Act III - DBB-C Uncivil Engineer (J) vs. christopher 1963 (A)

[Uncivil Engineer]

Moving south and east around the perimeter - the eastern Dutch East Indies is next -



The Allies recently recaptured Koepang; the defending unit fragments will surrender soon. Ambon is defended but totally neutralized. The airbases at Kendari and Makassar are unusable. The Allies are capable of moving in any direction they choose, including up the Ceram Sea toward Babeldaob/Peleliu. But in my opinion, they should move on Java next, after first securing the airfields at Kendari and Makassar. No other bases east of Java are relevant. If they choose an advance on and capture of the oil fields and refinery at Balikpapan is possible. BB Hiei is escorting an evacuation TF into Makassar on this map to lift out damaged aircraft. Two slow battleships are near Babeldaob (not shown here). The closest carriers are at Singapore. A drive west from Koepang through Java and south through Sumatra with Palembang as the ultimate objective would be my strategy (if I were the Allies) from this position. There is little the Japanese can do to stop it as both Java and Sumatra are not heavily defended. If the Allies can take Palembang by the middle of 1943, all is lost.

[IdahoNYer]

An Allied drive into the DEI at any time is always trouble for the Japanese!

Worse if they are coming in from both east and west, and it looks like that is what is building up in your contest.

And....they don't have to take either Balikpapan or Palembang, just get the Heavies in range....

Sounds like the KB is needed to strike back, which of course will open other avenues to the Allies.

Wish I had some sound advice to offer, but there are just too many islands for the Japanese to adequately defend and the Allies to grab. So unless their fleet is badly beat up, they'll keep coming. Island hopping at its worst.

[Uncivil Engineer]

An Allied drive into the DEI at any time is always trouble for the Japanese!

Worse if they are coming in from both east and west, and it looks like that is what is building up in your contest.

And....they don't have to take either Balikpapan or Palembang, just get the Heavies in range....

Sounds like the KB is needed to strike back, which of course will open other avenues to the Allies.

Wish I had some sound advice to offer, but there are just too many islands for the Japanese to adequately defend and the Allies to grab. So unless their fleet is badly beat up, they'll keep coming. Island hopping at its worst.

If I reassemble KB (CV Hiryu & Soryu now at Singapore, CV Akagi, Kaga, & Shokaku now at Truk, CV Zuikaku at Yokohama w/2 months of damage to repair) to attempt to stop this, he easily bypasses Rabaul and up the Papua/New Guinea bases and/or Kwajalein/Eniwetok/Marianas. I'll post maps of both those areas soon. If he attempts Java without CVs I might have a chance. I haven't seen any carriers in the DEI in ages, but they have been active in the Marshall Islands.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Feb 3 - 5, 1943

The Allies, on a daily basis, bomb from the air these bases: Buna, Makin, Makassar, and Kendari. They've begun daily fighter sweeps of Rabaul and Changsha generally downing a plane or 2 more than they lose. On the 4th Changsha was added to the daily list, taking out the last of the heavy industry, then switching to light industry. On the 5th a small force landed at vacant Mangole (on some island north of Ambon).

N1K1-J George R&D advanced to Mar '43 on the 4th, and with the engine bonus, production should begin in about 8 days at 120 per month. Two of the research sites will shift to a later model. The 2-model has SR and range one better than the original, but a less potent gun. The 5-model improves the gun at the expense of SR and maneuverability. All the land-based (non-carrier trained) Zeroes will upgrade to George.

Mitsubishi Ha-43 engines (for Ki-83 and A7M2 Sam) advanced to Jan '45 on the 5th.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Feb 6, 1943

RADM Tanaka's TF with BBs Yamato and Mutsu has been hanging around Phuket detected. I wanted to send them against a gaggle of small Allied ships (in multiple TFs) yesterday, but the TF refueled using up too many op points to move to the target (Great Nicobar). So, they backed off south a few hexes and lost DL and went in today.

The first TF encountered was a destroyer and xAP, which was promptly sunk along with her human cargo. Then BB Prince of Wales and her TF showed up -



The final report was better than it might have been, although if Yamato makes it to port she will be there a very long time -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 43,66, Range 6,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1
BB Yamato, Shell hits 28, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 4
DD Takanami
DD Naganami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Nowaki

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 2
CA Exeter, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
CA Frobisher, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
CL Dauntless, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Ceres, Shell hits 2
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 1
CL Birmingham
DD Cummings
DD Arrow
DD Encounter, Shell hits 1
DD Foxhound, Shell hits 1
DD Inconstant
DD Isis
DD Jupiter, Shell hits 1, on fire

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'

And BB Yamato after the fight -



If they can get the fires out there's a chance (only 9 major float damage). Tanaka transferred to the Mutsu and only a CL accompanies Yamato. Two destroyers from the Mutsu TF were ordered back to Yamato and the Yamato TF was ordered to join a lone CL with an Admiral in command of its task force. (Hope that helps.) And the whole lot is headed for Singapore.

[Uncivil Engineer]

The situation in the South Pacific:



The major defensive positions are shown; other bases are held by lesser units, like aviation support or companies. There are 3 units of Zeroes at Rabaul, one set to night ops (which he hasn't tried yet). The Betty squadron at Rabaul retired to Tokyo to replenish planes after several unsuccessful short-range attacks from Rabaul. The Allies have total freedom of action here, with only the 4 big carriers at Truk in position to do anything about an advance.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Continuing our tour around the perimeter -



Again, the Allies have complete freedom of action here. The 3 big carriers at Truk the only potential obstacle (CV Zuikaku is undergoing repair at Yokohama).

[Uncivil Engineer]

Feb 7 - 9, 1943

BB Yamato didn't even make it to Georgetown! She sank enroute.

Makin was bombarded by the Allies all three days. Buna, Tavoy, Makassar, and Kendari were bombed all three days.

A deliberate attack at Koepang all three days killed off Japanese troops while the Allies had only minor disablements.

On the 9th, Changteh city was bombed reducing light industry by 7.

Armament production was again turned off to decrease expenditure of HI points. Ki-84 a Frank R&D reached 30(0) at Sendai; the first of 6 R&D sites.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Feb 10 - 12, 1943

Our small carrier TF ended 7 hexes SE of Great Nicobar and a multitude of Allied TFs on the 9th but did not attack. They moved NE to get a little closer on the 10th but still no attack. On the 11th the cruiser covering force moved to attack the Allied TFs -

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

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 2
CL Nagara, Shell hits 1
DD Kagero
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 3
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Tanikaze
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Ramillies, Shell hits 1
CL Ceres, Shell hits 3
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 2
CL Birmingham
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Waller
DD Cummings, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Nepal
DD Stronghold
DD Thracian
DD Arrow
DD Encounter
DD Inconstant
DD Isis, Shell hits 3

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 42% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Tennant, W.G. crosses the 'T'

It could have been much, much worse! And the carrier air finally contributed -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 43,66

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 71
B6N1 Jill x 11
D4Y1 Judy x 18

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 6 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Ramillies
xAK Peshawur, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Revenge, Bomb hits 3
xAK Adrastus
YMS BYMS-2005

---

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 43,66

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 59
B6N1 Jill x 29
D4Y1 Judy x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 8 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Ramillies
xAK Scottish Chief
xAK Itria, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Dumra, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AM Lismore
BB Revenge, Bomb hits 1
xAK City of Exeter
xAK Cairo City, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL St. Quentin, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Asphalion

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Itria
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Cairo City

On the 10th Ki-84 a Frank R&D at Maebashi reached 30(0), the second of 6, and N1K1-J George R&D at Kobe was changed to N1K2-J George. On the 11th J1N1-S Irving night fighter R&D advanced a month to Sep '43.

On the 12th in addition to the usual bombing targets the Allies also bombed the merchant shipyard at Wuchang, reducing it to rubble.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Feb 13 - 16, 1943

The Allies continue to bomb and bombard bases unimpeded. Light industry at Wuchang was reduced to 5(15) by bombing on the 13th. The Naval Fortress at Wotje was destroyed during one of these attacks on the 16th.

On the 14th P-38s swept Manado and downed 11 Zeroes for no Allied loss. On the 15th and 16th the Allies landed at and captured the unoccupied base at Taliaboe. The highlight (such as it is) of this period was the downing of 3 or 4 B-17s over Rabaul by Zeroes on CAP and AA flak. On the 16th the remaining Japanese force at Koepang (predominately non-combat fragments of 4 and 38 Divs) succumbed to Allied attacks and was destroyed. 38 Div has been reforming at Soerabaja and is over 200 AV, while 4 Div has been reforming at Kendari and is also over 200 AV.

N1K1-J George production began on the 14th at 120 per month and D4Y3 Judy R&D advanced a month to Apr '44.
A6M5c Zero R&D advanced a month to Dec '43 on the 15th.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Feb 17 - 20, 1943

The usual list of bases bombarded or bombed daily by the Allies are - Buna, Wotje, Manado, Makassar, Sorong, Kendari, Rahaeng, and Rabaul. Japanese fighters have been removed from Rabaul to reform elsewhere; and for non-carrier units to change to the N1K1-J George. All of these bases are potential future targets for ground assault. But which one and when?

A sub put a torpedo in CL Boise off Makassar and "she's headed to drydock" - a quote from an intel report.

A landing at Sorong may be imminent. The 2 BB TF at Babeldaob will sortie to within 7 hexes of Sorong in case an opportunity presents itself. The 3 carriers at Truk will move west as well. The 3 carriers (2 CV, 1 CVL) repaired at Singapore have moved east, north of Borneo, and are getting close to Manado (undetected).

A landing at Wotje has been expected for days, but there's not much the Japanese can do about it.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Feb 21 - 23, 1943

Our 2 battleships at Babeldaob sortied to Sorong and the Dutch cruisers did not show the first day. We sent them back in, but missed the Dutch by hours. Now the battleships are at Sorong and well detected. They will retire and be replaced by Tanaka's TF that just arrived from Singapore and is undetected. And 7 carriers (in 2 undetected TFs) have moved within range.

I-177 put 2 torpedoes in an xAK near Makassar.
The remnants of the Torokina defense were wiped out by attrition. All the units there were fragments and the primary units will rebuild at Kavieng, Rabaul, or Truk.

Wotje was finally assaulted by the Allies -

Ground combat at Wotje (135,115)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1392 troops, 4 guns, 114 vehicles, Assault Value = 84
Defending force 1822 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42
Allied adjusted assault: 0
Japanese adjusted defense: 19
Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Allied ground losses:
353 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 76 (31 destroyed, 45 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
1st USMC Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Raider Bn /3
I Marine Amphib Corps /1

Defending units:
65th Naval Guard Unit
Wotje Base Force

[Uncivil Engineer]

Feb 24 - 25, 1943

Bases assaulted these dates by the Allies: Wotje, Taongi, and Rongelap

Bases captured by the Allies: Rongelap (vacant)

A Japanese sub was sunk by an Allied sub on both days; I'm not sure, but I think both were already damaged by ASW and were limping back to base.

The assault on Wotje yesterday resulted in the Americans reembarking the landing force. There is no combat report regarding this, but a message flashed across the screen during the combat replay. And no Allied units are there now.

The assault on Taongi was somewhat better than that on Wotje, although still underpowered in my view -

Ground combat at Taongi (136,107)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2083 troops, 9 guns, 76 vehicles, Assault Value = 108
Defending force 2854 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 57
Allied adjusted assault: 12
Japanese adjusted defense: 14
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
350 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
851 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (7 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 69 (33 destroyed, 36 disabled)

Assaulting units:
754th Tank Bn /2
4th Marine Raider Bn /1
1/532nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /1
Pacific Ocean Areas /6
2nd USN Special Const Bn /1
1st AmphTrac Engr Bn /2
2/592nd Boat&Shore Engr Bn /1

Defending units:
48th Naval Guard Unit
24th JNAF AF Unit

To the west a Japanese TF was finally able to remain undetected and setup an attack on a lesser force, or in this case several lesser forces -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bima at 63,110, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2
CL Yura
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Mikazuki
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
CL Raleigh, Shell hits 4
CL Trenton
DD Farragut, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Stewart
DD Humphreys, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 67% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 67% moonlight: 1,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Shafroth, John F. crosses the 'T'
-----
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bima at 63,110, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Nachi
CL Yura
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Mikazuki
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
PT-167
PT-171
PT-174, Shell hits 1

Hashimoto, Shintaro crosses the 'T'
-----
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bima at 63,110, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Nachi
CL Yura
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Mikazuki
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
PC Tiger, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TK Petronella, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
TK Juno, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
TK Talang Akar, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
-----
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bima at 63,110, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi
CL Yura
DD Shiranui
DD Asashio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Mikazuki
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
DD Edsall, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AK Arcturus, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
AK Castor, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
TK Herborg, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

Ki-44-IIc Tojo R&D (the armored Tojo) advanced a month to Sep '43 and P1Y1 Frances R&D (an armored torpedo bomber to replace the Betty and Nell, although with much less range) advanced a month to Jun '43. As long as the engine bonus can be maintained, the Frances will advance every 25 days.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Feb 26 - 28, 1943

After landing at Taongi the Allies attacked on the 26th and 28th, reducing forts -

Ground combat at Taongi, 2/26/43 (136,107)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 660 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25
Defending force 2377 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31
Allied adjusted assault: 0
Japanese adjusted defense: 25
Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Allied ground losses:
144 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Marine Raider Battalion
2/592nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
2nd USN Special Construction Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
1/532nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
Pacific Ocean Areas /6

Defending units:
48th Naval Guard Unit
24th JNAF AF Unit

-----

Ground combat at Taongi 2/28/43 (136,107)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1154 troops, 8 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 65
Defending force 2112 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Allied adjusted assault: 10
Japanese adjusted defense: 5
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled

Assaulting units:
131st Cmbt Engineer Regiment
4th Marine Raider Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Raider Bn /1
2/592nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
2nd USN Special Construction Battalion
1/532nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
Pacific Ocean Areas /6

Defending units:
48th Naval Guard Unit
24th JNAF AF Unit

On the 28th CV Kaga and TF encountered a US sub west of Truk. The torpedo misfired but Kaga's location was disclosed. The TF was heading to Truk to refuel before attempting to intercept US transports operating around Kwajalein. They will be sent to Saipan instead (to lose detection).

Also on the 28th, the Allies assaulted Finschhafen, defended by II/84 Naval Guard unit, which is unentrenched since the unit lacks engineers.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Mar 1 - 3, 1943

Bases lost: Taongi and Finschhafen

After reinforcement and two attacks Taongi was captured by the Allies -

Ground combat at Taongi (136,107) 3/1/43

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 922 troops, 4 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 64
Defending force 1823 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10
Allied adjusted assault: 0
Japanese adjusted defense: 4
Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

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

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
131st Cmbt Engineer Regiment
4th Marine Raider Battalion
110th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
I Marine Amphib Corps /2
2nd USN Special Construction Battalion
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
1/532nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
2/592nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
Pacific Ocean Areas /6

Defending units:
48th Naval Guard Unit
24th JNAF AF Unit

-----

Ground combat at Taongi (136,107) 3/2/43

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 2338 troops, 11 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 73
Defending force 1679 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8
Allied adjusted assault: 22
Japanese adjusted defense: 2
Allied assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Taongi !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), disruption(-), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1964 casualties reported
Squads: 46 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 148 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
110th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
131st Cmbt Engineer Regiment
4th Marine Raider Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
2/592nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
1/532nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
2nd USN Special Construction Battalion
I Marine Amphib Corps /2
Pacific Ocean Areas /6

Defending units:
48th Naval Guard Unit
24th JNAF AF Unit

The Japanese defenders at Finschhafen retreated to Lae.

We sent 2 small evacuation TFs toward Kavieng to try to pull out some unit fragments not contributing to the defense. A US CV TF just south of Rabaul sank 4 of 6 small xAKLs in one of them. Based on the number of aircraft in the attack it appears to be only one carrier. Or two with poor coordination.

B6N2 Jill R&D advanced to May '43. The 3 x 30(0) sites, with engine bonus, advance every 16.6 days. This aircraft will advance to April on or about Mar 20 and begin production on Apr 1. Sometime between those dates the Nakajima Ha-44 engine used by the B6N1 Jill (and no other aircraft) will be changed to the Mitsubishi Ha-32 used by the B6N2 Jill (and many other aircraft). One R&D site will change to the B6N2a Jill and 2 will produce along with the 3 sites currently producing the B6N1 Jill. Maybe! 150 Jills per month seems like too many.

[Uncivil Engineer]

Our plan for March 5, 1943 -



It didn't work out as hoped. In fact, it did work at all! More details to come.

[Uncivil Engineer]

But first the action on Mar 4, 1943 -

The Aussie cruiser TF sank at least 5 more transports around Manus. Over at Great Nicobar several apparently small Allied TFs appeared exposed; RADM Hirata's cruiser TF went in to cause trouble and found the US BB Washington and company after sinking a KV -

Night Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 43,67, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Ashigara
CA Kako
CL Nagara
CL Kuma
DD Natsushio
DD Maikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Arashio
DD Usugumo
DD Kisaragi

Allied Ships
KV Hollyhock, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Hirata, Noboru crosses the 'T'

-----

Night Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 43,66, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Ashigara
CA Kako
CL Nagara, Shell hits 2
CL Kuma, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Natsushio
DD Maikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1
DD Usugumo
DD Kisaragi, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Washington
CA Houston, Shell hits 1
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 1
DD O'Bannon
DD Waller, Shell hits 2
DD Lansdowne, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Maury
DD Fanning
DD Smith
DD Preston

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 6,000 yards

The minimal moonlight probably helped the Japanese avoid a real disaster.

[Uncivil Engineer]

And the Mar 5, 1943 carrier attack that went totally awry -



The Japanese struck first and were surprised that four US carriers were present, not 2 (uh oh!) -

Morning Air attack on US carrier TF, near Finschhafen at 101,126

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 165
B6N1 Jill x 70
D4Y1 Judy x 66

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 10
Spitfire Vc Trop x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 76

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 5 destroyed, 25 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 4 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 6 destroyed, 11 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 5 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Indianapolis
DD Radford
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 1

Ammo storage explosion on CV Enterprise

But the US carriers struck back HARD -

Morning Air attack on Japanese carrier TF, near Rambutyo at 102,121

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 72

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 68
SBD-3 Dauntless x 98
TBF-1 Avenger x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 14 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 3
CL Oyodo
DD Kamikaze
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Harukaze
DD Fubuki
CA Takao, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CLAA Tatsuta, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Fuel storage explosion on CVL Ryujo

-----

Morning Air attack on Japanese carrier TF, near Rambutyo at 102,121

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 45

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, heavy fires
CV Akagi, heavy fires

Neither side was finished -

Afternoon Air attack on US carrier TF, near Finschhafen at 101,126

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 43
B6N1 Jill x 17
D4Y1 Judy x 12

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 8
Spitfire Vc Trop x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Astoria

-----

Afternoon Air attack on Japanese carrier TF, near Rambutyo at 102,121

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28
TBF-1 Avenger x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

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

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

CVs Akagi and Junyo and CVL Ryujo sank. Aircraft from all Japanese carriers diverted to Lae, Manus, and Rabaul. CVs Kaga and Shokaku and CVL Ryuho are fully engulfed in flame and will likely NOT survive. CV Hiryu is least damaged and MAY live to fight another day after 6 months or so in shipyard. At best CVs Lexington, Yorktown, and Enterprise are out of the fight for a short time, but likely not sunk. CV Saratoga was untouched!

The diverted aircraft have been flown to Hollandia and Truk; damaged aircraft remaining at Lae, Manus, and Rabaul are all in training status and will be flown out if repairs can occur before they are destroyed on the ground. Lae has minimal supplies hampering repairs, so supplies are being flown in from Hollandia and Truk. Many A6M5 Zeroes survived and will provide CAP over Rabaul and Manus for a day or two. Some of the damaged aircraft at Lae have had their experienced pilots swapped out for rookies.

[IdahoNYer]

Ouch! Not a good day for the Empire!

Surprised to see (as I'm sure you were) that your first strike, meeting only minimal CAP, only scored a half dozen hits!

Pilots hung over from a Saki party?

[Uncivil Engineer]

Ouch! Not a good day for the Empire!

Surprised to see (as I'm sure you were) that your first strike, meeting only minimal CAP, only scored a half dozen hits!

Pilots hung over from a Saki party?

Ouch indeed! No saki party; the bomber pilots are mostly poorly trained. Too many pilot losses from earlier ops that didn't really accomplish much. Fortunately, a good many planes and some well-trained pilots were able to divert to dirt strips. But since they are all fragments they will be unable to take replacements until the parent unit respawns having been "bought" back to life. Since I'm getting close to the limit on what I can buy out from Manchukuo without activating the Russkies, I can use those PP to buy back "dead" carrier squadrons.