AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A)

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:17 pm

Wirrayway_Ace.....I dont think that stacking issues affected my land based and certainly my carrier based SBDs last turn.....Ive been pretty out of synch with Dave's version of the game the last couple of turns and in my version quite a few more DBs flew......the PT boats also made a few hits with their torpedoes...... but Dave has the host version of the game so his version is the one that counts.

5/22-5/23/42

OPERATION WATCHTOWER

Well even though I decided to withdraw the Allied carriers from the southern Solomons last turn this turn started out nearly like the last one did:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 22, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kirakira at 117,141

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
CL Boise
DD Maury
DD Aylwin
DD Clark
DD Smith
DD Conyngham

SS I-19 is sighted by escort
DD Aylwin fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Smith fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Conyngham fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Clark fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Smith fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Conyngham attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-19 eludes DD Conyngham by diving deep
DD Smith fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Conyngham fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Conyngham fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Conyngham attacking submerged sub ....
DD Conyngham cannot establish contact with SS I-19
SS I-19 eludes DD Conyngham by diving deep
SS I-19 eludes DD Conyngham by diving deep
DD Conyngham attacking submerged sub ....
DD Conyngham fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kirakira at 118,142

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Stronghold
CLAA Van Heemskerck
DD Norman

SS I-28 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Stronghold
I-28 diving deep ....
DD Norman attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-28 eludes ASW attack from DD Norman
DD Norman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Norman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Norman fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Norman fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Lunga at 114,139

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
DD Paladin

DD Paladin is sighted by SS I-171
SS I-171 launches 2 torpedoes

Sub attack near Santa Maria at 120,149

Japanese Ships
SS I-123, hits 4

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun
APD Manley
DD Edsall
APD Gregory

SS I-123 launches 2 torpedoes at APD Colhoun
DD Edsall attacking submerged sub ....
DD Edsall cannot reach attack position over SS I-123
APD Gregory fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Edsall attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-123 eludes DD Edsall by hugging bottom
DD Edsall loses contact with SS I-123
APD Gregory fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Edsall fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Gregory fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Edsall fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Gregory fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Edsall fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

The sea around Guadalcanal is saturated with IJN subs......this Japanese sub menace confirms my decision to wothdraw regardless ofd the odds of winning a carrier battle. I will admit that since I saw almost no IJN subs in the Allied convoy lanes in the first 6 months of the war I had been a bit lax about ASW training. I have one RNZAF Hudson IIIa squadron and 1 TBF squadron that could be considered expert at ASW....ie over 70 skill level. Im assembing an expert RAAF Hudson IIIa ASW unit and putting sevceral TBF and USAAF units on a crash course in ASW training.

The Allied carriers and surface TFs complete their withdrawal to the New Hebrides and next turn will retire towards Noumea.....if I can get a bit of a break from Japan I hope to complete some badly needed maintenance on the Allied capital ships used in OPERATION WATCHTOWER so far. Ive set up a pretty intricate ASW defense throughout the New Hebrides/New Caledonia region with several ASW TFs and lots of overlapping naval search and ASW search.

US troops mop up the remaining Japanese stragglers on Russell Is.:

Ground combat at Russell Islands (113,136)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3080 troops, 64 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 201

Defending force 473 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Allied adjusted assault: 41

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 41 to 1

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

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

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

Assaulting units:
58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
161st Infantry Regiment
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
2nd USMC Parachute Battalion

Defending units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF /1

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

Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Russell Islands by attrition!!!

I still wasnt able to airlift engineers into Russell Is. with PBYs even though I control the island there is also an AF there. Fortunately.....some of the engineers embedded in my combat troops there have reduced the damage from 80% to 50%.

IJN BBs bombard both Lunga and Tulagi:

I only lost a handful of AC in the bombardment but the AF damage is still over 70%.

On Guadalcanal.....the US tank battalion should reach Tassafaronga next turn and we will begin mop up operations there.

On Tulagi.....Dave air trnasported another 1000 troops and now has 4500 troops there. The 2 USA regiments regained morale and sed disruption last turn so we will use PBYs to fly in supplies this turn while continue to hit the Japanese troops with aerial bombardments. If I can get the supply levels up a bit we will order an all out shock attack in 2 turns.

I spotted several ships in port at both Tulagi and Shortlands.....thinking that Dave had AE/AKEs in those ports to replenish his bombardment TFs I hit both with Liberators and B-17Ds.....ended up sinking SS I-23 and SS I-18 along with some small transports.

FORTRESS BATAVIA

Another quiet turn with only aerial and ground bombardments. Dave seems to have lost his sense of urgency here after the crisis passed in the south Pacific.

PHILIPPINES

At Cayagan....we have another 1:1 and then a 1:2 attack.....minor casualties for both sides.

Im cancelling this wave of blockade runners for Luzon. After some initial success on the first turn when we unloaded 6000 supplies Dave has sunk 3 of 4 xAKs with a surface TF. I still have over 70,000 supplies stockpiled on Luzon.

CBI

Dave has apparently split up his 6000 AV army in the north. Eleven of the 30 LCUs have marched E to the railhead at Taiyuan.....about 3000 AV. Im sure these troops will be railed to put out the fires Ive started all over central and coastal China.

Meanwhile....19 LCUs representing another 3000 AV head NW to cross the river and attack the retreating Chinese. B-17s based at Chungking hit the IJA stack hard and only 540 IJA AV make it across the river in a disasterous shock attack:

Ground combat at 89,39

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 15243 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 543

Defending force 24652 troops, 236 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 729

Japanese adjusted assault: 77

Allied adjusted defense: 1011

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 13

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

Japanese ground losses:
3642 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 197 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 217 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1048 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
129th Red Chinese Division
42nd Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry/ Corps
40th Chinese Corps
120th Red Chinese Division
89th Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry/ Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry/ Corps
6th Group Army
2nd War Area
7th Group Army

Japan loses some 214 squads......that takesa a bit of the sting out of the severe Chinese defeat 2 turns ago. Now I should be able to get sufficient forces to hold back Japan both on the Yenan secondary road and also the Sian/Taiyuan ,main highway.

Chinese troops have invested Foochow and are now moving on Hangchow, Kaifeng and Nanking....so Dave's army at the railyard in taiyuan has a lot of options as to where it could be deployed.

The IJA 51 LCU telephone pole at Canton remains inactive.

Ive attached a screenshot of Burma. There are 1000 Burma Corps AV that are about to engage some 1000 IJA AV at Katha. Meanwhile.....2000 AV of Indian/British/US troops cut there way through the jungle to envelope the IJA 15th Army from the rear. The RAF and USAAF quietly rest their bombers in India as they wait for the upcoming battle.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 2:48 am

5/24-5/25/42

OPERATION WATCHTOWER

Dave surprised me this turn by paradropping the Yokosuka 1st SNLF on Deboyne Is. I forgot that using paratroops would avoid the excessive disablements that occur in unprepped ampib assaults. The Aussie defenders were in the wrong mode...... enjoying some R & R on a tropical island. However on the next day they were back to fighting and the Japanese paratroops were out of supplies and had a net AV of 2 vs 39 for the Aussie 39th Battalion....the Japanese paratroops suffered heavy casualties in a 1:19 assault.

I think that Dave has CVL Ryujo sniffing around here to prevent me from reinforcing but if I can get a decent amount of bombers to hit his paratroops I may shock attack them back next turn.

Dave has his level 4 AF at Munda up and running.....despite the fact that Im hitting it with B-17s and getting 35-45 hits on it per day.....there must be an aweful lot of construction engineers there. He staged in 27 Sallys and 20 Oscars to Munda and now they are bombing my USMC raiders at Tassafaronga.

Dave sunk a couple of blockade running xAKLs heading to Lunga and he also naval bombarded Russell Is.

Using PBYs....I flew in about 100 supplies to the undersupplied 108th Regiment at Tulagi last turn. Next turn the Japanese defenders at Tulagi will get hit by every B-17, Hudson IIIa and B-25c in the theatre and we will launch an all out shock attack.

The Allied carriers and surface TFs withdraw to Noumea and take on badly needed fighter and DB replacements.There are IJN subs around Noumea also but not nearly as many as around Guadalcanal or Luganville. An amphibious TF drops off an engineer unit at Aoba Is. next door to Luganville....we will begin construction of a large AF there to support Luganville.

FORTRESS BATAVIA

Dave was finally able to achieve 1:1 odds at Batavia ands launched a couple of bloody assaults on the Dutch:

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 85479 troops, 934 guns, 562 vehicles, Assault Value = 2947

Defending force 33661 troops, 471 guns, 127 vehicles, Assault Value = 716

Japanese adjusted assault: 1364

Allied adjusted defense: 821

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
2012 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 64 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 92 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 33 disabled
Vehicles lost 34 (4 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1524 casualties reported
Squads: 110 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 105 destroyed, 142 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 14 (11 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Engineer Co
16th Naval Guard Unit
33rd Division
21st Division
5th Division
8th Tank Regiment
18th Division
4th Engineer Co
2nd Division
16th Division
4th Div /7
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
Marinier Battalion
Van Altena Battalion
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
1st Regt Cavalerie
VI KNIL Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
VII KNIL Battalion
2nd KNIL Regiment
Barisan KNIL Regiment
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
Manado Garrison Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
Makassar Garrison Battalion
MLD
Madion Base Force
ML-KNIL
Bandoeng Base Force
ABDA
Djojakarta Base Force
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Loemafjang Base Force
Soerabaja Base Force
Merak Base Force
Batavia Base Force
Commandement Marine
Tjilitap Base Force
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Banjoewangi Base Force
KNIL Army Command
Malang Base Force

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 83792 troops, 934 guns, 562 vehicles, Assault Value = 2916

Defending force 30917 troops, 471 guns, 116 vehicles, Assault Value = 607

Japanese adjusted assault: 946

Allied adjusted defense: 531

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
891 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 15 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3324 casualties reported
Squads: 41 destroyed, 96 disabled
Non Combat: 54 destroyed, 110 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 13 (11 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
5th Division
8th Tank Regiment
16th Naval Guard Unit
21st Division
33rd Division
2nd Division
18th Division
1st Tank Regiment
I/81st Naval Guard Unit
16th Division
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
4th Engineer Co
4th Div /7
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Engineer Co

Defending units:
Marinier Battalion
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Regiment
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
VII KNIL Battalion
1st Regt Cavalerie
VI KNIL Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Manado Garrison Battalion
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Van Altena Battalion
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
2nd KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Regiment
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
Makassar Garrison Battalion
ML-KNIL
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Madion Base Force
Batavia Base Force
Djojakarta Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
Commandement Marine
Bandoeng Base Force
KNIL Army Command
Tjilitap Base Force
MLD
Soerabaja Base Force
Banjoewangi Base Force
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
ABDA
Merak Base Force
Malang Base Force

I think that the end is near at Batavia....at least the Dutch disabled 200 more Japanese squads.

CBI

As I had expected.....Dave moved the rest of the split 6000 AV stack....some 3000 AV.....across the river onto the retreating Chinese SW of Yenan. Im pretty sure that I will be able to clear the hex next turn before an attack can be launched and then establish a defensive line W of Yenan.

With most of Japan's manuver forces up in the north the Chinese are running wild in the saouth central. Chinese troops invest Foochow and Shaohing on the coast and will invest Chaochow next turn. A shock attack is ordered for the Chinese troops at Foochow.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 10:01 pm

5/26-5/27/42

FORTRESS BATAVIA

The stubborn Dutch continue to resist at Batavia:

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 77552 troops, 882 guns, 484 vehicles, Assault Value = 2836

Defending force 28678 troops, 462 guns, 112 vehicles, Assault Value = 480

Japanese adjusted assault: 684

Allied adjusted defense: 483

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1175 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 85 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3211 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 105 destroyed, 210 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
5th Division
2nd Division
1st Engineer Co
4th Engineer Co
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
33rd Division
18th Division
16th Division
1st Tank Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
I/81st Naval Guard Unit
16th Naval Guard Unit
21st Division
4th Div /7
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
VII KNIL Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
Manado Garrison Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
Barisan KNIL Regiment
Roodenburg Battalion
Kendari Garrison Battalion
2nd KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
Van Altena Battalion
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
1st Regt Cavalerie
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
VI KNIL Battalion
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Makassar Garrison Battalion
Merak Base Force
ABDA
Batavia Base Force
Tjilitap Base Force
Commandement Marine
Djojakarta Base Force
MLD
Loemafjang Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force
ML-KNIL
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
Banjoewangi Base Force
KNIL Army Command
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Madion Base Force
Soerabaja Base Force
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Malang Base Force

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 76878 troops, 882 guns, 484 vehicles, Assault Value = 2806

Defending force 26178 troops, 455 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 391

Japanese adjusted assault: 808

Allied adjusted defense: 489

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
1245 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 66 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
908 casualties reported
Squads: 51 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (16 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
I/81st Naval Guard Unit
5th Division
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
33rd Division
16th Division
18th Division
4th Engineer Co
21st Division
1st Engineer Co
2nd Division
8th Tank Regiment
16th Naval Guard Unit
1st Tank Regiment
4th Div /7
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Southern Army
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
VI KNIL Battalion
1st Regt Cavalerie
VII KNIL Battalion
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Regiment
Roodenburg Battalion
2nd KNIL Regiment
Manado Garrison Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
Makassar Garrison Battalion
KNIL Army Command
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
MLD
Loemafjang Base Force
Banjoewangi Base Force
ML-KNIL
Commandement Marine
Batavia Base Force
ABDA
Bandoeng Base Force
Tjilitap Base Force
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
Soerabaja Base Force
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Merak Base Force
Djojakarta Base Force
Madion Base Force
Malang Base Force

SS O16 gains a measure of retribution by landing a torpedo on a fully loaded TK off Borneo:

Sub attack near Donggala at 67,97

Japanese Ships
TK Tatibana Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Suyozai Maru

Allied Ships
SS O16

SS O16 launches 4 torpedoes at TK Tatibana Maru
O16 diving deep ....
PB Suyozai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Suyozai Maru attacking submerged sub ....
SS O16 eludes PB Suyozai Maru by diving deep
PB Suyozai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Suyozai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Suyozai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Im shutting down the sub transport resupply from Australia to Batavia. Sips already en route will drop their loads and then redeploy to IJN shipping lanes or the south Pacific.

CBI

Chinese troops nearly capture Foochow on the coast:

Ground combat at Foochow (86,60)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3739 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 145

Defending force 3507 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 112

Allied adjusted assault: 102

Japanese adjusted defense: 50

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
12th Chinese/B Corps
12th Chinese/C Corps
28th Chinese/A Corps

Defending units:
115th Infantry Regiment
4th Field AF Const Bn /1

Ground combat at Foochow (86,60)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3460 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 120

Defending force 3252 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 98

Allied adjusted assault: 17

Japanese adjusted defense: 11

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
12th Chinese/C Corps
12th Chinese/B Corps
28th Chinese/A Corps

Defending units:
115th Infantry Regiment
4th Field AF Const Bn /1

Sigint reports that Japan has both armor and infantry loaded on xAKLs heading to Foochow. With the exception of liberating Chengchow/Loyang/Tsiaotso.... Chinese forces are spread too thin from their advance everywhere and anywhere in central/south central China to capture any important targets. Their main goal was to distract Dave and get the attention of the IJA 6000 AV army in northern China..... and this they certainly did as half of that army....some 3000 AV is now being railed to the south. The Chinese army withdrawing in the north towards Sian successfully vacated its hex this turn before the remaining 3000 AV Japanese army could launch an assault. Reinforcements are on the way and I should be able to stabilize the Chinese defensive line in the north some 3 or 4 hexes to the west.

In Burma...Dave continues to recon the Burma Corps army approaching his army in Katha from the E on a daily basis. The 2000 AV Allied army about to exit the jungle just N of Shwebo has never been reconned so hopefully it hasnt been spotted yet.

SOPAC/SWPAC

The Australian 39th Batallion batters the unsupplied Yokosuka 1st SNLF troops that were paradropped on Deboyne Is. last turn:

Ground combat at Deboyne Islands (103,135)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 628 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Defending force 192 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Allied adjusted assault: 40

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 40 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

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

Assaulting units:
39th Australian Battalion

Defending units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /3

Ground combat at Deboyne Islands (103,135)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 605 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 30

Defending force 147 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Allied adjusted assault: 5

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)

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

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

Assaulting units:
39th Australian Battalion

Defending units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /3

The US Army 182nd and 108th Regiments fail in their final attempt to capture the base on Tulagi:

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5611 troops, 146 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 182

Defending force 2099 troops, 30 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 70

Allied adjusted assault: 44

Japanese adjusted defense: 55

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
182nd Infantry Regiment
108th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
44th Naval Guard Unit
7th Base Force /1

With no hope of resupply or reinforcement....these troops are basically toast unless I can get some airfields up and running in the Solomons to cover an amphib withdrawal.

The 754th Tank launches the first attack on Tassafaronga:

Ground combat at Tassafaronga (113,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 661 troops, 3 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 112

Defending force 1597 troops, 19 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Allied adjusted assault: 9

Japanese adjusted defense: 40

Allied assault odds: 1 to 4 (fort level 1)

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

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

Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
1st Marine Raider Battalion
3rd Marine Raider Battalion

Defending units:
65th Bde /1
86th Nav Gd /1
5th Air Division
35th JNAF AF Unit
51st Const Co
39th Road Const Co /1
48th Road Const Co /1

Looks like Dave is making a major effort here to hold the base at Tassafaronga for reinforcements. He is airlifting the 65th Brigade and apparently supplies into the hex, built forts and is bombing my ground forces from his base at Munda every turn.

IJN surface TFs bombard both Lunga and Russell Is.:

Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Nagato
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
DD Shikinami
DD Inazuma
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hayashio
DD Kazegumo

Allied ground losses:
304 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 51
Port hits 21
Port supply hits 1

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Ise
BB Ise firing at Lunga
BB Yamashiro firing at Lunga
BB Nagato firing at Lunga
CA Mikuma firing at Lunga
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Mogami
CA Mogami firing at 8th Marine Regiment
DD Shikinami firing at 8th Marine Regiment
DD Inazuma firing at 8th Marine Regiment
DD Tokitsukaze firing at 164th Infantry Regiment
DD Hayashio firing at Lunga
DD Kazegumo firing at Lunga

Night Naval bombardment of Russell Islands at 113,136

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
CL Sendai
DD Shirayuki
DD Usugumo

E7K2 Alf acting as spotter for CL Isuzu
CL Isuzu firing at 161st Infantry Regiment
E7K2 Alf acting as spotter for CL Sendai
CL Sendai firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Shirayuki firing at 161st Infantry Regiment
DD Usugumo firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment

The airfield at Lunga is still 75% damaged. I still am not able to airlift engineers into Russell Is. even though I have PBYs and a level 1 AF and there are no enemy troops present on the island.

Allied construction troops continue to work on level 1 AFs at Aoba and Rennell Is. and a level 1 port at Rossel Is....once the port is built I have 3 SST subs to transport supplies/men/materiel into the base.

The Allied carriers and surface TFs withdraw to Noumea to rearm, refuel, repair damage and take on AC replacements.

Unfortunately....KB didnt return to port but instead sailed into our convoy lanes around Fiji and hammered a transport TF:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 132,157

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK West Camargo, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Admiral Wood, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Admiral Chase, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Ewa, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Liloa
xAK San Anselmo, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AM Quail

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 132,157

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Charles McCormick, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Cynthia Olson, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Lewis Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Liloa, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Clevedon, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 132,157

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Quail, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Atlanta City, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ethel Edwards, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Mahimahi, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Lillian Luckenbach, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Atlanta City
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Lillian Luckenbach

There were 29 xAKs in this TF and half were sunk today...the other half will probably sink tomorrow. The only thing that mitigates the pain of this fiasco is that the xAKs were loaded with fuel and supplies so no LCUs or AC squadrons were lost.

The USN Silent Service finally begins to attack targets throughout the Solomons:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 26, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Shortlands at 110,132

Japanese Ships
LB-109, Shell hits 2, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Gato

LB-109 is sighted by SS Gato
SS Gato attacking LB-109 on the surface

Sub attack near Vella Lavella at 109,133

Japanese Ships
APD Tade, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Trout

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

SS Trout launches 2 torpedoes
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortlands at 109,131

Japanese Ships
PB Okuyo Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Grayling

SS Grayling launches 2 torpedoes
Grayling bottoming out ....
PB Okuyo Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Okuyo Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Okuyo Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Okuyo Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Okuyo Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Vella Lavella at 109,133

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
BB Yamashiro
DD Shikinami
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
SS Growler

SS Growler launches 4 torpedoes at CA Mikuma
DD Shikinami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Inazuma attacking submerged sub ....
DD Inazuma attacking submerged sub ....
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Inazuma fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortlands at 110,132

Japanese Ships
CM Naryu
CM Hirashima
DMS W-15

Allied Ships
SS Gato

SS Gato launches 2 torpedoes at CM Naryu
Gato diving deep ....
DMS W-15 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-15 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-15 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-15 fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-15 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 27, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Russell Islands at 112,135

Japanese Ships
DD Shirayuki

Allied Ships
SS S-46, hits 1

SS S-46 is sighted by escort
S-46 diving deep ....
DD Shirayuki attacking submerged sub ....
DD Shirayuki attacking submerged sub ....
SS S-46 eludes DD Shirayuki by diving deep
DD Shirayuki attacking submerged sub ....
SS S-46 eludes DD Shirayuki by diving deep
DD Shirayuki loses contact with SS S-46
DD Shirayuki cannot establish contact with SS S-46
DD Shirayuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shirayuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:34 am

5/28-5/29/42

FORTRESS BATAVIA.....THE END

The valiant Dutch defenders at Batavia finally surrender after two more Japanese assaults:

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 76137 troops, 882 guns, 484 vehicles, Assault Value = 2754

Defending force 24644 troops, 449 guns, 104 vehicles, Assault Value = 326

Japanese adjusted assault: 606

Allied adjusted defense: 447

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
425 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1839 casualties reported
Squads: 113 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 68 destroyed, 99 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (10 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
18th Division
5th Division
4th Engineer Co
16th Naval Guard Unit
21st Division
16th Division
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
1st Tank Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
2nd Division
33rd Division
1st Engineer Co
I/81st Naval Guard Unit
4th Div /7
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Shipping Engineer Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Southern Army
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
4th KNIL Regiment
1st Regt Cavalerie
Manado Garrison Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
Kendari Garrison Battalion
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
VII KNIL Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
2nd KNIL Regiment
Makassar Garrison Battalion
MLD
Tjilitap Base Force
Merak Base Force
1st KNIL AA Battalion
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Soerabaja Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
Djojakarta Base Force
Batavia Base Force
Madion Base Force
KNIL Army Command
ML-KNIL
Commandement Marine
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
Banjoewangi Base Force
ABDA
Malang Base Force

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 75844 troops, 882 guns, 484 vehicles, Assault Value = 2769

Defending force 22924 troops, 444 guns, 97 vehicles, Assault Value = 284

Japanese adjusted assault: 633

Allied adjusted defense: 311

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Batavia !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
865 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
25201 casualties reported
Squads: 920 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1201 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 173 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 577 (577 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 131 (131 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 33

Assaulting units:
5th Division
2nd Division
80th Garrison Battalion
33rd Division
1st Engineer Co
21st Division
I/81st Naval Guard Unit
4th Engineer Co
16th Division
18th Division
1st Tank Regiment
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
16th Naval Guard Unit
8th Tank Regiment
4th Div /7
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Shipping Engineer Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Southern Army
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
VII KNIL Battalion
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
1st Regt Cavalerie
2nd KNIL Regiment
Makassar Garrison Battalion
Soerabaja Base Force
ML-KNIL
Batavia Base Force
Commandement Marine
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Loemafjang Base Force
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Bandoeng Base Force
Tjilitap Base Force
Madion Base Force
Merak Base Force
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
ABDA
Djojakarta Base Force
KNIL Army Command
MLD
Banjoewangi Base Force
Malang Base Force

25,000 Dutch troops are marched off into captivity. Japan suffered over 1500 squad disablements here.....but now 7 1/2 divisions are finally released for Phase II.

PHILIPPINES

Japan finally secures Mindanao by capturing Cayagan:

Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22503 troops, 200 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 734

Defending force 7002 troops, 81 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 120

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 218

Allied adjusted defense: 81

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Cagayan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
342 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2905 casualties reported
Squads: 106 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 244 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 52 (52 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 9

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
10th Garrison Unit
38th Division
62nd Naval Guard Unit
11th Garrison Unit
88th Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
102nd PA Infantry/B Division
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
1st /101st PA Battalion
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
102nd PA Infantry/A Division
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
102nd PA Infantry/C Division
Cagayan USAAF Base Force
III Philippine Corps

The IJA 38th Division is now released for Phase II...that makes 8 1/2 IJA SAA divisions released this turn.

CBI

In Burma....2 Allied regiments exit the jungle and sever the Swebo/Katha highway. Somehow.....the other 1800 AV of Allied troops not only dont exit the jungle but have their movement reset to zero. Now Dave not only knows that Im trying to cut off his troops in Katha but most of my army is still stuck in the jungle. The 2 IJA divisions at Katha should easily be able to withdraw now as my 2 regiements will run for cover.

In China...Chinese troops capture Shaohing as Dave abandons the city:

Ground combat at Shaohing (91,56)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8940 troops, 70 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 429

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 236

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 236 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Shaohing !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Assaulting units:
86th Chinese/A Corps
100th Chinese/A Corps
88th Chinese/B Corps
86th Chinese/B Corps
10th Group Army

Im reconning the Japoanese railhead at Taiyuan every turn. Some 3000 Japanese AV are now on the rails heading south. Meanwhile...the remaining 3000 AV Japanese army in the north has hunkered down on the taiyuan/Sian secondary road and the Chinese stop retreating and dig in.

This turn represents the Chinese "high water mark" for the war. Chinese troops have captured Chengchow/Loyang/Tsiaotso/Shaohing and additional armies stand outside Kaifeng/Nanking/Hangchow. With 3000 Japanese AV on the rails now....Chinese troops will withdraw from Kaifeng/Nanking/Hangchow now but the offensive will continue further to the south around Amoy where Japan has no railroads.

China has now regained its entire front line form the start of the war plus has captured Ichang/Nanchang/Shaohing.

The IJA panzer korps rests in Canton and is flanked by 2 Chinese anti-tank traps.

SOPAC/SWPAC

Things have gone from bad to worse in this theatre. Two weeks ago I had a functioning level 4 AF at Lunga and both the Japanese AFs at Munda and Shortlands were out of business. Now....Lunga is over 80% damaged and both Munda and Shortlands support over 100 AC apiece.

I tried an all out attempt to capture Tassafaronga but Dave was able to reinforce it this turn with virtually all of the 65th Brigade by fast transport:

Ground combat at Tassafaronga (113,137)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1939 troops, 3 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 114

Defending force 5354 troops, 46 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 233

Allied adjusted assault: 31

Japanese adjusted defense: 166

Allied assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 45 (29 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
1st Marine Raider Battalion
3rd Marine Raider Battalion

Defending units:
65th Bde /1
86th Nav Gd /1
5th Air Division
39th Road Const Co /1
51st Const Co
35th JNAF AF Unit
48th Road Const Co /1

Now....my only AF in the Solomons is at Lunga and its over 80% damaged. Im not able to transport engineers into Russell Is. and I will never capture Tassafaronga or Tulagi. Im going to withdraw from Tassafaronga....Dave will drop off several divisions here to recapture Lunga. Im now in danger of losing the equivalent of nearly 3 divisons at Russell Is./Tulagi/Tassafaronga/Lunga.

On a positive note....CV Lexington left port at Luganville this turn and conducted sea trials....the patch over the torpedo hole in her hull seemed to hold so she will rejoin the fleet to project another 100 AC. Cv wasp will complete her traverse of the Panama canal in 4 days and should reach the south Pacific in 3-4 weks. When Cv wasp arrives on station in the south Pacific......we will attempt a massive resupply/reinforcement op on Lunga.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:35 am

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

5/28-5/29/42

FORTRESS BATAVIA.....THE END

The valiant Dutch defenders at Batavia finally surrender after two more Japanese assaults:

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 76137 troops, 882 guns, 484 vehicles, Assault Value = 2754

Defending force 24644 troops, 449 guns, 104 vehicles, Assault Value = 326

Japanese adjusted assault: 606

Allied adjusted defense: 447

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
425 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1839 casualties reported
Squads: 113 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 68 destroyed, 99 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (10 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
18th Division
5th Division
4th Engineer Co
16th Naval Guard Unit
21st Division
16th Division
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
1st Tank Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
2nd Division
33rd Division
1st Engineer Co
I/81st Naval Guard Unit
4th Div /7
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Shipping Engineer Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Southern Army
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
4th KNIL Regiment
1st Regt Cavalerie
Manado Garrison Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
Kendari Garrison Battalion
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
VII KNIL Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
2nd KNIL Regiment
Makassar Garrison Battalion
MLD
Tjilitap Base Force
Merak Base Force
1st KNIL AA Battalion
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Soerabaja Base Force
Bandoeng Base Force
Loemafjang Base Force
Djojakarta Base Force
Batavia Base Force
Madion Base Force
KNIL Army Command
ML-KNIL
Commandement Marine
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
Banjoewangi Base Force
ABDA
Malang Base Force

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 75844 troops, 882 guns, 484 vehicles, Assault Value = 2769

Defending force 22924 troops, 444 guns, 97 vehicles, Assault Value = 284

Japanese adjusted assault: 633

Allied adjusted defense: 311

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Batavia !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
865 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
25201 casualties reported
Squads: 920 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1201 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 173 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 577 (577 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 131 (131 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 33

Assaulting units:
5th Division
2nd Division
80th Garrison Battalion
33rd Division
1st Engineer Co
21st Division
I/81st Naval Guard Unit
4th Engineer Co
16th Division
18th Division
1st Tank Regiment
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
16th Naval Guard Unit
8th Tank Regiment
4th Div /7
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Shipping Engineer Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Southern Army
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Kendari Garrison Battalion
Roodenburg Battalion
VII KNIL Battalion
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Regiment
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Mobiele Eenheid Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
6th KNIL Regiment
1st Regt Cavalerie
2nd KNIL Regiment
Makassar Garrison Battalion
Soerabaja Base Force
ML-KNIL
Batavia Base Force
Commandement Marine
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Loemafjang Base Force
1st KNIL AA Battalion
Bandoeng Base Force
Tjilitap Base Force
Madion Base Force
Merak Base Force
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
ABDA
Djojakarta Base Force
KNIL Army Command
MLD
Banjoewangi Base Force
Malang Base Force

25,000 Dutch troops are marched off into captivity. Japan suffered over 1500 squad disablements here.....but now 7 1/2 divisions are finally released for Phase II.

PHILIPPINES

Japan finally secures Mindanao by capturing Cayagan:

Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22503 troops, 200 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 734

Defending force 7002 troops, 81 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 120

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 218

Allied adjusted defense: 81

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Cagayan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
342 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2905 casualties reported
Squads: 106 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 244 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 52 (52 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 9

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
10th Garrison Unit
38th Division
62nd Naval Guard Unit
11th Garrison Unit
88th Naval Guard Unit
67th Naval Guard Unit

Defending units:
102nd PA Infantry/B Division
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
1st /101st PA Battalion
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
102nd PA Infantry/A Division
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
102nd PA Infantry/C Division
Cagayan USAAF Base Force
III Philippine Corps

The IJA 38th Division is now released for Phase II...that makes 8 1/2 IJA SAA divisions released this turn.

CBI

In Burma....2 Allied regiments exit the jungle and sever the Swebo/Katha highway. Somehow.....the other 1800 AV of Allied troops not only dont exit the jungle but have their movement reset to zero. Now Dave not only knows that Im trying to cut off his troops in Katha but most of my army is still stuck in the jungle. The 2 IJA divisions at Katha should easily be able to withdraw now as my 2 regiements will run for cover.

In China...Chinese troops capture Shaohing as Dave abandons the city:

Ground combat at Shaohing (91,56)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8940 troops, 70 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 429

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 236

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 236 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Shaohing !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Assaulting units:
86th Chinese/A Corps
100th Chinese/A Corps
88th Chinese/B Corps
86th Chinese/B Corps
10th Group Army

Im reconning the Japoanese railhead at Taiyuan every turn. Some 3000 Japanese AV are now on the rails heading south. Meanwhile...the remaining 3000 AV Japanese army in the north has hunkered down on the taiyuan/Sian secondary road and the Chinese stop retreating and dig in.

This turn represents the Chinese "high water mark" for the war. Chinese troops have captured Chengchow/Loyang/Tsiaotso/Shaohing and additional armies stand outside Kaifeng/Nanking/Hangchow. With 3000 Japanese AV on the rails now....Chinese troops will withdraw from Kaifeng/Nanking/Hangchow now but the offensive will continue further to the south around Amoy where Japan has no railroads.

China has now regained its entire front line form the start of the war plus has captured Ichang/Nanchang/Shaohing.

The IJA panzer korps rests in Canton and is flanked by 2 Chinese anti-tank traps.

SOPAC/SWPAC

Things have gone from bad to worse in this theatre. Two weeks ago I had a functioning level 4 AF at Lunga and both the Japanese AFs at Munda and Shortlands were out of business. Now....Lunga is over 80% damaged and both Munda and Shortlands support over 100 AC apiece.

I tried an all out attempt to capture Tassafaronga but Dave was able to reinforce it this turn with virtually all of the 65th Brigade by fast transport:

Ground combat at Tassafaronga (113,137)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1939 troops, 3 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 114

Defending force 5354 troops, 46 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 233

Allied adjusted assault: 31

Japanese adjusted defense: 166

Allied assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 45 (29 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
1st Marine Raider Battalion
3rd Marine Raider Battalion

Defending units:
65th Bde /1
86th Nav Gd /1
5th Air Division
39th Road Const Co /1
51st Const Co
35th JNAF AF Unit
48th Road Const Co /1

Now....my only AF in the Solomons is at Lunga and its over 80% damaged. Im not able to transport engineers into Russell Is. and I will never capture Tassafaronga or Tulagi. Im going to withdraw from Tassafaronga....Dave will drop off several divisions here to recapture Lunga. Im now in danger of losing the equivalent of nearly 3 divisons at Russell Is./Tulagi/Tassafaronga/Lunga.

On a positive note....CV Lexington left port at Luganville this turn and conducted sea trials....the patch over the torpedo hole in her hull seemed to hold so she will rejoin the fleet to project another 100 AC. CV Wasp will complete her traverse of the Panama canal in 4 days and should reach the south Pacific in 3-4 weeks. When CV Wasp arrives on station in the south Pacific......we will attempt a massive resupply/reinforcement op on Lunga.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:02 pm

5/30-5/31/42

SOPAC/SWPAC

Japan counterattacks at Tassafaronga and wins.....the USMC raiders and 754th Tamk are forced to retreat back to Lunga.

The Japanese are now firmly entrenched on Guadalcanal and it will just be a matter of time before massive reinforcements are landed.

Most of the Allied fleet is in port at Noumea.....repairing damage and taking on AC replacements.

PHILIPPINES

All quiet on Luzon. It will be interesting to see how much of the SAA is diverted here.

CBI

Chinese troops continue to withdraw from Hangchow and Nanking. All quiet in northern China as both sides dig in.

In Burma....the IJA troops at Katha remain in place. Looks like Dave is unimpressed with my counteroffensive so far.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 4:12 am

6/1-6/2/42

PHILIPPINES

Dave launches a deliberate assault on Luzon for the first time in months at San Fernando:

Ground combat at San Fernando (80,74)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18111 troops, 265 guns, 135 vehicles, Assault Value = 565

Defending force 13918 troops, 156 guns, 288 vehicles, Assault Value = 472

Japanese adjusted assault: 111

Allied adjusted defense: 205

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
282 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 64 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 60 (5 destroyed, 55 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
271 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
90th Infantry Regiment
48th Division
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
30th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
21st PA Infantry/C Division
21st PA Infantry/A Division
194th Tank Battalion
11th PA Infantry/A Division
21st PA Infantry/B Division
192nd Tank Battalion
11th PA Infantry/C Division
41st PA Infantry/B Division
USAFFE

For some reason I cant draw supplies into San Fernando....yet if I withdraw to Lingayen I lose the favorable defensive terrain. I will continue to roate troops with supplies into san fernando...and withdraw the unsupplied troops. I still have over 70,000 supplies on Luzon and if the cbt report gives Dave the impression that Im out of supplies on Luzon so much the better.

SECOND BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA

This could be the defining naval battle of the war. Dave hit Russell Is. this turn with both naval and aerial bombardments:

Night Naval bombardment of Russell Islands at 113,136

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso
DD Susuki
DD Hasu
DD Mikazuki
DD Ayanami
DD Shikinami
DD Inazuma
DD Suzukaze
DD Kazegumo

Allied ground losses:
194 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Hyuga
BB Hyuga firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Fuso
BB Fuso firing at 161st Infantry Regiment
DD Susuki firing at 161st Infantry Regiment
DD Hasu firing at 161st Infantry Regiment
DD Mikazuki firing at 161st Infantry Regiment
DD Ayanami firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Shikinami firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Inazuma firing at 161st Infantry Regiment
DD Suzukaze firing at 161st Infantry Regiment
DD Kazegumo firing at 161st Infantry Regiment

I've posted a screenshot with dispositions of Japanese AC. Russell Is. is now 60% damaged but now Lunga is 100% repaired. In fact...Lunga built 2 levels of entrenchments this turn. Recon show Dave has 4 BBs at Shortlands. Dave has Oscars and Sallys at Munda. Dave has A6M2s at Shortlands but they are mostly sweeping my AFs so if he has 90 Netties at Shortlands they will be mostly unescorted. The Oscars and Sallys at Munda hit Russell Is. this turn and undoubtably will hit Lunga next turn.

This is perhaps the turning point of the war. The last time Lunga was 100% operational I screwed up the surface TF defense and the AF was quickly shut down with the eventual loss of over 130 AC. Now...I have a choice. Fight to keep Lunga open and heavily reinforce with troops and supplies or withdraw and lose all the Solomons.

Im totally out of position for what is about to happen but perhaps Japan is also out of position. All of the Allied BBs and CVs are at Noumea. Im staging 120 fighters and 125 bombers into Lunga and 17 cruisers along with 16 DDs at Luganville will rush to Lunga to defend against the IJN onslaught. Ive staged 25 of the brand new Avengers into Lunga should the IJN BBs come calling next turn. Some 90 B-26s at Lunga will attempt to close the Japanese AF at Shortlands while 80 4Es at Luganville will attempt to close Munda. Adm Summerville will race from Noumea to Lunga with BB PoW and BB Warspite and should arrive by the 2nd day of the turn to fight off IJB BBs. In addition...the Allied carriers will sortie into the Coral Sea in 4 seperate groups and by the end of the 2nd day we should have another 80 TBs in range of possible IJN bombardment TFs. CV Lexington will sail with a patch over her torpedo damage as will the newly arrived CVE Long Island....I staged a VMSB Vindicator squadron to CVE Long Island so those 2 ships alone should enable us to project an additional 110 AC into the fight....nearly equal with beefed up KB. That along with additional sub patrols and mines should make Lunga a more dangerous destination for IJN bombardment TFs.

KB has apparently finally withdrawn to Rabaul and beyond to rearm/refuel/take on AC replacements. It will take me 2-3 turns to get all my ducks in a row but if I fail here I maybe lose all the Solomons and up to 3 divisions of troops.

Stay tuned.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:22 am

6/3/42

THE AIR WAR

Japanese plane losses have ramped up nearly 30% since I last posted AC losses as of 5/4/42.

Japan has now lost 2769 AC vs Allied losses of 2335 AC. In A2A......Japan has lost 1204 AC vs Allied losses of 1028 AC....Japan has now lost 20% more AC in A2A combat than the Allies.

Here is a screenshot of Japanese plane losses by type. Notice that A6M2 losses of 619 are nearly 40% greater than on 5/4/42(446). In fact....A6M2 losses have doubled in the last 7 weeks.

So Japan has lost 170 A6M2s in the last month and over 300 A6M2s in the last 2 months. Are those kinds of losses sustainable in AE? Are the resultant losses in pilots sustainable in AE?

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:37 am

6/3/42

THE AIR WAR.....CONTINUED

And here is a screenshot of Allied plane losses by type. Noticeable here is the presence of the great A6M2 killer.....the P-39D......on the list for the first time....in 2nd place. Note that nearly 30% of the P-39D losses occured on the ground from the naval bombardment of Lunga.

Wirraway_Ace · Post by **Wirraway_Ace** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:22 am

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

6/3/42

THE AIR WAR

Japanese plane losses have ramped up nearly 30% since I last posted AC losses as of 5/4/42.

Japan has now lost 2769 AC vs Allied losses of 2335 AC. In A2A......Japan has lost 1204 AC vs Allied losses of 1028 AC....Japan has now lost 20% more AC in A2A combat than the Allies.

Here is a screenshot of Japanese plane losses by type. Notice that A6M2 losses of 619 are nearly 40% greater than on 5/4/42(446). In fact....A6M2 losses have doubled in the last 7 weeks.

So Japan has lost 170 A6M2s in the last month and over 300 A6M2s in the last 2 months. Are those kinds of losses sustainable in AE? Are the resultant losses in pilots sustainable in AE?

My opinion is he can not sustain this loss rate in trained Navy fighter pilots (assuming he has lost approximately 300 A6M2 pilots in 6 months). However, he can easily do so with Army pilots, so I would expect to see a lot more Oscars in the Solomons. They have good range with drop tanks and their cruise speed makes them good escorts for Netties or Sallys. By next month, you may see Tojos arrive in large numbers if he made a serious attempt to accelarate them. Of course,

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 11:29 pm

Good grief Wirraway_Ace.....dont tell me that I can expect to see Tojos in large numbers in July 1942! Im still scraping for every F2A-3 Buffalo I can put on a flattop and my USAAF squadrons are mostly using P-39Ds and P-400s. You are correct about Dave using Oscars in the south Pacific...Im encountering them in ever larger numbers as we speak.

6/3-6/4/42

SOPAC

One of the problems of naming a naval battle before it happens is that it may never occur. The IJN BBs in fact never showed up for the ambush I had laid this turn at Guadalcanal.

We had another 180 degree change in momentum this turn however. A week ago Lunga was 80% damaged and Japan had over 350 AC based on Shortlands and Munda. This turn the Cactus Air Force staged back into newly repaired Lunga and turned the tables. Every Japanese aerial attack on Lunga was thrown back with heavy losses:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 23
P-39D Airacobra x 38
P-40E Warhawk x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (4 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
70th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
35th FG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 2 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 15000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
49th FG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27
Ki-27b Nate x 7

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 22
P-39D Airacobra x 36
P-40E Warhawk x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 19 destroyed
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/8th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 32100.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
70th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
35th FG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
49th FG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 13

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 21
P-39D Airacobra x 31
P-40E Warhawk x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 8 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
70th FS with P-40E Warhawk (5 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
49th FG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
35th FG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes

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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 18
P-39D Airacobra x 29
P-40E Warhawk x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (6 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 6 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
70th FS with P-40E Warhawk (3 airborne, 4 on standby, 2 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
49th FG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
35th FG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 3
Ki-27b Nate x 4

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 23
P-39D Airacobra x 39
P-40E Warhawk x 38
F2A-3 Buffalo x 5
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
VMF-111 with F2A-3 Buffalo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-221 with F2A-3 Buffalo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/8th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (3 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
35th FG/39th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
70th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
35th FG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/HqS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers

Meanwhile....B-26s staged into Lunga pounded the Japanese airfield at Shortlands:

Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 7
B-26 Marauder x 33
B-26B Marauder x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 destroyed on ground
G3M2 Nell: 5 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 3 destroyed
B-26 Marauder: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 28

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (13 airborne, 12 on standby, 4 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers

Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 1
B-26 Marauder x 34
B-26B Marauder x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed
B-26 Marauder: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 61

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 23 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers

Concurrent with this......4Es based at Luganville and A-24s based at Lunga work over Munda:

Morning Air attack on Munda , at 111,134

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-27b Nate x 10
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 65
LB-30 Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai/A with Ki-27b Nate (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
24th Sentai/B with Ki-27b Nate (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

Morning Air attack on Munda , at 111,134

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Ki-27b Nate x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 3
A-24 Banshee x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai/A with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
24th Sentai/B with Ki-27b Nate (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead

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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Ki-27b Nate x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 46
LB-30 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 1 damaged
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 10 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 34

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 113 minutes
24th Sentai/A with Ki-27b Nate (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
24th Sentai/B with Ki-27b Nate (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

Morning Air attack on Munda , at 111,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-27b Nate x 12
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
LB-30 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
24th Sentai/A with Ki-27b Nate (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 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 7000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
24th Sentai/B with Ki-27b Nate (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes

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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Ki-27b Nate x 3
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai/B with Ki-27b Nate (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 6000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 82 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (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 6000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
24th Sentai/A with Ki-27b Nate (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 27 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (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 14000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes

B-25s and Hudson IIILRs based at Luganville hit the Japanese airfield at Tulagi.

When the smoke clears.....Japan has lost another 137 AC to 49 Allied AC. In A2A.....Japan loses 82 AC to 25 Allied AC. The Allies destroy 34 Japanese AC on the ground to partially avenge the infamous IJN bombardment of Lunga. Individual plane losses include: 54 Sallys; 26 Nells; 19 A6M2s; 14 Oscars; 11 A-24s; 11 B-26s; 11 Sonias and 9 Lilys.

Now...the Shortlands AF is 35% damaged and only 34 AC remain from the 220 AC ther last turn. The Munda AF is 30% damaged and only 23 AC remain from the 120 AC there last turn. I bet that the majority of the AC left at Shortlands and Munda are damaged and cannot conduct flight ops. Dave has 100 fighters at Rabaul. The relative strength in airpower in the Solomons has completely reversed in the last 48 hours.

The IJN BBs never showed up off Guadalcanal but the brand new Avengers found a target rich environment anyway:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Munda at 111,134

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Ki-27b Nate x 2
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Kibi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
PB Seki Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
PB Okuyo Maru #2
PB Kashiwa Maru
PB Heizan Maru

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (9 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
6 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai/A with Ki-27b Nate (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (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 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Seki Maru #3

If they can hit hit PBs....they can certainly hit BBs. Now Dave knows that I have longer ranged TBs at Lunga and should show a bit more caution when using the IJN BBs for bombardment.

With all the IJN subs around me....I cant afford to keep the Allied carriers in the Coral Sea another turn. Ive attached a screenshot of the current dispositions of Allied carriers and their orders for next turn.

CV Wasp traversed the Panama Canal this turn and will head into the vast south Pacific next turn. Unfortunately....I cannot wait for her to arrive at the end of June to continue my offensive into the Solomons. I have to keep the AF at Lunga open now at all costs and I have to reinforce Guadalcanal with troops and supplies immediately. Its really interesting....in all the games Ive played of WitP since 2004...Im finally feeling the sense of desperation and finality that the Allies felt in RL 10/42 at Guadalcanal. Both Dave and I are throwing in very last carrier/BB/CA/CL that we have and while I find the current situation very stressful and nailbiting...I also find it very interesting and exhilarating. I think that next turn Dave will sweep Lunga with the 100 A6M2s at Rabaul and then will send in KB to hit my surface TFs covering Lunga. I withdrew the DBs from Lunga and staged in another 75 fighters....mostly P-400s. Im sending Admiral Paliser's surface TF with 3 "R" class BBs to reinforce the other surface TFs at Lunga. An USN cruiser TF will naval bombard Munda next turn in conjunction with the Luganville based 4Es and the B-26s will again hit Shortlands.

The Allied carriers will exit the Coral Sea and redeploy to the eastern Solomons.....Im anticipating KB to approach from the direction of Ontong Java based on IJN fleet movements(north of this screenshot) around Rabaul and the Feni Islands. CV Lexington was left behind last turn as she can only make 27 knots due to the 27 FLT damage suffered from the IJN sub launched torpedo.....the good news is that the temporary patch over the torpedo damage in her hull is holding and she will rejoin the other carriers next turn along with CVE Long Island.

Allied base building continues in the central and southern Solomons. Rossel Is. has now completed 92% of a level 1 port and should open it next turn. Then the 3 SSTs and a dozen subs redeploying from the DEI to the Coral Sea will drop off supplies/men /materiel at Rossel and it should reach level 1 AF very quickly. I have the USMC 9th Regiment 100% prepped for Rossel and its railing to Cairns this turn...it will be transported to Rossel and Rossel wil become one of my defensive cornerstones in the Coral Sea. Russell Is. has 43% completion of a level 1 AF and Aoba Is. is almost at level 2 AF now.

Dave and I are beating on each other in China, Burma and the Philippines but none of that really matters now. All that matters now is the SOPAC and the titanic clash that is about to unfold between the entire might of the IJN and the USN/RN in the Solomons and the surrounding waters. This is the first game Ive played of WitP where a life or death struugle played out around Guadalcanal in 1942(my first game game of WitP in 2004...."they were expendable"....had a life or death struggle in the Gilberts in 1942).

House Stark · Post by **House Stark** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:00 am

I have to say this is one of the most interesting and exciting games I've witnessed so far. You definitely seem to have done a good job at giving your opponent too many problems to tackle simultaneously, which probably explains why you're able to make a fight of the Solomons so soon. Really interested to see what your opponent does about the Philippines in light of your counterattacks in China, SoPac, and Burma. And that last turn-what were the air losses? It seems your opponent had an overstacked airfield or got really unlucky, because those were some small and weakly escorted bomber strikes.

As for IJN air losses, whether or not their sustainable really depends on how your opponent plays the game. If he tries to play semi historically, than he's probably hurting for pilots. If he's a production mastermind and resizes air groups and such, he probably has plenty of pilots. I don't know him, or what rules you guys play with concerning air group resizing, or what experience your opponent trains his pilots to. All those would determine whether or not your likely to masses of zeroes continue to appear no matter how fast you shoot them down.

One more thing, about your use of land units. I've noticed you keep your divisions separate even when in combat. Most people on this forum seem to recommend combining units before fighting to reduce casualties/increase effectiveness/do something positive. Have you noticed any difference using your tactics. I will say though, that this AAR inspired me to divide units to maximize replacements, especially in the Philippines and China early on.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 5:10 pm

House Stark.....thanx for your comments. The other advantage of breaking down your corps into sub units is that not only do they gain replacements faster but they also recover disablements faster.

HISTORICAL 1ST NAVAL BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL: 11/13/42

The historical 1st Naval Battle of Guadalcanal(also known as the 3rd battle of Savo Island) has always been one of my favorite reads regarding the Pacific war. The US Navy was trying to defend Henderson Field against seemingly hopeless odds......2 IJN Kongo class BBs, 1 CL and 11 DDs faced off against 2 USN CAs, 3 CLs and 8 DDs. In the ensuing melee both Admiral Scott and Admiral Callahan were killed....and Admiral Abe was wounded. The senior surviving USN officer was the captain of CL Helena. Two USN CLs and 4 DDs were sunk against 1 IJN CL and 2 DDs. BB Hiei was a floating wreck as daylight arrived....Samuel Eliot Morison reported that there were some 60 holes in her superstructure from 8" shells. Avengers based at henderson Field finished her off the next day.

I havent had much luck in surface combat against IJN BBs in some 20-30 games of WitP/CHS/BigB/AE. It always seems as if it takes my entire navy to kill one of these monsters at a time....read my 1st AE AAR...."In Harm's Way" and you will see how painful it was to finally kill off all 12 IJN BBs...even with total carrier superiority. In fact...you will notic in this AAR that I havent used my USN BBs in any surface combats yet....I use them strictly as carrier escorts for their AA platform and for their use as torpedo magnets. Im only using the RN BBs in surface TFs so far in this game.

Having not had much luck with USN BBs vs IJN BBs.....i had always wondered if AE modeled the Kongo class BBs properly....ie as thin skinned BCs rather than fully armored BBs and if they were succeptible to penetration by 8" shells.....ie could USN CAs duplicate their RL feat at the 1st Battle of Guadalacanal.

Well this next turn of our game I finally found out.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:07 pm

6/5/42

SOPAC

The turn begins with CL Boise and escorts annihilating an IJN barge TF off Tulagi:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 05, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tulagi at 114,137, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-101, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-102, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-103
LB-104
LB-105, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-106
LB-107
LB-108, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-110, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-111
LB-112, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Boise
DD Conyngham
DD Shaw
DD Selfridge
DD John D. Ford
DMS Long

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 60% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages LB-112 at 7,000 yards
LB-112 sunk by DD Selfridge at 7,000 yards
LB-105 sunk by CL Boise at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
LB-101 sunk by CL Boise at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
LB-102 sunk by DD Conyngham at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
LB-108 sunk by CL Boise at 2,000 yards
LB-110 sunk by DD Shaw at 2,000 yards
DD Shaw engages LB-103 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD John D. Ford engages LB-106 at 3,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Thousand Ships Bay at 114,136, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-103, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-104, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-106, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LB-107, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-111, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Boise
DD Conyngham
DD Shaw
DD Selfridge
DD John D. Ford
DMS Long

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 60% moonlight: 10,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 9,000 yards
LB-111 sunk by CL Boise at 9,000 yards
LB-107 sunk by CL Boise at 9,000 yards
LB-104 sunk by CL Boise at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Conyngham engages LB-106 at 6,000 yards
DMS Long engages LB-106 at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
LB-106 sunk by DD Conyngham at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
LB-103 sunk by CL Boise at 2,000 yards
LB-103 sunk by CL Boise at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

A bombardment TF with 5 USN CAs bombards Munda in an attmept to close the AF there:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Munda at 111,134, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kashiwa Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
PB Heizan Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Ichiyu Maru, Shell hits 15, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CA Northampton
CA Houston
CA New Orleans
CA Vincennes
CL Achilles
DD Edsall
DD Litchfield
DD Parrott
DD Napier

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF begins to get underway
Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 60% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 13,000 yards
CA Vincennes fires at PB Ichiyu Maru at 13,000 yards
CA New Orleans fires at PB Ichiyu Maru at 13,000 yards
CA New Orleans fires at PB Kashiwa Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Napier fires at PB Kashiwa Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Litchfield fires at PB Kashiwa Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Edsall fires at PB Ichiyu Maru at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages PB Ichiyu Maru at 11,000 yards
CA New Orleans engages PB Ichiyu Maru at 11,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages PB Kashiwa Maru at 11,000 yards
CA Northampton engages PB Ichiyu Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Parrott engages PB Ichiyu Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Litchfield engages PB Ichiyu Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
PB Ichiyu Maru sunk by CA Vincennes at 8,000 yards
CL Achilles engages PB Kashiwa Maru at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Napier engages PB Heizan Maru at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Achilles engages PB Heizan Maru at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages PB Heizan Maru at 11,000 yards
CA Houston engages PB Heizan Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Napier engages PB Heizan Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Parrott engages PB Heizan Maru at 11,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Munda at 111,134, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Seki Maru #3, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CA Northampton
CA Houston
CA New Orleans
CA Vincennes
CL Achilles
DD Edsall
DD Litchfield
DD Parrott
DD Napier

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 50% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages PB Seki Maru #3 at 11,000 yards
CL Achilles engages PB Seki Maru #3 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages PB Seki Maru #3 at 7,000 yards
PB Seki Maru #3 sunk by CA New Orleans at 7,000 yards
PB Seki Maru #3 sunk by CA New Orleans at 7,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

Night Naval bombardment of Munda at 111,134

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA New Orleans
CA Houston
CA Northampton
CA Indianapolis
CL Achilles
DD Napier
DD Parrott
DD Litchfield
DD Edsall

Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 53
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

CA Vincennes firing at Munda
CA New Orleans firing at 6th Air Defense AA Regiment
CA Houston firing at 4th Base Force
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Northampton
CA Northampton firing at 1st Air Defense AA Regiment
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Indianapolis
CA Indianapolis firing at Munda
CL Achilles firing at Munda
DD Napier firing at Munda
DD Parrott firing at 1st Air Defense AA Battalion
DD Litchfield firing at 1st Air Defense AA Regiment
DD Edsall firing at 6th Air Defense AA Regiment

The 4Es based at Luganville add to the damage at the airfield on Munda:

Morning Air attack on Munda , at 111,134

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-27b Nate x 4

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 6
B-17D Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 49
LB-30 Liberator x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-27b Nate: 4 damaged
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 2 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 9 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 44

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 13 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
24th Sentai/A with Ki-27b Nate (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

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

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-400 Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 105 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead

B-26s based at Lunga again hit the airfield at Shortlands:

Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 6
B-26 Marauder x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 26 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers

1ST NAVAL BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL

Ive always heard how life imitates art. Its interesting how AE imitates RL sometimes. As in RL....Lunga is the most important airfield in the Pacific and Japan will do everything with its power to shut it down.

Dave sends in a bombardment TF with 4.....FOUR......Kongo class BBs and Admiral Ching Lee(the RL victor of the 2nd Naval Battle of Guadalcanaland sank BB Kirishima) engages them with 5 CAs/6 CLs and 6 DDs:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 26,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Hiei, Shell hits 39, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chester, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
CL De Ruyter, Shell hits 3
CL Tromp
CL Dragon, Shell hits 1
CL Ceres, Shell hits 2
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 3
CL Capetown, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Benham
DD Case, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Voyager, Shell hits 1
DD Vendetta, Shell hits 1
DD Kilty
DD Le Triomphant, Shell hits 1, on fire

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 26,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CA San Francisco at 26,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Portland at 26,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Capetown at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA San Francisco at 21,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA San Francisco at 21,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CA San Francisco at 21,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Portland at 21,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL St. Louis at 21,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Tromp at 21,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Vendetta at 21,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Voyager at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA San Francisco at 19,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 19,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Chester at 19,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Portland at 19,000 yards
CL Capetown engages DD Usugumo at 19,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL St. Louis at 19,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Michishio at 19,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages CL Tromp at 19,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 19,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Michishio at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA San Francisco at 18,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 18,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Chester at 18,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Portland at 18,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Case at 18,000 yards
DD Kilty engages DD Akatsuki at 18,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Ceres at 18,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Dragon at 18,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Le Triomphant at 18,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Kilty at 18,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Vendetta at 18,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Usugumo at 18,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Benham at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA San Francisco at 17,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 17,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Chester at 17,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Portland at 17,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Case at 17,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL St. Louis at 17,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Michishio at 17,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Tromp at 17,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Le Triomphant at 17,000 yards
DD Kilty engages DD Michishio at 17,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Voyager at 17,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Benham at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA San Francisco at 16,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA San Francisco at 16,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CL St. Louis at 16,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Portland at 16,000 yards
DD Le Triomphant engages DD Usugumo at 16,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL St. Louis at 16,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DD Usugumo at 16,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Le Triomphant at 16,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Kilty at 16,000 yards
BB Kongo engages DD Case at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA San Francisco at 14,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Minneapolis at 14,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Chester at 14,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Portland at 14,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Usugumo at 14,000 yards
DD Kilty engages DD Michishio at 14,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 14,000 yards
DD Le Triomphant engages DD Usugumo at 14,000 yards
DD Kilty engages DD Michishio at 14,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Case at 14,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Benham at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA San Francisco at 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA San Francisco at 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Chester at 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Portland at 11,000 yards
CL Capetown engages DD Usugumo at 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL St. Louis at 11,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Usugumo at 11,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Usugumo at 11,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Case at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA San Francisco at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Chester at 10,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA San Francisco at 10,000 yards
CL Capetown engages BB Hiei at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL St. Louis at 10,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Voyager at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 10,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Le Triomphant at 10,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Michishio at 10,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Case at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages DD Benham at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA San Francisco at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Tromp at 10,000 yards
BB Haruna engages CA San Francisco at 10,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA San Francisco at 10,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Akatsuki at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Ceres at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Dragon at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 10,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Case at 10,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Benham at 10,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CL Capetown at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Chester at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Portland at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Capetown at 10,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Voyager at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Ceres at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Dragon at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 10,000 yards
DD Le Triomphant engages DD Usugumo at 10,000 yards
DD Kilty engages DD Michishio at 10,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Vendetta at 10,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Michishio at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA San Francisco at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Chester at 8,000 yards
CA San Francisco sunk by BB Kongo at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Capetown at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL St. Louis at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Ceres at 8,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 8,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Vendetta at 8,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Akatsuki at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Minneapolis at 5,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Chester at 5,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Akatsuki at 5,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Minneapolis at 5,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Akatsuki at 5,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Dragon at 5,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 5,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Vendetta at 5,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Voyager at 5,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Case at 5,000 yards
DD Benham engages DD Michishio at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Minneapolis at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Portland at 7,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Minneapolis at 7,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Voyager at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Ceres at 7,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Michishio at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Tromp at 7,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 7,000 yards
DD Le Triomphant engages DD Usugumo at 7,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Voyager at 7,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Case at 7,000 yards
Ikeda P. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Minneapolis at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL St. Louis at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Portland at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Capetown at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL St. Louis at 10,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Akatsuki at 10,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Vendetta at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Tromp at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 10,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Le Triomphant at 10,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Usugumo at 10,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Akatsuki at 10,000 yards
DD Case engages DD Usugumo at 10,000 yards
DD Benham engages DD Michishio at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Minneapolis sunk by BB Kirishima at 12,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Chester at 12,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CA Portland at 12,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Capetown at 12,000 yards
CL St. Louis engages DD Usugumo at 12,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Akatsuki at 12,000 yards
CL Tromp engages DD Akatsuki at 12,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Kilty at 12,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Vendetta at 12,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Portland at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Capetown at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Ceres at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Dragon at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Tromp at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 12,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Le Triomphant at 12,000 yards
DD Kilty engages DD Usugumo at 12,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Akatsuki at 12,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Benham at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CA Portland at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL Capetown at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL St. Louis at 12,000 yards
CL Ceres engages DD Usugumo at 12,000 yards
DD Kilty engages DD Akatsuki at 12,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Michishio at 12,000 yards
BB Hiei engages CL De Ruyter at 12,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Le Triomphant at 12,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Vendetta at 12,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Voyager at 12,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Case at 12,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Benham at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...

As in the RL battle...BB Hiei is reduced to a floating hulk.

Then the just arrived "R" class BBs take over for the Allies:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 4
BB Haruna, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 21, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Michishio, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 2
BB Ramillies, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Resolution, Shell hits 11, heavy fires
CA Canberra
CA Exeter, Shell hits 1
CL Perth
CL Caledon
DD Bagley
DD Blue
DD Ellet
DD Dunlap, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Smith
DD Scout
DD Thanet
DD Thracian
DD Hatfield

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Resolution at 26,000 yards
BB Resolution engages BB Haruna at 26,000 yards
BB Kongo engages BB Resolution at 26,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Exeter at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
BB Resolution engages BB Kirishima at 23,000 yards
BB Resolution engages BB Haruna at 23,000 yards
BB Kongo engages BB Resolution at 23,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Exeter at 23,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Scout at 23,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Ellet at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Resolution at 19,000 yards
BB Ramillies engages BB Kirishima at 19,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Royal Sovereign at 19,000 yards
BB Resolution engages DD Michishio at 19,000 yards
BB Kongo engages CL Perth at 19,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Dunlap at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
BB Kongo collides with BB Haruna at 114 , 138
BB Kirishima engages BB Resolution at 17,000 yards
BB Resolution engages BB Haruna at 17,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB Royal Sovereign at 17,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Dunlap at 17,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Canberra at 17,000 yards
BB Haruna engages DD Bagley at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
BB Resolution engages BB Kirishima at 13,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Ramillies at 13,000 yards
BB Resolution engages BB Kongo at 13,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Exeter at 13,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CL Perth at 13,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Scout at 13,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Smith at 13,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Michishio at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Resolution at 10,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Ramillies at 10,000 yards
BB Kongo engages BB Resolution at 10,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Exeter at 10,000 yards
CL Caledon engages DD Michishio at 10,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Thanet at 10,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Scout at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Resolution at 7,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB Resolution at 7,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages BB Kirishima at 7,000 yards
CA Exeter engages BB Kirishima at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Resolution engages BB Kirishima at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Ramillies at 8,000 yards
BB Kongo engages BB Resolution at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Exeter at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CL Caledon at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CL Perth at 8,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Thanet at 8,000 yards
DD Scout engages DD Michishio at 8,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages DD Bagley at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
BB Resolution engages BB Kirishima at 12,000 yards
BB Resolution engages BB Haruna at 12,000 yards
BB Kongo engages BB Resolution at 12,000 yards
CA Exeter engages DD Michishio at 12,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Michishio at 12,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Thracian at 12,000 yards
DD Michishio engages DD Thanet at 12,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages DD Michishio at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Resolution at 16,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB Resolution at 16,000 yards
BB Royal Sovereign engages BB Kirishima at 16,000 yards
DD Bagley engages DD Michishio at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Resolution at 19,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB Ramillies at 19,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Exeter at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Ramillies at 23,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Exeter at 23,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB Resolution at 25,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Ramillies at 29,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages BB Royal Sovereign at 29,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages CA Exeter at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...

BB Hiei tries to get away but runs into the Allied cruiser force returning from the bombardment of Munda:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Akatsuki, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Usugumo, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CA Northampton
CA Houston
CA New Orleans
CA Vincennes
CL Achilles
DD Edsall
DD Litchfield
DD Parrott
DD Napier

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
BB Hiei engages CA New Orleans at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Both TFs are apparently out of ammo.

As in the RL Battle of Guadalcanal....Avengers based at Lunga work over the damaged IJN ships after the massive surface battles:

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

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 16

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

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, on fire, heavy damage
BB Kongo

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-400 Airacobra x 20
P-40E Warhawk x 29
TBF-1 Avenger x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, on fire, heavy damage

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

Then the Allied carriers in the eastern Solomons launch an airstike against the IJN surface TF:

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

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 14
F4F-3A Wildcat x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 11, on fire
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Kongo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Haruna

The BB PoW TF finishes off some stragglers:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 114,138, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB Warspite
CA Australia
CA Dorsetshire
CA Devonshire
CL Dauntless
DD Henley
DD Gridley
DD Maury
DD Alden
DD Bulmer

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
BB Warspite engages DD Akatsuki at 26,000 yards
CA Devonshire engages DD Akatsuki at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards
BB Warspite engages DD Akatsuki at 24,000 yards
DD Akatsuki sunk by CA Devonshire at 24,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

The Allied airfield at Lunga remains open for business.

House Stark · Post by **House Stark** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:23 pm

I wonder if the fact that the 4 IJN BBs only had 3 destroyers with them contributed to their demise. Does the game simulate destroyer screening?

Wirraway_Ace · Post by **Wirraway_Ace** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:15 pm

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

Good grief Wirraway_Ace.....dont tell me that I can expect to see Tojos in large numbers in July 1942! Im still scraping for every F2A-3 Buffalo I can put on a flattop and my USAAF squadrons are mostly using P-39Ds and P-400s. You are correct about Dave using Oscars in the south Pacific...Im encountering them in ever larger numbers as we speak.

It depends on his research focus and methods, but yes, he could have Tojos in significant numbers 2 months ahead of schedule without a lot of effort.

Wirraway_Ace · Post by **Wirraway_Ace** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:25 pm

ORIGINAL: House Stark

I wonder if the fact that the 4 IJN BBs only had 3 destroyers with them contributed to their demise. Does the game simulate destroyer screening?

Yes, I agree his BBs (really BCs) were not adequately supported by light units, and the game does a good job of modelling the value of light units. Try a night battle in low vis without them....However, in this case, I don't think that was the primary reason for their demise. The Kongos were not battleships regardless of the reclassification in the 30s after their major refit. They were too lightly armored. As an example, Hiei was disabled by an 8" cruiser shell (or two) that penetrated into her rudder room, leading to her demise, during an action in the Solomons in RL against US cruisers. The series of actions during this turn was almost simulation in quality. The Kongos chewed up a larger force of curisers just as BCs should, but one was crippled during the battle (Hiei in parallel with history). Then, when they ran into battleships, even old battleships (contemporaries of the Kongos), the mask of their BB label was ripped off.

mike

Wirraway_Ace · Post by **Wirraway_Ace** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:29 pm

ORIGINAL: House Stark

I have to say this is one of the most interesting and exciting games I've witnessed so far....

AdmSpruance,

I strongly agree with House Stark.

In fact, this is the most interesting AAR from a game play perspective I have read in half a decade.

Mike

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:06 am

House Stark and Wirrayway_Ace...thankS so much for your comments and insight. The overiding thing here is....Dave is an expert player. If I make even 1 mistake in China Im history. Dave has a tendency to go all out against an objective and then your only choice is to "hit them where they aint".

6/6/42

CBI

Who cares.

PHILIPPINES

Who cares.

SOPAC

Just as in the RL 1st Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.....Lunga based Avengers work over the IJN BBs the day after the climatic surface engagement:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 114,134

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

B-25s and Hudson IIILRs work over the base at Tulagi.

Luganville based 4Es continue to work over Munda:

Morning Air attack on Munda , at 111,134

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-27b Nate x 6

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 2
B-17E Fortress x 52
LB-30 Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-27b Nate: 6 damaged
Ki-27b Nate: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 58

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead
Chitose Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 20 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
24th Sentai/A with Ki-27b Nate (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes

Allied carriers in the eastern Solomons continue to work over IJN TFs:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 114,134

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, and is sunk
DD Michishio, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Michishio

Just as in the RL 1ST Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.....IJN troop transports arrive on the 2nd day of the battle only to be hit by USN carrier bombers:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 14

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
APD Minekaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Minekaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 18
F2A-3 Buffalo x 16
F4F-3A Wildcat x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 55
SBD-2 Dauntless x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Minekaze, on fire
DD Hatsuharu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze
APD Hakaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Hayashio, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APD Shimakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
6 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Minekaze
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hayashio

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 11
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hayashio, on fire
DD Suzukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hatsuharu, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hayashio
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hatsuharu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Suzukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Suzukaze
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Tokitsukaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Albacore I bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 18

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hayashio, heavy fires
DD Suzukaze, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Albacore I bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x Albacore I bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hayashio
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Suzukaze

Dave emailed me that he had a problem with issuing orders to KB to coAfternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 11
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hayashio, on fire
DD Suzukaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hatsuharu, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hayashio
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hatsuharu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Suzukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Suzukaze
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Tokitsukaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Albacore I bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 18

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hayashio, heavy fires
DD Suzukaze, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Albacore I bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x Albacore I bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hayashio
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Suzukaze

Dave emailed me and said that he had a problem issuing orders to KB to cover BB Hyuga, I totally understand this as I ordered commands inappropriately a couple of weeks ago and left an amphib TF unloading unnecessarily at Russel Is. and lost 2 cruisers/2 DDs/2 APs for no reason at all.

Everything has now changed in the last 48 hours with the destruction/heavy damaging of 5 of the 10 available IJN BBs. Two days ago I was going to risk destruction of the Allied carriers to protect the AF at Lunga. CV Lexington had SS I-4 bounce a torpedo off her hull this turn..... a reminder on how dangerous it is to stay for any length of time in the sub infested waters around the Solomons. CV Wasp arrives towards the end of the month....so Im considering withdrawing back to Luganville to get my carriers out of harm's way for a bit.....ramp up my ASW.....and then come back stronger than ever.

Dave wont get the file back to me until Mon. nite.....so I have a while to consider my options.

racndoc · Post by **racndoc** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 8:36 pm

6/6/42.....SWPAC/SOPAC

Just got the file back from Dave last night. That gave me 4 days to reconsider my options in the Solomons. Is next turn going to be the epilogue to the 1st Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.....the prologue to the Carrier Battle of the Eastern Solomons.......or maybe a combination of both. Dave certainly expressed a sense of desperation in his email to me. His original plan called for KB to sail to where BB Hyuga was on day 1 of the battle last turn....KB was supposed to destroy my surface TFs on day 1 and then the IJN surface TFs were to show up off Guadalcanal on day 2 to put the AF at Lunga out of commission. Instead... KB never showed up and the IJN surface TFs showed up early at Lunga on day 1 and were annihilated.

My plan had been to reinforce Lunga with 3 "R" class BBs on day 1 to repel surface TFs and reinforce Lunga AF with 75 fighters to absorb a day 1 strike by KB. The Allied carriers were sent south and east on the 1st day to avoid KB and then were sent north on day 2 towards Ontong Java to engage KB after it had been attritioned by the land based AC at Lunga on day 1.

Dave was very surprised that the Allied carriers had sailed east from the Solomon Sea to the eastern Solomons and I got the impression that he really didnt want KB to face off against the Allied carriers. He wants to replay last turn ....just for fun....in a few days to see what would have happened had KB been given proper orders.

Four days ago(RL) I was prepared to call a victory from the 1st Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and then withdraw my carriers towards Luganville to preserve them. Now Ive had 4 days to reconsider my options and Im not so sure anymore. I hit Munda with a naval bombardment and massed 4Es...got about 150 hits on the AF yet this turn Munda's damage has merely increased from 26% to 35%. If its possible...I think that Dave maybe has even more construction engineers at Munda than I do at Lunga. In addition....my B-26s mostly failed morale checks last turn and only a few hit Shortlands....and now the damage there has been reduced to 24%. Dave only has 18 AC at Munda....but now he has staged in 36 fighters, 60 bombers and 65 Aux. AC to Shortlands even though it is damaged. Dave still has 100 fighters, 30 bombers and 170 Aux. AC at Rabaul.

I know that at a minimum BB Ise, BB Nagato and BB Yamashiro are still in the area as they have previously bombarded Lunga. Ive attached a screenshot of the current situation in the Solomons and there are unidentified ships at Shortlands even though I have that area covered by 4 PBY squadrons. This is where the Kongo class BBs departed from last turn and I gotta believe there is an AE/AKE at Shortlands. Ive bombed the port there several times in the last 2 weeks but havent found any AE/AKEs there yet. The remaining IJN BBs and CAs could quickly put Lunga out of business if I withdraw and Dave wont repeat his previous mistake of letting me back into the Solomons so easily.

Dave has been hyperaggressive and invaded Vanikoro....a mere 5 hexes from Luganville....last turn. Im going to return him a favor and airlift troops into Vanikoro next turn before he can launch an assault. He has been building up Ndeni and Im getting the sense that he wont be nearly content to recapture Guadalcanal but also threaten my positions in the New Hebrides and New Caledonia.

So I dont see how I can withdraw my carriers to the south and wait for CV Wasp without everything going to hell in a handbasket in the Solomons.... very quickly.

Up until last turn...KB never approached within 8 hexes of Lunga...Dave wanted to stay out of range of my 7 hex fighters....ie F4F-3s and F2A-3s. He was content to stand off at 8 hexes and let me kill his A6M2 escorts and bomb me ineffectually with his Kates. Last turn BB Hyuga was only 6 hexes from Lunga...so if KB was supposed to be there we would have had combat at 6 hex range....and all the Vals would have a full bomb load and the Kates would have torpedoes. I will use a modified approach next turn. I will leave some of my cripples at Lunga to draw in KB airstrikes but most of my good BBs and CAs will withdraw on the 1st day....Dave certainly will not risk any more BBs to surface combat until KB has cleared the area. I will stage in my remaining fighters from New Caledonia and the New Hebrides....I will overstack Lunga and have about 200 fighters on CAP to absorb a 1st strike with another 100 fighters to escort about 25 A-24s and 22 Avengers on naval attack. The Allied carriers will withdraw on the 1st day to avoid KB and then return the 2nd day to engage at close range. Allied BBs and CAs will return on the 2nd day to repel IJN bombardment TFs and keep Lunga AF open.

Japan has 7 CVs/3 CVLs/2 CVEs that can carry about 600 AC. The Allies have 8 CVs/1 CVL/ 1 CVE and are carrying about 570 AC. I have 2 VT sqaudrons at Lunga and 1 VT squadron is back at Luganville....I prefer to use DBs against carriers and have TBs at Lunga for the IJN BBs. The Allied carriers are also carrying 6 VMF and 4 VMSB squadrons. The key is for the land based air force at Lunga to engage KB for 1 day and attrition it before the Allied carriers arrive. If Im able to get a cohesive land based strike from Lunga I might even be able to damage an IJN carrier or 2.

Im gonna dwell on this for a few hours after Thanksgiving dinner and then make a final decision. Even though Japan has a massive advantage in torpedo bombers....I have 3 advantages:

1)Unsinkable AF at Lunga to hold carrier AC after flight decks are closed
2)I will have 3 USN BBs escorting the CVs to act as torpedo magnets
3)Even though the RN CVs hold pitifully few AC....they are....like Steven Seagal....."Hard to Kill".

And while all hell is breaking loose....Im going to be reinforcing Lunga with transport and amphib TFs with men, materiel and supplies.

So......epilogue or prologue.......its up to Dave.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

AE TOURNAMENT REDUX: ERSTAD(J) VS ADM SPRUANCE(A)

OPERATION WATCHTOWER

RE: OPERATION WATCHTOWER

RE: OPERATION WATCHTOWER

FORTRESS BATAVIA

RE: FORTRESS BATAVIA

RE: OPERATION WATCHTOWER

SECOND BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA

THE AIR WAR

RE: THE AIR WAR

RE: THE AIR WAR

SECOND BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA

RE: SECOND BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA

1ST NAVAL BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL....HISTORICAL: 11/13/42

1ST NAVAL BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL

RE: 1ST NAVAL BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL

RE: SECOND BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA

RE: 1ST NAVAL BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL

RE: SECOND BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA

1ST NAVAL BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL

EPILOGUE OR PROLOGUE