Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

[Bif1961]

Looks like you now have the upper hand as your Essex Class CVs start to come online at a regular rate and he has few CVs left and building. Your major losses were in the very expandable and replaceable CVEs, where he gets very few of those or CVLs in the future. Once you replensish and replace your losses the Marshalls should be an open book for invasion.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Looks like you now have the upper hand as your Essex Class CVs start to come online at a regular rate and he has few CVs left and building. Your major losses were in the very expandable and replaceable CVEs, where he gets very few of those or CVLs in the future. Once you replensish and replace your losses the Marshalls should be an open book for invasion.

Actually I aim to capture the rest of the Marhalls with LBA and CVEs. CVs are no longer needed in that theater I believe.

[Sangeli]

Marshalls and the Gilberts

Here's a map of the current situation:



As you see, most of my bases in the Gilberts are nearly fully expanded and I am able to deploy a large air force, including 4E. You may notice that I currently have troops on Tarawa. I attempted an invasion about two weeks ago but it was a horrible failure:

Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 14411 troops, 386 guns, 404 vehicles, Assault Value = 536

Defending force 15124 troops, 269 guns, 25 vehicles, Assault Value = 292

Allied adjusted assault: 10

Japanese adjusted defense: 184

Allied assault odds: 1 to 18 (fort level 6)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
536 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3470 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 377 disabled
Non Combat: 86 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 90 (10 destroyed, 80 disabled)
Vehicles lost 267 (170 destroyed, 97 disabled)

Assaulting units:
762nd Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Regiment
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
21st Marine Regiment
34th Infantry Rgt /5
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
2nd Marine Defense Battalion
168th Field Artillery Regiment
198th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
1st Sasebo Assault Division
85th Naval Guard Unit
1st ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
7th JNAF Coy
63rd Field AA Battalion
24th Special Base Force
5th Mortar Battalion
24th Air Flotilla
6th IJN AA Battalion

My LCUs were wrecked by the landing despite fire support from 6 BBs. After that turn I was reduced to a mere 100 AV. I think this was just a case of a bad roll. But after a few weeks of bombardment I'm finally starting to turn the corner:

Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

35 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 3
BB California
BB Pennsylvania
BB Arizona
BB Oklahoma
BB Nevada
CL Jeanne d'Arc
DD Paulding
DD Gilmer
DD Stuart
DD Litchfield
DD Sterett
DD Helm
DD Hammann
DD Laffey
DD Trathen
DD Stanly
DD Sigsbee
DD Fullam
DD DeHaven
DD Bullard
DE Levy

Japanese ground losses:
731 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 21 (8 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 68
Port hits 28
Port supply hits 3


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

Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5383 troops, 254 guns, 167 vehicles, Assault Value = 259

Defending force 13516 troops, 266 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 215

Japanese ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment
21st Marine Regiment
762nd Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
168th Field Artillery Regiment
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
2nd Marine Defense Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
1st Sasebo Assault Division
85th Naval Guard Unit
24th Special Base Force
5th Mortar Battalion
1st ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
24th Air Flotilla
7th JNAF Coy
63rd Field AA Battalion
6th IJN AA Battalion

I am glad that I brought so many 155 mm artillery detachments with the invasion force, including a Long Tom battalion. These bombardments are pretty typical as well. Even with that large level 6 fort these bombardments are taking their toll. Japanese won't be able to withstand these bombardments for much longer.

[Sangeli]

Southwest Pacific

The base situation you see here is largely unchanged in the last year or so:



The Japanese occupied and built up many bases in the New Guinea area which made an invasion of Port Moresby impossible without dedicated CV air power. With the Japanese firmly in control of everything from the Solomons to New Caledonia, bringing a CV fleet here did not seem like a wise idea either. Even with a dedicated CV fleet I am worried about an invasion here; Rabaul has a level 9 air base only 11 hexes away and I have little chance of bringing that under attack any time soon. I have some plans for invading Port Moresby but its hard to say when that will happen.

[BBfanboy]

You hold Horn Island in October/43! That is better than your average bear! [&o]
Did he go for Darwin at all?

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

You hold Horn Island in October/43! That is better than your average bear! [&o]
Did he go for Darwin at all?

This is how Darwin first fell:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 20, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Darwin (76,124) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

166 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 4
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
CL Tatsuta
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
DD Yudachi
xAK Kashii Maru
xAK Asakasan Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Africa Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Kansai Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Aobasan Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru
DD Minegumo


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

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 36146 troops, 406 guns, 339 vehicles, Assault Value = 1260

Defending force 3246 troops, 50 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 1388

Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 347 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Darwin !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1912 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 143 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 27 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 58 (58 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
38th Division
5th Division
8th Tank Regiment
1st Kure Assault Division
35th JAAF AF Bn
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
17th JAAF AF Bn
3rd JNAF Coy
36th JAAF AF Bn
22nd Air Flotilla /2

Defending units:
Emery Point Fortress
2nd RAN Base Force
A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment

Is it really that remarkable I took Horn Island by this tme? Horn Island was lightly held and was retaken long ago. This is how it fell:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 11, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Horn Island (91,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6688 troops, 253 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 411

Defending force 1432 troops, 28 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 17

Allied adjusted assault: 178

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 178 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Horn Island !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
C5M2 Babs: 1 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1546 casualties reported
Squads: 44 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 109 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 34 (34 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Division

Defending units:
84th Naval Guard Unit
8th Guard ADU Coastal Gun Battalion
A./50th JNAF Coy

And the world at the time




Darwin took much longer. Horn Island was just the first step in the operation to reach Darwin. Here was the second:



That more or less happened like that. The third step was this:



Didn't really happen like that though. Haven't moved on Dobo/Taberfane/SW New Guinea yet.


But it fell to me 18 months later:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 17, 43
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24790 troops, 397 guns, 556 vehicles, Assault Value = 1145

Defending force 20028 troops, 161 guns, 202 vehicles, Assault Value = 484

Allied adjusted assault: 840

Japanese adjusted defense: 116

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Darwin !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
7156 casualties reported
Squads: 142 destroyed, 193 disabled
Non Combat: 200 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 55 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 83 (74 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 108 (108 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 7

Allied ground losses:
460 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/11th Armoured Car Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
22nd Marine Regiment
763rd Tank Battalion
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/8th Armoured Regiment
1st Australian Division
I US Corps
147th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
33rd Division
1st Para Assault/A Div /1
12th JAAF AF Coy
2nd Base Force
8th Tank Regiment
18th Army
36th JAAF AF Bn
29th JAAF AF Coy

[Sangeli]

BTW I should mention if anyone is curious about previous events I'm more than happy to dig up combat reports and even screenshots sometimes of those events.

[BBfanboy]

Thanks for the picturesque reply Sangeli. I guess it was the horde of red and white flags beyond Horn Island that made me think it was a remarkable feat to hold or retake that nugget from under the enemy's nose.
I am not well versed in using LBA to push the Japanese naval and air squadrons aside, and I have never developed NE Oz the way you have. You clearly had this as an objective from day one, to advance so many bases on tenuous supply links.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
I am not well versed in using LBA to push the Japanese naval and air squadrons aside, and I have never developed NE Oz the way you have. You clearly had this as an objective from day one, to advance so many bases on tenuous supply links.

Well truth be told I've maxed out all my bases almost everywhere. Gilberts, Australia, doesn't matter. If it's near a Japanese base I'll get engineers, supplies, and base units there and build it up to brim. It's a deliberate approach no doubt but given the resources which you're given its the correct approach. Never have run short on any of those resources. But yes, building up bases and advancing under P-38 and B-24 air cover is my preferred approach just like in real life as well.

[Sangeli]

November 6th Update

I haven't really posted any current updates because things are relatively quiet right now. I am about to launch a new major operation but due to OpSec I won't be posting exactly what that is until it's already underway. But for the last week or so the KB and its fast BBs have been suppressing Darwin and its environs so it should not be a factor.

Today was an interesting day because of my sub successes. Today I had no less than four successful attacks:

Sub attack near Tanegashima at 105,68

Japanese Ships
TK Shoyo Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK Ose Maru
TK Nikkoku Maru
PB Rumonoe Maru

Allied Ships
SS Whale


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Bima at 64,110

Japanese Ships
AK Mikage Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Bunzan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Amami Oshima at 98,63

Japanese Ships
xAK Manzyu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Renzan Maru
PB Kenkai Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Salmon



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,79

Japanese Ships
TK Koho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC CHa-13
SC CHa-12
PB Kaio Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Tally Ho

My anti-commerce campaign has been relatively successful. I don't think I will be able to destroy the Japanese economy with subs alone but the VPs are certainly adding up.

I'm continuing to slowly whittle down Tarawa as well:

Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5061 troops, 261 guns, 115 vehicles, Assault Value = 304

Defending force 11379 troops, 239 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 163

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Regiment
34th Infantry Regiment
762nd Tank Battalion
21st Marine Regiment
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Defense Battalion
168th Field Artillery Regiment
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
1st Sasebo Assault Division
85th Naval Guard Unit
1st ADU Coastal Gun Regiment
63rd Field AA Battalion
7th JNAF Coy
24th Special Base Force
24th Air Flotilla
5th Mortar Battalion
6th IJN AA Battalion

At this point I am planning on waiting until I have a 3 to 1 AV edge before launching a deliberate attack. Most of the infantry regiments are still wrecked but they are slowly recovering.

[John 3rd]

Looking at those losses, you are in GREAT shape versus the Japanese Fleet.

[Sangeli]

So I just found out my TBF Avengers got their drop tanks in November 1943! Which increases their full range bomb load capacity from 6 hexes to 9! That could prove decisive in a lot of ways.

I know there is a hard limit on Allied CV strikes at 7 but what about for missions like airbase attack? I would love to be able to launch range 8 air base attacks from my CVs but I'm not sure if that's possible.

Meanwhile it looks like Rev Rico is trying to trap my ships in the Gulf of Carpenteria:



My cruiser fleet at Mornington Island is heading out at full speed to make for Townsville and I'm leaving the slow cargo ships in port under some CAP. Could be just a feint but the placement of the sub between Mornington and Normanton suggests that Japan is attempting a trap here. As long as my cruisers and destroyers make it out alive I won't sweat any merchant losses, especially if I can take out some KB pilots.

[tiemanjw]

I know there is a hard limit on Allied CV strikes at 7 but what about for missions like airbase attack? I would love to be able to launch range 8 air base attacks from my CVs but I'm not sure if that's possible.

I use range 9+ attacks on AF with DT assist from CVs. I think they use double sorties though, so don't leave it on if you don't need it. You can't go further than max non-DT range for "city" targets though (at least not for land based - CVs might be different because the game lets you target things out of range assuming the CV will move closer). You can turn on DTs, so you can carry a max bombload / not endure extended range penalties when applicable, but you can't go the full range.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: tiemanj

I know there is a hard limit on Allied CV strikes at 7 but what about for missions like airbase attack? I would love to be able to launch range 8 air base attacks from my CVs but I'm not sure if that's possible.

I use range 9+ attacks on AF with DT assist from CVs. I think they use double sorties though, so don't leave it on if you don't need it. You can't go further than max non-DT range for "city" targets though (at least not for land based - CVs might be different because the game lets you target things out of range assuming the CV will move closer). You can turn on DTs, so you can carry a max bombload / not endure extended range penalties when applicable, but you can't go the full range.

Ah I didn't know about DTs using 2x the number of sortie points, thanks! Though I think it's probably better to always keep the DTs on in case you need to fly a range 7+ naval strike mission against an IJN cruiser fleet or something.

[Sangeli]

November 7th 1943

Another day, another set of submarine victories. Both with subs and against:

First I managed to attack that sub near Mornington Island:

Sub attack near Mornington Island at 84,135

Japanese Ships
SS I-29, hits 5

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Mornington Island at 84,135

Japanese Ships
SS I-166, hits 8

Allied Ships
xAK Idaho
xAK Crown City
xAK Mundalla
SC PC-1080

Another tanker down for the count:

Sub attack near Batu Pahat at 49,82

Japanese Ships
TK Chinkai Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC CHa-13
TK Mayasan Maru
PB Kaio Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

And the probable loss of another merchantman:

Sub attack near Madjene at 64,101

Japanese Ships
xAK Syoryu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PC PB-71

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon

Wonder how many tankers I'd have to sink to really make a difference in the Japanese economy. Probably too many.

Oh. And those KB strikes never came. Guess that full speed dash was for naught.

[tiemanjw]

Ah I didn't know about DTs using 2x the number of sortie points, thanks! Though I think it's probably better to always keep the DTs on in case you need to fly a range 7+ naval strike mission against an IJN cruiser fleet or something.

trade offs... always with the tradeoffs. Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes you are on an all out Archer rampage mode and your biggest worry is going Winchester.

[BBfanboy]

Sangeli: Wonder how many tankers I'd have to sink to really make a difference in the Japanese economy. Probably too many.

It depends on what you mean by "make a difference". Everything I have seen of the Japanese economy says they need to accumulate as much oil/fuel as possible before the inevitable siege of the Home Islands. Any tanker loss will reduce the accumulation and mean they have to start turning off some kinds of production earlier. It won't be all that apparent to the Allied player but the defences will have less to work with, and the collapse of the defences will come a bit sooner (all things being equal).

The Japanese can compensate by turning some xAKs into TKs, but it then hurts them on the supply/resource/troop movement side.

It's a long grind to Tokyo but you are making good progress!

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: tiemanj

Ah I didn't know about DTs using 2x the number of sortie points, thanks! Though I think it's probably better to always keep the DTs on in case you need to fly a range 7+ naval strike mission against an IJN cruiser fleet or something.

trade offs... always with the tradeoffs. Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes you are on an all out Archer rampage mode and your biggest worry is going Winchester.

LOL! One day I'm sure that's what I'll be doing. Using the Death Star like a bludgeon smashing everything in my way.

[Sangeli]

November 8th 1943

Well after a few weeks of quiet recuperation, the Allies are kicking off a new operation. The target: SOPAC. Heavy bombers will be flying off of 2 newly constructed level 9 air bases built specifically for this operation to put air fields within normal operating range. My fast CVTF will be coming in to attack the air base of Ndeni. Ideally I should have knocked out every level 4+ air base in one fell swoop which should make my landings a breeze.

[Sangeli]

Subs continue to be on a roll:

Sub attack near Terempa at 56,84

Japanese Ships
TK Tennan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Kanzaki Maru
YO J-3852
YO J-3847
PB Heiei Maru #7

Allied Ships
SS Jack, hits 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tokara Retto at 99,63

Japanese Ships
xAK Sinkyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Kanko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Tokara Retto at 99,63

Japanese Ships
xAK Sinkyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ponape at 119,114

Japanese Ships
DD Sawakaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Dorado

Well the airbase attacks went on without a hitch. Textbook runway cratering right here. Here's what I did to Koumac:

Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 17
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 42

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 60



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 15



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 8

Damn good job in those storms. Very accurate bombing here. Many of these guys have 80-90 ground bombing skill.

Noumea:

Morning Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
B-25G Mitchell x 28

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 30

Vanua Lava:

Morning Air attack on Vanua Lava , at 121,148

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 21

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 27



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Vanua Lava , at 121,148

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 17



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Vanua Lava , at 121,148

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 15



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Vanua Lava , at 121,148

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 14



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Vanua Lava , at 121,148

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 3



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Vanua Lava , at 121,148

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Luganville which was the cause of my only loss on the day:

Morning Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 7 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 16



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 7



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 8

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

And finally, to hit the one air base outside of 4E full bombload range I used my CVTF:

Afternoon Air attack on Ndeni , at 120,143

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 122
SBD-3 Dauntless x 26
SBD-5 Dauntless x 66
TBF-1 Avenger x 82

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 36

I'm not sure if Rev Rico was planning on defending New Caledonia and New Hebrides this late in 43 but I didn't want to take any chances. Better off smashing the air bases before he even knows what's coming. Tomorrow my troops will be landing in the New Hebrides. When I get home I'll post a screenshot of my invasion fleet.