Andy Mac v PZB ....The Allies Fight Back

[Andy Mac]

Hmmmm interesting couple of turns PZB is hurting my AK's I can take the losses but I need to watch out.

I sent my CV's into harms way and shot down nearly 100 zekes I dont know how the pilot quality of his Zekes was but I shot down 7 for 1 my Hellcats were 70+ xp so that was nice....

I was worried F6F would struggle against Zekes I am now a lot more confident.

Andy

[Bliztk]

You can recover from your pilot losses, PzB not.

I suggest you going near Kavieng with your carriers to make him not evacuate the forces he has already committed here, and prevent reinforcements

[Andy Mac]

I have 2 combat loaded Australian Inf Divs plus a corps HQ and armoured regt at Sag Sag I may divert them to Kavieng as I dont think I will need the at Rabaul. I am also considering the Admiralty Islands bu tht may be a step to far.

(Alternatively I may use them to sieze a base further up New Guinea)

Andy

[Andy Mac]

I am back from holidays now so a fuller update.

I sent my CV's against Kavieng again and walked into massive raids my Hellcats did ok shooting down 2 for 1 in fighters a few more bombers could have swamped my defences

I lost 50 Hellcats so I am withdrawing to replenish fighters.

Elsewhere relatively quiet.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/14/43

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


Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P-70A Havoc bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79


Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 1


Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 13
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
PBY Catalina x 2
A-20G Havoc x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 5


Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st Naval Guard Unit, at 83,83


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 39
SBD Dauntless x 32


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
16 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 44th Naval Guard Unit, at 82,79


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 6
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 8
PB4Y Liberator x 3


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 5 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 42,36

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 41

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
6 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
6 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
6 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Chinese Corps, at 43,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
D3A Val x 27
G4M2 Betty x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 72

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet
36 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet
6 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
43 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
27 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Chinese Corps, at 43,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 45
D3A Val x 27
B5N Kate x 75
G4M1 Betty x 17
G4M2 Betty x 38
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 35

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
35 x Ki-45 KAIb Nick bombing at 2000 feet
18 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
11 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
43 x B5N Kate bombing at 10000 feet
27 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
27 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
24 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
18 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
6 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B5N Kate bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,87


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 13


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-5051, Shell hits 8
AG AG-2527, Shell hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Kittyhawk III attacking at 100 feet
4 x Kittyhawk III attacking at 100 feet
4 x Kittyhawk III attacking at 100 feet
4 x Kittyhawk III attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 82,80


Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-359, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P-47C Thunderbolt bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 23

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 123
Corsair IV x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 14 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 3 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2051, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 61,88


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 10


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-5033

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,87


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2093, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2092

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Kittyhawk III attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 7
B5N Kate x 27
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 171
Corsair IV x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 7 destroyed
B5N Kate: 27 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 10

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 169
Corsair IV x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 8 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 74
D4Y Judy x 18
G4M1 Betty x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 17
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 30

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 169
Corsair IV x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 72 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 13 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 17 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 12 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 29 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 45 destroyed, 11 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,89

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
P-38J Lightning x 3
P-47C Thunderbolt x 14
P-47D Thunderbolt x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kavieng

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 70676 troops, 631 guns, 8 vehicles

Defending force 21555 troops, 108 guns, 101 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
830 casualties reported
Guns lost 58
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
241 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 1

[Bliztk]

Wow, the Allied Deathstar is powerful.

How many carriers do you have here ??

[Andy Mac]

TF 1 Intrepid/ Essex/ Bellau Wood/ Independence
TF 2 Wasp/ Bunker Hill/ Formidable/ Cowpens/ Princeton

So 5 CV (1 RN pure fighter) and 4 CVL in Fast TF that was in combat

In Slow TF in Marshalls

TF 3 Saratoga/ Hornet/ Langley/ Monterey/ Cabot

2 CV's 3 CVL's

Coming in next 120 days 4 more Essex's and 2 CVL's

If only I had the fast escorts to support them all.

Andy

[Andy Mac]

Not so powerfull that last fight damaged and depleted a lot of my ships airpower I am withdrawing to Sag Sag at present to replenish Hellcats

[Andy Mac]

ENEMY IN SIGHT !!!!

A much better turn for me my Hellcats and especially Spits did a dammed fine job covering the fleet at Sag Sag his strikes came in piecemeal and my CAP destroyed them.

I am withdrawing back towards Gili Gili to replenish Hellcats but I was able to slot a complte 36 Hellcat Sqn onto Wasp yesterday its a great luxury being able to replenish Fighters that quickly.

I am withdrawing my invasion TF towards Gili Gili as well as enemy air is to strong in the area and I dont want to be to adventurous yet given my over aggression is costing me at kavieng.

I notice at least on TF with BB's north of Emirau (at least 5 BB's sighted) If he is committing BB's would he bring KB to cover them ?

I am concentrating PT Boats at Sag Sag in case he brings in heavies tonight as a 5 BB TF could wipe the floor with most of my suface combat TF's

In addition all air in the area is turned to Naval Attack and I am bringing in lots of P38's and more Spits to cover Sag Sag. Lastly I am bringing in 2 80+ XP B25J gps and set them to Naval Attack 100 feet lets see what happens will they launch on Skip Bomb attacks !!!!

Andy

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/15/43

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


Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 10


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x P-70A Havoc bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79


Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
A-20G Havoc x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 3


Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 3 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st Naval Guard Unit, at 83,83


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 46
SBD Dauntless x 30


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
16 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Chinese Corps, at 43,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48
D3A Val x 27
G4M2 Betty x 7
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 36

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
48 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
24 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Chinese Corps, at 43,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 45
D3A Val x 25
B5N Kate x 71
G4M1 Betty x 19
G4M2 Betty x 33
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 30

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-45 KAIb Nick bombing at 2000 feet
8 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
11 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
45 x B5N Kate bombing at 10000 feet
22 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
26 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
27 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
16 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
10 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-45 KAIb Nick bombing at 2000 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-5141
AG AG-2062

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Kittyhawk III attacking at 100 feet
4 x Kittyhawk III attacking at 100 feet
4 x Kittyhawk III attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near New Hanover Island at 60,85


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2527, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 17
G4M1 Betty x 4
G4M2 Betty x 9
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 98
Corsair IV x 13
Spitfire Vb x 16
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 17 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 9 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 34 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 12
G4M1 Betty x 9
G4M2 Betty x 17
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 33

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 55
Corsair IV x 9
Spitfire Vb x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 17 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 29 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Corsair IV: 1 damaged

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 8
G4M2 Betty x 6
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 52
Corsair IV x 9
Spitfire Vb x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 8 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 6 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86


Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 1


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 58,90

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 2
P-38J Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 damaged


Allied Ships
LCT LCT-329

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,89

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged


Allied Ships
LCT LCT-156
AK Nathaniel Bowditch, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-152


Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Majuro

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6375 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2845 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

[Andy Mac]

Ill do some commentary later suffice to say it wasnt a BB TF I spotted it was the whole of KB and they came in F4U range !!!!

I have no idea why but each side lost over 300 aircraft losses I can sustain can he ?

Edit

Some Comments

I think I won this round but the losses are excruciating

Losing Quincy and Hobart hurts the surface warfare srtike was very effective by the IJN but the escorts did manage to protect the convoy.

Formidable is at 27 sys and should be ok.

It looks like I have hit a few Lights and Escort Carriers hard but it cost me I lost 350 plus aircraft this turn all LBA. In the last three days of battles the IJN has lost over 700 aircraft I am going to have to rest my sqns ASAP but while I am hurting he must be devastated and my Carrier strike groups are relatively intact.

Accordingly I am ordering my Carriers to pursue !!!!

Its a risk but he cannot have that many operational aircraft left.

The Hellcat is proving to be a very effective Zeke killer but less usefull against Tojo's and Tonies where it was the Spits that did the damage. The Hellcat is incredibly tough and seems to take a hell of a lot of punishment in A2A in fact it was one gp of tojos that shot most of the hellcats I have lost the Zekes really did struggle to do enough damage to down many Hellcats they are just so survivable

I made a huge cockup and set my CAP to zero for my carriers last turn which is why Formidable ate a torp I was very lucky as it could have been a lot worse.


Andy


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/16/43

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


Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 7


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-70A Havoc bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Ashigara
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami
DD Shiranuhi
DD Arashi
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo
DD Isonami
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-374, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Ashigara
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami
DD Shiranuhi
DD Arashi
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo
DD Isonami
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
TK Empire Jet, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Ashigara
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami
DD Shiranuhi
DD Arashi
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo
DD Isonami
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
MSW Strive, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago, Shell hits 5
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 14, on fire
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 2
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Onami
DD Shiranuhi, Shell hits 2
DD Arashi, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oshio, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Isonami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
CA Quincy, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Hobart, Shell hits 53, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monssen, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Woodworth, Shell hits 1
DD Bancroft, Shell hits 3
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tucker, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Arunta, Shell hits 3
DD Isaac Sweers, Shell hits 2
MSW Kalgoorlie
MSW Freemantle, Shell hits 2
MSW Gladstone, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Horsham, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
MSW Kapunda
MSW Tern
SC SC-637
AP George F. Elliot
AP William Ward Burrows
AP Wayne
AP Orungal
AK Cassiopeia
AK Shaula
AK Propus
AK Seginus
AK Indus, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Alamosa
AK Bullock
AK Charlevoix
AK Chicot
AK Etamin
AK Deimos
LST LST-16
LST LST-18
LST LST-19
LST LST-20
LCI LCI-22
LCI LCI-75
LCT LCT-61
LCT LCT-65
LCT LCT-130
LCT LCT-136
LCT LCT-137
LCT LCT-138
LCT LCT-139, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AK Nathaniel Bowditch, and is sunk
LCT LCT-150, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Ashigara, on fire
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami, Shell hits 1
DD Shiranuhi
DD Arashi, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oshio, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo, on fire
DD Isonami, on fire
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-167, Shell hits 121, and is sunk
PT PT-172
PT PT-177
PT PT-235, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
PT PT-237

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago, Shell hits 6
CA Ashigara, on fire
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami, Shell hits 2
DD Shiranuhi, on fire
DD Arashi, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Oshio, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo, on fire
DD Isonami, on fire
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-320
PT PT-321
PT PT-322
PT PT-323
PT PT-324
PT PT-325
PT PT-326
PT PT-327, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT PT-328, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT PT-329, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-330
PT PT-331, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Ashigara, on fire
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami, Shell hits 1
DD Shiranuhi, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oshio, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo, on fire
DD Isonami, on fire
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-106
PT PT-109
PT PT-337
PT PT-338
PT PT-341

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 44,44

Japanese Ships
DD Kari, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 30
PC Ch 9
PC Takuna Maru #7
PG Yoshida Maru
MSW Wa 7
DD Asagao

Allied Ships
SS Crevalle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79


Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 2


Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
A-20G Havoc x 2
B-25J Mitchell x 3


Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 2 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 54


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 59
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
17 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
18 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86


Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 1


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 61,86


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 20


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Division, at 61,86


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 15
P-40N Warhawk x 3
P-38G Lightning x 3
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-25J Mitchell x 11
PB4Y Liberator x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
11 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st Naval Guard Unit, at 83,83


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 46
SBD Dauntless x 31


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
15 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 42,36

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 40

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
9 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
9 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
5 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Chinese Corps, at 43,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
D3A Val x 24
G4M2 Betty x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 32

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo bombing at 2000 feet
6 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
47 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
24 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Chinese Corps, at 43,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 44
D3A Val x 27
B5N Kate x 71
G4M1 Betty x 17
G4M2 Betty x 48
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 32

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-45 KAIb Nick bombing at 2000 feet
15 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
15 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
45 x B5N Kate bombing at 10000 feet
27 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
26 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
24 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
17 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
9 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
9 x G4M2 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x A6M5 Zeke bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd USMC Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 70
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged



Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
16 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Americal USA/B Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-21 Sally x 34
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed



Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 53
A6M5 Zeke x 312

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 32
B-25J Mitchell x 18
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 14 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 9 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 8 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 9 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,85


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 59
Beaufort V-IX x 13


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 16, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
5 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 51
A6M5 Zeke x 310

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 14
P-47C Thunderbolt x 29
P-47D Thunderbolt x 4
B-25J Mitchell x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 54 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 14 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt: 27 destroyed
P-47D Thunderbolt: 4 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 10 destroyed, 7 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84


Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 21


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 17 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Onami
CA Takao, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
CA Atago, Shell hits 4
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Yura, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 8000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 17


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Takao, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Tama, Shell hits 4
CL Yura, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 11


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, on fire
CL Yura, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
1 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 37
A6M5 Zeke x 256

Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 6
Kittyhawk III x 20
P-40N Warhawk x 29
P-38G Lightning x 48
B-17E Fortress x 61

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 39 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang II: 6 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 20 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 29 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 46 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 10 destroyed, 41 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 2
BB Haruna

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 81,80


Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2052, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P-47C Thunderbolt bombing at 2000 feet
4 x P-47C Thunderbolt bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M5 Zeke x 217

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 20
F4U-1 Corsair x 58
Avenger II x 5
Kittyhawk III x 10
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 6
P-40N Warhawk x 26
P-38J Lightning x 10
A-20G Havoc x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 122 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 10 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 30 destroyed
Avenger II: 3 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 7 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 5 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 16 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 8 destroyed
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVL Shoho

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Avenger II launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Avenger II launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M5 Zeke x 95

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 5 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,90

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Venus

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,87

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 27
G4M1 Betty x 6
G4M2 Betty x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Shinkuang
DD Bancroft, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-61, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-159, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK San Anselmo
LCT LCT-130, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Freemantle, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Walter Luckenbach

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86


Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 1


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M5 Zeke x 83

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 14
F4U-1 Corsair x 29
Avenger II x 4
Kittyhawk III x 3
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 43 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged
Avenger II: 2 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 3 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 2 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 7 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
CVE Taiyo

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Avenger II launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M5 Zeke x 12

Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 2
Kittyhawk III x 2
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 5
P-40N Warhawk x 4
P-38G Lightning x 5
P-47C Thunderbolt x 7
B-17E Fortress x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 11 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang II: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Kaiyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Musashi
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M5 Zeke x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 18
P-38G Lightning x 20
B-25J Mitchell x 27
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 16 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Kaiyo, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Shinyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVE Hosho
BB Fuso
CVE Unyo
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu
BB Musashi
BB Nagato

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
1 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 58,88


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 38


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Oshio, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M5 Zeke x 13

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 2
SBD Dauntless x 41
TBF Avenger x 3
Avenger II x 2
Beaufort V-IX x 10
A-20G Havoc x 7
B-25J Mitchell x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF Avenger: 2 damaged
Avenger II: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 3 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Chitose, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 4, on fire
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 8000 feet
4 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Avenger II launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 8000 feet
3 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 5000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M5 Zeke x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Chitose, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M5 Zeke x 2

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 7
B-17E Fortress x 18
B-24D Liberator x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayate
CVL Shoho, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wakazuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Amagiri, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Formidable, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Intrepid
CV Essex

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,89

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-479

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Majuro

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6319 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2757 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

[asdicus]

Well done - it is nice to see the allied airforce having a chance to hit his carriers. You were lucky about that zero cap on your carriers - that could have cost you bigtime - glad you got away with it. Skip bombing works well on the smaller warships - glad the b-25's did not pick bb's to attack !

You still need to be really careful about going head-to-head with his carriers. Using china training your opponent has a remarkable ability to just swap in experienced airgroups to his carriers and bases. At the moment you are using only 2/3 of your carriers in one place when you know your enemy always commits his carriers en masse. I am going to suggest again - forget about the lack of cruiser escorts - bring together all your carriers to operate in one hex - just use fletcher dd's for escort (they have good aaa). At the moment leaving some carriers in the marshalls is just asking for defeat in detail. Acting all together I think a full scale raid on truk is doable and could cause your opponent a world of pain -as well as shattering his defense plans in this region.

I noticed you mentioned earlier sending more troops to kaiveng - a bad move in my opinion. His has a large garrison there now but your airpower should make it impossible for them to pull out. Withdraw your battered troops from kaivang and send your land forces to attack where he is weak. Leave the stong places alone to wither away.

[Andy Mac]

asdicus I agree to some extent I have detached formidable and after the assault on Maloep and Wotje I will reconsolidate my CV's ( I May do so before as I have racked up a lot of sys damage with all of my full speed running around so a bit of R&R at Pearl may be required)

I have shot down c 500 zekes in the last three days so a raid on Truk may actually be possible although Hellcats v Tonies/Tojos was actually a bad ratio compared to Zekes.

Aye the Kavieng reinforcement was a bad move the 2 Divs are pulling back towards Dodobura on ships.

Andy

[Andy Mac]

I dont have the combat replay but hooorahhh !!!!

Halsey and Spruances'sa TF's went back into harms way and finished off 2 Jap Flat tops (A CVL and CVE) put the hurt on 2 more CVL's and the CV Junyo at least one of which will sink my B17's or B24's put about 5 more bombs into the already heavily damaged Junyo so I really hope it will sink

Now that makes it all worthwhile.

My F6F force is weak so I will withdraw and I will need to rest pretty much all of my bomber and fighter force for a few days after the losses and severe morale hit from skip bombing.

I do not understand why PZB came into F4U range with his carriers it was crazily risky and while I havnt taken full advantage 5 CV/L/E's sunk or damaged and the elimination of 300 carrier based Zekes is not to be sneazed at !!!!

I wont go near Truk yet largely beacause I DONT NEED TO !!! not now why blunt my Carrier Arm when his will be out of action for months replacing fighters !!!!

No the focus will switch to the troops marching on Rabaul (26 miles to go) marching on Lae (close now) and clinging on in Kavieng.

I will use the 2 Aus Divs I have available to land up the NG Coast and keep the pressure on.

I am well pleased with the last few days and will now switch risky attacks to the Banda Sea and the Marshalls. (Hmmm Carrier raid on Kendari anyone ?/ strike at palembang is back on the table after the last few days success ?)

If I bring over my slow TF and combine the forces using Alabama to make my 3rd TF also a fast one then a strike into Kendari area is a possibility not to be discounted !!!

Today brought a smile to my face !!!
Andy

[Andy Mac]

The more I think about it a kendari raid at the same time as I land my paras on the good island has real possibilities hmmmm perhaps followed up by a raid on Palembang from the inside (that may be overconfidence !!!)

Andy

[Andy Mac]

Hmmm or what about a reverse PZB.

He sent his Carriers out to raid my commerce supposing I reversed it send the carriers back to pearl for a few days then move them into the seas around Saipan keeping beyond range 5 of major bases to avoid swamping in a few months I can field 4 big fast strong multi CV TF's that would give him a headache.

What do you think a risk to far ?

I really want to take advantage of the destruction of his carrier fighter arm.

Andy

[Speedysteve]

Hi Andy,

My own take would be to err on the side of caution. I agree its a nice little victory for you but from looking at the combat replay's he's training a lot of planes in China = he could well be able to replace his fighters in a very quick time with skilled pilots whilst training the replacememnts in China. Also from looking at the combat his DB/TB appear to still be intact.

Not to sound negative mind you since it is a nice victory but why risk too much now. My take would be that it allows you to consolidate your position around Rabaul/Kavieng/Lae/Admiralties for a bit whilst he regroups.

Just my 2p.

Regards,

Steven

[Andy Mac]

Hmmm aye you could be right I think Palembang or the deep strike may well be out as being a tad to risky.

But if I could get my carriers into the seas around lower Celebes undetected a raid on Kendari looks like a real option !!!!!

Andy

[Speedysteve]

Hi Andy,

Yes the Kendari attack could be feasible if it remains undetected on its approach. What would be your aims in doing it though? Resource destruction? Aircraft destruction? Ship destruction?

Regards,

Steven

[Andy Mac]

Primary goals would be to damage ships (unlikely to sink them in that port), kill pilots and to force the Japanese to spread out there assets away from the decisive point.

I want him thinking about rear area security. I dont want the IJN to be able to concentrate freely.

If I dont hit rear areas he can bring everything to bear without fear of consequences.

I basically want to keep up the pressure on him so the primary goal is psychologicial.

Attack Attack Attack but not always from the front.

It will also cover the invasion of the island with the good AF north of Darwin.

Andy

[Speedysteve]

I understand and a valid objective.

I would still recommend a hit and run raid since with the range of Betties and Zero's 100's could be moved into the region within a matter of days. Does he have many operational fields in the region? Amboina? Koepang? Kendari? Macassar? Balikpapan? etc

[asdicus]

Please avoid victory disease ! Another vote here for your carriers to come together and support your drives around rabaul and the marshalls.

Your view that the japanese carriers are going to spend months reforming their airgroups is wishful thinking. In the real world yes but in witp no. The japanese have unlimited resources and oil which means their aircraft production can be very high - I mean how did he get over 600 zekes so soon to shoot down (over the last few weeks) - they only became available in aug or sep 43. Training pilots - no problem - china churns out unlimited exp60-70 pilots in a few weeks - same level of exp as your most of your pilots. Result is that you should never ever assume the japanese land or carrier air are out of planes with experienced pilots.

Raiding supply lines - why ? He has masses of resouces oil and supply points - all easily replacable. Culling a few ak's or ap's - pointless - japanese in the standard game only need a fraction of the many hundreds of merchant ships available. The rest are just expendable.

You should think about why you won this recent victory. Your measured advance around rabaul invaded bases crucial to him and as an aggressive player he counter-attacked strongly. This gave you the opportunity to strike these heavy blows on terms advantageous to your forces.

Keep plugging away around rabaul - use the carriers as a counterattack force to keep his fleet away ( he still has 12 bb's remember). Patience will reward you in due course - when the logjam breaks at rabaul I think you will make good progress.

Just my thoughts - I have been following this aar since wobbly days and I really want the allies to avoid any more naval disasters at all costs ! One strong base-hoping drive on japan is all you need to win in 1945 I hope.