Blue Water Hell

[Micah Goodman]

This is my first full game and my first AAR. For those of you who are more experienced at this game I am sure you will chuckle at some of the mistakes I am bound to make, but hay, that is what makes this game fun. I am playing Scenario 17 with Midway historic outcome by Black Cat. Fog of war is on, Japanese Sub doctrine is set to Historic, and AI is set to Historical. I am playing primarily as the SOPAC commander. Whenever I want to do something using other forces I use a random number generator (ie a 20 sided dice) and set a percent chance that I can do what I want or not. This to me is the best way to simulate the different goals of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army in the Pacific at that time.

May 1, 1942
I have finally arrived in Noumea on New Caledonia. Well, I have a huge task ahead of me and little in the way of resources to accomplish what must be done. This will be the decisive Theater of Operations for the war in the Pacific. Admiral Nimitz and the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral King have informed me that my primary goal is to keep the sea-lanes open between the United States and Australia. My secondary goal is to slow Japanese advances in the SOPAC area of operations. Major ______ an aid for General MacArthur has informed me that SWPAC intends to land 2 Brigades from the 7th Australian Infantry Division with supplies at Gilli Gilli. With only 2 CA’s a CL and two DD’s as a covering force it is a bold and risky move. I have agreed to load up all of the cargo ships here with supplies to support the operations at Gilli Gilli. My land forces here on New Caledonia consist of three National Guard Regiments that the Army is organizing into what they are calling the Americal Division. This is a shortening of the term Americans in Caledonia.

At sea things are a little better. I have ordered Admiral Fletcher to take Task Force 201 with the carriers Lexington and Yorktown to head north to Guadalcanal to investigate rumors of an increased Japanese presence in the area. If Japanese carriers are spotted he has orders to engage them at all costs.

May 7, 1942
I have received radio reports from Admiral Fletcher that a Japanese Carrier Task Force has been spotted to the Northeast of them. He has informed me that he will head in a Northeasterly direction to lead the Japanese away from Gilli Gilli to provide the Australians some protection from the Japanese.

Late in the day I was informed that a Japanese task force was spotted off the coast of Buna and that the Japanese had captured Gilli Gilli. It looks like the Aussies will have some fighting to do.

May 8. 1942
Battle of the Solomon Sea.

I have received great news from Admiral Fletcher his early morning air attack hit hard. IJN Shokaku took three 1,000 lbs bomb hits and was believed to be on fire. IJN Shoho took four 1,000 lbs bombs and a torpedo; the damage was believed to be severe. IJN Zuikaku took two 1,000 lbs bombs and a torpedo and was also on fire.
The first Japanese strike of the day hit Lexington with one bomb hit and two torpedoes. The Yorktown got hit with one torpedo and one bomb, which caused fires to break out. During this melee a torpedo hit the DD Sims breaking her back and causing her to go down quickly. It is unclear if it came from Japanese torpedo planes or a sub. Shortly after that attack the Air Groups from Yorktown had to transfer to the Lexington. Heavy rain in the battle area seemed to favor us more than the Japanese.

On New Guinea Australian forces landed near Gilli Gilli in preparation for recapturing that base. Macarthur’s Navy (2 CA’s, 1 CL, 2 DD’s) damaged the Japanese fleet trying to land troops and forced them to flee with light damage. Our damage was light as well. I was surprised that the Japanese only had two DD type ships as an escort for that invasion.

May 9, 1942

A Japanese Submarine hit the CA Portland with a torpedo causing moderate damage. DD Dewey was also hit but her antagonist was sunk as well. Admiral Fletcher decided to detach her and send her to Noumea. Due to the damage caused to Yorktown Admiral Fletcher decided to send her back to Noumea with DD Dewey as her escort. As the sun rose 38 Dauntless’ from Lexington found CVL Shoho and punished her with an estimated 15 bomb hits. Three Army B-17’s from Port Moresby made a pass on Shoho as well but missed their target.

The Aussies retook Gilli Gilli killing around three thousand Japanese soldiers while our loses were around two hundred and fifty men.

May 10, 1942

Fletcher detached CA Portland and DD Morris from his task force to return to Noumea. The reminder of the Task Force headed northeast through the slot to finish off the Japanese cripples.

May 11, 1942

Admiral Fletcher found Zuikaku and American planes put thirteen bombs and a torpedo into her. Admiral Fletcher had thought that this was going to be the damaged Shoho but she has managed to evade detection. Also on this date 13 SBD Dauntless attacked Shortland hitting a MSW with three thousand ponders. An afternoon strike was launched against Zuikaku but was ineffectual. A scout plane later radioed that the Zuikaku had sunk.

May 16, 1942

Genearl MacArthur’s command has informed me that the CL Hobart took a Japanese torpedo at Gilli Gilli and is returning to Brisbane.

May 17, 1942

Admiral Fletcher returned to Noumea today and received a hero’s welcome. I have recommended to Admiral Nimitz that Admiral Fletcher receive the Navy Cross for his recent actions. The Shoho and the Shokaku have disappeared to parts unknown. Shoho must be severely crippled and I am sure she will be sent back to Japan for repairs. I am very lucky to face a one on one carrier situation right now.

In other news six Hudsons from RAAF 32 Squadron attacked ships in Rabaul harbor but caused no damage. A second wave of three Hudsons also missed their targets at Rabaul. Gilli Gilli was attacked today by six Betty bombers and 44 Zero escorts! Well, that tells me that at the very least Shoho and Shokaku will be in the repair docks for at least a few weeks.

May 18, 1942

In an effort to capitalize on my success I have ordered TF 201 with Lexington as the flagship for Admiral McCain. I want them to travel to Lunga to attack a group of CA’s and DD’s sighted off of Lunga. I know this is pushing men that have already accomplished a great deal but I believe the Japanese will continue to try and take Guadalcanal. I must stop this or at the very least make it very expensive for the Japanese to accomplish that goal. Yorktown is still limping back to port.

Later in the day the submarine S-37 sighted a convoy at Lunga. S-37 managed to put a torpedo into a CL type ship. Also on the 18th three B-17’s from Port Moresby damaged a MSW type ship in Rabaul harbor.

The sighting of the convoy at Lunga has confirmed my worst fears there appear to be three CA’s one CL, and three DD’s. I have to hit them! And hit them hard!

May 20 1942

In an effort to counter recent Japanese moves I have ordered the American 164 RCT to Luganville via air transport.

May 21, 1942

TF 201 launched air raids on Japanese ships at Lunga. Poor weather hampered the attack and no ships were hit. Sadly a Japanese sub punched a hole in DD Phelps and she went down.

May 22, 1942

Admiral McCain has radioed that the Japanese naval commander at Lunga still has not moved away. After yesterdays poor performance by naval air attack I think he is feeling a little too cocky. Admiral McCain ordered more air strikes. Later in the day American dive and torpedo bombers caused moderate damage to a CL, heavy damage to a CA, light damage to another CA and moderate damage to a DD type ship.

May 23, 1942

Admiral McCain has informed me that do to pilot fatigue he is returning to Noumea. I am not happy with this decision. He should have taken at least one more day to punish the Japanese at Lunga. I know those pilots are tired but they have a job to do. I think this will be Admiral McCain’s final sea command in this theater.

May 25, 1942

Naval Intelligence has informed me that Shoho was sunk during the battle of the Solomon Sea. The news gets better and better.

May 27, 1942

S-40 reports that a CA has sunk off of the coast of Guadalcanal due to earlier bomb damage. Both Yorktown and Lexington returned to Noumea today. I had to chastise Yorktown’s Captain upon return. He had continued flight operations on Yorktown despite the severe damage. This made the damage worse and almost caused Yorktown to sink. He replied that I not specifically ordered him to stop flight operations so he did not stop them.

The next time I will specifically make that order known. Late this afternoon I was informed by Admiral Nimitz that I must return Lexington to Pearl Harbor immediately. I was shocked. But reluctantly gave the order. Now the balance of power has shifted to the Japanese with one carrier (Hopefully damaged) to my one very damaged carrier that I will send back to Pearl Harbor as soon as some emergency repairs are made.

May 30, 1942

Elements of the 28th Bomb Squadron attacked the airfield at Rabaul. The Betty attacks from Rabaul are hitting Gilli Gilli and Port Moresby with increasing regularity.

I ordered the creation of TF 218 centered and the CVE Long Island. SBD’s were loaded on board with the intent to harass Japanese warships that have maintained station off the coast of Lunga

Five B-17’s returned to Rabaul today in an effort to hit the airfield and fifteen Japanese defenders rose up to say howdy. Bombing results were poor and no bombs were on target.

The Japanese not to be outdone sent three Betty’s and a Zero escort to Gilli Gilli however, the too missed their target.

A small convoy of one AP and one AG type ship was spotted north of Guadalcanal. I believe the Japanese are trying to land more troops to shore up their defense of Guadalcanal. However until I can get some aircraft carriers I can do little other than submarine attacks and hopefully a nighttime bombardment when I have a few more surface ships.

May 31, 1942

Six B-17’s returned to hit Rabaul’s airfield today. Eleven Japanese fighters rose as a welcoming committee. Light damage was suffered buy one B-17 and the bombers finally hit the airfield. Four bombs hit the runways and two hit the airbase area. This should slow down flight operations and take the pressure of off Gilli Gilli.

The Japanese again sent three Betty’s to Gilli Gilli in response to our attack but caused no damage.

June 1, 1942

Now, that all air transportable elements of the 164 RCT have been flown to Luganville the remainder of their equipment has been loaded onto ships for transport to them.

June 2, 1942

The USS Trout hit the heavy cruiser Aoba with one torpedo off the coast of Lunga.

June 3, 1942

Six B-17’s revisited Rabaul and twenty-five Japanese fighters rose up to defend their airbase. The bombers hit the runway with two bombs.

In the morning three Betty’s hit Gilli Gilli causing light damage. In the afternoon a second wave of three Betty’s and sixteen Zero’s caused no dmage.

S-42 hit the CA Aoba with two more torpedoes off the coast of Lunga. I do not know who the Japanese surface commander is there but he has decided he is staying for good despite the losses he has suffered over the last week.

June 4, 1942

Incompetent fools surround me, the CVE Long Island returned to Noumea today. They never launched an air strike due to the fact that the CVE had been overloaded by two planes and was incapable of combat flight operations. To me it seems simple. You have room for 16 planes you load 16 planes not eighteen. Sometimes I think it is a shame that the Navy no longer allows flogging.

American submarines were very busy today and had mixed success and failure. The USS Trout was damaged by DD’s off of Lunga. The damage is severe enough that I will have to send Trout back to Pearl Harbor. However, S-42 had better luck and put a fish into the CA Furutaka that was also stationed off the coast of Lunga. As if that was not enough S-42 put two more torpedo’s into the hard luck CA Aoba. I think a Silver Star is in order for the S-42’s Captain.

S-41 put two torpedos into a MSW ship at Shortland sinking her.

June 5, 1942

The remainder of the 164 RCT arrived by ship today at Luganville.

Hudson bombers attacked an enemy PG off the coast of Wewak but caused no damage.

A mixed group of 8 Marauders from the 2nd Bomb Squadron and the 19th Bomb Squadron attacked Gasmata causing no damage.

Three Betty’s and sixteen Zero’s hit Port Moresby. Twenty-six defenders rose up to defend Port Moresby.

June 7, 1942

I have received excellent news from Admiral Nimitz today. The plan to ambush the Japanese at Midway yesterday worked perfectly. The Japanese lost four CV’s and we lost one. That makes six CV’s lost by Japan in less than a month. The tide has definitely turned in our favor. This is not to say that the Japanese are toothless but at least we have more of a fighting chance now.

S-41 hit the CA Furutaka stationed near Lunga with one torpedo.

June 11, 1942

Dugout Dug MacArthur informed me angrily today that the Australian Prime Minister has refused to release the Third Australian Infantry Division to go to Port Moresby. The PM said that until the promised two American infantry divisions arrived later in the summer he was worried about weakening Australia and leaving them open to invasion. Doug was mad enough to spit nails. It is a hindrance to further operations but considering MacArthur’s past record I cannot say that I would be too keen to have my troops under his command.

S-41 reports that Japanese DD’s near Lunga sank S-46.

A miniscule group of two B-17’s from the 30th Bomb Squadron attacked Rabaul’s airfield causing no damage.

As if on cue three Betty’s attacked surface ships in Cook Town harbor! The Aussie PM will never release those troops now.

In an effort to interrupt the AG convoys to Lae and Gasmata American submarines are finally beginning to arrive in the area to intercept them. These convoys have been seen intermittently over the last two weeks.

S-38 found a convoy off of Lae and damaged two ships.

S-45 attacked a convoy near Gasmata.

June 12, 1942

S-45 was severely damaged in a running surface battle with the convoy near Gasmata. She will more than likely go back to Pearl Harbor for repairs.

Six Betty’s returned to Cook Town to strike a surface fleet there. One lone Wiraway from 23 RAAF Squadron rose to defend but caused no damage.

June 15, 1942

I sent the Yorktown back to Pearl today. As she was incapable of air operations her air group will remain at Noumea with the exception of her VF squadron. The three pilots stationed on board ship apparently could not transfer off with out aircraft and no aircraft could land due to damage to the Yorktown.

June 16, 1942

The battle of Buna Roads

In an effort to protect Gilli Gilli MacArthur’s Navy headed north to Buna to hit the Japanese to prevent them from returning south.

In a confused night battle the Japanese came out on the losing end of the Battle.

CA Suzuya 3 shell hits
CA Kumano 4 shell hits
CL Tatsuta 1 shell hit
DD Asagumo 2 shell hits
DD Inazuma 3 shell hits on fire
DD Shirayuki 3 shell hits on fire
DDUranami 1 shell hit

CA Chicago 4 shell hits on fire
CA Australia 4 shell hits on fire
DD Walke 5 Shell hits on fire
DD Faragut no damage

Even though the allied Navy did more overall damage the damage suffered by Allied forces caused Admiral Lee to retire to Brisbane for much needed repairs. The damage suffered by the Japanese should cause them to retire as well helping to protect Gilli Gilli from continuous bombardment.

S-43 tried to engage the cripples at Buna but was driven off by effective ASW patrols.

Six B-25’s from the 13 Bomb Squadron dropped bombs on the fleet at Buna but were only partially successful. CA Suzuya took 1 bomb hit and DD Inazuma took one hit as well.

In response the Japanese launched another attack from Rabual and damaged an AK off loading supplies at Port Moresby.

June 17, 1942

The boys from the 13th Bomb Squadron paid a return call on the fleet at Buna and further damaged the CA Suzuya with another bomb hit. I cannot believe the Japanese commander has left that fleet there without effective air cover.

He Japanese fought through the air cover at Port Moresby and damaged another AK with
a single torpedo hit.

In revenge the boys from Gilli Gilli went back to Buna this time hitting CL Tatsuta with
two bombs causing fires to break out again.

The Japanese again returned to Port Moresby in the afternoon, however all three bombers
were damaged and caused no hits to the fleet at Port Moresby. Not to be outdone S-43 hit the CA Suzuya with a torpedo. How much damage can she take before she goes down or retires?

June 18, 1942

Well, the Japanese cried Uncle. After the last two days of constant pounding they have retreated to the Northeast. The hapless Japanese were not out of the woods yet. Air strikes hit CA Kumano causing fires to break out again.
TF 225 was formed at Noumea Rear Admiral N. Scott. The TF consisted of the CA’s Indianapolis, Northampton, New Orleans, Minneapolis, CL’s Achilles, Phoenix, Honolulu, DD’s Hutchins, Meredith, Swanson, Gwin, and Stockton. Their orders are to proceed to Lunga and clear out the Japanese surface forces that have been in the area the last two weeks.

June 19, 1942

The PM of Australia agreed to a slight compromise the 14th Australian Brigade began loading operations with the US 96 Engineer Battalion for redeployment to Port Moresby.

S-43 scored again this time on the fleeing CL Tatsuta east of Lae. The S-43 scored two solid hits.

The Japanese score big with a nighttime bombardment of Gilli Gilli hitting the runway 43 times.

Hurray! A Japanese AK hit an American laid mine near Shortland. It is only a big deal to me because this is the first time in the campaign that the Japanese have been hurt in this way.

The USS Grayling damaged a Japanese troop transport in Rabaul harbor. I wish those sub drivers would stop using their deck guns. The Grayling was damaged later in a surface engagement with another transport.

S-37 hit two different ships at Shortland causing heavy damage to one ship and sinking the other.

June 20, 1942

S-42 hit a MSW ship at Shortland sinking it.

June 21, 1942

The Battle of Savo Island

The American Fleet and the Japanese fleet collided as the Americans were trying to find a newly arrived troop transport fleet. In the initial engagement the Japanese lost the CA Furutaka. The CA Myoko was damaged so severely that she sunk just before sunrise, as did the DD Shiratsayu. A fourth Japanese DD did not engage and escaped unharmed. The CA Indianapolis took five well-aimed shell hits and caused her to retire to Noeuma. CA Minneapolis took light damage and remained on station. After engaging the Japanese surface fleet the remainder of the fleet under Captain Good found and engaged the Japanese troop transports at Lunga. Three were sunk, two were damaged, and four got away unharmed.

Another B-17 strike on Rabual resulted in the loss of two B-17’s in exchange for four hits on the runways there.

June 22, 1942

Captain Good radioed that he wanted to make one more pass at Lunga. He meet unexpected resistance in the form of one CL and five DD type ships. The CL took heavy damage, as did two other DD’s. Two other DD’s took so much damage they sank.

CA Northampton took light damage and the CA New Orleans took heavy damage (two torpedo hits and numerous shell hits). The Phoenix and the Honolulu took light damage, as did two other DD’s.

The Japoanese again pounded Gilli Gilli with surface ships. Attempts to locate the surface group with subs have been ineffectual so far. Numerous reports list one of the ships as a BB. I would love to find her and sink her.

Well the battle is shaping up well so far. The pendulum has shifted. The Japanese have had better success at Gilli Gilli and I have had better results at Guadalcanal. A few weeks ago it was the other way around. I have to find a countermeasure against that surface fleet pounding Gilli Gilli. The USS Saratoga is not due until the 29th. The only weapons I have are my submarines. I will have to hope for the best for now.

So far my losses have been very light, one PG, one DD, and two submarines. The Japanese have lost thirty-three ships including 1 CV and a CVL and two CA’s. If I can slow down the Japanese Build up I might be able to retake Guadalcanal relatively painlessly. I can only hope.

June 23, 1942

Well, in what is becoming a regular pattern 3 Betty’s attacked the airfield at Gilli Gilli again today. Due to damage none of the airfields defending fighters were able to intercept their antagonists. On the plus side the Japanese caused no additional damage.
In an attempt to help protect the air field I have ordered four submarines to loiter to the west of Shortland in a picket line to hopefully intercept the bombardment group either before or after it strikes.

June 24, 1942

The Japanese visited Gilli Gilli’s airfield twice in one day. The raids to Rabaul have obviously angered the Japanese more than Dugout Dug or I realized. Today, however defending fighters rose to meet the Japanese and shot a few down. Making the ticket to Gilli Gilli more expensive to our Japanese tourists.

Moving the subs to a picket line east of Shortland paid a small dividend. S-42 managed to get off two torpedoes at the BB Kongo. Unfortunately, neither one hit. The four DD escorts were unable to find S-42 and punish her for her audacity.

June 25, 1942

After surveying the damage done at the battle of Savo Island the CA Indianapolis, the DD Fletcher, and the DD Hutchins have all been ordered back to Pearl for repairs.

MacArhtur was able to convince the Aussie PM to allow the remainder of the 25th Australian Brigade and the 11th Australian Engineer Brigade to transfer to Gilli Gilli. This will place the bulk of the 7th Australian Infantry Division at Gilli Gilli.

Once again the Japanese have bombarded the airfield at Gilli Gilli. Hopefully the subs will get them on the way back out.

The five B-25’s from the 13th Bomb Squadron paid their first ever visit to Kavieng today. The Japanese stationed there will have fish on their dinner menu tonight. Why on earth can’t the Air Corps hit anything?

A Coast Watcher reports a DD straggler from the battle of Savo Island sank off the coast of Buin today.

June 27, 1942

I have decided another return visit to Lunga is in order. The Japanese have sent numerous AP fleets to that area. I need to slow down their build up. For this I have ordered the creation of TF 203 was formed with six CA’s and nine DD’s under the command of Vice Admiral Carpenter. Their goal will be to strike the AP fleet off the coast of Lunga and damage it as much as possible.

June 28, 1942

The Betty express returned to Gilli Gilli and attempted to damage a supply fleet located there. The Japanese failed to score any hits. A second attack in the afternoon damaged one of my AO’s.

Sadly, the DD O’Brien was lost while on ASW patrol. Those damnable Japanese subs are become more and more of a hindrance. The DD Warden was also sunk while on ASW patrol. This is becoming critical.

June 29, 1942

The Japanese are apparently reinforcing Lae as more and more supply TF’s have been seen in the area. The boys from the 13th BS decided to give them a warm welcome to the south Pacific. Two different air strikes damaged a total of three AG’s. The surface group that I had dispatched earlier from Nouema arrived at Lunga. The Japanese promptly attacked it with Betty’s and fortunately missed.

June 30, 1942

The Louisville Slugger

I received an early morning radio message from Admiral Carpenter. The surface group that I sent to Lunga surprised the Japanese. They must have thought I would not stay around because a Supply convoy blundered into them around 2 am. Three AP’s were sunk and two others were heavily damaged during the melee. Three of my ships suffered minor damage the CA Louisville, CA Salt Lake City, and the DD Ellet. After snaking on that group the task force found another AP group of the coast of Lunga. Only the DD Henly was damaged taking one shell hit. The Japanese however lost three more AP’s with a fourth suffering heavy damage. After dinner desert came calling in the form of a third AP group headed for Lunga. This group had nine AP’s, one was sunk, one suffered light damage and a third suffered heavy damage. The CA Louisville took two more shell hits in this engagement. Seven AP’s sunk in one night with several more damaged. Not bad work for the USN. But wait! The navy found another task force trying to flee the are sending one more AP to the bottom while the CA Salt Lake City took one hit in exchange. I have a brand new Navy Cross waiting for Admiral Carpenter when he gets back. He deserves a great atta boy! And as if that wasn’t enough they even managed to lob a few rounds at the port of Lunga.

I am stunned that the Japanese would send so many AP’s unescorted so far south. But if they want to act so foolishly I will slap them every time I can.

The Air Corps hit an AG group going to Lae, causing light damage to three ships. Not a bad day at all for the Allies in the South Pacific.

July 1, 1942

Aerial recon found an AP, AG in Gasmata harbour, Lae , and Lunga. The Japanese seem to be reinforcing their front line bases a little more aggressively now.

An AO was lost in Gilli Gilli harbor from the daily Betty raids. I suppose I should count my self luck at how little damage the supply convoys have been hurt thus far but each loss hurts.

July 2, 1942

Admiral Nimitz has informed me that the CV Wasp will arrive in nineteen days. Its about **** time. I need more carriers sent to this theater. I am positive that the Japanese have sent carriers to Truck by now.

Once again Japanese Betty’s hit Gilli Gilli. This time the Japanese caused no damage.
I have ordered TF 203 back to Lunga after they finish refueling at Luganville. I want to keep the pressure on Guadalcanal as much as possible in preparation for the upcoming invasion by the 1st Marine Division.

July 3, 1942

The US Argonaut heavily damaged an AP off of Lunga. I have been using the Argonaut primarily to lay mines but she was in the area so I figured why not take a little side trip?

And once again like clock work Japanese Betty’s attacked Gilli Gilli. Once again the Japanese caused no damage.

July 4, 1942

I have ordered TF 208 with Admiral Spruance commanding from the CV Saratoga to head to the Lunga area to stir up trouble.

Once again Admiral Carpenter showed his mettle by surprising Japanese AP, PC group off loading supplies at Lunga. There were three PC’s and an AP in the Japanese Group. TF 203 quickly sank all four ships suffering no noticeable damage. A second group of nine AP’s was discovered a short time later and TF 203 managed to cull two ships from that group. After that brilliant show TF 203 then bombarded Lunga port for good measure. Admiral Carpenter is going to need a wagon to haul all of his medals around.

The Air Corps bombarded the Airfield and supply fleet at Buna. Sadly no noticeable damage was caused to either group. The Air Corps made a second trip to Buna in the afternoon hitting one AP four times.

A strike force took off from the Saratoga consisting of 8 Wildcats and 28 Dauntless dive bombers. The found a group of five AP’s anchored at Lunga. Three AP’s suffered heavy damage and the other two suffered light damage. Only two Dauntless’ suffered damage during the raid. A second strike in the afternoon consisting of fourteen Wildcats and twenty-seven Dauntless’ again attack the fleet at Lunga. Four of the five AP’s took at least two more bomb hits. The supply situation cannot be that great on the Island. Photo recon of the Island estimates two eng units and two infantry units totaling around four thousand men. Retaking the island should not be that difficult.

The Japanese responded to today’s activity by launching an attack at the supply group in Gilli Gilli harbor.

July 5, 1942

The Saratoga launched another attack today on the fleeing AP group from Lunga. Twenty nine Dauntless’, twelve Devastators, and fourteen Wildcats took part in the raid. Five of the six AP’s were hit and four of those suffered heavy damage. On the debit side only one Dauntless was damaged during the raid. At this rate the Japanese will need water wings to get from island to island!

[Micah Goodman]

MAy 9-16 added.

[Micah Goodman]

May 17-21 added.

[Full Moon]

Are you playing PBEM or AI?
So, you're Vice Adm. Ghormley?:)
Anyway, good reading. Keep going.

[Micah Goodman]

I am playing the AI at historic level. My schedule is too erratic to do PBEM.

[Micah Goodman]

May 22-27 added.

[Raverdave]

This makes for a good read! Shithot effort!

[Micah Goodman]

May 28 to June 15 added. Well I have to say I love this game. My only complaint is the inability to break up airgroups and to move airgroups off of a carrier that have no planes! How hard is it for them to walk down the gang plank for Pete's sake! Oh well more to follow soon. I have two more weeks to write up, and they are action packed ones at that!

[Micah Goodman]

June 16- June 26 added.

[wobbly]

Excellent work, i have a run agains tthe AI every so often - mainly to make me feel better

As an aside, the long island doesn't conduct flight operations. It is only a plane transporter - good for getting fighters to and from Oz and that's about it. Or maybe as a target in an air TF although it slows the TF down terribly.

[Micah Goodman]

The Long Island can not conduct air ops?!!!! What the heck did they build it for???? What a waste of time and money. Oh well I guess I will use it to ferry air groups to Guadalcanal when I retake it. Over all I have been pleased with my Submarines, and displeased with my bomber groups. Oh well, I guess you have to take the good with the bad.

[Full Moon]

Oh well, in real world, Long Island was used for three different purposes.

1) Escort Carrier
Long Island was used to provide air cover to other ships.

2) Airplane Transport
She was used as an airplane transport. She delievered airplanes to Henderson Airfield at Guadalcanal on Aug. 13, 1942. These planes were the first to reach Henderson Field.

3) Training ships
She was used to train carrier pilots.

Actually Long Island could hold up to 21 airplanes. I believe her AC capability is 17 in UV.

[Micah Goodman]

I goofed on my earlier dates. The current new date is June 27, 1942. Sorry if I confused anyone.

[Micah Goodman]

June 28, 1942 to June 30, 1942 added.

[Micah Goodman]

July 1st to the 5th 1942 added.