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

[Sangeli]

April 19th-21st, 1944: Battle of the Ceram Sea

Day 1:

As I was preparing my Kendari invasion, the IJN hit me with a surprise counterattck against some shipping near Boela and Kai. Once again, I didn't provide surface protection because I wanted to use them for Kendari which received many reinforcements. They did pretty good damage:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Boela at 80,110, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Matsu
DD Kuwa
DD Maki
DD Kiri
DD Sugi
DD Momi
DD Hinoki, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
xAP Bloemfontein, Shell hits 28, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Kipling, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 11 (8 destroyed, 3 disabled)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Boela at 80,110, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
DD Makigumo
DD Takanami
DD Kagero
DD Kuroshio

Allied Ships
AM Dynamic, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Sawokla, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Alcoa Pennant, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Boela at 80,110, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
DD Makigumo
DD Takanami
DD Kagero
DD Kuroshio

Allied Ships
SC-981, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK San Rafael, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Nabesna, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Kai-eilanden at 81,115, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sakawa
DD Fujinami
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
xAK Cape Sandy, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Cape Trinity, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Boela at 80,110, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Kurama
DD Kazegumo
DD Tamanami
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Samidare

Allied Ships
AM Sheldrake, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AK Venus, Shell hits 27, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK De Grasse, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
xAP President Tyler, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Tjinegara, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Khai Dinh, Shell hits 43, and is sunk

Too many sunk ships. I need them to transport units for my summer 44 invasion. You simply cannot have enough transport ships. In addition, I lost a lot of B-24D1s in the air



The Japanese bombarded Boela and Kai to good effect was well damaging many planes and smashing their airfields. No sweeps for at least a few turns from there.

Enraged that once again I had been beaten by stealth use of IJN cruisers, I vowed to get revenge. Those cruisers just came charging in and many of them were near the Death Star. So I decided to send the Death Star into the fray to catch whatever might be left within range. Stay tuned for the results

[KenchiSulla]

What type of moon do you have? You need a light night.. It is pretty risky to move carriers into confined waters with many good torpedo boats around....

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: KenchiSulla
What type of moon do you have? You need a light night.. It is pretty risky to move carriers into confined waters with many good torpedo boats around....

Didn't check. But I have proper SCTFs following the CVTF including an all Fletcher TF led Willis "Ching" Lee. That should take care of any torpedo boats. I'm not too worried about it.

[Sangeli]

Day 2: April 20th, 1944

At the end of day 1, I determined to get revenge. I sent the Death Star straight into the fray. No moonlight at all. Opportunities like this only happen so often.

As it would happen, my subs would give me a nice boost at night:

Sub attack near Morotai at 81,100

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Takanami
DD Kuroshio
DD Kagero

Allied Ships
SS Permit, hits 2

Weather would limit strikes for both sides during the day. Yet some of my bombers did fly:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Talaud-eilanden at 81,98

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 128
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 31
SBD-5 Dauntless x 36
TBF-1 Avenger x 16

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 3 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 12 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, Bomb hits 1
DD Urazuki, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Yamazuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ozuki
DD Hazuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire

More attacks would follow:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Talaud-eilanden at 81,96

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 41
SBD-5 Dauntless x 22
TBM-1C Avenger x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Sakawa, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Borneo Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ceylon Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
PB Kamitsu Maru
xAK Bengal Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Japanese ground losses:
266 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 81,100

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 55 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 34
SBD-5 Dauntless x 22

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Kuroshio

Sub would then just about finish CA Ashigara:

Sub attack near Morotai at 81,100

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Kuroshio

Allied Ships
SS Permit

A solid victory but ultimately it was subs that really did the work today. I vowed to continue to smash the remnants of this fleet and decided to send my CVs NW towards Mindanao to get in position for a bombardment:

[jwolf]

Do the Japanese have much air at and near Mindanao to throw at you? Or even good fighter coverage to neutralize your strikes? I'm just wondering since you're definitely taking an aggressive position with your CVs -- probably justified, but may depend on what's out there.

[Sangeli]

Day 3: April 21st 1944

Little did I know that the KB was lurking just to the NW of Mindanao and was prepared for battle. Things started pretty good for the Japanese - and not good for me:

Sub attack near Gebe at 80,104

Japanese Ships
SS I-22, hits 2

Allied Ships
CL Phoenix, Torpedo hits 1
CL St. Louis
DD Worden
DD Halligan
DD Clark
DD Gridley

Don't see many successful Japanese sub attacks anymore but they managed to get lucky here.

My first air attack in the morning went very poorly:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cotabato at 76,91

Weather in hex: Light rain

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

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 76
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2
Ki-84a Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 186
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 30
SBD-5 Dauntless x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 9 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 7 destroyed, 14 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 destroyed by flak
SBD-5 Dauntless: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo
CVL Nisshin
CV Katsuragi
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 1
CV Akagi

Only a single bomb hit. Not very good. After that, the Japanese sent a beautifully coordinated strike against the Death Star:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Talaud-eilanden at 80,95

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N1 Jill x 105
B6N2 Jill x 40
D4Y1 Judy x 44
D4Y3 Judy x 88
N1K2-J George x 113

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 198

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 36 destroyed, 20 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 8 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 15 destroyed, 15 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 13 destroyed, 3 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 18 destroyed, 18 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 13 destroyed by flak
N1K2-J George: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
BB Iowa, Torpedo hits 1
CLAA Raleigh
CVL Independence, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Essex
CVL Monterey, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CVL Princeton, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Indiana
CV Hornet, Kamikaze hits 1
CVL Belleau Wood, Torpedo hits 1
BB New Jersey, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
CV Enterprise
CVL Varennes, Bomb hits 1
CV Lexington II, Bomb hits 1
CVL Cabot
CV Saratoga

Banzai! - Doigawa R. in a D4Y3 Judy is willing to die for the Emperor
Fuel storage explosion on CVL Princeton
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Princeton
Banzai! - Hirano M. in a D4Y3 Judy is willing to die for the Emperor
Ammo storage explosion on CV Hornet
Hirano M. gives his life for the Emperor by ramming CV Hornet
Banzai! - Fujimatsu K. in a D4Y1 Judy is willing to die for the Emperor

A couple of Kamikaze pilots, one of whom was successful.

Japanese LBA would fly against the Death Star, unsuccessfully barring one Kamikaze:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Talaud-eilanden at 80,95

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 108 NM, estimated altitude 29,060 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 10
Ki-84a Frank x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 7 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVL Cabot
CV Hornet, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Meanwhile, my second morning strike did even worse than the first:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cotabato at 76,91

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 39
Ki-84a Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 32
SBD-5 Dauntless x 23
TBF-1 Avenger x 12

No Japanese losses

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

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
CV Kasagi
CV Katsuragi
CVL Ryuho
CLAA Tenryu

At the end of the morning, it seemed the Japanese might actually be victorious here having sunk a CVL and heavily damaged other important USN ships. But the USN would not admit defeat so easily. In the afternoon, a very large and coordinated strike flew against the KB:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cotabato at 76,91

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 69
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 178
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 35
SBD-5 Dauntless x 80
TBF-1 Avenger x 115
TBM-1C Avenger x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 20 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 9 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 26 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed, 18 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak
TBM-1C Avenger: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CVL Chitose, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CV Taikaku, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
CV Amagi, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CVL Chiyoda
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
CA Atago, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Arare, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Ishikari, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Kasagi
CVL Ryuho, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Kurama
CVL Nisshin
DD Arashio
DD Isokaze, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Akagi
CLAA Tenryu
CLAA Kuma
DD Kiyonami, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

The Japanese counterblow in the afternoon failed to return the damage:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dadjangas at 80,94

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N1 Jill x 38
B6N2 Jill x 23
D4Y1 Judy x 18
D4Y3 Judy x 31
N1K2-J George x 83

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 134

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 19 destroyed, 5 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 15 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 6 destroyed, 8 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 3 destroyed by flak
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Varennes
CV Enterprise
CV Lexington II
CVL Belleau Wood
BB New Jersey
CVL Langley
CL Biloxi
CV Yorktown II

At this point the battle was more of a wash, but a second strike in the afternoon managed to shift the balance in my favor:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cotabato at 77,90

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1 Rex x 6
N1K1-J George x 25
N1K2-J George x 38
Ki-84a Frank x 63

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 19
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 27
SBD-5 Dauntless x 60
TBM-1C Avenger x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 4 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-5 Dauntless: 13 destroyed, 12 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chikuma, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Fujinami
CL Sakawa, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ozuki
DD Takanami
DD Amatsukaze
DD Urakaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Maki, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Makigumo

Very good chance the BB Yamato sinks I think. In any case, it's going to be out for the rest of the war.

[Sangeli]

The Aftermath

Well wasn't that an exciting three days of battle! The Japanese thought they could sneak some attacks in against my shipping but a daring move by the USN made the Japanese pay. The KB came in to battle and got its blows in but ultimately was defeated. The biggest impact I think was the near destruction of IJN surface assets. The CA Kurama might very well be the last IJN surface ship larger than a CLAA that is not heavily damaged or sunk. I sunk a few Japanese carriers but the Japanese can still put a meager carrier fleet at sea. Here was the butchers bill for day 3 in the air:



The air score wasn't really that lopsided at all. The Japanese gave nearly as good as they got. Surely the excellent capabilities of the N1K2-J played a big factor in that. The Japanese were clear winners in carrier fighter losses. But replacing those IJN bomber pilots will other quality pilots is sure to be impossible; their new crews will be green and inexperienced. Though those losses will certainly degrade USN pilot quality as well.

Here is what the damaged ships in my fleet look like:



Only the CVL Independence looks to be in major danger of sinking barring a sub attack. The USN should be able to withdraw in good order and prepare for future operations. Meanwhile, the Kendari invasion will proceed as planned. Don't think there is any way the IJN can interfere there so slow BBs and a CVE fleet should suffice.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: jwolf
Do the Japanese have much air at and near Mindanao to throw at you? Or even good fighter coverage to neutralize your strikes? I'm just wondering since you're definitely taking an aggressive position with your CVs -- probably justified, but may depend on what's out there.

As you will see, there were some. I didn't post all the strikes but the Japanese threw a number of LBA strikes my way.

[jwolf]

"Straight into the teeth" indeed! That was quite a showdown! This battle may be like the historical Leyte Gulf battles and essentially remove the IJN from the war -- but several months earlier. That is a great accomplishment.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: jwolf
"Straight into the teeth" indeed! That was quite a showdown! This battle may be like the historical Leyte Gulf battles and essentially remove the IJN from the war -- but several months earlier. That is a great accomplishment.

I don't always sortie the Death Star in the thicket of Japanese defenses, but when I do, I smash the IJN [:D]

But really, I've only sortied the Death Star at full speed twice. Both resulted in decisive carrier battles that ended in my favor.

[BBfanboy]

Nice job!
It took a while to get your paws on the rascal but you delivered a good spanking indeed!
Hoping your subs can catch some of the cripples!

[witpqs]

Nice going!

[Sangeli]

April 23rd 1944

As my troops were unloading at Kendari, the Japanese sent an unexpected LBA attack on me. I really thought after this last battle they would pull back to regroup a bit but I guess the Japanese had a lot of LBA in the tank. This is what I call the Kendari turkey shoot:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 25
H8K2 Emily x 6
N1K1 Rex x 7
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 28

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 53
F6F-3 Hellcat x 100

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 13 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
H8K2 Emily: 3 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 11 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE St. Lo


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
H8K2 Emily x 12
N1K1 Rex x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 52
F6F-3 Hellcat x 97

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2 Emily: 5 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1 Rex x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 27
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 52
F6F-3 Hellcat x 100

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 7 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 3 destroyed



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 40
N1K1 Rex x 2

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 46
F6F-3 Hellcat x 84

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 17 destroyed, 5 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1 Rex x 5
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 41
F6F-3 Hellcat x 68

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 39
N1K1 Rex x 2

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 38
F6F-3 Hellcat x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 9 destroyed

Allied losses were miniscule to none. I had a 152-0 edge in A2A. Wow.

[Sangeli]

April 24th 1944

Well, after the battle the day before I was sure that the counterattack was over. I was very wrong....but it really did not matter!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M4-Q Nell x 46
N1K1 Rex x 4
N1K1-J George x 20
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 34

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 49
F6F-3 Hellcat x 95

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M4-Q Nell: 29 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 103 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M4-Q Nell x 50
N1K1 Rex x 1
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 22

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 44
F6F-3 Hellcat x 91

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M4-Q Nell: 28 destroyed, 2 damaged
G3M4-Q Nell: 2 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 9 destroyed

No Allied losses



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M4-Q Nell x 13
N1K1 Rex x 1
N1K2-J George x 29

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 41
F6F-3 Hellcat x 81

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M4-Q Nell: 8 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y3 Judy x 6
N1K1-J George x 37

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 30
F6F-3 Hellcat x 59

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y3 Judy: 4 destroyed



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M4-Q Nell x 16
N1K1-J George x 17

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 26
F6F-3 Hellcat x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M4-Q Nell: 10 destroyed
G3M4-Q Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 28
N1K1-J George x 17

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 23
F6F-3 Hellcat x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 17 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 34,400 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-III Dinah x 20

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 63
F6F-3 Hellcat x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 9 destroyed

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 38,400 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 17
Ki-46-III Dinah x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 34,400 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-III Dinah x 13

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 62
F6F-3 Hellcat x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 8 destroyed



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 31,060 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 20
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 19
Ki-84a Frank x 26

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 13
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 12 destroyed

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kendari , at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 18

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 22
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 8 destroyed

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 5

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,107

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 36,400 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-III Dinah x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 62
F6F-3 Hellcat x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 37,400 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-III Dinah x 7

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 32
F6F-3 Hellcat x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 166 NM, estimated altitude 32,060 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 5
Ki-84a Frank x 24

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 31
F6F-3 Hellcat x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 92 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M4-Q Nell x 33
N1K2-J George x 14
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 6
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 49

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 24
F6F-3 Hellcat x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M4-Q Nell: 15 destroyed, 3 damaged
G3M4-Q Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 7 destroyed

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M4-Q Nell x 7
N1K2-J George x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 20
F6F-3 Hellcat x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M4-Q Nell: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kendari at 70,106

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 93 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M4-Q Nell x 7

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M4-Q Nell: 1 destroyed

That was an absolute bloodbath for the Japanese. In two days of battle they lost over 500 planes. If you also look at the CV battle before that's close to 1,000 planes in a week. Rev Rico was not happy in that 200 of his fighters did not fly sweeps over Kendari. Can you sweep friendly bases? What if there are enemy units there? In any case, I kind of feel like this was a cheap victory caused by some of the more recent changes which nerfed LBA. There's no way I should have fended off 400-500 planes in a single day without taking an y hits. CVEs are slow and clumsy...at least a few bombers should have gone through and found their mark. I don't think they were bad pilots either though I'm sure the bombers were not elite by any means either. Rev Rico offered me his surrender but I wanted to keep playing on...I think its too early to end (I'm only just passing his VP score). He said he'll keep playing but boy I feel bad that he gets screwed over this badly by the game engine. We'll probably play till the start of 45.

Anyway, here was the first attack on Kendari a few days later:

Ground combat at Kendari (70,106)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18168 troops, 405 guns, 418 vehicles, Assault Value = 861

Defending force 29152 troops, 351 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 798

Allied adjusted assault: 942

Japanese adjusted defense: 879

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 5

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

Japanese ground losses:
917 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
789 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 20 disabled
Guns lost 27 (2 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 41 (3 destroyed, 38 disabled)

Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st Australian Division
I US Corps
1st Marine Defense Battalion
2nd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
65th Brigade
1st Para Assault Division
52nd Division
10th Guard ADU Coastal Gun Battalion
2nd JNAF Coy
34th Ind. Engineer Regiment
52nd Const Co
13th JNAF AF Unit
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
14th Air Fleet
3rd Special Base Force
18th JNAF AF Unit
9th IJN AA Battalion

I have a command HQ adding its combat bonus to Kendari. That's probably why I did so well despite the 2x terrain and forts. That and 6 BBs in bombardment this turn.

[jwolf]

From the Japanese point of view, maybe if they lose here (Kendari) then the whole DEI + oil is gone, so this really is "the hill to die for."

[Sangeli]

May 1st, 1944

About half a week ago, I detected a CV near Hong Kong from a sub attack. Knowing that it had a large shipyard, I sent recon planes to see what was at the base. Recon showed some tankers and cruisers but I really thought there were carriers there. So I sent in my bombers:

Morning Air attack on Hong Kong , at 77,61

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 5
Liberator B.III x 4
Liberator B.VI x 3
B-24J Liberator x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Amagi, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 3

Repair Shipyard hits 2
Port hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hong Kong , at 77,61

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.VI x 9
Liberator GR.III x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 1 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Kurama, Bomb hits 1
CV Amagi, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hong Kong , at 77,61

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Amagi, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Repair Shipyard hits 2
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hong Kong , at 77,61

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Amagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Kurama, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Port hits 2

Ammo storage explosion on CV Hiyo

Well that was easy! Looks like the CV Hiyo is a goner. The rest probably took significant sys damage on top of whatever damage they suffered in the large carrier clash. Will take even longer for them to become operational...at this point they probably are out of the war.

[Bif1961]

Good catch on your part and unforgivable on his part. Leaving carriers within range of Heavy Bombers in port so they don't provide their own CAP and he provided very little CAP. I can only assume that he thought they would fly half CAP from their own organic fighters.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Good catch on your part and unforgivable on his part. Leaving carriers within range of Heavy Bombers in port so they don't provide their own CAP and he provided very little CAP. I can only assume that he thought they would fly half CAP from their own organic fighters.

Nope. He just never counted on the fact I would be able to find out where his CVs went and launch an air attack against it. And if it had not been for that lucky sub attack, he would have been fine. Furthermore, it's quite literally been years since a bomber has flown a mission from China. It's not as unforgivable as you say...just a very unexpected move from me.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Good catch on your part and unforgivable on his part. Leaving carriers within range of Heavy Bombers in port so they don't provide their own CAP and he provided very little CAP. I can only assume that he thought they would fly half CAP from their own organic fighters.

Nope. He just never counted on the fact I would be able to find out where his CVs went and launch an air attack against it. And if it had not been for that lucky sub attack, he would have been fine. Furthermore, it's quite literally been years since a bomber has flown a mission from China. It's not as unforgivable as you say...just a very unexpected move from me.

Very smart deduction on your part - well done!

[jwolf]

Throughout this game you have had superb timing on your surprise air raids. I recall you hit Rangoon at a critical time, just right to stop a Japanese operation in its tracks.