Operation Northern Thunder. Was:2 years and counting

[buckaroo13]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

No playing a stock scen 1 game.  I know all about not winning a carrier battle and the set backs.  I feel its time to turn the page and start winning.

We should start a support group... get some t-shirts [:)]

[buckaroo13]

6/1/44-6/7/44

uneventful week though action is slowly ramping up in the Timors.

Timors

He's running a lot of small task forces which is making it hard to get supplies to Lautem.
I'm running out of surface ships to throw into the meat grinder as I've got a lot of ships still on the repair pile and still need a sizable force to cover Munda.
I've taken to sending small LSTs loaded with supplies to Lautem and it seems to be working, though occasionally he catches one.

The most interesting development is on the 7th as the air war heats up. I'm run into plenty of LRCAP over Dili and do score some hits on a transport fleet on route.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 6
Ki-61-Id Tony x 1



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AK Kosin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Teisen Maru
xAP Kongo Maru

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We launch an attack on a Carrier fleet.
Sadly no escorts go along and the bombers that make it through miss their targets.
A carrier fleet that close to Lautem means this isn't a small supply run but another major re-enforcement.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wetar at 72,114

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 40



Allied aircraft
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 26


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've got a scratch surface group in the area and tomorrow we will try and see if we can catch these guys sleeping. It will be high risk but great if we can pull it off.


Solomons/New Guinea

Not too much going on. Bombing runs continue to level any Japanese base I can reach. Munda and Torokina both are building up nicely. I'm starting to cast my gaze north towards Truk and other islands north of me.

[buckaroo13]

6/8/44

The Timors are getting hot

My surface task force sweeps in finding only small fish at first...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-842, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-843, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-848
MTB G-223, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-239, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CLAA San Juan
CL Mobile
DD Conner
DD Cotten
DD Erben
DD Hopewell
DD Isherwood
DD Izard
DD Kidd
DD Sigsbee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then I strike paydirt... sadly I can't close, they have a head start and get away with light damage.



I hit Kaga and a few other carriers but I suspect light damage. Nothing big was noted in the replay. If nothing else I'll scare his carriers away.



The air war of Dili is filling the sky. I'm transferring more fighter squadrons to Darwin to help in the upcoming days.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 16
Ki-61-Id Tony x 14



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Id Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-61-Id Tony x 6



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Id Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 11
Ki-61-Id Tony x 1



Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed


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

I come out ahead in the air war but not by much. My P-47s aren't that effective, but they are not the highest skilled and they are pretty fatigued.

[DOCUP]

Have you seen the Frank r yet.  I hate that plane.  I use to hate the George but the Frank r puts it to shame.

[koniu]

Why Yours DDs smoking so much. They where damaged in battle or You overuse full speed and they accumulate 10+ sys damage.

I think they deserve few days break in port

[buckaroo13]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

Have you seen the Frank r yet.  I hate that plane.  I use to hate the George but the Frank r puts it to shame.

I haven't seen the Frank yet, and I'm not looking forward to it.
It does seem like I'm seeing a ton of Georges, not sure what his production numbers are or what benchmarks to look for as this is my first pass through in the grand campaign.

[buckaroo13]

ORIGINAL: koniu

Why Yours DDs smoking so much. They where damaged in battle or You overuse full speed and they accumulate 10+ sys damage.

I think they deserve few days break in port

those Destroyers have been run ragged, speeding around and they've also gotten into several engagements with MTBs.
I'd love to give them a week or two in port but the Japanese aren't giving me much choice.

[buckaroo13]

6/9/44

Timors, looks like the mini KB has pulled back, but there are still some surface groups in the area.

A Japanese cruiser force runs into one of my small ASW forces, it doesn't go well.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Saumlaki at 78,117, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1
DD Makinami
DD Takanami, Shell hits 1
DD Suzunami
DD Hayanami
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hamanami
DD Sawakaze

Allied Ships
DD Philip, Shell hits 1
DD Wadsworth, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Saumlaki at 78,117, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Kumano
DD Makinami
DD Takanami
DD Suzunami
DD Hayanami
DD Kiyonami
DD Hamanami
DD Sawakaze

Allied Ships
DD Philip, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At Dili the Japanese are buzzing overhead in force.
My sweeps come in piecemeal. but score well.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 29
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 30



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 20
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 19



Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed


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

Morning Air sweeps continue in a similar vane until the afternoon when I do get a strike off at a Surface group.
It goes badly, even with 30 Hellcat escorts my Attack is shredded but I do get some good intel. This looks like a Supply/Transport run to Dili

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 30
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 30
TBF-1 Avenger x 13
TBM-1C Avenger x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 8 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak
TBM-1C Avenger: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CM Sokuten
BB Mutsu
xAK Teisen Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



That's it for today, As far as tomorrow I'm not sure what I can do to counter it.

[buckaroo13]

6/10/44

Lautem

Things turn quiet all of a sudden. A Japanese task force turns up and shells Lautem but then fades away.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Lautem at 72,115

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CL Oyodo
DD Fuyuzuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Niizuki
DD Susuzuki


Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Damage is minimal and no losses to my aircraft.

In the daylight I have several sweeps of neighboring Dili, but only the first sweep finds anything and it is promptly dealt with.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 42,800 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 10



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 13
F4U-1 Corsair x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed


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

4 more sweeps go in but nothing on the Japanese side makes it into the air.

Sweeps from the last few days have caused a lot of losses and Gedebe might not want to throw good money after bad.

Elsewhere everything is quiet.

My engineers secretly work on on the Christmas island air field and it will be ready to accept it's first squadron shortly.

[buckaroo13]

06/11/44

Lautem/Timors

Blissfully quiet for a change. This gives me some time to rest and recover my air groups that have been running ops for many days straight.


Solomons/New Guinea

Of course the quiet doesn't last long. an enemy task force shows up at Torokino looking for transports.
they find a Destroyer squadron ready for action.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Torokina at 109,130, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Kuma, Shell hits 2
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hayate, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Asanagi
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
DD Cony
DD Heermann
DD McCord
DD Owen
DD Spence
DD The Sullivans
DD Waller

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


Night Time Surface Combat, near Torokina at 109,130, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
CL Kuma, Shell hits 2
DD Hayate, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asanagi, Shell hits 1
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Cony, Shell hits 2
DD Heermann
DD McCord
DD Owen
DD Spence
DD The Sullivans, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Waller

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

My Destroyers are on the spot and rough up the Japanese task force with minimal damage in return.

Rough weather prevents much from flying and the bombers that do find the Japanese cripples are unable to land a hit.

This could be the opening move into the Solomons for Gebede. He does have a lot of troops trapped on Munda. Or it might just be opportunity attack to try and sink some merchants.

[buckaroo13]

6/12/44

Lautem is quiet, which is nice. The Japanese do show up at nearby Saumlaki and plaster the airfield. No big losses among my aircraft but I do lose a crippled Destroyer.

I'm stepping up my bombing of Dili as it is packed with Japanese Troops.

Is there a way to tell if Troops are on the move with Recon? My intel isn't telling me anything.
It would be helpful to know if the troops in Dili are marching to Lautem or he brought them to defend Dili and isn't going anywhere.

The Biggest event of the day however is a small B-29 raid from Calcutta to Saigon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Saigon , at 60,71

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 18 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 3 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed on ground
Ki-59 Theresa: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

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



Airbase hits 25
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 73

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

I do lose a couple of B-29s to ops but the attack is worth it. It appears Saigon was a bomber training location and now the Japanese are on notice, they will have to garrison it with fighters or pull out.

Otherwise the front is quiet.

[buckaroo13]

6/13/44-6-25/44

While not quiet the next two weeks are rather repetitive.

News with the Fleet, all Carriers are at shipyards and most will be fully repaired within 2 weeks.
only Bunker Hill and a couple of CVs will take more time (about a month) as they've taken torpedo hits and were went all the way to the West Coast for repairs.

once reassembled I should have a decent sized carrier fleet again!


Timors

This area has seen the most action. regular naval bombardment happens every 3-4 days with a Japanese battle group, usually lead by the Mutsu. I'm so low on Battleships that I don't have anything nearby to cover and I won't send the Iowas covering Munda just yet.

I've got a Allied Surface fleet made up of the Richelieu heading south from India, but they are a ways off.

In response I've stepped up the bombing of Dili. Regular B-24 raids on Airfields and ports should hopefully cause him supply concerns.

New Guinea/Solomons

Stalemate here for now. I just on anything I see with fast fletchers and bombers but it looks like the Japanese have given up any serious fight here and most activity looks like they want to remove pull troops rather then fight. I've been eyeing Truk with long range recon. They've gone from 10 fighters 10 over 200 over the course of these two weeks.

Christmas Island

This has been a comedy of errors. my major transport fleet was accidentally set to full speed and subsequently ran out of fuel about 6 hexes shy of the island. So it's been an excriiating crawl of a hex a day to get to their destination. The only plus side is Christmas Island has it's first fighter Squadron in place and the Japanese haven't yet picked up on in.

India

Still don't have the transports to make any major moves but I want to keep the area hot to at least draw some troops away from my other operations. I am prepping a small force to land and take Sinabang, a small island northwest of Sumatra. Taking it would allow me to project air power into the Strait of Malacca

[buckaroo13]

6/26/44



Well the jig is up at Christmas Island. bombers showed up in force.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Christmas Island IO at 45,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 13
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 6



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 4
P-51B Mustang x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Clan Macinness
xAK Clan Macindoe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Christmas Island IO at 45,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 2
P-51B Mustang x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Caldwell
DD Kimberly
xAK Clan Macinness, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Christmas Island IO at 45,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 14
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 7



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 1
P-51B Mustang x 1


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Clan Macwhirter
xAK Clan Mactaggart, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

An AK is sunk outright, another damaged. In the Air we rough up some of the attacking squadrons.

[buckaroo13]

6/27/44

Christmas Island

It appears that Gebede really doesn't like me at Christmas Island.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 34



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 21
P-51B Mustang x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed
P-51B Mustang: 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 9



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12
P-51B Mustang x 14


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 16



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12
P-51B Mustang x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 21
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 22



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 11
P-51B Mustang x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 damaged

No Allied losses


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


Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 3


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

First air encounter is a draw but his bombers take some losses.
At the end of the day I've shot down about 22 Japanese planes for the loss of 10.

I've got the supplies and troops needed and if I can keep the airfield open I should be good.
I've got about 90 AV at the Island so it would take a major commitment to dislodge me.

The rest of the map is quiet.

[buckaroo13]

6/28/44

Christmas Island

Air raids continue today.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 23



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 15
P-51B Mustang x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
P-51B Mustang: 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 13
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 4



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 11
P-51B Mustang x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 12



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 9
P-51B Mustang x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 8 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 13
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 22



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 5
P-51B Mustang x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

No Allied losses


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


That first squadron of Tojos does a number on me but I hold my own. His follow up attacks are shredded and he takes heavy losses. I deployed a Catalina squadron from Christmas Islands today and should be able to see any incoming naval attacks starting tomorrow.

I also have a couple of fighter squadrons ready to rotate in from Broome.

[buckaroo13]

6/30/44

Christmas Island IO

The Sweeps keep coming but no bombers today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 28



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 24
P-51B Mustang x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Id Tony x 19



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 21
P-51B Mustang x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Id Tony: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 33



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 18
P-51B Mustang x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I come out a little ahead but not by much.

Timor/Lautem

Pretty quiet here but I feel he's up to something. I've got recon rotating through most of his large air fields looking for a build-up.


On the home front I've got most of my fleet carriers back in the game. Only Bunker Hill is languishing in the docks at San Francisco.

I've also got two large invasion forces departing for Noumea.

More on that later [;)]

[buckaroo13]

7/1/44

Lautem/Timor

Things are heating up again at Lautem. I've got a surface task force coming down from Colombo lead by the Richelieu, but it will probably be a couple of weeks before they make it to Darwin and then up to Lautem.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Lautem at 72,115

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 20 damaged
Spitfire VIII: 1 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Kako
DD Yugure
DD Hatsushima
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsuharu
DD Suzukaze
DD Yudachi
DD Murasame
DD Shigure
DD Shiratsuyu


Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20
Port hits 2

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

The bombardments are more of an annoyance at this point but it does eat up the supplies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 17



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 22
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 27



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 15
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed


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

Lots of fighters over Lautem but my boys hold their own.

Naval Bombardment, Fighter sweeps, next I imagine the bombers will show....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y4 Judy x 28



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 3
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y3 Judy x 32
P1Y2 Frances x 24



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 3
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y3 Judy: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
P1Y2 Frances: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 5 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 damaged


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


Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y2 Frances x 24



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 3
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y2 Frances: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 5 damaged



Runway hits 10

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

Bombers! The lack of escorts doesn't do the bombers any favors and all told I down a little over 30 Japanese planes. The Airfield at Lautem is pockmarked with bomb hits but still operational.

Christmas Island IO

Over at Christmas Island we have another air attack. A sweep comes in but pretty much breaks even.

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Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 22



Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 22
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Most of my Carriers are on route to Noumea and hopefully I can start more offensive actions by the end of the month.

[buckaroo13]

7/2/44

Lautem/Timor

Another day, more action at Lautem.

The night brings another naval bombardment.

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Night Naval bombardment of Lautem at 72,115

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CL Tenryu
DD Akishimo
DD Hayashimo
DD Kiyoshimo
DD Asashimo
DD Okinami
DD Onami


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


Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Again damage is pretty light and the Engineers should have no trouble with repairs.
I should have local CAP as well as some LRCAP from Darwin to help protect.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 23



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4
P-38J Lightning x 33
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 19
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 13
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
F4U-1A Corsair x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 3 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

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

We break even in this fight. My pilots are getting tired. I can only hope that Geede's are getting even more tired than mine. There are no bombers this turn, the bloody nose we gave him yesterday will probably keep them away for a while.

Christmas Island IO

More Sweeps here.

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Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 31



Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 13
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 38


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 9 destroyed [X(]

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 19



Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 8
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 26


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Id Tony x 18



Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 6
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Id Tony: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

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


I rotated in a fresh P-47 squadron and it proves it's worth by downing almost 20 Georges.
I should be able to cycle fresh squadrons from Broome if needed.

[buckaroo13]

7/2/44-7/9/44

Lautem/Timor

This week has been a little slow so we will consolidate. Over Lautem we don't experience to much activity. I've been slipping in single LSTs for supply runs. I think Gebede needed some time to rebuild and rest his shattered air groups.

On the 9th that changes with some new sweeps on Lautem. They catch my pilots napping, fatigue is catching up with them.

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Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 31



Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 6 destroyed


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

Almost a dozen or so P-38s are lost. I don't know if this is a sweep of opportunity or the start of a new offensive in the area.

Christmas Island IO

I was resting my fighters this turn, 3 different squadrons sweep the island but there are no bombers and no damage is done.



The upcoming plan

My carriers are finally assembling from Noumea and moving towards Munda.

I've got an invasion force prepping for Ponape and should be ready in about 3 weeks.

In the meantime I'm planning a raid on Truk with my carriers.
I just can't ignore Truk during the invasion on Ponape so a well timed strike might do the trick.

Recon is showing over 300 fighters at Truk and over 100 ships in port.

Here's the plan, 8 fleet carriers, 6CVLs will form the Strike fleets, followed by 15 CVEs.
I'll head to Munda as my jumping off point and try to make a high speed run into Truk over 2 days. We will see how this plays out over the next couple of days.

[buckaroo13]

7/10/44

Lautem/Timor

A night raid catches one of my LSTs in port. It doesn't go well

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CL Oyodo
CL Tenryu
DD Susuzuki
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Fuyuzuki
DD Haruzuki

Allied Ships
LST-447, Shell hits 23, and is sunk


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

The bombardment of Lautem doesn't really amount to much.


Christmas Island IO

Gebede steps up the air war here. It's an ugly battle.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 26



Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 5
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 49
P-51B Mustang x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 31



Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 5
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 46
P-51B Mustang x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Id Tony x 41



Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 39
P-51B Mustang x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Id Tony: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Christmas Island IO , at 45,104

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 47



Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 36
P-51B Mustang x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed
P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed


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


The Japanese lose over 80 fighters to American losses of about 15.
I think he may adopt a different tack and I need to be on the lookout for naval bombardments.


Lastly, I finally get all my carriers back in theatre, except for the Bunker Hill, and this happens.
Poor Lady Lex, the last of my pre-war carriers, can't catch a break

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Sub attack near Rennell Island at 114,140

Japanese Ships
SS I-171, hits 2

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Northampton
CA Indianapolis
CL Adelaide
DD Claxton
DD Chauncey
DD Ross
DD Robinson
DD Prichett
DD Morrison



Ammo storage explosion on CV Lexington
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Lexington isn't in any danger of sinking but she got a good size hole in here that will need some dock time soon. For now she's reduced to about 28 knots and will stay with her group.

Gebede now knows that I've got at least some carriers back at the front.