Scen 17 pbem. An attempt to capture New Caledonia.

[PzB74]

Managed to play many turns today, and they've been quite eventful.
Seems like we got a little break now. Mike is probably hoarding resources for another push.

If this had been WitP, I would have ordered my fleet back to Truk and withdrawn most of the air groups in
the Solomons to rest and refit. Within a few months, Woodlark - and then New Guinea and Lunga.

The destruction of 13 different carriers has not played any big role, it is almost impossible
to stop the Allied Juggernaut as soon as Corsairs and Hellcats dominate the skies while B17's and B24's lay
waste to every single base and swarms of submarines threatens the sealanes.

The only opportunity to cause damage takes place as Allied forces invades a remote base that is supported
by surrounding ones, making it possible to bring large forces to bear. The losses Japan then takes are usually
devastating and can only buy time.

The so called 'Death Star' of 1942 with 10 carriers and 500 planes has almost lost its worth only a year later.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/16/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 29,33

Japanese Ships
AP Kumagawa Maru

Allied Ships
SS Scamp


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 28,34

Allied Ships
SS Tautog


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Allied Ships
SS Skate


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
SBD Dauntless x 13
P-38G Lightning x 15

no losses

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Yoshinogawa Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 28,34

Japanese Ships
AP Yamakisan Maru, Shell hits 8

Allied Ships
SS Blackfish, Shell hits 16


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6681 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 11751 troops, 129 guns, 54 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
Men lost 18


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Crocky]

What was that AP doing putting 16 shells into my sub [:-]

Anyway Rossel is secure and Woodlark is under attack need more than I hoped to take it thought I may be able to take him by surprise but John quick reactions have stalled me here .... losses in escorts are crippling and stalling my ability to keep moving forward. A week is needed to resupply and reconstitute my TFs and move forward with the invasion of Woodlark.

The next 7 weeks promise to be very interesting espicially with KB still floating [:)]

[PzB74]

Hm, well I don't think there'll be much respite over the next week or so either.
A surface battle was barely avoided as my ships only engaged a transport at night. Tt was crammed with
800 men who all drowned....

An Allied tf then hammered a few of my empty barges during the day.

A US sub was hit by a depth charge, hopefully enough to send it home.
Seems like the US battleship that was torpedoed has left the scene though.

In hindsight, I could have put a regiment on Rossel Isl - but I'm not sure this would have saved the place.
I had hoped to inflict a defeat on a landing force that arrived there, but as my surface fleet got the hammer I had to revise the plan. Must admit that I didn't expect a landing on Woodlark Isl that soon.

The base forces were just recently shipped in and the last ones actually arrived from Lunga as the first phases of battle unfolded. The only IJA tank regiment in the game was the unit that saved the place. It was dispatched from New Guinea only 10 days ago or so. Had the invasion fleet arrived only one week earlier, Woodlark would probably have been in Allied hands already. Instead it will turn into another disputed 'hot spot' that will gobble up immense amounts of men, supplies and materiel.

I can not allowed US heavy bombers to be based there, they would demolish any base south of Truk.
Moving transports around the Solomons is already hazardously enough as it is.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/17/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 21,29

Allied Ships
SS Grayling


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CL Abukuma
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Suzunami
DD Nowaki
DD Samidare
DD Suzukaze
DD Isonami
DD Shirayuki

Allied Ships
AK Alcona, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 844


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
DD Isonami
CA Kumano
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
SS Peto, Shell hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
SS Raton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
AP Kenshin Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Skate


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
SBD Dauntless x 16

no losses

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Unkai Maru #3, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 24
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
SBD Dauntless x 13
SB2C Helldiver x 18
TBF Avenger x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 22,39


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
SBD Dauntless x 14
P-38G Lightning x 8


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
AG 116, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG 2063, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Boston
CL Mobile
DD Fullam
DD Guest
DD Bennett
DD Hudson
DD Beale


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
AG 2059, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Skate


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

A not great turn - the long awaited surface battle finally materialized at Woodlark Isl.
The opponents were rather evenly mathced: 1 ca + 1 cl in each group + 5 Allied DD's and 7 IJN DD's.
After a good IJN first round, the Allied ships hit back and delivered a nasty 2nd round that kept most of my
ships within range of the carrier bombers when dawn broke [:(]

1 heavy + 1 light cruiser sank in addition to 2 destroyers.
1 US dd went down while several others including a heavy cruiser took damage.

If this wasn't enough; large scale rair aids against Vila and Shortland destroyed 30 ac on the ground.

I thought I had achieved something today though, as a second fast transport group had made a successful run with reinforcements to Woodlark Isl. It turned out that the cursed FT bug left all the troops at home....(

Thunderstorms again next turn - somehow I feel that the bad weather came a little too late.)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/18/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Night Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Shell hits 4
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 8, on fire
DD Hatsuzuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Suzunami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Samidare
DD Suzukaze
DD Isonami
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Boston, Shell hits 2
CL Mobile, Shell hits 2
DD Fullam
DD Guest
DD Bennett, Shell hits 1
DD Hudson, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Beale, Shell hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

(It didn't say that the Jap tf was surprised in this battle, but the allied ships fired
a full round without the IJN ships firing back.)

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsuzuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Suzunami, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Samidare, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Isonami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Boston, Shell hits 1
CL Mobile, Shell hits 4
DD Fullam
DD Guest
DD Bennett, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Beale, Shell hits 5, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
AP Batavia Maru

Allied Ships
SS Raton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 30

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 18
Guns lost 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
9 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 23
B-24D Liberator x 66

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged
G3M Nell x 2 destroyed
G3M Nell x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning x 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator x 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 230

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 57

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
9 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Vila , at 32,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3 damaged
J1N1-C Irving x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11

Airbase hits 10
Runway hits 27

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x B-24J Liberator at 6000 feet
9 x B-24J Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-24J Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 6000 feet
9 x B-24J Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,38


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 25
SBD Dauntless x 37
TBF Avenger x 29


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kumano, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Suzukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,38


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
SBD Dauntless x 16


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,38


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 8
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
SB2C Helldiver x 18
TBF Avenger x 10


Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG 5090
AG 5088, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG 5069
AG 5049, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage
AG 5087, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,38


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
SBD Dauntless x 16
P-38G Lightning x 5


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG 2068, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AG 115, Bomb hits 4, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,38


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 30
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
SBD Dauntless x 34
SB2C Helldiver x 18
TBF Avenger x 35


no losses

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kumano, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,38


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 5


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,29

Allied Ships
SS Grayling


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Not many casualties today....Most air missions were grounded because of the weather.
I was forced to send my fast transport tf back to Woodlark again.

The heavy cruiser Atago almost got torpedoed before the USS Ray was almost sunk by the light cruiser Agano.
Never seen a cl depth charge a sub before.

My troops were landed, apparently just in time because a deliberate attack was conducted right afterwards.
Another bloody island struggle as 19000 Allied troops takes on 20000 IJN troops. Hopefully I don't 'have to' leave until Xmas [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/19/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Agano
CL Sendai
DD Shimotsuki
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
SS Ray


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuzuki, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Raton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18867 troops, 184 guns, 54 vehicles

Defending force 19821 troops, 223 guns, 101 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 301
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 394
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Air attack on Vila , at 32,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3 damaged
J1N1-C Irving x 2 destroyed

B-24J Liberator x 3 damaged

I've noticed before - these are not good results for Tony's. Are they fatigued/low morale/low experiance?
I suppose that most of them (if not all of them) are destroyed on the ground?

thx

[PzB74]

There are no such thing as good air-to-air combat reports for Japan in late 1943 [:(]
My Tony's equip some of my best Daitai's, morale is quite high and exp is between 60-67 in average.
No untrained aircrews at all...

Most of them are destroyed on the ground, so I while I don't loose many pilots, it doesn't really help me either.
The Tony is too lightly armed to shoot down B17's, and is easily outclassed by Hellcats the other new US fighters.

It would have taken 4 Daitai's equipped with experienced George fighters to rip up a 45 plane B24 raid.

[PzB74]

This day will be celebrated as a big victory...in Japan [:D]
The underdog bites back, and what a bite!

Tanaka opens the ball and avenges the humiliating defeat suffered yesterday.
For only light-medium damage on a few IJN destroyers and a light cruiser, a CLAA and 4-5
US dd's are sunk. Betties torpedoes a DMS and a transport later in the day as well.

The really big ball opened as the Kido Butai again sortied in full strength! A week ago the Junyo and 2 light
carriers arrived at Truk and boosted its strength to over 450 trained carrier ac. Quite a few of the fighters have been upgraded to 'Zekes' and 26 new Judys were also available for the raid.

Earlier I mentioned that I had to look for an opening to be able to get at the US cv's that have been causing such
terrible havoc in the area. The sortie was delayed 2 days since weather was found to be unfavourable, but the rain clouds dissappeared today and set the stage. Most of the land based fighters in the area provided LR CAP, as I knew this has been sufficient to prevent US cv's to launch strikes against the KB earlier.

This was also the case today, and a poor troop convoy of Shortland was utterly smashed by Helldivers. Their sacrifice was not in vain though, Nagumo launches several powerful strikes against the offending 3 US cv's and 1 CVL.

In the first raid 88 Zeros escorted 99 dive bombers and over half of the Zeros were destroyed by the 55 strong Hellcat and Corsair CAP. But the bombers got through and started the carnage [8D] I've been carefully mering the remains of my experienced dive bomber squadrons over the last month or so, and this paid off today.

Results of the first strike:
CVL Cabot, Bomb hits 2
CV Intrepid, Bomb hits 10, on fire
DD O'Bannon, Bomb hits 1
CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1

Both the Essex class cv's were riddled with bomb hits.

In the second strike the Hellcats again claimed a lot of Zero's, but the bombers once again got through.
Results of the second strike:
CV Intrepid, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Cabot, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 14, on fire

The Bunker Hill has already been dispatched from the tf with heavy damage, and this time the Intrepid gets a thorough beating. The Cabot and Wasp are also put on fire.

Two small follow up attacks sees another torpedo smack into the Cabot, heavily damaging it.
Only the Wasp is not reported to be crippled, but the 15 bomb hits (mostly small bombs) must have damaged her severly as well.

To make a good day perfect, the pestersome USS Greyling is depth charged and sinks.
Japan lost 170 ac today against a mere 60 US ac, but the KB still operates 350 ac - and the rest of the Allied fleet better RUN, cause there is nothing left that can challenge it!!!

The closest sizeable Allied port is found in Oz, and it's a bloody long way there as they say [;)]
If I'm lucky, all 4 US cv's will sink sink sink sink [:D][:D][:D][:D]

Looks like Rossell Isl took on most of the homeless carrier ac, will take a lot of effort to clean up in that mess.
Almost pitty Mike, but just almost; the havoc he has caused over the last few weeks has been considerable.
If I had lost the battle today, I would have lost control of the entire Solomons chain and New Guinea as well.

The desperate measures paid off and the situation is no longer critical...for Japan anyway [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/21/43

Weather: Overcast

Sub attack at 21,29

Japanese Ships
AP Batavia Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Grayling


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
SS Ray


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 8
CL Agano, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Sendai, Shell hits 2
DD Shimotsuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Asashimo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 2
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 2
DD Ariake
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
CLAA Oakland, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (I've been looking forward to sink this one:)
DD Renshaw, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Conway, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Terry, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mugford, Shell hits 90, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Reid, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Long
DMS Hopkins
DM Gamble, Shell hits 2
MSW Wollongong
MSW Pursuit
MSW Revenge
MSW Swallow
MSW Motive
AK Titania
LST 474
LST 452
LST 455
AK Demodocus
LST 456
LST 461
LST 465
LST 466
AK Blount


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Kiriwina , at 18,37 - This raid didn't achieve much!-)


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 77


no losses

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 39

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
7 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
7 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34 - This raid didn't prevent the Betties from taking off today.

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Boomerang x 13
P-38G Lightning x 29
P-38J Lightning x 20
B-24D Liberator x 50

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 161
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 65

Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 28,34 - One of 2 US cv strikes obliterates an apd...


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 25


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD 34, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 25,38 43 Zeros lost for the cost of 5 Hellcats, this shows how outclassed the Type 0 now is.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
A6M3 Zero x 43
D3A Val x 76
D4Y Judy x 23

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 41
F4U-1 Corsair x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 24 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 19 destroyed
D3A Val x 12 destroyed
D3A Val x 25 damaged
D4Y Judy x 3 destroyed
D4Y Judy x 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat x 5 destroyed
F6F Hellcat x 2 damaged

LTJG I.Sanders of VF-42 is credited with kill number 5

LCDR B.Takagi of F2/1st Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
CVL Cabot, Bomb hits 2
CV Intrepid, Bomb hits 10, on fire
DD O'Bannon, Bomb hits 1
CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
G3M Nell x 5
G4M1 Betty x 19
G4M2 Betty x 19
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 15 damaged
G4M2 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M2 Betty x 17 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4 destroyed


ENS E.Jeffries of VF-6 is credited with kill number 9

Allied Ships
DMS Hopkins, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Renshaw, on fire
AK Blount, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Titania
DM Gamble
AK Demodocus
LST 461


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 31

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M2 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Shortland Island at 29,34 - A nasty attack, but at least they didn't hit the KB!


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 20
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 27


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Sasago Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tatsuho Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryuosan Maru, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mikage Maru #2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mikage Maru #20
AP Toei Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Takuei Maru

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 433
Guns lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 25,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
A6M3 Zero x 51
A6M5 Zeke x 8
D3A Val x 50
D4Y Judy x 17
B5N Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 12 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 20 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M5 Zeke x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 damaged
D4Y Judy x 1 destroyed
D4Y Judy x 2 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat x 6 destroyed
F6F Hellcat x 6 damaged

LCDR B.Carey of VF-42 is credited with kill number 11

Allied Ships
CV Intrepid, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Cabot, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 14, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 25,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M5 Zeke x 5
B5N Kate x 27

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 3 destroyed
B5N Kate x 24 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat x 1 destroyed
F6F Hellcat x 1 damaged

LCDR B.Carey of VF-42 is credited with kill number 12

Allied Ships
CVL Cabot, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, on fire
CV Intrepid, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 25,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
D3A Val x 14

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,29


LTJG G.Fisher of VF-11 is credited with kill number 3
Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze
DD Minegumo
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
SS Grayling, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Ahh, yes the pest sank!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bia

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1055 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Bia base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island
Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15902 troops, 183 guns, 12 vehicles - Guess who's going to be left to fend for themselves for a while [:)]

Defending force 20757 troops, 222 guns, 101 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Crocky]

[&o]



[:'(]

[PzB74]

This turn saw how the burning US carriers were hammered into the Pacific ocean...only the Bunker Hill was
not reported sunk. No opposition were encountered, and even Sally's and Helen's took part in the coup de grace and placed several 250kg bombs in the stationary hulks!

Even the Nicks reappeared on the scene and strafed the convoy still unloading at Woodlark Isl.
The KB will now be released to cause what havoc and chaos it can!

Must admit that this latest string of successes came as a surprise to me! This has been an outstanding game where the advantage has gone from one side to the other and back. Must admire the way Mike handled the latest setbacks, I had become rather sulky if I lost my entire fleet [;)] We've been playing this game for almost a year and a half now, and I'm quite certain that the last 5 weeks of it will be just as interesting as the others!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/22/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
SS Raton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
AP Tosei Maru

Allied Ships
SS Skate


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Kiriwina , at 18,37


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 71


no losses

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 89

Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
7 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
8 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 27,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 23
A6M3 Zero x 16
A6M5 Zeke x 9
D3A Val x 46
D4Y Judy x 14
B5N Kate x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Cabot, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Intrepid, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 27,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3 Zero x 8
A6M5 Zeke x 6
D3A Val x 13
B5N Kate x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CVL Cabot, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Intrepid, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 27,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 20
D3A Val x 16
B5N Kate x 9
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8
Ki-21 Sally x 30

no losses

Allied Ships
CV Intrepid, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Cabot, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
1 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 27,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 23
A6M3 Zero x 28
A6M5 Zeke x 5
D3A Val x 60
D4Y Judy x 12

no losses

Allied Ships
CV Intrepid, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Cabot, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 27,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 24
A6M5 Zeke x 4
D3A Val x 15
B5N Kate x 8

no losses

Allied Ships
CVL Cabot, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, on fire, heavy damage
CV Intrepid, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 27,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M5 Zeke x 5
B5N Kate x 5

no losses

Allied Ships
CV Intrepid, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 27,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8
Ki-21 Sally x 27

no losses

Allied Ships
CV Intrepid, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Cabot, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
1 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
1 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 27,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-49 Helen x 13

no losses

Allied Ships
CVL Cabot, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Intrepid, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 6000 feet
1 x Ki-49 Helen at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DMS Long, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
AK Titania, Bomb hits 1
LST 466, Shell hits 8
DM Gamble
LST 474


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 52
Vehicles lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23182 troops, 183 guns, 151 vehicles

Defending force 21462 troops, 222 guns, 101 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 268
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 218


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Crocky]

No use crying about it my friend they are gone [:(] time to move on

Must admit I was not happy (understatement)

Rossel must have been clouded in [:@] I had Rossel Island set to LR Cap thought if I could get em there may have been able to save a few ... [8|]

Still considering all carriers were lost before I took game over ..... and with 5 weeks left I took a risk I shouldnt have and a couple of superb bits of magic by John ( counterattack at Irau ) and husbanding his carriers and AF for the decisive strike ..... Shit I got my arse kicked [:D]

Maybe now I should sulk

[Alikchi2]

Results like this in November 43? As Japan?
You're either a god or very lucky [X(]

[herbieh]

Congrats to both of you for a magnificent game. Inspiration to any Japanese player, and a classic example of why regardless you should never abandon this game in the face of bad results, it always offers up enjoyment at any time!

Im in awe

Hope my WITP PBEM opponents are as persistant as you crocky, you are a champion taking up the odds you have battled against.
And PZB, you're a legend
[&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]

[PzB74]

Well thank you gentlemen, but the game is not over yet - and I'm pretty sure Mike is going to do his outmost to
make life as uncomfortable as possible during the last month of game play...!

It should be remembered that scen 17 starts before Midway historically took place, saving 4 IJN cv's.
When Mike took over I had just sunk 3-4 US cv's and damaged the rest - an opposite Midway in fact. The KB has remained a potent
force throughout the campaign, and the Gods of war often favors the side with the biggest hammer....

You're right Herbie, only by playing the game to the very end is it possible to get the most out of it [:)]
Must have been one of the best moments ever when the 4 US cv's were hammered! I was in a good mood the entire day [:D]
Sincerely think Mike had deserved a few more moments of glory, but I'm sure he'll get his shot in - eventually!

From reliable sources I heard that the Bunker Hill was scuttled today [:)]
A dozen allied tf's are not scattering away from the KB, but the troops at Woodlark keeps on attacking like nothing's ever happened.
Hope the defenders will prevail this time, but I have my doubts.

My entire supply system has been left in shambles by the US cv strikes, and my airports and ports are taking a heavy pounding from the air daily.
Not sure it will be possible to put all the pieces back together, so I'll just have to improvise as best I can over the next few weeks.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/23/43

Weather: Clear

Air attack on Rossel Island , at 25,44

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 28

Allied aircraft

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 22
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12

Attacking Level Bombers:
18 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
10 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
MSW Tama Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Raton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 28,34

Allied Ships
SS Tautog


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 24
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
SBD Dauntless x 15
P-38G Lightning x 18

no losses

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Mikage Maru #20, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 119
Guns lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 3 damaged

Allied Ships
LST 461, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LST 452, Shell hits 4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23026 troops, 183 guns, 151 vehicles

Defending force 22722 troops, 229 guns, 108 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 364

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 192
Guns lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Bad weather grounded most ac today, but Tanaka visited Rossel Isl.
One of the IJN dd's hit a mine - Jap mine - and was severely damaged, but a transport
with 1000 men and a tanker were sunk.

I will attach a picture of the situation in the Coral Sea where the KB now has been released.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/24/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 24,38

Allied Ships
SS Corvina


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
AG 2050, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Skate


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 25,44

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Agano
CL Sendai
DD Yukikaze
DD Minegumo
DD Ariake
DD Hatakaze, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AK Grumium, Shell hits 41, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 931
Vehicles lost 8


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 25,44

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Agano
CL Sendai
DD Yukikaze
DD Minegumo
DD Ariake
DD Hatakaze, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
TK Suamico, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Allied Ships
SS Skate


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

The KB launches a dozen strikes against a huge transport tf containing a ca, cl and several destroyers and transports.
The heavy cruiser Boston is all but finished while the light cruiser Mobile takes several bomb hits - so does 2 transports.
Flak is heavy and I loose quite a few ac and I do wonder how these same guys managed to sink 4 carriers a few days ago [:'(]

3 tankers in another tf are also hit, one sinks right away while the others are left burning.

The Allied attackers at Woodlark are now outnumbered and starts suffering larger casualties than the defenders.
Right now everything is rosy red for the Japanese Empire as the tactical initiative once again rests firmly with the KB.
This is a very contemporary state though, so I'll enjoy it for as long as I can.

Rossell Isl and Wooldark will be blocaded for as long as possible. Medium bombers will try to destroy supplies and hit the airfield at Rossel Isl while the remaining surface ships will reinforce the garrison at Woodlark Isl. The KB will remain out of range of LBA - and should therefore be somewhat safe. Even tough the number of bombers have been reduced, there are still 200 Zero fighters left that should be able to fend of smaller scale attacks.

The supply situation at several bases are still critical though, and small transports, barges and transport ac are trying to bring in the most essential.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/25/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 18,37


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 50


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 79

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 8th Naval Garrison Unit, at 18,37


Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 37


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 17

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
8 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
8 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
9 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 34,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3 Zero x 28
A6M5 Zeke x 10
D3A Val x 26
D4Y Judy x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 8 destroyed
D3A Val x 10 damaged
D4Y Judy x 1 destroyed
D4Y Judy x 10 damaged

Allied Ships
AK De Grasse, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Boston
CL Mobile, Bomb hits 4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 34,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
A6M3 Zero x 8
A6M5 Zeke x 5
D3A Val x 36
A6M5-B Zeke x 4
B5N Kate x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 14 damaged
A6M5-B Zeke x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Mobile, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 4, on fire
AP Sumter
CA Boston, Bomb hits 5, heavy damage
DD Wadsworth


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 34,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 10
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 7
B5N Kate x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 10 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Mobile, on fire
DD Fullam
DD Kidd


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 34,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 9 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Sumter, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Boston, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,52

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 11 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Chepachet, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Kurumba, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
TK Cossatot


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
D3A Val x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Chepachet, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 17
A6M3 Zero x 18
A6M5 Zeke x 10
D3A Val x 17
D4Y Judy x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 3 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Cossatot, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 11
A6M5-B Zeke x 3

no losses

Allied Ships
TK Cossatot, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 13
A6M5 Zeke x 4
B5N Kate x 6

no losses

Allied Ships
TK Cossatot, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 37,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 7

no losses

Allied Ships
TK Kurumba, Bomb hits 2, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22861 troops, 180 guns, 151 vehicles

Defending force 23548 troops, 227 guns, 108 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)



LTJG S.Allison of VF-11 is credited with kill number 6
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 217
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 292


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

The butchers bill grows as the KB and the IJA takes advantage of the Allied lack of aircover.
The only US success today was the sinking of the damaged destroyer Hatakaze.

Level bombers destroyed 10 Dauntlesses at Rossell Isl in a night attack while Tanaka avenged the loss of the Hatakaze by sinking 2 destroyers and 4 transports in the same place. Almost 1100 men went down with one of the ships.
(I've actually managed to put the Lily's to good use, amazing [:)])

The KB continues its harassment of the retreating convoy it started attacking yesterday.
The heavy cruiser Boston is nowhere to be seen, and the light cruiser Mobile was sunk today. Another 3 transports were severely damaged. Will there be any survivors at all?

A deliberate attack at Woodlark Isl see both sides taking heavy casualties, but the Allies are getting the worse of it as
a steady stream of Jap reinforcements reaches the island.

Most of the potential targets in the Coral Sea will soon be either sunk or safely anchored in some Allied port, then the KB will be stationed out of reach of LBA and blokade Rennell Isl as long as it got fuel.

Will Mike receive enough reinforcements to break the blokade?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/26/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
DD Hatakaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Skate


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rossel Island , at 25,44

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 28

Allied aircraft

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 10 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 9 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 106

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16

Attacking Level Bombers:
14 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
14 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 25,44

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Agano
CL Sendai
DD Yukikaze
DD Minegumo
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
DD Renshaw, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
DD Reid, Shell hits 2, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 25,44

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Agano
CL Sendai, Shell hits 1
DD Yukikaze
DD Minegumo
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
AK Draco, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
AK Kenmore, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Appanoose, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AK Brevard


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 25,44

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Agano
CL Sendai
DD Yukikaze
DD Minegumo
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
AK Amador, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 1095
Vehicles lost 21


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 23,38

Allied Ships
SS S-42


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,54

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3 Zero x 24
A6M5 Zeke x 13
D3A Val x 44
B5N Kate x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged
B5N Kate x 6 damaged

Allied Ships
LSD Carter Hall
CL Mobile, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP George Clymer, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Ara, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wayne, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,54

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
A6M3 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 10
D4Y Judy x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged
D4Y Judy x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Mobile, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wayne, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,54

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 16
D3A Val x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP George Clymer, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Mobile, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,54

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 4
B5N Kate x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Mobile, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
LSD Carter Hall


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22592 troops, 180 guns, 151 vehicles

Defending force 25211 troops, 253 guns, 108 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 500
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 602


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

A few quiet days without too many turns as the Allied high command orders a crisis meeting to discuss the unfavorable situation in the South West Pacific!-)

US subs - as so often before - dishes out what hurt they can. A destroyer is sunk and the cl Sendai takes 2 torps from 2 different subs in the same day [:'(] A mere 39 sys damage + 40 flood and a few fires..so she won't sink, but she's out of the game.

The KB finishes of the convoy it has been working on over the last few days. The seas are not void of Allied ships, and the KB takes up patroling Coral Sea to make sure it remains so. The threat of enemy subs are so great that the fleet is better off out at sea since all ports and their approaches are crawling with mines and little pests.

Tanaka bombards Rossell Isl, blowing up supplies and ac that are dispersed all around the islands airfields.
A transport is also found and dispatched of.

At Woodlark Isl there's still a deadlock...how long until the Allied forces run out of steam - and supplies?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/27/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
AG 2049, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Ray

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 15
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 25,44

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Agano
CL Sendai
DD Yukikaze
DD Minegumo
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
AK Kenmore, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 28,34

Allied Ships
SS Tautog


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Rossel Island, at 25,44


Allied aircraft


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
F6F Hellcat x 3 destroyed
F6F Hellcat x 13 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair x 8 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 103
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 71


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 27,40

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Argonaut - first time this pest has ever torpedoed anything that I own.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,29

Japanese Ships
DD Yayoi, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Bonefish


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Allied Ships
SS Skate


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Skate


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 39,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 7
A6M5 Zeke x 13
D3A Val x 46
B5N Kate x 13

no losses

Allied Ships
AP Wayne, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP George Clymer, Bomb hits 18, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 39,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 8
D4Y Judy x 13

no losses

Allied Ships
AP George Clymer, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ara, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 39,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M3 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 9
B5N Kate x 9

no losses

Allied Ships
AP George Clymer, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wayne, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ara, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 39,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
D3A Val x 8

no losses

Allied Ships
AP George Clymer, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 39,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 7

no losses

Allied Ships
AP George Clymer, on fire, heavy damage


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Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22158 troops, 180 guns, 151 vehicles

Defending force 27231 troops, 302 guns, 108 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 474
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 451
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

The war continues after a short break!

Heavy airstrikes shatters a supply convoy at Woodlark while another one harasses Tanakas'
fast transport group. The KB sinks to damaged transports.

A desperate shock attack at Woodlark Isl is repulsed with heavy casualties.
Total war has indeed been declared!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/28/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Rossel Island , at 25,44

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 22

Allied aircraft

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 61

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 24,38

Allied Ships
SS Corvina


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Air attack on Vila , at 32,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 27
B-24J Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2 damaged
Ki-21 Sally x 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
B-24J Liberator x 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-24J Liberator at 4000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 4000 feet
6 x B-24J Liberator at 4000 feet
6 x B-24J Liberator at 4000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 4000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 4000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 4000 feet
6 x B-24J Liberator at 4000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 40
A6M5 Zeke x 12
D3A Val x 44
D4Y Judy x 17
B5N Kate x 26

no losses

Allied Ships
AP Sumter, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK De Grasse, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 14
D3A Val x 19

no losses

Allied Ships
AP Sumter, on fire, heavy damage
AK De Grasse, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 10
D3A Val x 10

no losses

Allied Ships
AK De Grasse, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Vila at 32,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 22
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-24J Liberator x 6

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC x 1 destroyed
Beaufighter VIC x 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 5 damaged
B-24J Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 28, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Agano, Shell hits 16
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 12, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-24J Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
2 x B-24J Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 18

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 26
F4U-1 Corsair x 21
SBD Dauntless x 16
TBF Avenger x 24
P-38G Lightning x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

LT F. Blair of VF-6 is credited with kill number 11

Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AP Atlantic Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakusan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Isonami, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yamakisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Sanko Maru
AP Hakka Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Kinugasa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Woodlark Island at 22,39


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 22


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Yamakisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Isonami, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakka Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sanko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M3 Zero x 47
A6M5 Zeke x 8
D3A Val x 54
D4Y Judy x 15
B5N Kate x 17

no losses

Allied Ships
AP Sumter, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 5
B5N Kate x 9

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
D3A Val x 19

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 21851 troops, 179 guns, 151 vehicles

Defending force 26819 troops, 299 guns, 108 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1)



1LT K.Higashiyama of 59th Sentai is credited with kill number 2

1LT T.Dionne of 7th FS bails out and is RESCUED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 262
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 1081
Vehicles lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Almost december - have started a night bombing campaign against Rossel Isl.
US losses include 6 C47's, a clear indication that supplies are being airlifted.
Probably needed both at Woodlard as well as on Rossell.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/29/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
ML Hirashima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Skate

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 29
Vehicles lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rossel Island , at 25,44

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 9

Allied aircraft

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 9

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x Ki-48 Lily at 5000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rossel Island , at 25,44

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 7
G4M1 Betty x 13
G4M2 Betty x 3
Ki-48 Lily x 33

Allied aircraft

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged
F6F Hellcat x 2 destroyed
F6F Hellcat x 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 123
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M2 Betty at 6000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
7 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 7000 feet
15 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet
18 x Ki-48 Lily at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21000 troops, 177 guns, 148 vehicles

Defending force 26593 troops, 296 guns, 108 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)



WCDR O. Hall of No. 34 Sqn RAAF bails out and is RESCUED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 264
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 208
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------