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In my defence i take my words to the Court:
 
Your Honour, the case that sees me accused and persecuted upon this Honourable Court is non existant.
There was no crime at all.
There was no offense to anybody's rights.
All this case is nothing more than an empty can, only filled with the uncomprehensible acrimony that the not-much-honourable, here present, public persecutor, Mr.Canoerebel, feels against my person.
 
Far from being a mistake of any kind, the expression i did used - because i do admit i did say those words - were nothing more than a figure of speech. Precisely an hyperbole!
 
If there's any gult in being literaly man, well, so it be, here i stand with my guilt. Here's my chest! It's this Court's.
 
No other words i have to say.
 
[:D]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: hkbhsi

Grey Joy,

my experience as Japan suggests me that if Reader has all these fighters around Rabaul it means that he is shifting planes from India. It is true that in Scenario 2 he can build an endless number of planes but the number of airgroups that can accept them is still somewhat limited. I don't have the exact figures at hand but I think that in scenario 2 there are around 6 or 7 more airgrops than Scenario 1. Even with buying out all the resctricted sentais from 2 Air Division and China Expeditionary Force there is no way that he can have all these planes active on both fronts.

Remember that Zeros and Oscar have quite a long range and it is possible to move them across vast distances in a very short time.

P.S. the above mentioned is not relevant if he has used his biggest CV to resize all the carrier capable navy Fighter groups to size 81 (using Akagi). You can easily check that if you see large numbers of Zero engaged in combat with only one sentai involved in the combat report.

Hi mate,

i can tell u for sure that Rader still has at least 900 fighters in India (at least 360 Tojos) and nearly 5/600 more bombers....so that means that he has at least 3000 active planes between the two main theatres...among which, most of them, are last generation fighters.

I just checked the data and, by end of 42, the limit for japan land based F and FB groups is about 1500 total planes, of which almost 100 are permanently restricted in Manchuria and the HI. Therefore, if the figures you see are correct, it means that he is using his entire fighter force in only 2 places and he must be very weak elsewhere, not to mention the fact that he cannot train many pilots with the perma restricted groups. I didn't check figures for total number of bombers.

Hope it helps.

Alex.

Thx Alex. It helps, a lot!
 
I'm pretty sure Rader is using everything he has. The quality of his Tojos pilots in India, for ex, has surely got lower in the last 8 months, and the latest results over PM surely means my guys are more trained than his (except for the KB, mind you).
However the problem is that, no matter how many of them i kill, he's always gonna have the upper hand in terms of pure numbers and, the quality isn't that important when numbers are so unbalanced on one side.
A couple of 100 fighters sweep missions, even taking heavy losses, can easily put out of the fight for that day a full fighting force of 150 allied fighters...so the base swept becomes an easy prey for the upcoming KB...
 
However i cannot do much at the moment. I'll keep on fighting him hoping that this extra-use of his fighters will produce a long-term effect of having a low-averaged mid class of japanese pilots by the end of 1943...

I see he is using Ki-43-Ia and Ki-43-Ib fighters. These are obsolete fighters when the war starts( the Ki-43-Ic is in production ), so he is scrapping the bottom of the barrel in some areas. I agree with someone above, it looks like he might have expanded his Naval land based fighters force by using a CV to make some very large units.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

dud = defective (IE, a defective torpedo that doesn't detonate)

"dude" = American slang for a new cowboy or a city slicker trying to act like he's a real cowboy.  So, dude can be fairly perjorative.  However, it's common for American males to refer to other males as "dude" in a friendly way, as in, "Hey, dude, did you see that chick with the great legs?"

Or, "what the F**K, dude" which my two teenage nephews both used about a thousand times on our fishing trip down the Shenandoah yesterday. Talk about a captive audience....

ORIGINAL: dekwik

still enjoying the AAR, keep it up!

When the enemy has his CV's being such a thorn in your side perhaps it's time to try for an "exchange" You're pretty close to even in strength now right? If you lose worse-than-even you still get way more reinforcements soon. So maybe give Halsey the reins, 7 or 8 single CV TF with a BB in each to limit them to a 6 speed and reduce the "react" randomness (and act as a TT sponge) with a few CAs and DDs too. All set to follow Halsey, everybody on react 6, all strike aircraft limited to "within normal range", 30% cap and 70% escort on the fighters same range as strike aircraft, all at dive bombing altitude. If you lose the "mano a mano" exchange, you at least know you did everything you could. And you might be surprised at how effective the strike is. Just try to stay on at least "neutral ground" to stop him adding netty attacks. And if you have a supply convoy ready to go into PM, worst case is they end up as bait for the KB. I know, easier said than done....

Nope, With all due respect, this might be the worst advice ever. GreyJoy has no airforce, has lost a lot of surface ships and all of his APs and Aks. To lose his carriers would be like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. Even trading carries (Allies best hope) is a no go as the Japanese player at this point does not need his carriers to continue offensive operations Without the threat of Allied carries he can pull off multiple operations under the cover of his surface fleet and LBA alone. You are suggesting his risk his only real remaining asset? [:-]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: dekwik

still enjoying the AAR, keep it up!

When the enemy has his CV's being such a thorn in your side perhaps it's time to try for an "exchange" You're pretty close to even in strength now right? If you lose worse-than-even you still get way more reinforcements soon. So maybe give Halsey the reins, 7 or 8 single CV TF with a BB in each to limit them to a 6 speed and reduce the "react" randomness (and act as a TT sponge) with a few CAs and DDs too. All set to follow Halsey, everybody on react 6, all strike aircraft limited to "within normal range", 30% cap and 70% escort on the fighters same range as strike aircraft, all at dive bombing altitude. If you lose the "mano a mano" exchange, you at least know you did everything you could. And you might be surprised at how effective the strike is. Just try to stay on at least "neutral ground" to stop him adding netty attacks. And if you have a supply convoy ready to go into PM, worst case is they end up as bait for the KB. I know, easier said than done....

In late 42, I bet the Allies would sink more than they lose. If he waits he will make sure it may never be an Allied advantage till very late in the game. I bet Rader will have most if all of his new bulid CV's by mid to late 43 as I bet he is speeding up buliding all of those ships.

Nope, With all due respect, this might be the worst advice ever. GreyJoy has no airforce, has lost a lot of surface ships and all of his APs and Aks. To lose his carriers would be like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. Even trading carries (Allies best hope) is a no go as the Japanese player at this point does not need his carriers to continue offensive operations Without the threat of Allied carries he can pull off multiple operations under the cover of his surface fleet and LBA alone. You are suggesting his risk his only real remaining asset? [:-]

In late 42, I bet the Allies would sink more than they lose. If he waits he will make sure it may never be an Allied advantage till very late in the game. I bet Rader will have most if all of his new bulid CV's by mid to late 43 as I bet he is speeding up buliding all of those ships.

I think the Allied player is making the Japanese to be super human every where, when they are not. As you can tell he does not have the power to land at PM as he is marching over land where supply will be hard for him to get there, Japan losing 3 to1 and 2 to 1 at this time in the war is really bad, Japan can keep 2 to 1 in to mid 44 very easy. I see to much changing of plans and thinking Japan is unstopable. It is not a givin that the KB will be your CV's now. Until the Allied player gets this out of his head they react and always wait for the Japanese player and have fear in head's. Once the Allied player is not scared they can not be stopped.

Hard to say guys. It all depends on the dice n' rolls...you can get out with a major victory or a major defeat... I think if i had gotten the KB while replenishing few turns ago things could have gone well for me...but hey, we'll have other opportunities
For the moment i'll keep my CVs safe...waiting for opportunity to arise!
 
Dec 16, 17 1942
 
Today the Japs started their air effort against PM.
300 fighters swept the base, followed by 150 Helens heavily escorted...i had moved back to Cooktown all my fighters waiting for this to come...[;)]
PM will soon be wrecked to dust but the fact that he's forced to concentrate on a single base it's a good thing for me [8D]
The KB remains at Rabaul...
 
Lots of ships arrived at Shortlands today...he's securing the last base at Bouganville...we'll try with a small but strong SCTF tomorrow to get through the iron bottom sound and engage the ships at Shortlands...let's see...will be the CL Honolulu, supported by 4 DDs...i've placed the kingfisher Honolulu group on night mission...let's see if i can get a bonus during nightime engagements...
 
Intel reports CA Kashigara to be sunk at Torobika 5 turns ago by a mine....[8D] My subs are starting to get some good results with mine warfare...
 
Still exchanging the usual everyday air blows at karachi...where my spits keep on doing wonders!
 
In a month we'll have our first USMC Corsairs....can't wait!!!![:D]...in the meanwhile we're keeping a close aye on our training pilot program...we really have an excelent avg in terms of fighter pilots....
 
I'm moving some of my main ships back to WC in order to take their october upgrades...while my sub fleet is re-organizing in these days at PH with their december upgrades... 

While it takes extra time for training, try to get your 'Defend' skill up to mid 50s for fighter pilots that you are training in USA. Since you are going to be short airframes for a long time, it makes sense to be sure they have a better chance to survive combat.

I understand crsutton's caution and POV- when to be aggressive is frequently a dilemma and it makes the game fascinating sometimes. But I'm far from convinced that the best use of allied CVs is to prevent multiple Japanese offensives into '43. I doubt Rader has anything in mind other than blocking anything the allies attempt to do. I take the point that a bad loss would be devastating to allied morale but an even exchange probably isn't "the best the allies can expect." Those Allied CVs have a lot of offensive power. An even type exchange is probably a realistic outcome.

I can think of several alternative uses for the allied CVs:

support an allied landing into India or Sumatra from the IO

Go KB hunting in an counter-offensive operation to catch them with their pants down as Greyjoy recently tried

Offer the KB the opportunity to "bring it on" (or allow PM to be relieved)

Support a little island invasion aggression somewhere

keep the allied CVs in port another 6 months until we kind of know how things turn out.

That's kind of the order in which I would rank them, Just my 2 cents though. But ignore us Greyjoy, Sometimes the manager makes a better call than the crowd! We'll continue to enjoy the game.

Thanks for the great AAR GreyJoy! I dusted off my copy and started playing again. I really wouldn't get down on yourself. This is a massively complicated, involved game and you are doing well. Consider that you are playing a great player, this is your first time, and you are playing with 1 arm tied behind your back with this scenario.

I appreciate that you are posting this for all to see. I'm sure most of the posters here have all felt the same way at some point! While you are making mistakes, those will get corrected as you become more experienced. It is hard to plan multiple operations at the same time, let alone execute them and manage them. That will get easier with practice.

A lot of the advice here is very good to excellent (probably most of it). On the other hand, I think a lot of it is geared toward how that person would run a campaign given their experience. There is something to be said for just doing the simplest thing that will work because that requires fewer decisions and negates the decision making cycle advantage that your opponent has. Karachi has shown that in spades. Once you no longer had a lot of decisions to make, things got simpler.

Please hang in there! I think this is actually one of the best AARs ever done in WITP or AE simply due to all of the top players coming in here and giving such great advice. Not only for you, but for the rest of us as well!

I noticed in your screenshot on the previous page that all the dot bases at the tip of the NG peninsula look to be unoccupied and haven't been built up.  I don't know what forces you have available but if you could parachute or fast transport in some guys to take them and run in some seabeas you could start building them up.  I took a look and that would give you 8 bases that can all be built up to at least level 6 airfields.  Milne Bay, Woodlark, and Tagula can all be built up to level 8. If you could hold and build them up they would give several advantages.  First off, once they're built up a little, any naval invasion headed for PM would have to go around or through them.  They can also be a springboard into the Rabaul/Lae area and the Shortlands area of the Solomons.  Taking them is probably the easy part.  Like I said, I don't know what forces you have available, so keeping them might be the tough part.  Just some food for thought.

First i'll report the last turn, then i'll reply to your good advices guys. Thanks in the meanwhile.

Dec 16,17 1942

Rader declared in a mail that his goal is to dry my pools up, no matter the cost. Well, he's doing a good job in that!
The last two days saw the destruction of the Cactus air force at Lunga...[:(]

The first night the SCTF, led by CL Honolulu arrived at Shortland...only to find the harbour suddenly empty...where the day before were at least 30 ships, now not a single vessel was there[:o].

Then, when the light came, started to arrive the hordes.... at least 300 between Zeros, Tojos and Oscars swept Lunga...i had 120 fighters with crack pilots there...we exchanged good blows but we couldn't do anything to stop what arrived later in the afternoon....200 Netties heavily escorted, followed by 200 escorted Helens...when the sun set Handerson field was just a field of smoking holes and wrecks of what once was a strong air force...

The second day the onslaught was repeated...but with the aid of the KB who got close to Shortland...the Honolulu was parked at Tulagi and got a bomb that penetrated in her belly and she's now trying to limp back to Luganville...a smoking wreck of what once was a fierce ship...

Overall i've lost 55 Wildcats (most of them on the ground) and more 70 different planes due to this carnage....The base has so much damage that planes won't be repaired anytime soon and for the next turn (2 days) the strip won't be usable....

Another bad day in the end...

What i'm noticing is the constant ineffectiveness of my Flak. I have 100 flak at Lunga with 3 full US AA units...enemy bombers came at 10k and we could shot down only 4 out of 700 of them that flew over Lunga in 2 days...considering how the jap flak is able to kill my 4Es in India...i'm really surprised[:-][:-][:@]

The overall situation in SOPAC remains critical. The allies have conquered these advanced positions but aren't strong enough (in the air) to defend the airspace and so i cannot think of basing any surface units in the Solomons...nor conducing any offensive operation against the advancing logistical japanese system. he was able to secure and strenghten many bases that when the campaign started (2 months ago) were unoccupied and not built up (Torobika, Shortland, Buka, Buna and so on...).

His losses remain high...i'm especially thinking about pilots losses...but he doesn't seem to be worried about that...

I'll now evacuate my air force to Lungaville and will try to rebuild it...but my Wildcats pools is empty now...and that's a big problem[:o]...

for what concerns the dot-bases south of NG...i have plans to take them...but i don't see a way to hold them under these circumstances. I have paras ready for the task and a division prepping for it...but how will i be able to supply them? I'm not even able to make PM breath...now Lunga is under attack...how am i supposed to !?

...some screenshots now...




these are the combat reports concerning the air battles over lunga of the last two days...

Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 17



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 90


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 11 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 27000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 11 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 11 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 25000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 11 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 11 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tassafaronga , at 113,137

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 82


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tassafaronga , at 113,137

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 31000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 137 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 54 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
G3M2 Nell x 21
G4M1 Betty x 102



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 63


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground


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


Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
23 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
18 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 33270.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 29540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 32270.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tassafaronga , at 113,137

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 187 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 56 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 29



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
29 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 31000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 231 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 66 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 37


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 75 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 71 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 26000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 18430 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes



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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 134 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 14
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 37
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 96



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 2 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 165 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 87



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet
27 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet
29 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000 , scrambling fighters between 12810 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 19
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 32



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
19 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 10000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tassafaronga , at 113,137

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 162 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 136 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
39 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 137 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 58 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 6



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Jarvis



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes



THE SECOND DAY

Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 7 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 123 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 48 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 19
G4M1 Betty x 80



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 24 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed on ground
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground


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


Airbase hits 25
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
17 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
19 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 9270 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10270 and 14270.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 13270.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000 , scrambling fighters between 12270 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 197 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 56 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A6M3 Zero sweeping at 31000 feet *

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 70 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 65 minutes
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 69 minutes



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

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 104 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 7



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Katoomba, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Bengal



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



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

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 95 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13
D3A1 Val x 29



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Burwah, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Vichy, Bomb hits 13, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 13 (7 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
16 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Burwah
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Vichy




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 128 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 9
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 102



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 3 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 3 destroyed on ground
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 2 destroyed on ground
F-4 Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed on ground
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 35

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 29270.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VMF-221 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000 , scrambling fighters to 30810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters between 31270 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters between 29810 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 133 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 3
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 9



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed on ground
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VMF-111 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 31000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
49th FG/7th FS with P-40K Warhawk (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 29000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Peshawar Division, at 52,9 , near Multan

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-36 Ida x 50
Ki-51 Sonia x 27



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb
21 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 156 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 61 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Peshawar Division, at 52,9 , near Multan

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 29



No Japanese losses


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


Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
22 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 7



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 2, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

.

.

.

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

While it takes extra time for training, try to get your 'Defend' skill up to mid 50s for fighter pilots that you are training in USA. Since you are going to be short airframes for a long time, it makes sense to be sure they have a better chance to survive combat.

I'm doing that since the beginning. When my newly trained pilots get to 70 a2a skill, i switch them to sweep at 100 ft so that they get some strafing ability(useless) but their def skill keeps on going up...

My only problem remains the production numbers...we do have really too few airframes...and Rader tends to concentrate his forces so that he always has a huge superiority in terms of numbers... Can't wait to have those 130 hellcats monthly...[&o][&o]

ORIGINAL: dekwik

I understand crsutton's caution and POV- when to be aggressive is frequently a dilemma and it makes the game fascinating sometimes. But I'm far from convinced that the best use of allied CVs is to prevent multiple Japanese offensives into '43. I doubt Rader has anything in mind other than blocking anything the allies attempt to do. I take the point that a bad loss would be devastating to allied morale but an even exchange probably isn't "the best the allies can expect." Those Allied CVs have a lot of offensive power. An even type exchange is probably a realistic outcome.

I can think of several alternative uses for the allied CVs:

support an allied landing into India or Sumatra from the IO

Go KB hunting in an counter-offensive operation to catch them with their pants down as Greyjoy recently tried

Offer the KB the opportunity to "bring it on" (or allow PM to be relieved)

Support a little island invasion aggression somewhere

keep the allied CVs in port another 6 months until we kind of know how things turn out.

That's kind of the order in which I would rank them, Just my 2 cents though. But ignore us Greyjoy, Sometimes the manager makes a better call than the crowd! We'll continue to enjoy the game.

As far as i can tell, also reading others' AARs, i do think that the allied CVs can do some damage to the KB even in 42 if under the right conditions...meaning to catch the KB without the LBA air cover and possibly during a raid (when the KB's forces have already been used the same day against another target)...for sure it's risky. We all know how superior remains the A6M3 to the Wildcat...but wildcats in that case will only be used as a shield...what matters is that the bombers pass trhough the cap....and i do think that, used in a favourable condition, the SDBs and Avengers can pass through...once they are over the enemy...the battle is already won.

But the "Silly" (imho is silly!) code that forces the US CVs to have a max launch range of 7 against the 8 of the Japs can really screw things up... so we better pay attention to what we do...

I won't sit on my thumbs. That's for sure. I'll keep looking for opportunities... i just need some more luck (like the one i've just missed with the Honolulu TF which found nobody at Shortlands and got back to Tulagi just to be hammered by the KB....)

...just to let you know that if i'm not talking much about the indian front lately that doesn't mean that quiet reigns over there...

I dont understand how Rader loses so few bombers against the number of fighters you can put up.

I mean look at this combat in particular, you had twice as many modern fighters in the air as him and you only killed a handful of bombers. If I did that I would lose 40-50 bombers easily.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 19
G4M1 Betty x 80



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 24 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed on ground
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground

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

In my game basically ANY fighter presence means the Japanese will suffer horrible losses no matter how well swept the base or the number of escorts. Even a token allied fighter presence will bounce a couple of escorts then proceed to go murder the bombers while the escorts ignore them. Ranges and altitudes seem to make very little difference. [:@]
I still have fond memories of how 4 P-40E and 3 Hurricanes killed 3 zeroes and 28! betties over Batavia despite the zeroes outnumbering them 6-1