Bottlenecks? Oh those bottlenecks! SierraJuliet (J) vs Mundy (A)

[SierraJuliet]

My heavy cruisers are also starting to join the list of wounded.

[SierraJuliet]

28IMB at Tinian. Combat worthy soldiers in this unit are becoming hard to find.

[SierraJuliet]

30 August 1943 Night Time Part 1

TF 119 encounters minefield at Saipan

SS Corvina, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 5000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Chikuma, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Tatsuta
DD Tamanami, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships

BB Washington
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 1
CA Northampton
CA Chicago, Shell hits 1
CA Astoria
CA Cornwall
DD Aulick
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Hutchins
DD Jenkins
DD La Vallette

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 60000 yards
Range closes to 5000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 5000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 5000 yards
Range closes to 4000 yards
Range increases to 13000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 7000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Isuzu
CL Abukuma
CL Kiso
DD Susuzuki
DD Onami
DD Shigure, Shell hits 4

Allied Ships

BB Washington, Shell hits 1
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 4
CA Northampton, Shell hits 1
CA Chicago, Shell hits 2
CA Astoria
CA Cornwall
DD Aulick
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Hutchins, Shell hits 1
DD Jenkins, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD La Vallette

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 60000 yards
Range closes to 12000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12000 yards
Range closes to 9000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 9000 yards
Range closes to 7000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7000 yards
Range closes to 5000 yards
Range increases to 11000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night time surface combat at 109,94 near Saipan, Range 13000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
CL Abukuma
CL Kiso
DD Susuzuki
DD Onami
DD Shigure

Allied Ships

CV Saratoga
CV Enterprise
CV Hornet
CV Wasp
CV Essex
CV Reprisal
CVL Independence
CVL Princeton
CVL Belleau Wood
CV Iwo Jima
CV Victorious
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA Juneau
CLAA San Diego
CLAA San Juan
DD Fletcher
DD Abbot
DD Anthony
DD Foote
DD Renshaw

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 120000 yards
Range closes to 24000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24000 yards
Range closes to 22000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 22000 yards
Range closes to 20000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20000 yards
Range closes to 12000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 13000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 13000 yards

With the Allied carriers making fast their getaway the Japanese belatedly open fire for a short time at 13000 yards

CLs Kiso, Abukuma and Isuze engages CV Iwo Jima
CL Kiso and DD Onami engage CV Essex
CLAA Juneau engages CL Kiso
CL Kiso engages DD Renshaw
DD Onami engages DD Fletcher

Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

WOW... the whole of the Allied carrier force together in one TF and having a close look at a Japanese SAG. The wonders of Allied radar save them from possible embarrassment.

[SierraJuliet]

30 August 1943 Night Time Part 2

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 6000 yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships

CL Isuzu
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Kiso, Shell hits 12 and is sunk
DD Susuzuki
DD Onami
DD Shigure, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships

BB Washington
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 5
CA Northampton
CA Chicago
CA Astoria
CA Cornwall
DD Aulick, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Hutchins
DD Jenkins, on fire
DD La Vallette

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 6000 yards
Range closes to 18000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18000 yards
Range closes to 8000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 8000 yards
Range closes to 6000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 6000 yards
Range closes to 4000 yards
Range increases to 11000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 29000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Chikuma, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Tatsuta
DD Tamanami, on fire

Allied Ships

DD Woodworth
DD Bailey
DD Bancroft
DD Caldwell

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 5000 yards
Range increases to 29000 yards
Both Task Forces evade combat

SSX Ha-36 launches 2 torpedoes at 108,94 near Tinian

Allied Ships

xAK Andrew D White, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 12000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Isuzu
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Susuzuki
DD Onami
DD Shigure, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships

BB Washington
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 3
CA Northampton
CA Chicago
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
CA Cornwall
DD Aulick, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Hutchins
DD Jenkins, on fire
DD La Vallette

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 12000 yards
Range closes to 24000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24000 yards
Range closes to 12000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 12000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 12000 yards
Gatch, Thomas Lee crosses the 'T'
Range closes to 6000 yards
Range increases to 13000 yards
Task forces break off...

SSX Ha-25 launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 110,89 near Pagan

Japanese Ships

SSX Ha-25, hits 3

Allied Ships

DD Beale
DD Bennett

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 9000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
DD Akizuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Hibiki
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships

xAK Andrew D White, Shell hits 6 and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 72 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 39 (32 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 9000 yards
Range closes to 9000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 9000 yards
Ranged closes to 8000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk....

Yamato bursts forth into the action.... not quite the engagement I was expecting!

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 7000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Yamato, Shell hits 12, heavy fires
DD Akizuki
DD Hatsuzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships

BB Washington, Shell hits 4, on fire
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 3
CA Northampton
CA Chicago
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
CA Cornwall
DD Aulick, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Hutchins
DD Jenkins, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD La Vallette

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 10000 yards
Range closes to 17000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17000 yards
Range closes to 7000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 7000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 7000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'
Range closes to 3000 yards

Knife fight with Yamato engaging South Dakota then Washington at 3000 yards

Tanaka, Raizo orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 11000 yards
Task forces break off...

At the end of that encounter I was most worried for the well being of Yamato. Those 2 American battleships looked to be well set to deal with anything the IJN would throw at them.

Night time surface combat at 108,94 near Tinian, Range 11000 yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships

BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 14, on fire
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships

BB Washington, Shell hits 17 and is sunk
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 10, heavy fires
CA Northampton, Shell hits 1
CA Chicago
CA Astoria, on fire
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 2
DD Aulick, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Hutchins
DD Jenkins, heavy fires
DD La Vallette

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight 11000 yards
Range closes to 17000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17000 yards
Range closes to 11000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 11000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 11000 yards
Gatch, Thomas Lee crosses the 'T'
Range closes to 5000 yards
Range increases to 7000 yards
Gatch, Thomas Lee orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 10000 yards
Obata, Chozaemon orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 7000 yards
Range increases to 13000 yards
Task forces break off...

After Yamato did the hard work of drawing the fire of the American battleships Yamashiro finishes the job and accounts for BB Washington.


HOME ISLANDS

SS Apogon is located by DD Natsushio at 111, 65 near Aogashima

PACIFIC

SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 201, 107 near Lahaina

Allied Ships

APA President Harrison

[SierraJuliet]

30 August 1943 Day Time

MARIANAS ISLANDS

ASW attack by CA Maya at 106,84 near Pagan

Allied Ships

SS Tuna, hits 1

SSX Ha-37 launches 2 torpedoes at 108,94 near Tinian

Allied Ships

LCI-31, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

SS Haddo launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 107,93 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

AK Kashii Maru
PB Nichi Maru # 1

SS I-29 launches 2 torpedoes at 109,96 near Tinian

Japanese Ships

SS I-29, hits 8

Allied Ships

CVE Sangamon, Torpedo hits 1
DD Dyson

SS I-174 launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 108,94 near Tinian

Allied Ships

LCI-333

Day time surface combat at 109,96 near Tinian, Range 21000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
DD Hatsukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships

AK Benjamin Holt
AK Jacob S Mansfield, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK John H Couch
xAK Joseph Henry

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 211000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 30000 yards
Both task forces evade combat

Japanese morning air attack at 106, 97 near Guam

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zerio-Reisen x 3
G4M1 Betty-Rikko x 9

Allied Ships

CA Cornwall
CA Astoria
CA Northampton

Japanese air attack on Seventh USAAF at Tinian - 7 casualties

Allied morning air attack on TF at 108,97 near Rota

Weather in hex: Light rain

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 12

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships

BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 2

Allied morning air attack on TF at 108,93 near Saipan

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 1
N1K1J George-Shiden x 38
Ki-84a Frank-Hayate x 28

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed

Allied morning air attack on TF at 108,94 near Tinian

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sero-Reisen x 17
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 1
N1K1J George-Shiden x 13

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 destroyed

Allied morning air attack on TF at 108,94 near Tinian

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sero-Reisen x 17
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 1
N1K1J George-Shiden x 17

Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25G Mitchell: 2 destroyed

Allied morning air attack on TF at 108,93 near Saipan

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 1
N1K1J George-Shiden x 30
Ki-84a Frank-Hayate x 28

Allied aircraft
B25C Mitchell x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships

DD Wakazuki, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese afternoon air attack on 5th Marine Defense Battalion at Tinian - 1 D4Y1 Judy-Susei destroyed by flak

Allied deliberate attack at Tinian

Attacking force 10554 troops, 245 guns, 164 vehicles, Assault Value = 441
Defending force 8003 troops, 67 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Allied adjusted assault: 41
Japanese adjusted defense: 255

Allied assault odds: 1 to 6 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
252 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
339 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:

627th TD Battalion
87th Mountain Regiment
140th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
37th Infantry Division/9
XIII US Fighter Command
Seventh USAAF
ComAirFMFPac
181st Field Artillery Battalion
43rd Base Group Base Force
I US Corps
27th Base Maintenance Engineer Battalion
345th Base Group Base Force/1
41st Marine Air Group
5th Marine-Defence Battalion
145th Field Artillery Battalion
24th Base Maintenance Engineer Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
15th USN Naval Construction Regiment
16th USN Naval Construction Regiment/4

Defending Units

28 IMB 14th Garrison Unit
Maizuru 4th SNLF
11th Garrison Unit/2
13th Field Construction Battalion
21st Special Base Force
16th Field Construction Battalion
12th JNAF AF Unit
13th Field Construction Battalion
58th Construction Battalion
59th JNAF AF Unit
85th Naval Guard/13

Allied deliberate attack at Pagan

Attacking force 1558 troops, 34 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 4
Defending force 676 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 0
Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), disruption (-)
Attacker:

Assaulting units:

115th Mech Cav Reg
174th (Sep) Inf. Reg
187th Mech Cav Reg
28th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
9th JNAF AF Unit

I am guessing that victorious Allied forces at Pagan have run out of supply for this to have occurred.

CHINA

Japanese morning air attack on 89,40 - Port hits 4, Port fuel hits 4
Japanese afternoon air attack on 5th Chinese Base Forces at Sining - 11 casualties

PACIFIC

SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 201, 107 near Lahaina

Allied Ships

APA President Harrison

SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes at 198,107 near Lahaina

Allied Ships

APA President Harrison, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


30 August 1943 - End of day summary

PO1 Obayashi B. of 201 KuS-1 Det is credited with kill number 5 and attains act status
PO1 Asada F. of Yokosuka KuS-1/C is credited with kill number 10

CA Chikuma sinks at sea
CL Abukuma sinks at sea

Ace pilot Nakajuma F. of Zuikaku-1 is promotoed to CPO

Pilot Hori, R. is reported as to have escaped capture

Loss of CVE Hosho on 29 August 1943 is admitted
Loss of CL Kiso ON 30 August 1943 is admitted

BB Washington is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 30 August 1943

[SierraJuliet]

TF positions at the end of 30 August 1943. The Allied carriers have moved well to the east of the Marianas.

[SierraJuliet]

State of my carriers at end of 30 August 1943

[SierraJuliet]

Battleship damage. Fuso has unwanted damage which is a nuisance as she hardly took part in the battle and has most of the shell inventory available for use. Still... after two torpedoes she is a good chance of making a port for repair. Yamashiro will also need some attention after that historic battle. Yamato too needs dockyard attention... question is how long will she be out of the fight.

[SierraJuliet]

Sadly had to say goodbye to one of my valuable heavy cruisers this turn. Damage to Chokai from that torpedo is acceptable.

[SierraJuliet]

Health report for 28IMB at Tinian. Down to just 2 infantry squads!!!!!

[SierraJuliet]

31 August 1943

I went and overwrote the file for this day and of course with so much going on I have no recall now of what went of during this day. No doubt plenty happened but the only thing I can think of to use to give even a rudimentary review of the day is claimed ship losses on the day. Naturally the reported Allied losses must be taken with the proverbial grain of salt.

CVE Chuyo finally succumbs to the raging fires in harbour at Saipan.

AG Taisoku Maru is lost to submarine torpedo at 101,81 near Iwo Jima.

CVE Casablanca is reported lost by unkown means at 109,96 near Tinian.

AKA Alchiba is reported sunk by submarined torpedo at 110, 89 near Pagan.

Tinian continues to remain in the hands of the Japanese Empire.

[SierraJuliet]

1 September 1943 Night Time Part 1

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Night time surface combat at 108,95 near Tinian, Range 9000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Agano
CL Jintsu
CL Nagara, Shell hits 1
DD Hagikaze
DD Hatsuharu
DD Yugure

Allied Ships

AK Ganymede, Shell hits 10 and is sunk
xAP Cape Cumberland and is sunk
AK George M Pullman, Shell hits 19 and is sunk

Allied casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 83 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 73 (29 destroyed, 44 disabled)
Vehicles lost 80 (51 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight 9000 yards
Range closes to 17000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 9000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs detects Japanese task force at 9000 yards
Range closes to 6000 yards
Range increases to 9000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

Night time surface combat at 109,96 near Tinian, Range 7000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Agano
CL Jintsu
CL Nagara, Shell hits 1
DD Hagikaze
DD Hatsuharu
DD Yugure

Allied Ships

CVE Barnes
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 5
DD Jenkins
DD LaVallette, Shell hits 1
DD Stanly, Shell hits 1
DD Taylor

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight 7000 yards
Range closes to 25000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25000 yards
Range closes to 15000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15000 yards
Range closes to 9000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9000 yards
Range closes to 7000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 7000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs detects Japanese task force at 7000 yards
Takeda, Isamu crosses the 'T'
Range decreases to 6000 yards
Range increases to 8000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task force break off....

Night time surface combat at 110,96 near Tinian, Range 7000 yards

Japanese Ships

CL Agano, Shell hits 1
CL Jintsu
CL Nagara, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Hatsuharu
DD Yugure

Allied Ships

CA Northampton, Shell hits 2
CA Chicago, Shell hits 2
CA Astoria
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 2
DD Charles Ausburne, Shell hits 1
DD Hutchins

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight 7000 yards
Range closes to 7000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 7000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs detects Japanese task force at 7000 yards
Takeda, Isamu crosses the 'T'
Range decreases to 6000 yards
Range increases to 11000 yards
Task force break off....

Night time surface combat at 110,89 near Pagan, Range 9000 yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SC2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships

BB Haruna
CA Takao
CA Myoko, Shell hits 5, on fire
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kasumi, Shell hits 1
DD Harusame

Allied Ships

Allied Ships

BB Maryland, Shell hits 40 and is sunk
BB Colorado, Shell hits 1
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 2
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 3
DD Converse
DD Conway

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight 11000 yards
Range closes to 9000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 9000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs detects Japanese task force at 9000 yards
Kennedy, CB crosses the 'T'
Range closes to 2000 yards
Range increases to 7000 yards
Task forces break off...

This was quite something to witness. Haruna and escorts had left Singapore a little over a week prior. It had, by that time, become apparent that more IJN resources would be required in this fight. Sighting reports over a few days had given me a strong indication that a battleship task force had taken up residence at Pagan. I was fairly certain that any battleships hiding out would be low on ammunition having taken part in invasion bombardments. I was prepared to gamble that the reasonably lightweight Japanese Task Force would stand a good chance against American battleships. Well that turned out to be exactly the case. I have no idea if the battleships were there awaiting resupply or some other reasons but sicking around so close the battlefield in an unprepared state was asking for trouble. It was a good thing that Haruna came out of this unscathed (and totally taking the credit for the destruction of Maryland) as I do believe from memory Haruna was at that time the only serviceable battleship at my disposal on the battlefield.

[Bif1961]

It never ceases to amaze me how so many allies lightly escort their carriers he had nothing bigger than CLAAs and only a handful of DDs. He got of lucky with just a scare he was glad you had nothing larger in that surface TF than CLs. However, nice job sneaking up on his BBs at Pagan and finally the long lances find a worthy target,

[SierraJuliet]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

It never ceases to amaze me how so many allies lightly escort their carriers he had nothing bigger than CLAAs and only a handful of DDs. He got of lucky with just a scare he was glad you had nothing larger in that surface TF than CLs. However, nice job sneaking up on his BBs at Pagan and finally the long lances find a worthy target,

Running down the Allied deathstar and staying with it long enough to engage would be quite the feat. I was surprised that Mundy had basically ran it through the battlefield in order to get some distance from the heat. The speed of the ships involved and advantage of radar does give this TF an exceptionally good chance of brushing off most IJN TF compositions. Now if the 4 sisters were available in a fully armed and undamaged stated perhaps the result would be different.

As for the ongoing battle... the Allied fleets appear to be in a general retreat. Their carriers are well clear of the field and I see the task of the IJN now to be that of harrying and dealing with the remnants. The damaged South Dakota is the main objective followed by the 3 Pagan battleships. There is a host of shipping around Pagan too, which is so tempting to chase down.

[SierraJuliet]

1 September 1943, Night Time Part 2

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Night time surface combat at 110,89 near Pagan, Range 4000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Haruna
CA Takao
CA Myoko, on fire
CA Nachi, on fire
DD Natsugumo, on fire
DD Kasumi
DD Harusame

Allied Ships

DD Anderson, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Enggano, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Charles McCormick
xAK West Cactus, Shell hits 11 and is sunk
xAK William R Gibson, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight 5000 yards
Range closes to 4000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 4000 yards
Range closes to 3000 yards
Range increases to 7000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

SSX Ha-24 launches 2 torpedoes at 110,89 near Pagan

Allied Ships

xAK William R Gibson, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

SS Hado launches 2 torpedoes at 108,94 near Tinian

Japanese Ships

AK Kagu Maru, Torpedo hits 1

SS I-15 launches 4 torpedoes at 111,95 near Saipan

Allied Ships

APA George F Elliot, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied casualties:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SSX Ha-24 is sighted by escort at 110,89 near Pagan

Japanese Ships

SSX Ha-24, hits 8, heavy damage

Allied Ships

APA President Van Buren
APA Feland
APA Doyen
LSI(L) Denbighshire
LSI(L) Glenstrae
LSI(M) Prince David
APD Kennison
APD McKean
APD Chew
AKA Mercury
AKA Aquarius
AKA Alcyone
AP Ernest Hinds
AP President Tyler
DD Barton
DD Farenholt
APD Dickerson
APD Rathburne

Debris floats to surface in area of attack!

Night time surface combat at 110,89 near Pagan, Range 9000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Haruna, Shell hits 2
CA Takao
CA Myoko, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Nachi
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Kasumi
DD Harusame, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships

DD Porter
DD Selfridge
DD Balch
DD Clark, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 10% moonlight 9000 yards
Range closes to 24000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24000 yards
Range closes to 9000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 9000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 9000 yards
Tayui, Minoru crosses the 'T'
Range closes to 3000 yards
Range increases to 5000 yards
Allison F. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 11000 yards
Allison F. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 10000 yards
Allison F. orders Allied TF to disengage
Task forces break off...

JAVA SEA

SS Salmon is located by escort at 56, 103 near Soerabaja

Japanese Ships

xAK Takao Maru
DMS W-12

SOLOMON SEA

SS KXVII launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 101,126 near Cape Gloucester

Japanese Ships

xAK Yahiko Maru
SC CHa-26
SC CHa-22
xAK Hokuzyu Maru
xAK Argun Maru
DD Tsuga
DD Yuzuki
E Uji
PB Heimei Maru

MAKASSAR STRAIT

SS KXVI is sighted by escort at 65, 98 near Balikpapan

Japanese Ships

SC CHa-6
TK Shinfuku Maru
PB Shonan Maru # 16
PB Saiko Maru

PACIFIC OCEAN

SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 201, 107 near Lahaina

Japanese Ships

SS I-26, hits 8

Allied Ships

DD Brownson
DD Stevens
DD Schroeder
DD Guest

[SierraJuliet]

1 September 1943 Day Time Part 1

MARIANAS ISLANDS

SS I-174 launches 2 torpedoes at 111,95 near Saipan

Allied Ships

AKA Henry S Grove, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

SS Plunger launches 4 torpedoes at 108,93 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

CA Myoko, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

This was unwanted. Myoko must have broken off from the Haruna task force to make a solo return to Saipan. Clearly a most unwise decision.

Japanese morning air attack at 112,95 near Saipan

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty-Rikko x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty-Rikko: 7 damaged
G4M1 Betty-Rikko: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships

BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 3

Japanese morning air attack at 110,89 near Pagan

Weather in hex: Overcast

Japanese aircraft

A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 9
D4Y1 Judy-Susei x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero-Reisen: 2 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy-Susei: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships

LSI(M) Prince Henry

Japanese morning air attack at 111,90 near Pagan

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate-Kankoh x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships

BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Torpedo hits 2

Japanese morning air attack at 111,89 near Pagan

Weather in hex: Heavy Cloud

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate-Kankoh x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate-Kankoh: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships

DD Clark, Torpedo hits 2 and is sunk

Japanese afternoon air attack on 5th Marine Defense Battalion at Tinian - 6 casualties.

SS I-15 launches 6 torpedoes and misses at 112,95 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

SS I-15, hits 12, heavy damage

Allied Ships

DD LaVallette
DD Jenkins
DD Taylor
DD Stanly

SS Plunger launches 4 torpedoes at 108,93 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

CA Myoko, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

SS Plunger launches 4 torpedoes at 108,93 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

CA Myoko, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

SS Plunger is sighted by escort at 108,93 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

CA Kumano
CA Haguro
DD Shigure
DD Onami
DD Makinami

Allied Ships

SS Plunger, hits 4

Allied shock attack at Pagan

Attacking force 1244 troops, 35 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 73
Defending force 665 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 12
Japanese adjusted defense: 9

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed. 0 disabled
Non combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:

115th Mech Cav Reg
174th (Sep) Inf. Reg
187th Mech Cav Reg
34th MAG
5th Port Advn Base Force
Thirteenth USAAF
4th Port Advn Base Force
214th Coast AA Regiment
8th Base Maint Engineer Battalion
32nd USN Special Construction Battalion
28th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
9th JNAF AF Unit

Allied bombardment at Tinian - J 0 casualties to A 6 casualties.

[SierraJuliet]

1 September 1943 Day Time Part 2

HOME ISLANDS

SS Skate is sighted by escort at 108,67 near Torishima

Japanese Ships

DD Nowaki
DD Natsushio

MAKASSAR STRAIT

SS Trout elects not to launch torpedoes at 68, 98 near Donggala

Japanese Ships

SC CHa-11
SC CHa-7
SC CHa-15

SS Trout launches 4 torpedoes at 68,98 near Donggala

Japanese Ships

TK Takane Maru, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Shonan Maru # 16
PB Saiko Maru

NEW GUINEA

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 11
N1K1J George-Shiden x 11
Ki-43 IIb Oscar x 26
Ki-61-1a Tony-Hien x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses

A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
N1K1J George-Shiden: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 7
N1K1J George-Shiden x 8
Ki-43 IIb Oscar x 22
Ki-61-1a Tony-Hien x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses

A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-1a Tony-Hien: 1 destroyed

No allied aircraft losses

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 6
N1K1J George-Shiden x 7
Ki-43 IIb Oscar x 22
Ki-61-1a Tony-Hien x 1

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 6
B-17E Fortress x 33
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 8
B24D 1 Liberator x 7
B25D 1 Mitchell x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 6 damaged
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1J George-Shiden: 7 damaged
N1K1J George-Shiden: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-61-1a Tony-Hien: 1 damaged
Ki-61-1a Tony-Hien: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
B24D 1 Liberator: 4 damaged
B25D 1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 19

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 6
N1K1J George-Shiden x 7
Ki-43 IIb Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 2 destroyed

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 6
N1K1J George-Shiden x 7
Ki-43 IIb Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 17
B24D 1 Liberator x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 3 damaged
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1J George-Shiden: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B24D 1 Liberator: 8 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 6
N1K1J George-Shiden x 6
Ki-43 IIb Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 6
N1K1J George-Shiden x5
Ki-43 IIb Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 3
N1K1J George-Shiden x 2
Ki-43 IIb Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1J George-Shiden: 2 damaged
N1K1J George-Shiden: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Runway hits 2

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 1
Ki-43 IIb Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
B-24D 1 Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D 1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Runway hits 2

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 1
Ki-43 IIb Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Allied morning air attack on Milne Bay

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25D 1 Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CHINA

Japanese morning air attack on 89,40 - 7 port hits, 4 port fuel hits and 1 port supply hit

PACIFIC

Japanese morning air attack at 120,103 near Eniwetok

Weather in hex: Light Cloud

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 12
G4M1 Betty-Rikko x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty-Rikko: 14 damaged

Allied Ships

CA Chicago
CA Astoria
CA Cornwall
CA Northampton

[SierraJuliet]

End of Day - 1 September 1943 and reported TF positions


Repairs completed on CL Tama at Yokohama

PO2 Kawabata K. of 6th KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status

Aircraft Ki-84b Frank-Hayate advances R&D

BB Ise beginning refit in shipyard at Hiroshima/Kure
BB Hyuga beginning refit ih shipyard at Kobe
DD Wakaba beginning refit in shipyard at Tokyo

Loss of CA Myoko on 1 September 1943 is admitted
Loss of TK Takane Maru on 1 September 1943 is admitted
Loss of SSX a-24 on 1 September 1943 is admitted

BB Maryland is reported to have been sunk near Pagan on 1 September 1943
DD Clark is reported to have been sunk near Pagan on 1 September 1943
AK Ganymede is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 1 September 1943
xAK Period is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on 24 March 1943
AKA Henry S Grove is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 1 September 1943
xAK West Cactus is reported to have been sunk near Pagan on 1 September 1943
xAP Cape Cumberland is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 1 September 1943
xAK William R Gibson is reported to have been sunk near Pagan on 1 September 1943
AK George M Pullman is reported to have been sunk near Tinian on 1 September 1943

[SierraJuliet]

Carrier and battleship damage. Akagi (83 days) and Taiho (65 days) are safely in dry dock getting much needed repair.

[SierraJuliet]

Cruiser damage.