At dawn we slept...in the cab on the way back from Olongapo

[Cap Mandrake]

********VD-1, PB4Y-1P Squadron, Darwin***********


Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, what about Number 2?

CPO Scott: Low oil pressure on the number 3 engine. She can't take a long flight, sir.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, what about Number 4, is she ready?

CPO Scott: No sir, we're still looking for Kowalski's left 5th finger. It has to be in the intake of number two engine sir.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Lord, how is he?

CPO Scott: Oh, don't worry about him sir. He still has 11. Cousin marriage, you know.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, sweet baby Jesus, Scotty when CAN we get a bird up? SouPac is crawling up my ass.

CPO Scott: February 1, sir. That's a promise.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Damnit, Scotty! That's not good enough Senator Truman is visiting in 2 1/2 weeks. Do you realize what kind of shitstorm we will have if he gets here and his expensive recon aircraft are not flying. If you can't find Kowalski's finger by then send her up. If they have to land at Bathurst with 3 engines so be it.

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

********VD-1, PB4Y-1P Squadron, Darwin***********


Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, what about Number 2?

CPO Scott: Low oil pressure on the number 3 engine. She can't take a long flight, sir.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, what about Number 4, is she ready?

CPO Scott: No sir, we're still looking for Kowalski's left 5th finger. It has to be in the intake of number two engine sir.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Lord, how is he?

CPO Scott: Oh, don't worry about him sir. He still has 11. Cousin marriage, you know.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, sweet baby Jesus, Scotty when CAN we get a bird up? SouPac is crawling up my ass.

CPO Scott: February 1, sir. That's a promise.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Damnit, Scotty! That's not good enough Senator Truman is visiting in 2 1/2 weeks. Do you realize what kind of shitstorm we will have if he gets here and his expensive recon aircraft are not flying. If you can't find Kowalski's finger by then send her up. If they have to land at Bathurst with 3 engines so be it.

I always thought Catalinas had 2 engines...must be the New Math.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Zorch

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

********VD-1, PB4Y-1P Squadron, Darwin***********


Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, what about Number 2?

CPO Scott: Low oil pressure on the number 3 engine. She can't take a long flight, sir.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, what about Number 4, is she ready?

CPO Scott: No sir, we're still looking for Kowalski's left 5th finger. It has to be in the intake of number two engine sir.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Lord, how is he?

CPO Scott: Oh, don't worry about him sir. He still has 11. Cousin marriage, you know.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, sweet baby Jesus, Scotty when CAN we get a bird up? SouPac is crawling up my ass.

CPO Scott: February 1, sir. That's a promise.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Damnit, Scotty! That's not good enough Senator Truman is visiting in 2 1/2 weeks. Do you realize what kind of shitstorm we will have if he gets here and his expensive recon aircraft are not flying. If you can't find Kowalski's finger by then send her up. If they have to land at Bathurst with 3 engines so be it.

I always thought Catalinas had 2 engines...must be the New Math.

They do. But this is a PB4Y-1P. Dude....

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Zorch

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

********VD-1, PB4Y-1P Squadron, Darwin***********


Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, what about Number 2?

CPO Scott: Low oil pressure on the number 3 engine. She can't take a long flight, sir.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, what about Number 4, is she ready?

CPO Scott: No sir, we're still looking for Kowalski's left 5th finger. It has to be in the intake of number two engine sir.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Lord, how is he?

CPO Scott: Oh, don't worry about him sir. He still has 11. Cousin marriage, you know.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Well, sweet baby Jesus, Scotty when CAN we get a bird up? SouPac is crawling up my ass.

CPO Scott: February 1, sir. That's a promise.

Lt. Cmdr Paquette: Damnit, Scotty! That's not good enough Senator Truman is visiting in 2 1/2 weeks. Do you realize what kind of shitstorm we will have if he gets here and his expensive recon aircraft are not flying. If you can't find Kowalski's finger by then send her up. If they have to land at Bathurst with 3 engines so be it.

I always thought Catalinas had 2 engines...must be the New Math.

They do. But this is a PB4Y-1P. Dude....

All the pictures I've ever seen show 2 engine PBYs...I guess the '4' means something.

[Cap Mandrake]

Ever listened to the lyrics to "Jingle Bell Rock"? I don't think the writer was a farm boy. The horses have "feet".

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Ever listened to the lyrics to "Jingle Bell Rock"? I don't think the writer was a farm boy. The horses have "feet".

Jingle Bell Rock
Bobby Helms
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell rock
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bell chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle bell rock
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Joseph Beal / James Boothe
Jingle Bell Rock lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

[Cap Mandrake]

Yes, that's it. Not really rock and roll either. Maybe it needs more cowbell.

[Cap Mandrake]

I tried to anticipate where the carriers would go. Missed it by THAT much.[:)]

[Cap Mandrake]

2 carrier groups with 186 fighters and 270 bombers. It's TWO death stars. I don't have enough fighters in the Solomons. Might do a PQ-17 type move on the ships left at Kirakira and send out some fuel barges as "tanker" TF's to soak up attacks.

[Cap Mandrake]

We lost 2 AP's at Kirakira and two damaged. 2600 troops got ashore, 150 lost and 100 more trapped on a damaged AK with some heavy equipment.

[Cap Mandrake]

25 Allied fighters lost in the Solomons and DEI and PI
24 LYB fighters, mostly KB's Zeke's.

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

25 Allied fighters lost in the Solomons and DEI and PI
24 LYB fighters, mostly KB's Zeke's.

That's a good loss ratio, even allowing for 'Fow of Gar'.
Did you capture any pilots?

[Cap Mandrake]

***********42nd Base Group Command Bunker, Kirakira*********


Tough looking interrogation officer: Look, we can make this easy on you or hard. So which is it going to be?

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Oh, that-ah easy. Hata-san pick easy one. Seem rike-ah sirry question.

Tough looking interrogation officer: Look, son, you are a Prisoner of War of the 42nd US Army Air Force Base Group. You are in a heap of trouble.

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: What-ah "heap"?

Tough looking interrogation officer: Don't get wise with me, mister! What's your name?

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Aran Hata.

Tough looking interrogation officer: Spell that.

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: "A"

Tough looking interrogation officer: "A"

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: "err"

Tough looking interrogation officer: "arr"

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: No, "err"

Tough looking interrogation officer: That's what I said. Look, pal don't try that wiseacre crap on me. GET HIM OUT OF HERE!

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Wait! Captain, do you guys know Miro?

Tough looking interrogation officer: Miro who?

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Miro Minderbinder. Mistah Minderbinder say mention name when POW.

<all activity stops in command bunker>

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

***********42nd Base Group Command Bunker, Kirakira*********

Tough looking interrogation officer: Look, we can make this easy on you or hard. So which is it going to be?

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Oh, that-ah easy. Hata-san pick easy one. Seem rike-ah sirry question.

Tough looking interrogation officer: Look, son, you are a Prisoner of War of the 42nd US Army Air Force Base Group. You are in a heap of trouble.

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: What-ah "heap"?

Tough looking interrogation officer: Don't get wise with me, mister! What's your name?

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Aran Hata.

Tough looking interrogation officer: Spell that.

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: "A"

Tough looking interrogation officer: "A"

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: "err"

Tough looking interrogation officer: "arr"

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: No, "err"

Tough looking interrogation officer: That's what I said. Look, pal don't try that wiseacre crap on me. GET HIM OUT OF HERE!

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Wait! Captain, do you guys know Miro?

Tough looking interrogation officer: Miro who?

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Miro Minderbinder. Mistah Minderbinder say mention name when POW.

<all activity stops in command bunker>

How did honorable IJN Officer bail out of plane if Milo replaced parachute with share certificate?

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Zorch

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

***********42nd Base Group Command Bunker, Kirakira*********

Tough looking interrogation officer: Look, we can make this easy on you or hard. So which is it going to be?

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Oh, that-ah easy. Hata-san pick easy one. Seem rike-ah sirry question.

Tough looking interrogation officer: Look, son, you are a Prisoner of War of the 42nd US Army Air Force Base Group. You are in a heap of trouble.

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: What-ah "heap"?

Tough looking interrogation officer: Don't get wise with me, mister! What's your name?

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Aran Hata.

Tough looking interrogation officer: Spell that.

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: "A"

Tough looking interrogation officer: "A"

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: "err"

Tough looking interrogation officer: "arr"

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: No, "err"

Tough looking interrogation officer: That's what I said. Look, pal don't try that wiseacre crap on me. GET HIM OUT OF HERE!

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Wait! Captain, do you guys know Miro?

Tough looking interrogation officer: Miro who?

Young IJN aviator still in flight gear: Miro Minderbinder. Mistah Minderbinder say mention name when POW.

<all activity stops in command bunker>

How did honorable IJN Officer bail out of plane if Milo replaced parachute with share certificate?

Hata-san make watah randing in officah's mess poor!

[Cap Mandrake]

***************January 2, 1943(e)***************

Solomons: I sent everything that could move south except a few sub chasers and fuel barges to soak up attacks.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 117,139

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 8

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
YO-49, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
YO-48, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 11000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

[Cap Mandrake]

We had 3 badly damaged vessels at Kirakira that could not be sent to sea. JJ had their bombers on naval/port attack so, in the afternoon, Kirakira is subjected to most awesomely well-organized single carrier raid I have ever seen. All the planes are moved to Rennel Is but there is some spillover CAP. Not ONE single straggler.

382 planes at maximum range. It's a thing of beauty. I put a bunch of medium bombers at Luganville. They aren't really a threat but they may be mistaken for SBD's on mouseover recon and keep the Japs from pursuing the retreating ships.

Afternoon Air attack on Kirakira , at 116,140

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 112
A6M3a Zero x 21
B5N2 Kate x 106
D3A1 Val x 149

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP Allara, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
PG Charleston, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
SST Narwhal, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk

Port hits 33
Port supply hits 5

[Cap Mandrake]

PI: JJ go after Bataan and Davao today.

Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 25,560 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11
Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-40K Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

The Hurris and P-40K's from the CBI are helpful.

Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 25,560 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11
Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-40K Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

But we still lose marginally as the Sons of Nipon still have more planes in the air

Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 25,190 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 31

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 9
Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

2 Oscar sweeps, a Nick sweep and then Tojos and Oscars

Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 28,560 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 17

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 5
Spitfire Vc Trop x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed

And

Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 24,560 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

[Cap Mandrake]

And then the bombers. Quite effective.

Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 4
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 29

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 8 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
R4D-1 Skytrain: 9 damaged
R4D-1 Skytrain: 2 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 31

I think this might close down Bataan AF...which would be bad. The C-47's flying the 4th Marine Regt to Batan Is take it in the shorts.

Morning Air attack on Bataan , at 78,77

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 15

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
R4D-1 Skytrain: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

[Cap Mandrake]

Not much damaged at Davao.

Morning Air attack on Davao , at 79,91

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 9

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Runway hits 5