IJ commander resurrected - Mundy (A) vs. Castor Troy (IJ) - restricted AAR

[PaxMondo]

Wow. So CV fleet is about decimated and so is his amphib fleet. Yes, your pilot/AC losses have been heavy, but stacked up against what you have accomplished more than acceptable.

Great job!

[&o][&o][&o]

[castor troy]

want to backup my comment about how much I hate the overflows in the game which is something that happens in pretty much every aspect of it... as soon as there's the chance to it fully happens... having my float planes and 10% of my bombers on nav search and KB sitting just next to the Allied carriers pretty much EVERY aircraft on search must have spotted the enemy and was shot down in the process... [:@] stay at 6 or more hexes from the enemy and way less aircraft find them (while you still have 10/10 DL) and you won't lose your complete air search ability... I haven't counted them but it was minutes in the air search phase when all that happened were silly messages of CAP downing one of my search planes... NON STOP...

and we're not talking about a Deathstar CAP, we are talking about that CAP of 100 fighters... what nearly let me freak out that of course I had to go through this twice but no strike launched against the enemy in the morning... tactically way too much went wrong, not only today, but also the day before...


OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Jul 20, 43

SS I-7 leaving patrol zone to replenish at Truk
No additional repairs possible on PB Ichiyo Maru using currently assigned resources at Roi-Namur
Repairs completed on SS I-165 at Bombay, ship returned to service
CS Convoy TF 9 begins loading Oil at Miri for delivery to Manila
CS Convoy TF 65 begins loading Resources at Fusan for delivery to Fukuoka
CS Convoy TF 74 begins loading Resources at Fusan for delivery to Fukuoka
E13A1 Jake reports shape below surface at 106, 109 near Satawal
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP
D4Y4 Judy reports radio transmissions at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports diving submarine at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports periscope wake at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports diving submarine at 96, 66 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports object near surface at 95, 68 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports object near surface at 94, 69 near Naha
G3M2 Nell from 752 Ku K-1 has spotted BB Prince of Wales at 139,125
BB Prince of Wales is reported HIT
E13A1 Jake reports oil slick at 106, 127 near Rabaul
E13A1 Jake sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 103,62 near Kanoya, speed 19, Moving Southwest
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
TF 38 followed by Allied Fighter Bomber at 141,126 near Makin
TF 69 sights Allied Torpedo Bomber at 141,126 near Makin
TF 182 detected by SBD-3 Dauntless at 141,126 near Makin
TF 241 followed by Allied Aircraft at 141,126 near Makin
TF 243 snooped by SBD-3 Dauntless at 141,126 near Makin
D4Y4 Judy from Kaga-2 has spotted an Allied CVE at 139,125
an Allied CVE is reported HIT
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
B6N2 Jill from Soryu-3 has spotted an Allied CV at 139,125
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP
D4Y4 Judy from Hiyo-2 has spotted an Allied CV at 139,125
an Allied CV is reported HIT
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
E13A1 Jake reports possible submarine at 104, 65 near Kanoya
E13A1 Jake reports turbulence in water at 90, 60 near Wenchow
E13A1 Jake reports oil slick at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
E13A1 Jake reports oil slick at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
E13A1 Jake reports submarine wake at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
E13A1 Jake reports periscope wake at 104, 65 near Kanoya
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports shape below surface at 80, 72 near Laoag
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports shape below surface at 73, 84 near Puerto Princesa
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports radio transmissions at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports conning tower at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports diving submarine at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports shadow in water at 82, 68 near Hengchun
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports possible submarine at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports periscope at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object under water at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports oil slick at 49, 89 near Muntok
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object under water at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object under water at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports possible submarine at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports possible submarine at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports oil slick at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports conning tower at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports suspected submarine at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports possible submarine at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports suspected submarine at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports diving submarine at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports shadow in water at 104, 65 near Kanoya
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object under water at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen from 92nd Sentai attacking an Allied SS at 103,64
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine wake at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object under water at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports turbulence in water at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object near surface at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports conning tower at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports oil slick at 104, 65 near Kanoya
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports suspected submarine at 94, 69 near Naha
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports shadow in water at 94, 69 near Naha
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object near surface at 94, 69 near Naha
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine at 94, 69 near Naha
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports periscope wake at 94, 69 near Naha
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports conning tower at 94, 69 near Naha
Previous report of sinking of BB Mississippi incorrect. Ship sighted and engaged at 130, 119
Allied Aircraft sighted over Tarawa
Allied Recon sighted over Port Moresby
Allied Torpedo Bomber sighted over Nagpur
Allied Fighter Bomber sighted over Tarawa
N1K2-J George from 251 Ku S-1 at Tarawa grounded due to maintenance
Ki-49-IIa Helen from 92nd Sentai at Kanoya grounded due to maintenance
H6K4 Mavis from 802 Ku T-1 at Torokina grounded due to maintenance
Damaged E13A1 Jake from Tone-1 is missing, pilot reported killed
Ki-84a Frank from 11th Sentai at Mili grounded due to maintenance
E13A1 Jake from Kako-1 is damaged on landing
H8K1 Emily from 801 Ku T-1 crashes on landing
G4M1 Betty from 705 Ku K-1 crashes on landing
Ki-49-IIa Helen from 14th Sentai at Manila grounded due to maintenance
Ki-84a Frank from 68th Sentai at Mili grounded due to maintenance
Ki-84a Frank from 68th Sentai is damaged on landing
Ki-84a Frank from 68th Sentai at Mili grounded due to maintenance
Search G3M2 Nell destroyed by CAP
E13A1 Jake sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 112,110 near Truk, speed 12, Moving East
Search H6K4 Mavis destroyed by CAP
D4Y4 Judy reports object near surface at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports periscope at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports object near surface at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports submarine at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports suspected submarine at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports submarine wake at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports turbulence in water at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports object under water at 96, 66 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports periscope wake at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports possible submarine at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports submarine wake at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports conning tower at 94, 69 near Naha
D4Y4 Judy reports object under water at 94, 69 near Naha
H6K4 Mavis sighting report: 9 Allied ships at 98,123 near Madang, speed 19, Moving Northwest
E13A1 Jake sighting report: 5 Allied ships at 99,127 near Lae, speed 16, Moving Southeast
E13A1 Jake sighting report: 10 Allied ships at 100,57 near Fukue-jima, speed 12, Moving Northwest
E13A1 Jake reports conning tower at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
E13A1 Jake reports turbulence in water at 53, 84 near Djemadja
PO2 Matsumura L. of 6th Ku S-1/A is credited with kill number 2
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search D4Y4 Judy destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search B6N2 Jill destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
E13A1 Jake reports conning tower at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
E13A1 Jake reports diving submarine at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
E13A1 Jake reports submarine at 104, 65 near Kanoya
E13A1 Jake reports periscope wake at 94, 69 near Naha
E13A1 Jake reports object under water at 94, 69 near Naha
E13A1 Jake reports shape below surface at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
E13A1 Jake reports shadow in water at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
E13A1 Jake reports radio transmissions at 94, 69 near Naha
E13A1 Jake reports periscope at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
E13A1 Jake from Hyuga-1 has spotted DD Meade at 145,123
DD Meade is reported HIT
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP at (139,125)
E13A1 Jake from Haguro-1 has spotted an Allied TK at 139,125
Search E13A1 Jake destroyed by CAP
E13A1 Jake sighting report: 2 Allied ships at 109,74 near Chichi-jima, speed 13, Moving West
Ki-49-IIa Helen from 14th Sentai attacking an Allied PT at 80,72
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports diving submarine at 64, 86 near Miri
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports turbulence in water at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports radio transmissions at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports shadow in water at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports conning tower at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports turbulence in water at 82, 66 near Takao
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports periscope wake at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports turbulence in water at 81, 69 near Laoag
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports possible submarine at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object near surface at 85, 68 near Hengchun
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object near surface at 88, 66 near Iriomote
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports turbulence in water at 81, 63 near Swatow
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports periscope at 82, 66 near Takao
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports conning tower at 82, 68 near Hengchun
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine at 85, 68 near Hengchun
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports diving submarine at 49, 89 near Muntok
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports shape below surface at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports diving submarine at 49, 89 near Muntok
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports possible submarine at 49, 89 near Muntok
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports diving submarine at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen from 61st Sentai attacking a KXIV Class class SS at 53,84
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine wake at 49, 89 near Muntok
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports oil slick at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object near surface at 49, 89 near Muntok
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine wake at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object near surface at 49, 89 near Muntok
Ki-49-IIa Helen from 61st Sentai attacking a Barracuda class SS at 53,84
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports oil slick at 49, 89 near Muntok
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports shadow in water at 53, 84 near Djemadja
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports oil slick at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen from 92nd Sentai attacking a Triton class SS at 103,64
an Allied SS is reported HIT
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports diving submarine at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports submarine wake at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports conning tower at 105, 56 near Shimonoseki
Ki-49-IIa Helen from 92nd Sentai attacking an Allied SS at 105,56
a 'T' 1940 Programme class SS is reported HIT
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports object near surface at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports shape below surface at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports periscope wake at 103, 64 near Tanegashima
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports turbulence in water at 94, 69 near Naha
Ki-49-IIa Helen reports conning tower at 94, 69 near Naha
PO2 Ohara K. of 281 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 3
PO2 Hamano A. of 281 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Hori A. of 281 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 4
PO2 Mikami U. of 281 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
PO2 Okano P. of 281 Ku S-1 is credited with kill number 2
WO Higashiyama M. of 68th Sentai is credited with kill number 3
2LT Chikami S. of 68th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
CPT Jobo, R. of 68th Sentai is credited with kill number 3
WO Ishihara W. of 68th Sentai is credited with kill number 3
WO Oba W. of 68th Sentai is credited with kill number 2
Allied Aircraft sighted over Tarawa
Allied Aircraft sighted over Paramushiro-jima
Allied Heavy Bomber sighted over Shimushiri-jima
Allied Fighter Bomber sighted over Port Moresby
Allied Recon sighted over Nagpur
Allied Fighter Bomber sighted over Darwin
Allied Heavy Bomber sighted over Tarawa
Allied Heavy Bomber sighted over Paramushiro-jima
Allied Aircraft sighted over Shimushiri-jima
Allied Aircraft sighted over Darwin
Previous report of sinking of CV Hornet incorrect. Ship sighted and engaged at 139, 125
Ki-46-III Dinah from 50th I.F.Chutai at Port Blair grounded due to maintenance
N1K2-J George from 281 Ku S-1 is written off
A6M5 Zero from Amagi-1 is written off
Damaged N1K2-J George from 281 Ku S-1 shot down on way home
Ki-46-III Dinah from 63rd I.F.Chutai/A at Hyderabad grounded due to maintenance
B6N2 Jill from Taiho-3 is written off
D4Y4 Judy from Hiyo-2 is written off
Ki-84a Frank from 11th Sentai at Mili grounded due to maintenance
Pilot killed in landing accident of Ki-49-IIa Helen from 92nd Sentai
Ki-46-III Dinah from 51st I.F.Chutai/A at Paramushiro-jima grounded due to maintenance
Ki-84a Frank from 11th Sentai at Mili grounded due to maintenance
D4Y4 Judy from Taiho-2 is damaged on landing
A6M5 Zero from Zuiho-1 on CVL Zuiho grounded due to maintenance
Ki-84a Frank from 11th Sentai at Mili grounded due to maintenance
H6K4 Mavis from 802 Ku T-1 at Torokina grounded due to maintenance
A6M5 Zero from Shoho-1 on CVL Shoho grounded due to maintenance
Ki-49-IIa Helen from 94th Sentai at Naha grounded due to maintenance
H6K5 Mavis from Yokosuka Ku T-1 at Paramushiro-jima grounded due to maintenance
D4Y4 Judy from Kaga-2 is damaged on landing
Ki-49-IIa Helen from 92nd Sentai is damaged on landing
Ki-46-III Dinah from 51st I.F.Chutai/C at Paramushiro-jima grounded due to maintenance
A6M5 Zero from Amagi-1 is damaged on landing
Ki-84a Frank from 68th Sentai at Mili grounded due to maintenance
Ki-84a Frank from 68th Sentai is written off
Damaged D4Y4 Judy from Unryu-2 does not return, pilot reported killed
D4Y4 Judy from Amagi-2 is damaged on landing
23 x Ki-57-II Topsy transporting Sasebo 5th SNLF to Kwajalein Island
21 x Ki-57-II Topsy transporting Sasebo 5th SNLF to Kwajalein Island
22 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 85th Naval Guard Unit to Kwajalein Island
No additional repairs possible on PB Ichiyo Maru using currently assigned resources at Roi-Namur
Repairs completed on SS I-162 at Bombay, ship returned to service
Camp Pendleton expands airfield to size 7
Madang expands fortifications to size 5
Christchurch expands port to size 6
Delayed planes for the aircraft pool:
3 (17) x A6M5c Zero, 2 (7) x D4Y3 Judy
xAK Seiryu Maru arrives at Fukuoka
APD Dickerson is reported to have been sunk near Mili on Jul 20, 1943
xAKL P-124 arrives at Toyama
SC CHa-39 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
xAP William R. Davie is reported to have been sunk near Mili on Jul 20, 1943

[PaxMondo]

wow, that's a lot of NavSearch assets lost ...

[Bif1961]

The bars will be empty at pearl for a long time to come, well maybe some Army guys will be drinking saying hey where did the navy go?

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

The bars will be empty at pearl for a long time to come, well maybe some Army guys will be drinking saying hey where did the navy go?

With a big part of 24th US Inf Div and other troops stuck on the beaches at Kwajalein now there are quite a few men missed from the previous Army on Hawaii.

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 21, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 140,125, Range 11,000 Yards



Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CL Agano
DD Shimakaze
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 1
DD Samidare
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
CVE Santee, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
CVE Corregidor, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Caldwell

we are still in the middle of the epic battle in the Marshalls and after yesterday's blunt on KB's offensive strike capabilities I've decided to let lose the surface combat groups... the task force around the evil twins and my cruisers are set to patrol the area with a reaction range of 4... I usually refrain from using my heavies if I don't have to as you can't replace ships while you can replace aircraft (and pilots) but in this case I thought it would be worth it as KB has lost too many bombers already and with the enemy BBs being hit that hard over the last couple of days there should't be that much opposition so my highly experienced combat groups should be able to deal some damage...

the evil twins are the first to encounter two trashed CVEs with a lonely DD as escort, both CVEs are sunk in no time and the DD managed to escape...


Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CVE Corregidor at 11,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CVE Santee at 11,000 yards
DD Caldwell engages DD Yudachi at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CVE Corregidor at 10,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CVE Corregidor at 10,000 yards
CVE Corregidor sunk by CL Agano at 10,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Caldwell at 10,000 yards
DD Caldwell engages DD Yudachi at 10,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Caldwell at 10,000 yards
DD Caldwell engages DD Murasame at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CVE Santee sunk by BB Musashi at 8,000 yards
DD Caldwell engages DD Murasame at 8,000 yards
DD Caldwell engages DD Kawakaze at 8,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Caldwell at 8,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Caldwell at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages DD Caldwell at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Caldwell engages DD Yudachi at 12,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

[castor troy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 140,125, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CL Agano
DD Shimakaze
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure, Shell hits 1
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
CV Iwo Jima, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD McCalla, Shell hits 1
DD Farenholt
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 1, on fire

next round is CV Iwo Jima with a company of four DDs that fought bravely providing the CV with enough cover to run... three medium calibre shells couldn't penetrate the flight deck nore belt armor of the carrier... that's new to me, never seen something like an armored USN CV but it seems in Babes only 20cm or bigger guns can penetrate an Essex class CV... Iwo Jima was hit hard by 800kg bombs earlier so the ships must be in sinking condition...


Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CV Iwo Jima at 11,000 yards
BB Musashi engages DD Selfridge at 11,000 yards
CL Agano engages CV Iwo Jima at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages CV Iwo Jima at 11,000 yards
DD Selfridge engages DD Umikaze at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Selfridge at 11,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Selfridge at 11,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Selfridge at 11,000 yards
DD Selfridge engages DD Murasame at 11,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Selfridge at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CV Iwo Jima at 8,000 yards
DD Selfridge engages DD Yamakaze at 8,000 yards
CL Agano engages CV Iwo Jima at 8,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages CV Iwo Jima at 8,000 yards
DD Selfridge engages DD Umikaze at 8,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Selfridge at 8,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages DD Selfridge at 8,000 yards
DD Selfridge engages DD Murasame at 8,000 yards
DD Shigure engages CV Iwo Jima at 8,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Selfridge at 8,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages CV Iwo Jima at 8,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Iwo Jima at 8,000 yards
DD Farenholt engages DD Murasame at 8,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD McCalla at 8,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Selfridge at 8,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD Selfridge at 8,000 yards
DD Farenholt engages DD Shiratsuyu at 8,000 yards
DD Selfridge engages DD Shimakaze at 8,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CV Iwo Jima at 8,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Selfridge at 8,000 yards
CL Agano engages CV Iwo Jima at 8,000 yards
DD McCalla engages DD Yamakaze at 8,000 yards
DD Farenholt engages DD Yamakaze at 8,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages DD Selfridge at 8,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DD McCalla at 8,000 yards
DD Selfridge engages DD Shiratsuyu at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CV Iwo Jima at 12,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Farenholt at 12,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD McCalla at 12,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD McCalla at 12,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Selfridge at 12,000 yards
DD Selfridge engages DD Shigure at 12,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 141,125, Range 11,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 19 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 14 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 3
CL Yura
CL Kinu
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki
DD Arashi
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CLAA Juneau

then it's hapless CV Wasp which was the first Allied carrier to take damage in the Marshalls that is engaged by my heavy cruisers... several 20cm shells and finally a torp finishing the carrier... CLAA Juneau fighting well, engaging several of my ships but the destroyer sized guns couldn't do much damage on CA Ashigara...


Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 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...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'
CA Ashigara engages CV Wasp at 11,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CV Wasp at 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Wasp at 11,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages CV Wasp at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Wasp at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CLAA Juneau at 10,000 yards
CV Wasp sunk by CL Kinu at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CLAA Juneau at 8,000 yards
CLAA Juneau engages DD Urakaze at 8,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CLAA Juneau at 8,000 yards
CLAA Juneau engages CL Yura at 8,000 yards
CLAA Juneau engages DD Arashi at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CLAA Juneau engages CA Ashigara at 13,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 141,125, Range 11,000 Yards



Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Yura
CL Kinu
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Arashi
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 2

in the same hex there's CV Essex that has POW next to her which was quite surprising to see as POW took something like 8+ penetrating 800kg bombs but she's still afloat, even able to gunfight our cruisers... Ashigara took a penetrating 14inch shell, leaving here at 18 sys dam with minor flt and eng damage... the cruisers mainly focused POW but the gunfire was only fireworks with a long lance slamming into the British BB most likely finishing her... Essex also took several penetrating shells and has to be in sinking condition already...

that's why I usually refrain from a surface engagement, a lucky shell can ruin one's day but in today's case it's worth it... I would have preferred Yamato and Musashi meeting this task force though...


Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CLAA San Juan at 11,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Ashigara at 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Essex at 11,000 yards
DD Arashi engages CV Essex at 11,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages CV Essex at 11,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Urakaze at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Essex at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages BB Prince of Wales at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CLAA San Juan at 10,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Nowaki at 10,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages BB Prince of Wales at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages CV Essex at 7,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Ashigara at 7,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages CA Ashigara at 7,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages BB Prince of Wales at 7,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Urakaze at 7,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages CV Essex at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages CV Essex at 3,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Nachi at 3,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CLAA San Juan at 3,000 yards
CL Kinu engages CV Essex at 3,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Hamakaze at 3,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages CV Essex at 3,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Essex at 3,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CV Essex at 3,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

[castor troy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 141,125, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara, on fire
CL Yura
CL Kinu
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki, on fire
DD Arashi
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
DD Caldwell

so many enemy task forces picked up...


Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Caldwell at 11,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Caldwell at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages DD Caldwell at 9,000 yards
CA Haguro engages DD Caldwell at 9,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DD Caldwell at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Caldwell at 7,000 yards
CA Myoko engages DD Caldwell at 7,000 yards
DD Caldwell engages DD Urakaze at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Caldwell at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Caldwell at 8,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Caldwell at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Caldwell at 12,000 yards
DD Caldwell engages DD Tanikaze at 12,000 yards
DD Caldwell engages DD Shiranui at 12,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 142,124, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara, on fire
CL Yura
CL Kinu
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki, on fire
DD Arashi
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
CV Victorious
DD Bagley
DD Blue
DD Henley

CV Victorious is one of those CVs that might had a chance to survive and in this case it's again Allied surface radar that saves an Allied task force from being engaged...


Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 13,000 yards...
Range increases to 14,000 yards...
Range increases to 15,000 yards...
Range increases to 16,000 yards...
Range increases to 17,000 yards...
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
Range increases to 19,000 yards...
Range increases to 20,000 yards...
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Range increases to 23,000 yards...
Range increases to 24,000 yards...
Range increases to 25,000 yards...
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
Range increases to 28,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied Air Combat TF evades combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 142,124, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara, on fire
CL Yura
CL Kinu
DD Isokaze
DD Shiranui
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Nowaki, on fire
DD Arashi
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee
CVE Nassau
CVE Copahee
CVE Long Island
DD Barton

come one, again radar that picks up our cruiser and the Allied CVEs steam away... that would have been a nice target for all those 20cm guns... and where are the evil twins after engaging in the first round? [&:]


Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 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...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 13,000 yards...
Range increases to 14,000 yards...
Range increases to 15,000 yards...
Range increases to 16,000 yards...
Range increases to 17,000 yards...
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
Range increases to 19,000 yards...
Range increases to 20,000 yards...
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Range increases to 23,000 yards...
Range increases to 24,000 yards...
Range increases to 25,000 yards...
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
Range increases to 28,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied CV Escort TF evades combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Mili at 142,123, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 1
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
CV Victorious, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Bagley
DD Blue, Shell hits 1
DD Henley, Shell hits 2

Ise and Hyuga are leading my CV groups so those ending up in a surface engagement is not to my liking as it could be as well a CV group ending up under fire of enemy ships... Victorious takes one main battery hit and is set on fire suffering a fuel storage explosion...


Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 82% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CV Victorious at 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Henley at 11,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Ariake at 11,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Henley at 11,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages CV Victorious at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Henley at 11,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Henley at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages CV Victorious at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Henley at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Blue at 9,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Blue at 9,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Wakaba at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Blue at 9,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Nenohi at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Henley at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages CV Victorious at 7,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Hatsushima at 7,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Blue at 7,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Blue at 7,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Wakaba at 7,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Henley at 7,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Henley at 7,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Blue at 7,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Blue at 7,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Henley at 7,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Blue at 7,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Henley at 7,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Henley at 7,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Hatsuharu at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
Fuel storage explosion on CV Victorious
BB Hyuga engages CV Victorious at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages CV Victorious at 10,000 yards
DD Ariake engages DD Blue at 10,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Bagley at 10,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages DD Blue at 10,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Hatsushima at 10,000 yards
DD Hatsuharu engages DD Blue at 10,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Addu at 14,49

Japanese Ships
SS I-30, hits 3

Allied Ships
xAK Montanan
xAK Nurmahal
xAK Gandara
DD Nizam

SS I-30 is sighted by escort
DD Nizam fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nizam attacking submerged sub ....
DD Nizam fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Laoag at 80,71

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 48

Allied Ships
SS Pargo

Captain of SS Pargo elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
Pargo diving deep ....
SC Ch 48 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 48 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 48 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 48 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 48 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Muntok at 50,89

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
SS Amberjack, hits 6

that's off Singapore where two USN subs linger... we can hurt them in shallow waters even though those were only near misses...


SS Amberjack launches 2 torpedoes at DD Akatsuki
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma attacking submerged sub ....
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Makin at 141,125, Range 27,000 Yards



Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
BB Musashi
CL Agano
DD Shimakaze
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage

the pride of the IJN only engaged once during the night but reacted several times on reported enemy task forces finding CV Essex... several 46cm shells detonate inside the Allied carrier which is sunk with all hands down... San Juan also takes several hits and is left as a burning wreck... isn't that every IJN fanboy's dream to see a Yamato class BB landing 46cm shells on an Essex class CV? [&o]

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 27,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 27,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CV Essex at 27,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Essex at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CV Essex at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CV Essex at 23,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CLAA San Juan at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CV Essex at 20,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Essex at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CV Essex sunk by BB Musashi at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CLAA San Juan at 15,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages DD Murasame at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CLAA San Juan at 12,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages DD Murasame at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CLAA San Juan at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages BB Musashi at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CLAA San Juan at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CLAA San Juan at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CLAA San Juan at 16,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages DD Yudachi at 16,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages DD Shigure at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CLAA San Juan at 21,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
BB Musashi engages CLAA San Juan at 26,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[castor troy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makin at 141,127

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 91 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Altamaha, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

no more surface combat engagements which was a bit surprising due to the many reacting moves of both my BB and CA group and then my LBA started to launch strikes with what was left of the land based bomber force... 3 Betties finish the sinking CVE Altamaha... the destroyed Wildcats weren't airborne, the escort carrier wasn't able to support any air operations anymore...


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makin at 146,124

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 49
B6N2 Jill x 2
D4Y4 Judy x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVE Long Island, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

but this CVE group still had operational carriers that were able to launch one and a halve dozen fighters for their defense that tangled with my incoming strike... nearly three times as many escorts couldn't stop the fighters going after my bombers (yet again [8|]) but the small strike still managed to do some serious damage... as you can see KB's strikes are really meager at this point but every bomb hit counts as it might decide if a ship will survive or not...


Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
2 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Nassau
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Long Island
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Long Island


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Mili at 148,122



Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 75
B6N2 Jill x 9
D4Y4 Judy x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 4 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Victorious, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Bagley, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Blue

that's our "main strike" as Victorious was considered the most important target for the morning... she wasn't able to launch any fighters due to previous damage and takes seven 800kg bombs through her armored flight deck leaving her a burning wreck... DD Bagley coming to help also receives two bomb hits...

as you can see there are still several enemy task forces nearby but KB has lost too many bombers the last couple of days to annihilate all of them... what will be left at the end of the day will be mostly some CLAA and the DDs...



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
7 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Fuel storage explosion on CV Victorious
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Victorious
Ammo storage explosion on CV Victorious

[Lowpe]

Tour de force![&o]

[castor troy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 147,127

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 19
B6N2 Jill x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Iwo Jima, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage [&o]

while I had bet that Iwo Jima wouldn't have made it back to any Allied port it was still good to see that small strike of Jills putting another six 250kg bombs through here deck which definately sinks the carrier either today or tomorrow...


Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 146,126

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 44
B6N2 Jill x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

also Hornet is still afloat and another three bombs further increase damage on the ship... I'm amazed which ships still get attacked as I considered them sunk already... Allied damage control wouldn't have saved those ships but keeping them afloat for several more days is impressing... of coures decreased bomb damage in Babes also has to be considered...


Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makin at 141,127

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 15
D4Y4 Judy x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina

damn North Carolina is still bristling with her flak, downing two bombers and damaging the other two...


Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Mili at 146,123

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 7
B6N2 Jill x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
LST-469, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Litchfield, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Litchfield


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makin at 144,125

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
B6N2 Jill x 3
D4Y4 Judy x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 2 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CLAA Juneau
CLAA San Juan, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Caldwell

that should seal San Juan's faith...


Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
3 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CLAA San Juan


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 147,126

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4
D4Y4 Judy x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Meade, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Meade was dead in the water...


Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makin at 141,127

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 14

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

another small Betty strike during the morning that sends a damaged escort carrier to the bottom... lots of diverted aircraft on the CVE...


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 146,126

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 3
N1K2-J George x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, on fire, heavy damage

also some Nells still around that start their attack in the afternoon, missing static CV Hornet...


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makin at 141,127

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Wichita

long range strike on a brand new heavy cruiser...


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makin at 146,124

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 50
B6N2 Jill x 21
D4Y4 Judy x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
FM-1 Wildcat x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Suwannee, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese CV commander desperately tries to assemble some strikes to get confirmed sinkings on the Allied carriers that are still afloat... these still launch fighters in small numbers...


Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
4 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
4 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-33 with FM-1 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 147,127

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 9
D4Y4 Judy x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Iwo Jima, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

floating wreck...


Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Iwo Jima


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mili at 148,122

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 17
D4Y4 Judy x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Blue
DD Bagley, heavy fires, heavy damage

these ten bombers could have attacked a more important target...


Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Bagley


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makin at 144,125

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 38
B6N2 Jill x 5
D4Y4 Judy x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CLAA Juneau
CLAA San Juan, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Caldwell, Bomb hits 1

same here as San Juan was already dead and there was BB North Carolina still in the area...


Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CLAA San Juan


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Howland Island at 146,126

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 38
B6N2 Jill x 3
D4Y4 Judy x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CLAA Atlanta, Bomb hits 2
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

don't know how many bomb hits it woud take (we're talking mostly about 800kg bombs here) to send a USN CV down within a day not turning it into a burning wreck that sinks a week later... Atlanta shrugs off a 250kg bomb followed by another big one...

and that's it for the day... it's been insane to watch the replay, as much as the first couple of days as we're completing a total victory over the United States Navy in their attempt to invade the Marshalls...



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
3 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hornet


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1160 troops, 41 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 245

Defending force 8719 troops, 214 guns, 226 vehicles, Assault Value = 190

Assaulting units:
83rd Naval Guard Unit
23rd Nav Gd Unit
Sasebo 5th SNLF
Kure 3rd SNLF
85th Nav Gd /1
Nimur Naval Fortress

Defending units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
24th Infantry Division
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
34th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
30th Field Artillery Regiment
XIV US Corps
102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment


that's what is trapped on the beaches on Kwajalein no, not even 9000 troops left... IIRC initially there were over 16000 enemy troops landing on the atoll... we were able to replace some of the wrecked units we had on the island and will fly in some Helens to bomb the enemy and then we will drive them from the beaches...

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Tour de force![&o]

thanks Lowpe! At this point it's only mopping up though

[castor troy]

air losses confirm several enemy carriers to be sunk today while our losses were relatively light due to not much remaining opposition... the use of the surface combat groups paid off and was well worth it as I doubt the carriers alone, better say what is left of their offensive strike capability, wouldn't have been sufficient for today...

[castor troy]

here are the victory points of the last six days when the Allied Armada showed up and lost their first aircraft to my LBA on the 7th July... before the carnage started I estimated Allied carrier strenght to about 6-700 aircraft and that seems to be more or less spot on as up to now the enemy lost around 700 and I'm not sure how many carriers are still afloat or how many aircraft those still carry...

46 Allied ships reported sunk on this list but it's highly inaccurate and we won't have confirmation until two or three months when most sinkings should be confirmed... like I've said earlier, I have totally lost track on heavily damaged or sunk ships but I estimate the Allied shipping losses to be 9 or 10 BBs [X(], 5 CV, 1 CVL, 10 CVE, 6 CA/CL/CLAA, 12 DDs and other stuff, ranging from AM to freight and transport ships...

and then there are those ground troops that are inevitably lost on Kwajalein, that's another US Inf Div we destroy after one was destroyed South of Darwin already...

I was convinced that it's going to be a huge advantage for us when I realized we had two days to trash the enemy BBs due to coming from the North attacking into the flank of the enemy with his carriers positioned West to engage our carriers in the expected direction of approach but I never thought about it being possible to wreck such havoc... really everything was playing together, like having the Judy carrying 800kg bombs as without them I would have only lost a hundred bombers to flak the first two days for literally no damage other than a couple of torp hits spread out over several BBs but the Judies made a huge difference... I emphasized R&D on them as I saw them as my most important aircraft in 43 together with the George and Frank exactly because they could knock out BBs...

update on the two CAs that were hit at Roi Namur on day two of the battle, both sunk in the meantime due to their fires... both had minimal flt damage but due to their high sys dam they couldn't deal with the fires and even 22 fires on day one was enough to sink one of them despite being disbanded in a level 3 port with 180 nav support... boy how much IJN's damage control sucks... employing those heavy cruisers at Roi Namur were my biggest mistake in the engagement over the last six days and their loss was more or less a waste as we could have also sent some DDs only...

[KenchiSulla]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makin at 146,124

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 49
B6N2 Jill x 2
D4Y4 Judy x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVE Long Island, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

but this CVE group still had operational carriers that were able to launch one and a halve dozen fighters for their defense that tangled with my incoming strike... nearly three times as many escorts couldn't stop the fighters going after my bombers (yet again [8|]) but the small strike still managed to do some serious damage... as you can see KB's strikes are really meager at this point but every bomb hit counts as it might decide if a ship will survive or not...


Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
2 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VRF-1F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Nassau
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Long Island
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Long Island

Great victory!

I just wanted to point out that it makes sense that the CAP can go for the bombers. The Hellcats and Wildcats are faster then the zeroes in a dive. Even if you had a 1000 fighters escort -> parts of the CAP would be able to penetrate it and get a pass or 2, maybe 3 before energy parity with the A6Ms would occur...

[castor troy]

thanks!

Yes, from a real life standpoint it might make sense but the same would happen if I had Sams and the enemy would have had Buffalos with my Sams higher than the Buffalos. With AE (and I'm happy about that) they implemented that feature of fighters going immediately for the bombers with the rest dealing with the fighters which is different to WITP where no fighter was literally able to engage a bomber as long as there still were fighters around.

[KenchiSulla]

I agree that escorting fighters are underperforming slightly in air combat in AE but I do have an example of succesful escort (fighters took losses but no bombers were attacked by the CAP.

And yes... that stung (as I am playing the Japanese)

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tioman Island at 52,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Buffalo I x 22
Swordfish I x 5
Hudson I x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed by flak
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: KenchiSulla

I agree that escorting fighters are underperforming slightly in air combat in AE but I do have an example of succesful escort (fighters took losses but no bombers were attacked by the CAP.

And yes... that stung (as I am playing the Japanese)

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tioman Island at 52,84

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Buffalo I x 22
Swordfish I x 5
Hudson I x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed by flak
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

yes, I wasn't saying CAP is attacking the bombers every time. I expected nearly 50 escorts to keep more than 5 out of 17 or so CAP fighter from the bombers though.

[Lowpe]

Might have been better off docking the ship with 22 fires if possible, along with as many other ships as you can squeeze into her task force. I have noticed disbanded ships on fire at smallish ports almost always burn up.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Might have been better off docking the ship with 22 fires if possible, along with as many other ships as you can squeeze into her task force. I have noticed disbanded ships on fire at smallish ports almost always burn up.

actually I didn't want to dock them with 600+ Allied CV based aircraft in range and an armada of surface combat ships plus subs around [;)]