KB strikes are getting better, but are still far away from its capacities..
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/26/43
Damaged AO pumped out all water in Gili Gili and now is heading to Rabaul. And nearly was finished by US sub:
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Sub attack at 58,93
Japanese Ships
AO Erimo
Allied Ships
SS Capelin
I expect him soon to withdraw his planes from Hansa.. And hopefully to bring more troops.. [;)]
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Naval bombardment of Hansa, at 53,83
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CL Tama
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa
BB Hyuga
BB Yamashiro
Allied ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15
Planes from Siador found allied CVs. None made it through but at least I´m warned and know what I´m standing against..
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Day Air attack on TF at 49,94
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
G4M1 Betty x 23
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 116
F6F Hellcat x 21
F4U-1 Corsair x 77
Kittyhawk III x 2
P-40N Warhawk x 11
P-38G Lightning x 82
P-47C Thunderbolt x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 12 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 damaged
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-47C Thunderbolt: 2 damaged
Planes from Lae fortunately choosed better target:
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Day Air attack on TF at 49,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 30
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 8 damaged
Allied Ships
APD Stringham, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Talbot, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD McKean
APD Colhoun
Allied ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
APD Stringham sinks immedietly with part of 1st USMC div aboard.. And that was last attack in a.m. phase and I was desperate. Good weather and NO strike from KB at all again. But then came the p.m. phase and KB woke up finally. Only a handfull planes attacked, but it better then nothing:
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Day Air attack on TF at 48,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10
A6M5 Zeke x 8
D3A Val x 21
D4Y Judy x 20
A6M3a Zero x 36
B5N Kate x 16
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed
D3A Val: 2 damaged
D4Y Judy: 1 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
AK Algorab
DE Gilmore, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hovey, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alhena
DMS Hamilton, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Electra, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Manunda, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
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Day Air attack on TF at 48,91
Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 24
B5N Kate x 24
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Allied Ships
AP Manunda, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alcyone, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hovey, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hamilton, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Betelgeuse, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
208 casualties reported
And the p.m. strike from Lae. Again only small part of availible bombers (71 G4M1 is there) took off..
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Day Air attack on TF, near Thursday Island at 49,90
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G4M1 Betty x 11
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
DMS Dorsey, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
As it goes this wasn´t exactly a bad turn for me. It could be just much more better if all my planes would fly.. [:(] Neverthless I´m optimistic and prepared a "trap" for the next turn. Allied CVs are heading north and I have decided it is time to risk. I will leave KB where it is one more turn and I have send huge forces to Port Moresby. 5 daitai of J2M Jack, 1 daitai of A6M2, 1 daitai D3A, 5 daitai G4M1, 3 sentai Ki-44-II and 5 sentai Ki-21/Ki-49 is moved to PM with range set to 6. If PjH will continue towards Thursday Is, he will found himself between KB and this force. With a bit of luck it could be enough to crucify him. He has boosted his CAP with many LB fighters, but they should be already fatigued and not so effective. On the other side he can send 1000 4E to bomb PM and crucify me instead. A lot depend on the weather and if he is checking balance numbers daily. Basicaly I have offered him nearly my whole air force in this region on golden plate in a hope that lucky victory will slow him down.. Fingers crossed.. [;)]
I´m not leaving PM uncovered btw. 3 sentai Ki-61 and 1 sentai Ki-44 from Lae will fly LRCAP and all fighters in PM are set to 30% CAP. With all P-38 flying LRCAP over his CVs his heavies would come unescorted and I will take a toll on them, despite the fact I wouldn´t be able to stop them.. These are the moments I can´t stand when I get home to run the turn and see what happened.. [:)]
