[font="Times New Roman"]10 - 14 September 1943[/font]
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Another landing!
I wanted to post this yesterday, but i felt a bit ill after the response to this landing was so ineffectual, and at such cost. I feel I've learned something, so it's slightly better today.
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SUBS: [/font] Sub vs Sub! I love it. The I-153 takes out Pike near Port Moresby. Although the Japanese subs are at a disadvantage now with Allied ASW as good as it is, they are still contributing. I am finding bulk use to be effective down here, with 15 subs within a three hex area, close enough to my attack planes that any concentrated ASW would be dangerous.
Jocke put Albacore in the Woodlark hex and likely lost that sub as well. I had an ASW of three good DDs there protecting a supply run and they nailed the sub for 8 hits and 'heavy damage,', at least three direct shots, oil on the surface, etc.
Then, for the best moment of the past few turns, I-11 nailed BB South Dakota with two TT for a 'heavy damage' report near Sydney! This will likely not sink the ship, but at least it will be out for a good several months. That'll limit his fast BB TF for a bit.
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SOUTH PACIFIC:[/font] After a few days of sweeping uncontested skies and hitting the fields at Port Moresby, the Allies went in again, this time for Terapo. I got a bit sick at this one. I was ready for him this time, and my strike planes flew, only someone forgot to notify the escort of the invasion!
Three groups lost 60% of their planes! [:(] We did score one hit on a US CL, which is nice but nothing to justify the loss of 60 planes. At least this was over our base so 'only' 25 pilots were lost. These groups will obviously head back to replenish. I had over 60 planes set to escort from 2 bases in range, but alas, such is the weather, (or whatever caused them not to go). If we had had escort, these attacks could have devastated that fleet with the small amount of CAP up over them. [:@]
His troops landed and it won't be long at Terapo. I decided not to heavily garrison the place because I realized I couldn't supply it. Maybe one regiment added might have held for a while, but the 70 AV there now will fall in a few days. He has a Cavalry division there. Luckily that will have trouble moving anywhere else from that base. It's not going over the Owen Stanley easily or quickly at least. This lace does have a good field though that he will build up.
Okinoshima and Tokino drop over 200 mines at Port Moresby. I'm not sure still how they were able to get in there, but they did it. Okinoshima ran over the S-39 on the way in and put a hit on the sub, then dashed in to drop the gifts. They shot back along the coast and made it safely with no other issues.
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NORTH PACIFIC: [/font] Nothing.
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WEST OZ: [/font] A series of sweeps over Carnarvon found nothing for days. I then took a few off, then on the 14th got what I was looking for. Georges and Tojo IIb took out a bunch of Allied fighters, at a 4:1 ratio. Banzai!
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BURMA: [/font] Nothing.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR September 10, 43
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Sub vs Sub: SS I-153 attacking SS Pike at 97,132 - near Port Moresby (I love this header!!)
Japanese Ships
SS I-153
Allied Ships
SS Pike, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS I-153 launches 2 torpedoes at 3,000 yards
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Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 9
Mitchell II x 22
B-25C Mitchell x 36
B-25D1 Mitchell x 74
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 2 damaged
Mitchell II: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 102
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Mitchell II bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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ASW attack near Woodlark Island at 104,133
Japanese Ships
DD Uranami
Allied Ships
SS Albacore, hits 8, heavy damage
SS Albacore is sighted by escort
Albacore bottoming out ....
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami attacking submerged sub ....
Large oil slick appears over area of attack!
Escort abandons search for sub
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR September 12, 43
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ASW attack near Port Moresby at 99,132
Japanese Ships
CM Okinoshima
Allied Ships
SS S-39, hits 1
SS S-39 is sighted by escort
CM Okinoshima attacking submerged sub ....
CM Okinoshima fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR September 13, 43
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Invasion Support action off Terapo (96,127)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CA Northampton
DD Frankford
DD Doyle
DD Meade
DD Monssen
DD Gwin
APA Barnett
CA Salt Lake City firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
CA Northampton firing at 51st Road Const Co
DD Frankford firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Doyle firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Frankford fired at enemy troops
DD Doyle fired at enemy troops
DD Monssen fired at enemy troops
DD Gwin fired at enemy troops
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at APA Barnett
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Terapo at 96,127
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes
Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 3
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-38H Lightning x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Terapo at 96,127
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 17
G4M1 Betty x 19
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-38H Lightning x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 11 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CL St. Louis, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Frankford
CA Salt Lake City
CA Northampton
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Terapo at 96,127
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 21
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 2
P-38H Lightning x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 13 destroyed, 1 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Terapo at 96,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-38H Lightning x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
No Allied losses
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Terapo at 96,127
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 4
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-38H Lightning x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed
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Invasion Support action off Terapo (96,127)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APA Barnett
CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at APA Barnett
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Ground combat at Terapo (96,127)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1952 troops, 22 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 81
Defending force 8685 troops, 106 guns, 166 vehicles, Assault Value = 383
Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
51st Road Const Co
Defending units:
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR September 14, 43
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ASW attack near Sale at 87,173
Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 11
Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB Prince of Wales
BB Massachusetts
DD Cony
DD Clark
DD Balch
DD Nicholas
DD LaVallette
SS I-4 launches 4 torpedoes at BB South Dakota
DD Nicholas attacking submerged sub ....
DD Nicholas fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
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Afternoon Air attack on Carnarvon , at 49,133
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 29
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 8
P-39N1 Airacobra x 12
P-40N1 Warhawk x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 3 destroyed
P-39N1 Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 31000 feet
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Afternoon Air attack on Carnarvon , at 49,133
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 32
Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
P-39N1 Airacobra x 3
P-40N1 Warhawk x 7
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-39N1 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40N1 Warhawk: 2 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
30 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet
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Ground combat at Terapo (96,127)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 8769 troops, 106 guns, 167 vehicles, Assault Value = 389
Defending force 2104 troops, 22 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 72
Allied adjusted assault: 191
Japanese adjusted defense: 41
Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)
Japanese ground losses:
617 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
Defending units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
I/84th Naval Guard Unit
51st Road Const Co
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Ground combat at Daly Waters (76,131)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 151 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 10
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Daly Waters !!!
Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)
Assaulting units:
3rd Raiding Rgt /4
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Reinforcements: This HQa will head to Hollandia.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]xAK Amagi Maru #2 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
27th Air Flotilla arrives at Hakodate
101st Machine Canno AA Battalion arrives at Tokyo
102nd Machine Canno AA Battalion arrives at Tokyo
1st Ind. Field Artillery Battalion arrives at Nagoya
62nd Field AA Battalion arrives at Tokyo
E W-29 arrives at Tokyo
SST Yu-8 arrives at Kobe
xAK Esashagawa Maru arrives at Cam Ranh Bay
xAKL Tasuku Maru arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
SC CHa-66 arrives at Hakodate
502 Ku K-1 arrives at Oita
Temp.Fight.Chutai arrives at Tokyo
7th Tpt.Chutai arrives at Mukden
8th Tpt.Chutai arrives at Mukden
9th Tpt.Chutai arrives at Mukden[/font]
Losses: None. His subs are rarely in my fuel transport lanes anymore. I thought he was doing well there, but I guess he either didn't like the occasional losses or he has other plans for them.
Ships Sunk: Good to get a few confirmed sub kills.
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SS Albacore is reported to have been sunk near Woodlark Island on Sep 12, 1943
SS Pike[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The South Dakota. I hope this is goodbye for a long while![/font]
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill