In late October of 1942, MMWO AdmNelson increased pressure on my base on Lunga by placing a force ashore Rennell Island and rapidly expanding it’s facilities; it never ceases to amaze me how quickly the Allies can build a base. Kido Butai, consisting of the carriers Zuikaku, Soryu, Shokaku, and Hiryu, was tasked with providing a covering force to resupply efforts in the area. On 16 November, while covering supply TFs sent to Lunga, Kido Butai encountered carriers of the US Fleet identified as the Yorktown, Saratoga, and the Hornet; side note, having been sunk in January, the Enterprise was not available for action. Cruising just west of Munda, Kido Butai struck first, and from extended range.
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11/16/1942
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 112,142
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 63
B5N2 Kate x 54
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 75
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 9 destroyed, 15 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Laffey
CA Pensacola
CV Hornet
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
CLAA San Diego, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Selfridge
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 100 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 100 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
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