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He should have risked pulling back to Rabaul - you caught him good!

This last couple of turns seem to be one of the most decisive victories I've seen in an AAR! You've done better than Midway...remarkable!

[&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]

PM Phase
This is were the fun really started.

Japan launched 4 strikes, all against DDs, sinking DD Gwin and Sims.

USN launched 3 strikes, against more important targets:
- BB Hiei, hit by one torpedo and several (non penetrating) bombs. heavy fires, heavy damage; heavy smoke obscuring
- CAs Myoko and Nachi dead at sea, after multiple hits
- CA Kako, and Mogami, heavy fires, heavy damage
- CL Tama, on fire
- DD Fumizuki sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 110,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M5 Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Gwin, on fire
DD Sims, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

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

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Gwin
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied DD


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 110,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
A6M5 Zero x 3
G3M3 Nell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Sims, heavy fires
DD Gwin, on fire

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

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 110,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-46 KAI Dinah x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Gwin, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 110,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
D3A1 Val x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied DD


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 110,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M5 Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Sims, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied APD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Munda , at 111,134

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' *
Port Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' *
Port Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' *
Port Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
66th I.F.Chutai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 14000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 107,134

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 47
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
SBD-2 Dauntless x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 58
TBF-1 Avenger x 33

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Kako, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Tama, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Aoba
DD Akizuki
DD Uzuki
DD Yugure

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
7 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Kako
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mogami


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Buin at 108,131

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 41
SBD-3 Dauntless x 31
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Fumizuki, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
66th I.F.Chutai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (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 14000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 14000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hiei
Nachi dead in the water ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Fumizuki
Myoko dead in the water ...

Jorge_Stanbury: Then Allies turn. CAs Kako, Mogami and CL Yubari recieved a bomb each. This is surprisingly low for the more than 70 dive bombers and more than 20 torpedo bombers launched.

This is common for fatigued pilots on their third straight day of naval strikes. Check their stats.

They started in the mid to late teens fatigue... and nothing really I could do, this was the battle!
and they recovered a bit by the PM phase, but you have a good point, it is time to go home

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

He should have risked pulling back to Rabaul - you caught him good!

This last couple of turns seem to be one of the most decisive victories I've seen in an AAR! You've done better than Midway...remarkable!

[&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]

I think he was looking for the carriers

End of 3rd day - Updated enemy carrier losses assessment:
Sunk:
CVs Kaga, Akagi, Zuikaku, Hiryu
Kaga was dead at sea on day 1, but not spotted on day 2
Zuikaku attacked on day 2 AM phase hit by a torpedo, heavy fires/ damage, dead in the water. Not there on PM phase
Akagi got 6 more bombs on day 2; dead at sea afterwards
Hiryu sunk by battleship guns

Likely sunk:
CVs Hiyo, CVL Ryujo
No update on any of these ships from after day 1, they were neither with Akagi/ Zuikaku nor with Hiryu at Buin.
Ryujo is the least durable carrier and it had an ammo explosion. Hiyo was at at heavy fire/ heavy damage status on day 1, tt had a fuel explosion.
I think this is enough evidence to consider them sunk

Survivors:
CV Shokaku hit by 2 bombs
CV Soryu was not damaged
They are most likely far away now.

Not present at this battle:
CVL Shoho and CVE Taiyo sunk in the Indian sea a long time ago.
CV Junyo was torpedoed near Singapore some days ago, should leave the repair yard in a month or so

CVLs Zuiho, Ryuho, status unknown
CVEs Hosho, Unyo, Chuyo, status unknown

1943 KB is: Shokaku, Soryu, Zuiho, Ryuho... times they are a'changing

Still a very good performance by your naval and air crews in spite of a few reverses. The Japanese will be reeling after this and you have near total strategic control. Great job!

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

1943 KB is: Shokaku, Soryu, Zuiho, Ryuho... times they are a'changing

That's only half the story Jorge - you're understating your accomplishment!

Historical 1943 KB: Shok, Zui, Hiyo, Junyo, Zuiho, Ryuho
Historical 1943 US CVs: Enterprise, Sara

You've still got all SIX US CVs!!!!

PresterJohn will have his hands full in '43 vs. little activity historically...and all this BEFORE you got the Hellcat!

OMG! [X(] [X(] [X(] That leaves me scared and concerned for my own game, which is a game month behind yours and has a similar situation shaping up in the Solomons area. And I am not nearly as good as PresterJohn... [:(]

Your well rested carriers attacked his after he had been operating them at sea for much longer. He had several targets that diverted and divided his attacks, you attacked with one large strike against his carriers. You moved to a location he probably didn't expect and he moved to a location you suspected. It appears this was a bigger victory than Midway in regards to ships sunk for loss ratio and you didn't use SIGINT to set up an ambush. He won't recover unless you some lose most of your remaining CVs before your mid-1943 carriers start arriving. This does offer you an exciting opportunities is future targets and timelines.

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

OMG! [X(] [X(] [X(] That leaves me scared and concerned for my own game, which is a game month behind yours and has a similar situation shaping up in the Solomons area. And I am not nearly as good as PresterJohn... [:(]

No worries L_S_T ....I'm nowhere near Jorge's skill level either...

@ L_S_T
I would be very worried... I am stealing all IdahoNYer ideas [;)]

[:D]

Take a bow Jorge![&o]

Well done series of turns.

Thanks!!

Almost for all purposes, the Battle of the Coral Sea ended in day 4th; just 3 actions worth mentioning:

- CA Chikuma hit by a torpedo on its way to Truk, kudos to Sailfish.

- CA Columbia also torpedoed, but LBAs. I know it was risky to send the cruisers, but I had no choice as there were heavily damaged battleships withdrawing.

- Then the most interesting news of the turn; CV Zuikaku is still alive, it was found at dot base Munda, which is at extended range from Kirakira. One 500lb bomb hit the deck and it likely kept the fire burning [:D]
More bombing coming tomorrow; also another cruiser TF will visit the port. Finally, submarines are also on their way. Tomorrow all nearby dot bases will be visited by recon.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kavieng at 107,120

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma, Torpedo hits 1
DD Hatsushima

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish

SS Sailfish launches 4 torpedoes at CA Chikuma
Sailfish diving deep ....
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 106,137

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Columbia

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 106,137

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Wichita
DD Drayton
CL Columbia, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Munda , at 111,134

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 37
TBF-1 Avenger x 19

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also on the news, horrendous bombing at Darwin. it was so bad that one LCU was destroyed [X(]

I guess he read my mind... or maybe it is too obvious, but without a KB protecting it, I have decided to come "in force" at Darwin. This as soon as I can repair the minor damage for the carriers and gather the 100+ freighters, transports, tankers, fuel, engineers, etc. needed to start up this base.

Darwin will become the new Suva; then he can say goodbye to the oil...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 21 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 56 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

30 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
CA Kinugasa
CA Tone
CL Nagara
DD Oboro
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nowaki
DD Urakaze

Allied ground losses:
531 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 21 (7 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 16
Runway hits 64

BB Hyuga firing at A/B Hy Cst Arty
A/B Hy Cst Arty firing at BB Hyuga
CA Kinugasa firing at Darwin
CA Tone firing at Darwin
CL Nagara firing at 23rd Australian Brigade
DD Oboro firing at Darwin
DD Natsugumo firing at Darwin Fortress
Darwin Fortress firing at DD Natsugumo
DD Nowaki firing at Darwin
DD Urakaze firing at Darwin Fortress
Darwin Fortress firing at DD Urakaze


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 8 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 6 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

38 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kumano
CA Maya
CL Kuma
CL Abukuma
DD Yugao
DD Tachikaze
DD Hatakaze
DD Amagiri
DD Sagiri
DD Isonami
DD Harusame
DD Michishio

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
522 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 17

BB Haruna firing at Darwin
BB Kongo firing at Darwin Fortress
CA Kumano firing at 23rd Australian Brigade
CA Maya firing at Darwin Fortress
Darwin Fortress firing at CA Maya
E7K2 Alf acting as spotter for CL Kuma
CL Kuma firing at Darwin Fortress
CL Abukuma firing at Darwin Fortress
Darwin Fortress firing at CL Abukuma
DD Yugao firing at 23rd Australian Brigade
DD Tachikaze firing at 23rd Australian Brigade
DD Hatakaze firing at Darwin Fortress
Darwin Fortress firing at DD Hatakaze
DD Amagiri firing at 23rd Australian Brigade
DD Sagiri firing at Darwin
DD Isonami firing at 23rd Australian Brigade
DD Harusame firing at Darwin Fortress
Darwin Fortress firing at DD Harusame
DD Michishio firing at 23rd Australian Brigade


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

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Bomb hits 1
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
CA Australia, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

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

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Not a lot to report, bombing of Darwin continues, last turn I was able to set up LRCAP and managed to destroy no less than 12 LBAs that said, the bombing was effective, Canberra looks like sinking next turn, the others are in very poor shape too, although I don't see them sinking, not yet. In any case, they are out of the war for a long time.

In other sad news; BB Indiana sank, flooding increased and got out of control. Prince of Wales, who was the flagship of the Indian Ocean fleet, will transfer to Australia to take over Indiana's carrier escort duties

Sorry for the losses of the Canberra and Indiana. How long will it take for you to bring some serious air and/or naval power to the Darwin area? It looks like he is doing all he can to render Darwin useless for as long as possible, which makes sense given the strategic situation after your great carrier victory.

best guesstimate: a week

I have already started loading

I will go in details in a few days, but it will be:
TF from Perth: 1 battleship (old Resolution's 1st operation since getting almost sunk on early 42), the Dutch leftovers plus grossly speaking 60K supply and 35K fuel
TF from Brisbane: 3 carriers, 2 or 3 battleships, supporting cruisers, etc. plus lots of transports, so far like 6 AA regiments, 3 base forces, 2 engineers, more to come later on. I plan to empty Brisbane [;)]

He made a mistake in sending 3 DDs, without air support, to Russel island


Also on the news:
- He dropped air mines on Ndeni and Darwin,first time in the war
- Big Darwin fleet should set sail in the next day or so
- Night bombings at Darwin
- Air battle (Sweeps) over Chittagong... I hope he won't notice that the entire USAAF is gone


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 18, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Ndeni , at 120,143

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 119 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G3M3 Nell laying Type 3 Mine from 7000 feet *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 32

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 16
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
Kittyhawk IA x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.60 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 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
No.258 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa 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 5000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.14 Sqn RNZAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 8 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 8000 and 26600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Russell Islands at 113,136

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Uzuki, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asanagi, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Murasame

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Asanagi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Uzuki


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Russell Islands at 113,136

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Russell Islands at 113,136

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Uzuki, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Murasame
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Uzuki

As you can see, there is at least one IJN carrier (not too many left [:D][:D][;)][;)]) moving on direction to Darwin. He is really keen on killing the Australian cruisers... they might or not sink, but they are no longer of any value to the Allied cause, as it will take too long to repair.

Darwin situation is beyond horrendous, supply is at 0 and troops are hungry. They will need to wait another few days for the mass relief opperation:

- Fleet Carriers (3) plus escorts are close to Bowen; so 3 to 4 days to reach position.
- Escort Carriers (6) plus escorts even farther away, at Rockhampton, at least 5 days to reach position.
- eastern supply fleet (60 ships, 33K supply, 26K fuel, several LCUs) near McKay, 5 days? to reach Darwin.
- western supply fleet (45 ships, 65K supply, 30K fuel) at Carnarvon, waiting for the carriers to arrive before moving to Darwin

And strikes with anger. Former KB squadrons, now land based, were sent to Port Moresby and launched several strikes to an overconfident, USN fleet.

I was really lucky damage was not as bad as I appeared during the combat replay, moreover, many hardened KB veterans died to both AA and CAP. Tomorrow will be interesting as I will have to keep moving north, otherwise they will massacre the freighters


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,134

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
A6M5 Zero x 24
D4Y1 Judy x 22
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 18
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 25

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 107

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 6 destroyed by flak
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1
BB South Dakota

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 18 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 17 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 18 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,134

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 20
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 99

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1
CV Wasp

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 6 on standby, 10 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
28 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 13 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
23 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 14 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
25 planes vectored on to bombers



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,134

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 87

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CV Wasp
CV Hornet

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (21 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
21 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (20 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
20 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 13 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,135

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 8 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB Maryland
BB West Virginia

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 23
G4M1 Betty x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 15

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 92

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 6 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 14 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 17 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 15 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M5 Zero x 19
D4Y1 Judy x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 79

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CV Wasp

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 83 minutes



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,135

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 9
G4M1 Betty x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Hatfield, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DM Montgomery
AM Latrobe
xAK Robert Luckenbach

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Hatfield


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 69

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 13 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 68

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 7 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 15 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes