Lowpe (Japan) vs Wargamr (Allies)

[Lowpe]

The bombardment squadron arrives in the morning, right as TF 8 is leaving, and despite some impressive maneuvers cannot sink the Perry. Sato orders a position for an afternoon bombardment...but they are vulnerable now, sitting within easy reach of massive Allied air base! Double uh-oh![:(]

Day Time Surface Combat, near Umnak Island at 169,51, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Mikuma
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako

Allied Ships
DMS Perry, Shell hits 2

Poor visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Sato, S. crosses the 'T'

[Lowpe]

But the KB is near, and draws the attacks rather than the cruiser squadrons...

Rufes and Zeroes swoop down on the attackers, Airacobras and SBDs...and reap a fearful harvest as they are flying quite low..

Morning Air attack on TF, near Chuginadak Island at 167,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 96
A6M2-N Rufe x 35
A6M3a Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 50
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 5 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Zuiho-1/A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1/C with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
14th Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M3a Zero (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Kamikawa Maru-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (6 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers

[Lowpe]

But a squadron of Marauders attempt to stop the planned for bombardment....to no success. B24s! We curse them forever!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Umnak Island at 169,51

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 2

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 2 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Mikuma

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Mikuma-2 with E13A1 Jake (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Umnak Island at 169,51

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
B-18A Bolo: 9 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 28 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17F Fortress: 13 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 14 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
B-24D Liberator: 33 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 24 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 damaged
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 3 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 damaged
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CA Mikuma
CA Nachi

Allied ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 55

CA Kako firing at Umnak Island
CA Kinugasa firing at Umnak Island
CA Aoba firing at Umnak Island
CA Mikuma firing at Umnak Island
CA Nachi firing at Umnak Island

[Lowpe]

And there is no retaliation...

IJN naval power parked behind the lines ready to wreck another day of carnage...

[Lowpe]

The bombardment isn't as effective as hoped, but perhaps a battleship can correct that tonight! The KB pilots are peerless, and the Nicks lost fighting beasts at night.

[Lowpe]

A battelship and the cruiser SAG bombard Umnak again, everyone escapes the KB moves SW and blunders into a sub that misses. Interesting that the sub was there. No other naval skirmish or aerial escapades to speak about.

Put a little hurt on the B17Es, didn't really destroy and B24 though,...more fun and games over the next two days coming up.

[Lowpe]

And after the 2nd day of the Umnak bombardment

[mind_messing]

How are your Rufe's faring on CAP duties?

[Lowpe]

I personally like them. I had one squadron at 5k to protect against low flying AB or TB, and the other group at 20k with the rest of the fighters.

They flew, lost one, and as importantly give you just a bit of numbers...and they can easily shoot down SBDs if the fighters clear the way first.

I will look at the squardrons numbers when I get a chance later today.

I am not sure if they might not fly if the weather is nasty.

[Lowpe]

Did pretty well...

[mind_messing]

Well I'm sold, based on those results.

[Lowpe]

October 9th, 1942

Weather is atrocious, and a Clash near Builder, the Allies are pushing their naval strength forward...Even those this light cruiser force is surprised and suffers a devastating opening salvo from those big girls (POW...no less, and we really hate that ship) the squadron manages to get a torpedo hit in...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Buldir Island at 156,50, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
DD Teruzuki
DD Murasame, Shell hits 1
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BC Repulse, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA San Diego
CLAA San Juan
DD Meredith
DD Monssen
DD Aaron Ward
DD Buchanan
DD Duncan
DD Bancroft
DD Maury

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 2,000 yards
CL Yubari sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
DD Kikuzuki sunk by BC Repulse at 2,000 yards

[Lowpe]

Bring out the knives, as the range is super close....even AA guns are firing and the brave Atago goes down...oh, no could this end up being an Allied naval victory?[:(]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Buldir Island at 156,50, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
CA Chokai, Shell hits 13, on fire
DD Asanagi, Shell hits 2
DD Minekaze
DD Yomogi
DD Yanagi

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BC Repulse, on fire
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 6, on fire
CLAA San Diego, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 3
DD Meredith, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Monssen
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 1
DD Buchanan
DD Duncan
DD Bancroft
DD Maury, Shell hits 3, on fire

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Watanabe, Seishichi crosses the 'T'
CA Chokai engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Atago at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Chokai at 2,000 yards
CA Chokai engages CLAA Atlanta at 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Asanagi at 2,000 yards
CA Chokai engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Atago at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages CA Chokai at 2,000 yards
CA Chokai engages CLAA San Diego at 2,000 yards
CLAA Atlanta engages CA Chokai at 2,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Asanagi at 2,000 yards
DD Aaron Ward engages DD Asanagi at 2,000 yards
DD Asanagi engages DD Monssen at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Chokai engages BB Prince of Wales at 4,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages DD Maury at 4,000 yards
CA Chokai engages CLAA San Juan at 4,000 yards
CA Chokai engages CLAA San Diego at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Chokai at 2,000 yards

[Lowpe]

And the sweeping Allied naval squadron of destroyers comes in, after tangling with an Iboat...it is looking bleak for Japan here.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Buldir Island at 156,50, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, on fire
DD Asanagi, Shell hits 1
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Yomogi
DD Yanagi

Allied Ships
DD Frazier
DD Gansevoort
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Anderson
DD Hammann, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Walke

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards

[Lowpe]

A destroyer skirmish...and the Empire was hoping on those fresh destroyers making torpedo runs on those bad girls the POW and Repulse...not to be.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Buldir Island at 156,50, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yunagi
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1
DD Numakaze, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Frazier
DD Gansevoort
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Anderson, Shell hits 1
DD Hammann, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Walke

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
White S. crosses the 'T'

[Lowpe]

But then lo, like a whispered haiku, out of the storms comes the Allies greatest fear...


Yamato!

Kept hidden, patrolling into and out of Builder Island every night, waiting for her chance, and like the wolf she is...she springs.

First thru the destroyer squadron... and then thru a damaged CLAA force...using up precious main gun ammo...[:(]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Buldir Island at 156,50, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 2
DD Akigumo
DD Hayashio
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 1
DD Arare, Shell hits 1
DD Wakaba
DD Kisaragi

Allied Ships
DD Frazier
DD Gansevoort
DD Sims
DD Hughes, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Anderson
DD Hammann, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Walke

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
White S. crosses the 'T'

Night Time Surface Combat, near Buldir Island at 156,50, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hayashio
DD Isokaze
DD Arare
DD Wakaba
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Meredith
DD Monssen
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Buchanan, Shell hits 1

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
Buckmaster, E. crosses the 'T'

[Lowpe]

And now, the clash of the titans...

[Lowpe]

Illuminated briefly by lightning strikes in the harsh seas, the Yamato is more often illuminated in blinding bursts from her main batteries...the Prince of Wales is her target and she relies upon her destroyers weaving, firing, to protect her from enemy destroyers.

and she doesn't disappoint!

Prince of Wales is done for, foundering, sinking as she steams in a lazy slow circle as her steering is gone...

Rejoice! But alas, the Repulse sneaks away in the storm...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Buldir Island at 156,50, Range 2,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 6
DD Akigumo, on fire
DD Hayashio
DD Isokaze
DD Arare
DD Wakaba
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
BC Repulse, Shell hits 2, on fire
CLAA Atlanta, on fire
DD Duncan
DD Bancroft
DD Maury, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
BB Yamato engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Wakaba at 2,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Maury at 2,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Bancroft at 2,000 yards
DD Kisaragi engages DD Duncan at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Yamato engages BB Prince of Wales at 4,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Kisaragi at 4,000 yards
DD Bancroft engages DD Arare at 4,000 yards
DD Bancroft engages DD Kisaragi at 4,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Hayashio at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales sunk by BB Yamato at 2,000 yards

[Lowpe]

The Repulse must not escape...and another engagement...and the Yamato catches the battle cruiser...

and punishes her!



Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Duncan, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
DD Bancroft

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Takayanagi, Gihachi crosses the 'T'

[Lowpe]

The recent naval scorecard...