[font="Times New Roman"]July 19, 1944[/font]
On the 19th Ominato got another test. In this one the Allies combine targets, going for the port, the airfield, and for resources in night and day strikes. Again I wonder about the Mutsu Bay Fort potentially not firing it's many DP guns, as it's still showing no disruption. The AA does do well here, but still not as well as it should for this many guns. I really need to get this tested.
I'd moved everything of consequence out of port a few days ago, but the bombers do sink every last ship, which is a bit of a bummer, as even the small PBs, AMc and CMc ships are useful. Again it's a relatively small amount of planes that do the damage, and the flak and fighters seem to not really throw their aim off much. About 25-30 VPs of shipping lost.
The 4Es did take a hit, with lots of good work from the night and day CAP, and a slightly better flak showing, although nothing seems able to touch the B-29s. The Allies lose 35-40 4Es of various types but only 1-5 B-29-1, depending on accuracy of loss reports for ops. Even 2-3 a day though is well over replacement rates, and the average now is something like that for the past month. If that continues he'll run out before the next version arrives in early winter.
Getting to this may 4Es also significantly reduces pilot quality. I remember Jocke talking about how he struggled to get enough 4E pilots late due to strat bombing losses, and Dan is currently using these assets very regularly and with fairly high losses. It didn't hurt to crush a P-47 group as well, with 5:1 kills! Long live low CAP[&o]
Of the strikes, 22 bombers arrive at night for 15 damaged, 3 flak kills and 1 A to A kill by the Nicks. When the Nicks damage 4Es they succumb more often to flak it seems.
In day strikes 49 sweepers arrive and lose 9 P-47 D25, 5 F-4U1D Corsairs and 3-4 P-38J. Another 2 P-47D25 and 2-3 P-38J are shot down as escorts out of 65 total escorts.
In the day 17 B-29-1 arrive and 1 is shot down with another 4 possibly lost to ops. Another 37 B-24J take part, losing 6 in A to A and 3 to flak. A total of 29 B-24D-1 take part in the day with 14 shot down, 6 lost to flak and maybe another 2 to ops.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 19, 1944
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Night Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 7
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 7
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III:
2 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 destroyed by flak
Port hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 7000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
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Night Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 7
Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Night Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 4
Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator:
3 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Night Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 6
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 7
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator:
7 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Night Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 3
Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 5
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator:
1 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 30
A6M8 Zero x 45
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13
Ki-84a Frank x 43
Ki-100-I Tony x 46
Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 4 destroyed
CAP engaged:
Sasebo Ku S-1 with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
Katsuragi-1 with A6M5c Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
Aso-1 with A6M8 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Ikoma-1 with A6M8 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with A6M8 Zero (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 13 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 4000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 37100.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 35200.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 20 on standby, 13 scrambling)
23 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 34440.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
56th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (1 airborne, 22 on standby, 14 scrambling)
23 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36090.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 46,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 22
A6M8 Zero x 38
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
Ki-84a Frank x 39
Ki-100-I Tony x 41
Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 5 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 45,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 15
A6M8 Zero x 29
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
Ki-84a Frank x 35
Ki-100-I Tony x 37
Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 10
A6M8 Zero x 26
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
Ki-84a Frank x 28
Ki-100-I Tony x 32
Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 17
P-38J Lightning x 18
P-51B Mustang x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CMc Enoshima, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PB Yokae Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
ACM Okuyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CMc Ninoshima, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CMc Toshima, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
ACM Zuiko Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
CMc Washizaki, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
SC CHa-32, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PB Yahonui Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
SS RO-37, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
ACM Toshi Maru #5, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
ACM Tasei Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
ML G-209, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SC CHa-61, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
ACM Chiyo Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
Port hits 23
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 5
A6M8 Zero x 23
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
Ki-84a Frank x 19
Ki-100-I Tony x 27
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 10
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Port hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 4
A6M8 Zero x 18
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 10
Ki-84a Frank x 16
Ki-100-I Tony x 22
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 32
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M8 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-100-I Tony: 3 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-56 Thalia: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-II KAI Helen: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 3
A6M8 Zero x 12
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 13
Ki-100-I Tony x 13
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 7
B-29-1 Superfort x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 1
A6M8 Zero x 6
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 6
Ki-100-I Tony x 10
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-56 Thalia: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 4
Ki-100-I Tony x 4
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator:
2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 50 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 2
Ki-100-I Tony x 1
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator:
4 damaged
Resources hits 16
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on Ominato , at 119,54
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 2
Ki-84a Frank x 1
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator:
8 damaged
Resources hits 3
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill