Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walker (J) DBB-B Scen 28

[Walker84]

July 6, 1942

Solomon Is

Amphibious Assault at Tulagi today. It looks like the entire 1st Marine Div is landing there so my opponent clearly intends to stay. SS I-24 manages to put a torpedo into xAP Limerick, adding to the Marine casualties suffered on the beach, but it's a mere fleabite and the island will fall tomorrow for sure. Faced with such overwhelming odds, float transports have already extracted some of the defenders from the crack 7th Indpt SNLF Coy to Rabaul.

The Allied CVs are finally detected in the shallows just SW of Kirakira, no doubt providing CAP for the landings. Several Japanese submarines are damaged by escorts as they attack various TFs but should be able to make port okay unless they are unlucky.

I have a lot of fighters in position at the Shortlands base complex but for some reason they fail to fulfil the orders that were set for the day. I thought the commanders had suitable aggression ratings but will need to check again.

In other news...

The 2nd Sasebo SNLF Coy lands at Puerto Princesa in the Philippines but finds Palawan Constab Battalion rather than a crappy base force defending there so I may have to bring more troops.

Soerabaja is now fully invested and I just need to bring a few more units into play before launching the first DA.

Near Calcut in India, SS I-27 puts a torpedo into TK Anders Jahre then fires another six at an Allied SCTF comprising cruisers and destroyers. I-27 emerges unscathed and will return to base to reload.

[Walker84]

July 7/8, 1942

Flat-top update

Kaga arrives at Kobe, having been escorted there at mission speed after her fires were put out and temporary repairs were made at Truk. The repair estimate is 90-odd days and she will emerge with her July '42 upgrade. The other carriers damaged at Shortlands will be available in between 10 - 20 days and Zuikaku has also had its upgrade.

The remaining carriers are departing the Indian Ocean and will stage in the DEI before being redeployed to SW Pacific. A strong SCTF will remain in the Bay of Bengal to protect our land forces flank from bombardment. Ideally, the KB minus Kaga will be fully redeployed in 20 days time.


SW Pacific

Tulagi falls as anticipated. A Marine division and various engineer and base units are landed. Like Lunga, the base has no airfield currently but this will soon change.

The Allied carriers assume a more forward position NE of Tulagi on the 7th but retire again on the 8th. My subs are coming off worst in the tussle with Allied ASW. SS RO-68 is scuttled at Tulagi to prevent capture after taking 9 hits. Several other subs are limping back to Rabaul. I-6 manages to sink CM Krakatau, but none of the more juicy transports are attacked.

Having sat out the action for two days my Zeroes finally manage to carry out a sweep on the 8th and 25 F4Fs are shot down for 12 of ours. If I can force the Allies to trade fighter losses that they can ill afford then I will be able to get my Netties back into the fray. But the question is how long the naval targets will be there.

[Encircled]

He's taken advantage of his success versus your carriers.

He needs another base nearby though, or you can probably make a serious effort to take it back.

[Walker84]

Dead right! I already have three divisions in the region and as long as I can establish air superiority I will definitely make a serious effort to isolate Tulagi.

[jwolf]

Looks like you're both gearing up for a long struggle very much like the historical Guadalcanal. The big difference is that the "Midway" in this game didn't sink your carriers, but just put them out of action for a while. This will be very entertaining for us spectators! [8D]

[Walker84]

I hope so! This is about the sixth PBEM that I have started and is definitely my most enjoyable game to date so I do hope that spectators are also finding it interesting.

[Lowpe]

How tough is a Marine Division in July of 42?

How is your supply position in the South Pacific? You probably only have a half dozen months of pretty safe supply convoys.

[Walker84]

I'm not entirely sure about the 1st Marine Div's strength in July '42. My opponent has also made landings at Lunga and Tassafaronga, so I will need to decide when and where to counter-attack. But with his carriers in the way it's a little bit academic until I can establish air superiority. Shortlands/Buin is a static carrier force for me at the moment, stuffed with A6M2s which don't even require drop tanks to sweep Tulagi.

Good point about the supplies. I have been dropping more off each time I bring troops from the HI to Truk and Rabaul, then I'm using cheap, short-legged transports to distribute around the islands. Need to keep stockpiling however.

[Walker84]

July 9/10, 1942

SW Pacific

Various skirmishes between my subs and Allied TFs lead to no major successes for either side. I-11 launches 6 torpedoes at CL Boise but misses and later on I-7 spots the Prince of Wales in a larger predominantly-US TF.

Zeroes sweep Tulagi on the 9th and when no aircraft rise to oppose them I set a port attack for next day. However after the Zero sweep the Netties fail to take off due to the weather. That's a pity as there are several ships in port, one of which must be an AV as a gaggle of PBYs seem to have taken up residence already.

The Allied TFs in the Solomons are pulling back already after dropping off their initial loads which means I have hardly laid a scratch on them while they were in range of Shortlands. Weather and poor air coordination has played a part in this. On the other hand my LBA is still at full strength and itching to contest the skies over Lunga and Tulagi.

DEI

Soerabaja falls to a second deliberate attack on the 10th July, netting a good toll of Allied squads although later than I would have liked due to the diversion of forces towards India. Bandjermasin on Borneo and Padang on Sumatra fall at the same time.

[Walker84]

July 11, 1942

Bay of Bengal/India/Burma

Small Japanese supply convoys comprising PBs and AKLs mainly have been unloading at Diamond Harbour, Akyab and Cox's Bazar over the past few days. The plan is to load and evacuate a couple of small units, including a 33rd div fragment that is preventing me from rebuilding the division in Burma. If this experiment goes well, I may well rinse and repeat with a larger lift next time. Apart from sporadic sub attacks there has been no attempt to interdict these convoys. Calcutta is only showing about 20 fighters on the base currently vs. the 100 I have at DH. This could change any moment but I remain confident that I can maintain air superiority.

A phoney war is still being maintained to the south, although there's evidence of more Allied units taking up positions along the Burmese border. My plan is to maintain air superiority here as well while stepping up my own ground reinforcements. With this in mind, the first Tojo and Nick units have already been deployed in theatre.

Philippines / DEI

Japanese forces CAPTURE Puerto Princesa and sink a lone HDML at Waingapoe. I suspect my opponent had received intel that I was sending a unit to the latter destination as part of Operation Occupy all Empty Bases!

[Walker84]

SW Pacific

I move Vals and Kates to Buin and Shortlands to augment the Netty strikes planned for this turn and the results look a bit more promising with no intervention from Allied carriers. I'm surprised that my opponent has left as many transports in range of my LBA, but then again my LBA hasn't looked very threatening these last few turns. I wonder if the carriers have departed or if they will steam back in again due to this provocation. My Zero pilots would certainly be happy to take on some more F4Fs at this stage.

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Morning Air attack on Tulagi , at 114,137

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M2 Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 25

No Japanese losses

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
9 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Tulagi , at 114,137

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 114 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
AVD William B. Preston, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Talang Akar, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
TK Paula, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Massive explosion on TK Talang Akar
Massive explosion on TK Paula


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
D3A1 Val x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Florence D., Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kortenaer
xAK Harry Luckenbach, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Arizonan, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Harry Luckenbach
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Arizonan

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N1 Kate x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
xAP Katoomba, Bomb hits 1
CA Indianapolis
CL Trenton

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

[Walker84]

July 12, 1942

Various Japanese sub attacks on Allied TFs around the Solomons. SS I-22 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Louisville unsuccessfully and other torpedoes are wasted on escorts with no hits scored.

After Nells stage another port attack on Tulagi only one air group locates shipping targets as the Allied TFs start to pull back: B5N1 Kates vs xAK Cagou, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires; AM Whippoorwill, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires.

No sign of the Allied carriers so I wonder if they pulled back to refuel or take on more fighters after their recent mauling. I'll need to rest some of my own fighter pilots and keep search levels up in the meantime. I expect Tulagi and Lunga to sprout airfields soon, plus there's risk of an Allied bombardment run towards Shortlands at any time.

DEI

My minesweepers have to sink 6 Allied HDMLs at Soerabaja before they can start sweeping the port.

Diamond Harbour

My first small TF successfully loads an armoured regiment and the divisional fragment and sets course for Rangoon. Still not much Allied air around but subs will be a hazard in the Bay of Bengal.

[Walker84]

July 13, 1942

SW Pacific

SS I-7 torpedoes AM Whippoorwill near Rennell Island. I'm pretty sure she sank afterwards as she was already damaged in a bombing raid.

A SCTF comprising 5 CAs and 5 DDs makes a quick run to bombard the Allied positions on Tulagi. Not a great deal of damage but it will give my opponent something to think about.

Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Port hits 11
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 2

The bombardment TF has torpedoes fired at it by SS Halibut on the return journey but emerges unscathed.

DEI

The KB is spotted by a Dutch floatplane as it approaches Soerabaja. The spotter is shot down but our position is now revealed.

[Walker84]

July 14, 1942

DEI

PB Tatibana Maru helps to clear a mine at Soerabaja by hitting it and sinking. Ah, well at least I can now get the KB into port to repair minor damage sustained on the cruise south from the Bay of Bengal.

A tiny force of Dutch bombers mounts a pinprick raid on my units as they approach Batavia.

'Japanese forces CAPTURE Waingapoe !!!' So, next stop San Diego.


India / Burma

SS KIX attacks my convoy at Diamond Harbour but misses and takes 2 hits.
SS Seadragon takes a pot shot at some ships carrying reinforcements to Port Blair. So far I have been pretty lucky with sub attacks on my convoys in the Bay of Bengal.

A flight of unescorted Wellingtons attacks Magwe and finds limited CAP on patrol, so only one is shot down. Mustn't let my guard down in this sector.

An increased number of Allied fighters at Calcutta heralds a possible raid in the offing. I increase the CAP levels at DH and send the majority of loaded transports on their way, leaving one or two ships in place as 'bait' to encourage naval air attacks.

[Walker84]

July 15, 1942

DEI

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bima and Sampit !!!


SW Pacific

Raid on Tulagi:

Japanese aircraft: A6M2 Zero x 27; G3M2 Nell x 33; G4M1 Betty x 35

Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1

Considering that both units have pretty good ground attack ratings, I'm not going to be able to close the base down at this rate.


Burma / India

I was correct about an air attack on Diamond Harbour, no doubt the Allies were stung into action by the fact that I was sailing TFs in and out of the port with impunity. Not as many fighter waves this time, and the attackers find themselves solely up against Oscars as I have been resting and conserving my navy pilots. Even so, the defenders put on a good show, downing 11 Airacobras, 6 Warhawks, 5 SB IIIs, 4 LB-30s and 3 B-17Es for the loss of 8 Oscars once operational losses are factored in.

Nine SB2U-3 Vindicators manage to evade the CAP and sink xAK Igasa Maru with 4 bomb hits.

The airbase suffers minimal damage in all of this and I will fly a unit of A6M2s in tomorrow to bolster the defences in case the Allies return.

[Walker84]

July 16, 1942

Today's AAR is confined to developments in the Solomon Islands campaign, and what an eventful day it has been!

The day starts with a sub attack near Green Island, east of Rabaul as AK Sagami Maru is torpedoed by SS Grouper while carrying reinforcements to Shortlands.


US flat-top in trouble

Cdr Ibusuki, L. of SS I-171 can't believe his luck as he finds USS Wasp in his sights near Kirakira. A single torpedo hits the carrier from four torpedoes fired.

The carrier is then located in overcast weather near Rennell Island and attacked by Vals, escorted by Zeroes, all based at Shortlands. Despite flying into a wall of CAP, the bomber pilots manage to land quite a few hits on the Wasp.

Morning Air attack on TF

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
D3A1 Val x 27

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 89

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 8, on fire
CV Yorktown
CV Hornet
CA Pensacola, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Annoyingly, the Netties based at Rabaul then turn up to bomb Tulagi again. If only they had been set to naval attack instead!

[Walker84]

Allied carrier raids in the Solomons

Although there may well be landings at Lunga and Tulagi to cover, my opponent also decides to attack the shipping that I have unloading a Naval guard unit at Munda. Anxious to avoid a repetition of the successful Allied raid that damaged my carriers at Shortlands, my land-based fighters rise to the occasion and give Allied naval air a good mauling as various raids come in, some without sufficient co-ordination between bomber groups and their fighter escorts. I'll need to post the report to show how the action unfolded...

[Walker84]

If the intel report at the foot of the page is accurate, the Allies have lost 109 carrier planes today, including 28 brand new Avenger TBFs. I have lost 18 Zeroes, plus a few naval transports and cheap escorts, but I'm happy to trade these given the low replacement rates for US carrier air in 1942. This result seems to vindicate my plan to develop the Shortlands base complex into an unsinkable aircraft carrier, and also illustrates the risks of taking on an undetermined deployment of LBA with powerful, but ultimately fragile, carrier air groups.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 110,132

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 54

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 15 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Satsuki
DMS W-19
DMS W-20
PB Hirota Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Aoba

Japanese ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
6th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Aikoku Maru


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Munda at 111,134

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 72
SBD-3 Dauntless x 54
TBF-1 Avenger x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese Ships
xAK Kashu Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
DD Mikazuki, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Yoneyama Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Toei Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Fumizuki
TB Kasasagi

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
6th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kashu Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Mikazuki
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Toei Maru


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 110,132

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru, on fire
CA Aoba
DMS W-16

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 72 minutes
6th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Aikoku Maru


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 110,132

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru, heavy fires

Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 95 minutes
6th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Aikoku Maru


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 110,132

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 62
TBF-1 Avenger x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 21 destroyed, 6 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CA Aoba
DMS W-16
PB Hirota Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DMS W-20, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DMS W-19
PB Shinkyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
6th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Aikoku Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Shinkyo Maru


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Munda at 111,134

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 58
SBD-3 Dauntless x 32
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Fumizuki
TB Kasasagi, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
TB Sagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Mikazuki, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 10000 feet
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
20 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 10000 feet
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Raid is overhead
6th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes

[Walker84]

Deployments in the Solomon Islands

[Walker84]

July 17, 1942

Solomon Islands campaign

Several subs attack Allied escorts while probing for bigger targets, then SS I-22 gets Lady Lex in its sights and launches 8 torpedoes! All miss [:(]
Although I had reset my sub patrol patterns in the hope of interception there is no sign of Wasp, presumably she has fled the scene. A heavily-damaged Japanese destroyer sinks at Shortlands after the pumps fail.

Then our planes attack the Allied TFs unloading at Lunga in heavy rain...not a massive result but more Wildcats are shot down, and a couple of transports sink with devices on board.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Raid detected at 97 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
D3A1 Val x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAKL Argus, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APD Schley
APD Waters, Bomb hits 1
xAK Colac, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 18 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Colac

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 113 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M2 Nell x 27
G4M1 Betty x 30

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1
CL Raleigh
CA Houston
xAK Colac, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Chew
CA New Orleans
CL Boise
APD Waters
xAK Herstein
xAKL Argus, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Crosby
CA Australia

Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 96 (75 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 50 (43 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
25 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Raid is overhead