Re: "We want the big ones!" DBB-C vs IdahoNYer (J): Darwin recaptured [closed]

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 11/12, 1942

Highlights: Aussies eject Japanese troops from Katherine with a vengeance

Bases liberated:
Allied forces CAPTURE Katherine

Allied ships lost:
Loss of xAKL Dumra on Dec 11, 1942 is admitted - sunk by SS I-156 near Akyab

CBI:
Repeated air attacks continue against the Imperial Guards/B Division, at 58,44 , near Kalemyo.
Japanese fighters on CAP, we get some and we lose some.

Northern Australia:
Katherine falls to the Australians and US tankers with huge Japanese losses, while Australian fighters tangled with Japanese bombers and their escorts - we get some and we lose some.

SWPac:
Japanese ships (2 CA, 2 CL, DDs) bombarding enemy troops at Buna, causing 27 casualties
Allied ships (2 CL) bombarding Milne Bay, causing 1 port hit
Buna bombed repeatedly

SoPac:
Tanna bombed by Marine air from Noumea.

Intel:
Previous report of sinking of DD Satsuki incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of DD Makinami incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Ground combat at Katherine (76,128)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 5855 troops, 92 guns, 507 vehicles, Assault Value = 316
 
Defending force 4337 troops, 35 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 94
 
Allied adjusted assault: 219 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 38 
 
Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2) 
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Katherine !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1890 casualties reported
         Squads: 35 destroyed, 17 disabled
         Non Combat: 50 destroyed, 14 disabled
         Engineers: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 2
      Units destroyed 1
 
Allied ground losses:
      21 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    2/7th Armoured Regiment
    2/9th Armoured Regiment
    637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
    632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
    6th Aus Cav Brigade
    2/16th Field Regiment
    Northern Territory 
    109th Anti Tank Regiment
 
Defending units:
    8th Tank Regiment
    56th/A Division
    32nd Field AA Battalion

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 13/14, 1942

Highlights: First skip-bombing attack scores hits on cruiser

Bases liberated:
Lifou is occupied by the Allies

Allied ships lost:
TK Mobilube sunk by I-4 near Santa Catalina Is

Enemy ships sunk:
SS I-170 determined to have been sunk on or about Oct, 12, 1942
CA Maya is reported to have been sunk near Noumea on Dec 02, 1942
SS I-4 is reported to have been sunk near Santa Catalina Is on Dec 13, 1942

Japanese SRA:
SS Truant lays minefield at Phuket ( 48 , 69) and sets course for Colombo

CBI:
Artillery duels all along the stalemated Burma front.

Western Australia:
Japanese AMC raider active between Perth and Capetown, convoy attacked but raider driven off by escorting destroyer.
The damaged British BBs at Port Hedland are getting ready to move to Exmouth.

Northern Australia:
Mutual air attacks in support of the ground forces around Katherine, each side losing some planes and squads.

SWPac:
Enemy cruisers skip-bombed off Buna, two hits on CL Yubari.
Milne Bay bombarded by USN CLs.

SoPac:
Koumac bombarded by CA Wichita.
Tanna repeatedly bombed.

Homefront / Rear areas:
I-4 went down fighting, takin g a TK with herr of LA
CVE Chenango arrives at Balboa.

Intel:
1/23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment is loaded on PB Kamitu Maru moving to Luganville.
6th Air Division is loaded on AK Johore Maru moving to Kavieng.
2/8th/B Division is loaded on xAP Kokuryu Maru moving to Kavieng.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 8,147, Range 12,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      AMC Asaka Maru, Shell hits 1
 
Allied Ships
      DD Stuart
      xAK Aloe
      xAK Nirpura
      xAK Nirvana
      xAK Oakbank
      xAK Zvir
      xAK Marpessa, Shell hits 1
	  
	  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Santa Catalina Is  at 223,81
 
Japanese Ships
      SS I-4, hits 14,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
Allied Ships
      PC Onondaga, Shell hits 3
      KV Vancouver
      TK L. P. St. Clair
      TK H. M. Storey
      KV Chilliwack
      KV Quesnel
      PC Hermes, Shell hits 2
      TK Mobilube, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Captain of SS I-4 elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
I-4 diving deep ....
KV Chilliwack fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Quesnel fails to find sub and abandons search
KV Chilliwack attacking submerged sub ....
KV Chilliwack fails to find sub, continues to search...
KV Chilliwack attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-4 forced to surface!
PC Onondaga firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Hermes firing on surfaced sub ....
TK Mobilube firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Onondaga firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Hermes firing on surfaced sub ....
TK Mobilube firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Onondaga firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Hermes firing on surfaced sub ....
TK Mobilube firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Onondaga firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Hermes firing on surfaced sub ....
TK Mobilube firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Onondaga firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Hermes firing on surfaced sub ....
TK Mobilube firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Onondaga firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Hermes firing on surfaced sub ....
TK Mobilube firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Onondaga firing on surfaced sub ....
PC Hermes firing on surfaced sub ....
TK Mobilube firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
 
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Buna at 100,129
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      DB-7B x 18
 
Allied aircraft losses
      DB-7B: 1 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
      CL Yubari, Bomb hits 2,  on fire
      CL Yura
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      18 x DB-7B bombing from 1000 feet
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 15/16, 1942

Highlights: New Caledonia liberated

Bases liberated:
Allied forces CAPTURE Koumac

Allied ships lost:
Sync bug is rendering the reports unreliable - this turn SS Plunger and SS Shad have been reported sunk, but when opening the turn, I find them still alive...

Enemy ships sunk:
CL Oi is reported to have been sunk near Noumea on Dec 01, 1942

CBI:
Dimapur expands airfield to size 8.
Allied bombers concentrated on the Imperial Guards at 58,44 , near Kalemyo.

Northern Australia:
US carriers raided Darwin and got counter-attacked by escorted Nells, but CAP and AA took care of the threat.

SWPac:
Enemy ground forces at Buna bombed repeatedly.

SoPac:
Noumea expands airfield to size 5.
Koumac bombarded by the USN and captured by the Marines.
Tanna bombed.

Homefront / Rear areas:
CVE Suwannee arrives at Balboa

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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 Ground combat at Koumac (113,156)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 34080 troops, 440 guns, 579 vehicles, Assault Value = 1190
 
Defending force 3315 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95
 
Allied adjusted assault: 971 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 7 
 
Allied assault odds: 138 to 1 (fort level 3) 
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Koumac !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
 experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1882 casualties reported
         Squads: 55 destroyed, 63 disabled
         Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 39 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)
      Units destroyed 1
 
Allied ground losses:
      277 casualties reported
         Squads: 3 destroyed, 40 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    2nd Marine Division
    1st USMC Tank Battalion
    1st Marine Division
    2nd USMC Tank Battalion
    1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
    369th Coast AA Regiment
    1st Pioneer Battalion
    3/532nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
    1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
    2nd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
    2nd Pioneer Battalion
    2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
    1/532nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
    3rd Pioneer Battalion
    I Marine Amphib Corps
    1st USMC AA Battalion
 
Defending units:
    Sasebo 5th SNLF
    82nd Naval Guard Unit
    20th Fld AA Machinecannon Company
	
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Wessel Islands at 83,123
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 29
      G3M2 Nell x 14
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 23
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 72
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
      G3M2 Nell: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      DD Farenholt
      CV Saratoga
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       6 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
			   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wessel Islands at 83,123
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 6
      G3M2 Nell x 3
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 14
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 46
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
      G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 5 destroyed
 
No Allied losses

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Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124 
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 6
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 45
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 108
      TBF-1 Avenger x 45
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 1 damaged
      A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
      H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
      TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged
      TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 19

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Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124 
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 2
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
 
Runway hits 2

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 17/18, 1942

Highlights: Buna falls - which led to heavy aircraft losses over Lae

Bases liberated:
Allied forces CAPTURE Buna

CBI:
Allied bombers concentrated on Shwebo, no CAP and the enemy airbase received numerous hits and supply hits.

Northwestern Australia:
The damaged BBs moving from Port Hedland to Exmouth managed to avoid the subs lurking on the way.

Northern Australia:
Amphibious TF 192 unloading at Gove under cover of US carriers. Japanese LBA attacks on CAG and invasion force thwarted either by carrier CAP or LRCAP from Groote Eylandt. I hope Gove will help to supply the Aussie force starving at Katherine.

SWPac:
Buna bombed heavily.
Low-level strafers/bombers damaged two Japanese DDs near Buna. Apparently a fast transport TF on an evacuation run - because the DA by the Aussies found little resistance and captured Buna easily in the first attack on Dec 17.
However, this led the airforce to revert to "commander discretion" regarding target selection for air attacks - and the local commander opted to send the bombers to Lae, which is teeming with CAP... A dozen 2Es lost - and a local commander fired!

SoPac:
Amphibious TF 164 unloading at Belep Islands off the northern tip of New Caledonia.
Noumea expands airfield to size 6.
Tanna bombed and bombarded.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Wessel Islands at 84,126
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 37
      A6M5 Zero x 28
      G4M1 Betty x 11
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 68
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
      A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
      G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      CV Saratoga
      CLAA Juneau
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       7 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
			   
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Gove at 82,127
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G3M3 Nell x 5
 
Allied aircraft
      P-39D Airacobra x 5
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G3M3 Nell: 2 destroyed
 
No Allied losses

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Gove at 82,127
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G4M1 Betty x 11
 
Allied aircraft
      P-39D Airacobra x 4
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed
 
No Allied losses

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wessel Islands at 84,126
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 33
      A6M5 Zero x 23
      G4M1 Betty x 4
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 39
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
      G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
      G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      CV Saratoga
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
			   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on III/124th Infantry Battalion, at 82,127 (Gove)
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 37
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 144
      TBF-1 Avenger x 45
 
Allied aircraft losses
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
      TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      82 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Buna at 100,129
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      A-20A1 Havoc x 8
 
Allied aircraft losses
      A-20A1 Havoc: 1 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Matsukaze, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires
      DD Yudachi, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x A-20A1 Havoc bombing and strafing from low level
               Naval Attack:  4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
			   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 22372 troops, 354 guns, 259 vehicles, Assault Value = 653
 
Defending force 1066 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12
 
Allied adjusted assault: 835 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 1 
 
Allied assault odds: 835 to 1 (fort level 3) 
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Buna !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1300 casualties reported
         Squads: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Units destroyed 5
 
Allied ground losses:
      19 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
 
Assaulting units:
    7th Australian/A Division
    6th Australian Division
    193rd Tank Battalion
    7th Australian/B Division
    260th Field Artillery Battalion
    131st Field Artillery Battalion
 
Defending units:
    6th Indpt SNLF Coy 
    III/66th Nav Gd /3
    304th Ship Eng Coy 
    17th Army /1
    18th/A Div /1
	
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Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 99,126 (Lae)
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 63
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 32
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13
      Ki-61-Ia Tony x 10
 
Allied aircraft
      B-25C Mitchell x 15
      B-26B Marauder x 8
      P-40E Warhawk x 20
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged
      B-26B Marauder: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
      P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 19/20, 1942

Highlights: Command SNAFU costs more bombers over Lae

Bases liberated:
Allied forces CAPTURE Gove

Allied ships lost:
SC-647 runs aground at 114 , 161 and is abandoned due to heavy damage

Enemy ships sunk:
PB Aso Maru #3 is reported to have been sunk near Singkep par SS O19

Japanese SRA:
SS O19 lays minefield near Palembang ( 49 , 90) and sets course for Calcutta

Northwestern Australia:
Exmouth expands airfield to size 7
Port Hedland expands airfield to size 4

Northern Australia:
Daly Waters expands airfield to size 5
Gove captured with ease by a reinforced US infantry regiment against a reinforced IJA infantry battalion

SWPac:
Port Moresby expands airfield to size 6.
Milne Bay bombarded.
Salamaua and Nadzab bombed.
Lae bombed as well again - because I forgot to change orders for the Allied bombers and so they remained on "commander discretion". A dozen more 2Es lost, which means the few medium bomber squadrons available are out of the fight until replacement aircraft can be found.

SoPac:
Tanna bombed and bombarded.
Beleb Is. bombed and bombarded.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 99,126 (Lae)
 
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 51
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 31
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
      Ki-61-Ia Tony x 11
 
Allied aircraft
      B-26B Marauder x 7
      P-40E Warhawk x 13
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      B-26B Marauder: 4 destroyed
      P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
	  
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Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 99,126 (Lae)
 
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
 
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 46
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 29
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
      Ki-61-Ia Tony x 10
 
Allied aircraft
      B-25C Mitchell x 22
      P-40E Warhawk x 13
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged
      B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
      P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
               Ground Attack:  6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
       8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
               Ground Attack:  6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
			   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Gove (82,127)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 3738 troops, 61 guns, 141 vehicles, Assault Value = 144
 
Defending force 1190 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39
 
Allied adjusted assault: 129 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 19 
 
Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 2) 
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Gove !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      546 casualties reported
         Squads: 6 destroyed, 19 disabled
         Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Units retreated 2
 
Allied ground losses:
      18 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    34th Infantry Regiment
    2/4th Armoured Regiment
    32nd Australian Lt AA Regiment
 
Defending units:
    III/124th Infantry Battalion
    54th Const Co

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 21/22, 1942

Highlights: Numerous air battles in Burma and PNG

Bases liberated:
Allied forces CAPTURE Belep Islands

CBI:
Kalemyo expands airfield to size 5.

After a long break, Allied fighters repeatedly swept Magwe again and met a lot of CAP:

Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 15 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 15 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 destroyed

Hurricane IIb Trop: 6 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 12 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 21 destroyed

Meanwhile, Shwebo bombed by the combined British and US Asian bomber force and enemy CAP got bested by the Chinese fighter escort:

Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 10 destroyed

P-43A-1 Lancer: 2 destroyed

The bombers added about 300 casualties on the ground forces at Shwebo.

Just west of Shwebo, two weak Chinese Corps reinforced by two British tank regiments managed to defeat a river crossing by the reinforced 2nd IJA Tank Division.

Northwestern Australia:
Beaufighters have attacked IJA capital ships north of Port Hedland at low level, but CAP splashed 6 and the survivors hit nothing.

SWPac:
Fighters sweeps over Lae:

A6M5 Zero: 14 destroyed
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 5 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed

39D Airacobra: 11 destroyed
P-38F Lightning: 5 destroyed

Milne Bay bombarded by old CLs.

SoPac:
La Foa expands airfield to size 5
Tanna bombed and bombarded by CAs.
Belep Is. bombed, bombarded and captured by Marine Raiders.

Intel:
11th Air Fleet is located at Ponape(119,113) - strange choice, since there is no other base within its command radius of 5
Radio call sign of CV Hiyo detected at 55,122 - 7 hexes NNW of Port Hedland and 8 hexes NE of Exmouth.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 55,122
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 37
 
Allied aircraft
      Beaufighter Ic x 16
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Beaufighter Ic: 5 destroyed
      Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Japanese Ships
      BB Yamashiro
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       1 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 100 feet
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
			   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Belep Islands (112,155)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 1760 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 59
 
Defending force 367 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9
 
Allied adjusted assault: 53 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 1 
 
Allied assault odds: 53 to 1 (fort level 0) 
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Belep Islands !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      59 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Allied ground losses:
      12 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    3rd Marine Raider Battalion
    4th Marine Raider Battalion
 
Defending units:
    II/66th Naval Guard Unit

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Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      CL Marblehead
      CL Trenton
      CL Detroit
      CL Raleigh
      CL Concord
 
Japanese ground losses:
      35 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
 
Port hits 15
 
CL Marblehead firing at 18th/C Division
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Trenton
CL Trenton firing at Milne Bay 
CL Detroit firing at Milne Bay 
CL Raleigh firing at Milne Bay 
CL Concord firing at Milne Bay 
 
 
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Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157
 
Allied Ships
      CA Quincy
      CA San Francisco
      CA Minneapolis
      CA Astoria
      CA New Orleans
      DD Lang
      DD Wilson
      DD Sterett
      DD Stack
      DD Ellet
      DD Benham
      DMS Long
      DMS Perry
 
Japanese ground losses:
      110 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 17
Port supply hits 4
 
CA Quincy firing at Tanna 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA San Francisco
CA San Francisco firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
CA Minneapolis firing at Tanna 
CA Astoria firing at Tanna 
CA New Orleans firing at Tanna 
DD Lang firing at Tanna 
DD Wilson firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Sterett firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Stack firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Ellet firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Benham firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DMS Long firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DMS Perry firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit

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Morning Air attack on 1st/A Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      Blenheim VD x 14
      Hurricane IIb Trop x 39
      Liberator II x 13
      Vengeance I x 48
      B-24D Liberator x 9
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
      140 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
		 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 58,45 (near Mandalay)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 13235 troops, 160 guns, 449 vehicles, Assault Value = 480
 
Defending force 8312 troops, 8 guns, 168 vehicles, Assault Value = 459
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 100 
 
Allied adjusted defense: 153 
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      993 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 74 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
      Vehicles lost 18 (3 destroyed, 15 disabled)
 
Allied ground losses:
      146 casualties reported
         Squads: 4 destroyed, 20 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Vehicles lost 32 (1 destroyed, 31 disabled)
 
Assaulting units:
    2nd Tank Division
    1st/C Division
    20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
 
Defending units:
    3rd Carabiniers Regiment
    150th RAC Regiment
    7th New Chinese Corps
    8th New Chinese Corps

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 23/24, 1942

Highlights: Polite enemies offer each other two battleships for Xmas

Allied ships lost:
BB Valiant and BB Royal Sovereign sunk in surface action at Exmouth
Decks awash aboard xAK Edgar Allan Poe, order given to Abandon Ship - following a torpedo attack by SS I-23 near Waipapakauri
xAKL Sarpen sunk by SS I-156 at Akyab

Enemy ships sunk:
BB Mutsu is reported to have been sunk near Exmouth on Dec 23, 1942
BB Ise is reported to have been sunk near Exmouth on Dec 23, 1942
DD Hibiki is reported to have been sunk near Exmouth on Dec 23, 1942
DD Fubuki is reported to have been sunk near Exmouth on Dec 23, 1942
DD Yuzuki is reported to have been sunk near Exmouth on Dec 23, 1942
DD Nowaki is reported to have been sunk near Lifou on Dec 02, 1942

Japanese SRA:
SS Snapper lays minefield at Koepang ( 68 , 116) and sets course for Exmouth
A sub-laid mine field just NE of Palembang found victims, two escorts and a tanker reported hit by local agents.

CBI:
The Allied combined air forces concentrated on ground support against the IJN 2nd Tank Division threatening the Chinese troops west of Shwebo.

Northwestern Australia:
Xmas presents have been exchanged as two Japanese SAGs encounter the crippled British battleships at Exmouth. First a flycatcher TF of 2 CAs and DDs tangle with the British TF (3 BB, 5 CA, 6 CL, DDs) but broke off before serious damage could be inflicted by either side, then the Japanese main force of 5 (!) BBs plus DDs arrived. Although already damaged previously by torpedo hits at Port Hedland, the British BBs have put up a good fight. When the smoke cleared, two British BBs, two Japanese BBs and three Japanese DDs had disappeared below the waves. Japanese midget subs also tried to get their share of glory but failed.

SWPac:
Milne Bay bombarded and bombed as usual, this time with very good bombardment results.

SoPac:
Noumea expands airfield to size 7.
Tanna naval bombarded by BBs Indiana and Colorado plus cruisers and DDs, and bombed as well - a few Nicks on CAP managed to down an escorting Buffalo. Yes, Buffalos are still doing frontline duty due to a lack of Wildcat airframes.
SC-706 punished I-29 with 10 hits near Noumea.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 50,129, Range 11,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      CA Myoko
      CA Ashigara, Shell hits 10
      DD Samidare
      DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 1
      DD Isonami
      DD Kamikaze
      DD Hokaze
 
Allied Ships
      BB Valiant, Shell hits 5,  on fire
      BB Revenge, Shell hits 1
      BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 4
      CA Dorsetshire
      CA Devonshire
      CA Exeter
      CA Hawkins
      CA Frobisher
      CL Dauntless
      CL Ceres
      CL Mauritius
      CL Birmingham, Shell hits 1
      CL Caradoc, Shell hits 1
      CL Capetown, Shell hits 1
      DD Arunta
      DD Nepal
      DD Nestor
      DD Napier
      DD Arrow
      DD Decoy
      DD Fortune
      DD Foxhound
      DD Hotspur
      DD Inconstant
 
Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 100% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 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...
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
CA Ashigara engages BB Royal Sovereign at 11,000 yards
CA Myoko engages BB Valiant at 11,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages DD Hokaze at 11,000 yards
BB Valiant engages DD Kamikaze at 11,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages DD Isonami at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages BB Valiant at 11,000 yards
DD Samidare engages BB Valiant at 11,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Caradoc at 11,000 yards
DD Hotspur engages DD Hokaze at 11,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Napier at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages BB Royal Sovereign at 10,000 yards
DD Napier engages DD Hokaze at 10,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Napier at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Hawkins at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Exeter at 10,000 yards
BB Valiant engages DD Samidare at 10,000 yards
CL Capetown engages CA Ashigara at 10,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CL Dauntless at 10,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Fortune at 10,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Arrow at 10,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Napier at 10,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Nestor at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages BB Royal Sovereign at 10,000 yards
BB Revenge engages CA Ashigara at 10,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages DD Napier at 10,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Fortune at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Hawkins at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Exeter at 10,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CA Myoko at 10,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Decoy at 10,000 yards
[b]Tanaka, Raizo orders Japanese TF to disengage[/b]
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages BB Royal Sovereign at 7,000 yards
BB Valiant engages CA Myoko at 7,000 yards
BB Valiant engages CA Ashigara at 7,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Fortune at 7,000 yards
DD Napier engages DD Isonami at 7,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Exeter at 7,000 yards
DD Samidare engages CA Devonshire at 7,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Birmingham at 7,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Foxhound at 7,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Napier at 7,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages DD Arunta at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages CA Ashigara at 12,000 yards
BB Revenge engages CA Ashigara at 12,000 yards
BB Valiant engages CA Ashigara at 12,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Frobisher at 12,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Hawkins at 12,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Fortune at 12,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages DD Samidare at 12,000 yards
CL Capetown engages CA Ashigara at 12,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Caradoc at 12,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Hotspur at 12,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages DD Nepal at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 50,129, Range 11,000 Yards
 
Allied aircraft
      no flights
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Walrus II: 1 destroyed
 
Japanese Ships
      BB Nagato
      BB Mutsu, Shell hits 48, Torpedo hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      BB Fuso, Shell hits 2
      BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 2
      BB Ise, Shell hits 4,  on fire
      DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 2
      DD Umikaze, Shell hits 1,  on fire
      DD Hibiki, Shell hits 1
      DD Fubuki, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Yuzuki
 
Allied Ships
      BB Valiant, Shell hits 46, and is sunk
      BB Revenge, Shell hits 1
      BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 23,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      CA Dorsetshire, Shell hits 2
      CA Devonshire
      CA Exeter
      CA Hawkins, Shell hits 1
      CA Frobisher, Shell hits 4
      CL Dauntless, Shell hits 2
      CL Ceres, Shell hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      CL Mauritius, Shell hits 1
      CL Birmingham
      CL Caradoc, Shell hits 2
      CL Capetown
      DD Arunta
      DD Nepal
      DD Nestor
      DD Napier
      DD Arrow, Shell hits 1,  on fire
      DD Decoy
      DD Fortune
      DD Foxhound, Shell hits 1
      DD Hotspur, Shell hits 2
      DD Inconstant, Shell hits 2,  on fire
 
Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 100% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
[b]Kogure, Gunji* crosses the 'T'[/b]
BB Ise engages BB Valiant at 11,000 yards
BB Valiant engages BB Yamashiro at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Valiant at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Valiant at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Hawkins at 11,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages BB Valiant at 11,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages BB Valiant at 11,000 yards
BB Valiant engages DD Hibiki at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Capetown at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Caradoc at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Ceres at 11,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Yuzuki at 11,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Napier at 11,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Arunta at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Royal Sovereign at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Revenge at 7,000 yards
BB Valiant engages BB Mutsu at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Hawkins at 7,000 yards
DD Hotspur engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Fubuki at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Dorsetshire at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Capetown at 7,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages DD Kawakaze at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Mauritius at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Dauntless at 7,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Decoy at 7,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Arrow at 7,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Napier at 7,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Arunta at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Revenge at 5,000 yards
BB Valiant engages BB Yamashiro at 5,000 yards
BB Valiant engages BB Mutsu at 5,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Frobisher at 5,000 yards
BB Valiant engages BB Nagato at 5,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Arunta at 5,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages BB Mutsu at 5,000 yards
CA Dorsetshire engages DD Hibiki at 5,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Capetown at 5,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Arrow at 5,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Birmingham at 5,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Dauntless at 5,000 yards
DD Inconstant engages DD Fubuki at 5,000 yards
DD Fortune engages DD Yuzuki at 5,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Arunta at 5,000 yards
[b]Range closes to 2,000 yards[/b]
BB Valiant engages BB Ise at 2,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Valiant at 2,000 yards
[b]BB Valiant sunk by BB Fuso at 2,000 yards[/b]
CA Frobisher engages BB Mutsu at 2,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Foxhound at 2,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Inconstant at 2,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Caradoc at 2,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Mauritius at 2,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Ceres at 2,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Hotspur at 2,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages DD Kawakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Decoy at 2,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Kawakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Nepal at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Royal Sovereign at 3,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages BB Yamashiro at 3,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Frobisher at 3,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Royal Sovereign at 3,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages DD Yuzuki at 3,000 yards
CA Dorsetshire engages DD Fubuki at 3,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Napier at 3,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages DD Umikaze at 3,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Birmingham at 3,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Dauntless at 3,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Fubuki at 3,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Napier at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages BB Ise at 4,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Revenge at 4,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CA Frobisher at 4,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Royal Sovereign at 4,000 yards
CA Exeter engages BB Mutsu at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Arrow at 4,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Decoy at 4,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Inconstant at 4,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Decoy at 4,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Birmingham at 4,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Dauntless at 4,000 yards
DD Hotspur engages DD Fubuki at 4,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Umikaze at 4,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Nestor at 4,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Fubuki at 4,000 yards
DD Arunta engages DD Fubuki at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Royal Sovereign at 5,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Royal Sovereign at 5,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Frobisher at 5,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Hawkins at 5,000 yards
BB Nagato engages BB Royal Sovereign at 5,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages BB Mutsu at 5,000 yards
CA Dorsetshire engages DD Fubuki at 5,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Capetown at 5,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Caradoc at 5,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Birmingham at 5,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Mauritius at 5,000 yards
DD Fubuki engages DD Hotspur at 5,000 yards
DD Decoy engages DD Fubuki at 5,000 yards
[b]DD Fubuki sunk by DD Nepal at 5,000 yards[/b]
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Royal Sovereign at 8,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Hawkins at 8,000 yards
CA Exeter engages BB Mutsu at 8,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Arrow at 8,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Decoy at 8,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Kawakaze at 8,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Dauntless at 8,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Hotspur at 8,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Foxhound at 8,000 yards
DD Fortune engages DD Umikaze at 8,000 yards
DD Nestor engages DD Umikaze at 8,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Arunta at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Royal Sovereign at 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Revenge at 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Royal Sovereign at 12,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages BB Nagato at 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Dorsetshire at 12,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Arrow at 12,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Kawakaze at 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Ceres at 12,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Hotspur at 12,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Fortune at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 50,129, Range 11,000 Yards
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed
 
Japanese Ships
      BB Mutsu, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
      BB Ise, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy fires
      DD Hibiki, Shell hits 1,  on fire
      DD Yuzuki
 
Allied Ships
      BB Revenge, Shell hits 6
      CA Dorsetshire
      CA Devonshire
      CA Exeter
      CA Hawkins
      CA Frobisher, Shell hits 1
      CL Dauntless
      CL Mauritius, Shell hits 1
      CL Birmingham
      CL Caradoc
      CL Capetown
      DD Arunta
      DD Nepal
      DD Nestor
      DD Napier
      DD Arrow, Shell hits 1
      DD Decoy
      DD Hotspur
      DD Inconstant
 
Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 96% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 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...
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
[b]Morgan, L.V. crosses the 'T'[/b]
BB Ise engages BB Revenge at 11,000 yards
BB Revenge engages DD Yuzuki at 11,000 yards
CA Exeter engages DD Hibiki at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Devonshire at 11,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Hotspur at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Revenge at 10,000 yards
DD Hotspur engages DD Yuzuki at 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CA Exeter at 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Mauritius at 10,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Decoy at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Revenge engages BB Mutsu at 7,000 yards
[b]BB Mutsu sunk by BB Revenge at 7,000 yards[/b]
BB Revenge engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Napier at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Revenge engages BB Ise at 5,000 yards
CA Frobisher engages DD Yuzuki at 5,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages BB Ise at 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Mauritius at 5,000 yards
DD Hotspur engages DD Yuzuki at 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages DD Arrow at 5,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Napier at 5,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Arunta at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Ise engages BB Revenge at 4,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 4,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages BB Ise at 4,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Devonshire at 4,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Mauritius at 4,000 yards
DD Inconstant engages DD Yuzuki at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Revenge engages BB Ise at 8,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 8,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Inconstant at 8,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Inconstant at 8,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Hotspur at 8,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Arunta at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Revenge engages BB Ise at 11,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Yuzuki at 11,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Hotspur at 11,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Capetown at 11,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Inconstant at 11,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 50,129, Range 11,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      BB Ise, Shell hits 33,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DD Hibiki,  on fire
      DD Yuzuki
 
Allied Ships
      CA Dorsetshire
      CA Devonshire, Shell hits 1
      CA Exeter, Shell hits 1
      CA Hawkins
      CA Frobisher, Shell hits 4
      CL Dauntless
      CL Mauritius
      CL Birmingham
      CL Caradoc
      CL Capetown, Shell hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
      DD Arunta
      DD Nepal
      DD Nestor
      DD Napier
      DD Arrow
      DD Hotspur
      DD Inconstant, Shell hits 1,  on fire
 
Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 96% moonlight: 12,000 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 Ise engages CA Frobisher at 11,000 yards
CA Frobisher engages DD Yuzuki at 11,000 yards
CA Frobisher engages DD Hibiki at 11,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Nepal at 11,000 yards
DD Arunta engages DD Hibiki at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Exeter at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Devonshire at 10,000 yards
CL Capetown engages BB Ise at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Mauritius at 10,000 yards
DD Inconstant engages DD Hibiki at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Capetown collides with CL Mauritius at 50 , 129 
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 7,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Inconstant at 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Exeter at 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Caradoc at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 5,000 yards
DD Inconstant engages DD Yuzuki at 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Exeter at 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Devonshire at 5,000 yards
CL Capetown engages BB Ise at 5,000 yards
DD Hotspur engages DD Yuzuki at 5,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Napier at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 2,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Hawkins at 2,000 yards
CA Exeter engages DD Yuzuki at 2,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages DD Yuzuki at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 7,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Nepal at 7,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Nepal at 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Dorsetshire at 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Birmingham at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 12,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Arunta at 12,000 yards
CA Exeter engages DD Hibiki at 12,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Dorsetshire at 12,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 50,129, Range 11,000 Yards
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      E8N2 Dave: 1 destroyed
 
Japanese Ships
      BB Ise, Shell hits 40, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      DD Hibiki, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
      DD Yuzuki, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      CA Dorsetshire
      CA Devonshire
      CA Exeter
      CA Hawkins
      CA Frobisher,  on fire
      CL Dauntless
      CL Mauritius
      CL Birmingham
      CL Caradoc
      DD Arunta
      DD Nepal
      DD Nestor
      DD Napier
      DD Hotspur, Shell hits 1
 
Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 96% moonlight: 12,000 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...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 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 Frobisher engages DD Yuzuki at 11,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Exeter at 11,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Devonshire at 11,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Dorsetshire at 11,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Caradoc at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 10,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Hawkins at 10,000 yards
DD Arunta engages DD Hibiki at 10,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Hotspur at 10,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Arunta at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 9,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Arunta at 9,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Devonshire at 9,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Hotspur at 9,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Nepal at 9,000 yards
DD Arunta engages DD Hibiki at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 7,000 yards
DD Arunta engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
DD Hotspur engages DD Hibiki at 7,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Nestor at 7,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Hibiki at 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 7,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Hawkins at 7,000 yards
DD Hotspur engages DD Hibiki at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 6,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages DD Yuzuki at 6,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Hotspur at 6,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Devonshire at 6,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Dauntless at 6,000 yards
DD Hotspur engages DD Yuzuki at 6,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Hibiki at 6,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Arunta at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Arunta engages DD Yuzuki at 4,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Arunta at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Nestor at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Arunta at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Hawkins at 5,000 yards
CA Exeter engages DD Hibiki at 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Devonshire at 5,000 yards
BB Ise engages CL Dauntless at 5,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Arunta at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Frobisher at 3,000 yards
BB Ise engages CA Devonshire at 3,000 yards
[b]BB Ise sunk by CL Caradoc at 3,000 yards[/b]
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Frobisher engages DD Hibiki at 4,000 yards
CA Exeter engages DD Yuzuki at 4,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages DD Hibiki at 4,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Nepal at 4,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages DD Hibiki at 4,000 yards
CA Exeter engages DD Hibiki at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Frobisher engages DD Hibiki at 5,000 yards
CA Hawkins engages DD Hibiki at 5,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Yuzuki at 5,000 yards
CL Dauntless engages DD Hibiki at 5,000 yards
DD Hibiki engages DD Nepal at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Hotspur engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
DD Arunta engages DD Hibiki at 7,000 yards
[b]DD Hibiki sunk by DD Arunta at 7,000 yards[/b]
CL Caradoc collides with CL Mauritius at 50 , 129 
DD Nestor engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
DD Nepal engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
CA Frobisher engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages DD Yuzuki at 7,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Nepal at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
[b]DD Yuzuki sunk by DD Nepal at 5,000 yards[/b]
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 58,45 , near Mandalay
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      P-66 Vanguard x 17
      Blenheim VD x 16
      Hurricane IIb Trop x 10
      Liberator II x 12
      Vengeance I x 64
      B-24D Liberator x 9
      P-40E Warhawk x 25
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
      139 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
	  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 58,45 , near Mandalay
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      Wellington Ic x 10
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
		 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 58,45 , near Mandalay
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      P-43A-1 Lancer x 21
      B-25C Mitchell x 60
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
      61 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
		 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      CL Marblehead
      CL Trenton
      CL Detroit
      CL Raleigh
      CL Concord
 
Japanese ground losses:
      214 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
      Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
 
Port hits 19
Port supply hits 14
 
CL Marblehead firing at Milne Bay 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Trenton
CL Trenton firing at 18th/C Division
CL Detroit firing at Milne Bay 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Raleigh
CL Raleigh firing at Milne Bay 
CL Concord firing at 18th/C Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 81 encounters mine field at 49,90
 
Japanese Ships
      E Sagi, Mine hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
      PB Chitose Maru, Mine hits 1
      TK Chuko Maru, Mine hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
1 mine cleared

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 25/26, 1942

Highlights: Back to business as usual.

Allied ships lost:
AMc Killegray bombed and sinks near Canton Is.

Japanese SRA:
SS Truant lays minefield at Merak ( 48 , 97) and sets course for Colombo

CBI:
Air battles over the reinforced IJA 2nd Tank Division as Allied sweeps and bombing raids encounter enemy CAP, loss ratio more or less equal.
Several hundred casualties inflicted on the Japanese ground force.

SWPac:
Sweeps over Lae, loss ratio in Allied favour. Milne Bay bombed and bombarded as usual.

SoPac:
Tanna bombed and bombarded by CAs. Fuel starts arriving at Noumea and amphib shipping and carriers gather at that base.

CentPac:
Small minesweepers have been sent to various enemy-held atolls for recon and probing, unfortunately one of the got sunk at Canton, Is. by Jakes on naval attack.

Homefront / Rear areas:
Lots of subs returning from patrol are taken out of commission for the 12/42 upgrades.

Intel:
Previous report of sinking of DD Yugumo incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of SS I-158 incorrect. Ship sighted and engaged at 101, 134
5th Garrison Unit is loaded on xAP Teison Maru moving to Port Blair.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126 
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 51
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 34
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5
      Ki-61-Ia Tony x 2
 
Allied aircraft
      P-38G Lightning x 25
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed	  
	  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion, at 58,45 , near Mandalay
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 30
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7
 
Allied aircraft
      P-40K Warhawk x 17
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
 
No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion, at 58,45 , near Mandalay
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 18
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
 
Allied aircraft
      P-40K Warhawk x 11
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
 
No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion, at 58,45 , near Mandalay
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 14
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
 
Allied aircraft
      P-40K Warhawk x 9
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
	  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st/C Division, at 58,45 , near Mandalay
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 9
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
 
Allied aircraft
      P-66 Vanguard x 7
      Liberator II x 13
      B-24D Liberator x 10
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Liberator II: 1 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      70 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
		 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 58,45 , near Mandalay
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 8
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
 
Allied aircraft
      Wellington Ic x 10
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Wellington Ic: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
	  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 58,45 , near Mandalay
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 15
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
 
Allied aircraft
      P-43A-1 Lancer x 14
      Hurricane IIb Trop x 12
      Vengeance I x 16
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed
      Hurricane IIb Trop: 4 destroyed
      Vengeance I: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
      Vengeance I: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Japanese ground losses:
      21 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
		 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st/C Division, at 58,45 , near Mandalay
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 1
 
Allied aircraft
      Vengeance I x 30
      Wellington Ic x 3
      B-25C Mitchell x 15
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Vengeance I: 1 damaged
      Wellington Ic: 1 damaged
      B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      194 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
	  
[multiples attacks like this, I don't show them all]
		 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157
 
Allied Ships
      CA Quincy
      CA San Francisco
      CA Minneapolis
      CA Astoria
      CA New Orleans
 
Japanese ground losses:
      55 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 13
Port supply hits 2
 
CA Quincy firing at Tanna 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA San Francisco
CA San Francisco firing at Tanna 
CA Minneapolis firing at Tanna 
CA Astoria firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
CA New Orleans firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      CL Marblehead
      CL Trenton
      CL Detroit
      CL Raleigh
      CL Concord
 
Japanese ground losses:
      178 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Engineers: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
      Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
 
Port hits 25
Port supply hits 4
 
CL Marblehead firing at 18th/C Division
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Trenton
CL Trenton firing at Kure 5th SNLF
CL Detroit firing at Milne Bay 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Raleigh
CL Raleigh firing at Milne Bay 
CL Concord firing at Milne Bay 

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 27/28, 1942

Highlights: Quiet turn

Allied ships lost:
xAK Silverteak sunk by SS I-9 off Carnarvon
xAK Hoegh Merchant sunk by SS I-162 near near Diamond Harbour

Enemy ships sunk:
DD Okikaze is reported to have been sunk near Noumea on Dec 01, 1942
SSX Ha-18 is reported to have been sunk near Exmouth on Dec 28, 1942

Japanese SRA:
xAKL Kumakawa Maru torpedoed by SS Sealion near Balikpapan, probably sunk.

SWPac:
Port Moresby expands port to size 4
Milne Bay bombed with little effect

SoPac:
Noumea expands port to size 5.
Usual air attacks on Tanna meet by Zeros on CAP, which costs us two Wildcats and a Dauntless.
Tanna also bombarded by CAs again.

Intel:
Previous report of sinking of SS I-29 incorrect. Ship sighted and engaged at 119, 152

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 89th Naval Guard Unit, at 120,157 (Tanna)
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3a Zero x 6
 
Allied aircraft
      F2A-3 Buffalo x 9
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
      SBD-2 Dauntless x 18
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
 
Japanese ground losses:
      9 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled 

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 29/30, 1942

Highlights: Little combat activities while build-up continues

Enemy ships sunk:
APD Tade is reported to have been sunk by air attack near Efate on Dec 29, 1942

CBI:
IJA 2nd Tank Division and reinforcing elements still the focus of Allied bombing efforts, Oscars on CAP claim a handful of bombers and escorts but lose a dozen themselves.
The Japanese force doesn't seem to like this treatment, it appears to be moving to Shwebo.

Northwestern Australia:
Port Hedland expands airfield to size 5
Engine Room open to sea aboard BB Revenge - the survior of the Exmouth battle is heading to Perth
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard CLAA Van Heemskerck - that survivor of the Port Hedland battle is heading for Exmouth.
xAK Zannis Cannabis... er, Cambanis collides with xAK Nova Scotia at 30 , 150 on the Perth - CT track. Somehow someone cannot even steer a straight course!

Northern Australia:
Gove expands port to size 1 while small convoys continue to haul supplies, AA and engineers from Horn Island to Gove. PBYs are watching for enemy naval interference and B-17 recon Darwin which seems to hold about 80 fighters but no bombers.

SWPac:
Milne Bay bombed by 2 A-20 squadrons - on,e Dutch, one USAAF - with Marine Wildcat escort - a real team effort!
Not reported in the past, but each day artillery bombardments of Samamau and Wau nibble away at the Japanese garrisons.

SoPac:
La Foa expands airfield to size 6
Tanna bombarded by 5 CAs + DDs and DMSs - 2 port hits
The Marines and land-based carrier air units at Noumea have attacked a fast transport run near Efate, sinking one APD and damaging another, one Zero and one Wildcat traded.

Intel:
Previous report of sinking of SS I-20 incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of SS I-24 incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
16th Army is planning for an attack on Port Hedland.
48th/C Division is located at Kendari(70,106)
TK Kanze Maru is moving to Boela (80,110)

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th/C Division, at 101,133 (Milne Bay)
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      DB-7B x 18
      A-20A1 Havoc x 13
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
 
Allied aircraft losses
      DB-7B: 1 damaged
      A-20A1 Havoc: 3 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      20 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      18 x DB-7B bombing from 10000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
      13 x A-20A1 Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
 
Also attacking Kure 5th SNLF ...
Also attacking 18th/C Division ...
Also attacking Kure 5th SNLF ...
Also attacking 18th/C Division ...
Also attacking Kure 5th SNLF ...
Also attacking 18th/C Division ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Salamaua (98,127)
 
Allied Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 11174 troops, 201 guns, 119 vehicles, Assault Value = 364
 
Defending force 10075 troops, 80 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 295
 
Japanese ground losses:
      13 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    27th Infantry Division
    763rd Tank Battalion
    134th Field Artillery Battalion
 
Defending units:
    18th/B Division
    2nd Raiding Regiment
    85th Naval Guard Unit
    4th/C Division
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Wau (98,126)
 
Allied Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 12225 troops, 219 guns, 139 vehicles, Assault Value = 390
 
Defending force 8111 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 218
 
Japanese ground losses:
      13 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    32nd Infantry Division
    762nd Tank Battalion
    205th Field Artillery Battalion
 
Defending units:
    65th Brigade
    3rd Indpt SNLF Coy 
    I/84th Naval Guard Unit
    31st Field Const Co 

[LargeSlowTarget]

December 31 1942 / January 01, 1943

Highlights: Happy New Year! May the floodgates for Allied reinforcements finally open this year!

Allied ships lost:
The new year starts badly for the silent service:
SS Tambor lost to air attack near Truk
SS Tautog lost to air attack near Rabaul

Occasion to give a sitrep on the sub losses so far: 6 S-Boats, 12 older fleet boats, 4 Gatos and 5 Dutch submarines have been lost - 5 sunk by surface ASW, 4 by enemy subs, one by grounding and 17 (!) by air attack.

Japanese aerial ASW is thick, here are the contact reports for this turn :

Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS Sealion at 64,98 (SW of Balikpapan)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS Grouper at 106,124 (NW of Rabaul)
SS S-23 followed by Japanese Medium Bomber at 108,129 (near Buka)
D3A1 Val attacking SS Grouper at 106,124 (NW of Rabaul)
E13A1 Jake attacking a Triton class SS at 98,55 (E of Shanghai)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS Grouper at 106,124 (NW of Rabaul)
SS S-45 detects Ki-21-IIa Sally at 101,124 (near Cape Gloucester)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking a Tambor class SS at 100,125 (Umboi Island)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS Haddock at 112,109 (SE of Truk)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS O24 at 66,117 (SW of Koepang)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS S-28 at 114,139 (south of Tulagi)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS S-28 at 114,139 (south of Tulagi)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS Grouper at 106,124 (NW of Rabaul)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS Silversides at 111,109 (SW of Truk)
SS O24 followed by Ki-21-IIa Sally at 66,117 (near Roti)
SS O16 detected by Japanese Medium Bomber at 66,116 (near Roti)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS S-28 at 115,139 (south of Tulagi)
SS Shad followed by Japanese Medium Bomber at 118,136 (near Auki)
D3A1 Val attacking SS Haddock at 112,109 (SE of Truk)
D3A1 Val attacking SS Grouper at 106,124 (NW of Rabaul)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS Tambor at 110,112 (SW of Truk)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS Haddock at 112,109 (SE of Truk)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS Tambor at 110,112 (SW of Truk)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS O23 at 67,115 (NW of Koepang)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS O23 at 67,115 (NW of Koepang)
Ki-21-IIa Sally attacking SS Trout at 114,139 (south of Tulagi)

Enemy ships sunk:
DMS W-20 is reported to have been sunk by surface action near Tanna on Dec 31, 1942

Japanese SRA:
SS Shark lays minefield at Pamekasan (57 , 105) in the approaches of Soerabaya and sets course for Perth

CBI:
Cox's Bazar expands airfield to size 7
Sweepers clear the skies over the 2nd Japanese Tank Division W of Shwebo, 7 Ki-44a Tojos downed for one P40K lost.

Northwestern Australia:
With the British Fleet retiring for repairs, the defense must be assured by other means:
Task Force 331 lays defensive minefield at Port Hedland ( 57 , 129) and sets course for Carnarvon
Task Force 309 lays defensive minefield at Exmouth ( 50 , 129) and sets course for Carnarvon

SWPac:
The thinning-out of garrisons in the rear is starting, the Australian 12th Bde is boarding ships at Lord Howe Island to move up to Townsville for eventual use against Milne Bay.
Milne Bay bombed as usual.

SoPac:
US CAs bombarded Tanna, encountering and sinking an enemy DMS and avoiding enemy subs in the process.
Tanna bombed by Marine Air and by B-24s, two Zeros downed for a Wildcat and a Dauntless destroyed
Finally, Tanna invaded by a reinforced US infantry regiment.

Homefront / Rear areas:
BB Tennessee beginning refit in shipyard at Mare Island
VMF-123 attains carrier trained status on Copahee
VMSB-141 attains carrier trained status on Prince William
VMF-124 attains carrier trained status on Nassau
VMSB-244 attains carrier trained status on Nassau
VMSB-243 attains carrier trained status on Altamaha
VMF-215 attains carrier trained status on Altamaha

And through the Russian embassy we received the welcome News:
Accelerated training for 19 Soviet pilots from month-cycle 10
Accelerated training for 31 Soviet pilots from month-cycle 8
Accelerated training for 18 Soviet pilots from month-cycle 7

Intel:
91st Naval Guard Unit is planning for an attack on Port Hedland.
2nd/A Division is located at Sabang(44,70)
16th/C Division is located at Tinian(108,94).
1/5th Garrison Unit is loaded on xAP Teison Maru moving to Port Blair.
1/11th RF Gun Battalion is loaded on a Katori class CL moving to Luganville.
2nd RTA/B Division is located at Ramree Island(54,48).
Previous report of sinking of DD Hayate incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tanna at 120,157, Range 3,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      DMS W-20, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      CA New Orleans
      CA Astoria
      CA Minneapolis
      CA San Francisco
      CA Quincy
      DD Fletcher
      DD Hobby
      DD Benham
      DD Ellet
      DD Stack
      DD Sterett
      DD Wilson
      DD Lang
      DMS Trevor
      DMS Hopkins
 
 
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 35% moonlight: 3,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 3,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages DMS W-20 at 3,000 yards
CA Astoria engages DMS W-20 at 3,000 yards
DD Lang engages DMS W-20 at 3,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages DMS W-20 at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Astoria engages DMS W-20 at 4,000 yards
DMS W-20 sunk by CA Astoria at 4,000 yards
DMS W-20 sunk by CA Astoria at 4,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Tanna (120,157)
 
4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Allied Ships
      BB Colorado
      DD Anderson
      DD Sims
      APD Rathburne
      DD O'Brien
 
Japanese ground losses:
      43 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
BB Colorado firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Anderson firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Sims firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tanna (120,157)
 
TF 220 troops unloading over beach at Tanna, 120,157
 
Allied ground losses:
      149 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
 
12 troops of a US Cmbt Eng Sqd accidentally lost during unload of 134th Cmbt Engr Bn
12 troops of a US Cmbt Eng Sqd lost from landing craft during unload of 102nd Cmbt Engr Rgt /6

[LargeSlowTarget]

January 02/03, 1943

Highlights: Tanna re-captured again

Bases liberated:
Allied forces CAPTURE Tanna

Enemy ships sunk:
CL Abukuma is reported to have been sunk near Noumea on Dec 01, 1942

Japanese SRA:
AK Sado Maru damaged by sub-layed mine at Pamekasan

CBI:
Akyab expands airfield to size 7. The air force stands down due to weather and high fatigue.

Northern Australia:
Gove expands port to size 2

SWPac:
Port Moresby expands airfield to size 7
Ace pilot Hall P. of 35th FG/39th FS (based at Terapo and equipped with P-38Fs) is promoted to 1LT
Milne Bay bombed.

SoPac:
Koumac expands airfield to size 3.
Tanna falls without too much of a fight on the first try. The B-24s promptly switch to commander discretion and hit Efate, Ndeni and Funafuti, encountering Rufe float-fighters at the latter base - 5 bombers damaged.
The invasion shipping and covering force retired to Noumea, sidestepping enemy subs. USAAF B-24s at Noumea specialised in ASW helped spotting the underwater craft.

Intel:
Previous report of sinking of SS RO-61 incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
4th/B Division is located at Rabaul(106,125).
4th/A Division is located at Taberfane(82,117).
8th/B Division is located at Tulagi(114,137).

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tanna  at 120,158
 
Japanese Ships
      SS I-174, hits 3
 
Allied Ships
      DD Caldwell
      BB Washington
      BB North Carolina
      CLAA Juneau
      CLAA Atlanta
      DD Bancroft
      DD Mugford
      DD Meade
      DD Gansevoort
 
SS I-174 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Caldwell
I-174 diving deep ....
DD Mugford fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Meade fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Gansevoort fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Caldwell attacking submerged sub ....
DD Gansevoort fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Caldwell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Caldwell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Caldwell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Caldwell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Caldwell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Caldwell fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157
 
Allied Ships
      CA Wichita
      CL Nashville
      CL Phoenix
      CL Honolulu
      CL Helena
      CL St. Louis
      DD Maury
      DD Gridley
      DD Jarvis
      DD Patterson
      DD Blue
      DD Bagley
 
Japanese ground losses:
      34 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 27
Port supply hits 8
 
CA Wichita firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
CL Nashville firing at Tanna 
CL Phoenix firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
CL Honolulu firing at Tanna 
CL Helena firing at Tanna 
CL St. Louis firing at Tanna 
DD Maury firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Gridley firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Jarvis firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Patterson firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Blue firing at Tanna 
DD Bagley firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      CA Chicago
      CA Louisville
      CA Chester
      CA Northampton
      CA Indianapolis
      CA Portland
      CL Columbia
      CL Trenton
      CL Concord
      DD Aylwin
      DD Farragut
      DD Drayton
      DD Dunlap
      DD Gillespie
      DD Grayson
      DD Gwin
      DD Meredith
 
Japanese ground losses:
      543 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Engineers: 14 destroyed, 8 disabled
 
Port hits 25
Port supply hits 5
 
CA Chicago firing at Milne Bay 
CA Louisville firing at Milne Bay 
CA Chester firing at 18th/C Division
CA Northampton firing at Kure 5th SNLF
CA Indianapolis firing at 18th/C Division
CA Portland firing at Milne Bay 
CL Columbia firing at 18th/C Division
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Trenton
CL Trenton firing at Milne Bay 
CL Concord firing at 18th/C Division
DD Aylwin firing at 18th/C Division
DD Farragut firing at 18th/C Division
DD Drayton firing at 18th/C Division
DD Dunlap firing at Milne Bay 
DD Gillespie firing at 18th/C Division
DD Grayson firing at Milne Bay 
DD Gwin firing at Milne Bay 
DD Meredith firing at Kure 5th SNLF
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157
 
Allied Ships
      CA Quincy
      CA San Francisco
      CA Minneapolis
      CA Astoria
      CA New Orleans
      DD Lang
      DD Wilson
      DD Sterett
      DD Stack
      DD Ellet
      DD Benham
      DD Hobby
      DD Fletcher
      DMS Hopkins
      DMS Trevor
 
Japanese ground losses:
      77 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
 
CA Quincy firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA San Francisco
CA San Francisco firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
CA Minneapolis firing at Tanna 
CA Astoria firing at Tanna 
CA New Orleans firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Lang firing at Tanna 
DD Wilson firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Sterett firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Stack firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Ellet firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DD Benham firing at Tanna 
DD Hobby firing at Tanna 
DD Fletcher firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DMS Hopkins firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit
DMS Trevor firing at 89th Naval Guard Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 89th Naval Guard Unit, at 120,157 (Tanna)
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 62
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 90
      TBF-1 Avenger x 15
 
Allied aircraft losses
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      9 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
		 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Tanna (120,157)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 5100 troops, 49 guns, 66 vehicles, Assault Value = 202
 
Defending force 1112 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31
 
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2
 
Allied adjusted assault: 102 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 1 
 
Allied assault odds: 102 to 1 (fort level 2) 
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Tanna !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)
 experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      165 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Allied ground losses:
      89 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment
    24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
    151st Cmbt Engineer Battalion
    134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
    86th Coast AA Regiment
    97th Field Artillery Battalion
    3/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
 
Defending units:
    89th Naval Guard Unit
	
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Tanna (120,157)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 5075 troops, 50 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 195
 
Defending force 746 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
 
Allied adjusted assault: 128 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 1 
 
Allied assault odds: 128 to 1 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
 supply(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      411 casualties reported
         Squads: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 73 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Units destroyed 1
 
Assaulting units:
    151st Cmbt Engineer Battalion
    102nd Cmbt Engineer Regiment
    24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
    134th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
    97th Field Artillery Battalion
    86th Coast AA Regiment
    3/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
 
Defending units:
    89th Naval Guard Unit

[BBfanboy]

LST: xAK Zannis Cannabis... er, Cambanis collides with xAK Nova Scotia at 30 , 150 on the Perth - CT track. Somehow someone cannot even steer a straight course!

Well, you got your Nova Scotia 'Blue-nosers' who like their rum on one ship and your toker stokers on the other ship, so maybe a bit of both!

[LargeSlowTarget]

January 04/05, 1943

Highlights: No apparent IJN reaction to the Tanna operation

Bases liberated:
Erromango is occupied by the Allies

Enemy ships sunk:
TK Kanze Maru is reported to have been sunk near Kendari on Jan 05, 1943

Japanese SRA:
SS Grampus torpedoed a small tanker near Kendari.
S KXVII torpedoed PB Yamahagi Maru #3 near Cocos Islands

CBI:
Bhamo expands airfield to size 2
SS Trusty lays minefield at Port Blair ( 46 , 58) and sets course for Colombo

Northwestern Australia:
Dutch Mitchells have been night-bombing Broome for some time with little effect, but tonight they managed to destroy a Zero on the ground.

SWPac:
USS Indianapolis torpedoed by SS RO-67 off Milne Bay, luckily only one hit and the cruiser managed to reach Port Moresby.
Five other older USN CAs continued on and bombarded Milne Bay with little effect.
Four USN CLs followed up with a more effective bombardment.


SoPac:
Task Force 309 lays defensive minefield at Tanna ( 120 , 157) and sets course for Noumea
Naval search is scouting the ocean for signs of a Japanese reaction to the Tanna landings but only subs spotted.
A few DMSs escorted by DDs have visited Lakatoro, an island and dot base SW of Luganville, triggering weak air attacks by 3 Betties and 12 Kates, the nimble ships sidestepped the ordnance dropped on them.
Marine air bombed Efate and the five most modern USN CAs bombarded that next stepping stone, causing 300+ casualties.
The amphib shipping is back at Luganville to load engineering and AA assets for Tanna.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      CA Chicago
      CA Louisville
      CA Chester
      CA Northampton
      CA Portland
      DD Reid
      DD Downes
      DD Flusser
      DD Case
      DD Drayton
      DD Dunlap
      DD Gillespie
      DD Grayson
      DD Gwin
      DD Meredith
 
Japanese ground losses:
      73 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
 
Port hits 9
Port supply hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      CL Columbia
      CL Marblehead
      CL Trenton
      CL Concord
      DD Hull
      DD Dewey
      DD MacDonough
      DD Worden
      DD Dale
      DD Monaghan
      DD Aylwin
      DD Farragut
 
Port hits 22
Port supply hits 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Efate at 120,154
 
Allied Ships
      CA Quincy
      CA San Francisco
      CA Minneapolis
      CA Astoria
      CA New Orleans
      DD Lang
      DD Wilson
      DD Sterett
      DD Stack
      DD Ellet
      DD Benham
      DD Hobby
      DD Fletcher
      DMS Hopkins
      DMS Trevor
 
Japanese ground losses:
      312 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Engineers: 5 destroyed, 4 disabled
 
Port hits 47
Port supply hits 7

[LargeSlowTarget]

January 06/07, 1943

Highlights: Naval bombardments as usual

Bases liberated:
Anatom is occupied by the Allies

Enemy ships sunk:
PB Santos Maru is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Jan 06, 1943
SS I-169 is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Jan 06, 1943

CBI:
Heavy sweeps followed by bombing attacks have been directed at 58,44 , near Kalemyo, hitting elements of the Imperial Guard division.

Northern Australia:
Allied ground units are manoeuvring north of Katherine, triggering ground attacks by Lilies escorted by Zeros. Australian P-40s killed one Zero while losing two of their own.

SWPac:
USN CAs return to bombard Milne Bay yet again, sinking a PB on the way.
USN CLs follow-up again, sinking a sub on the way.
2 squadrons of medium bombers add some eggs.
21 Betties and 10 Kates attacked the bombardment runs without effect

SoPac:
Tanna expands airfield to size 1.
Expecting a cap trap over Efate after last turn's bombing runs, Efate is only swept this turn - no opposition encountered.
Reinforcements unload at Tanna under CV cover while USN CAs bombard Efate once more.

Intel:
48th/B Division is located at Boela(80,110)
16th/A Division is located at Guam(106,95)
2nd/B Division is located at Medan(46,76).

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 1,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      PB Santos Maru, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      CA Portland
      CA Northampton
      CA Chester
      CA Louisville
      CA Chicago
      DD Meredith
      DD Gwin
      DD Grayson
      DD Gillespie
      DD Dunlap
      DD Drayton
      DD Case
      DD Flusser
      DD Downes
      DD Reid
 
Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 1,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
Lee, Willis "Ching" crosses the 'T'
CA Chicago engages PB Santos Maru at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
PB Santos Maru sunk by CA Chicago at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk... 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      CA Chicago
      CA Louisville
      CA Chester
      CA Northampton
      CA Portland
      DD Reid
      DD Downes
      DD Flusser
      DD Case
      DD Drayton
      DD Dunlap
      DD Gillespie
      DD Grayson
      DD Gwin
      DD Meredith
 
Japanese ground losses:
      58 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 38
Port supply hits 7 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Efate at 120,154
 
Allied Ships
      CA Quincy
      CA San Francisco
      CA Minneapolis
      CA Astoria
      CA New Orleans
      DD Lang
      DD Wilson
      DD Sterett
      DD Stack
      DD Ellet
      DD Benham
      DD Hobby
      DD Fletcher
      DMS Hopkins
      DMS Trevor
 
Japanese ground losses:
      84 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 3
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      CL Columbia
      CL Marblehead
      CL Trenton
      CL Detroit
      CL Raleigh
      CL Concord
      DD Hull
      DD Dewey
      DD MacDonough
      DD Worden
      DD Dale
      DD Monaghan
      DD Aylwin
      DD Farragut
 
Japanese ground losses:
      22 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 12
Port supply hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Milne Bay  at 101,134
 
Japanese Ships
      SS I-169, hits 20, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      DD Monaghan
      CL Columbia
      CL Trenton
      CL Detroit
      DD Aylwin
      DD Hull
      DD Dewey
      DD MacDonough
      DD Worden
 
SS I-169 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Monaghan
DD Hull attacking submerged sub ....
DD Dewey attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-169 forced to surface!
DD Dewey firing on surfaced sub ....
DD MacDonough firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Worden firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Imperial Guards/C Division, at 58,44 , near Kalemyo
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      Blenheim VD x 16
      Hurricane IIc Trop x 58
      Vengeance I x 48
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
      25 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      16 x Blenheim VD bombing from 10000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
      16 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
               Ground Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       3 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
               Ground Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       4 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
               Ground Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       9 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
               Ground Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       8 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
               Ground Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       4 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
               Ground Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
       4 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
               Ground Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
 
Also attacking Imperial Guards/B Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/C Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/B Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/C Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/B Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/C Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/B Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/C Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/B Division ...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Imperial Guards/B Division, at 58,44 , near Kalemyo
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      Blenheim IV x 16
      Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
      Liberator II x 13
      Vengeance I x 16
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
      23 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      11 x Vengeance I releasing from 2000'
               Ground Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
      16 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
      13 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
               Ground Attack:  8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
       5 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
               Ground Attack:  2 x 500 lb GP Bomb,  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
 
Also attacking Imperial Guards/C Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/B Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/C Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/B Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/C Division ...
Also attacking Imperial Guards/B Division ...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Imperial Guards/B Division, at 58,44 , near Kalemyo
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      P-66 Vanguard x 10
      B-24D Liberator x 10
 
No Allied losses
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
               Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Imperial Guards/C Division, at 58,44 , near Kalemyo
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
 
Allied aircraft
      P-66 Vanguard x 7
      B-24D Liberator x 11
 
No Allied losses
 
Japanese ground losses:
      12 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
               Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

[LargeSlowTarget]

January 08/09, 1943

Highlights: Good day over Salamaua

CBI:
Ledo expands airfield to size 8
Just bombings and ground bombardments. Ground war stalled in Northern Burma but main goal - to attract and occupy sizeable IJA ground forces in Burma - has been achieved.

Northwestern Australia:
Exmouth expands airfield to size 8
Port Hedland expands airfield to size 6

Northern Australia:
Gove expands airfield to size 1 and receives fighters for CAP. Reinforcements will be moved-up for overland march to Darwin. Time-consuming due to terrain but since the Allies still lack fighter strength and quality there is no hurry to capture Darwin.

SWPac:
Milne Bay bombarded by five CAs, then once more by six CLs, slight damage.
CA Louisville torpedoed by sub on the way out, but not in danger of sinking.
Furball over Salamaua, Warhawks and Lightnings clashed with Zeros, Oscars, Tojos and Nicks - 22 enemies downed for 3 own losses.

SoPac:
Efate bombarded by five CAs, slight damage.
Noumea expands airfield to size 8
Noumea expands port to size 6
Tanna expands airfield to size 2

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      CA Chicago
      CA Louisville
      CA Chester
      CA Northampton
      CA Portland
      DD Reid
      DD Downes
      DD Flusser
      DD Case
      DD Drayton
      DD Dunlap
      DD Gillespie
      DD Grayson
      DD Gwin
      DD Meredith
 
Japanese ground losses:
      37 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 5
 
CA Chicago firing at 18th/C Division
CA Louisville firing at 18th/C Division
CA Chester firing at 18th/C Division
CA Northampton firing at 18th/C Division
CA Portland firing at 18th/C Division
DD Reid firing at 18th/C Division
DD Downes firing at 18th/C Division
DD Flusser firing at 18th/C Division
DD Case firing at 18th/C Division
DD Drayton firing at 18th/C Division
DD Dunlap firing at 18th/C Division
DD Gillespie firing at Milne Bay 
DD Grayson firing at Kure 5th SNLF
DD Gwin firing at Milne Bay 
DD Meredith firing at 18th/C Division
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Efate at 120,154
 
Allied Ships
      CA Quincy
      CA San Francisco
      CA Minneapolis
      CA Astoria
      CA New Orleans
      DD Lang
      DD Wilson
      DD Sterett
      DD Stack
      DD Ellet
      DD Benham
      DD Hobby
      DD Fletcher
      DMS Hopkins
      DMS Trevor
 
Japanese ground losses:
      44 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 14
Port supply hits 3
 
CA Quincy firing at Efate 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA San Francisco
CA San Francisco firing at 88th Naval Guard Unit
CA Minneapolis firing at 88th Naval Guard Unit
CA Astoria firing at 88th Naval Guard Unit
CA New Orleans firing at Efate 
DD Lang firing at 88th Naval Guard Unit
DD Wilson firing at 88th Naval Guard Unit
DD Sterett firing at 88th Naval Guard Unit
DD Stack firing at 88th Naval Guard Unit
DD Ellet firing at Efate 
DD Benham firing at 88th Naval Guard Unit
DD Hobby firing at 88th Naval Guard Unit
DD Fletcher firing at Efate 
DMS Hopkins firing at Efate 
DMS Trevor firing at Efate 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      CL Columbia
      CL Marblehead
      CL Trenton
      CL Detroit
      CL Raleigh
      CL Concord
      DD Hull
      DD Dewey
      DD MacDonough
      DD Worden
      DD Dale
      DD Monaghan
      DD Aylwin
      DD Farragut
 
Japanese ground losses:
      9 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 7
 
CL Columbia firing at 18th/C Division
CL Marblehead firing at Milne Bay 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Trenton
CL Trenton firing at 18th/C Division
CL Detroit firing at 18th/C Division
CL Raleigh firing at 18th/C Division
CL Concord firing at 18th/C Division
DD Hull firing at 18th/C Division
DD Dewey firing at Milne Bay 
DD MacDonough firing at Milne Bay 
DD Worden firing at 18th/C Division
DD Dale firing at Milne Bay 
DD Monaghan firing at 18th/C Division
DD Aylwin firing at 18th/C Division
DD Farragut firing at 18th/C Division

[LargeSlowTarget]

January 10/11, 1943

Highlights: KB spotted near Luganville, Akagi torpedoed!

Northwestern Australia:
Spitfires are not doing well against Zero sweeps over Port Hedland - 3 Spits lost. They did better against unescorted Betties - 4 surviving Spits downed 3 and damaged 9 bombers.
Beaufighters launched a low-level attack against a small IJA SAG near Broome, Zeros on CAP splashed two and lost one, no damage to the SAG.

Northern Australia:
Daly Waters expands airfield to size 6

SWPac:
Salamaua air battle part II: P-39s take over sweeping duty and do well - 22 to 7
Milne Bay naval bombarded again by 4 CA and 6 CL. Enemy subs everywhere despite Ansons on ASW, CA Indianapolis torpedoed twice but made it back to PM.
Milne Bay is also ground bombed by numerous Wirraways which have migrated to PM.

SoPac:
KB spotted east of Luganville, SS Seawolf managed to put two fish into Akagi, followed by ammo storage explosions!
Koumac expands airfield to size 4

Intel:
DD Shigure is reported to have been sunk near Noumea on Dec 01, 1942

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ambrym  at 124,151
 
Japanese Ships
      CV Akagi, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire
      BB Kirishima
      CA Mogami
      CS Chitose
      DD Onami
      DD Oboro
      DD Shikinami
      DD Inazuma
 
Allied Ships
      SS Seawolf

SS Seawolf launches 4 torpedoes at CV Akagi 
Ammo storage explosion on CV Akagi
Ammo storage explosion on CV Akagi
Seawolf diving deep ....
DD Oboro attacking submerged sub ....
DD Shikinami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oboro fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[LargeSlowTarget]

January 12/13, 1943

Highlights: US carrier air takes a beating over Lae

Enemy ships sunk:
xAK Kiyoshima Maru is reported to have been sunk by SS Permit near Ominato on Jan 12, 1943
xAKL Kaisho Maru is reported to have been sunk by SS Sturgeon near Muntok on Jan 12, 1943

Northern Australia:
Gove expands airfield to size 2
Japanese air attacks by a handful of Zeros and Lilies

SWPac:
Ill-advised USN carrier raid on Lae, heavy CAP and 50 USN planes lost for a few hits on an AMC. That is unexpected and digs deep into the still-shallow air-frame pools.
Milne Bay bombarded again by the two cruiser SAGs, no ships torpedoed but ASW landed hits on subs.

SoPac:
Tanna expands airfield to size 3

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 42
      Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
      Ki-61-Ia Tony x 11
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 44
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 36
      TBF-1 Avenger x 13
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged
      TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
      AMC Gokoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Japanese ground losses:
      5 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
	  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126
 
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 39
      Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 16
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
      Ki-61-Ia Tony x 10
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 33
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 10
      TBF-1 Avenger x 7
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed
      TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed
 
Japanese ground losses:
      39 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
	  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126
 
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 35
      Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 13
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
      Ki-61-Ia Tony x 9
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 36
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
      AMC Gokoku Maru,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      SC Ch 26, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
Japanese ground losses:
      30 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)

[LargeSlowTarget]

January 14/15, 1943

Highlights: British DA at Lashio defeated

Allied ships lost:
LCT-66 founders in surf at 60, 129 - that is between Port Hedland and Broome. Supply run for the Australian Army advancing on Broome.

Enemy ships sunk:
TK Sanraku Maru is reported to have been sunk by SS Permit near Kushiro on Jan 15, 1943

Japanese SRA:
SS Shark lays minefield near Palembang ( 49 , 90) and sets course for Perth

CBI:
Ground attack supported by air at Lashio, because the 7th Armoured Brigade will withdraw soon - defeated with heavy losses.

Northern Australia:
Allied units on the move near Katherine, the IJA tried a counterattack with infantry against tanks in open terrain - not a good idea!

SWPac:
Allied Ships Bombarding Milne Bay.
Allied Ships Bombarding Milne Bay again.
And again, a USN is being torpedoed by a sub - this time CA Northampton eats a fish. Now I have three cripples sitting at PM.
All Allied bombers in the area are concentrating on Milne Bay as well, even the surving 4Es. Damage per raid is small but surely must accumulate over time.
Port Moresby expands port to size 5

SoPac:
Allied Ships Bombarding Efate.
Luganville night-bombed by a dozen Liberators, Nick on CAP - both sides lost two planes each.
Noumea expands port to size 7
ARD Soerabaja Kv sustains damage while under tow at 132 , 168

Homefront / Rear areas:
Bakersfield expands airfield to size 9
Pendleton expands airfield to size 9
Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard CV Lexington - she's halfway between PH and Amameda with 40 maj float damage

Intel:
xAK Sinsyu Maru is reported to have been sunk near Wenchow on May 12, 1942
DD Hakaze is moving to Truk (112,108).

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 27169 troops, 387 guns, 491 vehicles, Assault Value = 979
 
Defending force 20103 troops, 250 guns, 474 vehicles, Assault Value = 571
 
Allied adjusted assault: 757 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 2134 
 
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3) 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      505 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
      Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 27 (2 destroyed, 25 disabled)
 
Allied ground losses:
      1784 casualties reported
         Squads: 10 destroyed, 203 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
      Vehicles lost 26 (4 destroyed, 22 disabled)
 
Assaulting units:
    7th Armoured Brigade
    5th Chinese/A Corps
    26th Indian Brigade
    2nd British Division
    5th Chinese/B Corps
 
Defending units:
    1st Tank/A Division
    15th Garrison Unit 
    3rd Tank Regiment
    1st Tank/B Division
    1st/B Division
    25th Army
    43rd Const Co 
    18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
    2nd Mortar Battalion
    28th Fld AA Gun Co 
    14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
	
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Ground combat at 76,127 (near Katherine)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 3558 troops, 22 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 114
 
Defending force 954 troops, 6 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 92
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 4 
 
Allied adjusted defense: 47 
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 11 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), supply(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      904 casualties reported
         Squads: 7 destroyed, 84 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
 
Allied ground losses:
      13 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    56th/A Division
 
Defending units:
    632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
    637th Tank Destroyer Battalion

[LargeSlowTarget]

January 16/17, 1943

Highlights: Five new aces in the 49th FG

Allied ships lost:
Loss of SC-630 on Jan 16, 1943 is admitted - sunk by SS I-30 while on ASW duty off Noumea

Japanese SRA:
SS Saury lays minefield near Oosthaven ( 47 , 97) and sets course for Perth.

CBI:
Japanese LRCAP tangeled with Allied sweeps near Kalemyo - 7 Tojos and 5 Warhawks down. The bombers got through and supported a ground DA which added to the attrition of the enemy.

Northern Australia:
Clashes between small numbers of Zeros (0 losses) and Australian Kittyhawks (2 lost) over and near Katherine while B-17s clobber a IJA infantry Bn in the open.

SWPac:
Another hot day over Lae, but this time - losses 26:19. As usual, the P-40 are the bait and victims and the P-38 are the killers. Ki-61-Ia Tony encountered!
The 18th Fighter Group which has been bloodied on Dec 7 41 at PH has arrived at Townsville to prepare for the upcoming invasion of Milne Bay.
Milne Bay bombed but not bombarded for a change.
Big liner xAP President Coolidge torpedoed by a sub near Sydney, but will survive.

SoPac:
Tanna expands airfield to size 4.
Luganville night-bombed again, two Nicks shot-down and one B-24 lost to AA.

Intel:
xAK Kaisyo Maru is reported to have been sunk near Moppo on Nov 17, 1942.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Ground combat at 58,44 (near Kalemyo)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 34595 troops, 508 guns, 638 vehicles, Assault Value = 1236
 
Defending force 9177 troops, 68 guns, 110 vehicles, Assault Value = 325
 
Allied adjusted assault: 748 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 775 
 
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      333 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
      Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 56 (20 destroyed, 36 disabled)
 
Allied ground losses:
      592 casualties reported
         Squads: 4 destroyed, 115 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
         Engineers: 3 destroyed, 19 disabled
      Guns lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)
 
Assaulting units:
    22nd (East African) Brigade
    46th Indian Brigade
    9th Indian Division
    268th Motorised Brigade
    75th IAC Regiment
    26th Indian Division
    21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
    IV Indian Corps
    6th Medium Regiment
    28th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
    XXXIII Indian Corps
    25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
    26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
 
Defending units:
    14th Tank Regiment
    Imperial Guards/B Division
    Imperial Guards/C Division