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ORIGINAL: PzB

The Zero group on Hosho had 9 planes and 8 pilots. Should still fly CAP though!?

Which version are you using again? There was this nice bug introduced with the "Get Pilot" feature. If you have less pilots than planes, the group won't fly.

You may be right Fornadan...but I'm not a 100% certain. Moved the Zero group to Wewak and gave it a green reinforcement today - don't like to do that.
It did fly a LRCAP mission, but so did an Oscar II group with 30 ac and 22 pilots.

The escort carrier has escaped the Allied bombers at Merauke! A light cruiser took the heat and a few other transports were hurt.
A US battleship and escorts have moved into Thursday Island, so I've ordered my ships to scram - except from the mortally wounded ones.
Had hoped that my Betty's would hit this ship, but they struck transports of southern NG instead and disrupted Ken's supply efforts.

A lot of action around PM in other words..in the meanwhile a large invasion force is getting closer to Nauru!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/17/43

Invasions

The invasion fleet of Merauke unloaded the remaining troops today while a sub landed a recon team at Port Moresby.
This may frighten Ken a bit....there was only 2 Oz brigades there together with a base force and 3 Sea Bee units.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 26 encounters mine field at Merauke (47,87)

TF 26 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 47,87

Japanese Ships
MSW Banshu Maru #52
PG Nikkai Maru
PG Keiko Maru

Japanese ground losses:
355 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 26 encounters mine field at Merauke (47,87)

TF 26 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 47,87

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 17

TF 17 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (53,91)

TF 17 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The Chink bombers in Chungking have been hitting some of my army units over the last few months - and it has been difficult to get at them.
If I put LRCAP over my divisions they don't fly... So this time I put up the LRCAP while I ordered my bombers to hit their airfields. Bingo [8D]
Destroyed quite a few of them on the ground today!

Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 24
Ki-48 Lily x 88
Ki-49 Helen x 54

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 4
I-16c x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
I-16c: 1 destroyed
SB-2c: 8 destroyed
IL-4c: 4 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported

Airbase hits 46
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 68

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 47,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 15
Avenger I x 4
P-38G Lightning x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 3 damaged
Avenger I: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AP Kaifuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Avenger I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 47,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 33

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze
AP Kaijo Maru #2, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Abukuma, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taian Maru
AP Kaifuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tamatsu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Minto Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,90

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AG AG-355, Shell hits 4
AG AG-119
AG AG-122, Shell hits 4
AG AG-354, Shell hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
All P-40E Warhawk attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 57,85

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6
B-25J Mitchell x 6
B-17E Fortress x 23

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships - this ASW group got to close to LBA from PM!
DD Uranami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage - will be ok
DD Natsushio
DD Oshio
PC Ch 1, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *asinks*
DD Michishio

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Hudson I bombing at 10000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 16000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 10000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 16000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 46,87

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD Dauntless x 2
P-38G Lightning x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kenzan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 4
G4M1 Betty x 39

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 9
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Zaurak, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Crux
AK Rotanin, Torpedo hits 1
AK Matar, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Shaula
AK Alderamin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AR Hector
AP Latimer, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Buna at 55,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
G4M1 Betty x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Robert C. Grier, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Robert H. Harrison, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
All G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Lewis Cass, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 67,97 - todays suicide attack [:(]

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
F4U-1 Corsair x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Edwin Booth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft *sigh* 50 Zeros and 6 bombers...
A6M2 Zero x 50
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 4
Kittyhawk I x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 6 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Grayson
DM Gamble

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

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Merauke

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4725 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 41 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Merauke base !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Sunderland: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12863 troops, 112 guns, 89 vehicles

Defending force 20 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The days air losses

The invasion force was spotted by a Liberator today - this will really make Ken think. Am I after Lunga or Nauru. Shouldn't matter much, but
the more he wonders the better it is.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/18/43

Surface Combat

The 4 derelict transports that were hit by LBA yesterday were sunk by a surface group today - much
as expected. Unortunately my Betty's doesn't take to the air as a second TF led by a battleship remain behind after bombarding Merauke!
Ken is wondering what this is all about. He lost 4 Dakota's today, so at least I've got him to shuffle his reserves around.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Merauke at 47,87

Japanese Ships
AP Banshu Maru #21, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
AP Kaijo Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Tamatsu Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Kaifuku Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Shell hits 3
DD O'Bannon
DD Aaron Ward
DD Buchanan
DD Hughes
DD Cushing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Merauke, at 47,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Norman
DD Hatfield
DD Ralph Talbot
CL Concord
CL Emerald
CL Adelaide
CL Perth
CA Canberra
BB Maryland

Japanese ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 23,54

Japanese Ships - evne though this tanker is empty the single torpedo damage her severly
TK Koryu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Thresher
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The first Chinese air groups have been upgraded to B-25's. Good thing I've pacified most of them.

Day Air attack on Kungchang , at 46,26

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Buka at 63,90

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 23

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

Allied aircraft losses - the low flying P-40's take a hard hit
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2082
AG AG-2081, Shell hits 4
AG AG-2060
AG AG-2063, Shell hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
All P-40E Warhawk attacking at 100 feet
----------------------------------------------------------------

The large invasion fleet is slowly moving southwards and in another 3-4 days I should be in a position to
start the operations.

The plan is to sweep out the enemy PT boat (5) before sending in my msw's and bombardment groups.
Carrier and land based bombers will then pound the enemy positions for a few days before the invasion groups go in.
The massive CAP provided by the carriers should be enough to safeguard the operations.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/19/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

There are subs in most of my shipping lanes now!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 35,55

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 2
PG Santos Maru
PG Saiko Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXIV
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

I fired most of my air strike coordinators today...I've never seen such a incompetency in my entire life! [:'(]
There's actually an Air HQ in all of the bases were todays anti shipping strikes came from!!

Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft - all the bombers stayed home and my Zeros tangled with Hurries of Dobadura. One thing is the missing bombers, another
the low value of the AK's there.

A6M2 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kiriwina Island at 57,93

Japanese aircraft - great! Now I need fighters and I get 3 Zero's and 19 Betty's!
A6M2 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 19

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 17

Japanese aircraft losses - I got away with it though...well, relatively speaking that is!
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Peter V. Daniel, Torpedo hits 1
AK Morrison R. Waite

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft - whopping! Finally a strike against a valid target and I get 43 fighters and 3 bombers [:@]
A6M2 Zero x 43
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
Kittyhawk I x 8
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses - the P-38's have very low morale!
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Idaho

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

Operation 'D' reaches its climax just as the invasion fleet is spotted by numerous B-24's! Port Moresby can no
longer be used as a safe haven for neither ac or ships.

Glen equipped subs have also spotted a 'bonus' target for the KB and it will attempt to intercept. With 404 ac aboard
we should be able to sink everything within range. 180 Zero's are still left to protect the invasion fleet (see map)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/20/43

Sub ASW Attacks

Again the hunter becomes the hunted! The Makinami returns to Truk, mostly flood damage + 20 sys!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 65,79

Japanese Ships
DD Makinami, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Makigumo
PC Ch 14
DD Michishio
DD Oshio
DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
SS Pike
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

After firing my air strike coordinators things improved vastly! [:)] A large an coordinated strike hit
PM and destroyed 25 ac on the ground.
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 108
G4M1 Betty x 30
J1N1-R Irving x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 148
Ki-49 Helen x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
Kittyhawk I x 6
P-38G Lightning x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 5 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged
Sunderland: 2 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 4 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AD Cascade, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 21
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Zaurak, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Stanley Matthews
AK Lewis Cass, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buka , at 63,90

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 9
B-26B Marauder x 45

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
45 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 34
D3A Val x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
Kittyhawk I x 2
P-38G Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A Val: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Grayson

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
Kittyhawk I x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP Latimer, heavy damage
AGP Mobjack, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage - What is an AGP?

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10
B5N Kate x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP Fuller, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Tomorrow we capture Lashio!

Ground combat at Lashio

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10111 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4023 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation map: Charge!

The convoy we spotted south of the fleet was actually a troop convoy! It was completely unescorted - if not Ken sent them
away that is..would have been a wise move!-) Every single ship were sunk and the 38th and 40th Naval Construction Units are now on the
bottom of the Pacific Ocean!

Banzai!! [:D]

The Havocs that attack the invasion fleet were all shot down by the 160 ac strong CAP!! In all 14 of them went down for the price of 1 Zero.
Imagine how many fighters will be on CAP when the KB returns!

The LBA also found several targets and sank more than they use to, so all in all it was a good day.
Ken now thinks I'm heading for Nauru and will try to make it a costly affair for me. I know it will be a bloody affair - can only hope it will be
a short one!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/21/43

Air Combat

Day Air attack on TF at 73,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 162

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 162

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 8 destroyed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,96

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
A6M5 Zeke x 4
D3A Val x 50
B5N Kate x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Portmar, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Grumium, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Crater, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Day Star
AK Sabik, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alkes, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Barwon, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Brastagi, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
805 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
7 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,96

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Sabik, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Portmar, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK Arethusa, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Allied ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,96

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M5 Zeke x 5
D3A Val x 25
D4Y Judy x 25
B5N Kate x 17
B6N Jill x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Brastagi, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sabik, on fire, heavy damage
AK Grumium, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Portmar, on fire, heavy damage
AK Morazan, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Arethusa, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Crater, on fire, heavy damage
AK Day Star, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Barwon, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
567 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 5

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
7 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,96

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
B5N Kate x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Sabik, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alkes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Brastagi, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
92 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 156

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,96

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53
A6M5 Zeke x 11
D3A Val x 85
D4Y Judy x 24
B5N Kate x 74
B6N Jill x 17
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Arethusa, Bomb hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Portmar, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Day Star, on fire, heavy damage
AK Crater, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Morazan, on fire, heavy damage
AK Barwon, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sabik, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alkes, on fire, heavy damage
AK Grumium, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
291 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
6 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 23

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Stanley Matthews, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lewis Cass, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kiriwina Island at 57,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 24

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged


Allied Ships
AK Peter V. Daniel, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Morrison R. Waite, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Only Mitykina left now....Then we'll build a huge wall to keep the Chinese in place [;)]

Ground combat at Lashio

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21721 troops, 54 guns, 144 vehicles

Defending force 4023 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese assault odds: 27 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lashio base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
722 casualties reported

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Hey PzB, you might give WitP Wiki a visit or two [;)]

A search for Terrain would have led you here (link), with another link to the Hotkeys.

And if you still wonder what's an AGP, Ship Classes [8D]

Thx WhoCares: I'm just too lazy too look up all the keys and abbreviations [:'(] Got a list of ship types on my wall, but no AGP.

The show is on! The Allied air forces in the Gilbers launch savage air attacks against the invasion fleet and suffers
horrible losses! The CAP is initially 270 ac strong! [X(]

You may think this is overkill, but it's not! It cost us 30 Zeros to shoot down 13 Corsairs.

Operation 'D' also cost the enemy as yet another US battleship is ripped open by 3 long lances. The enemy will lack heavy firepower when
they assume the offensive. Bombardments is the only appropriate role for battleships at this stage of the war.

There are about a dozen PT boats at Nauru now and the next step is to get rid of them and sweep for mines. Fast minesweepers and destroyers
are therefore ordered to attack while the fleet will position itself just beside the island. The battleships are also ordered to strike, if Ken place 200 ac
on Nauru I want to obliterate them on the ground. The fewer Corsairs we have to shoot down, the better!

I plan to spend a few days suppressing the coastal defenses before we land and LBA from Kwajalein will take part in this process. I'm a bit worried about
sending my carrier based bombers to hit ground positions bristling with aa guns. A sub will unload a recon team tomorrow, this should give us some much
needed info!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/22/43

Bombardments

Merauke gets more attention - but later in the day the attackers become
targets themselves!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Merauke, at 47,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Norman
DD Hatfield
DD Ralph Talbot
CL Concord
CL Emerald
CL Adelaide
CL Perth
CA Canberra
BB Maryland

Japanese ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 40
Port fuel hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 25
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 36
Ki-21 Sally x 47

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 4 destroyed

Resources hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
27 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 29
Ki-21 Sally x 14
Ki-48 Lily x 86
Ki-49 Helen x 53

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 3
I-16c x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 2 destroyed
I-16c: 1 destroyed

Heavy Industry hits 32

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft - look at this CAP! Poor sods...
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 243
A6M5 Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 243
A6M5 Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 14 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 243
A6M5 Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger: 14 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 243
A6M5 Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 16 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 241
A6M5 Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
SBD Dauntless x 2
Beaufort V-IX x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses - the Corsairs are formidable enemies and shoot down 2 for each they loose!
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 18 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 9 destroyed - good riddance!
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 9 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 7
A6M2 Zero x 223
A6M5 Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 7
A6M2 Zero x 223
A6M5 Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 14 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 7
A6M2 Zero x 223
A6M5 Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nauru Island , at 79,91

Japanese aircraft - this sweep only found a single enemy!
A6M2 Zero x 40
J1N1-R Irving x 1
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 207
A6M5 Zeke x 15

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 12 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 206
A6M5 Zeke x 15

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 21
PB4Y Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 37 damaged - lots of my ac accumulate battle damage!

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 17 destroyed
PB4Y Liberator: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 204
A6M5 Zeke x 15

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 3

Japanese aircraft losses - another savage shor by the F4U's!
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Thursday Island at 49,90 - time to strike back, with a vengeance!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
G3M Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 45 - these are crack army bombers (75-80 exp)

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
P-38G Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses - the CAP is vicious
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 5 destroyed, 18 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships - the Maryland is left sinking and will be disbanded into Thursday Isl harbour tomorrow. We order port attacks to finish her off!
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Perth
CA Canberra
CL Emerald, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

The last target in Burma is under siege. Will attempt a deliberate soon, but I'm awaiting
further reinforcements first. There's no hurry!

Ground combat at Myitkyina

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 26571 troops, 397 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 18746 troops, 5 guns, 1 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air losses

137 enemy and 59 friendly ac are lost in the savage air battles today. Corsairs probably account for 30 of the
41 Zeros that are lost.

That's quite a shooting gallery there...[;)]

He needs to fight battles like this every day, but he needs to do it with more fighters, so that the losses move a bit more in his favor.

It takes a certain kind of toughness to do it, and do it well, I wonder if he's got it.

It also takes a lot of planes, and its questionable if he has enough of those as well.

He'll run out of pilots first...

I find it interesting that Corsairs are only getting a 3 to 1 ratio against Zeros. These of course are no doubt your best Zero pilots. I am under the impression, however, that Tony's and Tojos will do much better than Zeros if flown by decent pilots. Their max speed is much better than the Zero.

The reason for ratio 3-1 for corsairs is also that they were so badly outnumbered.
If equal number of fighters were fighting on both sides the loss ratio would be much worse for PZB.

Todays results were not good: 50 naval bombers committed hara kiri when their escort stayed home and another 20 strike ac
suffered the same fate. Numerous search planes were also shot down by the CAP over Nauru. 30 Zero's were lost in fighter sweeps, 11 A6M3's
in a botched raid against PM and another 22 A6M2's were lost fending off enemy strikes against the invasion fleet or flying unescorted naval attack
missions against PT boats.

The loss of 175 ac is serious, but not disastrous since so many different types of ac were lost. I've still decided to cancell Op Backlash - but ac losses is
only a secondary reason:

First of all the two heavy bombardment groups hardly inflicted any losses at all.
Secondly there were 40k troops on Nauru: that's a $hitload of troops on a small atoll guys! [:'(] These troops included 1 full US division, 1 RCT, 1 Marine Defense Bat,
3 field arty units, 1-2 Sea Bee units, AA unit and 1-2 base force units. Supported by 9 forts it would have been suicide to continue the landings after the dissappointing
bomardment attacks.

I've not told Ken, but all our ships will head west at full speed tomorrow and I don't expect any problems disengaging.
I'm not very keen on invading another base as I don't think it would be worth the effort. Perhaps we should prepare similar defences and force Ken to land on atolls
with 40k defenders and 9 forts [;)]

What I am thinking about is to send the two powerful carrier divisions on a raid together with the replenishment group. It should be possible to catch a few fish between
the chains of islands.

The reason I wanted to invade Nauru first was to examine whether it was possible to take the offensive to the Americans in February/March 1943. The conclusion is that it's
possible - but not against well prepared and supported targets. Enemy LBA from both Lunga and the Gilberts will attack any invasion armada within 13 hexes with 100's of ac.
Such a battle of attrition can't be won by Japan at this stage! My recon tells me that Mili also holds 40k+ troops now...so that's not an alternative either.

So we have to go back to the planning stage and work out other approaches. An offensive defense is probably the wisest move! The depleted air groups will be brought back to
strength and trained by the time Ken is ready to take the offensive. In the meanwhile we can use the superior might of the KB to threaten the enemy shipping lanes. I don't think
there are more than 3-4 US carriers operational at this time! It's almost time to prepare for the long dark years that are to come me thinks (44-46).

Comments gentlemen!? Is there anything that could have been done differently - was it the right decision to abort - and what do you think about my plans for the KB!?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/23/43

Surface Combat

I sent my minesweeper, light surface units and heavy bombardment groups into Nauru today!
The enemy PT boats didn't turn out to be a menace fortunately.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nauru Island at 79,91

Japanese Ships
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1
MSW W.7
MSW W.20, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-225, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT PT-226, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT PT-233, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
PT PT-234
PT PT-255
PT PT-256

Bombardments

The dissappointing bombardment results was one of the main reasons for cancelling Op Backlash.
A small atoll, well reconed, 40k troops - and the results: minimal!? [&:] I don't understand this, the battleships
should have kicked some serious arse today!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Nauru Island, at 79,91 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

85 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Shell hits 6
CL Naka
BB Fuso, Shell hits 11
BB Ise
BB Hyuga

Allied ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Nauru Island, at 79,91 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

38 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Oi
CA Haguro
BB Musashi
BB Mutsu
BB Haruna

Allied ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasions

Nothing but a recon team ashore today!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Nauru Island, 79,91, firing at TF 81

TF 81 encounters mine field at Nauru Island (79,91)

TF 81 troops unloading over beach at Nauru Island, 79,91
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 65 encounters mine field at Nauru Island (79,91)

Japanese Ships
MSW W.7
DD Tokitsukaze, Mine hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 76 encounters mine field at Nauru Island (79,91)

Japanese Ships
MSW W.9
MSW W.10
DD Yamagumo, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Amagiri
DD Sagiri
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 29
Ki-21 Sally x 23
Ki-48 Lily x 66
Ki-49 Helen x 44

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 25
Ki-21 Sally x 103
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 1 destroyed

Resources hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nauru Island , at 79,91 - this sweep was fairly succesful even though losses were high!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 67
J1N1-R Irving x 1
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 56
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
P-38G Lightning x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 30 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 27 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Thursday Island , at 49,90 - Disaster #1 I have to fire another batch of air commanders. There were 100 Zero's available
for escrort and non came along [:o]

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 41

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 20 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported

Port hits 2 - we didn't succeed in hitting the damaged battleship either...

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 78,91 - the enemy formations moral is now low and they turn away after being shot up!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 193
A6M5 Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29
PB4Y Liberator x 9
B-24D Liberator x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed, 19 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 destroyed, 19 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 9 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 78,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 186
A6M5 Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 79,91 - I ordered some experienced sea planes and Zeros to strafe enemy PT boats. A bit annoyed that they didn't get an escort.
The fighters on the carriers were put on 60 and 70% CAP!

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
P-38G Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 4 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 79,91 - another unescorted fighter attack

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
P-38G Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed

Allied Ships
PT PT-30, Shell hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 30
D3A Val x 3
B5N Kate x 10

Allied aircraft - ouch, look at this dangerous bunch!
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
F4U-1 Corsair x 19
Boomerang II x 16
Kittyhawk I x 11

Japanese aircraft losses - not too bad considering the odds
A6M3 Zero: 11 destroyed
D3A Val: 2 destroyed
B5N Kate: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
Boomerang II: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Sculptor
AK Clevedon

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nauru Island , at 79,91 - Disaster #2: I had hoped that the enemy CAP over Naru would be destroyed by now and that
my Betties would receive escorts from the carriers - but nope [:(]

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 35

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
P-38G Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 30 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 79,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 78,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 160
A6M5 Zeke x 15

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 79,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 78,91 - this attack came from Lunga! Masses of heavy bombers kept my CAP busy throughout the day!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 160
A6M5 Zeke x 15

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 10 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 77,91

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships - the only bomb hit was scored on an escort cruiser that will be fine!
CL Kashii, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 79,91 - loads of B-26's now attacked from the Gilberts!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships - not very accurate bombing!
DD Tokitsukaze, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 79,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 79,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 79,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio
DD Ikazuchi
DD Sagiri

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Hansa at 53,83 - my CAP was all set to escort...only gawd knows were the drunken louts spent the day. In their beds I'm afraid!

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 4
B-17E Fortress x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Daifuku Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Naples Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hudson I bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 16000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 16000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 79,91 - this fighter attack is more lucky and breaks through the enemy CAP!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
P-38G Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
PT PT-234, Shell hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91 - another minor disaster as 9 Helen's goes in unescorted. Some days everything goes awry

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
F4U-1 Corsair x 21
Boomerang II x 6
Kittyhawk I x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
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Ground Combat

Ground combat at Myitkyina - tomorrow we attack!

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 49070 troops, 655 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 18545 troops, 5 guns, 1 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
81 casualties reported
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Ground combat at Nauru Island

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24387 troops, 385 guns, 8 vehicles

Defending force 17 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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Ground combat at Nauru Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 39375 troops, 504 guns, 70 vehicles - 40k troops and 9 forts..yeah right!

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Losses: Not a good day for the empire

Fortunately only 20-30 of the Japanese air losses belonged to my elite carrier groups. Back to base camp in China
for quite a few formations!

When ADavidB took Mili and you said you would wait to take it back, I said that I heard echoes of Guadacanal. Well, now you can't take it back and he has a base in the Marshalls from which even his short legged fighters can LRCAP invasion forces. The Marshalls look like a write off to me. I would not try to hold them with anything more than naval guard units. The Solomons are pretty much a write off as well for similar reasons: he can use his short legged LBA. Your biggest threats now are going to be invasions launched toward the Marianas and the DEI out of Darwin. I would be building and reenforcing those bases in a big way. The key, I believe, will be to hope that he launches an offensive before he gets his carrier force up to task force 38/58 size (and becomes invincible) and then sink his forces in their first long range offensive against the Marianas.

I think that at this stage of the war, your main chance of successfull offensive will be a counter-offensive. I will concentrate KB, all warships and air units available and 4+ Div with the transports to carry them somewhere and react at one when your opponent is invading something. That means that he will have to fight with troops disrupted/fatigued by the recent battle, with not so much supply and 0 fort... and closer to your bases than if you invade an Allied base. You can do it since you have CV superiority, so that won't last long.

Secondly there were 40k troops on Nauru: that's a $hitload of troops on a small atoll guys!

Oh, John... how many troops were you sending to that "small atoll"...[;)]

Dave Baranyi

That's a valid point Cap and Gown, but don't forget that the closest base to Mili in the Gilberts is only 4 hexes away.
So if I took Mili earlier he would still be able to swamp it with land based fighters and bombers and invade it without using carriers.

If Ken tries a counter offensive before 1944 he will have to face a torrent of fire just as strong as the one I had to face, so we'll see!
I'll try an approach according to what AdmiralLaurent suggests - I can face the enemy carriers throughout 1943 without difficulties.

That's true David - but I've kept the number of troops on 'my atolls' down to a maximum of 15-20k troops. Even that number is a bit too high to
be realistic me thinks. An invasion army could launch wave after wave of troops after the first units become depleted. In order to actually house 40k
troops on an atoll you would have to stack them in hotels [;)]

I think there should be a penalty for stacking too many troops into a small base! My battleships should e.g. be able to inflict much more casualties than
they did today. Just a thought... We'll see how it all works when Ken tries to do something similar!

PzB, what version are you running? You are aware of the no-fly bug in 1.6? If you don't have as many pilots as ready aircraft, your group will not fly.

Here is the msg I sent to Ken today:

"This is when things really start to happen..my 250k storm troopers capture
your tiny atoll in their first attempt ! Banzaai "

Guess that will give him the shakes for a little while <G> I'm evil, ain't I [8|]

Several depleted squadrons were sent back to China today - I will train them to a very high level
and upgrade the Zero's to Zeke's before sending them out against Hellcats and Corsairs.

I've been thinking about alternative operations, but I'm uncertain about how worthwhile it woudl be!

These plans includes an invasion of e.g. Johnston island.

This would:
cut of enemy traffic in the area and be a thorn in the enemy's side
enable us to land outside range of Allied LBA
less opposition (there can't be 40k troops in every base -especially not that far away from the 'frontline')
enable us to surprise the enemy
force the enemy to recapture these bases before continuing operations against the Marshalls and the Solomons

I guess a full division, engineers, base units and aa units, coastal defence units + lots of supplies would be enough.
Then I could move in 40 Bettys and 80 fighters.

I'm more inclined to defend for the time being, but the window for offensive operations is pretty small from now on.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/24/43

Surface Combat

The withdrawal from Naru went well, but the damaged Tokitsukaze hit a mine and encountered
PT boats and was sunk together with its escort.

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TF 65 encounters mine field at Nauru Island (79,91)

Japanese Ships
MSW W.7
DD Tokitsukaze, Mine hits 1, on fire
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Nauru Island at 79,91

Japanese Ships
DD Tokitsukaze, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
MSW W.7, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT PT-234, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT PT-255
PT PT-256
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Air Combat

A few air strikes from Nauru cost another 17 Zero's but the attackers were again fended of

Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 36
Ki-21 Sally x 50
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 1 destroyed

Resources hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 15000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 204
A6M5 Zeke x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
F4U-1 Corsair x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 3
P-38G Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses - guess once..3 Corsairs shot down 9 Zero's [:'(]
A6M2 Zero: 12 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 16 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 3 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 9 destroyed
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Day Air attack on TF at 75,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 192
A6M5 Zeke x 18

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
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Day Air attack on Nauru Island , at 79,91 - one squadron didn't receive the stand down order and went back to Nauru!

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
P-38G Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
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Ground Combat

Ground combat at Myitkyina - looks like this is another base that will fall relatively quickly.
All the Chinese div's are mostly skeleton formations.

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 59220 troops, 655 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 18343 troops, 4 guns, 1 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 4

Japanese ground losses:
271 casualties reported
Guns lost 13

Allied ground losses:
300 casualties reported
Guns lost 1