Rematch by Proxy: Scn.7, Grunt6971 vs Timtom

[timtom]

AV Curtis, Betty'd at Irau a week ago, finally managed to struggle into Lunga - only to sink. At 18 VP, it's a fairly expensive little boat. AP Azumasan Maru is also reported sunk.

Scott's transports are still sitting at GG, my bombers disinclined to attack. Tomorrow we hit Lae instead. There are 85-odd fighters reported at Rabaul, so I suspect the GG transport are well CAP'd. Lae is weakly defended, but holds a sdq. of Vals. My bombers could do with an easy target...

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06 Sep 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Air Attacks:

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

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 33
P-40E Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed, P-39D Airacobra x 3 damaged
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[timtom]

The transports are finally away from Gili Gili. Kudos to Scott for pulling it off the operation, in the face of a daunting air- and surface threat environment, without the loss of a single transport. I fear, however, that he's now mousetrapped at Gili Gili. If need be, I can reinforce with another five brigades, and airpower's always on call from Port Moresby to take the sting out of any enemy ground unit.

AO Tsurumi reported sunk - no surprise, having been hit by 12 500lbs'.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07 Sep 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SSW Port Moresby:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-122

Allied Ships:
AK Lycaon, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 55

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 3 destroyed, D3A Val x 3 damaged

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 24
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 46
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[timtom]

A quiet day in the South Pacific. My carriers arrived at Noumea. Having been to sea nay onto three weeks, I'll give the sailors a few days shore leave before readying for running supplies and reinforcements to Lunga - an operation scheduled two weeks ago...

Tomorrow offers bad weather, which I'll use as an excuse to stand down my airforce at Port Moresby. Rest and refit is order of the day.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08 Sep 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 56

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 86
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 50
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[timtom]

Looks like Scott's running another, smallish transport TF into Gili Gili, covered by a SC TF (BBx2, CAx3, CLx1, DDx5). Resupply or reinforcements? Either way I don't like it, but I'm leery of attacking lest we have a repeat of last time. Anyway, I need my fighters to protect a TF carrying the rump of the Operation Swipe forces along with HQ 5th Air Force. If Scott is landing reinforcements I'll have a few turns to rush in some of my own. If it's a resupply run, I guess I'll just concede this one.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09 Sep 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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[>:]

[timtom]

It would appear that Scott's landing supplies ay Gili Gili - no new units are reported there, although I've again forgotten to order a probe of the South Sea Detachment's perimeter. If so, he could just as easily have FT'd the supplies in, which speaks of Scott's confidence about Allied air power in a rather unsettling manner.

The Operation Swipe forces have begun to trek over the Owen Stanley's. It's take them about 20 days to get there, after which I'll probably let them rest for a tenday.

I've begun to load troops and supplies of the Lunga resupply run. The whole operation will involve over 100 ships from SC's to CV's.

Cdr. W.S. Stovall's USS Gudgeon was hit by several 3" shells as she engaged and sank AP Shinkoku Maru on the surface 60 miles southwest of Truk. She will now retire to Noumea after a reasonably successful war patrol around Truk, sinking PC Ch 30 (14/08/42), PC Ch 32 (29/08/42), ML Ishizaki (04/09/42), and AP Shinkoku Maru (10/09/42). A gudgeon, should anyone wonder, is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language as a "small Eurasian freshwater fish (Gobio gobio) related to the carp and used for bait", or, alternatively, as "one who is easily duped".

The Gudgeon, incidentally, was the first US submarine ever to sink an enemy ship - IJN sub I-173 at that, on an Ultra-intercept.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10 Sep 1942 Weather: Overcast
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Gili Gili:

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 4 *supply: - 3000 points (50%)*
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SW Truk:

Japanese Ships:
AP Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Gudgeon, Shell hits 4 *sys 29, flt 28, f 0*
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Port Moresby airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 13
G4M1 Betty x 28

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 48
P-40E Kittyhawk x 46

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 24 destroyed, G4M1 Betty x 10 damaged *21 lost!*

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 5 destroyed. P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
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[timtom]

Quiet. Bad weather keeps most aircraft on the ground. I'm sure the Ozzies at Gili Gili are heartily cursing high command for letting the IJN shell them with impunity. I guess I ought to at least make a demonstration. 125 fighters are reported at Rabaul. Ughh...

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
Week 6: 4,362/4,262 = 1.02:1.00

Army Losses:

7/51 = 1.00:7.29

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xBB, 1xCA, 2XDD, 1xAV, 2xAO, 1xAP, 4xAK
Damaged: 3xCA, 1xCL, 2xDD, 1xAPD, 2xSS, 1xAO, 1xAP

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

Air Losses:

Total: 314/318 = 1.00:1.01

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
Week 6: 23/46 = 1.00:2.00

Air-to-Air: 216/145 = 1.49:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 8/23 = 1.00:2.88
Destroyed by AAA: 60/51 = 1.18:1.00
Operational Losses: 30/99 = 1.00:3.30

Sorties Flown:

Total: 20,369/18,746 = 1.09:1.00

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
Week 6: 2,558/3,764 = 1.00:1.47

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0150/0.0157 = 1.00:1.05
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0015/0.0053 = 1.00:3.53
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11 Sep 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Gili Gili:

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
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[timtom]

Scott caught me totally off guard this turn by sneaking a small carrier strike force up on me. A CV - Junyo presumably - and a CVL moved into positon undetected 30 miles east of Dobudura to launch a strike at my retiring - and unprotected - transport TF 150 miles south of Port Moresby. SC 519 and MSW Ipswich sunk, a PG and an AP heavily damaged, two AP's moderately damaged. Damage to my pride is greater...

In the unlikely event that he'll still be around next turn, I'll try to hit him with my Beauforts.

Scott's transports at Gili Gili are unloading supplies, it seems. I can live with that.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12 Sep 1942 Weather: Overcast
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14
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Air attack on TF S Port Moresby from AC TF E Dobodura:

Japanese aircraft:
A5M4 Claude x 6
A6M2 Zero x 10
D3A Val x 15
B5N Kate x 27

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 4 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed, B5N Kate x 15 damaged

Allied Ships:
SC 519, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
MSW Ipswich, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PG Warrego, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sys 56, flt 38, f 37*
AP Wanganella, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *sys 23, flt 12, f 9*
AP Kanimbla, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *sys 24, flt 29, f 11*
AP Katoomba, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sys 35, flt 67, f30*
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Gili Gili:

Japanese Ships:
AP Heiwa Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships:
SS S-41
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 59

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed, B-26B Marauder x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 61
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 36
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Gili Gili:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6741 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles *no reinforcements*

Defending force 8444 troops, 58 guns, 10 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 78

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 14
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[timtom]

Scott's invading both Rossel and Goodenough Islands. He's getting a bit cocky for my likening. I might just have to make an example of the garrisons of said islands. Leastways I've ordered my bombers on naval strike next turn, although not without misgivings.

I only realised that the B-17E doesn't upgrade to the B-24D, only the B-24J. I receive 10 B-24D's a month as replacements and now have 18 in the pool to feed my one B-24D sqd. So I guess I should use some of them. I'm still saving my (35) B-17's should I get into real trouble. Of course at this junction a good player would smack Rabaul to curb the LRCAP flying out of there so that I might strike at Scott's shipping without having my P-40's cut to rippons.

Over on Noumea it's take two on the loading of troops and supplies for Lunga. The TF commander decided to sail for that location leaving behind half the troops. No matter, my CV sqd's need the extra time to absorb replacements.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 13 Sep 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Shortland Island:

Japanese Ships:
AG 109, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS S-40
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Air attack on TF at Goodenough Island from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 4

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 5 damaged

Japanese Ships:
DD Mikazuki, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
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Air attack on TF at Gili Gili from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 24
Beaufort x 12

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed
Beaufort x 1 destroyed, Beaufort x 10 damaged

Japanese Ships:
DD Kuroshio, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Gili Gili:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4867 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 9764 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 22
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[timtom]

Scott's going for Misimi Island too - there's a first! Bet most of you don't even know where that is...

I'm not sure what to make of this latest effort on Scott's part, nor exactly how to respond. I'm throwing the book at him next turn, more to make a point than anything. At present they're probably more of a threat to Scott than to me, as he now has to maintain the places. Betty's based out of Rossel Island, however, is of course unacceptable. I was planning to transfer a CA/CL force to SWPAC anyway, and its presence in the Coral Sea alone should tie down some of Scott's forces. At the moment I see it as an opportunity to inflict some casualties on Scott. We'll see later if I need to counter-invade.

Guess where my carriers are going after having supported the Lunga run...

SS Tautog struck a T93 mine at Basilaki Island and is out of the war for a few months. BB Kongo and AP Chihaya Maru hit the same (Japanese) field. I don't think I've ever had a sub hit a mine, so that's pretty cool.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 14 Sep 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Goodenough Island:

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

Allied Ships:
SS S-45
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Sub attack at Rossel Island:

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

Allied Ships:
SS Drum
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Air attack on TF at Misima Island from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25D Mitchell x 31
B-26B Marauder x 53

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed, B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships:
AP Myoko Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Atlantic Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Tatsuho Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 2
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 2 destroyed, D3A Val x 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 18
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 19
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Rossel Island:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1863 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles *Yokosuko 5th SNLF, Maizuro 4th CD, Maizuro 4th AAA, 18th BF*

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Rossel Island base !!!
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Gili Gili:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4864 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 9737 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2
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[timtom]

Scott's certainly not afraid of putting his merchantmen in harms way...

He's been running a few fighter sweeps over Port Moresby lately, but with no bomber threat, I've seen no reason to expose my fighters. However 66 bombers are now reported at Rabaul, so I guess that'll change.

My transports hit 3 days ago by Scott's carrier planes have arrived back at Townsville. PG Warrago limbed into Cairns. AP Katoomba is still under tow, but is looking doubtful.

The Lunga resupply operation is under way, properly this time. Forces are as follows:

Transports:

TF210 (R.Adm. T.Wilkinson) CLAAx1, DDx4, MSWx1, PGx2, SCx7, APx10 - Carrying III.Amph.Corps, USMC 7th Rgt., 54th CA Rgt., 76th CAA Bn., 14th CB & 810th EAB.

TF202 (R.Adm. W.Fechteler) DDx2, PGx1, SCx2, MSWx1, AKx10, APx9 - Carrying 28,500 supply

TF209 (R.Adm. R.Berkey) DDx1, DMSx1, SCx2, APx3 - Tasked with loading USMC 3rd Defence battalion and moving it to Irau.

TF208 (R.Adm. J.Reeves) DDx3, DMSx1 - FT carrying 800 supply to arrive at D-1. To get VMF-223 & VMF 224, tranferred for the occasion, into the air on D-day.

TF217 (R.Adm. H.Leary) DMx4 - Laying mines at Lunga and Tulagi.

TF220 (R.Adm. M.Tisdale) CLx1, DDx3, DMSx1, AVx3 - carrying USMC 17th Eng. Rgt. for Tulagi.

TF208 (Cpt. H.Maples) AOx1 - refueling.

Covering force:

TF211 (R.Adm. M.Mitscher) CVx2, CAx2, CLAAx1, DDx7

TF218 (R.Adm. R.Spruance) CVx2, CAx2, CLAAx1, DDx7 - TF211 & TF218 will move to a position east of Lunga to threated Shortland Island and strike at any enemy surface formations coming down the Slot.

TF219 (R.Adm. W.Lee) CAx3, CLx2, DDx5 - close surface cover

TF222 (R.Adm. W.Smith) CAx4, CLx1, DDx5 - En route for Rossel Island. Will engage enemy forces or bombard, then rejoin main force at Lunga.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 15 Sep 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at ENE Shortland Island: *two attacks*

Japanese Ships:
AP Kasuga Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Kaika Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS S-39
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Air attack on TF at Goodenough Island from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 24
B-25D Mitchell x 3
B-26B Marauder x 32

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships:
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AP Aki Maru, Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Argentina Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 94
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Air attack on TF at Buna from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 24
P-40E Warhawk x 62
Beaufort x 9
A-24 Dauntless x 7
A-20B Havoc x 16
B-25D Mitchell x 27
B-26B Marauder x 23

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

Japanese Ships:
ML Niizaki, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Tarushima Maru, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
AP Asakasan Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meiten Maru, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 159
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Misima Island:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 404 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles *Sasebo 5th SNLF, 8th BF*

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Misima Island base !!!
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Gili Gili:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4864 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 9713 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 18
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[timtom]

A quiet turn after all of yesterdays activity. The airstrike on Port Moresby didn't materialise, in fact it appears that most of the bombers have been withdrawn. There's only three other airfield that can handle bombers - Lae, Kavieng, Wewak - and they ain't there either...

Bad weather coming - I'll give the flyboys a break.

AP Argentina Maru reported sunk.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 16 Sep 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Goodenough Island from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft:
B-25D Mitchell x 27
B-26B Marauder x 46

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

Japanese Ships:
APD 34, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
APD 35, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Azuma Maru, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 61
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[timtom]

Well, the Rossel Island sortie didn't go too well. Scott's shipping was gone, the bombardment failed to hit anything, and DD Mustin ate a 4.7" shell.

My TF's are approaching Lunga under the cover of the weather, undetected it seems. They should arrive turn after next, so TF208 is making its run this coming turn. A sub is reported at Tulagi. No shipping sighted at Shortland, although I'm only running a recon mission this coming turn. A resupply TF is also due at PM. Weather forecast: Thunderstorms

AP's Asakasan Maru & Meiten Maru reported sunk.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 17 Sep 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Rossel Island:

Allied Ships:
CA Canberra, Shell hits 1
DD Mustin, Shell hits 1 *sys 25, flt 0, f 4*
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Goodenough Island:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 724 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles *10th Naval CB, 20th BF*

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Goodenough Island base !!!
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[timtom]

D-1: TF208 dropped off its supplies at Lunga without incident, and is away. Main forces will arrive at Lunga Roads at first light next turn. Three subs are reported in the area, so casualties expected. The Marine F4F's will provide CAP, while the carriers move into position to strike at Shortland and any shipping in the area. Recon indicates no immediate air- or surface threat present.

A small convoy is sighted at Lae and a strike is ordered both against Lae airfield (B-26's) and against the shipping (B-25's, Beauforts).

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
Week 6: 4,362/4,262 = 1.02:1.00
Week 7: 4,515/4,487 = 1.01:1.00

Army Losses:

7/54 = 1.00:7.71

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xBB, 1xCA, 2XDD, 1xMSW, 1xSC, 1xAV, 2xAO, 1xAP, 4xAK
Damaged: 3xCA, 1xCL, 3xDD, 1xAPD, 1xPG, 2xSS, 1xAO, 4xAP

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 2xCV, 1xCVL, 1xCVE, 2xCA, 6xDD, 2xAPD, 2xML, 1xMSW, 2xPG, 3xPC, 2xAO, 2xTK, 12xAP
Damaged: 3xCA, 2xCL, 5xDD, 1xAPD, 1xPG, 3xSS, 1xTK, 9xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 330/339 = 1.00:1.03

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
Week 6: 23/46 = 1.00:2.00
Week 7: 16/21 = 1.00:1.31

Air-to-Air: 220/148 = 1.49:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 8/27 = 1.00:3.38
Destroyed by AAA: 68/54 = 1.26:1.00
Operational Losses: 33/110 = 1.00:3.33

Sorties Flown:

Total: 23,641/23,460 = 1.01:1.00
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
Week 6: 2,558/3,764 = 1.00:1.47
Week 7: 3,272/4,714 = 1.00:1.44

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0136/0.0133 = 1.0225:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0014/0.0047 = 1.0000:3.3571

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 18 Sep 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
PG Choko Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Grenadier
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Sub attack SE Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
AP Kasuga Maru #2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS S-39
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[timtom]

The weather kept air-activity to a rather disappointing minimum. Unloading at Lunga is proceding at pace. The USMC 17th Eng. Rgt. have been dropped off at Tulagi, and mines have been sown both there and at Lunga. To my surprise, only one sub contact, no hits. If recon is to be believed, it would seem that Scott isn't going to interfere with operations.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 19 Sep 1942 Weather: Rain
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 49

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

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 37
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[timtom]

The weather cleared up this turn and the carrier strikes came off. The main strike found three ML's well out to sea east of Buin and proceded to sink all three. VB-6 & VT-6 actually managed to locate the primary target at Shortland. Too bad they'd lost the escorts on the way, although that didn't deter them barging ahead in the face of some 30-odd Zero's. Plenty of TBF's in the pool, though.

Unloading at Lunga is about done and hopefully we'll be away next turn. It appears Scott's reinforced Shortland with another fighter sdq. and I don't want to further deplete ny carrier sqd's unless it's imperative. So while there's targets aplenty at Shortland, I'm pulling my CV's out of range.

At SWPAC, I've started shipping the Oz 7th ID to Cooktown, from whence it'll deploy for Operation Swipe. My TCS' are about rebuilt and ready.

AP Myoko Maru reported sunk.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 20 Sep 1942 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-22

Allied Ships:
AK Libra, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sys 65, flt 82, f 0*
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Allied Naval Attack:

Sub attack WNW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
DD Akikaze

Allied Ships:
SS Pickerel, Shell hits 1, on fire *sys 37, flt 62, f 0*
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Air attack on TF W Kavieng from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25D Mitchell x 28

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25D Mitchell x 13 damaged *2 lost*

Japanese Ships:
AP Chowa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Boston Maru, Bomb hits 1
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Air attack on TF at Shortland Island from AC TF's SE Munda:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3 Zero x 16

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft:
SBD Dauntless x 11
TBF Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses:
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
TBF Avenger x 13 destroyed, TBF Avenger x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships:
AO Naruto, Bomb hits 4, on fire
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Air attack on TF E Buin from AC TF's SE Munda:

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 55
SBD Dauntless x 96
TBF Avenger x 27

Allied aircraft losses:
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships:
ML Hirashima, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
ML Tsugaru, Bomb hits 12, and is sunk
ML Ikitsushima, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 53
B-24D Liberator x 12

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

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 47
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 27
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[timtom]

Unloading at Lunga is complete and withdrawal is only delayed by the need to bunker the escorting PG's, SC's & MSW's. TF209 displacing the USMC 3rd Defence Bn. to Irau is due to begin unloading there next turn. My carriers will swing round for a parting blow against Rossel Island. In particular I'd like to hit those coastal guns.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 21 Sep 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Lae from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:

P-40E Warhawk x 31
P-39D Airacobra x 48
A-20B Havoc x 15
Beaufort x 15

Japanese Ships:
MSW Hagoromo Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Fumi Maru #2, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
MSW Tama Maru, Shell hits 8
AP Florida Maru, Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakusan Maru, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakonesan Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 38
B-26B Marauder x 34

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 42
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 37
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[timtom]

My TF's have now withdrawn from Lunga. The garrison there now consists of five rgt.'s and a tank bn., defended seawise by 24 6" rifles and a minefield. The airfield is at lvl 2, and I've moved in a SBD & F4F sdq. There's enough engineers and supply to support the erection of several fort levels, even if the Tokyo express comes calling. Irau airfield is approaching lvl 4, which will allow me to project medium bombers into the central Solomons and heavies onto the upper ditto.

Pending enemy action, I've got no major SOPAC operations planned for the next three weeks, when the 147th Rgt. arrive. I'll then mount another large scale operation to move it, a CD, CB & BF to Tulagi. After that the USMC 2nd Div. is arriving, which is going to Lunga.

My CV's are swinging by Rossel Island for a some live-fire exercises, then returning to Noumea to refit.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 22 Sep 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at ESE Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-176

Allied Ships:
AK Fomalhaut, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sys 63, flt 89, f 21*
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Air attack on TF at Irau from Shortland Island:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft:
P-400 Airacobra x 18

Japanese aircraft losses:
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed, G4M1 Betty x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed, P-400 Airacobra x 2 damaged

Allied Ships:
AP Calvert, Bomb hits 1 *sys 31, flt 3 ,f 4*
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 53
B-24D Liberator x 12

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 74
Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 39
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[timtom]

Bad weather again keeps air activity to a minimum. Another of my subs are hit, and 25% of my undersea force is now damaged. I'm yet to lose one, although the Pickerel, DC'd by DD Akikaze outside Rabaul three days ago, is looking increasingly doubtful (then again, KB-victim AP Katoomba just made it back to Cairns on plywood, chewing-gum and a prayer).
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 23 Sep 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack ESE Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-176

Allied Ships:
AK Fomalhaut, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at ESE Lae:

Japanese Ships:
AP Hakusan Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS S-45
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Sub attack NW Vila:

Japanese Ships:
APD 39

Allied Ships:
SS S-46, Shell hits 2 *sys 34, flt 43, f 0*
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Gili Gili:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6856 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8455 troops, 58 guns, 10 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 308
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 25
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[timtom]

148 Navy bombers hit Rossel Island without causing the least bit of damage. Maybe it not actually possible to attack a lvl. 0 port? Anyway, nuts to this - we're going home.

I'm lifting the rest of the 14th Bgd. to Gili Gili next turn. Two sdq's of P-40's have been transferred there for the occasion. The reason why it's taken me so long is that as I've been under no significant pressure at Gil Gili, I've taken the luxury of waiting until fighters could be made available - rested & ready - and they've been busy elsewhere til now. It's rather likely that Scott hasn't had a LRCAP over Gili Gili in a fortnight, but as thing stand I couldn't see any point in chancing it.

AO Naruto & AP Hakonesan Maru reported sunk.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 24 Sep 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Basilaki Island:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-123

Allied Ships:
AK Demodocus, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk *single AK on the Gili Gili run*
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack WNW Rabaul:

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

Allied Ships:
SS Grayling
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 31
B-24D Liberator x 12

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses::
Men lost 25
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12
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Air attack on Rossel Island port from AC TF's SE Rossel Island:

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 50
SBD Dauntless x 102
TBF Avenger x 46

Allied aircraft losses:
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
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[timtom]

The combat elements of the 14th Bgd. were succesfully lifted to Gili Gili at the cost of two C-47's. Remaining are the REMF's, which will be lifted in after the C-47 jocks have had a rest. I've also FT'd the 104th AAA Bn. to GG. Unfortunately APD Gregory struck a T93 mine at Basilaki, in spite of the area having just been swept. So The Gregory will be joining APD Colhoun in the dock.

The first strike out of Henderson Field found a SC TF a ways north of Tulagi. While scoring five hits, VMSB-232 is now left with likewise five servicable aircraft and morale has virtually collapsed. I'm not sure what to make of this TF, so as a precaution my CV's have been diverted to a position near Rennell Island.

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
Week 6: 4,362/4,262 = 1.02:1.00
Week 7: 4,515/4,487 = 1.01:1.00
Week 8: 4,757/4,602 = 1.03:1.00

Army Losses:

9/58 = 1.00:6.44

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xBB, 1xCA, 2XDD, 1xMSW, 1xSC, 1xAV, 2xAO, 1xAP, 6xAK
Damaged: 3xCA, 1xCL, 3xDD, 2xAPD, 1xPG, 4xSS, 1xAO, 5xAP, 1xAK

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 2xCV, 1xCVL, 1xCVE, 2xCA, 6xDD, 2xAPD, 5xML, 3xMSW, 2xPG, 3xPC, 3xAO, 2xTK, 14xAP
Damaged: 3xCA, 3xCL, 6xDD, 1xAPD, 1xMSW, 1xPG, 2xSS, 1xTK, 10xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 361/367 = 1.00:1.02

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
Week 6: 23/46 = 1.00:2.00
Week 7: 16/21 = 1.00:1.31
Week 8: 31/28 = 1.11:1.00

Air-to-Air: 234/157 = 1.49:100
Destroyed on Field: 8/29 = 1.00:3.63
Destroyed by AAA: 74/54 = 1.37:1.00
Operational Losses: 45/127 = 1.00:2.82

Sorties Flown:

Total: 28,551/27,595 = 1.03:1.00

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
Week 6: 2,558/3,764 = 1.00:1.47
Week 7: 3,272/4,714 = 1.00:1.44
Week 8: 4,910/4,135 = 1.18:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0124/0.0122 = 1.0164:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0016/0.0046 = 1.0000:2.8750

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 25 Sep 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack WNW Rabaul:

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

Allied Ships:
SS Grayling
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Air attack on TF NNW Tulagi from Lunga: *two strikes*

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 23

Allied aircraft losses:
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 9 damaged *4 lost*

Japanese Ships:
DD Akitsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Yura, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 33
B-26B Marauder x 59

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

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 19
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 43
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