The Hawke vs The Condor - Sc 17
RE: The defense of Townsville
Yes. Townsville and Charter Towers is being defended admirably.
Col Saito: "Don't speak to me of rules! This is war! It is not a game of cricket!"
RE: The defense of Townsville
I wasn't sure about your question but if you are referring to my comment on flying them in, I was talking about using the transports from Brisbine to ferry troops into
Charter Towers.
Charter Towers.
Col Saito: "Don't speak to me of rules! This is war! It is not a game of cricket!"
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neuromancer
- Posts: 630
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RE: 1st Coral Sea
ORIGINAL: Drex
It could have been worse but now the allied CVs have many less planes to defend and counterattack. this could be the end of the allied CVs.
Does anyone actually ever expect Lex and York to survive the first couple months?
[:'(]
This is one of the best showings I've seen for those two, decent damage to the enemy (hits on... what, 3 fleet carriers, and 1 light carrier) with no damage in return. Both air groups have been operating and are thus probably similarly tired.
True, there are so many fewer US aircraft, so Lady Lex and Yorktown may well do some more damage before being gutted and sank. Looks like he wisely got out of Dodge though.
CA Takao, Shell hits 2
CA Atago, Shell hits 6
CA Maya, Shell hits 7
CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1
CA Ashigara
CL Jintsu
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Urakaze
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Ayanami
DD Yugiri
DD Akebono
Allied Ships
DD Wilkes, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
DD Blue, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Worden, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Those 4 DDs gave a pretty good fight for being so badly outgunned.
putting a torpedo into the IJN battleship Kirishima
Guess Washington will have to find another BB to sink.
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Shadow of the Condor
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RE: Cards on the table...
Hi all - thanks for the great comments! I do enjoy "fleshing out" the AARs here, and glad others don't find them too boring. [:D]
Now then, a bit of bad news. LordHawke will be away and won't get a turn back to me until Friday.
And as to the defense of Townsville and Charter Towers - here's the plan I have been following.
Stage one - Get the New Guinea force to Townsville (beginning day one of the game). I manged to do that. With the exception of Kanga force, the entire division is defending Townsville.
Stage one alpha - Get the 7th Australian Infantry division to Noumea to deny Noumea to Hawke. This was also initiated on day one, and accomplished in about ten days (IIRC).
Stage one beta - Get the US carriers out of the theater and back to PH for the AA upgrade. This was also done on day one. I really hesitated before pressing the TURN COMPLETE icon on this one, since there was no going back. I debated whether or not to land base the air wings, but decided against it for fear of the carriers being stuck at PH with no aircraft (this happened to me vs. Quark). So the entire CV TF went back to PH. I learned to keep the TFs together as much as possible.
Stage one charlie - evacuate Luganville with the four DMS ships at Noumea in a FT role. The BF went to Koumac. I left Efate alone, hoping to draw Hawke into Luganville. He did take it, but left just as quick. He also tried for Efate, but met a detachment of the Americal division. If he could have taken Efate as well, he might have held Luganville and tried to weather the storm.
Stage one delta - pull the subs back to defend Oz.
Stage one echo - evacuate Cooktown and Cairns and move the units there to Townsville (one BF went to Charter Towers).
All of the "stage one" actions were started on day one.
Stage two involved getting everything afloat (with the exception of the PG and SC class of ship) back to PH as soon as possible. I debated whether or not to try and drain Cooktown and Cairns with tankers, but didn't think I had enough time to do so without risking the tankers. I didn't need AKs or APs (the OZ transport forces went to PH after they delivered the 7th to Noumea) and they would be nothing more than targets. By keeping my forces in Oz and on New Caledonia (with the exception of the BF af EPV, AKs to supply the troops were unnecessary.
Stage three - defending against the whirlwind - and Hawke unleashed it. I actually hoped Townsville would be the target. Townsville seems to be the target of choice for the IJN player with its proximity to Cairns and Cooktown. With the northern bases in IJN hands, bombardment runs into Townsville become very easy. But the reason I feel more comfortable defending Townsville is the Reef and its natural chokepoints along with the base's proximity to Charter Towers and Rockhampton. So here we are.
Townsville is defended by the New Guinea division, as well as two brigades of the 3rd Australian Infantry division. They flew in via C47 (Operation Arc Light). Once the heavy guns have been flown in, then the PBYs fly the remainder of the support forces in brigade while the C47s move on to the next brigade. The 15th Infantry Brigade of the 3rd division is flying to Charter Towers (they're about half there, so more troops will show up as defenders tomorrow [:)] ) and helping Kanga Force.
Kudos to Hawke for closing Charter Towers. With only the one EAB unit in Cooktown at the start of the game, I can't have bulldozers at both bases at once.
And I read something earlier in the UV forum about how the P-39Ds and P-400s were good for barge hunting and that's about it. I respectfully disagree. By strafing the ships, even the .303 caliber machine guns punch through the belt armor of IJN APs. The .50 caliber guns can put holes in a destroyer, and I have even seen the 37mm cannons punch through the tower armor of an IJN CA. All of the holes in the armor start to add up after a ship has been strafed two or three times...
In the game defending Oz I count it as a successful operation if I can get as many forces to the target area as possible. Early on, that would be three divisions (New Guinea, the 3rd and the 7th), but with one division sent to Noumea, having two of the three divisions there was the best I could do.
(Of course, with this effort shown by Hawke in trying for Townsville, do I need two divisions defending Noumea?)
The 7th arrives back in Brisbane on the next turn (being a C47 pilot in my force means you won't have to worry about what to do with any free time. [;)]). They are my "fire bridage" and should Hawke fed more troops into the attack on Townsville (gee, you think? [8|] ) I can respond.
I'm not worried about Noumea much anymore, as the Marines are on the horizon. The first brigade of the 41st Division is also not too far away from Brisbane.
And so far, the luckiest move of the game was when Hawke's search planes failed to report my CV TF (actually four carriers - Lex, Yorktown, Enterprise, and Hornet) only 30 miles away from his.
Hawke's last e-mail started off with "just how the heck did you get FIVE brigades into Townsville so fast??" and now he knows, as do you all. [:)]
Thanks again for the comments so far, and hope to see more of them as we continue in a couple of days. {:)]
Now then, a bit of bad news. LordHawke will be away and won't get a turn back to me until Friday.
And as to the defense of Townsville and Charter Towers - here's the plan I have been following.
Stage one - Get the New Guinea force to Townsville (beginning day one of the game). I manged to do that. With the exception of Kanga force, the entire division is defending Townsville.
Stage one alpha - Get the 7th Australian Infantry division to Noumea to deny Noumea to Hawke. This was also initiated on day one, and accomplished in about ten days (IIRC).
Stage one beta - Get the US carriers out of the theater and back to PH for the AA upgrade. This was also done on day one. I really hesitated before pressing the TURN COMPLETE icon on this one, since there was no going back. I debated whether or not to land base the air wings, but decided against it for fear of the carriers being stuck at PH with no aircraft (this happened to me vs. Quark). So the entire CV TF went back to PH. I learned to keep the TFs together as much as possible.
Stage one charlie - evacuate Luganville with the four DMS ships at Noumea in a FT role. The BF went to Koumac. I left Efate alone, hoping to draw Hawke into Luganville. He did take it, but left just as quick. He also tried for Efate, but met a detachment of the Americal division. If he could have taken Efate as well, he might have held Luganville and tried to weather the storm.
Stage one delta - pull the subs back to defend Oz.
Stage one echo - evacuate Cooktown and Cairns and move the units there to Townsville (one BF went to Charter Towers).
All of the "stage one" actions were started on day one.
Stage two involved getting everything afloat (with the exception of the PG and SC class of ship) back to PH as soon as possible. I debated whether or not to try and drain Cooktown and Cairns with tankers, but didn't think I had enough time to do so without risking the tankers. I didn't need AKs or APs (the OZ transport forces went to PH after they delivered the 7th to Noumea) and they would be nothing more than targets. By keeping my forces in Oz and on New Caledonia (with the exception of the BF af EPV, AKs to supply the troops were unnecessary.
Stage three - defending against the whirlwind - and Hawke unleashed it. I actually hoped Townsville would be the target. Townsville seems to be the target of choice for the IJN player with its proximity to Cairns and Cooktown. With the northern bases in IJN hands, bombardment runs into Townsville become very easy. But the reason I feel more comfortable defending Townsville is the Reef and its natural chokepoints along with the base's proximity to Charter Towers and Rockhampton. So here we are.
Townsville is defended by the New Guinea division, as well as two brigades of the 3rd Australian Infantry division. They flew in via C47 (Operation Arc Light). Once the heavy guns have been flown in, then the PBYs fly the remainder of the support forces in brigade while the C47s move on to the next brigade. The 15th Infantry Brigade of the 3rd division is flying to Charter Towers (they're about half there, so more troops will show up as defenders tomorrow [:)] ) and helping Kanga Force.
Kudos to Hawke for closing Charter Towers. With only the one EAB unit in Cooktown at the start of the game, I can't have bulldozers at both bases at once.
And I read something earlier in the UV forum about how the P-39Ds and P-400s were good for barge hunting and that's about it. I respectfully disagree. By strafing the ships, even the .303 caliber machine guns punch through the belt armor of IJN APs. The .50 caliber guns can put holes in a destroyer, and I have even seen the 37mm cannons punch through the tower armor of an IJN CA. All of the holes in the armor start to add up after a ship has been strafed two or three times...
In the game defending Oz I count it as a successful operation if I can get as many forces to the target area as possible. Early on, that would be three divisions (New Guinea, the 3rd and the 7th), but with one division sent to Noumea, having two of the three divisions there was the best I could do.
(Of course, with this effort shown by Hawke in trying for Townsville, do I need two divisions defending Noumea?)
The 7th arrives back in Brisbane on the next turn (being a C47 pilot in my force means you won't have to worry about what to do with any free time. [;)]). They are my "fire bridage" and should Hawke fed more troops into the attack on Townsville (gee, you think? [8|] ) I can respond.
I'm not worried about Noumea much anymore, as the Marines are on the horizon. The first brigade of the 41st Division is also not too far away from Brisbane.
And so far, the luckiest move of the game was when Hawke's search planes failed to report my CV TF (actually four carriers - Lex, Yorktown, Enterprise, and Hornet) only 30 miles away from his.
Hawke's last e-mail started off with "just how the heck did you get FIVE brigades into Townsville so fast??" and now he knows, as do you all. [:)]
Thanks again for the comments so far, and hope to see more of them as we continue in a couple of days. {:)]
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
RE: Cards on the table...
Now i know why I cheated and went for Brisbane or bust 
I think I would have come unstuck with the traditional attack against Townsville - if memory serves you had 5 at Townsville then too.
I think I would have come unstuck with the traditional attack against Townsville - if memory serves you had 5 at Townsville then too. [center]
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RE: Cards on the table...
Condor,
I guess Hawke wasn't reading our last AAR when you got 4 extra brigades into TV to stop me.[:D]
Good defense.
And great job not losing all your CVs[:D][:D]
Quark
I guess Hawke wasn't reading our last AAR when you got 4 extra brigades into TV to stop me.[:D]
Good defense.
And great job not losing all your CVs[:D][:D]
Quark
RE: Cards on the table...
I'm sure learning a lot from this read. I wish I could sneak within 30 miles of my opponent though. How do you learn to do that?
Col Saito: "Don't speak to me of rules! This is war! It is not a game of cricket!"
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neuromancer
- Posts: 630
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Canada
RE: Cards on the table...
ORIGINAL: Drex
I'm sure learning a lot from this read. I wish I could sneak within 30 miles of my opponent though. How do you learn to do that?
Luck is a big factor getting that close. But moving slow (only a few hexes a turn) also seems to make a big difference. I think the size of the TF also makes a difference.
Realistically a ship is a pretty small grey spot on the big sea, but a fast moving ship will leave a big white wake behind it, and spew more smoke out that can be seen for a long distance. The more ships, the more likely at least one will be seen.
RE: Cards on the table...
I think luck is the major factor with quantity of recon being important. If the opponent has 100 bombers on naval search, he's going to see a single barge.
Col Saito: "Don't speak to me of rules! This is war! It is not a game of cricket!"
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neuromancer
- Posts: 630
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Canada
RE: Cards on the table...
True, quantity of recon will have an influence.
But I've had Hawke sneak a major fleet up on Noumea with only a vague warning that something was there (the barest fraction of what was actually coming)!
But I've had Hawke sneak a major fleet up on Noumea with only a vague warning that something was there (the barest fraction of what was actually coming)!
RE: Cards on the table...
Your right I have snuck up on Noumea also but my opponent didn't have his recon in place so it was luck. There is a path through the Coral Sea that one can take but if pickets are out too bad.
Col Saito: "Don't speak to me of rules! This is war! It is not a game of cricket!"
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Shadow of the Condor
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- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
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RE: The Hawke vs The Condor - Sc 17
4 Jul 42
Wx: Rain
0212L…30 miles SE of Cooktown…onboard submarine S-37…
The crew had been sweating it out while the submarine had been submerged all day. Cooktown was being used as the supply base for the IJN ships bombarding Townsville. Just over an hour ago, Commander Reynolds had surfaced his boat for the briefest of periods…but the fresh night air that flooded throughout the innards of the sub was welcome indeed. The sub was back below the waves again, but this time, they weren’t hiding on the bottom. They were seeking out a target, and they had plenty to choose from. The base was visited by battleships every night, but reports that tankers were also in the area sounded more promising. Of course, there were still transports in the area, and Commander Reynolds’ little S-boat had one in its sights right now…
0400L…onboard the minelayer Montgomery…at sea…
The crew could hardly believe their luck…two days ago they were caught flat footed in the middle of two enemy carrier forces. All they could do was dump their mines and try to head for home. The fortunate intervention of Spruance’s carriers had staved off their certain destruction. Right now, they were on their way to Brisbane, and they would have a day with hot showers, and dry land under their feet.
The explosion changed their perceptions about their survival in an instant…
1700L…Townsville COIC…plotting room…
Major Jefferies contemplated the situation. The enemy attack on Townsville played hell with their flight operations, but the ground forces were defending the base well. Charter Towers had an easier time getting planes off the ground, but their ground forces were not as numerous as Townsville’s. Intelligence estimated the defenders were outnumbered there by at least two to one. Brisbane was still flying troops into Charter Towers, but the fortifications were starting to fall. Two full divisions and various support units were now fully involved with the defense to the two Australian bases.
The submarines were taking a toll on the invader’s navy, but attacks against the IJN combat ships were almost all unsuccessful. A report of an IJN troop ship being sunk near Cooktown raised everyone’s spirits a little, but the bombardment of the base continued daily.
A report from Brisbane that a Seagull scout plane had spotted, attacked, and hit an IJN submarine inside the harbor was also welcome news. Spruance had run his carriers to Brisbane, and the race was on to get replacement planes and pilots on the ships to make them an effective weapon again. More troop ships were also inbound to Brisbane, and that made Brisbane very important for the next few days.
More explosions were heard in the distance as the ground attack continued. Instinctively, Jefferies' ducked and just as quickly straightened up. He glanced to the corner of the room where ten Springfield 03 rifles were stacked. He wondered if he still remembered how to fire one of those things...
The CR:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/04/42
Weather: Rain
Sub attack at 7,54
Japanese Ships
AP Iwaki Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS S-37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 23,73
Japanese Ships
SS I-2
Allied Ships
DM Montgomery, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
DD Uranami
Allied Ships
SS S-39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Townsville, at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina x 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 17
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 130
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 10,60
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
Allied Ships
SS S-41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 10,59
Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 16
Beaufort x 7
P-40E Kittyhawk x 21
B-25D Mitchell x 18
B-26B Marauder x 9
A-20B Havoc x 6
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 5 damaged
Beaufort x 2 destroyed
Beaufort x 5 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara
CA Chokai
DD Urakaze
CL Jintsu
DD Yugiri
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Beaufort at 200 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
1 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 200 feet
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
1 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
2 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 3
B-26B Marauder x 5
Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Nojima Maru
AP Ryuosan Maru
AP Kyokusei Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 6
Beaufort x 3
P-40E Kittyhawk x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 5
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Kamishima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Koei Maru
AP Kanayamasan Maru
AP Keizan Maru
AP Shinko Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Beaufort at 200 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
1 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Tenryu Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 6,53
Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 6
no losses
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 30
AO Iro
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 7,54
Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 8
Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1
BB Haruna
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 6,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 14
Beaufort x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 13
B-26B Marauder x 4
A-20B Havoc x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 damaged
Beaufort x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
DD Shirakumo
CA Aoba
DD Nagatsuki
CA Furutaka
CL Tenryu
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 5000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Charter Towers
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 13330 troops, 167 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 6477 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 8)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 7
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 157
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Townsville
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 37467 troops, 476 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 38318 troops, 237 guns, 20 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 6
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 6)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1104
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 130
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wx: Rain
0212L…30 miles SE of Cooktown…onboard submarine S-37…
The crew had been sweating it out while the submarine had been submerged all day. Cooktown was being used as the supply base for the IJN ships bombarding Townsville. Just over an hour ago, Commander Reynolds had surfaced his boat for the briefest of periods…but the fresh night air that flooded throughout the innards of the sub was welcome indeed. The sub was back below the waves again, but this time, they weren’t hiding on the bottom. They were seeking out a target, and they had plenty to choose from. The base was visited by battleships every night, but reports that tankers were also in the area sounded more promising. Of course, there were still transports in the area, and Commander Reynolds’ little S-boat had one in its sights right now…
0400L…onboard the minelayer Montgomery…at sea…
The crew could hardly believe their luck…two days ago they were caught flat footed in the middle of two enemy carrier forces. All they could do was dump their mines and try to head for home. The fortunate intervention of Spruance’s carriers had staved off their certain destruction. Right now, they were on their way to Brisbane, and they would have a day with hot showers, and dry land under their feet.
The explosion changed their perceptions about their survival in an instant…
1700L…Townsville COIC…plotting room…
Major Jefferies contemplated the situation. The enemy attack on Townsville played hell with their flight operations, but the ground forces were defending the base well. Charter Towers had an easier time getting planes off the ground, but their ground forces were not as numerous as Townsville’s. Intelligence estimated the defenders were outnumbered there by at least two to one. Brisbane was still flying troops into Charter Towers, but the fortifications were starting to fall. Two full divisions and various support units were now fully involved with the defense to the two Australian bases.
The submarines were taking a toll on the invader’s navy, but attacks against the IJN combat ships were almost all unsuccessful. A report of an IJN troop ship being sunk near Cooktown raised everyone’s spirits a little, but the bombardment of the base continued daily.
A report from Brisbane that a Seagull scout plane had spotted, attacked, and hit an IJN submarine inside the harbor was also welcome news. Spruance had run his carriers to Brisbane, and the race was on to get replacement planes and pilots on the ships to make them an effective weapon again. More troop ships were also inbound to Brisbane, and that made Brisbane very important for the next few days.
More explosions were heard in the distance as the ground attack continued. Instinctively, Jefferies' ducked and just as quickly straightened up. He glanced to the corner of the room where ten Springfield 03 rifles were stacked. He wondered if he still remembered how to fire one of those things...
The CR:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/04/42
Weather: Rain
Sub attack at 7,54
Japanese Ships
AP Iwaki Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS S-37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 23,73
Japanese Ships
SS I-2
Allied Ships
DM Montgomery, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
DD Uranami
Allied Ships
SS S-39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Townsville, at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina x 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 17
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 130
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 10,60
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
Allied Ships
SS S-41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 10,59
Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 16
Beaufort x 7
P-40E Kittyhawk x 21
B-25D Mitchell x 18
B-26B Marauder x 9
A-20B Havoc x 6
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 5 damaged
Beaufort x 2 destroyed
Beaufort x 5 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara
CA Chokai
DD Urakaze
CL Jintsu
DD Yugiri
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Beaufort at 200 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
1 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 200 feet
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
1 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
2 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 3
B-26B Marauder x 5
Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Nojima Maru
AP Ryuosan Maru
AP Kyokusei Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 6
Beaufort x 3
P-40E Kittyhawk x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 5
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Kamishima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Koei Maru
AP Kanayamasan Maru
AP Keizan Maru
AP Shinko Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Beaufort at 200 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
1 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Tenryu Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 6,53
Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 6
no losses
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 30
AO Iro
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 7,54
Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 8
Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1
BB Haruna
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 6,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 14
Beaufort x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 13
B-26B Marauder x 4
A-20B Havoc x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 damaged
Beaufort x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
DD Shirakumo
CA Aoba
DD Nagatsuki
CA Furutaka
CL Tenryu
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 5000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Charter Towers
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 13330 troops, 167 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 6477 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 8)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 7
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 157
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Townsville
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 37467 troops, 476 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 38318 troops, 237 guns, 20 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 6
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 6)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1104
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 130
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
RE: The Hawke vs The Condor - Sc 17
Keep these AARs coming. Love the way you incorporate the Combat Report in a very literate narrative.
Col Saito: "Don't speak to me of rules! This is war! It is not a game of cricket!"
RE: The Hawke vs The Condor - Sc 17
same here
love the storys [:D]
but they MUST b a PITA to write....
love the storys [:D]
but they MUST b a PITA to write....
-
Shadow of the Condor
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
RE: Attacking the attackers...
5 Jul 42
Wx: Partly Cloudy
0400L...Townsville COIC...#2 Supply Room...
Jefferies woke up characteristically. After almost two weeks of nightly bombardments, it was getting to be routine to get his sleep in two hour bits here and there. Tonight was no different. Sleeping in a makeshift quarters, he sat up on his cot and listened to the explosions as the base was again hit from the sea. But something was different tonight. He couldn't quite put his finger on it for a moment, but as he got up and went for the latrine, he suddenly stopped in mid-step.
The shelling was over almost as soon as it had started...
0700L...Aitkenvale Weir airbase...near Townsville...
Lt. McGee was as nervous as a rank trainee. For almost seven days, he and the other pilots had been assisting the combat engineers in any way they could to try and get the runways operational after the nightly bombardments. Today, the base had been determined to be operational, and the pilots who could had been in their cockpits now for 5 minutes with their engines running. Armorers had loaded the planes with machinegun and cannon shells, along with a 500 pound bomb each. The pilots finally had a chance to get airborne and hit back at the Japanese. McGee hoped they could make the most of it...
1600L...Base Operations building...Noumea, New Caledonia...
The Admiral reviewed the reports from Australia. Townsville was holding. The Japanese did not attack directly today, preferring to launch an artillery barrage instead. What was more puzzling was the report from Charter Towers that the Japanese had simply left. Charter Towers, it seemed, was safe.
The enemy troops from Charter Towers were no doubt going to reinforce their troops at Townsville. But if the intelligence reports were correct, even they would not be enough to wrest control of the base from the Allied defenders. In addition to that, the 7th Australian Infantry division was already unloaded at Brisbane. They were the fire brigade for the area...but it didn't appear they would be needed at Townsville. The next move in the area was up to the Japanese command staff. Would they reinforce their troops at Townsville and continue to push for taking the base? The movement of the Japanese ground forces out of Charter Towers had surprised him. It made no sense. Why abandon the attack on an airbase that could prove to be very costly supporting the defense of Townsville...?
He pondered that as he reviewed his response to the move...ordering the 15th Australian Infantry Brigade from Charter Towers to Townsville. The Japanese had allowed the Allies to catch their breath at Townsville. It was what the Admiral had hoped for.
He wasn't satisfied anymore with simply holding onto the base.
He was going to attack the invaders at Townsville and throw them back into the sea.
The CR...
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/05/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Naval bombardment of Townsville, at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Allied aircraft losses
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 3
Runway hits 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo
Allied Ships
SS S-38, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Charter Towers , at 8,63
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 17
G4M1 Betty x 20
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged
Attacking Level Bombers:
14 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
2 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
20 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 41st Regiment, at 8,63
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 10
Wirraway x 18
B-25D Mitchell x 12
B-26B Marauder x 6
A-20B Havoc x 3
no losses
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 29
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
8 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 19
P-40E Kittyhawk x 7
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Chihaya Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Heito Maru
AP Kano Maru, Shell hits 20
AP Toyo Maru #2, Shell hits 12
AP Josho Maru, Shell hits 8
AP Tamashima Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 107
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 41st Regiment, at 8,63
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
no losses
Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 12
CA Chokai
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 6
Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Samidare, Shell hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40E Kittyhawk x 7
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Shinai Maru, Shell hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Townsville
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1912 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 38977 troops, 237 guns, 20 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wx: Partly Cloudy
0400L...Townsville COIC...#2 Supply Room...
Jefferies woke up characteristically. After almost two weeks of nightly bombardments, it was getting to be routine to get his sleep in two hour bits here and there. Tonight was no different. Sleeping in a makeshift quarters, he sat up on his cot and listened to the explosions as the base was again hit from the sea. But something was different tonight. He couldn't quite put his finger on it for a moment, but as he got up and went for the latrine, he suddenly stopped in mid-step.
The shelling was over almost as soon as it had started...
0700L...Aitkenvale Weir airbase...near Townsville...
Lt. McGee was as nervous as a rank trainee. For almost seven days, he and the other pilots had been assisting the combat engineers in any way they could to try and get the runways operational after the nightly bombardments. Today, the base had been determined to be operational, and the pilots who could had been in their cockpits now for 5 minutes with their engines running. Armorers had loaded the planes with machinegun and cannon shells, along with a 500 pound bomb each. The pilots finally had a chance to get airborne and hit back at the Japanese. McGee hoped they could make the most of it...
1600L...Base Operations building...Noumea, New Caledonia...
The Admiral reviewed the reports from Australia. Townsville was holding. The Japanese did not attack directly today, preferring to launch an artillery barrage instead. What was more puzzling was the report from Charter Towers that the Japanese had simply left. Charter Towers, it seemed, was safe.
The enemy troops from Charter Towers were no doubt going to reinforce their troops at Townsville. But if the intelligence reports were correct, even they would not be enough to wrest control of the base from the Allied defenders. In addition to that, the 7th Australian Infantry division was already unloaded at Brisbane. They were the fire brigade for the area...but it didn't appear they would be needed at Townsville. The next move in the area was up to the Japanese command staff. Would they reinforce their troops at Townsville and continue to push for taking the base? The movement of the Japanese ground forces out of Charter Towers had surprised him. It made no sense. Why abandon the attack on an airbase that could prove to be very costly supporting the defense of Townsville...?
He pondered that as he reviewed his response to the move...ordering the 15th Australian Infantry Brigade from Charter Towers to Townsville. The Japanese had allowed the Allies to catch their breath at Townsville. It was what the Admiral had hoped for.
He wasn't satisfied anymore with simply holding onto the base.
He was going to attack the invaders at Townsville and throw them back into the sea.
The CR...
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/05/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Naval bombardment of Townsville, at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Allied aircraft losses
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 3
Runway hits 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo
Allied Ships
SS S-38, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Charter Towers , at 8,63
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 17
G4M1 Betty x 20
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged
Attacking Level Bombers:
14 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
2 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
20 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 41st Regiment, at 8,63
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 10
Wirraway x 18
B-25D Mitchell x 12
B-26B Marauder x 6
A-20B Havoc x 3
no losses
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 29
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
4 x Hudson at 6000 feet
8 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 19
P-40E Kittyhawk x 7
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Chihaya Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Heito Maru
AP Kano Maru, Shell hits 20
AP Toyo Maru #2, Shell hits 12
AP Josho Maru, Shell hits 8
AP Tamashima Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 107
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 41st Regiment, at 8,63
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
no losses
Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 12
CA Chokai
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 6
Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Samidare, Shell hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-40E Kittyhawk x 7
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Shinai Maru, Shell hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Townsville
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1912 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 38977 troops, 237 guns, 20 vehicles
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
-
Shadow of the Condor
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
RE: Green Apple
6 Jul 42
Wx: Partly Cloudy
0240L…Townsville Flying Boat anchorage…near Townsville harbor…
Flying officer Ian Kirkpatrick advanced the throttles a bit more and the PBY Catalina lifted off of the smooth surface of the water. Both he and his crew had a long flight ahead of them…
0445L…onboard USS Lexington…at sea between Rockhampton and Townsville…
That they had gotten this far without being observed was a very good omen indeed. Only one more piece of information was needed to commence Operation Green Apple…and they were supposed to get that just as the sun broke the horizon. In the ready room, the aircrews of the SBD squadrons were as calm as could be expected. After a quick breakfast of coffee, oatmeal, biscuits and bacon; they were reviewing their flight operation orders: Attack enemy shipping at Townsville. It seemed simple enough, and the airmen were desperate to get this strike in the air. Complete radio silence had been observed throughout the task force for two days now. Radio operators back at Brisbane were busy transmitting fake reports about repair estimates, plane status, etc. designed to try to maintain the impression the carriers were there, still under repair.
In about an hour and a half, the entire task force would know if the deception worked…
0602L…over Gili Gili…onboard PBY Catalina…call sign Devil One-One-One…
Flying Officer Kirkpatrick was fully alert. Less than twenty minutes ago, they had overflew Basilaki island, and seen IJN shipping, to include a light carrier. He had not reported it, however, as he was under orders to transmit a pre-determined signal if the IJN carriers had in fact gone to Gili Gili. He had, in fact, five such phrases available to send depending on what his mission uncovered.
A couple of minutes later, his co-pilot jabbed him in the arm. At the same time, crew members were calling out what they saw into his intercom headset.
Four IJN carriers were at Gili Gili.
As Kirkpatrick started to bank the plane away, his co-pilot turned back and waved at the radio operator. Once he had his attention, he held up his index finger and the radioman nodded…
0604L…onboard USS Lexington…at sea 180 miles east of Townsville…
The carrier’s own radioman was almost out of breath when he got to the bridge. Spruance looked at him, and the operator spoke.
“Admiral, sir…message received from the Australian search plane.” He handed the copied message to the admiral.
Spruance read it, and then read it out loud.
“Bingo One."
He looked at the assembled staff, and turned to the Air Wing Commander.
“Get the planes in the air. Send for Captain Scanland. Gentlemen, Green Apple is a go.”
0700L…Aitkenvale Wier airbase…near Townsville…
Lt. McGee was feeling better today. Most of the pilots and aircrews were. They had actually gotten five hours of sleep. No IJN bombardments happened overnight. Additionally, a squadron of Wirraways had also been transferred to the base to augment the tired defenders. True enough, the trainers weren’t the most combat worthy of aircraft, but everything that could get in the air was potentially useful now.
He was first, again, to take off. At 23 years old, and with 11 combat missions completed, McGee and his P-39 were something of a legend to the newcomers. Twenty-three, and he was affectionately referred to as the “old man”.
0720L…over Townsville Harbor…
McGee was lining up another transport for a strafing run. He had already dropped his bomb, but missed a transport. He did, however, have better luck with his 37mm cannons, and at 100 feet, he could see men being hit and portions of the ship being shot away with each hit. They were certainly wearing down the ships.
Things were looking very good indeed. There were more aircraft attacking ships successfully than there had been since the invasion had started. As he climbed back to 5000 feet to orbit and wait his turn to land and re-arm, he looked up and saw black dots overhead. His blood chilled and he called into his radio.
“Enemy fighters!!"
0721L…17000 feet over Townsville Harbor…
The carrier pilots had orbited themselves for a moment. They saw the combat below them, and it had taken a minute to coordinate with the Army P-39s and P-400s, along with the Australian Wirraways. Nobody had any idea the American carriers were near enough to launch a strike, but nobody was complaining that loudly either. The strike had over 100 SBDs, with fighter escort. The SBDs separated and went after the two groups of ships they could find in the harbor. About two-thirds went after what they thought were cruisers, but they turned out to be destroyers. The remaining SBDs targeted the transport task force, who had already been hit today by the land-based aircraft…
0722L…over Townsville harbor…
Lt. McGee had never been so relieved. From a moment of stark terror when he thought the planes he saw were fighters ready to jump him to sheer joy when the American carrier planes identified themselves. As his squadron and the others from Aitkenvale Wier formed up to return to the base, the SBDs were already beginning their attack…
1200L…Townsville COIC…plotting room…
Major Jefferies was also feeling better. A full night’s sleep had a good effect on a person. He couldn’t believe it, but it appeared the Japanese were trying to pull their forces out of Townsville. He had a copy of the report from the PBY showing the IJN carriers out of position to defend their ships, and the two-pronged attack on the transports and combat ships from the land and from the American carriers was already under way.
Also underway was the artillery barrage from the Australian and New Guinea forces. Reports were coming into the operations center that the enemy seemed to be withdrawing. The force that detached from Charter Towers yesterday did not reinforce the attackers at Townsville, but had turned north along the coast road - apparently headed for Innisfail or Cairns.
Also being received were reports of IJN transports sinking. Two more transports were confirmed sunk today, as was a destroyer. But the transport sinkings were accompanied by reports of men and material being found in the water.
Were the Japanese loading up and trying to leave Australia completely??
1700L…onboard USS Lexington…
Spruance reviewed the battle reports from both the morning and afternoon strikes against the IJN shipping in Townsville. Three confirmed sinkings, and three cruisers were hit by land based aircraft, but the bombs apparently did little or no damage; although two cruisers were reported to have minor fires onboard. Eleven destroyers were reported to be struck by bombs and on fire, and twenty-one bombs found transports. It was reported that at least six transports were burning out of control.
Captain Scanland had just left the bridge and was returning to Astoria. It was time to put Phase Two into motion…
The CR:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/06/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Air attack on 4th Coastal Gun Regiment, at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 8
B-25D Mitchell x 20
B-26B Marauder x 7
A-20B Havoc x 6
Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 4 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31
Guns lost 1
Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
5 x Hudson at 6000 feet
8 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,61
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 18
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 21
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 6
P-40E Kittyhawk x 10
A-24 Dauntless x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 2 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
A-24 Dauntless x 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yura, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kawakaze
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29
SBD Dauntless x 54
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Murasame, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nokaze
DD Yudachi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Wakaba, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kamikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,61
Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Meiten Maru, Shell hits 4
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Shinkoku Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 29
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Keizan Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Satsuki
AP Shinkoku Maru
AP Kimishima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 74
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 13
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Toyo Maru #2
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 8
AP Tamashima Maru, Shell hits 12
AP Hakuyo Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 39
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 9
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagumo, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Kittyhawk x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 17
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Tamashima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Asahisan Maru, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 1
AP Heito Maru
AP Toyo Maru #2
AP Hokko Maru, Bomb hits 2
AP Hakuyo Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Akibasan Maru
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 125
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 14
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 destroyed
Wirraway x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Josho Maru
AP Hokko Maru
AP Hakonesan Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Toyo Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 41
SBD Dauntless x 81
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Hakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Chowa Maru
PC Ch 23, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Matsukaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Unkai Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kano Maru
AP Hokko Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Kinugasa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 221
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Townsville
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 21124 troops, 205 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 23361 troops, 200 guns, 32 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wx: Partly Cloudy
0240L…Townsville Flying Boat anchorage…near Townsville harbor…
Flying officer Ian Kirkpatrick advanced the throttles a bit more and the PBY Catalina lifted off of the smooth surface of the water. Both he and his crew had a long flight ahead of them…
0445L…onboard USS Lexington…at sea between Rockhampton and Townsville…
That they had gotten this far without being observed was a very good omen indeed. Only one more piece of information was needed to commence Operation Green Apple…and they were supposed to get that just as the sun broke the horizon. In the ready room, the aircrews of the SBD squadrons were as calm as could be expected. After a quick breakfast of coffee, oatmeal, biscuits and bacon; they were reviewing their flight operation orders: Attack enemy shipping at Townsville. It seemed simple enough, and the airmen were desperate to get this strike in the air. Complete radio silence had been observed throughout the task force for two days now. Radio operators back at Brisbane were busy transmitting fake reports about repair estimates, plane status, etc. designed to try to maintain the impression the carriers were there, still under repair.
In about an hour and a half, the entire task force would know if the deception worked…
0602L…over Gili Gili…onboard PBY Catalina…call sign Devil One-One-One…
Flying Officer Kirkpatrick was fully alert. Less than twenty minutes ago, they had overflew Basilaki island, and seen IJN shipping, to include a light carrier. He had not reported it, however, as he was under orders to transmit a pre-determined signal if the IJN carriers had in fact gone to Gili Gili. He had, in fact, five such phrases available to send depending on what his mission uncovered.
A couple of minutes later, his co-pilot jabbed him in the arm. At the same time, crew members were calling out what they saw into his intercom headset.
Four IJN carriers were at Gili Gili.
As Kirkpatrick started to bank the plane away, his co-pilot turned back and waved at the radio operator. Once he had his attention, he held up his index finger and the radioman nodded…
0604L…onboard USS Lexington…at sea 180 miles east of Townsville…
The carrier’s own radioman was almost out of breath when he got to the bridge. Spruance looked at him, and the operator spoke.
“Admiral, sir…message received from the Australian search plane.” He handed the copied message to the admiral.
Spruance read it, and then read it out loud.
“Bingo One."
He looked at the assembled staff, and turned to the Air Wing Commander.
“Get the planes in the air. Send for Captain Scanland. Gentlemen, Green Apple is a go.”
0700L…Aitkenvale Wier airbase…near Townsville…
Lt. McGee was feeling better today. Most of the pilots and aircrews were. They had actually gotten five hours of sleep. No IJN bombardments happened overnight. Additionally, a squadron of Wirraways had also been transferred to the base to augment the tired defenders. True enough, the trainers weren’t the most combat worthy of aircraft, but everything that could get in the air was potentially useful now.
He was first, again, to take off. At 23 years old, and with 11 combat missions completed, McGee and his P-39 were something of a legend to the newcomers. Twenty-three, and he was affectionately referred to as the “old man”.
0720L…over Townsville Harbor…
McGee was lining up another transport for a strafing run. He had already dropped his bomb, but missed a transport. He did, however, have better luck with his 37mm cannons, and at 100 feet, he could see men being hit and portions of the ship being shot away with each hit. They were certainly wearing down the ships.
Things were looking very good indeed. There were more aircraft attacking ships successfully than there had been since the invasion had started. As he climbed back to 5000 feet to orbit and wait his turn to land and re-arm, he looked up and saw black dots overhead. His blood chilled and he called into his radio.
“Enemy fighters!!"
0721L…17000 feet over Townsville Harbor…
The carrier pilots had orbited themselves for a moment. They saw the combat below them, and it had taken a minute to coordinate with the Army P-39s and P-400s, along with the Australian Wirraways. Nobody had any idea the American carriers were near enough to launch a strike, but nobody was complaining that loudly either. The strike had over 100 SBDs, with fighter escort. The SBDs separated and went after the two groups of ships they could find in the harbor. About two-thirds went after what they thought were cruisers, but they turned out to be destroyers. The remaining SBDs targeted the transport task force, who had already been hit today by the land-based aircraft…
0722L…over Townsville harbor…
Lt. McGee had never been so relieved. From a moment of stark terror when he thought the planes he saw were fighters ready to jump him to sheer joy when the American carrier planes identified themselves. As his squadron and the others from Aitkenvale Wier formed up to return to the base, the SBDs were already beginning their attack…
1200L…Townsville COIC…plotting room…
Major Jefferies was also feeling better. A full night’s sleep had a good effect on a person. He couldn’t believe it, but it appeared the Japanese were trying to pull their forces out of Townsville. He had a copy of the report from the PBY showing the IJN carriers out of position to defend their ships, and the two-pronged attack on the transports and combat ships from the land and from the American carriers was already under way.
Also underway was the artillery barrage from the Australian and New Guinea forces. Reports were coming into the operations center that the enemy seemed to be withdrawing. The force that detached from Charter Towers yesterday did not reinforce the attackers at Townsville, but had turned north along the coast road - apparently headed for Innisfail or Cairns.
Also being received were reports of IJN transports sinking. Two more transports were confirmed sunk today, as was a destroyer. But the transport sinkings were accompanied by reports of men and material being found in the water.
Were the Japanese loading up and trying to leave Australia completely??
1700L…onboard USS Lexington…
Spruance reviewed the battle reports from both the morning and afternoon strikes against the IJN shipping in Townsville. Three confirmed sinkings, and three cruisers were hit by land based aircraft, but the bombs apparently did little or no damage; although two cruisers were reported to have minor fires onboard. Eleven destroyers were reported to be struck by bombs and on fire, and twenty-one bombs found transports. It was reported that at least six transports were burning out of control.
Captain Scanland had just left the bridge and was returning to Astoria. It was time to put Phase Two into motion…
The CR:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/06/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Air attack on 4th Coastal Gun Regiment, at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 8
B-25D Mitchell x 20
B-26B Marauder x 7
A-20B Havoc x 6
Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 4 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31
Guns lost 1
Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
5 x Hudson at 6000 feet
8 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,61
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 18
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 21
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 6
P-40E Kittyhawk x 10
A-24 Dauntless x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 2 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
A-24 Dauntless x 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yura, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kawakaze
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29
SBD Dauntless x 54
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Murasame, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nokaze
DD Yudachi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Wakaba, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kamikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,61
Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Meiten Maru, Shell hits 4
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Shinkoku Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 29
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Keizan Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Satsuki
AP Shinkoku Maru
AP Kimishima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 74
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 13
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Toyo Maru #2
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 8
AP Tamashima Maru, Shell hits 12
AP Hakuyo Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 39
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 9
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagumo, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13
no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40E Kittyhawk x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 17
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Tamashima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Asahisan Maru, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 1
AP Heito Maru
AP Toyo Maru #2
AP Hokko Maru, Bomb hits 2
AP Hakuyo Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Akibasan Maru
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 125
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 14
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 destroyed
Wirraway x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Josho Maru
AP Hokko Maru
AP Hakonesan Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Toyo Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 41
SBD Dauntless x 81
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Hakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Chowa Maru
PC Ch 23, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Matsukaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Unkai Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kano Maru
AP Hokko Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Kinugasa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 221
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Townsville
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 21124 troops, 205 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 23361 troops, 200 guns, 32 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
-
Shadow of the Condor
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:11 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
RE: Surviving the Whirlwind...
7 Jul 42
Wx: Partly Cloudy
0020L…Task Force “Ripper”…onboard the US cruiser Astoria…15 miles NE of Townsville harbor…
Captain Scanland was reading a letter from Rear Admiral Spruance. On the other combat ships in the task force, their men were being similarly briefed.
Scanland spoke into the annunciator:
“Men of Task Force Ripper, the enemy has been invading the sovereign land of Australia. The Allied forces in which you serve responded to the attack of overwhelming strength as best it could. To date, no less than 30 Allied ships have been sunk trying to repel the invasion. Up to now, the Japanese have had the advantage in this operation. All we could do was oppose the invaders with the piecemeal forces we had on hand, and try to build up a sufficient force to eliminate the menace.
Men of Task Force Ripper, you are part of that sufficient force. You are the answer to the prayers of the people of the nation of Australia in their hour of need.
Men of Task Force Ripper, I send you in harm’s way with full confidence you will prevail.”
Scanland folded the message in half and stepped back from the bulkhead. He nodded to the yeoman who stepped up, and held down a switch.
Throughout the ship, the klaxon sounded three times, followed by the words…
“All hands, man your battle stations…this is not a drill…”
0221L…Task Force “Ripper”…inside Townsville Harbor…
On the bridge, Scanland was sizing up the situation. With the departure of the enemy carriers, and the previous day’s attack by the Allied carriers, the IJN was in a vulnerable position. The IJN had, no doubt, noted the withdrawal east of Spruance’s carriers, but it was hoped they did not notice the 10 cruisers and 4 destroyers who split off and continued into Townsville. They expected opposition, but the enemy was most likely low on ammunition, having bombarded the base two nights ago with minimal results, and fighting off an air attack yesterday.
As the Allied force drew closer to the IJN, fires from still burning ships helped pinpoint the destroyers and cruisers in one of the enemy bombardment task forces. Once they closed to 9000 yards, Scanland ordered his cruisers to open fire…
0330L…Task Force Ripper…inside Townsville harbor…
The attack against the enemy cruisers and destroyers went almost flawlessly. Seven destroyers were observed to be fully engulfed in flames, and one cruiser was also on fire. Three Allied cruisers had minor fires onboard, but they had been brought under control almost immediately. The destroyers scattered, and Task Force Ripper continued into the transports loading up the invading army. The transports had only two destroyers for protection, but one of them got a torpedo into Northhampton. Once the Allied ships were alerted that threats still were out there, every cruiser concentrated their 8 inch and 5 inch guns on the two destroyers until they were sunk in the action. Two Japanese minesweepers were also present, but they played no part in the battle. Once the Allies swept through the transports, one had been sunk outright, and six more were fully afire…
2100L…Townsville COIC plotting room…
Major Jefferies smiled for the first time in almost a month. The mood in the room – and throughout the Townsville area in general – was upbeat. Three IJN destroyers and three transports were confirmed sunk, but many more - perhaps as many as twenty - were reported to be seriously damaged. And at 1700L, an aide from the land force commander – Major General Morris of the New Guinea Division – reported that the attack forced the last of the Japanese ground forces out of Townsville and they were seen retreating northwest along the coast road towards Innisfail and Cairns. The ground forces had reportedly killed or captured over 5500 enemy troops. Four entire anti aircraft regiments, along with an enemy coastal gun unit were completely destroyed.
They had done it.
2200L…Aitkenvale Wier airbase…near Townsville…
Lt. McGee closed his eyes as he lay on his cot. Earlier that night, the Australian Wirraway pilots had been celebrating their success. The air attack had been so one-sided, that even the trainer aircraft had claimed ten bomb hits on Japanese ships. He knew that number would be lowered, but the effects of today’s strikes could not be denied. And when they heard that the New Guinea Division and 3rd Australian Division had attacked and virtually wiped out what enemy ground forces remained, the men had become almost giddy with relief that they had survived this attempt to invade their homeland.
But McGee smiled for another reason. The base was completely repaired and operational. The defenders, himself included, were due to be sent back to Brisbane for a much needed rest and refit.
His last thought was that he would get a full night’s sleep for the first time in a very long time……
The CR:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/07/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Night Time Surface Combat, near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CL Sendai, Shell hits 4
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare
DD Wakaba
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Isonami
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Nokaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Shell hits 3
CA Chester, Shell hits 1
CA Louisville, Shell hits 1
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA Salt Lake City
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
CA Minneapolis
CA Vincennes
CL St. Louis
CL Phoenix
DD Craven, Shell hits 1
DD Mahan
DD Conyngham
DD Cushing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
DD Oboro, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
MSW Noshiro Maru #2
MSW Toshi Maru #2
AP Heiwa Maru, Shell hits 22, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hikade Maru
AP Hirokawa Maru
AP Kamoi Maru, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kanayamasan Maru
AP Kasuga Maru #2
AP Katsuragisan Maru
AP Keizan Maru
AP Kembu Maru
AP Kimishima Maru
AP Koei Maru
AP Mikage Maru #20, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
AP Muko Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nagisan Maru
AP Neikai Maru
AP Otori Maru
AP Ryotaku Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinko Maru, on fire
AP Shinkoku Maru, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Chester
CA Louisville, Shell hits 2
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA Salt Lake City
CA Astoria
CA Minneapolis
CA Vincennes
CL St. Louis
CL Phoenix
DD Craven
DD Mahan
DD Conyngham
DD Cushing
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1212
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 11,60
Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 10,59
Japanese Ships
DD Kagero
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cooktown , at 6,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 14
B-25D Mitchell x 23
B-26B Marauder x 11
A-20B Havoc x 6
no losses
Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 4
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
5 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,59
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 16
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 destroyed
Wirraway x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Yamafuku Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meiyo Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Shinai Maru
DD Oshio, Shell hits 4
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 11
P-39D Airacobra x 14
A-24 Dauntless x 4
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Heito Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Kano Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Josho Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
AP Tarushima Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Hakonesan Maru
AP Toyo Maru #2
AP Kinugasa Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Keisho Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 261
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,61
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,61
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 13
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hamakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kuroshio, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,59
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 22
P-400 Airacobra x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 22
P-40E Kittyhawk x 6
A-24 Dauntless x 4
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Zukai Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Gosei Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Hokuyo Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kiyozumi Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Asashio, Shell hits 8
AP Naniwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Tama Maru
DD Oshio, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kyokusei Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1
DD Oyashio
AP Ryuko Maru
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 234
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
SOC-3 Seagull x 3
Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull x 1 destroyed
SOC-3 Seagull x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Matsukaze
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Townsville
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 25548 troops, 205 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 14231 troops, 170 guns, 22 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 5511
Guns lost 184
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 188
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wx: Partly Cloudy
0020L…Task Force “Ripper”…onboard the US cruiser Astoria…15 miles NE of Townsville harbor…
Captain Scanland was reading a letter from Rear Admiral Spruance. On the other combat ships in the task force, their men were being similarly briefed.
Scanland spoke into the annunciator:
“Men of Task Force Ripper, the enemy has been invading the sovereign land of Australia. The Allied forces in which you serve responded to the attack of overwhelming strength as best it could. To date, no less than 30 Allied ships have been sunk trying to repel the invasion. Up to now, the Japanese have had the advantage in this operation. All we could do was oppose the invaders with the piecemeal forces we had on hand, and try to build up a sufficient force to eliminate the menace.
Men of Task Force Ripper, you are part of that sufficient force. You are the answer to the prayers of the people of the nation of Australia in their hour of need.
Men of Task Force Ripper, I send you in harm’s way with full confidence you will prevail.”
Scanland folded the message in half and stepped back from the bulkhead. He nodded to the yeoman who stepped up, and held down a switch.
Throughout the ship, the klaxon sounded three times, followed by the words…
“All hands, man your battle stations…this is not a drill…”
0221L…Task Force “Ripper”…inside Townsville Harbor…
On the bridge, Scanland was sizing up the situation. With the departure of the enemy carriers, and the previous day’s attack by the Allied carriers, the IJN was in a vulnerable position. The IJN had, no doubt, noted the withdrawal east of Spruance’s carriers, but it was hoped they did not notice the 10 cruisers and 4 destroyers who split off and continued into Townsville. They expected opposition, but the enemy was most likely low on ammunition, having bombarded the base two nights ago with minimal results, and fighting off an air attack yesterday.
As the Allied force drew closer to the IJN, fires from still burning ships helped pinpoint the destroyers and cruisers in one of the enemy bombardment task forces. Once they closed to 9000 yards, Scanland ordered his cruisers to open fire…
0330L…Task Force Ripper…inside Townsville harbor…
The attack against the enemy cruisers and destroyers went almost flawlessly. Seven destroyers were observed to be fully engulfed in flames, and one cruiser was also on fire. Three Allied cruisers had minor fires onboard, but they had been brought under control almost immediately. The destroyers scattered, and Task Force Ripper continued into the transports loading up the invading army. The transports had only two destroyers for protection, but one of them got a torpedo into Northhampton. Once the Allied ships were alerted that threats still were out there, every cruiser concentrated their 8 inch and 5 inch guns on the two destroyers until they were sunk in the action. Two Japanese minesweepers were also present, but they played no part in the battle. Once the Allies swept through the transports, one had been sunk outright, and six more were fully afire…
2100L…Townsville COIC plotting room…
Major Jefferies smiled for the first time in almost a month. The mood in the room – and throughout the Townsville area in general – was upbeat. Three IJN destroyers and three transports were confirmed sunk, but many more - perhaps as many as twenty - were reported to be seriously damaged. And at 1700L, an aide from the land force commander – Major General Morris of the New Guinea Division – reported that the attack forced the last of the Japanese ground forces out of Townsville and they were seen retreating northwest along the coast road towards Innisfail and Cairns. The ground forces had reportedly killed or captured over 5500 enemy troops. Four entire anti aircraft regiments, along with an enemy coastal gun unit were completely destroyed.
They had done it.
2200L…Aitkenvale Wier airbase…near Townsville…
Lt. McGee closed his eyes as he lay on his cot. Earlier that night, the Australian Wirraway pilots had been celebrating their success. The air attack had been so one-sided, that even the trainer aircraft had claimed ten bomb hits on Japanese ships. He knew that number would be lowered, but the effects of today’s strikes could not be denied. And when they heard that the New Guinea Division and 3rd Australian Division had attacked and virtually wiped out what enemy ground forces remained, the men had become almost giddy with relief that they had survived this attempt to invade their homeland.
But McGee smiled for another reason. The base was completely repaired and operational. The defenders, himself included, were due to be sent back to Brisbane for a much needed rest and refit.
His last thought was that he would get a full night’s sleep for the first time in a very long time……
The CR:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/07/42
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Night Time Surface Combat, near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CL Sendai, Shell hits 4
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare
DD Wakaba
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Isonami
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Nokaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Shell hits 3
CA Chester, Shell hits 1
CA Louisville, Shell hits 1
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA Salt Lake City
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
CA Minneapolis
CA Vincennes
CL St. Louis
CL Phoenix
DD Craven, Shell hits 1
DD Mahan
DD Conyngham
DD Cushing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
DD Oboro, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
MSW Noshiro Maru #2
MSW Toshi Maru #2
AP Heiwa Maru, Shell hits 22, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hikade Maru
AP Hirokawa Maru
AP Kamoi Maru, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kanayamasan Maru
AP Kasuga Maru #2
AP Katsuragisan Maru
AP Keizan Maru
AP Kembu Maru
AP Kimishima Maru
AP Koei Maru
AP Mikage Maru #20, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
AP Muko Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Nagisan Maru
AP Neikai Maru
AP Otori Maru
AP Ryotaku Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinko Maru, on fire
AP Shinkoku Maru, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Chester
CA Louisville, Shell hits 2
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA Salt Lake City
CA Astoria
CA Minneapolis
CA Vincennes
CL St. Louis
CL Phoenix
DD Craven
DD Mahan
DD Conyngham
DD Cushing
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1212
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 11,60
Japanese Ships
DD Yugiri, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 10,59
Japanese Ships
DD Kagero
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cooktown , at 6,53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 14
B-25D Mitchell x 23
B-26B Marauder x 11
A-20B Havoc x 6
no losses
Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 4
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
5 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
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Air attack on TF at 10,59
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 16
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 destroyed
Wirraway x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Yamafuku Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meiyo Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Shinai Maru
DD Oshio, Shell hits 4
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3
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Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 11
P-39D Airacobra x 14
A-24 Dauntless x 4
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Heito Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Kano Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Josho Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
AP Tarushima Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Hakonesan Maru
AP Toyo Maru #2
AP Kinugasa Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Keisho Maru, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 261
Guns lost 1
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Air attack on TF at 10,61
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
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Air attack on TF at 10,61
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 13
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hamakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kuroshio, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,59
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 22
P-400 Airacobra x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 22
P-40E Kittyhawk x 6
A-24 Dauntless x 4
no losses
Japanese Ships
AP Zukai Maru, Shell hits 4
AP Gosei Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Hokuyo Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kiyozumi Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Asashio, Shell hits 8
AP Naniwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Tama Maru
DD Oshio, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kyokusei Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1
DD Oyashio
AP Ryuko Maru
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 234
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Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Allied aircraft
SOC-3 Seagull x 3
Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull x 1 destroyed
SOC-3 Seagull x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Matsukaze
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Ground combat at Townsville
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 25548 troops, 205 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 14231 troops, 170 guns, 22 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 5511
Guns lost 184
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 188
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
RE: Surviving the Whirlwind...
Condor,
Great going!! Do I sense another Battle of Innisfail looming?[:D]
I wonder why the Hawke hasn't posted in a while. All the IJN commanders comitting hari-kiri??[:D]
Quark
Great going!! Do I sense another Battle of Innisfail looming?[:D]
I wonder why the Hawke hasn't posted in a while. All the IJN commanders comitting hari-kiri??[:D]
Quark
RE: Surviving the Whirlwind...
Condor,
Nice work I was in a similar situation at Towneville and my opponet handed me my head on a plater with a side of fries, good job [&o][&o][&o]
Now the key is to not get too confident, begs the question why did he pull out his carriers so soon?
Nice work I was in a similar situation at Towneville and my opponet handed me my head on a plater with a side of fries, good job [&o][&o][&o]
Now the key is to not get too confident, begs the question why did he pull out his carriers so soon?
RE: Surviving the Whirlwind...
ORIGINAL: Rendova
Now the key is to not get too confident, begs the question why did he pull out his carriers so soon?
Premature evacuation? [:'(]