War in the Pacific-Schematic Mode-The Chronology

[kokubokan25]

WEEK NOVEMBER 21 (1944) - NOVEMBER 27 (1944)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED

CV Saratoga (torpedoed by Ki-67 flying from Guam SE Guam) 11/24/44*
AO Winnoski (bombed by D4Y flying from Guam SE Guam) 11/25/44**

ALLIED SHIPS SUNK

CA Louisville (by heavy flooding near Darwin) 11/21/44

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED

AK Muroran Maru (bombed by SB2C from american carrier group near Guam) 11/24/44**
PG Shinko Maru#2 (bombed by SB2C from american carrier group near Guam) 11/24/44***

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

SS Grenadier (damaged by PC Aguni near Takao) 11/21/44*
SS Pipefish (damaged by PC-9 near Pescadores Is.) 11/21/44**
SS Atule (sunk by PC-26 and PC Manju near Swatow) 11/21/44
SS Scamp (damaged by DD Akishimo near Hong Kong) 11/24/44*

SS I-203 (sunk by DD Picking near Truk) 11/21/44
SS RO-104 (damaged by DD Renshaw SE Guam) 11/24/44***
SS RO-45 (sunk by DD Rowe east Tinian) 11/24/44
SS RO-47 (sunk by DD Lewis Hancock east Guam) 11/25/44
SS RO-100 (sunk by DE Osmus near Guam) 11/26/44
SS RO-103 (damaged by DE Corbesier near Guam) 11/26/44
SS RO-37 (sunk by DD Hailey near Tinian) 11/26/44
SS I-201 (damaged by DD Jarvis near Guam) 11/26/44***
SS RO-102 (sunk by air strike in Guam) 11/26/44

AO Lackwanna (torpedoed by SS RO-103 near Guam) 11/26/44**

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION "STRESS" AND THE TAKE OF MARIANAS ISLANDS

JAPANESE INITIAL DISPOSITIONS

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION "STRESS" AMERICAN FORCES

TG 50 (Marianas Invasion Force) VADM R.K.Turner

TF 50.1 (Saipan cover force) RADM H.B.Sallada
CVE Prince William, Casablanca, Kalilin Bay and Nehenta Bay
CL Pensacola
DD Brush, Taussig, Fletcher and Bache
DE D.Blackwood, W.C.Cole, D.M.Cummings, Eidenberger and Dennis

TF 50.2 (Amphibious force Saipan, first wave, 4th USMC DIV, 96th INF DIV and 77th INF DIV)
CL Detroit
DD Bennion, Brownson, Hall, Howorth and Sprouston
DE Conklin, Jack Miller, Raymond and Samuel B. Roberts
10 MSW, 1 AO, 10 AP, 4 AK, 1 LSD and 71 LST.

TF 50.3 (Amphibious force Saipan, second wave, 37th INF DIV, V Amph.HQ, IX ART, 713th Tank Bn.)
CL Raleigh
DD Cogswell, Gatling, Haraden and Killen
DE O'Flaherty, Eversole, Hillbert, Lamons and Levy
13 MSW, 3 AP, 2 AK, 1 LSD, 52 LST, 2 LSM, 5 LCI and 5 LCI(G)

TF 50.4 (Second cover force Saipan) VADM Brown W.W.
CVE Petrof Bay, Savo Island, Cape Esperance and Marcus Island
CL Helena
DD Bush, Bears, John Henley, Hoel, Longshaw and Melvin

TF 50.5 (Amphibious force Tinian) RADM Szumiski F.D. (6th USMC DIV, 27th INF DIV, 815th Tank Bn and X ART)
CVE Shipley Bay, Sitkoh Bay, Steamer Bay and Makassar Strait
CL Biloxi
DD Irwin, Mullany, Philip, Remey and Sigourney
DE Edmonds, Silverstein, Osmus, Hemminger and Rall
14 MSW, 1 AO, 10 AP, 2 AK, 1 LSV, 1 LSD, 10 LST, 2 LSM, 4 LCI(G) and 36 LCI.

TF 51.1 (Saipan Bombard force) RADM Smith W.

BB California, Nevada, Mississippi, Maryland, Colorado and Pensylvannia
CA Minneapolis and Baltimore
CL Cleveland
DD Halford, Hailey, John Hood, Kimberley, Murray and Picking

TG 52 (Operational carrier forces)

TF 52.1 RADM McCain J.
CV Randolph, Saratoga and Wasp
CVL Princeton
BB Indiana and Massachusetts
CA Marblehead and Northampton
CLAA Juneau
DD Beale, Haggard, Hickox, Hopewell, Jonhston, Morrison, Stephen Potter and Pringle

TF 52.2 VADM Towers J.H.
CV Franklin, Hancock and Shangri-La
CVL Cabot
CA Quincy, Pittsburg and Portland
CLAA San Diego
CL Nashville
DD L.Hancock, Harrison, Hutchins, Porterfield, Abner Read, Kenshaw, Rowe and Spence

TF 52.3 RADM Spruance R.A.
CV Ticonderoga, Intrepid and Enterprise
CVL Langley
BB New Jersey and North Carolina
CA Houston
CL Phoenix
DD English, C.Ausburne, Miller, La Valette, Ringgold, Schroeder, The Sullivans and Ulhmann

TF 52.4 RADM Clark J.
CV Bennington, Essex and Hornet
CVL Monterey
BB Alabama
CL Montpelier, Denver and Santa Fe
DD Mahan, Benham, Maury, Jarvis, Walke, Sims, Gansevoort, Welles and McCalla

[kokubokan25]

THE JAPANESE NAVAL FORCES AND KIDO BUTAI (at anchor in Palau Islands)

FIRST DIVISION (VADM Nagumo C.)

CV Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku and Taiho
CVL Zuiho
CVE Taiyo and Chuyo
BB Haruna, Hiei, Kirishima and Yamato
CA Tone and Maya
CL Niyodo
DD Shimakaze, Teruzuki, Shimozuki, Umigiri, Tanigiri, Yudachi, Momo, Uzuki, Kazegumo, Nagatsuki and Hayashio

SECOND DIVISION (RADM Yamaguchi T.)

CV Katsuragi, Aso, Ikoma and Akagi
CVL Ryuho
CVE Shinyo
CA Myoko and Chokai
CL Oyodo and Agano
DD Natsuzuki, Yamagiri, Suzukaze, Minazuki, Asakaze, Mikazuki, Oite, Matsukaze, Yuzuki, Hamakuzi, Harukaze and Mochizuki

COVER FORCE (RADM Tanaka R.)

BB Mutsu and Ise
CA Ashigara, Mogami, Suzuya, Kumano, Aoba and Kinugasa
CL Noshiro, Yahagi, Naka and Abukuma
DD Fumizuki, Atakaze, Asanagi, Yunagi, Sawakaze, Yakaze, Namikaze, Wakatake and Tachikaze

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION "STRESS" AND THE BATTLE OF PHILIPPINE SEA

OPEN MOVES (24 NOVEMBER 1944- 25 NOVEMBER 1944)

CHRONOLOGY

11/24/44:

-Morning: 1st japanese airstrike against the american carrier forces east Mariana Is. Target is TF 52.2. 15 Ki-49 bombers with a escort of 22 zeros and 20 Ki-61 try to reach the VADM Towers's naval force protected by 130 Hellcats! All japanese planes are shot down with no damage on allied ships. Only 3 Hellcats are destroyed.
-Morning: The TF 52.1 and TF 52.3 launch attacks against the Guam airstrip. 75 dive bombers and 34 level bombers with a escort of 32 fighters destroy on air and land 9 japanese planes. The american lost 15 planes, mainly by AA fire. A PG and a AK are damaged in the port.
-Morning: The Kido Butai leaves the Palau port a go to Mariana islands.

-Afternoon: The 2nd japanese airstrike, this time against the TF 52.1 is carried away by 13 Ki-67, 7 D4Y and 42 fighters (mainly J2M) and a torpedo hit the starboard side of CV Saratoga. The damage is minimal and the nipons lost 37 planes.
-Afternoon: The 3rd attack from Tinian by a couple of Ki-49 and 17 fighters is easly slaughtered by the american CAP.

11/25/44:

-Early morning: The B-29 (500th BG) based at Rabaul bombard the Guam airstrip. The japanese reaction get some success and 6 superfortress are shot down.
-Morning: The 1st japanese raid in this day target the replenishment group, around 120 miles south Guam. The AO Winnoski is hit by two bombs. The Hellcats shot down 6 attackers.
-Morning: The american carrier planes attack the Tinian airstrip with 63 level bombers escorted by 64 Hellcats. The japanese only have four planes in CAP. After the attack the japanese lost another 8 planes. The attackers lost 2 aircraft.

-Afternoon: 2nd japanese attack against the TF 52.1. Nine Ki-67 with two fighers. No damage on ships and four japanese bombers shot down.
-Afternoon: 3rd japanese attack and the most dangerous to date target the TF 52.3. 27 Dive bombers, 22 torpedo bombers and 11 level bombers escorted by 44 fighters. The american CAP was 45 Hellcats. The japanese, for first time, get through. One bomb hit the BB New Jersey's deck. Another breach the CV Intrepid's deck and cause a small fire. The worst is for the CV Enterprise. The ship was torpedoed two times and cause the blow up of one ammo depot spread a huge fire and heavy flooding. The ship was doomed.
In this attack the japanese lost 68 planes, the american only 9 Hellcats.

-Dusk: The CV Enterprise, still on fire and escorted by DD English and Ulhmann, return to Rabaul at 11 knots.

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION "STRESS" AND THE BATTLE OF PHILIPPINE SEA

OPEN MOVES

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION "STRESS" AND THE BATTLE OF PHILIPPINE SEA

MAIN ACTION (26 NOVEMBER 1944- 28 NOVEMBER 1944)

CHRONOLOGY

11/26/44:

-Early morning: The american search planes locate the japanese 240 miles SW Guam.
-Morning: 1st american attack over Kido Butai. 25 dive bombers, 32 torpedo bombers escorted by 40 Hellcats and 55 FM2. The japanese CAP is 53 Zekes but the american get through anyway. 31 A6M5 are shot down and the attackers cause heavy damage on CVL Ryuho and moderate on CV Ikoma. 52 allied planes do not return.
-Morning: 2nd american raid. 27 dive bombers, 20 torpedo bombers and 36 fighters. The japanese CAP was only 9 fighters and in consequence the damage was more serious. The Ryuho rested crippled and the CV Aso and CV Ikoma get three or more bombs and both are out of combat with their flight deck closed and huge fires.
-Morning: The 3rd raid was little but the effects, without japanese CAP, are the worst. 25 Helldiver and only 11 Hellcats cause damage on CV Akagi (some fires) and again on CV Aso and CV Ikoma.
-Morining: The 4th raid was carried by 15 TBF and 14 Hellcats and the CVL Ryuho was torpedoed one time. The flooding in the ship was severe and your speed reduced to 9 knots.

-Morning: The 1st japanese raid target the TF 52.2 and was a total failure. 22 Judys and 17 Zekes are totally destroyed by the 60 Hellcats on CAP.
-Morning: The 2nd and main attack get some success. 91 Judys, 32 Nells and 32 B7A, escorted by 37 Zekes hit with a bomb the CV Wasp and the CV Randolph but the damage on those ships was minimal. The worst was on the BB Massachusetts. The battleship was hit by 3 bombs and a torpedo and suffer a moderate flooding and your speed reduced to 18 knots. Your combat capacity is not affected

-Morning: The japanese land based aircraft spent the day on attacks against the amphibious groups and, generally, get more success that the KB. Three CVEs was heavy damaged by bombs and torpedoes; the Shipley Bay, Sitkoh Bay and Steamer Bay. All must return to Rabaul at once.

-Afternoon: The wheather cancel all carrier attacks in the afternoon but the american replenish group rested in a position of good wheather, some 100 miles SW Guam and was attacked with bad results to allies. The DD Bell was sunk, splited away by a torpedo and another four destroyers was heavy damaged with two AOs, the Lackwanna and Tallulah.

11/27/44:

-Early morning: The TF 51.1 bombard Tinian with moderate effect. The japanese lost almost thousand casualties on land and 17 planes are destroyed but the base continue operational.
-Morning: With the first lights the Battle of Philippine sea enters on 2nd day of operations. Again, the americans reach first the japanese ships. The american carrier groups maintain a position 60 miles SW Guam and the japanese have your two divisions around 180 miles W of Mariana islands.
-Morning: 1st american raid. 26 dive bombers and 36 torpedo bombers escorted by 60 fighters. The japanese CAP was 67 fighters but once more time, the attackers get through. The CVL Zuiho is heavy damaged and the CV Soryu, BB Haruna and BB Hiei get a bomb each. The american lost 37 planes and the japanese 26.
-Morning: The 2nd and 3rd american raids was a failure. The japanese ships was not damaged and the attackers lost 27 planes. The slaughter on japanese side was huge, however.
-Morning: The 4th attack (with only 3 TBM and a couple of SB2C) cause serious damage on CV Soryu. The japanese carrier was hit by three bombs and the fires spread very fast.
-In this stage, the japanese CAP was so tin that only three or four fighters rested to confront the continous allied waves.
-Morning: The 5th allied attack clippled the CVE Chuyo, the CVE Taiyo was torpedoed and the CV Soryu is again hit by a bomb.
-Morning: In the 6th attack, the allies are without escort. The CV Ikoma (however is dead in the water, 100 miles away main group and in company of one destroyer) was damaged again.

-Morning: The japanese only launch a attack this day. 35 Judys, 37 Nells and 9 Grace escorted by 24 fighters attack the TF 52.1 with the expected results. The american CAP was 60 Hellcats and 53 japanese planes are destroyed. The CV Wasp was hit by a bomb and the CV Saratoga was torpedoed again. However, both ships continue fighting.

-Afternoon: With the japanese almost without planes and heavy defeated, the allies launch another raid without oposition and cause heavy damage on CVE Shinyo and CV Katsuragi. The CVE Shinyo sinks in minutes and the CV Katsuragi was crippled.

11/28/44:

-Early morning: The american Task Forces try to catch the japanese defeated near Ulithi atoll. The japanese simply try to return to Peleliu without more losses. The american have more success.
-Morning: 1st and definitive american airstrike. 98 Helldiver, 52 TBF escorted by 77 Hellcats. The japanese CAP was 28 fighters but all of them are very soon shot down. The CVE Chuyo was sunk, heavy damaged the CV Shokaku, CV Taiho, and CVE Taiyo. The BB Kirishima, BB Yamato, BB Haruna and CA Tone receive some bombs but continue without problems.

-Afternoon: The japanese reach a safety position near Palau (because the allies return to protect the amphibious assault on Tinian and Saipan) but some carriers are virtually doomed, like the three "Unryus".

[duckenf]

could you post a casualty (sunk/damaged) list for Operation Stress/Battle of the Philippine Sea?

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION "STRESS" AND THE BATTLE OF PHILIPPINE SEA

MAIN ACTION (26 NOVEMBER 1944- 28 NOVEMBER 1944)

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION "STRESS" AND THE BATTLE OF PHILIPPINE SEA

AFTERMATH (29 NOVEMBER 1944- 1 DECEMBER 1944)

CHRONOLOGY

11/29/44:

-Morning: The american carrier groups maintain a position SW Guam (60-120 miles out) and without problems spent the day put and end to battle.
-Morning: 30 SB2C, 19 TBF escorted by 40 Hellcats sunk the isolated CV Ikoma near Ulithi atoll.
-Morning: a few minutes after, 14 SB2C, 22 SBD, 12 TBF and 18 Hellcats send to bottom the CV Katsuragi, also near Ulithi.
-Morning: Finally, the CVL Zuiho sinks same place after a huge airstrike by 13 SBD, 39 SB2C, 64 TBF and 52 Hellcats.
-Afternoon: However, the near (to american carrier groups) japanese base of Peleliu, untouched to date, launch a small attack against the TF 52.4 with 2 G4M2 and 33 Ki-45KAIb and get a unexpected success. The BB Alabama was hit by two torpedoes that cause moderate flooding and reduce the speed to 17 knots. The CV Hornet also was hit by a bomb but the damage is minimal.

11/30/44:

-Early morning: a few miles away from Peleliu, the CVL Ryuho finally sinks.

12/1/44:

-Afternoon: The CV Enterprise is abandoned and sinks around 60 miles N of Truk. The destroyer English rescue the survivors and return to Rabaul.

[kokubokan25]

BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA--FINAL BALANCE

JAPANESE SIDE

Ships sunk:
CV Ikoma, Katsuragi
CVL Zuiho, Ryuho
CVE Shinyo, Chuyo,

Ships heavy damaged:
CV Aso, Shokaku, Taiho
CVE Taiyo

Ships moderate damaged:
CV Soryu,

Ships light damaged:
CV Akagi,
BB Haruna, Hiei, Yamato
CA Tone

ALLIED SIDE

Ships sunk:
CV Enterprise
DD Bell

Ships heavy damaged:
BB Alabama

Ships moderate damaged:
BB Massachusetts

Ships light damaged:
BB New Jersey
CV Intrepid, Wasp, Randolph, Saratoga,

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION STRESS - - THE AMPHIBIOUS FACTS

11/27/44

-Early morning: The TF 51.1 bombard the Saipan airstrip and japanese defenses. The nipons lost 896 casualties and 19 planes. Only the CL Cleveland was hit by some shells. The damage was minimal.
-Morning: D-Day for the Tinian operation. The 6th USMC DIV sparhead the assault. Two LCI's sunk by mines and another two by coastal gunfire. Ten more heavy damaged by japanese intense fire.

-Afternoon: D-Day for the Saipan operation. The japanese coastal defenses are more hard to bite as expected. CL Cleveland and BB Colorado hit many times by coastal gunfire. Both suffer small fires but maintain your position. The coastal gunfire cause heavy damage on 9 LST, The LST-22 hit a mine and nine destroyers suffer moderate damage. The MSW Revenge was lost while cleaning a path between mines. The first allied wave lost almost 4.000 men. The 77th INF DIV get the worst this day.

11/28/44

-Early morning: Four japanese torpedo patrol boats try to catch the allied transports near Tinian but two are sunk and the others escape without damage on transports.
-Morning: continue the disembakment on Tinian. The LCI-635 hit a mine and sinks and the LCI-628 is sunk by the coastal gunfire.
-Morning: Heavy japanese resistence on Saipan beaches, 500 casualties more in the assault. 12 LST sunk by heavy damage early day, coastal gunfire or mines. Also, the destroyers Bennion, Howarth, Raymond and Samuel B.Roberts sunk near Saipan by same cause.

11/29/44:

-Morning: Arrive to Saipan the second wave aboard the TF 50.3. The fighting is very hard and the allies lost another 2.500 casualties. The mines are a real problem. The MSW Dubbo, Heed and Impecable are sunk try to clear the path. However the LST-176 and LCI-436 was sunk hitting mines anyway. Seems impossible silent the japanese murdeous fire. The DD Killen, DD Haraden and DE Hillbert are heavy damaged by fire and sinks this afternoon. The CL Raleigh aproach to give support but is also heavy damaged.
-Morning: In Tinian the japanese resistence is now very light. The americans have on land 17.000 men. On Saipan the number increases to 61.000.

11/30/44:

-Morning: Finally, the japanese resistence on Saipan seems get weak. Only the LST-390 and the LST-217 are sunk. However, the japanese yet maintain a small number of planes operatives on the airstrip and launch sporadic attacks against the allied transports. A couple of Bettys and Judys sunk the LCI-634 and cause heavy damage to AP Starlight.

-Afternoon: The americans on Saipan try to expand your position but the japanese resistence is very hard. Many casualties on both sides. In Tinian, the allies have lost many supply depots and the troops on land have short of ammo and food, the fighting is continue but the american advance is very slowly.

12/1/44:

-The allied command decide wait in Tinian to more supplies, the airstrip is yet in japanese hands. In Saipan the situation is worst, the allies have lost many men and more troops will be commited from Rabaul and Lae as soon as possible. In the meantime the japanese maintain the control of airstrip however the continous allied assaults.

[kokubokan25]

WEEK NOVEMBER 28 (1944) - DECEMBER 4 (1944)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

ALLIED SHIPS SUNK

DE Abercrombie (by heavy flooding north Rabaul) 11/28/44
LCI-335 (by heavy flooding near Tinian) 11/28/44
LCI(G)-77 (by heavy flooding near Tinian) 11/28/44
LCI-536 (by heavy flooding near Tinian) 11/28/44
DE John C. Butler (by heavy flooding north Satawal) 11/29/44
MSW Motive (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/2/44
LCI-583 (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/2/44
APD Loy (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Guam South Guam) 12/2/44
AK Empire Patrol (torpedoed by G4M2 flying from Rangoon near Tavoy) 12/2/44

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED

CL Ceylon (bombed by Ki-102a flying from Rangoon near Tavoy) 12/2/44*
CLAA Argonaut (bombed by Ki-102a flying from Rangoon near Tavoy) 12/2/44*
AK Empire Flamingo (bombed by Ki-102a flying from Rangoon near Tavoy) 12/2/44*
AK Empire Zephyr (torpedoed by G4M2 flying from Rangoon near Tavoy) 12/4/44***

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED

AK Bisan Maru (torpedoed by TBM flying from american carrier group NW Saipan) 11/29/44***

JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK

RO-104 (scuttled by crew because heavy damage on airstrike in Saipan) 11/28/44

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

SS Charr (damaged by DD Hagikaze near Pescadores Is) 11/30/44*
SS Becona (sunk by PC Shonan Maru#1 south Hong Kong) 12/2/44
SS Flier (sunk by PC Ch.12 near Hong Kong) 12/2/44
SS Chub (sunk by PC-10 near Batan Is.) 12/4/44
SS Scabbardfish (sunk by PC Manju near Batan Is.) 12/4/44
SS Pipefish (damaged by PC-9 in South China Sea) 12/4/44*

SS I-181 (sunk by DD Philip SE Guam) 11/30/44

AK Huzikawa Maru (torpedoed by SS Robalo near Pescadores Is) 11/30/44**
AK Bichu Maru (torpedoed by SS Pipefish in South China Sea) 12/2/44**
AK Tetsuwa Maru (torpedoed by SS Pipefish in South China Sea) 12/2/44**
AK Sanuki Maru (sunk by SS Flier near Hong Kong) 12/2/44
PC Mikura (sunk by SS Pipefish in South China Sea) 12/4/44

[kokubokan25]

MONTH SPECIAL ISSUE Nº35 "NOVEMBER 1944"

THE AIR CAMPAIGN

ALLIED SIDE

Allied month losses total (636) Cumulative (12.832)
Air to Air (399)-On field (0)-by Flak (119)-Operational (118)
Top Allied Plane Losses
In Fighters: 736 P-40N, 684 F4F-4 - In Bombers: 687 B-17E, 468 B-24D

JAPANESE SIDE

Japanese month losses total (1.450) Cumulative (16.828)
Air to Air (966)-On field (247)-by Flak (186)-Operational (51)
Top Japanese Plane Losses
In Fighters: 2.706 Ki-61KAIc, 1.671 A6M3a - In Bombers: 1.218 Ki-49, 1.188 G4M2

THE ACES

Japanese Aces

1.COL Egashira U.(64th Ftr.Sentai)Ki-61KAIc...................44 Kills
2.COL Sasaki I. (50th Ftr.Sentai)Ki-61KAIc.....................39 Kills
3.PO2 Nagashima J. (F1/Yamada Daitai)A6M3a................38 Kills
4.CPO Minowa L.(BI-1 Daitai)A6M5.................................35 Kills
5.PO2 Muto K. (F2/Genzan Daitai)A6M5...........................32 Kills

Allied Aces

1.WCDR Ingersoll J. (232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire VIII.......35 Kills
2.1LT Moore V. (VMF-221-USN) F4U-1................................34 Kills
3.CPT Harris, E.A.(49th FG-USAAF) P-38G.........................32 Kills
4.FLT Snowdon N.(232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire Vb............31 Kills
5.2LT Atkins O. (49th FG-USAAF) P-38G...........................31 Kills


_____________________________

JAPANESE AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION NOTES

Planes in Production: Main Types.

A6M5 Zero..........................479 p/month
Ki-84-Ia Frank.................... 396 p/month
Ki-100................................196 p/month
D4Y Judy............................188 p/month
Ki-67..................................174 p/month
B7A Grace..........................127 p/month
N1K1-J George.................... 93 p/month
P1Y Frances....................... 83 p/month
G4M2 Betty......................... 79 p/month
J2M Jack.............................79 p/month
Ki-102a Randy.................... 62 p/month
C6N Myrt........................... 60 p/month
A6M5c.................................48 P/month
C6N1-S Myrt........................24 p/month
Ki-83...................................24 p/month
Ki-84-Ic...............................22 p/month
Ki-57-II.............................. 20 p/month
G4M2e Betty........................20 p/month

Planes under development: Main Types

A6M8 Zeke..........................61 theorical/month
A7M2 Reppu........................41 theorical/month


JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL AND ARMAMENT PRODUCTION

Armament.....................604 units
Vehicles........................136 units
Aircraft engines............2.890 units
Heavy Industry............14.011 units
Resources....................19.941 units
Oil.................................2.395 units
Manpower...................... 825 units

JAPANESE NAVAL/MERCHANT PRODUCTION

Naval Shipyard..................1.654 units
Merchant Shipyard...............720 units
_____________________________

STATE OF THE WAR-MONTH RESUME-WAR DIARY

Burma Front

-11/2: Another allied assault over the Calcutta front ends with a stalemate. The allied lost 5.000 casualties.
-11/5: The british carrier group near Tavoy launch a airstrike over Bangkok with minor effect.
-11/6: The british carrier group target this time the Rangoon airstrip and destroy many japanese planes on land.


Southwest Pacific front

-11/2: The 3rd USMC Div arrives the outskirts of Lae after a short trip from Finshaffen. The allies probe the japanese defenses.
-11/3: The 43th USA INF Div and the aussie 5th Div heavy fighting around the nipon defenses on Koepang.
-11/9: The aussie 7th INF Div disembark in Koepang to support the allied attack.
-11/15: The fighting increases your level on Koepang, the allies have 40.000 troops on land and the japanese defenders are only 17.000 men.
-11/17: Finally, the allies take Koepang and the japanese retire your troops to forest.

South/Central Pacific Front

-11/8: Heavy fighting around the last japanese defenders around Rabaul. Estimated nipon losses increases to 15.000 men.
-11/17: The operation STRESS start in Rabaul port. The first assault troops embark on transports ships.
-11/18: The first american carrier groups leaves Rabaul to north.
-11/19: Heavy air carrier attacks over Truk airbase. The japanese 60 operational fighters yet in Truk are destroyed. The allies lost 13 planes.
-11/21: New air attacks against the Truk airstrip. No japanese reaction.
-11/23: First air japanese attack against the upcomming american invasion over Mariana islands. Around 200 bombers and fighters from Guam are heavy defeated by the 130 Hellcats on CAP. 74 japanese planes are destroyed. Only four Hellcats shot down.
-11/24: The Kido Butai leaves Palau islands.
-11/26: Battle of the Philippine Sea (see post above). Heavy japanese defeat.

[kokubokan25]

WEEK DECEMBER 5 (1944) - DECEMBER 11 (1944)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

JAPANESE BASES TAKEN BY THE ALLIES

Lae (New Guinea) 12/5/44
Talasea (New Britain) 12/11/44
Satawal island 12/7/44
Waingapu (DEI) 12/8/44

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED

CVE Prince William (torpedoed by Ki-67 flying from Saipan near Saipan) 12/6/44**
CVE Kalilin Bay (torpedoed by Ki-67 flying from Guam near Saipan) 12/6/44**
AP Zeilin (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Guam near Tinian) 12/7/44*
LST-23 (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Guam near Satawal) 12/9/44***
CLAA Argonaut (torpedoed by Ki-67 flying from Bangkok near Tavoy) 12/11/44**

ALLIED SHIPS SUNK

DD Hall (scuttled by crew in Saipan, heavy flooding damage) 12/5/44
LCI-624 (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/5/44
APD Loy (by heavy flooding near Rabaul) 12/6/44
LST-271 (by heavy flooding near Tinian) 12/7/44
LST-179 (by heavy flooding near Tinian) 12/7/44
DE Jack Miller (by heavy flooding north Satawal) 12/10/44

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED

CA Kinugasa (bombed by TBF from american carrier group in Peleliu) 12/7/44*
BB Haruna (bombed by TBF from american carrier group in Peleliu) 12/7/44*
BB Hiei (bombed by TBF from american carrier group in Peleliu) 12/7/44*
CV Soryu (bombed by TBF from american carrier group in Peleliu) 12/7/44***

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

SS Argonaut (lost near Legaspi) 12/5/44
SS S-35 (sunk by PC Manju near Pescadores Is) 12/7/44
SS Threadfin (damaged by DD Akishimo in South China Sea) 12/9/44**
SS Lamprey (damaged by PC-10 near Takao) 12/11/44*

PC-28 (sunk by SS S-35 near Pescadores Is) 12/7/44
SS I-30 (damaged by DE J.Douglas Blackwood north Truk) 12/9/44***
AK Kunikawa Maru (torpedoed by SS Raton near Okinawa) 12/11/44***
PC-9 (sunk by SS Rock near Batan Is.) 12/11/44

[aztez]

I like your style of an AAR... Keep up the good work [:)]

[kokubokan25]

WEEK DECEMBER 12 (1944) - DECEMBER 18 (1944)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED

CVE Makassar Strait (torpedoed by Ki-67 flying from Saipan SE Guam) 12/13/44**
LST-474 (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Guam SE Guam) 12/14/44***
LST-475 (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Guam SE Guam) 12/14/44***
LST-581 (by coastal gunfire near Tinian) 12/15/44***
DE Raby (torpedoed by B6N flying from Hollandia near Wewak) 12/15/44***
DE Lovelance (by coastal gunfire near Wewak) 12/16/44**
CVE Bismark Sea (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Guam south Guam) 12/16/44***

ALLIED SHIPS SUNK

CL Raleigh (by heavy flooding north Satawal) 12/15/44
LCI-527 (by coastal gunfire near Wewak) 12/14/44
DD Brownson (by heavy flooding near Kavieng) 12/17/44
CA Canberra (torpedoed by B6N flying from Hollandia near Wewak) 12/18/44

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED

CA Kako (bombed by TBF from american carrier group in Peleliu) 12/16/44*
CL Noshiro (bombed by TBF from american carrier group in Peleliu) 12/16/44*
CL Katori (bombed by TBF from american carrier group in Peleliu) 12/16/44*
CA Kinugasa (bombed by TBF from american carrier group in Peleliu) 12/16/44*
AK Havana Maru (by gunfire from allied surface group in Kendari) 12/16/44***
AK Daiju Maru (bombed by PB4Y flying from Amboina in Kendari) 12/17/44**
AK Tairyu Maru (bombed by PB4Y flying from Amboina in Kendari) 12/17/44**

JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK

ML Tokiwa (torpedoed by TBF from american carrier group in Peleliu) 12/16/44
AK Raizan Maru (bombed by PB4Y flying from Amboina in Kendari) 12/17/44
AK Tsurugisan Maru (bombed by PB4Y flying from Amboina in Kendari) 12/17/44
AK Kosho Maru (bombed by PB4Y flying from Amboina in Kendari) 12/17/44

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

AK Yamahagi Maru (sunk by SS Cod near Batan Is.) 12/15/44

LST-601 (torpedoed by SS I-47 north Satawal) 12/15/44

SS I-185 (sunk by DE Tabberer near Guam) 12/17/44

[kokubokan25]

WEEK DECEMBER 19 (1944) - DECEMBER 25 (1944)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

JAPANESE BASES TAKEN BY THE ALLIES

Wewak (New Guinea) 12/19/44
Siador (New Guinea) 12/21/44
Kendari (Celebes) 12/25/44

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED

LCI-626 (by coastal gunfire near Tinian) 12/19/44***
LSM-14 (by coastal gunfire near Tinian) 12/19/44***
DD Charles Badger (torpedoed by B6N flying from Hollandia near Wewak) 12/20/44***
DE Samuel S.Miles (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/24/44**
DE Acree (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/24/44**
AP Golden City (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/24/44**
AP Olmsted (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/24/44**
DD John Rodgers (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/24/44**

CVE Kitkun Bay (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Davao near Kendari) 12/20/44**
CVE Liscome Bay (bombed by G4M2 flying from Tacloban near Kendari) 12/22/44*
CVE Saginaw Bay (torpedoed by B6N flying from Makassar near Kendari) 12/23/44**

ALLIED SHIPS SUNK

LST-581 (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Guam north Truk) 12/19/44
DE Raby (beached by crew near Wewak) 12/20/44
AP De Darby (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/24/44
AP Gilliam (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/24/44
AP Sarasota (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/24/44
MSW Skirmish (cleaning mines near Saipan) 12/24/44
MSW Sentry (cleaning mines near Saipan) 12/24/44
AP Haskell (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/25/44
AP Comet (by coastal gunfire near Saipan) 12/25/44
MSW Signet (cleaning mines near Saipan) 12/25/44
DE Kyme (hit a mine near Saipan) 12/25/44
AP Lamar (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Guam near Saipan) 12/25/44

JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK

AK Kyushyu Maru (bombed by B-29 flying from Darwin in Kendari) 12/20/44
AK Tairyo Maru (bombed by B-29 flying from Darwin in Kendari) 12/20/44
AK Daiju Maru (bombed by B-29 flying from Darwin in Kendari) 12/20/44
SS RO-46 (scuttled by crew in Kendari) 12/22/44

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

SS Nautilus (sunk by PC Kume near Aparri) 12/19/44
SS Templar (sunk by PC Miyake in South China Sea) 12/19/44

CVE Kitkun Bay (sunk by SS RO-179 north Darwin) 12/24/44

SS I-201 (lost near Tinian) 12/19/44
SS RO-108 (sunk by DDs Kennison and Hull near Guam) 12/24/44

PC-68 (sunk by SS Seadragon near Vigan) 12/21/44

[kokubokan25]

WEEK DECEMBER 26 (1944) - JANUARY 1 (1945)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

JAPANESE BASES TAKEN BY THE ALLIES

Hansa (New Guinea) 12/28/44

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED

AK Edward S. Hough (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Guam near Satawal) 12/26/44**
DD Roe (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Guam east of Guam) 12/27/44***

ALLIED SHIPS SUNK

AP Olmsted (by heavy flooding near Saipan) 12/26/44
AP Golden City (by heavy flooding near Saipan) 12/26/44
DE Samuel S. Miles (by heavy flooding SE Saipan) 12/27/44
CVE Liscome Bay (torpedoed by B6N flying from Makassar near Dili) 12/26/44

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

SS I-48 (damaged by DD Murray SE Guam) 12/27/44***
SS RO-109 (damaged by DD Hailey near Saipan) 12/27/44***
SS RO-49 (sunk by DD Murray SE Guam) 12/27/44
SS RO-103 (sunk by DD Kimberly north Satawal) 12/28/44

DD Kiyonami (torpedoed by SS Gar near Aparri) 12/27/44***
DD Kiyonami (sunk by SS Pargo near Takao) 12/28/44
PC PC-63 (sunk by SS Rock south Okinawa) 12/28/44
PC PC-21 (sunk by SS Hoe near Takao) 12/31/44

SS Lagarto (sunk by PC-60 north Aparri) 12/28/44
SS S-28 (damaged by DD Shiranuhi near Manila) 12/28/44**
SS Thurnback (sunk by PC-43 south Okinawa) 12/31/44
SS Hoe (sunk by DD Shiranuhi near Takao) 12/31/44
SS Tigrone (sunk by PC-56 near Tuguegarao) 1/1/45

[kokubokan25]

MONTH SPECIAL ISSUE Nº36 "DECEMBER 1944"

THE AIR CAMPAIGN

ALLIED SIDE

Allied month losses total (453) Cumulative (13.290)
Air to Air (198)-On field (26)-by Flak (76)-Operational (153)
Top Allied Plane Losses
In Fighters: 743 P-40N, 684 F4F-4 - In Bombers: 687 B-17E, 468 B-24D

JAPANESE SIDE

Japanese month losses total (990) Cumulative (17.697)
Air to Air (554)-On field (340)-by Flak (50)-Operational (46)
Top Japanese Plane Losses
In Fighters: 2.888 Ki-61KAIc, 1.676 A6M3a - In Bombers: 1.246 G4M2, 1.218 Ki-49

THE ACES

Japanese Aces

1.COL Egashira U.(64th Ftr.Sentai)Ki-61KAIc...................44 Kills
2.COL Sasaki I. (50th Ftr.Sentai)Ki-61KAIc.....................39 Kills
3.PO2 Nagashima J. (F1/Yamada Daitai)A6M3a................38 Kills
4.CPO Minowa L.(BI-1 Daitai)A6M5.................................35 Kills
5.PO2 Muto K. (F2/Genzan Daitai)A6M5...........................32 Kills

Allied Aces

1.WCDR Ingersoll J. (232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire VIII.......35 Kills
2.1LT Moore V. (VMF-221-USN) F4U-1................................34 Kills
3.CPT Harris, E.A.(49th FG-USAAF) P-38G.........................32 Kills
4.FLT Snowdon N.(232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire Vb............31 Kills
5.2LT Atkins O. (49th FG-USAAF) P-38G...........................31 Kills


_____________________________

JAPANESE AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION NOTES

Planes in Production: Main Types.

A6M5 Zero..........................479 p/month
Ki-84-Ic Frank.................... 418 p/month
Ki-100................................196 p/month
D4Y Judy............................188 p/month
Ki-67..................................174 p/month
B7A Grace..........................127 p/month
Ki-83..................................103 p/month
N1K1-J George.................... 93 p/month
P1Y Frances....................... 83 p/month
G4M2 Betty......................... 79 p/month
Ki-102a Randy.................... 62 p/month
C6N Myrt........................... 60 p/month
A6M5c.................................48 P/month
C6N1-S Myrt........................24 p/month
Ki-57-II.............................. 20 p/month
G4M2e Betty........................20 p/month

Planes under development: Main Types

A6M8 Zeke..........................64 theorical/month
A7M2 Reppu........................46 theorical/month


JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL AND ARMAMENT PRODUCTION

Armament.....................604 units
Vehicles........................136 units
Aircraft engines............2.930 units
Heavy Industry............14.011 units
Resources....................19.341 units
Oil.................................2.421 units
Manpower...................... 823 units

JAPANESE NAVAL/MERCHANT PRODUCTION

Naval Shipyard..................1.654 units
Merchant Shipyard...............720 units
_____________________________

STATE OF THE WAR-MONTH RESUME-WAR DIARY

Burma Front

-12/3: New allied offensive in Calcutta front cause heavy losses to both sides. The japanese must withdrawn some forces.


Southwest Pacific front

-12/2: Heavy fighting on Lae front. The japanese defenses are almost destroyed by marines attacks.
-12/5: The Marines take Lae after a heavy assault with artillery and tanks. The japanese forces must going to Salamaua.


South/Central Pacific Front

-12/1: The Kido Butai leaves Peleliu and take refuge in Manila and Kure.
-12/1: Heavy fighting on Saipan and Tinian. Massive japanese fortress take a lot of work to allies.
-12/7: The american carrier forces (VADM Towers) launch a heavy airstrike against the Peleliu japanese base. In the port the japanese maintain yet the CV Soryu (heavy damaged and unable to navigate) and some cruisers and destroyers. The japanese carrier is again damaged beside a couple of cruisers, the later light.
-12/7: The 632th Tank force take Satawal without fight.
-12/9: The 188th Glider Rgt. launch a assault against Siador. The 2.800 japanese defenders win a little defensive battle.
-12/11: The allies take Talasea after a airborne assault from Buin (511th USA Para Bn)
-12/12: The BBs Mississippi, California, Pensylvannia, Maryland and Nevada bombard japanese positions in Tinian.
-12/14: A carrier group with the CVs Yorktown, Bon Homme Richard, Antietam and Bunker Hill (VADM Halsey) undergoing continous airstrikes against the rest of nipon air forces in Mariana islands.
-12/14: The 2nd USMC Div attack Wewak. The coastal gunfire sunk the LCI-527.
-12/16: The VADM Towers bombard again the Peleliu port with Helldiver and TBF, a minelayer was sunk and many others warships light damaged.
-12/16: Heavy japanese resistence on Wewak.
-12/19: The RADM Smith bombard Wewak with the battleships Maryland, Nevada, Pensylvannia, California and Mississippi, three cruisers and eight destroyers. This afternoon the base is secured by the marines.
-12/20: The 1st USA CAV DIV take Maumere without fight.
-12/21: The allies take Siador.
-12/27: American carrier planes from CVs Franklin, Hancock, Shangri-La and Cabot attack the Hollandia aistrip to prepare the upcoming amphibious operation over Hansa.
-12/28: Hansa is secured by the 511th USA Para Bn.

DEI/Philippine front

-12/7: The aussies arrive in force to Waingapu, the base is undefender and take at once.
-12/16: A allied surface group with 7 heavy cruisers, 4 light and eight destroyers bombard Kendari base without problems. 25 japanese planes are destroyed and four merchants are sunk.
-12/21: Allied amphibious assault against Kendari. The 43th USA INF DIV and the 7th Aussie INF DIV sparhead the attack. The base is secured the christmas day.