From
CIC-RAN
To
CIC-SWPAC
It appears that the Japanese have not lost their fighting spirit, for the fourth time the “Mini-Combined Fleet” is raiding the birth area. Unfortunately, this time they have found the last convoy from Capetown to Perth. The losses are unfortunate but should not have any strategic impact.
The first convoy have already begun shifting to use the US West coast supply route and should arrive in twenty days to the SWAPC area. The second convoy will leave Capetown in two days for the same route and the third convoy will leave twenty days after this. Each Convoy will move from Capetown to the SWPAC via the Falklands. All of these convoys will rebase to the US West coast when complete.
With the Victory over the “Main Combined Fleet” this is the shortest as well as they safest route. There is also a chance that the remining ABDA force north of the “Mini Combined Fleet” will engage the Japanese.
I will be forwarding some options for possible traps should the Japanese return for another visit……
Summary of Action on May 24th:
----------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Geraldton at 48,138
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N1 Kate x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 4 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied Ships
CL Boise
DD Kortenaer
----------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Perth at 45,147
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
B5N1 Kate x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 7 damaged
Allied Ships
AM Tanager
xAK Glenaffric, Torpedo hits 3, and is
sunk
xAK Empire Niger
xAK Bellerophon
xAK City of Hankow, Torpedo hits 1 [
sinks later]
xAK Tantalus, Torpedo hits 3, and is
sunk
Summary of Action on May 25th:
----------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Perth at 44,144
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
B5N1 Kate x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 7 damaged
Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With
CL Boise, Bomb hits 1
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Piet Hein
----------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Perth at 44,144
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N1 Kate x 25
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 8 damaged
Allied Ships
CL Boise
DD Banckert
DD Morris
DD Piet Hein, on fire
----------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Perth at 47,147
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N1 Kate x 6
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
xAK Empire Niger, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AVP Heron
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Empire Niger
----------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Perth at 47,147
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N1 Kate x 6
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 7
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
xAK Empire Niger, Torpedo hits 2, and is
sunk
AVP Heron
