Rematch by Proxy: Scn.7, Grunt6971 vs Timtom

[timtom]

We're finally back after several days delay due to some bug, which seems have forced Scott to use my password to open his file. Weird. Anyways, after swapping passwords I executed his turn, then my own, without any actions taken. That makes no difference to me - my TF's are just loading with destination set, and Scott's probably much the same. I have to say that this game under patch 2.41 is the buggiest game yet, and I'm not telling you half of it...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 18 Aug 1942 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses:
G3M Nell x 2 damaged
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[timtom]

Things remain quiet, and the weather lousy, in the South Pacific. However if reports are to be believed, more heavy IJN naval units are arriving in the combat area. Three BB's are reported at Shortland and KB is sighted at Kavieng.

The Kingfisher forces are about to set out for Irau and the 41st ID is on it's way to PM. Naval reinforcements arrived - a further two CA's, three CL's, 14 DD's plus AV's, DM's and sundry. Further shipping is arriving within the week, and I'll have some 50 DD's to play around with.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 19 Aug 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack WNW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
AP Yamakuni Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *also torpedoed three days ago*

Allied Ships:
SS S-42
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[timtom]

Recon confirms the presence of BB's at Shortland, along with additional cruisers. KB nowhere in sight. Scott's also operating a few barge TF's with PC's and ML's in the lower Solomons. The AF at Lunga is currently at lvl 1, so there's not much I can do about that.

AP Yamakuni Maru sank, and it looks like my people at Luganville are finally making headway with plucking the holes in the American Legion. 15 VP's the charge for one of these large AP's - same as a IJN CL.

I've been slipping single AK's into Gili Gili and AK Diomed is currently unloading there. Unfortunately she has been spotted and Scott's parked a sub in the hex just east of GG. I'm afraid we'll have to run the gauntlet tonight.

Kingfisher transports are under way...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 20 Aug 1942 Weather: Rain
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack NE Townsville:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-121

Allied Ships:
AK Idomeneus, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *will sink*
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[timtom]

Well, that was the end of a very quiet week in the South Pacific.

Poor AK Idomeneus made it back to Townsville only to sink at its moorings. At least AK Diomed managed to slip past Scott's submarine picket at GG.

The Kingfisher transports should arrive at Irau next turn. In support is a cruiser SC TF and all three CV's. Four DM's will drop off mines at Irau, then return to Noumea to ready for the second round of Operation Hightower. My troops at Lunga are perilously low on beer, hamburgers, sun lotion, and other essentials.

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,246/3,715 = 1.00:1.65
Week 1: 2,394/3,731 = 1.00:1.56
Week 2: 2,739/3,868 = 1.00:1.41
Week 3: 2,889/3,889 = 1.00:1.35

Army Losses:

3/42 = 1.00:14.00

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xBB, 2XDD, 1xAO, 2xAK
Damaged: 1xCA, 1xCL, 1xDD, 1xAP,

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 2xDD, 2xPG, 2xPC, 1xAK
Damaged: 3xCA, 2xCL, 3xDD, 2xSS

Air Losses:

Total: 36/56 = 1.00:1.56

Week 1: 8/22 = 1.00:2.75
Week 2: 25/29 = 1.00:1.16
Week 3: 3/5 = 1.00:1.67

Air-to-Air: 13/32 = 1.00:2.46
Destroyed on Field: 5/1 = 5.00:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 7/11 = 1.00:1.57
Operational Losses: 11/12 = 1.00:1.09

Sorties Flown:

Total: 8,632/7,085 = 1.22:1.00

Week 1: 2,329/1,123 = 2.07:1.00
Week 2: 3,630/2,381 = 1.52:1.00
Week 3: 2,673/3,581 = 1.00:1.34

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0036/0.0078 = 1.0000:2.1167
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0013/0.0017 = 1.0000:1.3077
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 21 Aug 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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[>:]

[timtom]

Rather than make the run-in to Irau, my transports retreated due the the reported presence of IJN carriers east of Shortland. Intelligence on this AC TF is rather spotty. As far as I can tell, Scott's search planes neither picked up my transports or my carriers prior to this turn, so he probably wasn't expecting me. Hmm...

I'm keeping my transports just within 24 hours steaming of Irau and moving my CV's into a position west of Santa Cruz for now. I considered barging ahead, but have decided to wait until I have a clearer picture of the situation. I suspect Scott will withdraw.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 22 Aug 1942 Weather: Overcast
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[>:][>:]

[timtom]

Rather than retreat, Scott's CV's have steamed SW to position 120 miles north of Lunga. Intelligence remains sketchy. After much deliberation, I've decided to give battle. My carriers are ordered to move within strike distance of the IJN CV's current position. I'll be in a position to intercept if Scott moves south or east to threaten my tranports. These I've pulled back to a position west of Espirito Santo.

My best guestimate is that the enemy TF holds two CV's and one, probably two CVL's. That leaves me roughly a 20% numerical superiority in fighters and strike bombers, plus of course the deadly USN AAA. I should have an advantage, then, that I might not have later if Scott receives the two Junyo class CV's. But as you know, carrier battles are haphazard, fluky affairs and I really can't afford a defeat, both in terms of VP and in terms of the strategic conscequences of loosing CV superiority. I fully expect to loose one, maybe two CV's.

That said, I leave you now, as I'm going off on a holiday and will be back back in a tenday.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 23 Aug 1942 Weather: Clear
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack WSW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
AG 115, Shell hits 16, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Grenadier
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[toraq]

Where´s the carrier battle???. I want to see blood....

I already had one in my game (same scenario as you) and I´ve just wiped out any presence of the combined fleet. Japanese lost 2 CVs, 1 CVL and CV Junyo. I surprised my opponent completely[:)] (who is not as good as you). On the other hand Wasp was lost due to IJN sub. activity.

[timtom]

The opposing carriers TF's passed each other in the night, and come morning found themselves only a short distance apart. The battle opened with a mix of unescorted SBD's and TBF's braving the Japanese CAP with predictable results. Hereafter, however, I enjoyed phenomenal luck, multiple strikes burying the Japanese carriers in an avalance of explosives. In all, the USN delivered six strikes, the last three going in unopposed by Japanese fighters. In return, the IJN only got off a single strike. Most of the Japanese strike planes battled through the USN CAP to attack the USS Enterprise in the face of devastating AAA fire. Two 250-kg and two 60-kg bombs struck the carrier, and, while causing carnage among the topside sailors manning the Big E's anti-aircraft guns, caused little structural damage to the vessel itself. The USN lost 68 aircraft, the IJN close to a 100, including virtually it's entire complement of strike planes. CVL Zuiho was sunk outright, CV Shokaku is a likely candidate, possibly CV Zuikaku too. A disaster, quite simply, for the Empire.

This is without comparison the most grossly lopsided victory I have ever enjoyed in 30 months of played UV, AI or human.

Simultaniously, Betty's struck at my transports unloading the 41st ID at Port Moresby. 20 Betty's were lost, no tranports were hit, and the P-39's acquitted themselves surprisingly well against the escorting Zero's.

The US Navy now has a firm grasp of the seas south of the line Gili Gili-Lunga. Presumably Scott will receive the two Junyo's and a couple of CVL's in due order, however these will hardly be a match for four USN fleet carriers. Certainly if Scott entertains any ideas of gaining or regaining ground, it'll be an uphill struggle. Furthermore, the lopsided nature of this victory (I'm hoping to finish off the cripples next turn) gives me some VP capital to spend which in turn allows me to worry less about loosing CA's in protecting tranports at Lunga. Also, the destruction of the Japanese carriers allows me - for a while, at least - to use my CV's to project a threat onto Shortland with a degree of impunity, which in turn is vital in offsetting Scott's presumed BB superiority.

I won't pursue Scott's retiring forces too vigorously. The objective of the operation remains to land troops at Irau and the carriers are there to cover that operation.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 24 1942 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Port Moresby from Rabaul: *two strikes*

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 43
G4M1 Betty x 35

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 66
P-40E Warhawk x 62

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 10 destroyed, A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged *9 lost*
G4M1 Betty x 15 destroyed, G4M1 Betty x 15 damaged *20 lost*

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 8 destroyed, P-39D Airacobra x 7 damaged *10 lost*
P-40E Warhawk x 8 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged *6 lost*
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Air attack on AC TF NE Malatai from AC TF NE Malaita:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 23
D3A Val x 37
B5N Kate x 46

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 19 destroyed, D3A Val x 28 damaged *43 lost*
B5N Kate x 18 destroyed, B5N Kate x 18 damaged *47 lost*

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged

Allied Ships:
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 4, on fire *sys 7, flt 0, f 11*
CA Portland, Torpedo hits 1 *sys 26, flt 40, f 5*
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on AC TF NE Malatai from AC TF's NE Malaita: *six strikes*

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 117

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 85
SBD Dauntless x 169
TBF Avenger x 51

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 6 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged *total of 14 lost during day*

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 12 damaged *total of 23 lost during day*
SBD Dauntless x 31 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 30 damaged *31 lost*
TBF Avenger x 13 destroyed, TBF Avenger x 41 damaged *14 lost*

Japanese Ships:
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 16, and is sunk
CA Tone, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
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Sub attack at WNW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
APD 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS S-42, Shell hits 1, on fire *sys 45, flt 60, f 0*

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9
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[timtom]

The South Pacific returns to normal after yesterdays bloodletting. Under the cover of the weather, Scott's forces disappear without a trace. My VP total, however, has jumped over 600 points since last turn, rather suggesting that both the Shok and the Zui have been scuttled. I still can't quite believe my luck...

The Kingfisher transports will arrive at Irau next turn, and my carriers are moving into a covering position 60 miles east of Irau. Over on Papua, my transports have finished unloading the 41st ID, 2/6th Arm. Rgt., the 113th BF, an AAA bn., and additional supply. A few remnants remain at Brisbane, however, so I'll have to do another run before marching on Buna. I'm currently embarking the Oz 14th Bgd. at PM, to be repositioned to GG via Townsville. Here, six APD's have arrived with orders to pick up the Oz 13th Eng. Bn. for GG.

It looks like Scott is in the process of reinforcing the Lae area by FT.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 25 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 9
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[timtom]

My transports have begun the rather labourous task of unloading over the beach at Irau. It's only a matter of time before Scott's subs come calling, I suppose. I've also decided to send some supplies to Lunga by FT to tide my men over till I can organise a proper resupply run - in a fortnights time or so.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 26 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses:
G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged
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[timtom]

Tough day for the fuel peddlers of the South Pacific. In my first shipping strike out of Port Moresby, B-25's of the 90th Bombardment Squadron swept in at 1,000 feet to strike tanker Fuji-san Maru unloading at Hoskins. I wonder why Scott is dumbing fuel there - maybe he's setting up a barge shuttle?

In retribution, within sight of New Caledonia, IJN submarine I-11 attacked a convoy bearing fuel oil for Efate, penetrating the escort screen to torpedo oiler Tallulah. The proximity to Noumea means that the Tallulah will live to fight another day - but not in the immediate future. A hunter-killer group has been dispatched to look for the I-11, but presumably it'll be long gone by then. While Tallulah is returning to port, the remaining oilers continues to Efate, bearing 24,000 points of fuel. In view of the profilation of subs in the area, I've found it useful to have a alternative, third refuelling facility.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 27 1942 Weather: Rain
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack NE Noumea:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-11

Allied Ships:
AO Tallulah, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Hoskins from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25D Mitchell x 13

Japanese Ships:
TK Fujisan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
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[timtom]

Quiet. My APD's delivered the 13th Eng. Bn. at Gili Gili, encountering a minefield on the way. Guess I'll have to send a DMS to clean up. For my own part, I'm using my fleet subs to plant little minefields round Huon Bay and the Solomons.

BB Hiei is spotted 120 miles south of Rabaul, at the classical FT/bombardment position. The presence of the Hiei makes me think that Gili Gili's in for it. I've pulled the lone PBY sqd. out - little else I can do at this junction...

All troops are unloaded at Irau, and we should be done unloading supplies next turn.

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,246/3,715 = 1.00:1.65
Week 1: 2,394/3,731 = 1.00:1.56
Week 2: 2,739/3,868 = 1.00:1.41
Week 3: 2,889/3,889 = 1.00:1.35
Week 4: 3,861/3,979 = 1.00:1.03

Army Losses:

3/46 = 1.00:15.33

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xBB, 2XDD, 1xAO, 2xAK
Damaged: 2xCA, 1xDD, 1xSS, 1xAO, 1xAP

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 2xCV, 1xCVL, 1xCA, 2xDD, 2xPG, 2xPC, 1xAK
Damaged: 3xCA, 2xCL, 3xDD, 2xSS, 1xAPD, 1xTK

Air Losses:

Total: 126/197 = 1.00:1.56

Week 1: 8/22 = 1.00:2.75
Week 2: 25/29 = 1.00:1.16
Week 3: 3/5 = 1.00:1.67
Week 4: 90/141 = 1.00:1.57

Air-to-Air: 69/92 = 1.00:1.33
Destroyed on Field: 5/3= 1.67:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 37/38 = 1.00:1.03
Operational Losses: 15/64 = 1.00:4.27

Sorties Flown:

Total: 13,005/10,597 = 1.23:1.00

Week 1: 2,329/1,123 = 2.07:1.00
Week 2: 3,630/2,381 = 1.52:1.00
Week 3: 2,673/3,581 = 1.00:1.34
Week 4: 4,374/3,512 = 1.25:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0093/0.0183 = 1.0000:1.9677
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0012/0.0060 = 1.0000:5.0000
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 28 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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[>:]

[timtom]

I have to admit to being rather puzzled. The presumed bombardment TF spotted yesterday turns out to be not one but two TF's, one being a transport TF! I'm guessing he's after Woodlark, although why Scott's not FT'ing the troops in, I don't know, not least in view of the fact that he's well aware of the fact that I've got three CV's within 48 hours steaming. Going for GG would be foolhardy to the point of suicide, but I'm moving additional airpower to PM and lifting the 14th Bgd. to GG straight away.

Maybe Scott's got some designs on GG and wants a supporting airfield closer to the action?

APD 1 and TK Fujisan Maru are reported to have sunk...


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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 29 Aug 1942 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Efate Port Vila:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-27

Allied Ships:
AO Tappahannock, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *sys 64, flt 72, f 49*
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Sub attack NNE Townsville:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-121

Allied Ships:
APD Colhoun, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sys 66, flt 66, f 34*
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SW Truk:

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 32, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
SS Gudgeon
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna from Port Moresby (fighter sweep):

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 39

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged
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[timtom]

Well, you gotta hand it to Scott, afraid he's not. Looks like he's going to have a go at Gili Gili. I wonder whether Scott has attributed the dormant state of 5th Air Force thus far to a dearth of aircraft? I've got about 150 mediums and 50 heavies, however. Either way, I guess he figures it's now or never.

No longer LRCAP'd, my transports at Irau were struck by Bettys. Bloody business, although I do think it's a bit of a phyrric victory for Scott. The transports will've finished unloading next turn, and the Irau airfield has already jumped to lvl 1.

I've also received CV Hornet along with more CA's and DD's, and now have an obscene number of the latter.

I really have to do something about the sub menace, but all my best DD's are teamed with the CV's.


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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 30 Aug 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Efate Port Vila:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-27

Allied Ships:
AO Tappahannock, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
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Sub attack NNE Townsville:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-121

Allied Ships:
AK Murada, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
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Air attack on TF at Irau from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 7 destroyed, G4M1 Betty x 17 damaged *11 lost*

Allied Ships:
DD Maury, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *sys 31, flt 18, f 30*
AV Curtiss, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *sys 50, flt 43, f 12*
AP McCawley, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Bellatrix, Torpedo hits 1 *sys 14, flt 8, f 2*
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Hoskins:

Japanese Ships:
TK Teiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Drum
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[timtom]

The flyboys pulled off something of a snafu this turn. The morning strikes went in without escorts and the Zero's had a field day. The A-24's and the Beauforts were slated to strike at the shipping, while the rest of the bombers hit the invading troops. I figured there was no point in trying to bounce 500 lbs GP's off the Hiei and Kongo, what with the carriers arriving next turn. A mistake, probably...

Then, in the afternoon, the fighters showed up to escort the bombers on to the target - all three of them. Kinda wish they hadn't, as the Zero's then proceded to blow 20 P-40's out the sky. I lost a total of 45 aircraft to Scott's nine.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 31 Aug 1942 Weather: Clear
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Madang from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 3

Japanese Ships:
TK Nichei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
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Air attack on TF at Gili Gili from Port Moresby: *two strikes*

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M3 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 68
Beaufort x 12
A-24 Dauntless x 17

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 18 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 8 damaged *20 lost*
Beaufort x 6 destroyed, Beaufort x 8 damaged *7 lost*
A-24 Dauntless x 14 destroyed, A-24 Dauntless x 3 damaged *11 lost - sqd. virtually wiped out*
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 41st Regiment (Gili Gili) from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M3 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft:
Hudson x 13
A-20B Havoc x 13
B-25D Mitchell x 24

Allied aircraft losses:
Hudson x 3 destroyed, Hudson x 2 damaged *4 lost*
A-20B Havoc x 3 destroyed, A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged *3 lost*
B-25D Mitchell x 2 destroyed, B-25D Mitchell x 13 damaged *2 lost*

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31
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[timtom]

September arrives and the butchery continues unabated in the skies over Gili Gili. My carriers struck at Scott's shipping, loosing 49 aircraft in the process, although the combat report below states otherwise. The tally includes 23 F4F's, and Scott lost exactly the same number of Zero's, although 2/3 of his losses were incured when CVE Unyo went to David Jones'. In a startling display of lack of solidarity, the P-40's again stayed put while the bombers struck at the IJA 41st Rgt.'s positions. Five bombers were lost. In total, the tally for the day was 57 aircraft lost to 24 Japanese.

The South Seas Detachment then assaulted the Oz perimeter and were bloodily repulsed.

My AC TF's are fast running out of aircraft and fuel, but they've got one last strike left in them. A SC TF (CAx3, CLx2, DDx5) will hit Scott's shipping at Gili Gili tonight if his doesn't retire. I'll get the worst of it, of course, but I'm hoping a few cripples will be left within range of my CV's - and I need to attrit Scott's BB's.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01 Sep 1942 Weather: Clear
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
AG 108, Shell hits 12,and is sunk
AG 110, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
AG 111, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Grenadier, Shell hits 5
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Air attack on TF at Gili Gili from AC TF SSE Gili Gili:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 17
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
SBD Dauntless x 48
TBF Avenger x 11

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 5 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 12 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed, TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships:
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
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Air attack on TF at Gili Gili from AC TF SSW Gili Gili:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
SBD Dauntless x 28
TBF Avenger x 14

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 6 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 16 damaged
TBF Avenger x 7 destroyed, TBF Avenger x 8 damaged

Japanese Ships:
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Haguro, Torpedo hits 1
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 41st Regiment (Gili Gili) from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 17
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft:
B-25D Mitchell x 12
A-20B Havoc x 7

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25D Mitchell x 4 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 4 destroyed, A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Gili Gili:

Japanese Deliberate attack:

Attacking force 5555 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles *41st Rgt., 86th NG Bn., 61st FAA Bn., 86th BF*

Defending force 8600 troops, 58 guns, 10 vehicles *7th Bgd., 14th Bgd. (-), 13th Eng. Bn., 161st BF*

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 353
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 24
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[timtom]

The night surface battle proved curiously bloodless, although CA Takao was damaged enough to be finished off by the carrier planes come daylight. The night fighting XP of the vessels involved have gone up, of course, and that's something.

The Japanese main body retreated direction Rabaul, making good speed. The transports are now apparently without cover, but, judging from the number of troops at Gili Gili, also done unloading. Either way, with the battlewagons gone, I've set all my bombers at Port Moresby for naval attack, hoping for a little going away party.

I'm pulling my carriers back to prepare for the much-needed Lunga resupply run.

Looks like Scott's landing troops at Vila and Munda...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02 Sep 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Night Time Surface Combat at Gili Gili:

Japanese Ships:
BB Kongo, Shell hits 6
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
CA Takao, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Atago, Shell hits 4
CA Haguro, Shell hits 11, on fire
CL Yubari *hit by 6 1,000lbs' last turn and apparently no worse for wear. Faulty combat report?*
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships:
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 10, on fire *sys 20, flt 14, f 14*
CA Northampton, Shell hits 1
CA Quincy, Shell hits 1
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 3 *sys 26, flt 2, f 5*
DD O'Brien
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 2
DD Patterson
DD Smith
DD Fanning, Shell hits 1
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Air attack on TF NNE Gili Gili from AC TF SW Gili Gili:

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
SBD Dauntless x 32
TBF Avenger x 10

Allied aircraft losses:
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
TBF Avenger x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships:
CA Takao, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Gili Gili:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7187 troops, 82 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8580 troops, 58 guns, 10 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 339

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 67
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Another bad day in the skies over Gili Gili. Aircraft lost: 29-9, no hits scored. The P-40's again took a hammering. The bombers are going in a 1,000 feet, so maybe it's the escorts' low altitude that does it. Next turn the P-40's will be doing a high-altitude sweep over GG rather than an escort mission, so we'll see if that makes any difference.

I'm amazed about the B-25's apparent ability to take punishment and still bring the crew home - I've had many damaged but only lost a handful.

The CV's are finally moving out of strike range and returning to Noumea. I've lost exactly half my carrier aircraft - 126 out of 252. However as a parting shot, I've detached a force of four CA's and six DD's to go look for trouble at Gili Gili, if any...

TK Nichei Maru, hit by Beauforts at Madang four days ago, is reported sunk.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 03 1942 Weather: Overcast
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Madang from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 4
B-25D Mitchell x 4

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships:
MSW Toshi Maru #2, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
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Air attack on TF at Gili Gili from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 71
A-20B Havoc x 3
Beaufort x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 12
B-26B Marauder x 18

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 11 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 8 damaged
Beaufort x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed, B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Basilaki Island from Port Moresby: *SC TF*

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 6
Beaufort x 6
B-26B Marauder x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed, A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged
Beaufort x 3 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 6 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 41st Regiment (Gili Gili) from AC TF's SSE Gili Gili: *Primary mission: Naval Attack [:(]*

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 59

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 5 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 51
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Gili Gili:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4973 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10008 troops, 116 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

I've lost more aircraft this week (165) than in the four preceding weeks together (126). The P-40's had another bad day over Gili Gili, the USAAF in particular faring badly. Morale is rather low among the fighter pilots, only outdone by some of the worst hit bomber sqd's. There's not rest for the wicked, however, as a resupply TF is due to arrive at PM.

Scott's tin cans gallantly sacrificed themselves in an uneven fight at GG. My force, lead by one Cpt. H. Hood of the USS New Orleans, displayed neither vigour nor skill. While the Japanese naval vessels kept the American cruisers occupied, most of the destroyers failed to get into the fight. After dispatching the IJN covering force, Hood then withdrew rather than engage the exposed Japanese transports. But at least he had the good grace to go down with his ship when the New Orleans finally succumed later than night to multiple torpedo hits received.



The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,246/3,715 = 1.00:1.65
Week 1: 2,394/3,731 = 1.00:1.56
Week 2: 2,739/3,868 = 1.00:1.41
Week 3: 2,889/3,889 = 1.00:1.35
Week 4: 3,861/3,979 = 1.00:1.03
Week 5: 4,190/4,214 = 1.00:1.01

Army Losses:

7/50 = 1.00:7.14

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xBB, 1xCA, 2XDD, 2xAO, 1xAP, 3xAK
Damaged: 3xCA, 1xCL, 2xDD, 1xAPD, 1xAV, 1xSS, 1xAO, 1xAP

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 2xCV, 1xCVL, 1xCVE, 2xCA, 5xDD, 1xAPD, 1xMSW, 2xPG, 3xPC, 2xTK, 1xAK
Damaged: 3xCA, 2xCL, 4xDD, 2xSS, 1xTK, 1xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 291/272 = 1.07:1.00

Week 1: 8/22 = 1.00:2.75
Week 2: 25/29 = 1.00:1.16
Week 3: 3/5 = 1.00:1.67
Week 4: 90/141 = 1.00:1.57
Week 5: 165/75 = 2.20:1.00

Air-to-Air: 200/120 = 1.67:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 8/19 = 1.00:2.38
Destroyed by AAA: 59/50 = 1.18:1.00
Operational Losses: 24/84 = 1.00:3.50

Sorties Flown:

Total: 17,811/14,982 = 1.19:1.00

Week 1: 2,329/1,123 = 2.07:1.00
Week 2: 3,630/2,381 = 1.52:1.00
Week 3: 2,673/3,581 = 1.00:1.34
Week 4: 4,374/3,512 = 1.25:1.00
Week 5: 4,806/4,385 = 1.10:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0159/0.0169 = 1.0000:1.0628
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0013/0.0059 = 1.0000:4.5385
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04 Sep 1942 Weather: Rain
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Basilaki Island:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-162

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at SW Truk:

Japanese Ships:
ML Ishizaki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS Gudgeon
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Sub attack at Vila:

Japanese Ships:
AP Azumasan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Greenling
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Night Time Surface Combat at Gili Gili:

Japanese Ships:
CA Kako, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Ushio, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
AP Aki Maru
AP Argentina Maru
AP Arimasan Maru
AP Arizona Maru
AP Asahisan Maru
AP Asakasan Maru
AP China Maru
AP Enju Maru
AP Goyo Maru
AP Hokkai Maru
AP Keizan Maru
AP Meiten Maru
AP Nana Maru
AP Tarushima Maru
AP Unkai Maru #3

Allied Ships:
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CA Astoria, Shell hits 6
CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco
DD Henley
DD Jarvis
DD Farragut
DD Dewey, Shell hits 2
DD Worden
DD Dale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili from Port Moresby (fighter sweep):

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 44

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 14 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 7 damaged *17 lost*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Gili Gili:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6936 troops, 88 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8520 troops, 58 guns, 10 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 243
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 91
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

All hell descended on Madang this turn as over 100 bombers struck at shipping there, the handful of oilers there a target of greater priority than the 15 AP's at Gili Gili, apparently. Why the latter is still there I don't know - maybe Scott's actually hoping the bombers will attack, what with recent results.

The Nipponese fighter pilots have been busy reading up on Saburo Sakai's "Samurai", it would appear, as a mere handful of Zero's took on ten times their numbers over Port Moresby, bagging five to the loss of none.

Increased Japanese activity in the upper Solomons reported.

ML Ishizaki, torpedoed by SS Gudgeon last turn, is reported sunk. Always good to sink ML's...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05 Sep 1942 Weather: Overcast
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Port Moresby:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-24

Allied Ships:
AK Lycaon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Madang from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 12
B-25D Mitchell x 32
B-26B Marauder x 71

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AO Tsurumi, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
AO Sata, Bomb hits 17, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Port Moresby from Lae (fighter sweep):

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 36
P-40E Kittyhawk x 21

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed, P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------