekerto and xAK Somelsdijk near Busselton

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations. UK CVs are staying well away from the KB.

AIR WAR: On 3/25 the allied air forces make a major strike vs. ships at Cooktown. Was it really worth 4 a/c destroyed plus stragglers plus ops losses for one bomb on target? There are two more strikes with 5 more a/c lost for no hits.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 92,140

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 4
B-26 Marauder x 30
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-40B Warhawk x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 5
F4F-3A Wildcat x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 2 destroyed by flak
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 1
CA Furutaka

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 3/20 SS Searaven shells a xAKL near Tokara Retto.

On 3/21 IJN SS I-6 get a mild beating near SF.

On 3/24 IJN SS RO-64 hit a mine at Townsville, dare we hope?

On 3/25 IJN SS I-122 bags a xAK off Columbo. SS Grayling evens the score with a xAK off Port Moresby.

MALAYA:

BURMA:

DEI: Lahat falls for the 3rd time on 3/20, 22nd Australian Brigade is pretty much wiped out. Padang falls on 3/25,

PHILIPPINES: Bacolod falls 3/21.

SOPAC and SWPAC:

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 1942

Pretty quiet. Moping up operations in Sumatra and methodical destruction on Java. The Allies are wasting air assets trying to see if air attacks can weaken the Japanese toehold in NE Australia.

KB: Operating in the IO in support of Java, Sumatra and West Australia operations.

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations. UK CVs are staying well away from the KB.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: Here's one that makes you scratch your head.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 27, 42
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Diego Garcia at 22,73, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho
CA Takao
CA Atago
DD Urakaze
DD Asagumo
DD Usugumo
DD Shikinami

Allied Ships
xAK Jalapalaka

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

SUB WAR:

On 3/26 SS Shark finds mine field off Banjoewangi. IJN SS I-15 bags a DM in an ASW TF near Sale.

On 3/28 IJN SS I-155 gets a xAKL near Columbo. SS S-38 uses it's Mk10s to good effect on a tanker near Makassar.

On 3/29 IJN SS I-155 gets a mild working over for it's xAKL on the previous day. SS I-174 kills an ASW TF AM off Nadi.

On 3/31 IJN SS I-2 puts a torpedo into a xAK near SF.

BURMA:

DEI: Malang falls on 3/30 after a protracted siege. Benkoelen falls for the 3rd time on 3/30 as well.

PHILIPPINES: San Jose falls on 3/29.

SOPAC and SWPAC: Ndeni and Vanikoro are invaded on 3/27.

AUSTRALIA: Forces at Darwin are low on supply so they are moving back toward the rail supply line at Alice.

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Apr 2 - Apr 8, 1942

ZOMG! It's sink allied carrier week at K-Mart.

KB: Operating in the IO in support of Java, Sumatra and West Australia operations.

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations. UK CVs are staying well away from the KB. On 4/2 I have another heart attack.
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Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 177,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-25

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
DD Balch
DD Maury
DD Aylwin
DD Monaghan

SS I-25 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Lexington

Whew, dodged a bullet... and then...
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 03, 42
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Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 179,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 1
DD Aylwin
DD Monaghan

SS I-26 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Lexington

ZOMG! and then...
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Sub attack near Ambrym at 121,151

Japanese Ships
SS I-175

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise
CL Capetown
DD Helm
DD Reid
DD Shaw
DD Conyngham

SS I-175 launches 4 torpedoes at CV Enterprise

I had to walk away from the computer! And then two days later heartbreak for the allied naval command. (Actually they all go out and commit seppeku on the lawn at Pearl.)
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Sub attack near Ta'u at 151,159

Japanese Ships
SS I-29

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Louisville
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
DD Perkins
DD Cushing

Fuel storage explosion on CV Hornet
Fuel storage explosion on CV Hornet
Ammo storage explosion on CV Hornet
SS I-29 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Hornet

The Hornet made Pago Pago and the air units were automatically unloaded as it sank at dock. Sigh.

AIR WAR: Oops, need to keep those Bettys on a short leash.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
PG Hindustan


SURFACE WAR: A Japanese raider finds a picket in the North Pacific,
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Chuginadak Island at 169,61, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Hokoku Maru

Allied Ships
ACM Abatis, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage


SUB WAR:

On 4/2 SS S-39 put 2 Mk10s into a xAK near Cam Rahn Bay.

On 4/3 in addition to the CV (see above) IJN SS I-19 gets a xAK near Lahaina. SS Narwhal get knocked around by a DD near Normanby Is.

On 4/5 in addition to the CV (see above) IJN SS I-6 pops a YP on ASW patrol near SF, soon afterwards the YP are pulled from AWS patrol. SS Sailfish shells a xAK near Stewart Is and SS S-40 puts 3 fish into a ACM near Siberoet.

ON 4/6 IJN SS I-172 gets slightly jostled by a ASW TF near Pago Pago. SS I-21 gabs another ACM on picket duty north of PH. SS I-169 has it's hair mussed near PH.

On 4/7 IJN SS I-173 get a mild workout from an ASW TF near Lahaina, that doesn't stop SS I-22 from bagging a xAK a few miles away.

On 4/8 IJN SS I-17 gets sent to the repair yard by a SAW TF near Newcastle (8 hits claimed).

BURMA:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES: Iloilo falls on 4/6, 61st PA ID is destroyed.

SOPAC and SWPAC: The USMC (1st Marine Raider Battalion aided by 19th Combat Engineer Regiment) invaded Luganville on 4/1 and on 4/2 take the base by storm. On 4/3 the defenders (51st NGU) are destroyed. A very rare tactical success by allied ground forces. Strategically ...

On 4/8 Tabiteuea falls to the 4st NGU.

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Apr 9 - Apr 15, 1942

Soerabaja falls after a long siege, there is no path of retreat so it's off to work on the railroad for 21k troops.

KB: I think it's operating in the IO in support of Java, Sumatra and West Australia operations.

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations.

AIR WAR: We are defending Cairns from bombardments with a PT TF. On 4/10 the Japanese at Cooktown try to clear it out with air attacks. The Oscars do better than the Vals.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 92,140

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
D3A1 Val x 5

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 14
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 92,140

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
PT-40, Shell hits 1
PT-43
PT-42

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 4/9 SS O21 gets a xAK near Balikpapen.

On 4/12 IJN SS I-153 takes three hits off Columbo. By this time all IO traffic is complete and the only convoys are operating between CT and Bombay, Adan and Karachi and Abadan and Karachi. SS O21 gets a PB off Madjene.

On 4/13 SS Nautilus shells a xAKL near Ailinglaplap. IJN SS I-169 is rattled a bit off PH.

On 4/13 SS Haddock puts a fish into a xAK near Wakkanai.

On 4/15 SS Garyling gets battered by a DMS off Kirakira

BURMA:

DEI: Soerabaja falls on 4/11. On 4/12 most of the defenders of Palambang are destroyed in the swamp southeast of the town. Sawahloento falls 4/13.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Nanumea falls 4/13, Funafuti and Vaitupu on 1/14.

AUSTRALIA: On 4/9 IJA 21st ID starts unloading at the beach east of Darwin. On 4/14 Carnarvon falls to the Yokosuka 2nd SNLF.

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Apr 16 - Apr 22, 1942

The forces in DEI are being rapidly (if you're the allies) or slowly (if you're Japanese) rounded up and captured/killed. Bataan falls and another 18k troops go to the POW camps. Darwin falls to the IJA 21 ID. Otherwise the high point is sinking 4 PT boats.

KB: I think it's operating in the IO in support of Java, Sumatra and West Australia operations.

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations.

AIR WAR: The allies continue to waste their airforce making pinprick raids. Maybe this forces the Japanese to cover everything and slows down the pace of operations?

SURFACE WAR: On 4/19 the IJN makes some progress in clearing the PTs from Cairns.
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 92,139, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugao
DD Hasu
DD Yanagi

Allied Ships
PT-44
PT-45
PT-46
PT-47, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-48
PT-59

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 21, 42
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 92,140, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
DD Oyashio
DD Shirayuki
TB Kasasagi

Allied Ships
PT-39
PT-40, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-60
PT-61
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 92,139, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
DD Oyashio
DD Shirayuki
TB Kasasagi

Allied Ships
PT-37
PT-38
PT-42, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-43, Shell hits 1, and is sunk


SUB WAR:

On 4/17 IJN SS I-22 torpedoes DD Drayton near Lahaina.

On 4/18 IJN SS I-157 gets knocked about off Diamond Harbour.

On 4/22 the allied subs get a big one! SS S-44 puts 2 torpedoes into a PB near Kirakira. IJN SS I-5 counters by sinking a YP near the Channel Is.

BURMA: Great Nicobar falls 4/18.

DEI: Singkep falls 4/18. Oosthaven falls (again) on 4/20, all defenders are destroyed. Pamekasan falls 4/21.

PHILIPPINES: Bataan falls on 4/17.

SOPAC and SWPAC: Baker Is gets a visit from a SCTF on 4/18. Howland Is falls 4/18. Baker Is falls 4/19. Canton Is gets a visit from a SCTF on 4/20, wonder what happens next?
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Night Naval bombardment of Baker Island at 149,136

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Aoba
CL Isuzu
DD Hatsushima
DD Nenohi
DD Arare

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 6
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 1

AUSTRALIA: Darwin falls 4/19.

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

Apr 23 - Apr 29, 1942

1st Battle of Cairns More clean up in the DEI and an interesting game of cat and mouse at Cairns.

KB: I think it's operating in the IO in support of Java, Sumatra and West Australia operations.

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations.

AIR WAR: The IJA and various allied air unit are playing tit-4-tat over Mandalay. In the long run the low British replacement rate will give the victory to the IJA. (The Japanese did have to bring in a crack Zero unit to really turn the tables.)

SURFACE WAR: The DD missions are killing all PTs.
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 92,139, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugao
DD Hasu

Allied Ships
PT-44, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-45, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
PT-46, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-48
PT-59

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 92,140, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
DD Oyashio
DD Shirayuki
TB Kasasagi

Allied Ships
PT-45, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

So I finally snuck a SCTF to Townsville and sent it up to Cairns to try an interdict the local Tokyo Express on 4/24. This 1st time it goes pretty well. I would have thought that the Salt Lake City would have smoked the bunch.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 92,140, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TB Kasasagi

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 1
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 1
DD Hammann
DD Downes, Shell hits 1
DD Porter
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 1, on fire

And then by chance 2 BBs show up and burn the SLC to the waterline. Then a DD stuffs a torp into her and lets the water in.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 92,140, Range 10,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 7
CA Haguro
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 1
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shigure, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yudachi
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL St. Louis
DD Hammann
DD Downes
DD Porter, Shell hits 1
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

And then the 2 BBs blow the heck out of my airfield and airplanes.
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Night Naval bombardment of Cairns at 92,140 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 20 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 31 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 12 damaged
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 1 damaged
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed on ground

39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CL Tenryu
DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Yudachi
DD Shigure

Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 32
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 2

The following night the allies try again, assuming that the heavies have shot their wad.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 92,140, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TB Kasasagi, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
DD Hammann
DD Downes
DD Porter


SUB WAR:

On 4/23 SS Gudgeon shells a xAK near Utupua.

On 4/24 IJN SS I-5 torpedoes AVP Teal near the Channel Is.

On 4/25 SS Pollack puts two fish into a xAK near Vaitupu and IJN SS I-156 gets bounced around by an ASW TF near Columbo. The IJN returns the favor by putting 4 hits on the SS S-28 near Baker Is.

On 4/26 SS S-28 nabs a xAK and get beat up some more. The SS S-28 presses the attack and nails another xAK for a sinlge hit in return.

On 4/27 an ASW TF off Trivandrum scores!
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Submarine attack near Trivandrum at 26,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-162, hits 19, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Hotspur
DD Griffin
DD Fortune

SS I-162 is sighted by escort
DD Hotspur fails to find sub, continues to search...
...
SS I-162 forced to surface!
DD Hotspur firing on surfaced sub ....
...
Sub slips beneath the waves

The next day we claim another one!
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Sub attack near Johnston Island at 168,116

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 6, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Gwin
DD Monssen
DD Grayson

SS I-4 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Gwin
DD Monssen fails to find sub and abandons search
...
SS I-4 eludes ASW attack from DD Grayson
SS I-4 forced to surface!
DD Gwin firing on surfaced sub ....
...
Sub slips beneath the waves

BURMA:

DEI: Djokjakarta fell on 4/23. Pontianak fell (for the 2nd time) on 4/23. Tacloban and Batoe-eilanden fall on 4/26. Semarang falls 4/27. Car Nicobar falls 4/29.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: On 4/28 there is another bombardment of Canton Is. Everyone sharpens their bayonets. Gardner Island fall 4/28

AUSTRALIA: The Japanese thrust south toward Daly Waters.

PH and points east:

[Halsey]

I really appreciate seeing the art mods being used.

A lot of players put a lot of time in doing them.

It encourages us to keep up the effort.

Thanks...[;)][&o]

Enjoy your game...

[guytipton41]

End game in Java (and Sumatra). It could be argued that once Palembang falls these forces could go to... Auckland?

[guytipton41]

Apr 30 - May 6, 1942

2nd Battle of Cairns - Death of the HMS Ramillies. She went down fighting.

KB: No idea.

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations. HMS Formidable is sneaking up on the Japanese invasion fleets in West Australia.

On 5/4 someone finds someone. Luckily the CAP is sufficient. Where did those darn Japanese carrier aircraft come from? I hope they runaway as hard as I do.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 42,135

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 89 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N1 Kate x 9
B5N2 Kate x 3
D3A1 Val x 3

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Formidable
CL Danae
CA Houston

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: On 4/30 the local Tokyo Express comes to Cairns again.
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Night Naval bombardment of Cairns at 92,140 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 14 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CL Tenryu
CL Kiso
DD Yayoi
DD Akebono
DD Asashio

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 13

A couple of day later the allies try to scare the Japanese away... cause we sure can't hit them. We then go on to bombard Cooktown, however the orders must have been to avoid any property damage.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 92,137, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio, Shell hits 2
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Resolution, Shell hits 2
DD Sims
DD Hughes, Shell hits 1
DD Cushing, Shell hits 2
DD Perkins, Shell hits 4, on fire
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 92,137, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Resolution, Shell hits 4
DD Sims, Shell hits 1
DD Hughes
DD Cushing
DD Perkins
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 92,138, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Resolution, on fire
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Cushing
DD Perkins

Wow, BB Resolution on fire from 6 hits by a DD. Sigh.

The very next day... sigh...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 05, 42
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 92,139, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
CA Kako, Shell hits 3
CL Kiso
DD Akebono, Shell hits 1
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
TB Kamo

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 6, on fire
BB Ramillies, Shell hits 33, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL St. Louis
DD Hammann
DD Cushing, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Downes
DD Porter

Improved night sighting under 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 75% moonlight: 11,000 yards

The Ramillies sinks...

A very rare successful surface encounter near Perth on 5/6. Really like those British cruisers with good torpedoes.
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 38,144, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Katori, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Kashima, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Danae
CL Durban, Shell hits 1
CL Ceres, Shell hits 1
CL Caledon, Shell hits 1
DD Inconstant
DD Jupiter
DD Nizam
DD Norman

SUB WAR:

The Dutch break another long dry spell for the allies as SS KXIV nails AMC Aikoku Maru off Carnarvon on 5/1.

On 5/2 the Dutch lose one off Great Nicobar as the SS KIX takes a critical hit. SS KXIV bets beat up pretty bad to make up for the AMC yesterday.

On 5/4 IJN SS I-25 gets rattled by an ASW TF off Kona.

On 5/5 SS Swordfish get bitch slapped by a xAKL.
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Submarine attack near Amami Oshima at 98,62

Japanese Ships
xAKL Sakae Maru

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish, hits 1, on fire

BURMA:

DEI: Sawahloento falls on 5/2. Enggano on 5/3. Billiton falls 5/5.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Another bombardment of Canton Is. on 4/30 followed by an invasion on 5/1. A lot of bombarding, bombing and strafing go on. The Marines manage to hit something!
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Invasion Support action off Canton Island (153,143) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

92 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
DD Arare
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1
xAK Teiyo Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
CS Nisshin
DD Kikuzuki
xAK Meiyo Maru

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Then the Japanese have to show their cards, looks like a busted flush to me. Recon must not have been good as the presence of the best part of a regiment was a surprise.
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Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2095 troops, 28 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Defending force 3685 troops, 103 guns, 114 vehicles, Assault Value = 108

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 201

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2753 casualties reported
Squads: 152 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 103 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 21 (21 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
Kure 3rd SNLF
I/19th Naval Guard Unit
III/19th Naval Guard Unit
II/19th Naval Guard Unit
6th Indpt SNLF Coy

Defending units:
35th Infantry Regiment
Canton USN CPNAB
4th Marine Defense Battalion
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion


And then the next day.
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Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2643 troops, 103 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 108

Defending force 74 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 102

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 102 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
35th Infantry Regiment
4th Marine Defense Battalion
Canton USN CPNAB
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion

Defending units:
6th Indpt SNLF Coy

Wallis Island falls 5/6.

AUSTRALIA: Daly Waters falls 5/4.

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

ORIGINAL: Halsey

I really appreciate seeing the art mods being used.

A lot of players put a lot of time in doing them.

It encourages us to keep up the effort.

Thanks...[;)][&o]

Enjoy your game...

Hey!

Thank you very much for doing the mods, I use several of them and love them all. Really appreciate the effort that you and the rest of the veterans put into the game. I take my hat off to you! <takes off hat, knocks over beer> Oh shit, where's the paper towels!!

Cheers,
Guy

[guytipton41]

Sometimes ya just wanna take a swing.

[guytipton41]

May 7 - May 13, 1942

Death of HMS Royal Sovereign (2nd Battle of Cairns)

KB: No clue at start of week, the m-KB is off West Australia. The KB turns up around Pago Pago on 5/11 and then at Niuafo'ou on 5/13. At Pago Pago not much happens (we had already run).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Niuafo'ou , at 141,160

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 99
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
D3A1 Val x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AV Tangier, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations. HMS Formidable tried sneaking up on the Japanese invasion fleets in West Australia and is now running for Melbourne.

Another heart attack occurs on 5/8:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Eua at 138,170

Japanese Ships
SS I-16

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
DD Dunlap

SS I-16 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Yorktown

AIR WAR: The Japanese dismember the ABDA airforce with little damage. In Burma the two airforces lose 3-4 aircraft a day. US B-17s are being wasted on small raids in W Australia, hoping for that significant result.

SURFACE WAR: A Japanese raider finds a picket in the North Pacific.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Chuginadak Island at 169,55, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tama

Allied Ships
ACM Alder, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

On 5/10 the Tokyo Express makes an appearance at Canton Is. (Spite for the failed invasion?) Another group show up at Cairns:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Cairns at 92,140 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 9 damaged

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CA Mogami
DD Sagiri
DD Shirakumo

Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 10
Port hits 1

SUB WAR:

On 5/7 SS Grayback shells a xAKL near Fukue-jima.

On 5/8 the survivors of the disastrous 2nd Battle of Cairns are headed south and HMS Royal Sovereign picks up three fish and sinks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Bowen at 94,147

Japanese Ships
SS I-122

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Porter

Magazine explodes on BB Royal Sovereign
SS I-122 launches 4 torpedoes at BB Royal Sovereign

On 5/8 IJN SS I-166 get a good pounding from an ASW TF near Trivandrum.

On 5/10 SS Haddock get a good pounding from an ASW TF near Tambelan-eilanden. SS S-41 kills a SC off Great Nicobar.

On 5/13 SS O24 gets worked over by a xAK. Good work xAK Meiten Maru.

BURMA:

DEI: Kalidjati falls 5/11.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

May 14 - May 20, 1942

First torpedo into a IJN Carrier! (Minimal damage)

KB:The m-KB is off West Australia and the KN is supporting the invasion of Luganville.

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations. HMS Formidable headed to join up with US CV near Suva.

AIR WAR: Woot! Been waiting for these Dutch flying boats to score something.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
Do-24K-1 x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Uyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Following is representative air attack on Magwe on 5/15. On even days the strikes run the other direction with about the same result.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 22

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 5
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7
B-17E Fortress x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

The crack Naval aviators at Efate get to take a swing at the Luganville invasion fleet on 5/17. Some nice hits but the Dauntless unit is ruined.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
P-400 Airacobra x 12
P-40B Warhawk x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 3, on fire
xAK Arimasan Maru
AMC Nosiro Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1

Then a few day later...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
F1M2 Pete x 4

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 9
SBD-1 Dauntless x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 4 destroyed
SBD-1 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
BB Ise, Bomb hits 2
DD Hatsushima
xAP Asama Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

For every hit there are 3-4 raids that only lose aircraft. On 5/19 it wasn't to bad.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Isokaze
DD Amatsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


SURFACE WAR: Woot again!! A PT boat hits a BB on 5/15. "Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 1,000 yards"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 120,150, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BB Kirishima
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships
PT-20
PT-21
PT-23, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-24, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-25, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Santa Maria at 120,149, Range 16,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Makigumo
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
PT-20, Shell hits 2
PT-21
PT-25

Triple Woot! On 5/17 an invasion fleet runs away from 3 PT boats.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 120,150, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CL Kuma
DD Yudachi
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DMS W-16
xAK Hokkai Maru
xAK Arimasan Maru
AMC Nosiro Maru
xAP Asama Maru

Allied Ships
PT-20
PT-21
PT-25

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
xAP Asama Maru , xAK Arimasan Maru , xAK Hokkai Maru screened from combat
- escorted by CL Kuma , DD Umikaze
Both Task Forces evade combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 120,150, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Karukaya
DD Yugao

Allied Ships
PT-20, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT-21, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-25, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight

SUB WAR:

On 5/14 SS Trout takes a turn in the barrel near Ndeni.

On 5/15 SS Grayback trades shell hits with a xAKL near Saishu.

On 5/16 IJN SS I-123 bags CM Krakatau near Busselton.

On 5/18 SS O20 gets beat up near Geraldton.

On 5/20 SS Dolphin claims a hit on the Akagi! Back channel sources claim less than 10% floatation damage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ndeni at 118,143

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Torpedo hits 1
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Kongo
CA Chikuma
CS Chitose
DD Hamakaze
DD Makigumo
DD Kikuzuki
DD Murakumo
DD Hibiki
DD Samidare

Allied Ships
SS Dolphin

SS Dolphin launches 4 torpedoes at CV Akagi

BURMA:

DEI: Tjilatjap falls 5/15. Maumere falls 5/19. Bandoeng falls on 5/20.

PHILIPPINES: Busuanga falls on 5/17.

SOPAC and SWPAC: Luganville gets counter-invaded on 5/15. Allied forces counter attack but lack the power to push them off the beach.

AUSTRALIA: Geraldton gets invaded on 5/15. Allied forces counter attack but lack the power to push them off the beach. A couple of days later we count two divisions being unloaded and the writing is on the wall. The invasion is being well supported with sea and air forces.

Cunderdin falls 5/20.

PH and points east: Amchitka falls 5/17.

[guytipton41]

Well it looks like the Japanese are here to stay with at least 2 divisions committed. I'll try to make a stand at Kalgoorlie. Maybe my bombers can keep the ground troops away.

[guytipton41]

May 21 - May 27, 1942

The investment of Batavia

KB: The m-KB is off West Australia. The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides.

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations.

AIR WAR: The meat grinder at Cairns continues. Trench warfare in the skys. This from 5/24.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cairns , at 92,140

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 54
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 31

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 25
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 11 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Kittyhawk IA: 2 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 31

On 5/27 the US CV TF gets too close to Efate and triggers an aerial attack. No shots on goal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Efate at 120,154

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 35

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 6
P-400 Airacobra x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 8
F2A-3 Buffalo x 5
F4F-3 Wildcat x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 13 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Efate at 120,154

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 6

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-400 Airacobra x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 8
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

SURFACE WAR: On 5/26 a Japanese raider shows up on the convoy line from CT to Hobart. The allies have been running convoys along the bottom of the map hoping that the Japanese would neglect to patrol that far south.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Albany at 46,157, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Kongo Maru

Allied Ships
xAK City of Hereford, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


SUB WAR:

On 5/22 IJN SS I-17 torpedoes AMC Prince Henry near Raoul Is.

On 5/23 SS Porpoise gets beat up pretty bad near Geraldton. IJN SS I-121 gets lightly bruised near Columbo.

On 5/27 SS Growler torpedoes AK Sado Maru near Vanikoro and gets gets worked over for it's efforts.

BURMA: Aerial trench warfare over Imphal, Chittagong and Magwe.

DEI: The IJA Death Star arrives at Batavia on 5/27.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The invasion of Luganville continues as the Japanese scramble to bring additional ground forces to bear.

AUSTRALIA: Geraldton falls on 5/21 and the defenders flee south. The Japanese Paras at Cunderdin find out what it means to not have effective air cover in the open. On 5/25 the 3rd AUS BDE shows up at Cunderdin and pushes the Paras off the railroad.

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

May 28 - Jun 3, 1942

Fall of Luganville

KB: The m-KB is off West Australia. The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides.

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations.

AIR WAR: Carnage in the CBI skys (5/29).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 93 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 50
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 16
Hurricane IIa Trop x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 12 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 2 destroyed
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed
Lysander II: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 6/1 SS Salmon shells a xAK near Carnarvon and gets hit in return.

On 6/3 SS S-42 puts a Mk10 into a PB near Ndeni.

BURMA: Air raids continue as the respective commands try to determine the breaking point of their and the enemies air forces.

DEI: The IJA makes three deliberate attacks on Batavia over the week, the city doesn't fall but the fortifications are reduced to zero and the AV of the defenders is halved. Tjilatjap falls on 6/3.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Luganville falls on 5/28. It took 2 NGU, 1-1/3 RGT and support to take out the defending battalion and combat engineer RGT. The airforce at Efate takes some measure of revenge.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 6
P-400 Airacobra x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tsuga, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Abukuma
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Nokaze

AUSTRALIA: The Yokosuka 1st SNLF/1 is destroyed north of Cunderdin. Busselton falls 5/31. Japanese tank forces are screaming across the Australian countryside. The Japanese 2nd Recon was trying to relieve the paras and runs into some real armor north of Cunderdin.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 52,147 (near Cunderdin)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1155 troops, 0 guns, 163 vehicles, Assault Value = 137

Defending force 961 troops, 4 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Allied adjusted assault: 46

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 46 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
676 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 30 (7 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
10th Light Horse Battalion

Defending units:
2nd Recon Regiment

PH and points east:

[guytipton41]

After 6 months of war I see so many errors, both forced and un-forced.

[guytipton41]

And in the air...

[guytipton41]

And on the seas...

[guytipton41]

June 4 - Jun 10, 1942

Batavia falls. New Cal invaded - SB TF wanders off course and finds some air-friends

KB: The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is puts a bomb into a AVP at Esperance. She was out of fuel or would have run earlier.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Esperance , at 56,153

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
D3A1 Val x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AMc Smeroe, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc MMS C, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AVP Formalhaut, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AMc MMS A, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

The KB is supporting the invasion of New Cal and catches a couple of late runners (6/7).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near La Foa at 115,158

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 50
A6M2-N Rufe x 13
B5N2 Kate x 27

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 4
P-40B Warhawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AVP Bellatrix, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AVP Zeeman, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

US CVs: Escorting convoys to Noumea and nearby locations.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: Big bad AMC picking on poor little minesweepers (6/5).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Esperance at 58,154, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Kongo Maru

Allied Ships
AMc Gedeh, Shell hits 2

On 6/9 there is almost a surface engagement... darn Japanese run away.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Wallis Island at 142,156, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Tanikaze
DD Wakaba
DD Nokaze
DD Hishu

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola
CA Minneapolis
CL Trenton
CL Phoenix
CL Nashville
DD Stuart
APD Manley
APD Colhoun
APD Gregory
APD Stringham
APD Waters
xAP Santa Barbara
xAP Kwangtung
xAP Marudu
xAP Taroona
xAP Nairana
xAK Theofano Livanos

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 17% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

SUB WAR:

Been a real long dry spell for the squids but on 6/8 SS S-42 puts a torpedo into AO Shinkoku Maru near Belep Islands.

BURMA: Japanese winning the aerial war of attrition.

DEI: Batavia falls with about 10k casualties. 20 units retire into the hills.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: After Luganville I expect the Japanese to go for Efate, instead they skip straight to New Caledonia.

Oops someone forgot their escorts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 42
G4M1 Betty x 25

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 7 destroyed, 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground

There are several air raid and sweeps and finally the heavies come on on 6/7.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Koumac at 113,156

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 2 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed on ground
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
DD Karukaya
DD Sanae
DD Sagiri
DD Shirakumo
DD Arare

Allied ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (6 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 37
Port hits 10
Port supply hits 1

After the bombardment of Koumac the big boys come visit Noumea on 6/8. This pretty well puts Noumea out of business for 3 days. More BBs would drop by the next day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Noumea at 115,160 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 21 damaged
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground
P-400 Airacobra: 28 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk I: 16 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 10 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 38 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kongo
CL Kiso
CL Kuma
DD Yugure
DD Hatsushima
DD Nenohi
DD Samidare
DD Isokaze

Allied ground losses:
220 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 60

Big oops, looks like a pathing problem according to the OpFor. This SB TF swung a little to close to Efate and gets plastered!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lakatoro at 115,151

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 5

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 34
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 8, on fire
CL Kuma
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lakatoro at 115,151

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 4

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lakatoro at 115,151

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 33
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Kiso
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 3, on fire

On 6/9 the USN sends a major TF to grab Wallis Is back from the 2nd Indpt SNLF Coy.

AUSTRALIA: On 6/4 the IJA 2nd Recon Regiment sends request to the Emperor for better tanks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 52,147 (near Cunderdin)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1147 troops, 0 guns, 163 vehicles, Assault Value = 137

Defending force 320 troops, 0 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 46

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 46 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 46 (46 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
10th Light Horse Battalion

Defending units:
2nd Recon Regiment

The fortress at Albany draws a little blood, but the defenders have already run away. Albany falls on 6/5.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Albany (51,153) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
xAK Tamon Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hatsukaze
xAK Tatumiya Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Kyusyu Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
PB Kyo Maru #8
xAK Kosei Maru

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 05, 42
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Invasion Support action off Albany (51,153)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyusyu Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
PB Kyo Maru #8
CA Mikuma
xAK Kosei Maru

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Invasion Support action off Albany (51,153)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyusyu Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Urakaze
DD Hatsukaze
PB Kyo Maru #8
xAK Kosei Maru

Esperance falls 6/7.

PH and points east: