Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel

[Local Yokel]

The Battle of Efate: Day 4 – 14 October 1942

Combat reports for the fourth day of the battle, with commentary. The bracketed number at the start of an air strike’s description corresponds with the number given on the plan.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/14/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1090 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1090 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
289 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1091 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1091 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1135 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1135 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
237 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1034 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
Allied Ships
DMS Chandler
DMS Perry
DMS Trevor
DMS Zane
DMS Hopkins
DMS Long
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transport submarine I-1 manages to put 2 torpedoes into slow oiler Ramapo, but is hit hard in the process. Always glad to hit the fleet train.

Sub attack at 75,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-1, hits 13, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AO Ramapo, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Balch
DD Fanning
DD Dunlap
DD Preston
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 74,113

Japanese Ships
SS I-19, hits 7

Allied Ships
DD Phelps
DD Monaghan
APD McKean
APD Stringham
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kingfish correctly anticipates the movements of the main Japanese surface forces, but suffers the attention of both of their accompanying ASW groups

Sub attack at 70,117

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Kasasagi
DD Namikaze
DD Mutsuki
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 70,117

Japanese Ships
DD Yugure
DD Kasumi
DD Michishio
DD Oshio

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 70,117

Japanese Ships
DD Kasasagi
DD Namikaze
DD Mutsuki
DD Yamakaze
DD Shiratsuyu

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1090 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1090 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
136 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1135 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1135 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now Kingfish finds a SAG, or rather, the SAG’s screen finds her!

ASW attack at 70,117

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
DD Arashi
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yugumo
DD Hatsuzuki

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, hits 2, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The customary 4-engine attack on Efate. Perhaps significantly, this is the only attack in the New Hebrides area made by his heavies today. I suspect he gave many of them a Naval Attack mission in case 1 Kido Butai moved east. I had been careful to ensure that my carriers remained only within the B-24s’ extended range, with a reaction order set in case Wasp and her TF had hung around. They had not.

Day Air attack on 6th NLF , at 72,114

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 13
B-24D Liberator x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now the day’s Japanese air strikes begin…

(1) Day Air attack on TF at 75,112

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Caleb Strong, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
MSW Tern, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
D3A2 Val x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DMS Long
DMS Chandler

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Mormacstar, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Day Air attack on TF at 74,118

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Kennison, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gilmer, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 74,118

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 14
B5N2 Kate x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Gilmer, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kennison, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kilty

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AP President Adams, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here’s the day’s main event: a full deckload strike against Copahee. The Grummans actually fought fairly well, considering they were outnumbered 4 to 1.

(7) Day Air attack on TF at 74,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
D3A2 Val x 74
A6M3a Zero x 39
B5N2 Kate x 104

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 11 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
DD Crane, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strikes (8) and (10) were directed against the surprising re-appearance of what I had taken to be a bombardment group originally built around BB Mississipi. The battleship took a torpedo early in the battle and it then looked as though the mission had been abandoned. So here I thought he was making another attempt against Noumea using the faster cruisers and coming in from further south, from which direction he might have taken me by surprise. Jonathan subsequently told me that in fact this was due to an orders SNAFU, as he had inadvertently ordered this cruiser force to retire to Sydney! Most of them aren’t going to make port.

(8) Day Air attack on TF at 71,122

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G4M1 Betty x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 30 damaged

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
CA Astoria, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Portland, Torpedo hits 1
CL Perth, Torpedo hits 1
CL Achilles, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Day Air attack on TF at 74,114

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Day Air attack on TF at 71,122

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 79
B5N2 Kate x 127

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Bomb hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
CA Astoria, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CL Perth, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bagley, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
6 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 71,122

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
G4M1 Betty x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Astoria, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Day Air attack on TF at 75,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
D3A2 Val x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strikes against his second escort carrier. Today he loses two of them

(12) Day Air attack on TF at 75,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 74,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A2 Val x 13
A6M3a Zero x 33

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 70,117

Japanese Ships
DD Shigure
DD Arashio
DD Asashio
DD Kiyonami
CL Jintsu
CA Kako

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As predicted, the invaders take Efate and the wholly disabled remnants of the garrison are wiped out. However, cadres from all three units present had previously shipped out, so we have a basis for rebuilding them.

Ground combat at Efate

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26739 troops, 197 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 654
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3
Allied max assault: 459 - adjusted assault: 186
Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 186 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Efate base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
1789 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cruiser force caught whilst heading for Sydney was an unexpected but welcome bonus. Astoria has already sunk, and things look rocky for New Orleans and Portland.

It was a relief to have avoided most of the US submarine screen as it moved west from the New Hebrides. 1 Kido Butai was fortunate to have relocated to a position where it stayed out of trouble from sea and air, but remained in touch with a lot of targets. Noumea’s land attack bombers also made a useful contribution.

The carrier task groups have been manoeuvring at full speed, and their bunker levels have been heavily depleted as a result. Probably a good moment to rendezvous with our replenishment group, currently slipping down the east shore of New Caledonia. Time, perhaps, for the Yasen Butai to show its hand…



<edit: corrected the day of the battle; danger from cutting and pasting>

[Local Yokel]

Air Losses, 14 October 1942

Note the numbers: 35 Grummans lost on operations, and 34 SBD’s lost on the ground. That’s almost seventy airframes (?and pilots) that I presume went down with Nassau and Copahee. My guess is that they may have been the replenishment units intended to fill gaps in the fleet carriers’ air groups, but in that case I think they must have been deployed too far forward.

[Local Yokel]

Images restored, excellent![&o] Now for a further update.

The Battle of Efate: Day 5 – 15 October 1942

Combat reports for the fifth day of the battle, with commentary. Bracketed number at the start of an air strike’s description corresponds with the number given on the plan.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/15/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1032 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
Allied Ships
MSW Rail
MSW Turkey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The two surface action groups accompanying 1 Kido Butai are re-designated Yasengun ‘Ko’ and Yasengun ‘Otsu’ (Night Combat Groups ‘A’ and ‘B’) under Tanaka and Hashimoto respectively. These detach from the carrier groups and their screen and make a high-speed run into the roadstead at Efate. Although Tanaka finds plenty of targets for gun and torpedo, Hashimoto is unable to engage (think this was due to a mistake on my part – suspect the first SAG caused the Allied transports to flee, so that Hashimoto found nothing on arrival. This suspicion is strengthened by the fact that Empress of Australia was attacked by air when daylight came some 50-100 miles SE of Efate)

Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
CL Kinu
DD Kiyonami
DD Michishio
DD Yamakaze
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
MSW Turkey, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
MSW Rail, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
CL Kinu
DD Kiyonami
DD Michishio
DD Yamakaze
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
AP Empress of Australia (ex-Tirpitz of Hamburg-Amerika Line: 21,861 GRT)
AP Barnett, heavy damage
AP Mount McKinley, Shell hits 51, and is sunk
AK Mormacstar, on fire
AK J.L. Luckenbach, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AK Liberty, Shell hits 32, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Mahukona, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Peter Kerr
AK Empire Tarpon

Allied ground losses:
391 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would very much like to have sunk Mount Vernon!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako, Shell hits 1
CL Kinu
DD Kiyonami
DD Michishio
DD Yamakaze
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
AP Mount Vernon (AP-22 ex United States Lines SS Washington: 24,289 GRT!)
AP President Adams, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
AP President Hayes
AP Mariposa, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Alabaman
AK Coloradan, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Dorothy Luckenbach, Shell hits 1
AK Irenee Du Pont, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Jeff Davis
AK Maine
AK Makena
AK Oregonian
AK Sawokla
AK Steel Navigator
AK Trento
AK Vermont
AK Washingtonian
AK Empire Glade
AK Erickson

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luganville’s carrier bombers lend a hand and find the Canadian Pacific liner fleeing Efate – remains to be seen whether she can gain sanctuary in the Fijis.

(1) Day Air attack on TF at 72,115

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Empress of Australia, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noumea’s Land Attack groups follow up on the mayhem of the previous night

(2) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AP President Hayes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Steel Navigator, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Jeff Davis
AK Trento, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Makena, Torpedo hits 1
AK Sawokla

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Oregonian
AK Trento, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Washingtonian, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First in a series of raids that spell the annihilation of the bombardment force that ventured too close to Noumea

(4) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Bagley, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
D3A2 Val x 54
A6M3a Zero x 32
B5N2 Kate x 85

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 34, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CL Perth, Bomb hits 17, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
6 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3a Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 26
G4M1 Betty x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Perth, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(7) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A2 Val x 19
B5N2 Kate x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Portland, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, on fire, heavy damage
CL Perth, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(8) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
D3A2 Val x 67
A6M3a Zero x 33
B5N2 Kate x 116

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Helm, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bagley, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
6 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
6 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
6 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Helm, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
D3A2 Val x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Washingtonian, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Jeff Davis, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, on fire, heavy damage

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

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

By the day’s end the bombardment force is no more. Profiting by their pre-war training as members of the Yasen Butai (Night Battle Force), Tanaka’s ships have inflicted significant casualties on the transports unloading at Efate. Meanwhile the carriers and their screen have successfully effected their rendezvous in the shallow waters south of Noumea. The rendezvous point was selected in the hope that the shallows would deter the approach of US submarines, and that hope seems to have been realised. However, a number of US boats have been observed to the E and SE of New Caledonia, and it is clear they are hoping to regain touch with the Japanese carrier groups.

[Local Yokel]

The Battle of Efate: Day 6 – 16 October 1942

Combat reports for the sixth day of the battle, with commentary. Fewer air attacks this time, I haven’t keyed them by number.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the Allied naval forces shorn of all air cover, the Japanese are determined to exploit to the full the advantage they enjoy in the New Hebrides. Regrettably, battleship Hiei doesn’t have the speed to accompany a second night time raid against Efate, so she transfers to Yasengun ‘Ko’, which is returning to Tulagi to re-ammunition. A juggling of forces sees cruiser Kinugasa reassigned to Yasengun ‘Otsu’ for the planned return visit, together with destroyer Kiyonami (in order to take advantage of her microwave radar fit).

Yasengun ‘Otsu’ then returns to Efate under Tanaka’s command and metes out additional fire and destruction to the Allied transports unloading there. This time no mistake is made in the despatching of Empress of Australia, and great damage is also done to the second convoy.

As on the previous night, mighty Mount Vernon is in the vicinity yet bears a charmed life, with no Japanese vessel firing upon her. Her good fortune, however, is about to run out.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CL Kinu
DD Akigumo
DD Kiyonami
DD Kasumi
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
AP Empress of Australia, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AP Barnett, heavy damage
AK Mormacstar, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Mahukona, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Peter Kerr, Shell hits 7, on fire
AK Empire Tarpon

Allied ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 5
CL Kinu, Shell hits 1
DD Akigumo
DD Kiyonami
DD Kasumi
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
AP Mount Vernon
AP President Hayes, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Alabaman, Shell hits 35, and is sunk
AK Dorothy Luckenbach, Shell hits 44, and is sunk
AK Jeff Davis, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AK Maine
AK Makena, Shell hits 1
AK Oregonian, Shell hits 1
AK Sawokla
AK Vermont
AK Empire Glade, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Erickson, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a price to be paid for the Japanese effrontery in raiding Efate on two nights consecutively, and it is cruiser Aoba that pays it. At first glance, however, the damage does not appear too serious, and she should make it back to the advanced repair facility set up by the Japanese at Tulagi that includes four repair ships.

Sub attack near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Kiyonami
DD Kasumi
DD Akigumo
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
SS Stingray
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Allied bombers switch their attention to Luganville, and the Japanese lack the fighter muscle to fend them off effectively

Day Air attack on Luganville , at 71,111

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 5
B-24D Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lunga-based Type 1’s attempt to slow base build-up on Efate, but their efforts are relatively ineffectual.

Day Air attack on Efate , at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now begins a day of agony for the Allied merchantmen attempting to offload troops and cargo at Efate. Empire Tarpon seeks to flee the anchorage, but the Rikkos catch her NE of Efate.

Day Air attack on TF at 72,113

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Tarpon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time runs out for Mount Vernon. Note the shell hits: a number of Reisen were given a naval strafing assignment in the hope they might encounter some PT boats. As things turned out they ended up punching more holes in Mount Vernon and her consorts

Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
D3A2 Val x 131
A6M3a Zero x 27
B5N2 Kate x 136

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Sawokla, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Maine, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Makena, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Erickson, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mount Vernon, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 13, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Vermont, Bomb hits 17, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Oregonian, Shell hits 36, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
1 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noumea’s Type 1 Rikkos follow up, but the massive Japanese carrier strike has left little of value for them to attack

Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Vermont, on fire, heavy damage
AK Makena, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mount Vernon, on fire, heavy damage
AK Erickson, on fire, heavy damage

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

Dai Ichi Kido Butai’s carrier attack aircraft mount a high level raid on Efate’s port facilities, but the results are scarcely spectacular.

Day Air attack on Efate , at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2
B5N2 Kate x 122

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
20 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
15 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Efate , at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet

It’s like the heady days of December and January all over again: lots of fat, juicy targets and the means to hit them readily to hand. By the day’s end it appears that there remain off Efate a handful – perhaps no more than two – Allied transports. The Japanese can only marvel at the profligacy of a foe who apparently has no qualms about the sacrifice of high value troopers in order to get the balance of his forces ashore. And with the production capacity of the United States behind them why, after all, should the Allies have any concern about the loss of such fine ships as Mount Vernon and Empress of Australia? Their divisions will still come flooding across the Pacific, and the only real difference is that now they’ll be travelling in a little less style and at the more sedate pace of the Liberties and Victories soon to be poured out of Henry Kaiser’s ship production lines…

[aztez]

Good job! Also keep up the AAR... I like the style on this AAR.

[Local Yokel]

Hi aztez, will do, though this battle is now winding down. I've made a bit of a mistake: nothing too serious but shows a lack of attention on my part.

More on this anon - another turn just received.

[Local Yokel]

The Battle of Efate: Day 7 – 17 October 1942

Combat reports for the seventh day of the battle, with commentary.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After meandering about the seas between the New Hebrides and New Caledonia in order to evade US submarines, the minelaying group at last manages to lay its cargo at Luganville, and in so doing encounters the remnants of a submarine-laid Allied minefield

TF 63 encounters mine field at Luganville (71,111)

Japanese Ships
MSW W.15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The screen around R Adm Yamada’s carriers drives away Peto, but she is not yet done with the thick press of Japanese warships

ASW attack at 68,113

Japanese Ships
DD Isokaze
DD Maikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Yukikaze
DD Oyashio
DD Teruzuki
DD Akizuki
CV Zuikaku

Allied Ships
SS Peto
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This time Peto gets in a shot against R Adm Yamamoto’s ASW group: Hatsuyuki takes a torpedo hit and suffers severe damage

Sub attack at 68,113

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Namikaze
DD Mochizuki
DD Shigure
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
SS Peto
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further north, R Adm Nippa’s ASW group covering a Luganville-bound transport group fends off Pompano

ASW attack at 68,107

Japanese Ships
PG Toyotsu Maru
PG Sozan Maru
PG Uji
APD Patrol Boat No. 38
DD Hatsuharu
DD Arare

Allied Ships
SS Pompano
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The daily 4-engine bomber raid, whittling away Luganville’s capability to hold

Day Air attack on Luganville , at 71,111

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-24D Liberator x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noumea’s Type 1 Land Attack planes find that some persistent Allied transports are still unloading at Efate, and administers further punishment. I think it doubtful that any of these ships will now survive.

Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Tarpon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Barnett, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Peter Kerr, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A singularly ineffective attack on Efate’s facilities follows

Day Air attack on Efate , at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
G4M1 Betty x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pompano manages to get an attack launched against Takeda’s transports, but to no effect

Sub attack at 68,107

Japanese Ships
AK Glasgow Maru
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
SS Pompano
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stupid, stupid Yokel! When ordering the Japanese carrier groups to head north-east from Noumea to a point 180 miles west of Efate I neglected to instruct the various task groups to cease refuelling. This meant that, whilst most ships took a healthy draught of black oil from R Adm Hara’s replenishment group, they did so at the expense of a heavy drain in op. points. Consequently they found themselves in the middle of a concentration of US submarines and lacked the ability to steam quickly out of the danger area. For that mistake I seem likely to pay with the loss of Hatsuyuki, hit as the carrier groups slowly retired to the north-west.

Hatsuyuki splits from her ASW group and begins what looks like a doomed and futile struggle towards sanctuary at Tulagi, whilst 1 Kido Butai finds itself still enmeshed in a web of submarine threats. Successful disengagement of the carrier force remains far from certain.

Better news from Aoba, however, as her DC parties succeed in getting under control the flooding caused by Stingray’s attack. She has made it to within 120 miles of refuge at Tulagi, and the prospects of saving her look good.

[Local Yokel]

The Battle of Efate: Day 8 – 18 October 1942

The aftermath.

By the end of 17 October several Japanese task forces remained in submarine-infested waters. The carrier task groups in particular were menaced by several boats lurking in the waters up to 120 miles west of 1 Kido Butai’s evening position.

However, at least two of the threatening submarines were assessed to be in transit to new positions astride the carriers’ direct course towards Woodlark Island, and V Adm Nagumo therefore took the calculated risk of altering his retirement route directly into the area in which the enemy submarines had been observed. He judged that by so doing his forces would pass astern of the submarines moving to intercept him and thus gain comparative safety in the open reaches of the Coral Sea.

With submarines reported on the direct route to Espiritu Santo, R Adm Takeda’s Luganville resupply convoy similarly sought to sidestep the threat by steering an easterly course initially so as to bring his ships into the New Hebrides from the north rather than the west.

Both these manoeuvres appear to have had the desired effect: Japanese naval forces had no further encounter with Allied submarines until submarine Thresher located and attacked Takeda’s ships off Espiritu Santo on 19 October – without success.

Whilst the heavily hit remnants of the Allied transport convoys were observed Fiji-bound on 18 October, no further worthwhile attack could be made against them – possibly because all had sunk.

The majority of the protagonists’ surface units having quit the immediate battle area, the initial contest for the New Hebrides area can be treated as being at an end. The Allied powers obtained a toehold on the Japanese perimeter from which they can expand, but at heavy cost, particularly in shipping.

Closing moves shown on the accompanying map. Apologies for the bad colour bleed, particularly with red. Wish we could post PNG images, which don’t seem to suffer from this in the way JPEG images do.

[Local Yokel]

Battle of Efate Postscript: Shipping losses on both sides:

[Local Yokel]

Aleutian Diversions

Whilst the Japanese South Seas forces unleash a series of air and surface attacks upon Allied naval units in the seas around Efate their colleagues in northern waters do not stand idly by. Since Sa-GO Hoku, their abortive contribution to Japan’s Sakurajima Sakusuen, the carriers and air groups that make up 2nd Kido Butai have restlessly sought a return to Dutch Harbor, with an eye to visiting upon it the strike pre-empted by the storms of July.

Second Mobile Force has been strengthened, for its carriers now include both the converted liners Junyo and Hiyo. The skills of these vessels’ air groups have been so finely honed by prolonged working up in China that in quality if not numbers they are now the equals of 5th Carrier Division’s Shokaku and Zuikaku.

There’s been a command re-shuffle too. 2nd Kido Butai’s long-time commander Yamada Sadayoshi has gone south to share command of the fleet carrier task groups based on Truk, and his place has been taken by the aggressive Yamaguchi Tamon. To partner the firebrand Yamaguchi, the equally belligerent Ugaki Matome has taken up appointment as a task group commander within 2nd Kido Butai; he will normally command the fast light carriers Ryujo, Zuiho and Shoho, whilst Yamaguchi will wield the heavier punch provided by Junyo and Hiyo, whose lesser speed is better suited to a task group that includes the slowest units such as Hosho and Unyo.

Also in the inventory are scout cruisers Mogami and Chiyoda, whose enhanced complements of Type 0 reconnaissance seaplanes provide the force’s routine search component, augmented by carrier aircraft when concealment of the carriers’ presence is outweighed by the demands of target location.

Given the quantity of Allied bombers based on Adak, the Japanese must perforce adopt the same indirect approach to Unalaska as was employed for Sa-GO Hoku, and in September 2nd Kido Butai departs the Chishima Islands on a course looping well to the south of Adak and its search aircraft. What the Japanese have not reckoned with is an encounter with a US submarine, however, and just such a meeting takes place shortly before the force is due to alter its course northward for the run-in to Dutch Harbor. Probably the US boat never catches sight of the Japanese carriers, but Combined Fleet’s operational order brooks no disobedience. It requires a fuming Yamaguchi to assume that in the event of such an encounter his mission’s secrecy has been compromised, and he reverses course accordingly.

In the second week of October 2nd Kido Butai sorties once again, and this time the Japanese are out in force, for a heavy surface action component accompanies the carriers under the command of Rear Admirals Onishi and Nishimura. The surface units include battleships Ise and Hyuga, freshly fitted with centimetric radar, and a brace of Atago class cruisers.

Fortuitously the sortie coincides with an extension of the Allied presence to Amchitka Island, some 180 miles west of Adak, and on 19 and 20 October the small force of bomber and attack aircraft based at Attu strike the ships unloading in Constantine Harbor with limited success. Meanwhile, from the concentration of ships escorting 2nd Kido Butai the Japanese improvise an Amchitka Raiding Group consisting of three destroyers in support of light cruiser Tama, aboard which Onishi breaks his flag as the raiders diverge northward from the main body.

Rounding Amchitka’s East Cape in the early hours of 21 October, Onishi’s force soon encounters the Allied screen consisting of four Flower class corvettes of the Royal Canadian Navy. The contest is as unequal as that fought by Hosogaya off Thursday Island, and whilst the Canadians put up a brave fight it does not suffice to stop the Japanese force from getting amongst the transports after sinking one corvette and heavily damaging two more. Well before dawn Onishi breaks off the action and speeds away to the west, anxious to clear the battle area and deny Adak’s aircraft any opportunity for counter-attack:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Amchitka Island at 94,37
Japanese Ships
CL Tama, Shell hits 2
DD Hatsukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Ariake
Allied Ships
SC Vancouver, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
SC Edmundston, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
SC Quesnel
SC New Westminster, Shell hits 1, on fire
SC Dundas, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Fort Fraser, Shell hits 1
AK Fort Gibraltar, Shell hits 1
AK Fort Kootenay, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Fort La Reine, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Kootenay Park, Shell hits 1
Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[Local Yokel]

Dutch Harbor: the approach

The Sa-GO Hoku foray underlined for the Japanese the logistical difficulty of operating a sizeable naval force in the remoter reaches of the North Pacific. Many of the participants struggled back into the anchorage at Hittokappu Wan with bunkers almost empty due to the high speed nature of their retirement. In the light of that experience, the units taking part in the present operation proceed eastward at a fuel-efficient rate of advance, and this time are accompanied by an enlarged 5th Replenishment Group under R Adm Fujita.

By 23 October the force has achieved a position some 700 miles due south of Dutch Harbor and commences final refuelling from Fujita’s oilers. From here, the plan calls for Fujita to backtrack towards Japan in anticipation of a refuelling rendezvous with the main force as it returns to base. At this point seaplane tender Kimikawa Maru also parts company: she will proceed on a SE course toward Pearl Harbor as one link in the thin cordon, composed mainly of submarines, that will try to supply distant early warning of any Allied naval force’s approach.

By 24 October Yamaguchi’s carriers and Nishimura’s battleships have closed to within 600 miles of Dutch Harbor. From this point they commence their high-speed run towards the point from which the carriers will launch. Simultaneously, destroyers Hibiki and Inazuma detach and proceed westwards towards a rendezvous with light cruiser Yura, relieved from duty as Fujita’s flagship. The aim of this manoeuvre is to place a small force astride the track of ships damaged off Amchitka and retreating towards Hawaii.

[Local Yokel]

Dutch Harbor: the attack

Dawn on 24 October 1942 finds the Japanese carriers 240 miles to the SE of Unalaska. The Japanese have sparse knowledge of what they will find at Dutch Harbor, for they have deliberately restricted themselves to a handful of reconnaissance sorties against the base by Type 2 flying boats based on Attu, in order not to alert the defenders.

As preparations are made for the mission against the base, word comes from a search plane of an enemy transport group to the west. The decision is taken for an attack on this by the strike aircraft aboard the carriers in Yamaguchi’s task group, and a mixed force of 75 dive bombers and attack planes lift from the carriers’ decks, accompanied by a strong Reisen escort.

The training in China pays off: all vessels observed within the enemy group are left in what appears to be a sinking condition:

Day Air attack on TF at 100,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
D3A2 Val x 34
B5N2 Kate x 41
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Admiral Wiley, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
PC Sans Peur, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
SC SC-741, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SC SC-740, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SC SC-742, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet

Thereafter the light carriers within Ugaki’s task group launch all their bomb-laden Type 97 carrier attack planes against Dutch Harbor. Observed at anchor there are the Hog Islander stores ship USS Spica, another merchantman and two seaplane tenders. All are successfully attacked, along with port and airfield installations, but given the poor weather conditions in which the attack is undertaken the Japanese suspect that other shipping targets may have been present but unnoticed. Flak causes only modest damage to the attackers, and no interceptors rise to meet them. It seems that the strike has come as a complete surprise, but the Japanese are disappointed not to have found richer pickings:

Day Air attack on Dutch Harbor , at 102,37
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 41
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
Allied Ships
AK Spica, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Taku, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AVD Teal, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AVD Gillis, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
12 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet

[Local Yokel]

Action south of the Aleutians: second day

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the retreating transports damaged during Onishi’s raid on Amchitka do not offer themselves up to Yura and the two Akatsuki’s that accompany her. What is more surprising is that they have shaped a course that brings them closer than expected to 2nd Kido Butai rather than taking the opportunity to head north into Bowers Basin and away from the danger area. At nightfall on 24 October Yamaguchi gives the order for his carriers to steer towards the last position in which they were observed. Nishimura’s surface action group, meanwhile, parallels the carriers’ course but with a shift towards Adak in anticipation of a possible bombardment run against its airfields.

The search aircraft radiating from the carriers in the grey dawn of 25 October immediately find a lone Fort class transport within 60 miles from take-off. An unescorted force of 22 carrier attack planes is launched against this ship, already suffering from heavy damage at Onishi’s hands. The Type 97’s put 5 torpedoes into her. She will probably sink.

PC Sans Peur, sole survivor still just afloat after the previous day’s air attack, is located nearly 200 miles to the north. 10 attack planes launch against her, and a single torpedo hit suffices to send her under.

The main body of transports retreating damaged from Amchitka is found 180 miles SE of Yamaguchi’s forces. Junyo’s and Hiyo’s strike aircraft, accompanied by an over-lavish escort, are launched against them and complete the job begun by Onishi:

Day Air attack on TF at 103,46
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
D3A2 Val x 17
B5N2 Kate x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
AK Fort La Reine, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Fort Fraser, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
SC Quesnel, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Day Air attack on TF at 103,46
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
D3A2 Val x 17
B5N2 Kate x 17
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Kootenay Park, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Fort La Reine, on fire, heavy damage
AK Fort Fraser, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

As the day wears on Nishimura sees Yura and her consorts approaching from the south, blinkering news that their hunt has been fruitless, and the light cruiser’s force takes up station with main body shortly thereafter. Nishimura then confers with his staff about the merits of a raid against Adak. The problem is that the lumbering battleships lack the speed to put a safe margin of distance between themselves and Adak’s aircraft by dawn, and there is a possibility, albeit remote, that he will be within torpedo bomber range when daylight comes. He has the option of sending in cruisers Takao and Atago, which have the necessary speed, but are somewhat lacking in firepower.

As these deliberations proceed, further orders arrive from Combined Fleet headquarters that bring them to a rapid conclusion: Nishimura is to entrust his heavy units to his most senior captain, Ijuin aboard battleship Ise, and conduct a reconnaissance in force against Adak with a light cruiser/destroyer squadron only. An Allied ASW unit has been spotted off the island, and the aim is to eliminate this and scout the approaches. Meanwhile the battleships will escort the carriers SW towards home. Combined Fleet’s orders are pellucid: there is to be no naval bombardment of Adak.

The Japanese hopes are frustrated. During the night of 25-26 October Nishimura races in towards Adak, but finds no prey there. The following day’s air searches reveal the reason, for the enemy ASW group slipped away during the night. Meanwhile Nishimura retires in the direction of Marcus Island at high speed, intending to regain contact with his main body on 27 October. The only positive note to have emerged from his mission was a tentative indication that the approaches to Adak are not mined.

As the carriers of 2nd Kido Butai retire towards Japan, their progress is tracked daily by B-25’s based on Adak. No doubt the Americans are vectoring their submarines towards a hoped-for interception, and Yamaguchi will have to vary his course in an effort to evade them. The operation has yielded a modest haul of merchant and escort ship kills, and is judged to have been a success in terms of surprise achieved. However, results of the raid on Dutch Harbor itself were disappointing. The Japanese had hoped – indeed expected – to find a denser concentration of enemy shipping there. Perhaps there is some value in finding no sign yet of a major build-up of Allied power in the Aleutians.

[Local Yokel]

End of Month Summary for October 1942

Naval Construction

I’m posting the end of month updates in a rather different order this time, beginning with Naval Construction, as shown in Tracker. This shows a couple of points:

1) Both naval and merchant construction is currently balanced against available shipbuilding points, but delivery of Musashi is now less than a month away. When she commissions I’ll have a handsome surplus of naval construction points to re-allocate.

2) At ordinary construction rates CV Taiho shouldn’t be delivered for a full year. Since she’s been accelerated she should join the fleet in about May 1943 – about the same time as the first Essex. Assuming no major losses on either side before then, that implies a short window of, say, 2 months around May-June-July 43 when opposing fleet carrier strengths will be 7 Japanese versus 5 USN + ?2 RN. The IJN might also gain some benefit in this period from their new strike planes: the Suisei and the Tenzan. After this, the carrier potency balance is going to tilt sharply towards the Allies.

[Local Yokel]

Economy a la Tracker

Probably the most significant feature of this is the growth of HI points by 120000+ during the month. I’ve achieved this by severe throttling back of HI point usage by all consumers save shipbuilding. This was made possible by accumulation of what appeared to be healthy stockpiles of armaments, vehicles, aero engines and airframes.

Resource centres have been growing gradually, largely due to reconstruction at Soerabaja. This was the only place in the SRA where the resource generation capability was totally destroyed, but it’s been steadily rebuilding by one point every day, and is now beginning to make a useful contribution.

[Local Yokel]

Aircraft and Aero Engine Production

As can be seen, production of the Model 22 Reisen has been progressing nicely. All fighters in 1st Kido Butai are now equipped with this model, and enough have been made to re-equip the fighter units in all the remaining Japanese carriers. Since the Model 52 Reisen doesn’t begin to produce for another 10 months, it’s probable that a significant proportion of the land-based Reisen daitai will be similarly re-equipped in this period. The shot doesn’t show that there are 580+ Model 21 and 340+ Model 32 Reisen in the pool, so I am probably guilty of some serious over-production here.

Although the production rate for the Army’s Type 2 fighter (Ki-44) looks fairly healthy, it’s bearing the brunt of the air war in Burma, having suffered 56 losses since introduction, and with a growing rate of loss to Allied bombing attacks. I have therefore given a modest boost to production of this airframe. What’s worrying me is how I’m going to find enough quality airgroups to keep Allied airpower off the back of the Defenders in Daly Waters. IJAAF fighter groups with 78+ experience are holding their own, but they are nearly all committed in Burma, and new groups of the same quality can’t be trained fast enough in China. However I deal with this I foresee an increased fighter loss rate in Burma and/or Australia, so there may be the makings of a crisis here.

On the engine front, this shot shows the good progress being made in the switchover to the new engine types. Expansion of Nissan production began just before the end of August, since when 138 new factories have been made ready and a further 87 are still repairing in anticipation of production commencing in December ’42. This should mean that respectable stocks will have been made ready for the start of Raiden production in March 1943. Perhaps I can then start killing rather than just damaging some of those damned 4-engine bombers.

[Local Yokel]

Intelligence Summary

A highly satisfactory month for Imperial Japan. The obvious highlight was the destruction of USS Yorktown off Efate, but this was complemented by the sinking of another 68 ships, giving a Allied shipping point loss total for the month that was greater than in any other month of the war. Sinkings during the Dutch Harbor raid also helped.

The loss of 477 Allied aircraft is likewise the highest monthly figure yet. I believe the biggest contribution made to this loss figure is the destruction of quantities of replacement aircraft aboard the 2 CVE’s sunk during the Efate battle. This accomplishment is tempered by the fact that the Japanese lost nearly 300 aircraft during the month – again the highest monthly figure of loss. Fortunately many of these losses were not accompanied by loss of the pilot: some aircraft were destroyed on the ground whilst many losses in the air occurred at home base, with the pilots being saved.

Even now there remain 116 pilots in the IJAAF pool and 28 in the IJNAF pool – the latter after filling out all the fighter units to full strength. The land attack plane groups have suffered some attrition, but nothing too serious.

[Local Yokel]

Thought I would do me a sig/banner. Needed a place to store it, so I thought this thread would be as good as any.

[Local Yokel]

Looks promising...[8D]

[BigBadWolf]

Glad to see you are doing so fine, mate. That's some impressive score you have there. And a nice sig&nbsp;[:)]