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Summary of Operations 10/05/43

Formosa: US patrol sub (SS Redfin) attacked and hit in attack by Ki-49 Helen air patrol N of Taihoku (hex location 90, 61). Reported damage to SS Redfin is system 54, float 20, engine 7 – sub now returning to base at 15 kts.


Central Pacific: Intercepted Jap radio transmissions from several locations reported in 10/04 Sigint entries – locations include Majuro, Jaluit, Tabiteuea. Detected status of Tabiteuea shows unidentified Jap planes based there, also ship(s) in port. No visible Japanese activity or forces observed at Jaluit and Majuro.


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/04 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Lunga is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed 4, Moving Northwest


Australia: Allied surface ASW again in contact with Jap patrol sub I-20 near Sydney. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Newcastle at 94,166 (E of Newcastle)

Japanese Ships
SS I-20

Allied Ships
PG Herald
PG Swan
PG Moresby

SS I-20 launches 2 torpedoes at PG Herald
PG Herald fails to find sub and abandons search
PG Moresby fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Malacca Straits: US patrol sub (SS Jack) hit and damaged in attack by Ki-30 Ann air patrol NW of Georgetown (hex location 48, 72). Attacking Jap plane reported hit by AA fire from SS Jack. Reported damage to SS Jack is system 25, float 8, engine 1 – sub returning to base at 18 kts.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from aerial recon (after raid below) – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 118 aircraft (all fighters), 13 Jap LCU’s (+1 from last report), light industry 9(32), refinery 124(77), fires 1.

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe from aerial recon – 101 aircraft (all fighters), no visible airfield damage, 16 Jap LCU’s, oil production 139(162), refinery 97(4).

Summary of Operations 10/06/43

Hawaii: Two xAK from convoy WP-92 damaged in a 9/25 ship collision at sea arrive in Pearl Harbor without incident – damage control aboard both xAK also working quite well during their transit to Pearl. Both xAK reached Hawaii with fully intact supply/fuel cargo. After cargo unloading is completed, the two ships will enter shipyard repair.


Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-51 (7 transports, BB Tennessee) departing for Australia via Capetown. Cargo aboard the convoy includes 607 Coast AA Rgt, one USAAF NF squadron, 28K supply, no fuel. BB Tennessee deploying to Australia for front-line operations, attached to the convoy for movement purposes. Reduced number of ships in some recent transport convoys departing the mainland US indicates virtually all available Allied sea transport is now at sea and active in transport operations. A major current priority of Allied sea transport operations is “pumping” the maximum possible quantities of fuel and supply into South and SW Pacific theatre stockpiles as quickly as possible. Virtually all available on-map air squadrons and LCU for South and SW Pacific are now in the theatre areas or currently enroute.


Japanese Home Islands: US patrol sub in action with Jap surface ASW southeast of Kyushu. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Tanegashima at 103,64 (S of Kanoya)

Japanese Ships
PB Yahonui Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
PB Narita Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grayback

SS Grayback launches 4 torpedoes at PB Yahonui Maru
Grayback diving deep ....
PB Narita Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 10/05 reports heavy volume of Jap radio signals from Truk. Detected status of Truk shows unidentified Jap planes based there, ship(s) in port, no other visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Sigint entry for 10/05 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Rabaul. Detected status of Rabaul shows unidentified Jap planes based there, ship(s) in port, airfield size 5(6), port size 5(4), no other visible Japanese forces or activity. Current intelligence data has 8 identified Jap LCU located in Rabaul – including 8th Fleet HQ, 5 & 10 Shipping Engineer Rgts, 1st Guards Infantry Division, Yokosuka 5 SNLF, three flak units (50 Field AA Bn, 22 & 28 Field AA Machine Cannon Cos.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/05 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: CVL Mizuho reported in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Namatanai
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Lunga is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tassafaronga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Feni Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Namatanai
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from aerial recon (after raid below) – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 112 aircraft (all fighters), 13 Jap LCU’s, light industry 9(32), refinery 124(77), no fires.

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe from aerial recon – 112 aircraft (all fighters), no visible airfield damage, 16 Jap LCU’s, oil production 139(162), refinery 97(4).


Sigint entry for 10/05 reports Jap 1 Air Defense AA Bn now located in Magwe, transferred to Burma from the Japanese Home Islands. Previous reported location of 1 AA Bn was in Tokyo.


China: Japanese ground offensive in far western China, objective Wasu (last remaining Chinese-controlled base along border region between China and USSR. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 79,9 (adjacent hex E of Wasu)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4216 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 153
Defending force 2127 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 41
Japanese adjusted assault: 72
Allied adjusted defense: 9
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Allied ground losses:
604 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd/B Division

Defending units:
34th Separate Brigade
19th Chinese Base Force
21st Chinese Base Force

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Summary of Operations 10/07/43

Southwest Pacific: It’s about to hit the fan… target is Port Moresby.



It’s the end of a long and tedious process. 22 months of AE game turns, dozens of transport convoys. The major concentration of my Allied efforts (to date) in this campaign has been the simultaneous large-scale buildup of both South and SW Pacific theatres. At this time, both New Zealand and eastern Australia resemble the southern areas of Britain before D-day – this above and beyond the 200+ ship invasion fleet on the map above. Allied forces, bases and logistical resources in South and SW Pacific have been arranged in mutually supporting positions – forces in either theatre can be quickly moved to support defensive or offensive operations in the other.

At first glance, a look at the strategic map of any AE campaign in 1943 would lead to an initial conclusion that the Japanese have the advantage of interior lines in a strategic defensive (which is true). I noted during the buildup process it could be possible for the Allies to create a position having interior lines on a local basis for at least the initial phases of a strategic offensive – with proper selection of geography and provided the placement of bases, forces and logistic support is done with the geography and possible objective(s) in mind.

Security and concealment of the Allied buildup process was also a major emphasis. A Japanese opponent cannot adequately plan for what cannot be seen. Something may be (and is) going on… but where, how much and with what? One can add a great deal of fog to FOW if counter-intelligence is considered in otherwise routine game actions. For the Allies in 1943-44, the advantage of surprise has to be created. Events will prove how well I managed to create it for this action. Given all available information I’ve noted over the last 5-6 game turns, it is quite possible the 200+ ship invasion fleet above remains undetected at this time.

To my best knowledge, Pillager has very little or no warning of an assault on Port Moresby. The only sign I have given him that I’m even remotely interested in Port Moresby was the first Allied air recon flight over Port Moresby launched this last game turn. While it is desirable (and very tempting) to have recon over Port Moresby, this was balanced by the possibility any form of significant Allied activity in or near Port Moresby could be taken as early warning of an Allied attack.

Allied air recon over Port Moresby indicates 40 Japanese planes (all fighters) based in Port Moresby, 6 Jap LCU’s, airfield size 4(6), port size 2(2). Four of the 6 Jap LCU in Port Moresby are identified in available intelligence – 3 Cavalry Brigade, Maizuru 1 SNLF, 83 Naval Gd and 8 Base Force. While not impossible, there is no evidence indicating any IJ Army forces from China have reached eastern New Guinea or Port Moresby though reports indicate at least two infantry divisions from China are on the way.

Summary of Operations 10/07/43 (continued)

Yellow Sea: US patrol sub off western coast of Korea in damaged in action with Jap surface ASW. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Moppo at 99,51 (NNW of Moppo)

Japanese Ships
E Ishizaki
E Sokuten
E Saishu

Allied Ships
SS Pogy, hits 2 (system damage 19, float 28, returning to base at 14 kts)

SS Pogy is located by E Ishizaki
Pogy bottoming out ....
E Saishu attacking submerged sub ....
E Ishizaki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 10/06 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Roi-Namur. Detected status of Roi-Namur shows unidentified Jap planes based there, also ship(s) in port, no other visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Transport convoy WP-88 (36 ships) arrives this game turn in Auckland from the mainland US. Cargo arriving aboard the convoy includes one LCU (elements of 156 USA Base Force), 140K fuel and 161K supply.

Jap patrol sub in action with a small US support TF – this TF intended to occupy Norfolk Is base and support PBY/Catalina naval search flight ops from Norfolk Is. AAR’s follow.

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ASW attack near Norfolk Island at 111,175 (S of Norfolk Is)

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
DD Sands

SS I-1 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Sands
I-1 diving deep ....
DD Sands fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sands attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sands cannot reach attack position over SS I-1
SS I-1 eludes ASW attack from DD Sands
DD Sands fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Norfolk Island at 111,175

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
DD Sands

SS I-1 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Sands
I-1 diving deep ....
DD Sands attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-1 eludes ASW attack from DD Sands
DD Sands attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sands is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sigint entry for 10/06 confirms Jap 38th Infantry Division from China is now located at Luganville. This report is the first definitive confirmation of 38 Division’s transfer to the Pacific from China.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/06 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Lunga is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 122 aircraft (all fighters), 14 Jap LCU’s, light industry 9(32), refinery 124(77).

Night aerial minelaying mission on Rangoon flown by RAF bombers, daylight Jap mine sweeping ops. AAR’s follow.

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Night Air attack on Rangoon, at 54,53

Weather in hex: Severe storms (60% moonlight)

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 11

Allied aircraft
Wellington GR.VIII x 9

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Wellington GR.VIII laying Mk 13 Mine from 7000 feet *

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes

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TF 94 encounters mine field at Rangoon (54,53)

Japanese Ships
AMc Wa 20
AMc Wa 6

9 mines cleared

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Detected status of Jap base in Magwe from aerial recon – 102 aircraft (all fighters), no visible airfield damage, 16 Jap LCU’s, oil production 139(162), refinery 97(4).

Summary of Operations 10/08/43

Southwest Pacific: Would be nice to say the landing went without a glitch… but it didn’t. Not a disaster either, what did not go right is probably easily corrected.

Initial naval bombardment appeared to go without any significant problem. Spotter planes from all BB were set on night recon mission over Port Moresby, whether or not the spotter planes did assist the bombardment is an open question. Granted, Pillager has had some time to construct fortifications in Port Moresby – I’m assuming there are some Jap fortifications in Port Moresby though at what level is unknown.

I also divided BB into two bombardment TF rather than a single TF. My premise behind doing this was two smaller bombardments possibly having more effect (combined) than the effect from one larger one. I was considering here a possibility that stacking all BB together into a single bombardment TF might result in a situation of diminishing returns where additional BB in the same TF beyond a certain number would add less effect than if the extra BB were employed in a separate bombardment TF. In the end… two bombardment TF vs one may not have made much difference.

BB in both bombardment TF have consumed much of their primary gun ammunition and the bombardment TF are departing Port Moresby to replenish. Naval bombardment phase AAR’s follow.

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Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 6 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho

Japanese ground losses:
107 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 10
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 3

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Mississippi
BB Mississippi firing at Port Moresby
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB New Mexico
BB New Mexico firing at 47th Division
BB Idaho firing at 47th Division

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Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 10 damaged
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania
BB Nevada
BB Colorado
BB Maryland

Japanese ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1

BB Pennsylvania firing at Port Moresby
BB Nevada firing at 47th Division
BB Colorado firing at 47th Division
BB Maryland firing at 47th Division

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The landing operation itself also appeared to go off rather well at first glance, at least for the lead task force (TF 328) of the five amphibious TF in the invasion fleet. Of the five amphibious TF reaching Port Moresby, only the first (lead) TF unloaded and came ashore, the other four amphibious TF failed to unload. This may have been what happened…

Amphibious TF in the Port Moresby invasion fleet had been organized for movement where one amphibious TF (TF 328) was set as a “lead” TF with movement on the other four amphibious TF set to follow the leader. While this organization worked well in keeping the invasion fleet together at sea as a compact, coherent body – the “set to follow” movement of the trailing four amphibious TF may have presented some problem on arrival in Port Moresby. If what I stated here actually is the problem, it has since been corrected.

Japanese shore batteries (what there were of them) had no effect on landing operations – no Allied ships hit or damaged, no LCU casualties or disruption beyond that noted below. AAR’s of the amphibious landing phase follow.

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Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby (98,130)

194 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
CL Adelaide
DD Brooks
LST-16
LST-17
LST-18

Allied ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CL Detroit firing at 47th Division
CL Adelaide firing at 47th Division
DD Brooks firing at 47th Division
DD Brooks fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

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Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby (98,130)

TF 328 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130


Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 1st Marine Div
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 1st Marine Div /23
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 1st Marine Div /25
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 1st Marine Div /27

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)

99 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
CL Adelaide
LST-18
DD Brooks
LST-17
LST-16
xAP Clan Macilwraith

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

CL Detroit firing at 47th Division
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Moving on to mine warfare…. Three minesweeping TF (30 AM and DMS total) were sent in with the invasion fleet, No report of Japanese mines encountered or swept.

I added a “wrinkle” to the Port Moresby invasion – once all the Japanese mines were swept, I would lay an Allied minefield of my own. A TF of 11 minelayers (CM & DM) were employed in this task, laying a total of 970 mines. Three slower Dutch and Australian minelayers are still enroute to Port Moresby with an additional 250 mines. Two ACM were also sent with the invasion fleet to at least partially maintain this minefield.

I fully expect Pillager to intervene at some point with IJN surface combat and/or bombardment TF dispatched into Port Moresby. My premise here is that an Allied minefield laid and maintained in Port Moresby could be of equal or greater worth than Allied surface naval forces operating in the Port Moresby base hex. Not to mention a minefield is a cheap solution with a considerably smaller risk factor.


GOOD MORNING, NEW GUINEA… The air action largely went as planned. I had set two ground bombing missions (one 4E, one 2E bomber) – only the 4E bomber strike launched. Planes in the 2E bomber strike (B-25C Mitchells & related variants) would have flown at extended range with the corresponding reduction in bomb load, half the loaf being better than none. A sweep of two P-38G Lightning squadrons (using drop tanks) over Port Moresby appeared later in the day – possibility of this had been expected though CAP fighters on the escort CVE’s were anticipated to (and did) pick up the slack. Japanese flak does not appear to be present in any significant quantity and was not a factor.

Total air-to-air plane losses in actions this game turn over Port Moresby included 6 Jap fighters (all N1K1-J George) and 7 USN fighters (all from the CVE escort force). USN plane losses included 6 F4F-4 Wildcats (5 air-to-air, 1 ops) and one F6F-3 Hellcat (air-to-air). In terms of plane quality, the N1K1-J George appears an even match with the F6F Hellcat and superior to the F4F Wildcat. It appears that P-38G Lightnings did not actively participate in any air-to-air combat. Despite having all available airfields in NE Australia fully expanded, stacking of Allied air squadrons was a rather delicate balancing act where not all my wishes were fulfilled. No Allied bombers were lost. AAR’s of air actions over Port Moresby follow.

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Morning Air attack on 47th Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 16

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 90
B-24D1 Liberator x 72
F4F-4 Wildcat x 47
F6F-3 Hellcat x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 10 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes

Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...

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Morning Air attack on 83rd Naval Guard Unit, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 54
F6F-3 Hellcat x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 93 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft (no F4F or F6F from the CVE force were set to sweep, apparently they joined in as they were flying CAP over the hex)
P-38G Lightning x 50
F4F-4 Wildcat x 64
F6F-3 Hellcat x 47

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 25000 feet
25 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 25000 feet

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Ground combat action in Port Moresby was limited to the one bombardment attack below by defending Japanese ground forces. Given the failure of four amphibious TF to disembark additional Allied LCU into Port Moresby, the lack of an Allied ground attack this game turn may have been a good development.

The three Allled LCU shown in the AAR below are fully landed and operational. At least adequate (if not more so) quantities of supply came ashore with the LCU – large amounts of additional supply remain aboard ships in the invasion fleet and will continue to be disembarked.

Allied ground combat forces aboard the four amphibious TF that did not disembark include three additional divisions plus tank, artillery and combat engineer LCU and a corps HQ. Immediate plans “on the ground” in Port Moresby are to continue ground and aerial bombardment as the remaining Allied ground forces come ashore.

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Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4365 troops, 51 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 626
Defending force 13206 troops, 255 guns, 303 vehicles, Assault Value = 524

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

Assaulting units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
47th Division (previously unidentified in Port Moresby)
3rd Cavalry Brigade
83rd Naval Guard Unit
7th Base Force (previously unidentified in Port Moresby)
8th Base Force

Defending units:
193rd Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
1st Medium Regiment (Australian)

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Notes on the Japanese ground forces OOB… I had reports that 47th Infantry Division had been aboard sea transport and enroute to Milne Bay, With my available intelligence information, I was unable to accurately “spot” 47 Division’s location or where it was going. My general practice with “LCU aboard transport ship heading for ___” entries is to consider this information a possible destination for the LCU in question and not to be taken as a precise conclusion until later confirmation. My practice with this type of Sigint entry also reflects the use of setting misleading destinations as JFB practice (which Pillager may or may not be doing and matters little from my view). If Pillager is doing this, I have it accounted for.

My “intelligence people” recognized the existence of 47th Division but with no available or accurate information of the division’s past or current whereabouts. I will also note last reported locations of the two known sub-units of 47 Division were in the Japanese Home Islands (the most recent report on 7/17/43). There was no available confirmation that Pillager had formed the divisional LCU of 47th Division but I did strongly suspect he may have formed the division and it was (at least) enroute to an unconfirmed location.

7 Base Force (the second unidentified LCU in Port Moresby) was an completely unknown quantity, this one of very few unknown quantities I have in the Japanese LCU order of battle. 7 Base Force is in the initial (12/07/41) Japanese OOB and starts the game in Ominato. I had no reports of any kind during this campaign since 12/41 concerning 7 Base Force and was completely unable to track its whereabouts or what it was doing prior to this game turn. Again, my intel practice being nothing assumed until it is verified. In any event… there are very few Jap LCU in Pillager’s OOB on which I have a complete lack of information, most of these few Jap LCU of little consequence.

The other four Jap LCU I had identified as being in Port Moresby were accurately spotted, this an indication my Allied intel practice is generally on the right track.

Summary of Operations 10/08/43 (continued)

Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 10/07 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Nauru and Gardner Islands. Detected status of Roi-Namur shows unidentified Jap planes based there, also ship(s) in port. No other visible Japanese forces or activity at either location.


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/07 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Lunga is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Namatanai
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 111,134 near Munda, Speed unknown


Port Moresby: Detected status of Port Moresby from air recon – 4 aircraft (all fighters), 6 LCU, port capacity 2(2), airfield capacity 4(6), airfield damage 43, port damage 42.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 114 aircraft (all fighters), 14 Jap LCU’s, light industry 9(32), refinery 124(77).


Detected status of Jap base in Magwe from aerial recon (after raid below) – 102 aircraft (all fighters), 16 Jap LCU’s, oil production 139(162), refinery 97(4).

RAF 2E bombers launch night raid on Magwe airfield. Detected base status above shows no evidence of damage to Magwe airfield, no reported Japanese plane losses. Five RAF Blenheim IV reported destroyed (1 air-to-air, 3 flak, 1 ops). Combat Events report entries and AAR’s follow.

5 x No.45 Sqn RAF Blenheim IV stray due to night
4 x No.84 Sqn RAF Blenheim IV stray due to night
5 x No.110 Sqn RAF Blenheim IV stray due to night
4 x No.113 Sqn RAF Blenheim IV stray due to night
7 x No.45 Sqn RAF Blenheim IV stray due to night
5 x No.84 Sqn RAF Blenheim IV stray due to night
5 x No.113 Sqn RAF Blenheim IV stray due to night

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Weather in hex: Overcast (71% moonlight)

Raid spotted at 65 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 22

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 10 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 18

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 7000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

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Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 17

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 4

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 7000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 17

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 17

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 7000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes

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Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 17

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 7000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 17

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 7000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes

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

Summary of Operations 10/09/43

Southwest Pacific: Unloading operations in Port Moresby are now underway for all Amphibious TF in the invasion fleet. Correcting the “set to follow” movement problem discovered last game turn resolved the previous amphibious TF unloading issue.

My conclusion reached in solving this situation is that Amphibious TF will not disembark LCU or other cargo at an enemy-controlled invasion hex if a TF’s movement orders are set to follow another friendly TF. Multiple Amphibious TF that enter an enemy-controlled hex to launch an amphibious assault must have their movement orders individually set (destination hex) for the hex being invaded in order for all TF to properly unload at once – any “set to follow” orders in all participating Amphibious TF turned off. This may have been previously mentioned somewhere in the forums, if so, I did not see a reference in my research.

Allled LCU have now fully disembarked into Port Moresby from all five Amphibious TF in the invasion fleet. Current supply conditions for all Allied LCU now ashore in Port Moresby appear to be very good. Approximately 30-40% of transport ships in the Allied amphibious TF’s at Port Moresby have completely unloaded cargo and now returning to bases in Australia, many more will complete unloading within 1-2 days.

LCU display of Allied ground forces in Port Moresby, Operations report entries and AAR’s of this game turn’s landing operations follow.



Troops and Equipment from 9th Australian Div lost to accident during amphibious unloading from TF 348
Troops and Equipment from Americal Infantry Div lost to accident during amphibious unloading from TF 478
LST-454 damaged while beaching at Port Moresby (sunk)
LST-454 hits underwater rocks while attempting to beach at Port Moresby
Troops and Equipment from 32nd Infantry Div lost to accident during amphibious unloading from TF 554
2nd Eng Amph Bde DISPERSES!! (FOW? This LCU is present and fully operational in Port Moresby)
Troops from 9 RAAF Aviation Rgt lost to accident during amphibious unloading from TF 555
LST-457 damaged while beaching at Port Moresby (light damage)
LCI-83 damaged while beaching at Port Moresby (minor damage)
LCI-75 damaged while beaching at Port Moresby (light damage)
LCI-24 damaged while beaching at Port Moresby (light damage)

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Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby (98,130) – night

191 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL De Ruyter
LST-339
LST-341
DD Van Nes
DD Hatfield
LST-343

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

CL Trenton firing at 47th Division
CL De Ruyter firing at 47th Division
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby (98,130) - night

TF 348 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130

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

10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 9th Australian Div
Motorized Support lost overboard during unload of 9th Australian Div /16
Motorized Support damaged beyond repair during unload of 9th Australian Div /21

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Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby (98,130) – night

209 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
DD Lawrence
LST-28
LST-27
LST-26
LST-30
LST-29

Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CL Tromp firing at 47th Division
DD Lawrence firing at 47th Division
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby (98,130) - night

TF 478 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130

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

13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 43 lost from landing craft during unload of Americal Infantry Div /5
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of Americal Infantry Div /18

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Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby (98,130) - night

171 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Sumatra
CLAA Prince Robert
LST-457
LST-451
LST-447
LST-449
DD Ward
LST-448

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

CL Sumatra firing at 3rd Cavalry Brigade
CLAA Prince Robert firing at 47th Division
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

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Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby (98,130) – night

TF 554 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130

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

37mm M3 AT Gun lost in surf during unload of 32nd Infantry Div
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 32nd Infantry Div
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 32nd Infantry Div /10
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 32nd Infantry Div /13
Motorized Support lost from landing craft during unload of 32nd Infantry Div /18

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Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby (98,130) - night

178 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Java
DD Dent
LCI-21
LCI-23
LCI-22

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

CL Java firing at 47th Division
DD Dent firing at 47th Division
DD Dent fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby (98,130) – night

TF 555 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130

8 Aviation Support troops lost overboard during unload of 9 RAAF Aviation Rgt

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-22
LST-21
LST-16
LST-17

LST-22 fired at enemy troops
LST-21 fired at enemy troops

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight

110 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL De Ruyter
LST-340
DD Van Nes
DD Hatfield
LST-339

CL De Ruyter firing at 47th Division
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight

121 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
DD Lawrence
LST-27
LST-28
LST-26

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

DD Lawrence firing at 47th Division
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight

110 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Sumatra
CLAA Prince Robert
LST-447
DD Ward
LST-448
LST-449

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CL Sumatra firing at 47th Division
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight

106 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Java
DD Dent
LCI-21
LCI-22

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight

95 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-448
DD Ward
LST-456
LST-450

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-22
LST-20
LST-18
CL Detroit
LST-16
LST-17

LST-22 fired at enemy troops
LST-20 fired at enemy troops
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at LST-18
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at LST-18

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-26
CL Tromp
LST-27

75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at LST-26

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCI-402
LCI-400
LCI-331
LCI-330
LCI-21
LCI-22

LCI-402 fired at enemy troops
LCI-400 fired at enemy troops
LCI-331 fired at enemy troops
LCI-330 fired at enemy troops

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-473
LST-472
LST-471
LST-21
LST-18
LST-17
LST-16

LST-473 fired at enemy troops
LST-472 fired at enemy troops
LST-471 fired at enemy troops
LST-21 fired at enemy troops
LST-18 fired at enemy troops
LST-17 fired at enemy troops
LST-16 fired at enemy troops

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

28 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-339
CL Trenton
xAP Cape San Juan
LST-341
LST-340
LST-343
LST-344

75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at LST-339

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCI-334
LCI-218
LCI-216
LCI-23
LCI-22, heavy damage
LCI-21

LCI-334 fired at enemy troops
LCI-218 fired at enemy troops
LCI-216 fired at enemy troops
LCI-23 fired at enemy troops

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A case of friendly fire – an Allied LCI hitting a “friendly” mine laid last game turn.

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TF 555 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Ships
LCI-22, Mine hits 1, heavy damage (system damage 19, float 99, engine 5, fires 11, dead in the water)

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LCI-22 hits VH Mk II Mine at Port Moresby


Air action over Port Moresby included Allied ground attack strikes by both 2E and 4E bombers from bases in NE Australia. Sweeps by Allied fighters later in the day had no results as Japanese CAP fighters were already expended in air-to-air combat during intercept of earlier ground bombing attacks.

Japanese air activity over Port Moresby included CAP by remaining N1K1-J George fighters based in Port Moresby, naval search missions by G3M Nell & G4M Betty bombers (unknown base of origin) and attempted air transport of supply points by H6K4 Mavis into Port Moresby (also unknown base of origin). The attempted Jap air transport operation possibly indicates Pillager has supply difficulties with defending Japanese LCU in Port Moresby. 10/08 Operations report entries related to Jap air search/recon and transport activity over Port Moresby follow.

TF 472 sights Japanese Recon at 98,130 near Port Moresby
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP
TF 543 detected by Japanese Aircraft at 98,130 near Port Moresby
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP
TF 506 snooped by Japanese Recon at 98,130 near Port Moresby
TF 533 followed by Japanese Torpedo Bomber at 98,130 near Port Moresby
TF 544 sights G3M2 Nell at 98,130 near Port Moresby
Search G3M2 Nell destroyed by CAP
Search G3M2 Nell destroyed by CAP
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (98,130)
Transports flying to Port Moresby intercepted (16 H6K4 Mavis destroyed)
Transport H6K4-L Mavis shot down by CAP
Transport H6K4-L Mavis shot down by CAP


33 Japanese planes reported destroyed this game over Port Moresby – including 16 H6K4-L Mavis (all air-to-air), 9 N1K1-J George (all air-to-air), 5 G4M1 Betty (4 air-to-air, 1 ops), 3 G3M2 Nell (2 air-to-air, 1 ops).

Reported Allied planes losses in Port Moresby include 5 F4F Wildcat and 4 F6F Hellcat fighters (all air-to-air). Condition of all fighter squadrons in the CVE escort force remains good.


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Morning Air attack on 47th Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 11

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16
Mitchell II x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 78
F4F-4 Wildcat x 46
F6F-3 Hellcat x 56

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

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

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Mitchell II bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 8th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 8th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 8th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 8th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Cavalry Brigade, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 44
F6F-3 Hellcat x 67

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

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Morning Air attack on 47th Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22
F4F-4 Wildcat x 57
F6F-3 Hellcat x 40

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 25000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 65
F6F-3 Hellcat x 44

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 25000 feet
3 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 25000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22
F4F-4 Wildcat x 58
F6F-3 Hellcat x 38

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 25000 feet

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Afternoon Air attack on 47th Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 64
B-24D1 Liberator x 42
F4F-4 Wildcat x 59
F6F-3 Hellcat x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 8th Base Force, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 57
F6F-3 Hellcat x 47

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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


Allied and Japanese ground forces in Port Moresby exchange bombardment attacks. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15309 troops, 155 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 623
Defending force 57276 troops, 914 guns, 1394 vehicles, Assault Value = 2022

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
47th Division
Maizuru 1st SNLF
3rd Cavalry Brigade
83rd Naval Guard Unit
7th Base Force
8th Base Force
33rd Ind. Engr Rgt /1

Defending units:
754th Tank Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/151st Combat Engineer Battalion
2/5th Armoured Regiment
1st Marine Division
193rd Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
Americal Infantry Division
9th Australian Division
857th Engineer Aviation Battalion
1st Medium Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
9 RAAF Aviation Rgt
I Australian Corps
2nd Eng Amph Bde
Rabaul Det. Base Force /7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13935 troops, 301 guns, 355 vehicles, Assault Value = 2022
Defending force 20996 troops, 193 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 618

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

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Division
193rd Tank Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
Americal Infantry Division
2/151st Combat Engineer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
9th Australian Division
I Australian Corps
2nd Medium Regiment
857th Engineer Aviation Battalion
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
9 RAAF Aviation Rgt
2nd Eng Amph Bde
Rabaul Det. Base Force /7

Defending units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
3rd Cavalry Brigade
47th Division
83rd Naval Guard Unit
8th Base Force
7th Base Force
33rd Ind. Engr Rgt /1

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

Summary of Operations 10/09/43 (continued)

South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/08 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Lunga is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Namatanai
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: PB Hakkaisan Maru reported in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 111,134 near Munda, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 119 aircraft (all fighters), 14 Jap LCU’s, light industry 9(32), refinery 124(77).


Detected status of Jap base in Magwe from aerial recon (after raid below) – 101 aircraft (all fighters), 16 Jap LCU’s, oil production 140(161), refinery 97(4).

RAF 2E bombers launch night raid on oil production facilities in Magwe. No planes reported lost on either side, no visible damage to oil production in Magwe. Combat Events report entry and AAR’s follow.

5 x No.215 Sqn RAF Wellington B.X stray due to night

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms (78% moonlight)

Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 19

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 12
Wellington B.X x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Wellington B.X bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x Wellington Ic bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 7 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 35200.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 18

Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 5

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Wellington B.X bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (18 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
18 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

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


China: Japanese ground forces capture Wasu in far western China. Fall of Wasu has all areas of China adjacent to the Russian border under Japanese control. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wasu (79,8)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4216 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 153
Defending force 1532 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 19
Japanese adjusted assault: 72
Allied adjusted defense: 13
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wasu !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Allied ground losses:
569 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd/B Division

Defending units:
19th Chinese Base Force
34th Separate Brigade
21st Chinese Base Force

Summary of Operations 10/10/43

Southwest Pacific: Invasion fleet in Port Moresby continues unloading operations – all LCU elements now ashore, cargo being unloaded is now entirely supply points. Supply status of Allied ground forces ashore is quite good – 258K supply currently unloaded and on hand, this improved from last game turn. Very light casualties and disruption in all Allied LCU, all four US/Australian infantry divisions are 95% or more effective.

Allied ship losses so far has remained very light – several ships hit by friendly mines, also several other ships damaged by running aground. Given the large numbers of ships and friendly mines congregating in the same hex, the mine hits were no more of a surprise as ship collisions. Quite possible that two ACM may not be enough to corral what is now 1000+ friendly mines. There are more than enough mines left for any IJN surface combat/bombardment TF Pillager sends into Port Moresby. Few hits by Japanese shore batteries were scored on ships in the invasion force, damage from enemy gunfire was minimal. Two ships from the invasion force reported sinking this game turn –

• LCI-21 (hit by friendly mine on 10/09)
• xAP Rajula (cause unknown)

A US destroyer from the CVE escort force hit a friendly mine in Port Moresby base hex this game turn – the DD returning to Australia at 11 kts with 70 float damage.

60+ transports and landing ships from the invasion fleet completed full unloading this game turn, all now returning to Australia. Several heavily damaged LST are moving independently, most other ships moving at or near normal movement. AAR’s of this game turn’s landing operations follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - night
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

51 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-344
CL Trenton
LST-339
LST-341
LST-343
LST-340

75mm T94 Mtn Gun battery firing at LST-344
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at LST-341

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-469
LST-467
LST-344
LST-343
LST-339
LST-340

LST-469 fired at enemy troops
LST-467 fired at enemy troops
LST-344 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-456
LST-451
LST-447
LST-449
LST-448

LST-456 fired at enemy troops
LST-451 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

31 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-484
LST-461
LST-459
CL Java
LST-460
LST-462

LST-484 fired at enemy troops
75mm T90 Field Gun battery firing at LST-459

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-467
LST-353
LST-339
LST-340
LST-341
LST-344

LST-467 fired at enemy troops
LST-353 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-477
LST-476
LST-26
LST-29
LST-30
LST-27

LST-477 fired at enemy troops
LST-476 fired at enemy troops
LST-26 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-456
LST-450
LST-447
LST-449

LST-456 fired at enemy troops
LST-450 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-483
LST-461
LST-460
LST-481
LST-459
LST-480, heavy damage (system damage 44, float 80, engine 14, moving independently to Australia at 2 kts)

LST-483 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 205 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Ships
DD Smith, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (system damage 29, float 70, returning to Australia at 11 kts)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-468
LST-340
LST-339
LST-341

LST-468 fired at enemy troops
LST-340 fired at enemy troops
LST-339 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-475
LST-32
LST-31
LST-26
LST-28
LST-27

LST-475 fired at enemy troops
LST-32 fired at enemy troops
LST-31 fired at enemy troops
LST-26 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-457
LST-452
LST-449
LST-448
LST-450
LST-447
LST-451

LST-457 fired at enemy troops
LST-452 fired at enemy troops
LST-449 fired at enemy troops
LST-448 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) – daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-484
LST-481
LST-461
LST-460
LST-459

LST-484 fired at enemy troops
LST-481 fired at enemy troops
LST-461 fired at enemy troops

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


Allied ground attack strikes by both 2E and 4E bombers continue with some loss in strike coordination (weather, other factors?). Pilot fatigue levels in most squadrons remain good (10-12 or less), though 4E squadrons will be stood down this game turn to begin recovering out-of-service planes and rest pilots. Japanese fighter CAP in Port Moresby appears to be fully suppressed at least for the moment. Pillager continues to fly G4M Betty search missions over Port Moresby, at least some of these becoming dead on arrival. No allied planes reported lost, five G4M1 Betty reported destroyed (all air-to-air).

Condition of CVE fighter squadrons remains quite good – planes at 90% strength in most squadrons, pilot fatigue below 10, nearly all fighter planes available and operational.

Combat Events report entries and AAR’s related to air activity over Port Moresby follow.

TF 544 sighted by Japanese Level Bomber at 98,130 near Port Moresby
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (98,130)
TF 478 shadowed by Japanese Torpedo Bomber at 98,130 near Port Moresby
TF 591 shadowed by Japanese Torpedo Bomber at 98,130 near Port Moresby
TF 472 sighted by Japanese Medium Bomber at 98,130 near Port Moresby
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (98,130)
TF 112 detects Japanese Torpedo Bomber at 98,130 near Port Moresby
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (98,130)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Base Force, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16
Mitchell II x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 42
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49
F6F-3 Hellcat x 50

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Mitchell II bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 8th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Base Force, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38
F6F-3 Hellcat x 40

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Mitchell II bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 83rd Naval Guard Unit, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 45
F6F-3 Hellcat x 47

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 53
F6F-3 Hellcat x 44

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Cavalry Brigade, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 60
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 8th Base Force, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 44
F6F-3 Hellcat x 56

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 61
B-24D1 Liberator x 43
F4F-4 Wildcat x 59
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 8th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 8th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 8th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 83rd Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 8th Base Force ...
Also attacking 47th Division ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 7th Base Force, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 44
F6F-3 Hellcat x 43

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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


Allied forces begin ground assault on Port Moresby. Disruption and preparation levels of defending Jap LCU already appear to be factors – I anticipate Japanese supply in Port Moresby to also become an issue shortly. All Allied LCU involved in the attack are 100% prepped for Port Moresby. Preparation of Allied LCU for the Port Moresby operation was done very quietly and gradually (one LCU at a time) over a period of time, this deliberately done as a counter-intelligence measure to eliminate or greatly reduce the possibility of Pillager picking up an impending operation in Port Moresby through entries in Japanese game turn reports.

Combination of attack odds and combat engineers could be valuable in a relatively quick reduction of Jap ground defenses in Port Moresby. It’s now a question of pounding the gates long enough without excessively straining Allied ground forces. The latter point is a priority as my current intent is to follow the fall of Port Moresby with an immediate advance on Buna. A key concern here is how much the Allies can accomplish in New Guinea before (the almost inevitable) arrival of Japanese ground reinforcements from China. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 50509 troops, 914 guns, 1223 vehicles, Assault Value = 2032
Defending force 20897 troops, 193 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 610
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4
Allied adjusted assault: 1776
Japanese adjusted defense: 341
Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
2066 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 160 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Guns lost 45 (2 destroyed, 43 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
517 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 17 (2 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/5th Armoured Regiment
754th Tank Battalion
2/151st Combat Engineer Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
Americal Infantry Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
9th Australian Division
1st Medium Regiment
Rabaul Det. Base Force
9 RAAF Aviation Rgt
I Australian Corps
857th Engineer Aviation Battalion
2nd Eng Amph Bde
2nd Medium Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
47th Division
Maizuru 1st SNLF
3rd Cavalry Brigade
83rd Naval Guard Unit
8th Base Force
7th Base Force
33rd Ind. Engr Rgt /1

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

Summary of Operations 10/10/43 (continued)

South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/09 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Feni Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Feni Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 111 aircraft (all fighters), 14 Jap LCU’s, light industry 9(32), refinery 124(77).


Detected status of Jap base in Magwe from aerial recon (after raid below) – 93 aircraft (all fighters), 16 Jap LCU’s, oil production 140(161), refinery 97(4).

RAF 2E bombers repeat night raid on oil production facilities in Magwe with same results. No planes reported lost on either side, no visible damage to oil production in Magwe. Combat Events report entry and AAR’s follow.

5 x No.146 Sqn RAF Wellington Ic stray due to night

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky (89% moonlight)

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 19

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 7
Wellington B.X x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 3 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Wellington Ic bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x Wellington B.X bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 7 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 3000 and 35200.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes

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


China: USAAF and RAF 4E bombers hit heavy industry at Chungking in a badly dispersed night raid. AAR and detected status of Chungking base (below) indicate minor or no additional damage to heavy industry in Chungking from the raid. Combat Events report entries and AAR’s follow.

Detected status of Chungking – Heavy industry 55(126), light industry 42(139), resource production 42(139), manpower 4(0), no reported Jap planes or LCU.

5 x No.159 Sqn RAF Liberator II stray due to night
4 x No.355 Sqn RAF Liberator B.III stray due to night
4 x 7th BG/9th BS B-24D Liberator stray due to night
4 x 341st BG/11th BS B-17E Fortress stray due to night
4 x 341st BG/491st BS B-17E Fortress stray due to night
4 x 7th BG/492nd BS B-24D Liberator stray due to night
5 x No.355 Sqn RAF Liberator B.III stray due to night

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms (89% moonlight)

Raid detected at 50 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7
B-24D Liberator x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5

No Allied losses

Heavy Industry hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Liberator B.III bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 5

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Liberator B.III bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Summary of Operations 10/11/43

Southwest Pacific: Supply unloading operations from invasion fleet in Port Moresby continue. At this time, most transport and amphibious ships with the invasion fleet are fully unloaded and have already departed or now leaving Port Moresby. Supply status of Allied ground forces ashore remains good – 293K supply currently unloaded and on hand. Very light casualties and disruption in Allied LCU, all four US /Australian infantry divisions still 95% or more effective. Some attrition of tanks in the two US armored bns, two Australian armored rgts with virtually no tank losses – in the case of one of the US tank units, a change of commander was needed. Up to this point I had been quite diligent with LCU commanders at least at the division level, this practice (no doubt) has to be expanded to include smaller assault LCU.

Allied ship losses remain very light – a Dutch AGP and a previously damaged LST lost in Jap submarine attacks, a US PT also sunk (hit by friendly mine). AAR’s follow.

Two Jap submarines attempted to enter Port Moresby base hex – one identified sub (RO-63) now detected in Port Moresby, the second Jap sub (RO-62) sunk by mine.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 601 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Ships
PT-33, Mine hits 1, heavy damage (sunk)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Port Moresby at 97,131 (adjacent hex SW of Port Moresby)

Japanese Ships
SS RO-62

Allied Ships
LST-480, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (damaged prior to this game turn, sunk)

LST-480 is sighted by SS RO-62
SS RO-62 launches 2 torpedoes

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TF 21 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Ships
SS RO-63, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Ships
SS RO-63, heavy damage (already damaged by mine hit, later reported sunk)

Allied Ships
AGP Sirius, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

AGP Sirius is sighted by SS RO-63
SS RO-63 cannot submerge, must engage on the surface
AGP Sirius firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

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

42 transports and landing ships from the invasion fleet completed unloading this game turn, all now returning to Australia. Another 60 transports are still unloading in Port Moresby, most expected to complete unloading ops very shortly. All US escort carrier force TF’s are backing a short distance outside Port Moresby base hex – fighter squadrons being changed to LR CAP and will continue covering operations in Port Moresby. If Pillager has dispatched Jap surface combat or bombardment naval forces to Port Moresby, I expect their arrival shortly.

AAR’s of this game turn’s landing ops in Port Moresby follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - night
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

50 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAP Kota Radja
CL Detroit

75mm T94 Mtn Gun battery firing at xAP Kota Radja
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at xAP Kota Radja

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - night
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

27 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
APA Cambria
CL Trenton

75mm T90 Field Gun battery firing at APA Cambria

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - night
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-483
LST-482
LST-461
LST-459
LST-460

LST-483 fired at enemy troops
LST-482 fired at enemy troops
LST-461 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force - daylight

42 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAP Daisy Moller
CL Tromp

75mm T94 Mtn Gun battery firing at xAP Daisy Moller
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at xAP Daisy Moller

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-482
LST-462
LST-461
LST-459
LST-460

LST-482 fired at enemy troops
LST-462 fired at enemy troops
LST-461 fired at enemy troops

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

33 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-462
LST-459
CL Java
LST-460
LST-461
LST-481

LST-462 fired at enemy troops
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at LST-459

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

31 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAP Daisy Moller
CL Tromp

75mm T90 Field Gun battery firing at xAP Daisy Moller

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - daylight
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-484
LST-483
LST-482
LST-460
LST-459
LST-461

LST-484 fired at enemy troops
LST-483 fired at enemy troops
LST-482 fired at enemy troops

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


Ground attack strikes by Allied 2E continued, 4E bombers now stood down to rest pilots and recover planes. One B-25C bomber reported lost (ops). 3 G4M Betty bombers reported destroyed this game turn (all air-to-air). Combat Events report entries and AAR’s related to air activity over Port Moresby follow.

TF 543 shadowed by Japanese Level Bomber at 98,130 near Port Moresby
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (98,130)
TF 472 followed by G4M1 Betty at 98,130 near Port Moresby
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (98,130)
G4M1 Betty has spotted ACM Ash at 98,130
TF 506 detects Japanese Dive Bomber at 98,130 near Port Moresby
TF 328 detects Japanese Medium Bomber at 98,130 near Port Moresby
AGP Formalhaut detected by Japanese Level Bomber at 98,130 near Port Moresby
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (98,130)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 47th Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 52
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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


An unexpected surprise over Buna. Japanese transport convoy spotted in Buna base hex by a stray US floatplane (from a CL with the Amphibious TF still in Port Moresby), this followed with naval air strikes by torpedo planes from the CVE escort force plus USAAF skip bombers based in NE Australia. Japanese LCU elements were no doubt aboard the Jap xAP’s hit in the strike – the question is whether any elements of the Jap LCU on the transports had an opportunity to disembark. Regardless, one Jap AMC and 7 xAP sunk with LCU elements on board, another xAP badly damaged, plus a Jap LCU with substantial casualties. Reported Allied plane losses include one B-25D1 bomber (air-to-air), 9 P-38H Lightning (6 air-to-air, 3 ops), 9 TBF-1 Avenger (8 air-to-air, 1 ops). 13 Japanese CAP fighters (12 Ki-44 Tojo, 1 N1K1-J George) reported destroyed, all in air-to-air combat.

Detected status of Buna after the air strikes below – 4 Japanese ships (2 xAP, 1 AMC, 1 CL), 18 aircraft (all fighters), 7 Jap LCU, port size 3(1), airfield size 7(6). One of the xAP in Buna is likely damaged and the lone survivor of the air strikes. Six of the seven detected Jap LCU identified in current intelligence data – 19 Naval Gd, 8 Independent SNLF Co, 55 Field AA Bn, 20 JNAF AF Unit, 14 & 17 Naval Construction Bns. There have been a number of unconfirmed Sigint entries indicating elements of Jap 13th Infantry Division were enroute from China to Buna via sea transport – very possible that 13 Division is the unidentified Jap LCU detected in Buna. 13 Division is a veteran unit of the Chungking battles.

Combat Event report entries and AAR’s of air actions over Buna follow.

6 x B-25D1 Mitchell from 3rd BG/13th BS flight failed to link up proceeding alone
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell from 22nd BG/33rd BS flight failed to link up returning to base
6 x B-25G Mitchell from 3rd BG/89th BS flight failed to link up returning to base

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Buna at 99,129

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 11
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 18
B-25G Mitchell x 6
P-38H Lightning x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAP Kasado Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (later sunk)
xAP Kongo Maru, Shell hits 7, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires (later sunk)
xAP Kashima Maru, Bomb hits 1 (later sunk)
xAP Kowa Maru, Shell hits 5 (still afloat, possibly in Buna)
xAP Dairen Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage (later sunk)
xAP Hoten Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage (later sunk)
xAP Koan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (later sunk)
AMC Nosiro Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire (later sunk)

Japanese ground losses:
550 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 69 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 16 (6 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
5 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
248th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (42 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(42 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
42 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

Massive explosion on xAP Hoten Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Buna at 99,129

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 52

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Hoten Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AMC Nosiro Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage (later sunk)
xAP Kowa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (still afloat)
xAP Kashima Maru, on fire (later sunk)
xAP Kasado Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage (later sunk)
xAP Koan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (8 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
5 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
3 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (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 15000, scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
248th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 323 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Buna at 99,129

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMC Nosiro Maru, and is sunk
xAP Kasado Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage (later sunk)
xAP Dairen Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Kongo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires (later sunk)

Japanese ground losses:
287 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 36 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 46 (36 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (19 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 2 plane(s) with no ordnance
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
248th 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 20000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Buna at 99,129

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Kasado Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Kashima Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Kongo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
5 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
248th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(23 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 23 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes

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


Allied ground assault on Port Moresby continues. Results of this game turn’s attack possibly indicate a significant attrition of Jap combat LCU elements in Port Moresby. Fortifications also did not appear below as a combat modifier. All attacking Allied divisions remain over 90% effective. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 49923 troops, 912 guns, 1222 vehicles, Assault Value = 1955
Defending force 19176 troops, 193 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 427
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Allied adjusted assault: 1115
Japanese adjusted defense: 333
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
1625 casualties reported
Squads: 68 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 25 (13 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
636 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 75 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 60 disabled
Engineers: 40 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 14 (7 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (7 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/151st Combat Engineer Battalion
1st Marine Division
754th Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
Americal Infantry Division
9th Australian Division
857th Engineer Aviation Battalion
9 RAAF Aviation Rgt
2nd Medium Regiment
I Australian Corps
Rabaul Det. Base Force
1st Medium Regiment
2nd Eng Amph Bde
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
47th Division
3rd Cavalry Brigade
83rd Naval Guard Unit
7th Base Force
8th Base Force
33rd Ind. Engr Rgt /1

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Summary of Operations 10/11/43 (continued)

Japanese Home Islands: US patrol sub intercepts Japanese transport convoy S of Honshu. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Torishima at 108,66 (WSW of Aogashima)

Japanese Ships
xAK Senko Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
AK Kamogawa Maru
AK Aobasan Maru
xAK Muroran Maru
xAK Asahisan Maru
xAK Iburi Maru
PB Seikai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Searaven

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

SS Searaven launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Senko Maru
Searaven diving deep ....
PB Seikai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 10/10 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit and Abemama. Detected status at both Jaluit and Abemama shows no visible Japanese forces or activity. Several earlier Sigint entries have indicated Jap 23 Independent Brigade is enroute from China to Nikunau – 23 Brigade a veteran unit of the Chungking battles.


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/10 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Lunga is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Iwaki Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Lunga is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tassafaronga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Feni Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 103 aircraft (all fighters), 14 Jap LCU’s, light industry 9(32), refinery 124(77).

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe from aerial recon – 87 aircraft (all fighters), 16 Jap LCU’s, oil production 140(161), refinery 97(4).

Summary of Operations 10/12/43

Southwest Pacific: Supply unloading operations from invasion fleet in Port Moresby continue, another 15 Allied transports now fully unloaded and departing Port Moresby. Supply status of Allied ground forces ashore remains good – 315K supply now on hand. Very light casualties and disruption continue in Allied LCU, all four US /Australian infantry divisions remain over 90% effective.

One Jap submarine (RO-61) is in action at Port Moresby base hex – AGP Formalhaut the only Allied ship sunk this game turn in the Port Moresby area. AAR’s of naval actions in Port Moresby base hex follow.

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Submarine attack in Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-61

Allied Ships
ACM Holly

ACM Holly is sighted by SS RO-61
SS RO-61 launches 2 torpedoes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack in Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-61

Allied Ships
ACM Holly

ACM Holly is sighted by SS RO-61
Captain of SS RO-61 elects not to launch torpedoes at this target

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ASW attack near Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-61

Allied Ships
xAP Khandalla
xAP Cape Perpetua
xAK Kekerangu
DD Brooks

SS RO-61 is sighted by escort
RO-61 bottoming out ....
DD Brooks fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack in Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-61

Allied Ships
AGP Formalhaut, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)

AGP Formalhaut is sighted by SS RO-61
SS RO-61 attacking on the surface

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


Some Japanese shore gunfire on Allied ships still unloading in Port Moresby, one xAP hit by gunfire with minor damage. AAR’s of this game turn’s landing ops follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

30 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAP Kota Radja
CL Detroit

75mm T90 Field Gun battery firing at xAP Kota Radja
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at xAP Kota Radja

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Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

35 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAP Kota Radja
CL Detroit

75mm T94 Mtn Gun battery firing at xAP Kota Radja

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

37 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAP Cape Neddick
CLAA Prince Robert
CL Sumatra

75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at xAP Cape Neddick
75mm T90 Field Gun battery firing at xAP Cape Neddick

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

53 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAP Cape Neddick, Shell hits 4 (minor system & float damage)
CLAA Prince Robert
CL Sumatra

75mm T94 Mtn Gun battery firing at xAP Cape Neddick
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at xAP Cape Neddick

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


Summary of this game turn’s aircraft losses over all locations in the New Guinea area.

Japanese planes reported destroyed

• 35 G4M1 Betty (34 air-to-air, 1 flak)
• 24 Ki-49 Helen (23 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 22 A6M3a Zero (19 air-to-air, 3 ops)
• 17 G3M2 Nell (15 air-to-air, 1 flak, 1 ops)
• 4 N1K1-J George (3 air-to-air, 1 ops)

Allied planes reported destroyed

• 22 TBF-1 Avenger (all air-to-air)
• 6 F6F-3 Hellcat (1 air-to-air, 5 ops)
• 5 F4F-4 Wildcat (2 air-to-air, 3 ops)
• 1 B-25C Mitchell (flak)
• 3 B-25D1 Mitchell (2 air-to-air, 1 flak)
• 1 B-25G Mitchell (air-to-air)

Multiple attempted air strikes by Japanese LBA bombers – some raids observed to come from Lae. Jap air strikes over Port Moresby base hex were easily repulsed by LRCAP (at 2 hex range) from the US escort carrier force that moved off Port Moresby this game turn. AAR’s follow.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 6
G3M2 Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 72
F6F-3 Hellcat x 74

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VC(F)-33 with F4F-4 Wildcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 16 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 16 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 10
G4M1 Betty x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 52
F6F-3 Hellcat x 66

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter
DD Dent

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F4F-4 Wildcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-33 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 11000, scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 11000, scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 79 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 14810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 17810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 15 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VRF-4F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 37
F6F-3 Hellcat x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VC(F)-33 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 88 minutes
VRF-4F with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 16 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 69 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Australian Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 22

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
F6F-3 Hellcat x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
VC(F)-33 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-41 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 16 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VRF-4F with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 16 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 11000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes

Also attacking Americal Infantry Division ...

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

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 14
G3M2 Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 69
F6F-3 Hellcat x 69

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter
CL Trenton

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 16 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VRF-4F with F4F-4 Wildcat (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 16 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes

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


Pillager did not ignore the US escort carrier force. Fortunately nothing serious happened given my omission of not putting CAP over the CVE’s (all CVE fighter squadrons had been set to fly LRCAP specifically over Port Moresby base hex). That error now corrected, along with a dose of 4E bombing on Lae and Buna airfields scheduled for this evening. AAR’s of actions over the escort carrier force follow.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 96,129

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CVE Chenango
CVE Santee

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 96,129

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 4 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CVE Chenango
CVE Santee

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

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


Ground attack strikes by Allied 2E continued, 4E bombers remain stood down to rest pilots and recover planes. No reports of G4M Betty air search activity this game turn over Port Moresby.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 7th Base Force, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 36
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
F6F-3 Hellcat x 40

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Base Force ...
Also attacking 3rd Cavalry Brigade ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 7th Base Force, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29
F6F-3 Hellcat x 52

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Mitchell II bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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


Lae was not ignored… Japanese transport convoy (10 ships) spotted in Lae base hex by coastwatchers plus several Allied floatplanes. In addition, two small Dutch patrol squadrons have moved into NE Australia and are now flying naval search specifically over Lae base hex and immediate vicinity. Jap transports in Lae attacked by Avenger torpedo bombers from the CVE escort force along with Allied skip bombers from NE Australia.

Interesting little detail… I had previously noted (in earlier game turns) several Sigint entries indicating elements of Jap 17th Infantry Division was enroute to Tarawa aboard various transport ships, including xAK Ohio Maru which is shown in the AAR below. Two possible conclusions can be reached from this observation – (1) 17th Division’s actual destination was Lae and LCU elements destroyed/disabled aboard Japanese ships below may be from 17 Division, (2) almost certain confirmation Pillager is likely using misleading destinations for Jap LCU’s from China being moved via sea transport to deceive Allied intel. 17 Division is yet another veteran unit of the Chungking battles.

AAR’s of air actions over Lae follow. Two Japanese transport ships confirmed sunk in Lae plus 5 others reported with significant damage. Detected status of Lae shows 10 Japanese ships at Lae including 7 transports.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 8

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 32

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Tsingtao Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Pacific Maru
xAK Ohio Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (later sunk, see remarks above)
xAP Tenzan Maru
AK Tatuwa Maru
xAK Hokuriku Maru

Japanese ground losses:
2104 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 117 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 23 (23 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
1 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 5

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (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 15000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
B-25G Mitchell x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Sanko Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Tatuwa Maru
xAP Teika Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shiretoko Maru
xAK Kimishima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Holland Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Teifu Maru
xAP Baikal Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Otori Maru
xAK Ohio Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Teison Maru

Japanese ground losses:
656 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 16 (11 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
248th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Sanko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Tenzan Maru
xAK Kimishima Maru, heavy fires
xAP Teifu Maru

Japanese ground losses:
323 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
6 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
1 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
248th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes

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



Allied ground assault on Port Moresby continues. All attacking Allied divisions remain over 90% effective. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 48998 troops, 906 guns, 1217 vehicles, Assault Value = 1873
Defending force 17875 troops, 182 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 369
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Allied adjusted assault: 1519
Japanese adjusted defense: 669
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2750 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 146 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 23 disabled
Guns lost 38 (4 destroyed, 34 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (5 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
2/5th Armoured Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
1st Marine Division
9th Australian Division
9 RAAF Aviation Rgt
2nd Eng Amph Bde
1st Medium Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
857th Engineer Aviation Battalion
2/151st Combat Engineer Battalion
I Australian Corps
Rabaul Det. Base Force
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
47th Division
Maizuru 1st SNLF
3rd Cavalry Brigade
83rd Naval Guard Unit
8th Base Force
7th Base Force
33rd Ind. Engr Rgt /1

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

Summary of Operations 10/12/43 (continued)

Japanese Home Islands: US patrol sub in action with Japanese surface ASW south of Honshu. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tanegashima at 103,64 (S of Kanoya)

Japanese Ships
PB Nikki Maru
PB Narita Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grayback

SS Grayback launches 6 torpedoes at PB Nikki Maru
Grayback diving deep ....
PB Narita Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Okinawa: US patrol sub (SS Shad) hit and damaged in attack by B6N1 Jill air patrol. SS Shad returning to base at 18 kts, reported damage – system 23, float 7, engine 4.


US West Coast: The 100th Allied transport convoy (WP-100) of the campaign from mainland US to the Pacific theatres departs this game turn. WP convoys are routed from ports on the US West Coast to either Central or South Pacific theaters. This 100 convoys exclude transport operations in the EX convoy system between the eastern US and Australia via Capetown for SW Pacific.


Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 10/11 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Jaluit and Roi-Namur. Detected status of Roi-Namur shows unidentified Jap planes based there, otherwise no visible Japanese forces or activity at Roi-Namur or Jaluit.

US patrol sub reports contact with one or multiple Jap TF(s) moving on SW heading at hex location 118, 124 (N of Guadalcanal, SSE of Truk). No report of any detected Jap air activity in this sea area (naval search or ASW air patrols). Two nearby US patrol subs are south of this hex position, within one days’ movement range of the Jap TF(s) if their movement is in a SSW or SW direction. I’ve given particular attention to Japanese ship traffic moving southward from Truk towards Rabaul or the Solomons for earliest possible warning of intervention by KB or Jap surface naval forces in the Port Moresby operation. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ontong Java at 118,124

Japanese Ships
APD Aoi

Allied Ships
SS Herring

SS Herring launches 2 torpedoes
Herring diving deep ....
APD Aoi attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/11 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Lunga is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Namatanai
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Lunga is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 2 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 99,125 near Lae , Speed 9, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 9 Japanese ships at 99,126 near Lae , Speed 7, Moving West


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor, 120 aircraft (all fighters), 15 Jap LCU’s (+1 from last report), light industry 9(32), refinery 124(77).

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe from aerial recon – 86 aircraft (all fighters), 16 Jap LCU’s, oil production 140(161), refinery 97(4).

Summary of Operations 10/13/43

Southwest Pacific: Port Moresby captured by Allied forces. From the AAR below, Jap LCU in Port Moresby were likely decimated in the final attack. My preference would have been the complete elimination of these LCU but there’s little question the Jap LCU retreating from Port Moresby have little value to Pillager in future ground operations in New Guinea. Tactics and procedure to prevent retreat of Jap LCU in future ground combat actions have been devised and means to do so are in place. AAR of final ground assault follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 48657 troops, 904 guns, 1211 vehicles, Assault Value = 1834
Defending force 16018 troops, 176 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 198
Allied adjusted assault: 1180
Japanese adjusted defense: 117
Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Port Moresby !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
6290 casualties reported
Squads: 297 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 301 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 80 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 84 (80 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 38 (36 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 6
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 29 (2 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/5th Armoured Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
754th Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
Americal Infantry Division
9th Australian Division
Rabaul Det. Base Force
2nd Eng Amph Bde
857th Engineer Aviation Battalion
1st Medium Regiment
2/151st Combat Engineer Battalion
2nd Medium Regiment
9 RAAF Aviation Rgt
I Australian Corps
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
47th Division
3rd Cavalry Brigade
83rd Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF
7th Base Force
8th Base Force
33rd Ind. Engr Rgt /1 (probably eliminated)

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

The four Allied divisions in Port Moresby remain 90% effective or better. At least part of this ground force is immediately starting an overland advance on Buna. There is a point where this phase of the Allied offensive will need to stop, that point though not yet reached. Most combat units of the Allied ground force in Port Moresby along with I Australian Corps HQ immediately started preparation for Buna. Additional Allied combat LCU still in Australia are at various stages of preparation for Buna – yes, a second wave had been planned. LCU fatigue levels in New Guinea will probably need to be watched closely.

Current status of Port Moresby base is port size 2(2), airfield size 4(6), runway damage 15, service damage 37, port damage 53. 236K supply points are now on stockpile in Port Moresby, all Allied LCU in Port Moresby also fully supplied. Available engineer elements now in Port Moresby include 244 engineer squads and 21 engineer vehicles. Plans are to repair then expand (to maximum sizes) both airfield and port facilities in Port Moresby as quickly as possible.


Supply unloading operations from invasion fleet in Port Moresby continue, only 21 transport ships (medium to small xAK with a few xAP) still unloading cargo in Port Moresby. Several of these ships are now docked in Port Moresby are unloading using dock facilities to the extent damage to port facilities allow. xAK and xAP unload very slowly in amphibious mode so likely even damaged port facilities would be faster. Three of the five Amphibious TF in the Port Moresby invasion force have completely departed, the remaining two considerably reduced from their original size. All escorting Allied surface naval ships have or are departing Port Moresby except a small number of DD staying with transport ships still unloading. 20 Allied ships (4 CL, 1 CLAA, 2 DD, 13 transports) are leaving Port Moresby this game turn.

Six partially unloaded medium xAK in Port Moresby have been dispatched to Portland Roads to unload remaining supply cargo there – these supply points to be used in Portland Roads to support air operations from that base. Some USAAF B-25 skip bomber air squadrons are transferring into Portland Roads to continue naval air strikes over Lae and Buna – these squadrons eventually going into Port Moresby.



US escort carrier force is leaving the Port Moresby area and returning to base to replenish, replace planes and pilots. Fighter squadrons on the CVE’s (both F6F & F4F) did quite well with light to moderate losses. The escort carrier force provided the first US fighter ace (of any branch) in this campaign – the ace pilot flying an F4F Wildcat. Seven TBF-1 Avenger squadrons in the CVE carrier force took heavy losses in naval air strikes over Buna and Lae, only 22 of their starting 63 planes remain. All torpedo air squadrons in the escort carrier force have exhausted torpedo supplies aboard their carriers.

AAR’s of amphibious unloading and other naval activity within Port Moresby base hex follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 601 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Ships
PT TM-8, Mine hits 1, heavy damage (sunk by friendly mine)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-61

SS RO-61 is sighted by escort
RO-61 bottoming out ....
Sub escapes detection

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-61, hits 5

Allied Ships
xAK Period
xAK Moonta
xAK Iron Crown
xAK Cardross
xAK Aroona
xAK Adelong
xAK Empire Hamble
DD Ward

SS RO-61 is sighted by escort
RO-61 bottoming out ....
DD Ward attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

43 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AKA Mercury
CL Detroit

75mm T94 Mtn Gun battery firing at AKA Mercury

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

47 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAP Cape Neddick
CLAA Prince Robert
CL Sumatra

75mm T94 Mtn Gun battery firing at xAP Cape Neddick
75mm Infantry Gun battery firing at xAP Cape Neddick

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 601 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Ships
PT TM-9, Mine hits 1, heavy damage (sunk by friendly mine)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

29 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AKA Castor, Shell hits 1 (no damage, ship completed unloading and now leaving Port Moresby)
CL Java

75mm T90 Field Gun battery firing at AKA Castor

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


Japanese patrol subs now operating in the sea area between Port Moresby and NE Australia. The subs have proved to be Pillager’s best weapon of choice so far, also helped by the fact my ASW preparations (overall) for the Port Moresby operation left something to be desired. AAR of action between ships returning from Port Moresby and Jap sub follows

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ASW attack near Port Moresby at 95,133 (SW of Port Moresby, NE of Cooktown)

Japanese Ships
SS I-23

Allied Ships
CL De Ruyter, Torpedo hits 1 (system damage 17, float 23, still with 25 kts movement)
DD Brooks
AK Chatham
xAP Santhia
xAP Malda
DD Lawrence

SS I-23 launches 6 torpedoes at CL De Ruyter
I-23 diving deep ....
DD Lawrence fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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


With the capture of Port Moresby, many Allied air squadrons are standing down to rest and recover planes and pilots. Stood down air units include all squadrons in the 2E ground attack bomber force and most USAAF P-38 Lightning squadrons – their mission activity concluded for now with Port Moresby now in Allied control. B-25C ground attack squadrons in Cairns also being transferred to the rear to make airfield capacity available for air transport squadrons being moved forward to begin airlift operations into Port Moresby from NE Australia. Three Allied fighter squadrons (one RAAF with Spitfire V, two USAAF with P-47 Thunderbolt) transferred by air into Port Moresby to begin local CAP operations.

Summary of this game turn’s aircraft losses over all locations in New Guinea.

Japanese planes reported destroyed
• 40 B5N2 Kate (all on the ground)
• 6 N1K1-J George (4 air-to-air, 1 ops, 1 on the ground)
• 1 A6M3a Zero (air-to-air)

Allied planes reported destroyed
• 7 TBF-1 Avenger (all air-to-air)
• 1 B-25C Mitchell (ops)
• 6 B-25D1 Mitchell (4 air-to-air, 2 flak)
• 1 B-25G Mitchell (air-to-air)
• 5 B-24D1 Liberator (1 flak, 4 ops)
• 1 OS2U-3 Kingfisher floatplane (air-to-air)


A night attack on Buna airfield launched by some USAAF 4E bombers from NE Australia proved not very effective, weather conditions a likely cause. However, most of Pillager’s effective Jap air forces based in New Guinea now operating from Lae. Current detected status of Buna base is 8 Jap LCU, 2 aircraft (both fighters), port size 3(1), airfield size 7(6), airfield damage 5. Combat Event report entries and AAR’s follow.

6 x 380th BG/528th BS B-24D Liberator stray due to night
6 x 380th BG/530th BS B-24D Liberator stray due to night
4 x 380th BG/531st BS B-24D1 Liberator stray due to night

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Severe storms (100% moonlight)

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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


Naval air strikes by USAAF 2E skip bombers on Japanese transport ships in Lae continue, this time with heavier Jap fighter CAP opposition.

Based on Japanese transport ship identities shown in the AAR below and information from numerous Sigint report entries from past game turns, cargo aboard ships in the Jap transport TF(s) attacked in the AAR below possibly Jap 37th Infantry Division (known to be transferring from China to Lae via sea transport). Elements of 37 Division have been reported aboard several of the ships attacked in the actions below. Of 12 Japanese transport ships shown below, all received at least one bomb hit, 1 confirmed sunk. My estimate is that Pillager got much of 37 Division disembarked before my planes attacked the ships. It's likely that 2 days of naval air strikes by TBF Avengers and 2E skip bombers have left a significant part of the Japanese ship capacity Pillager is using to transfer Jap LCU from China to the Pacific theatres either sunk or out of action - this also slowing down the rate of IJ Army units leaving China for the Pacific.

Detected status of Lae (after strikes below) - Jap ships in port (number unknown), 65 aircraft (37 fighters, 14 bombers), 4 Jap LCU, no visible Jap TF. Current intelligence data has two identified Jap LCU located in Lae including 32 Special Base Force and 5 Independent SNLF Co. I estimate it’s likely the two unidentified LCU in Lae could be parts of Jap 17th and 37th Infantry Divisions arriving from China that made it ashore (if true, probably most elements of 37 Division and a somewhat smaller part of 17 Division). There's reason to consider it quite possible both 17 & 37 Divisions took some casualties/disruption from Allied naval air strikes during their arrival in Lae.

AAR’s of air actions over Lae follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 4
N1K1-J George x 20
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 23
B-25G Mitchell x 9
P-38G Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 6 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Kusuyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Teison Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Shiretoko Maru, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Teifu Maru
AK Tatuwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AK Shinryu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Taizan Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAP Tenzan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Nittei Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Otori Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Pacific Maru
xAK Hokuriku Maru

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
11 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
9 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1/C with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
248th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2
N1K1-J George x 9
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 6
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25G Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAP Teifu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Hokuriku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAP Teison Maru, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25G Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (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 to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 103 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters to 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
248th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 62 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 4
N1K1-J George x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
P-38G Lightning x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Pacific Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAP Tenzan Maru, Shell hits 7, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Teiyo Maru, Shell hits 8
xAP Teison Maru, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1/C with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
253 Ku S-2 with A6M3a Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
248th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
7 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 1,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Kusuyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1/C with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
253 Ku S-2 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
248th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 1000 and 8510.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with A6M3a Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
281 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
Tainan Ku S-1/C with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
248th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

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

Summary of Operations 10/13/43 (continued)

Japanese Home Islands: US patrol sub intercepts Jap convoy S of Tokyo, torpedoes what appeared as a large (66 VP) CVE. There’s some question of the Jap CVE’s identity between various AE game reports (majority indicate the Hosho), but little doubt a CVE has been sunk. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Aogashima at 114,65 (E of Aogashima)

Japanese Ships
CVE Chuyo, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (reported sunk, identified in Sunk Ships listing as CVE Hosho)
AK Tamon Maru
AK Akiura Maru
DD Fumizuki
E W-23

Allied Ships
SS Grunion

SS Grunion launches 4 torpedoes at CVE Chuyo
Grunion diving deep ....
DD Fumizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-23 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Sigint entry for 10/12 reports Jap 6th Infantry Division now located on Iwo Jima – this LCU transferred from China and a veteran unit of the Chungking battles.


Central Pacific: US patrol sub intercepts Jap transport near Marcus Is. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Marcus Island at 127,88 (SE of Marcus Is)

Japanese Ships
xAK Samarang Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

xAK Samarang Maru is sighted by SS Pompano
SS Pompano launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Samarang Maru

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


South Pacific: US patrol sub in sea areas south of Rabaul intercepts Jap seaplane tender in night surface action. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Rabaul at 106,127 (S of Rabaul)

Japanese Ships
AV Akitsushima, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

AV Akitsushima is sighted by SS Sargo
SS Sargo attacking on the surface
Massive explosion on AV Akitsushima

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Sigint entry for 10/12 reports Jap 76 JAAF AF Bn now located on Woodlark Is – this LCU transferred from Manchuria (Kwantung Army).

Transport convoy WP-90 (32 transports, one APA, 4 DD) arrives from the mainland US. Cargo aboard the convoy includes 130K supply and 86K fuel, no LCU or air units. Even with an estimated 4-5 million supply and 3.5 million fuel points on reserve in South and SW Pacific theatres combined, transport of additional fuel and supply from the mainland US to these two theatres continues on the fastest possible schedule. APA and DD from WP-90 are being detached to enter the ship reserve – DD arriving with the convoy to be allocated for use as required in carrier escort, bombardment/surface combat TF and/or ASW operation.

Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/12 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: AK Yamagiri Maru reported in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Feni Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Lunga is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tassafaronga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown


Australia: Jap patrol sub intercepts one of the two US bombardment TF returning to base from Port Moresby. Lots of bad marksmanship on both sides – all torpedoes missed (lucky), the I-20 shaken frequently but not stirred. AAR follows.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Newcastle at 94,166 (E of Newcastle)

Japanese Ships
SS I-20

Allied Ships
BB Maryland
BB Nevada
BB Colorado
DD Gridley
DD Craven
DD Downes
DD Maury
DD McCall

SS I-20 launches 6 torpedoes at BB Maryland
I-20 diving deep ....
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Maury attacking submerged sub ....
DD McCall fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Maury attacking submerged sub ....
DD McCall attacking submerged sub ....
DD Downes fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Maury fails to find sub and abandons search
DD McCall attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, no Jap TF in harbor (-1 from last report), 117 aircraft (all fighters), 15 Jap LCU’s, light industry 9(32), refinery 124(77).

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe from aerial recon – 112 aircraft (all fighters), 16 Jap LCU’s, oil production 140(161), refinery 97(4).


China: Badly dispersed night strategic bombing attack on heavy industry in Chungking, weather a likely cause. AAR’s below and detected status of Chunking both indicate the bombing raid did no visible damage if any. No Allied planes reported lost. Detected status of Chunking shows unidentified Jap planes based there, 8 Jap LCU, heavy industry 50(131), light industry 42(139), resource production 42(139). Combat Event report entries and AAR’s follow.

4 x No.159 Sqn RAF Liberator II stray due to night
6 x No.355 Sqn RAF Liberator B.III stray due to night
4 x 7th BG/9th BS B-24D Liberator stray due to night
4 x 341st BG/22nd BS B-17E Fortress stray due to night
6 x 341st BG/490th BS B-17E Fortress stray due to night
4 x 7th BG/492nd BS B-24D Liberator stray due to night

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms (100% moonlight)

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Liberator II bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Liberator B.III bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chungking, at 76,45

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Summary of Operations 10/14/43

Southwest Pacific: With the capture of Port Moresby, most activity in this area is quieting down for the moment (though not completely idle).

Runway damage at Port Moresby airfield is fully repaired, service damage remains at 32 (down from 37 last game turn). Port facility repair has not yet started. Additional supply is still being unloaded in Port Moresby. Supply points on hand now at 295K. There are no fuel points in Port Moresby – this not an immediate concern as I have little need of fuel in Port Moresby for ship replenishment but some fuel will be transported in later as transport capacity and other priorities permit.

All transport ships except 3 xAK from the invasion force have completed full unloading in Port Moresby. Cargo on the xAK not unloaded includes about 6400 supply – these xAK also the ones I docked in the vain hope they would unload quicker, port damage preventing this. Orders for the coming game turn will have all transport ships still in Port Moresby (including the 3 xAK with cargo) depart. For 6400 supply points it’s not worth keeping the 3 xAK in Port Moresby given the present overall situation.


Allied defenses in Port Moresby claim two Japanese RO-class subs – one confirmed sunk, one probable. In the case of RO-61, this sub had also taken hits in previous combat actions last game turn. The Sunk Ships listing reported a third Jap submarine (I-7) sunk this game turn in Port Moresby from unknown causes, this report possible FOW and may likely be the RO-61 below. AAR’s of naval actions in Port Moresby base hex follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 453 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130) – this AAR appeared twice

Japanese Ships
SS RO-61, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (no report of sinking, though probably gone by now)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-67, hits 8, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
DD Chew

SS RO-67 is located by DD Chew
RO-67 bottoming out ....
DD Chew attacking submerged sub ....
DD Chew is out of ASW ammo
SS RO-67 forced to surface!
DD Chew firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

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


Things did not go as well for the six partially unloaded medium xAK dispatched from Port Moresby to Portland Roads – this transport TF intercepted by a Jap submarine. Two of 6 xAK were torpedoed and sunk.

The biggest single item that I had not adequately included in planning the Port Moresby operation was allocating sufficient ASW coverage to transport ships in the invasion force. Surface ASW ships at bases in eastern Australia were not available in sufficient numbers to cover both sea areas near the ports and (at the same time) provide ASW escort to Allied transport shipping at sea – this shortage especially in smaller ASW ship types (SC, PC, etc) as most of these are operating in the South Pacific theatre on ASW tasks near Suva and New Zealand. Nearly all available DD are allocated as escorts for the US main carrier force, surface bombardment TF’s and the TF in the escort carrier (CVE) force operating off New Guinea.

Some light surface ASW ships (surplus to needs in South Pacific ) were released from the South Pacific theatre and transferred to Australia as a quick fix. Additional surface ASW ships (DE, DD and some SC) for South and/or SW Pacific are attached to various WP transport convoys now moving southward from the US West Coast. It will take some amount of time to completely correct the problem but the means to do so certainly exist.

AAR’s of Japanese sub actions off Portland Roads follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Portland Roads at 92,132 (E of Portland Roads)

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
xAK Iron Crown, Torpedo hits 1, on fire (sunk later)

xAK Iron Crown is sighted by SS I-15
SS I-15 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Iron Crown

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Portland Roads at 92,132

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
xAK Iron Master, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

xAK Iron Master is sighted by SS I-15
SS I-15 attacking xAK Iron Master on the surface

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Portland Roads at 92,132

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
xAK Iron Crown, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

xAK Iron Crown is sighted by SS I-15
SS I-15 launches 2 torpedoes

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


Fast forward to action in the air… An attempted night strike on Lae airfield by USAAF 4E bombers did not materialize, weather conditions a possible cause.

Summary of this game turn’s aircraft losses over all locations in New Guinea.

Japanese planes reported destroyed
• 15 N1K1-J George (12 air-to-air, 3 ops)
• 14 Ki-44 Tojo (12 air-to-air, 2 ops)
• 3 A6M3a Zero (all air-to-air)
• 5 A6M5b Zero (4 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 5 A6M5c Zero (all air-to-air)

Allied planes reported destroyed
• 10 P-47 Thunderbolt (9 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 6 Spitfire V (5 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 3 P-38H Lightning (2 air-to-air, 1 ops)

Considerable air-to-air action in a series of probable Jap fighter sweeps over Port Moresby. Altitude settings of Spitfire V and P-47 CAP fighters now based in Port Moresby were deliberately set to prioritize interception of incoming Jap bombers. Fighter CAP in Port Moresby reinforced with small numbers of P-38 Lightning LRCAP at higher altitude - these P-38 also needing drop tanks to reach Port Moresby from NE Australia.

My choice of Allied fighter tactics over Port Moresby is intended for maximum attrition of Jap bombers Pillager may send on attacks into Port Moresby. One part of my longer term air strategy is making the Jap LBA bomber force “one shot lighters” to the greatest extent possible – air strikes by Jap bombers to be one-way missions for most of not all the participating Jap planes. Another point here being minimal or no interruption to repair and expansion of base facilities in Port Moresby. With Allied and Jap fighter pilot quality rather equal at this time, plus (also currently) a slight air-to-air edge for Jap fighters at higher altitudes, I will likely give Pillager a temporary altitude advantage in many fighter vs fighter actions. My view is that setting higher altitudes for current Allied CAP fighters will yield little if any advantage in air-to-air combat – if anything, higher CAP altitudes may reduce ability of Allied CAP to intercept incoming bombers. Air to air combat for many Allied fighter pilots at this point in the campaign is the “next level of pilot training” with planes roughly equal to their Japanese counterparts, all rear-area training that can be done for most of these pilots has been done. Pilots who survive will eventually thrive.

AAR’s of this game turn’s air actions over Port Moresby follow.

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Morning Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 10

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 14
P-38H Lightning x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 10 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 17 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
8th FG/80th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 15

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 11
P-38H Lightning x 8
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 13000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-38H Lightning (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 25000, scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (2 airborne, 3 on standby, 12 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
8th FG/80th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 2

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 10
P-38H Lightning x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
8th FG/80th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 1
N1K1-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 8
P-38H Lightning x 6
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 21

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Raid is overhead
35th FG/39th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
8th FG/80th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 7
P-38H Lightning x 6
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 19

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

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Raid is overhead
35th FG/39th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
8th FG/80th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters between 11000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 6
P-38H Lightning x 6
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-38H Lightning (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Raid is overhead
8th FG/80th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 6
P-38H Lightning x 5
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
8th FG/80th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters between 11840 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 9

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5
P-38H Lightning x 5
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 13000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
8th FG/80th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters to 14840.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes

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Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 6
P-38H Lightning x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 8 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
8th FG/80th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes

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Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby, at 98,130

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 5

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 4
P-38H Lightning x 8
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
49th FG/8th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
8th FG/80th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
348th FG/340th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes

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Summary of Operations 10/14/43 (continued)

Japanese Home Islands: Several actions of US patrol subs with Jap transport convoys S of Kyushu. AAR’s follow.

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Sub attack near Aogashima at 114,69 (SE of Aogashima)

Japanese Ships
AK Kogyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tamon Maru
AK Akiura Maru
DD Fumizuki
E W-23

Allied Ships
SS Grunion, hits 3 (system damage 10, no float or engine damage, returning to base)

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

SS Grunion launches 2 torpedoes at AK Kogyo Maru
DD Fumizuki fails to find sub and abandons search
E W-23 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Torishima at 108,66 (WSW of Aogashima)

Japanese Ships
xAK Surabaya Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
PB Tama Maru
PB Koei Maru
xAK Tokuhei Maru
xAK Kyokko Maru
xAK Zyunyo Maru
DD Harukaze
E W-14

Allied Ships
SS Searaven, hits 1 (minor damage, remains on patrol)

SS Searaven launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Surabaya Maru
Searaven diving deep ....
DD Harukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
E W-14 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 10/13 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Nauru Is. Detected status of Nauru Is shows unidentified Jap planes based there, ship(s) in port, port size 2(0), airfield size 2(2), no other visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher entries from 10/13 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: xAKL Gyoun Maru reported in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: AV Kamikawa Maru reported in port at Lae **
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Namatanai
Coastwatcher Report: 6 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna **
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Unkai Maru #3 reported in port at Lae **
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tanna
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,137 near Tulagi , Speed 6, Moving Southwest

** Ships in Lae detected and visible on game map (disbanded from TF in port). The 3 ships in Buna not visible on the game map.


Australia: Many returning ships from the Port Moresby invasion force now arriving or approaching various ports in Australia. Both US shore bombardment TF reached Sydney without further incident – escorting DD of this force repaired minor system damage and now available for surface ASW operations.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon from aerial recon – no Japanese ships anchored in port, 1 Jap TF in harbor (+1 from last report), 131 aircraft (all fighters), 15 Jap LCU’s, light industry 9(32), refinery 124(77).

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe from aerial recon (after air strikes below) – 130 aircraft (all fighters), 16 Jap LCU’s, oil production 140(161), refinery 97(4), airfield damage 2.


Night airfield attack on Magwe airfield by RAF 2E bombers. Minimal damage to airfield facilities in Magwe (above), two Jap planes (1 Ki-45 Nick, 1 Ki-61 Tony) destroyed on the ground. No RAF bombers lost. Combat Event report entries and AAR’s follow.

5 x No.113 Sqn RAF Blenheim IV stray due to night
4 x No.146 Sqn RAF Wellington Ic stray due to night
7 x No.113 Sqn RAF Blenheim IV stray due to night

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Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Weather in hex: Moderate rain (100% moonlight)

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 19

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 36
Wellington Ic x 5
Wellington B.X x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 3 damaged
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-61-Ic Tony: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Wellington B.X bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x Wellington Ic bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 7 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes

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Night Air attack on Magwe, at 57,47

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 15

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 7

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes

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India: Japanese night bombing raid on Calcutta airfield. I’ve had Allied fighter CAP operating continuously over Calcutta though nothing considered to be first-line night fighters. No Allied CAP fighters lost, 3 G4M Betty reported destroyed (2 flak, 1 ops). AAR’s follow.

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Night Air attack on Calcutta, at 52,37

Weather in hex: Overcast (100% moonlight)

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 7

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIf x 4
P-38E Lightning x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.176 Sqn RAF with Beaufighter VIf (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
51st FG/25th FS with P-38E Lightning (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 7000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
51st FG/26th FS with P-39D Airacobra (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes

Some CAP have air radar

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Night Air attack on Calcutta, at 52,37

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIf x 4
P-38E Lightning x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.176 Sqn RAF with Beaufighter VIf (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
51st FG/25th FS with P-38E Lightning (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead
51st FG/26th FS with P-39D Airacobra (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

Some CAP have air radar

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An update from Johnjohn. June and July 42 have passed with Allied buildups in Noumea, Luganville, Auckland, the Aussie NE coast, Pearl Harbor in the west and Colombo, Calcutta, Diamond Harbor, Chittagong. All five US Carriers have received mid summer upgrades. USS North Carolina has arrived as have three of the 660 AAA cruisers. UK carriers executed one raid that went poorly with considerable loss of aircraft and have withdrawn to Colombo and may yet move to Capetown. The various R class battleships have been damaged and are repairing off map. PoW and Repulse are back with the carriers. A patch job of cruisers has disrupted the enemy supply effort to Cox's Bazaar and Akyab. Current recon flights show the enemy buildup has been reversed.

Of note. RAAF No. 76 squadron, Kittyhawk IIIs, is based at Horn Islands. They have been there ever since PM fell to the enemy. Every day they intercept enemy bombers attempting to reduce the airfield. No. 76 squadron is commanded by SLDR K.W.W. Truscott, a veteran of the Battle of Britain with 16 kills. His command, all 16 of them, have shot down over 300 enemy planes, with Keith "Truey" Truscott accounting for 44 (next highest is 19). Including his European kills, he has racked up 60 planes downed. Since I cannot get additional Engineers to Horn Island, I have not been able to build up the base. In WWII Truscott commanded this squadron and ended the war with 20 kills, the second highest total for the RAAF. He perished in a training crash off Exmouth in 1943. However, for me, he is still going strong and is rated as the first "99" exp pilot I have had. John

June and July 42 have passed with Allied buildups in Noumea, Luganville, Auckland, the Aussie NE coast...

I ended up with Suva and Samoa instead of Luganville and Noumea – Pillager having reached Luganville and Noumea before I could occupy either of them with Allied forces in any strength sufficient to hold them. My 1942 South Pacific strategy had a “list of priorities” which included base(s) in this area that could be secured with the available Allied forces - these bases intended for later use as main location(s) where I’d be doing an Allied buildup. For purposes of this topic, my definition of “secure” is occupying a base with Allied forces in sufficient strength to repel anything short of a major Japanese assault.

Suva and Samoa were the first two South Pacific bases on my priority list (after Auckland). Plans were to first occupy all important bases in both Suva and Samoa with Allied forces in sufficient strength to hold them from Japanese attacks before pushing forward to occupy bases further down the priority list. All Allied effort at this point (outside of anything going on in Auckland) was concentrated on Suva and Samoa – incoming Allied LCU, air units, etc not needed in Auckland going to Suva or Samoa. Bases lower on the priority list would only be considered for Allied occupation under two conditions – (1) bases ranked higher on the priority list were secured per my definition above, and (2) Pillager had not already occupied the base in question with Japanese forces. The guiding principle of my priority list in 1942 was “what the Allies cannot hold and defend in strength is probably not worth attempting to defend”. A secondary principle to this was extracting anything of value from bases the Allies cannot defend before Pillager reached them with Japanese forces.

Noumea was the third South Pacific base on my 1942 priority list after Suva and Samoa. Unfortunately Pillager’s Japanese advance reached Noumea before I completed building up Suva and Samoa and had available Allied forces to occupy Noumea in strength. I did (however) transport a considerable amount of resource points from Noumea to Auckland for my own use and to deprive Japanese use of these resources. Other bases included on my 1942 priority list after Noumea were Luganville, Ndeni and the Guadalcanal area.

RAAF No. 76 squadron, Kittyhawk IIIs, is based at Horn Islands. They have been there ever since PM fell to the enemy... Since I cannot get additional Engineers to Horn Island, I have not been able to build up the base.

My experience with Horn Islands much the same as yours. Pillager took Horn Is in our earlier WitP campaign. I had expected this to happen in AE but Pillager made no move in this campaign to attack or capture Horn Is with Japanese forces. I suspect this is connected to him omitting any Japanese invasion of Australia in our present campaign – my opinion being he (Pillager) did not find a Japanese move into Australia worthwhile within his current view of Japanese strategy and previous WitP game experience. Only speculation…

Like you, I had no means of safely moving Allied forces, supply or anything else into Horn Is once eastern New Guinea was in Japanese control. It’s simply too easy for the Japanese to interdict any Allied ship movement to Horn Is. I basically considered Horn Is to be in “no man’s land” between Allied and Japanese lines. Effective Allied air transport into Horn Is from existing NE Australia bases not really possible until Allied expansion of airfield sizes in NE Australia is done and supply in NE Australia available in large quantity. Also availability of Allied air transport squadrons in Australia.

Several small Allied (Australian) LCU start the game on Horn Is – providing adequate supply and leaving all the LCU on Horn Is less than possible. I evacuated all but one LCU from Horn Is to mainland Australia by air using PBY/Catalina I as transport (I also used this method to extract surviving elements of Allied LCU from Port Moresby). Evacuated LCU from Horn Is were rebuilt to full TOE strength for later use either back on Horn Is or elsewhere.

With Port Moresby in Allied control again (plus current overall situation on New Guinea), an Allied occupation and build up at Horn Is becomes quite possible and potentially useful. Key features of Horn Islands include a small port, size 3 airfield (expandable to size 6) and a 60,000 LCU stacking limit – all of these favoring use of Horn Is as a front-line air base extending reach of Allied air forces into central New Guinea until such time as Allies capture and develop Lae. Current plans include re-occupation and large scale build-up of Horn Is as a significant Allied forward air base.