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Re: the B-24s, the amount of supply they haul is limited, so unless things are very safe I would not risk them hauling to Suva. Do you have good CAP over the base, and is he sweeping or LRCAPing Suva?
Are your bombers achieving much in Australia? What are the B-24 losses like there?
One thing I would try to do is mass my attacks into a "big hammer" rather than sending in a lot of small ones that bounce off his defences.

Typhoon veers back to Fiji!

Jan 25 - Jan 26, 1943 The allied defenders at Suva run out of supplies and the resupply attempts look questionable. We started out with 25k supply a month ago and now it's all gone. During this period of time usually 10 squadrons of aircraft were based at Suva. The biggest single cost was the 1st major assault that the IJA made - 6k supply expended.

KB: Part is operating between Canton Is and Fiji.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are headed to Dutch Harbor to cover a major reinforcement convoy. The rest of the carriers are headed for PH to get normal repairs. The CVE flotilla is headed down to Tahiti to support some invasions down there.

AIR WAR: The KB decides to stick the stinky finger in at Suva. 5 to 8 vs the best pilots in the world is acceptable.

Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160 on 1/25

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 96
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 8
F4F-3 Wildcat x 19
F4F-4 Wildcat x 31
F4U-1 Corsair x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 1/26 SS Pompano gets a PB near Gardner Is. Then SS Gurnard decides to shell a xAK near Amami Oshima and claims 56 hits.

MALAYA:

CBI: The allies are using the B-25s out of Imphal to strike at random IJA units east of the Irrawaddy and force the IJAAF to LRCAP. It's just a pinprick and may not be worth the operational losses. In the mean time large forces are moving to Akyab and Katha in preparation for the offense.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Normal airwar over Suva.

Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160 on 1/26

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 40
G4M1 Betty x 81
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 24
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 5
P-40K Warhawk x 8
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
F4U-1 Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 6 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 27

These attacks on the Japanese supply line are ineffective.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160 on 1/26

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 8
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 15
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Alaska Maru

Morning Air attack on TF, near Suva at 131,161 on 1/26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M3a Zero x 2
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Akebono
DD Yuzuki
DD Mikazuki
CL Kiso
DD Isokaze

AUSTRALIA: The allied airforces hammer the defenders at Normanton and on 1/26 a deliberate attack pushes the defenders out. Because of blocking forces to the north they retreat east.

Ground combat at Normanton (86,138)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21386 troops, 428 guns, 834 vehicles, Assault Value = 788

Defending force 6952 troops, 76 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 95

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Allied adjusted assault: 611

Japanese adjusted defense: 184

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Normanton !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2549 casualties reported
Squads: 104 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 82 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 57 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (23 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 51 (51 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 9

Allied ground losses:
115 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units pursuing 3

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
110th Combat Engineer Battalion
2/9th Armoured Regiment
3rd Army Tank Brigade
193rd Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
2/7th Armoured Regiment
2/151st Combat Engineer Battalion
2/8th Armoured Regiment
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
3rd Motor Brigade
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st Motor Brigade
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
32nd Australian Lt AA Regiment
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
II Australian
2/3rd Light AA Regiment
154th FA Bn
21/22 Field Regiment
2/1st Heavy AA Regiment
2nd Australian Hvy AA Regiment
209th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
46th Construction Regiment
108th Tank Attack Regiment
4th Field Artillery Battalion
9 RAAF Base Force
134th Field Artillery Battalion
34th Australian Lt AA Regiment

Defending units:
24th Infantry Regiment
84th Naval Guard Unit
7th Tank Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
37th Const Co
8th Field AF Construction Battalion
8th JNAF Coy
4th JNAF AF Unit
42nd JNAF AF Unit

After the fall of Normanton we pursue the defenders. My guess is that 10% of original defenders will eventually stagger into Cooktown.

PH and points east:

Hi Folks,

A question: Advancing up the coast from Cairns to Cooktown is the risk (effectiveness) of shore bombardment greater than the risk of the air attacks in clear terrain? I could swing west of Cooktown at the cost additional time to get into position. On the other hand maybe this could be real good hunting for the Silent Service if I stay on the coast as bait.

So many options - ain't this game great?

Cheers,
Guy

I think the roads inland are just as fast a route as slogging through the forest along the coast. The additional benefit is cutting off all supply to the Normanton garrison remnants. As for troops getting bombed [without the benefit of liquor], what size airfields does he have that are in range? Can you close them with your AF, now that you have Normanton? Can you bombard his AFs at Cooktown and Portland Roads? Can you bring up some AA units to make bombing your troops more dangerous?

How sure are you that he will come to bombard? Has he made a regular habit of it? If I were the IJN player looking at the bombers you have available in Oz and the reef along the coast that funnels ships into a couple of openings, I would not risk the ships! But I am not your opponent so you will have to judge what risks he might take.

Finally, is a two-pronged approach feasible - one unit stack up the coast and the other on the roads inland?

Typhoon veers back to Fiji!

Jan 27 - Jan 29, 1943 The allied defenders at Suva run out of supplies and the resupply attempts have been unsuccessful.

KB: Part is operating between Canton Is and Fiji, another portion is operating south of Pago Pago making all the folks in Tahiti get all upset. If I had all my fleet carriers together I would strike now while the KB is split... but I don't. They're at least 10 days out.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are headed to Dutch Harbor to cover a major reinforcement convoy. The rest of the carriers are headed for PH to get normal repairs. The CVE flotilla is headed away from Tahiti because of the KB.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: We send some PT boats from Suva to Nadi to interfere with ships unloading and run into a IJA task force.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Suva at 132,160, Range 8,000 Yards on 1/27

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma
DD Isokaze
DD Yayoi
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
PT-38, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-48, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-59
PT-60
PT-66, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT-67
PT-68

Then an adventurous IJN DD captain goes fishing.

TF 261 encounters mine field at Suva (132,160) on 1/27

Japanese Ships
DD Mikazuki, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SUB WAR:

On 1/28 SS KXVIII nails a SC near Perth. SS Sawfish gets a PB near Noumea. A ASW TF south of Kona claims 4 hits on IJN SS I-34.

And then...

Sub attack near Yasawa Islands at 130,153 on 1/28

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryuho
BB Fuso
CA Kinugasa
CS Chitose
DD Akigumo
DD Oboro
DD Amagiri
DD Yugiri
DD Isonami

Allied Ships
SS Trigger

SS Trigger launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Ryuho
Trigger diving deep ....

I'm gonna hit with one of these some day!

On 1/29 the same ASW TF puts another 5 hits on the IJN SS I-34. SS Perch puts a fish into a xAK near Nadi.

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:
Fiji: On 1/29 the IJA tries a bombardment attack and loses 22:487 casualties. The next attack will use the rest of the organic supply of the defenders. Air war continues over Suva.

Afternoon Air attack on Suva , at 132,160 on 1/27

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 72
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 5
P-40K Warhawk x 5
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
F4U-1 Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

This wasn't bad but I'm pulling the aircraft out of Suva.

Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160 on 1/29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 34

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
F4U-1 Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160 on 1/29

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 23
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 17
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 10
P-40K Warhawk x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1 Corsair x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 9 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

A resupply attempt by the south route runs into some carrier air.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vava'u at 142,163 on 1/27
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 61
D3A1 Val x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
APD Pillsbury, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

The Japanese check to see if we're still home.

Ground combat at Suva (132,160) on 1/28

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 51825 troops, 786 guns, 233 vehicles, Assault Value = 1556

Defending force 42665 troops, 1028 guns, 674 vehicles, Assault Value = 894

Japanese ground losses:
521 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Canton IS: We try to run in a suicide supply TF and it's suicide all over again.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Canton Island at 153,143, Range 6,000 Yards on 1/29

Japanese Ships
DMS W-7

Allied Ships
xAKL Tamara, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

AUSTRALIA: Pursuit phase of Operation Vicious Wallaby is in full swing. Allied armor is walking tall. Allied 2E bomber are attacking units in the clear slowing their movement. It's nice to have upper hand for once.

PH and points east:

Typhoon veers back to Fiji!

Jan 30 - Feb 2, 1943 The allied defenders at Suva run out of supplies and the resupply attempts have been unsuccessful.

KB: Part is operating between Canton Is and Fiji, another portion is operating south of Pago Pago making all the folks in Tahiti get all upset. If I had all my fleet carriers together I would strike now while the KB is split... but I don't. They're at least 10 days out.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are headed to Dutch Harbor to cover a major reinforcement convoy. The rest of the carriers are headed for PH to get normal repairs. The CVE flotilla is headed away from Tahiti because of the KB.

AIR WAR: The attack bombers finally get a chance to show what they are good for as they attack a resupply convoy for Cooktown from Cairns.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,136 on 1/31.

Allied aircraft
A-20A1 Havoc x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Taian Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
xAK Tokusima Maru
xAK Tazan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Hukusei Maru
xAK Miyadono Maru, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x A-20A1 Havoc bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

The Tony is reported to be operational in Australia. This is the 1st combat report noting this aircraft.

Morning Air attack on Cairns , at 92,140 on 2/1.
Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 36

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-61-Ia Tony sweeping at 31000 feet

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 2/1 SS Skipjack puts a couple of fish into a large xAK near Late Is.

MALAYA:

CBI: An example of the pin prick raids that the B-25s are doing in Burma. I'm coming in at 6000 and the CAP is at 15000. Then I'll alternate with a fighter sweep at 29k or 31k.

Morning Air attack on 55th Mountain Gun Regiment, at 63,43 , near Myitkyina on 2/1

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 26

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

The 2nd raid of the day isn't a milk run.

Morning Air attack on 55th Mountain Gun Regiment, at 63,43 , near Myitkyina on 2/1

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged

The 3rd raid gets a bye, maybe the cap is tired?

Morning Air attack on 148th Infantry Regiment, at 63,43 , near Myitkyina on 2/1

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 4
B-25C Mitchell x 14

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

Suva: More fun and games, I figure to use up the PTs since they're dead after the fighters leave.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Suva at 131,161, Range 3,000 Yards on 1/30

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CL Kiso
DD Kawakaze
DD Usugumo
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Akebono
DD Minazuki

Allied Ships
PT-26
PT-39
PT-61
PT-73
PT-74, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-75, Shell hits 1

The allies try one last resupply with a large fast ship. Let me just say that I was rather unhappy with the performance of the Monaghan. I suppose the virtual sailors would be pretty unhappy with my performance as well.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Vava'u at 140,163, Range 19,000 Yards on 1/30

Japanese Ships
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
AE Lassen, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage and sinks

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Late Island at 139,163 on 1/30

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Monaghan, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

This mornings sweeps will probably be the last for the Suva as everything that has the legs is leaving. There were 3 other waves after this on with two aircraft on each side shot down.

Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160 on 2/2

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
F4U-1 Corsair x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Canton Is: The IJN is still playing close attention to the island and I wonder if they're going to try a 3rd invasion? I have intelligence indications that at least one unit is preping for Canton Is.

Night Naval bombardment of Canton Island at 153,143 on 1/31

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CA Kumano
CA Myoko

Allied ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (6 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 42
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

AUSTRALIA: Pursuit phase of Operation Vicious Wallaby is in full swing. Allied armor is walking tall. Allied 2E bomber are attacking units in the clear slowing their movement. It's nice to have upper hand for once. Japanese aircraft try to slow down the pursuing units and put Cairns out of operation. Honors are pretty even in fighters and the US mediums are doing good execution.

PH and points east:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I think the roads inland are just as fast a route as slogging through the forest along the coast. The additional benefit is cutting off all supply to the Normanton garrison remnants. As for troops getting bombed [without the benefit of liquor], what size airfields does he have that are in range? Can you close them with your AF, now that you have Normanton? Can you bombard his AFs at Cooktown and Portland Roads? Can you bring up some AA units to make bombing your troops more dangerous?

How sure are you that he will come to bombard? Has he made a regular habit of it? If I were the IJN player looking at the bombers you have available in Oz and the reef along the coast that funnels ships into a couple of openings, I would not risk the ships! But I am not your opponent so you will have to judge what risks he might take.

Finally, is a two-pronged approach feasible - one unit stack up the coast and the other on the roads inland?

Hi BBfanbay,

In early 42 the IJA was quite successful raiding and bombarding up and down the north east coast of Australia. I lost two RN BBs in surface actions between Cooktown and Cairns. Now I hope that he is busy elsewhere but I spotted a BB at PM a couple of days ago. I'm (very carefully) moving the allied navy still in Australia (4 CA 7 DD) up to Townsville as shield and a sword.

I will ensure that all the landward retreat routes are blocked this time. But in my defense the pursuit of the Normanton defenders has been fun. Maybe let the Cooktown defenders escape north and temp the Japanese commander into trying rescuing them? So many options... on the atolls it's just win or die.

Cheers,
Guy

Typhoon veers back to Fiji!

Feb 3 - Feb 5, 1943 The allied defenders at Suva run out of supplies and the resupply attempts have been unsuccessful.

KB:The KB has disappeared - logic says it's north west of Fiji getting refueled.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are headed to PH from Dutch Harbor. There they will rendezvous with other three CV for operations in pursuit of resupply of Canton Is. The CVE flotilla is headed back to Tahiti with the mission of pulling the KB back south to allow the Canton Is mission to get through.

AIR WAR: The attack bombers at Cairns keep sneaking in under the CAP at Cooktown.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,137

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 14

Allied aircraft
A-20A1 Havoc x 9

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 1
DD Ayanami
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kamikaze

SURFACE WAR: The Allied navy in Australia has moved in stages to Townsville and strikes north during the night - missing the fat APs and AMC that we had spotted there the previous day. After this raid the TF is disbanded and one of the DDs is grabbed by the damn yard dogs! I'd hang the buggers from the yardarm if it was an option.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 92,137, Range 2,000 Yards on 2/4

Japanese Ships
E Saga, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
CM Sokuten, Shell hits 20, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Chester
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 1
DD Monssen
DD Walke
DD MacDonough
DD Worden

SUB WAR:

On 2/3 an ASW TF near Tavoy puts 7 hits on SS S-36 and she heads back to port. Then another puts 3 hits on SS Grampus and she heads in as well. On the plus side SS Tunny puts a fish into an AO near Nago.

On 2/4 SS Steelhead which was trying to lay a minefield at Truk hit a mine and suffers major damage. She'll try to limp back to Townsville. The SS Harder puts a fish into a loaded TK off Fukue-jima.

On 2/5 SS Saury puts a torp into CL Sendai near Port Moresby.

MALAYA:

CBI: On 2/5 the B-25s out of Imphal visit a Japanese unit near Myitkyina and claim 150+ casualties.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

Canton Is. The IJN keeps up it's unhealthy preoccupation with Canton Is. and blows the heck out of the place on 2/4. Japanese bombers visit every other day.

Suva: The IJN and IJAAF take advantage of the lack of air cover over Suva and send in a major raid. The defenders will have to get used to this... at least for a little while.

Morning Air attack on Suva , at 132,160

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
A6M3a Zero x 44
G4M1 Betty x 81
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 22
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 21
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 8
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 16

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 5 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AMc Currell, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 39
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 63
Port hits 2

AUSTRALIA: The Allied and Japanese airforces hit each others LCUs on the plains between Normanton and Cooktown. We each LRCAPed but the bombers make it through and minor loses are experienced on both side with some air loses. The pursuing tanks make contact a couple of times but no units are destroyed.

B-17s out of Tennant Creek start striking at Katherine intending to drive the IJA armor unit back to Darwin. In the back of our head is the idea of dropping into Daly Waters and moving the air bridgehead to there.

PH and points east:

ORIGINAL: guytipton41
After this raid the TF is disbanded and one of the DDs is grabbed by the damn yard dogs! I'd hang the buggers from the yardarm if it was an option.

Easy now! They had orders to do the upgrade. Look to management in the HQ for the SNAFU problem! [;)]



In the back of our head is the idea of dropping into Daly Waters and moving the air bridgehead to there.

How will you get supply into Daly Waters? From what I understand it barely trickles in from the south and base building is very slow.

Typhoon veers back to Fiji!

Feb 6 - Feb 8, 1943 The allied defenders at Suva run out of supplies and the resupply attempts have been unsuccessful.

KB:The KB has disappeared - logic says its north west of Fiji getting refueled.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are headed to PH from Dutch Harbor. There they will rendezvous with other three CV for operations in pursuit of resupply of Canton Is. The CVE flotilla is headed back to Tahiti with the mission of pulling the KB back south to allow the Canton Is mission to get through.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: SWEETNESS, for the 1st time in the game I catch a transport TF with a SAG. Unfortunately it was mainly unloaded, but I'll take what I can get. The Chester and SF sortie from Townsville to Cooktown and find some nize stuff.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 92,137, Range 6,000 Yards on 2/6

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #13, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PB Toshi Maru #3, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PB Tama Maru #8, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PB Sonan Maru #5, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
xAK Seisyo Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Hokko Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Hokutai Maru, Shell hits 41, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Zinzan Maru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Chester
CA San Francisco
DD Walke
DD MacDonough
DD Worden

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 18 (7 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Then the darned sneaky Japanese snuck around Cape York and shot up my airplanes at Normanaton!

Night Naval bombardment of Normanton at 86,138 on 2/7

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 5 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-7 Wildcat: 7 damaged
F4F-7 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kongo
CA Mogami
CA Takao
CL Tama
CL Kuma

More Sweetness on 2/8 as the CA Chester and San Francisco bombard Cooktown. Because his heavies had just hit Normanton I figured they were out of position for the intercept.

Night Naval bombardment of Cooktown at 92,137 on 2/8

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 15 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 5 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 79 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 7 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3 Zero: 3 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 8 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 23 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground
A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco
CA Chester

For some reason the computer keeps on deciding that MGB No. 310 will retreat from superior forces and send her from Suva to Pago Pago.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Kabara at 136,162, Range 19,000 Yards on 2/8

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
DD Harusame
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
MGB No. 310, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

SUB WAR:

On 2/6 SS Stingray finds one of the transports that survived the attack on Cooktown and put two fish into it. I'll count that as a sunk.

On 2/7 SS Kingfish on far picket duty sinks a PB near Ulak Is. The SS Sculpin got another PB in the same general area.

On 2/8 IJN SS S-21 gets working over near Tahiti. We claim 11 hits.

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

AUSTRALIA: Operation Vicious Echidna (investment of Cooktown) is underway.

P-40Ks sweep Cooktown on 2/8 and the Japanese counter-sweep Townsville, and then Bettys come in to port strike. Two small problems: this time the SCTF had not been disbanded and the Betty's escorts had their sleep ruined by the bombardment.

Morning Air attack on Cooktown , at 92,137 on 2/8

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 11

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144 on 2/8

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
A6M3a Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 3
Kittyhawk IA x 4
Spitfire Vc Trop x 15
P-39D Airacobra x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144 on 2/8

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 3
Kittyhawk IA x 4
Spitfire Vc Trop x 13
P-39D Airacobra x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144 on 2/8

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 36

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 3
Spitfire Vc Trop x 13
P-39D Airacobra x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged

No Allied losses

Port hits 3

PH and points east:

Typhoon veers back to Fiji!

Feb 9 - Feb 11, 1943 The allied defenders at Suva run out of supplies and the resupply attempts have been unsuccessful.

KB:The KB appears west of the Cook Is and all sorts of shipping in the South Pacific gets re-routed on an emergency basis. If this is like the last raid the KB will swing up between Pukapuka and Penrhyn and wind up at Canton Is.

US CVs: The Lex and Wasp are headed to PH from Dutch Harbor. There they will rendezvous with other three CV for operations in pursuit of resupply of Canton Is. The CVE flotilla was headed back to Tahiti but the sighting of the KB sends it scurrying east.

AIR WAR: The KB finds a xAK and a float plane tender at Mangaia and a xAK at Mauke (Cook Is.)

Afternoon Air attack on Mangaia , at 159,180 on 2/10

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 48
D3A1 Val x 30

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
AVP Formalhaut, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)
xAK Clan Macindoe, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mauke at 161,179 on 2/10

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 32
B5N2 Kate x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Anakan, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

I suppose because of all the other attacking going on (see Cooktown below) the Beauforts from Townsville decided to attack a Japanese CL without fighter support.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,137

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 2
A6M3a Zero x 1
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami

...and then... my precious squadron of Swordfish that I had moved to Townsville to see if changing the command of the unit would allow me to upgrade to Albacores (see thread Missing Factor PDU Off Upgrade) ... decided to fly an unescorted mission again the same CL. I had neglected to change their mission after moving them. Sigh.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,137 on 2/11

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 1
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 7 destroyed

SURFACE WAR:

On 2/10 a small IJN TF bombards Cairns with small results.

SUB WAR:

On 2/9 PG Clive eats a torpedo from IJN SS I-176 not fat from Tahiti. It's fatal.

On 2/10 SS Saury gets a PB near Cooktown. An ASW TF near Christmas Is claims 10 hits on IJN SS I-28. Then IJN SS I-31 puts a torpedo into CL Hobart who was escorting a TF from HI to Xmass Is. Damage is around 25%. The rest of the escorts claim 6 hits on the sub. On the other side of the world SS KXII gets beat-up by an ASW TF near Georgetown and heads home for repairs.

MALAYA:

CBI: The B-25s out of Imphal continue their sniping at various Japanese land unit with good results. The Vengeance flies it's 1st combat missions in the CBI (also from Imphal). Unfortunately the Oscars go right past the Hurris.

Morning Air attack on II./143rd Infantry Battalion, at 61,44 , near Katha on 2/10

Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
Vengeance I x 32

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

Suva:With the allied fighters gone from Suva the elimination of the PT boats comenses. The following repeats with minor variation until the PTs and AMc are all sunk.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Suva at 132,160 on 2/10

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PT-60, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-68, Shell hits 1
PT-59
PT-67

In addition the ground forces at Suva are bombed incessantly (3 x 40 bomber attacks) along with daily bombardment attacks from the ground forces.

AUSTRALIA: We try sweeping the air defense at Cooktown but the P-40K is not superior to the defenders and the attrition rate is unsustainable.

Morning Air attack on Cooktown , at 92,137 on 2/10

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 2
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 3 destroyed

The Japanese attempt to shutdown Cairns.

Morning Air attack on Cairns , at 92,140 on 2/10

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
A6M3a Zero x 6
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 48
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 46
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 16
Kittyhawk IA x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
Beaufort VIII: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 17

The Japanese forces are also bombarding the ground forces headed for Cooktown. Loses to the advancing allied forces are sustainable.

Morning Air attack on 8th Australian Division, at 92,138 , near Cooktown on 2/11

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 56
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 19
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 9

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Morning Air attack on 1st Marine Regiment, at 92,138 , near Cooktown on 2/11

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 24
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 24

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 5
P-39D Airacobra x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

PH and points east: On 2/11 US forces out of Anchorage take Cold Bay back from the Japanese, it was undefended.

Typhoon veers back to Fiji!

Feb 12 - Feb 14, 1943 The allied defenders at Suva run out of supplies and the resupply attempts have been unsuccessful.

KB:The KB swings up toward Pukapuka and ship run every which way. From now I'm going to be more carefull

US CVs: DARN IT!!! I think that my CVs must have torpedo magnets installed under their keels. I swear this it is the... 5th time one of my CV have ate a torpedo. The Big-E heads back to PH for 2-3 weeks repairs.

Sub attack near Christmas Island at 176,138 on 2/13.

Japanese Ships
SS I-38

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Honolulu
CL Phoenix
CL Helena
CL St. Louis
CLAA Juneau
CLAA Atlanta
DD Henley
DD Bancroft
DD Bailey

Fuel storage explosion on CV Yorktown
SS I-38 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Yorktown
I-38 diving deep ....

AIR WAR: On the way back from Cooktown a chutai of Emilys attack my SCTF. I'll actually take a torpedo to kill a dozen of these beasts.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 92,141 on 2/12

Japanese aircraft
H8K1 Emily x 18

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 3
Kittyhawk III x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K1 Emily: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged
H8K1 Emily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA San Francisco

SURFACE WAR: The allies try to slip another surface bombardment TF into Cooktown and run into a much superior IJN TF. The two CAs wind up 30-40% damage. See the above report for the aftermath.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 92,137, Range 11,000 Yards on 2/12

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami
CL Kuma, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Tama
CL Kitakami
DD Kagero, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Minegumo
DD Arare
DD Murakumo
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Monssen, Shell hits 1
DD Walke, Shell hits 1
DD MacDonough, Shell hits 1
DD Worden

SUB WAR:

On 2/13 IJN SS I-25 puts a fish into DD Downes. Lucky she doesn't sink getting ~50% float damage.

On 2/14 SS KV puts two fish into a xAK near Rangoon. The IJN SS sinks an unescorted xAKL near Rimtara.

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

Suva: The ground forces at Suva are bombed incessantly (3 x 40 bomber attacks) along with daily bombardment attacks from the ground forces.

Canton Is: Defending forces are bombed and bombarded daily.

AUSTRALIA: More attack on the advancing allies.

Morning Air attack on 8th Australian Division, at 92,138 , near Cooktown on 2/13

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 7
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 21

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

The IJN hits Cairns, this means I have to move the aircraft out of here.

Night Naval bombardment of Cairns at 92,140 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! on 2/14

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 11 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 11 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 8 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk III: 11 damaged
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed on ground
Beaufort VIII: 23 damaged
Beaufort VIII: 2 destroyed on ground

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kongo
CL Tama

Allied ground losses:
279 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 49
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 4

More attacks on my Aussies.

Morning Air attack on 3rd Australian Division, at 92,138 , near Cooktown

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 21

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

No Allied losses

More reasons to leave Cairns for now...

Afternoon Air attack on Cairns , at 92,140 on 2/14

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 95 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 52
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 26

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2
Kittyhawk IA x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 2 damaged
Kittyhawk IA: 4 damaged
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Beaufort VIII: 1 destroyed on ground

PH and points east:

Typhoon veers back to Fiji!

Feb 15 - Feb 17, 1943 The allied defenders at Suva run out of supplies and the resupply attempts have been unsuccessful.

KB: The KB decides to remove Canton Is from the map.

US CVs: The US carriers that were planning to escort the supply TF to Canton Is. have decided to not go at this point in time. The escort carriers split, with a couple looking at running over to New Zealand to pick up some SBD units that left Suva and flew the wrong course.

AIR WAR: The allied player has massed all the B-24s in SoPac at Charter Towers and rested them up to unleash them in Naval strikes to try to scare the IJN away from Cooktown. Best laid plans and all that.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,138 on 2/17

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 5
B-24D Liberator x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
MTB G-1
MTB G-2

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,137 on 2/17

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Hie Maru
AK Aratama Maru

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 93,137 to 2/17

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 34

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,138

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,138 to 2/17

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 4
B-24D1 Liberator x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tagula Island at 101,143 on 2/17

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3a Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo
CVE Taiyo

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,137 on 2/17

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Sado Maru
xAP Brazil Maru

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130 on 2/17

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AO Shiretoko
xAK Teikoku Maru

Overall we lost 30% of our B-24s in one day... for nothing.

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 2/15 SS KXV nails a PB near Perth and SS Trusty put a fish into a xAK near Denpasar.

On 2/17 both SS Sturgeon and SS Trusty get beat up a bit and head home for repairs. IJN SS I-30 is beat up by an ASW TF near Xmass Is. claiming 7 hits.

On 2/18 SS KXI nails a PB near Cooktown and SS S-30 puts a torpedo into a xAK near Gardner Is.

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

Suva: The ground forces at Suva are bombed incessantly (3 x 40 bomber attacks) along with daily bombardment attacks from the ground forces. On 2/26 the Japanese check to see if the US turkey is done cooking. The deliberate attack achieves a 1:2 and reduces the fort level to 3 (1071:1823 adjusted, 2252:883 raw, 6179:1035 casualties).

Canton Is: Defending forces are bombed and bombarded daily. On 2/16 the KB shows up.

Morning Air attack on 101st USN Base Force, at 153,143 (Canton Island)

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 148
B5N2 Kate x 54
D3A1 Val x 106

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

And then the Japanese come to visit for the 3rd time.

Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6268 troops, 68 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 237

Defending force 3250 troops, 106 guns, 123 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Japanese adjusted assault: 33

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 6)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2862 casualties reported
Squads: 51 destroyed, 129 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 27 destroyed, 20 disabled
Guns lost 58 (18 destroyed, 40 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (7 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Kure 6th SNLF
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
90th Infantry Regiment
1st Ind.Tank Co
Ichiki Det.
80th Infantry Rgt /2

Defending units:
35th Infantry Regiment
4th Marine Defense Battalion
101st USN Base Force
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

Typhoon veers back to Fiji and Canton!

Feb 18 - Feb 20, 1943 The Japanese Empire looks well on it's way to taking Suva and Canton Is. Trying to gain the initiative the Allies are attacking Cooktown in North Australia and (oh so slowly) toward Prome and Shwebo in Burma. Two US divisions have been preping for Wake Is and Marcus Is however they might have to go to Australia to assist the Aus Army.

KB: Operating off Canton Is.

US CVs: Hanging out at PH.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 2/18 IJN SS I-27 takes a slight beating from an ASW TF near Goa. SS Saury nails a PB near Cooktown.

On 2/20 SS Sealion gets a double shot, xAK and E Hachijo, near Milne Bay.

MALAYA:

CBI: The IJA decides to sweep over Imphal for some reason, and then some bombers show up. Who knows?

Morning Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40 on 2/19

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 30

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 3
P-66 Vanguard x 15
Hurricane IIc Trop x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed
P-66 Vanguard: 3 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Afternoon Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40 on 2/19

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 41

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 3
P-66 Vanguard x 16
Beaufighter VIc x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 27
Mohawk IV x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:
Suva: The ground forces at Suva are bombed incessantly (3 x 40 bomber attacks) along with daily bombardment attacks from the ground forces.

Canton Is: Defending forces are bombed and bombarded daily. IJA invasion forces are being re-supplied.

AUSTRALIA: Air attacks on the advancing Aussies. I hope this isn't a big mistake.

Morning Air attack on 8th Australian Division, at 91,137 , near Cooktown on 2/18

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 51
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 22
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

The advancing troops sweep some Japanese troops in front of them.

Ground combat at 91,137 (near Cooktown) on 2/18

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23424 troops, 326 guns, 440 vehicles, Assault Value = 1082

Defending force 2254 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 74

Allied adjusted assault: 201

Japanese adjusted defense: 37

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), morale(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1139 casualties reported
Squads: 51 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 16 (13 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

On 2/18 an IJN bombardment TF hits Cairns (again) destroying an Spitfire and damaging 5 aircraft. Then the IJA bombers show up.

Morning Air attack on Cairns , at 92,140 on 2/20

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 54
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 32

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 7 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 damaged
Spitfire Vc Trop: 2 destroyed on ground
A-20A1 Havoc: 2 damaged
A-20A1 Havoc: 1 destroyed on ground

Then some fighter-bombers show up at Townsville.

Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144 on 2/20

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 30
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 44

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 12
Spitfire Vc Trop x 16
Kittyhawk IA x 5
P-39D Airacobra x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 4

Then the sweep.

Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144 on 2/20

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 10
Spitfire Vc Trop x 15
Kittyhawk IA x 5
P-39D Airacobra x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

More bombers...

Afternoon Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144 on 2/20

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 40
G4M1 Betty x 54

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 9
Spitfire Vc Trop x 12
Kittyhawk IA x 5
P-39D Airacobra x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD MacDonough, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

PH and points east:

Typhoon veers back to Fiji and Canton!

Feb 21, 1943 My esteemed opponent is off on another cruise. Where are his priorities!! The Japanese Empire looks well on it's way to taking Suva and Canton Is. Trying to gain the initiative the Allies are attacking Cooktown in North Australia and (oh so slowly) toward Prome and Shwebo in Burma. Two US divisions have been preping for Wake Is and Marcus Is however they might have to go to Australia to assist the Aus Army.

KB: Operating off Canton Is.

US CVs: Hanging out at PH.

AIR WAR: Allied B-24 have licked their wounds from the disastrous naval attacks around Cooktown and have redeployed to Tennant Creek.

Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124 on 2/21

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 5

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Teihoku Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kinsyo Maru #2, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nishimi Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Zenyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Aso Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shinryu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Kosin Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Lima Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
PB Edo Maru, Bomb hits 2

Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124 on 2/21

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Lima Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kinsyo Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shinryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Zenyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kosin Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Aso Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Looks like a clean sweep to me!

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:
Suva: The ground forces at Suva are bombed incessantly (3 x 40 bomber attacks) along with daily bombardment attacks from the ground forces.

Canton Is: Defending forces are bombed and bombarded daily. IJA invasion forces are being re-supplied.

AUSTRALIA: Look like I will have to pull back from Cairns again.

Morning Air attack on Cairns , at 92,140

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 54
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 23
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 23

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 7 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A1 Havoc: 3 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 26

PH and points east:

Typhoon overwhelms Canton Is.

Feb 22 - Feb 24, 1943 My esteemed opponent is off on another cruise. Canton not looking good but Suva holding well considering.

KB: Operating off Canton Is.

US CVs: Hanging out at PH.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 2/24 SS Tunny shells the heck out of a small merchant near Taihiku. SS KXIV puts two fish into a PB near PM.

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

Canton Is: My esteemed opponent has finally figured out how to attack an atoll and is unloading supplies for his surviving troops on Canton Is. Finally the hammer falls.

Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143) on 2/24

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5191 troops, 64 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 151

Defending force 2525 troops, 90 guns, 106 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Japanese adjusted assault: 95

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 47 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Canton Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
859 casualties reported
Squads: 104 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 306 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 91 (91 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 152 (152 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

Assaulting units:
Ichiki Det.
1st Ind.Tank Co
90th Infantry Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Kure 6th SNLF
80th Infantry Rgt /2

Defending units:
35th Infantry Rgt /3
101st USN Base Force
4th Marine Defense Battalion
804th Engineer Aviation Battalion

Suva: The Japanese bombard every day waiting for the day the defenders are out of supply. One squadron of B-24s is flying in supply everyday from Pago Pago. Can't be making that much difference. One sub making supply runs from Auckland.

AUSTRALIA: Some B-24s that happened to be hanging around Tennant Creek fly up toward Darwin and drop high explosives on ships. Small potatoes but every victory helps. Is it worthwhile losing 1-2 bombers to kill a couple of merchants? I don't know!

Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124 on 2/22

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Nishimi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Zenyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Edo Maru, Bomb hits 1

The long range bombers then head back to Charter Towers and Townsville and are attempting to close the Cooktown harbor via night mining. On 2/24 about 35 bombers manage to drop about 7 mines. As far as I can nothing hits the mines and I'm sure he can sweep them a fast as I can drop them with a 15% delivery rate. I'm not willing to fighter sweep against 175 fighters with P-39s, P-40s and SpitVs. Looking for another option here.

PH and points east:

Typhoon planning Australian Landfall?

Feb 25, 1943 My esteemed opponent is off on another cruise. Some info dropped in a diplomatic note implies that the Japanese are planning to fight for North Australia. Major reinforcements of LCU and aircraft have arrived in Cooktown and Portland Roads.

KB: Operating off Canton Is.

US CVs: Hanging out at PH.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

MALAYA:

CBI: We sweep over a small unit near Katha, Just getting some experience for our Vengeance units.

Morning Air attack on II./143rd Infantry Battalion, at 61,44 , near Katha on 2/25

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on II./143rd Infantry Battalion, at 61,44 , near Katha on 2/25

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 13
Vengeance I x 28

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

AUSTRALIA: The AUS I Army has arrived at Cooktown. We'll bombard and see what the battle shapes like. Might get our butts kicked here.

Japanese bombers try to shutdown Cairns. <Shrug> I'll rotate SpitVc squadrons in and out as they get tired. Every once in a while I'll try a CAP trap. Can't leave aircraft here because the IJN owns these waters.

Morning Air attack on Cairns , at 92,140

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 54
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 29
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 24

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 7

PH and points east:

ORIGINAL: guytipton41

Hi Folks,

Got any idea why the red font bleeds like that? Using Greenshot and saving as .jpg.

Cheers,
Guy

Typhoon planning Australian Landfall?

Feb 26 - Feb 28, 1943 My esteemed opponent is back from his cruise. He was on Carnival but missed the big fun.

KB: Unknown.

US CVs: Heading for Tahiti.

AIR WAR: On 2/28 I had this imagination that If I set some B-17s on naval they would strike some of the small TFs that are spotted between Cooktown and PM. Instead they thought two CA were a better target and flew into the massive CAP at Cooktown. It didn't go well.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,137

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 19
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 11

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5
B-17F Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 39
SC Ch 34

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 2/26 SS Trusty puts two fish into xAKL Hidaka near Denpasar.

On 2/28 a CV TF runs over SS I-3 and forces her to surface.

Submarine attack near Hilo at 184,119

Japanese Ships
SS I-3, hits 7, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Chevalier
CA Vincennes
CA Astoria
CL Helena
CL St. Louis
CLAA San Juan
CLAA San Diego
DD Waller
DD Strong
DD DeHaven

SS I-3 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Chevalier
I-3 diving deep ....
DD Waller attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-3 forced to surface!
DD Waller firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Strong firing on surfaced sub ....
DD DeHaven firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

MALAYA:

CBI:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

AUSTRALIA:

Cooktown:Japanese mine sweepers show up at Cooktown on 2/26 and all my laboriously dropped mines are swept. Sigh. The AUS I Corp guys bombard Cooktown on 2/26 and notice that we are only 60% of the defenders strength. However 15 more ART and AA unit are on the way and we'll see if they can do anything.

On 2/28 the DDs Aylwin, Litchfield and Talbot make a strike toward a PB TF near Cooktown. The IJN reacts with a large TF and hurts the DDs bad. Note that the Japanese got surprise against radar. Then the DDs hung around for the morning and afternoon Air Combat round.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 93,137, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Mogami
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Ayanami
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin
DD Litchfield
DD Talbot, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 23,000 yards

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 93,137

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 26
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 25
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Talbot, heavy fires, heavy damage (she sunk)
DD Aylwin

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,138

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Litchfield, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

PH and points east:

Typhoon planning Australian Landfall?

Mar 1 - Mar 4, 1943 Not getting good feelings about my investment of Cooktown. Two US DIV that were preping for CenPac are being loaded on fast AP and heading for Melbourne. They will be routed east of Tahiti and south of New Zealand.

KB: Unknown.

US CVs: Heading for Tahiti.

AIR WAR: Long range bombers from Charter Towers visit Rossel Is to see if any ships are available are targets. It's small potatoes but is going to make the Japanese a little more attentive to details.

Morning Air attack on Rossel Island , at 105,137 on 3/1

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
LB-108, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Himalaya Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
LB-112, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Morning Air attack on Rossel Island , at 105,137 on 3/1

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 34
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Higari Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
LB-106, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-110, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-104, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-109, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Wa 2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 3/1 SS Pollack puts a fish into xAK Maya Maru near Milne Bay.

On 3/2 IJN SS I-172 puts a torp into AK Arcturus near Manihiki. A small fast TF was running supply into Pago Pago. I-172 get smacked around a little in return. Arcturus heads to the nearest island with 80% floatation damage. The S-33 gets a little payback.

Sub attack near Manihiki at 160,162 on 3/2

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 5, on fire

Allied Ships
AK Arcturus, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
APD Pope
AK Procyon
AK Oberon
DD Blue
DD Bagley
DD Gillespie

Sub attack near Kandavu Island at 128,167 on 3/2

Japanese Ships
AO Sata, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-21
AO Hayamoto
PB Aso Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS S-33

Later on 3/2 SS S-35 gets beat up by a ASW TF near Gardner Is and get seven hits.

On 3/3 IJN SS I-172 finishes off the AK Arcturus with two more torpedo hits.

On 3/4 IJN I-160 is slightly beaten (4 hit claimed) by a TF off Brisbane.

MALAYA:

CBI: The IJAAF is bombing the AUS DIV moving down the coast from Akyab to Prome (knocking it out of move mode). I'll wait for the rest of the offense to show up - another AUS DIV and 6-8 support units.

Bombers out of Imphal are hitting a small IJA unit south of Katha mainly for the experience. On 3/1 the attackers loses five B-25C for an Oscar, don't know what the escorts decided to do. Time to switch to Vengeance DB instead.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: On 3/3 The IJA at Suva decides that the defenders are done and stick a fork in them, achieving a 1:1 (1507:1173 adjusted, 2260:728 raw, 10421:2331 casualties). The Allied forces hang on by the skin of their teeth.

AUSTRALIA: The Japanese surprise by naval bombardment of Normanton again. It hurts. It is followed by a well coordinated bombing.

Night Naval bombardment of Normanton at 86,138 on 3/2

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 37 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 8 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-7 Wildcat: 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 11 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
CA Maya
CL Tatsuta
CL Tama
DD Oite
DD Hatakaze
DD Asakaze
DD Murakumo
DD Hatsushima
DD Isokaze

Allied ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 51
Port hits 13
Port supply hits 6

Morning Air attack on Normanton , at 86,138

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 49
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 31

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 14

Normanton gets bombed again on 3/3 with four Oscars claimed for an Aircobra. The another IJA TF shows up on 3/4. All aircraft that can fly are are evacuated after this attack. The question is... is he getting ready to counter invade? After the bombardment the LBA from Cooktown show up and destroy another 5 A/C with 23 damaged.

Night Naval bombardment of Normanton at 86,138

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 14 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
DD Kiku
E Hiyodori

Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 2

PH and points east: