The swirling melee in the Western Coral Sea continues for a third day! Overnight the Warspite showed up! That was worrisome as I had had no indication it or any other BB's were in the theatre... Thankfully this was a powder puff fight just after the Warspite ran over a lagging IJN DD. Just about every Japanese ship is empty of ammo. I had sailed this TF to where the KB was in order to screen the KB. Looks like it worked!
-----------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 98,140, Range 10,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 5, on fire
BB Yamato
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 2
CL Abukuma
Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Shell hits 3
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 1
DD Farragut
DD Dale, Shell hits 1
DD Aylwin
--------------------------------------
Multiple US sub attacks also occurred, one of which did score on the CL Kuma, sinking her. The CA Aoba also ate a fish but should make it. The Kuma was the worst ship loss of the day, thankfully!
During the morning air strikes, the KB was much better at sending out attack than the previous day. Key points include sinking of the CA San Francisco, 2 fish in the Warspite, and a single torpedo into the Boise.
The KB moved towards Townsend but retreated from surface threats and ended up 7 hexes, not 6 from the port! Very annoying. As such, the port strike did go in in the PM, but the Vals only had 60kg bombs and only the single 800kg Kate bomb penetrated the Yorktown. Oh how the fortunes of war can hinge, one hex closer and I may have been able to bag another 1-2 CVs.... CAP was strong, and I expect it will be very strong tomorrow!!!
-----------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
B5N1 Kate x 4
B5N2 Kate x 49
D3A1 Val x 48
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 7
P-40B Warhawk x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 7
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 12 destroyed, 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
CL Leander
CA Minneapolis
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 5
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 2
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Port Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Port Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Port Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Port Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Port Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Port Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Port Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
Here is the current plot map. As you gentle readers can see, I have decided to retreat the KB. It is low on fuel, minimal surface ammo, and some significant damage to several CVs from various night actions and the first days CV battle. Hard decision here as I feel I have the allied CVs on the ropes, but really worry if I stick around, at least 1 and likely 2-3 of the surface TFs he has out there as sacrifical blockers will catch the KB. I can't afford a night action, as that could spell the end of the KB. If I had tried to hit Townsville again, I give it over 50% chance of a night action, then my CVs may very well retreat again, also the CAP will be enormous. Chances are I would lose a CV or two, and may bag another CV. Not worth the trade... DRAT!
- June 22 1942 Coral Sea CV battle day 3.jpg (463.91 KiB) Viewed 2176 times
