Jorge's(A) crusade to the fabled kingdom of PresterJohn(J) DBB-C --- Allied AAR

[Jorge_Stanbury]

This started long time ago as a diversion (for Ndeni), but then somehow I decided to push forward as a stand alone.
I will try to run supplies to Darwin, this time "in force". I have a strong Australian TF (CAs Canberra, Australia, CLs Perth, Leander, Achilles, plus DDs) providing distant support to two supply TFs

Last turn they managed to cross into the gulf of Carpentaria, but were discovered by Nells, 2 freighters lost, 2 heavily damaged.

I am not having a warm, fuzzy feeling about this one, but I won't pull out, you can see enemy carriers closing on the rear and most likely there will be a welcoming committee from Timor. We will see... at least I will have strong CAP support from Darwin



In other news: AO Shiretoko sunk!! [:)][:)] good to see that torpedoes are less faulty now


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Soerabaja at 57,103

Japanese Ships
AO Shiretoko, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Iro
DD Tsuta

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon, hits 4

SS Sturgeon launches 4 torpedoes at AO Shiretoko
Sturgeon bottoming out ....
DD Tsuta fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tsuta attacking submerged sub ....
DD Tsuta fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tsuta attacking submerged sub ....
DD Tsuta is out of ASW ammo
DD Tsuta is out of ASW ammo
DD Tsuta is out of ASW ammo
DD Tsuta fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 89,129

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 11 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAK Forbes Hauptmann
xAK Ethel Edwards, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Sidney Hauptmann
xAK Mana, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Nurani, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Jefferson Myers
xAK Exmoor, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Could had been worst, but as predicted, a strong Japanese cruiser TF found the Australians. At least the battle was on daytime, thus all torpedoes (both sides) missed. Results were inconclusive, I lost a destroyer, probably more will sink later. Japan had a few destroyers at "heavy fires", but as always, cruisers are invulnerable, Furutaka got fires, so maybe they will get out of control? I am not holding my breath


Afterwards IJA bombers harassed, but failed to do anything other that getting shot or damaged.
Finally, the land based Vals finished off yesterday cripples.
Where are the carriers?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Wessel Islands at 84,126, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Kumano, Shell hits 2
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 7, on fire
CL Kuma, Shell hits 2
DD Michishio
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 2
DD Isonami
DD Murakumo
DD Yuzuki
DD Hakaze, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Sanae, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 1
CA Canberra, Shell hits 2
CL Leander, Shell hits 1
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Perth, Shell hits 5
DD Case, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Monaghan
DD Worden
DD Stuart
DD Voyager, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tenedos
DD Thanet, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 23,000 yards
CL Leander fires at CA Furutaka at 23,000 yards
CL Perth fires at CA Furutaka at 23,000 yards
CL Achilles fires at CL Kuma at 23,000 yards
CL Leander fires at CL Kuma at 23,000 yards
CL Perth fires at DD Murakumo at 23,000 yards
CL Perth fires at DD Inazuma at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Achilles at 16,000 yards
CL Perth engages CL Kuma at 16,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Perth at 16,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Leander at 16,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Thanet at 16,000 yards
DD Tenedos engages DD Murakumo at 16,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Michishio at 16,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Voyager at 16,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Tenedos at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Leander at 10,000 yards
CA Australia engages CL Kuma at 10,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Perth at 10,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Achilles at 10,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Leander at 10,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages DD Thanet at 10,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages DD Tenedos at 10,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Voyager at 10,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Hakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Voyager at 10,000 yards
DD Monaghan engages DD Inazuma at 10,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Inazuma at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CA Canberra at 5,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Leander at 5,000 yards
CL Perth engages CA Furutaka at 5,000 yards
CL Leander engages CL Kuma at 5,000 yards
CL Leander engages CA Furutaka at 5,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages DD Tenedos at 5,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Tenedos at 5,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Michishio at 5,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Case at 5,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Isonami at 5,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Thanet at 5,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Inazuma at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CA Canberra at 9,000 yards
CL Perth engages CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Perth at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Perth at 9,000 yards
CL Leander engages DD Sanae at 9,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages DD Thanet at 9,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages DD Tenedos at 9,000 yards
DD Yuzuki engages DD Voyager at 9,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Stuart at 9,000 yards
DD Worden engages DD Isonami at 9,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Monaghan at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Canberra at 12,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Australia at 12,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Perth at 12,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Perth at 12,000 yards
CL Leander engages DD Sanae at 12,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Thanet at 12,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages DD Thanet at 12,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Isonami at 12,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Voyager at 12,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages DD Worden at 12,000 yards
DD Monaghan engages DD Inazuma at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Australia at 14,000 yards
CA Atago engages CA Australia at 14,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Perth at 14,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Kuma at 14,000 yards
CL Leander engages CA Kumano at 14,000 yards
DD Thanet engages DD Inazuma at 14,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Yuzuki at 14,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Stuart at 14,000 yards
DD Hokaze engages DD Worden at 14,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Case at 14,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Michishio at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Australia at 18,000 yards
CL Perth engages CA Kumano at 18,000 yards
CL Perth engages CA Atago at 18,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CA Australia at 18,000 yards
DD Sanae engages DD Case at 18,000 yards
DD Sanae engages DD Thanet at 18,000 yards
DD Hakaze engages DD Case at 18,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Voyager at 18,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Worden at 18,000 yards
DD Monaghan engages DD Inazuma at 18,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Case at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Canberra at 20,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Achilles at 20,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Perth at 20,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Achilles at 20,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Leander at 20,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Thanet at 20,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Tenedos at 20,000 yards
CL Perth engages DD Yuzuki at 20,000 yards
CL Leander engages DD Murakumo at 20,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Worden at 20,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Monaghan at 20,000 yards
CL Leander engages DD Michishio at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Furutaka at 24,000 yards
CL Leander engages CL Kuma at 24,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Leander at 24,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Thanet at 24,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Voyager at 24,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Stuart at 24,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Inazuma at 24,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Canberra at 26,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Atago at 26,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Perth at 26,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Kuma at 26,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Sanae at 26,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Hokaze at 26,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Tenedos at 26,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Yuzuki at 26,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Murakumo at 26,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages DD Worden at 26,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Inazuma at 26,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Case at 26,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Canberra at 27,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Kumano at 27,000 yards
CL Perth engages CA Atago at 27,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Tenedos at 27,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Yuzuki at 27,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Stuart at 27,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Isonami at 27,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Inazuma at 27,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Michishio at 27,000 yards
Range increases to 28,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Atago at 28,000 yards
CA Atago engages CA Australia at 28,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CL Kuma at 28,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Sanae at 28,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Thanet at 28,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Hakaze at 28,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Yuzuki at 28,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Murakumo at 28,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Isonami at 28,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Monaghan at 28,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Michishio at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Furutaka at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Australia at 26,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Atago at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Achilles at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Leander at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Thanet at 26,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Hakaze at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Worden at 26,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Inazuma at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Case at 26,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
CA Canberra engages CA Furutaka at 27,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Australia at 27,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Perth at 27,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Hokaze at 27,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Hakaze at 27,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages DD Monaghan at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Perth at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Thanet at 26,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages DD Tenedos at 26,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[Jorge_Stanbury]

And this is how things look afterwards

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I don't have yet the turn, just the combat replay. KB showed who is the boss.
Several ships hit, multiple times, most likely 25K supply sunk, and for all purposes, the Australian navy is out of the war for many months.... To be continued

Looking at the bright side, look how far away from the Pacific is the KB... it definitively run at full speed last turn, I can take advantage of this.
I can accelerate my next invasion or I can try to intercept it coming back, it certainly had losses and it expended torpedoes


Afternoon fun started with Helen bombers failing to score, followed by Hudsons also failing to hit some desroyers near Cooktown (they were looking for the stragglers).

Then the main event; a huge coordinated strike. Followed by 3 smaller, uncoordinated ones

I counted: 1 M5 Zero, 2 M2 Zero, 11 Judys, 7 Kates shot down. My own losses were horrendous, but I will update them once I have the turn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 77,124

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Canberra

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(16 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 1000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Raid is overhead
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (21 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
21 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Coen at 91,134

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 25

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Arare

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 lb SAP Bomb



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Coen at 91,134

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo
DD Arare

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Hudson I bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 lb SAP Bomb



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Coen at 91,134

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 77,124

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
A6M5 Zero x 45
B5N1 Kate x 19
B5N2 Kate x 98
D4Y1 Judy x 83

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 4 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 7 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK James Lykes, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Australia, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Leander, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Jefferson Myers, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Sidney Hauptmann, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Worden
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Monaghan
SC-704
xAK Forbes Hauptmann, Bomb hits 4, on fire
xAK Empire Baxter, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
19 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
29 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
22 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
16 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
19 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
9 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
9 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
7 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
5 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 1000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 112 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (21 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
21 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 4270.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Sidney Hauptmann
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Australia
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK James Lykes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Canberra
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Empire Baxter


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Perth, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 77,124

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 23

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Australia, on fire
CA Canberra, on fire
DD Worden
CL Leander, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (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 1000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 142 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Australia
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Canberra


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 77,124

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 27

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CA Canberra, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Leander, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Monaghan

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (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 1000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Australia
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Canberra

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Considering the mass pounding, it is surprising that so few ships sank; but before the details: great submarine new; 2 tankers, San Diego Maru and San Pedro Maru went down; each is worth more than a cruiser

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Sub attack near Kume-jima at 93,65

Japanese Ships
TK San Diego Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK San Pedro Maru
PB Aso Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

SS Tarpon launches 4 torpedoes at TK San Diego Maru
Tarpon diving deep ....
PB Aso Maru #3 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Aso Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Aso Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Aso Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Aso Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


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Sub attack near Miyako-jima at 92,66

Japanese Ships
TK San Pedro Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish

SS Kingfish attacking on the surface


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kume-jima at 93,65

Japanese Ships
TK San Diego Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Aso Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

SS Tarpon launches 2 torpedoes at TK San Diego Maru
PB Aso Maru #3 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Aso Maru #3 is out of ASW ammo
PB Aso Maru #3 is out of ASW ammo
PB Aso Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Aso Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Aso Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Aso Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Aircraft losses: as already mentioned I counted
1 M5 Zero, 2 M2 Zero, 11 Judys, 7 Kates shot down... this is what FOW shows:

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Losses, and damaged ships:


Allies:
xAK James Lykes and Empire Baxter sank yesterday,
DD Thanet, xAKs Ethel Edwards, Nurani one turn ago
xAK Exmoor and xAK Mana two turns ago

DD Tenedos, Stuart, Monaghan and Worden are OK, all others ships are pretty much stranded in Darwin for several months.
xAK Nightingale, Cape Alava and Jefferson Myers might be able to unload 10K supply

Japan:
2 tankers went down yesterday (only one reported), one more, a small St-C the day before
2 destroyers ended with heavy fires, a turn ago. they were Hakaze and Sanae, certainly not Teruzuki or Akizuki, they might sink.

[JocMeister]

Hang in there! Nothing that will change the war! [:)]

[jwolf]

Aargh! Perfect positioning and timing for the KB, and perfect coordination at maximum distance too! [X(] Really amazing.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Hang in there! Nothing that will change the war! [:)]

This will cost him one base... I just started loading the ships

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Aargh! Perfect positioning and timing for the KB, and perfect coordination at maximum distance too! [X(] Really amazing.

It was actually not full coordinated, there were 4 strikes, and only the first two were. This is how I managed to destroy so many Judys, the last two came unescorted.

That said, there were at least 7 carriers, so I guess it was quite a feat. KB is still very strong, they easily took care of the P-40Ks and Spitfires; maybe numbers also helped
I saw squadrons from: Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hyryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Ryujo.
Recon over Rabaul is not showing the liner-conversions carriers there, so they must be at Truk or maybe they are at the other end of the empire; Pt Blair/ Singapore.

[BBfanboy]

KB will likely retire via NW New Guinea to get to Babeldaob or head for Truk to replenish. Your chances of carrier/SCTF interception would be nil on that route. Subs are another story. [:)]
I just can't see him being foolish enough to return via the Horn Island route now that he has exposed his presence and used up most of his torpedoes.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I hope he goes through Babeldaob, as it will give me the longest window of opportunity; at least a week to be back in position

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I think today was the bloodiest day of the air war... massive air battles over Ledo and Darwin. Significant fighter losses for Japan, relatively few bombers shot down.

But before going to the details.. yesterday I was wondering where was Junyo... Skypjack found it [;)]

I know it won't sink, but this will mean at least a month in the shipyard.


FTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 04, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Phuket at 47,70

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Torpedo hits 1
CA Suzuya
CL Oi
CL Kinu
CS Chiyoda
DD Asashio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Isokaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Samidare
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack

SS Skipjack launches 4 torpedoes at CV Junyo
Skipjack diving deep ....
DD Yamakaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Samidare fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kasumi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kasumi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Before moving on to the air battles, lets talk about the navy.

Long story short, the KB mopped the floor again, all 5 xAKs left went down, with it I lost enough supply to feed Darwin for a few months [:(]. For some reason they didn't disband [:@] I ordered them all to disband; do not unload, do not refuel, you can see a few posts above the screen shots; somehow only the surface TFs disbanded, the other 2 remained idle.. like lambs going to the slaughter [:D]

It is funny what a difference a hex can do: had they reached Darwin (the missed it by a hex), they would had been punished by that first strike, but afterwards they would had disbanded. And then the bombing would had required a port strike, with most of the focus against the cruisers.

Anyway, other than the fact I have no supply in Darwin, losses are irrelevant. I would actually welcome a 3rd strike against the port. I doubt he would manage to sink the Australian cruisers; or maybe a few at most.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Today's air battles were the biggest slugfest I have seen; or at least I have seen in a long time.

Game summary shows a total of 169 aircraft lost, 122 of them due to air-to-air



My personal tally of the combat animations shows the following air-to-air losses:
Over Ledo:
16 Oscar IIB
10 Tojos IIa
8 Helen

Over Darwin:
27 Zero A6M2 (13 from KB, the rest land based)
9 Ruffes
15 Zero A6M5 (all KB)
1 Judy
KB is certainly not coming back through Horn Island,

This goes in line with what the FOW count is showing. I lost 10 P-38Gs, 8 Hurricanes IIc, and 11 C-47s on Ledo
I lost 8 P-40K, 8 Beufighters and 4 Spitfires on Darwin.

Spitfires by the way really made the day, they were present in all Darwin battles (quite a few), and after all the slaughter only 4 were lost


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 40

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 32
P-38G Lightning x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 9 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.34 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
51st FG/25th FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 16
Spitfire Vc Trop x 22
P-40K Warhawk x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.31 Sqn RAAF with Beaufighter Ic (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 23500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (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 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 20

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 8
Spitfire Vc Trop x 19
P-40K Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.31 Sqn RAAF with Beaufighter Ic (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 23500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 25500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (2 airborne, 2 on standby, 6 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 between 5000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (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 10000 , scrambling fighters to 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 13 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 7
Spitfire Vc Trop x 18
P-40K Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.31 Sqn RAAF with Beaufighter Ic (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20990.
Raid is overhead
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 23
P-38G Lightning x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.34 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (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 18000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (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 between 16000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
51st FG/25th FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
21 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 30

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 15
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (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 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20040 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
51st FG/25th FS with P-38G Lightning (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 20000 , scrambling fighters between 17040 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
No.34 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 23040.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 21

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 5
P-38G Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 6 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
51st FG/25th FS with P-38G Lightning (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 21040.
Raid is overhead
No.34 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (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 18000 , scrambling fighters between 21040 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 7

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 4
Spitfire Vc Trop x 13
P-40K Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.31 Sqn RAAF with Beaufighter Ic (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 23500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 49
A6M5 Zero x 33
B5N2 Kate x 10
D4Y1 Judy x 15

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 3
Spitfire Vc Trop x 13
P-40K Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Nightingale, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Forbes Hauptmann, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Jefferson Myers, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC-706

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
No.31 Sqn RAAF with Beaufighter Ic (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 23500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Nightingale
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Jefferson Myers


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 99 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
A6M5 Zero x 29
B5N2 Kate x 18
D4Y1 Judy x 29

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 4
Spitfire Vc Trop x 10
P-40K Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Cape Alava, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC-704
SC-706
xAK Sidney Hauptmann, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
SC-643
xAK Jefferson Myers, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
No.31 Sqn RAAF with Beaufighter Ic (0 airborne, 3 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 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (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 between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (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 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Cape Alava
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Jefferson Myers

[Bif1961]

The Stevedore union at Darwin is going on strike until they get hazardous duty pay.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

The Stevedore union at Darwin is going on strike until they get hazardous duty pay.

After yesterday's debacle, I won't need their services [:(]

They had been told to start growing victory gardens as rationing will get worst in the coming months

[Jorge_Stanbury]

January 5th; just a few news:

- DD Sanae sank, this is confirmed by the OP report

- Darwin: no more day bombing; he switched to night bombing (2 bombs hit: Canberra and DD Stuart [:(]); this was followed by naval bombardment, which I expected, thereby I took out all good squadrons and replaced them with P-39s and P-40Es doing CAP; I have plenty of these 2 so not a big loss

- Weak attack at Ledo, more Tojos went down for few Allied losses; 15 according to FOW report, but I would say at least 10.

- He spotted a few TFs near Luganville. He already knows there is going to be some developments tomorrow, thus he decided to withdraw all his ships from Lunga& Tulagi.. STAY TUNNED... the next few turns are going to be fun


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 05, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 6 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Stuart, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ledo , at 65,38

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 14
Hurricane XIIb x 21
P-38E Lightning x 21
P-40K Warhawk x 20

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

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.881 Sqn FAA with Hurricane XIIb (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
No.155 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
51st FG/16th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

The Stevedore union at Darwin is going on strike until they get hazardous duty pay.

After yesterday's debacle, I won't need their services [:(]

They had been told to start growing victory gardens as rationing will get worst in the coming months

As I always say after most every drubbing...."it could have been worse!" Good air to air loss ratio though!

surprised at the lack of AA loss during his daylight port strike - Darwin needs more AA!!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Not a lot of news on last turn,

- Darwin was attacked again last night, for no losses. And I know AA is lacking, but considering how poor is supply, I have no appetite in moving more; if anything I might move some troops out to reduce supply consumption.

- CA Atago hit by SS Tuna; this was near Soerabaja. I will need to check my notes to see if this was involved in latest fights.

- He increased his naval search capabilities near Ndeni; pretty much all TFs were spotted, there won't be any surprise tomorrow, but with KB far away, I won't mind


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 06, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Soerabaja at 57,103

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Torpedo hits 1
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
SS Tuna

SS Tuna launches 4 torpedoes at CA Atago
Tuna bottoming out ....
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub