Return to the Valley of the Sun: Condor (USN) vs. Quark (IJN)

[Attack Condor]

September 2, 1942

Combat last night limited to the submarine Drum finding the transport Teia Maru without an escort and 60 miles SW of Woodlark, apparently on her way to GG. Drum surfaced, and hit the transport with two torpedoes and two 4-inch shells. The transport limped away, and Drum returned to her patrol area.

The weather has cleared, which means the planes go back up. The night raids on GG resume, CAP is up over Luganville, Noumea, and TV; ASW flights resume, and PBYs and 2E bombers resume their search patterns.

Lexington and Wasp arrive with their TF. The planes of Carrier Air Wing 3 reunite with Lexington and the TF steams west, to begin ferrying the VMF squadrons back to the SOPAC area.

I am severely tempted to send the carriers north to try and bag a few transports. Can I win the war by simply sending enough of the IJN transport fleet to the bottom of the ocean? I’ve hurt him there, but it becomes more and more of an adaptation of “Zeno’s Paradox”: the fewer ships left, the fewer he has to guard. Fortunately, his ASW to date has been ineffectual.

Wunpuko is almost ready to accept planes and BF personnel. The Seabees there are moving along smartly.

More to come…

[Attack Condor]

Yesterday's combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/02/42

Weather: Overcast

Sub attack at 24,12

Japanese Ships
AP Shinano Maru

Allied Ships
SS Trout

The Tambor class woes continue.....
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Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 5

Runway hits 3

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

Three planes, three hits. Patch a hole, make a hole. Me likeee a whole (pun intended) lot.
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Sub attack at 18,43

Japanese Ships
APD 38, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-37

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 26

As bad as the Tambors have been, that's how good the S-boats are. Wonder where these troops were headed - before the water, that is.
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Sub attack at 24,75

Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
DM Montgomery, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

An I-boat puts in a rare appearance, and gets a rarer hit.
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Sub attack at 24,75

Japanese Ships
SS I-7


This time, Gamble spots the periscope and prevents another attack on the wounded Montgomery.
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Quark has stepped up his airborne ASW effort, as the boats S-38 was attacked from above, while S-43 and S-44 were attacked once each. No hits were recorded. Nuiscances, I sent S-38 after the annoying AV class tender to see if I could remind him why he fears my subs so much.

Intentions to follow after I play the turn out.

[Attack Condor]

September 3, 1942 - Thunderstorms

Assets are starting to arrive in theater, and I’m finding myself more toys to play with. I am still in the deciding process as to which way to proceed. Do I island-hop with the tried-and-true Wunpuko-Gavigamana-Nevea-Irau stepladder, or use the fact I’m building the bases as a feint and strike back at New Guinea?

Going “up-the-ladder” allows more fighters to CAP my moves, but the fighters’ performance to date has been less than stellar.

New Guinea does mean a longer stretch of ocean between bases, but the Coral Sea did leave Quark with a bad taste in his mouth during his invasion of Australia. Or perhaps a strike at GG, cutting off PM from the sea?

Looking back on what has happened during this campaign, I’ve observed two very salient points:

1. Strike with the carriers and then get the hell out of there. IMHO, the carrier’s best weapon is surprise, followed closely by speed. Sticking around for “just one more strike on those helpless troop ships” led to the death of Yorktown.

2. My best offensive platform by far has been the S-boats. Any offensive moves must be planned with them being an integral part of the operation.

Quark’s ground forces remain strong, but his ability to react has been severely limited due to the loss of his transports. I almost have to believe he is spreading his forces out in an tripwire strategy – allowing him to husband his remaining transports and best troops as a quick reaction force. This may work to my advantage if I can get him to react where I want him to.

Of course, I don’t have to make a decision now.

I can wait and get stronger….

[Attack Condor]

Yesterday's report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/04/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 20,5

Japanese Ships
AP Hokuriku Maru

Allied Ships
SS Trout

At least the attacks are forcing Quark to escort his transports.
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No report for 9/3 because there was no combat. Good news from intel - intercepted traffic between GG and Truk confirms the sinking of another IJN transport: the Teia Maru.

Thunderstorms for 3 straight days now - no end in sight. The forced stopage of attacks on account of the weather has allowed almost 75% of all air units to have 95+ morale.

I have recalled all but two of my subs back to TV and Luganville. (Trout still sits off of Truk while an S-boat (forgot which one) sits in the deep near the Shortland base. Any boat with SYS greater than 10 will go to Brisbane or Noumea for repairs. Quark has had a belly full of sub action - let his ASW fly around looking for ghosts while the planes rack up the fatigue flying in thunderstorms.

Two FT TFs formed at TV en route to re-claim Cooktown. The APD Little carries a small infantry detachment, while the destroyer O'Brien carries a small load of engineers and BF personnel.

The battleships are 9 days out.

The DM Montgomery arrived at Brissy with 70+ SYS and 70+ FLT damage. Both her as well as Gamble will rest.

More to come... (weather permitting)

[Attack Condor]

September 4, 1942

The weather has finally broken, and operations resume. CAP is flying over my major bases.

Airstrikes planned for GG, PM and Buna. GG will have their ports targeted by the B-17s at TV (the IJN commander has pulled his aircraft back to Woodlark) and Hudsons from Cairns (damage free now) will target airfields at PM and Buna. Buna has aircraft on the ground. Finally, the newly arrived Beaufighter VIC will test it’s extended range capability by escorting the Hudson squadron to PM and attack the ground forces there. That should get Quark’s attention. All of these are night raids, with the LBs at 6000 feet and the FB at 100 feet.

Montgomery is at Brisbane, her FLT damage down from 75 to 69. We’ll get the holes patched and send her back to PH.

Wasp and Lexington are at Brisbane, taking on the Marine VMF squadrons and the famed 40th FS P-39 Airacobra squadron for transfer back to Noumea and points north. The carrier’s air wings are left in Brissy for a few days R&R. As soon as the passengers leave, the CAWs will return to the carriers. The US Army’s P-40 Warhawk fighters are starting to arrive in Oz, and they can take the fighter duties with their Oz P-40 Kittyhawk lookalikes.

Replenishment forces in 2 TFs on the way to Brissy, who is sorely lacking in the tanker department. Both RH and Cairns are bone dry.

APDs from Luganville will make a supply delivery to Wunpuko. More APDs, AKs and the AV Thornton is headed to L’ville. 6 PT boats will be created there and move to Wunpuko.

The subs are about 2 days from L’ville and only 1 day from TV.

Still trying to decide which way to proceed. I’m leaning heavily to simply waiting and harassing for another month or two.

Score to date: IJN 9508, Allied 3873.

More to come….

[Attack Condor]

Yesterday’s combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/06/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Buna , at 12,38


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 4


no losses

Airbase supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet

Not bad for an extended range operation in the dark.
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Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 4
Beaufighter VIC x 15


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC x 8 damaged

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet

Well, that wasn’t such a good idea.
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Sub attack at 20,5

Japanese Ships
TK Toa Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Trout

Trout scores big, leaving a tanker to burn bright in the pre-dawn darkness.
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Ground combat at Kiriwina

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kiriwina base !!!


More bases to defend…
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One question answered…the Beaufighters stay home for now. I also had the B-17s ready to hit the ports at GG, but they didn’t fly.

[Attack Condor]

Yesterday’s combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/08/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 4
B-25D Mitchell x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 2 damaged

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet

Mitchells at extreme range join the Hudsons out of Cairns.
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Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10


no losses

Japanese Ships
APD 38, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Port supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

I saw the APD in GG harbor, but didn’t think I’d get a hit on it. Quark said I’m getting way too good at night attacks. Of course, these B-17 pilots have been held in check due to weather for almost 6 straight days. They were ready to fly.
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Intentions follow...

[Attack Condor]

September 9, 1942

Cooktown and Ayton beach are back under Allied control. First order of buisness has been to repair damage (done) and now it's getting the INF detachments sent to take the bases back to their parent units to let their disruption levels recede.

Two BF units from RH have been designated for deployment to Cairns and Cooktown. The 161st BF is going to Cairns, and the 162nd BF is going to Cooktown. Both have 60AS and radar, along with engineers. To reiterate... I will not defend those two bases with infantry. All INF and ENG units will return to the major Oz bases.

B-26 Marauders, with their shorter range, have been re-deployed to SOPAC (too many moves, too many operational losses - but, that's learning for you).

The battleship TF is 5 days away. Tankers are headed to Noumea to fill up and will deploy as refueling points for the capital ships. All I need now is a target. Rossel seems a likely choice, but all that's there is some floatplanes, supported by an AV. Everything worth its salt has been mined by the IJN.

I'll just have to keep looking.

More to come...

[Attack Condor]

Yesterday’s combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/09/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 10


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 5 damaged

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet

Time to stand the Hudsons down.
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Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 7

Port hits 3

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

If it works, don’t fix it.
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Intentions follow…

[Attack Condor]

September 10, 1942

We have a long briefing today gentlemen. Let’s get to it, shall we?

First, the IJN fast transport ship APD 38 hit by a B17 on a night raid into the ports of GG has been confirmed as sunk. The enemy has been confirmed to have now lost 77 ships.

In SWPAC, the mission is to close the ports of GG and PM. The IJN is hurt with a loss of transports, and everything that can be done to worsen his re-supply capability must be done. Recon of both PM and GG shows that the enemy has moved AA units into GG in an attempt to stave off the night raids, which are clearly having an effect on the enemy’s confidence in his ability to respond. The enemy will probably not try an air raid of his own to damage the runways of TV or Cairns, but his response would most likely be a BB TF. IJN force disposition at PM includes 3 INF units of unknown strength, one CD unit with 16 guns and 200 personnel, and 3 AA units, with a total of 26 guns and 780 men among them. The PM airfield capability is rated at 4, and his port capability at 5. The IJN force disposition at GG includes 6 INF units of unknown strength, 1 HQ unit (most likely the South Seas detachment HQ), and 2 AA units, with 600 men and 26 guns. The airfield/port ratings at GG equal those at PM (4/5), but GG has 9 port damage.

Our plan for SWPAC is to continue port attacks at GG with the B17s at TV. Ground troop attacks at PM are terminated, and a B17 unit at Cairns will commence port attacks at PM. B25 aircraft will recon PM to further ascertain the strength of the infantry units there and monitor known assets, while PBY aircraft will recon GG and Buna. 2E level bombers from TV and RH will be assigned naval search operations.

The submarine Pickerel is stationed just south of GG. Her mission isn’t to attack, but simply monitor ship passage between GG and PM.

In SOPAC, Wunpuko is operational, and a fighter unit is there to cover transports to/from the new base. The Seabees are being relocated to Gavigamana to commence base building operations there, building the ladder towards Lunga. The 103rd BF will be stationed at Wunpuko to provide aircraft support. The base will be overbuilt to a level 2 airfield to allow naval attacks if necessary, and the port will be built to level 1. This will be accomplished with the BF engineers. The Seabees are in the process of leaving with the airfield 70% of the way to level 2.

In New Caledonia, Basse-Poya has accepted 2 B-17 squadrons. These will begin nighttime bombing of the airfields at Lunga. We are only sending one squadron a night, and in good weather. This is almost at the limit of the B17’s range (distance is 25 – max operational range is 27), but both squadrons have morale in the 90’s and fatigue in the low teens. First up is the 431st BS. I expect 3 bombers to fly the mission. They will attack the airfield at 6000 feet. With the enemy overbuilding the airfield, I doubt he’ll run away. We may even begin to destroy his aircraft on the ground there. Our best scenario is to destroy the long-range recon planes and bombers on the ground, but if he moves them north out of range it still benefits us.

LV will be our forward supply dump, currently at 132K of supplies. More transports are due in there. APDs are currently supplying Wunpuko when they aren’t ferrying troops. I am assigning two cargo ships to supply Wunpuko (one at a time to limit the threat of detection) from LV. Once they load and begin, the APDs can rest a week or so before their next operation.

Task Force 213 consists of the aircraft carrier Saratoga and 11 support ships. They will move to 30 miles east of Santa Maria Is. to act as air cover for the island hopping Seabees.

The DM Montgomery has reduced her floatation damage down to 57. Her sister ship, the Gamble will sail for Noumea. Another DM, the Preble is inbound to Noumea from PH. These two ships will mine Wunpuko, and other bases created as we move north.

Earlier, I mentioned the APDs will rest up for their next operation. The target of that operation, and supporting ancillary operations, will be revealed shortly. The S-boats that returned to their bases to refit have been put back out to sea.

Wasp and Lexington have almost completed recovering their own CAWs after ferrying the VMFs to Noumea. They have been designated two tankers to support their TF. They head north soon.

Battleships are now 4 days away. Everything is beginning to come together, gentlemen, and we anticipate a very busy time in the next few weeks.

This concludes today’s briefing.
(score update: IJN 8839, Allied 3973)

[Attack Condor]

Yesterday’s combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/10/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 4

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

Unacceptable damage on this mission. PM may have to wait.
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Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9


no losses

Port hits 2

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

Much better
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Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

Very nice, indeed. Now let’s see if he moves the bombers north out of range.
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Reconnaissance results (listed as troops/guns):

PM: INF 2200/22, INF 480/1, INF unknown. AA 260/14, AA 240/13 CD 300/23. Port 5, Airfield 4. No Damage.
Buna: ENG 280/0. Port 2, Airfield 3. No damage.
GG: INF 220/0, INF 660/0, INF 580/1, INF unknown, ENG 2260/0, AA 260/11. Port 5, Airfield 4. Port damage 7
Lunga: INF x 3, ENG x 5, AA x 1, CD x 1, minefield. Port 3, Airfield 7. Airfield damage 1.
Tulagi: No ground forces. Minefield. Port 2, Airfield 0. No damage.

We’ll keep the recon flights going as long as weather allows. This information is nice to know.

Intentions follow…

[Attack Condor]

September 11, 1942

First, correcting a mistake in yesterday's post: The Seabees are on their way to Kourouratopo, not Gavigamana.

The B-17s attacking from Cairns have been given a new target: GG. Quark has a lot of engineers there, let's keep'em busy.

Two IJN submarines are near Noumea. One is 60 miles west of the port, the other 90 miles WSW. All convoys either disbanded or ordered to sail. An ASW TF of the destroyers Gwin and Meredith with 9 subchasers has been dispatched to welcome the subs.

Meanwhile, TF220 (CV TF with Wasp and Lexington[/I]) has completed shuttling operations and moves NW towards GG. All TF aircraft set to naval attack, escort, or ASW (floatplanes). No search aircraft flying from the TF - we're trying to hide and rely on the recon flights and LBA search of the level bombers to provide target data. We're hunting transports again. Target destination is 180 miles SSE of GG. We get there, launch, and get out. If we are discovered, we will run away. I'm not in the mood to gamble just quite yet. This one is just to let Quark know I'm still out here.

More to come...

[Attack Condor]

Yesterday’s combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/11/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

no losses

no losses

Port hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

These were the bombers from PM. CAP up, but not as effectual as AA.
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Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

no losses

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 21

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

More damage to the docks.
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Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

no losses

no losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

No aircraft damaged on the ground, but the Fortresses get out clean as well.
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Ground combat at Goodenough Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Goodenough Island base !!!

Another coral reef flies the IJN flag.

Intentions follow…


September 12, 1942 (Clear weather)

Today’s briefing:

First, CV TF220 was spotted heading north towards GG. Translation of the intercepted report from the Mavis’ aircrew was they had found a battleship and 3 escorts headed north. As planned, the Wasp and Lexington are now ordered back to Noumea.

Next, Saratoga’s TF is in position near Santa Maria island. Tanker support for them is 180 miles south of their position.

The battleships North Carolina and Washington are due in to Noumea in two days. The DMS Hovey is ordered back to Noumea from EPV and will join the battleships when they arrive. The AO Platte with one escort destroyer will be their replenishment group, and have begun loading fuel at Noumea.

Submarine deployment north and west of Wunpuko is completed. Wunpuko has one Marine F4F-4 and one TBF squadron assigned to it. Two APs are in Wunpuko’s harbor, ready to unload 3000 supplies. Four fighter squadrons from LV are assigned LRCAP over these transports. LV has deployed all ships in its port – 2 MSWs and 2 SCs. The MSWs Skylark and Starling will sweep Kourouratopo while the LV fighters cover the transports at Wunpuko, and the SCs will deploy 30 miles west of the MSWs. Once the transports are unloaded and fighters can once again CAP LV, the ships will return. The SCs will also act as bait for any airstrike from Lunga.

Next, air status. The IJN commander has responded to the night raids against his ports and airfields with night CAP. As the reports yesterday showed, none were successful in even damaging any of our bombers. The night raids, however, will be suspended. This decision was based on the IJN CAP response and recon photos from after the strikes. The strikes against Lunga forced his bombers and recon to move north, (which was one of our objectives) and recon shows more than 2500 engineers (which includes AS personnel) on Lunga, making the likelihood of maintaining damage to the airfield with small strikes unrealistic. In GG, the IJN has moved over 4500 engineers there. Both Lunga and GG have already repaired the damage caused by the raids. Again, continued bombing at GG with the intent of maintaining port damage is unrealistic. Lastly, the bombers will rest and recover while recon maintains a watch on troop dispositions at GG, Lunga, and PM (PM is not a valid target due to 7 AA units observed there). Should the engineers leave, the raids will begin again. It is hoped the movement of the engineers will further weaken his transport capability with increased SYS damage.

Air recon will also be reduced for a day or two to rest, but Woodlark will be reconned by B17s, hoping to find the fighter base the IJN is using for GG LRCAP.

In Brisbane, the DM Montgomery is down to 34 FLT damage. The tanker Bishopdale joins the replenishment TF already there to provide fuel support for the Oz bases. Air unit recovery continues, as a third P-40 Warhawk fighter squadron fits out, destined to join the fighters in TV.

More to come…

(FYI - I've decided to post the CR/Intentions in a single post from now on)

[Attack Condor]

Welcome to today’s briefing, gentlemen.

No combat on September 12 was reported, but the submarine S-38, transporting our raiders came under air attack by an IJN reconnaissance aircraft. The submarine was not hit.

Reconnaissance flights over Woodlark revealed one INF and two ENG units. No AA was reported there, and aircraft disposition on the island was not able to be discerned. No enemy CAP met the two B-17s as they flew their mission. The lack of CAP and AA led the squadron commanders at TV to recommend an airstrike against the airbase at Woodlark, but it is almost a certainty that the IJN commander, having seen his base is in range of the bombers, will have his CAP covering Woodlark today.


13 September 1942

Weather: Thunderstorms

Gentlemen, today, I can reveal that the raiders’ target is the island of Irau. Reconnaissance shows the island abandoned. The raiders have two objectives. First, land and locate any documents revealing the presence of mines in the area. This should effectively neutralize the danger they present. The enemy is predictable enough that we have observed the pattern of capturing a beach, mining it, and then leaving.

The raiders’ second objective is to draw a response from the IJN. The raiders will remain in place for as long as possible. A PBY squadron from LV will drop supplies to them as needed. Submarines are already north of Irau, in the channels we anticipate the enemy to use responding to Irau. The Saratoga’s TF has been ordered from Santa Maria Island to 90 miles SSE of Irau. Anticipating improved weather, she will launch an air strike on 14 September, moving north against any naval targets steaming south to respond to the move on Irau. She will launch and retire, not spending more than 24 hours north of Irau. Should no shipping be found to attack, the planes will attack Lunga itself.

Also, on 14 September, our two battleships will dock at Noumea, take on fuel, and then move north. Wasp and Lexington should be in Noumea NLT 15 September to refuel and move north as well. The two carriers are our reaction force, ready to respond to moves south by the enemy. One change to TF structure, the anti-aircraft cruiser Van Hemeskerck will detach from the carriers and join the battleships, improving their AA defense capability.

Today, the destroyer Porter detached from FT duties and refueled at LV. She then sailed WNW. Her target is the IJN seaplane tender at Rennel Island. She sails alone in an attempt to minimize the risk of detection. Her AA capability is formidable enough that, if attacked, she may have a good chance to survive the encounter. She will sail west to a point approximately 180 miles SSW of Rennel, and then execute a night run into the island. No minelayers have been observed at Rennel, however the destroyer’s captain has been briefed that he will not have minesweeper support, and to exercise as much caution as possible – but to endeavour to make contact and destroy the tender.

The paratroopers have returned and mated up with their heavy weapons at TV. They will ship back to Noumea ASAP. 3rd Infantry Division units have returned to Cairns from Innisfail and two Oz C-47 Dakota squadrons are flying them back to TV, while FT TFs assist with the relocation.

Tomorrow, 15 September, night raids will recommence against GG and Lunga. We have the IJN reacting to us now, gentlemen. We need to keep him moving and off-balance as best we can.

More to come…

[Attack Condor]

Briefing for 13/14 September 1942

Weather: Rain

Good morning gentlemen - no combat reported last night, but an interesting development did occur. Today’s briefing includes a visual of the forces between Wunpuko and Irau. If you click on the attachment, you can refer to it as we proceed.

First, and foremost, we have discovered two IJN TFs at Irau (TF 1 = 1xBB, 1xDD; TF 2 = 1xPC), possibly ready to make a night raid into Wunpuko or perhaps LV itself. Our Marine raiders are in the process of unloading at Irau. The discovery of the TFs has lead to the speculation that Irau may be a supply dump for raids into LV and its periphery bases. As no transports have been observed, the Marines will land, take Irau, and recon the area. S-38 will remain on station at Irau, ready to evacuate the Marines if necessary.

Our three blocking subs have been ordered to re-deploy to the positions indicated on the map. Saratoga has changed course in light of the naval force seen at Irau. She was spotted by reconnaissance planes and has changed course – as indicated on the map you have. She will try to launch an airstrike (indicated in red) tomorrow against the naval units at Irau if they remain there.

The destroyer Porter on its lone mission is also shown for you. In SWPAC, the Australian light cruiser Achilles has left RH and will also raid into Rossell Is., looking for the tender. Both ships should be in position for a night raid by tomorrow. Achilles is moving more north than east, so – if discovered – the enemy commander may conclude the ship is heading for GG.

Monitoring the enemy’s radio traffic reveals an increased awareness and concern about the amount of transport shipping at LV. Most are heading home to Noumea, having dropped supplies at LV. Two APs of that TF, with 500 supplies each remaining onboard, will leave for Kourouratopo, to supply the 7th Seabees en route there. PBY flights have already dropped 500+ supplies there to get the Seabees started on building the airbase.

The remaining two B-17 squadrons from Noumea have transferred to BP, and will join the two already there for a night raid on the airfields at Lunga. The primary objective is damage and aircraft destruction, though the enemy may see this as a precursor to an invasion of Guadalcanal.

In SWPAC, all B-17 squadrons have targeted Woodlark for a night raid on the airfield there. Reconnaissance shows no engineer or anti-aircraft units there, so damage may accrue quickly, forcing the enemy to use more transports getting engineers there to repair the damage.

Also in SWPAC, the paratroopers have arrived in TV and are boarding the transport vessels Ormiston and Orungal to return to Noumea and their parent headquarters. The destroyers Arunta and O’Brien will escort the transports back, with O’Brienremaining in Noumea after the troops off-load while the other ships return to Brisbane.

In Brisbane, the DM Montgomery has repaired all but 15 FLT damage. She still has 75 SYS damage. Her sister ship, the Gamble did not leave for Noumea yet. Apparently, she had radio problems and did not get the message. She will be underway tonight.

If there are questions, please post them. Good day gentlemen.

More to come…

[Attack Condor]

Briefing for 15 September 42

Gentlemen, good morning. In front of you is yesterday’s combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/14/42

Weather: Rain

Air attack on TF, near Kourouratopo at 52,48

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
A6M3 Zero x 46
G4M1 Betty x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 7 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Heywood
DD McCall, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
AP Calvert, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

Calvert is barely afloat, and has run aground in an attempt to off-load at least a few supplies before she sinks. Heywood has left the area, en route to LV
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Briefing for 15 September 1942:

Unfortunately, none of the B-17s were able to find targets in either Lunga or Woodlark, and only one squadron actually launched any aircraft, but could not find its target. The raid that hit the transports at Kourouratopo originated from Lunga. We had hoped that a pre-dawn strike at Lunga would prevent at least some of the bombers there from flying.

We have decided to keep the raids in place for tonight. We are also experimenting with a daylight raid today of 2 B-17 squadrons from TV to Woodlark. For the first time, 6 B-24 Liberators will attempt to accompany the raid out of TV. Further reconnaissance has refined the ground force disposition at Woodlark to be 2 infantry units and four engineer units. While it is highly doubtful lasting damage will result from the raids, we do hope to destroy aircraft on the ground. Woodlark is scheduled for a 3 squadron night raid (including the B-24s) and a 2 squadron daylight raid of B-17s. Four B-17 squadrons will attempt to once again attack Lunga from BP. It is unfortunate that we were not able to strike first, but we will, nevertheless, strike.

At Irau, transport ships were observed leaving the island at dawn. In addition to the squad of Marine raiders at Irau, 2 IJN infantry units and one unit of engineers has landed at Irau. The submarine Drum has been ordered in to recover the Marines and return them to LV. The other S-boats of the blocking force have been ordered to Lunga. One will sail into the port, while the other will wait 90 miles south. We have had good success with the S-boats in shallow water, and will resume their anti-ship role in the same environment.

The decision was made to hold the battleships at Noumea to allow the DMS Zane to join the DMS Hovey as part of the TF. Both DMS ships are now in formation, and the TF sails this evening for Irau. The carrier TF containing Lexington and Wasp will follow and move to a point approximately 200 miles west of LV, ready to support the battleships if necessary. The tankers will follow the carriers, and be ready to refuel the battleships on their return from Irau.

At RH, the 161st BF is embarking on their transport and will sail for Cooktown, relieving the 115th BF there. The 115th will rejoin their detachment at TV.

The paratroopers have sailed from TV and are on their way back to Noumea.

More to come…

[Attack Condor]

16 September 1942

Good morning, gentlemen. Please take your seats, and we will get started.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/15/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 35

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 16

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

Our only regret is these results were a day late. Destroying bombers on the ground is always a good thing.
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Ground combat at Irau

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 740 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 23 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)



Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2

The Marines were not able to be picked up, and have retreated to Kirakira beach. Analysis of the attack force suggest a FT TF dropped them off in preparation for building a base at Irau.
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The landing of troops at Irau has caused our BB TF to target that island. The Saratoga will follow with daytime strikes, and the second CV TF will also sail north to launch strike against targets of opportunity, then all three TFs will retire. The Van Heemskerck has been detached from the BB TF as it makes its run into the island. She will rejoin the TF on their way back.

Night time air strikes will continue, as decoded intercepts of IJN radio traffic reveal frustration at countering them.

Sub attacks inshore at Lunga should commence today as well.

Base construction at Kourouratopo is progressing as planned.

More to come…..

[Attack Condor]

17 September 1942

Good morning, gentlemen.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/16/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
PG Keijo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

Pickerel may be starting to get the hang of things
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Sub attack at 20,4

Japanese Ships
AP Nankai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Trout

Torpedoes launched, but all missed. Unfortunate.
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Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 29

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

The ASW is alerted now to the sub
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Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 69

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 3

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

Almost as important as the planes destroyed on the ground are the air support troops being eliminated as the strikes continue.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 25,44

Japanese Ships
AV Akitsushima, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Porter

Probably having to worry about dodging mines, Porter does what she can in enemy waters.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 10, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 11, Shell hits 19, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Washington
CL Helena
DD Fletcher
DD Duncan
DD Benham
DD Perkins, on fire
DD Tucker
DD Worden
DMS Hovey
DMS Zane

Zane and Hovey perform superbly, sweeping a large minefield out of the way. Perkins did hit a mine, but her damage was negligible. A couple of weeks in Noumea and she’ll be ready for duty again.
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 25,44

Japanese Ships
AG 111, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG 356, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
AG 362
AG 365

Allied Ships
DD Porter

On her way out, Porter adds some more supplies to the bottom of the sea.
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Naval bombardment of Irau, at 42,43

Naval bombardment of Rossel Island, at 25,44

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1


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Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-24D Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 25

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 13

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

Nice to have the Zeroes be destroyed where they’re most vulnerable, but too much fatigue incurred with the daylight raid.
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Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
PG Keijo Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

Pickerel is unable to finish off the gunboat.
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All forces retiring, Oz long range bombers standing down to recover. SWPAC LRB will still strike Lunga. Our two B25 squadrons are now in SOPAC. One has transferred directly to LV and will attack ground forces at Irau at night. The other is at Noumea, and will rest before moving to LV and hitting Irau.

IJN troop strength at Irau is estimated near 3000, with 2000 infantry and 1000 engineers. We are contemplating letting him build our base there for us.

More to come…

[Attack Condor]

Good morning, gentlemen. You have the summary of yesterday’s combat reports in front of you…

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/17/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
PG Keijo Maru, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel


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Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 34

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

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Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
PG Keijo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

Finishes the job on the gunboat.
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Ground combat at Kirakira

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 626 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 13 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 26 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kirakira base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 7

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13
Guns lost 2

Unfortunately, we were not able to recover the Marines there. The IJN ran a fast transport of 600+ troops to destroy 13 Marines.
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We have work to do today, gentlemen, so I’ll be brief. As of now, all offensive missions with the exception of night harassments and submarine attacks are ceased until further notice.

Four engine bomber attacks are suspended until they can reconstitute into an effective force. This includes both aircraft and morale improvements.

Our target is Irau, but we are going to let the IJN build the base for us. We will allocate the 1st Marine division for this task. The 2nd Marine division will be available as reinforcement, if necessary.

Completion of a level 2 airbase at Kourouratopo will mark the end of base expansion until Irau is captured.

We anticipate the IJN will have a suitable base built in three weeks. This will allow elements of the 43rd division to arrive at Noumea, our cruiser force to be strengthened (Louisville and Northampton are en route to PH), the Enterprise and Long Island will be in theater in that time, as will our third battleship, the South Dakota. Aircraft, especially four engine bombers will be reinforced, new squadrons will arrive, and enough transports will be here to complete the job.

We will continue to supply LV, as that will be the base for the 4E bombers for the invasion.

We will need plans for logistics, decoy operations, TF commander assignments, and ship requirements. We will also need to devise a plan to draw the fighter strength off of Lunga, as well as the missing IJN carriers.

If you have questions or suggestions, please make them known. That’s all, gentlemen. Good day.

More to come…

[Attack Condor]

Good day, gentlemen… your summary:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/18/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 4


no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

Beginning the night raids on the ground forces at Irau
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Sub attack near Tulagi at 38,39

Japanese Ships
DD Amatsukaze
CA Atago

Allied Ships
SS Grayling

Grayling took the shot on her way to patrol near Truk. Getting damage on the cruiser would have been nice.
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An increase in airborne ASW from the IJN resulted in at least 5 attacks on our subs, with no hits recorded. The submarines have been ordered out of Lunga and Tulagi harbors, and will return to their deep water monitoring posts.

An operational review of all forces is underway. Details will be provided as soon as possible.

Good day, gentlemen.

More to come…