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

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Interesting fact. When Hiei was sent in to bombard Henderson Field the Japanese armorers had to decide what type of round to put in the queue. It seems the delivery of the rounds from the magazine to the main guns was a linear sequence (a conveyor system)..so when Hiei first entered the naval gunnery battle she was firing HE with fusing set for shore bombardment.

I wonder, does the AI fire HE when you order a bombardment and enemy ships appear or is it automatically AP?

Worse than HE - they were so sure they were going to bombard they queued up a special bombardment shell designed to burst in the air and send a bunch of burning sub-munitions over an area. When Kirishima fought two nights later, they again had the bombardment shell loaded and she hit South Dakota with one, which skipped off the deck, tumbled and thumped sideways into the barbette for B turret, leaving a dent and jamming the training mechanism for a while. The shell burst open but did not ignite and most of it scattered/bounced overboard.

[BBfanboy]

Here's the damage to the deck the shell plowed up:

EDIT: The picture says it is from the Main Deck, which would be the one below the upper deck where the wood planking is. I guess the metal torn downwards is from the steel part of the upper deck. I am guessing the barbette wall is the big solid area on the right of the picture.

[Disco Duck]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy




You got a problem with little chickens? [:@]

Why do you ask Chickenboy?

Ok I am bored. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2-y4Y0vQ1Y&t=1s The corgi crosses with the chicken.

[Cap Mandrake]

That Corgi is a complete X-hole.[:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

Still the same turn...sun comes up and a another group of LCT's try to find their way back to Baki from Sansapor to the West.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Manokwari at 85,109, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hatakaze
DD Minekaze
DD Akikaze
DD Hokaze
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
LCT-65, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LCT-66, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
LCT-150, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LCT-151, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC-517, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

[Cap Mandrake]

Canberra drives over from Hollandia to cover the transports that just left Manokwari. The one or two carriers off Biak yesterday have been augmented by the carriers that were up bombarding Luzon. Canberra not hurt bad. Many Zekes shot down

Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 87,110

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 107 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 145
B5N2 Kate x 20

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 14
Boomerang C-12 x 4
Kittyhawk III x 3
Spitfire Vc Trop x 14
Kittyhawk III x 2
P-38G Lightning x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 15
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 17 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP David J. Brewer
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 3, on fire

[Cap Mandrake]

Luzon: Jap ground troops have not arrived yet at Bataan. MacArthur moves in with the nurses in the Malinta Tunnel.

[Cap Mandrake]

******************June 4, 1943(e)**************

New Guinea: PT boats ordered to Manokwari from Biak to drive off the Jap DD's. I sent the transport further back toward Sarmi and got all the planes out of Biak that could fly. New moon...nice opportunity for the PT boats.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Biak at 87,110, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Umikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
PT-239
PT-240
PT-241, Shell hits 3
PT-242
PT-243
PT-244, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

and

Night Time Surface Combat, near Biak at 87,110, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
PT-163, Shell hits 1
PT-235
PT-236
PT-237
PT-238, Shell hits 1

[Cap Mandrake]

That's it.... the IJN carriers pull away somewhere after losing 57 Zekes yesterday

I did drop some recon paras over the Marshalls after photorecon shoed NO TROOPS at Roi Namur...this was BS, Still, they took out more than they lost

Ground combat at Roi-Namur (132,114)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 36 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Defending force 2327 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 21

Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Parachute Bn /5

Defending units:
7th JNAF Coy
6th Base Force

and Kwajalein

round combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 42 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Defending force 2897 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 13

Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Parachute Bn /6

Defending units:
Nimur Naval Fortress
6th Fleet
Kwajalein Base Force

and Mili

Ground combat at Mili (136,121)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 12 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Defending force 888 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Parachute Bn /8

Defending units:
Mili Naval Fortress

[Cap Mandrake]

Truk: Faux recon at Truk. First the minesweeper find no mines and then we test out the shore guns....it seems they are not adequately suppressed. [:D]

Night Naval bombardment of Truk at 112,108 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

768 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 3
DD Hughes, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Saufley, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Detroit
Truk Naval Fortress firing at CL Detroit
CL Detroit firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Conyngham
DD Conyngham firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Hughes
DD Hughes firing at Truk Naval Fortress
DD Saufley firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Saufley

[Disco Duck]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Here's the damage to the deck the shell plowed up:

EDIT: The picture says it is from the Main Deck, which would be the one below the upper deck where the wood planking is. I guess the metal torn downwards is from the steel part of the upper deck. I am guessing the barbette wall is the big solid area on the right of the picture.

the US got really lucky the the BB battles. If I read the data base right a 14 inch AP shell would have gone right through the armor.

[Cap Mandrake]

**************June 5, 1943(e)***************

Sumatra et environs: We are not spotting these guys coming up the slot. Jap cruisers jump a barge loading some 25 lbrs for Sabang.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 43,67, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
DD Harusame
DD Nenohi
DD Ikazuchi
DD Shinonome
DD Isonami
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
LCM-76, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
YMS BYMS-2015, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

[Cap Mandrake]

Now they angered Adm Phillips. The Royal Navy and Koninklijke Marine hold the "field" and prtect the transports unloading men of 5th Indian Div

Night Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 43,66, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 3
DD Harusame, Shell hits 1
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 1
DD Ikazuchi, Shell hits 1
DD Shinonome
DD Isonami
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
CA Sussex, Shell hits 1
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 1
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 1
CL Hobart
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 1
DD Meade
DD Smith
DD Warramunga
DD Napier
DD Norman
DD Isaac Sweers, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Redoubt

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 7% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages CA Mikuma at 7,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Caradoc at 7,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Hobart at 7,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages DD Isonami at 7,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages CA Mikuma at 7,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages CL Sumatra at 7,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages DD Nenohi at 7,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages DD Harusame at 7,000 yards
DD Napier engages DD Isonami at 7,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages DD Warramunga at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CA Sussex at 4,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Caradoc at 4,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Warramunga at 4,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Napier at 4,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages CA Mikuma at 4,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages DD Warramunga at 4,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages DD Isonami at 4,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages DD Napier at 4,000 yards
CA Sussex engages CA Mikuma at 4,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages CA Mogami at 4,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Napier at 4,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Isonami at 4,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Shinonome at 4,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages DD Warramunga at 4,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Isaac Sweers at 4,000 yards
DD Norman engages DD Uranami at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CA Sussex engages CA Mikuma at 6,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Sumatra at 6,000 yards
CL Hobart engages CA Mikuma at 6,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Napier at 6,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages CA Mogami at 6,000 yards
DD Norman engages DD Ikazuchi at 6,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages DD Ikazuchi at 6,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Napier at 6,000 yards
DD Napier engages DD Uranami at 6,000 yards
DD Smith engages DD Uranami at 6,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages DD Meade at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Sussex engages CA Mikuma at 8,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL Caradoc at 8,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Isaac Sweers at 8,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages CL De Ruyter at 8,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages CA Mikuma at 8,000 yards
DD Redoubt engages DD Uranami at 8,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Warramunga at 8,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Isaac Sweers at 8,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Napier at 8,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Warramunga at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Sussex at 11,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CL Hobart at 11,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Napier at 11,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CA Mikuma at 11,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages DD Shinonome at 11,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages DD Smith at 11,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Isaac Sweers at 11,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Isaac Sweers at 11,000 yards
DD Harusame engages DD Napier at 11,000 yards
DD Ikazuchi engages DD Smith at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[Cap Mandrake]

Jap bombers bullyrag the Aussies as they march down the coast

Morning Air attack on 21st Australian Brigade, at 46,74 (Langsa)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 13
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[Cap Mandrake]

We find some of the Jap bombers at Alor Star in Malaysia.

Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 3
B-24D Liberator x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 21

[Cap Mandrake]

And

Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 4
B-24D Liberator x 4
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 12

[Cap Mandrake]

Borneo: The 50 men of 503rd PIR that captured Samarinda oil facilities have garnered an outsized response. The oil infrastructure is 1/3rd destroyed and they have been attacked by hundreds of bomber sorties and now a SNLF unit is landing uprepped.

Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 4
B-24D Liberator x 4
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 12

[Cap Mandrake]

Laos: Aus. 24 Brigade has reached Vientiane and has relieved Ind 26 Brigade. Ind 26 Div has about 50% line infantry strength but the heavy weapons are intact and forts are up to 2/

The 17K LYB's and 821 tanks there seem to be stopped.

[Cap Mandrake]

Burma: 4th RTA Div has been stopped at Pegu. The are out in the open taking hudnreds of casualties every day by air attack. 26th Aus Brigade is landing there to finish them off.

Mergui is now a level 8.5 AF. Mexican standoff outside of Bangkok and on the Kra peninsula. It will be easier now to build up the AFs on Sumatra and take out Singers that way.

[Cap Mandrake]

Now that Clark has fallen I am beginning to wonder if it is advisable to push urgently toward Luzon or to wait for the arrival of two more CV's and 3 CVL's in the next 50 days? The nurses in the Malinta Tunnel and MacArthur will be POW's by then, I suspect.

The massive size of IJN carrier raids is terrifying. One option perhaps is to try to draw the IJN carriers into a battle with a fake landing at Truk with empty transports and a prewar BB. The Allied carrier force would be 5 CV's and 9 CVE's and leaving Long Island as a Replenishment carrier