The Bitter End - Topeverest (A) vs Admiral Kamikaze (E)

[topeverest]

Gotta put your BB's in with your CV's for sure when you think that a CV battle is possible, and yes the combat involved a dozen total task forces on both sides all within range. The massive losses I received in other TF's also deflated the CV impact. Is this was a straight up CV fight, the allies would have been toasted.

I liked the design touch that stated that in one attack of the allied AP's that "CARRIER SUPPORT UNABLE TO PROVIDE AIR COVER" you can guess what happened!

In any event, while the allies eeked their way out of this battle as a tactical victory without a CV or BB loss and the enemy lost 4 CV platforms and a BB, it clearly was a strategic empire victory. While I threatened, I did not execute another CV amphibious landing until December 42 at Ceylon.

The empire CV count was too high, and I could not suffer another such "victory" again.

[topeverest]

allied radar and low visibility combined to get the Musashi


Night Time Surface Combat, near Koggala at 29,50, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Nagato
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CA Takao, Shell hits 6, on fire
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Noshiro, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Oi
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Oshio
DD Minegumo
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Mochizuki
DD Karii
E Otori

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Shell hits 11, heavy fires
CA Quincy
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 1
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Leander, Shell hits 1
CL Achilles
CL Hobart, Shell hits 1
CL Emerald
CL Mauritius
CL Glasgow, Shell hits 1
DD Barton
DD Bailey
DD Frazier
DD Gansevoort
DD Gillespie
DD Meade
DD Lang
DD Stack, Shell hits 1
DD Wilson
DD Monaghan
DD Allen
DD Parrott
DD Peary
DD Schley
DD Stewart



Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 71% moonlight: 3,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 4,000 yards
BB Valiant fires at CL Noshiro at 4,000 yards
CA Hawkins launches Torpedoes at CL Noshiro at 4,000 yards
CA Devonshire launches Torpedoes at CA Furutaka at 4,000 yards
BB Valiant fires at BB Hiei at 4,000 yards
CL Glasgow fires at CA Furutaka at 4,000 yards
CA Hawkins fires at CA Takao at 4,000 yards
CA Hawkins fires at CL Oi at 4,000 yards
CL Hobart launches Torpedoes at CA Furutaka at 4,000 yards
CA Devonshire launches Torpedoes at DD Karii at 4,000 yards
CL Leander launches Torpedoes at CA Furutaka at 4,000 yards
CL Hobart launches Torpedoes at DD Shirayuki at 4,000 yards
CL Glasgow fires at DD Yugure at 4,000 yards
BB Valiant fires at DD Wakaba at 4,000 yards
DD Allen launches Torpedoes at DD Minegumo at 4,000 yards
DD Wilson launches Torpedoes at DD Yugure at 4,000 yards
DD Stack launches Torpedoes at DD Oshio at 4,000 yards
DD Gansevoort launches Torpedoes at DD Yugure at 4,000 yards
DD Frazier launches Torpedoes at DD Shirayuki at 4,000 yards
DD Barton launches Torpedoes at DD Samidare at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Musashi engages BB Valiant at 2,000 yards
BB Yamato engages BB Valiant at 2,000 yards
BB Nagato engages CA Devonshire at 2,000 yards
BB Valiant engages BB Hiei at 2,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Devonshire at 2,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL Mauritius at 2,000 yards
CL Leander engages CL Oi at 2,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Hobart at 2,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL Leander at 2,000 yards
DD Allen engages DD Shirayuki at 2,000 yards
DD Schley engages DD Yugure at 2,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Peary at 2,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Schley at 2,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Barton at 2,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Monaghan at 2,000 yards
DD Peary engages DD Urakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Stack at 2,000 yards
DD Gillespie engages DD Shirayuki at 2,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Gansevoort at 2,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Frazier at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Musashi engages BB Valiant at 4,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CA Hawkins at 4,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Devonshire at 4,000 yards
BB Hiei engages BB Valiant at 4,000 yards
CL Glasgow engages CA Furutaka at 4,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL Hobart at 4,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages CL Oi at 4,000 yards
CL Hobart engages CL Noshiro at 4,000 yards
CL Achilles engages CL Noshiro at 4,000 yards
CA Takao engages CL Leander at 4,000 yards
DD Shirayuki engages DD Stewart at 4,000 yards
DD Schley engages DD Wakaba at 4,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Schley at 4,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Schley at 4,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Frazier at 4,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Gansevoort at 4,000 yards
DD Wilson engages DD Urakaze at 4,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Lang at 4,000 yards
DD Gillespie engages DD Shirayuki at 4,000 yards
DD Frazier engages DD Yugure at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CL Glasgow at 8,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CA Hawkins at 8,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages CA Furutaka at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages BB Valiant at 8,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Emerald at 8,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Hobart at 8,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Achilles at 8,000 yards
DD Mochizuki engages DD Gansevoort at 8,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Stewart at 8,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Peary at 8,000 yards
DD Peary engages DD Yugure at 8,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Gansevoort at 8,000 yards
DD Allen engages DD Shirayuki at 8,000 yards
DD Monaghan engages DD Yugure at 8,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Stack at 8,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Lang at 8,000 yards
DD Gillespie engages DD Shirayuki at 8,000 yards
DD Gansevoort engages DD Yugure at 8,000 yards
DD Bailey engages DD Shirayuki at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Koggala at 29,50, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Nagato
BB Yamato, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Musashi, Shell hits 49, Torpedo hits 7, and is sunk
CL Oi, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 27, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Karii, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
E Otori, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Java
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Tromp
CL Adelaide
CL Danae, Shell hits 1
CL Dragon, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
CL Durban
CL Dauntless, Shell hits 3
CL Ceres, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Juneau
CLAA San Juan
CL Caledon, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Capetown
CL Colombo, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
DD Vampire
DD Vendetta
DD Arunta
DD Warramunga, Shell hits 1
DD Evertsen
DD Van Ghent
DD Scout
DD Stronghold
CA Soerabaja, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DD La Triomphant, Shell hits 2, on fire



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 82% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
Doorman, Karel WFM crosses the 'T'
CA Soerabaja sunk by BB Musashi at 1,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Colombo at 1,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CL Caradoc at 1,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Caledon at 1,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CL Ceres at 1,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DD Minegumo at 1,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CL Durban at 1,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CL Dragon at 1,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CL Adelaide at 1,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CL Tromp at 1,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD La Triomphant at 1,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Van Ghent at 1,000 yards
BB Musashi engages DD Warramunga at 1,000 yards
BB Musashi sunk by DD Arunta at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
CL Colombo engages BB Yamato at 2,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Capetown at 2,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages BB Hiei at 2,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD La Triomphant at 2,000 yards
DD Minegumo sunk by DD La Triomphant at 2,000 yards
CL Durban engages BB Yamato at 2,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Arunta at 2,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Warramunga at 2,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages E Otori at 2,000 yards
CL Colombo sunk by BB Yamato at 2,000 yards
BB Nagato engages CL Caradoc at 2,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Sumatra at 2,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Caledon at 2,000 yards
CL Ceres engages BB Yamato at 2,000 yards
DD La Triomphant engages DD Oshio at 2,000 yards
CL Durban engages BB Yamato at 2,000 yards
CL Dragon sunk by BB Yamato at 2,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages E Otori at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages CL Oi at 2,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Evertsen at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Capetown at 3,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Caradoc at 3,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Sumatra at 3,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Ceres at 3,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Durban at 3,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Danae at 3,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD La Triomphant at 3,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages E Otori at 3,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CLAA San Juan at 3,000 yards
DD Karii sunk by DD Warramunga at 3,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Vendetta at 3,000 yards
DD Vampire engages DD Urakaze at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CL Capetown engages BB Yamato at 4,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages CL Oi at 4,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Sumatra at 4,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Tromp at 4,000 yards
DD Van Ghent engages DD Oshio at 4,000 yards
CL Durban engages BB Yamato at 4,000 yards
CL Danae engages BB Yamato at 4,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Adelaide at 4,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages CL Oi at 4,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Warramunga at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Sumatra at 6,000 yards
BB Nagato engages CL Sumatra at 6,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Sumatra at 6,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Sumatra at 6,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Dauntless at 6,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Vendetta at 6,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Van Ghent at 6,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages E Otori at 6,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Oshio at 6,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Warramunga at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Capetown at 7,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Caradoc at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Sumatra at 7,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Sumatra at 7,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Dauntless at 7,000 yards
CL Durban engages BB Yamato at 7,000 yards
CL Danae engages BB Yamato at 7,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages E Otori at 7,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD La Triomphant at 7,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Arunta at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[topeverest]

Empire well conceived air raid. My CV's were off replenishing. I had two BB task forces that were based out of Colombo and were bombarding the last empire strong hold on Ceylon - Koggola. Admiral Kamikaze moved in his CV's and launched a raid. I had more than a hundred CAP at Colombo that failed to launch the morning pulse (due to weather?), but the empire air attack occurred in the Colombo hex that morning.

It's ironic that kind of thing can happen and does several times per game. In any event, in a stretch of equally good luck, all the damage that occurred on my BB's caused them to disband in a level 9 port, and they were saved. a CA and other smaller ships were lost, but the raid failed to achieve the loss of any allied BB.

Still pretty well done by my opponent.

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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Colombo at 29,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N1 Kate x 24
B5N2 Kate x 83
D4Y1 Judy x 22



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 11 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 4 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 16 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
CA Cornwall, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Anglo Indian, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Aloe
AM Toowoomba, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
AM Colac, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BC Repulse
BB Warspite, Torpedo hits 1
BB Ramillies, Torpedo hits 1
BB Resolution
BB Revenge, Torpedo hits 2
BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CA Dorsetshire
CL Emerald
CLAA Juneau
xAK Caithness
AM Ballarat
CA Quincy
xAK Bucegi, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Cairns
CA Australia, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Adelaide
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1
CA Hawkins
CLAA San Juan
xAK Nora Moller, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Colombo at 29,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 6



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Hawkins, Torpedo hits 1
CA Canberra

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Colombo at 29,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N1 Kate x 13
B5N2 Kate x 86



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 6
Martlet II x 12
Hurricane IIc Trop x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 20 destroyed, 22 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
CL Dauntless
xAK Caithness, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
BC Repulse
CA Quincy
BB Ramillies, Torpedo hits 2
xAK Aloe, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Hobart
CL Capetown
BB Resolution



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 29,50

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
D4Y1 Judy x 22



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Poole, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AM Warrnambool, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Cromarty, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AM Townsville, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Poole
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Cromarty

[topeverest]

This is the ending battle that sealed Ceylon for the allies. I sent my CV's forward past my Land based CAP around Ceylon and forced a CV battle.

The empire escort fighters never linked up with his attack bombers, and he scored NO CV hits and sunk no capital ships. Don't really know what happened, but I expect that he had a low escort ratio and those that he did send did not link up to the main attack. They were of course toasted by the CAP.

This was a resounding allied CV victory and the end of the campaign.

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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 23,59

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 144
A6M5 Zero x 15



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 72
SBD-3 Dauntless x 70
TBF-1 Avenger x 54


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Okazaki, Bomb hits 1
CVE Chuyo
CVE Hosho
CVE Akawaki, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Pigwa
CVE Arabake
CVE Cabu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVE Taiyo
CA Aoba

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 26,54

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 50 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 18
B5N2 Kate x 89
D4Y1 Judy x 13



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 54


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 7 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 46 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 7 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet
CV Saratoga
CV Lexington

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 23,59

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 135
A6M5 Zero x 15



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 26


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 26,54

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 13



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 37


Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 26,54

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 6



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 26,54

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 6



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 26,54

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 6



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 57


Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 23,59

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 118



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 61
SBD-3 Dauntless x 58
TBF-1 Avenger x 34


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Chuyo, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Okazaki, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Pigwa, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVE Arabake, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CVL Ryuho, on fire
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Nenohi
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Kasumi

Fuel storage explosion on CV Okazaki
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Okazaki
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Hosho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Chuyo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Addu at 20,57

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 19


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CS Naruomi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CS Anaka, Bomb hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 23,59

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 102



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 21


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Addu at 20,57

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 14


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CS Anaka
AV Akitsushima, Bomb hits 1
CS Naruomi, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
14 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 14000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

[topeverest]

Allies started the amphibious war at Hiva oh in September 1943, after having abandoned attacks on the Line islands before landing due to empire naval strength. Empire fleet was slow to respond, and the allies got on. The allies moved quickly to Tahiti and the empire did not engage until nearly 6 weeks later when the allies pushed west from Tahiti to the next island chain west - The Cook Islands

The empire got the first strike and found the CVE task force. The americans struck back with massive force. The radar forced third generation CV attack aircraft as typical made all the difference in the world. The allies lost 9 CVE's in this battle and had a half dozen CV's heavily damaged. The empire suffered massive defeat, losing most of the 20 platforms in the battle. To boot, the allied followon CV attack sunk many of the cruisers and support ships, when all the CV's were gone.

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

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 02, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Aitutaki at 154,171

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M3a Zero x 40
A6M5 Zero x 28
B6N1 Jill x 12
B6N2 Jill x 129
D4Y1 Judy x 136

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 8
Wildcat V x 23
F6F-3 Hellcat x 464

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 30 destroyed, 8 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 7 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 24 destroyed, 16 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 8 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CV Yorktown
CV Victorious
CVE Santee, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Corregidor, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Natoma Bay, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CVE Long Island, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CVE Suwannee, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Lexington II, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Massachusetts
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Yorktown II
CVE Chenango, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CA Louisville
DD Philip
DD Hazelwood
CVE Prince William, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Indiana, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Halford
CVE Sangamon, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
BB Washington, Torpedo hits 1
DD Terry

Fuel storage explosion on CVE Natoma Bay
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Natoma Bay
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Suwannee
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Santee
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Copahee
Ammo storage explosion on CV Wasp
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Sangamon
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Sangamon
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Sangamon
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Corregidor
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Corregidor


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Aitutaki at 154,171

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M3a Zero x 64
A6M5 Zero x 52
B6N2 Jill x 129
D4Y1 Judy x 94

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 8
Wildcat V x 20
F6F-3 Hellcat x 418

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 40 destroyed, 8 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 25 destroyed, 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 4 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 10 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Essex
CV Wasp, on fire
CVE Sangamon, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Santee, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Suwannee, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CVE Chenango, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Nicholas
CVE Natoma Bay, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD McKee
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 1
CVE Corregidor, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hazelwood
DD Spence
CA Louisville
DD Hutchins
DD Harrison
DD Renshaw
CVE Prince William, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1
DD Guest
DD Stanly

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Sangamon
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Copahee
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Santee
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Chenango
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Suwannee
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Natoma Bay
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Natoma Bay
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Corregidor


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ta'u at 153,166

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3a Zero x 24
A6M5 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 4
Wildcat V x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 111
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 103
SBD-3 Dauntless x 92
SBD-5 Dauntless x 108
TBF-1 Avenger x 149
TBM-1C Avenger x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Toyota, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Nisshin, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Nagara, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Taiho, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Takahama, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Tatsuta, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CVL Chitose, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tamanami, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Suzunami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 9, on fire
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
DD Maikaze, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Akatsuki
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hibiki
DD Fumizuki, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
DD Kikuzuki, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
DD Hatsukaze

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Nisshin
Ammo storage explosion on CVL Chitose
Fuel storage explosion on CV Takahama
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Takahama
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Maikaze
Fuel storage explosion on CV Hiryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Toyota
Fuel storage explosion on CV Taiho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Chitose
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Taiho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Soryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Ashigara
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Kikuzuki
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Tamanami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Mutsuki class DD
Massive explosion on CLAA Tatsuta
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Fumizuki
Ammo storage explosion on CVL Nisshin
Ammo storage explosion on CVL Chitose
Ammo storage explosion on CVL Chitose
Magazine explodes on DD Kikuzuki
Fuel storage explosion on CVL Ryujo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ta'u at 154,168

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
A6M3a Zero x 37
A6M5 Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 30
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36
TBM-1C Avenger x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 15 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 12 destroyed, 9 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBM-1C Avenger: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1
CV Unryu, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CVL Mizuho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Zuikaku
CV Shokaku
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CV Seto, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ta'u at 152,165

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3a Zero x 18
A6M5 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
TBM-1C Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
TBM-1C Avenger: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CA Suzuya

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ta'u at 154,168

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3a Zero x 12
A6M5 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
TBM-1C Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 10 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Seto, on fire
CV Shokaku
CV Unryu, on fire
CV Akagi, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ta'u at 153,166

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3a Zero x 8
A6M5 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Toyota, heavy fires, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ta'u at 154,168

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
A6M3a Zero x 19
A6M5 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 4
Wildcat V x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 107
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 100
SBD-3 Dauntless x 101
SBD-5 Dauntless x 69
TBF-1 Avenger x 103
TBM-1C Avenger x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 4 destroyed, 12 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
CVL Mizuho, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CV Unryu, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CV Seto, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Sawakaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Asakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hamanami
CA Kumano, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Natori, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
DD Yukaze
DD Nowaki
DD Yugumo, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Akizuki, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Fuel storage explosion on CVL Mizuho
Fuel storage explosion on CV Kaga
Ammo storage explosion on CVL Mizuho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Unryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Akagi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Seto
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Natori
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Kumano
Ammo storage explosion on CV Zuikaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese DD
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Fubuki(I) class DD
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku
Ammo storage explosion on CV Shokaku
Fuel storage explosion on CV Shokaku
Fuel storage explosion on CV Seto
Fuel storage explosion on CV Seto


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Aitutaki at 154,171

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 22
A6M5 Zero x 25
B6N2 Jill x 26
D4Y1 Judy x 21

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 8
Wildcat V x 18
F6F-3 Hellcat x 270

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 6 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 16 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 10 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown II
CV Saratoga

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ta'u at 152,165

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 10
TBM-1C Avenger x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Yakumo
BB Mutsu
CA Suzuya

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ta'u at 154,168

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3a Zero x 8
A6M5 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed

[topeverest]

After his setback in the cook islands, about two months later, the empire conceived a Leyte gulf style battle where he pulsed in a BB task force and baited the American carrier fleet to approach what remained of his carriers east of Suva. American carrier fleet was positioned two hexes east of Savaii, and BB's protected the major approach south of Uplolu. I was invading at Upolu in the turn the attack occurred. Other SCTF were patrolling in the area, and I had 2 dozen subs patrolling the approaches to slow down any pulse.

Against all odds, his BB task force blitzed in, survived the sub screen mined straight, and passed through the American BB task force without a fight. It then sought out and FOUND the retreating CV task force. In a classic repeat of the battle of Samar against Taffey three but against the main allied CV fleet, the nailbiting day combat ensued in thunderstorms.
BB's had been stripped from the CV task force for cover at Upolu, and it seemed this would be that magic moment actualized for the empire.
But it was not to be. Every ship in the CV task force was faster than the BB's and the bulk of the task force retreated from the surface threat with minor damage, even if Saratoga was sunk.

Once the initial shock was recovered, the fleet launched and sunk the 3 BB's. His long range air raids from his CV's failed, and his LBA was ineffective.

great empire plan, but it did not work.


-------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 28, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Vanua Balavu at 137,160

Japanese Ships
CVL Obu, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Mutsu
CA Mikuma
CL Kitakami
DD Arashio
DD Hikokaze
DD Takakaze
DD Asagiri
DD Fubuki

Allied Ships
SS Bashaw

Ammo storage explosion on CVL Obu
SS Bashaw launches 6 torpedoes at CVL Obu
DD Hikokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Takakaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Asagiri fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fubuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Vanua Balavu at 137,160

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukaze
BB Mutsu
CA Mikuma
CL Kitakami
DD Arashio
DD Hikokaze
DD Takakaze
DD Asagiri
DD Fubuki

Allied Ships
SS Picuda

SS Picuda launches 6 torpedoes at DD Hatsukaze
Picuda diving deep ....
DD Hikokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Takakaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Asagiri fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Fubuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hikokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hikokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hikokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hikokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hikokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hikokaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Upolu at 146,161

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Haruna
CA Kako
CA Haguro
CL Tama
DD Kuroshio
DD Uruyuke
DD Asanagi
DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
SS Snook, hits 4, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Pago Pago at 148,160, Range 7,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 11 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 10 destroyed
TBM-1C Avenger: 13 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 3
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 5
CA Tone, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro, Shell hits 3
CA Kako
CL Tama, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 1
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 2
DD Tanikaze
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asanagi, Shell hits 1
DD Uruyuke, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Shell hits 3
CV Saratoga, Shell hits 43, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CV Yorktown
CV Enterprise, Shell hits 2, on fire
CV Hornet
CV Essex
CV Bunker Hill, Shell hits 2
CV Yorktown II
CV Lexington II, Shell hits 2
CA Houston, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chester, Shell hits 1
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Bache
DD Boyd
DD Bradford
DD Braine, Shell hits 2
DD Brownson
DD Bullard
DD Bush
DD Philip, Shell hits 1
DD Pringle
DD Abner Read, Shell hits 1

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 7,000 yards
Yamaguchi, Jihei crosses the 'T'
BB Kirishima engages CV Lexington II at 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CV Saratoga at 7,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CV Bunker Hill at 7,000 yards
CA Kako engages CV Saratoga at 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CV Hornet at 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CV Enterprise at 7,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages CV Saratoga at 7,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages CV Lexington at 7,000 yards
CA Chester engages DD Umikaze at 7,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Houston at 7,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CLAA Atlanta at 7,000 yards
DD Abner Read engages DD Uruyuke at 7,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages DD Pringle at 7,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Uruyuke at 7,000 yards
DD Braine engages DD Uruyuke at 7,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages DD Bradford at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CV Saratoga at 4,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CV Yorktown II at 4,000 yards
Fuel storage explosion on CV Saratoga
BB Kongo engages CV Saratoga at 4,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CV Essex at 4,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Saratoga at 4,000 yards
CA Tone engages CV Saratoga at 4,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages CV Saratoga at 4,000 yards
DD Bradford engages DD Asanagi at 4,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CA Chester at 4,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Houston at 4,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CLAA Atlanta at 4,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Abner Read at 4,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Pringle at 4,000 yards
DD Braine engages DD Kuroshio at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CV Saratoga at 8,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CV Saratoga at 8,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CV Saratoga at 8,000 yards
CA Kako engages CV Saratoga at 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Saratoga at 8,000 yards
CA Tone engages CV Saratoga at 8,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Saratoga at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CV Saratoga at 8,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CV Lexington at 8,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Philip at 8,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Philip at 8,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Yamakaze at 8,000 yards
DD Abner Read engages DD Tanikaze at 8,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Abner Read at 8,000 yards
DD Bradford engages DD Kuroshio at 8,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Bradford at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages CV Lexington II at 11,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CV Saratoga at 11,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages CV Bunker Hill at 11,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Kako at 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Saratoga at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CV Enterprise at 11,000 yards
CL Tama engages CLAA Atlanta at 11,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages DD Braine at 11,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CV Lexington at 11,000 yards
DD Braine engages DD Umikaze at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Abner Read at 11,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Pringle at 11,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Abner Read at 11,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Braine at 11,000 yards
DD Braine engages DD Kuroshio at 11,000 yards
DD Bullard engages DD Kawakaze at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CV Saratoga at 12,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CV Saratoga at 12,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages CV Bunker Hill at 12,000 yards
CA Kako engages CV Saratoga at 12,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages CV Hornet at 12,000 yards
CA Tone engages CV Saratoga at 12,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Saratoga at 12,000 yards
DD Bullard engages DD Uruyuke at 12,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CV Lexington at 12,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Chester at 12,000 yards
CA Houston engages CA Haguro at 12,000 yards
CA Tone engages CLAA Atlanta at 12,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Pringle at 12,000 yards
DD Bullard engages DD Yukikaze at 12,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Philip at 12,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Bache at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CV Saratoga at 13,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CV Yorktown II at 13,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CLAA Atlanta at 13,000 yards
CA Kako engages CV Saratoga at 13,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Saratoga at 13,000 yards
CA Tone engages CV Saratoga at 13,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Braine at 13,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Pringle at 13,000 yards
CL Tama engages CLAA Atlanta at 13,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Abner Read at 13,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Bache at 13,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Philip at 13,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Braine at 13,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Bache at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CV Lexington II at 12,000 yards
Ammo storage explosion on CV Saratoga
BB Haruna engages CV Saratoga at 12,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CV Bunker Hill at 12,000 yards
CA Kako engages CV Essex at 12,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Hornet at 12,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Saratoga at 12,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CV Saratoga at 12,000 yards
DD Asanagi engages CV Lexington at 12,000 yards
DD Bradford engages DD Umikaze at 12,000 yards
DD Abner Read engages DD Kawakaze at 12,000 yards
DD Abner Read engages DD Yamakaze at 12,000 yards
DD Pringle engages DD Tanikaze at 12,000 yards
DD Braine engages DD Yukikaze at 12,000 yards
DD Asanagi engages DD Philip at 12,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Brownson at 12,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Bradford at 12,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Uruyuke at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CV Saratoga at 8,000 yards
CV Saratoga sunk by BB Haruna at 8,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages CV Bunker Hill at 8,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CV Hornet at 8,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CV Enterprise at 8,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Yorktown at 8,000 yards
DD Bullard engages DD Asanagi at 8,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Philip at 8,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Boyd at 8,000 yards
CL Tama engages CLAA Atlanta at 8,000 yards
DD Abner Read engages DD Yukikaze at 8,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Pringle at 8,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Philip at 8,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages DD Bush at 8,000 yards
DD Brownson engages DD Kawakaze at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Asanagi engages CV Yorktown II at 13,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Houston at 13,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CV Essex at 13,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages CV Hornet at 13,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages CV Enterprise at 13,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages CV Yorktown at 13,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages DD Bush at 13,000 yards
DD Pringle engages DD Asanagi at 13,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CA Houston at 13,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CLAA Atlanta at 13,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Pringle at 13,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Philip at 13,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Boyd at 13,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Bullard at 13,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Brownson at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Upolu at 147,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 8
G3M3 Nell x 6

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Upolu at 147,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 9
B6N2 Jill x 6

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 21
F6F-3 Hellcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Rohna, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pago Pago at 148,160

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 19
F6F-3 Hellcat x 19
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 105
SBD-5 Dauntless x 173
TBF-1 Avenger x 72
TBM-1C Avenger x 62

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 4 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 10 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBM-1C Avenger: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Asanagi, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 2
DD Uruyuke, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Umikaze, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
CA Haguro
CA Tone

Magazine explodes on DD Asanagi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Asanagi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Uruyuke
Magazine explodes on DD Uruyuke
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Umikaze


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Upolu at 147,160

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M5 Zero x 10
A6M5b Zero x 11
B6N2 Jill x 16

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 23
F6F-3 Hellcat x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 4 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
LSI(L) Glenapp
xAP Rajula, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Savaii at 146,159

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3a Zero x 10
B6N2 Jill x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Aulick
DD Anthony

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pago Pago at 148,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 73
TBF-1 Avenger x 31
TBM-1C Avenger x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Torpedo hits 1
DD Kawakaze, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Haguro


Massive explosion on DD Kawakaze


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Savaii at 146,159

Japanese Ships
SS I-185, hits 16, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Aulick
DD Anthony

SS I-185 is sighted by escort
I-185 bottoming out ....
DD Aulick fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Anthony fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Aulick attacking submerged sub ....
DD Aulick cannot reach attack position over SS I-185
SS I-185 forced to surface!
DD Aulick firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pago Pago at 148,160

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa

SS Tinosa launches 6 torpedoes at BB Kongo
Tinosa diving deep ....
DD Tanikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tanikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tanikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tanikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tanikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[topeverest]

With the January loss of the bulk of the empire CV force, the empire set about a campaign on long range air CV raids that were broadly successful over the spring and early summer of 1944 around Suva, New Caledonia, and Loganville. Dozens of allied ships were sunk and twice that were severely damaged. It was an effective use of his inferior force. He would pulse in while I was in an invasion, but stay out of range of the CV support.

I finally outguessed his moves during the invasion of Ndeni, east of Guadalcanal. I pulsed the bulk of my CV fleet NW from Ndeni roughly north of San Cristobal island near Guadalcanal. Now in range of my CV fleet, his inferior CV force suffered massive defeat. Not a single empire hit on an allied CV. While this kind of outcome is typical of this point in the war, it is always shocking to see such an outcome where the losing side gets no hits at all. the allies CVE related CAP was decisive

--------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 22, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Vanikoro at 122,146, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Onami
DD Urakaze
DD Yugure
DD Yayoi
DD Mochizuki
DD Kyukaze
DD Katsutade
DD Hikokaze
DD Ishikaze

Allied Ships
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
DD Pringle
DD Abner Read
xAP Tjisaroea
xAP Van Overstraten
xAP Rangitiki
xAP Rangitata
xAP Mataroa
xAP Raranga
xAP Limerick
xAP Mildura
xAP Murada
xAP Montoro
AP Gen. W.A.Mann
AP Gen. G.M.Randall
AP Gen. H.L.Scott

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Allied Amphibious TF evades combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,140

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
D4Y3 Judy x 6
G4M1 Betty x 9
G4M2 Betty x 9
N1K2-J George x 19
P1Y2 Frances x 9
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 43

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 128
F4U-1A Corsair x 157
F6F-3 Hellcat x 322
F6F-5 Hellcat x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D4Y3 Judy: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 3 destroyed by flak
N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed
P1Y2 Frances: 6 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 21 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
BB Iowa
CV Wasp


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,140

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
G4M1 Betty x 12

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 116
F4U-1A Corsair x 140
F6F-3 Hellcat x 300
F6F-5 Hellcat x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,140

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y3 Judy x 18
N1K1-J George x 6
N1K2-J George x 3

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 102
F4U-1A Corsair x 115
F6F-3 Hellcat x 249
F6F-5 Hellcat x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y3 Judy: 7 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 118,139

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 102 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 5

Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 11
Seafire IIC x 7
Martlet IV x 8
Wildcat V x 7
F4U-1A Corsair x 70
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45
F6F-5 Hellcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 118,139

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 12

Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 10
Seafire IIC x 6
Martlet IV x 8
Wildcat V x 6
F4U-1A Corsair x 66
F6F-3 Hellcat x 43
F6F-5 Hellcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 118,139

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sen Baku x 34
A6M5 Zero x 29
A6M5b Zero x 23
B6N2 Jill x 70
B7A2 Grace x 14
D4Y3 Judy x 15
N1K1 Rex x 2

Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 9
Seafire IIC x 6
Martlet IV x 8
Wildcat V x 6
F4U-1A Corsair x 61
F6F-3 Hellcat x 37
F6F-5 Hellcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Sen Baku: 3 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 3 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 41 destroyed, 5 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 4 destroyed by flak
B7A2 Grace: 10 destroyed
D4Y3 Judy: 7 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVL Monterey
CVL Belleau Wood
CVL Cabot
CVL Princeton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 117,136

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M2 Sen Baku x 13
A6M5 Zero x 31
A6M5b Zero x 25
N1K1 Rex x 16
N1K2-J George x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 60
F6F-5 Hellcat x 14
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 217
SBD-5 Dauntless x 96

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Sen Baku: 3 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 12 destroyed, 32 damaged
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-5 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 23 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Shinano, Bomb hits 6, on fire
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 16, on fire
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CVL Ibuki, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Toyahashi, Bomb hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Handa, Bomb hits 8, on fire
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Tama
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires
DD Maki
CVL Chiyoda, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Makinami
DD Shimozuki, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 10, on fire
DD Amatsukaze, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DD Hamanami, Bomb hits 1
DD Oshio, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
DD Naganami, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage


Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mogami
Fuel storage explosion on CVL Ibuki
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ibuki
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Toyahashi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Shoho
Ammo storage explosion on CVL Shoho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Katsuragi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Chiyoda
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shinano
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Oshio
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Handa
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Amatsukaze
Magazine explodes on DD Amatsukaze
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Naganami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Nachi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,140

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 84
F4U-1A Corsair x 87
F6F-3 Hellcat x 187
F6F-5 Hellcat x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 11
F4U-1A Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8
F6F-5 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,140

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 114 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sen Baku x 19
A6M5 Zero x 10
B7A2 Grace x 3

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 115
F4U-1A Corsair x 152
F6F-3 Hellcat x 300
F6F-5 Hellcat x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Sen Baku: 6 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
B7A2 Grace: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,140

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 4

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 112
F4U-1A Corsair x 147
F6F-3 Hellcat x 281
F6F-5 Hellcat x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 119,140

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 18
B6N2 Jill x 4
D4Y3 Judy x 10

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 94
F4U-1A Corsair x 121
F6F-3 Hellcat x 229
F6F-5 Hellcat x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 5 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed
D4Y3 Judy: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auki at 117,136

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M2 Sen Baku x 8
A6M5 Zero x 18
A6M5b Zero x 19
N1K1 Rex x 15
N1K2-J George x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51
F6F-5 Hellcat x 6
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 189
SBD-5 Dauntless x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Sen Baku: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 8 destroyed, 15 damaged
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Handa, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 21, heavy fires
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shimozuki, Bomb hits 11, and is sunk
CV Toyahashi, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Shinano, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Tama, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Chiyoda, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Maki
DD Hamanami
DD Makinami, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 23, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Naganami, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Handa
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Kaga class CV
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Toyahashi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shinano
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Chiyoda
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Tama
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mikuma
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mogami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Shimozuki
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Nachi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Shoho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese DD
Fuel storage explosion on CV Katsuragi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Makinami


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 118,139

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B7A2 Grace x 2
N1K2-J George x 2

Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 10
Seafire IIC x 7
Martlet IV x 8
Wildcat V x 7
F4U-1A Corsair x 59
F6F-3 Hellcat x 36
F6F-5 Hellcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A2 Grace: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 118,139

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 105 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B7A2 Grace x 3

Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 9
Seafire IIC x 7
Martlet IV x 8
Wildcat V x 7
F4U-1A Corsair x 55
F6F-3 Hellcat x 33
F6F-5 Hellcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A2 Grace: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 117,139

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vanikoro at 121,146

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7
SBD-5 Dauntless x 29

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Onami
DD Katsutade, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Mochizuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ishikaze
DD Hikokaze, Bomb hits 1
DD Urakaze

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Katsutade


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 116,137

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-5 Hellcat x 7
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hayashio, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Akatsuki, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asashio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tachekaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Matsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Isokaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese DD
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hayashio
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Matsukaze


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vanikoro at 121,146

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 8
F4U-1A Corsair x 8
TBM-1C Avenger x 11

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Onami
DD Mochizuki, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Urakaze

[topeverest]

The invasion of Oz is about set to begin loading, with an invasion date around the first week of December, depending on which site is finally chosen. current intel suggests that the area between Sydney and Brisbane - the ideal invasion zone is too heavily defended with LBA. Will make final decision once the ships are loaded with troops. bringing as many AA units as I can to protect the bases as I take them, and I will use para's to block rail movement by taking certain junction bases or dots.

[topeverest]

One major allies blunder has been to not bring enough supply to asia. 60 game days ago, I was set for an amphibious invasion near Bangkok, when I found that I had scarce supply reserves on the continent but more than 10M points between Cape town , mobassa, aden, and Abadan. I had to send my 200 AK's back to those ports and begin pushing supply to the continent. Pretty bad! I have since brought in about 1M points, but that isn't enough. I will keep going until I have brought in 5M points and then restack for that invasion.

separately, this month have abandoned close-in sub patrols around japan and have had little to no success sinking empire cargo's since. I am still in the process of redeploying my subs. Darwin figures heavy in my future sub basing. Right now I lack a close-in base to effectively get at much of the inner empire with many of the mid ranges subs. Oz should solve that within a few months.

[topeverest]

In the past 10 days, I have had to travel to Milwaukee, Detroit, and Nashville, and my esteemed opponent has gone on vacation. Gaming is set to resume on Monday with one of the biggest invasions of the game short of Japan pending - the invasion of Oz. In our game, we agreed that Oz must be cleared before the allies can press the inner holdings - - - Mariana's or Philippines or Kurils. It has been a long game year of campaigning that brought the allies from Tahiti to this invasion. The allies have to eviscerate the enemy to proceed, so the enemy surely has heavily defended the continent.

The defenses are as follows.

[topeverest]

Allied forces are about finished gathering and loading. Below is the allied invasion force.

[topeverest]

I am confident the enemy has a counterpulse force, but I haven't spotted it. I am expected it could be around Adelaide or truk. Neither place can I effectively monitor. With that in mind, I don't like bending the odds to his favor. One starting location is as good as another. With that in mind, here are my thoughts.

[topeverest]

Following is a visual aid on the substantial fleet train activities set up in a hub fashion.

[topeverest]

ship losses report for the month. Note I had to pull back from Japan due to E boat effectiveness, which tanked my sub performance. In the prior picture you can see where I am in the process of redeploying to, and that sub attrition is beginning again.

[topeverest]

We - both my illustrious opponent and I have extensively traveled both for business and vacation including Philadelphia, DC, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Detroit. I'm sure there are a few others in there, but whose counting after umpteenth thousand miles in the air.

As indicated in the last update, the invasion of Oz has begun, and I chose Townsville. I made shorefall last turn with my invasion fleets.

[topeverest]

Assault 3500. Still quite a bit more to unload as shown above. Should have 5K AV when I attack this turn.
Also launching all DB TBD and B-29 (from New Caledonia) to disrupt the enemy, who has 4 divisions there.

[topeverest]

Empire connected in internal Oz rail, presumably so he can move forces faster, and I connected some rails in India and a road in Burma to a large isolated ground unit

[topeverest]

Empire built in SE oz, and I split my builds between eastern India and Burma.

[topeverest]

Allies will be doing the following major activities. keep in mind the bulk of the allied navies are supporting this invasion, so there aren't any other invasions occurring at this time.
1. bomb in SE Asia, and select attacks in China. Note China is not a strategic offensive area yet. I have some future ideas, but not for this month.
2. Transfer troops at Hawaii to Noumea - Noumea to be the base of future naval operations.
3. Ferry troops from NZ to Oz
4. Ferry troops already in Noumea to Oz

[topeverest]

Over three days, naval attack planes attacked the task forces headed to Townville from major bases around Brisbane. I specifically stayed far enough away that all naval attack planes needed to do extended range. It worked as designed. The attacks came in sharded. 200 total empire planes were lost to about 20 allied. It boiled down to the compact nature of the armada, carriers in the center and the transports all within 1 hexes surrounding them. As a result, I was able to project several hundred fighters into each attack. He managed 5 total hits, three of which were on BB's with bombs that did not penetrate.

The empire opted not to continue with these tactics after the two turns of attacks. I expect the massed torpedo attack boat attacks next.