Jorge's(A) crusade to the fabled kingdom of PresterJohn(J) DBB-C --- Allied AAR

[Jorge_Stanbury]

While I wait for the turn, I would like to do a quick recap of where is the game at the moment:

- KB was for all purposed destroyed last month. From now on, Allied carriers will rule the sea and KB remnants will. at most, be doing hit and run ambush operations.

- That said, as demonstrated on the 1st "post Midway" operation I launched (Darwin resupply): LBAs remain formidable, surely augmented with ex-KB pilots. What a costly, full of mistakes operation this was! I lost too many valuable ships to wave after wave of Netties.

- The fleet is now at port, I will soon write about its status, safe to say that a diminished, but still strong fleet would be ready to sail again in around 20 days.

Fronts:
SW Pacific --> Kirakira and Rennel island belong to the Allies, Guadalcanal and Tulagi are well defended, beyond my amphibious capabilities. Rossel island looks more desirable

Central Pacific --> Tabiteau and Tarawa are potential targets, but I am afraid of atolls, I need better amphibious capabilities for those

Timor Sea --> Darwin at airfield level 7.56 and growing fast... meanwhile the Allied air horses of apocalypse are either at Perth or on transports nearby. In a few weeks, I will unleash them. Koepang, Saumlaki, Dili, Ambon, Babp, Boela will be obliterated by the combined might of P-38s and B-17/24s

China --> Chungking already lost, Kuming will likely follow soon, nothing more to say here

Burma --> All east Bengal belong to the Allies, In Burma everything is Japanese except Akyab.
Akyab is guarded by the 7th Armored division, to be withdrawn in 44 days, I plan to let it fall afterwards as it is too vulnerable and hard to supply
I have withdrawn all US and Australian troops, including air squadrons and I don't think the remaining British/ Indian troops/ squadrons can sustain offensive operations so the front will remain "as is" for a long time. That said, Magwe oil was destroyed

[Jorge_Stanbury]

The Fleet -- Carriers
Undamaged:
Enterprise at Brisbane
Victorious at Balboa
Hermes near Colombo

Lightly damaged:
Hornet and Wasp: 10 days repair time at Sydney
Yorktown: 18 days repair time at Sydney

Shipyard required:
Saratoga: at Sydney, major float damage=8, it will need to go to PH for full repair
Lexington: at Sydney, sys=11 major float=28, engine 14(12). it will be out of action for quite a long time, I will probably send her to the west coast after system is down to 0

Escort carriers
All 7 escort carriers at Sydney repairing minor damage: Suwannee and Prince William will take 12 days, all others will require less than 10 days

Battleships
Undamaged:
Idaho, New Mexico and Mississippi at Suva
PoW, Revenge and Resolution at Perth
Arizona at Pearl
Pennsylvania at Mare Island finishing its Oct.42 refit

Lightly damaged:
Maryland, West Virginia and Colorado at Brisbane: 17 days repair time
Washington and South Dakota: 24 and 29 days respectively

Shipyard required:
North Carolina at Sydney, sys=6 major float=7, will need to go to Pearl for float repairs

Long term refit (west coast):
Nevada and Oklahoma: 133 days left
California and Tennessee: 224 days left

[Jorge_Stanbury]

This games is still on, although we have been relatively "in sleeping mode". Both of us being busy. It is just since last week that I have consistently gotten turns, which is why I am getting ready to go "offensive" again

A bit of recap of what have happened in these last months:

- All USAAF fighters and bombers were successfully moved from India to Australia. I have most of them at Sydney or Brisbane, idle and ready, while some are still repairing from the long Perth-East coast train journey. Darwin airfield is at 8.79. Once it reaches the magic number 9, I will rebase all bombers and start a proper campaign to destroy all airfields within range.

- Most Australian and USA divisions devoted to India were also successfully moved into Australia. Only the British and Indians remain there

- The fleet is almost ready; I have 4 USN carriers and 8 CVEs in Eastern Oz. They are all fully repaired. Plus, CV Victorious is between Johnston and Baker islands, I plan to merge it with the Yanks.
CV Lexington is near Sydney, in a long journey to PH. It is not at risk, but damaged enough (28 float, 12 eng) as to miss most of the fun in 1943. CV Saratoga is at PH, repairing minor float damage. It will be back in action in 20 days.

Some good news before I move into "what is next"

- Got confirmation of Zuikaku, Mogami and Tenryu
- Submarines are having a field day; several tankers has been hit; last turn I got a Tonan Maru!


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Sub attack near Port Swettenham at 48,80

Japanese Ships
PB Saiko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack

SS Skipjack launches 2 torpedoes at PB Saiko Maru
Sub escapes detection


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Sub attack near Hengchun at 85,68

Japanese Ships
DMS W-19, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AO Ken'yo Maru
DMS W-9

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa

SS Tinosa launches 2 torpedoes at DMS W-19
Tinosa diving deep ....
DMS W-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


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Submarine attack near Malacca at 48,81

Japanese Ships
xAKL Matsutan Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack, hits 1

xAKL Matsutan Maru is sighted by SS Skipjack
SS Skipjack attacking xAKL Matsutan Maru on the surface
SS Skipjack low on gun ammo, Parks, L.S. breaks off surface engagement and submerges

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Sub attack near Hengchun at 85,68

Japanese Ships
AO Ken'yo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires
DMS W-9

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa

SS Tinosa launches 4 torpedoes at AO Ken'yo Maru
Tinosa diving deep ....
DMS W-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[IdahoNYer]

Great to see this AAR back!!!!

[Bif1961]

Welcome back Mr Cotter.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

This game is slowly starting to get interesting again

So last turn I sent a supply run (covered by 2 cruisers) to Rennell Island. Regrettably I was too lazy to notice there was no CAP over it... results could had been worst: in the end I lost one AVD, another seriously damaged, one AV seriously damaged and 2 cruisers damaged enough as to be "out" from soon to begin operations

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 113,140

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 34
D4Y1 Judy x 34
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
AV Albemarle, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
AVD Casco, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AVD Chincoteague, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AV Albemarle
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AVD Casco
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AVD Chincoteague

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 113,140

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 34
D4Y1 Judy x 34
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AV Albemarle, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Blue
CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DMS Long

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
14 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 10000'


In better news: I am moving into offensive again, as you can see from this map, I am planning to attempt a slow scale, low risk invasion. I have very few APAs available until the end of the month, thus I need to pick objectives that are not too ambitious. Moreover, I want to shift operations to the DEI as soon as possible, so no need to go high risk in the Pacific

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Fun will start tomorrow, carriers are spotted, which doesn't surprise me with so many patrols at Rossel Island
he will be ready, but that was as expected

My forecast for this operation is that he will defend aggressively, air wise. He won't commit naval forces

[BBfanboy]

Not sure what your aims are for the CVES, but maybe you should run over close to Rennell Island and get LBA help against his naval strikes. You might even get a crack at those TFs near Guadalcanal.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

CVEs and CVs are in the same hex; only the 1st are shown in the picture

All Bogue CVEs are carrying Wildcats; next turn they will be in the same hex as: main invasion fleet, BBs

CVs will move aggressively; South of Rossel island, but far away from the current main bases= Woodlark and Milne... of course he might have rebased, but I think that up until now he can't be sure of the final objective... he will for sure understand tomorrow

[Jorge_Stanbury]

If you saw the picture I posted a few days, you would see some TFs near Cooktown.. these were slow (12k) xAKs trying to sneak into Darwin while the action focused on Rossel island..

Instead he focused completely in the supply convoys, now at Portland Roads, with predictable results: 14 xAKs were sunk, mostly by Netties from Lae and Pt Moresby. In perspective, this was the obvious choice I guess, as a well supplied Darwin is more critical than Rossel. Also in perspective, what a big mistake it was not to develop Portland roads!!!!

As consolation: a medium tanker was sunk by submarines, and more important, neither the invasions fleet (3rd Marines) nor the carriers/ battleships were attacked, for some reason not even spotted [&:] So they are now well positioned to assault/ bombard tomorrow.
Only a small xAP from the invasion fleet was attack, and almost sank (will probably tomorrow), this was my mistake, I was supposed to set its destination to a hex with full air cover, instead I let it go, and it moved farther than I wanted... good news is that it was an abundant construction engineer battalion




As you can see, lots and lots of LBAs attacking


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Morning Air attack on Rennell Island , at 113,140

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 31

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VMF-112 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Rennell Island , at 113,140

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 21

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 21000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMF-112 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 64 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Tulagi , at 114,137

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet



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Morning Air attack on Russell Islands , at 113,136

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 20

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 10000 feet *



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Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 33
A6M5 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 25000.
Raid is overhead
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 30 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 104,139

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 18
G3M3 Nell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAP Moreton Bay, Torpedo hits 2
SC-646

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


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Morning Air attack on Rennell Island , at 113,140

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VMF-112 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 91,132

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 19
G3M2 Nell x 30
G4M1 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Pasha, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Colac
xAK Chilka, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Clan Macquarrie, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Montanan
xAK Sirsa, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Taiping, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Benrinnes
xAK Arkaba, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Wo Sang, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

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

CAP engaged:
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



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Morning Air attack on Rennell Island , at 113,140

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VMF-112 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 15
Hudson III (LR) x 11
B-26 Marauder x 47
B-26B Marauder x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 58
Airbase supply hits 14
Runway hits 131

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
15 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 16

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet



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Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
582 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 17 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Russell Islands , at 113,136

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 3

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 10000 feet *



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Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14
A6M5 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 91,132

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Clan Macquarrie
xAK Charon
xAK Congella

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 104,139

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 18
G3M3 Nell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
SC-646
xAP Moreton Bay, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 91,132

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 17
G3M2 Nell x 29

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Tai Sang, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Chilka, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Steel Engineer
xAK Clan Macquarrie
xAK Benrinnes, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Corrales, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Gogra

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 91,132

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 31
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Jalaratna, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 91,132

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 25

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Anglo Canadian, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Jalaratna, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Congella, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Gandara
xAK Charon
xAK Clan Macquarrie, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Tak Sang
xAK Harmonides, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes

[Jorge_Stanbury]

For tomorrow:

I expect another disaster near Portland roads, at most I will be able to provide some LRCAP,
also more sweeps over Pt Moresby as it is too strong yet, for bombing.

I want to grab Rossel island as soon as possible so that I can have an airfield near Pt Moresby/ Milne

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Yesterday was also the debut of Marines' Corsairs

they did a good job!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

No turn yet, only replay; and almost everything went according to plan. highlights:

- CL Denver and DD McCall hit mines while bombarding Russell island
- Naval bombardments at Woodlark, Russell and Rossel islands
- No Japanese LBA activity, no suspicious TFs, invasion was completely unopposed
- Supply TF moving to Darwin not attacked last turn (26 xAKs left)
- Allied LBA strike (airfield) at Tulagi, no enemy CAP
- Allied carrier strike (airfield) at Woodlark, no enemy CAP



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Night Naval bombardment of Woodlark Island at 104,133

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 48 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 10 destroyed on ground
D4Y1 Judy: 78 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 5 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 79 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
CA Astoria
CL Detroit
DD Reid
DD Flusser
DD Perkins
DD Cushing
DD Shaw

Japanese ground losses:
1054 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 54 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Airbase hits 51
Airbase supply hits 17
Runway hits 133

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Vincennes
CA Vincennes firing at Woodlark Island
CA San Francisco firing at Woodlark Island
CA Minneapolis firing at Woodlark Island
CA Astoria firing at Woodlark Island
CL Detroit firing at Woodlark Island
DD Reid firing at Woodlark Island
DD Flusser firing at Woodlark Island
DD Perkins firing at Woodlark Island
DD Cushing firing at Woodlark Island
DD Shaw firing at Woodlark Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Russell Islands at 113,136

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 42 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 8 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 23 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 46 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 8 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 16 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
CL Helena
CL Concord
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Helm
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
499 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 51
Port hits 23
Port supply hits 5

BB Mississippi firing at Russell Islands
BB New Mexico firing at Russell Islands
BB Idaho firing at Russell Islands
CL Helena firing at Russell Islands
CL Concord firing at Russell Islands
DD Ralph Talbot firing at Russell Islands
DD Helm firing at Russell Islands
DD Bagley firing at Russell Islands


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Rossel Island at 105,137

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 11 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia
BB Colorado
BB Maryland
DD Duncan
DD Waller
DD Saufley
DD Radford
DD O'Bannon
DD Nicholas
DD DeHaven

Japanese ground losses:
424 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 53
Port hits 20
Port supply hits 3

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB West Virginia
BB West Virginia firing at 82nd Naval Guard Unit
BB Colorado firing at Rossel Island
BB Maryland firing at Rossel Island
DD Duncan firing at Rossel Island
DD Waller firing at Rossel Island
DD Saufley firing at Rossel Island
DD Radford firing at Rossel Island
DD O'Bannon firing at Rossel Island
DD Nicholas firing at Rossel Island
DD DeHaven firing at Rossel Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rossel Island (105,137)

23 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
DD Taylor
SC PC-1080
SC-521
SC-518
APD Hatfield
xAP Kota Radja

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

BB Arizona firing at 82nd Naval Guard Unit
DD Taylor firing at 36th JNAF AF Unit
SC PC-1080 fired at enemy troops
SC-521 fired at enemy troops
SC-518 fired at enemy troops
DD Taylor fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Rossel Island (105,137)

TF 380 troops unloading over beach at Rossel Island, 105,137

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

14 troops of a USMC 43 Rifle Squad lost overboard during unload of 3rd Marine Div /6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rossel Island (105,137)

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
PC Swan
SC PC-1080
SC-521
SC-518
APD Hatfield
DD Taylor

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

BB Arizona firing at 2nd Ship Engineer Regiment
PC Swan fired at enemy troops
SC PC-1080 fired at enemy troops
SC-521 fired at enemy troops
SC-518 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tulagi , at 114,137

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 16
B-26 Marauder x 47
B-26B Marauder x 10

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 20
Runway hits 106

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tulagi , at 114,137

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 16

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tulagi , at 114,137

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 16

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 57
SBD-3 Dauntless x 120
TBF-1 Avenger x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 6 destroyed on ground
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
20 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

[IdahoNYer]

Some good bombardment effects! Either he's not digging forts or have pretty darn good experienced ships!!!

Nice!

You know.....not to late to build up Portland Roads.....

[jwolf]

I wonder if the Japanese airfields were overstacked. Those bombardment runs went very well. [8D]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Yes, very good bombardment over well recc' objectives, he was definitively overstacked
as you can see here; easily 100 planes lost [;)]
most of them latest generation fighters and dive bombers, his Netties are intact but with so many fighter losses, he would probably hesitate in risky strikes, as there are CAP traps waiting for him

The xAKs are relatively safe now, and I noticed he has withdrawn his LBAs to farther away bases, definitively a result of the bombardments. Lots are now in Rabaul, I will have to adjust recon assets to check the other places like Buna, and certainly Lae, I saw lots of activity there

I don't think I need Portland Roads now, I might drop a construction battalion or two (very abundant now), but the short term focus will be to grab Horn Island (APAs refitting at Sydney will be ready in 7 days)
Also to assault Pt Moresby. I have some Australian brigades at full prep. Probably not enough for an easy capture, but good enough to keep him busy. Another benefit on hitting Pt Moresby is that it is close for naval bombardment.I can easily keep mopping it.
Once Pt Moresby and Horns are captured, eastern Oz passage to Darwin will be relatively secure. And it is much more convenient than the Western passage

[jwolf]

Oh, that is sweet! Very nice results! It's kind of a Sun Tzu principle: the best air to air combat is the one you don't have to fight because you already destroyed his air force on the ground. [:)]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Finally I got a turn, a a good turn it was [:)]
My main thought while running the replay was that A6M5 is really a dog, in 3 days of attacks lots and lots were destroyed at a very cheap price for the Allies... something to consider for my other PBEM game

What happened:

- 2nd day of Rossel island invasion went OK, 3rd USMC division kept unloading and it will continue for another couple days. I used a mix of xAPs and APs and while the later ended in day1, the former will require some additional days.

- SS Whale did it again! AO Nippon Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
last time I saw it (there was a failed second, afternoon attempt) it was under "heavy fire, heavy damage" status

- 2nd and final round of naval bombardment at Rossel, some relatively good results, nothing crazy

- Sweeps over Pt Moresby yielded a few A6M3/ A6M5. then bombing damaged the airfield and destroyed additional Zeros (7 according to losses report)

- Main event: Japanese after attack againts Rossel inland invasion fleet. End result is CVE Altamaha lightly damaged at the cost of several A6M5 and Judys



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Rossel Island at 105,137

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia
BB Colorado
BB Maryland
DD Duncan
DD Waller
DD Taylor
DD Saufley
DD Radford
DD O'Bannon
DD Nicholas
DD DeHaven
DD Cony

Japanese ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 1

BB West Virginia firing at Rossel Island
BB Colorado firing at Rossel Island
BB Maryland firing at Rossel Island
DD Waller firing at Rossel Island
DD Saufley firing at Rossel Island
DD Radford firing at Rossel Island
DD DeHaven firing at Rossel Island
DD Cony firing at Rossel Island


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

Japanese Ships
AO Nippon Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Kiku

Allied Ships
SS Whale

SS Whale launches 6 torpedoes at AO Nippon Maru
Whale diving deep ....
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 2
A6M5 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 105,137

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 23
D4Y1 Judy x 36

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 28
F4F-4 Wildcat x 84

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 17 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Altamaha, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Montpelier

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (9 airborne, 19 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F4F-3 Wildcat (9 airborne, 19 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (9 airborne, 19 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
20 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (9 airborne, 19 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
24 planes vectored on to bombers



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

Japanese Ships
DD Kiku
AO Nippon Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Whale

SS Whale launches 2 torpedoes at DD Kiku
Whale diving deep ....
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Today was one of the largest air battles so far on the war, and it was a total Allied victory:

More than 115 Japanese planes were shot down by "replacement" CVE pilots flying Wildcats on CAP at Rossel island

naval attack results were:
- no hits: one bomb missing a xAP, another nearly missing a sub-chaser [:D]

That said, 2 LSTs were damaged, one seriously:
LST-448 founders in surf,
LST-450 damaged while beaching



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 105,137

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 47
G4M1 Betty x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 23
F4F-4 Wildcat x 82

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 10 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 19 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 31225.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 18 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 19 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 105,137

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 70

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VRF-2F with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 25405.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 11 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 13 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 6810 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 105,137

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 15
D4Y1 Judy x 33
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 25

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 69

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 18 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP Chilka
SC-640

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 25405.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (9 airborne, 1 on standby, 13 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 105,137

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 22

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 13 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VRF-2F with F4F-3 Wildcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 73 minutes
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 11

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 50

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 7 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.77 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (8 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (8 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 29580.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 105,137

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 13
D4Y1 Judy x 7
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 56

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VRF-2F with F4F-3 Wildcat (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (7 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers

[IdahoNYer]

Awesome win!![&o]

I noticed you're using your VRF squadrons as front line fighters rather than replacements - how have you configured your CVEs?