PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[anarchyintheuk]

You can have the "it's the pilot not the planes" and the "it's the planes not the pilots" arguments all day. Corsairs claimed an 11-1 kill ratio (we all know what "claimed" means) with average pilots against bad-average pilots in planes at least as good, if not better, than the ones in the combat in this aar. Ken achieved 3-4 to 1 with average pilots against average-good pilots. I don't see where the "overated" comment comes from. Like Kereguelen jokingly says, maybe they're underated. Allied pilots were fully aware of and taught about the zero's characteristics and weaknesses by this time; it's 18 months into the war.

Anyway, sorry to be OT. Still enjoying the AAR. Crush the imperialists.

[castor troy]

Okay, now we´re in the pro Jap pro Allied way again. 224 A6M against 32 Corsairs!!!! Zero pilots weren´t green!!!! In game terms they are experienced!!!! Should I say Veteran??? PzB said the Zeros were his KB fighters so they´re not green!!!! AND EVERYONE WHO SAYS THIS RESULT IS OKAY IS JUST..... OH WELL! All you Allied fanboys just can´t compare the history where less and unexperienced Japs were meat for the Corsairs with the battle happened here! All you Allied fanboys just ignore what happens in the game! It would be better if you just would read a HISTORY book or watch a demo about the historic war in the pacific.

Just again: 224 exp. pilots in A6M against 32 exp. pilots in Corsairs!! If that would have happened in reality there wouldn´t be a single Corsair left! AND TO SAY THAT THEY WOULD ACHIVE A 11:1 IN THIS BATTLE IS JUST RIDICOULOS!!!! IN MY OPPINION IF IT WOULDN´T ANNOY ME THAT MUCH, SUCH A STATEMENT ISN´T EVEN WORTH TALKING ABOUT!!!

OPEN YOUR EYES PLZ.

[Andy Mac]

Lets take this elsewhere guys this thread aint the place.

[anarchyintheuk]

[ORIGINAL: castor troy

Okay, now we´re in the pro Jap pro Allied way again. 224 A6M against 32 Corsairs!!!! Zero pilots weren´t green!!!! In game terms they are experienced!!!! Should I say Veteran??? PzB said the Zeros were his KB fighters so they´re not green!!!! AND EVERYONE WHO SAYS THIS RESULT IS OKAY IS JUST..... OH WELL! All you Allied fanboys just can´t compare the history where less and unexperienced Japs were meat for the Corsairs with the battle happened here! All you Allied fanboys just ignore what happens in the game! It would be better if you just would read a HISTORY book or watch a demo about the historic war in the pacific.

You can compare it. I did earlier.

Just again: 224 exp. pilots in A6M against 32 exp. pilots in Corsairs!! If that would have happened in reality there wouldn´t be a single Corsair left! AND TO SAY THAT THEY WOULD ACHIVE A 11:1 IN THIS BATTLE IS JUST RIDICOULOS!!!! IN MY OPPINION IF IT WOULDN´T ANNOY ME THAT MUCH, SUCH A STATEMENT ISN´T EVEN WORTH TALKING ABOUT!!!

In reality there wouldn't have been 214 zeros on cap. Nor would they have been effective w/o radios. The corsairs didn't achieve an 11-1 ratio in the aar. Don't think anyone said they should either.

Let's start yet another corsairs are overated thread and leave the aar alone.

[PzB74]

The reason I don't yell too loudly about the results in this game is that I've promised myself to adapt to the rules...
Here are my personal views with pros and cons:

1.) Sure, the Corsair IS overrated - but this is arguably also the A6M2.
2.) Pilot experience should count for more...but there are too many 90+ exp pilots around and it's too easy to train good pilots in China.
3.) Air to air combat is way too bloody. I hope this can be fixed one day.
4.) Numbers doesn't count enough. Have to agree with this one, planes/pilots that are outnumbered should experience a severe drop in efficiency.
5.) Fighters put on CAP over one base and with a limited range should NOT provide cover for nearby bases.
6.) Japanese ships arrive too early. They would have if they were laid down earlier.

In the end things even out but it is frustrating to see your best weapon made impotent by less than 50 Corsairs [;)]

I made one annoying mistake today: moved some Betties and Nick fighter bombers to Rabaul instead of Truk...argh! Mind must
have been empty. 11 AK transports are enroute to Rabaul to pick up the skeleton formations there. Squadrons with only pilots can only
be moved by AKs. That's also annoying...and guess what. I first sent APs to pick them up. *groan*

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/10/43

Invasions

The rest of the 2nd Marines and a SeaBee unit embarks at Torokina!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92

Allied Ships
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Buchanan

Allied ground losses:
87 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92

Allied Ships
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Aaron Ward
AK Prominent, Mine hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1084 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92

Allied ground losses:
189 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1183 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92

Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

The first sub to arrive survived for 5 seconds...

ASW attack near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33, hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AK Santa Anna
LST LST-335
AP William Ward Burrows
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Buchanan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6 (These Tonys were on CAP over Kavieng when they were sucked into the dead pool at Rabaul..)

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 58
B-24D Liberator x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses - here's the 11-1 kill ratio [:(] (The Zero pilots had an avg exp of 81!)
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Shropshire
DD Isaac Sweers

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 23
P-38G Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Quincy, Bomb hits 1 (250 kg bomb hit that didn't penetrate the deck!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST LST-19

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's shining bright light! Yeah [8D]

Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 23
P-38G Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,94

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 115
F6F Hellcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 11 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

The defenders at Torokina retreats to Buin

Ground combat at Torokina

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 14546 troops, 139 guns, 16 vehicles

Defending force 1696 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 53 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Torokina base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation map: Torokina

Ken has deployed his carriers - well within his own LBA umbrella. I continue to adhere to my
battle plan: The KB will move just east of Rabaul and follow a surface combat TF with orders not to
react. Fighters put on 60% CAP, all bombers ordered to strike any ship within 4 hexes. The range to
Torokina is 5 hexes.

I HOPE Ken's carriers react towards the KB and DIES a violent death [:'(] If the opposite happends I'll
personally shoot Murphy!! Don't abandon me now old friend....

Bad weather disrupts todays airstrikes and the only major success is the dual torpedo hit on
the battleship Idaho! She's out for a while. There were more than 40 Corsairs on CAP over Torokina, hopefully
this will wear them out. More bad weather for tomorrow: rain. Let the devil roll his pair of dice...

[String]

I hope you got an unagressive leader on your carrier TF, because if it's Yamaguchi or Abe then you are damn sure to react (atleast in my experience)

[PzB74]

Seems like Ken retreated his carriers - no reactions whatsoever! Ken told me that his
carriers were only a few hexes away from Torokina when the KB hit Munda. My massive search
efforts must have failed miserable...

I faced several frustrations today:
1. The stranded airgroups without ac at Rabaul can't be loaded onto cargo ships. I actually have to
accept replacements (and loose lots of ac in the next bombing raids) and then load the remaining ac
and pilots aboard AK ships. Why make it so difficult Matrix?
2. I wanted my surface combat tfs to pick up combat troops from Buin but I wasn't allowed to give this
order to the tfs after changing them into fast transport tfs. I have to return to port first. *sulk*

Another strange thing: When I ordered the KB to move to the hex just north of Rabaul the plotted course
took it around Emirau island - a journey of 11 hexes!-( When the same course is plotted with one of my
surface combat tfs the course is plotted through the Kavieng hex - a distance of only 4 hexes. This caused
me further headaches.

I told Ken that Torokina lost most of its strategic significance after he knocked Rabaul out. I'm not planning to shed more
blood over the place than I have too, that's for sure.

The last few days of fighting have cost many ac, but non of the valuable fleet units have been lost.
Today the first group of G4M1 Betties was upgraded to the G4M2 - the new model got slightly
heavier armament and is a bit less manouverable.

Here is the biggest goody of the day:
The arrival of the A6M5 Zeke has been moved forward another month - now it's July 1943 [:D][&o]

So the battle will continue and Ken's mercenaries will slowly flood the rest of the Solomons. We shall lurke in the shadows
and strike back when he least expects it. It's actually very difficult not to send the KB straight into harms way
to hit the numerous enemy warships and transports - but that would be a grave error! We shall wait and pick the time and place ourselves
and strike the enemy down when he's at his most vulnerable: far away from his bases and LBA support.

I hope to launch Operation Summer Harvest in 2-3 weeks. The enemy carriers have been located the Solomons so it's almost
time to kick a$$ and chew bubble gum [8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/11/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

My second coastal sub lasted 5 seconds longer than the first... Placed them in the wake of the
enemy carrier tf - we could get lucky!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 62,93

Japanese Ships
SS RO-65, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
LCI LCI-327
LCI LCI-75
LCI LCI-23
LCI LCI-21
LST LST-31
LST LST-26
LST LST-25
LST LST-19
LST LST-17
LSD Carter Hall
AP Wanganella
AP Orungal
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Buchanan
DD Aaron Ward
DD Nicholson
DD Waller
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

9 B-25s were downed today, but my erronously transfers yesterday cost another 19 ac destroyed on the ground.

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 8 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There were a few successes today: an enemy light cruiser and a destroyer were torpedoed.

Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Birmingham
AP Arthur Middleton, Torpedo hits 1
DD Ammen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Had hoped this strike would land more hits...

Day Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 57,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
G4M1 Betty x 43

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 23 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Perth
CL Concord, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage - finally we nail the Concord!
DD Ralph Talbot
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Mynok]

Why do you use Nagumo instead of Yamaguichi on your main CV TF, PzB? I always use Yamaguichi. I realize with 3 TF Nagumo will need to be one of them, but during your daring raid where you used only two? I would have had Abe or Saka??? on the other one.

One note about the Corsair: whether over-modeled or not, a 5:1 advantage in fighters would have just about guaranteed that few if any fighters would have been able to get to the bombers. Certainly the Corsair's speed could enable it to avoid combat, but that would include combat against the bombers. Big fighter advantages should clear more bombers through.

[PzB74]

I don't always remember the names of all my carrier commanders. Nagumo has always done a good job for me...Yamaguichi is usually in
command of one of my carrier divisions. A list of the best 6-7 carrier tf commanders sorted by virtues would have been a good thing though - anyone?

Unfortunately the air combat model first allows defending fighters to maul the escorts and then the bombers. I have noticed that interceptors become less
efficient when the bombers are escorted - but the model is still way too 'bloody'. The A6M2 is useless against the Corsair, the A6M5 is a bit better...

[Honda]

ORIGINAL: PzB
The A6M2 is useless against the Corsair, the A6M5 is a bit better...

That's the info I'm talking about[;)]
Now if only we could put some Jacks in Corair's flight path, see how it does.

[Martti]

ORIGINAL: PzB

2. I wanted my surface combat tfs to pick up combat troops from Buin but I wasn't allowed to give this
order to the tfs after changing them into fast transport tfs. I have to return to port
first. *sulk*

I believe you can change them by creating a new fast transport tf and transfering all ships from surface combat tf to this group. You don't have to be in port to do this.

Another strange thing: When I ordered the KB to move to the hex just north of Rabaul the plotted course
took it around Emirau island - a journey of 11 hexes!-( When the same course is plotted with one of my
surface combat tfs the course is plotted through the Kavieng hex - a distance of only 4 hexes. This caused
me further headaches.

Carriers are supposed to avoid coastal hexes. I think it is possible to force them to take a shorter route by ordering them to move to a coastal hex.

[String]

I've had a lot of trouble with the carrier tf route plotting in the past. Especially vs andymac in SRA in early 43. Atleast two of his BB's + numerous other ships escaped from KB because I had to take two days to take a trip throught he islands west of timor because I had to send them first into the islands and then move them out next day, otherwise the TF would have taken the long route east of Timor.

But the distance I had to move was just 7 hexes [:(]

[rtrapasso]

quote:

ORIGINAL: PzB

2. I wanted my surface combat tfs to pick up combat troops from Buin but I wasn't allowed to give this
order to the tfs after changing them into fast transport tfs. I have to return to port
first. *sulk*


I believe you can change them by creating a new fast transport tf and transfering all ships from surface combat tf to this group. You don't have to be in port to do this.

You can create a FT TF without problem, but i think PzB/John is right when he says you have to be in a port/base in order to give them commands to "pickup" a unit. The only way to get around this is hazardous - form a SC TF, sail them to the unit under do not retire, and then once they are in the correct hex, you can create a FT TF and THEN load the troops and leave. If there are any enemy a/c about (or any enemy SC TFs) this can be fatal.

[PzB74]

Honda, there are almost 100 Jack fighter ac in the pools but the first Daitai doesn't arrive until
late 1943. Not sure why... The A6M2 is becoming obsolete, the A6M5 isn't a great improvement
but it will have to do.

I could move my carriers into Kavieng, but then it would be impossible to pinpoint the next destination
hex until the next day. The fast transport TFs have to be assigned pick up orders in port. Bah [:@]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/12/43

Air Combat

Another large raid against Rabaul fails to destroy the 140 or so now damaged
ac that appeared on the fields after I accepted replacements. Phew... Transports
immediately crate the ac and head for Truk.

The Betty raids you see today are the last ones in a while. I'm standing the naval
air groups down. They will be sent to China to receive replacements and extensive
traininig. A reserve will be kept at Truk.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 15
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 5
B-17E Fortress x 48
B-24D Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 destroyed, 21 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 39
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Samuel F. Miller, Torpedo hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 26

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 damaged

Allied Ships - too bad we didn't nail this one...
CA Houston
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 57,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 7
P-38G Lightning x 23

Japanese aircraft losses - the A6M2 is performing very poorly now, even with crack pilots
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Gregory, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Situation Map: Solomons and New Guinea

As you can see from the sit map Sag Sag was auto occupied by the US today. It's now important
to fight an elastic defense. Units have to be 'plugged in' to delay and halt the enemy. When the situation
becomes untenable we will evacuate and start over again. Soon Ken will have to invade some of the bases
that have been built up and have 9 forts.

[PzB74]

Here is a little update on one of my favourite Jap destroyer classes while I wait for Ken's next turn!

The Akizuki class



The Fuyutsuki

I've already received 5 of the 12 ships in this class and they all received an upgrade on June 1st.
They got 2 sets of radar, 8 hight velocity dual purpose 3.9" guns and 4 torpedo tupes. The AA complement
is excellent and I value these ships greatly. I am hesitant to use them in a surface combat role, so they are mostly assigned as carrier escorts.

Some technical data followed by a description - all taken from the Combined Fleet site.

Displacement: 2,700 tons
Dimensions: 440 (length) by 38 (beam) by 13.5 (draught) feet
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines: 52,000 SHP; 33 knots
Radius: 8,300 miles at 18 knots
Armament: 8 x 3.9"/65 cal. DP guns (4 x 2); 4 x 25 mm. AA guns (2 x 2); 4 x 24" torpedo tubes (1 x 4); 6 depth charge throwers; 72 depth charges
Complement: 263
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The largest, most handsome, and, in the Japanese estimation, most successful destroyers in the Imperial fleet were those of the AKIZUKI class. Known as the "Type B," these ships were designed primarily as antiaircraft escorts for the carrier force. As originally conceived, they would not even have carried torpedoes, but a later desire to add an offensive capability saw the inclusion in the design of a quadruple 24" torpedo mount amidships.

The main features distinguishing this class from other Japanese destroyers were their size and innovative armament. Some 50 feet longer and 700 tons heavier than the preceding KAGEROs and YUGUMOs, the AKIZUKIs were able to carry a fourth main-battery turret without suffering any topweight problems as a result. These turrets were large, fully-enclosed and power-operated, and each mounted twin 3.9" high-velocity guns. Though designed as AA weapons, their high rate of fire and range of 20,000 yards made them at least the equal of their American 5" counterparts. From 1943 on each destroyer was also equipped with fifteen to fifty-one 25 mm. machine guns, the number increasing as the war progressed, and a full array of Types 21 and 22 radars.

The ships of the AKIZUKI class were built concurrently with those of the YUGUMO class, with the first six ordered under the 1939 Program and another ten, known as the SHIMOTSUKI group, under the 1941 Program. Of the latter, four were never built, MICHIZUKI being broken up on the stocks in March 1945 to make way for suicide craft, while HAZUKI, KIYOTSUKI and OZUKI were all cancelled. A large number of succeeding vessels, hull numbers 777-785 of the 1942 Program and 5061-5083 of the Modified 1942 Program, proved nothing more than expressions of wishful thinking. (HEY, I would like to finish those ships....:p)

Twelve AKIZUKIs were actually built, most of them serving in the 41st and 61st Destroyer Divisions. Six survived the war, but four of those, YOIZUKI, HARUZUKI, HANAZUKI and NATSUZUKI, were completed too late to see action outside of Japanese home waters. Though favorite targets of U.S. submarines, only one ship of the class was actually sunk by one. Two were lost to air attack and three in surface actions -- an interesting breakdown considering their original design as antiaircraft escorts.

Their swept-back lines and large single funnel made the AKIZUKIs very similar in appearance to light cruiser YUBARI, and in fact U.S. forces would consistently misidentify these ships as cruisers. And that appreciation was not so wide of the mark, considering their frequent employment in place of cruisers as squadron flagships. Their bridges were actually a bit too cramped for the addition of an admiral and his staff, and their turn of speed inferior to that of most of their contemporaries. But the AKIZUKIs continued as favorites in the role of destroyer-leader, and three were lost while so employed.

All in all, the AKIZUKI class represented an excellent, versatile design, and the vessels turned in solid performances. Lead-ship AKIZUKI herself compiled the most impressive record, fighting from Guadalcanal to Leyte Gulf with but one significant break in service due to damage. And TERUZUKI surely dealt her enemies some terrible blows one bloody night in Ironbottom Sound. But the most notable action of any of the class was HATSUZUKI's last fight off Cape Engano, an exhibition of such tenacity and selflessness as to rank with that of the American destroyers off Samar.

[PzB74]

As you remember I ordered the KB to move to the north of Rabaul 2 days ago.
I wanted to cover my transports at Rabaul and to take a snap shot at the enemy
ships at Arawe.

At first Arawe was shrouded in clouds but Ken had sent a fast transport group to
Sag Sag! 1 cl, 1 dd and 2 apds were torpedoed and left sinking..together with their
load [:D]

Must admit that I was a bit dissappointed though - 3 carrier divisions under Nagumo,
Yamaguichi and Yamada only managed to send of a single strike even though another
transport group was sighted at Arawe (that was 'open for business' during the afternoon
pulse!).

I've ordered one carrier group under Yamada to return to port with the slow carriers
Hiyo and Junyo. A surface combat group has been formed and tomorrow we will try to
cause more problems for the Allies!

Anyway, it was a rather good day for Japan...if you disregard a very unfortunate episode
that is described in detail later in this post [8|]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/13/43

Surface Combat

Ken must have spotted my transports at Rabaul - he sent a surface group
from Torokina after them...and just mist the bus! All he got for his troubles
was mine damage and a barge for desert [;)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1137 encounters mine field at Rabaul (61,88)

Allied Ships
CL Mobile, Mine hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese Ships
AG AG-5188, Shell hits 16, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
CA Northampton
CL Mobile
DD Reid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The transports that just left Rabaul with my replenished air groups somehow managed
to unload again before they left [:(][:o][:@] I cursed all the curses I know when Ken's bombers
came back and destroyed anoter 99 ac on the ground. This is the most frustrating thing I've ever been
exposed to in this game. Matrix never managed to get those ship loading routines up to date.

So I've crawled to the cross and asked Ken for permission to pick up my lost air flotilla without
him interfering. Dunno if he'll let me, but he has already killed them all twice and it is the lousy
game routine's fault that they're still trapped there... I'm NEVER going to let something like this
happened again.

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 13
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 12 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 5 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 22 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 73
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 43
B-25J Mitchell x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 11 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 10 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-17E Fortress x 29
B-24D Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 26
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I ordered a crack Tojo Sentai to sweep Arawe from Gasmata! It was a great
success [:)] 16 enemy ac were shot down for the cost of 5 Tojos. Tojo's are great
against P-38s, Wildcats and Warhawks. They die when they come up against Corsairs though.

Day Air attack on Arawe , at 57,89

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 35

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 6
P-38G Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 5 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 11 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The only carrier raid that took of today hit Ken's fast transport groups hard!
Unfortunately 60% of the attack ac continued to attack the Perth after she had
sunk and thus the two destroyers got away much lighter than they should have.
Another example of lousy game routines I'm afraid. Had my fair share of them
and then some today....

Day Air attack on TF, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 50
A6M3 Zero x 11
A6M5 Zeke x 24
D3A Val x 19
B5N Kate x 69
B6N Jill x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Perth, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
DD Norman, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ralph Talbot

The casualties came from parts of the 7th Australian Div.

Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These Kates were based at Gasmata and got in a few good hits!

Day Air attack on TF, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Kilty, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
APD Dent, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

I ordered parts of the 2nd Para Regiment to recapture Sag Sag - and thanks
to the KB they met not resistance. You didn't get away with this one Ken [8D]

Ground combat at Sag Sag

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 132 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sag Sag base !!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Payback at Sag Sag

Here is screenie that's good for morale: the demise of the HMAS Perth!

[PzB74]

I thought reinforcement week was scheduled for tomorrow..but somehow all the Army reinforcements
arrived today. So I wasn't able to provide production screenies before and after this event. I'm attaching one
anyway!

All the units arrived at full strength, so no shortage of arms or manpower!

Here is a list over the units that arrived and their destinations:
(One division has been released from China Command)

Divisions

6th Division - Tinian
30th Division - Guam
43rd Division - Saipan
46th Division - Pagan

I had to search all over the map to find several of these units! One arrived at Inchon, another one at Kagoshima
and a third just outside Hiroshima/Kobe.

Brigades/Regiments/Guard units

1st Amphibious Brigade (crack 70 exp unit) - Palau
9th Mixed Independent Regiment - Toyohara
11th Mixed Independent Regiment - Shikka
12th Mixed Independent Regiment - Paramushiro
51st Mixed Brigade - Ulithi
90th Naval Guard Unit - Marcus Island

As you can see I have assigned 3 of the regiments to Shakalin and the northern approaches to Japan. This area has
caused me some concern and now I'm finally able to relax a bit more. Bad weather and strong coastal defences and forts
will make it very difficult to land in this area.

The 17th Army HQ also arrived and has been dispatche to Palau.

There also arrived a Guards Division and a Guards Brigade attached to Home Defense in Japan
as well as another division in China.

In one month another 5 South Seas Detachements will arrive. These have been ear marked for:
Iwo Jima
Bonin Island
Yap
DEI
New Guinea

It is quite intentional that I 'starve' the front for replacement units. It's important to build a very strong main perimeter.
If this is breached the war will be all but lost... Quite a few reinforcements will arrive over the next 6-12 months and I think
it should be possible to build up a powerful reserve and counter attack force.

The units that are most suitable for operations in the Solomons, New Guinea and the Solomons are the Special Navy Landing Force (SNLF)
units and lNaval Guard Units as these are easy to airlift of move quickly by fast transport. Several of these were initially sent to the Marianas
but have now been released for service at the front.

4 tank regiments have also been ordered to prepare for the 4 key bases in the Marianas will soon be defended by:
Army and Air HQ (Saipan, Tinian and Guam)
1 elite Army Division, 1 elite Army Regiment, 1 tank regiment (Saipan, Tinian and Guam)
1 Army Division, 1 tank regiment (Pagan)

In addition strong coastal defense units are in place as well as 250 AV support, 50k supplies.
Ulithi, Yap and Palau will be defended by at least a division worth of troops each + support units.

In India I have dispatched one division from Karachi to Bangalore. It will make up the strategic reserve that
can be quickly moved to Madras, Trivandrum, Panaji or Bombay in case of an enemy invasion.

Industry and troop pools June 1943

As you can see the reserve of ac engines has increased but the most important improvement is the
increased heavy industry (HI) pool. This has come at the expense of closing down some merchant shipyards and other production plants.
The acceleration of all the escort carriers has also helped reduce the size of the merchant shipyard points.

[PzB74]

A rather quiet turn... Ken has agreed to let me pick up my stranded squadrons.
He wasn't happy about the fast transport groups that were whacked last turn - they were supposed
to move in - unload - and move out again during the night but stayed at Sag Sag and was killed.

More problems today:

The fighter bomber unit and 2 Betty Daitais that were picked up from Rabaul with the first
cargo ships a few days ago had neither ac nor pilots after unloading at Truk [:(]

In Tokyo the light carriers Chitose and Chioyda arrived after being converted from seaplane
carriers. They arrived with 1x21 A6M5 Zeke and 1x9 Jill air groups - the only problem is that
all four groups arrived without pilots!! I had to assign green ones from the pools myself.

R.Adm Tanaka has suddenly dissappeared - he's not in command of a TF and he's not
available for use. Great!

Nothing seems to be working anymore!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/14/43

Surface Combat

The raiders sent against Buna only found some barges and...PT boats!
A destroyer was hit and it's uncertain whether she'll make it back home.
50 sys, 70 flood and 10 fires..that's a lot of damage from 1 torpedo.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Buna at 55,90

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CL Oyodo
DD Kazegumo
DD Kiyonami
DD Hatsukaze
DD Yukikaze
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
LCVP 542P, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LCVP 592G
LCVP 592H, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LCVP 592J
LCVP 592K
LCVP 592P, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Buna at 55,90

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CL Oyodo
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kiyonami
DD Hatsukaze
DD Yukikaze
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-111
PT PT-112
PT PT-113, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-114
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasions

Ken doesn't waste any time and invades Buin using barges! Almost 4000 troops
land the first day. These landings must have disrupted the ordered FT mission into
Shortland cause the unit had lost its pick up order...argh.

TF 1082 encounters mine field at Buin (64,92)

TF 1082 troops unloading over beach at Buin, 64,92

Allied Ships
MSW Pursuit

Coastal Guns at Buin, 64,92, firing at TF 1082
Allied Ships
MSW Pursuit
LCM 532C

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1129 encounters mine field at Buin (64,92)

TF 1129 troops unloading over beach at Buin, 64,92

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-370, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Buin, 64,92, firing at TF 1129
106 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-370, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-330
LCT LCT-160, Shell hits 4
LCT LCT-145, Shell hits 1
LCT LCT-141
LCT LCT-137, Shell hits 4
LCT LCT-136, Shell hits 3

Allied ground losses:
697 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AG AG-121, Shell hits 8
AG AG-115, Shell hits 4
AG AG-104, Shell hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

There are 3 fort levels at Buin..I hope Ken has to fight long and hard for it.

Ground combat at Buin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6497 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3856 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Chitose

Not a great ship in any way...I loaded a crack A6M2 Zero Daitai aboard her. Her sister
got a 9 Zeros and will get some Vals and Kates when she arrive at Truk.

[PzB74]

Another couple days of bloody fighting! It seems close to impossible to stop the enemy
advance in the Solomons and on New Britain. Delay, delay, delay...but I have to reduce Jap
casualties. Difficult.

Ken's good grace allowed me to successfully evacuate the 8 air groups that were caught on the
ground at Rabaul due to various unhaps and faulty cargo loading routines.

I do have a couple of plans for the next few days - they will be covered as they unfold as there
is so much else to cover.

14 more days and A6M5 production will begin!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/15/43

Invasions

More troops into Buin - 2 regiments of the Americal division are engaged
here now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1084 encounters mine field at Buin (64,92)

TF 1084 troops unloading over beach at Buin, 64,92

Allied Ships
DD Grayson

Coastal Guns at Buin, 64,92, firing at TF 1084

Allied ground losses:
118 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The air attack against the perimeter bases are vicious...

Day Air attack on 23rd Engineer Regiment, at 64,92

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 32
P-40N Warhawk x 12
B-25J Mitchell x 36

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
118 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A bombardment TF destined for Darwin is protected by local CAP at Lautern.
Ken doesn't get any hits and his bombers are hit hard.

Day Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 9
P-40N Warhawk x 25
B-17E Fortress x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
DD Satsuki
CA Kako
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 13
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 9
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4
P-40N Warhawk x 33
B-17E Fortress x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
DD Wakaba
CA Aoba
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

A shock attack is perhaps a bit rash Ken? I do have some good units at Buin.
It's important to wear down the US assault units..will take time to rebuild them.

Ground combat at Buin

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5952 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3828 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buin

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3782 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8538 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/16/43

Invasions

I decided to occupy a small base called Kiamana on the west coast of northern Guinea.
It's a potential base and I don't like surprises...

TF 45 troops unloading over beach at Kiamana, 43,79
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More troops for Buin...

TF 1084 encounters mine field at Buin (64,92)

TF 1084 troops unloading over beach at Buin, 64,92

Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

The bombardment group heading for Darwin is intercepted by a sub. No casualties!

Sub attack at 35,82

Japanese Ships
DD Oshio
DD Satsuki
DD Yayoi
DD Ikazuchi
DD Wakaba
DD Nenohi
DD Yudachi
DD Shigure
DD Hayashio
DD Onami
CA Kinugasa

Allied Ships
SS Finback
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 61,85

Japanese Ships
AK Havana Maru
PG Chitose Maru
PG Tamo Maru #7
PC Hachijo

Allied Ships
SS Stingray
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

2 enemy transport tfs evade the bombardment group which hits Darwin pretty good.
How will Ken react to this? Next time I might just add 2 fast battleships to such a mission! [:D]

Naval bombardment of Darwin, at 36,84

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed
Sunderland: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
Boomerang II: 2 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 2 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Tama
CL Jintsu
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba

Allied ground losses:
263 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately Ken's bombardment attack against Gasmata is even more effective
and I have forgot to move a Tojo group and 2 small Kate Daitai's out. They're all
demolished on the ground [:(] One Kate group is withdrawn, I will try to get the
other 2 groups out by other means but it may be difficult.

Naval bombardment of Gasmata, at 59,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 5 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 8 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin
CA Houston
DD Balch
DD Reid
CA Northampton
BB Indiana

Japanese ground losses: *ouch*
689 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 82
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Heavy air raids then demolish Gasmata from the air..what the bombardment group
didn't kill these raids finish of. Ken's next invasion objective?

Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 50
B-25J Mitchell x 51
B-24D Liberator x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 4 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 71
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 87
P-40N Warhawk x 12
A-20G Havoc x 15
B-24D Liberator x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Engineer Regiment, at 64,92

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 37
P-40N Warhawk x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 36

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
91 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 55,87

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 28

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet another attempt to hit my bombardment group...no go this time either!

Day Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 13
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 4
P-40N Warhawk x 12
B-17E Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Tama
CA Kinugasa
CL Jintsu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Kiamana

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 244 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kiamana base !!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buin

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3620 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8372 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Managed to get the stranded air units out of Gasmata today: One Kate unit
was withdrawn, the other one managed to transfer out to a carrier. When this
happends ALL damaged ac follows.

A nother Tojo Sentai was transferred to Gasmata and withdrawn: the stranded
unit had 8 operational ac and could be immediately transferred back to Truk.
So while 2 units won't be back for another 60 days, we avoided their total loss.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/17/43

Bombardments

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Buin, at 64,92

Allied Ships
DD Evertsen
DD Warramunga
DD Anderson
DD Hughes
CL Denver
CL Columbia
CA San Francisco
BB Oklahoma

Japanese ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 14
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasions

A little retribution in the form of a mine...

TF 1084 encounters mine field at Buin (64,92)

TF 1084 troops unloading over beach at Buin, 64,92

Allied Ships
DD Caldwell, Mine hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
118 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 14
B-25J Mitchell x 42

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 71
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Port hits 7
Port supply hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I considered to evacuate 2 air units by cargo ships if they survived. This
became unnecessary since we fixed it in a different way.

Day Air attack on TF, near Gasmata at 59,90

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
SBD Dauntless x 11
Avenger I x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 28
P-38G Lightning x 27

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Matue Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Malta Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We continue to hit Allied shipping...

Day Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 57,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3 Zero x 5
G4M1 Betty x 21
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
Kittyhawk I x 7
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 6 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Henley, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Gilmer
APD Brooks
APD McKean
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------