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

[capmandrake2]

2 Jap carrier groups coming down the Makassar St. I have a feeling there are more carriers following behind because their air complement seems to have shrunk.

Allied carriers in 4 group, 2 with CV/CVL and 2 with CVE's. I had moved up the USMC to land at Probolinggo but now that is too dangerous so they will come back around to the other side and land at Loenbenjang with no ground opposition.

US carriers have about 800 aircraft.

Untitled.png (612.51 KiB) Viewed 1107 times

[capmandrake2]

I don't have any time anymore. It's the new electronic medical record we have and my loss of a scribe. I don't know what is worse, no more cute, smart Asian girls working in the office or the fact that now I have to write all that crap down myself. Actually, it's the latter.

I got myself into the doghouse so bad they blocked my schedule to work on charts. I threw an old guy tantrum and they got me a personalized instructor which did help. They rolled this mofo out remotely in the middle of the damn pandemic and is was a disaster to productivity. I swear we do everything three times. The old charts did not come over well from the old system. I kicked my desk so hard in frustration the back side bulged out about an inch. Oops. We also lost most of the RN level support. Really a morale killer. We can't find any help so the docs are doing everything. I do the bathroom cleanup on Tues and Thursday. I have this Romanian patient with all kinds of social problems and even though you can understand about 70% if you speak Spanish and know some Latin I called a remote translator and she was astoundingly beautiful so asked a bunch of unnecessary questions about family history. Probably ran up the bill on the organization but it serves them right for stiffing us with the EMR with no training. The family came back next week so I called the Romanian translator again but this time it was a 250 lb 40 year old guy with a unibrow. Quick visit.

[capmandrake2]

*******************************Sept. 11, 1943(e)***********************************

The landing on Java went astounding well with no ship losses. Complete surprise. Loemodjong on SE Java captured intact and now there are like 6 brigades ashore. The Allied carriers covered the landings at Loemodjong and Djokarta but the AF at Soerabaja was well and duly wrecked by the B-24's and the diversion around Truk and the Marianas pulled the IJN far enough to the East to allow us to get Loemodjong up and running with 150 fighters. Accordingly, the IJN carriers were laying off Timor to the North and declined battle near Java. I decided to force a battle if possible near Sumba/Flores. Many USN/USMC fighters and TBF's moves to Koepang and the USN/RN carriers moved east in the night toward Timor, ending up S of Samba while the IJN carriers moved W into the Northern Java Sea

[capmandrake2]

Mindano: Singleton AK's trying to unload at two ports on Mindanao.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Satawal at 105,105

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 26

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Cape Romain, Bomb hits 19, and is sunk

[capmandrake2]

Oroquieta on the N coast of Mindanao roughed up.

Morning Air attack on Oroquieta , at 78,88

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 42
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 42

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 4 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5A Catalina: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 3
Port hits 4

[capmandrake2]

Flores/Java Sea (etc): Bombers from Koepang attack Jap transport in NW Flores, probably there to evacuate Jap Div there.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ruteng at 64,111

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 5
N1K1-J George x 18
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 23
TBF-1 Avenger x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryuko Maru
xAK Sugi Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
2 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 11000 feet
2 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 11000 feet

Not very well coordinated attacks. All the same HQ but too far away from the HQ

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ruteng at 64,111

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
N1K1-J George x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18
TBF-1 Avenger x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryuko Maru

Jap CAP is finally worn out

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ruteng at 64,111

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 8

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Akasisan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

[capmandrake2]

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ruteng at 64,111

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 23
F6F-3 Hellcat x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryuko Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Canberra Maru
AK Yodogawa Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Sugi Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.


and SBD's too

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ruteng at 64,111

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15
SBD-5 Dauntless x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Canberra Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Yodogawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

[capmandrake2]

Now the big stuff. Jap carriers in the Northern Java Sea and USN/Rn carriers S of Samba 360 mile range. 4 Allied carriers TF's, 2 with CV's/CVL's, 2 with CVE's

The fleet carrier TF's are both directed by the Spruance twins, with about 12500 AAA points each.

Somehow they don't spot each other in the morning but then launch mutual afternoon attacks. About 5 USN/FAA bomber squadrons get lost.

Here come the Sons of Nippon. Yikes. Look at this massive attack. 14K feet, 120 miles out

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 60,111

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 141
A6M5b Zero x 17
B5N2 Kate x 45
B6N1 Jill x 27
B6N2 Jill x 18
D4Y1 Judy x 153
D4Y3 Judy x 18

[capmandrake2]

The CAP is also well organized and brutal

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 60,111

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 141
A6M5b Zero x 17
B5N2 Kate x 45
B6N1 Jill x 27
B6N2 Jill x 18
D4Y1 Judy x 153
D4Y3 Judy x 18

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 19
F6F-3 Hellcat x 258

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 13 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 12 destroyed, 5 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
B6N1 Jill: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 59 destroyed, 19 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 9 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1
CV Yorktown
CV Lexington II, Bomb hits 1
CV Victorious
CVL Princeton, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Belleau Wood, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVL Independence
CV Essex
CLAA Juneau
CV Yorktown II, Bomb hits 1
CLAA San Juan

Ammo blows up on the Princeton

[capmandrake2]

Allied counterattack. Not enough fighters. The best fighter jocks are over the US carriers. CV's and CVL's are loaded with dive bombers because my TBF's are less experienced after suffering several slaughters over the last 8 months. Even without parity in fighters our guys get through.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 63,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 126
A6M5b Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 67
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 54
SBD-5 Dauntless x 125
TBF-1 Avenger x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 14 destroyed, 24 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Unryu
CV Taiho, Bomb hits 1
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 1
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 6
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku
CV Katsuragi, Bomb hits 1
DD Minegumo
DD Arashi
CS Nisshin, Bomb hits 1
DD Umikaze
DD Fuyo
DD Kiyonami
DD Kikuzuki
CV Amagi
DD Amagiri
DD Akizuki

Wasted attacks on Hyuga but Hiyo, Akagi and Ryuho hit hard.

[capmandrake2]

Smaller raid also comes in without adequate fighters but gets through to a lesser degree. 2 hits from 67 dive bombers?

[Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 63,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 75
A6M5b Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 35
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 36
SBD-5 Dauntless x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 7 destroyed, 10 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 destroyed by flak
SBD-5 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Akagi, on fire, heavy damage
CV Shokaku
BB Hyuga
CV Zuikaku
CV Taiho
CV Amagi
CV Unryu
CVL Shoho, on fire
DD Kikuzuki
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 1
/color]

[capmandrake2]

More attacks on the trannies at Flores. Bombers from Koepang are too far to hit the Jap carriers.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ruteng at 64,111

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 5
N1K1-J George x 23
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 6 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed

[capmandrake2]

2nd afternoon Japanese wave gets through after being murdered by the CAP and AAA

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 60,111

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 114 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 19
B5N2 Kate x 18
B6N2 Jill x 72
D4Y1 Judy x 50

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 222

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 12 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 9 destroyed, 12 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 17 destroyed, 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 4 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Independence
CV Lexington II, Torpedo hits 1
CV Yorktown II, Torpedo hits 1
CV Yorktown
CV Wasp
CV Victorious
CV Essex
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Belleau Wood, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 10000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

[capmandrake2]

These guys turned right at Detroit.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 63,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 42
A6M5b Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 destroyed

[capmandrake2]

Sigh

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makassar at 63,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 31
A6M5b Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 12 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

[capmandrake2]

Well, at least it happens to them too.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mataram at 60,111

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 18

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 198

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 13 destroyed

No Allied losses

[capmandrake2]

Untitled.jpg (246.7 KiB) Viewed 851 times

[BBfanboy]

Good to see you back!

Now that all those pesky aircraft are out of the way, maybe you can get a good gun battle going!

[capmandrake2]

Good to see you back!

Now that all those pesky aircraft are out of the way, maybe you can get a good gun battle going!

Have to be CL's. Some staff guy lost all the fast BB's

[capmandrake2]

Surprisingly, no CV's lost on either side.

Hornet and Princeton at 50+ flotation damage and have to be towed. Lexington II, Yorktown II and Belleau Wood all have aggregate damage around 46% and can still conduct flight op but they will return to port.

The other CV's aggregate into one carrier group with one of the Spruance twins as CO and will head into the Java Sea with the CVE's