The Turning Point: floydg (A) & Coach Z (J) -- Luganville liberated

[floydg]

Here is a point summary up to July 1, 1942.
Looks like I need to find a bad CL and two DDs for Churchill...

[floydg]

Summary of aircraft lost.
Looks like he's down quite few fighters... and his carrier planes have been "dented" a bit.
Losing over 100 Hudsons has hurt, since I don't seem to have any replacements yet.

[floydg]

Here is the situation in New Caledonia:
- At Koumac, he has 13 units, probably mainly support units (AA, BF, Eng). The ships are transports and escorts.
- At La Foa, he has a division, field artillery and engineer regiment. I have NZ Bde, Tank Battalion, USMC Raider Battalion, EAB and a small part of a USA infantry division
- At Noumea, I have mostly support, but a Paratroop batallion and the understrength 41st USA Division.
- NW is the CVL Shoho and CVL Zuiho.
- At Luganville are assorted transports and small escorts

[floydg]

July 2, 1942

Highlights: Darwin attackers repulsed

• Outside Koepang, Japanese ASW TF finds the SS Salmon and hits it with a depth charge. Minor damage was reported by the sub.
• 33xLB-30 attack Myitkyina and are met by 29xOscar. One Oscar is shot down and 12 LB-30 are damaged. No bombs appear to have hit their mark.
• 35xB-24D attack Port Moresby and are met by a CAP of only 12xA6M2 Zero. Two bombers are shot down, but 7 Japanese planes are reported destroyed in the air and on the ground. Some damage was reported to the airfield.
• Allied LBA from Efate score a bomb hit on the AP Hakusan Maru (again) and PG Kiso Maru outside Luganville. Some more casualties were reported.
• Japanese LBA from Luganville counter-strike Efate, doing minor damage to the airbase.
• Japanese carrier planes bomb Darwin and destroy some more aircraft, followed by 58 bombers, which do a lot more damage.
• Japanese bombers from two CVL off of New Caledonia bomb Noumea. Negligible damage is done to the airbase, but 3 Zero and 3 Kate are shot down, to only one F4F-3.
• American TBDs based at Noumea attack ships at Koumac, but CAP shoots down most of the planes and the ones that do get by do not score any hits.
• After a meager bombardment attack by the Japanese at Darwin, the newly reinforced Australians make a concerted counter-attack. The Japanese are routed and retreat due south.

Analysis: The attackers at Darwin were repulsed! Now I need to wait for his return, probably with more troops. And now he's cut off my line of supply (which is getting low) and the base is seriously damaged. I do have more troops marching up, but not that much.
His troops arrived at Derby to begin their siege.
In New Caledonia, I will move an understrength division to LaFoa and try to "sneak" the 2nd USMC Division into Noumea. He does have decent carrier air strength and LBA strength in the area, so I could get shredded...
It seems every time my 4E LBA make a bomb run and take decent damage, their morale drops to the 20's or 30's and I have to rest them for a while before they can strike again. Is there any secret here?

[floydg]

July 3, 1942

Highlights: Bad day to be an Oscar pilot; Japanese carrier raid on Noumea

• American ships bombard Adak Island with 2xBB, 2xCA, 4xCL and 6xDD. Heavy damage is reported.
• American surface combat TF returning to Noumea locates the SS I-155 and scores a direct hit on it.
• A P-40E sweep of Myitkyina by 18 planes meet 27 Oscar, shooting down 6 and only losing 1.
• Japanese bomb Kohima about 60 bombers. The CAP of 10 Hurricane II shoot down 8 Oscar and a few bombers. Several Allied planes are lost in the air and on the ground.
• A sweep at Derby by 20 Oscar result in 2 more Oscar shot down by 7 Spitfire Vb. And just after that, 25 A6M2 Zeros come in for the same and also lose two of their own, but this time manages to down two Spitfires. Then the bombers arrive, causing minor damage.
• Japanese bomb Darwin, causing slight damage.
• Japanese carrier aircraft (over 100 bombers and 39 fighters) from the CV Kaga, CV Akagi and CVL Ryujo hit a transport TF at Noumea which is unloading troops. 11 AK’s are hit (some badly) and two escorting DD are also hit. Most of the troops are able to unload, but some are stuck on burning ships.
• Outside Broome, the SS I-18 locates the CV Formidable and puts two torpedoes into her. The escorts report a few near miss depth charges.
• The Japanese seiging Derby trade bombardments with the defenders, who get a good idea of the Japanese troop strength.

Analysis: I destroyed 32 Oscars today - most in the air, but some on the ground and a few to ops. About a dozen Zeros also saw their end of service. That was the best part of the turn (I was calling his sweeps "anti-sweeps", much to his displeasure).
The carrier raid on Noumea was an eye-opener. I didn't expect to see the Kaga and Akagi. Looks like most of his attention is in the South Pacific now. And his CVL force on the other side of New Caledonia forced me to scramble my transports which were in a holding pattern until the coast was clear at Noumea. But I did get almost all of the 2nd USMC Division unloaded, which is good. That may be the key to holding Noumea (and the level 6+ forts will help).
Getting the two hits on the Formidable was not good, since she's now out of action for a while. But the damage was not severe, which is good.
At Derby, it appears his forces are weak, so I'll attack and see if I can bounce him out.

[floydg]

July 4, 1942

Highlights: Japanese booted from Derby

• At Noumea, the SS I-26 locates the AP Republic and puts a torpedo in her, wounding and killing troops onboard.
• Japanese bomb Derby with negligible results, but do moderate damage at Darwin.
• B-17s from Efate bomb Luganville, destroying 9 Japanese planes and scoring moderate runway damage.
• TBD’s from Noumea strike the AV Kamikawa Maru anchored at Koumac and score a critical torpedo hit.
• Various LBA at Efate strike Japanese shipping in the New Caledonia area, scoring a bomb hit on the AP Kofuku Maru at Koumac and the AP Hakone Maru with two bombs outside Luganville.
• The Japanese aircraft at Luganville strike back, attacking some shipping at Noumea, scoring no hits and losing some Bettys. Then carrier planes from the Kaga/Akagi TF strike the airfield at Noumea, destroying almost 15 aircraft in the air and on the ground.
• Japanese carrier planes from the CVLs off New Caledonia strike Norfolk Island, doing almost no damage.
• The Japanese make an attack at Ichang, but are easily repulsed.
• South of Homan, two Japanese divisions took on a Chinese corps and the Chinese held their ground.
• At Derby, the Japanese bombarding (1 SNLF and one field artillery unit) were outflanked by the Australians and abandoned their positions and retreated west.

Analysis: Making him retreat at Derby was good, but just delaying the inevitable. But maybe I'll hold him off a bit in enough time to get some reinforcements up there. And over at Darwin, I moved a division out to block his forces from moving back in. Hopefiully their supply line is poor and they eventually start to starve (or just run out of bullets).
Over in New Caledonia, the appearance of the Kaga and Akagi has gotten me concerned, since he can easily shut down my airfields now. But I did get almost all of the USMC Division unloaded at Noumea and an RCT is unloading now. Hopefully that will hold him off until I can get more troops down there...

[floydg]

July 5, 1942

Highlights: Japanese invade Derby; Assorted action in New Caledonia

• East of Trincomalee, two Allied ASW TF search for a sub spotted the previous day. One TF locates the sub and the DD Norman scores three direct depth charge hits, sinking the SS I-16.
• At Dili, the AP Hokuku Maru succumbs to the damage heaped on it and sinks.
• 24xSonia bomb Ichang unescorted and the 21-plane CAP (including part of the AVG) shoot down ¼ of the bombers, which then do virtually no damage to the troops.
• The Japanese conduct aerial bombardments of Derby, injuring troops and damaging the facilities. LBA and Carrier planes hit the ships in port and the heavily damaged CA Devonshire sinks in its berth. At the end of the day, the BB Ise and BB Fuso bombard, causing moderate damage and over 500 casualties. Then, elements of the Japanese 2nd Tank Regiment and 4th Mixed Brigade begin unloading to form a beachhead at Derby.
• Allied LBA in Northern Australia report two bomb hits on the AP Hukuyo Maru, two bomb hits on the AP Tientsin Maru (carrying troops),
• Around New Caledonia, Allied LBA scores two bomb hits on the AP Hakusan Maru (carrying troops)
• Japanese torpedo bombers on CVL’s now SW of Noumea strike a transport TF fleeing. The transports are hit hard, sinking the AP William Ward Burrows and AP Bloemfontrin. Two other transports were seriously damaged, and the many of the troops they were carrying were lost. A few Betty’s from Luganville came later and put several bombs on one of the remaining transports.
• The Japanese fleet carriers, now by Koumac, strike the facilities at Noumea. Moderate damage is caused and a dozen Allied planes are lost. The Japanese do not lose many planes of over 100 bombers.
• Japanese from Luganville bomb Efate and destroy some planes on the ground.
• 53 Japanese bombers attacked Darwin and caused more damage to the facilities.
• South of Homan, the Japanese attack a Chinese corps and the Chinese retreat back to Homan.
• NE of Sian, the Chinese hold off the Japanese and continue the stalemate.
• South of Darwin, the Japanese attack the Australian 2nd Division and the Australians hold their position.
• At La Foa, the Allies make an ill-advised attack, as the Japanese are now reinforced by another Infantry Division. The Japanese take over 300 casualties, but the Allies take over 900.

Analysis: My attack at La Foa was a mistake - he got an extra division in and I got massacred. My only hope now is that I can hold him off a bit. But I do have a USMC Div and an RCT defending Noumea with level 6 forts. So I hope to be able to hold off for a while. But if he really wants it (and I'm sure he does), he'll eventually take it.
In Australia, I am marching reinforcements in as quickly as I can. But I need to be careful not to strip the east coast or it'll be ripe for an invasion.
In Burma, I am slowly marching forward to start my offensive. Of course, doing this in the malaria/rainy season is probably insane, but I want to get him on the defensive somewhere, even if my offense will be slow going.

[floydg]

July 6, 1942

Highlights: American AKs masscared; AVG turkey-shoot

• Japanese troops unload at Derby. The 2xBB and 2xDD bombard again, causing more facility damage. Allied LBA attack the Japanese ships, but only manage to put a minor hit on the BB Ise.
• Over Ichang, the Japanese come in with 18xSonia. They are met with 12 planes from the AVG and 8 more Chinese fighters. The AVG shoots down 16 of the Japanese planes. Later, the Japanese make an attack and are easily repulsed.
• South of Nouma, the Japanese carriers continue their slaughter of transports. The American commander of a TF of 8xAK left port and was caught at sea. Wave after wave of carrier planes and LBA struck, sinking AK Columbian, AK Atlantic and AK Republic. Many others are badly damaged.
• The DD Scout attempted to flee Derby and was caught by the carrier planes from the CV Junyo and was sunk.
• Japanese LBA bomb Darwin and does more damage to the facilities. Broome is also hit with light damage.
• By Ndini, the SS O23 put two torpedoes into the AK Atlas Maru.

Analysis: With the Japanese bearing down on Noumea, I don't think I'll be getting a breather to bring in supplies and troops waiting in the Suva area. I fear New Caledonia will be lost. And with all of the action there, I'm even running out of supply at Efate now.
In Australia, I'm not slowing him down that much and fear that Derby will be lost quickly and then he'll mount another attack at Darwin and succeed. The naval and air bombardments have really devastated the facilities, so I really can't build up forts and the repairs are burning up dwindling supplies.
I guess I was hoping to hold on somewhere, but it seems he's too determined to take these areas and I just can't stop the Japanese avalanche.[:(]

[floydg]

July 7, 1942

Highlights: Allied 4E LBA leave a mark

• More Japanese troops unload at Derby. Then several Japanese bombardment TF’s pummel the base. First 2xBB and 2xDD ravage the base, also hitting the CA Chicago in port, causing her to finally sink. Then another 2xBB and 2xDD hit causing minor damage. And then 2xDD hit with slight damage. An aerial attack caused almost no damage, except some bomb hits on the CA Australia stuck in port.
• 44xLB-30 hit Mandalay and destroy over 22 planes on the ground.
• 54xB-17E hit Luganville and destroy 7 planes, but lose 7 of their own in the process.
• Japanese carrier planes hit the defenders at La Foa. The Japanese troops attack, wiping out the remaining fortifications and pin down the Allied defenders.
• Allied LBA make several fruitless attempts at Japanese shipping in the New Caledonia area. The Japanese carrier planes strike back at Noumea and do some minor damage, but hit four damaged ships in port.
• The Allied transports east of Noumea are struck again, with a few bomb hits on the already-damaged transports.
• Darwin is bombed by 45 bombers, causing more damage and scoring two more bomb hits on the BB Royal Sovereign in port.
• In China, north of Canton, the Chinese mount an offensive, but the Japanese are well-prepared and the attack fails.

Analysis: At Derby, the base is pretty much shut down - port, airbase and airfield damage is all 50+. But the combat troops are in decent shape (the two BF are highly disrupted), so I may try another attack.
At Darwin, I'll pull the Australian division back into the city, since its disruption is too high to be of too much use. I may move the other division back out to try to stop him. I have a HQ unit and Armored unit close, which is amusing him as we jockey for position and supply lines over there.
I guess the damaged ships I left in port are all not going to make it. They're too damaged to get out safely and he keeps making port attacks on them.
In New Caledonia, I'll move the 2nd USMC division from Noumea to La Foa. I figure it's better to force him to fight there instead of falling back to Noumea. I hope...
The one bright point of the day is that the victory screen shows I destroyed 47 planes on the ground this turn. Not too shabby.

[floydg]

July 8, 1942

Highlights: Derby attack repulsed; BB Maryland hit

• More Japanese troops unload at Derby. A naval bombardment by 2xBB and 2xDD score two more hits on the CA Australia, stranded in port. Allied LBA from Broome strike back and score three bomb hits on the AP Aikoku Maru.
  Later, the Australians counter-attack and the Japanese cannot keep up the attack and retreat back towards Wyndham.
• Japanese ships (2xCA and 2xDD) bombard La Foa and cause minor damage. The Japanese troops then attack, but the defenders hold.
• South of Tokyo, Japanese ASW TF locates the SS S-33 and scores a direct hit. Damage control crews stem the damage, but the sub needs to return to port.
• Darwin is bombed again by the Japanese. The airfield is open and CAP comes to meet the attackers, but more damage is done to the BB Warspite.
• Japanese carrier planes attack Noumea and score some hits on the damaged ships in port.
• 64 Japanese bombers hit the airfield at Efate and destroy over a dozen planes on the ground.
• Northwest of Dutch Harbor, 5xNell attack an American SCTF and score two torpedo hits on the BB Maryland causing major damage. The battleship must retire for repairs.
• Southeast of Noumea, the SS I-29 scores a torpedo hit on the AK Arkansan, already significantly damaged from aerial attacks.
• The airfield and port at Marcus Island expand to level 2.
• The Japanese complete a rudimentary airfield at Lunga.

Analysis: I repulsed him again at Derby. I'm sure he'll be trying to overwhelm me, but I also have an Indian infantry division just about to start unloading at Broome.
At Darwin, things are a little hectic - I'm not really sure how best to play it, but I moved the rested division back out to hold him off while moving the disrupted one into Darwin. I hope that was the smart move, rather than let him seige me again so quickly. I also have some armor moving up and trying to cut off his supply lines.
In Noumea, things still look a little bleak, but I guess I need to make a stand here, since I can't load up all of these troops and move them out with all of his carriers parked off the coast.
I was going to bombard Adak Island again to attempt to draw him out to defend it, but the hit on the Maryland kinda took the wind out of that plan. But I see some transports there, so I'll go in with the CA, CL and DD and try to engage/sink them. I'll also bring out the CV Hornet, since I'm fairly sure the CV Hiyo is in the area.

[floydg]

July 9, 1942

Highlights: Surface action at Adak Island

• The Japanese are unwavering at Derby and more troops unload there. Later, 2xBB and 2xDD, and later CL and 2xDD, bombarded, causing minor damage to the facilities and scored more hits on the CA Australia. Allied LBA managed to score a bomb hit on the AP Aki Maru.
• At night, the Allied SCTF NW of Dutch Harbor, consisting of CA Vincennes, 4xCL and 6xDD, attacked transports at Adak Island. The DD Paul Jones suffers a penetrating shell hit and torpedo hit and the DD Monssen took a shell hit that caused some large fires, but the Japanese lost the DD Tanikaze and DD Hibiki, and of the 7 AK’s, two took over 10 shell hits each.
  When the sun came out, 35xB-26B from Dutch Harbor hit the ships, putting bomb hits on five of the AK’s. In total, over 550 troop casualties were reported.
  Japanese carrier planes retaliated and put four bombs on the DD Paul Jones and sunk her.
• In the area of Koumac, the SS Trigger puts a torpedo into the AK Yamaura Maru.

Analysis: The highlight was catching his transports at Adak Island. I don't know if it's troops he's bringing in to reinforce or troops he's evacuating. No matter, since I really blasted the transports and hopefully whatever was on those ships won't make it back to tell their families about the war. And that carrier of his (probably the Hiyo) is really tempting to go for. Unfortunately, I lost a DD, and the BB Maryland seems to have really sprung a leak from the torpedo hits. So it may end up costing me more that I had hoped.
At Derby, he's still unloading troops. I don't know where all of these troops are coming from, but it appears to me that he's committed quite a few troops to his Australian campaign.
Soon, my attacks in Burma will start. I hope that at least my being on the offensive makes him pull back a bit somewhere, even if I don't make any headway.

[floydg]

July 10, 1942

Highlights: Night surface action at Broome

• Japanese troops still unload at Derby. 2xBB and 2xDD bombard later in the day, causing some casualties.
• At night, Japanese CL and 4xDD sneak into Broome and attack the British transports unloading there. Three AK are sunk and two more are damaged. During the day, carrier planes from the CV Junyo strike and score hits on 5 of the transports. Two more sink.
• Outside Adak Island, the SS S-34 locates the ML Sarushima and puts a torpedo into her. And later, B-26B’s score 4 bomb hits on the AP Kaifuku Maru.
• 6xB-24D Liberator attack Port Moresby. The CAP shreds the bombers and only one survives.
• 34xB17E from Efate bomb Luganville. About 1/3 of the bombers are damaged, but it is reported that Japanese planes are lost in the air and on the ground.
• The Allies bomb the Japanese troops on the road to Mytikyina and are met by 6xOscar and 7xTojo. The Tojos destroy 7 of the escorting Mohawks and one bomber. The remaining bombers do superficial damage to the troops.
• In China, 64xSonia attack Ichang, but come in unescorted. The 10 P-40B’s of the AVG and 8 Chinese fighters shoot down 14 bombers, damaged 10 and turned back many others. Almost no ground casualties are reported as a result of the few bombers that survived.
• TBD’s from Noumea strike the AP Hakozaki Maru and score two torpedo hits.
• Betty’s from Luganville strike the damaged transports fleeing Noumea. The AK Carolinian takes two bomb hits and later sinks. The AK Aroostook also sinks from previous damage.
• The Japanese bomb Darwin again, causing more facility damage and loss of aircraft.
• NE of Sian, the Chinese again hold off the Japanese and continue the stalemate.
• Outside of Darwin, the Japanese attack. The battle looked good for the Japanese initially, but the Australians defended well and Japanese took over 1000 casualties to the 400 Australians.
• Koumac expands the airfield to size 2.

Analysis: Turnabout is fair play and I got my transports pounded at Broome. But I dd unload almost all an Indian Division before.
And it was nice in China to mess up some of his bombers, but my first encounter with the Tojo's was not favorable...

[floydg]

July 11, 1942

Highlights: Adak Island harbor filled with Japanese hulls

• More Japanese troops unload at Derby. And again 2xBB and 2xDD bombard.
• At Adak Island, the Allied SC TF of CA Vincennes, 4xCL and 4xDD appear and ravage the Japanese shipping there. The AP Shinkoku Maru, AP Fukkai Maru, AP Heizan Maru, PG Heijo Maru, ML Ma 1, and four PT boats are sunk without a single return salvo. More men of the Japanese 7th Division were lost.
• The Japanese sweep Ichang with 27xA6M2 Zero and shoot down all 6 I-153c’s that meet them. Only one Japanese plane was reportedly shot down.
• 46xLB-30 Liberators from Calcutta bomb Mandalay. Again, the Tojo’s leave their mark, shooting down 6 of the bombers, damaging many and causing others to abort their mission. The bombing results were negligible.
• 28xB-24D Liberators do better over Port Moresby. They are met by 15xA6M2 Zero and only one bomber is downed. Spotters report slight damage to the airfield and several Nell bombers hit on the ground.
• Outside Derby, some Australian Hudson bombers make a run on the CV Junyo, but don’t score any hits and come back damaged.
• Betty’s from Luganville strike more damaged transports between Noumea and Suva. Two AK’s are hit again.
• Betty’s from Timor attack the British transports at Broome. One AK takes two torpedo hits.
• South of Darwin, an American Tank Destroyer battalion attacks the Japanese 1st Parachute Regiment. A small number of casualties are reported on the Japanese, but the intimidation of the armor could cause them to retreat. Reinforcements from both Japan and Allies are on the way.
• Coast watchers on Timor report Dili increasing the airfield size to 3.

Analysis: Looks like Derby will fall soon. I have an Indian Division (understrength) on the way from Broome, but it may be too late. But fortunately, things are going well outside Darwin. I have his troops trapped outside the city and now cut off from their supply path. I have reinforcements coming, and hopefully this will sour things for him (the invasion began about a month ago and has not really amounted to much for him now).
In New Caledonia, things may be touchy at La Foa. I'll try to sneak in some reinforcements waiting by Suva, since the air has been relatively clear recently.
And the best part of the turn was sinking all of the ships at Adak Island without taking a single shell hit.

[floydg]

July 12, 1942

Highlights: British BB's hit

• By Koumac, the SS S-28 was discovered by a small ASW TF of 3xDD. One hit caused major damage to the sub.
• A Japanese sweep at Ichang left two A6M2’s shot down by outnumbered Chinese fighters.
• Another Japanese sweep at Noumea saw approximately six A6M2’s shot down by the Americans (who took no losses).
• 14xSBD made an attack on the Japanese carriers by Koumac. A massive CAP (56 fighters) and weak escort (10 fighters) saw only one SBD make it through CAP only to be shot down by flak just before the CV Akagi before dropping her bomb.
• A British SC TF waiting at Broome was attacked by bombers from Timor and four torpedoes and one bomb hit was scored on the BB Ramilles; and the BB Resolution took one torpedo hit.
• Darwin was bombed again by the Japanese, now that they realized the airfield was repaired.
• Japanese bombers from Luganville hit Efate and destroy about a dozen aircraft on the ground (mostly B-17E’s).
• Japanese naval bombardment of Derby by 2xBB and 2xDD; and then later, 4xCA and CL; cause moderate casualties and finally sink the CA Australia in port. Japanese then mount a ground attack, causing moderate casualties and reducing some of the fortifications.
• South of Darwin, the Japanese attack, but the Australians, now reinforced by an armor regiment, hold their position with a smaller number of casualties. Further south, the American armor again attacks the Japanese paratroopers
• Japanese make an attack at Ichang and are repulsed, causing over 1600 Japanese casualties to under 600 Chinese.

Analysis: The BB Ramilles was really blasted (70+ Sys, 70+ Flt); I'll have to limp her back to Perth, if she makes it.
At Derby, things are looking bad; the reinforcements may not make it in time to turn the tide.
South of Darwin, it looks like the Japanese reinforcements will make it before the Australians... [:(]
I was so close to making a run on his carriers... [:@]

[floydg]

July 13, 1942

(been busy on the WitPTracker...)

Highlights: Derby close to falling; Efate getting pounded

• In the area of Gili-Gili, the SS Grouper locates a small Japanese transport TF and puts a torpedo into the AP Iburi Maru, which was carrying troops.
• Derby is subjected to several naval bombardments again (2xBB and 2xDD and then later, 4xCA, CL and 2xDD). Only superficial damage is done, but the defenders are starting to falter. Japanese paratroopers drop at the base, causing massive confusion, allowing the Japanese to further reduce the fortifications and knock back the Australian defenders.
• An Allied TF of 2xCA, 4xCL and 4xDD bombards the Japanese base at Adak Island. The DD Brooks takes a coastal gun hit which starts some fires on deck. Minor casualties are reported at the base.
• The Japanese bomb the airbase at Changsha. 4xI-16c meet them and take on 28 fighters on escort, shooting down an Oscar. 66 Sonia’s complete their run and do moderate damage to the base.
• Two raids are made on Calcutta. The CAP of 14 Hurricane II’s do shoot down some bombers, but the base takes moderate damage with a loss of numerous aircraft.
• A sweep on Noumea from Koumac takes down 4 of the 12 American CAP fighters, taking out only 2 Zeros. American planes strike back and 2xSBD and 3xTBD attack Japanese ships at Koumac. All three torpedo planes are shot down and while the dive bombers make it through, neither score a hit on the CL Tatsuta.
• At Broome, the AK Empire Lakeland takes a Betty torpedo hit.
• Japanese carrier planes swarm over Efate and ravage the airbase, destroying about 10 planes on the ground in the process.
• At Wake, the SS S-45 locates the MSW Noshiro Maru #2 and puts torpedoes into her hull, sinking her.
• Two Chinese corps had started to lay siege on Canton. The Japanese defenders made an aggressive attack and the Chinese retreated. But the Japanese took over 3100 casualties in the process (to just under 400 Chinese). Outside Canton, the Chinese attacked, but were repulsed.
• The Japanese attacked again at La Foa, but were easily repulsed, taking over 1400 casualties to under 200 Allied defenders.
• South of Darwin, the Japanese now have armor accompanying the 1st Parachute regiment. The American armor attacks again and it’s mostly a stalemate.
• The airfield at Jehol expands to level 5.

Analysis: Derby is close to falling. But things in the Darwin area don't look too bad, so I'm not panicked yet.
In New Caledonia, I am holding my own, but with his carriers stationed there almost full-time, I really can't stage any relief attempt.

[floydg]

July 14, 1942

Highlights: Derby falls; Japanese sub located and sunk

• A group of 6 DD’s escorting an invasion force to Adak Island spot the SS I-9, but in their first attempt to sink the sub, they fail to score a hit, but a second run on the sub results in five direct hits, sinking the sub.
• Outside of Broome, the SS I-20 locates the AK Empire Defiance and hits it with a torpedo and 5 shells, causing significant damage.
• Japanese conduct naval bombardments of Derby, causing slightly more damage. Three Hudsons from Broome attack the bombarding ships and score two bomb hits on the BB Fuso. Later scouting reports detected no noticeable damage.
  The subsequent Japanese attack on the base resulted in the defenders breaking and retreating; resulting the second Australian city falling to the Japanese.
• Allies conduct a naval bombardment of Adak Island, causing a small amount of damage and casualties.
• Darwin is bombed, causing slight damage to the facilities and destroying some aircraft.
• Efate is bombed from Luganville twice, destroying more aircraft on the ground.
• Outside of Suva, the SS I-157 is located by the DD Craven, and several near misses are reported.
• West of Ichang, a Japanese armored regiment attacks a Chinese corps, but the Chinese are well emplaced and almost 10% of the tanks are destroyed.
• At the crossroads south of Darwin, the Japanese are reinforced and attack the American armor. The Americans retreat in order to make a more concerted advance when reinforcements arrive.
• Just south of Darwin, the two Australian divisions attack the Japanese again, causing some casualties.

Analysis: I knew Derby would fall eventually, so that's no surprise. I'll have to make my last stand at Broome, if my Indian Division can make it back there before he does something crazy (like paratroop in, like he's done quite a bit).
South of Darwin, he repulsed my armor, so now he can resupply his troops, but I'll move back to the cross-roads again to block him.
Efate is getting pounded - I'm losing so many B-17s, and the pool is empty, so I can't replace them. I'll evacuate to Brisbane and try to rest and rebuild, as I can (or just upgrade to B-24).
And in reinforcement news, I got the BB Valiant (good thing, since it looks like the BB Ramilles won't make it) and the CV Wasp (except it has TBD's, so now I need to wait a bit to upgrade them to TBF's).

[floydg]

July 15, 1942

Highlights: Liberation of Adak Island begins

• The American invasion of Adak Island begins. The USMC 1st Division begins to unload at the beaches. Two APs unloading hit mines in the harbor. The AP President Monroe is on fire, but still afloat.
  Nells from Attu Island strike the invasion fleet. The DD Patterson takes a torpedo hit.
• The Japanese bomb Darwin and destroy 10 aircraft in the air and on the ground.
• Japanese carrier planes attack the facilities at Noumea, destroying some planes on the ground and in the air, as well as putting some bombs on damaged ships in the harbor.
  A small American air attack is launched at the carriers, but the CAP is brutal and most of the incoming planes are shot down. Two SBD do make it through and miss an AK.
• Outside of Ichang, a Chinese corps attacks a Japanese armored regiment and the Japanese retreat.
• South of Darwin, the Australians attack again, but are thwarted by the Japanese.

Analysis: I have started my Aleutians campaign. If nothing else, it diverts his attention from other theatres to this (minor) one. The 1st USMC Division will begin retaking islands, as I can move them along. I'd like to make some progress so that when winter comes along, I can dig in defend what he may throw back at me.
Noumea and Efate are still under constant carrier aircraft pressure, making it impossible to reinforce, which I assume was his plan. I just need to wait for an opportunity and then sneak in some help. Or hope for a lucky air strike to make him run away.

[floydg]

July 16, 1942

Highlights: Adak Island invasion fleet attacked; Port Moresby bombed

• More Marines unload at Adak Island.
  The Japanese again make numerous air attacks. The CL Phoenix takes a Nell torpedo and then three Val bombs. The CL Detroit and CA Salt Lake City each take a bomb, and the CA Vincennes take a Kate torpedo hit.
• As the DD Patterson leaves Adak Island to return for repairs, the SS I-159 locates it and sinks it with a torpedo hit.
• Broome is bombarded by 2xBB and 2xDD and then later by 3xCL and 8xDD. Damage is light.
• Port Moresby is bombed by two separate waves of B-24D’s (total of 45). Light losses are taken on the bombers, while over a dozen Japanese aircraft are destroyed on the ground.
• Darwin and Broome are bombed again and more damage is done to the facilities.
• Japanese carrier planes again bomb Noumea, but the CAP and AA do a better job, shooting down almost a dozen incoming bombers out of 28. The bombers did get some additional hits on damaged ships in the port.
• Efate is bombed again but the Japanese, causing more damage to the airbase and the few remaining aircraft.
• North of Derby, an ASW TF locates the SS Sculpin and scores three depth charge hits, sinking her. Close by, the SS Saury takes one hit and must return to port for repairs.
• In China, the Japanese mount attacks at Ichang and Yenen. Both attacks fail, and the Japanese take significant casualties at each battle.
• Northeast of Canton, the Chinese attack a Japanese unit and fail to make headway.

Analysis: My invasion fleet at Adak Island got hit decently - but the troops are still making their way onto the beaches. And a good number of his bombers got torn up by AA.
I think I took out about 20 planes at Port Moresby, so it was certainly worth it.
Again, Noumea and Efate are under constant attack by the Japanese -- need to find a way to get some relief.

[floydg]

July 17, 1942

Highlights: BB Ramilles sinks; big dogfights over Calcutta; invasion of Broome begins

• The BB Ramilles succumbs to the damage and sinks on the way to Perth.
• More troops unload at Adak Island. The AP President Monroe and AP President Fillmore reportedly hits a mine. The AP President Coolidge is hit by a Nell torpedo.
• Japanese carrier planes go after a small TF of MSW and sink the MSW Lockeport and MSW Quatsino. The DD Gwin takes a torpedo and 2 bomb hits and the DD Henley takes a bomb hit.
• The Japanese bomb Calcutta, but the British are ready. 57xSally and 20xHelen are escorted by 26xA6M2 and are met by 36xSpitfire and 6xHurricane. The combat lasted a long time, and in the end, 13 Zeros, 12 Sallys and 3 Helens are shot down to just 1 Hurricane and 5 Spitfire. Light damage is done to the airbase by the few bombers that passed the CAP.
  A second wave, consisting of 33xBetty escorted by 25xA6M2 meet almost the same CAP, but the losses are somewhat reversed, as 2 Zero and 2 Betty are shot down to 12 Spitfire and 2 Hurricane. Again, only light damage to the airbase.
• A small number of B-24D attack Port Moresby. 4xZero are shot down to 1xLiberator and slight damage is done to the airbase.
• Japanese bomb Broome and do moderate damage. From Broome, 3xHudson attack the BB Yamashiro, but do not score any hits.
• 13xSwordfish from the CV Illustrious strike a small Japanese invasion fleet at Broome. The DD Hiyodori takes a torpedo hit which causes a magazine explosion and the destroyer later sinks. The AP Shoun Maru takes a torpedo hit, but stays afloat. This transport and another AP begin to unload portions of an SNLF at Broome.
• Efate is bombed again, but doing only light damage.
• NE of Canton, the Chinese attack a single Japanese division and cause it retreat back to Canton.

Analysis: The BB Ramilles had too much damage to make it back to Perth. I guess I really didn't use my BB's wisely and they have all taken hits - most of them serious.
Over Calcutta, I really did a number on his planes. I think in total, about 40 were shot down - I don't think he'll be coming back soon. I did transfer in more fighters to bolster the defense. For some reason, I was supposed to get 72 P40E's as reinforcements, but I suppose since the pool was empty, they came in as P36A's. I thought allied air group reinforcements are not taken from the pool... [&:]
The Swordfishes from the CV Illustrious were able to get in some nice hits on his ships, so I'm glad I left the carrier there. The troops he unloaded are paltry, so I'll attack them with the Indian division.
Up at Adak, the Marines have finished unloading, so I'll wait a bit and then start to attack. The transports are all chewed up, so I'll need to bring in some new APs from Pearl to get them out later.
For some reason, two squadrons of fighters in the South Pacific upgraded to F4F-4's, so now I have almost no fighter strength there, and also a fragment of one group that are still F2A's. Ugh.

[floydg]

July 18, 1942

Highlights: Broome is defended

• More Japanese troops unload at Broome. Coastal guns report a hit on the DD Urakaze and three hits on the AP Shoun Maru. 4xCA, CL and 2xDD bombard and do minor damage to all facilities. The Swordfish attempt to attack the transport TF again, but all torpedoes miss. The Indian Division at Broome attacks and takes care of most of the invaders.
• American Marines complete unloading at Adak Island. The AP President Fillmore hits a mine. The AP President Johnson is hit by two Nell torpedoes.
• Efate is bombed again, with only light damage.
• South of Darwin, two Japanese armor regiments and an infantry unit make a strong attack on the Australians and force them to retreat south. One armor unit pursues them.
• NW of Nanning, the Chinese attack, but they are under-supplied and the attack is a failure.
• Paramushiro Jima expands the port to level 3.

Analysis: Relatively quiet turn. Looks like Broome is safe a little longer. Derby was completely destroyed when he took it, but with a ton of engineers, he seems to have fixed it up nicely and he's running a lot of operations from there.
Things are starting to fall apart in North Australia - I wonder if I should just pull back into Darwin and hold out for the seige.