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Ouch. An effective bombardment there. Did they do that after mixing it up with your PTs, did they miss the PTs altogether, did they follow a SCTF in, or were there no PTs left when this happened? Given your investment in the base and the air assets you have (had?) available, you could probably afford to base one or two small DD SCTFs here. If the KB shows up, you attrit some fighters and let the bombers have fun against targets that are very hard to hit. Worst case you lose a few DDs. If a BB TF like this shows up, you may put a torpedo into one of them. Again, worst case is that you lose a few DDs but probably forced the BB TF to use so many rounds that the subsequent bombardment wasn't very effective.

One bombardment aside though, it still looks like you're pretty well in command of the game. When in 1942 do you plan to invade the Kuriles? [:'(]

There was just one TF. It sunk the DMS, brushed aside (sinking two) the PTs and then after the PM phase bombarded the airfield (and only the airfield for some reason) catching all my fighters on the ground. Chris took massive risk but he got away with it. I'm actually moving down 4 old US battleships to deploy south of Luganville. Next time I see Chris coming I'll put a few dents in his BBs. By now I've noticed that he can't keep up these runs at a high enough pace. The battleships were spotted heading for Truk so it takes him at least 12 days to return to the combat zone. That at least is a blessing.

And the Kuriles, I was thinking coming October!

Almost unavoidable in 1942, shame about the Lightnings but little you can do about it without high risk to strategic assets. Was the New Hebrides worth it? Of course they are. Better caught in this fashion as opposed to getting sunk by KB unloading then counter invaded by superior forces, IMHO.  

5th of July, 1942 / 15th of July, 1942
South Pacific






The 14th action

Morning Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 108 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 66

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 15
P-39D Airacobra x 29
P-40E Warhawk x 36
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
9 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
12 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 30000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-3A Wildcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 34300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
18th FG/6th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
35th FG/40th FS with P-38E Lightning (1 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
70th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

Morning Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
B5N2 Kate x 14
D3A1 Val x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 22
P-40E Warhawk x 18
F4F-3A Wildcat x 3
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun
APD Gregory
DD Gridley
APD Stringham
APD Waters
AP Heywood, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x D3A1 Val bombing from 16000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
35th FG/40th FS with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
35th FG/41st FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
70th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 32100.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 31060 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/6th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-221 with F4F-3A Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

Afternoon Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
B5N1 Kate x 9
B5N2 Kate x 37
D3A1 Val x 59

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 23
F4F-3A Wildcat x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 13 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 12 destroyed, 9 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
APD Gregory, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Macdhui
APD Stringham
DD Gridley
xAP Bloemfontein, Torpedo hits 1
APD McKean, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APD Little

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 11000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 11000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-221 with F4F-3A Wildcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/6th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
35th FG/40th FS with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-39D Airacobra (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
70th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Gregory
Also attacking Luganville ...
Also attacking Luganville ...
Also attacking Luganville ...
Also attacking Luganville ...
Also attacking Luganville ...

And the 15th action

Morning Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 61

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 11
P-39D Airacobra x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 19
F4F-3 Wildcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 30000 feet *
7 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 30000 feet *
8 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 30000 feet *

CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
18th FG/6th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 27000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
35th FG/40th FS with P-38E Lightning (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 32100.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
70th FS with P-39D Airacobra (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 32100.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

Burma

RFI

Sorry for the late response, I spend the weekend in Berlin with my girl.

There are three units there, an independent tank brigade, a tank regiment and I believe a mortar battalion. They should be rested and rebuild by now but are not strong enough to push me out of Myitkvina. Perhaps he will reinforce there, not sure. I'm keeping an eye on the Railway and Katha. If he tries to reinforce I'll see him coming.

ORIGINAL: Cannonfodder

Sorry for the late response, I spend the weekend in Berlin with my girl.

Not bad as far excuses go. [;)]

Battle report

I'll make a sitrep coming thursday but I did want to give a sneak preview and share an interesting series of surface battles of Luganville..

Direct cause of the engagement is the previous bombardment of Luganville (80+ aircraft destroyed on the ground). As a reaction I moved a Battleship Division + 1 to the New Caledonia area. After spotting ships on two consecutive turns the Battlewagons were moved towards Luganville, covered by fleet carriers a couple of hexes back. "Ching" Lee reacts and intercepts three IJN Battleships...


First engagement is inconclusive. It forces Mutsu and Fuso to break of escorted, leaving Yamashiro alone
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Santa Maria at 120,149, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
BB Fuso, Shell hits 4, on fire
BB Yamashiro
CL Kinu
DD Amatsukaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Natsugumo
DD Arare
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 3
BB Nevada, Shell hits 2
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Mugford
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 1
DD Henley, Shell hits 2
DD Patterson


Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 35% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Lee, Willis "Ching crosses the 'T'
BB Pennsylvania engages BB Yamashiro at 8,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Pennsylvania at 8,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Pennsylvania at 8,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages CL Kinu at 8,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Natsugumo at 8,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Henley at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Pennsylvania at 2,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Oklahoma at 2,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Oklahoma at 2,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CL Kinu at 2,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Patterson at 2,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Kasumi at 2,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 2,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Tanikaze at 2,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Henley at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages BB Fuso at 7,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages BB Fuso at 7,000 yards
BB Nevada engages BB Mutsu at 7,000 yards
BB Nevada engages CL Kinu at 7,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Patterson at 7,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Henley at 7,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Kasumi at 7,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Henley at 7,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Nevada at 9,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages BB Mutsu at 9,000 yards
CL Kinu engages BB Pennsylvania at 9,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Hamakaze at 9,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Arare at 9,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Ralph Talbot at 9,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Mugford at 9,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 9,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Amatsukaze at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Nevada engages BB Yamashiro at 12,000 yards
BB Fuso engages BB Pennsylvania at 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages BB Nevada at 12,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Maryland at 12,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Patterson at 12,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Tanikaze at 12,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Natsugumo at 12,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Henley at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Yamashiro fights for her life and damages both Oklahoma and Pennsylvania severely. Both the Oklahoma and Pennsylvania sink.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Santa Maria at 120,148, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Kinu
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hamakaze
DD Tanikaze, on fire
DD Arare

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 3
BB Nevada, Shell hits 2
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Mugford
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Henley, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Patterson


Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 35% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Hirata, Noboru crosses the 'T'
BB Yamashiro engages BB Pennsylvania at 8,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages BB Yamashiro at 8,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages DD Arare at 8,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Patterson at 8,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Amatsukaze at 8,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Ralph Talbot at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Pennsylvania at 3,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Oklahoma at 3,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Nevada at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Tanikaze at 3,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Patterson at 3,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Hamakaze at 3,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Tanikaze at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
BB Maryland engages BB Yamashiro at 5,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Oklahoma at 5,000 yards
BB Nevada engages DD Arare at 5,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Maryland at 5,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Hamakaze at 5,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages DD Ralph Talbot at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages BB Yamashiro at 7,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages CL Kinu at 7,000 yards
BB Nevada engages BB Yamashiro at 7,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Maryland at 7,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 7,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages DD Amatsukaze at 7,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Mugford at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages BB Yamashiro at 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Oklahoma at 8,000 yards
BB Nevada engages BB Yamashiro at 8,000 yards
BB Maryland engages DD Amatsukaze at 8,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Patterson at 8,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Amatsukaze at 8,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Hamakaze at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Oklahoma at 11,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Oklahoma at 11,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Ralph Talbot at 11,000 yards
DD Tanikaze engages DD Mugford at 11,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Henley at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Pennsylvania at 13,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages CL Kinu at 13,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Patterson at 13,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages BB Maryland at 13,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages DD Patterson at 13,000 yards
DD Henley engages DD Amatsukaze at 13,000 yards
DD Mugford engages DD Tanikaze at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Light Cruisers, held out of the way and in reserve react to the Mutsu and Fuso. Mutsu is sunk in a hail of shells but takes Nashville with her
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Luganville at 119,149, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 47, and is sunk
BB Fuso, Shell hits 7
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kasumi, Shell hits 5, heavy fires

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Shell hits 1
CL Achilles, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
CL Nashville, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DD Gridley, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Drayton
DD Lamson, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Case
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 2, heavy fires

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Buckmaster, E. crosses the 'T'
BB Fuso engages CL Nashville at 20,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 20,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages CL Nashville at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CL Nashville at 18,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 18,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Kasumi at 18,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Conyngham at 18,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Kasumi at 18,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Kasumi at 18,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages DD Drayton at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Nashville at 16,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Leander at 16,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Natsugumo at 16,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Case at 16,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Natsugumo at 16,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Kasumi at 16,000 yards
DD Gridley engages DD Kasumi at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Nashville at 14,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Nashville at 14,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Kasumi at 14,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Case at 14,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Natsugumo at 14,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Kasumi at 14,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Natsugumo at 14,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Gridley at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Nashville at 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 12,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Lamson at 12,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Conyngham at 12,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Case at 12,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Kasumi at 12,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Drayton at 12,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Gridley at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Nashville at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Nashville at 11,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Leander at 11,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Case at 11,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Drayton at 11,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Gridley at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Nashville at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 7,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Leander at 7,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Case at 7,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Case at 7,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Lamson at 7,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Drayton at 7,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Gridley at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Nashville at 10,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 10,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Kasumi at 10,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Kasumi at 10,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Case at 10,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Lamson at 10,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Drayton at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CL Achilles at 11,000 yards
CL Nashville sunk by BB Mutsu at 11,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Lamson at 11,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Kasumi at 11,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Case at 11,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Lamson at 11,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Natsugumo at 11,000 yards
DD Gridley engages DD Kasumi at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
DD Conyngham collides with DD Case at 119 , 149
BB Fuso engages CL Achilles at 14,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 14,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Kasumi at 14,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Natsugumo at 14,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Lamson at 14,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Drayton at 14,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Gridley at 14,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CL Achilles at 14,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 14,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Kasumi at 14,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Natsugumo at 14,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Kasumi at 14,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Gridley at 14,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 14,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Leander at 14,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Conyngham at 14,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Case at 14,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Lamson at 14,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Drayton at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CL Achilles at 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Leander at 12,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Kasumi at 12,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Natsugumo at 12,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Natsugumo at 12,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages DD Drayton at 12,000 yards
DD Gridley engages DD Natsugumo at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 9,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Leander at 9,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Kasumi at 9,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Drayton at 9,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Gridley at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Gridley at 12,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Kasumi at 12,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Natsugumo at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Achilles at 14,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Leander at 14,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Kasumi at 14,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages DD Natsugumo at 14,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Natsugumo at 14,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Gridley at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CL Achilles at 15,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Leander at 15,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Natsugumo at 15,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Natsugumo at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages CL Leander at 18,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Case at 18,000 yards
DD Lamson engages DD Kasumi at 18,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Kasumi at 18,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Gridley at 18,000 yards
Buckmaster, E. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 23,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Conyngham at 23,000 yards
CL Achilles engages DD Natsugumo at 23,000 yards
BB Mutsu engages DD Drayton at 23,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CL Achilles at 25,000 yards
BB Fuso engages CL Leander at 25,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Case at 25,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Drayton at 25,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Conyngham at 29,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Case at 29,000 yards
BB Fuso engages DD Drayton at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Carrier aircraft further the damage on Fuso and Yamashiro, bringing both to heavy fires/heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 117,148

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 66
SBD-3 Dauntless x 34

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hamakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tanikaze

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Yamashiro
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hamakaze




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 116,148

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 48
SBD-3 Dauntless x 34

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kasumi, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Fuso
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Kasumi



Both Yamashiro and Fuso might be still afloat but I'll vector some submarines in (I have a lot of S type boats in the area) to make sure they sink. Three IJN battleships and a destroyer or two for two US BBs and a light cruiser is a good trade. This leaves the empire with 4 Kongo's, 2 Yamato (if the Musashi is build) and only 1 Mutsu and 2 Ise class battleships. The attrition of the Japanese fleet has begun.

The old battlewagons really hung in there. I have never rolled the dice with them like that before. Did you know they could hold there own? I think it was NYGiants who once said they could be solid in base /island defense, never dared. I would definitely agree on the engagement as an allied tactical as well as a strategic victory. Well done sir. Just a last question, did you re captain the old battlewagons?

The old battlewagons really hung in there. I have never rolled the dice with them like that before. Did you know they could hold there own? I think it was NYGiants who once said they could be solid in base /island defense, never dared. I would definitely agree on the engagement as an allied tactical as well as a strategic victory. Well done sir. Just a last question, did you re captain the old battlewagons?

Yes, I gave the battleships captains with higher then 60 naval skill and the best TF commander I have. That helped, I'm sure of it. All ships had very low night combat experience but at point blank (but not point blank torpedo) range that didn't seem to matter much. This battle pretty much happened as it was intended. Never expected to get away without loss but the sinking of Nashville is unfortunate (as I had carriers in range to finish the job so the reaction was not required). No Avengers flew but 10+ bomb hits make sure the fires burn bright!

Chris has two options: Escalate over Luganville (meaning more battleships risked in bombardement runs?) or leave it to me.. If he comes again we will fight over my turf, near decent ports and a lot of fighter cover..

16th of July, 1942 / 20th of July, 1942
South Pacific

Burma




First group of Albacores and escorting Hurricanes are slaughtered by an alert CAP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cox's Bazar at 54,44

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 16
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 16

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 10
Hurricane IIc Trop x 10

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

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
Albacore I: 1 destroyed by flak
Hurricane IIb Trop: 4 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(16 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead
260th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(16 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead


Hyuga takes a hit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cox's Bazar at 54,44

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 17
Hurricane IIb Trop x 25
Hurricane IIc Trop x 10
Swordfish I x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
Albacore I: 1 destroyed by flak
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed by flak
Swordfish I: 4 destroyed
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Torpedo hits 1
DD Isonami

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
3 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
2 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 5000 feet

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 247 minutes
260th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 249 minutes


CAP is exhausted and 15 Albacores bracket the Ise and sink her....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cox's Bazar at 54,44

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Torpedo hits 1
BB Ise, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 254 minutes

I have 20+ frames of all types lost in the pool so I should be able to bounce back to full strength!

Nice work knocking out those battlewagons! Not good for Japan, for sure. I'm taking notes!

Thanks, I am happy with the result. It is better then expected to be honest. Now I am wondering how Chris will respond to this. Passive or aggressive?

21st of July, 1942 / 31st of July, 1942
China

India/Burma

The air war in Burma is interesting. Chris seems to have redeployed a fighter group, leaving him with just over 100 fighters in the area. I've been alternating sweeps with bombers runs on Akyab airfield and Magwe oil production (knocked out a further 50 oil points). British battleships pound Akyab regularly. Chris has tried sweeping and bombing Lashio to defeat the two crack hurricane squadrons defending it. I've taken losses but shot down a lot of Japanese aircraft. So far he can't close Lashio down due to weather affecting his operations, giving me time to rest in between. Lashio is low on supply but the HQ for the squadrons is in Chittagong so I can ferry replacement aircraft in without a problem.


These two squadrons only suffered 10 KIA and 1 MIA as permanent losses!

South Pacific

Fairly quiet. Submarines prowl the area but are lit up by invaluable Hudson patrols so do not pose an immediate threat other then the occasional cargo loss. Biggest news is the sinking of CL Achilles. It sustained heavy system damage in the battle against the Japanese battleships and pump failures sent her to the bottom just outside Noumea.

I find your position, enviable. I have to think he has a horde of bombers somewhere, leaving China so "peaceful". In Burma I wish I had used Cox Bazar to fly TBs from protecting Akyab as opposed to Chittagong, I may have had a shot on his BB TFs as well. Live and learn.

1st of August, 1942 / 10th of August, 1942
CBI

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